In the afternoon, we ate on the corridor in the palace.
Qi Nanhua's food was tasteless, and he once again felt the strength of Duan Shoucheng's faction. The Holy Emperor had almost no power to fight back, so he reluctantly left the court early on the grounds of physical discomfort. When he left, his face was livid, and he was obviously very angry.
Because in the court, not only the civil servants but also the military attachés began to recommend Wei Guogong. Song Deyu led a few generals to refute. Unfortunately, he was clumsy and tongue-tied, but was caught by Li Bozhi, the minister of Zhongshu, and took advantage of the angel's death. On the grounds of insufficient protection, Song Deyu was demoted to the title of crown prince's right concubine.
As we all know, the prince has grown up and does not need many people to attend him. This position is basically useless.
Qi Nanhua speculated on the thoughts of the Holy General Song Deyu's demotion, and still felt that Li Bozhi in the court was a metaphor for the friendship between Song Deyu and Zhou Youzhou and the comrades who fought together in previous years. It was this that touched the Holy Lord's heart, and this led to the Holy Lord's response to Song Deyu. General.
Qi Nanhua looked at the lost Song Deyu not far away but had no intention of helping. Everyone had different positions and it was better for him not to add insult to injury.
When going to court, Qi Nanhua saw Princess Huayin's jade banquet from a distance.
The seven treasures carried by twenty-eight people were so gorgeous that Princess Huayin, who was extremely favored during the reign of the late emperor, continued her usual extravagant and glitzy style after her marriage, with dazzling jewelry and fragrant fragrance.
Behind her were nearly a hundred maids serving the princess. Even when she was going home, the Princess Huayin still attracted attention.
Ji Zhi, the Secretary of the Ministry of Finance, watched Princess Huayin's jade chariot leave and sighed. Li Bozhi stood beside him and suddenly asked: "Why did Ji Xiang sigh? Princess Huayin and the Holy Emperor grew up together, and the relationship between brothers and sisters is deep." , I have been married to Taiyuan for many years, and when I come back to visit the Holy One this time, Ji Xing should be happy for the Holy One."
Ji Xiang glanced at Li Bozhi and said, "Even if we haven't seen each other for many years, the princess should abide by the palace rules. When the Holy Lord Long Chu walked in the palace, he only had sixteen people, but the number of people used by Princess Yu Chu reached twenty-eight, which is disrespectful." meaning."
"Ji Xiang also said that the Sixteen Dragons are for walking in the palace, while the Holy Dragons are still thirty-six outside. Princess Huayin came from outside the palace. The journey is long. The princess has golden branches and jade leaves, and she was favored by the late emperor. I was favored by the Holy Emperor and used to travel with him in a twenty-eight jade chariot when I was not married. This time when I returned to the palace, I was deeply in love and there was nothing more." Li Bozhi opened his mouth and said with a smile: "Prime Minister Ji is worried too much."
Ji Xiang said nothing more and slowly turned and left.
Li Bozhi watched Ji Xiang of the royalist faction leave and left with a smile.
Qi Nanhua, who noticed all this not far away, finished watching the excitement and followed the crowd out of the palace. Officials in twos and threes went home on the way. Qi Nanhua's friend Yushi Zhongcheng Li Yu secretly told him that Princess Huayin was in his mansion outside the palace. After resting for a while, he arrived late at the palace.
Penglai Palace.
"Why did the princess come so late? You gave me a lot of time to wait." Imperial Concubine Xi stepped forward to greet Princess Huayin with a smile on her face.
Princess Huayin was arrogant and arrogant. When she heard this, she only glanced at the Imperial Concubine Xi. Her every move was full of royal majesty. She sat on a high position, lowered her head and took a sip of tea. The voice behind her said: "Report to the Imperial Concubine, Princess A few months ago I went to Chang'an from Jinling, and the journey was tiring, so I rested outside the palace for a while."
The handkerchief in Zheng Xier's sleeves was tightly grasped by her, and the smile on her face froze. She was asking the princess, not this old man. Although she was jealous in her heart, she did not dare to show it.
"Where is the royal brother?" Princess Huayin asked directly.
Imperial Concubine Xi quickly replied: "The Holy One is handling political affairs in the Xuanzheng Hall and will be here soon. Princess, please sit down for a while."
After the queen passed away, all affairs in the palace were presided over by Imperial Concubine Xi. This was why Huayin came to Penglai Palace first.
When Chu Zhang came, he saw his half-sister at a glance.
"Huayin pays homage to the emperor." Princess Huayin paid homage to the emperor.
"Jingyi is here." Chu Zhang sat in the first place and asked Imperial Concubine Xi to lead the maids to retreat. He smiled with the imperial sister whom he had not seen for a long time and said, "Why don't you see Jingyun?"
When Princess Chu Jingyi of Huayin heard her son's name, her always cold face said with a smile and helplessness: "Jingyun went to Guangling to enjoy the mountains and rivers, and he hasn't returned home for a long time."
Chu Zhang looked at Princess Huayin carefully and smiled: "I still don't know why you came back suddenly, but Duke Wei did not treat you well?"
Princess Huayin said calmly: "My lord, he treats me very well."
Chu Zhang was noncommittal and even wanted to laugh.
Wei Yanshan is a cold-hearted and ruthless person, but his appearance is completely opposite to that of a scholar and gentleman. He is not as gentle and elegant as an envoy in charge of the army. No wonder Hua Yin envoy Ji married him in the first place.
But a venomous snake that bites is a venomous snake. Even if he puts on a colorful and attractive coat, his true nature cannot be concealed.
Chu Jingyi's face became colder when she saw the emperor's sarcastic smile.
The two of them were relatively speechless.
"There have been a lot of rumors among the people recently. Brother, please don't believe the villain's slander. Someone must have taken the opportunity to sow discord between our brothers and sisters." Chu Jingyi said: "My lord, he is devoted to the country, the Yongping Army, and the Anguo Army." The reason why the military envoys want the Duke to serve as the general marshal is because Zhou Xu in the north has become a behemoth and is in urgent need of a marshal who can command the whole country to exert pressure on Youzhou in the north."
"If the emperor can find a better candidate than the Duke, he will have no objection."
"I just want my brother to know that Youzhou must be guarded against."
Chu Zhang looked at the imperial sister who was earnestly trying to persuade him. He sneered in his heart, but his face was very gentle and said: "Thanks to the Duke's hard work, I also know that Zhou Xu is already a hungry wolf, eyeing the south."
Princess Huayin couldn't help but be happy.
"But the position of the general marshal of the world's soldiers and horses is very important. I also need to think carefully about it. If Jingyi fails, I will stay in Chang'an for a few more days. You haven't been back for a long time, and you can just stay with your mother." Chu Zhang said.
Princess Huayin thought for a while, nodded and said: "Just follow what the emperor said."
After the conversation, Princess Huayin left Penglai Palace and went to her own Fengyang Palace.
Separated by a door, the most noble brother and sister in the world are like the most familiar strangers.
Chapter 180 (revision)
Youzhou Langge.
The spring breeze in March blew away the coldness of winter. At noon, the bright sunlight fell on the Cuju field. Accompanied by bursts of lively cheers, the man in black clothes swooped down from the sky and landed lightly on the shoulder of his master. , the sharp eagle eyes scanned the crowd having fun under the high platform.
A woman's hand reached out from the side and touched Wu Yilang's shiny feathers lovingly. Wu Yilang meekly lowered his head and rubbed the white and soft back of his hand intimately.
Xiao Luolan felt that after one winter, Wu Yilang became more and more intelligent. There was a slight itching on the back of her hand, and she couldn't help but smile. The weather was good today. Her daughter was playing Cuju with some of her close friends from the Zhou family. She and Zongzhu Zhou led some people to watch. In the audience, his daughter and Shiliu were the loudest. They seemed to be enemies when they met.
In the end, naturally, it was the daughter’s team and the 16th team.
The daughter is on the red team and the 16th is on the blue team.
Xiao Luolan touched the man in black clothes for a while, then looked at the Cuju field under the high platform. In the wide field, two teams were confronting each other. There were 16 people in each team, and her daughter was wearing a crimson robe with a round collar and narrow sleeves. , her hair was tied up high, and next to her were her good friend Qi Jiujiu she made last year, a little girl who aspired to be a heroine and make her way in the world, the daughters of the Jiang family, five girls from the Zhou family, and the rest were Lang The girls from the Ge family and the families of high-ranking officials, in general, the daughter's team is a women's army, except for Qinghe.
Many beautiful girls stood together, bright and bright, like a burning fire.
The sixteenth team wore blue uniforms. Most of the team members were members of the Zhou family, as well as senior officials.
The high platform next door was filled with invited ladies, each holding a round fan. Occasionally they would whisper to someone under the high platform, looking at and selecting certain men or women.
Xiao Luolan always felt that this Cuju match was like a blind date. She turned her head to look at Sect Leader Zhou sitting next to her and found that he was in good spirits.
Realizing that his wife was looking at him, Zhou Xu picked up a plate of meat and guided Wu Yilang away from his shoulder to prevent Wu Yilang from accidentally pecking him.
"Madam, guess whether the daughter's team or the sixteenth team will win later?" Zhou Xu put his elbows on the table, leaned towards the madam, and said with a smile.
Xiao Luolan looked down at the high platform. Even though her daughter's team was in high spirits, the Sixteenth team had many guys as strong as calves. There were differences in body shape and strength between men and women. Moreover, the Sixteenth team often played Cuju. This I feel like the odds of winning are a bit slim...
However, Xiao Luolan noticed that when the boys of Team Sixteen looked at their daughter's team, they made many unexpected little moves.
Although it is March now, it is cold in the north, even more late in spring, so it is necessary to add a layer of waistcoat or wear a half-arm robe outside. However, the men of the blue team have not only completely abandoned those burdens, but in order to facilitate activities, they will The hem of the robe is tucked at the right hip, showing a rather unruly style and a heroic appearance.
Those who dislike the heat can open their collars a little, or turn their arms and wristbands, as if they are exercising...
Xiao Luolan looked at it and couldn't help but laugh. Spring is here, young people's minds are wandering, and they want to fall in love. There are also girls in her daughter's team whose cheeks are slightly red, as if they are smudged by the sunset.
Zhou Xu saw his wife's smiling face and eyes, gentle and approachable, waiting for her answer.
Xiao Luolan thought for a while and said uncertainly: "I think my daughter's team can win." There is actually a big gap in strength between the two sides. If her daughter's team wins, how much trouble will the Sixteenth team take?
"I also think my daughter's team will win." Zhou Xu said matter-of-factly.
"My sister is still very good at kicking Cuju. I think she has a good chance of winning." Zhou Shenzhi gave her a bonus. He often taught her to kick in his spare time, so his face did not turn red and his heart stopped beating when he praised her.
"I also agree with what my lord and mistress said." Cui Shizi was wearing a big cloak, with warm brows and eyes, and his face became more rosy when the spring sunshine illuminated it. Finally, he no longer looked like he was lingering on the sick bed, and he looked more alive.
Zhao Qingshan shook his folding fan, watched the performances of the girls and boys in the audience for a while, and said with his tongue: "The spring breeze touches people's hearts."
Zhao Qingshan was in a good mood. His wife found out she was pregnant last month, so she did not come to the Cuju party this time and was recuperating at home.
As soon as these words came out, Zhou Xuan, Zhou Bin and others who were sitting next to them also laughed. Naturally, the chief seats on the high platform of Nuo University were Youzhou Jiedu Envoy and Youzhou Mistress. The remaining people sitting in front were the important ones. He also served as a close aide, as well as the Zhou clan and important generals.
Jin Ben, who always wore a ghost mask, also appeared in front of people this time. A dull laugh came from the general next to him. It was General Yuwen Qian of the Beifu Army in Gushi County.
"Didn't General Zhonglang say that this time Cuju is mainly about physical exercise, friendship first, competition second, no matter which team wins, General Zhonglang's words are very grand." Yu Wenqian said, he looked towards The Zhonglang General in the audience is also the only female Zhonglang General in Youzhou. The lord dotes on his stepdaughter so much that he calls Lady Xiao the Military Advisor Zhonglang General. Naturally, this position does not require Little Lady Xiao to lead troops in war. More equivalent to a civil servant.
The position of Zhonglang General can be great or small. A Zhonglang General without a single soldier is worse than a captain. But who is Miss Xiao? The only beloved daughter of Mistress Youzhou.
The lord made her the commander of the military strategist, and gave her two thousand soldiers and fifty riders. As far as he knew, the lord also gave a horse farm to his stepdaughter. It can be said that it was obvious. Everything was taken care of secretly. As a former confidant of the lord, Jiang Dashou had already been assigned to this young lady Xiao, and now he was promoted to the rank of accomplice.
"That's right, that's right." General Lin Wenjue of the Long Xiao Army nodded and stroked his beard in agreement. It's not like he went to the battlefield to fight to the death. He played Cuju with a group of girls and just gave in. There was no need to fight for fame, so he won. It is said that he has defeated a group of young ladies. It is better not to win. In this game, it is better to lose than to win.
"Haha." Zhou Xu laughed and said, "Yu Gui and Wen Rao made a good point. When all the gentlemen in the audience leave, can we go down and play together?"
"Wei!" the two generals responded. They are both martial artists and are no strangers to activities like Cuju. They used to play it often in their early years.
"Then let's all come together and stretch our muscles." Zhou Xu said to Zhou Xuan and others.
Zhou Xuan, Zhou Bin and others also agreed.
Xiao Luolan was thinking about how Clan Master Zhou and the others would play Cuju. When the time came, should she and her daughter leave first, or should she wait for Clan Master Zhou, Shen Zhi and the others?
"It's about to start." Zhou Xu said to his wife.
Xiao Luolan looked towards the audience.
Under the sun, Zhou Shiliu was very dissatisfied. He had held several Cuju games, and the contestants were all rough-skinned boys. Unlike now, his opponents were actually a group of pretty girls. Wait a minute. If a war breaks out, how will he fight?
Don't think he doesn't know that some players on his blue team are already upset, so how can he start playing Cuju at that time! hateful!
Xiao Qingxue saw Shiliu's stinky face at a glance, frowned, and then, as if thinking of something, she smiled and patted the silverbait bag around her waist to make it shine brighter.
Her silverbait bag was made of silver wire and contained a fish charm representing her official position. The appearance was not to mention sparkling. Xiao Qingxue patted her silverbait bag with satisfaction and smiled at Zhou Shiliu: " Cousin sixteen, friendship comes first, competition comes second."
Zhou Shiliu's face turned red. I don't know whether it was stimulated by the proud look of Miss Xiao showing off or the sun.
"Yes, yes, the lieutenant general is right, friendship comes first, competition comes second." The men of the blue team echoed, and as the steam steamed, their admiring eyes kept drifting to the opposite side.
The angry Zhou Shiliu looked at those people angrily.
Sure enough, as soon as the Cuju competition started, these people held back, allowing Mrs. Xiao to take the lead.
Xiao Luolan saw her daughter score a goal and rolled her eyes happily. The atmosphere quickly became lively, with cheers from time to time. As more and more goals were scored, the final result of the game came out.
On the blue team, except for some anger on Saturday, the rest of the team were in high spirits. In this game, they showed off their excellent skills.
After Xiao Qingxue exercised, she was too hot. She fanned herself hard with a round fan, her face flushed. She looked at the other side, Zhou Shiliu, with a few white marks on his face. It was a serious Cuju competition, but the captain had to eat it if he lost. As for the whip, they are just having fun now, there is no need to be so formal.
"Hey, are you still angry?" Xiao Qingxue lowered her head and looked at him. Xiao Qinghe stood beside his cousin, his handsome face still steaming, and he also looked at Zhou Yanzhi.
Sitting on the ground on Saturday 16th, he didn't want to pay attention to Mrs. Xiao, and was even more angry with the team members who were holding him back.
Xiao Qingxue burst out laughing: "Sixteenth cousin, you look like a frog when you are so angry."
Zhou Shiliu stood up angrily: "Xiao Qingxue!" He looked at the silver fish bag under Mrs. Xiao's belt, and then thought about how he was incompetent in writing and martial arts. Now even the young lady can't compare with the young man's His eyes turned red all of a sudden. He realized that he had lost his composure, and felt extremely embarrassed. He turned around suddenly, held his head high and walked away.
Xiao Qingxue was stunned for a moment and caught up with Zhou Shiliu.
