The lobby is as warm as spring, and all the guests have arrived.
When Xue Bai returned to the hall with the dishes, everyone had just exchanged greetings and sat at small tables on both sides.
Yang Yuyao still asked him to come forward and sit on the same couch with her.
"I know you are a light drinker, so I prepared a black plum drink for you." She tilted her head and winked at him, with a hint of teasing, "Don't get drunk again."
She doesn't need to please a man, she has to accompany him and make fun of him, just to make herself happy.
Xue Bai picked up the golden cup and took a sip. It was sour and sweet.
He took a deep look at Yang Yuyao, turned back, and whispered to himself in a slightly distressed tone: "I'm afraid I'll still get drunk."
"Why?"
"Everyone gets drunk without wine."
"Oh?" Yang Yuyao's beautiful eyes flashed, "Why do people get drunk?"
If it were Yang Zhao who said this, it would be nothing more than "you are so beautiful that it makes me drunk" and other glib and greasy words.
However, Xue Bai just stopped and didn't answer. He raised his hand politely and said, "I specially prepared delicious food for Yao Niang, please."
Yang Yuyao was a little unhappy.
She quite disliked Xue Bai's somewhat dignified and cold feeling.
At this time, the dishes were served.
"Hey, what kind of dishes are these?"
There were only five dishes arranged by Xue Bai, and they were served on small porcelain white plates, with only a little bit on each plate. But it is bright in color and steaming hot, which makes people very appetizing at first sight.
Braised lamb short ribs, stir-fried shredded lamb tripe, braised crucian carp, stir-fried winter amaranth, and scrambled eggs with fungus.
Yang Yuyao picked up the chopsticks, looked back and forth at each dish twice, and first took a piece of shredded mutton tripe into her mouth.
There was some oil on her red lips. She chewed it carefully. It was a delicious food she had never tasted before. Her eyes lit up and she turned to look at Xue Bai.
"Did you really prepare this specially for me?"
Xue Bai didn't answer and asked: "Is it delicious?"
"Delicious."
Yang Yuyao nodded repeatedly, unaware that Xue Bai deliberately suppressed her aura.
~~
There was a sound of praise in the hall.
Deng Lian picked up a small piece of braised crucian carp, closed his eyes and tasted it slowly, appreciating it in his heart.
"Fry it in white paste oil for a better texture, stir-fry onions and ginger to increase the aroma, and add rice wine to remove the fishy smell. Although it is not as fresh and tender as the fish and meat, it is more flavorful, and the flavors of the ingredients are blended just right... The heat is slightly overheated, and there is a slight coppery flavor. It's astringent, but it still has some shortcomings, but it can be called 'beautiful'."
Soon, someone asked him: "What does Chief Deng say?"
Deng Lian put down his chopsticks, stood up, crossed his hands and bowed solemnly to the head of the table, and said loudly: "The pastries for the villain are just a snack after the meal. This stir-fry can be used as the main course."
Xue Bai saw that he was giving face to him, and he hurriedly raised his golden cup containing black plum drink to salute him.
"Director Deng is overly praised."
He knew in his heart that this was something everyone had never tasted before, and it was something new. After all, Guanzhong was still the world of pasta.
At this time, everyone in the hall had different thoughts.
Yang Zhao devoured the food in his mouth, but his eyes were a bit complaining, knowing that the gift he gave today has been overshadowed. He gave Xue Bai a thousand or ten thousand pieces of gold, but Xue Bai didn't want to repay him, and he refused to share the credit for the delicacies;
Sitting above him was the Princess of Jin's consort Cui Huitong, who was good at writing poems. Cui Huitong felt so amazing that he should write a poem to praise it. Unfortunately, Li Taibai disturbed his thoughts, so that all he could think of was "A treasure on a jade plate costs ten thousand dollars."
When he turned around again, the food on the five plates had been eaten by the Princess of Jin.
~~
"It's delicious, but it's too little, not enough."
Suddenly someone stood up, left his seat, walked into the hall, and said with a loud smile: "Mr. Xue is too stingy."
Xue Bai had actually noticed this person for a long time and greeted him with a smile.
"Chicken Magic Boy, we meet again. I will host another banquet for Chicken Magic Boy and you all in the future."
Jia Chang got help from Xue Bai in the secret gambling house, and he knew that he was the future son-in-law of the Prime Minister, so he was very close to him. He said, "There are many people in the hall, can Mr. Xue arrange it?"
Xue Bai responded: "I can definitely think of a way."
Listening to this conversation, Du Wulang had an idea. He turned around and saw that Du Youlin had closed his eyes after eating the stir-fried vegetables, as if an old monk had entered samadhi.
"..."
"But I don't know how Xue Langjun came up with this cooking method?"
"I have lost my memory and have forgotten my life experience, but recently I have vaguely thought that I seem to have seen people cooking in iron pots. It was very delicious, so I gave it a try."
"Iron pot? Iron pots, iron kettles and other utensils are only found in the army. Could it be that Xue Langjun's family serves in the border army?"
"I can't remember, it's possible."
Everyone has tasted the delicious stir-fry today, not what Xue Baikou said without proof. Then, if someone accuses him of being Xue Xi's son in the future, he can remind them to think about the matter again and realize that "no, Xue Xi has never served in the frontier army."
At this time, no one cared at all, and their minds were completely focused on cooking.
"Oh? This dish can be made even more delicious."
"After all, it's not perfect yet, and many materials and equipment are insufficient."
There are all powerful people here, so they will not miss these things. They all promised to send spices and objects to Xue Bai, in short, they made Yang Yuyao happy.
The impact of five plates of stir-fry still needs fermentation.
~~
After having enough food and wine, it’s time to have fun.
Jiachang, the child prodigy, never lets the banquet atmosphere cool down.
"Everyone! We have already agreed today that we will not enjoy singing and dancing, but will only watch cockfights. Do you want to bet on it?"
"No, who doesn't know that your chicken prodigy is unparalleled in the world, so what fun can you get from betting on it?"
"Then let's change the game. I'll just see the fighting cocks, and I won't teach you which fighting cock is mine. I'll just be the banker who bets on it, how about that?"
"..."
Soon, two fighting cocks came on stage.
One is General Jinhao, and the other is General Tiejuan. They both have red crowns. They have a strong spirit and fierce eyes... They are indeed quite similar to Li Linfu.
Looking up, Yang Yuyao had drank several glasses of wine, her cheeks were slightly rosy, and she was leaning lazily on Xue Bai.
Xue Bai looked into the hall and saw Mingzhu standing behind the old monk with his head lowered, his expression sad and self-pitying, which was incompatible with the surrounding atmosphere.
He then said, "My uncle had a quarrel with that old monk. I am the one to blame."
"Why?"
"The reason Yang Shenjin sent her out was because he failed to stop Ji Wen from searching his house that night..."
At this time, everyone else was betting on cockfights. Yang Yuyao had watched too much and was not very interested, but she was attracted by the story Xue Bai told.
He whispered in her ear, and sometimes his breath tickled her ears slightly, but her mind rose and fell with the things he said.
"I think it was because of this incident that Yang Shenjin sent her out."
Yang Yuyao snorted coldly: "Why give it to such an ugly old monk? A man's husband cannot protect his woman, but blames her for all his faults."
"Yes." Xue Bai nodded.
"Do you think I invited them in just to vent Yang Zhao's anger?" Yang Yuyao smiled slightly, "Just watch."
She waved her hand and asked the maid to call the old monk to come forward and answer the question.
…
"Mrs. Guo Guo is well."
"I met you by chance on the road, but I haven't asked the master's name yet. Where do you meditate?"
"Hui Guo Guo's wife, I have returned to the world of mortals. I am no longer a Buddhist disciple. I will use my secular name Shi Jingzhong."
Yang Yuyao didn't care what his name was, her eyes had already fallen on Mingzhu and said: "So, you can bet on the cockfight?"
Shi Jingzhong looked embarrassed and responded: "Although there are no rules and regulations, it's a pity that I don't have any property."
Yang Yuyao turned her head and signaled, and a maid immediately brought out a large wooden box with golden horseshoe gold inside.
"You just bet on this concubine. You are allowed to place the bet first. As long as you win, the gold will be yours."
Shi Jingzhong looked at the gold, then at the pearl, and finally at the two fighting cocks, and responded: "Then it's better to be respectful than obey your orders. I'll bet a cent to win."
Yang Zhao wanted to help Mrs. Guo Guo's reputation, so he immediately signed a bet and pledged 100,000 yuan to General Tiju.
"You won't follow me?!" He patted Du Youlin's table.
Du Youlin was sitting where the old monk was in trance. He was startled by the drink. When he opened his eyes, he couldn't even tell which was gold and which was iron. His long beard trembled twice, and he pressed helplessly. Thousands of dollars.
The cockfight began, and soon the majestic General Tiejuan was defeated.
Before Du Youlin could see clearly, the ten thousand dollars were gone.
"Come again."
Yang Yuyao's expression remained unchanged, and she ordered her maid to bring out two large wooden boxes containing gold, and asked Shi Jingzhong to bring the concubine and the gold he had won.
Shi Jingzhong's expression changed, and he secretly scolded the woman for being too domineering. He looked at the two fighting cocks that were brought to the court, and reluctantly chose one.
This time, Shi Jingzhong won again.
"Come again." Yang Yuyao directly asked the slaves to move out several large boxes and wrote lightly: "You can win my money until you have the ability."
What no one expected was that Shi Jingzhong won five games in a row, and the horseshoe gold he won had piled up in the hall.
Yang Zhao was shocked and kept cursing "monk".
Even Jia Chang's expression changed, wishing he could go out and bet first.
Only Yang Yuyao's expression remained unchanged and she continued to have people carry out gold and silver jewelry.
"Mrs. Guo Guo, how about forgetting today?" Shi Jingzhong showed his ability deliberately, then picked up a gold horseshoe and said with a smile: "I only need this ingot of gold, that's enough."
He has the ability, and he hopes Yang Yuyao can take a high look at him and then show his favor.
Yang Yuyao still leaned lazily on Xue Bai and said leisurely: "I said, you have to win all my money."
It was said to be a bet, but it was tantamount to a robbery.
Shi Jingzhong was resentful in his heart, but he could only smile apologetically on his face. He knew that he could not afford to offend Mrs. Guo Guo. The fighting cock he chose this time was finally defeated and handed over the identity of the pearl.
In the end, he could only take a greedy look at Mingzhu, leave Mrs. Guo's house empty-handed, and go to Pingkangfang Sanqu to vent his hatred.
Yang Zhao was overjoyed and saluted quickly: "Thank you, Mrs. Guo Guo, for standing up for me!"
"Who said you are standing up for your cousin?" Yang Yuyao chuckled, "I want to keep this beauty in my house... Mingzhu, come here."
Yang Zhao was stunned for a moment, looking at Mingzhu journeyingly.
Mingzhu didn't even look at Yang Zhao anymore. She wiped away her tears and walked towards Yang Yuyao. She fell to the ground and kowtowed: "Mrs. Guo Guo's great kindness, Mingzhu will never forget it."
Yang Yuyao stood up and stepped forward, caressed her face, and said softly: "I heard what Xue Bai said about you. Don't be afraid. From now on, when you are by my side, no one can bully you."
"Thank you, Mrs. Guoguo, and thank you, Mr. Xue."
Mingzhu closed her eyes obediently and felt the temperature of Yang Yuyao's fingers. What I recalled in my mind was Yang Zhao's devastation and Yang Shenjin's indifference, personally destroying each other's past vows and sending her to Shi Jingzhong, which was like pushing her into hell.
She was still very weak and couldn't take revenge on them, but she had deep hatred taking root in her heart little by little.
~~
It's not dark yet.
At the censor's desk, Pei Mian stood in the corridor and watched Wang Xian come out of Yang Shenjin's public house.
Wang Zhi also held the post of censor, and had been eyeing Yang Shenjin's position as censor Zhongcheng for a long time.
"Your Majesty." Pei Mian greeted Wang Qian and said in a low voice: "I heard that Yang Shenjin came to Du's house to hire someone last night. This matter has been widely spread."
"Be patient for a while longer." Wang Zhi said: "Sooner or later he will be moved, but this is definitely not a good opportunity. Now is the time when the Right Prime Minister needs the Censor Tai to kill the East Palace the most. The Censor Zhongcheng cannot have anything happen, otherwise he will be in trouble."
"The prince is righteous and puts the overall situation first."
Pei Mian said: "He has an extraneous problem. If it reaches the ears of the saint, he will be suspicious of Yushitai because he is disgusted with Yang Shenjin, and it will cause trouble."
Wang Fei snorted coldly: "The right prime minister has personally made arrangements, so it won't happen for the time being. That means Yang Shenjin must be killed after this incident, otherwise how could things be so peaceful? Remember, depose the prince first."
"Understood."
Pei Mian looked back at Yang Shenjin's palace and thought that he should really keep the censor Zhongcheng who was not good at power.
I believe that the Youxiang Mansion never expected that the move to clear the suspicions of the East Palace would also be made by this nobleman who was born in the Second King and Three Kes.
Let's finish this matter first, and then find a way to silence him so as not to reveal his identity. But now we can't cause trouble... Pei Mian thought this way.
~~
Xue Bai sipped his black plum drink, planning to get some shelter tonight.
He knew very well that now was the most intense time of the struggle between the Right Prime Minister's Mansion and the East Palace. Both sides were fully focused and could not care about anything else.
Just like two boulders colliding with each other, the gravel like Jiwen cracks and creates gaps, giving the seeds of weeds a chance to fall to the ground and take root.
But it's not enough. If it doesn't have time to grow later, you have to knock more between the two boulders to create a larger gap.
Where should I knock then? Xue Bai thought so.
