In the capital of the prosperous Tang Dynasty, in the south of Chang'an City, a house with four entrances and four exits was decorated with lights and decorations. The servants were busy and there was an endless stream of guests, making it very lively.
Everyone who came and went was dressed in fine clothes and behaved with dignity. Those who were acquainted with each other could sit down in the atrium and chat with each other.
Not long after, a rather rich middle-aged man, dressed in dark red silk with wide sleeves and double placket, walked out of the main room. His round face was full of red light, and he smiled and chatted with the guests.
"Shop Manager Yuan, congratulations! Why don't you see your wife and your son?"
"Boss Wang, we are all happy together! The child is crying a little, and my wife is coaxing him inside the house. Why don't you see Ling Zheng with you?"
"Ahem, don't mention it. I've been having trouble with me these past few days. Xiao Lin'er is one year old today, so I won't bring her to spoil the fun."
"Brother Yuan, congratulations! Brother Wang is here too. You won't come home until you're drunk today!" A man dressed as a scholar walked over quickly.
"Brother Liu, we rejoice together! Today I will make a ten-year-old Immortal Drunk specially for you, so that you can drink until you die."
"I said, Old Liu, you are past your thirties, so why are you dressed like a weak scholar?"
"Brother Yuan, please don't feel bad, haha! Brother Wang doesn't know something. Lin'er is one year old today. With Brother Yuan's family, anyone who comes here is either rich or noble. You and Brother Yuan have enjoyed the blessing of being together, but I, my little brother, are still alone. This scholar looks like a lady among all the ladies, and the prince's lady is the favorite, and my younger brother's lifelong marriage may be sealed through this." As he spoke, he opened the folding fan and gave it a few serious slaps.
Shopkeeper Yuan and Boss Wang saw this behavior and were about to make fun of them when they heard a sound coming from outside the door.
"Master He, Master Ji, here~~"
"Brother Wang, Brother Liu, I'm sorry." He cupped his hands and walked quickly out the door. Before they arrived, I saw two people had entered the atrium together: Mr. Ji on the left was tall, thin and tall, and Mr. Ji on the right was short, fat and round. Both of them were about forty years old. They wore regular clothes and had a certain power when walking.
"I don't know, Mr. Ji and Mr. Ji, when you come to my humble residence, you're welcome from afar, but I'm looking forward to seeing you!" As he said this, Shopkeeper Yuan bowed his head to the end.
"Shopkeeper Yuan's words are serious." As they spoke, the two adults gently helped Shopkeeper Yuan up.
Mr. He said with a smile on his face: "We won't talk about business today, but Mr. Ji and I are here for my nephew's first birthday party. There is no need to be restrained."
"Why don't you see Madam and Lin'er?" asked Mr. Ji next to him
"Thank you two adults. Maybe you are frightened by the large number of people. Lin'er couldn't stop crying earlier, and Suhua is coaxing her in the back room with her wet nurse. You two adults, please go and take a seat in the main hall first." As he said this, Shopkeeper Yuan turned to the side and said He led the way with his hand and waited for the two adults to walk a few steps before following him.
Along the way, everyone saw the two important officials of the imperial court standing up to salute, and the two adults also returned the salute one by one. Entering the main hall, I saw an elegant woman and the nanny behind her bowing down to greet her. The nanny was holding a small child in her arms.
"I, Mrs. Zhou, have met Mr. He and Mr. Ji. Lin'er is making a noise, and I am a little disappointed. I hope you will forgive me."
"Madam, please get up. No need to be polite." Mr. Ji stepped forward and supported Mrs. Yuan, while Mr. He walked towards the wet nurse and reached out to take the baby in her arms.
This child was born in pink and jade, with big eyes full of energy. He didn't cry when he was picked up by adults. Instead, he stretched out his pink hands to grab the fingers that He Zhongtang was playing with, and his mouth squeaked as if he was laughing.
Seeing this, Mr. He smiled even more. After teasing him for a few times, he took off his jade pendant and played with him.
When Xiao Lin'er saw the jade pendant, she became even more curious. She grabbed it with both hands and kept babbling in her mouth, as if asking what it was.
At this time, Mr. Ji took out an ivory thumb ring from nowhere, placed it in front of Xiao Lin'er, and teased: "Xiao Lin'er, what do you think this is?"
Xiao Lin'er's attention was quickly attracted by the newly appeared ring finger. He held the jade in one hand and stretched out to reach for the ring finger with the other hand.
The two adults were having a great time playing with the child, while Shopkeeper Yuan and his wife stood aside with smiles on their faces.
At this time, an old man with white beard and hair slowly walked into the main hall. The old man was wearing a moon-white robe, but he had a bun and an ebony hairpin. His eyes were bright and he was full of energy.
When he saw the adults, he hurriedly handed the child to the nanny and bowed with everyone.
"Father"
"Yuanshi"
"Uncle Yuan"
"Well, everyone, please get up." The old man raised his hand, then walked to the host's seat and sat down, "Zhengye, there are many guests outside, so you can go out and socialize."
"Yes, father." Shopkeeper Yuan bowed his hands to He and Ji, and then went to the atrium to entertain the guests.
"Kun'er, Yun'er, come and sit next to me."
"Yes, Uncle Yuan" "Yes, teacher" He and Ji sat down to the left and right of the old man.
"Su Hua, please sit down too. You've worked hard taking care of Lin'er."
"Thank you, dad. It's not hard to take care of your own children." After saying that, he sat down next to Mr. Ji and left the next seat to the head of the family, Yuan Zhengye.
"After greeting Zhengye, he will come naturally. We won't wait for him. Let's start the banquet." After the old man finished speaking, a servant sent a message, and the delicacies and wine specially provided for the main hall were filed in and served to the table.
Yuan Zhengye entered the atrium again and saw that the four round tables in the courtyard were full of guests, either greeting each other or sitting quietly drinking tea.
When everyone saw Yuan Zhengye, they all stood up and saluted: "Shopkeeper Yuan."
Yuan Zhengye returned the gift with his hand, cleared his throat slightly, and said: "Today is Quanzi's first birthday. Yuan is very grateful to you all for coming to the humble house despite your busy schedule. The people who came are all Yuan's relatives and close friends. If there is any lack of hospitality, Wan Wang Haihan. A bowl of immortal drunkenness, Yuan Mou will do it first as a token of respect!"
As he spoke, he took a bowl of wine presented by the butler next to him and drank it in one gulp.
"Everyone, just have fun and don't come home until you're drunk!"
The banquet began, and the guests at the banquet mingled with each other. Because this Immortal Drunk is the Yuan family's exclusive secret medicinal wine, it not only has a mellow taste, a dense texture, but also has many benefits for the body.
Yuan Zhengye and the butler went around the table to toast and exchange greetings. After going around, his round face was already red and his steps were a little unsteady. He finally walked towards Wang and Liu. Before they arrived, he heard the two laughing at them.
"Old Yuan, your ability to drink is getting worse and worse. You can't handle it after just a few bowls of Immortal Drunk in the past five years."
"Yuan is fine, but you two are on the verge of collapse. You can't hold enough alcohol. Come on, do it!"
After finishing the drink, Yuan Zhengye joked: "Old Liu, have you found your perfect match?"
"He, after seeing this immortal, was so drunk that he even forgot about his own mother. How could he still remember that he was a beautiful lady and was destined to be a good match?"
"So I made a mistake?"
"Of course. But I don't want you to pay anything, just give me a twenty-year-old Immortal Drunk."
"If you can drink from me, why not compensate you."
"Fat Yuan, this is what you said. Lao Wang, you are also a witness. You can't lie about it then!"
"Brother Wang, Brother Liu, it's a blessing to have a confidant in life, and Yuan to have two friends is indeed a great blessing! If you don't get drunk tonight, let's do it!"
The three of them drank the wine from the bowl at the same time and smiled at each other. Then Yuan Zhengye cupped his hands and said, "Boy, excuse me for a moment, the old man is still inside."
"Brother Yuan, please come and say hello to the old man for both of us."
At the door of the main hall, Yuan Zhengye straightened his clothes, then pushed the door open and entered.
I saw that the guests of honor were enjoying themselves inside. The old man at the head seat had slightly red cheeks and was smiling happily. The two adults next to him, He and Ji, were also tipsy and talking to each other jokingly.
"Father, the greetings are ready outside." Yuan Zhengye said respectfully.
"Okay, okay, take your seat. Fulai, some refreshing tea."
"Yes, sir."
Yuan Zhengye sat down at the table, first glanced at his wife, then poured himself a glass, raised his glass and said: "Brother He, Brother Ji, I didn't greet you well today, so I'll punish myself with a drink."
After drinking it all, he closed his eyes and held his breath. Then he took a long breath, and two lines of mist-like smoke could be vaguely seen coming out of his mouth and nose.
"I think Brother Xian is greedy for this pot of Wangchen wine, hahaha."
"Brother Ji, don't make fun of me. I've only had my second cup of Wangchen wine now."
"My dear brother, you can still drink one cup, but Master He and I have to share the cup three times. It's really enviable."
"Brother Ji is joking. The whole family needs more care from Brother Ji and Xiong." After speaking, he poured another glass and drank it in one gulp.
"That's natural. The friendship between you and our three families is such that there is no need to say such uninformed words." After saying this, the two adults drained the remaining wine in their glasses.
The old man beside him gently stroked his white beard and drank a drink by himself, his expression as usual.
"Master, the refreshing tea has arrived."
"Okay. The time is almost here. Let's start after drinking tea."
The old man picked up the tea cup first, and saw that the tea was as green as amber, and the fragrance was immediately in his mouth. Then it seemed as if a heat flow filled his body. The smell of alcohol and fatigue were all swept away. He was immediately refreshed and able to think quickly.
"The Awakening Tea is well-deserved!" Mr. He praised in admiration.
"Everyone, let's go." After saying this, the old man took the lead and left the main hall. At this time, a large Eight Immortals table has been set up in the atrium. The table is covered with red cloth. On the cloth are scattered a wooden sword, a book of "The Analects of Confucius", a gold-inlaid jade abacus, a warm round jade and a black gold inkstone.
When everyone in the court saw Mr. Yuan and others, they immediately stood up and said respectfully: "Mr. Yuan." Then they stood up and looked at the Eight Immortals table in the court.
Yuan Zhengye gave a slight signal, and the wet nurse came forward with Lin'er in her arms, placed it on the Eight Immortals table, and then stepped back.
Xiao Lin'er was on the table, and suddenly many new things came into view. He looked left and right, and after a slight hesitation, he climbed straight to the wooden sword.
However, halfway through the climb, he turned back and crawled towards Yuan Yu. He stopped in the middle of the table and looked at the jade on his left and the sword on his right. He seemed to want both.
When the old man saw this, his heart moved, and he took out a small sword from his arms. This sword is neither gold nor jade. It is no more than three inches long, and its whole body is shining with silver. If you look carefully, you can see mysterious runes on the sword body.
Then, he solemnly placed the small sword on the corner of the table. Xiao Lin'er was in trouble when he suddenly saw this delicate little sword and immediately crawled towards it.
When Xiao Lin got the sword, Xiao Lin'er actually sat cross-legged and looked at Mr. Yuan. He smiled slightly and then lay down on the table and fell asleep.
Everyone in the court was immersed in surprise, but the old man laughed heartily. His voice was full of energy, and the laughter got bigger and bigger. In the end, the sound spread even a mile, disturbing many clear dreams.
"Okay! Okay! Okay! From now on, Lin'er has a single name, Yuanqing, Yuanqing! Hahahahaha!"
Although everyone didn't understand why Mr. Yuan was so happy, they still congratulated him together.
"Nanny, take Qing'er to rest. Fulai, come here with the immortal drunk of twenty years. Today I will not return until you are drunk!"
After speaking, Mr. Yuan waved towards the shadow outside the courtyard, and several spies in black immediately jumped in, knelt on one knee and said respectfully: "I wonder what Mr. Yuan's instructions are?"
"One bowl of immortal drunkenness for each person. Go back and tell your master that you should live in peace with the world. I am happy tonight. After drinking, please don't spoil my mood by coming again."
"Yes." Several men in black picked up the big bowl and drank it all without any hesitation. Then he cupped his fists and saluted, and the figure disappeared into the night in a flash.
"Everyone, the wine is here, you won't come back until you're drunk!"
...
The prosperous Tang Dynasty, Chang'an, the imperial city.
The man on the dragon bed was sleeping peacefully. Although his eyes are closed, he still has the aura of looking down at the world and the majesty of being alone. The eunuch who served in the chamber came quickly from outside the palace, and he did not hesitate to disturb the emperor from resting and wake him up.
"Your Majesty, the spies report."
"What did Mr. Yuan say?"
"Be at peace with the world."
