Although the area of the General's Mansion is not as large as that of the Prince's Mansion, it is still very spacious, covering an area of a hundred acres. The auspicious time has come, and after the host and guest exchanged greetings with each other, they were divided into two groups, old and young, and sat down in different places to eat.
Twenty-two tables were opened by the middle-aged and elderly people, and they all sat in the main hall of the main hall. The guests had always known that Rui Rumin was bold and good at drinking. During the banquet, they could not help but toast the old man frequently. For a while, the sound of laughter could be heard from time to time in the hall, and the atmosphere was very warm.
The younger generation opened fourteen tables and arranged to sit in Tingxiang Pavilion, which is two to three hundred steps away from the main hall. At this banquet, there were actually twenty-one students from the twenty-four Zhizhi Hall in Huazi Prison, almost gathered together. Only tonight, everyone came here to celebrate birthdays and congratulations. The host's family is here, so it is not appropriate for the guests to be too noisy. Therefore, when classmates meet each other, they only nod and look at each other, and do not talk much. Those who greeted the young guests in the pavilion were Rui Tuyan, the youngest son of Rui Mansion, and Rui Yilin, the eldest grandson. The two uncles and nephews were as old as Mei Yuanchen and Xia Chengxuan, in their teens or twenties. Neither of them had Mr. Rui's military heroics or the vast number of drinkers. They could barely fulfill their family friendship and be with everyone. After a few drinks at the banquet and a few words of conversation, I felt that I was short of words. Although everyone in Tingxiang Pavilion was young and carefree, it was much quieter than the main hall at this time.
"Hey, Yuanchen, look at the two uncles and nephews of the Rui family, how can they be shyer than you! They can't even speak. Haha, that's good!" Xia Chengxuan said with a soft smile next to Mei Yuanchen. , while winking at him and giving him a knowing evil smile.
Mei Yuanchen didn't realize that there was anything wrong with having a calmer temper. Seeing that although Rui Tuyan and Rui Yilin were not good at talking, they always treated others with courtesy and smiles, showing a kind of gentleness of a scholar, so he said: "This The old and young masters of the Rui family are both gentle and courteous, not agitated, and really have the same demeanor as everyone else. I don't know why they don't come to Huazijian. I became classmates with them, and I think it is like taking a breath of spring breeze. Oh, really It’s a bit regretful.”
"Haha, that doesn't matter!" Xia Chengxuan curled his lips and chuckled softly in Mei Yuanchen's ear, "When I marry the young lady of the Rui family, you will be considered in-laws, and you will have plenty of opportunities to get close to each other." Mei Yuan Chen Chen didn't bother to refute him and just went to eat the food in his bowl.
At three o'clock in the morning, the birthday banquet was over, and the guests had a good time and congratulated each other. The host thanked the guests and saw them off, and the entire General's Mansion became much quieter after a while.
The servants of the house had cleaned the halls, pavilions and pavilions inside and outside. Rui Rumin stood in the main hall with his eyes closed, gently rubbing his temples. Rui Rumin's eldest son, Rui Tuxian, saw that his father's face looked a little strange, and he was worried that the old man was not feeling well after drinking. He stepped forward and asked, "Father, are you okay? Why don't you drink two cups of hangover tea and go back to the room to rest?"
Rui Rumin gently pressed his temples, shook his head slightly, and sighed helplessly: "I have tried my best to refuse, but there are still so many guests. I really drank too much tonight."
"My father has been leading troops in the army for many years. He has a high position of power and prestige. My general's office is also affiliated with Budang, so naturally the hall is full of guests." Rui Tuxian bowed slightly and said. After saying that, he turned around and brought a bowl of tea from the tea table.
Rui Rumin didn't say anything, took the tea cup and drank the tea. I saw a rather worried look on his face as he walked to the brocade stool and sat down slowly. Rui Tuxian followed and sat down on the brocade stool on the other side.
"I'll sit here for a while. You go and call Xiao Ling to come to the small garden. You'll meet me, King Jaw, the Crown Prince and his entourage in the small garden later." Rui Rumin put down the teacup in his hand and said in a deep voice.
"Yes, father!" Rui Tuxian is the eldest son in the family, so he is naturally the chief recruiter of the house. He has walked back and forth for many times to welcome and see off guests tonight. He is already very tired. He is about to sit down and have a rest, but his father has I didn't dare to violate my order, so I bowed and retreated.
The people in Tingxiang Pavilion have dispersed and the banquet tables have been removed. Only Xia Chengxuan, Mei Yuanchen and the uncle and nephew of the Rui family are left here, which seems very empty. Rui Tuyan led his nephew to Xia Chengxuan and Mei Yuanchen and said with a smile: "Prince Chengxuan and Young Master Yuanchen, all the guests here have returned. Why don't we go find the prince and father?" Mei Yuanchen saw him. Her smile was warm, and she really felt close to her, so she smiled back at him.
Both parties kept silent about the blind date and understood each other tacitly, but their hearts were very clear.
Xia Chengxuan couldn't help but feel a little uncomfortable when he saw that this possibly future uncle was so young, but he didn't show it on his face. He smiled and replied: "This is the best!" After that, Rui Tuyan walked forward, leading the way. A group of people went to the small garden.
Walking along the path, it was quiet and quiet, as if they had just finished a lively banquet. Mei Yuanchen was walking in third place, feeling vaguely that something was not right, as if there was a hostility watching his group from afar. I looked carefully, but I couldn't notice where it was. It felt weird.
The small garden is not a small garden, but a small courtyard. When Xia Chengxuan and the other two arrived, Xia Muchao and Rui Rumin were already sitting in the host and guest seats in the hall, chatting casually.
Xia Chengxuan strode up, and with only ten feet left, he greeted Rui Rumin with a birthday greeting and said, "Hello, Mr. Rui. Chengxuan wishes you a broad heart, good health, everything goes well, and a long life!"
This "old man" was called "old man" in a friendly and respectful way, which made people feel that it was not pretentious or casual. Rui Rumin really benefited from hearing it and said cheerfully: "Haha, okay! Okay! You guys sit down and take a rest first. Tu Xian and Xiao Ling will be here soon."
Before Rui Rumin finished speaking, Rui Tuxian's voice came from the door: "Ah, Tuxian is rude! Please keep His Royal Highness waiting!" With him was a man with beautiful makeup and good looks. A young girl, wearing a white fur coat and a peach red coat, is walking meanderingly. This girl is naturally Rui Xiaoling, the apple of Rui Mansion's eye.
Rui Xiaoling walked slowly, stopped in front of Xia Muchao and Xia Chengxuan, bowed her head and said in blessing, "Xiao Ling has met the prince and the crown prince!" Then he walked to Rui Rumin and said softly: "Xiao Ling wishes grandpa good health and good sleep and food. , Shoubinan Mountain!"
Xia Muchao had already met Rui Xiaoling, so he naturally knew that she was pretty and pretty, so he didn't take it seriously at the moment. Xia Chengxuan, however, had never seen her before. At this time, he secretly looked at her appearance through the bright lights, and it was not consistent with what he had thought before. While looking at it, I thought to myself: "This young lady from the Rui family comes from a family of military generals. I guess she looks tall and thick. Even if she doesn't look like a sow as I said, I'm afraid she won't be much better. How can I think about it?" She is so beautiful! Even if she is not Rui Rumin's granddaughter, I am totally committed to this marriage!" Thinking that the woman he wants to see tonight is so pretty, I can't help but feel happy, and almost Laughed out loud. Seeing Rui Xiaoling's appearance, Mei Yuanchen also breathed a sigh of relief for Xia Chengxuan. At this moment, I couldn't help but look at him, and saw that forgetful smile.
"Haha, Your Majesty the King of Jaws, here, we have a few elders here, and the two young people are afraid that they can't talk. Why don't we just let them go to the Nuan Pavilion on the other side! What they want to say, and what they ask will not hinder them. Come." Rui Rumin suggested with a smile. Xia Muchao had already considered this in his heart, so he naturally agreed.
Rui Xiaoling suppressed her shyness and led Xia Chengxuan to Nuange.
Now that the two of them have left, it is inconvenient for the three of them to be here. Rui Tuyan smiled and called Mei Yuanchen, "Master Yuanchen, why don't we go for a walk in the courtyard?"
Mei Yuanchen was feeling constrained. He had already had this idea in his mind but was unable to speak out. After hearing what Rui Tuyan said, he hurriedly replied, "That's perfect!" After saying that, the three of them walked to the courtyard.
