On New Year's Eve, the emperor seals the pen and the government seals it. It will not be opened until the Lantern Festival on the 15th day of the first lunar month.
At the beginning of the new year, all the families in the royal capital open their central gates to pay New Year greetings and send holiday gifts to each other. The traffic on Zhuque Street is like a dragon, and the flow is endless.
Lu Anran didn't have to kowtow to the Lu family's mistress early in the morning this year. She was suffering from laziness, so she hid in the inn, picked up a book, and spent the day reading, abandoning all the miscellaneous things outside this window.
Finally, on the fourth day of the Lunar New Year, Chunmiao felt that her young lady might get moldy if she didn't go out for a walk, so she tried to convince Lu Anran to go out and enjoy the prosperity of the capital.
Looking at it this way, I do see some fun.
The teahouse in Wangdu is also more grand than other places, and it is called "Bafangke".
The earth gathers the energy of the four elements and attracts guests from all directions.
The storyteller woke up and clapped his hands, his tone was ups and downs, and the description was as vivid as if he were there in person, "... as soon as he said it, a thunderbolt hit the bandit's head in the sky, and his eyes turned green like ghost eyes. He was so startled that The general takes half a step back, just half a step!
The next moment, the general waved his horse sword and jumped into the air. It was really like tigers roaring in the mountains and rivers, dragons roaring in the sky, and nine heavenly thunders coming together to help!
'Crash! 'Blood splattered and gushed out. The general's eyes were blinded and he was stunned!
A head, full of bones, rolled into the muddy water, with green eyes glowing faintly. He refused to rest in peace! "
Lu Anran heard it, it was about the heroic deeds of General Zhongwu.
Chun Miao opened her eyes wide: "Miss, is there really anyone with green eyes?"
Lu Anran took a piece of cake with beautiful designs on the table and nodded: "Yes, but after death, the pupils become dilated and cannot focus light."
After hearing this, Chunmiao suddenly felt less horrified, and curled her lips and said, "Storytellers have a habit of exaggerating."
Lu Anran took a sip of the soft cake, which melted in his mouth. It was soft and sweet. The skills of southerners in making small snacks were indeed better than those of Mengzhou.
On the stage, when it came to the most exciting part, the storyteller deliberately kept it quiet, showed a mysterious expression, and bowed down amidst the booing of the crowd: "If you want to know about the funeral, we will tell you next time, dear guests. , get up early tomorrow."
Then there was a woman playing the piano. The sound of the piano was melodious and gurgling, but everyone was not as interested as before and turned back to each table to chat.
Lu Anran was eating the second plate of pastries when a fragrant wind blew over him. He saw several figures moving in the compartment separated by the screen. After the waiter left with the teapot, he vaguely heard the low voices of two women.
It was fine at first, and they didn't bother each other.
After Lu Anran had eaten and drank, he was about to leave when he suddenly heard a muffled scream from a woman next door. The screen was shaken and he almost fell to the ground.
An arrogant voice sneered coldly: "You are worthy of it! Even if I have made friends with a few young ladies from aristocratic families, I really think that they are attracted by you, but they only treat you as a dispensable pastime. It's sad that you are just flattering, Who knows that others are joking and disdainful in their hearts. If you want to embarrass yourself, forget it, don’t use the name of my Meng family, I can’t afford to be embarrassed!"
Another female voice sobbed and cried: "Sister, I don't have it, I'm not..."
When Lu Anran heard this voice, his brows moved slightly, feeling inexplicably familiar.
The original voice sneered: "I don't know who the Lord of Rongan County is, but it's better for you to go out with her. However, she was seriously injured and you are safe and sound. What do the people in the Gu family think?"
"Uh-huh, big sister, no, I was so scared that I fainted. I don't know, I don't know anything."
"Get out of here!" A scolding voice made the tables and chairs collide with each other, making a crisp clang of dishes. "If you tell the truth, forget it, otherwise...Father can't save you!"
Through the screen, I could vaguely see a figure leaving first, followed closely by two more people.
The soft sobbing continued for a while, and after it stopped, he didn't get up.
Lu Anran's table was on the inside, and she would have to pass by the next door if she went out. Although she didn't mean to, she heard the embarrassing scene of calling the woman just now, and thought in her heart that she would wait until someone left before going out, so as not to be embarrassed.
After watching for a long time, the woman next door still had no intention of leaving, and she didn't know how long she would wait. After thinking about it for a while, she decided that she could only be more generous and pretend not to hear.
Lu Anran led Chunmiao around the screen, and when he was about to look straight ahead and pass quickly, someone stopped him in his tracks.
"Girl! It's you!" The first sentence was surprising, and the latter sentence was obviously a bit joyful.
Lu Anran turned around, met a pair of red eyes after crying, and nodded.
The woman was wearing a light green shirt, and her skin was as white as snow, which made the red tip of her nose even more obvious. Her eyes were filled with tears, and she wanted to cry, but she looked like a weak willow supporting the wind. I felt pity for her.
"I happened to be drinking tea in the cubicle just now." After a moment of silence, Lu Anran explained.
The woman Yingying bowed: "I was rude before and didn't thank the girl yet. My name is Meng Zhi, and my father is the governor of Licheng."
Lu Anran raised his eyebrows knowingly, "Miss Meng."
"That was my eldest sister just now." Meng Zhi smiled awkwardly, "She is the eldest daughter in the family, and my biological mother is just an aunt, so... don't mind, girl."
These matters are not suitable to be explained to unfamiliar people. Lu Anran didn't know whether this Miss Meng family was really innocent and naive, so she said, "I was just listening to Pinyue, but I didn't hear clearly."
Meng Zhi was stunned for a moment, then understood, and her face softened slightly, "Speaking of which, I don't know what to call the girl."
Lu Anran: "Mengdu Lu Anran."
It is said that the legitimate daughter of Lu Mansion in Mengzhou was ugly and often had her face covered.
Meng Zhi had no intention of stealing Lu Anran's appearance, and said sincerely: "Has that strange man ever bothered Miss Lu in the future?"
Chun Miao pursed her lips, but Lu Anran said: "Not yet."
Meng Zhi patted her chest: "That's good. I've been worried about her for several days, but I don't know the girl's name and can't find out. I'm worried. Fortunately, I'm lucky."
At this time, Meng Zhi's maid had already asked the waiter to clear the table again. She asked Lu Anran to sit down and said, "We are both strangers in the capital, and I see that Miss Lu is particularly friendly."
Meng Zhi was very good at talking, and she could continue talking without Lu Anran talking. After a few polite words, she said with emotion: "Actually, among the many young ladies I have made friends with, only Rongan County Master empathizes with my situation." It was difficult, and he protected me many times outside, but good people are not rewarded, and they have a bad fate."
Lu Anran: "The Lord of Rongan County from General Zhongwu's Mansion."
"Well, she was going to marry into the Marquis of Pingyang years ago, but who knew she would end up like this." Meng Zhi wiped her eyes with a handkerchief, "When something happened to her, I was by the side and saw the thief swooping over me. …”
Lu Anran was worried that she would cry again for a long time, but fortunately she only sobbed a few words, and then said after taking a breath: "It's a shame that I was so timid and careless that I fainted directly. If I were awake, even if I wanted to repay her kindness, , I should also block it for her!"
Lu Anran didn't take this kind of reflection and repentance seriously, "What kind of thief goes directly to the Lord of Rongan County?"
Meng Zhi covered his mouth and nose with a handkerchief, took two breaths, and said, "What a fierce man. He suddenly pounced on him like a roc. At that time, the guards of the Lu family were stunned and didn't stop him."
Lu Anran's eyes moved slightly. According to Meng Zhi, it was not like a sudden move, but rather a clear goal and preparation.
He understood in his heart why the daughter of the capital of Licheng was afraid of the little Gu family. Now the Gu family is a thorny golden nest. Everyone wants to get some benefits, and they will get pricked if they are not careful.
Meng Zhi was chattering without any focus. Lu Anran drank a cup of tea and finally said goodbye to her in a legitimate manner.
After leaving the teahouse, Lu Anran passed by several stalls selling accessories. He saw a tassel and remembered that there was a small hole on the top of the handle of the dagger given by Lu Xueqing, and the tassel was just the right size to hang.
After choosing for a long time, I picked up a red one. Before I paid the money, I suddenly heard the roar of a frightened horse.
Chun Miao had sharp eyes and said immediately: "It's Miss Meng just now. She seemed to have collided with a carriage."
Lu Anran followed the direction of the crowd's rapid movement and saw Meng Zhi falling to the ground, with the maid beside her helping her up.
"Miss, should we go take a look?"
Lu Anran saw that Meng Zhi's right foot was not touching the ground, leaning on the maid's body, as if she was injured. His eyes glanced at something, and he slowly shook his head: "No need." Next to it was the medicine hall.
A richly dressed young man jumped out of the carriage. He couldn't see his face because he was carrying his back. He didn't know what he said to Meng Zhi. Then, Meng Zhi actually got into the carriage with him.
"Um, do everyone in the capital behave like this?" Chun Miao was shocked.
"Maybe it's an old acquaintance."
Lu Anran was not very interested in other people's affairs, and besides, she and Meng Zhi were not familiar enough to advise each other. She turned around to pay the money and said calmly: "Let's go."
—
On the eighth day of the first lunar month, the wind and frost are gone, and the universe is at peace.
Good luck and everything goes well.
Early in the morning, there were crowds of people at the foot of Yanshan Mountain, and more luxurious carriages arrived one after another.
The red sun is rising, shining on the young faces, showing that they are full of ambition, full of spring breeze, and refreshed.
Even though he is reserved and reserved, there is still a hint of urgency and excitement in his eyes.
Although there were many people, they maintained the arrogance of scholars. Even when they talked, they whispered and did not dare to speak loudly.
Young people are most afraid of being embarrassed in public.
However, occasionally the crowd would whisper a certain name, as if it was a famous talent or beauty from somewhere.
The talented man clasped his fists and bowed, showing himself modestly, while the beautiful lady covered her veil and returned the gift from a distance, looking elegant and graceful.
Lu Anran stood in this outfit, and it was rare that he didn't look eye-catching.
Behind her were two young men, thirteen or fourteen years old, still mentally unstable, who kept whispering to each other.
"Where's the famous Su Xiangxiang? Who is he?"
"You don't know? Anyone who enters the Jixia Palace must not be older than eighteen, and Su Xiangxiang is exactly eighteen."
"ah?"
A man squeezed over while swinging a fan. The two teenagers immediately fell silent, and the man snorted disdainfully.
After a moment of pause, the two heads came together again.
"Didn't you say that several princes will also enroll in school? Why didn't you see it?"
"What do you think about this person's status? He is crowded with people like you and me."
"Oh, that's right."
The man waving the fan was dissatisfied and sneered: "What the hell."
Although they didn't mention him by name, the two teenagers clearly felt that his eyes were on their faces, and they couldn't help but feel embarrassed and angry. But because Ji Xia Gong was right under his nose, he had no choice but to endure it and stay away from this man.
