The new year has its own new atmosphere. This time, in addition to the various regulations that existed in previous years, the assembly was held.
A new item was added, that is, Zhao Zongquan was officially registered as the prince at this court meeting, and Xi Pian, the internal incense and medicine storehouse, was designated as the prince's position. Storytellers, accompanying readers and other officials were set up to enable the prince to study.
Moreover, Zhao Zongquan was officially ordered to rank before the officials as a prince, standing side by side with the Grand Prime Minister.
After completing the etiquette in Daqing Hall, everyone retreated outside the hall to participate in the palace banquet. Of course, not everyone came out.
Foreign envoys, royal family members and a group of officials of third rank or above still stayed in the palace, while the rest had to eat outdoors in the cold winter.
And in this kind of situation, every move must be done according to the rules and etiquette, which is even more painful.
In addition to the Shangshi Bureau, which is in charge of meals in the palace, in order to ensure a sufficient supply of meals, many things can only be prepared in advance, and most of them are already cold by the time they are served.
In the season when dripping water turns into ice, even delicacies from mountains and seas will not taste as good if they are cold.
In the end, Li Hao could only manage to eat a few mouthfuls to satisfy himself. When the meeting was officially over, Li Hao hurried back to his mansion and asked the kitchen to quickly prepare some hot food and have a good meal.
As a result, the picture of Li Jian and Wei looking at each other was strange. Li Jian asked: "Didn't I say that there was a dinner arranged in the palace today? Why are you so hungry?"
The food in the palace is so unpalatable, isn't it? "
After Li Hao swallowed the food in his mouth, he said: "That's not true, the food cooked by Shangshi Bureau is still very good on weekdays.
It's just that today there are hundreds of officials gathered in the great court meeting, plus the princes, nobles, officials from various places, and foreign envoys, there are too many people.
Shangshi Bureau was too busy making fresh food, and many of the items were served cold, so I took just a few bites and stopped moving.
From the time I left home early in the morning to now, I have eaten something before going out. How can I not be hungry now? "
After hearing this, Li Jian said: "Okay, then you should eat slowly and don't choke."
When Li Hao was finally full and asked to put things away, Li Hao was holding a teacup and sipping tea.
Wei said: "Do you have time during the Lantern Festival? Our family has not visited the Lantern Festival together since we came to Bianjing.
You happen to be in Bianjing this year, so let’s go shopping together as a family. "
But Li Hao could only reply: "I may not have time during the lantern festival. Now the Palace Front Office is in charge of the defense of Bianjing City and the palace.
Those days were probably my busiest days, and I probably didn’t have any free time.
And on the Lantern Festival, there is still your business. "
Hearing this, Mrs. Wei said doubtfully, "What is our business? What should we do?"
Li Hao explained: "Well, the officials attach great importance to the Shangyuan Lantern Festival this time. They will hold a lantern viewing party in the first half of Xuandemen, and many officials in Bianjing City are invited to watch the lanterns.
You are also among those invited, and you are also going to Xuandemen that day. "
Upon hearing this, Li Jian asked, "Should I go too? Can your mother go alone?"
Li Hao replied: "Of course we are all going. This is decided by the officials. It is a rare holiday and the whole family should celebrate it together.
It's not a good idea to let your mother go alone. You still have to go with her. ….
When the time comes, the Sheng Family, Huining Hou Mansion, and Ouyang Family will also go together. You can find them first when you go. There are many people and it is lively. "
After hearing this, Li Jian had no problem, and then he heard Mrs. Wei ask, "If the Sheng family will also go, will Minglan go there?"
Li Hao thought that Mrs. Wei was still struggling with the issue of marrying a wife, so he replied helplessly: "Logically speaking, with such a good opportunity, there should be many people bringing their own children, but what about the Sheng family? Arrangements, how could I know?"
Then Wei said something that cheered up Li Hao: "Don't you want to marry Minglan? I can promise you this."
Hearing this, Li Hao couldn't believe it, and quickly confirmed: "Mother, you are telling the truth, you are just thinking."
No
In response to Li Hao's question, Mrs. Wei said directly: "But you must help Minglan find a good home, otherwise I will still let you marry her. You must repay your aunt's kindness."
When he heard the word "but", Li Hao thought there was some kind of twist, but he didn't expect that Wei's last request would be this.
He quickly said: "Minglan is my biological cousin, I will help her choose a good marriage for her.
This Lantern Festival is a good opportunity. Every family will bring their family members to participate in the festival, and mothers can also take a good look at it. "
Wei said at this time: "But the Sheng family may not bring Minglan out, so what should we do?"
Li Hao immediately replied: "I will handle this matter. I will go to Sheng Mansion tomorrow to discuss this matter with Sheng Hong and Mrs. Wang.
I think my face should still be of some use, and with the old lady here, the couple can't make a difference. "
Seeing Li Hao's confident look, Mrs. Wei said, "Okay, then I'll leave this matter to you."
After saying that, he went back to rest. It was at this moment that Li Hao came to his senses and said to Li Jian, "Did I just be tricked by my mother?"
Li Jian smiled and said, "Your mother has taken a big step back, and I don't think you are very happy! Do a good job and get things done."
After saying that, he got up and left, chasing after Wei.
Li Hao was really helpless now, but he finally got Wei to compromise, and Li Hao made up his mind to get things done.
So the next day, after Li Hao inspected the city defenses, he estimated that Sheng Hong would have returned home, so he went home and changed into casual clothes. Then he asked Fu Deng to take two pieces of Shu Brocade and rushed to Sheng Mansion.
Here, Li Hao chose to visit the old lady directly, because Li Hao believed that as long as Sheng Hong was at home, he would definitely come to Shou'antang after hearing the news.
The result was just as Li Hao thought. He had just entered Shou'an Hall and sat down when Sheng Hong got the news and arrived right behind him.
Of course, there was something unexpected, that was, Mrs. Wang and Ru Lan came with Sheng Hong.
Then seeing Rulan coming, the old lady also called Minglan over.
Shou'antang is almost full of skills on front and back legs.
At this time, the old lady asked: "Brother Hao, do you have anything to do when you come here today?"
Li Hao replied: "It's nothing serious. I haven't been here for a long time, so I wanted to visit the old lady;...
Secondly, the Lantern Festival is coming soon. The officials are going to enjoy the lanterns on Xuande Gate this time, and they have invited many officials and officials in Bianjing City to participate.
It happened that the Sheng family and my family were both invited, so I informed my mother about it.
Mother originally planned to visit the house in person today, and arranged for the two families to set off together.
Unfortunately, my mother suffered from some wind and cold in the past two days. Although it was not serious, she still needed to rest for a while.
So let me tell you first. In addition, I happened to have a few pieces of Sichuan brocade gifted by the government in my house, so my mother asked me to send two pieces over to make clothes for my two cousins. "
After saying that, he asked Fu Deng to bring it in and put it in front of Rulan and Minglan.
Rulan fell in love with it as soon as she saw it. She touched the Shu brocade and said, "What a beautiful brocade. It deserves to be something from the palace. It's probably not cheap."
After hearing this, Li Hao said: "This is a tribute from Shu. The main reason is that there are few rumors outside, and the others are fine.
These are exactly two horses, one for each of you and Minglan. "
After hearing this, Rulan and Minglan thanked each other one after another: "Thank you very much, cousin." Then Minglan added: "Thank you to my aunt for me when I get back."
While Li Hao was talking to Ming Lan and Ru Lan, the expressions of the other three people on the field changed.
Sheng Hong was okay. The old lady in charge recovered quickly after her expression changed. Only Mrs. Wang looked guilty.
Obviously, Madam Wang had not told the old lady or Minglan about this news, and she probably only wanted to take Rulan with her.
Now that Li Hao had revealed this matter in front of the old lady, Mrs. Wang couldn't sit still.
So, seeing that the task has been completed, the rest is the Sheng family's own business.
Li Hao stayed here, but it was difficult for the old lady to deal with him, so he said goodbye to the old lady, Sheng Hong and Mrs. Wang.
When Li Hao left, the old lady's face suddenly darkened and she said, "Ming'er, Ru'er, you two each take a piece of cloth and go back first. I have something to say to your father and mother."
Minglan and Rulan were not fools. They knew from their faces that the old lady was unhappy, so they quickly packed up their things and left.
After the two girls left, the old lady taught Mrs. Wang a lesson: "In the past, it was fine for you to be different, but this is a banquet hosted by the official, and you dare to treat it differently."
Mrs. Wang quickly complained: "I just didn't have time to say it. Originally, I was going to take Miss Ming with me."
The old lady said: "You don't need to explain to me, you know what you think.
What I want to say today is that since this is an official banquet, even our family has a share, so why not the Li family?
When you meet Brother Hao's mother, he asks why Minglan didn't go, and how are you going to answer. "
After hearing this, Mrs. Wang hesitated and didn't say a word accurately, while Sheng Hong on the side was still extremely calm at this time.
So the old lady said: "Brother Hao is now in the fourth rank, and his promotion is much faster than ours, and he is in the heart of the emperor.
Furthermore, even though he was not an official, he still had a good relationship with Zhao Ceying, the son of the prince Zhao Zongquan, which implicated the wealth of several generations. ….
If there is an enmity with their family because of this incident, then the good official support will turn into enemies, so why bother. "
Hearing this, Mrs. Wang said: "That's not the case. How could the two families be at odds over such a trivial matter?"
Seeing that Mrs. Wang was still unconvinced, the old lady said, "Why not? The one who has relations between our family and the Li family is Minglan.
You have to understand that how you treat Minglan is the key to determining the attitude of the Li family.
In addition, with the current momentum of the Li family, there is no need to use the Sheng family. "
Hearing this, Sheng Hong seemed to realize the problem and said quickly: "My child understands. Ru Lan and Minglan will naturally go to this banquet together. From now on, my child will also urge the lady to treat everyone equally. Mother, don't worry."
After hearing what Sheng Hong said, the old lady said, "Okay, as long as you figure it out, you can go back first."
On the Sheng family side, the old lady took care of things calmly.
But Li Hao finished his business with the Sheng family, and then went to Ningyuan Hou Mansion.
Regarding the news about Minglan, Li Hao was still going to tell Gu Tingye. Anyway, Xiao Qin and Zhu Manniang were both dead now.
The biggest threat to the Ningyuan Hou Mansion is gone, and only Gu Tingyu is left. Although he is very scheming, he is in poor health after all.
After considering this, Gu Tingye is a very good candidate.
And this is the easiest thing to do. Gu Tingye only needs to plan for himself, and Li Hao doesn't need to worry about it.
It happens that in two days Gu Tingye will have time to observe filial piety, and he can go to the Shangyuan Lantern Festival in a dozen days.
But Li Hao thought very well, but when he arrived at the Ningyuan Hou Mansion, he asked his servants to report to Gu Tingye.
As a result, after waiting for a long time, Gu Tingye never showed up, but Shitou ran over.
Said: "I'm really sorry, there are some things that I need to deal with in the government, and I don't know how long my company will be busy.
Why don't you go back today and come back to my company to see you later? "
Hearing this, Li Hao suddenly realized that Gu Tingye was hiding from him on purpose. It seemed that Gu Tingye already knew what he had said to Shitou in Yuzhou last time, because he was afraid that he would come to question him.
But even so, Li Hao still had a way to get Gu Tingye to take the initiative.
Li Hao said: "Okay, since he is busy, I won't bother him.
Originally, I came here to tell him that my mother had already chosen a candidate for Minglan Xiang so that he could give up.
Since he has something going on and he can't come out, I won't tell him face to face. You go back and tell him so that he won't worry about it anymore. "
After saying that, he stood up and left, but before Li Hao reached the door of the house.
He saw Gu Tingye running over in a hurry and said, "Why did you leave in such a hurry without waiting for me?"
Li Hao retorted: "Just now, Shitou said that you would be busy for a while and asked me to leave first.
Why, you are giving me a slap in the face, and if you say something bad, then I will be really unhappy and leave."
After speaking, he turned around and left, but Gu Tingye grabbed him and said, "My fault, my fault, I will apologize to you now."
Li Hao said: "You really know you are wrong."…
Gu Tingye replied: "I really understand, let's go back and talk."
After saying that, he took Li Hao back to the study and waited for him to sit down.
Gu Tingye said quickly: "Who did your mother choose for Minglan Xiang? Why haven't I heard Chang Bai talk about this?"
After hearing this, Li Hao smiled and said, "I'll just say you have bad intentions. To be honest, you inspired many of the people who came to my house."
Gu Tingye defended: "I really didn't. Yuan Wenshao's incident was all an accident. I just mentioned it casually. I never thought he would take it seriously. As for other people, I can't persuade them.
I swear to God, I really have nothing to encourage others. "
Li Hao still didn't believe Gu Tingye's words, but he couldn't find any evidence for the time being, so he let it go.
He replied: "Okay, then I believe you for now."
Seeing that Li Hao relaxed, Gu Tingye asked again: "Then is what you just said true? Who did your mother like Minglan Xiang?"
Li Hao said: "My mother didn't tell me exactly who I had chosen, and I didn't bother to ask. After all, I didn't have much idea about Minglan.
I only know that this person will go to the Shangyuan Lantern Festival organized by the government. I just came back from Sheng Mansion to ensure that Minglan can go there that day. "
Hearing this, Gu Tingye said: "You still help others, you are worthy of me!"
Li Hao said: "The reason why I can come here and tell you this news is because of our friendship.
If your aunt and wife hadn't died, I wouldn't have let Minglan jump into the fire pit of your Gu family.
Anyway, I've told you what's going on. You can figure out how to do it yourself. "
After saying that, he stood up and left, leaving Gu Tingye to have a headache.
When you get home, tell Mrs. Wei about Minglan's visit and ask her to make an appointment with Mrs. Wang and the others to go to the banquet together.
Then, what awaited Li Hao was a fulfilling twelve days. After this busy period, the Lantern Festival ushered in.
Because Li Hao had to inspect the city defense that day, he had to go out early in the morning, while Wei and Li Jian made an appointment to go to Sheng Mansion first, and then go to Xuandemen with Sheng Hong and the others.
During the inspection on the Lantern Festival, Li Hao was particularly serious. After all, Bianjing City was full of lights tonight, so fire safety needed to be paid special attention to.
In addition, a large number of defenses need to be deployed outside Xuande Gate to prevent people from colliding and causing trouble and disturbing Zhao Zhen's enjoyment of the lanterns.
Fortunately, not only the Palace Front Division was dispatched on this day, but also the Infantry Division of the Guards and the Ma Jun Division of the Guards. Therefore, after roughly inspecting his area, Li Hao was able to rush back to Xuandemen in time.
But even so, it was already dark by the time Li Hao arrived, and the official documents on the city wall were almost all there. Of course, Zhao Zhen and Queen Cao, who were the finale, had not arrived yet.
When Li Hao arrived at the top of the city, the first thing he looked for was where his parents were. After looking around for a long time, he discovered that they were in a corner.
Next to me were Mrs. Wang, Mrs. Xue, Mrs. Song and some other familiar officials.
What was particularly surprising was that Li Hao saw that Princess Pingning was also there for some reason.
At this time, Li Hao couldn't help but think that he
I almost forgot about Qi Heng. It seems that Qi Heng is here too today.
He would not let Gu Tingye misunderstand the person he was talking about when he was Qi Heng. Then Li Hao began to look for Gu Tingye.
But before Li Hao could find it, Zhao Ceying led Shen Congxing over.
Li Hao was just about to say hello to the two of them, but he never expected that Zhao Ceying's first sentence after coming up was: "What are you looking for here? My aunt came here today, but she is talking to my mother, so she is not here."
Hearing this, Li Hao was really frightened and said hurriedly: "Don't talk nonsense. When did I say that I wanted to find your aunt, and what does she have to do with me?"
Zhao Ceying said: "Didn't I tell you a few days ago that I wanted to introduce my aunt to you?
Now that everyone is here, you seem to be unable to escape. ".
Learn from knowledge to power
