[R18] Will drink wine – “About Wine” Chapter 47 [English]

Chapter 46 Banquet (Part 1)

Hua Xiangyi is indeed not as old as Qi Zhuyin, she is two years younger than Qi Zhuyin.Being kept in the deep palace these days, I lost a lot of weight.When she saw Qi Shiyu’s portrait in front of the Queen Mother’s case, she understood.

The Queen Mother held her hand and held it for a long time before saying, “As an old man and a young wife, Qi Shiyu can still love others.”

Wearing purple palace clothes, Hua Xiang was lying on the Queen Mother’s lap.The Queen Mother stroked her long hair and said, “Don’t be wronged. All the daughters of the Hua family are married like this. If you marry him, in a few years, you will be the real wife of the five counties of Qidong.”

Incense was lit in the hall, and Aunt Liuxiang silently motioned for the maids and eunuchs to leave.

Hua Xiangyi smiled and said, “I just can’t bear to leave my aunt. Cangjun is so far away. If I want to see you again, it will take a year.”

“Auntie can’t bear to leave you either.” The Queen Mother gently hugged her, and she cuddled up like a child. She heard the Queen Mother say, “When the Ai family married Lord Guangcheng, they were only fifteen years old. When they left Dicheng that year, the most reluctant thing to part with was the swing at home. The Ai family used to like to sit on it, and when it swayed in the wind, they could hear the noise outside the high wall. The mother coaxed the Ai family,It is said that when the Ai family comes to this palace, the emperor will build an identical swing for the Ai family.”

Hua Xiangyi didn’t speak quietly.

The Queen Mother was a favorite during Emperor Guangcheng’s time, but what Emperor Guangcheng gave her was not what the Queen Mother wanted.When she entered the palace, she realized that her husband’s favor was just a cloud in the sky, and she had to constantly compete with countless women in the harem for that moment of happiness.

The most worthless thing in Qudu is love.

The Queen Mother patted Hua Xiangyi’s head and said, “It has been thirty-seven years since I arrived in Qudu. Now my daughter is getting married, and the Ai family is really old. When the Ai family was in Qudu, they saw that men are stronger in this world, because they can get married and become officials, and they can also ride a horse and cross a spear. The daughter’s family is taken into the boudoir and taught virtues. No matter how talented you are and how eager you are to learn, you will eventually get married.”

The Queen Mother’s eyes were calm.

“My father taught the Ai family that he and the emperor are the top of the Ai family in this world. How ridiculous and ridiculous. When the Ai family becomes the queen, they share the world equally with the emperor. Who can be the top of the Ai family? No one can be the top of the Ai family! The brothers in the family are all stupid and incompetent. The Hua family can only rely on married women to maintain the dignity of the family. From generation to generation, they can’t even complain. What kind of close relatives are they? Since success or failure in the world is based on strength, then the Ai family can also win.”

The Queen Mother touched Hua Xiangyi’s temples.

“You must remember that this time, it was not he and Qi Shiyu who picked you, but you who picked he. The Ai family may be defeated in the future, but not now. The Ai family’s daughter went to Qidong, not helpless, but ready to go. No matter what happens in the future, you can sigh, but you must not feel sorry for yourself. This game of chess in the world can only be made without regrets. Since there is no escape from the pack of wolves, let’s fight to the death with the hes.”

The bamboo tube in the hall swayed lightly, and Hua Xiangyi slowly held the Queen Mother’s hand.

“I will never forget my aunt’s teachings.”

* * *

The banquet of hundreds of officials was held on the night of Yuan Chun, and local officials entered the capital one after another.There are not many family banquets this year, and everyone knows that Hai Liangyi is keeping a close eye on him now, and a small talk can be evidence of a clique.Li Jianheng had only been on the throne for a short time, and everyone wanted to take advantage of the official banquet to observe the new master.

The direction of the wind in Qudu is still unclear, so everyone is cautious in their words and deeds.Only the story about Huasan became more and more popular, leaving Qi Zhuyin with nowhere to express her unhappiness.

Xiao Chiye had been secretly investigating the affairs of the Eight Families in recent days, but he also became interested in this matter.When Xiao Jiming entered the capital, the two brothers were chatting in the mansion.

“The Hua family wants to make a comeback. No matter how lustful Mr. Qi is, he can’t agree to this marriage.” Xiao Chiye took a look at Libei Iron Cavalry’s expense accounts for this year and said casually.

“That’s really hard to say.” Xiao Jiming sat at the table and looked through military affairs.

Xiao Chiye raised his eyes and said, “What good does this do to He Qidong?”

Xiao Jiming criticized Mingming and said, “You took over the Eighth Camp in Qudu, but didn’t you check the accounts of the Eighth Camp?”

Xiao Chiye said: “I showed you the accounts when Dali Temple was purged. All the money and military rations left over from the eight camps were used to supply the Forbidden Army this year. What’s wrong?”

Xiao Jiming thought about the document for a moment and said: “When Hua Siqian was still there, the annual military salary of the Eighth Battalion was several times higher than that of the border counties. Where could Xi Gu’an go to account that he couldn’t explain clearly? Since Hua Siqian can have two accounts for one dollar, can’t the Queen Mother keep another account book? Flowing silver is made of iron.To check, just replace the checking officer with one of your own, and put it under the eyes of the Eighth Camp.The Hua family has copied it every year, but who dares to touch the Queen Mother’s private bank?This money is now Hua Xiangyi’s dowry, and Qi Shiyu should be tempted both publicly and privately.”

Xiao Chiye showed hesitation and said: “The commander-in-chief of the five counties of Qidong is Qi Zhuyin now, and Qi Zhuyin will not agree.”

“She doesn’t agree,” Xiao Jiming finally looked at Xiao Chiye, “I can’t stop her.”

Xiao Chiye lay down and thought for a while, then said, “The Qi family has had a good relationship with us over the years. If Qi Shiyu really marries Hua San, Li Bei will no longer be Qidong’s brother.”

“That’s not important. Once the Twelve Divisions of Biansha invade, everyone still has to fight side by side.” Xiao Jiming said, “With Huasan, the garrison of the five counties of Qidong will have money.”

“In the future, let them buy the horses from Libei.” Xiao Chiye’s eyes were cold and hard, “How long can the Queen Mother’s private bank last? It raises 200,000 soldiers and horses, not just 20 dogs. The military expenditure is astonishing, and it is definitely not something that one person can sustain.”

“Now that the Queen Mother has the support of the Qi family, the deadlock in Qudu can be broken.” Xiao Jiming said, “With the power in her hands, the money can be regenerated.”

Xiao Chiye sat up again and said, “This marriage can never happen.”

Xiao Jiming said: “There are still ways.”

Xiao Chiye looked at he and said, “It’s easiest to kill Hua San.”

Xiao Jiming looked at he quite unexpectedly and said, “You are also a thorn in other people’s eyes now. The eight families are eager for you to take action.”

Xiao Chiye said: “Rumors are rampant now. After the New Year, it will be too late to stop them.”

Xiao Jiming was silent for a while, and after a while he said: “If the Queen Mother wants to make this marriage happen, she must show up, and the banquet of hundreds of officials is the only chance. This matter is of great importance, and Hai Liangyi may not be willing to do it. There will be a verbal battle.”

“The last three generations of the Hua family have daughters who married to Qidong. After careful investigation, it is possible that Hua San is really a distant blood relative of Qi Shiyu.” Xiao Chiye put down the book and suddenly laughed, “No… I want Hua San to become a distant blood relative of Qi Shiyu. This marriage must not happen.”

Xiao Chiye stood up, opened the door and called Zhao Hui.

“It’s Chinese New Year,” Xiao Chiye said, “You haven’t met your sister yet.”

Zhao Hui looked at Xiao Jiming, who smiled faintly.

Chaohui understood it and said, “I will visit you early tomorrow morning.”

* * *

Han Cheng, the new commander of the Jinyi Guards, is the third son of the Han family, one of the Eight Great Families. He used to serve as the commander of the Eight Great Camps.When he was at the hunting ground in Nanlin, he happened to be sleeping. He neither followed Xi Gu’an nor obeyed the Queen Mother’s orders. It was said that when the imperial army knocked on his door, he was still asleep, so he escaped the autumn wind of the Flower Party’s purge.

But Shen Zechuan knew that this person was buried by Xue Xiuzhuo.

On the eve of the official banquet, the royal guards were on duty.According to the plan, Shen Zechuan had to stay in front of the emperor, so it was not surprising when he got the waist card.

Han Cheng personally handed the waist card to Shen Zechuan, and the two of them signed the pledge room in Jinyiwei. He said: “Everything is fine, I only owe Dongfeng. I will be there when the time comes. No matter what, you must not hurt the emperor.”

“Of course,” Shen Zechuan said with a smile as he put on his belt, “This time I have to rely on the commander.”

Han Cheng was too nervous to show it, so he could only say again and again: “If this matter is exposed, you and I will both be punished with death, but if it is successful, the Jinyiwei will be able to take a piece of the imperial army’s pie, and from now on, good times will come.”

“Don’t worry, sir,” Shen Zechuan said with a serious expression, “We brothers will work together and nothing will go wrong.”

Han Cheng breathed a sigh of relief when he saw that he was determined.

The snow outside was getting heavier and heavier, and it didn’t stop until dawn.

* * *

There was a grand sacrificial ceremony before the banquet of hundreds of officials, and the imperial army was ready early in the morning.Xiao Chiye was in neat court clothes today. When he entered the palace gate, he met Han Cheng face to face. While they were chatting, he saw Shen Zechuan.

“The left guard is the imperial defense,” Xiao Chiye seemed unaware. He looked at Shen Zechuan and asked Han Cheng, “How come you have arranged for Jin Yiwei from less than 100 households to do this?”

“Jinyiwei is undergoing reorganization now, and many positions are vacant.” Han Cheng said and turned around, “The ones selected today are all top-notch talents. Most of them are suffering from the fact that the promotion year has not yet come, so they all look like low-level positions.”

When Xiao Chiye saw Shen Zechuan, he became wary, but even if he could defeat Jin Yiwei, he did not have the power to directly order the opponent to substitute.Because no matter how Jinyiwei was suppressed, it and Dongchang would directly obey the emperor’s orders. As long as Li Jianheng didn’t speak, the rest of them would be arrogant by gesticulating.

Shen Zechuan seemed to know what he was thinking, and looked at him with an inexplicable meaning in his eyes.

The elephants from the elephant training station in front had already been driven out, and Li Jianheng was about to leave the palace. Xiao Chiye couldn’t stay long, so he walked away.

Li Jianheng held the sacrificial sword for the first time. It was so heavy that he could hardly lift it. Before he could step out of the palace door, he already felt soreness in his neck wearing the crown.This crown dress makes him wear the sun and moon on his shoulders and carry the stars on his back. He finally reveals a clear and majestic demeanor from the normal state of laughter and fun.

Li Jianheng’s palms were sweating, and he held his sword again before stepping out.

The imperial elephant wears a red velvet golden saddle, separated from the two sides.All the officials kowtowed in unison, and the mountains shouted long live.Li Jianheng stood on the steps, and from his expanded field of vision, he saw clouds in the east, and the sky and the earth were covered with snow. He stood very high, as if he was high in the clouds.”Long live my emperor” in his ears was deafening. Li Jianheng’s heart beat rapidly. Surprise gradually appeared on he’s face. His eyes moved down from Hai Liangyi and Xiao Jiming in turn, watching everything in the world kneel, except he!

This is what it feels like to be an emperor.

Li Jianheng couldn’t help but tighten his grip on the sword, feeling that he had gained the strength to dare to compete with the sky while kneeling.This is completely different from the feeling of sitting in court for a long time. This is the excitement of being kneeled down for the first time on the hunting ground.

Li Jianheng walked forward, walking along the long steps towards the sacrificial platform.He walked very slowly, enjoying the honor of the journey.

Among the thousands of people, only Shen Zechuan slowly raised his head.He passed Li Jianheng’s figure and saw the dark and gloomy sky through the flying snow.