Xiaobi Building was built by the Sheng family only last year. The original address was a bamboo forest. Bamboo was also called Xiaobi, so the three-story building built in the middle was named after it.
When this building was first built, the family had already raised a lot of performers, and considering the need for a venue for performances, a square was built underneath.
The stone was cut into bricks, and a circle of crocodile grapes was carved. In the middle was a half-acre picture of the five sons ascending to the imperial examination. The original plan was actually to carve the five bats to wish Mr. Sheng and Mrs. Ming a happy birthday. Perhaps he would have both happiness and longevity, but Mr. Sheng cared about his children and grandchildren wholeheartedly, so he changed his mind.
At this moment, a group of people meandered up to the second floor. The clever servants arrived first, arranged the seats, arranged fruits and tea, and thoughtfully hung a pearl curtain beside the railing to block the wind, so as to prevent the wind from being high in the building. Big, blowing the pampered ladies.
After everyone came up, they pushed each other to take their seats. After briefly talking about the scenery, they saw a group of girls in colorful clothes walking among the green bamboo branches below. They all wore fairy buns, their heads were full of pearls, and their skirts were fluttering. When I go downstairs to offer my blessing, my words are as loud as the voice of an oriole.
The Sheng family is used to this kind of scene. Although Xu Baomo has been severely restrained by his grandparents in the past two years, as a frequent visitor to Fengyue Field in the early days, he was also used to seeing Huan Fat and Yan Thin.
However, the Ao family has no tricks to support the family. As the eldest grandson, Ao Luanxiao is closely controlled. He is not a disobedient person. He has never been to Qinlou Chu Pavilion. However, this is the first time for the brother and sister to see such a scene, and they immediately feel a little worried. Show timidity.
Ao Luan Xiao is because these family dancers are in their prime, and because they have practiced dancing all year round, they all have slim figures and a special lotus step when they walk, swaying gracefully. Up close, you can see that the clothes they wear are colorful, but they are all made of light gauze. When the wind blows, their curves are exposed, and the myrobalan and petticoats underneath are also vaguely visible.
At the same time, the silver bells sewn on the corners of the skirts and cuffs of the servants made a sweet sound, just like the sweet sounds they made when they were saying goodbye - Ao Luan Xiao's face turned a little red unexpectedly, and he subconsciously thought in his heart An ancient poem: "The hibiscus is not as beautiful as the makeup of a beautiful woman. The wind in the water palace brings the fragrance of pearls and green flowers. [Note 1]"
He was shocked with the shyness of a young man, but Ao Luanjing was gritting his teeth secretly: "Damn it! Why haven't you been here for two years, and there are so many vixens in this Sheng Mansion suddenly?!"
It turns out that after she returned to the Ao family, Sheng Suihe didn't express a single word during the two years. Ao Luanjing's confidence went from being full of confidence at the beginning to despair later, which was a big blow!
Even if she had the opportunity to come to Sheng Mansion again this time, and she thought it was God's will that her fate with Sheng Sleeping He would never end, she still wouldn't dare to do what she did the year before, just by looking at her and knowing that Sheng Sleeping He was happy with her. .
In addition to being so extra cautious, Ao Luanjing also became more wary of her love rivals.
On the way here, she asked around and around from Mrs. Ao that Sheng Suihe was still unmarried and there was no one in the room. She was very happy and looking forward to it - after all, no one wanted to be offered tea or even tea as soon as they walked in. Calling mother—who knows how long I have been happy until a group of splendid family tricks appear!
"What do you think, Old Master Sheng?" Ao Luanjing's face turned dark, and she couldn't help complaining about Old Mrs. Sheng and others, "Cousin Sheng, he just won the Xie Yuan, and he needs to concentrate on studying and pass the test in one go. , Imperial Examination! If you raise such a bunch of crooked people at home, do you think you should let Cousin Sheng concentrate on his studies?!"
In the blink of an eye, she saw her brother Ao Luanxiao's helpless look, and Ao Luanjing became even more angry. Fortunately, she secretly looked at Sheng Shuihe, but she saw that her cousin had a dull expression. Those household servants with heavy makeup were no different from ordinary servants. He said that he was so arrogant that he couldn't take his eyes off him. He didn't even show any appreciation or criticism of Xu Baomo. He only introduced with a smile: "These people only bought them in the first half of last year, so they haven't had time to teach many things. What they are best at I also know a little bit about pan drum dance, long sleeve dance and Hu Xuan dance. Luyao, Mingjun, and Tuozhi are just average, and they are all still practicing."
"Cousin Sheng is different after all!" Ao Luanjing breathed a sigh of relief when he saw this situation, but then he laughed to himself and said to himself, "Yes, if he is easily addicted to beauty, even if he hasn't been there yet When you get a wife, there should be a group of concubines in the backyard, and you may have several children! Where will it be my turn?"
She felt sorry for herself for a while before she calmed down. When Xu Baomo declined and asked Ao Luan Xiao to light the flute first, Ao Luan Xiao said in a daze: "Since you are the best at pan drumming, how about dancing to a song?"
Pan-drum dance is also called seven-pan dance. During the dance, pans and drums are placed on the ground. The number of pans and drums varies, depending on the skills of the dancers.
The masters of the Sheng family practiced this dance, and they certainly had their own merits. Shortly after the boy went to the railing to raise his voice, a large number of pans and drums were brought in, almost covering the entire square. It’s seven dishes and one drum for everyone.
Originally, this dance was supposed to involve both men and women, but the Sheng family did not support domestic performers for a long time, and it was mainly for entertaining guests. Usually, they rarely invited waiters for their own family banquets, so naturally they were not so thorough, but now there are only a group of female performers. .
However, after all, these female dancers were deliberately trained. Now they are divided into two teams, and half of them are evenly dressed as men. Then the music starts, and they move like rabbits, tiptoeing high on the pan and drums, floating and kneeling, and dancing. The rhythmic sound instantly attracted the attention of everyone in the building.
Looking down from a high position, one can see that during the streamer dance, the female dancers are flying their long sleeves, stepping on the drum and bending their waists, standing upside down on the drum, or bending over the drum head. Their hands, knees, and feet can be used as hammers to beat the drum head. In addition, they may stand on one leg, or jump down, with different dance postures, graceful and vigorous [Note 2].
At this time, the wind was blowing, and the bamboo forest all around was swaying and dancing. Everyone upstairs felt that they were enjoying this scene very much.
Even Ao Luanjing, who had been secretly scolding the female actors as "vixens", curled his lips for a moment and couldn't help but hold the gold double sesame-ear sunflower cup filled with rose dew in his hand and watched without blinking.
This Que Pan drum scene was about to end with a cup of tea. Before it ended, the female performers all stepped on the drums vigorously. The loud drums were sonorous and powerful, making people excited. Along with the sound of bamboo sea waves coming from all directions, it seemed like cheers of encouragement. , everyone except Sheng Sleeping Crane couldn't help but stop their cups and chopsticks, look at it carefully, and listen carefully.
Just listen to the sound of the drums, gradually rising, and then suddenly stopping. The aftertaste seems to be lingering in front of the building, but the female dancers have quickly formed a team to salute, indicating that the dance is over.
"Okay!" Among the people who were watching attentively, Ao Luanxiao was the most excited. Seeing this, he couldn't help but cheer loudly. After the words came out, even though the people around him had expressions of approval, Xu Baomo just looked at it with a savory expression, and the others Sheng Sleeping Crane, who was the master, only nodded slightly, and was not even surprised at all, only to feel startled.
Fortunately, although Sheng Suihe was not moved by this Quepan encouragement, he was still very concerned about his duties as a master. Upon seeing this, he immediately handed over a ladder, called the boy to his side, and said, "Can Cousin Ao come out?" The words of praise show that the dancers are working very hard these days. Everyone who danced just now was rewarded with a piece of Qiluo and a pair of bracelets, and the same goes for the musicians!"
The boy went down to deliver the message, and not long after, he heard the girl's thanks dripping from ear to ear. First, he thanked Ao Luan on the flute, and then thanked the master's family.
Hearing this, Ao Luanxiao waved his hands repeatedly: "The reward was originally given by Cousin Sheng, how can I deserve it?"
"My family raises these people for fun, and my cousin is satisfied. It's because they are rewarded, so it's natural to thank my cousin!" Sheng Suihe smiled and said a few polite words to him. It was almost noon at this time. , he asked everyone if they wanted to simply have lunch here at Xiaobi Tower, or go back to the main hall to attend the formal reception banquet.
After some discussion, everyone decided that firstly, they were too lazy to walk back and forth - the Sheng Mansion was vast and the journey was not short; secondly, they would inevitably feel restrained when in front of their elders, so it would be better to be at ease here; thirdly, they had just been kicked out, and this would pass. Maybe the three grandfathers still thought they were an eyesore and sent them away again, but they ran back and forth unjustly.
So I decided to send someone to report it and put the lunch here.
After a while, Mrs. Feng and Mrs. Xiao personally led a row of servants carrying food boxes to deliver the banquet. This surprised everyone and they hurriedly went downstairs to greet them.
Feng's eyes swept around them, and when she saw Xu Baomo, she seemed to have some meaning, but she didn't stop much. She smiled and said: "You don't have to be polite. Ever since the second brother and his family moved out, the house has not been so lively for a long time." Passed. No, today our sister-in-law can’t help but come over to join in the fun, but I hope I don’t disturb your fun!”
Xu Baomo didn't notice her look. He saw the Ao brothers and sisters looking at him, indicating that he should answer on behalf of the junior who was the guest of the three of them. He hurriedly said: "What did aunt say? Aunt and aunt are the ones we want to invite but are afraid that we won't be able to invite them." If you have arrived, now that you are willing to come, we are more than flattered!"
Sheng Sleeping Crane then gave up the main seat and invited the two of them to take a seat. After some greetings, the servants also quickly set up the luncheon, and everyone asked them to order dance music to accompany the meal.
Ms. Feng and Ms. Xiao pushed back and forth, but Ms. Feng finally ordered the long-sleeved dance, saying, "This dance has slow movements and the music is not too urgent. It is suitable for enjoying during a banquet."
Of course, the group of juniors praised her opinion.
Not long after, there was the sound of silk and bamboo downstairs, and the house dancers, who had changed into red dance clothes, had fluttering sleeves and waists like willows, melodious and graceful, and danced on the stage. They had a different style from the pan drum dance just now, soothing and translucent. It smells of grace and ease [Note 3].
It's just that everyone in the audience can't concentrate on enjoying it like they did just now. It's not that they think this long-sleeved dance is far inferior to the pan-drum dance just now. After all, it can make Sheng Suihe say "a little bit better" to the guests, which must be good, otherwise After the owner said something affirmatively, the performance was not as good as expected, but it was a slap in the owner's face.
But because the two elders, Feng and Xiao, are here, the group of people can no longer concentrate on watching the dancers dance, and respect for the elders is always the most important thing.
Xu Baomo didn't feel anything at this time. He just said that these two people really came over to join in the fun.
After three rounds of drinking, he ate a few more drinks, excused himself and went to change clothes in the back. Xu Cong, who had been guarding the door for a long time, came over and whispered in his ear: "Just now, the old lady left Sister Zirong in the guest house as an excuse. Your Majesty, you sent the sachet that was left in the room in the morning and delivered a message from the old lady: She said that the old lady tried every means to get Mrs. Feng to take the time to come to Xiaobi Tower and ask you, Your Majesty, to seize the opportunity to perform well. You must make sure that Mrs. Feng is satisfied with you, so that she can help you drum up your support later and finalize your marriage to Miss Sheng San as soon as possible!"
Xu Baomo was still a little drunk at first, but he sobered up after hearing this: I was forced to pretend to be repentant in front of Da Qiao, and bowed my knees to plead guilty in front of the Sheng family, and now I have to go to Aunt Feng to please? !
If it's just to please, that's it. He doesn't want to marry Sheng Weiqiao, okay? !
Seeming to see his resistance, Xu Cong continued expressionlessly: "Sister Zirong also said that the old lady has told you that she has already worried about you. If you still can't win the favor of Madam Feng, then you can It’s too boring to have this grandson!”
"My prince said that she is definitely not my biological grandmother, she is definitely Da Qiao's direct grandmother!!!" Xu Baomo covered his chest, silently swallowed a mouthful of blood, and thought desperately, "Is it true that my prince really Is this the end of it?! No!!!”
His wonderful life!
His beauties from the north and the south!
He has a horde of wives and concubines!
His mother-in-law’s life wish is all over the world...
Perhaps the unwillingness and grief and anger that Xu Baomo burst out at this moment were too strong, and things seemed to take a turn for the better - in the hall behind him, the sound of cups falling to the ground suddenly came, and then Sheng Weiqiao's clear voice penetrated the music with anxiety: "Mother ?What’s wrong with you? Are you okay?!”
[Note 1] From Wang Changling's "Autumn Resentment in the West Palace".
[Note 2] The description of Pangu comes from the entry in Baidu Encyclopedia.
[Note 3] I don’t know what the style of long-sleeved dance is. I wrote it based on my imagination from the encyclopedia. If I’m wrong, please tell me so I can correct it^_^.