******
The sun sets in the west, dusk falls, and only a pale ochre and pale green remain outside the high walls. Red lanterns hang high on the theater pavilion in the West Garden, and a pool of autumn water ripples outside the pavilion. Li Xiangjun and Xing'er, wearing costumes, sing The Story of the Purple Hairpin in the theater pavilion. Qin Mu, Yang Zhi, Dong Xiaowan, Qiao'er and others watch together. It is Li Xiangjun's turn to sing in the front tune:
"Unintentional swallows part, lovers compete for beauty. He holds her sleeves, thinking of you wearing a flower head. Walking in the fragrant street, under the pale moon and plum blossoms, enjoying the evening freedom. Hairpin, scholar, hurry up. You are a girl in the boudoir, teasing a girl, a girl's worship."
Li Xiangjun's voice was gentle and amusing, and her expressions and movements were extremely lifelike. Qin Mu, Yang Zhi and the others cheered in approval, especially Qiao'er, who was cheering while chewing peanuts. Qin Mu had to give her a slap and said, "You little bitch, be careful not to choke."
"No way, Brother Qin, look, it's Bao Si Niang's turn to perform." Qiao'er giggled and immediately drew Qin Mu's attention to the stage.
At this time, Xing Er, who plays Bao Si Niang, comes on stage and sings: "The spring chill is gradually easing, and I am ready to go outing and pick vegetables. Her golden lotus steps are outside the rich mansion, who is there?" Then she turns around and plays the parrot and calls out: "Guests are coming, guests are coming!"
The female role played by Li Xiangjun stood up and sang: "The shadow moves the Xiang curtain, the parrot announces the arrival of the guest. Oh! It's Bao Si Niang, how long has she been here?"
"Just arrived. Sister Xiaoyu loves to wear the purple jade swallow hairpin. Why can't I see it today?"
"I have no intention of wearing him."
"Is it a single one?"
The female role smiled shyly: "Where did you come from?"
"If we say he is single, then he is single; if we say he is double, then he is double; it depends on your heart."
"Fourth Lady said two."
"So, let me ask you why this hairpin fell into my hands?"
The expression of joy and shyness on Li Xiangjun's face made Qin Mu laugh. In fact, the story of the Purple Hairpin is a clichéd story of a talented scholar and a beautiful woman, of the same type as the Romance of the West Chamber, but with a different plot. However, Li Xiangjun's voice was melodious, her performance was vivid, and her every frown and smile was full of charm.
Qin Mu had a rare moment of leisure, and several women tried various ways to make him happy. Yang Zhi, who was sitting next to him, peeled a tangerine and put slices into his mouth, her expression gentle, just like the faint fragrance of a flower.
By the time Li Xiangjun finished singing a play, the moon was already in the east wing. The lights in the garden were quiet, the tiles were green, and the shadows of the curved bridges were all shrouded in a hazy beauty.
Qiao'er, Momo Ruru and the other two were still not satisfied and wanted to run to the center of the theater to ask Li Xiangjun to perform again.
Qin Mu hugged Qiao'er's slender waist and said with a smile: "Girl, your sister Xiangjun must be tired after singing for so long. How can you just watch and have fun?"
The poem is very suitable for Qiao'er. After Qin Mu said this, she replied embarrassedly: "Yes. Then I will prepare tea for Sister Xiangjun."
Not to mention the sisters Momo and Ruoruo, who became uneasy after being told by Qin Mu. Qin Mu stuffed a piece of tangerine into Ruoruo's mouth and said with a smile: "Wouldn't it be more fun to learn from your sister Xiangjun when you have nothing to do in the future?"
Qiao Er rushed to laugh and said, "No, it's not like that. It's so hard to learn. I just like to watch, to watch Sister Xiangjun perform. Momo Ruoruo, don't you agree?"
Momo replied: "I would like to learn, but I'm afraid I can't learn it."
Ruoruo then also expressed her desire to learn. Qin Mu looked at the reactions of the three and couldn't help but tap Qiao'er on the forehead again, saying, "See? Momo and Ruoruo are so hardworking, but you are the only one who is lazy and likes nothing!"
"No, I learned it from Sister Xiangjun when I was in Huichang, but I can't learn it."
"You didn't learn this, you didn't learn that, so what did you learn?"
"I... ... ... "
Everyone knew Qiao'er's temper, and when they saw her hesitating, they couldn't help but laugh.
At this time, Xiangjun and Xing'er changed their clothes and came out. They performed hard on the stage for a long time, and their pretty faces were rosy under the lights. Qiao'er diligently brought them fragrant tea. At Qin Mu's invitation, Xiangjun sat down and listened to the song "Spring River Moon Night" presented by Dong Xiaowan.
These beauties were not only beautiful, but also multi-talented. Any one of their talents would give people an immense enjoyment. It was not until the second watch that everyone left one after another.
The cool autumn night breeze blew over the eaves and through the carved lattice windows, stirring the mist in the small building. Yang Zhi's plain white nightgown embroidered with willow leaf patterns had been torn apart, revealing a large area of snow-white skin, her fairy-like figure and jade-like complexion, and the sparkling moon.
Qin Mu embraced her soft body, his fingers slowly slid down from her round shoulders, and he murmured, "My wife, my wife..."
"Husband, you... just listen to me first." Yang Zhi panted softly, her face as red as a peach blossom in spring.
"You talk, I'm listening."
"Husband, as the saying goes, there is no order without rules. It is not appropriate for me to always address you as husband. It is time to change the way we address you in the backyard."
"My dear, don't worry about this now. It's fine to call me like this. Of course, if you want to call me more tactfully, I will..."
"Husband!" Yang Zhi blushed as she was humiliated. Her delicate body softened as he pressed on her. "Husband, you are so unruly. I... oh... I am talking to you about something serious."
"Isn't what I do my job a proper one? I have to look stern in front of all my friends all day long. It's tiring enough. There are only a few of you in the backyard now. Don't make so many rules to make me uncomfortable."
"But my husband is now the ruler of a country after all."
"So I am destined to be a loner. I know this, but don't let loneliness come too early. I'll talk about it later."
Before Yang Zhi could say anything else, Qin Mu suddenly kissed her lips and took off her nightgown. The night breeze blew, the red quilt and colorful curtains fluttered, and the bed was filled with spring scenery.
***
The next morning, Qin Mu was practicing sword in the garden. After Yang Zhishu finished washing, she leaned against the pavilion pillar and watched. She had a lot of things to say last night that she had not had time to say.
After being nourished by the rain and dew, her face was rosy and beautiful. Qin Mu came over after practicing sword and couldn't help but kiss her on the face. Yang Zhi looked around hurriedly and saw that only Momo and Ruoruo were watching. She was still a little shy and scolded him lightly.
“Husband… … ..”
"If you have something to say, just say it. Don't hesitate. I don't have much time. There are still half a basket of memorials in the study that I haven't reviewed. Alas, it's not easy to be the king of this country. I hope my wife can understand."
Qin Mu said this and took her hand and walked into the pavilion. Momo and Ruoruo quickly brought water for him to wash his face and hands.
"Ruoruo, go and bring the breakfast to the pavilion. The queen and I will have breakfast in this pavilion."
"Yes, King Qin."
Yang Zhi came up to help him wipe his face and said softly, "My dear, Ye'er can walk now, but he has no younger brothers or sisters to accompany him. I feel really... ... Alas, it's all my fault."
"Don't worry, my lady, it will be there."
"My dear husband, please don't interrupt me. This time, I asked Sister Yujing to come to Jinling with me on the same ship. I have taken a closer look. Sister Yujing is tall, with a thin waist and plump hips. She is a woman who is good at bearing children. My dear husband..."
“Hahaha… Madam, you are not even twenty yet, why do you believe this like an old woman, hahaha… Yujing’s is really… ahem! Madam, by the way, what was I going to say…”
Yang Zhi pursed her lips and twisted him, her face full of slight anger and shame. She finally mustered up the courage to talk about this matter, but after being laughed at by this man, she could no longer speak;
Such matters should be arranged by elders or ministers. To be honest, which woman would want her husband to have too many women? But the current situation is special. Qin Mu is the king of a country, but he only has one child. This is not a sign of prosperity for the country. If this continues, ministers and people will gossip.
"My wife, don't think too much. When your husband settles down, we will have more children."
"I hope so."
"Haha, maybe my wife got pregnant again last night."
"Husband!"
"Okay, okay, let's not talk about it. Let's just work harder."
Yang Zhizhen had no way to deal with this unruly husband. In fact, she knew that Qin Mu was busy all day long and could only relax when he got home, so he always did whatever he wanted and even smiled frivolously, but he was just relieving the pressure on himself.
Fortunately, he doesn't have three palaces, six courtyards and seventy-two concubines yet, and there are only a few women in the backyard. Otherwise, it would be strange if he didn't make a mess.
The couple had breakfast together in the pavilion in the morning light. Qin Mu changed into the royal robe and came to the main hall in the front yard. The ministers of the six ministries had been waiting for a long time. When they saw him come out, they all paid their respects to him.
Since it was not the Imperial Palace, Qin Mu simply asked the ministers to sit at the table and discuss matters together.
***************************************
Please give me a monthly ticket!
Please give me a monthly ticket!
Please give me a monthly ticket!
.(To be continued..)
...