The Xie Mansion is a combination of the First Grade Marquis Mansion and the Concubine Mansion, with slightly higher regulations than similar mansions. In addition to the general conference hall, warm hall, living room, flower hall, side hall and other halls, between the inner and outer courtyards, a delicate and unique water house on the lake was built, named "Linling Pavilion". Due to the moderate number of people this year, Princess Laiyang specially designated the venue for Xiao Jingrui's birthday dinner here.
After the last guest Xia Dong arrived, Xie Yu sent someone to inform the inner house and lead the guests into the Linling Pavilion. Since everyone is acquaintances who usually communicate with each other, only Mrs. Zhuo knows a little less people, so the introduction time is very short, and they all return to their seats after a while.
Because it was a private banquet at home, the seating arrangement was not very strict. Xie Yu and his wife were the main seat, and Zhuo Dingfeng and his wife accompanied him. Xia Dong and Meng Zhi refused each other for a long time, and finally the older Meng Zhi sat down as a guest. The first seat on the right, Xia Dong is opposite him, Meng Zhi's right is Mei Changsu, and Xia Dong's right is Yan Yujin. In order to prevent Sister Xia Dong from twisting her face habitually, Yan Yujin moved her seat back a foot or so cautiously. The rest of the young people are in the order of the teeth, only Gong Yu insisted on sitting at the bottom of the table. Because Zhuo Qingyi liked this sister very much, she squeezed in the same case with her. Xiao Jingrui wanted to find Fei Liu to take care of him, but unfortunately there was no trace of the young man anywhere, Mei Changsu smiled and told him not to care.
The birthday star was wearing a new robe that Mrs. Zhuo sewed herself. Although the craftsmanship of Jianghu Women is not as good as that of Ruifuzhai's master, she still has a lot of thought. The neckline and cuffs are embroidered with fashionable moiré patterns, the presser feet are made of gold thread, and the belt is even more pearly. The agate is inlaid in a circle, and it is magnificent. Fortunately, Xiao Jingrui has the spirit of poetry and literature in his belly, so wearing it will not change the appearance of a rich and prostitute. However, when Yan Yujin first saw him try on this dress, he still commented very euphemistically: "Jing Rui, seeing that you are willing to wear this dress, I know that you are truly filial."
At the beginning of the banquet, the gifts from all parties had already been delivered. The elders gave nothing more than clothes, shoes and socks. Zhuo Qingyao and his wife gave a jade flute, Xie Bi gave Fang Duan inkstone, and Zhuo Qingyi made a new sword ear by herself. Yan Yujin sent a complete set of exquisite horse gear. Xia Dong and Meng Zhi both presented ordinary ornamental toys, while Gong Yu brought a delicate embroidered screen on the table.
Among these gifts, the Heart Protection Pill that Mei Changsu sent was not conspicuous at first. If it wasn't for Yan Yujin who came over curiously to ask, he would have made a fuss and exclaimed a few times after asking, and others didn't notice what he sent. such a precious thing.
"No, no, Brother Su is too partial. It's a waste to send such a good thing to Jing Rui. You haven't even given it to me. You obviously like me more!"
Yan Yujin was laughing, when a slender and powerful jade hand suddenly appeared beside him, ready to unmistakably squeeze the thickest part of the flesh on his side cheek, with a little force, half of his face turned red.
"What are you making a fuss about? Isn't the first half of July here? Maybe Mr. Su will send you something better then." Xia Dong giggled and breathed a sigh of relief into Yan Yujin's face.
Uncle Guo Zi covered his face and struggled to the side, and said bitterly: "My birthday is not July and a half, it's July 7th, sister Xia Dong, don't make a mistake!"
"Oh, Qixi Festival..." Xia Dong glanced at him sideways, "It's not too different from July and a half, what are you anxious about?"
Yan Yujin stared at her tearfully. Please eldest sister, Qixi Festival and July half are not only days, but also feel a lot different, okay
"Alright, alright," Xie Bi smiled and came to smooth things out, "you really fight for everything. Although the heart protection pill is expensive, it is not something you usually eat. When you vomit blood and die, I think big brother I'll definitely feed you one..."
Yan Yujin immediately turned his angry gaze to Xie Er. You only vomited blood, and you died!
The young man made a fuss, and the initially restrained atmosphere of the banquet was relaxed, and even Princess Liyang couldn't help but smile and said: "Yujin sometimes comes to me and complains that you are bullying him, I didn't believe it, today It seems that you are really bullying him..."
"Okay," Xie Yu said with a smile, "How can you treat guests like this, Rui'er, please pour wine for everyone."
Xiao Jingrui stood up while acknowledging the promise, holding a black-silver warm pot, and filled the wine glasses on the case for everyone in turn. Xie Yu raised his glass to the left and right, and said: "Xiao Er Jianchen, thank you all for coming here, Xie Yu is ashamed. I have a glass of water and wine to show my respect, and I will do it first." Then he raised his glass and drank it all. Everyone at the banquet also drank their cups of wine, only Mei Changsu put down the cup after slightly touching his lips. Xiao Jingrui knew that he was not in good health, so he did not persuade him, and quietly ordered someone to bring hot tea.
"Come here, since it's a private banquet, don't be polite. Xie Mouxiang is not very good at entertaining guests. You can take it easy, just treat it as your own home." Xie Yu laughed and ordered the maids to hurry up. Passing the fruit and vegetables, he personally came down to persuade him.
After three rounds of drinking, Xia Dong brushed his hair from his ear, supported Yi with one hand, and said to the host with a pair of phoenix eyes: "Thank you, Marquis, that we should treat this place as our own home, this is true. of?"
"This statement is naturally true. Why does Master Xia ask such a question?"
"I'm just making sure." Xia Dong had a charming and charming smile on his face, and said softly, "I am in my own house, and I have always acted willfully. If there is any rude behavior, I must not blame the Lord Hou?"
Xie Yu laughed and said: "Master Xia is like a man, what's so strange about Xie?"
"That's good." Xia Dong pursed his lips and nodded slowly, Yaorou's eyes suddenly became as cold as an ice sword, over Xie Yu's shoulder, and shot directly at Zhuo Dingfeng next to the main seat, said loudly: "Xia Dong has admired Zhuo Zhuang's martial arts for a long time. It is a pleasure to meet today, and I would like to ask for your advice."
At the same time as this cold voice came out of his lips, Xia Dong's tall figure leaped up, using the long ebony chopsticks in his hand as a sword, directly hitting Zhuo Dingfeng's throat.
This sudden change, everyone was a little dazed. Before they could react, the two had already fought several times. Although it only uses chopsticks as a sword, its sharp moves and the four rolls of strong wind have made people's breath stagnate.
In an instant, dozens of moves had passed, Xia Dong retreated, and withdrew from the battle group without warning just like when she attacked. The corners of the skirt slowly sagged.
In the eyes of ordinary people, Xia Dong's expression at this time is as usual, and only a very few people can sensitively perceive the confused color that quickly swept across her eyes.
A faint sneer appeared on the lips of Ningguohou Xieyu.
Xia Dong is indeed a persistent person. The murder case of the internal supervisor is actually cold now, but she still hasn't given up the investigation, but she dared to invite her today, and the necessary preparations have always been made. This female hanging mirror wants to make a move from Zhuo Dingfeng The angle of the blade to compare the wound on the deceased, I am afraid it is not so easy.
"Wonderful and wonderful!" After a moment of silence, Meng Zhi took the lead in high fives and praised, "Although the two of you have only done dozens of tricks, they each have their own ingenuity and magic, and their internal strength and swordsmanship are both breathtaking. Blessed."
Xia Dongjiao smiled and said, "It's really a slap in the face in front of Commander Meng, which makes you laugh."
Zhuo Dingfeng also said humbly: "Master Xia Dong is merciful. If you take a few more moves, you will have to admit defeat and beg for mercy."
"When the masters meet, how can we drink less? Come, let's drink a few more glasses." Xie Yu took the pot and poured a full glass and handed it to Xia Dong, apparently wanting to quell the sudden start. waves. Xia Dong stared at him for a moment without moving, before slowly raising his hand to take the wine glass, raising his head.
Zhuo Qingyao also came over with his wife at this time, and cupped his hands: "Master Xia is really huge. Qingyao also takes this opportunity to give you a cup of tea, and I hope you will correct me at any time when the rivers and lakes meet in the future."
Xia Dong smiled lightly and took a drink without saying anything. Then Xie Qi, Xie Bi and Zhuo Qingyi all came over to toast at the suggestion of their elders, and even Mrs. Zhuo got up and accompanied her husband to toast the second cup. Yan Yujin, who was quietly talking to Xiao Jingrui, felt a little strange and asked in a low voice, "What are they doing? Are you drinking alcohol?"
Xiao Jingrui also responded in a low voice: "I rarely see Sister Xia Dong drinking. How is her drinking? Should I go and block it?"
"I also rarely see her drinking... Look at the blushing one, you should block, I'm afraid she'll be drunk and torture me... "
Meng Zhi, who happened to pass by the two of them, couldn't help laughing out loud, turned his head and comforted: "It doesn't matter, Xia Dong blushes after drinking one cup, and just blushes after drinking a thousand cups... What were you discussing just now?"
"It's not a discussion, I'm reminding Jing Rui that the atmosphere is right now, and it's time to invite Miss Gong Yu to add brilliance to this hall." As Yan Yujin said, he turned his eyes to Gong Yu, who was sitting quietly, and saw her looking up. Looking back, he immediately threw a big smile.
Xiao Jingrui smiled and kicked him with his toes: "Okay, swallow your saliva, and I'll go and mention it to my mother." After speaking, he was about to move when he saw the close-fitting maid next to the eldest princess walking quickly to Xie Yu's side. , bowed his head and said something, Xie Yu nodded immediately, turned back to the main seat, cleared his throat and said loudly: "Everyone, the elegant banquet is not without fun, since there is Miss Gong Yu from Miaoyinfang here, why not invite her Play a song to wash away the filth of my generation?"
As soon as this suggestion came out, everyone agreed with it. Gong Yu stood up and saluted all around. He said softly, "Your Majesty has raised his love. Although Gong Yu is not talented, I would like to help everyone."
At this time, the maid came to hold the piano and set up a seat. Xiao Jingrui recognized at a glance that it was a guqin that was extremely cherished by her mother. Usually, even children were not allowed to touch it lightly. Today, she actually took it out and played it to a strange woman. The music of Shigemiya Yu.
As a musician, Gong Yu didn't know how much Princess Liyang Suri loved this qin, but she could appreciate the preciousness of this qin better than Xiao Jingrui, so much so that after she sat down and took a closer look, she suddenly felt He stood up again and bowed his knees to the eldest princess.
The expression on Princess Liyang's face was still cold, but just by looking at her slightly bowed back in response, it showed that this noble imperial sister treated Gong Yu with extreme courtesy, which made Xie Yu, who always knew her temperament, a little surprised. .
After sitting down again, Gong Yu slowly raised his hand and tried a few sounds, and it turned out to be a golden sound and a jade vibration, which was extraordinary. Immediately after that, the jade finger was gently twisted, and a wonderful and beautiful sound came out. Anyone who knew the rhythm would know that it was the famous song "Feng Qiuhuang". Generally, musicians need to match the occasion, but for everyone like Gong Yu, naturally no one cares about this. Therefore, although she performed this beautiful song at the birthday banquet, she did not feel abrupt. In the song, the phoenix came to the phoenix. Touching the heart, before the song is over, several people are already in a trance.
Although Xie Yu has read a lot of books, he has only a rough understanding of the rhythm. Although he also finds the sound of the qin melodious and beautiful, he can't understand its ingenuity. He just turned his head and saw his wife's eyebrows were faint, and there seemed to be tears in her eyes, and she felt a little unhappy in her heart. After the song stopped, he coughed and said, "Miss Gong Yu is really talented. But today is a happy day, please play a more cheerful song."
Gong Yu responded with a "yes" in a low voice, and then adjusted the silk strings, and a string of notes jumped out cheerfully. It was a "Fisherman's Song". Late, happy and forgetful. Even if someone who doesn't understand the rhythm listens to this song by her, they still feel happy and contented. But Xie Yuxin was not here, listening quietly while watching Princess Liyang's expression without a trace. Seeing her brows parted and a faint smile on her lips, she felt relieved and secretly relieved.
After the two songs were stroked, praises rang out. Yan Yujin applauded, and cheekily asked for another song. Gong Yu smiled and didn't answer when a male servant of Xie's mansion suddenly rushed in from outside the hall and knelt down in front of Xie Yu, with a panicky expression, panting, "Bin... There are guests, guests…”
Xie Yu frowned and said, "What are you waiting for? Didn't you tell you to close the door to thank you?"
"Little can't stop it, they have, have come in..."
Xie Yu's brows moved, and a cold voice came from the hall: "There is an old covenant, why did Brother Zhuo refuse guests? Could it be that he stayed in the Ningguohou mansion to avoid the challenges below?"