Xie Yilu and Qu Feng were squeezed together in a sedan chair, arms next to each other, and the smell of benzoin on Qu Feng's body made Xie Yilu dizzy.
"You can't hire a sedan chair?" Qu Feng complained to him, but there was no complaint on his expression, "You always squeeze my sedan chair like this, people will gossip."
"What nonsense?" Xie Yilu was listless, most of his face was swollen, and he looked embarrassed, "I said I will go by myself, but you insisted on letting me sit in your sedan chair."
"That's right, I'll pay you back." Qu Feng squeezed him with his shoulders, "Hey, let me tell you, why have you been downcast since the end of the month?"
"It's okay," Xie Yilu let out a long breath, "It hurts, it's uncomfortable."
Qu Feng frowned: "You don't know... go to see that book friend again?"
Being hit by his words, Xie Yilu looked away annoyed, Qu Feng squeezed him and asked: "Why, you don't agree with her?"
The sedan chair trembled twice, then fell down, and the chief attendant reported outside: "My lord, we're here."
Xie Yilu hurriedly got off the sedan chair, and Qu Feng followed closely behind. This is an alley inside the south gate, named Shawo, and all the official sedan chairs are parked in the alley. Xiangzi went to wait, and then went in with Xie Yilu on his arm.
There is a courtyard in the alley, a square plaque is hung on the gate, and the words "Tongchun Garden" are written. There is a table at the door, a secretary behind the table, and an eunuch standing next to it. Xie Yilu wants to enter the door. , was stopped: "Where's the money?"
Xie Yilu frowned: "What money?"
The eunuch sneered: "This is a banquet for the imperial envoy to buy the eunuch Qi Wan and father-in-law Qi, of course it is the reception money." He glanced at Xie Yilu's money with contempt, "You give twenty taels."
There are no such rules in Beijing official circles, Xie Yilu ignored him, Qu Feng grabbed him, took out fifty taels of silver and put it on the table, gave his name, and pushed him in.
Xie Yilu was indignant, and was about to criticize, when he walked around the screen wall and raised his head, it was a garden scene, the green was not thick at this time, it was full of yellow, white walls and black tiles, eaves flying up, listening carefully, murmuring It was the sound of running water under the Shidong Bridge. Those who greeted them invited them to the depths of the garden. Along the way, there were Taihu Lake stones, peony fences, and soft tobacco on the tea stand. Xie Yilu sighed: "After all, it's Qi Wan. It's such a big show when you come to Nanjing."
Qu Feng shook open the folding fan and put it against his ear: "The weaving bureau is the host."
Hearing the three words "Weaving Bureau", Xie Yilu's expression changed, a little sour, a little astringent, and a little dazed, Qu Feng asked him: "Where is Qi Wan coming from?"
"The supervisor of ceremonies is the fourth-rank eunuch, the celebrity in front of the 'ancestor', and he has come out to search all these years."
The two chatted while walking. The table was set up on the north side of the garden, and twenty or thirty tables were set up around the shore of the lake. The main table was on a small sandbar protruding into the water. , At this time, the singing has already started, and the performance is "The Story of Red Pear·Ting Hui".
Xie Yilu and Qu Feng chose the lower table to sit, and those with lower ranks arrived earlier, this is an iron law, the further back, the more senior officials came, gradually, Yunyan Buzi and Peacock Buzi were all there, At this time, a gray-bearded golden pheasant Buzi walked up to the two of them, looked at Xie Yilu cautiously, and said to Qu Feng in a deep voice: "Get up, sit in front."
Qu Feng got up immediately, didn't dare to glance at Xie Yilu, and walked around to the front, Xie Yilu was puzzled, but not surprised, Qu Feng's family has a threshold, he had expected it, but he didn't expect it to be a second-rank official.
When the crescent moon was on the top of the willows, Tu Yao arrived with a group of people, surrounded by Zheng Mian. Today, Zheng Mian is like a flower with dew, a cloud from Xiuxiu, wearing a scarlet makeup flower cloud dragon over-the-shoulder satin, With a jade belt tied around his waist and gold and silver sash rings, he is already gorgeous, with rouge rubbed on his face, and those who are in the water this month, don't need to look at others, just look at him.
He went to the main table, came along the lake shore, officials of all sizes stood up and bowed to each other along the way, he looked like no one, just stopped in front of Xie Yilu, and called out "Spring Hoe".
Xie Yilu hurriedly returned the salute, but he didn't speak. Zheng Mi waited, but before his flattery came, he passed away with a smile.
The colleagues around whispered that they envied Xie Yilu's reputation, but they dared not openly confront the Weaving Bureau, and they were afraid of being implicated even if they said a word to him.
The play was sung one after another, and when it was completely dark, the protagonist of the banquet arrived late.
Qi Wan was accompanied by Liao Jixiang, and the two of them put their shoulders close to each other's head, talking very affectionately, Qi Wan was dressed in a purple gold sitting python robe, Liao Jixiang was much inferior to him, and the moon white woven gold was scattered , Cloud-toed boots, slightly bumped when walking, looking a little pitiful.
Behind the two of them was a large group of illustrious attendants, all of them dressed in gold and jade. The leader was a close acquaintance of Meazza and Qi Wan. The two seemed to be old acquaintances, and they talked enthusiastically arm in arm, followed by Jin Tang, Like Ruan Tian, the waist knife is held upright, and the python pattern on the knees reflects the flowing water waves, which is dazzlingly gorgeous.
Civil and military officials scrambled to greet each other, and Xie Yilu couldn't help but look at it, not at the eunuch Qi handpicked by Long Live, but at the thin Liao Jixiang. He still can't believe that the person who passed the letter was him. How could the rich and beautiful words and those sentimental words of "the clouds were clear last night, the wind was blowing, and I miss you" come from an eunuch
Wrong, there must be something wrong! He stared at him with burning eyes, but Liao Jixiang didn't look sideways, and he didn't even turn his eyes to his side. Xie Yilu could clearly recognize that person's seat in the center of the crowd, in the towering and cold place, and his own Well, it's just a grain of sand in the mortal world.
Qi Wan took his seat, Liao Jixiang sat on his left, Zheng Xian sat on his right, all the powerful figures in Nanjing City showed up, the dishes were stewed donkeys, sea cucumbers and other delicacies, and only officials in the hall could sit at the main table.
Qi Wan is not an annoying "old guy" as Zheng Mi said, he is in his forties, has a fair skin, and looks good, but he is bloated and fat, and he has a hooked nose, and the tip of his nose is messy ground red.
After two mouthfuls of food hastily, he opened a cup: "Our family is here this time to pay tribute to the Long Live Lord." He has a pair of smiling eyes, and at first glance he looks like a kind person, "Our Long Live Lord, I want to drink Zhejiang tea "He chattered, gossiping as usual, "Our family is passing through Nanjing this time, bothering everyone, first toast to everyone, a thousand years old!"
The official toast does not say "cheers", but "thousands".
After the wine was put down, Qi Wan went on to say: "Our family brought six hundred horse-clip boats, three hundred to Zhejiang, and three hundred to stay." This Jinling is a good place..." The conversation suddenly changed, "Isn't it, Lao Ba?" He asked Liao Jixiang.
"Third Brother, don't worry," Liao Jixiang replied simply, "I will take care of your affairs in Nanjing."
Qi Wan laughed, and shook Liao Jixiang's long and slender palms with his big hands: "My younger brother, I have read a lot and have a good heart. Don't bully him!"
This statement stunned everyone at the table, and they looked at each other in embarrassment. Zheng Mi could understand that the words were meant for him: "I'll see who would dare!" He threw the wine cup on the table, "Weaving Bureau is useful." Where I have people, I have plenty of soldiers!"
Qi Wan turned around and looked at him for the first time tonight: "Old Nine, if I don't praise you for anything else, I will praise you for being happy!" He boldly raised his cup and bowed to everyone, "Come on, Er Chitose!"
Everyone toasted tremblingly and swallowed the second glass of wine. Qi Wan winked at his capable confidant, and handed over a tribute form, which was directly handed to the Minister of the Household Department: 44 carries of crucian carp, swan Twenty-six loads, one hundred and twenty loads of fragrant pears, with ice; two hundred jars of pickles, seventy jars of candied cherries, 23,000 gold fish, 200,000 catties of spring tea...
"This..." Hubu Shangshu was surprised by this number. Before he could say anything, Qi Wan pulled something from his waist and threw it on the table. It was a gold medal, written by the imperial pen.
The table fell silent, Qi Wan picked up his chopsticks, and waited slowly while eating the dishes. After waiting, no one spoke, so he rolled his eyes with a smile, and pointed to everyone's wine glasses: "Three thousand years old, drink!"
No one dared not to drink, the wine was swallowed hard, it was so spicy that the throat hurt, all the officials lined up to toast according to their ranks, Xie Yilu was also among them, because he was so close, he saw Zheng Mi taking it from the Minister of the Household Department. Gong Biao rolled his eyes and laughed, "Third Brother, this Jinling Fragrant Pear..."
Unknown, Qi Wan went in: "What?"
With a smile on his face, Zheng Xian turned his flickering eyes to Liao Jixiang: "You have to ask the Weaving Bureau."
Before Qi Wan could ask, Liao Jixiang said directly, "I cut down the tree."
Qi Wan was stunned for a moment: "How much did you cut?"
Liao Jixiang replied: "It's all cut off."
Qi Wan's face turned cold in an instant, probably because both of them belonged to the "Old Ancestor", he didn't have a seizure, but his expression was obviously wrong, impetuous, he squinted and saw Xie Yilu in the long queue, That bruised face was really eye-catching, looking straight at this side, Qi Wan recognized that he was looking at Liao Jixiang.
"Dog, what are you looking at!" He casually picked up the wine cup on the table and threw it on Xie Yilu, the crowd dispersed in a hurry, there was not much wine, only the front was wet, but the searching gazes made people feel uncomfortable No, Xie Yilu raised his head anxiously, and was facing Liao Jixiang's eyes. There seemed to be something in those eyes. Xie Yilu couldn't tell what it was, but he saw that his Bodhisattva-like lips were about to move. At this time, Zheng Mi took the first step. : "Third brother, don't be angry, come here, and introduce someone to you."
This was to save Xie Yilu, but Xie Yilu didn't seem to have heard of it. He stared at Liao Jixiang closely, wondering if he was going to say something, or if he had read wrongly. When Qi Wan turned his head towards Zheng Mian, Liao Jixiang Ji Xiang quietly moved his eyes away.
It was just an accidental look at each other, but Xie Yilu felt his heart ache, he didn't understand why he couldn't let it go, if that person was a prostitute, he might fade away after seeing each other, but he was an eunuch, and he was full of evil Xie Yilu couldn't stop this unreasonable perversion.
Zheng Xian recommended Tu Yao. He brought several general flags and small flags under his command, and a row of horsemen, holding sea bowls, and came up to toast busily. In addition to the wine, he also honored a sixteen-year-old girl. Qi Wan's eyes lit up, he likes this, and in the early years in Beijing, he had a love affair with sister Yao who spent a lot of money, Tu Yao tickled his itch.
The girl was born pink and tender, and the cutest was the pair of three-inch golden lotuses. She was wearing an eight-treasure skirt, with the toe of the skirt looming, and tremblingly walked up to Qi Wan, who immediately hugged her like a bouquet of flowers. : "Ouch, my lady Chang'e, take a rest, don't hurt your little feet!"
He let the girl sit on his lap, and he held his waist courteously. While talking, he pushed his big hand down until it reached into her skirt. The girl leaned on his arm and giggled, and he pulled, pulled The next shoe was not as long as a pinch, and it was embroidered with lotus flowers with twining patterns all over it. Zheng Mian also often played with this, filling the wine cup for Qi Wan, and gently putting it into the shoe.
This is called the golden lotus cup, which is the elegant gift of the client. He gave the shoe to the girl and asked her to toast. , With a cry of warbler, Guo Xiaozhuo thinly applied powder and daisy, and came out with her waist swayed.
"The most tantalizing spring scenery is this year. If you don't have anything low, you will come up to paint the wall. It turns out that the heart of spring is flying everywhere. It's the sleeping tea that grabs the hairpin of the skirt, and it's just that the flowers are like people's hearts to lead to the good..."
He sang "Looking for Dreams". He was wearing a green dress and a bright flower tint on his head. Looking back, it was Du Liniang walking off the scroll. Qi Wan was taken aback. But I can't help looking at this young man for a long time.
Everyone here has drank Xiaozhuo's wine, but not many of his plays have been heard, his willow-like figure, peony-colored eyes, honey-like voice, and the sleeves of his robe trembled at someone's temples. Shaking is a burst of fragrant wind, which can kill people.
Guo Xiaozhuo knows his own beauty and also enjoys the coveting of men. He turned his head and saw behind Liao Jixiang there was a foolish black boy with a long knife on his back, staring at him madly, he pursed his lips and snickered , That's still a child who hasn't grown up!
Seeing that Qi Wan's soul has been taken away by this fake woman, the eldest girl hurriedly put the golden lotus cup to his mouth, Qi Wan swallowed it in a big gulp, and asked her to go and respect Liao Jixiang.
To others, this is flattery, but to Xie Yilu, it is dirty and obscene. He looked at the prostitute's shoe lying on Liao Jixiang's mouth, and thought of his poems, "Plum blossoms are smoked countrymen, pine is a companion", "The wind and clouds in the sky are like dreams, but the time in the world is like a flow", and the other lines The sad and angry "Nan Ming"... How could such a person stand the humiliation of a prostitute!
Liao Jixiang's hand moved, unlike what Xie Yilu thought, he held up the shoe straight away, and smiled slightly: "Third brother," he brought the shoe to Qi Wan's mouth, and said lightly, "Hold the shoe in your hand." This cup of guest wine, if you want lotus flowers to grow on the teeth and cheeks of the guest, my brother respects you."
The people at the table were stunned for a moment, bewildered by his humility and obedience, bewildered by his eloquence, Xie Yilu felt as if he had been hit hard in his heart - it was him, he couldn't be wrong, his demeanor and charm were all that person .
Xie Yilu drank too much today, he staggered so much that he was dizzy and drunk and fell into the grass. When he woke up, the banquet was over early, and there was a faint voice in the distance. He didn't care, he stroked his robe and wanted to leave Suddenly, "Third Brother" came from over there, it was Liao Jixiang.
"Old Ba, you misunderstood me!" This was Qi Wan.
Xie Yilu tiptoed over and looked around by the moonlight. The two were on the pavilion in the middle of the lake, Liao Jixiang was sitting, and Qi Wan was pacing back and forth restlessly.
"... Pears, there are no pears in this season, so Nanjing has to give me some money..."
He was talking about a dwarf pear tree. Xie Yilu hid behind the lake and rocks, and heard Qi Wan's voice getting louder and louder: "It is clearly written on the tribute form that what Long Live God wants is pears, how many pears can a tree bear!"
This is blackmail, the same method as Ruan Tian.
"I'll charge him one tael for a pear, it's not much, but a tree costs hundreds of taels!"
Xie Yilu opened his mouth wide in shock. A pear is one tael of silver, and a tree is at least one hundred taels. He has seen the pear grove in the back mountain before. There are probably tens of thousands of trees. The yamen that handle affairs has to be exploited layer by layer. This is not to let the common people go bankrupt, but to let them die without a place to bury them!
"...Why did I deliberately kidnap to Nanjing? Lucky, I will give you 20% when I leave, and your filial piety for this year is enough!"
Xie Yilu was sweating profusely, he was frightened, and was overwhelmed by Qi Wan's greed and his despicable methods.
"...Long Live Lord is not happy anymore, if it weren't for the ancestors... no money, would you still want to do this weaving!"
Xie Yilu couldn't hear Liao Jixiang's voice at all, he was silent like a mute.
"...and Zheng Xian, don't compare yourself to him in everything, what did your ancestors say, he is the guardian of Nanjing, and a close minister of the Long Live Lord three thousand miles away!"
Xie Yilu didn't finish listening, he almost ran away, the eunuch's heart was too poisonous, if Liao Jixiang hadn't cut down the tree in advance, the whole city of Nanjing would be... wait, he calmed down slowly, why did Liao Jixiang cut down the tree? Is it because the fragrance of the dwarf pear tree makes him unable to rest his pillow? Ruan Tian's performance in the prostitute's alley, Meazza's night visit to the military department, the rare aphasia of the military department after Zhejiang soldiers entered the city, and Zhang Cai's words in the pear forest... Xie Yilu seemed to be shocked by cold water, and his mind went blank.
After that night, he went to Lingfu Temple every night, and returned every night disappointed. He didn't have a letter, how could he still have a letter? He laughed at his greed, and he was the one who left first. Xiaolaoquan, on that breezy hillside, and the person on the downhill covered with sandalwood fragrance, he has bad legs, how did he get back after such a long journey
Thinking about it, Xie Yilu felt his eyes sore.