Jiang Miao woke up early in the morning. He was used to getting up early to prepare breakfast. After opening his eyes, he realized that this was the Duke's Mansion. All the food and drinks would be delivered by the kitchen, so he didn't have to cook. Thinking of this, he lay down again.
Pei Che, who was beside him, was disturbed by his movement. His brows slightly furrowed, and he was about to wake up. Jiang Miao turned his head and looked at his sleeping face closely. He couldn't help but sigh again, "This guy has a good-looking face. Even when he is asleep, he has a perfect appearance from all angles."
"A Miao?" The deep voice, still a little sleepy, was full of magnetism. Jiang Miao felt his ears go numb when he called him like that. He was secretly jealous. If this guy lived in modern times, even if he didn't rely on his looks, he would probably be able to make a living with his voice.
After calling out but getting no response, Pei Che opened his eyes and looked around, only to find Jiang Miao lying next to him, looking at him. He couldn't help but smile.
"A Miao, why didn't you answer me?" Pei Che asked.
"Yes, you didn't hear it." Jiang Miao said perfunctorily. How could he admit that he was in a daze just now
Pei Che would naturally not argue with Jiang Miao on this issue. If he won, Jiang Miao would be unhappy and would simply ignore him. If he lost, oh, he couldn't possibly lose.
"It's still early, why don't you sleep a little longer?" Pei Che looked at the light coming in through the window and found that it was still dark.
"I'm used to being awake and can't fall asleep." Jiang Miao had no desire to sleep at all. He was a very energetic person. As long as he slept for six or seven hours a day, he could maintain his energy for the whole day. It was difficult for him to take a nap.
"Are you worried about today's poetry reading?" Pei Che guessed. In the past, A Miao would get up early, but never as early as today.
"Alas," Jiang Miao sighed, "I guess so. To be honest, I haven't formally dealt with those people yet. I'm afraid that if I say something wrong tomorrow, they will find a handle on me." His only contact with those people from the aristocratic families was on his wedding day. However, he was basically in the bedroom on his wedding day. Although there was a bridal chamber prank, he only saw 10 to 20 people. Now suddenly telling him that he has to go to a banquet tomorrow, and it's a high-end and elegant Mid-Autumn Poetry Festival, for Jiang Miao, it's clearly a forced move. How can he not be nervous
"It's okay. Just do what you want to say tomorrow as usual. Don't worry about so many things. I'll take care of everything." Pei Che's eyes were gentle and firm, full of inspiring power. Jiang Miao listened, and his nervous mood gradually calmed down.
Since both of them were awake and not very sleepy, Pei Che gave Jiang Miao a brief introduction to the Xinyang Marquis Mansion. The owner of Xinyang Marquis Mansion was surnamed Guo. He made his fortune by fighting for the world, but now that the world has been peaceful for so many years, the status of military generals has become increasingly low. Many people choose to marry into a family of scholars in order to change their status as soon as possible, join the civil service, and embark on a smooth career. This is exactly what happened in Xinyang Marquis Mansion, which is why today's Mid-Autumn Poetry Festival was held.
"I see, why are you organizing a poetry gathering for no reason?" Jiang Miao suddenly realized that it was just to show off his knowledge of culture. "Then you said before that the Xinyang Marquis's Mansion and the Duke's Mansion have always had a good relationship, how did this relationship come about?"
Pei Che said: "One of my grandmother's aunts married into the Xinyang Marquis's mansion. So, the two sides are related."
Jiang Miao sighed: "The marriage relationship of your big family is really complicated. How many families are related to our Duke's Mansion? Oh, right, I remembered that when I first met you, the master of the Zhu family was also related to your family." From top to bottom, all kinds of identities and status are all included.
"Why do you think the emperor dislikes my father so much but dares not deal with him openly and can only take action from the side? The various mansions are intertwined and one move can affect the whole body. Without solid evidence, we can't just pick someone to attack. I'll ask them to show you the in-laws list another day. When you have free time, write it down so that you don't meet them in the future." Pei Che said. Although social interactions during festivals and holidays are a considerable expense, for each mansion, these are indispensable expenses.
Jiang Miao let out a long sigh and stared blankly at the ceiling of the bed. If he had known earlier, he should not have asked. Isn't this just looking for trouble
After dawn, Jiang Miao got up with mixed feelings and dressed himself. Because they were going to a banquet today, the two of them were dressed differently than usual. In fact, it was mainly because Jiang Miao usually only wanted convenience and comfort, and he didn't like to wear such clothes.
After packing up, Pei Che and Jiang Miao had breakfast, then boarded the carriage and set off for Xinyang Marquis's Mansion. When they set off, Jiang Miao discovered that the carriages of other people in the mansion were also harnessed and waiting at the door. Judging from the situation, they should be going together.
"Should we wait for them?" Jiang Miao asked. They came from the same prefecture, and everyone else had signed up to form a group. If they went on their own, wouldn't that be telling everyone that they were isolated
Pei Che said: "No need to wait, if you wanted to invite us to go together before, you would have sent someone to notify us yesterday."
The carriage set off first, and about three quarters of an hour later, it arrived at the Xinyang Marquis's Mansion. A Mid-Autumn Poetry Festival was to be held today, so the street in front of the Xinyang Marquis's Mansion was specially cleaned today, and the vendors who usually sold things here were not allowed to set up stalls today.
After Jiang Miao and Pei Che got off the carriage at the door, someone came to greet them immediately. The servants of the Duke's Mansion handed over their name cards and gifts. The people there took them and quickly invited them in, shouting, "The Duke Zhong's mansion's prince and his wife are here!"
Hearing his loud roar, everyone looked over. There was a hint of inquiry in their eyes. They were probably very curious about the Crown Prince's wife. After all, everyone in Liangjing City knew that the Crown Prince's wife was a man.
Jiang Miao was a little speechless, but still wore the same smile as Pei Che, stood side by side with Pei Che, and walked in together.
The layout of the Xinyang Marquis's Mansion was different from that of the Duke's Mansion. Jiang Miao couldn't tell what the difference was, but they were both very beautiful in his eyes. They followed the guide through several corridors and archways, and finally arrived at the place they had arranged in advance.
This is a large garden, planted with exotic flowers and plants. There is a thin stream flowing through the middle, and there are several rockery around it with strange shapes, which looks very interesting.
There were already people in the garden at this time. Before the owner came out to call for help, everyone was standing together and talking with people they knew, and they were far apart from each other.
"You're finally here. Come on, you're the only ones missing." Han Qin walked over while complaining. It seemed that he had been paying attention to the entrance all the time.
Jiang Miao looked in the direction he was going and found He Chen, Su Jin and a few strangers standing under a tree not far away looking at this side. Out of courtesy, he stretched out his hand and waved at the group of people. The group of people was stunned for a moment, and also stretched out their hands and waved in this direction.
When they got there, Han Qin introduced everyone to each other and began to discuss the content of today's poetry reading.
Jiang Miao was very surprised. How did they know the rules in advance when the host hadn't announced them yet? Besides, the others were probably discussing the same topic in groups.
Pei Che saw his confusion and explained in a low voice: "The Xinyang Marquis' Mansion had already started making arrangements. It's normal for the news to spread. People usually inquire about it in advance and make preparations early to avoid making a fool of themselves."
Jiang Miao was a little anxious when he heard this: "Then why didn't you send someone to inquire? I didn't hear you mention it yesterday. What will you do when the time comes?"
Pei Che smiled confidently: "Even if I didn't ask, I wouldn't be in such an embarrassing situation."
Jiang Miao couldn't help but look sideways. How could a young man be so proud? Anyway, if Pei Che didn't know how to do it, he would definitely not be laughed at by others.
The sight of the two of them putting their heads together and whispering hurt all the singles present. Han Qin couldn't help but say, "Ah Che, Brother Jiang, that's enough. If you have anything to say, leave it to us at home. Let's discuss what to do next!"
For this Mid-Autumn Poetry Festival, the Xinyang Marquis Mansion came up with a unique idea and asked them to form groups of several people to participate in several activities together, instead of working alone as in the past.
(End of this chapter)