Guo Shao woke up at dawn. Yu Lian was sleeping soundly in his arms, resting her head on his arm, her warm breaths were blowing on his neck. Guo Shao found that his whole arm was numbed by her head, and his left arm was completely numb; but the skin contact between the two of them made him feel very good, and for a moment he was in pain and happiness.
He was going to get up early, but he had something on his mind. Xiang Xun was treating Guo Shao today. Xiang Xun was like a nobleman who appreciated him. Without Xiang Xun's recommendation from Prime Minister Wang Pu, it was unclear whether Guo Shao could have been promoted to the position of Inner Palace Guard. He had to remember this favor. Xiang Xun was holding a banquet in Tokyo today to celebrate his youngest son's first birthday. Xiang Xun had mentioned this a while ago. Guo Shao had to go, and he couldn't go too late.
It was just the child's first birthday, not a big deal, just an excuse for relatives and friends to visit and share their joys and sorrows. But Guo Shao was also afraid of being late. Since he had to remember Xiang Xun's favor, other people's family affairs were indeed something worth caring about.
Seeing that Yulian was sleeping so soundly, he carefully used his right hand to support her head and tried to pull out his left arm which was pressed down.
Unexpectedly, Yu Lian was awakened immediately. She yawned, closed her eyes, stretched lazily, opened her sleepy eyes and glanced at Guo Shao. She was stunned for a moment, as if she had just remembered that Guo Shao slept with her last night. She immediately hugged Guo Shao's neck again and hugged him.
Guo Shao said kindly: I have something important to do today.
The tone that seems to be the third tone goes down and then up, forming a gentle taste, a bit coquettish.
General Xiang Xun's son is one year old. I have to go to Zuo You first and ask him about etiquette. I don't understand those things in the officialdom yet, so I have to prepare. Guo Shao coaxed him well.
Yu Lian said: I understand. Can you lie down for a while? My body feels so soft. I’ll gather my strength to get up and cook for you.
Guo Shao smiled and said: Forget it this morning, I'll just go to the shop outside and have something to eat.
Well, I'll just be lazy this morning. I really don't have the energy. Yu Lian said apologetically, and then put her mouth close to Guo Shao's ear and whispered quietly, as if the legendary pillow talk was like this.
How did you do it? I didn't feel any pain at all. Yes, it was a little, but I didn't care at that time. Yu Lian whispered in a very low voice, I had it twice before, and it was very painful. I always thought that it was like giving birth, the pain was inevitable, but women had to endure it.
What kind of thing? Guo Shao asked blurt out.
Yu Lian blushed and pinched his arm, saying, "You are still pretending to be confused."
Guo Shao was not pretending to be confused. He just couldn't help but think about Xiang Xun. Hearing this, seeing her shy and coquettish spirit, he simply went along with her nonsense: Yesterday I saw you frowning and blushing, and crying. I thought you were upset and crying in pain, but it turned out not to be the case.
Yu Lian frowned and said: I am so angry that you said this to me.
Seeing this, Guo Shao said kindly: Only if you feel that you are a victim and are forced into a situation where you are helpless, will you suffer so much. But this time, tell me, recall what happened yesterday, are you a victim
Yu Lian thought about it and figured it out easily. She was surprised and said: You mean, that kind of physical thing is related to whether you are happy or not
Of course it matters. Guo Shao smiled. From letting her show up in the market in the morning to satisfy her face demands, to trying every way to encourage her in the afternoon to make her feel loved, the atmosphere and mood were really created, and she would not be happy if she was not willing, because no one forced her, and there was no need to do so.
He could now feel Yu Lian’s happiness, and thought to himself: Only those who have truly experienced despair can understand true happiness; just like only those who have experienced hunger can understand the deliciousness of food.
After lying in bed for a while, Guo Shao got up and told Yu Lian to sleep a little longer. He searched for a long time, but he didn't have a decent dress to wear to Xiang Xun's family's birthday party. He couldn't wear armor or official uniform.
Moreover, Xiang Xun was a general and the Southern Court Xuanhui Envoy, which was equivalent to the commander-in-chief of a large military region in the south. He was a person of status; there must be many dignitaries among the guests. It would be inappropriate for you to wear old cloth clothes to such an occasion.
Guo Shao planned to go to a ready-made clothing store and buy a new outfit. Yu Lian was not to blame for these things. She had only arrived here yesterday at noon, and she was the only one taking care of the housework. She must have been too hasty to take care of so many things. Guo Shao also forgot to tell her that he had something to do today, and he was even more careless. Who would have thought of what to wear
Zuo You suggested that Guo Shao only needed to give 60 strings of cash in addition to buying some gifts. The child's first birthday was a good thing, and good things come in pairs. 60 is an even number and has the meaning of being happy and content. Moreover, the amount was just right. Xiang Xun had been eating the emperor's food for many years, and he didn't need this little money. It was too much, and those who were in higher positions than Guo Shao would feel bad. Would he show off his wealth and compare others to be stingy? If it was too little, Xiang Xun's care and friendship for Guo Shao would seem frivolous.
Guo Shao thought it was a good idea and accepted Zuo You's reminder.
As expected, as soon as we arrived at Xiang Xun's residence in Tokyo, we immediately saw a lot of traffic and guests. From high-ranking officials to people from all walks of life who wanted to take advantage of other people's good things, they all blocked the entrance of Xiang Xun's residence. The servants were busy inside and outside, and the scene was bustling and lively.
The large courtyard with three entrances in front could no longer accommodate guests. After Guo Shao reported his position, he was barely qualified to enter the inner courtyard. The servants were also polite, saying: The family members have left, so it is quieter inside.
Guo Shao was led to a hall in the inner courtyard and sat down. There were four tables here. When the people at the table saw the newcomers, they all stood up to greet them. Guo Shao didn't recognize any of them. The group of people first listed a long list of official titles, and then finally listed their names. There were so many people that Guo Shao tried hard to remember them all. However, he remembered some of the names but forgot what they did and what kind of officials they were mentioned before.
His deskmate didn't see his boss, Wang Shenqi. Wang Shenqi was one level higher than him. Could it be that he was not at the same table or in the same circle? This table was full, so Wang Shenqi obviously wouldn't sit there. Guo Shao looked around for a while, but didn't see Wang Shenqi in the hall.
After a while, Wang Shenqi finally arrived. He was not alone, but was accompanied by a large group of eleven or twelve people. The one walking in front turned out to be the military version of Justice Bao, Zhao Kuangyin.
Of the people who suddenly arrived, apart from Wang Shenqi and Zhao Kuangyin, Guo Shao only saw a young man who looked very familiar. It was not that he had seen him before somewhere, but that the young man looked so much like Zhao Kuangyin.
A square face, wide forehead, few eyebrows, big eyes, flat nose, thick lips, double chin, short neck, thick waist, round arms, wide body and fat body.
They looked like they were made from the same mold, but when the Creator made them, it seemed that they only had the same shape but used completely different materials. The boy's face was not dark and rough at all, but his skin was a peach color, white and rosy, and he looked very healthy. When the two of them walked together, people would have the illusion that they were a little dizzy.
Is this young man Zhao Kuangyin's son or brother? Zhao Kuangyin should be less than 30 years old, and that young man looks to be at least 16 or 17 years old, a full adult. He should not be Zhao Kuangyin's son, but must be his younger brother; otherwise, he would not look so much like Zhao Kuangyin, and he should not walk with Zhao Kuangyin.
Guo Shao thought: Could it be Emperor Taizong of Song, Zhao Kuangyi
As expected, Guo Shao's guess was correct. As the group of people came in, they greeted each other and introduced themselves to each other. They paid special attention to the introduction of the young man, whose name was Zhao Kuangyi.
The banquet held by Xiang Xun's family was really amazing. Two generations of emperors from the Song Dynasty came to the same room.
Zhao Kuangyin and others sat at the table above instead of at the same table as Guo Shao. Then those people called each other brothers, making Guo Shao feel that they were just like Yang Biao and Luo Mengzi. Wang Shenqi was also chatting and laughing inside, and was very familiar with them.
But they are different from Yang Biao and Luo Mengzi in that most of them are mid-level generals of the imperial guards. From what they said, it seems that one or two of them are high-level generals like the Palace Guards. Otherwise, they would not be qualified to come to the inner courtyard of Xiang Xun's family.
Guo Shao thought: You are pulling a small hill in the imperial army, does Brother Chai know
The table here was the farthest away, and someone couldn't help but whisper: Those people have long been known as the Ten Brothers, and it is said that now they have sent guards before Zhao Kuangyin goes to the palace. Be careful after drinking and don't offend anyone.
The voice was very low. Fortunately, Guo Shao, my deskmate, heard it. Could it be that the Ten Brothers refers to the Ten Brothers of Yishe
The person next to him whispered: I didn't have much impression of him before, how come he got promoted so quickly
The man just now whispered: Because of the merit of saving the emperor and his great ability, the emperor relies heavily on the imperial guards to return to the court. The emperor wants to reorganize the army across the country and let Zhao Yuhou be granted the title of palace guard to eliminate and select the soldiers of the imperial guards, leaving only the elite and prestigious generals. He cannot touch them; but if you offend someone and ask him to find fault with you, he will not touch you, but your subordinates will be in trouble if he touches them.
That's right, let's drink in moderation and don't push us too much.
At this time, some more people came to the door, and the host Xiang Xun was also there. Xiang Xun was very happy at this time, and said in a loud voice: "Prime Minister Wang, please come first." Then he clasped his fists to the people in the room and said: "My colleagues, please do me a great honor today. I didn't expect so many people to come. If I have been negligent in greeting you, please forgive me and don't take it personally. I am very happy in my heart and I have no intention of neglecting you."
Everyone stood up and someone said, "Please invite Prime Minister Wang to take a seat first."
Guo Shao couldn't figure out which Prime Minister Wang this was. There were Wang Pu, Wang Pu and others in the court, but he thought it should be Wang Pu. Last time Xiang Xun said that he wanted him to speak in front of the emperor, which proved that Wang Pu and Xiang Xun had a good relationship.
He thought again that since Wang Pu and the ten brothers of Yishe had not come in together, it was obvious that this group of people should have nothing to do with Wang Pu.