Winter Begonia

Chapter 28

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The Prince An's Mansion where Shang Xirui sang at the meeting today, Cheng Fengtai said that they are not related to each other, it seems that an aunt of the Fan family accepted Wang An Lao Fujin as a godmother, during the festivals, Fan's family and Prince An's mansion moved around quite frequently. Cheng Fengtai didn't pay much attention to it. Prince An has a land outside the pass, with cattle and sheep like clouds, and he does a different business with Cheng Fengtai, and Cheng Fengtai can't get used to the arrogance of the Manchu nobles, who seem to be waiting for someone Kowtow to them. If it wasn't for Shang Xirui, on Lao Fujin's birthday he would usually only bring a gift and no one would be there.

The birthday banquet started at noon, and Cheng Fengtai got up just in time to eat. Prince An is a filial son. On Erniang's birthday, he personally stood on the steps outside the hall to welcome the guests. Seeing Cheng Fengtai, he was a little surprised. He didn't know why Second Master Cheng suddenly gave face like this. The two exchanged pleasantries for a while, but there was nothing to say. The prince pointed Fan Lian to him and let the two of them play by themselves.

Fan Lian was even more surprised when he saw him: "Brother-in-law! Why are you here! Come, sit here."

Cheng Fengtai sat beside him, and said with a smile: "It's not for you anyway." He raised his head to look at the old Fujin who was dressed in bright red and purple: "It's not for her either."

Fan Lian sighed and poured a cup of tea for Cheng Fengtai: "Hearing you say that, I'm so sad, I'm sad for old Fujin."

Cheng Fengtai laughed twice and looked around, most of them were familiar faces, Shang Xirui was not there. Shang Xirui is particular about singing, and there is a lot of preparatory work to be done before singing, I'm afraid he won't have time to sit down and eat.

The birthday banquet started, Fan Lian and Cheng Fengtai ate and drank, chatted with a few famous people they knew, and it was the guests' turn to toast the old birthday star. An Wang Lao Fu Jin sat in the chief seat, his hair was like silver silk, and his face was plump and rich. Because of today's good day, two balls of rouge were applied on his cheeks, which was a bit weird. Beside her were two pretty girls dressed in flags, one was holding a pug, the other was supporting her gold-clad walking stick with a dragon head. Even the maids wear gold hairpins and wear jade silks and satins, which is really a bit of the ostentation of the Empress Dowager Cixi back then.

Because of the large number of people, the descendants of Prince An's Mansion were divided into five batches to kowtow to Lao Fujin. The guests gathered in a circle to watch this magnificent and lively scene, and they were full of envy. In terms of seniority, it seems that Fan Lian should also kowtow to Old Fujin. Cheng Fengtai poked Fan Lian with his elbow, and looked at him contemptuously and provocatively from the corner of his eyes: "What's the matter, you come too?"

If Cheng Fengtai didn't say that, Fan Lian would really have to knock him off. With what Cheng Fengtai said, how could Fan Lian let him succeed. Glancing at him, took a look at a gap, stepped forward and wiped the sleeves of the suit twice in the manner of courtiers, and gave Lao Fujin a thousand on one knee: "Lafayette, you are blessed and safe, and your life is longer than green pine! Congratulations to you on your birthday."

After all, Fan Lian was Fan Lian, the Second Master Fan who had defeated all the aunts, uncles, cousins and cousins in the family seizure of power. This claim and this action filled the heart of old Fujin. Old Fujin yearned for her aunt the queen mother most in this life, so that after the fall of the Manchu Qing Dynasty, all food and sleeping standards in the house were compared with those in the imperial palace. But she had been looking forward to it in vain all her life, and it was the first time someone called her that.

Old Fujin squinted at the person coming, the girl hurriedly handed over the glasses, Lao Fujin saw clearly now, smiled from ear to ear and said: "Brother Lian! You don't come here to talk to me first! You only know how to drink!"

Fan Lian said coquettishly: "How can I! I'm accompanying my brother-in-law!"

Old Fujin said: "Your brother-in-law, isn't that Miss Fan's uncle?"

Fan Lian said: "That's right!" He smiled and looked at Cheng Fengtai. Cheng Fengtai was scolding him in his heart for being stinky and shameless, for rushing to flatter him like this in front of such people. Unexpectedly, he was pulled out by Fan Lian in an instant and became the focus of everyone. He had no choice but to step forward with a wine glass, and said with a smile: "Old birthday star, this junior congratulates you on your birthday! I wish you a happy life every year!"

Cheng Fengtai drank the wine in the glass in one gulp. Old Fujin waved at him directly on the chair, Cheng Fengtai took two steps forward with a little embarrassment, when he came to him, he still looked too tall with his bowed waist, old Fujin grabbed his wrist and pulled him down, face to face Yes, he looked at him carefully through his glasses, it was as detailed as catching lice. Fortunately, Cheng Fengtai's appearance can stand up to scrutiny, and old Fujin praised: "Master, you have a good appearance, which matches Miss Fan very well! These eyebrows, this nose, so good! Very fair!"

The corners of Cheng Fengtai's mouth twitched, Fan Lian died laughing.

The program after the birthday banquet is to watch a play. There is a stage set up in the garden, which is different from the one set up by Cheng Fengtai's house, it is obviously much more refined, with carved red lacquered railings, a roof on the play shed, and a row of lights underneath, it seems that the night show is ready up. The guests were seated according to their rank, Cheng Fengtai and Fan Lian were arranged in a fairly front position, and they were the only two young people at the nearby tables. Cheng Fengtai thought to himself, this is good, Shang Xirui will be able to see him as soon as he takes the stage.

Cheng Fengtai was here looking forward to Shang Xirui's singing on stage, he didn't expect Shang Xirui to arrive early. Today all the celebrities gathered together, and the finale old students and military students had plenty of time to eat wine at the birthday banquet. It was inconvenient for the bosses and actresses who had to prepare for the play to go ahead, so the palace opened two additional tables of wine and food. Shang Xirui was always afraid of meeting strangers and having dinner with the actors in the back hall, but he couldn't eat after eating a little, he was too happy to eat. Prince An's Mansion had a great momentum, and invited several famous Peking opera actors whom he admired most today to sing, and they sang together, sang in pairs, and sang the most famous excerpts, all on the same stage. How could he sit still!

Shang Xirui ran out after eating half a bowl of rice and a bowl of soup. Standing aside and watching the servants arrange the seats, he quickly selected a feng shui throne for himself. This seat can be seen clearly while watching the theater, but it is also hidden and inconspicuous. After he sat down, he would not move his nest, as if he had taken root. Later when he saw Cheng Fengtai and Fan Lian sitting down in front, Shang Xirui was overjoyed, wanted to find the second master, but just as he raised his butt, he thought no way, if I leave, what if someone else takes the seat. He frowned and hesitated, and finally made a difficult decision, let's watch the show!

The performances on the stage were repeated several times, and it was almost Shang Xirui's turn to perform Magu's Birthday, but Shang Xirui could not be found no matter what. Today's teaser is Niu Baiwen from the Qinyan Society, because of the relationship with Ning Jiulang, the owner of the Qinyan Society in the past, he and Shang Xirui are also very close friends. Based on Niu Baiwen's understanding of Shang Xirui, Shang Xirui is the most dedicated person who loves to play the most, and there will never be any missed tickets. What happened today? He also thought that Prince An's two sons were not serious, they used to pester Shang Xirui whenever they had the chance, don't tell them that Shang Xirui placed an order, and they were entangled with them again! What day is today! Their grandma's birthday also dare to mess around! It's okay to say without anyone, Shang Xirui is the role hand-picked by Lao Fujin!

Niu Baiwen stamped his feet anxiously, it can be seen that he still doesn't know enough about Shang Xirui. Shang Xirui loves drama well, because of his love for drama, now he can't move his butt. He has always loved listening to opera more than singing.

Xiao Lai has been with Shang Xirui for over ten years, she can guess Shang Xirui's movements. There were a lot of people in the backstage, she was worried about Shang Xirui's tea, she came to the courtyard with the teapot in her hands like she was protecting her heart, stretched her neck and searched one by one. Sure enough, he saw Shang Xirui sitting in a corner, shaking his head while listening to the play, still drinking tea of unknown origin. Xiao Lai hurried over to snatch his cup, and angrily reprimanded in a low voice: "Brother Rui! You are careless!"

Shang Xirui raised an index finger and hissed: "Who knows me here! Tea is fine!"

Xiao Lai said: "The backstage is messed up, Master Niu is looking for you!"

Shang Xirui said nervously: "You didn't tell him I'm here!"

"No... you go and put on your makeup! I'm waiting for your "Magu Xianshou"!"

"I won't sing today, let me be lazy for a while." Shang Xirui's eyes were shining brightly: "Do you know who is here today? Hou Yukui! Hou Yukui! I only heard him sing three times when I came to Beiping! Master Niu If you are really capable, you can invite him out of the mountain!"

Xiao Lai knew that his idiocy was coming up, so he didn't want to persuade him, so he just said: "Then what about your "Magu Xianshou"?"

"Just say you can't find me, and you don't know where I went."

"How did you tell Master Niu afterwards?"

"It is said that Prince An's Mansion is too big, and I am lost."

Xiao Lai couldn't laugh or cry, he was about to die of anger: "How could Lord Niu believe such words!"

Shang Xirui stared at the stage, without even looking at Xiao Lai: "Or the fish in Prince An's Mansion is not fresh, I have diarrhea after eating it. Anyway, I have a way, you go, don't let them find me It’s done.” At this moment, the children performing the monkey show on the stage performed fifty or so hollow somersaults, which was amazing, and the guests, whether they knew or didn’t know how to play, were shocked by this skill and applauded in unison.

Shang Xirui couldn't bear it any longer and yelled: "Okay!!!"

His voice was different from others', it was resonant and full of voice. Ba'ergou in Old Fujin's arms shook his ears, jumped to the ground and ran towards him. Old Fujin turned to look for her dog, and barked: "Shunzi!" Everyone looked for Shunzi, but Shunzi only looked for one Shang Xirui, and ran to Shang Xirui's feet, standing on his front paws. Get up and put it on his knees, and yell at him, and now everyone finds him. Shang Xirui put both hands on Shunzi's head to try to make him shut up, and shouted softly: "Shh! Don't bark!" He blushed and didn't dare to lift his eyes. In the audience, as long as there are more people paying attention, he will blush and become extremely shy.

Old Fujin couldn't see clearly even with his glasses on, he looked at Shang Xirui's very young age from a distance, and said: "Whose child is that?"

Fan Lian looked at Cheng Fengtai, did he know who he was chasing today, and said with a smile: "Yo! Isn't this Shang Xirui, Boss Shang!"

Cheng Fengtai thought to himself: You little actor, come find me first, hide and play with the dog.

Xiao Lai followed, seeing Cheng Fengtai, stared at him bitterly, wondering why Shang Xirui is everywhere now, it's really annoying.

Shang Xirui hugged Shunzi and handed it back to old Fujin, ignored Fan Lian, only made deep eye contact with Cheng Fengtai, Cheng Fengtai's heart was instantly filled with tenderness. Old Fujin took Shang Xirui's hand and smiled like an old monster who had captured Tang Seng: "Boss Shang, I said earlier that there will be a play with you today, I'm still waiting to see!"

The children performing the monkey show on the stage knelt down and looked at Old Fujin after somersaulting, waiting for her reward. Old Fujin just talked with Shang Xirui, teasing the children on the stage. Niu Baiwen heard something was wrong, so he came out from the backstage, seeing Shang Xirui, the stone in his heart fell to the ground instantly.

What else can Shang Xirui say to Old Fujin, he can't say, I don't want to sing for you today, I want to listen to the opera with you, he can only smile and nod and say yes. Shunzi poked out a paw from Old Fujin's arms, and kept scratching Shang Xirui's sleeve, there was a hint of yearning in his round black eyes. Old Fujin chuckled and said: "Look, I haven't heard your play for a while, and this Shunzi is still thinking about your high accent!"

Don't look at Shunzi as a dog, his background is extremely noble. Grandpa Gaozu is the one held by the Empress Dowager Cixi, and he always accompanied the Empress Dowager Lafayette to listen to the opera. When it comes to Shunzi, the memory of Beijing opera is still carried in his blood, and he will be refreshed when he hears it. But it also has high vision, only Shang Xirui and a few famous actors can touch its heartstrings. There were a few times in halls where Shang Xirui sang on stage, but the people below couldn't hear it, so Shunzi yelled loudly and hit the spot every time, it was no coincidence, both on and off the stage Corresponding, very witty, can be said to be Shang Xirui's most special bosom friend. Shang Xirui never liked people with puppies and cats, he was only willing to touch it a few times and even talk to himself, almost treating him as a person.

Niu Baiwen interjected and said with a smile: "Shunzi really knows how to play, and with the spirituality of the palace, he is better than many people!"

Old Fujin nodded and said: "That's not it! It's been a long time since I can't listen to Boss Shang's play, and it doesn't like it. If it weren't for today's good life, I would have to invite Boss Shang to sing for Shunzi someday. Come out, sing "Spring and Autumn Pavilion". Shunzi loves to watch it!"

Cheng Fengtai frowned when he heard that, thinking what is it called, Shang Xirui's singing is just to amuse people, but he has to make a special trip to amuse dogs. Isn't this humiliating no one? The emperor has been kicked out of the palace, why are you so proud of Prince An's Mansion!

Fan Lian also sensed that there was something wrong with these words, and smiled helplessly at Cheng Fengtai, meaning that his displeasure should not be so obvious on his face, the tone of a nobleman is so spotless.

Old Fujin said to Shang Xirui again: "Boss Shang, it's rare that Boss Hou is here today. I haven't seen the two of you singing on the same stage yet! How about "Wujiapo"?"

Niu Baiwen raised his thumb and said flatteringly: "Old Fujin, you are an expert! Boss Shang's tongue is the cleanest, and the board is pressed tightly. This play shows his ability."

Shang Xirui had been flirting with Cheng Fengtai before, Fan Lian felt ashamed for them both. But when he heard that he was going to be arranged to sing with Hou Yukui, Shang Xirui immediately forgot about his second master, suppressed his excitement, and said shyly: "This... I don't know if Boss Hou is willing to follow I'm singing."

Cheng Fengtai became jealous when he saw it, Shang Xirui had never been so shy with him.

Niu Baiwen laughed and said: "You don't know how big a role you are? There is no one who is not happy to be a partner with you! Boss Hou will definitely be willing!"

Shang Xirui happily went down to play, although it's a pity that he couldn't watch the famous show, but it was a surprise to be able to partner with the famous actress in his mind.