Xian Xian

Chapter 44: Spring banquet

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Today is Jinshi Banquet, Gu Mingke also wants to attend. After he showed his face, he wanted to go back to Dali Temple to check the files, but Gu Pei refused and forced him to stay in Shangyang Palace. Gu Mingke had no choice but to act together with Pei Ji'an, how to deal with it? Gu Pei's.

The banquet itself is a large-scale social occasion. After a while, Gu Mingke and Pei Ji'an ran into Changsun Ji and Changsun Yan, the lords of the Changsun Mansion. After greeting each other, they walked together.

Pei Ji'an's mother is the daughter of the Changsun family, that is, the aunts of Changsun Ji and Changsun Yan, and Pei Ji'an's aunt is the Gu Pei family, so Gu Mingke and the Changsun family are also related, and they can barely be called cousins. This is true of big families. When you think about it carefully, they are all relatives.

They were standing by the water talking, Changsun Yan suddenly looked forward, turned around and said to Pei Ji'an with a smile, "Look, who's here."

Pei Ji'an and the others turned their heads together, and saw the lakeside surrounded by flowers, green willows blowing in the sky, two girls wearing bright dresses, walking quickly through the thick spring scenery, it was Pei Chuyue and Princess Guangning. Pei Chuyue is Pei Ji'an's biological sister, so it's reasonable to come to Pei Ji'an, but the girl next to her has some knowledge.

Everyone laughed clearly, Changsun Ji looked at Pei Ji'an, and joked: "No wonder I always feel that Ji An's mind is out of place today. It turns out that there is something else in my heart. I haven't congratulated Cousin Pei on her engagement yet. Congratulations to cousin. Forge a good relationship and embrace a beautiful woman."

Gu Mingke also looked back for a while, and quickly withdrew his gaze without interest. Gu Mingke has never participated in this kind of topic? However, the two gentlemen of the eldest grandson's family seemed to have found some fun, and kept teasing about this topic. Pei Ji'an was teased by his cousin, but there was no fluctuation in his heart. Pei Ji'an smiled, and said: "You two cousins laughed at me. Chu Yue has a wild temper, and every time she thinks about it, she always comes out. Princess Guangning was probably pulled here by her."

Changsun Yan smiled and said nothing. Changsun Ji was already married. He looked at Pei Ji'an with a tone of someone who had experienced it, and said, "I understand. You are not married yet, and you are thin-skinned. If you want to meet, you naturally have to pull it on? Others do it." It’s a pretense. When we get married in a few years and the freshness wears off, we won’t be so clingy anymore.”

Grandson Yan clapped his hands and laughed, Pei Ji'an had no choice but to let everyone make fun of him. Pei Chuyue pulled Li Changle closer, and heard them talking and joking from a distance, which sounded very happy.

Pei Chuyue is a charming young lady, usually pampered and pampered, her fingers do not touch the spring water, and she is out of breath after running for a short distance. Her cheeks were flushed, her chest was slightly heaving, and she asked, "Brother, what are you talking about? Why are you smiling so happily?"

It was fine if she didn't ask, but when she asked, everyone laughed even harder. Pei Ji'an's face was calm, and he wrote: "It's nothing. Instead, you didn't go to play with the female relatives, why did you come here?"

Pei Chuyue pouted, not believing that they didn't say anything just now. Pei Chuyue's eyes swept over the people present, and when she saw Gu Mingke, Pei Chuyue couldn't control it anymore, a smile overflowed her lips, and said with a blushing face, "I'm here to say hello to the cousins. Hello, grandson cousin , Cousin Gu, hello."

Changsun Ji and Changsun Yan responded and saluted Li Changle at the same time. Gu Mingke just nodded slightly: "Miss Pei, Princess Guangning."

At this moment, the sun is shining brightly, the grass is growing and warblers are flying, and the green waves are shaking gently, rippling with sparkling water. Standing by the water, Gu Mingke is really more dazzling than the ten-mile spring breeze.

Today is the Jinshi banquet. Gu Mingke is wearing a crimson gauze dress with a black leather belt around his waist. He is tall and tall, plump and handsome. I don't know whether it is the crimson color that complements him or him.

The four of them were standing by the water and talking just now? Although no one approached, all the women in the garden were paying attention to them. Each of these four people's family background is one of the best in the two capitals, with noble background, good conduct, and young and handsome himself. How can such four people stand together without attracting attention.

Especially Gu Mingke, who is simply crushingly beautiful. Once he stops here, he looks like the lover of all girls' dreams. Moreover, everyone in the world has bad roots, the more they can't get it, the more they can't let it go. Gu Mingke's cool and indifferent appearance will only make people want him more and more.

Pei Chuyue felt her heart beating so fast that she could hardly control the expression on her face. She thought she was covering it up very well, but in fact her eyes were bright and her face was radiant? It was obviously not the reaction of a cousin seeing her cousin.

The two brothers of the eldest grandson's family gasped in surprise, but neither showed any expression on their faces. Even Li Changle sensed something was wrong, she quickly glanced at Pei Chuyue, then at Gu Mingke.

Gu Mingke has lived in Luoyang for the past few years, and Li Changle has met this cousin of Pei's mansion very early. But I don't know what happened these few times, every time I see Gu Mingke, Li Changle will be deeply shocked. Gu Mingke's appearance and demeanor were so shocking that it made people doubt whether such an aura should be possessed by a cousin who lives under someone else's roof.

Pei Chuyue was so immersed in joy that she didn't even notice the strangeness of the people around her. She fixed her eyes on Gu Mingke, and said softly: "Brother Gu, I haven't congratulated you on being appointed an official. These few days you have been leaving early and returning late. I wanted to congratulate you several times, but I couldn't find you." A figure. Is Dali Temple very busy?"

Gu Mingke nodded, not intending to talk deeply, and said, "It's not too busy, but there is a case with a lot of doubts, and I'm investigating it in detail."

Pei Chuyue actually doesn't understand what Dali Temple is for, and she doesn't care, she just mentions these things on purpose, and she just wants to talk to Gu Mingke. After Gu Mingke answered calmly, Pei Chuyue was stuck, not knowing what to say next. But when it comes to officialdom, what can men say? There are many topics. Changsun Yan said: "Dali Temple has been dealing with murder cases all day long, and I heard that it is very dark inside. Since Ming Ke is not in good health, why go to such a place?"

"That's right." Changsun Ji also said, "It's better to go to the Museum of Literature and History to revise books. It's noble and decent, and you don't have to go out. The ancestors of the Gu family? Just write history. Cousin Gu should be able to change hands when doing these things. Why didn't he inherit his father's will? Continue to study national history?"

Gu Mingke said: "The history of the North and South and the history of the Sui Dynasty have been roughly compiled and completed. I can't do much. I should leave the deeper details to those who are really interested in literature and history. I am not good at it, so I don't take up the position."

Pei Ji'an, Changsun Ji and others were silent when they heard Gu Mingke say that he was not good at literature and history. Pei Ji settled down for a while, and Yuanchang said: "Since my cousin doesn't like the Museum of Literature and History, then forget it. We, the sons of Pei and Gu's family, can't even realize what we want to do. Dali Temple is also very popular." Alright, to settle the unjust case, to be upright and strict, suitable for my cousin."

Official positions are fixed, so what's the use of outsiders talking now? Brother Changsunji nodded, and naturally agreed to agree. Pei Chuyue and Li Changle didn't understand official affairs, and they half-understood the official names that Gu Mingke and the others mentioned just now. Pei Chuyue only knew that her aunt didn't like the place her cousin was going to, but her father listened and was silent for a moment, but said that it was a place where people were trained, if they were talented and really wanted to do things for the common people, they would go to Dali Temple it's the best.

The aunt and father's opinions are completely different, and Pei Chuyue doesn't know whether this official position is good or not, but these are irrelevant? The big deal is, let my father transfer her cousin to her in the future? That's fine. Anyway, her father is the prime minister, and her uncle is also in a high position, so it is not a problem to promote someone.

Pei Chuyue blinked and said with a smile: "It doesn't matter where you go, as long as cousin likes it. Cousin, you talk to aunt more after you go back to the house? Okay, aunt is very worried about you these few days."

The two brothers of the eldest grandson's family couldn't help raising their eyebrows when they heard this, and they both showed some smiles that were not smiles. Pei Ji'an felt that Pei Chuyue was too much. He knew that Pei Chuyue had a crush on Gu Mingke, but this relationship was destined not to end well. It's fine to let Pei Chuyue have her temper when she is not engaged, but she must not go out of line. If she falls into the figure of the Pei family, then it will not work.

Pei Ji'an interrupted Pei Chuyue's words? He slightly emphasized his tone, and said, "Chuyue, I know you said this out of filial piety, but after all, this is a family matter of cousin and aunt, and outsiders should not interfere. Cousin has already arrived to talk about marriage." At that time, my aunt was always worrying about my cousin's marriage. My cousin and we are like brothers, and to us, he is no different from a real brother, but you are a girl after all, so you don't need to ask about these things. "

Pei Chuyue was stunned. How could she fail to understand that her brother's words were both inside and outside to make her avoid suspicion. Pei Chuyue's eyes widened, she looked at Gu Mingke, her mind was stunned: "Cousin, are you going to be engaged?"

Why did the things that are out of reach come to him again? Gu Mingke was very helpless, but he went down to earth this time to protect Tanlang, other than that, everything else was a burden. Pei Chuyue seemed to have some male-female feelings for the original Gu Mingke. Gu Mingke didn't want to get involved in the matter, so she didn't veto it, but said: "Mother really has this plan."

Whether he should or not is another matter.

Gu Mingke admitted it, and Pei Chuyue felt a void in her heart. Looking at the expressions of Gu Mingke and Pei Ji'an, it was obvious that she was not among the marriage candidates.

Changsun Ji watched a wonderful drama today. He smiled and asked, "I don't know what type of woman Cousin Gu likes? My mother knows a lot of wives. If Cousin Gu has a preference, you might as well bring it up. Mother can find it."

Just as Gu Mingke was about to refuse, there was a sudden sound from behind. They turned their heads together and saw a woman walking quickly towards the place where the redness had fallen.

Changsun Yan frowned, puzzled and said: "Princess Sheng Yuan? Why is she here?"

Pei Ji'an didn't even realize that the moment he saw Li Chaoge, his eyes lit up. This kind of thing has happened countless times, and Pei Ji'an instinctively felt that Li Chaoge came to him.

Pei Ji'an unconsciously took a step forward, and was about to say something, but saw Li Chaoge running down the steps with a long skirt, and stopped in front of them, without evasively saying, "Gu Mingke, I have something to say to you."

Everyone was startled, and Pei Ji'an was taken aback for a moment. What he wanted to say was immediately stuck in his stomach, unable to advance or retreat. Gu Mingke nodded, and calmly said: "Okay, please speak, princess, and I will listen attentively."

Li Chaoge glanced at the people around him, and said bluntly: "It's a private matter, I want to talk to you alone."

When Changsun Ji and the others heard this, they raised their eyebrows, and immediately said with interest: "I have other things to do, so I will take my leave first."

When they left, they glanced over Gu Mingke and Li Chaoge ambiguously, with a very meaningful look in their eyes. It was mentioned just now that Gu Mingke got married, and now Princess Sheng Yuan is chasing after her from thousands of miles away. No wonder the Gu family is willing to give up on Pei Chuyue.

I see.

Changsun Ji and Changsun Yan left first, and Li Changle also said goodbye to Li Chaoge as peers. She took two steps and found that Pei Chuyue and Pei Ji'an hadn't moved, she turned her head in surprise: "Chu Yue, brother Pei, are you not leaving?"

Li Chaoge glanced coldly at Pei Ji'an, raised his head and said to Gu Mingke, "Let's talk in another place."

Gu Mingke didn't have any comments, and nodded: "Okay."

After the two finished speaking, they left directly, and the whole process was unreasonable. Pei Ji'an stopped in place, unable to move. He had been looking at Li Chaoge just now, but Li Chaoge didn't even give him a look, as if he didn't see this person at all. Pei Chuyue frowned, and shook Pei Ji'an's arm unhappily: "Brother, Princess Sheng Yuan came to talk to my cousin, why? Why did they leave?"

Pei Ji'an's joy just now was swept away, his face became cold, and he said slowly: "I want to know too."

Li Chaoge and Gu Mingke changed places, and they still chose to be by the water, with no one around, only the singing of birds and the fragrance of flowers. Gu Mingke felt that it was almost done, so he stopped and asked, "Princess, there is no one here, you can talk now."

"Okay." Li Chaoge didn't hesitate, and went straight to the point, "How is your investigation of Mo Linlang's case?"

"The sudden death of Mo Dalang's wife? It is indeed suspicious." Gu Mingke said, "But five years have passed, and many physical evidences have disappeared. It is not easy to collect evidence. I am currently sorting out files from five years ago, maybe We can find witnesses from that year.”

Li Chaoge heard this, and immediately said: "Look for someone to witness, Mo Linlang is the witness, just ask her if she is okay."

"She intends to murder Mo Dalang and has a deep prejudice against Mo Dalang. Her words cannot be used as evidence."

Li Chaoge was speechless for a moment, not quite understanding Gu Mingke's rigid style. Gu Mingke is already looking for witnesses to show that he also approves of Mo Lin Langsheng's mother being killed by Mo Dalang, so what evidence is there? If Mo Dalang is directly arrested and beaten in prison, won't he be recruited for everything? Knowing who the murderer is, why did Gu Mingke do it? Going around in such a big circle to find witnesses

All right, Gu Mingke is willing to bother, and Li Chaoge doesn't bother to care about him. Li Chaoge said: "Okay, since you don't mind the trouble, then you can do whatever you want. However, what do you want? Hurry up and release Mo Linlang, this person may be useful."

Gu Mingke was also silent when he heard it. He was extremely solemn, and looked at Li Chaoge with some inquiry, only to find that Li Chaoge had a serious face, and he didn't mean to be joking. Gu Mingke lowered his eyebrows and asked, "What do you mean?"

"What does it mean?" Li Chaoge thought he didn't understand, so he said directly, "Anyway, you are the presiding judge of this case. Why don't you just change Mo Linlang to acquittal? You want it? It's because you are afraid of attracting people." Watch out, let it go quietly in a few days, I will wait for you for a few days at worst."

Gu Mingke has been silent for a while? He has been in charge of criminal justice for many years. This was the first time he encountered someone standing in front of him who openly asked him to change the verdict.

Gu Mingke stared at Li Chaoge, and after a while, he said leisurely: "Princess Sheng Yuan, I am an official of the imperial court. What you are doing now is using power for profit and perverting the law for personal gain."

Li Chaoge was dumbfounded by the words, she also looked at Gu Mingke solemnly, blinked, and said: "Of course. I recommended you in front of the sage back then, and tried my best to persuade the sage to hand over this case to you, isn't it just for today? Did you know that?"

Gu Mingke and Li Chaoge stood facing each other, they looked directly into each other's eyes, and both felt that the other was unreasonable. Li Chaoge thought that Gu Mingke had just entered the officialdom and hadn't gotten used to the unspoken rules of the officialdom, so he tried to soften his tone and said, "Gu Mingke, I understand your scruples, but I didn't ask you to do anything? Mo Linlang intends to commit murder, but what she did is justifiable. On the contrary, Mo Dalang, although he is the victim, is actually not enough to die a hundred times. So you just go with the flow and acquit Mo Linlang, making Mo Dalang Wouldn't it be good for Lang to take the blame, so that everyone is happy?"

Gu Mingke secretly warned himself that he is now a weak son of a family, not Beichen Tianzun, if he fits the personality, he can't get angry. So Gu Mingke took a deep breath, and said to Li Chaoge as calmly as possible: "Princess Sheng Yuan, I suggest you from the bottom of my heart, go and see Lu Shu after you go back."

After Gu Mingke finished speaking, he walked back with a cold face. Li Chaoge was taken aback for a while, but quickly realized that his face was also cold.

She turned around, quickly caught up with Gu Mingke, raised her eyebrows and said, "So, you don't want to?"

"I'm sorry."

Li Chaoge burst into her forehead with anger. Looking at the beautiful face of the person in front of her, she barely restrained her anger: "How dare you cross the river and tear down the bridge? You are ungrateful? I was the only one who guaranteed that you could enter Dali Temple as you wished, and You received a big case as soon as you got started. How dare you reject me before your wings are hardened?"

Gu Mingke sighed. As soon as he thought that the person beside him was a princess or someone who aspired to be a queen, he felt that their dynasty was over. Legally blind so far, there is no cure.

Gu Mingke didn't want to talk to Fa Blind, so he said casually: "Then the princess just treat me as ungrateful."

·

Li Chaoge and Gu Mingke went to another place to have a private chat, Pei Chuyue waited anxiously for a long time, and couldn't help peeking at them one after another. Across the water, I couldn't hear what they said clearly, but I could see that the expressions of the two were very serious, and the distance between them was getting closer. Finally Pei Chuyue couldn't hold back any longer. She stomped her feet and said unhappily, "It's been so long and I still haven't come back! What the hell is my cousin talking to her? Why are you standing so close?"

At this moment, Pei Ji'an's heart is also indescribable. He looked towards the water's edge, covered by willows? The distance between Li Chaoge and Gu Mingke was indeed too close. Gu Mingke lowered his head to look at her, but Li Chaoge didn't hide, and the two just stared at each other for a long time.

Pei Ji'an was unmarried in this life, but in his previous life he lived to the age of 20, 17, and he knew everything about men and women. The best way for a woman to seduce is to look a man in the eye, far more effective than undressing. And if a couple of men and women start to look at each other frequently, there must be something wrong.

The two of them looked at each other for so long, and they looked very serious, not joking. Pei Ji'an felt that something was wrong, and at this moment Gu Mingke moved, Pei Ji'an found an excuse and said, "Cousin is talking to the princess? It doesn't seem very pleasant, let's go and have a look."

Li Changle was reluctant, but Pei Ji'an and Pei Chuyue insisted on moving forward, so she had no choice but to keep up. There is another thing that made Li Changle very unhappy. When Pei Ji'an mentioned Li Chaoge just now, he used the word "princess".

When Pei Ji'an mentioned the princess, Li Chaoge's first reaction was that he completely forgot that Li Changle was there. A woman's intuition cannot be fooled. The more Li Changle thought about it, the more unhappy he became, and he instinctively felt uncomfortable.

Pei Chuyue was so anxious that she didn't want to lose face later, and ran over directly. She thought that her brother would definitely criticize her for being too hasty, but the strange thing was that when Pei Chuyue turned around, she found that Pei Ji'an was following her, not much slower than her.

Pei Chuyue was surprised for a moment. At this time, a gust of wind blew, and words such as "refusal" and "ungrateful" were vaguely heard from the water's edge.

Pei Chuyue and Pei Ji'an were stunned together, what were they talking about in broad daylight? But that's not all. As Gu Mingke and Li Chaoge got closer, their conversation became more and more clear.

"I'll give you one more chance, do you agree or not?"

"Princess needless to say, it's a matter of principle, it's absolutely impossible."

"So, you are unwilling to take responsibility?"

"I don't want to let the princess down, but the princess's conditions are too strong, so I'm sorry."

Pei Chuyue was completely stunned, and her expression gradually became ugly. She didn't want to think about her cousin like this, but isn't the direction of such an explicit conversation not obvious enough? Li Changle was at the end and slowly caught up. After she approached, she found that the expressions of Pei Ji'an and Pei Chuyue were not quite right, and asked strangely, "What's wrong?"

Li Changle looked forward following Pei Ji'an's line of sight, and saw the wind blowing willows in front of him, and the red fall was colorful. A man and a woman in red stood together. The woman was bright and beautiful, and the man was cold and out of dust. The woman smiled, and suddenly made a move without warning, grabbed the man's arm, and approached him bullyingly. The tips of their noses almost touched: "Gu Mingke, do you think I dare not use force?"

Li Changle was suffocated immediately, and what was even more frightening was that Gu Mingke just didn't hide, and even smiled lightly: "Princess, do whatever you want."