Chapter 149 Banquet

No matter how chaotic the court is, Jun Qiulan is the person with the highest status present today.

She naturally took the main seat and even pulled her famous male favorite to sit with her.

Many people secretly play crickets. Isn't this too indecent?

But the wealthy old lady Fu happened to be sitting on the other side of Jun Qiulan, smiling and very kind.

"I haven't seen Your Highness, no, I haven't seen the Prince, for two years. He seems to be much stronger now."

Jun Qiulan greeted the old lady with a smile, and Yan Jing hardly spoke a word. He occasionally helped Jun Qiulan add some dishes and served tea and water, and seemed to be doing everything normally.

Everyone present was paying attention to the situation here intentionally or unintentionally. Apart from anything else, the male favorite's woolen sweater was indeed too eye-catching.

The deposed crown prince was already considered a rare handsome man, but this male favorite was no less handsome, just with a different style.

Not to mention, these two people sitting together look quite well-matched and pleasing to the eye.

Jun Qiulan looked calm as he talked about the scenery and customs of the border town.

"When I was young, I also went to the border town. After listening to the prince's talk today, I feel that I have changed a lot. I don't know if I can visit the border town again in this lifetime."

There was emotion, some nostalgia, and a bit of sadness in his tone.

Everyone knows that Mrs. Huo's husband died in battle in the border town.

A guest who wanted to flatter her stood up and said, "Old Madam, when General Huo returns triumphantly, I beg His Majesty to grant me a favor so that I can go and pay my respects to him. I think His Majesty will agree."

Others echoed.

Jun Qiulan smiled but said nothing.

No one knew that after today's banquet, General Huo's mansion would be deserted.

Halfway through the banquet, Mrs. Huo brought up something rather embarrassedly.

"Your Highness, I've been too careless today. I learned from my daughter-in-law's letter that your sister is a maid in the general's mansion in the border town. I still remember that she was beautiful and intelligent. My daughter-in-law also said that she is still unmarried. I have a nephew on my mother's side..."

Oh, this is about kissing.

Mrs. Huo's family was not a wealthy family, but a poor noble family. With the care of the Huo family over the years, they had lived a much better life.

She is not in the capital now, but the old lady is celebrating her birthday. A few days ago, a mother and son came and brought a car with them to celebrate.

The child was a handsome boy, about sixteen or seventeen years old, and looked like a scholar.

Basically, any disturbance in the capital city cannot be hidden from the eyes and ears of those people.

Now that the old lady said this, everyone knew what she meant.

Jun Qiulan knew that the old lady was not proposing a marriage, so he pretended to think for a moment and said, "Let's discuss this matter after the banquet is over."

After all, it is a girl's marriage, and it is inappropriate to discuss it in public.

It’s okay to mention it, but you can’t just say it out loud.

Whether it succeeds or not, it will be bad for the reputation of both the girl and the boy.

This is the unspoken rule of this era.

It just so happened that he had a legitimate reason to stay.

After all, it was just a simple birthday celebration, and after the banquet, the guests left one after another.

Jun Qiulan and Yan Jing stayed, and everyone naturally thought that they were going to discuss Jun Shuwan's marriage.

It's really sad to say.

Jun Shuwan's appearance had always made her one of the most outstanding noble ladies in the capital.

Unfortunately, Jun Qiulan's status as the crown prince was awkward, and when he reached marriageable age, he did not find a suitable husband.

Being exiled to a border town, I guess there is nothing suitable there.

Calculating my age, I seem to be seventeen years old, so it’s a bit late to get married.

However, now the deposed crown prince Jun Qiulan has transformed himself into a first-rank prince, so the prince's sister naturally has a different status. Seventeen years old is at the prime age.

Many guests have some small thoughts.

What if Madam Huo didn't succeed? Many families have children of marriageable age, or at least nephews.

Some smart people thought that even if the court officials and Jun Qiulan did not accept the title of Regent, the fact that Jun Qiulan was in charge of the court now was almost the same.

Even the emperor didn't care, and was particularly relieved about Jun Qiulan's appearance.

Haven’t you seen that the princes’ relatives have been getting restless recently?

Stupid people still want to get rid of Jun Qiulan directly, thinking that he is a serious threat.

Smart people are all thinking about how to win over Jun Qiulan.

It is well known in the capital that Jun Qiulan is a homosexual. He even brought her to the banquet today, which clearly shows that he doesn't care about the issue of having children.

I heard that His Majesty even sent two young men from impoverished families there. So, are they...

Jun Qiulan didn't know that these people were plotting against him again.

He followed Mrs. Huo to the backyard.

Some things were tidied up in the yard.

Mrs. Huo said apologetically, "Poor family, rich road, can you take these things with you?"

Jun Qiulan smiled and said, "Of course you can take it away."

As long as you don't bring too many people and bring more supplies, it shouldn't be a big problem. Isn't it just a matter of carrying them back and forth a few times?

Huo Lan's two children also came over and bowed to Jun Qiulan gracefully.

Jun Qiulan raised his hand and said, "Nephews, there's no need to be so polite. Once we get to the border town, we'll all be one family."

The two children looked at each other in bewilderment. After all, they came from a family of military generals. Although they were only in their teens, they already understood a lot of things.

Their grandmother also revealed to them that their parents were going to join the deposed crown prince in a rebellion and would take them away to the border town.

They were born in a border town and had lived there when they were young, but they were too young and their memories were very vague. They only vaguely remembered that the wind and frost there were as sharp as knives.

But as long as they can see their parents and reunite with them, they are looking forward to it.

As for rebellion... as my grandmother said, they are still children and all they need to do is grow up safely.

Mrs. Huo sighed with emotion, "Although the situation forces me to leave, I still feel a little reluctant."

Jun Qiulan: "Don't worry, Madam. I will definitely come back in the future."

Once they have pacified the world, it will not be a problem for Mrs. Huo to come back and live here.

Speaking of Madam Huo, the word "old"...

General Huo was in his prime, in his early thirties, and Old Madam Huo was actually only fifty years old.

It’s just that in this era, people generally get married early and have children early, so it’s common to see people becoming grandparents in their thirties.

Mrs. Huo called her nieces and nephews over.

I guess they are going to visit their relatives over there together.

Mrs. Huo explained, "My niece's husband is also in Huo Yan's military camp."

Jun Qiulan nodded, "Besides them, is there anyone else?"

If there are a lot of people, then you really need to think more about it.

Maybe we can ask Yan Jing and Grandpa Yan for help.

Madam Huo shook her head: "The Huo family is not very prosperous to begin with, and the other relatives have been arranged out one after another this year."

She was the only one left in this old house, an old woman and two children.

Madam Huo continued, "After today, the housekeepers in the mansion will gradually spread the news that I will take my two children to the family temple to pray for the soldiers in the border town. Then I will sell some of my property and reveal the news that the border town's military funds are tight."

This is reasonable.

The servants and maids serving in the mansion had already been arranged.

They will leave one after another in these days.

The people in power will only keep an eye on their masters, and the servants who serve them will not attract much attention.

Today, a few maids are out buying groceries. Tomorrow, a few servants are going to inspect the farm. The day after tomorrow, a few more people will be sent out under other pretexts...

Who cares whether they return to the mansion after going out?

Anyway, the General's Mansion will be closed to visitors from today onwards, so it can still hold on for a short period of time so that people won't find that the General's Mansion is deserted.

This would also buy Jun Qiulan more time to leave.

Jun Qiulan cupped her hands, "My lady is so thoughtful."

Madam Huo helped him up. "In the early years, when Old Huo was still alive, I was very dissatisfied with the court's behavior."

He is also a heroic person.

Back then, because food and fodder were delayed in reaching the border town, the soldiers could not even fill their stomachs. No, to be more precise, they had almost nothing to eat.

General Lao Huo and his soldiers held on for a long time, and finally even killed a lot of war horses. Otherwise, the soldiers would have starved to death and fought a war of hammers.

Mrs. Huo had tears in her eyes. "In that battle, if it weren't for the shortage of food and fodder, Old Huo might not have taken such a risky move and ultimately died on the battlefield."

At the beginning of the year, my son and daughter-in-law sent me a thick letter. On the surface, the content was normal, but the real message it conveyed could only be understood by their family.

When she saw that her son and daughter-in-law voluntarily joined the deposed crown prince in a rebellion, she was also horrified, but after reading the subsequent content, she actually had the idea that this was how it should be.

Soldiers can have enough food, the disabled soldiers can be properly resettled, and the soldiers who died, in addition to pensions, will also be given martyr's houseplates, and the martyr's family will have various preferential treatments in the future...

She was a woman who knew nothing about fighting or government affairs, but she knew that the current emperor was incompetent, so she would seek out a competent emperor to serve.

Later, the daughter-in-law's younger brother came to the capital for business and talked to her for a long time, telling her about the changes in the border town. She no longer had any concerns.

I have been looking forward to going to the border town to reunite with my sons and daughters-in-law. My two grandsons also miss their parents very much.

Jun Qiulan asked the servants to help move all the luggage into the same room.

After all, there were still people around, and he was not used to traveling through time in front of so many people.

The old man raised his hand and someone went to do it.

Jun Qiulan could see that there was some uneasiness in their eyes, mainly because Huo Lian's letter made them a little confused. What did it mean to take them to another world where their daughter-in-law would be there to take care of them?

If the letter was not written by her son himself, if she did not trust her son enough, she would probably think that her son was going to send them to hell after seeing such a letter.

Jun Qiulan: "Don't worry, old lady. You will know what the situation is in a moment."

After moving all the things, Jun Qiulan took the old lady into the room.

"Let's move all our things over first. Please, Madam, watch the door. The fewer people who know about this, the better."

Madam Huo nodded solemnly, "Qiulan, don't worry."

Jun Qiulan nodded, spread his arms, and held hands with Yan Jing. In the blink of an eye, they disappeared in the room, and the box they had just "hugged" also disappeared with it.

Mrs. Huo's eyes widened. Fortunately, she had a good mental state, otherwise she would have been scared to death here.

In just a few breaths, Jun Qiulan appeared again with Yan Jing.

"Don't be afraid, old lady. If you are worried, why don't we take you over to check out the situation first?"

Madam Huo waved her hand and said, "No need. After we finish moving the things, I still have some things to tell the housekeeper."

Jun Qiulan nodded, "Then I'll have to trouble Madam Huo to wait a little longer, and by the way, I'll also consider whether there is any luggage that has been left behind."

Mrs. Huo agreed.

Jun Qiulan and Yan Jing went back and forth several times and finally moved all the luggage over and put it away.

Mother and my younger sister are helping Mrs. Huo clean up.

Mrs. Huo also looks forward to meeting her mother-in-law and children as soon as possible.

She has been in modern times for some time and can be said to be living a fairy-like life.

There was no one to serve me, and I had to cook for myself, but there was almost no inconvenience at all.

But she did not forget the purpose of her trip and was always thinking about her mother-in-law and children.

After the luggage was moved, it was time to lead people across.

Jun Qiulan still doesn't know how the weight of the people he led through time and space increased so rapidly.

But he still chose the safe option.

No more than two people can be brought with you at a time.

"Wei Xi, will you wait here? I'll take the two children over first."

Yan Jing nodded, "Don't worry, you'll be back in the blink of an eye."

The two children were also nervous.

Jun Qiulan smiled and said, "Close your eyes and I'll take you to see mother."

The two children closed their eyes obediently. Jun Qiulan pulled one of them in each hand and said, "Madam, I'll be right over to pick you up."

Mrs. Huo nodded.

When they opened their eyes again, the two children saw their mother.

It's just that his clothes are a little weird.

"Mom." The two children threw themselves into their mother's arms, "Why are you dressed like this?"

Mrs. Huo didn't know whether to laugh or cry, "This is how people dress in this world."

Now that they are here, even if they don’t go out, it is not convenient for them to wear ancient costumes all the time.

Occasionally, I would open the curtains to let in light and ventilation. Although this floor is high, there are floors higher than this one.

What if someone is curious and sees a group of people walking around in a room in ancient costumes once or twice, they might think they are Hanfu enthusiasts. If they do this every day, wouldn’t that be strange?

To be on the safe side, Jun Shuwan asked Liu Yue to buy them a few sets of thick winter home clothes.

It's warm to wear this at home and they can accept this style.

Jun Qiulan: "Mrs. Huo, don't worry. I will send Mrs. Qin and her children here first. The old lady said she would leave last and she also had some instructions for the housekeeper."

Mrs. Huo nodded: "Thank you so much for troubling you."

"It's no big deal." Jun Qiulan thought that he could finally breathe a sigh of relief now that he could arrange things properly today.

He then sent the old lady's niece and nephew over, and he didn't explain much, letting Mrs. Huo talk to them herself.

Finally, only Mrs. Huo was left.

Mrs. Huo was giving instructions to the housekeeper, who was also in tears.

"Don't worry, old lady. Once things are done here, I will bring my family with me to join you. You and the young master and young lady should take care of your health."

The old lady didn't reveal too much, only saying that Jun Qiulan had a special way to lead them away, and revealed some of the magical things about entering, making them think that Jun Qiulan was enlightened by the gods.

"Okay, take care of your family and yourself. The border town is a long way away. After selling your property, send part of it to the border town, and you can keep the rest."

The old butler wiped his tears, kowtowed to thank his master, and then led everyone out of the yard.

Old Madam Huo sighed deeply and took one last look at the mansion where she had lived for most of her life.

Jun Qiulan and Yan Jing did not urge them either.

They all knew that for ancient people, leaving their hometown when they were old was actually a cruel thing.

Especially since Mrs. Huo didn't fully understand the situation over there, she probably felt that it would be difficult for her to come back in this lifetime.

I was willing to go with them because I trusted my son and I also trusted them.

Old Madam Huo also knew her limits. After reminiscing for a short while, she calmed down.

"Let's go, take me to see another world."

Jun Qiulan said with a smile: "Sister Ruan has prepared a table of delicious food waiting for your reunion."

modern.

As soon as Mrs. Huo opened her eyes, she saw familiar people. Although everyone's eyes were red, she felt relieved.

"Mom." Mrs. Huo hurried over to support her mother-in-law.

Mrs. Huo looked at her daughter-in-law and said, "Thank you for your hard work over the years."

Jun Qiulan and Yan Jing did not disturb the family reunion, and spoke a few words to their mother and younger sister alone.

"We have to go back quickly. We can't stay in the Huo Mansion for too long."

Song Xirong was worried, "When are you planning to leave for the border town?"

Jun Qiulan: "About the next two or three days."

Before leaving, we have to deal with the national teacher.

The impression that the Imperial Master gave them was indeed not very good.

Song Xirong: "Be sure to pay attention to safety. Mother and Wan'er will take care of things at home."

I originally thought that since it was just Mrs. Huo and her two children, there wouldn't be a big problem.

Now that there are two more people, of course, there is no problem, but we just have to be more careful.

People upstairs and downstairs have to be careful not to make too much noise.

Jun Qiulan: "Don't worry, mother."

He glanced at Yan Jing and said, "Wei Xi bought everything upstairs and downstairs."

After they discussed this issue that day, Yan Jing sent someone to make arrangements.

If Yan Jing didn't want to be too conspicuous, he would have bought the entire building.

If they've already moved in and don't want to sell, just raise the price.

Take an ordinary family for example. Their house is worth 700,000 or 800,000 yuan. Now someone directly offers one million yuan. Can they refuse to sell it?

Yan Jing is not short of this little money. After all, it is a real estate. With the housing prices in this small place, the loss will not be too much.

When Jun Qiulan learned about this, Yan Jing had already asked someone to take care of it.

Jun Shuwan: "No wonder I've been vaguely hearing noises upstairs and downstairs these past few days. Turns out they're moving."

Song Xirong sighed, saying that Yan Jing was really appropriate.

During this period, we saw each other almost every day, and the awkwardness and estrangement in my heart gradually disappeared.

Yan Jing is indeed a good kid, and he is a good match for Ji Bai in their family.

"When you're done and you return to Border Town, Weixi, remember to come to our house for tea."

Yan Jing said with a smile: "I will bother you when the time comes."

Song Xirong: "Don't be so polite, we are all family."

This is considered a complete recognition of Yan Jing as his male wife.

Sure enough, the smile on Yan Jing's face became even wider.

Jun Qiulan pursed her lips and thought to herself: If Yan Jing had a tail, it would be sticking up to the sky by now.

Without wasting any time, the two returned to General Huo's mansion again, and then, hand in hand, swaggered back to the palace.

After arriving home, they performed a play for the palace maids and eunuchs who were serving them.

"I just met Madam Huo's nephew. He looks okay, but isn't he a little too refined? Wan'er has been in the border town for the past two years, and her temperament has become a lot wilder. I wonder if she would be interested in him."

The news that the old lady wanted to arrange a marriage for Jun Shuwan had spread today, and they had a reason to do so.

Yan Jing agreed: "After the New Year, will uncle and aunt bring Miss Wan'er back to Beijing?"

Jun Qiulan: "That was my original plan, but I still have to tell His Majesty. After all, my family was exiled there."

Yan Jing: "Then don't rush into getting engaged. With a brother like you, Prince Rui, Miss Wan'er will still worry about not being able to find a husband of her dreams?"

Jun Qiulan also took it for granted: "Then don't worry, you can ask my parents for their opinions when the time comes."

After the deal was settled, Yan Jing pretended to be jealous.

"Those two in the backyard, when are you going to send them away?"

Jun Qiulan accepted the person. The outside world did not know the situation, but the people serving in the palace could not hide it. Jun Qiulan had never summoned the two young masters to sleep with him.

The emperor's spies are everywhere in the palace, so it is impossible for him not to know.

As for Yan Jing's mysterious disappearances and appearances every day, I'm afraid the emperor and the people serving in the palace are now wondering if there is a secret passage in the palace.

After all, this was the residence where Jun Qiulan lived when he was the crown prince. It was not surprising that many princes and nobles had secret passages in their homes.

Now the scene is just about Yan Jing, the male favorite who becomes arrogant because of his favor and wants to monopolize the prince's role.

Jun Qiulan played along with him and said, "After all, he was sent by His Majesty. Keep him for now. Don't worry. Wei Xi is the only one in my heart."

An actor and a director, when they perform, they leave people stunned.

The performance was almost over and the servants left.

Jun Qiulan then grumbled about Yan Jing in a low voice: "In my opinion, you might as well live up to the expectations of your fans and make a career debut soon. Director Yan's acting skills are much better than mine."

Yan Jing was so happy that he threw Jun Qiulan onto the bed.

…

The Huo family's problems have been resolved, and now it's time to plan to leave.

Jun Qiulan is now the focus of attention. Before leaving, he has to deal with the national teacher and find a way out for himself.

It's best to act at night.

At least we can get out of the city smoothly.

By then, they would drive at full speed, and by the time others realized something was wrong and sent people to chase them, they would have already gone a long way away.

On the return trip, we can’t be as slow as we were when we came to Beijing and only drive for half a day.

We have to travel all night to get back.

Yan Jing: "I'll help you drive in the first half of the night, and you can drive by yourself in the second half. After contacting the palace soldiers arranged by General Huo, you can also find one or two palace soldiers to take the car."

Firstly, Jun Qiulan had to drive and could not detect the danger in time. Two more people could help observe the situation.

Secondly, I'm driving all night, and if I get sleepy...

Yan Jing has driven on this ancient road several times and he really can't say anything good about it.

Jun Qiulan was also thinking about these things in his mind.

The next day, he entered the palace as usual and continued to handle state affairs.

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The author has something to say: I’ll go back in the next chapter.

After returning, we will start preparing for the final stage.

If I have to say, this article, well, can actually be written forever, hahahaha, but there is no need for that.