Chapter 1134 Something Might Be Going to Happen
The empress and the imperial concubine naturally sat on the left and right of the emperor, while several cousins sat on the lower side. Although they were relatives, there was a difference between men and women after all, so there was still a seat between them and the empress and the imperial concubine.
In this way, a round table seemed to divide them into two parts.
Zhu Feng, with his two concubines, seemed to be in confrontation with the three brothers of the Chen family.
Just thinking about this, Nan Yan couldn't help but smile in her heart.
How is that possible?
At this time, a group of palace maids came in from outside, holding dishes in their hands, and came forward one by one to set the dishes on the round table. Since it was a family dinner, the dishes would naturally not be as luxurious as the state banquets in the past, but they also had all kinds of delicacies from mountains and seas, and were very rich.
Zhu Feng glanced at the three of them again, then said, "You—"
Chen Zixiao seemed to understand what he was going to ask and said, "Your Majesty, please don't worry. The three of us brothers live in the Fire Residence, and our diet is no different from that of ordinary people."
Zhu Feng said, "That's good."
So, he raised the glass in his hand and said, "Come on."
"Thank you, Your Majesty."
Everyone raised their glasses and drank first.
Then, the banquet began.
Since it was a family dinner, there was no need for unnecessary formalities. Everyone ate and chatted. Of the three brothers of the Chen family, Chen Zixiao and Chen Yilu were probably quiet because they practiced at the Taoist temple, but they would answer every question.
But Chen Xuan was blinking his bright eyes and looking at everything around him. He was obviously very curious about this world which was completely different from the Taoist temple on the mountain. He asked questions about everything he caught.
So, the atmosphere is quite harmonious.
At this time, Ye Zheng walked in from outside again, leaned close to Zhu Feng's ear, and said a few words in a low voice.
Zhu Feng nodded, and then said: "Over in Changqing City, tell Wen Ye to go back and guard it immediately, and make sure nothing goes wrong."
"yes."
Ye Zheng left.
Nan Yan looked at him and wanted to ask, but she was concerned about the saying "the harem cannot interfere in politics". Even at a family dinner, she didn't want to give him this excuse.
Chen Zixiao, however, watched Ye Zheng leave and asked, "Is the Emperor going to send troops to Changqing City now?"
Zhu Feng glanced at him and asked, "You know?"
Chen Zixiao said, "After coming here, I heard some things about Prince Ning's rebellion. The Emperor's strategy of besieging Wei to save Zhao and removing the firewood from under the cauldron was truly spectacular. This battle is worthy of being recorded in the Art of War."
Zhu Feng looked at him with some surprise.
"Have you read the Art of War?"
Chen Xuan, who was standing by, immediately said, "Your Majesty, Brother Zixiao has been learning military tactics from his adoptive father since he was a child."
"oh?"
Zhu Feng was even more surprised.
"Aren't you guys practicing with him?"
Chen Zixiao was silent for a moment, then immediately spoke, "When we were little, my uncle was still in Wudang Mountain. He took us and the people there to practice martial arts every morning to build our foundation. Later, after we went to Lingtian Mountain, my uncle started to teach me the art of war. Over the years, I've been reading books on the art of war."
"I see."
After hearing this, Zhu Feng's face did not show much expression, but there was a light in his eyes, flickering slightly.
After a while, he smiled and said, "I've heard people mention that my uncle was also a brave general in his time, and he made countless contributions under the Emperor Gao. Since you were taught by him, I believe you have extraordinary insights into military strategy."
"I dare not. With the Emperor here, I dare not show off my skills in front of him."
Chen Xuan, standing aside, smiled and said, "Brother, you are being modest again. My adoptive father said that you have inherited his true teachings. Didn't he specifically ask you to contribute more to the emperor when you came out this time?"
Chen Zixiao's face darkened: "You are talking nonsense again."
Chen Xuan lowered his head hurriedly: "Oh."
Compared with the emperor who was also present, he seemed to be more afraid of this elder brother.
Zhu Feng looked at them for a while, then smiled and said, "Zixiao, you don't have to belittle yourself. Since the old uncle has given instructions, you might as well stay in the court. It's just right-"
As he spoke, he turned to look at Xu Miaoyin: "I was just discussing with Shi Feng that the court is in need of people, and it's a good opportunity for me, your brother, to gain some experience in the army."
“…”
Xu Miaoyin's face was slightly stunned.
But he immediately smiled and said, "It's up to the Emperor to arrange it."
Chen Zixiao said, "Thank you, Your Majesty."
Zhu Feng waved his hand, then looked at Chen Yiliu who was standing beside him and said, "Yiliu is also a martial artist?"
Chen Yiliu smiled and said, "Yiliu has been weak since childhood. During those years of training in Wudang Mountain, he only avoided some illnesses, but he couldn't practice martial arts anymore."
"oh."
"Fortunately, Taoist Master Shouzhen was a scholar before he became a monk. Over the years, Yiliu has been studying literature with him."
Zhu Feng said, "I see. Yesterday, I had a conversation with Taoist Master Shouzhen, and I discovered that although he is a monk, he has broad knowledge and a unique perspective on things. He is no ordinary person. Since you are his disciple, I imagine you are not an ordinary person either."
Chen Yiliu smiled and said, "Your Majesty, I am deeply ashamed to accept your praise."
Finally, Zhu Feng turned his head and looked at Chen Xuan. Chen Xuan had been laughing on the side. At this moment, he felt the emperor's gaze on him and immediately sat up straight.
"Your Majesty..."
Zhu Feng asked, "Chen Xuan, what about you?"
“I—I—”
Chen Zixiao sighed and said, "Over the years, he has only learned to stir up trouble in the mountains. If the emperor really wants to know what his ability is, this is the only one he has."
Chen Xuan immediately said, "Brother, don't ruin my show."
Everyone laughed, even Zhu Feng laughed.
However, Nan Yan sat quietly aside, watching them smile, and found that although Xu Miaoyin was smiling, there was no smile in those seemingly gentle eyes.
Afterwards, although the family dinner ended very happily with Chen Xuan's jokes, Xu Miaoyin didn't say a word until the end.
After the banquet, everyone went their separate ways.
Nan Yan returned to Furong Residence and sat on the couch. She couldn't even straighten her back, so she just leaned back and hummed. Ran Xiaoyu came forward and offered her tea while saying, "What's wrong with you, Madam? You've been busy all day and all night, but I never saw you so tired. You're just going out for a meal today, and you're so tired?"
Nan Yan took the tea and took a sip.
Then he smiled meaningfully and said, "Do you think it's just a simple meal?"
Ran Xiaoyu looked at her with wide eyes in surprise: "What's wrong?"
“…”
"Just now, when I came over there and passed by Yishou Hall, I saw the Empress walking in. Her face didn't look too good either."
“…”
"Did something happen?"
"It's not that something happened," Nan Yan said in a deep voice, pursing her lips around the edge of the teacup, "but something might happen."
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