A moment later, the sedan chair stopped in front of the palace gate of Fang Gui Hall. While there was constant killing in the darkness outside, this imperial city was still immersed in a sea of luxury. Even from a long distance away, the sounds of melodious music and laughter could be heard.
"Miss, we're here." The servant said slowly, lowering his head.
Chu Qiao got off the sedan chair, wearing a light blue dress that fit her body neatly. The girl's eyes were as clear as water, looking forward, her back was straight, without any fear, she raised her feet and walked towards the hall.
"Girl," a deep voice suddenly sounded behind her, and the four sedan bearers knelt on the ground together. The girl stopped and heard a hoarse voice behind her. The man said slowly in a suppressed tone: "The future is unpredictable and the road is difficult. Please take care of yourself for Datong and His Highness."
Chu Qiao's body trembled slightly, and an inexplicable emotion surged in her chest. Years of anticipation and waiting burned her mind like a fire. The ups and downs and hardships she has experienced have made her eyes clearer, her back straighter, and her shoulders stronger. She firmly believes that she will be able to keep going tenaciously.
At this moment, it has nothing to do with ideals or Datong. Everything is just because of the original promise.
"Shall we go back to Yanbei together?"
"Let's go back to Yanbei together!"
With a whoosh, the strong wind blew up the hem of her fluttering skirt. The girl held her head high and took steady steps towards Fang Gui Hall!
Luxurious aromas wafted in the air, the dancers' slender waists and sleeves danced in the air, officials gathered in groups of two or three, chatting happily, the dinner had not officially begun yet, the protagonists had not yet appeared on stage, the emperor had been parading for a day and was resting in the back hall, so the atmosphere in the hall was slightly relaxed.
Due to Chu Qiao's status, she could not enter the main hall and could only sit in the second pavilion of the side hall. Through a row of columns, one could see that the hall was crowded with people and bustling with activity. The Great Xia Dynasty was prosperous and thriving, and the aura of a royal family was fully displayed.
"Young lady," a gentle voice suddenly sounded beside her. Chu Qiao turned around and saw a young girl with a delicate face sitting next to her. She was wearing a light pink dress with butterfly patterns, looking calm and delicate. She said in a gentle and polite tone, "I wonder which family this young lady is from? I am from the He Luo family, and my father is He Luo Changqing. What is your name, young lady?"
The girl looks gentle and amiable. Chu Qiao nodded politely and replied softly, "I am Prince Yan's personal attendant, Chu Qiao."
"Oh, it's Miss Chu." Miss He Luo's smile froze when she heard that. Although she still responded politely, her attitude became obviously colder. She turned her head to chat with the rich ladies next to her, and even deliberately tilted her body to one side, for fear that others would mistake her and Chu Qiao for being together.
After a while, the people around her obviously heard Chu Qiao's identity from her, and all kinds of looks floated over, some disgusted, some contemptuous, mixed with deep meanings.
Chu Qiao sat calmly aside with a slight smile on her lips. She had seen enough of the fickleness of the world and the fickleness of human nature.
She poured herself a cup of tea and drank it. The ladies on both sides didn't know, and when they saw her holding the wine glass, they thought she was drinking in public and were even more disdainful. Gradually, the noisy voices of contempt from all levels came into my ears, with words like "low-class, uncultured people" and so on. They control the volume very well, so that people can hear clearly but can't tell who is saying it specifically.
Chu Qiao didn't care either. After a while, the voice beside my ear suddenly disappeared, and a dark shadow suddenly covered the tea. Chu Qiao slowly raised her head and saw Zhuge Yue standing in front of the many seats. He was wearing a dark purple robe with a dark crescent moon embroidered on the belt. His black hair was tied loosely behind his back with a ribbon of the same color.
There is a shallow clear pool between the second pavilion and the main hall. The wind blows from the pool, carrying the scent of black orchid, which sways and sweeps across the man's clothes, bringing a faint fragrance.
All the young ladies of the Second Pavilion were stunned. To their weak clans in the imperial capital, the Seven Great Clans were figures living in legends, no less powerful than the current royal family. Many people would never be able to get in touch with them in their entire lives. Although the Second Pavilion was only separated from the Main Hall by a pond, it was an insurmountable barrier for a small clan like them who had to go around and spend a lot of money to buy seats just to attend the banquet. Especially since the other party is the young master of the Zhuge lineage who has been in the limelight recently, how could they not be attracted to him?
Zhuge Yue's eyes swept across the seats indifferently, passed by Chu Qiao, and then walked straight over. Chu Qiao raised her eyebrows, wondering if this man would come over to cause trouble at this time, but she saw Zhuge Yue turn around and walk to the table next to her.
The young lady from the He Luo family was so excited that her face turned red. She stood up with a plop, but accidentally knocked over the tea on the mat, and all of it spilled on her skirt. The girl panicked and made way for Zhuge Yue while grabbing her skirt to hide her complexion. Her face was as red as pig liver and she didn’t even know where to put her hands.
Zhuge Yue didn't even glance at her, and just sat down.
“Master Zhuge, you… please have some tea.” The young lady of the He Luo family stood trembling by the side, with an expression of surprise that could not be concealed. Under the envious gazes of the crowd, she held up a cup of tea and brought it to Zhuge Yue.
The man didn't say anything. He just took it and drank it all in one gulp without even looking up.
There was a buzz of discussion all around. It was such an honor that the fourth young master of the Zhuge family could accept the tea from this young lady.
Miss He Luo had a beautiful smile, but her actions were a little timid. She pulled at the hem of her skirt and slowly sat down, leaning against Zhuge Yue. Her face was flushed with shame, yet also a bit proud. She slowly moved forward and said in a coquettish voice, "Master Zhuge, you have just returned to the capital not long ago, right?" Seeing that Zhuge Yue did not answer, the girl continued to herself, "We met once at the last hunting competition, but we were very far apart. I didn't expect that the Fourth Young Master would still remember me."
Zhuge Yue said nothing, holding the white jade teacup in his hand, his brows slightly furrowed, and it was unknown what he was thinking.
The second pavilion was not like the main hall, the seats were closely spaced. Although the young ladies from other seats were talking together, they all answered questions nonchalantly and were obviously listening with their ears perked up.
The young lady of the He Luo family was a little embarrassed. She bit her lower lip lightly and said softly in a more delicate voice, "Master Zhuge, I am He Luofei, and my father is He Luo Changqing, the young master of the Ministry of Rites."
"Do you mind sharing a table with others?"
Zhuge Yue suddenly turned around and asked. Miss He Luo was stunned and felt flattered for a moment. Zhuge Yue asked again, "I'm asking if you mind sharing a table with others?"
He Luofei came to his senses, waved his hand and said, "Don't mind, Fei'er certainly doesn't mind."
“Oh, that’s good.” Zhuge Yue nodded, then raised his head and looked to the side, casually pointing at a young girl who was looking at him and waving, “You, come here.” The young girl, dressed in red, walked over with a charming smile and asked with a faint smile, “Sir, are you calling me?”
"Well," Zhuge Yue nodded and asked, "Do you mind sharing a table with others?"
He Luofei looked at it stupidly, and before he could figure out what was going on, the woman in red clothes understood everything at once. She looked at He Luofei with a strange smile and said, "The young master of the Zhuge family has spoken, so of course I won't mind."
Zhuge Yue said: “In that case, I’ll trouble you to take her there.”
He Luofei was stunned for a moment, and called out in confusion: "Master Zhuge, you..."
"Okay!" The scarlet-dressed woman smiled coquettishly and pulled He Luofei's arm. "Do you really think pie has fallen from the sky? Let's go."
He Luofei's face was flushed and his teeth were clenched as he was pulled all the way by the woman in red. Tears filled his eyes and he almost cried out loud. The daughters of wealthy families who had been chatting happily with her just now all covered their mouths and sneered, with an expression that showed an unconcealable gloating.
The Fanggui Hall is the largest main hall in the Great Xia Palace. It is composed of thirty-six palace waterside pavilions and hundreds of carved corridors and painted paths, which zigzag and intersect with each other. The splendid central hall with glazed golden tiles, flying eaves and brackets is an ingenious workmanship. It is dedicated to the god of wine Fang Gui, and is the main hall of Fang Gui. It is surrounded by four side halls, which are connected by clear waterways. There are the faint fragrance of orchids, bouquets of flowers, stringed instruments and drums, and the vast and clear waves.
At this moment, the main hall was already bustling with activity, with most of the civil and military officials in the court present, and the other halls and pavilions were also bustling with activity. Only in the second pavilion, everyone rushed to look at Zhuge Yue. He was seen drinking tea calmly, as if he had no idea that he had become the focus of attention.
At this moment, someone in the main hall suddenly blew a horn to announce: "Crown Prince Bian Tang, His Royal Highness the Seventh Prince, and His Royal Highness the Thirteenth Prince have arrived!"
There was a roar of voices, and all the guests in the Fanggui Hall were eager to watch. This erratic and unruly Prince Bian Tang had never had a quiet day since he came to Zhenhuang, and had never done a good thing, completely embodying the demeanor of a prodigal son. Perhaps because today's banquet was solemn, Li Ce wore a red brocade robe with a black border and a dark orchid pattern. Although it was still flamboyant, it had a bit more heaviness. He was seen with his hair tied up with a golden crown, smiling and in high spirits, as if he was the one getting married today. In contrast, Zhao Che and Zhao Song, who were standing beside him, looked overshadowed.
Zhao Che's biological mother had just passed away, and he was not dressed beautifully. He was wearing a brown suit that was ironed neatly on his body. His brows were slightly furrowed, and he stayed beside Li Ce with an impatient expression, obviously not doing it voluntarily.
Li Ce laughed, cupped his hands and said, "I'm late, please forgive me."
There was loud drumming and music, singing and dancing, the musicians played welcoming songs, the chimes rang, and the music was melodious. Li Ce and others followed the palace servants who led the way to the seats that had already been arranged. His seat was right next to Zhao Che. As soon as he sat down, he moved closer to Zhao Che, looked around curiously, and said, "Where's Qiao Qiao? Did you see her?"
Zhao Che frowned, "Who is Qiao Qiao?"
"That's the soldier under your command," Li Ce gestured excitedly, "the one who punched me hard several times."
Zhao Che frowned slightly, looking at this funny guy from Bian Tang in confusion, wondering if he had a masochistic tendency and felt uncomfortable if he wasn't punched a few times every day. He shook his head and said, "I didn't see it. This is a state banquet of Daxia. Her status may not be high enough to come to the palace."
"Won't she come to her master's wedding?" Li Ce shook his head and sighed, "Poor Qiao Qiao, Yan Xun is getting married, she must be hiding somewhere crying."
"Thirteen, have you seen Qiao Qiao? She's the pretty girl next to Yan Xun, the one who beat me up."
Zhao Song was already full of resentment when he was sent by the emperor to accompany Li Ce. When he heard Chu Qiao's question, his face turned even worse. He turned his head away stubbornly and said coldly, "I don't know."