072. Garden Tour

The Xi family's garden banquet was held in a garden in the city. It was a clear and cool autumn day with the fragrance of osmanthus. There were beasts with their heads raised on the pavilions, and gurgling water under the terraces. The mountain scenery was unique and the moss was climbing. The banquet was held in this courtyard full of osmanthus trees.

A banquet was held in the name of the Xi family, and naturally all the prominent young masters of the aristocratic families in the capital of Jin came. Since the female members of the family were not convenient to meet the male guests, they sat in another courtyard.

While the young masters of the noble families were playing with the pot, Liu Chi was hiding in the house with a unhappy look on his face. He was reprimanded by his father and Xi Yan, who said that he had made a mess in the capital and angered the Regent King, but Liu Chi himself did not take it seriously.

He was just joking with those girls in the brothel and trying to find out about the charm of Yan Shuang, the most beautiful courtesan of that time. How could the news have reached the ears of the Regent?

"Even if he knew, so what?" Liu Chi took a sip of wine in a bad mood and said to Xi Chaoyi beside him, "The Regent Prince has nothing to do, so why would he want to find out what I am talking about with the ladies? My father is the governor of Dianzhou, and I have tens of thousands of elite soldiers in Dianzhou. Do you think I am afraid of him?"

Cao Haoyun shrank his neck and said nothing.

He also hated Rong Se and even looked down on his background from the bottom of his heart, but this did not prevent him from being afraid of the man who could not even defy his own father.

Xi Chaoyi was older and more stable. He said in a deep voice, "Is the governor of Jizhou bad? The governor of Jizhou, Zhang Haicheng, the Minister of Revenue, Zhu Lanshan, the prefect of Jingzhao, Meng Hua, and even the Minister of the Ministry of Defense, Qiu Sinan, which one of them didn't have the handwriting of the Prince Regent? Did you know that at the morning court today, he insisted on making Concubine Yan the noble concubine, and also wanted to build a cenotaph in the imperial mausoleum, and put his spirit tablet in the imperial temple. Who in the court could do anything to him?"

Cao Haoyun also knew about this. He was silent for a moment and said, "He is just using the reputation of the late emperor as a threat. That whore is really causing great harm to people."

"No matter what, he has achieved his goal." Xi Chaoyi lowered his voice, "That Regent is not easy to deal with. He didn't mention the matter of the Concubine Dowager on a whim. I'm afraid he had thought about it a long time ago and was just waiting for an opportunity, Liu Chi."

He suddenly called out.

"ah."

Seeing that the two sons of noble families were so fearful, Liu Chi was also a little scared for a moment. He took a sip of wine and shuddered, "Is this true? Don't scare me on purpose. Besides, even if I said a few words in a brothel, would he know about it?"

Xi Chaoyi looked at him seriously. "Qiu Sinan, the Minister of the Imperial Guards, has always been on the side of the Regent King. But his son got drunk and offended the Regent King in the wine shop. Look at what happened to Qiu Shi now? There is no airtight place in the capital."

After he said this, Liu Chi couldn't even drink the wine anymore, and his expression became gradually solemn.

Suddenly someone came in and announced, "Young Master, two young masters, Marquis Dingbei is here."

Xi Chaoyi immediately stood up and said, "Hurry up and welcome him in. Don't be slow."

The servant looked embarrassed and said, "...The Regent Prince is here too."

Xi Chaoyi's expression changed instantly, "What?"

Cao Haoyun also stood up suddenly and asked nervously: "Why is he here? We didn't invite him this time."

Xi Chaoyi said coldly, "Why else? I'm afraid it was brought by Marquis Dingbei. He is really determined to get entangled with the Regent Prince."

Liu Chi realized that he might have offended the Regent. Add to that the rumors about the Regent's brutality and the ministers who had been in trouble one after another today. The color drained from his face and he said reluctantly, "Then, now, what, what should we do?"

"What else can we do?" Xi Chaoyi was also troubled. "I will go there myself, welcome them in, and treat them to delicious food and drinks, so that people won't say we are impolite!"

Now that the Regent is here, we can't just chase him away.

Doesn't that mean we are going to have a complete break?

But all the guests invited to this courtyard are young people, and there is no one like Xi Yan and Cao Lun who has a say.

Moreover, since the banquet was held in the name of the Xi family, Xi Chaoyi was the host here and should have gone to greet the guests in person.

Rong Se and Liang Shenyu got off the carriage, and Yun Chu followed behind with two servants, each carrying a large food box in their hands.

"It's quite impressive." Rong Se walked in and looked around. Although it was not worth mentioning compared with his palace, it could still be considered neat and elegant.

Xi Chaoyi came forward at this moment, with an apologetic smile on his face: "I don't know why Your Majesty condescended to come and greet me. I'm sorry for not coming to greet me. Come on, Your Majesty, Your Majesty, please come in."

Xi Chaoyi was enthusiastic but not rude, and his every move was elegant, gentle and kind. He did not look as terrible as the rumors said.

This man was a famous dandy in Jinjing back then. Rong Se was always taciturn outside. He nodded slightly and motioned Xi Chaoyi to lead the way. He asked in a low voice, "I heard that Master Xi invited many people to the garden banquet today, including Master Liu from Dianzhou."

Xi Chaoyi was terrified when he heard this, fearing that Rong Se would play a trick in the garden, so he smiled apologetically and said, "Yes, yes, please, Your Majesty."

Rong Se did not ask any more questions, but turned to whisper with Liang Shenyu. The two of them whispered in each other's ears from time to time and looked very close.

Seeing this, Xi Chaoyi remembered the purpose of inviting Marquis Dingbei today, and his heart sank gradually.

He even heard Rong Se call out "Sanlang".

Dingbei Hou's courtesy name is Shuyun, and he is the third child in the family. Sanlang should be a nickname, but Rongse can call him casually...

How intimate.

When the group sat down to their seats, the young masters of the aristocratic families who had been playing drinking games to the osmanthus tree fell silent. They were like mice seeing a cat, shrinking their necks and not daring to move.

To them, Marquis Dingbei could be considered a peer, but the Regent Prince seldom interacted with them on a daily basis. Moreover, he was a person who could make even their fathers bow down and kowtow to him. How could they not be afraid of him?

Rong Se sat down calmly, and Liang Shenyu sat next to him. The whole garden was filled with the fragrance of osmanthus. The servants opened the food boxes and put out the snacks and drinks prepared by Rong Se one by one. Lychee wine was prepared when the wine was brewed before, and then lychee juice frozen in the ice room was added. It was jade white and smooth, brewed in a short time, and was not mellow, but only slightly alcoholic. It would not intoxicate people, but it would leave a sweet taste on the lips and teeth.

The cakes and fruits were even more exquisite and varied, many of which even these nobles had never seen before.

Rong Se had no intention of making things difficult for the nobles, so he spoke in a gentler tone: "You guys continue, and don't worry about me."

He looked around and suddenly realized with embarrassment that he didn't know anyone. The original owner only competed with those old foxes in the court and didn't pay any attention to these teenagers in their teens and twenties.

The original owner didn’t even remember her, so how could he know her?

"I heard it." Rong Se looked at Xi Chaoyi and asked gently, "Young Master Liu from the governor's family in Dianzhou is also here. Who is he?"

Xi Chaoyi's scalp tingled, thinking that this person was definitely not here for the banquet, but was actually here for other purposes!

At this point, Liang Shenyu also raised his eyes, but the usually gentle Marquis Dingbei now looked much colder than the ruthless Regent as rumored. He was like a sharp blade full of murderous aura, standing in front of the Regent.

Xi Chaoyi shuddered as he was stared at, as if someone was holding a knife to his neck, and even the smile on his face became increasingly stiff.

"Mr. Liu has invited me several times, but unfortunately I am busy with military affairs and I am free today." Liang Shenyu spoke every word slowly but clearly, not allowing for any arguments. "Why doesn't Mr. Liu come to see me?"

"He..." Xi Chaoyi said dryly, "Achi is drunk, Lord Hou..."

Liang Shenyu said nothing, but just looked at him with a smile.

Xi Chaoyi understood what he meant, but was speechless.

Rong Se said, "It's broad daylight, in front of many people, nothing will happen. Master Xi, are you afraid that I will kill him in public?"

Xi Chaoyi finally nodded. He knew the purpose of these two people today. Marquis Dingbei had no intention of breaking up with the Regent King, and he would not stop until he met Liu Chi. Before the situation became ugly, he turned around to look for people.

The young masters of the noble families who were far away did not hear the conversation between the few people, but they were very nervous. They no longer acted casually as before and were very reserved.

Rong Se tilted his head to Liang Shenyu and said, "Are they so afraid of me? Do I look like a monster?"

Liang Shenyu looked at him carefully for a moment, then said with a smile: "Your Majesty, the jade tree is in the wind, maybe..."

He murmured something under his breath.

Even Rong Se, who was closest to him, didn't hear clearly and asked, "What?"

Liang Shenyu chuckled and shook his head.

Although Rong Se remained silent, Liang Shenyu knew that the people around him were probably not afraid of the Regent.

But it is myself who exudes coldness.

However, when facing Rong Se, Liang Shenyu always managed to properly hide his sharp and cold side, as if he had gathered all his thorns.

Rong Se never liked socializing in the past, and now he had no interest in these young men from aristocratic families. He looked around the elegant courtyard in boredom, and finally his eyes fixed on a few targets with a few arrows sticking crookedly on them.

Liang Shenyu followed his gaze, raised his eyebrows slightly, and sneered contemptuously.

Rong Se looked back at him.

Liang Shenyu approached him with a little pride and whispered in his ear: "I was able to draw a bow when I was ten years old. At this distance, my accuracy is better than theirs."

There was a hint of pride in his tone.

Rong Se smiled silently and raised his chin towards the target. "You are just talking without any practice. Go and prove it to me."

Liang Shenyu licked his lips, his eyes suddenly fiery, and asked in a low voice: "Prince, what do you want me to prove?"

"Proof..." Rong Se hesitated for a moment, thinking of the Marquis Dingbei who looked down upon the world on the battlefield, Liang Shenyu whom he had never seen in person, so he said in a low voice, "You are the most powerful?"

Liang Shenyu suddenly laughed slowly.

Soft and magnetic, like clouds floating gently down.

"OK."

Liang Shenyu stretched out his hand and gently intertwined his fingertips with Rong Se's sleeve for a moment. Under the watchful eyes of the public, this intimate little gesture was extremely secretive and no one noticed.

Rongse felt his fingertips were burning.

Not just fingertips.

And Liang Shenyu's eyes were as bright as the sun.

Then the clouds seemed to fall on my heart, gently and softly, stirring my heartstrings.

"I'll prove it to you."

Liang Shenyu's smile had a hint of frivolity, but his voice was so low that only the two of them could hear it.

"Your man is the best."