Li Yannian glanced at him, then patiently replied, "There's a carriage going to and from there, that's easy."
I poured the water, took two sips, put the cup on the table, then looked up at Li Yannian, “Originally, there was a person who was very secretive, but liked music, and there was a girl who wanted to tell him her heart, but he didn't know what to do. was in the man's mind, so he didn't dare to speak directly. In Li Master's opinion, how could the girl express her feelings, and how could the man accept it?”
For a moment Li Yannian's face appeared stunned, then he lowered his head without saying anything. Li Yan, who was by his side, laughed and grabbed his brother's sleeve, while laughing he rubbed his belly, but I ignored him and kept looking at Li Yannian.
"Jin Yu, you are so funny, what about your Sunzi Martial Arts? Your endless theories? Now even for trivial things like this you have to ask people. It turns out that you are Zhao Kuo who is only good at scheming in the recliner . I will reconsider whether the things I can show you are useful or not".
I looked at Li Yan and said calmly, "I don't see this matter as a war, because at first I opened my heart wide, didn't build a fort at all. I'm not afraid that he won't enter, just afraid that he won't enter. I don't think calmly and rationally, only have a heart".
Li Yan stopped laughing, sat up straight while looking at me from time to time, then lowered his head. Li Yannian looked at his sister, as if thinking about something, for a while, the room was silent.
After a while, Li Yannian came to his senses, then smiled apologetically at me, "I am a musician and can only use music to express my feelings, there is a very good song from before the Qin Dynasty," Fang said Yu Niang's people were - learn to play the bamboo flute".
While talking, Li Yannian picked up a bamboo flute, after sitting down, he started to blow it, I listened to it with great attention. After he finished playing it, Li Yannian said, "Younger brother can also play the flute. Although he's not very good, it's enough to teach people. You two are always together every day, he can teach you."
I nodded with a smile, playing the flute that Li Yannian said was 'not very good', to other people would have been very good.
Li Yan suddenly got up, then without saying anything, I motioned for Li Master not to follow me, then chased after Li Yan.
In the room the lantern had not been lit, the room was only lit by the clear moonlight that was depicted coming in from the window, Li Yan stood facing the window, under the moonlight, her back was like a lonely white moon in the sky, although her face was as white as snow, but lonely cold.
I stood in the doorway, "If you are going to discourage yourself now, there is still time, you will at most disappoint the princess, but I can find a way to explain it".
He stood up without moving, then said softly, "I'm so envious of you, your life is so free, you can do whatever you want, and can pursue the happiness you desire."
I cut him off "What you are doing is also something you want to do, no one is forcing you to do it".
Li Yan said "But I was the one who forced myself. Jin Yu, you don't understand now, I also hope that you will never understand what it's like to force yourself".
I couldn't find any words to comfort him, after being silent for a while, I said, "Today go to sleep a little earlier! Tomorrow you don't have to continue with your lessons". After speaking I turned around, then slowly walked back to my room, while my heart was sad, Xiao Tao who was flying in circles in the sky rushed towards me and landed on my shoulder, I saw that a piece of cloth was tied to her feet, my heart - became excited and I quickly ran to my room.
Supported by a maidservant, the princess walked up saying, "This morning you asked if there was a bamboo forest in my palace, and asked me to prepare it. Why do you want to use it?"
I said, "There are two reasons, first, because women are beautiful like flowers, their charms are different. Some are as brightly beautiful as peonies, some are simple yet elegant like chrysanthemums in autumn, and some are plain beautiful like apple blossoms. , each type of flower must be enjoyed in a different way, only then can the beauty of each flower be enjoyed to the fullest. he will forever feel sorry for her, if he feels that person is as beautiful as an angel, he will secretly feel amazed. Therefore, the first meeting is very important, and the weather at that time also helped, of course it cannot be wasted ". When I heard this principle from Hong Gu for the first time, Li Yan and I were amazed and only now understood why many young masters ignored beautiful wives or concubines at home, and instead lingered every day in entertainment houses or brothels, women who is good at enchanting with such tricks is difficult to anticipate.
While talking, the bamboo forest came into view. As the sun sets, in the western sky you can see layers of red clouds, the atmosphere is very warm, the further east, the red color fades, under the cold blue sky, in the light of the setting sun, orange dots appear in the middle of the bamboo forest that, but the forest itself still looks green and lush.
Li Yan had his back to us, leaning against a bamboo tree, standing majestically. After watching him closely for a few moments, the princess asked softly, "Did you tell him to do that?"
"No, I just told him to wait in the bamboo forest, didn't give him any orders at all, actually I didn't tell him that gongzhu would see him here. Everything has to be prepared beforehand, but overpreparation only lowers the quality."
The princess sighed, "Just looking from behind makes people curious. I want to see his face, but I'm afraid of being disappointed. His face shouldn't be in contrast with his posture. This kind of feeling won't appear if I meet him in the room."
I smiled without saying anything, after looking at him for a while, the princess motioned for the servant girls to stay where they were, while she herself walked slowly into the bamboo forest. Finally the sound of footsteps startled Li Yan, he suddenly turned around, smiled, he pointed at the sun, was about to speak, but as soon as he could clearly see who was coming, he quickly knelt down.
The princess said, "Rise and speak". However, Li Yan still continued to kowtow, and only then stepped back and stood up.
Her body was like a bamboo tree, her dress brushed the ground, she curled her jet black hair with just a stick of badar hair bun, other than that she didn't wear any other hair ornaments. The princess looked at Li Yan again carefully, then turned to me with a smile, "A beautiful cassava stone, and also a unique heshibi. Just now I was amazed to see his face, so I don't want him to kneel down."
I looked at Li Yan, I have done everything I can, from now on, it all depends on you. My eyes and Li Yan's eyes met, then avoided each other.
When they were about to leave, there were two people in the horse-drawn carriage, while when they were about to go home, there was only one person. As soon as I entered the courtyard, Li Guangli ran to greet me, "Does the princess like brother?" I nodded, and he immediately waved his fists excitedly while screaming.
Li Yannian was standing under the tree, as if not moving since sending us off. It was dark and I couldn't see his face clearly, but as soon as he saw me nod, he immediately hit the tree hard. With surprise Li Guangli said, "Dage!" Out of nowhere Fang Ru appeared, he was about to walk over, but then stood unsteadily on the spot.
Li Yannian's hand was injured, tiny bloodstains appeared, I waved at Fang Ru for her to come closer, then said to Li Guangli, "You go back first". Li Guangli looked at his brother, then called out to him, but he saw that his brother was just silent, so he couldn't help but walk out slowly.
Fang Ru's face was red, she helped Li Yannian wipe the blood from her hand, then blew away the bits of wood that fell on her, while looking at her, Li Yannian said, "Perhaps the thing I regret most in my life is coming to Luoyu Fang".
My eyes looked at Fang Ru, "It's not all bad, right?"
Li Yannian's gaze gently glanced at Fang Ru's face, but when it fell on my face, the light in her eyes had become icy cold, "Although little sister said she did it of her own free will, because of her own ideas, I can't help but feel disgusted with you, you really-" really makes me disappointed, are you so crazy about wealth and position? To be willing to sacrifice a woman's life?"
I smiled dryly, "Please feel sick and hate me! However Li Yan has already treaded on the path of no return, no matter if you are for or against him, you must help him, help him with all your might".
Li Yannian stood stunned, I turned around and left with light steps, I suddenly realized why Li Yan's tears streamed down when she held my hand, there were so many things she couldn't explain, she couldn't explain them.
Upon returning to the room, Hong Gu was sitting on the bench waiting for me. I sat down opposite him, Hong Gu asked, "Everything went well?"
I nodded, "This time Li Yan should really thank you, the way you brought him together with the princess really made the princess shaken, until the princess who has seen countless beautiful girls lose control, she will definitely try everything in my power to bring him to the emperor".
Hong Gu smiled sadly as he covered his mouth, "After spending half my life in this world, I've always heard about who's the most beautiful, but in this case, how can a woman from a good family compete with us? Now that I've seen Li Yan, I don't know what what he had planned so that he could meet the emperor.”
I sat down without saying anything, then suddenly got up and took the green handkerchief that Hong Gu gave me from inside the cupboard, I looked at the letter 'li' entwined with tendrils, I secretly sighed, then put it on my hand. over the flame of the candle to burn. I saw the handkerchief in my hand turn red, then black and finally to ashes. As soon as the handkerchief was licked by fire, I let it go, the handkerchief fell to the floor while burning with a bright red flame, and immediately turned into a pile of ashes, beyond recognition.
My hand fiddling with the invitation card, I hesitantly asked, "Hong Gu, why do you think the princess invited us to her house to attend her birthday party on purpose?"
While dressing up in front of the mirror, Hong Gu said, "Of course to give Li Yan a chance, it turns out that Li Yan hasn't entered the palace yet, but has already won the princess's heart. When I was young I used to go in and out of the manor house, no wonder now I have the opportunity to be the princess's guest, I really have to thank Li Yan".
I sat down without saying anything, after a few moments of silence, Hong Gu smiled and said, "Don't worry about it, once we get to the princess's house, won't we know? Hurry up and get dressed".
Smiling I shook my head "Greet yourself, I'll wear proper clothes and put on some hair ornaments, as long as it's polite enough".
Hong Gu frowned, but before he could speak, I had interrupted, "This time please obey me". Seeing my determined, helpless face Hong Gu nodded.
The banquet was held on the shore of the lake, the tables were placed on the shore of the lake. The luxuriously decorated and brightly lit seat was of course the seat of honor, while it was still empty, while ours was at the end of the table, half hidden in the darkness. All around us were full of people chatting and laughing, but amidst the boisterous sound of the conversation, it turned out that no one was paying any attention to us.
After looking around us, although still smiling, Hong Gu's eyes looked a little disappointed, smiling contentedly, I poured the tea and drank it. After waiting and waiting, after finishing a cup of tea, suddenly the boisterous atmosphere became silent. Before we knew what happened, row after row of people had knelt down, Hong Gu and I looked at each other, then knelt down too.
The two people who were at the forefront walked shoulder to shoulder, before I could see them clearly, the audience had shouted with great fanfare, "May Your Highness live for a thousand years, may the empress live for a thousand years". I immediately prostrated following them all.
After the hustle and bustle ended, the audience sat down, Hong Gu looked at me tensely, I said, "Just wait and see".
Being in the dark, I could freely and fearlessly observe everyone in the light, the Great Han emperor that A Die and Yinzhixie had so often mentioned was sitting upright on the mat. I remembered how many years ago I asked Yinzhixie, 'Is his face more handsome than yours?', he didn't answer, now, many years later, I finally answered that question myself. Although her face is quite prominent among men, it is still not as handsome as Yinzhixie's, but she is more dignified than Yinzhixie. I talked about Yinzhixie before, somehow he has now become a Shanyu.
Hong Gu pushed me away, then leaned down and whispered in my ear while teasing me, “Why are you staring at the emperor with a somber face?
I glared at her in annoyance and averted my eyes, when I saw Empress Wei, my heart gasped, she was like water, from her brow to her toes, she was like water, the softness of water, the clearness of water and the beauty of water, all gathered in her, under the light of the lantern that dim, she is like the water of Tianchi Lake under the moonlight, extraordinarily beautiful. Where is the withered flower? Such beauty will not be timeless.
Hong Gu sighed, "She is a woman among women, no wonder back when Empress Dou ruled the palace, the emperor was madly infatuated with her, so much so that she dared to offend Empress Chen and the old princess for her sake."
I nodded, an inexplicable pain filled my heart, I didn't dare look at him for long and averted my eyes.
Princess Pingyang and a tall man with an honest and friendly face sat on the right of the emperor. Of course he is the Great General of Wei. People say that 'famous people are usually not as good as their reputation', but General Wei is exactly what I imagined. and calm down. While Princess Pingyang and the emperor were chatting with laughter, General Wei and Empress Wei listened to them with a smile. For a long time they were not heard to say a word. The temperament of brother and sister was very similar.
Imperial relatives and high ranking officials feasted merrily, they chatted and joked incessantly, it seemed very lively, but their eyes never left the figure of the emperor, silently watching his every move, answering all his questions or laughing at his words. , vying to curry favor with the emperor. Only Huo Qubing ate and drank without caring about anything. Occasionally he would look up, but his eyes were cold, completely ignoring the circumstances around him. He didn't talk to others, and others didn't dare to talk to him. From the time the banquet started until now, it turned out that only a twenty-two or twenty-three year old young man was toasting Huo Qubing from afar. With a smile, Huo Qubing returned a toast.
I looked at the man and asked, "Who is it?" Hong Gu regretfully whispered, "It's him
Third Master Li, Li Gan".
My face changed slightly, it turned out that he really was as told by Hong Gu, a man who was proficient in literature and military science, because he was born in a respected family, his demeanor was extraordinary according to his position, his style was elegant like that of a poet, but his facial features were still like that of a descendant of a general. , faintly showing a valiant nature.
Whispering into my ear, Hong Gu introduced the people sitting on the mat one by one, “……The one in purple is Gongsun He, the empress's brother-in-law and General Wei, he was appointed commander of the army. chariots, the ancestors of the later Xiongnu people swore allegiance to the Han Dynasty "
I don't know what the princess and the emperor said in the seats of honor, the sound of laughter suddenly stopped, Hong Gu also stopped talking, not long after Li Yannian stepped into the room slowly, Li Yannian's extraordinary qin plucking skills had been heard until to the streets of Chang'an, but only a few people could listen to his playing, at the seat that was located at the end of the table, low voices of admiration began to be heard. After paying respects to the emperor and empress, Li Yannian sat beside them, a servant girl came over with a qin, then placed it in front of him. Everyone realized he was about to play it and held their breath.
Li Yannian's face looked a little indifferent, he carelessly pressed a few qin strings, but didn't play a song at all, the audience who was speechless was shocked, Hong Gu looked at me, I shook my head to signal him not to worry. Li Yannian seemed to take a deep breath, his expression became serious, then a pair of hands stroked the qin strings, but found that he didn't hear any note, only the loud sound repeated like heavy rain, like a waterfall falling from the seventh heaven, making people hard to breathe. Qin's voice was like the waves of water, getting louder and louder, making the hearts of those who listened to it flustered, but also so gripped by the music that they couldn't escape, so that even the usually indifferent Huo Qubing looked up to look at Li Yannian and listened carefully. .
The sound that was repeated suddenly turned into a slow one, the sound of a flute sounded between the sound of the qin, the sound was gentle, attracting the attention of people who had been suppressed by the sound of the qin.
The night wind blows gently, the bright shining moon hangs in the sky, its light reflected in the sparkling water waves. The moon is like water, the sky and the lake become one. A raft sails in the wind, while turning its back to the audience, a woman plays a flute. Under the dim moonlight, her sleeves fluttered, her fragile back exuded a proud strength that was not from this mortal world, as well as exuded beauty and grace. His weak and fragile body made people feel pity, but his proud attitude made people not dare to carelessly approach.
The audience's hearts immediately calmed down, but while they were quietly enjoying the sound of the flute, the sound of the flute gradually became lower, the sound of the qin slowly rising, unlike the previous tones that were fast, this time the melody was soft and calm, accompanying the raft. who slowly sailed into the middle of the lake.
At this moment, the audience had already ignored Li Yannian's rarely heard qin playing, their eyes all fixed on the woman on the raft. Li Yannian paid respects to the emperor and empress, the audience simultaneously shouted praises, under the dim moonlight, they saw that the woman's face was beautiful, but that beauty was hidden behind a curtain, after all they couldn't see it clearly, and things this makes them even more curious.
After saluting, while waving his sleeves, accompanied by music, he floated to the surface of the water, the audience exclaimed in surprise, there was even a cup in a guest's hand that fell and broke, and there was a chopstick in someone's hand that fell, I was also shocked, without blinking , I stared at Li Yan, for a moment I didn't understand how he could stand so gracefully on the water.
He stepped on the water with small steps, he danced, as if he was taking a walk looking at the moon, his silk belt fluttering. Her dress and sleeves rustled, she seemed to be a water goddess who had dimly appeared through the mist, floating lightly on the water of the lake, her feet treading the waves, delighting in the moon's reflection.
Everyone's faces were filled with shock and awe, they looked mesmerized, Li Yannian's qin tone suddenly became fast and high, Li Yan threw the moon-white silk sash in his hand, the audience looked up at the silk sash dancing in the sky, the sound of the qin matched the movement of the silk belt, thereby giving the audience the feeling of going up and down following the dance of the belt, but suddenly, the beautiful figure stepped into the middle of the moon's shadow in the middle of the water. The moon's shadow broke into pieces, then reunited, but the beauty was nowhere to be seen, there was only sparkling water ripples, silence.
Perhaps the person who came to his senses the fastest was Huo Qubing, while General Wei and I, as well as the audience, were still gazing at the surface of the lake in awe. I turned and looked at the emperor, but I saw that Huo Qubing and General Wei were also looking at the emperor. Empress Wei was looking at the surface of the lake while smiling, but she seemed to have tears in her eyes. Suddenly, I didn't want to look at the emperor's face anymore. I turned around and saw that Li Gan was also in awe, but Li Yannian kept looking down at Qin, his expression could not be seen clearly.
Hong Gu nudged my shoulder, motioning for me to pay attention to Li Gan. Li Gan's face was dazzled, he couldn't help but lean forward.
Amidst the silence, the emperor suddenly said to Princess Pingyang, “Zhen is going to call this woman.” Hong Gu immediately grabbed my hand, then smiled at me, I nodded my head.
Li Gan's hands shook slightly, the wine in his cup spilled onto his robes, he was stunned for a moment, disappointment and frustration flashed across his face, then he resumed chatting and laughing as if nothing had happened.
With a smile Princess Pingyang bowed, "Your Majesty has met her before. Li Yannian played a song for Your Highness yesterday, namely 'The Beauty Who Can Collapse the Country', she is the beauty who can tear down the country in that song."
Han Wudi smiled contentedly, then laughed a little at himself, he said, “Even zhen has not seen her face clearly, but zhen feels that she is indeed worthy of being called the beauty who can tear down countries, how can she dance on water?”
Princess Pingyang laughed and said, "Your Highness please guess".
The emperor looked back at the surface of the lake water, "Are wooden stakes installed in the water?"
The princess clapped her hands while smiling, "My hard work for a few days unexpectedly was immediately broken by His Majesty". The officials acted as if they had just woken up, they looked at the emperor in awe, but who knows how many people were pretending and how many people were really surprised. But Huo Qubing still drank the wine slowly, his face showing indifference.
Everyone enjoyed the banquet that evening, or perhaps it should be said that the emperor enjoyed it immensely, so a joyful atmosphere spread throughout. In the dimly lit place Hong Gu and I waited until almost everyone had left, then walked out holding hands.
Hong Gu's face was beaming, but I didn't feel happy at all. I understood what happened, but watching the events unfold was different. Many years ago, in this same palace, the empress managed to attract the emperor's attention with a song, tonight, in front of him, another woman repeated her story.
Tonight when the emperor saw Li Yan under the light of the lantern, did he momentarily remember that Wei Zifu of all those years ago?
When I was a child I liked participating in banquets the most. I felt the atmosphere of the banquet was very lively, everyone seemed to be happy, and the Shanyu also liked to joke. Sometimes A Die didn't want to attend, but I always tried to participate. Today when attending the emperor's banquet I only really knew that behind the luxury and position hidden something cold and sad.
Suddenly I really missed A Die, in that gloomy mood, it was Jiu Ye's figure that came to my mind, I really wanted to see her warm figure in the lantern light. A lantern, a person, a room full of warmth and peace, “Hong Gu you get on the train first! I want to go for a walk alone first.”
Hong Gu looked at me, then softly said, "Go!" Don't think too much, otherwise Li Yan would be someone else, men in this world are unfaithful, women are too loving, Empress Wei is a smart person, she knows how to take care of herself.”
The moonlight filled the cobblestoned street, the soft silvery light shining on the roofs that curved upwards, the occasional barking of dogs broke the stillness of the increasingly quiet night. As I was walking briskly along the road, a carriage that was speeding past suddenly stopped in front of me, Huo Qubing jumped down from the carriage, then looked at me and asked, “Why are you here? Didn't you attend the princess's birthday banquet just now?"