Daming Yinghua

Chapter 132
The darker the sky outside, the more it looks like the radiance in the Cunxin Palace is like a grand scene in the Heavenly Palace.

Zheng Haizhu's embroidered jacquard bijia and gold-woven horse-face skirt must be regarded as high-end ready-to-wear in the eyes of wealthy families in the south of the Yangtze River.

But when it came to the night banquet in the Prince Lu's mansion, being treated by those royal family members who "received five hundred gold for a hairpin and several thousand silver for a red Luo and silver mink" could only be regarded as "not shabby".

But it is not important.

A grassroots businesswoman can make these parasite-like aristocratic ladies condescend to take a look at them, but it is definitely not a few good clothes and a few brand-name bags.

Zhu Yipai's wife, Guo Shi, led Zheng Haizhu to meet with several wives and princes of the county kings.

Guo's sentence, "This is Miss Zheng who works for Mr. Liu, weaving in Suzhou", has immediate results.

The noble ladies of Lu Fan put away the question mark faces they had put on a moment ago very sensibly, and boasted about "young and promising, talented and beautiful" and other scenes.

After taking the embroidered and wiped foreheads respectfully presented by Zheng Haizhu, and returning to the VIP seats near the throne, these ladies of course couldn't help but whisper in twos and threes.

"Is that the eunuch's niece or niece?"

"I look like wives and concubines outside the palace. Nowadays, many eunuchs have mansions outside the palace."

"No, no, if a woman comes out to show her face and run a business, she will lose the face of her own man. Even an eunuch can't stand it."

"Hee hee, Mrs. Jun is right. She should be a niece or something. She is probably a little widow and she is not going to marry again."

"There is another kind, that is, those who are unmarried and have lost their virginity. They are already unclean, and no one will want them in the drama books. They can't be called the in-law's family. They just come out and earn some money."

"Ah, to put it this way, I want to throw away this forehead, how dirty it is! I usually read those legends, and if I see a woman losing her virginity, I will abandon the book."

"You don't have to, the Junjun. Your father hates the Japanese people the most. Every time he mentions it, he yells at them for committing crimes against me in Dengzhou. But I heard that your father spent a thousand gold a month ago to buy a long knife made by a Japanese craftsman to play with."

"That's right, what to do with throwing it away, look, how thin the silk thread is for wiping the crabapple flowers on the forehead, and the stitching method, we have never seen it before."

At one end, the noble ladies are finishing up the history of commoner women vividly, and finally began to study female celebrities. At the other end, Mrs. Guo is sending Zheng Haizhu to the Palace of Cunxin.

As he walked, he said in a low voice: "You are so smeared with makeup today that even I can barely recognize it. Just now some county ladies were laughing at your vulgar makeup, and you can't see your true colors."

Zheng Haizhu pursed her lips: "Then I'm relieved. I hope that the nobles will find that even my own parents don't recognize this face."

But she quickly recovered her serious expression: "My shopkeeper Wu is among His Royal Highness's guards. He wears a hat and helmet, so the bad guys can't recognize him. After all, I am sitting with Zhang Changshi outside the palace. In the ostentation, I am the only woman, no matter how dark the sky is, I always stand out."

Guo Shi said: "Actually, if you pretend to be my maid, you can hide in the palace."

Zheng Haizhu said: "I have seen with my own eyes those charcoal households who are suspected to be Wenxiang Sect. If they are really the ones making trouble tonight, and they are really using the method guessed by Your Highness, I can distinguish it clearly when I am outside, compared to inside. It would be good to call the police a few minutes earlier."

There was no exaggeration on Guo's face, but he secretly approved in his heart.

Although she was also born in Shandong, she is different from Princess Meng of Lu, who was born in a scholarly family. She is the daughter of a general who was transferred to Yunnan to suppress the rebellion a few years ago. Emperor Wanli married her to the Lu Fan clan as a reward The brightest young man.

There is actually a psychological gap between such a female under the door and the group of noble ladies behind them who are eating their ancestors' shade to show off their elegance, but are actually vulgar and useless.

Guo always advised Zhu Yipai to run the farm and deer garden in exchange for money to give porridge to the poor, because in her opinion, the more such things were done, the more it would dilute her self-conceit and became a member of the Zongfan moth Depressed feelings.

Zheng Haizhu and her partners acted bravely and decisively in several incidents, which made Guo feel kind.

Including the Mr. Wu who calls himself the shopkeeper, Guo Shi also felt that it was not an ordinary commoner who had practiced some fists, but he was somewhat similar to those Yebushou in his father's camp who were not majestic but alert and capable.

Mrs. Guo is looking forward to having a good drink with Ms. Zheng after the mystery is revealed tonight and the crisis is resolved.

……

In the corridor outside the Cunxin Hall, the same exquisitely carved sandalwood dining tables are lined up in an orderly manner against the white marble railing.

In order to prevent the officials of the royal family from one division and eight institutes from catching cold, the servants set up several small copper stoves with burning charcoal next to each food table.

Zhang Yaofang, as the official of the Chief History Department, after socializing with colleagues from the Trial Office, Gongzheng Office, and Liang Medical Institute, returned to her desk, just in time to see Zheng Haizhu coming out of the hall.

When Zheng Haizhu arrived at the southern yamen today, he had already told Zhang Yaofang that he and Wu Bangde were favored by Zhu Yipai and his wife for rescuing the little girl and arresting the wicked Wenxiang sect.

That's why Mrs. Guo brought Zheng Haizhu into the palace just now, Zhang Yaofang didn't show any surprise.

But Zheng Haizhu concealed the matter of the charcoal workers from this veteran official of the palace.

Even if the other party is Zhang Dai's father, a loyal and well-respected official of the Lu Palace recorded in the official history, Zheng Haizhu will keep silent to him until the truth comes to light.

In the words of Wu Bangde's educated intelligence agents, talking too much is as taboo as telling the truth.

At this moment, Zhang Yaofang tucked her hands into her sleeves and looked at the square in front of the hall with a smile on her face where the wonderful performance was about to begin.

He was in a good mood, of course.

Chang Shi is the head of the nine subordinate officials, and the dining table is set on the left side of the main entrance of the Cunxin Hall.

When watching the fireworks later, King Lu and Princess Wang must come out, and Chang Shihui will be the closest subordinate official to them.

Even though Lu Wang Zhu Shouhong often summoned Zhang Yaofang, standing shoulder to shoulder with the leader in full view was the real highlight of life.

"Miss Zheng, our position is the best. It's a pity that your capable shopkeeper Wu didn't come."

Zhang Yaofang said to Zheng Haizhu.

A little greasy like a successful man, but still within a tolerable range.

Holding the teacup, Zheng Haizhu responded with a slight sigh: "Who says it's not, but he looks like he has caught the wind and cold, and a healthy young man has become like a plague chicken. It's no good for his eyes."

As soon as he finished speaking, the eunuchs in the palace sang an announcement: "His Royal Highness King Lu is here, and His Royal Highness Wang Fei is here."

The clan and courtiers inside and outside the hall all stood up, facing the direction of the throne in the hall.

Lu Wang and his wife, who walked through the garden from the harem and entered the Cunxin Hall, dressed gracefully. After reading the congratulatory speech written by Yan Shenggong of the Confucian Mansion in Qufu, the listening officer smiled and motioned for everyone to sit down.

The eunuch shouted in a high-pitched voice: "Let's play—"

The small fire fighters outside the hall passed the report in a hurry.

After a while, the drums and music on both sides of the arena were heard. Amidst the hustle and bustle, martial arts students from the Fang Family Class of Yiyang Tune appeared one after another.
The characteristic of Yiyang tune is that it is "singing in harmony with others", but today's performance is the famous martial arts "Dingtian Mountain".

All of a sudden, with the big Wusheng playing Xue Rengui as the center, there were somersaulters, silver gun players, whip horse players, and bow and sword players all around. Looking around, there seemed to be hundreds of people showing their skills.

Whether it's the clansmen in the suzerains and vassals of Ludi, or the civil servants of the palaces, most of them are arty, and they usually watch all kinds of literary dramas babbling and singing slowly. Today's magnificent scene really makes them Eyes opened, everyone applauded.

However, if you pay more attention, most of the "Tang Jun" in this play can't really be called martial arts students.

The posture of somersaults is not stretched, and the gun flower is not graceful enough.

Seated next to Zhu Yipai, there was an honorable patriarch who knew the temperament of this young highness, he shook his head and said: "General Zhen Guo, this grass-roots team has stolen our Lu Fan's money, you have to check it later."

Zhu Yipai snorted softly: "Let's just watch it, this show mainly focuses on Xue Rengui, and the other side, you just do it, and see how lively he is."

After the actors playing Xue Rengui and the slave chief sang back and forth in high-pitched voices, "Xue Rengui" took the big bow used as a prop, and after "Bengzhangzhang" blew the string three times, the bronze bow was released. The gong was struck again, and everyone left the stage one after another, retreating into the shadows behind the musicians' classes on both sides.

Therefore, the court musicians at the bottom of the palace replaced the musicians of the troupe and began to play soft and graceful silk and bamboo repertoires, mostly an ensemble of zither, flute and pipa, allowing the guests to dine in a soothing atmosphere.

Shandong cuisine is the first of the eight major cuisines, and the Shandong cuisine served at the banquet at the palace today fully embodies the theme of the sage of Confucius, "never tire of fine food, never tire of fine meat".

Even every section of the nine-turn large intestine is embedded with minced sea cucumber and shredded shrimp, making the intention of old branches and white plums. An "Analects of Confucius" was engraved on the large intestine.

However, Zheng Haizhu, who regarded herself as a foodie in her previous life, has no intention of tasting fairy food like Zhang Yaofang next to her.

She only used the fastest speed to kill half of the tender grilled chicken.

This thing replenishes stamina the most, who knows what will happen later.

Zhang Yaofang, who was appreciating Baihua Yong Tau Foo politely, cast a sideways glance at Zheng Haizhu.

This girl doll is usually not pretentious, which is considered an advantage, but in the current occasion, no matter what, she has to eat slowly.

Zheng Haizhu wiped her oily mouth with a silk towel soaked in floral dew from the palace, and for some reason, remembered the steamed fish cake that she ate to boost her strength before the treasure hunt on Daishan Island more than a year ago.

I just don't know how many bloodthirsty sharks there are tonight.

After a piece of "Han Palace Autumn" was played, the eunuchs in the hall and the fire fighters outside the hall performed a relay singing report: "Fireworks start, lights dance."

Soon, with a "swoosh", the first fireworks flew into the blue night sky.

The star bombs rose to the middle of the sky, and immediately spread out in a "pop" manner. The silver bright lines that bounced out outlined a huge peony with rich charm and rich charm.

The outline of the big peony has not completely disappeared, and several fireworks are flying into the sky.

Brilliant purple, rose red, bright green, and golden yellow respectively depict bunches of grapes, dots of red plums, clumps of green bamboo, and sparkling wishes.

In the grand scene of countless crystal lights blooming on the edge of the moon, the bamboo flute masters of the palace began to play cheerful flute music.

Lu Wang Zhu Shouhong and Princess Meng stood up hand in hand, greeted the members of the left and right clans, strolled to the front steps outside the palace, and enjoyed the lanterns in the fireworks with Zhang Yaofang and other officials of the palace.

From the east side of the Chengyun Hall in the distance, there seemed to be a dazzling fire dragon slowly approaching.

After passing the Chengyun Hall and appearing on the square illuminated by fireworks in front of the Cunxin Hall, the guests finally saw clearly that it was not a whole fire dragon, but a formation of elephants, ligers, camels, colorful phoenixes and other birds and beasts. array of .

These lanterns, which were previously placed in the shed under the city gate, are now made of silk, and they look even brighter and brighter against the double background of the candles inside and the fireworks in the sky.

No matter birds or beasts, there are hollow wooden carts under the lamps. There are at least three people in each cart, one pushes the cart, and the two stretch out their arms from the left and right sides, waving fireworks sticks in their hands, making the lantern team seem to be marching in the brilliant galaxy. .

The lights on the ground and the fireworks in the sky complement each other, and people are in the lights, fire, fog and shadows, and the brilliance, like dreams and illusions, like infatuation.

Zhang Yaofang couldn't help praising her beard, and asked Zheng Haizhu triumphantly: "Miss Zheng, the fireworks and lanterns of Lu Fan are worthy of a sentence that is the best in China?"

Zheng Haizhu turned a deaf ear.

Her eyes were fixed on the phoenix chariot that paraded to the steps of the Hall of Mind.

The face of the man holding a fireworks stick in the car was very clearly illuminated by the front light.

It is clearly the hanging eye tip of Chaitan Mountain.

How can a charcoal worker be a lantern master at the same time!
Zheng Haizhu turned his head sharply, and went to look for Wu Bangde who was acting as a bodyguard behind King Lu.

Wu Bangde was also facing King Lu Zhu Shouhong and His Royal Highness Zhu Yipai and said in a deep voice: "In Phoenix, there are charcoal workers from Chaitan Mountain."

Just as Zhu Yipai and Wu Bangde went to cover the King Lu and his wife, Diao Yanshou suddenly climbed onto the wings of the phoenix, stepped on the trembling but unbroken lantern net, and shouted loudly: "King Lu!"

The sound of breaking bamboo and silk came one after another in the lantern team, and forty or fifty men came out of the birds and beasts, brandishing waist knives and swords, and rushed to the Hall of Mind.

The nobles, men and women, and the civil servants of the palace, stunned for a while in the sudden catastrophe, were immediately ignited by the survival instinct like the fireworks just now, and fled to both sides screaming.

Among the members of the clan, only Zhu Yipai and his father Taixing County King stayed where they were, while Guo Shi and two guards protected Princess Meng Shi and rushed back to the depths of the Cunxin Palace.

In the cold light, Suoyan rushed to the front, grinning grinningly.

I didn't want to just go up the steps, sparks flashed in front of me, and immediately a large basin of hot coals hit my cheeks and neck with my head.

The tip of the hanging eye was scorched and screamed, and his steps were stagnant, but he was still strong enough to not fall on the steps.

Zheng Haizhu threw away the charcoal basin and the wolf hair sleeve of the gauntlet, and looked intently.

But I saw nearly a hundred men with long guns rushing out of the darkness behind the musicians' seats in the Fang family class of Yiyang tune.

These men with oil paint on their faces are the soldiers of the Tang army in "Dingtian Mountain" just now.

Cold weapons have always been one inch long and one inch strong.

As soon as the spears appeared, the regular army came out again, immediately crushing the robbers with short knives and daggers.

Soon, in front of the Cunxin Hall, screams of distress sounded one after another.

Zhang Yaofang, who had fled to the side pillar, stared at Xu for a while, then moved back a few steps in step, and finally got a chance to learn Miss Zheng's sneak attack method.

Regardless of burning his hands, he picked up a copper stove and rubbed it to the edge of the railing. With a splash, he poured a pot of hot charcoal on the head of a bandit who was fighting with his own soldiers against the railing.

Just like Diao Yanshao, the bandit screamed from the heat, and the next moment, the tip of the soldier's spear pierced his heart.

(End of this chapter)