Don't help me, I can sit up by myself

"Please be sure to add my father to the invitation list for the annual banquet."

emperor

You must know that the New Year's banquet is not just for them to eat. The emperor thought that Du Jiyan wanted to kill his relatives out of righteousness. The emperor didn't even mention it. Du Jiyan personally sacrificed her father? This kind of selfless spirit is really worthy of praise. The emperor was completely moved: "Du Changzai, I understand your spirit of self-sacrifice, but your father is my father-in-law after all. He is just a fifth-rank supervisory censor. If you have Qingfeng on your sleeves, don’t let him come.”

"It's better to let my father come. After all, he is the supervisory censor. When the time comes, let him take a small notebook and record the grand occasion of the annual banquet. If there are any mistakes, he can report to the emperor."

That's the reason.

Ever since Du Jiyan was promoted to Chang Zai in the harem, it was obvious that Du Zhong was more active in the court.

Not only did he help supervise the officials, but he also made small reports to the emperor from time to time.

Du Jiyan insisted that her father participate, so the emperor had no choice but to agree.

The day before New Year's Eve is the annual banquet in the palace.

For this annual banquet, the banquet was prepared non-stop in Yongfu Hall. According to the emperor's wishes, food should be refined rather than coarse, and the ingredients should be a little more expensive. Du Jiyan bought another cooking book in the system and carefully prepared the menu for the New Year's banquet.

Golden sand and salt and pepper crab, red pepper baked yellow croaker, stuffed and braised white jade lion head, crispy foie gras, fresh pepper and black bean flavored denim cubes, truffle braised live abalone, osmanthus four treasures snow pear, eel egg yolk roll

The previous recipes focused on a niche seasonal dish that was refreshing and not greasy, and of course, it was also cheap.

Every meal at the New Year's banquet is meticulous and the ingredients are of the highest quality. But these dishes are considered one of the best. When these dishes were presented to the emperor, the emperor praised, "My Du Changzai is a good cook."

Du Jiyan is responsible for cooking.

The queen is responsible for greeting the officials' families.

Talented concubines can also put on some shows.

According to the program list, the concubines on the show include the imperial concubine Meng Yuzhu, who dances the Nine Heavens Xuannv Dance.

Wei Guiren plays the piano, and his repertoire is "High mountains and flowing water, meeting a close friend."

Zhao agreed and performed drumming.

Tian agreed and performed calligraphy.

All told, there are about ten harem programs.

The annual banquet was held in Changyin Pavilion.

Changyin Pavilion is located on the lotus pond. It is a three-story pavilion with dozens of spacious and spectacular bluestone steps. Climbing up the steps, you can see the square palace walls and undulating roofs. There are mountains in the distance and the lotus pond at your feet. The mountains are endlessly white, stretching for thousands of miles, and the lotus pond is as quiet as a gray mirror.

In winter, the snow is heavy, and the remaining lotuses are listening to the rain, and their heads are covered with white snow. The lotus pond is wide and open, and the remaining lotuses stand proudly in the water against the white snow. The lotus pond has frozen, and there are several wooden boats frozen on the ice half a meter deep. Occasionally, there are The white crane flew down from the roof, carrying the strong wind, and landed on the wooden boat.

Inside the Changyin Pavilion, it is as warm as a spring day.

The three-story pavilion is covered with ten-thousand-character flowing water and Mani beaded lichen. The palace lanterns hang high, the colorful silks are continuous, and the Wanfu Longevity screen is placed in the middle. On the long table, there are large clusters of newly picked flowers, as red as the sun, which make people's eyes brighten.

To the left of the bouquet is the official's seat, and to the right is his family.

The people who came were either rich or noble, and they were all well-known. The officials all wore blue robes with wide sleeves, and their family members also wore fine hair and face, or jade bracelets as green as water, or red gold inlaid with sapphires. A hairpin, or a set of emerald phoenix hairpins, or a gold and ruby ​​necklace, one can tell at a glance that he is a prominent figure in the capital. Any piece of jewelry is enough for ordinary people to live a lifetime.

The emperor and the queen mother were sitting on the two steps. Gao Rang clapped his hands gently, and the food from Yongfu Palace was also served.

Then it’s time for the show.

Wei Guiren performed the music "Mountains and Flowing Waters Meet a Friend", which can also be played in Nanfu. However, Wei Guiren's piano sound was elegant and clean, as if pouring out one's heart, making people almost intoxicated.

The Queen Mother couldn't help but praise: "Guiren Wei's piano skills have improved again."

Meng Yuzhu's dance of the Nine Heavens Fairy Girl is also remarkable. As soon as the drum beats are heard, she flies over from the wooden boat in the lotus pond. She is wearing colorful silk, a high bun, and a thin, silky, goose-yellow pleated dress. Wearing a low-cut blouse and skirt, she holds a red flower as bright as the scorching sun in her mouth, and dances on a lichen with a swastika flowing water and Mani bead pattern.

The officials also knew that the emperor's concubine was from Nanfu, and there were few people in Nanfu who were very skilled in dancing. When the concubine finished her dance, the crowd burst into applause.

Tian Lingyue dipped gold foil into ink and wrote the word "Taiping" on the rice paper as thin as a cicada's wings. Then she held up a candle and shined a light on the back of the rice paper. The word "Taiping" seemed to come alive, shining brightly. Brighter than the octagonal palace lantern overhead.

The concubines each showed off their unique skills, one after another. After all, it was the emperor's concubine who could write and dance. The queen ate the watermelon and watched intently. Seeing her excitement, she couldn't help putting down the watermelon and stroking her hands: "I rarely see Bao Bao. The noble lady showed off, but I didn’t expect that she was quite good at sword dancing, and I was dazzled by the dance, with stars in my eyes.”

Looking up to see the Queen Mother staring at her, the Queen quickly wiped two mouthfuls of watermelon and greeted all the family members with an awkward smile: "You're welcome, these fine wines and dishes were prepared by Du Changzai of Yongfu Palace. Her craftsmanship is excellent. You can prepare these meals." If you can’t eat it outside the palace, try it quickly.”

Even the Queen Mother praised Du Jiyan's food.

The Queen Mother is old and does not like to eat greasy food. The dishes at the annual banquet, such as the red pepper-baked yellow croaker and the stuffed white jade lion head, all tasted fragrant and delicious. The wine is filled with red grapes.

The emperor picked up the wine and walked down the steps to pay homage to the officials.

The officials drank and sat back. They all sat upright, as if they were going to court.

"Don't be formal. They are all my beloveds. Just treat them as if you were eating in the palace." The emperor picked up another glass of wine and drank it down in one gulp.

The atmosphere down there is a little more lively.

Eucommia ulmoides drank two cups of grape wine and poured herself a large cup. The chopsticks in her hands never stopped, sometimes picking up a lion's head, and sometimes some beef. I don't know if others are full, but Eucommia ulmoides is not at all. Do not recognize life.

Du Jiyan secretly came to Du Zhong in eunuch uniform while pouring grape wine.

Eucommia ulmoides quickly held the wine glass: "Thank you very much, father-in-law. I will pour it after I finish the glass."

Du Jiyan stretched out his hand to cover the mouth of his cup: "No more drinking."

Du Zhong was stunned. The eunuch's voice was so familiar.

Yes, it's my daughter's voice.

When I looked up, wasn't it Du Jiyan?

I heard that my daughter was very angry with the emperor when she was enjoying life in the harem, so why did she pretend to be a eunuch in public? Does the emperor have this hobby? Or is his daughter acting daringly?

Du Zhong was about to speak, but Du Zhong whispered in his ear: "Don't just focus on eating, do something serious."

Du Jiyan stuffed another silver note into Du Zhong's hand: "This is five hundred taels of silver."

Du Zhong was shocked on the spot. It was so easy to make money in the palace? Five hundred taels of silver is his salary for many years: "Just saying, this money came from the right way, right? Our Du family has been innocent for generations."

"This silver is very pure."

"Where did you earn it? Who earned it?"

"It's earned by the Emperor and the Queen Mother."

Eucommia

"You can keep this money for yourself. There is no place in the palace for it."

"Dad, you can keep the flowers for this money."

“Dad has no money to spend”

“It will be there soon”

Eucommia

"The emperor will sell something later. Dad, you buy it first and buy it with five hundred taels of silver."

"The emperor is selling something?" Eucommia held the five hundred taels of silver notes tightly: "What is the emperor selling?"

Seeing the eyes of the people at the table shining on him like train lights, Du Jiyan booed, turned around the screen, and went to the official's family.

When the queen saw Du Jiyan, it was like seeing a savior. She was not good at socializing, let alone sitting and eating in front of these women who were dressed more expensively than she was, let alone women who could hardly even call her by name. A group of women were having dinner together, and the queen talked about everything she could think of in her life, from how she entered the palace and lived in Jingren Palace to how she raised chrysanthemums and ordered takeout, which made all the women laugh in embarrassment.

A woman wearing a red jeweled headdress and a dark red gold woven gardenia and Shu brocade slanted cardigan ate a grape with her fingers raised. Her voice was full of disdain when she spoke: "The queen is the master of the middle palace, why are you still eating it?" Takeaway? I have eaten in all the major restaurants in the capital. Even the most famous Yipinxian Restaurant, I often go there, but I have never heard of what takeout is. It is probably something that is not on the table. No. It’s delicious, so it hasn’t become popular in Beijing.”

The queen rubbed her handkerchief in embarrassment. As a queen, her father's status as a first-class auxiliary to the state was considered lofty. Of course, this woman understood the queen's family status, but she spoke like this without any scruples. It was obvious that this woman had a lot of background.

"Speaking of which, my father was Wei Cheng, the general who led the army back then. The soldiers of the King of Yue were also serving under my father back then. My concubine's husband was Yuan, who was the third rank of the current dynasty and was the Minister of War in charge of the weapons depot. Central. My concubine, the Wei family, is personally appointed by the emperor."

Strangely, she turned out to be the wife of Yuan Yang, the third-rank minister of the Ministry of War, and the daughter of Wei Cheng, the former first-rank general. Back then, the first-grade general was respected even by the late emperor. Now, the minister of war is in charge of the weapons depot and in charge of the world's weapons. It can be said to be a leisurely and fat job. No wonder the Wei family is so arrogant.

Even the concubines on the side secretly commented: "The Wei family is really lucky. Her father has earned a lot of honors. With the help of his father-in-law, her husband is not only in charge of the rich job in the weapons arsenal, but he is also devoted to the Wei family. I heard that after many years of marriage, not only had he never had a concubine, but he had never even stayed out for a night. Wei was afraid of being criticized, so she even half-jokingly wanted to take a concubine for him, but unexpectedly, he became angry and said I don’t want anyone except the Wei family in this life.”

The family members were talking, and the queen arranged for everyone to have some food, and poured a glass of grape wine for everyone.

Several others thanked the queen, but only Zhao did not drink or eat.

The queen asked Guiyuan to brew a pot of Biluochun herself and pour it to Zhao. Zhao picked it up, smelled it, covered her nose with her sleeve, and put the tea back again. Her disgust was beyond words.

The queen was so embarrassed that she could take out three bedrooms and one living room.

What is Mr. Zhao's identity to be so picky?

Mrs. Zhao stood up, said with a smile, "My husband is not talented, I am Liu He, the minister of the Ministry of Civil Affairs, Third Grade. I, my concubine, Mrs. Zhao, would like to pay my respects to the Queen."

The Ministry of Personnel consists of the Personnel Department, the Feng Department, the Xun Department, and the Kao Gong Department. In charge of the appointment and dismissal, examination, promotion, promotion, transfer, etc. of all officials in the world. Under the Minister of the Ministry of Personnel, he is the Minister of the Ministry of Personnel.

"This is Biluochun from Xingong in the south. Why is it not to your liking?" the queen asked with concern.

Mrs. Zhao coughed twice: "My concubine Biluochun is not used to drinking this. I always drink Yuqian Longjing at home."

The queen asked the longan to be soaked in Longjing before the rain and brought it over. Mrs. Zhao only smelled it and said: "This is the tea for the old year, the queen is really frugal."

This is obviously new tea that has just been sent by the Ministry of Internal Affairs. Zhao said it was old tea. It seems that Zhao either doesn't understand it, or Zhao's family has better tea. After all, if it is not better, there is no way to compare.

What's more, when serving tea, the pair of green jade bracelets on Zhao's wrists were without any impurities. Even the palace had never produced such good things, so Zhao certainly didn't look like someone who had never seen the world.

As for the food on the table, Ms. Zhao obviously had no stomach for it. While arguing with the queen, Ms. Zhao put a piece of crab meat into her mouth and swallowed it reluctantly: "These crabs are too thin, so they are not fresh. If you want to make a good taste, you must have good ingredients. This crab meat must be fattened by three points to make it taste better. What do you think, Queen?"

The queen was stunned on the spot.

In her opinion, the crabs on this plate were plump enough, fatter than what she usually eats. They were already the best crabs that the palace could offer, but Mrs. Zhao actually felt bad about them.

It seems that the queen is ignorant.

The emperor picked up a glass of wine and had sex with everyone.

Gao Rang stood aside holding a brocade box.

Everyone, look at me and I look at you. I don’t know what it means.

"My dear friends, it has been another year of hard work. In this year, the weather in Chen State has been smooth and the people are happy. This is thanks to everyone's concerted efforts and united will. Ahem. I know everyone has worked hard, so I held this New Year's Eve event. It’s a banquet, let’s all eat and drink.”

"Thank you, Your Majesty."

"I know that in the eyes of you all, I am still a child. I am not yet twenty years old, and my words are often unreliable. But tonight, I decided to warm the hearts of all you. I want to tell you all Dear, let’s play a game.”

"What kind of medicine did you buy in this gourd, Your Majesty? Why do you want to play games if you are so good? You know you can't do anything if you don't have hair on your lips." An old minister sighed.

"It's just a game, it's all about entertainment, why not?" Yuan Yang, the third-rank Minister of War, laughed and drank a glass of grape wine.

"I have never seen such a prosperous New Year's banquet. Even during the late emperor's time, there was never such a grand scene. The food on this table, such big crabs, and such fat abalones, this is the first time I have seen them. That crispy... What is it? It looks very crispy, but I have never eaten it before." Liu He, the third-grade official minister, took the chopsticks and didn't know which one to pick first.

"After all, you are the third-rank Minister of the Ministry of Civil Affairs, in charge of the weapons arsenal. The money in your hand is like running water. Why do you look like you have never seen the world, and you are not afraid of people's jokes." Yuan Yang, the third-rank Minister of the Ministry of Military Affairs, Joking.

"Master Yuan doesn't know something. I have been poor since I was a child, and I don't have a father-in-law as powerful as Master Yuan. It is only because of my hard work in the court and serving the emperor wholeheartedly that I can sit in this position. Although I handle a lot of money, , they all belong to the emperor, even a humble minister wouldn’t dare to dream about it even if he only has a tael of silver.”

I've been ill these past few days and haven't done much typing. I can't keep up with the typing anymore. One chapter of the code is in bits and pieces, so sisters, let's just read it.

Thank you sisters for voting. Thank you sisters for your support. Wear thicker clothes when the weather gets cold.