Dragon Pattern Roll Set

The imperial banquet was held in the garden on the east side of the imperial palace. Although it was said that the civil and military officials of the whole court were invited, most of the officials were just sitting around the banquet outside the imperial city and could not see the emperor.

And those who can really enter the inner garden of the palace to eat with the emperor are only a few important officials, relatives of the emperor, and the envoys from the feudal kingdom this time.

In fact, Zhan Zhao has never had a few royal meals. The first time was when he met Mr. Bao and broke the big case of replacing the civet cat with the prince. At that time, the emperor and the empress dowager invited everyone in the Kaifeng mansion to hold a lot of banquets. , Even the yamen servants, maids, and servants were invited.

Zhan Zhao entered the palace with Bao Zheng at that time, but it didn't take long. The first time I saw Zhao Zhen, I had a good impression of him.

The reason why Zhan Zhao saw Zhao Pu at first sight was that he couldn’t think of him as a relative of the emperor. The main reason was that although Zhao Zhen and Zhao Pu were uncles and nephews, the age difference was not too big, but in terms of appearance, personality, and the feeling they gave people, they were almost the same. It's a world of difference.

To put it bluntly, Zhao Pu is countless times more regal than Zhao Zhen. It is no wonder that people in the army, government and opposition often sigh and feel that Zhao Pu should succeed him.

Zhao Zhen feels very mediocre, with a very gentle personality, not domineering, but rather noble, he is the emperor after all.

In addition, Zhao Zhen doesn't seem to be very wise, or does he not show his sharpness?Anyway, the Zhao family has always been thin, and Zhao Zhen, the emperor, is even worse. He is a prince every turn, and he has no brothers or sisters. Zhao Pu has no intention of robbing him for the throne.So more people felt that he stood out from the crowd of princes not because of his excellence, but because of good luck dropped from the sky, and they always felt that he was incompetent.

After talking with Zhao Zhen, you will feel that he is not suitable to be an emperor. This person is not aggressive at all. I don't know what he is doing, and he doesn't go out of the palace very much. When he was facing him at the beginning of civil and military affairs, he felt a sense of powerlessness.

Fortunately, Zhao Zhen had several important ministers to support him.

One is Bao Zheng.

Not to mention the civil and military affairs of the Manchu Dynasty, even the common people in the world, as long as Mr. Bao said that Zhao Zhen was a good emperor, most of them would support him as emperor.

One is Taishi Pang.

His own son-in-law, Grand Master Pang is of course a diehard royalist, whoever dares to have second thoughts, Grand Master is the first to kill him.

One is the Eighth Prince.

The Eighth Prince has a high position and authority, and raised Zhao Zhen and Zhao Pu. He is wise and intelligent, and the most rare thing is that he is pure-hearted and very kind, and he is loved by the people of Kaifeng.In addition, it is said that he looks good, although he is middle-aged, he looks quite young, handsome and handsome, and he is also the person Zhao Zhen relies on and trusts the most.

There are several important ministers who will not go into details. Of course, the most important one is Zhao Pu, who has played with Zhao Zhen since childhood and is only two years older than him.

Zhao Pu is different from the previous veterans. His relationship with Zhao Zhen is complicated and confusing. The outside world always spreads their various discords, how Zhao Zhen suppressed Zhao Pu, and how Zhao Pu refused to accept Zhao Zhen.

Only a few veterans knew in their hearts that the two were not like uncles and nephews, but more like brothers, and their relationship was very strong.

On the way, Zhan Zhao briefly told Bai Yutang about the people he knew.

Bai Yutang asked curiously, "Zhao Zhen is really so weak?"

Zhan Zhao smiled slightly, "I'll tell you something, you can judge for yourself."

Bai Yutang raised his eyebrows, motioning for Zhan Zhao to say.

"Before, I also asked Lord Bao if Zhao Zhen is really suitable to be emperor." Zhan Zhao smiled, "Master Bao told me three stories. The first story is about Nangong Ji."

Bai Yutang listened quietly.

"Nangong began to follow Zhao Zhen when he was very young. At that time, the two were not very old. Once an assassin almost succeeded in an assassination. Nangong blocked a sword for Zhao Zhen and was slightly injured. Finally, there was no danger. But Empress Liu still All the guards must be held accountable, and they cannot escape the responsibility for the assassin's sneak attack and escape." Zhan Zhao asked with a smile, "If you were the emperor, what would you do?"

Bai Yutang thought for a while, "Pleading? It's a good opportunity to win people's hearts."

"I also think Empress Liu is giving Zhao Zhen such an opportunity to win people's hearts." Zhan Zhao tutted twice, "But Zhao Zhen didn't do that."

Bai Yutang was curious, "Could they all be killed?"

"No." Zhan Zhao said, "Lord Bao said, Zhao Zhen said that they were indeed dereliction of duty and should be punished. It's not good for him to help beg for mercy, otherwise the guards in the palace will take it lightly because of the emperor's kindness. But he also said that he I like these guards very much, especially if I don't want to beat Nangong Ji, why don't Empress Liu punish them for something else."

Bai Yutang laughed, "It's quite frank."

"The queen was also stupid at the time, so she asked Zhao Zhen how she should be punished." Zhan Zhao spread his hands, "Zhao Zhen said that they should be fined to catch those assassins who escaped. If they don't catch them, they are not allowed to come back."

After hearing this, Bai Yutang nodded clearly, "People who practice martial arts are not afraid of pain, but of being humiliated. Zhao Zhen asked them to catch the assassin back, not as a punishment, but as a reward for them to regain their dignity."

Zhan Zhao nodded, "Nangong Ji took people there, and brought back the assassin three days later, and also captured the people behind the assassin, the emperor rewarded them, not gold and silver, but rewarding them" Dynasty first The title of bodyguards', this group of people is now the shadow guards around Zhao Zhen, headed by Nangong Ji, they are very skilled and loyal."

Bai Yutang nodded.

"The second story is about Zhao Pu." Zhan Zhao continued, "That year, Zhao Zhen was eight years old and Zhao Pu was ten years old. Zhao Pu went to the house since he was a child, and Zhao Zhen was said to be in poor health when he was a child. But Zhao Pu can go anywhere Bring Zhao Zhen, and Zhao Zhen will follow him closely. During the mid-autumn festival of one year, Zhao Pu brought two and a half young servants from the palace to say that he was going to catch river crabs."

The corners of Bai Yutang's mouth twitched, "He was boring enough when he was a child, wouldn't it be enough to buy a few crabs for the Mid-Autumn Festival?"

"It's cold in late autumn, Zhao Pu didn't let Zhao Zhen go down the river, but told him to wait at home, and he couldn't tell the prince and concubine, otherwise he wouldn't let him go." Zhan Zhao continued, "But in the evening, it rained heavily Yes, after looking at the sky in the yard, Zhao Zhen sneaked out of the palace with two bundles of rope without an umbrella."

Bai Yutang was puzzled—why?

"Zhao Zhen found Zhao Pu and two boys who were trapped in a tree by the river. It turned out that they encountered a mountain torrent." Zhan Zhao laughed, "The water suddenly came down from the mountain. Zhao Pu held the trunk with one hand, Pulling two young men with one hand, there was nothing to do, and saw Zhao Zhen reach the shore. Zhao Pu was frightened when he saw that he was trapped by a rope and tied to a tree. , Hurry home and call for someone. Zhao Zhen said that if he goes home and calls for someone, Zhao Pu will not want to leave the palace for at least a year, so he went into the water."

Bai Yutang rubbed his chin, amused, "With Zhao Pu's character, let's not say that he won't compete with Zhao Zhen for the throne from now on, he will go through fire and water."

"No, it's said that Zhao Zhen had exhausted all his strength when he swam to the tree, and Zhao Pu dragged him and the two boys to the other side by himself by the rope." Zhan Zhao smiled, "Everyone will be drowned when we go. Zhao Zhen said that he forgot to bring an umbrella when he ran out, and Zhao Pu went to find him, so the prince and princess did not pursue the matter. Afterwards, Zhao Zhen fell ill for three days and almost died of fever."

Bai Yutang frowned, "Is your nature so pure?"

"I thought so too at first." Zhan Zhao smiled slightly, "But guess what Zhao Zhen said to Zhao Pu when he woke up?"

Bai Yutang shook his head.

"When he saw Zhao Pu feeling guilty, he said, why are you sad? As long as I don't die, this time I will win!"

Bai Yutang understood and nodded, "It's not that easy to make Zhao Pu surrender. When Zhao Zhen was eight years old, he took a gamble with his life, and finally won the bet, in exchange for Zhao Pu's lifelong loyalty."

Zhan Zhao nodded.

"What about the third one?" Bai Yutang became curious about Zhao Zhen.

"The three concubines in the harem each have their own characteristics, but they have never quarreled." Zhan Zhao smiled and patted Bai Yutang on the shoulder. It's like it doesn't exist!"

Bai Yutang nodded in approval, "Very convincing."

Zhan Zhao asked Bai Yutang with his hands behind his back, "So what do you think of this emperor?"

Bai Yutang thought for a while, "Better emperor than Zhao Pu."

Zhan Zhao nodded, "Master Bao also said the same thing."

The two chatted softly, and when they entered the garden, they saw the busy palace maids and eunuchs coming and going.

The little maids are all looking forward to Zhan Zhao's coming soon. Today is really eye-catching. In addition to being watched by the Ninth Prince, there is also a beautiful scholar and a child like a porcelain doll, plus Zhan Zhao...

It's just that the maids were far from expecting the surprise to come. Zhan Zhao not only brought himself, but also a handsome man in white clothes, so that the maids almost fell off the Jiuqu Bridge into the carp pond.

Gongsun was still puzzled, and asked Zhan Zhao and Bai Yutang who were walking up, "So slow? Didn't you two come earlier?"

Zhan Zhao is embarrassed, it's hard to say that he got lost again.

It was Bai Yutang who said, "I ran into Ouyang at the door and chatted with them."

Gongsun nodded.

After Zhan Zhao and Bai Yutang sat down, they looked around, but they didn't see Zhao Pu, so they asked Gongsun, "Where is Zhao Pu?"

"Jiujiu came here just now and left." The fourth son was holding a pomegranate, which was fiery red, and he didn't know who gave it to him.

Gongsun whispered to Zhan Zhao and Bai Yutang, "The banquet seems to be in the courtyard inside, let us sit and rest here first, Zhao Pu said to prepare."

Zhan Zhao and Bai Yutang were a little curious - should Zhao Pu prepare the dinner himself?

A maid brought tea, Yue Ya'er squatted next to Sizi to help him break pomegranates, Chen Xing'er sat next to Master Bao with a teacup and looked around curiously.Mr. Bao was very kind, he helped her peel an orange, and told her about the structure of the garden.

Many ministers came over one after another, and when they came to him, they all exchanged greetings with Mr. Bao, and they didn't pay much attention to etiquette.

Grand Master Pang also came, with a big belly, followed by a young man who looked about eighteen or nineteen years old and looked okay, but he felt a little slippery and a bit dandy.

Everyone looked at each other tacitly—little crab, Anle Hou Pangyu.

Grand Master Pang introduced everyone to Pang Yu. Pang Yu saluted very politely, and then followed his father to sit aside and wait.

Bai Yutang looked at Zhan Zhao, and Gongsun was also curious - it doesn't look so annoying.

Zhan Zhao looked up at the sky, and pouted at Master Bao, which means - Master Bao is here, of course he is being honest, I dare not be dishonest.

"Master." Yue Ya'er moved behind Bai Yutang and Zhan Zhao, and said to them, "I saw a woman at the door just now."

Zhan Zhao and Bai Yutang looked at each other, and Gongsun teased her amusedly, "Oh, it's so amazing to see a woman!"

Crescent Moon flattened her mouth, indicating that she was serious!

Bai Yutang asked, "Who did you see?"

"It seems to be Xing'er." Yue Ya'er said uncertainly.

Zhan Zhao was slightly taken aback.

"I saw it too!" Chen Xing'er ran over with an orange in her hand, and nodded with Yue Ya'er, "It's just at the gate of the palace, but she was dressed so strangely that we didn't dare to recognize her. She should have come into the palace."

Bai Yutang sounded fresh, "Enter the palace?"

"Why did Xing'er enter the palace?" Zhan Zhao also expressed his incomprehension.

"She's not alone, she's with a group of women..." Before she finished speaking, Yue Ya'er suddenly took a breath, covered her mouth and looked ahead.

Zhan Zhao and Bai Yutang were slightly taken aback, then looked back.

I saw a person walking up to them.

The two were sitting, looked up, and saw a man in his 30s, with a long body and well-proportioned bones, a face like a crown of jade, clear eyes, thin beard, well-trimmed, elegant and noble.He was dressed in purple plain clothes, with a golden official hosta on his head, black hair reaching his waist, elegant and chic.

Bai Yutang and Zhan Zhao roughly knew what was wrong with Yueya'er—this Yueya'er was different from ordinary girls. Logically speaking, at her age of sixteen or seventeen, she should be in love with those boys in their early twenties.The girls in Kaifeng Mansion have many choices, Zhan Zhao, Bai Yutang, Gongsun, Zhao Pu, four completely different types of beautiful men, there is always one suitable for them... But Yue Ya'er doesn't like any of them, she only likes uncle.

Yueya'er had a crush on Tianzun before, of course it was a joke with Chen Xing'er, she felt it was a pity all day long, why didn't Tianzun grow a beard?Not enough uncle!

But now this noble "uncle" in front of him has completely hit Yue Ya'er's heart, even Bai Yutang and Zhan Zhao think she should like it.

Chen Xing'er grabbed Yue Ya'er's arm, "Calm down! Drooling!"

When Bao Zheng saw the person coming, he stood up and saluted, "My lord."

"Baoxiang, you're back." The man smiled very nicely.

Bai Yutang glanced at Zhan Zhao, and Zhan Zhao gestured with the character "eight" with his hand under the table.

Bai Yutang knew in his heart that this was the legendary handsome and virtuous king, Zhao Defang, the Eighth King.

When the Eighth Prince came, many people came to say hello.

Zhan Zhao and Bai Yutang were watching the Eighth Prince's reply and speech, and they looked at each other silently - did this prince come out of an ancient painting?There is a sense of elegance in the legend, so classic... It's not easy to look so good with a beard!

The two were in a daze, the Eighth Prince smiled at Zhan Zhao, "Guard Zhan, long time no see."

Zhan Zhao came back to his senses, and stood up to return the gift to the Eighth Prince. He also wondered, actually, he had met him a few times before, and every time he saw him, he was more handsome than before...

Bao Zheng introduced everyone to the Eighth Prince one by one.

The Eighth Prince looked modest and gentle...or to be more precise, gentle, even his voice had a quiet feeling, and he wore a wide-sleeved robe, showing the style of the Wei and Jin Dynasties described by Gu Kaizhi, the attitude of a famous official.

The fourth son was holding a pomegranate, his expression was almost as surprised as that of Yue Yue'er.

The Eighth Prince had seen him a long time ago and praised him for being cute.

Gongsun picked up the fourth son, and said to the fourth son, "Call someone."

The fourth son came back to his senses, "What's your name?"

The Eighth Prince reached out to hug him.

Yue Ya'er covered her heart, while Chen Xing'er kept fanning her to keep her from getting dizzy!

When the Eighth Prince was holding the fourth son, his wrist was exposed, and Bai Yutang looked at Zhan Zhao - he was very thin.

Zhan Zhao is helpless—is he a civil servant after all?

The fourth son touched the Eighth Prince's arm, feeling inexplicably guilty about whether he was too fat. This handsome uncle was a little thinner than his father.

The fourth son also owed his hand, and subconsciously stroked the eighth prince's beard.

Gongsun poked his butt from behind, "Don't be rude, call him the Eighth Prince."

The fourth son turned around and asked the Eighth Prince curiously, "Are you ranked eighth? Are you Jiujiu's elder brother?"

"Jiujiu? You mean Zhao Pu?" The Eighth Prince amused him, "Yes, I am his elder brother."

"I'm ranked fourth." When Xiao Si heard about this, Zhao Pu's brother liked him more and more, "My nickname is Xiao Si, is your nickname Xiao Ba?"

Gongsun Fu forehead.

The Eighth Prince was naturally not angry, just as he was about to say something to the fourth son, Zhao Pu poked his head out from the inner courtyard, as if he was waiting for him, rushed out in two or three steps, "Brother!"

The Eighth King saw Zhao Pu at a glance, and was pleasantly surprised.

Zhao Pu rushed close, frowning, "Why don't you grow a beard and beard!" He took the fourth son with one hand, and touched the prince's arm with the other, "Skinny!"

The Eighth Prince doesn't care about this, he hasn't seen Zhao Pu for a long time, "I just sent people to look for you everywhere, but you didn't see him, and you came running as soon as I left, telling me to take a look."

Gongsun took over the fourth son, and the Eighth Prince pulled Zhao Pu over to examine him carefully, then reached out and patted his shoulder, "Being even more powerful."

While speaking, a white-haired old eunuch walked to the gate of the courtyard, "My lords, please take your seats."

The civil and military people waiting in the courtyard got up one after another and entered the inner courtyard in twos and threes.

Bao Zheng also led the crowd to stand up.

Bai Yutang deliberately walked behind, and Zhan Zhao followed him, asking in a low voice, "How is it? How do you feel?"

Bai Yutang glanced around, "The guards are stricter than imagined, and there are more masters than imagined." Then, he looked back at Yueya'er and Chen Xing'er.

Chen Xing'er is fine, but Yue Ya'er is a little dumbfounded... Bai Yutang is also helpless, this girl has always been shrewd, this is the first time she has seen a nympho commit such a crime.

Zhan Zhao was amused, and asked Bai Yutang, "Is it all right?"

"I guess I've moved on." Bai Yutang raised his eyebrows, "My master was squeezed out by the Eighth Prince."

"No."

Unexpectedly, Yue Ya'er suddenly came back to her senses, and shook her head resolutely, "Tianzun is still the first!"

Zhan Zhao and Bai Yutang looked at her puzzled, "Can you still keep No.1?"

"That's why Tianzun's shortcoming is that he doesn't have a beard. It would be nice to keep it!" Yue Ya'er touched her chin, looked at the Eighth Prince who was walking forward with Zhao Pu's shoulders, and said with emotion, "This...anything is good , it’s just too literary and weak!”

While discussing, a large group of people came, they came from another Jiuqu bridge, and walked across from Zhan Zhao and the others.

These people are not wearing the clothes of the Han people, they should be envoys from the vassal state.

Zhan Zhao glanced roughly, Bai Yutang didn't look at it because he wasn't interested, but he felt Yueya'er and Chen Xing'er behind him reaching up and grabbing his sleeve at the same time.

Bai Yutang looked back at the two of them, and the two girls kept winking at him, "Look, young master, that's Xing'er!"

Both Zhan Zhao and Bai Yutang were stupefied, and looked in the direction the two girls were looking at - how could Xing'er be here?