Huangxiu

Chapter 109 Banquet

The wind was howling and the heavy snow was dancing.

The Mingyue Tower was brightly lit in the snow and wind, and the music and singing continued, making it extremely noisy.

The house where Chu Zhiyuan lived was not far from Mingyue Tower and was also brightly lit at this time.

Under the strong wind, strings of lanterns swayed violently and were thrown up from time to time, as if they were about to be pulled into the air and fly away at any time.

Chu Zhiyuan stood at the gate to welcome the guests.

Guo Chi and the other three surrounded him, keeping the wind and snow out.

Zou Fang was busy inside and outside the palace, directing the servants in the palace to serve and taking on the responsibilities of the general manager.

Chu Mingxuan and his group came over quickly, and all the princes and heirs of the Mingwu Palace arrived, instantly making the house lively.

Among the eight small dukes, four had already left Beijing, one was injured and could not attend the banquet, leaving only three small dukes who agreed to come after receiving Chu Zhiyuan's invitation.

Chu Zhiyuan had just sent Chu Mingxuan and the others in when three young men came towards them.

Surrounded by guards, the one leading the group was Song Tianhai, and beside him were brothers Ye Baitao and Ye Baichuan.

Chu Zhiyuan raised his eyebrows.

The brothers Ye Baitao and Ye Baichuan are not minor dukes, but the second and third sons of the Shouguo Mansion.

The young duke of Shouguo Mansion was injured and could not come, but unexpectedly Ye Baitao and Ye Baichuan came.

And he came with Song Tianhai.

Song Tianhai and the other two came out of the luxurious carriage and rushed over. Even though they were wearing sable furs and hats, they still kept their heads down.

Seeing Chu Zhiyuan standing there calmly and calmly, like a jade tree standing in the wind, not affected by the strong wind and snowstorm at all, the three of them snorted inwardly.

"Young Master Song, Brother Ye, welcome." Chu Zhiyuan clasped his fists and smiled: "Please come in and take a seat."

"We two brothers have come uninvited, you won't be unwelcome, right?" Ye Baitao said.

Chu Zhiyuan smiled and said, "There's no reason not to welcome guests."

"That's good." Ye Baitao snorted.

Ye Baichuan said: "Brother couldn't come, and he felt guilty, so he asked us two brothers to come on his behalf."

Chu Zhiyuan nodded: "Young Master Ye, you are too polite."

This is considered to give face to himself, the Prince Qing.

Just at this moment, a carriage stopped in the distance, and Guo Huaian, who was as burly and strong as a bear, got out and strode over with great strides and an imposing manner.

He came closer and saluted: "Young Master, Second Master Ye, Third Master Ye, Huai'an greets you!"

Song Tianhai waved his hand and frowned, "Why are you here?"

Chu Zhiyuan smiled and nodded to Guo Huaian who was bowing with his fists clasped. "I asked Lord Guo to come and join in the fun... Lord Guo came to the palace to apologize today. He didn't go in, but stood outside, facing the wind and snow. People who knew him would think he was apologizing, but those who didn't would think the palace was punishing him."

Song Tianhai said: "This old Guo is just a scoundrel, there is no need to bother with him."

He frowned secretly.

I'm afraid Chu Zhiyuan guessed that Guo Huaian acted under his instructions!

But so what!
Chu Zhiyuan said with a smile: "Please come in quickly, don't freeze yourself, Lord Guo, don't be so reserved, just be casual."

"Yes, thank you Sir."

Song Tianhai and the other two entered the gate together with Guo Huaian.

Guo Huaian took a step back to show his respect, while Song Tianhai and the other two continued chatting and laughing without paying any attention to him.

Chu Zhiyuan exchanged a few pleasantries with him, not letting him feel left out.

Although Song Tianhai encouraged Guo Huaian to do things, he didn't care much about Guo Huaian's feelings.

After all, he was destined to inherit the title of Duke. Guo Huaian would never be able to be promoted to Duke in several lifetimes and would never be able to be on equal footing with him.

The eight dukes died with the country, which was their contribution to the founding of the country.

In today's world, under the current circumstances, there is no such great achievement.

Guo Huaian looked calm and didn't seem to mind being ignored.

Chu Zhiyuan secretly laughed in his heart.

Guo Huaian is an ambitious man. He is not willing to be just a marquis. He is willing to do anything as long as it will help him get promoted and make achievements.

After sending them in, Chu Mingxuan greeted them warmly, acting like half a host, and they chatted and laughed together.

Chu Zhiyuan continued to go outside to greet the guests.

A carriage that looked simple at first glance but was actually luxurious came in the snow and approached, surrounded by a group of guards.

A handsome and elegant young man stepped out of the carriage.

Chu Zhiyuan recognized at a glance that this was Bai Yangqing, the young master of the Renguo Mansion.

He stepped forward to greet him, clasped his fists and said with a smile: "Young Master, it is really a sin to leave the house in such weather. Thank you very much!"

"How can I refuse the young prince's kindness?" Bai Yangqing, who was as gentle as a scholar, smiled.

He remained elegant and graceful in the storm, and his snow-white sable fur coat and hat added a touch of elegance and luxury to him.

Chu Zhiyuan showed a grateful look on his face and invited him in. When he sent Bai Yangqing in and came back, he saw a red sandalwood carriage slowly approaching, and the one who got off was Xiao Ruoyu, the young master of the Anguo Mansion.

Chu Zhiyuan immediately smiled, stepped forward, clasped his fists and said, "I've been waiting for you, come in quickly."

Xiao Ruoyu suddenly felt embarrassed: "Am I the last one?"

"Young Master Song and his men have just arrived." Chu Zhiyuan said, "Just in time, let's go."

He walked in with Xiao Ruoyu and asked, "Your sister hasn't left the house recently, has she?"

"My eldest sister rarely went out of the house. After listening to your instructions, she stopped going out and only invited the second young lady of the Duke Kangguo's house to come over to play."

"We also have to be on guard against Cheng Tianfeng going crazy."

"This guy!" Xiao Ruoyu's face suddenly darkened and he was extremely angry.

Although Xiao Ruoyu was introverted and disliked socializing, the people in the Duke's Mansion were familiar with each other, so he didn't feel restrained.

After coming in, he greeted everyone with a smile.

When Song Tianhai saw him, his expression changed slightly, and he squinted his eyes. When Xiao Ruoyu greeted him, Song Tianhai couldn't help but ask, "Is your elder sister okay?"

His words made Chu Mingxuan frown beside him, and Chu Zhiyao's face darkened slightly.

Now Xiao Ruoling is already Chu Zhiyuan's Crown Princess, and they are just waiting for a date to marry.

Other men have to avoid her and can no longer express their love and concern.

Xiao Ruoyu also frowned, but pretended not to hear what he said and directly greeted Bai Yangqing next to him.

The two of them were very familiar with each other and chatted and laughed.

Song Tianhai's expression became gloomy.

Chu Zhiyuan laughed secretly.

That's right.

Seeing Xiao Ruoyu, I don't believe that Song Tianhai won't be moved by the scene, feel sad and resentful, drink to drown his sorrows, and take the opportunity to get drunk and go crazy.

If I get drunk and go crazy, will I direct all my hatred towards myself?

If I were drunk too, could I beat him up?
As the eldest son of Prince Qing's Mansion, if he wants to deal with the young master of the Duke's Mansion, he has to go through so much trouble and cannot act arbitrarily.

That's the rule.

You have to follow the rules.

……

Fine wine and delicious food were served continuously, and everyone sat around a large round table that could accommodate less than 30 people.

They were all young people, and they all knew each other. They talked casually and drank happily.

Soon everyone was drinking and the atmosphere was very lively.

"I heard that the Mongolian delegation will be coming soon." Chu Zhiyuan started the conversation.

Chu Mingxuan said: "That's right, the Mongolian delegation will arrive in a few days, and it will be lively then!"

"Don't send the Dazhen delegation away in advance?" someone asked.

"The court wanted to send them away, but the matter could not be settled. There was nothing we could do. We were stuck there and could only delay the matter."

"Is there anything else that hasn't been discussed yet?"

"It seems to be about a marriage, right, Uncle Eighteen?" asked a prince.

Chu Mingxuan shook his head: "I don't know about this. I haven't paid much attention to Dazhen recently. I have been busy with my own things."

"Which camp is Uncle Eighteen going to?"

"I haven't thought about it yet. I've been thinking about it."

"Everyone, I know where the stalemate is." Guo Huaian laughed and said, "In fact, the news has spread, and everyone knows it privately."

He was elated.

Sitting at the very end of the seats, he had no inferiority complex at all. He did not dare to speak because of the princes and young masters. Instead, he kept chatting and laughing with them.

"Old Guo, tell me what you think." Ye Baichuan said with a smile.

"It is indeed because of the marriage." Guo Huaian smiled and said, "Dazhen insisted on marrying the princess to Prince Yuan, but the court firmly disagreed and wanted the twenty-third prince to marry Princess Dazhen."

Among them, there is no Twenty-Third Prince.

He is still young and has not yet entered the Mingwu Palace.

Everyone looked at each other and then at Chu Zhiyuan.

Chu Zhiyuan laughed and said, "Dazhen is holding a grudge against me. She knew I was already engaged, but she insisted on joining in the fun and deliberately sabotaging it."

"Yes, Dazhen does have bad intentions." Chu Mingxuan snorted.

Ye Baitao said: "In fact, even if the engagement is already established, it is not impossible to cancel it. As long as the emperor issues an imperial decree and it is beneficial to the country, it is nothing."

Chu Zhiyuan looked over with a smile.

(End of this chapter)