My name is Chang An, your name is Gu Li

After a moment of silence, Chang An said, "I have no talent and cannot be their son-in-law."

"There is only one Gu Li in my heart, in this life, the next life, and forever."

After saying that, he took a sip of wine. Yuan Qianyao was stunned for a moment, then said: "Of course I know what you think, little friend Chang, you don't have to be so angry."

"I know." Chang An nodded and said.

"But can you tell me why you, Chang Xiaoyou, don't want to take a concubine? People in Chang'an City only know that you don't want to take a concubine, but they don't know why you don't take a concubine and remarry." Yuan Qianyao asked at this time, "But if Chang Xiaoyou doesn't want to tell me, just regard it as my impoliteness, and I will come to apologize in the future."

Chang An shook his head and said, "It's okay, it's not something shameful. No one has ever asked me about this before..."

"All ears."

"I wonder if you could answer me first, Mr. Yuan, why would a woman cry?" Chang An kept the question in suspense and asked back.

"Most of them are because of grievance, sadness, or not getting what they want. A few are because of anger, and I don't know the rest." Yuan Qianyao thought for a while and replied.

"But my wife cried because she felt that what she gave me was far from enough." Chang An picked up the wine glass, clinked it with Yuan Qianyaoxu, and drank it all in one gulp.

"She would stamp her feet and cry because she couldn't help me. Sometimes, she would cry because she was not good enough and not worthy of me. But after she finished crying, she didn't just let it go. Instead, she would find ways to solve the reason for her crying."

"From the moment she married into my Chang family, she gave me everything. The dowry and her maids were all transferred to my name."

"She wished she could make her own food and drink. She wished she could weave my clothes and things herself. She put all her private money and dowry, except for what she needed, in the storehouse at home."

Yuan Qianyao was silent, then he picked up the wine glass and drank with Chang An again. Then Chang An said, "When I went to school, all the housework fell on her shoulders. A pregnant lady took care of all the housework after I got out of school."

"What a simple little girl, she foolishly gave me everything she had..."

Chang An sighed deeply and said, "My mother has passed away. I don't believe there is another woman in the world who is willing to give me everything she has."

Yuan Qianyao smiled and said, "No wonder you favor her so much, it's all just empathy. But it is this empathy that has firmly tied down a great talent like you."

He continued to eat and drink in the hall, occasionally toasting with some ministers. As usual, the tenth toast ended and he was allowed to move around freely.

Even Yuan Qianyao stood up to communicate with other ministers, but Chang An did not intend to leave. Instead, he sat where he was, looking at the night sky outside the hall, his eyes moving slightly.

In the hall, the dancers were dancing in the center, their sleeves flying, singing and dancing, while the ministers were communicating in the two areas on the left and right. Even though the dancers were heavily scented with perfume, their dancing was still very moving.

As the main musician of this banquet, Li Guinian's music was naturally pleasing to the eyes, but Chang An's heartstrings did not waver at all. As usual, he just watched

Li Longji also saw Chang'an's expression at this time, and then he made a look at Cheng Gonggong. After Cheng Gonggong understood, he came down directly, walked to Chang'an's side, and whispered: "Marquis Dingkang."

"Eunuch Cheng." Chang An turned around and smiled at Eunuch Cheng.

"Marquis Dingkang looks like this, but the dance is not pretty?" Eunuch Cheng asked, sitting next to him.

Chang An smiled and replied, "It's beautiful, but why should I look at it? I would rather look at my wife at home with her plain face than at these vulgar women."

After he finished speaking, he picked up the wine glass and said, "Eunuch Cheng, do you want to have a drink too?"

"The lady of the county is still waiting at home. How dare we let Marquis Dingkang drink more?" Eunuch Cheng smiled and wanted to refuse.

But Chang An picked up an empty wine glass from the table, placed it in front of Eunuch Cheng, and poured him a glass. Eunuch Cheng looked back at Li Longji in embarrassment, and the other smiled and nodded at him, which was considered as agreement.

So Eunuch Cheng drank a glass with him, and when drinking, no matter how Chang An pressed, Eunuch Cheng was the one who kept pushing the glass down. If Chang An hadn't lifted Eunuch Cheng's glass with one hand at the end, the two would still be passing it back and forth.

After they finished drinking, Eunuch Cheng asked, "Marquis Dingkang has been out for so long, do you miss your wife at home?"

Chang An smiled and nodded, and then Eunuch Cheng said, "Don't be anxious, Marquis Dingkang. His Majesty has just sent someone home to inform the lady, so you don't have to worry."

Chang An was stunned for a moment, and Eunuch Cheng continued, "There are two more ceremonies. Once they are completed, it will be the reward from His Majesty. After the reward of each minister is completed, our family will definitely be the first to send you home."

"Thank you, Eunuch Cheng."

"Marquis Dingkang is too kind," said Eunuch Cheng with a smile, "but why is Marquis Dingkang unwilling to go and have a chat with the adults and have a drink?"

"You can't drink. Didn't Eunuch Cheng know that when he came?"

Eunuch Cheng nodded and said, "It was our family that neglected it."

"In that case, Marquis Dingkang can sit where he is and eat something until the banquet is over."

Chang An sighed and continued to eat, while Eunuch Cheng returned to Li Longji's side. Li Ying noticed that Chang An was alone, so he walked back and asked:

"Chang Yonghe, why don't you go and chat with them?"

"Is there anything we can talk about? If it's simple, just some polite words. If there's someone who's drunk and comes to propose marriage directly... there's no need. And I don't plan to drink much tonight, so I'll just sit here and eat something."

Li Ying nodded, and then suddenly Li Longji said, "Marquis Dingkang."

Chang An stood up at this time, saluted to Li Longji, and responded: "Your Majesty, I am here."

"Today is the Winter Solstice, and all the ministers are gathered together. I wonder if you can write a poem or article for this banquet to help liven up the atmosphere. What do you think?" Li Longji asked.

"Your Majesty, of course it is possible."

"Come here, give me the Four Treasures of the Study!" Li Longji smiled, finally finding something for this kid to do.

The four treasures of the study were brought in quickly. Chang An simply cleared the table and then asked, "Your Majesty, do you have any requests?"

“No requirements, just do it as you like.”

Chang An nodded slightly, and then, like some famous poets, he picked up the wine bottle, drank it, and started writing. Eunuch Cheng was standing behind him at this time, watching Chang An finish the whole poem.

“The Congratulations—

The lights are on for the winter solstice, and the palace is as bright as the sun at night. The zither and the harp are in harmony, and the dancing girls are dancing. The music is full of joy and happiness. The tables are filled with delicacies, and the dance is melodious. The glass cups are filled with delicacies, and the music is pleasant and the dance sleeves are fluttering. The singing is loud and the intoxication is strong.

The people are happy and contented, and the poetic rhythms are flying. The horses are galloping like gods, and the cranes are singing and dancing like fairies. In the prosperous times, the people are happy and contented, and the granaries are full with good weather and good harvests. The mountains and rivers are picturesque and poetic, and the world is peaceful and tranquil. The music is rising, and the world is peaceful.

May my emperor live as long as the Southern Mountains, and his descendants prosper for thousands of years. May the world be united and the prosperity last forever. Xiangru praised the prosperity with his writing, and Taibai praised the heroic spirit with his poems. When the banquet was over, everyone left, leaving only my heart. Let’s share the beauty of the moon together.

After the poem was written, it was read out by Eunuch Cheng himself. Li Longji smiled at this moment, and it was obvious that he was very satisfied with this long poem - after all, who doesn't like to hear others praise themselves?

"Marquis Dingkang, this is a good poem. Do you want any reward?" Li Longji asked with great pleasure.

"I dare not ask for reward. Everything is decided by Your Majesty." As for Chang'an, after writing the poem and responding, he continued to sit back.

......

After waiting for twelve rounds of worship, it was finally time for the winter solstice rewards.

At this time, Eunuch Cheng and a eunuch brought several scrolls of silk books and respectfully placed them in front of Li Longji. Then Eunuch Cheng took out another scroll and handed it to Li Longji.

After Li Longji opened it, he asked directly: "Where is Dingkang Marquis Chang Yonghe?"

"The minister is here."

"Two pieces of silk children's clothes, two pairs of children's shoes and socks, two gold imperial locks of immortality, and two pairs of gold wire bracelets." Li Longji recited, but it would be more accurate to say that he "recited" it rather than recited it.

After all, the letters for other ministers were written by others, but Chang An's letter had to be reviewed personally by him.

"Thank you, Your Majesty. Thank you for your grace. Long live the Emperor!"

Li Longji nodded slightly and said, "Those who have received the reward can leave first."

As soon as he finished speaking, Eunuch Cheng consciously left Li Longji's side, walked to his side holding a gift for Chang'an, and said, "Marquis Dingkang, please."

Chang An nodded, took the box from Eunuch Cheng, and followed him away.

At this time, the sky outside was not very dark, because there were still a few stars hanging in the sky. At this time, Eunuch Cheng said, "Don't worry, Marquis Dingkang, it's curfew now. We have the emperor's order, and we guarantee that we will have no obstacles along the way."

Chang An responded with a smile: "Of course I trust Eunuch Cheng unconditionally."

"Marquis Dingkang, this is a reward written by His Majesty himself. Are you satisfied?"

"Of course I am satisfied. These are the best rewards for me."

Eunuch Cheng smiled and nodded, saying, "As long as you like it."

They soon arrived at the gate of Xingqing Palace. After Eunuch Cheng showed the golden imperial edict, he took Chang An out of the palace, got on the carriage, and headed towards the Dingkang Marquis Mansion.