Chapter 57: Banquet

Zhang Yuelu submitted the record to Jinque through the Xun Fu array, waiting for Jinque's reply.

Although Qi Xuansu cannot resume his post before Jinque's official reply, he is no longer strictly under house arrest, as long as he does not leave the Imperial Capital.

This period of time is a rare rest time for Qi Xuansu, because he has not resumed his post yet, and he does not need to and cannot participate in the investigation. Now the case of Gao Mingyin's death has been transferred to Zhang Yuelu. And because he is no longer under house arrest, he can move freely in the eight inner city districts and the four outer cities, and can do some private things.

The day after Qi Xuansu gained partial freedom, he received an invitation from his immediate superior.

This immediate superior is not Zhang Yuelu, but Zhang Yuelu's uncle Shi Bingyun.

Shi Bingyun invited not only Qi Xuansu, but also Qi Xuansu and Zhang Yuelu. However, Zhang Yuelu considered that she was now inspecting the Imperial Capital on behalf of Jinque, and there were many eyes watching her. It was not good for her to be too close to Qi Xuansu who had not yet resumed her post, nor to be too close to Shi Bingyun who represented the Imperial Capital. So she declined Shi Bingyun's invitation on the pretext of going to the Yuyu of the Jade Emperor Palace, and let Qi Xuansu go alone.

Qi Xuansu understood Zhang Yuelu's concerns. After all, there was Li Changge watching next to her, and Li Ruoshui was also watching the Imperial Capital, so it was really hard to force her, so she went to the banquet alone.

The venue for Shi Bingyun's banquet was not far from the Taiping Inn branch by the Penglai Pond. It was also in the Haosheng Southeast Square, a private courtyard.

When Qi Xuansu first arrived in the Imperial Capital, he knew that Haosheng Southeast Square was a very special square. First, most of the area was occupied by Penglai Pond, and then the lakeside was divided up by the dignitaries. Many people regarded this place as a good place to escape the summer heat, and some people regarded it as a place to hide their mistresses.

Qi Xuansu had also heard that the people who could hide their mistresses in this place were not ordinary dignitaries. At least they had to be Hou Bo, or officials of the third rank or above. Of course, the mistresses who could be hidden here were not ordinary women. They were all very valuable. It was not just about their appearance, but also about other skills. Beauty was not rare, but beauty who could write poems and lyrics and was famous was very rare, or had other identities, such as a certain family, a female knight, a fairy, a demon, a witch, a female head of the police, etc.

The Daxuan Law was inherited from the previous dynasty, so there was no polygamy system, only monogamy and multiple concubines. Concubines were divided into "noble concubines" and "lowly concubines". If a betrothal gift was given, the family background was good, and the maiden family was not bad, but she had to marry into a family with a higher status than her own family for other reasons, she was a "noble concubine". Although she had to obey the wife, she was not allowed to be beaten and scolded. There were also those who gave birth to sons, and the sons were also very good. The mother was honored by the sons, and she could be regarded as a "noble concubine".

In addition to these two types, other concubines, maids, women's redemption, and widows remarrying were all "lowly concubines".

You should know that the gap between the wife and the lowly concubines is so big that the wife can beat, kill, and sell the lowly concubines at will, almost like an item.

Lowly concubines can only let the wife squeeze and round them at will. The concubines are much freer, and there is no need to look at other people's faces. Moreover, many people's concubines have to work, just like slaves, while the concubines are generally served by maids, and not everyone can afford to support concubines.

After all, it's still a matter of peace money.

Don't say that people can't be measured by money. Qi Xuansu doesn't believe this. When his life was the most expensive, it was worth 20,000 worry-free money. Gao Mingyin personally offered the price.

Of course, it's definitely not worth that much now. This person's life also has a market, which can be high or low, and it keeps changing according to the market.

Qi Xuansu also heard that Haosheng Dongnanfang always makes some jokes, such as the wife brings people to the door and tears up the concubine.

This is something that is hard to see in the Taoist sect. After all, the Taoist sect has very strict requirements in this regard. If anyone makes such a scandal, there will be no future. However, it is not a big deal in the court. It can only be regarded as a topic of conversation after dinner, a joke. For example, a certain master is not strong in the husband's power, and the concubine and the concubine are sold by his wife, or a certain master is lustful, and the concubine is spoiled and arrogant, and competes with the mistress.

Of course, there are also some families with wives and concubines. On the surface, they are harmonious, sisters and sisters, and they are happy.

But Qi Xuansu didn't have to think about it, he would never have such an opportunity in his life. If he betrayed Zhang Yuelu, there would be only two results, either Zhang Yuelu would break off relations with him and never have any contact with him, or Zhang Yuelu would take his life with a sword, at least he would be taught a profound lesson, there would be no such option as Zhang Yuelu crying to keep him or magnanimously tolerant him.

People in the court had a joke in private: Taoist women are all tigresses. If you marry a Taoist woman, whether you like it or not, you can only be a couple for life. For example, "Lao Qin" in Shi Bingyun's mouth, even if he didn't marry Shi Bingyun, he has been quite clean over the years, whether actively or passively, in short, he is a clear stream in the royal family, and is considered "crazy" by many royal nobles.

Of course, His Majesty the Emperor and a few top powerful figures are not included. In fact, "Lao Qin" is also OK, the key is that Shi Bingyun's rank and position are too high, and his background is deep enough, so he has trapped himself.

However, it was precisely because Shi Bingyun's position and rank were too high that the Dao Sect did not want Shi Bingyun to be a princess, unless Shi Bingyun gave up her title of True Person and her position as Deputy Palace Master.

Qi Xuansu thought about these messy things and unknowingly came to the gate of the villa.

Because he had not yet resumed his post, Qi Xuansu did not wear the official dress of the crane cloak, but only a Taoist robe. There was no scripture hanging around his waist, but only the "Nine Yang Fire Cover" was hung as a pendant like a jade pendant, which was not very eye-catching.

Qi Xuansu was still thinking that he should not encounter the situation of looking down on others, but he did not expect that the gatekeeper of this courtyard was very discerning. He was very respectful when they met, and guessed Qi Xuansu's identity in a few words, calling him "Master Qi" all the time, which made Qi Xuansu feel very emotional. However, he thought again, this is what the gatekeeper does. If he did not have a bit of discernment, he would offend people every few days and would have been kicked out long ago. Moreover, Shi Bingyun must have already explained that there would be guests visiting today, and the gatekeeper had already prepared.

Under the guidance of the gatekeeper, Qi Xuansu entered the courtyard. However, he did not go to the main hall, but walked through the corridor, passed the second gate, and went straight to the garden. There were no other female relatives in the courtyard, and there was no such thing as an inner house. There was no maid leading the way.

Because it was close to Penglai Pond, it was not difficult to bring water into the mansion of Dongnanfang. There was a small artificial lake in this courtyard, and there was a winding water corridor on the lake, leading to the water pavilion in the lake. Now it was winter, and charcoal basins were placed around the water pavilion. If it snowed, you could also sit around the stove and enjoy the snow.

The gateman stopped here, and Qi Xuansu walked through the water corridor alone and entered the water pavilion.

At this time, there were two people sitting in the water pavilion, one of whom was Qi Xuansu's immediate boss Shi Bingyun, and the other was a man who looked like he was in his forties. He was dressed in a stone-blue casual suit, with a long beard under his chin, a face like a crown jade, and a strange appearance. At first glance, he was a pampered person, and his expression was very chic.

Although Qi Xuansu was a man, he had to praise his good looks. As the saying goes, a man's demeanor will not be diminished by age. On the contrary, older men have a different charm than younger men. After all, many temperaments need to be precipitated by time. It also takes time to fade away the milky and immature taste. The man in front of him is a handsome man who has experienced the precipitation of time, like a jar of old wine.

Looking at the two sitting together, they are like an ordinary couple.

Qi Xuansu knew in his heart that this person was probably the "Old Qin" mentioned by Shi Bingyun.

Such a person, such an identity, such a beautiful appearance, and a reputation for being generous and generous, I think his temperament will not be bad, no wonder he can catch Shi Bingyun's eye.

As a junior, Qi Xuansu took the initiative to salute.

The two had already stood up, and Shi Bingyun introduced: "Tianyuan, this is the old Qin I often mentioned to you, the King of Jin appointed by the court."

Qi Xuansu called him "His Royal Highness the King of Jin". He had done his homework before coming to the Imperial Capital and knew that this His Royal Highness the King of Jin was one generation older than Qin Lingge in terms of seniority, and was of the same generation as His Majesty the Emperor and the King of Liao. He looked young, but was actually almost sixty years old, mainly because he had the ability to maintain his youthful appearance.

The royal family also has a set of seniority corresponding to Taoism: Guo Yi Xun Chao Zhuo Zhuo, Quan Heng Ben Zi Chong. This was not set by Emperor Gaozu, but by Emperor Taizong for future emperors, starting with the third generation of emperors from the "Guo" generation. Emperor Taizong and Xuansheng were of the same generation. If we count Emperor Taizong, who was not in the generation, to His Majesty the current Emperor, it happened to be seven generations, and the "Quan" generation corresponded to the seventh generation of disciples of Taoism, so this His Royal Highness the King of Jin was named Qin Quanyi.

Qin Lingge was of the "Heng" generation, but after he gave up his princely title, he also gave up this generational title. Later, he was named "Lingge", which was the same name as the Taoist master Ning Lingge.

Shi Bingyun said meaningfully: "We are all family, Tianyuan, don't be restrained."

Qi Xuansu understood in his heart that it seemed that the court was indeed not a monolithic entity. The King of Liao obviously stood on the side of Taiping Dao, while the King of Jin stood on the side of Zhengyi Dao.

Qi Xuansu apologized, "Qingxiao wanted to come with me, but Deputy Hall Master Li and Master Lu were waiting for her, so she couldn't get away, so she asked me to apologize to the Deputy Palace Master and His Royal Highness the Prince of Jin."

Shi Bingyun knew what he meant, and didn't care. He smiled and said, "Well, she is unlucky. Today, Lao Qin took out a jar of 'Drunken Life and Dreaming Death' from his wine cellar, and asked someone to catch a few pufferfish from the pond. He specially invited the chef of Taiping Inn to cook it."

Qi Xuansu had heard of the name of pufferfish for a long time, but he had never eaten it before. After coming to the Imperial Capital, he had seen a lot of luxury and enjoyment.

However, Qi Xuansu also knew that today's banquet was not just to celebrate his clearing of suspicion.

82 Chinese Network

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