Do you know: I’m Xu Jiazi

It’s not just Zhaomeifeng who is looking at each other;

The same is true for the generals of the Western Army.

Because the Western Army has been preparing for war for the past few days, Bai Gao has made some movements, but most of them are defensive troop movements.

There was no sign of any large army moving forward to retaliate and attack.

Bianjing,

royal palace,

Zhao Meifeng handed the few notes in the bamboo tube brought by the carrier pigeon back to his master.

He thought about the words on the note, 'Empress Liang went out to have an affair, was stabbed, and died' and asked with a puzzled expression:

"Your Majesty, why did the carrier pigeon in Northern Liao Kingdom deliver information from Bai Gao Kingdom?"

The emperor said in a deep voice:

"It was the Ministry of Rites of the Northern Liao State that directly told the Great Zhou Dynasty to the Northern Liao Guanyi! What do you think of this matter?"

The old Zhao Zilong did not speak, but glanced at Zhao Meifeng who looked thoughtful and signaled him to speak.

After a while, Zhaomei Feng said: "Your Majesty, if Beiliao has sold such a huge favor, it doesn't mean he knows what we, Da Zhou, will give in exchange."

Because after the Great Zhou Dynasty received the information from the Northern Liao Kingdom, the entire Western Army began to test, and soon the Baigao Kingdom's military contraction situation was tested.

There was constant exchange of news between Bianjing and the Western Army.

Countless supplies such as food for men and horses, bows, crossbows, and armor were transported in the cold wind and transported to the front line of the confrontation between the Great Zhou Dynasty and the Bai Gao Kingdom.

In this twelfth lunar month,

Many officials spend their time on the go.

Within the territory of Bai Gao Kingdom,

An elite scout from the Divine Warrior Division quietly poked his head out from behind a snow-covered boulder on the top of a mountain.

Looking at the Zhou army occupying a fortress in Bai Gao Kingdom not far away, he spat out bitterly and said:

"What are those gentlemen in Xingqing Mansion thinking? They want us to get out of such a crucial place."

Behind the stone, Bai Gaoguo's scout's partner said:

"This place is too close to the Great Zhou Dynasty and it is convenient for them to supply. Maybe the generals want to lure the enemy deeper and cut off their food and grass."

While talking, the two hid behind the stone again:

"When General Mimu Tuoxia comes back, we will follow his cavalry. These Zhou troops transporting grain, grass, wood and stone are just our Baigao Kingdom's supply transport team."

"Yes, please pray to the general to come back quickly!"

In their distant fortress of the original Bai Gao Kingdom,

The generals of the Western Army of the Great Zhou Dynasty were ordering their soldiers to take their army dogs to sniff around the fortress.

After a while, a hidden secret passage was discovered.

The soldiers of the Great Zhou Kingdom gathered around the deep entrance of the cave, and they all looked at one of the young commanders with admiration.

"General, how did you know that there might be a secret passage in this fortress?"

The young general with a long scar from the corner of his eye to his cheek said:

"It's just a common trick of the Bai Gao Kingdom. In the future, if you take part in several more attacks and defenses against the enemy, you will naturally understand these things after you survive."

"In addition, the decree of Bianjing has been transmitted from the big tent. Before the festival, our only errand is to reinforce, enlarge and deepen this fortress. It will become a sharp horn near the main city. They, Bai Gaoguo, want to lure The enemy goes deep? Humph."

"We took the bait, but we didn't move forward!"

When they heard that there was no need to go out to attack before the festival, the strong men of the Western Army at all levels wearing armor felt relieved.

Looking at the cunning look of his general, he laughed loudly:

"Your Majesty, Holy Might!"

"In addition, those who are above Dudu's head, wait and come to my tent, there will be rewards from the army!"

At night,

Under the bright moon,

Every senior officer in the fortress wore a cotton vest made of solid material and excellent warmth.

Also in the moonlight,

Bianjing, thousands of miles away,

It’s already the twenties of the twelfth lunar month,

Jiying Lane,

Sheng family,

The biting north wind at night caused the branches in the courtyard of Shouan Hall to sway.

The candlelight shone through the window paper into the corridor. Several maids carrying trays lowered their heads and passed through the opened curtains into the front hall.

In the front hall, where the temperature is much higher than outside, the Sheng family is gathering here happily.

Hualan was sitting next to Mrs. Sheng, holding a brocade-wrapped hand warmer in her hand.

Wang Ruofu and Sheng Hong sat at the bottom. Both husband and wife frowned in confusion, listening to their eldest daughter's words. Mother Liu behind them also listened attentively.

"Grandma, mother, got hit by a bamboo board. What do you think Brother Jing said?"

"Brother Jing is such a good boy, he must have said that I was wrong, mother!"

Wang Ruofu said firmly.

Hua Lan shook his head and looked at the old lady again.

The old lady shook her head and said, "Brother Jing is a clever guy. I can't guess what he will say."

"Father?"

Sheng Hong looked at Hua Lan, who was smiling and more lively than at home. He picked up the tea cup with one hand and waved his other hand with a smile:

"I can't guess it either, Hua'er, tell me quickly!"

"Brother Jing, say, 'Mother, have you not eaten?'"

"Cough cough cough"

"Ouch!"

"Brother Jing, you're such a monkey! Quick, give Hong'er a pat!"

"Father, are you okay? My daughter shouldn't have said that while you were drinking tea."

"It's okay, cough, it's okay! What next?"

Sheng Hong took the handkerchief and wiped his mouth and continued to ask curiously.

"Then Brother Jing said again, 'No, mother, haven't you had enough to eat?' This sentence made my mother-in-law cry."

Looking at Mrs. Sheng who was smiling, Hua Lan said:

"Before I came to our house, my mother-in-law hadn't spoken to Brother Jing for six days. But I heard that Brother Jing was trying his best to please my mother-in-law and calm her down."

Mrs. Sheng smiled and shook her head and said:

"That's good, Hua'er, you and your father and mother can go back, I'm tired too. Bring those few plates of food to Brother Jing when you go back."

After everyone thanked him, he left the Shou'an Hall.

The old lady glanced at Fang's mother next to her and said, "Oh, Brother Jing, why can't you speak so well?"

"I think Brother Xu Jing is thinking something different from what he said, and he is talking nonsense."

Arriving at the front hall of Wei Ruixuan,

Sheng Hong no longer sat upright and was much more relaxed than in Shou'an Hall.

He lay down in the chair and watched his eldest daughter and Wang Ruofu sitting on the Arhat bed and talking about themselves.

"Hua'er, I heard rumors before that your mother-in-law asked you to behave yourself?"

Wang Ruofu asked with great concern.

Hua Lan was stunned for a moment, then nodded, glanced at Sheng Hong sheepishly, and then whispered a few words in his mother's ear.

Behind Wang Ruofu, Liu's mother also heard the words. She looked at Hua Lan with surprise on her face.

After hearing this, Wang Ruofu nodded and said, "This seems like a simple matter, and it can be considered a good intention."

"Father, mother, when I go home this time, besides visiting my grandmother, I also have other things to do."

Looking at his father Sheng Hong, whose eyes were full of curiosity about Hua Lan's whisper, and Wang Ruofu, whose face was full of surprise, Hua Lan said:

"It's about Zhu's cousin. His eldest wife's maiden name is also Ni, and she has children who are studying. Our Sheng family and my mother's family have been married for generations. My mother-in-law knew that the places in the Sheng family school were full, so she wanted us to help Find a better book school so that the Ni family’s children can make progress!”

After hearing Hua Lan's words, Sheng Hong stroked his beard quite proudly and nodded.

"You and I!"

Wang Ruofu patted Hua Lan, and the surprise on his face disappeared as quickly as it came, turning into a look of disappointment.

Seeing the confusion on Hua Lan's face, Liu's mother whispered: "Miss, I think you are wrong."

Hualan understood immediately when she looked at Liu's mother's expression.

"Mother, where are you thinking?"

"Where can I go? Really, I don't care about my own affairs!"

"Then, did you bother to put in the work that my mother-in-law asked me to do?"

"Okay, got it!"

Hualan looked at her mother, hugged her happily and said:

"Mom, there is one more thing. Because His Majesty commended the two musicians, the new music has been rehearsed in the past few days, so my mother-in-law sent a message and asked her daughter to bring a few pieces back."

Wang Ruofu asked with a surprised look on his face: "The rehearsal is going on so fast? Do you know who is going?"

"Of course it will be fast. Jun Rongzhi sent musicians, and the etiquette department in charge of the teaching workshop also sent people. They are all powerful, so naturally it will be fast! The location is in the largest landscape garden in Fengle Building. I heard my mother-in-law say, I’ve posted a lot of posts.”

"Mom, will you take your sisters to meet you then?"

Wang Ruofu glanced at Sheng Hong and nodded.

"By the way, how is your sister-in-law's marriage going? Is there anyone you like?"

"Mom, the day after Brother Jing's accident, Mrs. Pan from the fifth room of Marquis Jinghai sent a gift from Dengzhou!"

"I'm asking you. Oh."

Sheng Hong on the side heard this and nodded.

In the secondary room of Wei Ruixuan,

The female servant Magpie was tucking Ru Lan into a quilt when her hand was suddenly grabbed by Ru Lan.

"girl?"

"Magpie, do you think my sister is more beautiful when she comes back this time?"

"What the girl said is that the slave also thinks that the eldest girl is much prettier than before, and she loves to laugh more."

"Hmm! This distinguished family is pretty good!"

The Landscape Garden in Fengle Building, the largest hotel in Bianjing City

There is a three-story wooden building connected to the main building of Fengle Building in Shanshui Garden.

The core of the wooden building is a stage, which was originally a venue for Bianjing Nanqu performances.

Jun Rongzhi and Jiaofangsi sometimes rent this place when rehearsing large-scale performances in Bianjing.

On this day, which is just a few days away from New Year’s Eve,

early in the morning,

The street on the Shanshuiyuan side was cleared.

A few dozen feet away from the door,

Then they started to put up blankets.

The ground dragon in the building was burned last night, and in the morning, the building was already warm.

It's three quarters past (around ten o'clock in the morning)

One after another, gorgeous or exquisite carriages arrived at the street and drove into the felt.

After getting off the carriage, the familiar stewardess led everyone into the building.

The first floor of the building is divided into different small rooms by screens, and the second and third floors are also filled with tables and chairs placed against railings.

No matter where you are, the view towards the stage is good.

Wang Ruofu took the children at home, and was led by the female envoy of the Ningyuan Hou family who came to help, to a compartment on the first floor of the building, next to the Xu family of Yongyi Hou.

Sanlan, the two sons of the Sheng family, who came to such an occasion for the first time, followed Wang Ruofu. On the way, they looked around at the carved beams and painted buildings with their heads raised in surprise.

While walking, we kept discussing and encountered all kinds of trendy fragrant clothes and pearls in Bianjing.

took a seat,

"Mother."

"Sister Hualan"

"sister!"

Seeing Hua Lan walking towards the side of the cubicle, everyone called for help.

Soon, Pingmei followed Bai and came nearby, where a group of in-laws were talking to each other.

Gu Tingye and Gu Tingyi were familiar with the sons and daughters of the Sheng family in Yangzhou, and they were chatting happily at this time.

From time to time, there are maids carrying various fruits and placing things on the table.

Mrs. Wu, on the other hand, did not stay in one place. She kept walking around the building, saying hello to the ladies from various families in Bianjing.

From time to time, a lady would grab Madam Wu to talk to her, either affectionately or in a flattering way.

The one who was affectionate was naturally introduced to a good marriage, and the one who was trying to please was hoping that Mrs. Wu could help with the relationship.

As for Liang Han and Liang Liulang, following their mother, they called aunt and uncle respectfully. Naturally, they received a wave of compliments.

Liang Han was a little embarrassed to praise him outright, but when he bowed, his eyes were filled with lust.

Arriving at Qiao's house, listening to her mother's words of praise for Liang Han, Qiao Jiu scanned him up and down as if she didn't know Liang Han. Liang Han looked at him and tilted his head in embarrassment.

Mrs. Wu looked into the distance, her eyes lit up and she said:

"Old sister, the British lady-in-law is here, so I will go there first."

Smiling and nodding with the Qiao family, Madam Wu came to the solemn British princess and bowed, "Sister."

The British duchess smiled and nodded, and then the two of them walked inside

Chatting while walking: "My sister has to worry about my Shiro and Wuro affairs."

Mrs. Wu said: "What are you talking about!"

The fifth lady of the Zhang family on the side asked her mother for instructions while they were talking, and then took the envoy to find the ladies she was interested in.

When I came to the partition between the Xu family and the Gu family to look for Ting Yi and An Mei,

Wu Niang was surprised to see someone:

"Sister Feiyan, why did you come out?"

"Wu Niang is polite."

Rong Feiyan felt the eyes on her from the second and third floors, and bowed to Wu Niang very neatly.

The fifth lady of the Zhang family hurriedly returned the gift, took Rong Feiyan's little hand and said, "Sister Feiyan, why do I feel that you are paler than before."

An Mei on the side nodded in agreement.

Rong Feiyan lowered her head slightly, feeling a little embarrassed by the looks from Wuniang and Anmei.

She looked up and saw four Lans from the Sheng family. She glanced at Minglan and said, "Sisters, don't talk about me. I think that sister is fairer than me."

The fifth lady of the Zhang family looked at it and said with confusion: "Which noble girl is this?"

An Mei said: "The eldest is my second sister-in-law Hua Lan, and the other three are girls from the Sheng family. Their father is my cousin and works in the Ministry of Personnel."

"Well, it's really white!"

Listening to the words of the fifth lady of the Zhang family, Ting Yi on the side said: "Wuniang, this little sister is really good at throwing the pot!"

"Oh? How about you?"

Ting Yi pursed his lips in embarrassment and shook his head to indicate that he was defeated.

Zhang Jiawu Niang's eyes suddenly lit up.

At this time, Liang Liulang came to the girls and called them: "Sister Anmei, Sister Tingyi, Sister Zhang, Sister Feiyan Zhuang'an"

Not far away, the young masters of several princes and princes looked at Rong Feiyan who was smiling in return, their expressions stagnant.

Rong Feiyan rarely came out on weekdays. Even if she did, she had a much-favoured sister who always looked at people with her chin raised. When had she ever encountered Rong Feiyan like this?

Rong Feiyan continued to listen to the chat of several noble ladies, while pretending to look casually towards the screen partition where the Sheng family was located.

Behind the gauze translucent screen, a figure who was taller than she remembered was standing there.

One hand was rubbing the little knot on the head of the little sister from the Sheng family she had just seen.

Seeing this, Rong Feiyan suddenly smiled and felt the eyes from the side. She looked over and saw 'his' second sister-in-law looking at her with a smile.

She quickly returned a smile.

Hua Lan nodded slightly in greeting, turned around and looked at Xu Zaijing with a gossipy face.

Soon someone on the stage shouted loudly: "Dear ladies! The concert is about to begin, please take your seats!"

The people chatting casually quickly dispersed.

After separating from the girls, accompanied by Xibu and Ningxiang, Rong Feiyan turned and walked towards the Rong family's place.

One step, two steps, three steps,

The smile on Rong Feiyan's face gradually disappeared, and she raised her chin again, becoming the proud sister of Zhou's favorite concubine who never looked at others.

But in the small steps behind her, she could feel the excitement of her own girl.

Soon, musicians began to move their instruments onto the stage.

Looking at the cowhide drum used only in the military, everyone sitting on the seats showed surprised expressions.

Not only drums, but also military gongs and horns are uncommon musical instruments in opera, but are common in Jun Rongzhi.

Soon, the wooden building fell into silence,

The concert started, and the big drum started beating,

Changbai was sitting in the booth of the Sheng family, not far from the stage. For the first time, he knew that when he was next to the big drum, his chest would vibrate with the sound of the drum!