C696
C696
"Auntie, let me help you!"
"I don't need your support!" Yan Qimeng glared at her and brushed her hand away in disgust. This woman had stabbed Huangfu Feixue before, and Ning'er had too. If it weren't for Ning'er's magnanimity, she would have already cut her off.
"Qi Meng …" "We're cousins, yet you still don't forgive me for that matter even after so many years. Auntie, look at that cousin of yours …"
"Mother, let's go. Who knows if she'll stab you again?"
"You ~"
Huangfu Yunrou was so angry that she stomped her feet. Suddenly, she felt that everyone was looking at her in a different way. That damnable Yan Qimeng, didn't she just marry a Prince of Sea Nation?
The imperial garden was filled with people. Dongfang Ning chose a large field, and surrounded it by pavilions. There was an open space in the middle, and everyone was happily chatting in groups of five.
As the banquet had yet to begin, everyone looked for a place to sit or travel. This was a place that ordinary people could not come to.
Hundreds of students and nobles from all over the country were gathered here. Faang Yi was also chatting with his two lackeys. Every place was filled with a cheerful atmosphere.
"The top scholar has arrived. Fang Zheng Yuan, Fang Zheng Yuan, this one greets you!"
"Brother Qin, there's no need to be so courteous. Let us go together …"
Very quickly, he was surrounded by people. Who wouldn't want to get involved with the top scholar? Besides, this top scholar was no ordinary one, and he was the empress' younger brother, Master National Uncle.
"Lord Champion Yuan, it's quite fortunate to meet you today. Do you want to have a drink with us!?"
"Sure, sure …"
While they were chatting, Huangfu Feixue brought a bunch of girls from the harem and slowly approached. Everyone immediately quieted down. They quickly tidied up their hair and clothes, and silently looked at this group of beautiful women.
The next to enter were the ministers of the various positions. Even the old guys from the Cabinet were already in place. It seemed that what Dongfang Ning wanted to say was very important.
"Greetings, esteemed empress dowager ~"
"All of you get up! It's a family banquet today, so there's no need to stand on ceremony. Just do as Ning'er said!"
"Empress Dowager Xie ~"
Hearing her words, everyone felt the atmosphere become more lively. Everyone was no longer as nervous as before and found their own seats.
Dongfang Ning's setup was not bad. There were people sitting all around, and they could see each other face to face. The men sat on one side, the women on the other, and the ministers had no specific seats either, even Yan Wuzhan and the empress dowager had no special seats.
However, everyone understood the rules of the ancients. The guests could only sit on two seats, and the next head would be given to the officials. Naturally, the first head would be given to the royal family.
"The emperor has arrived!"
"The empress has arrived ~"
Not long after sitting down, the crowd heard the announcement and had to stand up to greet the world's lord.
"Paying respects to the Emperor, our Emperor shall live for tens of thousands of years, the Empress shall live for thousands of years ~"
Yan Wuzhan held Dongfang Ning's waist and walked slowly to the seat at the head. Then he let everyone stand.
"Dear officials, please get up quickly. We, the monarchs, will not hold the ceremony today. Speak freely and tell us what you think. Regardless of what is right or wrong, you will all be exempted from the crime!"
"Thank you, your majesty!"
"Sit down. Esteemed Empress invited you here to play today, she has something to discuss with everyone."
"Esteemed Empress, please enlighten me ~"
"No rush. Someone, come on!" Dongfang Ning looked around the crowd.
"Today's seating was deliberately arranged by me. Now let's play a game called 'Drum Passing Flower'.
The rules are as follows: Each person beats the drum once, the drumbeat begins to spread the flower, after the drumbeat falls, the flower falls into the hands of whoever, who must write a poem or perform a performance of any kind, understand? "
"Understood ~"
To the ancient people, this game was a completely new and interesting game. Everyone was in high spirits as they discussed in low voices about what exactly this thing was.
Everyone was looking forward to the upcoming game.
"The passing of flowers through the drum originated from the Han Dynasty. Back then, it was used to gamble on wine at the table. Whoever falls in love will get drunk. Who we are playing today, Yan Wuzhan is no exception …"
First, he moved Yan Wuzhan out so that no one else would dare to deny it. At this moment, the eunuchs had already brought up a giant drum, which was set up in the middle of the field. They then took out a large red flower made of red silk and gave it to Dongfang Ning.
"The drummer blindfolds your eyes, and when I tell you to start, you start to beat the drum. Hurry up, get you an assistant and your eyes blindfolded. When he tells you to stop, you stop. That's fair. Do you understand?"
"Understood ~"
Everyone laughed. Oh my god, there were two or three hundred people here. It was a big scene.
"Starting from me, I'll pass it to Yan Wuzhan, Yan Wuzhan, to the people around me, and so on ~ It's very simple to pass it on, right?"
"Any more questions? If there aren't any more questions, I'll call it the beginning."
"No problem!"
Faang Yi's voice was the loudest, and he was also very excited. Today, the ones who were the most proud here were himself and his sister.
"No problem!" Everyone followed him and expressed their understanding of how to play this game.
"Then let's begin!"
"BOOM, BOOM, BOOM!"
When the drum rang, the crowd was extremely excited. They all looked towards Dongfang Ning's direction. She did not spread it out immediately, but only passed the flower to Yan Wuzhan after more than ten rings. Yan Wuzhan immediately passed it on to his subordinates …
When the sound of the drum stopped, a young military official received a flower from the previous person's hands. His face was flushed red. Why didn't he speed up just now? Now …
Woo … He's just a military general, he doesn't know how to compose poems.
"Hahaha, that guy, what's your name? Come out and introduce yourself for another performance. Come, stand on stage … Someone put the drum out of the ring and beat it. "
Dongfang Ning was also on the spur of the moment, so she asked the drummer to move out of the ring. It was loud enough that everyone could hear the drumming, so it should be done in the middle.
The crowd laughed and pointed at the military officer. The ladies covered their mouths as they laughed, while the men laughed. The atmosphere became even more lively.
The military official was unable to do so as he carried the flower and entered the field, "Empress, this general is from the north, his name is Zhang Jun. He is 27 years old this year, and I have been in the army for 9 years. I will not perform, only know how to fight!"
"Are you married?"
"Not married"
"What's your official position now?"
"Fourth rank."
"Very good. I've dedicated my life to the country. I admire people like you the most. Then tell me what you want in the future. Just treat it as a show. Come, let's begin!"
Zhang Jun looked around, and everyone's eyes were fixed on him. He thought for a moment and straightened his back, "My parents have both died in the war and have become homeless. Therefore, all I want in this life is to protect my country!"
"Alright, you may leave. Prepare for the next round ~"