The Queen Mother's birthday banquet was extremely grand, when today's son ruled the country with filial piety, in order to give the Queen Mother the most lively birthday banquet to make her old man smile, as early as three months ago issued an announcement to the world, convening famous opera troupes and juggling troupes from all over the country to Beijing to congratulate the Queen Mother on her birthday. On the birthday of the Queen Mother, in addition to the stage in the palace, the major theaters outside the palace will also be chartered by the royal family, and they will be open to ordinary people for free for ten consecutive days, and enjoy with the people. The troupes and juggling troupes that perform on stage voluntarily sign up, among which the best skills can enter the palace to perform, and the rewards are the most generous, and the rest of the selected ones take turns to take the stage in the major theaters, and the remuneration is not low. As soon as the announcement came out, the juggling troupes of slightly famous troupes from all over the country came one after another, and for a while, the major inns in the capital were full, and even the business of the major merchants in the capital was several times better than in the past. Walking on the street, the originally lively and prosperous capital is now doubling the flow of people, and there is a crowded scene of people everywhere.

The folk music outside the palace is endless, and the palace is also full of joy. From the palace gates to the imperial garden, all the way are lit up and the red carpet is paved. In the courtyard of the Fengqi Palace where the Queen Mother lives, there is a big golden shed, and the birthday gifts offered by each wife are placed in it. Fengqi Palace is also full of people, the women of the third to the fifth grade are all arranged in the side hall of the Fengqi Palace, and only the women in the top social circle can enter the main hall of the Fengqi Palace to see the Queen Mother. Among them, those who can be questioned by the Queen Mother alone are all noble daughters with first-class family background, talent, appearance and character.

"Duanhui, why don't you see that little girl Minyi?" After the eldest princess Duanhui stepped forward to give a big gift and send a congratulatory message, the queen mother asked curiously.

"Minyi was greedy for cold last night, and put some more ice cubes in the room, but I didn't know that I had a high fever early this morning, and everyone was so burned that I couldn't get out of bed, and I hope the Queen Mother will forgive me......," Speaking of her daughter, the eldest princess didn't dare to show sadness, and her tone was tinge with worry.

The Queen Mother sneered: "You too, Minyi is so sick, what are you doing in the palace?" Send someone to tell the mourning family, will the mourning family blame you? He turned his head and instructed the palace people around him: "Let Imperial Doctor Zhou go to the eldest princess's mansion to take a look at the county lord, this little girl has a hard life, and when she meets such a ruthless mother, the mourning family can't sit idly by." Although this was said as if she was joking, with the deep concern and worry on her face, it seemed that the eldest princess, the mother-in-law, was not as concerned about the county lord as she was.

How can this kind of little troublesome eldest princess put it in her eyes? She quickly kowtowed in thanksgiving, her tone full of heartfelt gratitude.

There are too many people who came to congratulate today, and while the two were talking, there was a group of women who had just arrived waiting on the side, waiting to pay homage to the Queen Mother. After the eldest princess got up and got out of the way, the women hurriedly stepped forward and knelt in a row to bow down.

When the Queen Mother saw the noble lady at the head, a very happy smile appeared on her face, and she ordered everyone to come forward alone after they were calm. "Ah Wu, you're a little late." Ah Wu is Xiao Fei's nickname, and the Queen Mother calls her like this, which shows that she is very affectionate. Xiao Fei's is a model for the noblewomen in the capital, which mother-in-law doesn't like this kind of daughter-in-law? Therefore, she is very embarrassed in front of the older generation of ladies in Beijing, even the Queen Mother.

Xiao Fei's face was impressive: "Back to the Queen Mother, the husband came to his senses this morning, and the concubine served him before going out after breakfast, so it was too late, please forgive the Queen Mother." ”

The Queen Mother didn't mean to blame, but asked very happily: "Is Wei Guogong sober?" It can be seen that this is starting to get better, which is really joyful. The mourning family has long said that Wei Guogong can marry such a virtuous daughter-in-law as you, it can be seen that he is a blessed person, although he is dangerously ill this time, but sooner or later he will get better, you see, this will not be fulfilled. ”

Xiao Fei smiled generously and bowed: "The concubine thanks the queen mother for her golden words." ”

The ladies beside him all showed envious looks, and one of them said eloquently: "Duchess Weiguo is really a model for our women, and my mother-in-law often takes Madame as an example to educate concubines and several concubines to learn from Madame." However, the concubine is a stupid person, and I hope that the lady can mention it from time to time, and the concubine can't help but be grateful. ”

Xiao Fei just smiled modestly: "Madame has won the prize." He didn't say much, and his expression was not arrogant or impatient.

At the banquet of the ministers at noon, Shen Ze sat at the same table with the sons of noble ministers of the same age as him. Xiao Fei's homework for Shen Ze in the past was very heavy, and he learned all of them. Every day is full of schoolwork, and there are few opportunities to come out and meet people of the same age. Xiao Fei's move not only won a good reputation for cultivating his son carefully, but also cut off the opportunity for his stepson to make friends and cultivate help. After two years of making up for the forces in Beijing, although Shen Ze can now call the names of the people at the same table and roughly understand their origins, in fact, there is no one who can be talked about. Deliberately restrained since he was a child, and when he grew up, he was burdened with heavy responsibilities, Shen Ze was not a cheerful and talkative person, so he just ate elegantly and did not take the initiative to toast and greet the people around him. However, he does not take the initiative, which does not mean that others do not take the initiative, at this time, a few sociable noble children raised their wine glasses and took the initiative to toast him. Shen Ze did not refuse, no matter who came to toast, he drank it all with a gentle smile, and was very approachable. Shen Ze's alcohol consumption is very good, he has been in the army for more than a year, and the rapid progress is not only his skills, but also the amount of alcohol. Despite the many drinks he had drunk, he still looked clear. When talking to others, speak earnestly and sincerely, and if you encounter difficult questions, you are not cramped, but just smile. Everyone originally thought that he was a proud and difficult to get acquainted, but after a staggered meeting, they changed their views, and after the banquet was over, there were already a few people with good family backgrounds who called him brothers.

The left minister at the other table, Fei Ning, was a little unate. For his grandson, he thinks that he has never taken the initiative to harm him, so he owes nothing, but when his grandson faces him with good manners and thoughtful eyes, he can't help but feel a little weak. Thinking of his deceased wife and eldest daughter, Fei Ning felt a little pity for Shen Ze for a while, but when he thought of the concubine who was not what it used to be, those few traces of pity were not enough to make him change his decision to help his grandson. After a lot of heart entanglement, Zuo Xiang drank a few more glasses unconsciously. After the banquet was over, the smell of wine was rising, and he was already a little red-faced.

After the banquet of the ministers, everyone went to the palace theater specially built for the queen mother's birthday. The stage is located in the middle of the theater, surrounded by seats, and the minister ordered the women to sit on both sides and enjoy the play with the emperor and the queen mother.

Today's first play is the Pan Tao Party ordered by the emperor himself for the Queen Mother. Although everyone present has seen this play many times, how can they not cheer on what the emperor ordered in person? Both men and women watch it with relish, and their faces are anxious or happy with the plot, and they really don't lose to the drama on the stage at all.

The Queen Mother already likes to watch dramas, but this time it was ordered by the emperor with filial piety, and she appreciated it with a smile. As soon as this scene was finished, he laughed heartily and said, "Okay! Sing well! Reward! The owner of the stage held a plate of golden nudes sent by the eunuch, and led a group of actors to kowtow and thank him. Seeing that the leading troupe won this heavy reward, the rest of the class owners who were waiting for the stage backstage all showed envy and excitement, and repeatedly explained to their subordinates that they would do a good job and win a heavy reward.

The next few plays are all birthday songs that are suitable for the occasion and joy, Magu presents her birthday, the dragon and the phoenix are auspicious, and the dragon plays the phoenix. Under the hard work of everyone, the Queen Mother was also very satisfied with it, and she was all rewarded. But no matter how much I like to watch dramas, I am also a little aesthetically tired after watching several shows in a row, and the Queen Mother turned her head and asked the palace maid next to her: "What's next?" The palace maid replied: "Back to the Queen Mother, Your Majesty has already arranged it, and it will be the turn of the juggling team to play after these performances." The emperor's intimate arrangement made the Queen Mother satisfied, and she smiled.

As he spoke, the jugglers in the back were ready, and the curtains on all sides slowly opened.

I saw the clouds and mist on the stage, and the faint sound of gurgling water came faintly, and everyone seemed to have seen a heavenly fairyland. After a few moments, the fog faded slightly, revealing the nine fairies posing inside. Several fairies wore flying fairy buns, a little red mole on their eyebrows, and their nine faces looked exactly the same, if it weren't for the different colors of the gauze skirts on their bodies, they couldn't tell who was who.

After the fairy revealed his true face, the sound of silk and bamboo gradually sounded, and the nine fairies danced with the music, their posture was wonderful, their clothes were fluttering, and the surrounding clouds and mist gradually faded with the breeze they brought out when they danced, so that a fairy group danced. As soon as the tone changed, the eight fairies suddenly remained still in their dancing posture, and the remaining fairies in a bright red gauze skirt continued to dance. As the fairy danced, two golden ribbons suddenly floated out of the cloud sleeves on both sides. The music turned fast, and the fairy's left foot was the axis, holding two gold ribbons, and it turned rapidly with the music from slow to fast. As she turned, the ribbon grew longer and longer, and finally, it was like two golden dragons hovering around her, playing with her dance.

Such a spectacle, everyone in the audience was fascinated, and the emperor took the lead in high-fiveing and laughing, applauding loudly.

At this time, the music gradually slowed down, the red fairy retreated to the side, and another purple-clothed fairy woke up. The fairy conjured two small saucers out of nowhere, raised the index fingers of both hands, and the small saucers buckled upside down on them, spun rapidly. The fairy tossed it gently, the small dish flew high, she took the opportunity to slide out three thin bamboo poles from the sleeves of both hands, and when the small dish fell, she just used the middle of the three bamboo poles to catch it, and the small dish did not stop. At this time, the wrist of the audience swirled, and an object was thrown straight to the fairy's face! Everyone shouted softly, and before they had time to see what it was, they were taken back by the purple-clothed fairy, with her right hand slightly lowered, and picked it up with a bamboo pole. Only then did everyone see that the one that flew away was also a small saucer. The people in the audience shot again, this time he threw five small discs one after another, and the fairy in purple was also very good, and the small discs flying from different directions were all gently and skillfully connected to the bamboo pole by her and the speed did not stop. This skill is so common that no one applauds it. Just when everyone thought that the performance of the fairy in purple was over, the person in the audience threw a small disc again! At this time, the bamboo pole in the fairy's hand was full, and everyone breathed a sigh of relief for her. The fairy in purple was not in a hurry, bent her waist slightly, raised her right foot high, and the flying saucer happened to land on her little feet wearing pink embroidered shoes. This small dish is different, painted with purple patterns, and at this moment her small and delicate lotus feet are spun rapidly, just like a few purple butterflies dancing around the small lotus that has just revealed its sharp horns.

Everyone in the audience breathed a sigh of relief and applauded loudly. Even the Queen Mother smiled and praised again and again.

The music changed again, the fairy in purple exerted his hands and feet together, and the seven small saucers were thrown into the air, and the fairy took the opportunity to throw down the bamboo pole and catch the falling saucers one by one with his hands. Just when everyone relaxed and looked forward to the next fairy's performance, a sudden change occurred, and the purple-clothed fairy who was supposed to retire waved his hand, and the seven small discs in his hand shot towards the emperor and the queen mother in the audience!

The emperor was surrounded by masters, and someone in the lightning had already reacted and shouted: "There are assassins!" Protect the Emperor! The flying saucers were also shot down one by one by the masters. On the other side, the palace maid beside the Queen Mother was still staring at her eyes in a daze, and three flying saucers shot straight over, which was about to endanger the Queen Mother's life. said that it was too late, and a figure rushed over, blocking in front of the Queen Mother, waving both hands to block the three flying saucers one by one. This person is none other than Shen Ze, who has been prepared for a long time. Zhihua reminded him that there were many masters around the emperor, and it was not his turn to save him, and if he wanted to make meritorious contributions, he had to keep an eye on the queen mother. Therefore, he deliberately picked the seat closest to the woman's side, and when the woman in purple waved her hand, he had already rushed towards the Queen Mother's side, just in time to block in front of the Queen Mother and save the Queen Mother. Shen Ze raised his arms that were scratched by flying saucers, made a protective gesture, and shouted: "Protect the Queen Mother!" The Queen Mother, who was protected by him, was shocked, and when she saw that he still wanted to protect herself despite his bleeding arms, she couldn't help but show a sincere grateful.

After the woman in purple on the stage made a move, regardless of whether she succeeded or not, she and the other eight women took out the murder weapon that was tightly hidden, and each looked for a target to kill! And the servants in the audience who were still playing music just now were also fierce at this time, and went straight to the crowd! The woman in purple was the tallest, leaping forward with a dagger in her hand, and stabbing straight at the emperor; The woman in red followed suit, and ran towards the queen mother, the two golden ribbons in her hand were her murder weapons, and the internal force was infused into it, dancing like two golden dragons flying, making a sound of breaking the air, and the people who touched it along the road fell to the ground one after another, not knowing whether they were dead or alive. The other six went their separate ways to find the princes and ministers to assassinate them.

Shen Ze did not retreat half a step because of the other party's fierce attack, he shouted in his mouth: "Take the Queen Mother away!" He greeted him and fought with the woman in red. On the one hand, there was an assassin who came prepared and held the most convenient weapon, and on the other hand, there was the son of a noble man who entered the palace to celebrate his birthday without any weapons and had a wounded arm, as soon as the two fought, Shen Ze fell behind.