Chapter 39: The Auction (2)

October 15, 962 (the third year of Jianlong) (lunar calendar)

In the afternoon, in the lobby of Cui's Manor, people gathered in twos and threes to chat, waiting for the auction to begin. A slender figure sneaked into the lobby, crawled through the crowd, and when no one paid attention to him, he walked over to the long table full of food, picked up a piece of pastry, and ate it in small bites.

Na Zhe was holding a glass of juice in his hand, wandering aimlessly, and when he suddenly saw the person eating the pastry, his eyes were wide open, and the cup in his hand almost fell to the ground. He hurriedly walked to Cui Daoshu's side, and regardless of the fact that Cui Daoshu was talking to someone, he pulled him away.

Cui Daoshu asked with some doubts: "Third brother, what are you dragging me for?" If there's something you say, just say it. ”

The expression on Na Zhe's face was complicated, he pointed to the slender figure and said, "See for yourself!" ”

Cui Daoshu looked over, the boss who opened his mouth at the moment, showed a look of surprise on his face, he walked over quickly, stared at the slender figure, and said helplessly: "Sister, can you learn makeup well, this is too fake!" ”

This person is Cui Xiaoniangzi, she is wearing the clothes of a steward, with a veil on her head, some things are painted on her face, and a mustache is pasted above her lips, and it is crooked, one high and one low.

Na Zhe looked at the girl whose face was painted like a big cat, and thought, what kind of plane is this chick doing, so difficult to come to the masquerade ball?

The girl lowered her head and sneered for a long time and was speechless, Cui Daoshu asked, "Tell me, why did you make yourself look like this?" What exactly do you want to do? ”

Cui Xiaoniang reached out and grabbed her brother's sleeve and shook it, "Brother, I just wanted to come and see, but my mother didn't let me come, saying that women can't show their heads casually." I asked the maid to find a set of steward's clothes and help me change into them. The maid said again that the skin on my face was too white and tender, unlike a man, and that it had to be covered. So I smeared some charcoal ash or rouge at random. ”

Cui Xiaoniang stared at her big sparkling eyes and used a coquettish stunt, "Brother, I don't want to go back, you just let me stay, okay?" ”

Cui Daoshu had no way to be grinded by her, "I didn't say I wouldn't let you see it, it's just that you don't have to be sneaky, you just stay with my third brother and don't run around, understand?" ”

Cui Xiaoniang nodded hurriedly, like a chicken pecking rice, "I must be obedient, brother, you go and entertain the guests, don't worry about me." ”

Cui Daoshu shook his head and left, Cui Xiaoniang took a pear and handed it to Na Zhe, and said flatteringly: "Third brother, please eat some fruit, you have worked hard enough these days, I see that the layout of this auction venue is very chic, you must have put a lot of thought into it, right?" ”

Na Zhe took a sip of juice and said slowly: "You don't have to compliment me, I won't drive you away, you better wash your face first, this looks too awkward." ”

Cui Xiaoniang touched her face and said suspiciously: "Am I ugly like this?" I think it's okay, aren't all those farmers like that? ”

"I was indeed defeated by your naivety, you look in the mirror and see yourself, your neck and hands are so white, and your face is black and red, who can't see it! It's just that people are well-bred and don't want to take care of you. ”

Cui Xiaoniang was a little embarrassed, and took out a handkerchief to wipe her face. At this time, someone outside the door shouted loudly: "Lord Thorn Shi has arrived, you guys are avoiding." ”

Cui Daoshu separated the crowd and walked quickly to the door, Mingzhou Thorn Shi Qian Hongyi was wearing civilian clothes, with a few staff and guards had entered the gate of the manor, Cui Daoshu hurriedly greeted him, bowed, and said: "Lord Thorn Shi is here to Cui's, fortunately, please come in to serve tea." ”

Qian Hongyi smiled and nodded, "I am busy with official business, and I am a little late, so the head of the family is not strange." ”

Cui Daoshu didn't even dare to say it, and entered the lobby with a group of people. Everyone gave way, and Qian Hongyi greeted everyone with a spring breeze on his face, looking very close to the people.

Cui Xiaoniang said to Na Zhe with some curiosity: "This is the biggest official in Mingzhou!" I don't think there's anything out of the ordinary? It's just smiling, and you can communicate with anyone. ”

"It's the same for officials in any era, with a mask on his face, he looks very affable, behind his back, who knows what he did."

Cui Xiaoniang looked around for a while and asked, "Third brother, I heard that there will be singers singing in the future, and you arranged those people, can you tell me first?" ”

Na Zhe put on a master's demeanor, pretending to be mysterious and said: "Don't say, don't say, you can see for yourself later." ”

Cui Daoshu respectfully invited Qian Hongyi to take a seat in the middle of the front row, and then walked up to the high platform and said loudly: "Guests, please take your seats, the auction is about to begin." ”

Everyone sat down one after another, and the hall was quiet for a while, and everyone waited for Cui Daoshu to speak. Cui Daoshu smiled and said, "Ladies and gentlemen, Cui is polite. He bowed deeply, and then said: "Welcome to my Cui family, today's theme you all know, is to auction three overseas treasures, these are all unprecedented strange things, will not disappoint everyone." ”

There was a lot of discussion in the lobby, and there was a 'buzz, buzz' sound, Cui Daoshu paused for a while, and then said: "I will take out a treasure first, show it to everyone, and then start the auction." What are the rules of the auction? To put it simply, it is four words, 'the highest price gets'. If you want to buy the treasure, raise the wooden card in your hand and shout your bid, but there is a rule, for example, the person in front of you bids 'one thousand yuan', you can't shout 'one thousand yuan and one penny', and each increase cannot be less than one hundred yuan, otherwise it will be grinded up one penny by one and it will not be delayed until next year! ”

The audience burst into laughter, everyone agreed, and some people shouted to bring up the treasure quickly and open everyone's eyes.

Cui Daoshu pressed down with his hands, and after the silence below, he said: "Don't worry, everyone, there is a wonderful performance below, I hope you will enjoy it, I believe it will not disappoint you." ”

Cui Daoshu walked off the high platform, came to Na Zhe who was standing on the side of the stage, and said solemnly: "Third brother, let's start." ”

Na Zhe nodded, took out the organ from his arms, tried the sound, and began to play. He played the famous song "City in the Sky" of later generations, the song was ethereal and tactful, with a hint of sadness, and there was silence underneath, and everyone was fascinated by it.

Cao Deshun looked at Na Zhe, isn't this the person who collided with him in the morning? The music he played was so good, it grabbed people's hearts at once. His instrument is also very strange, such a small thing, making such a beautiful sound, is an absolute treasure. If this is the case with all three items auctioned today, you must sell yourself, no matter how much it costs.

Cui Xiaoniang hid behind a pillar and listened to the music quietly. She remembered her childhood, when she was young, her father liked her very much, always hugged her around, bought her all kinds of good things, and never disobeyed her will. But there are unforeseen circumstances, my father died of illness, but my mother always wanted to marry herself early. Fortunately, my brother and sister-in-law love me very much, and my life is not bad. What is the origin of this third brother! Usually looks like a hanger, not serious, but he is so talented, and the music he plays is so good, as if with a fairy atmosphere, I don't know who made it.

The sound of the music gradually subsided, Na Zhe finished playing, and there was no sound below, everyone was immersed in this beautiful artistic conception, and some people even shed tears.

At this moment, through the corner door of the hall, more than a dozen people, both men and women, each holding a musical instrument, the most amazing thing is that each of them wore masks on their faces, some were hideous and terrifying, some were funny and ugly, and some were charming and moving. These mermaids walked up to the high platform and sat down one after another. They fiddled with their instruments and prepared for the show.

At this time, a petite figure walked in at the corner gate, looking like a woman, not very old, wearing a lake-green cloak, with a half-section mask on her face, the mask was in the shape of a butterfly, blocking the upper part of the face, revealing only a pair of eyes.

The woman stepped onto the high stage, nodded her head to greet the musicians, and then faced everyone, the corners of her mouth curved a little, and smiled softly. The music sounded, and the woman spoke:

"The water is the eye waves,

The mountain is a gathering of eyebrows.

Want pedestrians to go over there?

Eyebrows and eyes.

Only then did he send spring back,

and sent you back.

If you go to Jiangnan to catch spring,

Ten million and spring live. ”

Her singing voice is delicate and beautiful, and she listens tactfully, just like a childhood sweetheart next door talking to you, which evokes the memories of many people below.

Cao Deshun listened carefully, this is a piece of lyrics, the word card has never been seen, but the words are very good. The words and sentences are cleverly conceived, and the tone is brisk. Bai Lotian (Bai Juyi), whose skills are close to those of the Tang Dynasty, is a rare masterpiece.

The woman repeated the lyrics three times, the music stopped, the woman slowly squatted down, the people below were drunk, Cui Daoshu took the lead in applauding, everyone suddenly realized, thunderous applause rang out, and some people stood up and shouted excitedly.

Han Fatzi next to Cao Deshun stood up and applauded desperately, shouting in his mouth: "Reward, heavy reward, come on, get the money!" ”

Cao Deshun hurriedly held him down and made him sit down.

"Brother Cao, what are you pulling me to do?

"Don't be embarrassed here, did the Cui family send you those rewards? This is an elegant thing, don't think that you are in the green building now. ”

Han Fatzi was a little embarrassed, "Brother Cao, who did you say wrote this song, it's so good, the little lady who sang the song covered her face again, and the hooked person was itching in her heart, isn't this torturous?" When the auction is over, I'll buy that little lady and go home to feast the guests and let her sing enough, hahaha! ”

Cao Deshun was a little disgusted with his vulgar speech, and didn't want to pay attention to him, so he turned his head and talked to the person next to him.

The singers and musicians on the stage left, Cui Daoshu walked up, and the servant moved a table. He stood behind the table and said loudly, "The auction has officially begun, and the first treasure is invited." ”