After breakfast, Yan Lingzhan took Ling Xiao into the palace together. The carriage moved forward slowly, and after a long time, Ling Xiao found that this was not the way to enter the palace, this road was so unfamiliar to her, and the scene in front of her had never been seen, and it was obviously more lively than the road she had passed through the palace several times, it seemed to be a downtown area, with all kinds of food stalls on the streets, and people were eating and drinking happily in this noise, which also made her see another prosperity of Jundu. She glanced at Yanlingzhan in confusion, but didn't say anything, but Yanlingzhan spoke: "Yuan'er, do you think of something?" It's your favorite place to come before. ”

Ling Xiao shook his head and said, "The past is in the past, what's the use of remembering it, isn't it good now?" Brother Zhan, don't worry about me anymore. ”

Yan Lingzhan smiled: "Yuan'er is right, the important thing is the future, not the past. ”

The carriage stopped under a tree, "Wait for me." After Yan Lingzhan finished speaking to Ling Xiao, he got out of the carriage. Ling Xiao lifted the corner of the curtain of the car, saw Yanlingzhan walking towards a small food stall opposite, said a few words to the stall owner, and saw that the stall owner carefully put the things on the food stall into a piece of paper, wrapped it properly, and respectfully handed it to him, and returned to the carriage after settling the account.

"Yu'er, this is your favorite osmanthus cake, try it." As he spoke, he handed the pastry to Ling Xiao, and then picked up a piece to feed her.

"I'll do it myself." Ling Xiao said to Yanlingzhan in embarrassment, she looked at the piece of pale yellow pastry with a crystal luster that she took from Yanlingzhan, and was a little hesitant, she actually resisted this kind of roadside food, but in order not to brush off Yanlingzhan's kindness, she finally took a bite gently, and the rich fragrance of osmanthus instantly overflowed in her mouth, sweet but not greasy.

Yan Lingzhan looked at her expectantly, and she said, "It's delicious, Brother Zhan, you can also taste it." ”

"It's good if you like it, it's rare that you still love to eat osmanthus cake." Yanlingzhan said with relief.

This banquet is still in the lakeside pavilion that day, and the few buds that Ling Xiao saw when he came up with the emperor to enjoy the lotus are now fully bloomed, and the pavilion stands among the green leaves.

The nine princes of the emperor, now there are only five in the pavilion, Ling Xiao heard Zhong Liyi say, the eldest prince Yanling Chu asked with all his heart, and he had already only asked about the affairs in the palace, and he was in the Taoist temple. And the third prince Yan Lingyu and Zhong Liji are guarding the border together, and they have long been on the battlefield. The eighth prince, Yanling Chu, was far away in the Donghuan Kingdom, and stayed with the people he loved, and became the concubine of the Donghuan Kingdom.

Ling Xiao followed Yanlingzhan into the pavilion, and heard a handsome young man who was about eleven or twelve years old say, "Why did the sixth brother come, we have been waiting for you for a long time." Ling Xiao guessed that this should be the Nine Emperor Princes, Yanling Oak.

"There are some things delayed on the way, this is your sister." Yan Lingzhan introduced to the Nine Emperor Princes. Zhong Liyuan had been away for six years, and Ling Xiao thought that Yanling Oak was only six years old at that time, so he must not have remembered Zhong Liyuan.

"Sister Yu." Yanling Oak saluted Ling Xiao, and Ling Xiao also returned the salute. After that, Ling Xiao and Yan Lingzhan sat down in the same case. Yan Lingzhan saw that there were fine beads of sweat on Ling Xiao's forehead, so he ordered a maidservant to fan her. The fragrance of lotus leaves intermittently entered Ling Xiao's nose, making her feel refreshed, and she sat quietly, not caring about the conversation between the princes.

After a long time, she happened to hear someone talking about her: "What's wrong with Yu'er now, I haven't seen you for six years, it seems that you have changed a person, and you can sit in silence so much, in my impression, you have never been quiet, and you are the most active one at every banquet before." I'm really not used to you like this, if you don't make trouble, I always feel that something is wrong. After saying that, he shook his head.

This person is well-dressed, with bright eyes and bright teeth, very casual, she doesn't know which prince he is, and she doesn't know how to answer his words, just when she is in trouble, Yanlingzhan spoke: "Fourth brother, don't make fun of Nan'er, Yuan'er is now amnesia, and she is very unfamiliar with everything." ”

"It seems that this time is quite serious, even the words have become less, I hope you have fewer ghost ideas, I was afraid of you back then." Yan Ling said with palpitations.

Ling Xiao still didn't answer, quietly looking at the white lotus in the lake, a few dragonflies flew at the tip of the flower, a breeze blew through the green leaves, and a faint fragrance penetrated into her nose, making her feel extremely comfortable. "What are you thinking? Is there something uncomfortable? A warm voice sounded in her ears, and Yan Lingzhan asked when she saw that she didn't speak, just stared blankly at the lake.

Ling Xiao turned his head sideways, glanced at him, shook his head and said, "It's okay, I'm just attracted by the beautiful scenery in front of me." Yan Ling did not speak, but picked up a piece of pastry from the plate and handed it to her.

"In front of the public, you are so cold and warm, when we are all wooden people?" Yan Lingzhen saw that Yan Lingzhan was like this to Ling Xiao, so he said teasingly.

And Yanlingzhan was not polite at all: "There are twenty side concubines in the fourth brother's mansion, more than thirty concubines, plus four sisters-in-law, isn't it enough for you to ask for warmth?" And what envy others?" Yan Lingzhan hit the nail on the head, there was no room for him to speak, among the kings, who married more women than him, but all good-looking women, as long as they did not get married, they all stuffed them into the house, he was a well-known flowery man in the king's capital. Ling Xiao listened to Yan Ling Zhan's words, and the corners of his mouth showed a subtle smile, Yan Ling Zhan really didn't save face for him.

"I said that the fourth brother, you are really asking for hardship, this is called lifting a stone to hit yourself in the foot, there is nothing to say. It's no wonder that no one used to play tricks on you, so they liked to play tricks on you. A voice echoed, the owner of the voice was a heroic and unruly prince with a hint of unruliness in his bones, his character was in stark contrast to that of Yanling, who gave people a sense of casualness, while this prince gave people the illusion of arrogance and unruliness.

"Seventh brother, even you helped the sixth brother talk to Yuan'er. I've never done anything wrong. Fifth brother, you are here to judge. "Yan Lingyu seems to be very innocent, and he wants the fifth prince Yan Ling last to administer justice.

"I agree with the words of the sixth brother." A voice as clear as water came from the mouth of a man with a face like a crown of jade, cold and calm, his eyes were very clear, not like other princes who would never be incomprehensible, but it gave people the feeling that they were going to reject people thousands of miles away, revealing the cold. His every movement is so elegant, as if it is inherently unearthly. These clear eyes made Ling Xiao's heart tremble, whether she was in the business world before, or now in the Hou Mansion, she had never seen a pair of eyes that attracted her so much.

Yan Lingyu was completely speechless after listening to Yan Linghan's words. And Yan Lingshu was smiling and drinking tea alone here, without expressing any opinions. This is the second time Ling Xiao has seen Yan Lingshu, the last time he was in the restaurant, Ling Xiao felt that he was not thinking about handling things, and he must have been unhappy in his heart.

After that, several princes talked about many topics, including about how Zhong Liyuan played tricks on Yan Ling, Ling Xiao listened quietly, and sometimes occasionally echoed a sentence, the previous Zhong Liyuan really made her unable to describe it in words, if it was her, such a thing, she would not be able to do it anyway. It's no wonder that Yanling is now trying to ridicule Zhong Liyan, it is still rare to be teased three times a day, and there are all kinds of tricks.

It's just chatting there, and it's really boring, Yan Lingqi proposed a pot throwing competition, and then the palace people went to get arrows. As far as Ling Xiao knew, the pitcher was considered a high-level game during the Warring States period, and it was often held at the banquet of the princes or the gathering of scholars, and it seems that it has become popular in various banquets today.

The arrow was quickly taken, and when it was about to start, two people came not far away, one in front and one behind, the front step was calm, with a kind face, followed by the firewood father-in-law who was holding a dust-whisk.

Everyone walked out of the pavilion and bowed and said, "The son sees his father." The emperor smiled and nodded, and ordered everyone to be exempted.

"Why did my father come so early, the banquet only started after lunch, and it's still early." Yan Lingli said.

"What? I'm not welcome?" The emperor asked with interest.

"That's not true, it's just that my father is here, and I don't feel so comfortable playing with my brothers." Yanling Oak hurriedly waved his hand and unabashedly expressed the scruples in his heart. Ling Xiao couldn't help but sigh, it was really rare to live in such an environment, to be innocent, to be able to say whatever he wanted, I am afraid that only a young man who has no experience in the world will be like this.

"You play with yours, I am here to reward the lotus." The emperor said.

At this time, Yan Lingyang spoke: "The father's reward for the lotus is fake, and it is true that he is worried about Yuan'er." Seeing that his mind was guessed by him, the emperor did not deny it, and nodded. Ling Xiao admires this fourth prince very much, and he dares to dismantle anyone's platform.

"Yu'er, did the fourth child bully you, tell your father." The emperor asked kindly.

Before Ling Xiao could answer, Yan Lingyu said with an innocent face: "Who dares to bully her, if she doesn't bully me, it can be regarded as burning high incense." ”

"Are you embarrassed to say, as an older brother, can't you let Rang Yu'er?" The emperor said angrily. It made Yan Lingyu look helpless.

Ling Xiao really didn't understand why the emperor treated her as the daughter of a courtier better than his own son. "Yu'er, what are you thinking? Why are you always distracted today? Just tell me if you feel unwell. Seeing that she was deep in thought again, Yan Lingzhan said.

Ling Xiao smiled at Yan Lingzhan and told him not to worry too much.

"If you have anything on your mind, tell your father, don't hold it in your heart." The emperor said with concern.

"The son is fine, the father doesn't have to worry." Ling Xiao was very respectful.

"Don't be too restrained in front of your father, it's hot here, let's go into the pavilion with my father." The emperor said.

The emperor sat there drinking tea, and the princes began to throw pots, and the winner was the winner, and the one who lost was punished with a glass of wine. Ling Xiao didn't have much interest in this, so he sat there and took the fan from the handmaid's hand, and watched the dragonflies fall together among the flowers on the lake, and the fan in his hand fanned casually.

In addition to Ling Xiao, Yan Ling Yan also did not participate in it, sitting there quietly drinking tea alone, Yan Ling Zhan saw that Ling Xiao was not interested in throwing pots, so he sat there to accompany her. Several other people also had a good time, and laughter came from time to time, and after a few times, the seventh prince Yan Lingqi had been fined several glasses of wine.

"Yu'er, you go and have fun, don't always sit there, your quiet now makes me really worried." The emperor saw Ling Xiao staring at the lake blankly for a long time, and said worriedly.

"The son is fine, the father doesn't have to worry." Ling Xiao retracted his gaze and turned his head to look at the man with concern in his tone.

The emperor stood up and beckoned to Ling Xiao: "Come, Yu'er, how about playing a few games with my father?" Ling Xiao's face was embarrassed, Ling Xiao knew that she shouldn't have rejected the emperor, but she didn't know how to play this kind of game, and she didn't pay attention to this just now.

She said truthfully: "But Erchen won't play this." ”

"No, you can't learn, my father will teach you." Ling Xiao listened to the emperor's words, and he couldn't say anything more, so he got up.

Aiming at the spout of the pot, he paid attention, too light to enter the pot, too heavy and easy to pop out. Like this, got it? Yu'er. The emperor explained to Ling Xiao the way to win, and did not forget to demonstrate, and he hit the pot steadily with one arrow.

Ling Xiao felt that this was not very difficult, so he picked up an arrow and did as the emperor said, but the arrow that went into the pot was bounced out again. She tried to throw a second arrow, but this time she missed the aim and missed again. In the end, none of the five arrows hit, and she couldn't help but sigh that it was really harder than darts.

"Yu'er is going to be punished for drinking." Yan Lingyu looked joking.

"Yu'er doesn't know how to drink, so I think forget it!" The emperor spoke.

"Father, you are so righteous and bright, but it hurts our hearts." Although Yan Lingyu said this, he didn't really care.

"I'm biased, so what?" The emperor smiled.

"The fourth brother is deliberately teasing Xiang'er for the sake of the past, fourth brother, you are really, now that Yuan'er's memory has not recovered, he is against her everywhere, and it is not a gentleman's doing." The Seventh Prince, Yan Lingqi, said.

"I'll drink it for Yu'er." Yan Lingzhan said and took a glass of wine and drank it all.

"It seems that with the sixth brother here, you can't bully Yan'er anymore," Yan Lingshu said.

Ling Xiao felt that the relationship between Zhong Liyuan and Yanling Shu in the past should not be bad, but this Yanling Shu was not very easy to get along with. It's not her prejudice, it's a feeling she's had over the years, not every time, but it's a six.

Ling Xiao was not interested in this kind of game in the first place, but now that the five arrows were missed, he no longer participated in it. About half an hour later, the pitching pot ended, don't look at Yanling oak is still young, but he is also a master in the pitcher, and Yanling oak is the most punished for drinking.

Several people returned to the table, and each talked about the highlights of the pot just throwing, some talking and laughing. Ling Xiao has read a lot of history books, and many people say that the royal family has no family affection since ancient times. For their kind of affection, she couldn't help but wonder how much of this is true? In fact, it is just an illusion of harmony and beauty.

"It's a pity not to paint such a unique scene. Why don't we compare who paints this scene in front of us more vividly? Yan Lingwang said. Ling Xiao didn't expect that Yan Lingyu would have such an elegant taste, he really underestimated him.

"The fourth brother's proposal is exactly what I want, it's rare to have leisure and elegance today, just follow what the fourth brother said." Yan Lingzhan said and ordered the palace people to get painting tools.

Painting on paper was much easier than on silk, and with the advent of rice paper, painting developed.

Soon, the pen, ink, paper, and inkstone were taken, and the princes were ready to start writing. "Stand here, if you get tired of standing, tell me." Yan Lingzhan pointed to the edge of the pavilion and said to Ling Xiao. Ling Xiao thought that he wanted to paint her like a picture, and in front of everyone, she couldn't refuse, so she stood up to him where he pointed, facing him, and behind him was a flourishing lotus.

Yan Lingzhan sometimes looked at Ling Xiao, sometimes at the rice paper in front of him, and the paintbrush seemed to have become a living thing in his hand, smoothly sketching on the paper. The other princes also showed serious expressions, and were engrossed in the paintings in front of them.

About an hour later, the princes put down their brushes, took out the seals, and printed their own unique name imprints, which marked the completion of a painting. Only Yanlingzhan did not put down his pen, and he depicted it with a calm brush. Ling Xiao stood for an hour, and his legs were already a little sore, but seeing that Yan Lingzhan was so serious, he didn't stop. After another half an hour, Ling Xiao saw that he had finally put down his pen, and knew that he had finished drawing, so he walked over. I saw that the colors in the painting were distinct, and she was holding a fan in the painting, which was not much different from the real person, and the scene behind her was vivid. He then picked up an inscription brush and inscribed four lines of poetry in the upper right corner of the drawing:

Jade lotus and blue drop beauty,

The gurgling waves are free from worries.

Even though the red lotus is enchanting,

It's not as good as my Qing to look back.

The inscription of the inscription Yanling stack is three words, stamped with a letter, and the painting has finally been completed.