Chapter 173: Seeing each other is like not seeing

Steward Xu went to the newly opened theater in Los Angeles to be the chief steward. The theater in Tiandu is dominated by Ah Xing. Therefore, the performance of any important person in the Shangfu is led by Ah Xing himself, and Prime Minister Zhang Cheng is a first-class official in the DPRK and China, and he is in power, and Ah Xing does not dare to slack off.

Two days ago, Ah Xing had already sent someone to set up the stage, and on the day when Zhang Xiang invited guests, Ah Xing took the actors into the Prime Minister's Mansion early in the morning.

As a member of the court, the Prime Minister's Mansion is not magnificent, although it covers a wide area, but the garden scenery inside is only a general scenery, and the houses and buildings are not beautiful.

After Ah Xing entered the house, she first went to meet the prime minister's wife, and met Zhang Zhao when she came out. Zhang Zhao called her aside and said, "There is a banquet in the evening, it is very lively, there will be a very wonderful singing and dancing performance, I heard that there will be a competitive performance, do you want to come and see it?" ”

Ah Xing said with a smile: "Lord Zhang, today is the banquet for Lord Changxiang to invite Prince Burtai, and all the ministers who come are ministers of the DPRK and China. Dignitaries, how can I appear conveniently on that occasion? ”

Zhang Zhao shook his head and said with a smile: "Tonight's banquet is a banquet of pure entertainment, and there will also be female dependents to attend, so you will sit behind me at that time, which is very convenient!" ”

Although what Zhang Zhao said was as simple as going to the temple fair, Ah Xing still felt that it was inappropriate, and she shook her head again and again: "Forget it, it's better for me not to go to that kind of occasion." ”

Zhang Zhao seemed to want Ah Xing to attend, and threw out the bait, "If you are willing to attend, the matter of your land purchase will be on me!" ”

Ah Xing's eyes lit up and she looked up at him: "Really? ”

Zhang Zhaoyuan's round face smiled like a bun, "When did I break my promise to you?" ”

This temptation is really not small, and A-Xing has always had the intention of buying land. Shinong industry and commerce, "Shi" she has no hope, it is always okay to be a landlord, not only will the status be improved, but also in this world to be able to have a piece of land is fundamental. Although she doesn't know how to farm, she can rent it to others, usually collect land rent, and when she has free time, she can also use it as a resort to play, which is a good thing in every aspect. It's just that buying land is not an easy thing, and it is not interesting to buy a small piece of land, and she has no way to buy a large area of land. If you can get Zhang Zhao's help, then this matter will be nine out of ten!

It's just to attend a banquet, and then she hides behind Zhang Zhao and doesn't speak, so as not to attract anyone's attention! I'm sure nothing will happen.

Ah Xing thought about it for a while and made up her mind, "Okay! I'll go! But ......" she tilted her head and looked at Zhang Zhao suspiciously: "Why do you want me to go to this banquet so much?" ”

Zhang Zhao saw that Ah Xing had agreed to his request, so he didn't control his mouth proudly: "It's not the prince of Gogatai, he goes around saying that the favorite concubine he brought is the most beautiful woman in the world, no one can match!" Cut, that meat bullet turned out to be the first beauty in the world? I'm going to show him what kind of woman is a beauty! ”

Oh...... It turned out that he thought of himself as an exhibit...... But for the sake of him being able to help him become a landlord, let's play with him once! But then again, as Zhang Xiang's son, it is really unimaginable that he would do such a naïve thing......

"Then it's decided, I'll send someone to pick you up before the dinner starts, don't you leave!"

Ah Xing nodded: "I know, I'll wait for you!" ”

After getting A-Xing's consent, Zhang Zhao walked away satisfied. Ah Xing returned to the opera garden and continued to be busy with stage preparations. Not long ago, there was a commotion in the courtyard, probably the two princes of the Kingdom of Jin had arrived. Of course, this has nothing to do with Ah Xing's side, and the guests will not come to the theater to watch the play until the afternoon.

At lunchtime, the family of the Prime Minister's House brought lunch to the people in the theater. Lunch was quite hearty. There are chicken nuggets, fish, and radish bone broth. The housekeeper informed them that after lunch, the guests would come to the theater.

The actors quickly settled their lunch, wiped their mouths, and began to change their clothes, and about an hour later, a group of people, led by the Prime Minister and two men in tight clothes and long hair, entered the theater in a majestic manner. Most of them were wearing official uniforms, and Ah Xing saw that the grade marks on their clothes ranged from one to six grades, and there were twenty or thirty people.

Zhang Xiang is about 50 years old, with a long figure, thin body, gray hair, a serious face, and a very sharp look in his eyes, which looks very energetic. Next to him was a burly man in a dark red shirt, with a black leather ring in his hair, and the leather ring was decorated with animal bones, his face was full of domineering, his eyes gave people a sense of gloom, his chin was slightly raised, with a very uncomfortable arrogance, Ah Xing knew that this should be the most promising Prince Gogatai who became the next monarch of the Jin Kingdom. No wonder Zhang Zhao doesn't have a good impression of him, looking at his expression, he is indeed not a person who is so easy to have a good impression.

And beside him was Prince Burtai, who was dressed in black, taller and stronger, but his expression was many times calmer.

Ah Xing took the actors to kowtow to these officials, and Zhang Xiang said a few words from a high place to give a good performance. Don't tell them to get up after losing Tang Guo's face or something.

Ah Xing kept her head down, but she felt a gaze staring at her tightly, which made her scalp tingle. Who is it? Is it Zhang Zhao? Ah Xing quietly raised her head and looked in the direction of her sight, but came into contact with Burtai's dark eyes, seeing her, the corners of his mouth showed a faint smile, Ah Xing also smiled back at him out of politeness, and then lowered his head again.

A loud bell suddenly sounded in his ears: "Prime Minister Zhang, is this the best theater in your Tang Kingdom?" Xiao Wang has always heard that the Tang Kingdom is a state of etiquette, and men and women take great defense seriously, why is there a woman in such a famous troupe? "It doesn't sound like Bultai, but he calls himself Xiao Wang, and he should be Prince Gogatai.

In the past three years, after A-Xing's continuous efforts, the female drama has basically been recognized by everyone, this issue has not been mentioned for a long time, but today it was mentioned by a foreigner, for this group of people who have read the books of sages, it is not embarrassing.

Ah Xing was a little nervous in her heart, and Gogatai's words didn't know what kind of impact it would have on their theater. She has a stomach full of objections, but she also knows that she has no part to speak on this occasion, and if she accidentally interjects, she will cause death to the entire theater!

Ah Xing greeted the eighteen generations of Ge Jiatai's ancestors in her heart.

The officials looked at each other, not knowing how to answer, the scene was a little embarrassing, if they were asked by Jin Guo and couldn't speak, then Tang Guo's face would inevitably be lost.

Gogatai's face is colorful.

Suddenly, Zhang Xiangchang laughed and said to Ge Jiatai: "All stories are inseparable from women, and female actors just interpret their stories on stage, so as to bring everyone a better performance." There is no conflict between men and women, and the prince is too worried! "As Prime Minister. Naturally, he wanted to bring the field back, and he couldn't lose Tang Guo's face no matter what.

Bourtai smiled beside him: "Isn't it much more pleasing to the eye to have a man and a woman in a play than just a man standing on the stage and pretending to be a woman?" Not only can women play on the same stage as men, but I have also heard that there are special performances for women, and I think these are the embodiment of the prosperity of your country! ”

These words made the faces of all the officials look good. Zhang Xiangyan glanced at Bultai with deep meaning, while Gogatai had a gloomy face and said something to Bultai in a low voice in Jinguo, and Bultai's face changed slightly, but then returned to normal.

After a long time, Ah Xing understood the meaning of this sentence of Jin Guo, which means "bad seeds, useless" and the like, Ge Jiatai sarcastically ridiculed Burtai as timid as a mouse, and only knew how to welcome the Tang Kingdom, but if he knew what happened later, he would never be so sarcastic about this royal brother, of course, this is all a later story.

When Ah Xing heard this, she was still a little grateful to Prince Gogatai in her heart, without his troubles, there would be no Zhang Xiang's words, and with Zhang Xiang's words, the existence of the actress will be completely affirmed!

Zhang Xiang invited the two princes to sit down. The actors began to perform on stage. A-Xing retreated into the background. This time it was a single play. Now Tingsong Theater has two serials and nearly 50 single plays, and this time the single play is the latest and most popular play.

Although Prince Gogatai had a disapproving expression at first, the drama was so exciting, and it was the first time he watched the drama, and he was immediately attracted by this novel performance method and wonderful storyline. Zhang Xiang's face was very happy. At the end of the performance, Zhang Yuan immediately rewarded the theater with 100 taels of silver.

After the play, Zhang Xiang, the two princes and the officials left the theater, and according to the people, they returned to the theater to rest and recuperate to attend the dinner party in the evening. Ah Xing thought, it seems that the dinner party is the highlight of the day. She secretly told herself that tonight she should be a piece of wood, and she was not allowed to look or listen indiscriminately. and talking nonsense, just mix up tonight in peace.

There was only this one drama performance, the actors began to pack up their things and go home, Ah Xing agreed to Zhang Zhao, so he asked Steward Liu, who was in charge of the performance out of the house, to go back with the actors first, and the Chen sisters insisted on staying to protect Ah Xing.

Dinner was still sent by the family, not long after dinner, Zhang Zhao's attendant came to pick her up, and when she saw the Chen sisters following, she couldn't help but show a look of embarrassment: "The banquet can only be entered by Miss Axing alone, and the two girls may have to wait outside." ”

Ah Xing was afraid that it would be boring for the two sisters to wait outside, so she said, "Why don't the two sisters rest here, and as soon as the banquet is over, I will come to find the two sisters to go home together." "There is a small courtyard for the actors to rest.

The attendant had been in contact with Ah Xing for a long time, and knew that these two women were responsible for protecting Ah Xing, and seeing that they were still a little uneasy, he smiled and said, "Don't worry, two girls, with the presence of my family, no one will hurt a single hair of the girl." ”

When the Chen sisters heard what the attendant said, they reluctantly put their minds at ease.

The attendant took A-Xing to a very large house. The house is lit with lights everywhere inside and out, illuminating the surroundings as bright as day, and the noise is faintly heard, and it should be very lively inside.

The attendant said, "This is the banquet hall of the Prime Minister's Mansion, which can accommodate hundreds of people at the same time. ”

Ah Xing followed him through a long corridor, and every twenty steps in the corridor there was a squire with a knife, with a serious expression, thinking that he was in charge of the security of the banquet hall. After a while, he came to the gate, looked in from the door, and directly opposite was the prime minister's main seat, sitting the prime minister and the prime minister's wife, and the first two rows of low tables, with Tang officials sitting on one side and Jin Guolai envoy on the other. Behind some Tang officials sat the family members of the officials. Next to Prince Gogatai was a plump woman. Prince Bourtai sat alone at a table.

The attendant led Ah Xing to the fourth table on Tang Guo's side. Zhang Zhao was sitting behind a table with fruits, wine, and snacks. Ah Xing sat down at the small table behind him, which was also full of fruit snacks.

Ah Xing stepped forward and whispered in Zhang Zhao's ear: "Why are there so many female dependents at today's banquet?" ”

Zhang Zhao leaned back and whispered, "It's not that the prince of Gogatai must let his favorite concubine attend, there is no way, my father has to ask the official to bring his female dependents to attend as a companion." ”

"Then you should call your lady, what do I say behind you? I still left. ”

Zhang Zhao hurriedly turned his head, glared at her, and lowered his voice and said, "It's not like to come and go!" You're the lady I invited, what do you want to do so much! You just have to sit here and dwarf the woman from the Golden Kingdom on the other side! ”

Ah Xing raised her head and looked at the woman next to Prince Gogatai at the first table opposite. It was a very exotic woman, with black hair braided into countless braids, a gold chain on her head, and a ruby hanging from her forehead. Her skin is even more like congealed cream. Her facial features are very charming, and she has a sense of seduction. She was wearing a tight-fitting and narrow-sleeved garment, which tightened her chest, and when her body shook, her breasts trembled slightly, catching the eye of a cadre of officials opposite. Pity those who read, they boast of being high, but they can't take their eyes back.

is indeed a very attractive woman, I don't know why Zhang Zhao is so disgusted, it is estimated that he hates the house and Wu.

When Ah Xing withdrew her gaze, she inadvertently met Bultai's gaze, and her eyes like dark night looked at her for a moment, and when she saw her, she smiled lightly, the small groove under her chin loomed, and her smile was a little flashy. Ah Xing had a feeling that the other party seemed to have been looking at her for a long time. Ah Xing smiled reluctantly, quickly retracted her gaze, and never looked over there again.

Ah Xing sat upright behind the table, her eyes no longer wandering. I only occasionally chatted with Zhang Zhao for a word or two.

The position next to Zhang Zhao has been vacant, and someone is late. Ah Xing asked Zhang Zhao casually: "Who else didn't come next to him?" ”

Zhang Zhao whispered: "It's the newly appointed commander of Jingwei, Master Tongzhi, it is estimated that something is delayed." ”

As he was talking, Lord Zhang Xiang raised the wine glass in front of him and said a word of welcome to the two princes of Jin, and the two princes also returned a word of thanks for their hospitality. After the officials exchanged pleasantries and talked a lot about the scene, there were singers and dancers on the stage.

The waist is like a cloud, the water sleeves are like clouds, the singing voice of the singer is like a yellow warbler out of the valley, and the dancing posture of the dancing girl is dazzling.

Prince Gogatai was very happy to see his pet concubine in his arms, and Burtai also had an interested expression on his face. The crowd was fascinated.

In the middle of the song and dance, I heard someone shouting at the door: "Jingwei has commanded Tongzhi-sama to arrive-"

Then a man in armor walked in, and his heavy steps suppressed the soft and melodious music, showing a cold momentum.

The person who came came directly to Zhang Xiang without squinting through the dancing girl, and said loudly: "The lower official is delayed because of the matter, please atone for the prime minister!" ”

Ah Xing kept her head down, even the song and dance only occasionally raised her head to look a few times, at this time she was picking up the cup in front of her to taste the wine of the Prime Minister's Mansion, but the voice of the conductor Tongzhi hit her like a thunderbolt, her hand loosened, the cup fell from her hand, smashed to the ground, and the wine splashed her skirt.

Zhang Zhao turned his head: "What's the matter?" Seeing that her face was pale, I thought she was scared like this, so I hurriedly comforted: "It's just breaking a cup, it doesn't matter, you don't have to be afraid!" As he spoke, he asked the servant next to him to clean up the pieces, and took a cup to her.

During the whole process, A-Xing didn't react at all, and kept her head down, but she knew that she was nervous, and her hand on the table was trembling slightly.

Fortunately, the singing and dancing continued, so no one paid attention to the movement here. Ah Xing shrunk her body and shrank behind Zhang Zhao as much as possible, she suddenly had an urge to escape from here.

The conversation between Zhang Xiang and him continued in her ears, so many voices in the banquet hall, laughter, talking, singing, music, noisy noise, but his cold and deep voice reached her ears without mistake.

Zhang Xiang smiled: "Knowing that you are new to office, you are too busy with many things, it's good to come, it's good to come!" ”

"The lower officials will punish themselves with three cups to atone for the sin of coming late."

Zhang Xiang laughed and said: "Three cups is not enough, I heard that Tongzhi's swordsmanship is outstanding, and he will definitely perform a show to entertain the guests!" ”

"The subordinate obeys!"

"Go back to your seat, don't get in the way of everyone watching the song and dance."

"Yes!"

Then the sound of heavy footsteps came in the direction where Ah Xing was sitting, Ah Xing realized that his position was the empty table next to her, Ah Xing panicked, her hands and feet were cold, and her body continued to move in the opposite direction to his table, she hoped that he would not see her, she hoped that she could disappear from here.

She had wanted to see him again countless times, but she dispelled this idea countless times, and even if she met again, how would she face him? What would she be able to do even if we met again? Say what? Do you want her to rub shoulders with him like a stranger? It's better not to meet him again in this life.

But when she met him again on such an occasion, she was completely unprepared, panic and nervousness engulfed her at once, her heart was pounding, cold sweat broke out on her back, and her mind was blank

The footsteps are getting closer, getting closer

But at this moment, Zhang Zhao suddenly turned his head and said to Ah Xing: "Ah Xing, what are you doing hiding behind me?" So who can still see you? ”

The word "Apricot Apricot" seemed to have some kind of magic, making the continuous footsteps suddenly stop.

Ah Xing sat there, her head down, not moving, faintly, she felt a cold air coming towards her.

Miraculously, at this moment, she suddenly calmed down.