People in Datang, start with a golden hoe

The night after the snow is extremely quiet. The horses neighed from time to time, like the cry of arrows flying from the string, echoing in the streets and alleys. Cui Boyan sat next to the coachman, staring ahead with dull eyes. I don't know whether it was the reflection of the moonlight or the reflection of the snowlight, but his face was glowing coldly.

"Why didn't I guess that?"

He was heartbroken that he missed the opportunity to meet Cai Xiaolan, and he also hated his sister. Not only did he accuse her of not thinking about him, he also regretted the one or two promises he had made to her, and let her cry in the car. Nor does he change his mind.

Two poor people who placed their fate in the hands of others tortured each other under this cold moon, making their enthusiasm as cold as the surrounding wind and snow.

……

Early the next morning, someone from the Ministry of Rites came. The fifteen-day etiquette training officially began.

As the training course continued, everyone from the ministers of the Ministry of Rites to the subordinate managers spoke highly of Cai Xiaolan. Her intelligence is far beyond ordinary people. The complicated etiquette details only need to be taught once; the heavenly seals that need to be recited orally to meet the emperor can be completely memorized after reciting them for a while.

The training period is greatly shortened, and by the fifth day, there is nothing to teach. The time for the interview has already been reported to the Ministry of Etiquette and has no right to change it. The minister gave Cai Xiaolan a ten-day leave and asked her to go to the Ministry of Rites on the 16th day of the first lunar month and move around freely during the rest of the time.

Xu Xiaoqin, who was staying in the inn, heard Cai Xiaolan open the door and come in. She jumped up and down next to her: "Sister Xiaolan, you are back! Why is it so early today?"

"I'm sorry you've been bored in the house for so long. I don't have to go to training now. Let's have a good time in Chang'an!" Cai Xiaolan said happily. So far, the two of them have only gone out for a walk at the beginning of the year. The rest of the time, they are bored in the house and almost feel sick.

"Okay!" Xu Xiaoqin was happy for a while and added: "Can we go and play with Xiao Dongping? I didn't even say a word to her when I left last time!"

Cai Xiaolan was stunned for a while, but when she saw Cui Dongping, she had no objection. But if you go to Cui Mansion to find her, it will definitely cause a lot of troubles.

"Look at the opportunity! Just like last time!"

Chang'an City was very lively at the beginning of the year. The scenic spots inside and outside the city were crowded with people and there was an endless flow of people. In front of shops and workshops, there are also crowds of people and cars passing by.

The tenth day of staying at the inn is the ninth day of the first lunar month. As soon as Cai Xiaolan opened the door, she saw a stranger waiting at the door.

"Good morning Cai Xiaolan, I am the housekeeper of Cui Jijiu's house. The master of the house sent me to invite you to the house as a guest." The visitor introduced himself to his family without waiting for Cai Xiaolan to ask.

"Cui Jijiu?" Cai Xiaolan was puzzled.

The confusion was just an act, and Cui Dongping reported Cui Le's official position at the poetry meeting. She just wasn't happy to go.

"Cui Le, let the Imperial Academy offer wine." The butler held his head high. The Imperial Son's official residence is the third rank. Although it is from the third rank, it is only one step away from the six prime ministers. In Chang'an, he had the right to look askance at others.

"I'm sorry, the little girl came to Beijing alone. The adults from the Ministry of Rites told me not to go out. I closed the door to thank guests and wait for God's kindness. I can't go to Cui Jijiu Immortal Mansion!" Cai Xiaolan's voice was clear.

The housekeeper said softly "Ah", and he was ready to welcome it. He arranged for someone to buy the ingredients for the family banquet. The ground dragon in the banquet living room was burned early in the morning, but he didn't expect that Xiaolan would not be rewarded.

"My lady, day and night—"

"Bang!" The sound of the door closing covered the butler's surprised exclamation.

Xu Xiaoqin inside just got up and couldn't hear clearly, so she asked: "Who is it?"

"Knocked on the wrong door!"

……

Two days later, Cui Niang and Xiang Niang came to the door. The inn on the bustling Zhuque Street turned into Zhuge Lu in Longzhong, and visitors came one after another.

After the two of them talked about their parents' personal problems, they revealed their true purpose. Just like the butler, except that the meal time is the day after.

The two young ladies of the Cui Mansion came together to invite Cai Xiaolan to their home for dinner, speaking sincerely and thoughtfully.

Cai Xiaolan shook her head like a rattle.

Xiangniang's expression immediately changed, "Xiaolan, you have to know when to stop. Is it true that only my aunt comes to invite you in person?"

"You misunderstood. Yesterday, someone came from the Duke's Mansion and invited me to come to the house. The appointment happened to be tomorrow. I agreed. I don't know how much time I will be delayed in the Duke's Mansion. It's from the Duke's Mansion. Majesty is something that a little girl like me can't refuse." Cai Xiaolan even took out the name cards from the Duke's mansion. "Huh? Which prince?"

"The Duke Qufu!"

Xiang Niang burst into laughter, "Why don't you make up a similar excuse? The Duke of Qu Mansion died five or six years ago."

"The inscription on the famous post is Qu Tushou, he should be the heir of the late Duke Jiang! After the death of father, son inherits." Cai Xiaolan pointed to the inscription on the famous post and showed them to them.

"I don't believe it, why did Qu Mansion invite you?" Cuiniang asked curiously.

"On the first day of the Lunar New Year, while participating in a poetry meeting, Xiaoqin rescued a young master. It is said that he was the second master of the Qu family." Speaking of this, Cai Xiaolan couldn't help but blush. Strictly speaking, it was Xu Xiaoqin who was invited, and Cai Xiaolan was just a companion.

Cui Niang and Xiang Niang returned without success, which made Cui Le furious. After the beginning of the new year, there are two hot gossips in Chang'an Guizhou circle. One is that Cai Xiaolan, whom the saint announced, turned out to be the abandoned wife of Cui Jijiu's house, and the other is that the second son of Duke Qu's house is suffering from epilepsy.

And Cui Le asked Cai Xiaolan to come to his house for dinner, of course it was for fame. Even if she is an abandoned wife, she has come all the way to Chang'an and stayed at the inn. My former husband's family was indifferent and indifferent, which was especially inappropriate.

Those who are officials only do it for fame and fortune.

On the morning of the second day at court, when the official discussion was over and the eunuch was about to call out to withdraw from the court, Wei Zheng held the wat tablet in his hand and shouted, "Please report important matters!"

When the courtiers saw that "Mirror" Wei Zheng had something to report, they immediately straightened their clothes and straightened their posture. Especially those who have been involved in scandals recently, are feeling anxious.

According to the rules of the past, someone else will be unlucky.

"Wei Aiqing, please speak!" Li Shimin nodded in agreement.

"I heard yesterday that Cai Xiaolan, who I am going to see in court on the eighteenth day of the first lunar month, was originally an abandoned woman from Cui Jijiu's house. Based on my understanding of Mr. Cui, this woman must have bad moral character. The saint is noble, and he saw a man with bad moral character because of his cotton clothes. Woman, this is very wrong. Please entrust this matter to the Ministry of War." Wei Zheng seemed to have something in his words.

Listening to Wei Zheng's soft and weak words, the ministers couldn't help but be surprised: "Why is the firepower so weak today?"

Only those who were familiar with him heard the overtone: Wei Jingjing was worried that Cai Xiaolan had some agenda, especially Cui Le, who was behind it.

What is the so-called evil intention? Of course, they use cotton-padded clothes to win over people's hearts and get involved in the border guards.

Cui Le and Wei Zheng had worked together under Li Jiancheng. When they heard his words, they were frightened and lost half of their souls. In the cold winter, the sweat on their faces rolled down like beans.

Just when the old foxes thought Cui Le was going to stand up and prove his innocence, someone who no one expected came forward.

"I have something to report!" Duke Qu Tushou came out.

"Prelude!"

"I have doubts. Wei Gong has never seen Cai Xiaolan, how do you know that she has bad moral character? Are all abandoned women in the world people with bad moral character?"

"Hmph, do you doubt Cui Jijiu's character?" Wei Zheng snorted coldly.

"I have something to report!" Yu Shinan, the Minister of Rites, came out.

"allow!"

"I am responsible for training Cai Xiaolan. I will observe her for five days with my colleagues in the Ministry of Rites. I am not a rude person. The emperor's words are as important as Mount Tai and cannot be changed lightly."

The quarrel spread in the court. Now that Xungui and Qingliu were involved, the mouthpieces of each faction no longer held back and came out one after another to ask for a memorial.

……

"That's enough!" Li Shimin clapped his hands on the dragon chair, and the court quickly became quiet.

"I'm true to my word. You won't let me see you, but I insist on seeing you. See what kind of person Cai Xiaolan is. It's worth your wait."