Chapter 265 A Few Things About the Banquet

"Master Hai."

When Minglan saw Haizhou get off the carriage, she immediately bowed.

She had heard that Master Hai was impartial and upright when he reformed the salt system in the southeast, and was praised by the people in Zhejiang as 'Hai Qingtian'.

She dared not be negligent towards such a person.

She never thought that Master Hai would come to her birthday party.

"Sixth Miss, we meet again."

Haizhou smiled.

When Sheng Changbai and Hai Chaoyun got engaged, Minglan also went there, so she met Haizhou once.

Following Haizhou was Hai Chaoyun.

"Sixth sister, I have an engagement with your brother. If I don't come with my brother to your birthday party, I'm afraid that others will laugh at me if it gets out."

After hearing her explanation, Minglan immediately understood, "I see."

Haizhou said with a fake smile, "I also heard that your uncle would come. I haven't seen your uncle for a long time, and I miss him so much!"

Minglan subconsciously felt something was wrong, but she didn't think much about it.

After all, she had never heard that the Minister of Personnel, Haizhou, had any conflicts with her uncle.

"Has your uncle come?"

Haizhou asked impatiently.

Minglan said, "About."

Before she finished speaking, Danju, who had been standing behind her, saw the motorcade of the Marquis' Mansion coming from afar.

This was Minglan's birthday party, and the Marquis' Mansion also wanted to keep a low profile, so Wei Yuan and his wife did not ride the imperial carriage.

"Speak of the devil, and he will appear."

Hai Zhou said meaningfully, and then walked towards the Marquis's convoy, bowing and saying, "Brother Wei, long time no see."

Hearing this, Wei Yuan lifted the curtain and saw that it was him. He also saw Minglan and others coming forward, so he simply stopped the carriage here.

He took Zhang Guifen's delicate hand and walked out of the carriage.

Minglan and Hai Chaoyun bowed together, and the former said, "Hello, uncle, aunt."

Zhang Guifen smiled at the two of them, walked up to them, and held their hands.

"If I had known Chaoyun would come today, I would have come earlier."

During the time when Wei Yuan was not in the capital, Hai Chaoyun and Minglan often went to the Marquis's Mansion. After a few visits, the three of them had already become very familiar with each other.

And the more Hai Chaoyun knew about Zhang Guifen, the more he liked her.

Especially when he heard that Zhang Guifen was not only educated, but also had good martial arts, he admired her even more.

"It's not too late for aunt to come now."

Hai Chaoyun smiled.

She is a good friend of Minglan and will soon be Minglan's sister-in-law, so it is not wrong to call Zhang Guifen aunt.

At this time, in front of the carriage.

Wei Yuan asked curiously, "How come Brother Hai has time to attend Ming's birthday party?"

Hai Zhou smiled stiffly, "We will be a family soon. There is nothing to do in the Ministry of Personnel today. I heard that Brother Wei is coming, so I will come."

Others did not hear the hidden meaning of his words, but Wei Yuan did.

"Brother Hai, the work of the Ministry of Personnel is not tiring, right? You don't have to thank me. With your ability, even if you replace Minister Wang, it is not a problem."

Hai Zhou gritted his teeth, "Brother Wei, how can I not thank you? If it weren't for the Marquis, I'm afraid I would have been sent to some prefecture by the government to govern a place."

It means that if Wei Yuan hadn't recommended him to Wang Anshi, Hai Zhou would not have to get involved in the affairs of the court at this moment, and he could stay away from party disputes and comfortably be a frontier official, accumulate merits for a few years, and directly enter the center after the dispute between the two prime ministers is over.

This was originally arranged by Hai Zhou's father, the old Minister Hai.

As a result, all was ruined because of Wei Yuan's inadvertent recommendation.

"Brother Hai, you should be content. Do you know how many officials in the world want to serve in Bian Jing? They don't have this opportunity."

"Brother Hai, you have to work hard and seize this opportunity. Don't let the emperor and Minister Wang down."

Wei Yuan pretended to be serious.

Hai Zhou wanted to bite him to pieces and swallow him, "Please rest assured, Brother Wei, I will be diligent in my official duties."

"Brother Wei, I heard that you wrote a letter hoping that the emperor would issue an order for military reform, but the emperor didn't respond. It's a pity."

"It's a coincidence that I also wrote a letter yesterday, telling the emperor that it's not appropriate to reform the army at this time."

Wei Yuan frowned, "Brother Hai, why is it so?"

Hai Zhou flicked his sleeves, "Let's have a drink."

After that, he went to Huixian Tower without looking back.

Zhang Guifen and others saw that the two of them were unhappy with their words, and they all felt nervous.

Hai Chaoyun followed Hai Zhou into the tower.

Zhang Guifen and Minglan came to Wei Yuan, and the former asked: "It was fine just now, what happened?"

Wei Yuan shook his head and smiled, "Haizhou, a smart man, but too narrow-minded. If he becomes prime minister in the future, let alone the ship, I'm afraid he won't even be able to melt the sails."

They didn't know what happened specifically, and didn't dare to ask in detail, so they went to Huixian Tower together.

When Wei Yuan walked into Huixian Tower, he saw Sheng Hong had already communicated with Haizhou. When the other party saw Wei Yuan's figure, he immediately bowed to Haizhou and came to Wei Yuan,

"Brother Yuan, you are here."

At this time, Zhang Guifen had followed Minglan to the female family.

Wei Yuan said: "It's Ming girl's birthday, how can I not come."

He winked at Haizhou while saying that.

If Sheng Hong's rank is bronze.

Then Haizhou's rank is at least Grandmaster.

He is just young. If he has more than ten or twenty years of experience, he can definitely hold the position of prime minister.

Just how long it can take depends on the political situation at the time.

Wang Anshi's rank is one or even two levels higher than Hai Zhou's.

Even so, Haizhou cannot be underestimated.

"Take a seat."

Wei Yuan said simply, as if he was the master here and it was he who arranged this banquet.

"Brother Hai, you and I are sharing the table."

Haizhou said: "I heard that Brother Wei has an amazing amount of food. I've long wanted to see it."

Wei Yuan asked curiously: "Who did you listen to?"

Haizhou said: "Of course it's Wang Shangshu."

Wei Yuan said: "He is not a real person. Brother Hai, it is better to stay away from him."

Haizhou was annoyed, "I just want to stay away from him."

Regarding the discussion between the two, Sheng Hong didn't want to ask and didn't dare to interfere.

He is really afraid of being involved with high-ranking officials in the DPRK at every turn.

At the same time, Sheng Changbai and Sheng Changfeng also came,

"I've met Uncle Wei."

Wei Yuan nodded towards them.

Logically speaking, as Minglan's aunt, Zhang Guifen should sit at Wei Shuyi's table.

But Zhang Guifen wanted to sit with Minglan and others. Wei Shuyi saw this and didn't say anything, just let her go.

The main thing is that they are young people together and have more to talk about.

After everyone gave Minglan gifts, Zhang Guifen was the only one who was unmoved. Sheng Rulan said curiously:

"What was the gift that my aunt gave my sixth sister?"

Everyone here knows that Zhang Guifen loves Minglan very much, and there is no way that she has not even prepared a birthday gift.

Mo Lan smiled and said: "I don't know, fifth sister? When my aunt came, she brought several big boxes of gifts, including many rare treasures. You asked her to tell me what gifts she brought. There are so many, how can she tell them all? Come here?"

Even though Mo Lan has learned well now, he does not dare to go against Ming Lan.

But this doesn't mean that she won't quarrel with Ru Lan.

Sheng Hualan said: "What gift does aunt give to the sixth sister? Does it have anything to do with you?"

Zhang Guifen smiled and said: "It doesn't matter. In addition to those common etiquette, I also prepared a painting. Minglan should like it."

After saying that, he asked Baozhu to bring the box.

Zhang Guifen smiled and said, "Girl Ming, open it and take a look."

Minglan nodded, then opened the box, took out the painting and opened it.

Everyone was shocked and said one after another:

"Is this painted by Mr. Guo?"

"It's lifelike, and it's worthy of being written by a famous artist."

"Master Guo is the royal painter in the palace. Normally, there are countless dignitaries who want to ask him to paint, but there are only a handful of people who can actually ask Master Guo to paint."

"."

Minglan also looked at the painting carefully and said with a look of joy: "Ms. Li is guarding Niangziguan. This painting is really beautiful. Thank you, aunt."

Zhang Guifen said: "As long as you like it."

After a while, the dishes and drinks were brought to the table.

Because at Minglan’s table, Zhang Guifen was the senior one.

She didn't move her chopsticks, and no one dared to move her.

After all the eighteen delicacies were served, Zhang Guifen picked up the chopsticks and smiled at everyone: "Everyone, use your chopsticks."

All the women nodded.

At this time, Hua Lan toasted to Zhang Guifen, "I rarely get together with my aunt. Today, I must have a good drink with my aunt."

It is common for men to drink in Dazhou, and even when they gather with women, they will have a few drinks.

The wine they drink is usually fruit wine, which has a very low alcohol content and is very sweet.

Zhang Guifen took a sip of wine and asked, "I heard from Minglan before that you seemed to be in some trouble. How are you today?"

Hua Lan knew what she was referring to.

During Wei Yuan's promotion banquet, Hua Lan complained to Ming Lan about her situation.

"Thanks to my aunt's concern, things are getting better now." Hua Lan smiled.

Good or bad, only she knows in her heart.

Others didn't dare to ask carefully what the trouble was.

After all, Zhang Guifen never said it bluntly,

"In a few days, if I have nothing to do, I will go to your house to talk to you."

If she goes to Uncle Zhongqin's mansion, no one in the uncle's mansion will dare to do anything to Hua Lan from now on, including her mother-in-law.

For a moment, Hua Lan was filled with gratitude, "How dare I trouble my aunt?"

After saying that, she glanced at Minglan.

At this time, the latter was smiling silly.

At this moment, how could Hua Lan not know that Minglan was helping her?

Otherwise, how could the dignified Lady of Yanmen County care about such trivial matters?

"It doesn't matter."

Zhang Guifen simply responded with these two words.

Several people started chatting.

Mo Lan also stood up and toasted to Zhang Guifen.

"Auntie, I have never had a drink with you, so please do it first as a courtesy to my niece."

Zhang Guifen just took a sip in response.

Mo Lan sat down and asked, "Auntie, I heard that Miss Rong is going to hold a plum appreciation poetry party outside the city in a few days. I wonder if Auntie will go on that day?"

Zhang Guifen shook her head, "Too busy, no time."

Mo Lan pondered for a moment and said, "Whenever the girls of the Rong family have any gatherings, they will invite my aunt many days in advance, but my aunt seems to rarely go."

Zhang Guifen said seriously: "Rather than having the time to get to know those people, it is better to read more and learn some skills that women should learn."

For a moment, Mo Lan looked a little embarrassed.

Zhang Guifen has lived in the capital since she was a child, and has seen too many big shots and powerful people.

I have also personally experienced countless intrigues.

She could see through Molan's little plan at a glance.

If Zhang Guifen went to the plum blossom poetry meeting, Molan could rely on her to raise her status.

After all, when the women in the capital saw that Molan was so close to Zhang Guifen, they would naturally pay attention to Molan.

Molan was also taught badly by Lin Qinshuang, and had forgotten what was the most important thing for a woman.

"Chaoyun, last year my husband transplanted many plum trees in Chunyi Pavilion. In a few days, will you come to my house to take a look?"

Zhang Guifen invited.

She admired Hai Chaoyun very much. She was well-educated, well-mannered, and thoughtful. She was worthy of being a daughter taught by the Hai family.

Hai Chaoyun said neither humbly nor arrogantly: "It is better to obey than to be respectful."

Zhang Guifen nodded.

At this time, Rulan suddenly said, "Aunt, my niece wants to go too."

Zhang Guifen asked curiously, "Didn't Miss Rong invite you to appreciate the plum blossoms?"

Rulan said bluntly, "What's the good of going there? I'm stupid and don't want to get along with them."

Zhang Guifen chuckled, "Okay, then, whoever wants to go can go."

Rulan was delighted, "Thank you, aunt."

Molan remained silent strangely.

Zhang Guifen and Rong Feiyan made it difficult for her to choose.

——

Because Wei Yuan's identity was too special, he was one of the top bosses in the court.

When he went to any public place, he had to do a good job of privacy, so Sheng Hong had already prepared a private room in advance, and Wei Yuan was in it.

At this time, they had already had three rounds of wine.

Wei Yuan asked Sheng Changbai, "How have you been doing with your book revision in the Hanlin Academy these days?"

The latter bowed and said, "Uncle, the official duties of the Hanlin Academy are relatively leisurely."

Wei Yuan nodded and said, "Don't be anxious, take your time."

Hai Zhou said, "The Hanlin Academy is a place to gain experience. The situation in the court is complicated now. The more you are at this time, the more patient you should be."

Sheng Changbai is about to become his brother-in-law, so he naturally has to think about Sheng Changbai.

While everyone was talking, Sheng Changfeng couldn't hide his disappointment.

Seeing this, Wei Yuan couldn't help but say, "I heard that you were taught a lesson by your father a few days ago?"

Before Sheng Changfeng opened his mouth, Sheng Hong said angrily, "This rebellious son! He deserves to be beaten!"

The former buried his head even lower and drank wine in silence.

He knew that once he came, he would be scolded.

Later, it was Lin Qinshuang who persuaded him to make friends with Wei Yuan, which would help his future.

Otherwise, he would not come no matter what.

Wei Yuan said: "It is natural for young people to be full of vigor and like to make friends, but remember that words can cause trouble."

"Changfeng, you are quite smart. You will definitely pass the imperial examination in three years."

Sheng Changfeng felt warm in his heart after hearing this encouragement, "Please rest assured, uncle, I will study hard in the next few years."

Wei Yuan nodded with a look of relief.

Sheng Changfeng is not a bad person by nature. Although he is not worth cultivating, he will not speak ill of him.

Later, Haizhou deliberately said:

"Brother Wei, after the birthday banquet of the girl is over tomorrow, will you and I go together?"

Wei Yuan was curious.

Haizhou looked to the southeast, where no one was sitting.