Chapter 495 Qionghua Banquet
Autumn is high in August, the air is refreshing, the water is clear, the wind is gentle, and the fruits are abundant. It is a good time for outings and relaxation, and the Qionghua Banquet has finally arrived.
Meng Qi and Su Ziyu did not go directly to Yulin Garden in the outer city like most of the important officials of the imperial court and the children of aristocratic families, but followed Su Li and Su Yue to the imperial city - although Su Li temporarily stopped the deputy commander of the imperial guards in front of the palace. Although he did not lose the emperor's trust, he still needed to be accompanied, and Su Yue was the middle force to protect the emperor.
The heavy dragon-patterned door, the deep door opening, the oncoming wind, and a bit of cold air made Meng Qi feel the majesty and alienation of the imperial city.
This is the first time he has stepped into the imperial city of Jin Dynasty, but apart from the terrifying restrictive power, there is no real difference from the palace in the world of the Sword Emperor and Demon Queen. People's hearts worship power and the emperor.
"Fifth Uncle, are there any clues about Luo Jiao and Xianji recently?" Meng Qi pretended to ask casually. He was a little worried that Luo Jiao and Mietian Clan would ruin the Qionghua Banquet.
Su Yue smiled bitterly and said: "No, they seem to have disappeared from the world. It is strange to say that the identity of the Yu family has been exposed, but the Luo Jiao people still hide without leaving a trace."
"This kind of cult that has been passed down for countless generations must have three caves, no, at least nine caves, otherwise it would have been wiped out by the righteous way long ago." Su Li looked ahead and said casually.
Meng Qi nodded thoughtfully and waited for an opportunity to ask Guangcheng Tianzun.
The imperial city is very large and is covered with white jade. It is not for luxury but for formation. Meng Qi followed Su Li and Su Yue through the imperial city and entered the palace city. In the Tai Chi Hall, he saw the emperor of the day. Zhao Mingyu, the leader of Jin.
Compared with the last time they met, Zhao Mingyu looked a bit older, with bags under his eyes, showing obvious fatigue, but Su Li and Su Yue turned a blind eye to this and seemed to take it for granted.
After each bowed, the old emperor looked at Meng Qi with a smile: "Don't let me down at Qionghua's banquet today."
"If you are a martial artist, you will definitely live up to the emperor's trust." Meng Qi was not modest at all.
For the reincarnation mission, I have to get first place!
Not to mention Su Zi’s wish to boast in front of the Holy Spirit!
"Haha, it is indeed a Crazy Sword." The old emperor stretched out his hand, put an arm on an eunuch who was older than him, and stood up slowly.
This eunuch has a very strong Yin aura, not a ghostly Yin, but a soft and cold Yin. Although he is old, his skin is delicate, like a woman's. His strength is hidden deep in the depths, making it difficult to see, but just by his glance, Meng Qi felt as if his soul had been pricked by countless fine needles.
It was Gao Jinzhong, the general manager... Meng Qi recalled Su Li's introduction before departure.
Everyone stood on both sides, waiting for the emperor and Gao Jinzhong to pass by. The two Zhao family powerhouses, the commander of the guards in front of the palace and Feilong Shenzhao, followed closely, followed by Su Li, Su Yue and other escort experts, and finally Meng Qi, Su Ziyu and a few other children from aristocratic families.
When he was about to step out of the Tai Chi Hall door, Meng Qi suddenly felt a heat in his chest and immediately stopped in his tracks.
Gu Xiaosang?
This is the fever of the talisman given by Dou Mu Yuanjun!
Is Gu Xiaosang nearby?
Meng Qi lowered his eyes, covering his shrunken pupils, and looked at the Tai Chi Palace without any trace. He only saw a mighty and majestic imperial guard, with no trace of Gu Xiaosang at all.
If it weren't for the fever in the talisman that continued, Meng Qi would have thought that he was hallucinating!
Gu Xiaosang is actually hiding in the palace?
The most dangerous place is the safest place?
No wonder six doors can’t be found!
Meng Qi's heart was filled with turmoil, but he remained calm on the surface, pretending not to notice. He just glanced back as if nothing had happened when he stepped out of the Tai Chi Hall.
It was quiet and quiet inside. The imperial guards were as straight as pine trees, the throne was golden and noble, and nine dragons were coiled around it. There was no one sitting on it.
Is it a trick by the witch, or is she really here?
If true, who helped her hide in the palace?
Is it some big shot here?
There were many doubts, so Meng Qi did not expose them to avoid falling into a trap, and honestly followed the team in front.
Outside the palace, two divine catchers, Liu Shengming and Yuan Lihuo, led many guards and arresters to greet them, and then guarded the outside in a clear order.
When he passed by Yuan Lihuo, Meng Qi spread out his right hand, revealing the talisman, and quietly pointed to the palace behind him with his left hand.
There was no verbal communication, but Yuan Lihuo's expression suddenly changed slightly. As Guangcheng Tianzun, he naturally knew that the talisman seal drawn by a wild Taoist priest referred to Gu Xiaosang.
Gu Xiaosang is hiding in the palace?
The Luo Jiao people are hiding in the palace?
His expression returned, and he calmly stepped back to inspect the team's arrangement.
Outside the imperial city, Sima Shi waited in person, riding his horse alongside the emperor's cavalry.
After the news was passed on, Meng Qi relaxed, adjusted his mood, and slowly climbed to the peak of his momentum and state.
Just deal with the Qionghua Banquet by yourself, and leave other matters to Xianji. If the sky falls, there will be a tall man to hold it up!
Yulin Garden is located in the northeast of the outer city, close to the canal. This section of the river in the city is winding and graceful. It is known as one of the ten scenic spots in the divine capital and is designated as a royal garden.
Inside, there are strange trees and flowers all over the place, fragrant and fruity. There are lakes, rivers, mountains and forests, and all kinds of wild animals can be seen from time to time.
Outside the gate of the garden, important officials of the imperial court and children of aristocratic families lined up on both sides to greet him. None of the dozen people in the group knelt down, and they were all representatives of top aristocratic families. They included Shangshu Zuopushe, Cui Yan of the Cui family, Shangshu Youpushe, Song Shouren, the head of the Song family in Luyang, and others.
——The political affairs hall of the Jin Dynasty usually consists of eleven people, with Shangshu Zuo Pushe as the prime minister, who is often a member of the strongest family at that time. This generation is controlled by the Cui family, and is held by the uncles of Cui Qinghe and Cui Qingyu, who are also members of the same family. A famous master, Shangshu Youpushe is the second prime minister, and several top aristocratic families take turns to hold the position.
In general, there is always one member from each of the eight top aristocratic families in the political affairs hall. For example, after an elder of the Wang family in Zhou County returned to his hometown, Wang Wenxian naturally stepped in and became the minister of political affairs. Because of the emperor's trust, he also served as the minister of household affairs. For example, Ruan Yushu's ninth grandfather, Ruan Kang, had the title of political advisor and was the representative of the Ruan family in Langya in the divine capital.
The remaining three places belong to the Zhao family in the divine capital, either by arranging strong masters or by introducing courtiers loyal to the emperor, just like the six-door general arresting Sima Shi.
Those who did not kneel down include, in addition to the eleven members of the Zhengshi Hall, Cui Qingyu and other top aristocratic family heads or important members.
With Meng Qi's identity, he naturally couldn't be in the front row and had nothing to do in the back. Suddenly, his eyes froze because there were two monks following the prince. One had an ordinary face, lowered eyebrows and lowered eyes. He was wearing a yellow monk's robe and had a delicate appearance. Bu Ran is none other than Xuan Zhen, the Buddha's Heart Palm, and he has already entered the list of people on location halfway!
Junior uncle and the prince together? Is this Shaolin taking a stand and joining other Buddhist sects in supporting the prince? Meng Qi took a breath, this was an extremely important bargaining chip!
The three Dharmakayas of the Great Jin Dynasty, excluding the Luo Jiao Dharma King, one is Cui Qinghe, the awe-inspiring Purple Qi, and the other is Kongwen, the Subduing Dragon Arhat!
Will Qing Xiu Shaolin finally be involved in secular conflicts?
Not only him, but also the corners of the emperor's eyes twitched. Su Li, Su Yue and others' expressions darkened. This was a situation that the Six Sects had not grasped before!
There was really a thunder blast on the ground!
The other monk next to the prince was in his thirties. He wore plain robes and turned his rosary. His facial features were soft and his face was slender. His mouth was tightly closed and his eyes were looking at the ground, as if he was worried about hurting an ant. Meng Qi could only vaguely judge that he was a heavenly being. The state of unity, but I don’t know his identity.
Jin Wang Zhao Yi's face turned gloomy, followed by "Sword Qi Changhe" Yan Chong.
Zhao Heng's face was as usual, and next to him was a guest in the mansion. He was nearly fifty years old and looked like he had no one under his command.
The other Cui Che from the Purple Sword, Fan Changmiao from the Wu Zhuangyuan family, Ruan Yushu from the Ruan family, Wang Zai from the Wang family, Huanhua Qi Zhengyan, etc. were all in the procession to welcome him.
As Meng Qi's eyes wandered, he suddenly collided with someone.
"Bai Qigu?" This is Bai Lianxiang, who is pretty and mature, with an above-average appearance. She came in relying on the elders of the Bai family who served in the court.
Bai Qigu nodded slightly, her eyes full of fighting intent, as if she wanted to weigh Meng Qi as the leader!
The sage drove into Yulin Garden, and everyone sat on a high platform. Below were the gurgling river, the flat land on the shore and the small mirrored lake, and in the distance was the fruit-scented forest.
On the high platform where Meng Qi stayed, there were the Wang family of Zhoujun and several other aristocratic families from the capital of the gods, and they were greeted again by courtesy.
"It has not been long, brother Zai has become one with heaven and man, I am so happy to congratulate you." Meng Qi smiled and held his hands.
Wang Zai's Chinese-character face was slightly darker, as if he had been exposed to the sun and rain, and he returned the favor with a smile: "How could it be that Xiao Meng, you have made such rapid progress, and in just a short period of time, you have become the perfect union between man and nature."
"Everyone's path is different." Meng Qi and Wang Zai sat down and chatted, listening to the emperor's elegant words.
After a lot of red tape, the old emperor chuckled and said: "I heard that there are many talented people recently, and I am very happy, so I have this beautiful banquet to watch the talents."
"...I have four questions, and I invite everyone to compete."
"The first one is playing music, chess, calligraphy and painting, the way of talent, cultivating one's temperament and polishing one's soul. I wonder who among the handsome men can be called the first?"
Meng Qi's mouth twitched when he heard it, and he suddenly felt that Qionghua's boasting before the banquet was a bit unreasonable. If he didn't compete in martial arts, what else could he offer?
Wang Zai nodded and said with a smile: "Does Xiao Meng have any talent?"
"Does whistling count?" Meng Qi twitched his face.
Wang Zai said seriously: "If you can play it to make all the birds sing in unison, and the immortal music will be corresponding, then it will be considered."
The two asked and answered questions, which made several people next to them smile.