Chapter 413 Double Ninth Festival Banquet

September 9th.

It is the Double Ninth Festival, and the chrysanthemums are full of regret.

The annual Double Ninth Festival banquet was held in the palace. In front of the huge Taiji Palace, ninety-nine large round tables were placed one after another. The venue was decorated with black and gold, and there were chrysanthemum patterns, which were dignified, elegant and noble.

As soon as the sky was slightly bright, countless palace maids and eunuchs were busy here.

They hurried back and forth, but there was no noise at all. Even when they needed to talk, they lowered their voices, covered their mouths with their hands, and talked in a low voice.

Everyone knew that today was a big day and there should be no negligence.

If something went wrong, it would not only affect me, but also others.

In such a situation, no one dared to be careless, and even took the initiative to urge others to work, for fear that some idiot would implicate themselves.

Zhao Feng came to the setting venue of the Double Ninth Festival banquet early, watching everything being prepared in an orderly manner according to the plan.

"General Manager, the Cuju field is ready. Do you need to check it?"

A flowery-clothed eunuch came to Zhao Feng and reported quietly.

Zhao Feng nodded, glanced at the meeting venue in front of him, and said to the people beside him:

"Encourage them to be quick and don't delay the time."

"Watch the route for the guests to enter the palace, and don't let the imperial guards do anything rude."

Zhao Feng was only the general manager of the Ministry of Internal Affairs. He could manage the flowery-clothed eunuchs in the palace, but he couldn't manage the imperial guards.

Hearing Zhao Feng's order, the flower-dressed eunuch beside him memorized every word. Seeing Zhao Feng's pause, he asked at the right time:

"General Manager, General Wei..."

Zhao Feng smiled slightly, saw the concerns of his subordinates, and immediately comforted them:

"I have already made arrangements. The imperial guards will not embarrass you."

"General Wei has also received the order from His Majesty and knows what to do."

Seeing that the flower-dressed eunuch had no other questions, Zhao Feng waved his hand:

"Okay, everyone go and get busy."

"Today's Chongyang banquet cannot be missed."

The flower-dressed eunuch immediately replied: "Yes, general manager."

As soon as the time of Chen arrived.

The Suzaku Gate slowly opened.

And there were already four long queues waiting quietly outside the gate.

In this queue, there were people wearing official uniforms or gorgeous clothes.

Among them were meritorious officials, dignitaries, and their families.

At this moment, the queue in front of the Suzaku Gate almost included all the nobles of Daxing.

The road in front of the Suzaku Gate was also controlled by the imperial guards, and ordinary people were not allowed to enter and exit at will.

As the Suzaku Gate opened, the team entered the palace in an orderly manner under the leadership of the imperial guards and the eunuchs in flowery clothes.

Every position of the team was carefully considered, and it was divided into four teams according to civil officials, military officials, royal relatives and royal relatives, and finally invited family members.

The positions of the team were ranked according to official positions and titles.

At this time, the strength of each family can be seen.

The closer to the front of the team, the more power they hold.

The more clansmen in the team, the more prosperous the family.

Important banquets like the Chongyang Banquet have long become a stage for various families in the capital to show off their muscles.

"Wow, there are so many people."

The three little ones were sitting in a carriage entering the palace. Seeing such a long team coming in from the Suzaku Gate, they couldn't help but lie by the window to watch.

Three little heads squeezed in the same small car window, curiously looking at the team in the distance.

Outside the carriage, Xu Lang, who was driving the carriage, heard Princess Ankang's exclamation and immediately explained:

"Your Highness, if you don't count the royal family members, there are 999 guests at today's Chongyang Banquet."

"Ah? So many people!"

Princess Ankang was even more surprised when she heard this. She didn't expect that so many people would come to attend a banquet.

At this time, a large number of guests were entering the palace at the Suzaku Gate, and Princess Ankang and her carriage must not go there.

Not to mention the issue of crowding, it would be too rude from the perspective of etiquette.

People were slowly lining up and walking into the palace.

The three little ones drove by in a carriage, which was too embarrassing.

But fortunately, Zhao Feng had made arrangements in advance.

Princess Ankang has been living outside the palace recently because of the renovation of Jingyang Palace. She is the only royal heir who has to come from outside the palace to attend the Chongyang Banquet this time.

Therefore, the Ministry of Internal Affairs also took responsibility and made corresponding arrangements.

Later, their carriage will enter from the Anshang Gate next to the Suzaku Gate, and then arrive at the banquet in front of the Taiji Palace from the Changle Gate.

As for the invited guests, they will enter from the Suzaku Gate next to it, and then arrive at the banquet through the Chengtian Gate.

It just opens up a quiet road for Princess Ankang, and it will not cause any impact on the guests' entry into the palace.

But in the area guarded by the imperial guards, a luxurious carriage will attract attention even if it wants to be low-key.

"Mom, there is a carriage over there."

"Don't talk nonsense. This is the palace. How can there be a carriage?"

"Mom, there really is one!"

"Who is that? He's driving a carriage in the palace!"

"And judging from the style of the carriage, I'm afraid the owner's identity is not simple."

"Shut up and don't look around!"

"Be careful and follow the rules."

"Don't look at anything indecent, don't listen to anything indecent, don't say anything indecent, don't do anything indecent."

After all, everyone present was a person of status. As Princess Ankang's carriage appeared in the distance, it caused a small commotion, but it soon subsided.

But such an unusual movement attracted more people's attention.

They saw a carriage driving into the Anshang Gate next door and continued to go deeper without stopping.

The guests queuing to enter saw the carriage, passed them from the avenue next to them, and then continued to move forward. It seemed that the destination was in the same direction as them.

The team on the far right was originally the invited family team. They were closest to the carriage and could see it most clearly.

Because there were many children and women among them, the news naturally spread among the team, and even the people in the team next to them heard it.

In the team next to them, all the people standing were the backbone of the court.

These well-informed big men also gradually heard the news, but they did not make a fuss like the family members.

But many people also frowned and began to wonder who was driving in the palace.

There were not many people who had this honor, and several of them were standing in their team.

But apart from that, they couldn't think of a single one.

Only a few people who knew the situation in the palace very well had guessed who was sitting in the carriage.

But when they thought of this special day today, their expressions became solemn.

...

"Oh, they all looked over suddenly, and scared me!"

Princess Ankang covered her chest and patted it.

At this time, the curtain on the window had been pulled down, tightly blocking the window.

The three kids were watching the excitement, but the next moment they became the ones being watched.

If it weren't for Princess Ankang's quick reaction, they would have met the people in the team's eyes.

Thinking of the embarrassing scene, Princess Ankang couldn't help but feel a little scared.

Li Xuan yawned and stepped aside, planning to take a nap in the car.

He didn't sleep last night and was quite tired.

When they arrived at the palace gate, they found that there was something exciting to watch, so they got up and followed Princess Ankang and Yu'er to climb the car window.

But after watching the excitement for a while, there was nothing to watch.

Li Xuan, who was not satisfied, planned to catch up on his sleep first.

Princess Ankang and Yu'er chattered excitedly, discussing today's banquet.

"Nine hundred and ninety-nine guests, there are so many people."

"Look at those teams just now, when will so many people enter?"

It can be heard that Princess Ankang is still looking forward to today's Chongyang Banquet.

After all, they have never seen such a big scene in Jingyang Palace.

"That's right, no wonder Manager Shang reminded us to eat something on the way."

"With so many people, when will we eat after all the procedures?"

Yu'er also sighed on the side.

When they set out from Xingqing Palace earlier, Manager Shang specifically reminded them that the Chongyang Banquet was complicated and they must eat something on the way to fill their stomachs, otherwise it would be difficult to endure during the banquet.

Originally, for such a big event, the three little ones thought that Manager Shang would go with them.

But Manager Shang said that he would not attend today's Chongyang Banquet, but would stay in Xingqing Palace.

Looking at Manager Shang's appearance, it seems that he is not very willing to attend the Chongyang Banquet.

Princess Ankang and Yu'er ate snacks on the side and chatted all the way.

The two girls were also a little nervous to play Cuju in front of so many people.

After all, compared with yesterday's scene, the audience has increased many times.

Princess Ankang ate a snack herself, and did not forget to put one in the mouth of Li Xuan who was squinting his eyes and sleeping.

The little girl was a qualified lady. When she ate, she never forgot to give Li Xuan a bite.

And Li Xuan also gave face to Princess Ankang. Even if he was asleep, as long as he felt something coming to his mouth, he would open his mouth without hesitation and chew.

After a while, they passed through Changle Gate and came to the banquet in front of Taiji Palace.

After getting off the carriage, the three children were shocked by the grand venue in front of them.

The square in front of Taiji Palace, the three children had passed by when they went to Qianxing Pavilion to read books before.

At that time, they only thought that this place was big and spacious enough.

But after it was decorated now, people could not associate it with the square before.

A high altar was erected in front of Taiji Palace.

The most eye-catching place below was arranged with two exaggerated seats, each with dragon and phoenix carvings.

As expected, the seats should belong to Emperor Yongyuan and Empress Wu.

In the venue, although no guests have sat down yet, melodious music has already sounded.

"Is it so high-end and classy?"

Even Li Xuan, who was still a little confused, immediately perked up and looked at the details of the venue curiously.

Li Xuan looked at the venue dominated by black and red tones, and there were chrysanthemum patterns everywhere.

From the color point of view, the banquet venue is relatively monotonous, but after careful design, it looks very stylish.

"It seems that a lot of financial and human resources have been spent to do these details well."

"It's not easy for Old Zhao to be the general manager."

Li Xuan understood that in addition to the intrigues with others on weekdays, these are the main responsibilities of the general manager of the Ministry of Internal Affairs.

He looked at the palace maids in uniform clothes, shuttling back and forth in the venue, and couldn't help but admire Zhao Feng.

It is not an easy task to coordinate so many people and hold such a big event.

"It seems that compared with military power, this management ability is the reason why Emperor Yongyuan took a fancy to him."

While Li Xuan was sighing, Xu Lang planned to take the carriage away.

This carriage can't be parked here, it will attract too much attention at the banquet.

In this regard, Zhao Feng had already made arrangements, asking Xu Lang to temporarily stop the carriage in the closer East Palace, and let Princess Ankang and others get on the carriage and leave after the banquet.

Before the carriage left, Yu'er took a small bamboo basket from the carriage.

The small bamboo basket was covered with a piece of cloth, and it was impossible to see what was inside.

The three little ones looked around and only saw the busy figures of the palace maids at the venue.

They were the first to arrive at the venue.

"Myna doesn't seem to have arrived yet?"

Princess Ankang frowned and said.

"I sent someone to deliver the message in the morning. Logically, he should have arrived a long time ago."

Princess Ankang pouted a little dissatisfied.

"Your Highness, what should we do?"

"Other people will come later, I'm afraid..."

Yu'er also said with some worry.

But Princess Ankang was not too worried, but smiled and said:

"If that's the case, I'll have to trouble Ah Xuan."

Li Xuan opened his mouth wide and yawned loudly. Hearing this, he couldn't help but roll his eyes at Princess Ankang.

"Hmph, you only know how to order me around all day long."

But he also knew that this was the only way.

Otherwise, their little plan would be exposed.

Li Xuan took the small bamboo basket from Yu'er's hand, then meowed to the two girls, and found a rooftop to climb up.

The square in front of Taiji Palace had a wide view, and Li Xuan climbed directly to Taiji Palace, with a clear view of the situation below.

The two girls went to their seats under the guidance of the palace maids.

Today's Chongyang Banquet, the royal heirs will sit together.

At this time, no matter how good the relationship is, they have to eat at the same table.

Princess Ankang and Yu'er came to such a big banquet for the first time.

No, it should be said that it was their first time to attend a banquet, and they were a little restrained at the beginning.

But fortunately, there was no one in the entire banquet hall, so no one saw their embarrassment.

Li Xuan lay on the roof, observing the two girls from a distance, and couldn't help but feel funny.

But taking advantage of this time, Princess Ankang and Yu'er immediately adapted to the atmosphere of the banquet.

As long as people are familiar with the environment, as a sense of security is established, the nervousness will be relieved.

When Li Xuan was looking for a job in his previous life, he liked to go to the vicinity of the interview location in advance and stroll around a few times to make himself familiar with the environment.

In this way, he often performed better during the interview.

Of course, this method is not limited to interviews. Anything that makes you nervous can try to use similar methods to build up a sense of familiarity to make yourself confident.

In layman's terms, this is scouting.

Just as Li Xuan was holding a bamboo basket and sitting on the roof, waiting for the banquet to start, a figure suddenly jumped up from below.

Li Xuan turned around and saw that it was a eunuch in flowery clothes.

After the eunuch in flowery clothes came up, he waved his hand impatiently, as if he wanted to drive Li Xuan away.

But the expression on the eunuch's face changed from impatience to shock in a flash, and then changed to respect.

The expression changed so quickly that it was just like the face-changing in Sichuan Opera.

And even faster was his action. The hand that was originally halfway through suddenly changed its trajectory, and one knee also bent suddenly.

The eunuch in flowery clothes's action of driving away was actually switched to kneeling on one knee and bowing his hands.

"I am so rude, I didn't know you were here."

"Please forgive me, sir!"