Imperial Treasure

Chapter 1183 - 693: Luoyang Birthday Banquet (Part 2)

Sui Yi was just about to take his leave when Jingzhao Ning was also preparing to extend an invitation...

It was just at this very moment.

"Is it the Jingzhao Lord?"

The name Jingzhao Ning is quite interesting. In officialdom, people often liked to refer to him as Jingzhao, yet Jingzhao Ning himself often used Jing as his surname and Zhaoning as his given name. Therefore, Jingzhao Jingzhao, it sounded more like an official title (indeed, in later generations there was a Magistrate of Jingzhao).

A steward in charge of attire bowed and saluted, smiling at Jingzhao Ning: "I came out to buy ingredients, and coincidentally ran into you, sir. The guest room in the manor is ready. If the gentleman is not busy now, please do come over; you can just catch up with Fang Xuanling and his wife, and Qi Bazhou, among other renowned scholars, at the gathering."

When Sui Yi heard the name Fang Xuanling, his eyebrows twitched slightly.

This was a peerless minister of the top rank in the history of the Central Plains, of course, more famous was his wife...

The vinegar jar known worldwide and overseas.

However, although Sui Yi was curious about this couple, that was about it. Still, the steward was as sharp-eyed as with eyes of golden flame; after speaking with Jingzhao Ning, his eyes naturally drifted to Sui Yi: "I suppose this gentleman is one of peerless demeanor, no ordinary person, just as everyone says, with eyebrows like green pine and eyes like hanging jade; surely a contemporary hidden scholar."

This man was indeed skillful in speaking. Without knowing Sui Yi, he attributed him the high-status title of a hidden scholar, making Sui Yi silently praise the skillful flattery.

"You flatter me; I am just a wandering person, merely passing through Luoyang."

"Then that is wonderful; since it’s a chance encounter, it is a matter of fate. I earnestly invite the gentleman to join Lord Jingzhao at the birthday banquet of the grand Confucian scholar, to fulfill our duty and hospitality in Luoyang’s Confucian way."

Sui Yi: "...."

Confucian people are adept at debate; as expected, if transported to modern times, they would certainly be top-notch salespeople.... If they were to sell insurance, how many people would fall for it?

Before Sui Yi could say anything, the steward suddenly twirled his mustache and said, "The gentleman need not worry about the embarrassment of not having an invitation. You must know, our grand Confucian teacher is most hospitable, often discussing the meaning of life and Zen with the high monks of Jingnian Zen Temple. As it is said, in turbulent times, cloudbursts arise; human sentiments do not cease. We are all people of turbulent times. Even amidst chaos, we must not lack openness and peace. Remember, meeting one person is just one person; with one person less, it is just less one person. You must cherish the present..."

This speech surely couldn’t have been made by this steward and must have been from the mouth of Wang Tong or a high monk of Jingnian Zen Temple. Just those words stirred something within Sui Yi’s heart.

Indeed, she seemed to always be in an agitated state in this world... Wanting to leave, wanting to find someone, wanting to avoid trouble, not wanting to provoke, not wanting to kill, not wanting to...

Whether wanting or not, all was so agitated.

Far from being as open-minded as Wang Tong and other great contemporary moralists in this time of chaos.

Perhaps, she used to be open-minded.

Since coming to this world, she was no longer so, but as for why, she had a faint understanding in her heart, she just didn’t want to admit it.

Seeing the hint of relaxation on Sui Yi’s brow, Jingzhao Ning immediately smiled, "Sir, do come with me, as you should know in the grand Confucian garden, there are many learned people; I, Zhaoning, am alone and reserved, I feel rather unsettled in my heart."

Sui Yi looked at Jingzhao Ning, nodded slightly, "Then I will trouble you."

Upon hearing this, the steward nodded with a smile, very enthusiastically leading the two away...

What kind of master would have what kind of subordinates?

Previously, Sui Yi had probably only had a few encounters with Wang Tong, and the other party might have a stronger impression of her than she had of him. However, through the steward’s words, she likely had a good idea of what kind of person the other party was.

Hospitable, most appreciative of talent, regardless of what kind of talent...

People like Shong Xiufang, like Jingzhao Ning, and also...

Sui Yi pondered; in the steward’s speech, he seemed particularly concerned with her appearance.

Appearance?

Perhaps because in the Sui Tang era, the beauty of a gentleman was particularly advocated, pale and beautiful as the ideal gentleman’s demeanor. If a man’s appearance was extremely ugly, unless he had outstanding talent, he would find it hard to be accepted by the upper aristocracy. However, if one possessed the peerless looks of a gentleman, even without exceptional talent, the People Under the Heavens would show more tolerance, like those beautiful men recorded in history... As long as they were not drawn by an emperor to become a Long Yang disaster or had character flaws, their reviews in history were mostly not low. From this point, women were not so lucky.

Beauties bring disaster.

Even in modern times, the societal pressure on good-looking men and women is vastly different; good-looking male celebrities mix much more easily than female celebrities.

Sui Yi sighed inwardly and found herself unknowingly at Wang Tong’s place.

Wang Tong was not a bureaucrat, so the place he resided naturally was not a bureaucratic mansion, but rather, the Congde Garden with a strong scholarly air.

Speaking of Wang Tong, this man had quite an influence, not only attracting newly rising prominent figures in the court such as Jingzhao Ning, or a well-known noble son like Dugu Rou, or even... Wui Zheng.

When Sui Yi saw Wui Zheng, she inwardly thought things were not looking good.

Wui Zheng was there.

Fortunately, Li Jiancheng was not there, but Li Yuanji was!

It was truly the case of wanting to see nothing and yet seeing precisely that.

Jingzhao Ning’s face changed slightly too, as Li Yuanji was not a simple character. How did he come here?

Could it be that something is about to happen at this birthday banquet?

Jingzhao Ning was regretting slightly bringing Sui Yi to attend this banquet, instinctively looking towards Sui Yi, only to see that Sui Yi was also looking at him, with clear eyes....

Jingzhao Ning suddenly felt calm.

Currently, Li Shimin was at a complete disadvantage; Li Yuanji and his kind were surely planning to act, although time was pressing. The resistance from the Military Department was too fierce, so they wanted to incite internal treason... like using Fang Xuanling, these high talents of Tiance Mansion, and these remarkable officials or celebrities from the likes of Wang Tong’s birthday banquet...(To be continued. If you enjoy this work, welcome to Qidian (qidian.com) to vote for recommendations and monthly tickets. Your support is my greatest motivation. Mobile users, please visit m.qidian.com to read.)