It had been a few years since he last saw Ziqu. In the darkness of the Guiyu Pavilion, it was so quiet that only Sun Yizhi's steady breathing could be heard.
Every time he thought of their last parting, Youyu felt a little regretful.
But at this moment, Youyu felt that he had made the right decision by not following Ziqu's instructions to keep the appointment.
Youyu was a little afraid. He was afraid that if he had kept the appointment, he would have left with him in an instant, leaving behind his father and everything in the pavilion.
Forget it. Youyu thought that since Ziqu liked the jade pendant, he should keep it. It was a souvenir anyway.
But why did he suddenly come back? What was he up to? Youyu couldn't think of an answer.
Youyu hadn't attended morning court for many days. He was afraid that he couldn't continue to pretend that he was sick.
In order to not be criticized, he got out of bed the moment the rooster crowed and dressed up. He put on his official robes and went to court.
As soon as he entered the palace, he met a few officials that he was familiar with. They all greeted Youyu and asked if he was feeling better these days. Youyu answered them appropriately.
Before he could enter the main hall, Zhang Zezheng grabbed him.
"Youyu, long time no see. What have you been busy with these days? "Lord Zhang asked him.
"This official has not been feeling well these days. Thank you for your concern." Youyu replied respectfully.
"Youyu, don't pretend in front of me. We're already so close." Lord Zhang said in a low voice.
"Hey, my pavilion has been burgled these days. But it's a small matter. I've already solved it." Youyu deliberately changed his tone.
"The big matter is that Yizhi has been in a bad mood these days."
Lord Zhang became anxious. "Ah? Then did you persuade him? "
"You can't rely on me," Youyu replied.
"Then hurry up and start your Appraisal Conference. I have to go take a look at Yizhi." Lord Zhang said seriously.
Before Youyu could say anything, the morning court session was about to begin.
Both of them had their own ulterior motives. They smiled at each other, tidied up their appearances, and entered the main hall.
The Emperor was still expressionless, but when his eyes swept over the officials below the stage, his gaze paused on Youyu for a while. When Youyu realized this, he immediately lowered his head and shrunk his neck.
It was still an ordinary morning court. After the court, the emperor asked Youyu to stay.
When all the officials had left, there were only a few people left in the hall. The Emperor asked, "Youyu, how are you?"
"Thank you, Your Majesty, for your concern. I'm fine now." Youyu trembled a little. He found it hard to describe the majestic emperor in front of him. Therefore, he began to feel nervous again.
"That's good." After saying this, the Emperor stopped talking.
Youyu and the Emperor stood quietly in the main hall like two pillars.
After a long and torturous silence, Youyu finally spoke.
"If Your Majesty has nothing else, this official … … this official will take his leave first."
"Mm, good." The Emperor said.
When he returned to the fu, Lao Song hurriedly came to greet him. These days, he was afraid of Lao Song. As long as he was in a hurry, something wrong would happen.
"Lao Song, no matter what happens, let me drink some tea first." Youyu spoke first, stopping Lao Song who was about to speak.
"Ye … …" Steward Song had a helpless expression on his face. "This is a good thing!"
Youyu stared at him. "Alright, then I'll allow you to speak first."
Steward Song immediately beamed with joy and smiled. "Ye is still the most knowledgeable! The stolen treasures in the building have all been returned! "
"Really!" Although Youyu was happy, he felt that it was strange. He didn't seem to have done anything.
"However, each treasure has a note attached to it." Steward Song said again.
"What note? What's written on it? "Youyu was a little confused. "I'll go take a look."
Entering the Guiyu Pavilion, the treasures were all placed neatly, without any flaws or dirt. The notes were taken out by the staff and placed on the table.
Sun Yizhi crossed his legs and leaned against the chair, reading the notes.
Youyu ran up and snatched them.
"What are you looking at? You're really free these days. "
Yizhi stood up and stared at Youyu with a smile.
"It seems like you know them." Yizhi approached Youyu. "I fell asleep last night. Did you see anything after that?"
"Nothing at all. It's all your fault for sleeping so deeply!" Youyu retorted.
"Then why are all these things back? Could it be that these things can recognize the way?" Yizhi continued to ask him with a smile.
Youyu was uncomfortable with his strange yin and yang.
"You, go do what you need to do." After saying that, he turned around and looked at the note in his hand.
The note was very short. There were only a few words on it: We'll meet again soon.
However, these few words caused Youyu's heart to feel uneasy.
Although the handwriting wasn't as crooked as before, it was still Ziqu's handwriting.
What did he mean by 'we'll meet again soon'? Why did he rush off last night without even a proper greeting? What did he mean by stealing the treasures and then returning them?
Therefore, Youyu took a deep breath. He didn't want to think about it anymore. He called Lao Song over.
"Lao Song, I plan to hold a banquet the day after tomorrow. Go and send the invitations to all the important people. Tell the servants to clean up the building. Then bring out some rare incense to smoke the house. Bring out some treasures to shock the crowd. Arrange the candles for the evening as well. Lastly, wake up all the young masters in the backyard who have been idle for a long time. Those who need to bathe, those who need to burn incense, don't make any mistakes."
There was no need for Youyu to say anything. Steward Song would do everything himself. After all, he had been in charge of all the banquets for so many years.
After Steward Song heard this, he was a little excited. The Guiyu Pavilion hadn't been lively for a long time. The young masters in the backyard had practiced a few plays, but they didn't have a chance to perform.
After Youyu finished speaking, he hummed a little song and walked out the door with light steps. Yes, the banquet should continue. He planned to personally deliver this news to Lord Zhang's residence.
The capital city's opera was prosperous. There were opera troupes everywhere in the city. However, there were many who sang out of tune.
Everyone knew of the great reputation of the Guiyu Pavilion. However, the plays in the Guiyu Pavilion weren't something that anyone could see just by buying a ticket. Those elegant and beautiful performers weren't easy to see.
If one didn't have an invitation, they wouldn't be able to enter the backyard.
After the play, there would be a tea party. At the banquet, they would enjoy all the delicacies in the world and drink all the fine wine that the pavilion master had collected.
The young masters in the Guiyu Pavilion were also famous in the capital city.
Someone once compiled them into a book. It recorded their stunning looks, dreamy voices, and the changes in their temperament.
After each name, there would be a commentary, which explained which play they were good at.
Among the many young masters in the Guiyu Pavilion, the most famous one was the head of the book, Sun Yizhi. It was said that his looks were unparalleled in the world, but his temperament was like the moon in the clouds.
Youyu once read this book. He didn't know whether to laugh or cry at the author's description of Sun Yizhi. He took this book to mock Sun Yizhi. Yizhi was humiliated into anger by Youyu. He tore up the book in front of him.
Youyu wasn't the kind of vicious old pimp in the Three Words and Two Pats. He was particular about congenial feelings and would never force anyone.
He never got involved in the pursuit of pleasure and the exchange of power and money in the brothel. He had always seen these high-spirited or high-ranking people fighting over women at the wine table. He withdrew his body but was able to handle it smoothly.
At the banquet, everyone had their own desires. The young masters wanted money, to be praised, or to be cared for and loved.
The people who had gathered here were thirsting for beauty and sound. They came and went, each putting their weight on the table to exchange. It didn't matter who lost, as long as you and I were willing.
Those young masters weren't like those novels. They didn't end up with a tragic ending when they grew old and lost their looks.
Some tried their best to accumulate wealth, then returned to their hometown to buy houses and do business.
Some started an opera troupe, taught opera, and had students all over the world. It turned out that everything in the Guiyu Pavilion's brothel had become a thing of the past in the first half of his life.
As usual, Youyu entered Lord Zhang's house from the side door. The servants were all familiar with him and didn't pass on a message. Youyu pushed the door open.
"Lord Zhang, tomorrow night you can have your wish …" Youyu didn't finish his words, but swallowed them back. There was another person sitting in Lord Zhang's hall. The three faces looked at each other, and the atmosphere was slightly awkward.
"Hello, Sir Young." The person who didn't know immediately stood up and spoke, breaking the ice.
"This is?" Youyu asked.
Lord Zhang told Youyu, "This is this year's new top scorer. You haven't seen him yet."
"As expected of the new top scorer. He also has a handsome appearance." Youyu didn't know what to say, so he just praised him.
"Sir Young is too kind. I hope that you will guide me more in the future." The new top scorer lowered his head and said humbly.
"Don't be like that. The rising stars are much better than an old-fashioned old man like me." Youyu told him with a smile. In his heart, he thought, 'This year's new top scorer is really extraordinary.' He hadn't been the top scorer for long, but he had already seen through the situation in the imperial court and started looking for a backer. He hadn't officially taken office, but he had already entered Lord Zhang's house to curry favor with him. It could be seen that he would be an important official in the imperial court in the future.
"My surname is Jun Su. Sir, you can just call me Jun Su." As he spoke, he poured tea for Youyu.
Lord Zhang looked at Youyu. "This Jun Su is humble and honest. Please take care of him in the future."
Youyu didn't say anything. He stared at Jun Su. Jun Su's eyebrows were straight and he sat upright in his chair. Youyu thought that he would be a noble and virtuous person.
Lord Zhang said again, "Youyu, what did you want to say just now?"
Youyu shifted his gaze to Lord Zhang and signaled him with his eyes.
Lord Zhang smiled. "Youyu, we are all on the same side. You don't have to hide it. I will definitely go tomorrow night. Not only that, Jun Su is also a complete drama addict. He knows a lot about drama. "
Youyu had already guessed what Lord Zhang wanted to say, but he asked weakly, "Sir, what do you mean?"
"Jun Su will go with me tomorrow night." Lord Zhang told him kindly.
"I have long heard that Guiyu Pavilion's drama is the essence of the capital. I have been fascinated by Guiyu Pavilion for a long time and want to see its true appearance." Jun Su said to Youyu.
Youyu smiled. "In that case, there is no need to be reserved. Come together tomorrow night."
However, his heart was filled with endless admiration for Jun Su. The handsome and elegant top scorer in front of him didn't seem like a hothead who had just become an official. He was actually well-versed in the ways of officialdom and had gained Lord Zhang's trust in him in such a short time.
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