The Capital of Qi was in a festive mood. The streets were decorated with lanterns and streamers.
The tofu restaurant was no exception. Even in the middle of the night, they were still busy preparing the tofu for tomorrow's big day. From tomorrow onwards, there would be free tofu for three days. The amount would definitely be large, and the commoners who couldn't afford it would probably all rush over.
"Actually, there are many places that will be providing free food tomorrow. From what I know, the palace is making large amounts of flatbread, and they will be distributed at the alms point tomorrow. Also, the Prince of Jade's residence will be setting up a shed to provide free food tomorrow. Many influential families will be responding. As long as they are willing to come, the commoners in the capital can basically eat and drink for free these few days. "
Manager Gao said as he poured wine for Yuan Gang.
He didn't go home today either. He planned to stay here for the next few days, and it would definitely be very busy. The two talked about the amount of free tofu while looking at the busy people in the backyard.
Yuan Gang said, "Let's have more."
Manager Gao sighed. "Boss, I understand your kindness, but I'm afraid that your kindness will lead to trouble! Think about it, the people who can come here to eat for free are mostly poor people. Some of them can't finish it, but they will save it for later. The officials will be busy tomorrow and won't send people to watch over our tofu. We won't know who has received it and who hasn't. There are so many people in the capital, who can recognize all of them? "
"Boss, our tofu isn't like flatbread. It can't be stored for long, and it goes bad easily. We can't provide it to everyone, and we have to control the amount. Otherwise, if a lot of people get stomachaches, it will be a big deal on this big day! People won't appreciate our kindness, and our tofu restaurant's reputation will be ruined. "
"Boss, to put it bluntly, the situation has changed. In the past, the general maintained a neutral stance, and everyone wanted to win him over. At least no one was willing to offend him. No one dared to touch us because of the general's residence. In the future, it might be different. Some people are worried that they can't find any evidence to make a fuss about. Small things can become big things. Do you think the higher-ups will punish them according to the law, or lead them to break the law? I'm afraid that even Third Young Master will have to restrain himself in the capital. The general's residence has already warned us to be careful. "
Yuan Gang thought about it and nodded slightly. "Shopkeeper Gao is right. Let's do as you say! By the way, has the matter of renting out a restaurant to reward everyone been settled? "
Manager Gao smiled and said, "Alright, alright, everything is done. Boss, you don't have to worry. You can go to the General's Mansion to drink the wedding wine. I will keep an eye on things here."
Yuan Gang said calmly, "I won't be attending the wedding banquet at the General's Mansion. It's the same for me to accompany everyone here."
Manager Gao said, "Not everyone is qualified to attend the wedding banquet. Those who can attend represent their identity and status. Many big families in the capital can only watch helplessly even if they want to attend. At that time, the people gathered there would be either rich or noble, and not everyone would have the chance to show their faces. The young masters of the General Family were all on good terms with the Master and called him brothers. When the time came, everyone would see that the Master would have a lot of face in the capital. Butler Cha told me to invite you to the wedding banquet. Boss, you must appreciate his kindness and respect. "
Yuan Gang said, "It's precisely because the people there are either rich or noble that it's not a place I should go. I can help the Third Young Master entertain his subordinates here."
Renting out a restaurant here was because he didn't want to attend the wedding banquet. He was worried that Hao Qingqing's people would recognize him.
Manager Gao only asked, "Based on your relationship with the Third Young Master, is it appropriate for you not to attend his wedding banquet? It doesn't make any sense! "
"…" Yuan Gang was silent. Then, he asked again, "Why did they ask Yuan Dahu and Gu Younian to attend the wedding banquet with me?"
Manager Gao smiled bitterly. "Boss, how many times have you asked me? I really don't know. I'm also puzzled about this, but Steward Cha said it himself …"
In the middle of the clouds, at midnight, the main gate that was usually open day and night was closed with a buzz.
From today onwards, all the filthy places in the capital would be closed for three days for the Eldest Princess's wedding.
Standing upstairs, Su Zhao and Qin Mian watched the colorful lights in the hall go out one by one. They watched as the ladies put down their smiles and left, leaving only a few people to clean up.
The two of them turned around and disappeared into the depths of the corridor. In the backyard, Su Zhao looked up at the starry sky and suddenly asked, "Do you think we can find Niu Youdao if we send people to Qingshan County to track the golden-winged birds?"
Qin Mian smiled bitterly. "Qingshan County is involved in official and military affairs. I don't know how many golden-winged birds are flying around. Who knows which one is in contact with Niu Youdao? If we want to track him, how many large birds would we have to send? It's hard not to be discovered with such a big fanfare. What's the use? Besides, Niu Youdao might have already returned to Qingshan County. "
Su Zhao was just saying it casually, but he let Niu Youdao escape from under his nose. He just couldn't take it lying down.
"Boss, it's quiet these few days anyway. Do you want someone to invite An Taiping over to accompany you?" Qin Mian suddenly asked teasingly.
Su Zhao blushed slightly and rolled his eyes at her …
The next day, General Huyan's mansion was extremely lively. It would be strange if the Eldest Princess didn't enter the Huyan family's mansion.
Yuan Gang and the two men with missing arms and legs didn't show up until the lanterns were lit and the wedding banquet began. The three of them found a corner and sat down.
Yuan Gang didn't want to mingle with those who were either rich or noble. At his request, the Huyan family seemed to understand him and arranged for him to stay in a relatively remote courtyard.
Yuan Dahu and Gu Younian, who were missing arms and legs, were also happy. They really felt that this place wasn't something they should be in. They all felt that it was better to hide in a corner.
When the courtyard was gradually filled up, they realized that they were all wearing armor. Only then did the three of them realize that the people drinking in this courtyard were all officers of the Valiant Cavalry Army.
Yuan Gang and the other two, who weren't wearing armor, were more eye-catching.
"Who are the big red face and the two old men with missing arms and legs?"
"The big red face wasn't red before. He's the boss of the tofu restaurant. The one with missing arms and legs is the street sweeper outside the tofu restaurant."
"What's going on? Even the door sweeper of the tofu restaurant is here? "
"Sigh! Why do you care so much? It's so obvious that they're allowed in. There must be a reason. "
After eating and drinking, the group of soldiers gradually loosened up, and the scene became noisy. People were drinking and toasting each other.
Yuan Gang, Yuan Dahu and Gu Younian kept a low profile as they ate in a corner.
"The Great General is here."
A few voices rang out in succession. Everyone put down their wine glasses. Some hurriedly put on their helmets. Their armor clattered as everyone stood up.
Huyan Wuhen arrived accompanied by a few attendants. His imposing gaze swept across the crowd.
"Congratulations to the Great General! Congratulations to the Great General!"
Everyone cupped their hands in obeisance and congratulated him loudly without stopping.
Huyan Wuhen raised his hand, and the scene immediately became silent. He pressed his palm downwards, and all the generals sat down again. Each and every one of them sat upright and motionless.
This imposing manner of strict obedience caused Yuan Gang, who was looking around, to feel a slight chill in his heart.
Cha Hu pouted his lips at Yuan Gang and whispered something in Huyan Wuhen's ear.
Huyan Wuhen looked over and walked over. She walked to Yuan Gang's table and stood in front of Yuan Dahu and Gu Younian. She made the two of them very nervous.
Huyan Wuhen extended his hand, and someone immediately placed a wine cup in his hand.
"Both of you are older than me, and you joined the army earlier than me. I'm very happy that both of you can come to my wedding. I'll first toast to both of you!" Huyan Wuhen raised his cup with both hands.
What's going on? All the generals looked over in unison, bewildered.
Not to mention the others, even Yuan Gang was stunned. He didn't know what was going on.
Yuan Dahu and Gu Younian stood up in a flurry, and hurriedly said that they wouldn't dare.
"I'll drink first!" Huyan Wuhen raised his head and drank it in one gulp. He showed the bottom of the empty cup to the two.
The two hurriedly picked up their wine bowls and stammered a few words of congratulations to the Great General. Then, they hurriedly drank it down. Yuan Dahu drank too quickly and choked, coughing repeatedly.
Huyan Wuhen's gaze fell on Yuan Gang's face, and he asked, "Why is your face red?"
"It's from practicing martial arts." Yuan Gang said truthfully.
"You can be used as a statue in a temple." Huyan Wuhen sneered, and no longer paid attention to him. He turned around and ordered another bowl of wine. He looked around and picked up his bowl.
Everyone picked up their wine and stood up.
"All of you are my brothers who have gone through fire and water with me, so I won't beat around the bush. My third brother can no longer muddle along. In a few days, he will be thrown into the Valiant Cavalry to be beaten. Some people understand the reason, but some don't. In short, whoever is polite to him will be harming him. Also, everyone is here to drink at my wedding today. There's no need to follow military rules. You can drink to your heart's content. Cheers! "Huyan Wuhen once again drank first.
Everyone immediately drank.
After putting down the wine cup, Huyan Wuhen strode away. As he passed through the crowd with majestic strides, he looked straight ahead and said in a cadence, "We are in the imperial court, and we can't do as we please. There are still some guests outside, and we can't afford to offend them. I have no choice but to neglect my own brothers. There will be enough food and wine, so I won't be accompanying you. Don't throw a drunken fit after drinking, and go back obediently! "He waved his sleeves.
"Yes!" Everyone responded in unison, and watched him leave.
Following that, Yuan Dahu and Gu Younian became the focus of everyone's attention. They were all asking each other who could make the Great General come over to toast alone.
Now, no one dared to look down on the two of them. The officer sitting at the same table couldn't help but ask, "So the two of you are also from the army. May I know which division you belonged to?"
Yuan Dahu and Gu Younian didn't want to mention it, but they were asked again and again. It wasn't good for them to lie, so they finally said two words: Black Wind Cavalry!
In the end, Yuan Gang discovered that the way the other officers looked at the two of them had changed. Everyone was in awe!
After that, a bunch of people ran over to toast them!
This drinking session made the two old men cry, and they were completely drunk. They didn't even know how they got back.
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