Immortal Cultivation of the Heart (Erotic Version) - Episode 6, Chapter 3: Birthday Banquet

On this day, Wang Bao'er's birthday banquet finally arrived. The Wang family decorated the house with lanterns and streamers and held the birthday banquet in a grand manner.
The banquet began in the morning. Li Se was pulled out to drink, while Gu Xiangjun and Hua Ruxue accompanied Wang Bao'er.
Li Se was seated in the middle of the banquet. Apart from the Xue family, who knew he was the benefactor who had saved Xue Yaoguang and greeted him, no one else recognized him. He secretly slipped back to his room halfway through the banquet, and no one came looking for him.
It was nearly noon, and Gu Xiangjun and Hua Ruxue had not yet returned. Li Se was resting alone at home when a servant rushed over to invite Li Se to greet the guests, saying that the King of Han had arrived.
Li Se knew that the Prince of Han was named Zhu Gaoxu, the second son of the current Yongle Emperor. Li Se hurriedly followed the servant and saw a group of people escorting a man into the hall. The man was flanked by Wang Laocai on his left and Bai Tingyu, a handsome and extraordinary man, on his right. With such an imposing presence, Li Se knew that the man was undoubtedly the Prince of Han, and he observed him closely. He saw that the man had fierce eyes and a magnificent appearance. He was in his thirties, full of vigor and ambition, and indeed had the aura of a prince. Li Se couldn't help but admire him.
The Prince of Han, Zhu Gaoxu, said loudly, "I have come today to congratulate your daughter on her birthday, and I never expected to meet such an unparalleled talent. This is truly a cause for celebration." After speaking, he looked Bai Tingyu up and down.
Old Wang said with a smile, "Your Highness is a man of great importance and busy schedule. How could my daughter possibly be worthy of Your Highness's presence? However, Young Master Bai is an outstanding man among men, and it is only right that Your Highness should meet him."
Bai Tingyu smiled slightly and said, "Thank you for your kindness, Your Highness and Uncle. My father had important matters to attend to before I came, so he had no choice but to send me, a junior, instead. Before I met Your Highness, I was terrified. Your Highness is a general who led troops into battle, and I thought you would be fierce! But who knew that today, Your Highness would be such a kind and approachable person, a refined and elegant gentleman, truly worthy of being called a scholar-general!"
These words made Zhu Gaoxu laugh heartily. Zhu Gaoxu was known throughout the world for his bravery and was most afraid of being told that he only knew martial arts. He said happily, "Young Master Bai is indeed worthy of his reputation. It is said in the martial arts world that Bai Tingyu is worth half of the Tianlong Gang. I thought it was an exaggeration, but seeing him today, he is indeed extraordinary."
The three of them chatted and laughed, seemingly oblivious to everyone else around them, and after a while they finally entered the hall together.
Once everyone was seated in the hall, the Prince of Han sat in the main seat, with Bai Tingyu and Wang Laocai serving on either side. After the rest of the people were seated, Wang Laocai ordered a banquet to be prepared, and soon the table was laden with wine, meat, and rare delicacies.
Those present at the banquet were either leaders of highly prestigious martial arts sects or high-ranking officials of the imperial court. They all knew that the emperor had three sons, all born to the empress, with Zhu Gaoxu being the second son.
When the emperor was choosing a crown prince, he initially considered Zhu Gaochi, the Prince of Han, as a potential heir because Zhu had distinguished himself in battle during the Jingnan Rebellion and the emperor thought he resembled him greatly. However, due to opposition from some ministers, this plan was abandoned. Now, the emperor is over sixty years old, advanced in years, and his temper has become increasingly erratic. Rumors of the emperor throwing tantrums at the crown prince frequently circulate in the inner court. Therefore, who can guarantee that the emperor won't change his mind and choose another crown prince?
Therefore, everyone tried their best to curry favor with Prince Zhu Gaoxu of Han. Seeing that Bai Tingyu was deeply loved by Zhu Gaoxu, everyone had their own plans.
Leaving aside the banquet, let me first tell you the story from back then. There's quite a story behind the matter of choosing a crown prince! When Emperor Yongle had just ascended the throne, he discussed with Jin Zhong, the Minister of War, the matter of making Zhu Gaoxu the crown prince. However, Jin Zhong said it was absolutely unacceptable.
Jin Zhong was recommended by Dao Yan and accompanied the army in divination, where he repeatedly proved remarkably accurate, making him a highly trusted minister. He spoke frankly and frankly about the disastrous consequences of deposing the legitimate heir and establishing an illegitimate one throughout history. Because the emperor trusted Jin Zhong greatly, he was caught in a dilemma and could not make a hasty decision. Therefore, he consulted the talented scholar Xie Jin about the matter of establishing an heir.
Xie Jin responded, "The eldest son of the emperor is naturally benevolent and filial, and the people are devoted to him. Please do not doubt him, Your Majesty!"
The Yongle Emperor remained silent in thought.
Xie Jin bowed again and said, "Let's not even talk about the eldest son. Doesn't Your Majesty care about having a good grandson?"
It turns out that Zhu Gaochi had a son named Zhu Zhanji, born to Zhu Gaochi's concubine Zhang, who was then the heir apparent. On the eve of his delivery, the Yongle Emperor dreamed of the founding emperor Zhu Yuanzhang, who bestowed upon him a large jade tablet inscribed with the eight characters "Passed down to his descendants for eternity." The Yongle Emperor took this as an auspicious omen.
Then, at the full moon, the Yongle Emperor held Zhu Zhanji in his arms and gazed at him. He found Zhu Zhanji to be handsome and adorable, which matched the omen in his dream, and thus he became very fond of him. By the time the Yongle Emperor ascended the throne, Zhu Zhanji was already ten years old. He loved reading and reciting, and was exceptionally intelligent. The Yongle Emperor praised him highly.
Emperor Yongle was deeply moved by Xie Jin's words, but the matter was of great importance and he could not make a decision yet.
Several days later, Emperor Yongle happened to produce a painting of a tiger and several tiger cubs, and ordered his court officials to compose poems in response. The tiger cubs in the painting depicted a tiger and several tiger cubs in a very intimate manner. Xie Jin saw the painting, picked up his brush immediately, and presented it to the emperor.
The Yongle Emperor looked at it and found it to be a five-character quatrain, which read: "The tiger is the king of beasts, who dares to provoke its wrath? Only the affection between father and son makes him look back with every step."
When Emperor Yongle read Xie Jin's poem, he realized that Xie Jin was using it as a pretext to offer criticism, and he was deeply moved. He then decided to make his eldest son, Gao Chi, the crown prince, Gao Xu the Prince of Han, and his third son, Gao Sui, the Prince of Zhao.
When Zhu Gaochi, the Prince of Han, learned of this, he harbored a deep resentment towards Xie Jin. However, he plotted to assassinate Xie Jin several times, but failed each time because Xie Jin was resourceful and a favorite minister of the Yongle Emperor.
After several rounds of drinks, Old Master Wang ordered a performance to entertain the guests. Simultaneously, the low-hanging, fragrant curtains of the east and west corridors were rolled up, revealing two exquisite little stages. These stages were covered with scarlet carpets and draped with blue brocade curtains, adorned with countless pearls of various sizes, reflecting the five-colored lights and shimmering like stars in the sky. Behind the stages, a green gauze curtain obscured the view, through which musicians, singers, and dancers could be vaguely seen playing various instruments.
As the curtains slowly rose, twenty newly made-up singers and dancers emerged from each stage. Most of them were only fifteen or sixteen years old, with plum blossom-like figures and willow-like waists, each one charming and lovely.
Suddenly, music began to play from within the curtains. It was the "Rainbow Skirt and Feathered Robe" melody. The singers and dancers sang and danced to the music. For a moment, the music was melodious, the singing was graceful, and the dancing was elegant. It was both beautiful to hear and to see, and the fragrance of perfume filled the air, adding to the overall aesthetic appeal.
The audience was filled with guests, all of whom listened with delight and watched with rapt attention, wondering if they were no longer in the mortal world.
Zhu Gaoxu exclaimed in admiration, "Music and dance like this are truly exquisite and breathtaking."
Wang Laocai quickly declined, and everyone parted in high spirits that night. During the banquet, Zhu Gaoxu tried his best to win over everyone, but he also extremely admired Bai Tingyu, which was obvious to everyone.
Li Se also noticed this and thought to himself, "This Bai Tingyu is indeed favored by many; even the Prince of Han speaks highly of him upon first meeting him." The more he looked at Bai Tingyu, the more familiar he seemed. After a long while, he realized what he had done and thought, "He's a man; it's ridiculous of me to look at him like this." He then smiled and drank his wine.
The banquet lasted until late at night. Li Se returned to Qixiang Residence, where Hua Ruxue and Gu Xiangjun were waiting for him. Upon seeing Li Se, Hua Ruxue immediately recounted the banquet she had attended with various noblewomen and ladies from different sects. Xue Yaoguang was, of course, present, but Bi Ning, due to a disagreement with Wang Bao'er, had stormed off to Bihai Manor. Hua Ruxue then spoke of the gifts she had found for Li Se and how much Wang Bao'er loved them.
Li Se smiled and said, "As long as Bao'er is happy, that's all that matters. But you still haven't told me what gift you gave Bao'er."
Gu Xiangjun smiled and took it, saying, "My lord, Sister Hua found some fragrant herbs somewhere. The aroma is so intoxicating that it can last for days! If it were combined with other spices, it would be wonderful! Bao'er loves it so much."
Li Se was pleased to hear Gu Xiangjun say that, but he dared not praise Hua Ruxue any further, lest she become arrogant and unrestrained, which would be terrible.
李瑟起宴会上的事情，道：“王家的面子可真够大，汉王亲自前来道贺，不过他非常推崇白廷玉，让他坐在他的身边陪酒呢！看来他真是能讨人喜欢。”
古香君听了噗哧一笑，道：“他是讨人喜欢吗？郎君真是有趣，他又不是女子，可以凭藉美貌惹人爱怜。汉王是因为天龙帮的缘故，才特别看重白廷玉罢了。如果我所料不差，宴上汉王是不是对白廷玉大加笼络呢？”
李瑟一愣道：“嗯，那又如何？”
古香君肃容道：“唉！天龙帮野心极大，他们攀上汉王这根高枝，以后得到朝廷的默许，便可以名正言顺讨伐各派，然后独霸江湖啦！”
李瑟听的瞠目结舌，想不到其中还有如此多的学问。仔细想了想又觉无趣，他武功又低，地位又低，如何能参与江湖之事呢！不觉有些心灰意冷。
古香君见李瑟索然无趣的样子，便压下心中的担心，笑道：“江湖的事情和我们何干，宝儿的生日还要操办两日，再过两日我们就回镇山，什么都不理啦！安心的过我们自己的生活。”
花如雪拍手叫好，道：“好啊！快些回去吧！这里有很多厉害的人，我可有些怕！再说小石头也不知怎么样了呢！”
古香君道：“是啊！她一个小女孩，可真让人放心不下呢！”
李瑟一听快要回家了，心里也开心起来。家，是多么温暖的字眼啊！
王宝儿的生日宴会一共举行三天，有些富贵人家的儿女甚有操办七日的！
王老财素来节俭，因为是王宝儿成年的生日，才操办三日，再说借此机会，还可以结交和笼络一些江湖人物和达官显贵。
第二日依旧是全府上下喜气洋洋。
王宝儿因陪客人，昨日没有见到李瑟，因而今日早早就派人来请李瑟三人一起过去陪她吃早餐。
李瑟见王宝儿如此依恋他，心里既高兴又有些悲伤，心想：“过两日走了之后，再见宝儿一面不知是何年何月了。”
他又想起王宝儿自幼没有母亲，也是个可怜的孩子呢！他心中慨叹不已。
这时王宝儿正和花如雪嬉笑，见李瑟神情不悦，道：“大哥，你怎么不开心的样子？”
李瑟闻言，打起精神，道：“哪里啊！我心里高兴的很呢！妹妹已经成年了，真是可喜可贺的事情。来，我敬你一杯酒吧！借花献佛，聊表寸心。”
李瑟想着这也许是陪王宝儿的最后一次饮宴呢！又逢宝儿生日，便特意说些有趣的话题，逗王宝儿开心。
此时没有外人，李瑟既然凑趣，自然几人都聊得大是开心，不觉时间飞逝，几人笑闹着就过了一天。已近黄昏了，其间有多次王老财派人请王宝儿招待女客，都被王宝儿推托了。
王宝儿询问花如雪那香草是哪里来的，听花如雪说的欢畅时，忽然小青进来道：“李公子，快快去前庭去吧！太子殿下前来为小姐贺喜，并且指名要见公子你呢！”
李瑟吃惊地道：“太子殿下？可是我不认识他啊！”
小青着急地拉了李瑟就走，哪里管李瑟说什么呢！古香君虽都觉奇怪，可是也不是询问的时候。
李瑟满腹狐疑，来到了客厅，见王老财等人众星拱月般围着中间一人在小心地陪着说话。那人一见李瑟进来，就站了起来，笑道：“阁下就是天下闻名的李瑟李大侠吧！果然英气
过人。”说着就慢慢挪向李瑟，旁边的一个太监连忙搀扶，王老财也不迭地去搀。李瑟不由得惊呆了。
原来那人四十多岁年纪的样子，可是身体高大肥胖，这还不算，走起路来都非常困难。
李瑟还在发愣，王老财道：“李兄弟，这位乃是太子殿下，你还愣着做什么？”
李瑟立刻惊醒，连忙跪下，嘴上道：“参见殿下，小人李瑟不识尊颜……”
还没等跪下，太子早用胖乎乎的手掌搀住了李瑟，笑道：“不必多礼，不必多礼。我今天一来是恭贺王家小姐的生日，二来呢？来见识一下当今的少年英雄。嗯，果然是一表人才。”太子上下打量起李瑟来。
李瑟见太子的眼睛不大，不过看起来甚是和蔼可亲，见太子殿下如此礼遇自己，也是感动不已，实在不晓得说什么了，道：“哪里，小子一介草民，怎么能当殿下如此抬爱呢？是……不是殿下……认错……认错人了呢？”
王老财等人听了都大感意外，谁也想不到李瑟会说出这么一句话。
那太子却不以为意，大笑道：“怎会认错，就是你，来，来吧！你我坐下叙话。”
王老财忙道：“殿下，微臣略备水酒，请众人一起陪殿下可好？”
太子道：“也好，不过在一小厅就好，让其他人去别处尽情地喝酒聊天，不要因为我在的缘故，令大家拘束，反而不得欢娱，那样就失去了饮宴的乐趣了！”
王老财久居京师，虽然很少见到太子，可对太子的古怪脾气也是知道的。他的古怪脾气，自小就闻名京师。
在洪武二十八年，朱高炽年轻的时候，那时永乐皇帝朱棣时为燕王，而太子朱高炽被册封为燕世子之时，太祖皇帝朱元璋，有一次命令朱高炽与秦、晋、周王的三位世子分阅卫士。朱高炽很晚很晚，最后一个才回来覆命。
朱元璋很是奇怪，就问他怎么这么晚才回来，朱高炽回答道：“天气非常寒冷，我让士兵们吃过饭之后才阅兵的，因而最后回来。”
朱元璋听后，虽没当面夸奖他，但在背后赞他有宽仁之心。这件事情之后，朝廷的人都知道了他的禀性。
因此王老财知道太子的心思，便不再多说话，只应道：“是。”同时引太子往一间雅室里去。
太子拉着李瑟的骼臂，含笑而行，李瑟犹如身在梦里，不知因何太子对他如此器重。他从未见过太子，兼且他在武林里名声不响，为何太子待他犹如上宾呢？
李瑟茫然随着几人来到后面一座庭楼阁院。
只见屋里正阁左、右两壁厢都安着水晶玻璃镜，光明泠彻。前列着殊花奇草，后面设有十二叠步障，空蒙宵霭，似有若无。
王老财请太子坐了主位，然后吩咐下人上菜，把那上好的菜肴，珍奇美味，都摆了满桌。其中最显眼的乃是素菜，有把原料蒸熟捣烂，炙炒磨粉，加以酥油、酒酿、白蜜、苏合、沉香之类，撮和调匀，做成熊掌、驼峰、象鼻、猩唇等各顶珍馐样式。有的还在上面印出小鹿、小牛、小羊与香獐、竹鼬及鸡鹅、鲥鲈、虾蟹、巢王吉、雉雀、蚩毛莺的形象，真是千奇百怪。
这还不算，将榛松、榄仁、蜜望、荔枝、核桃、波罗蜜、苹婆果、落花参等物，也参照上面的方法，制为鸟兽的形状，再切后食用，免得滋味雷同。
那些果品都用新鲜的，如闽、粤、洞庭诸处及燕地豆大之茄、蚕大之瓜，晋中枣大之朱柿，西江米大之菱角，东吴指大之燕笋，玉井船大之雪藕，度索山盘大之碧桃……等等名闻天下的果品。
李瑟本不认识这些素食，吃到嘴里之后才吃出味道来了，心想：“王老伯真会巴结太子，想来太子大鱼大肉吃惯了，定会喜欢这么鲜美的素菜的。这素菜做的真是精巧。”
他正在赞叹不绝时，忽然瞧见太子只是捡些肥肉来吃，还笑道：“好久没食得这样的美味了，果然好宴。”
王老财连忙谦虚，李瑟一下呆住，对太子更觉奇异。又见周围陪客的几人都是不认识的，居然没有白廷玉。太子驾到这样的大事情，名满天下的白廷玉居然没有列席，也真是奇怪的事情。昨日白廷玉出尽风头，今日却不知为何不出现了。
李瑟正在纳闷的时刻，王老财命令手下的仆人移开一个大屏风，露出一个小阁。时正黄昏，阁中四十九颗明珠，周围悬挂，照耀与白日无异。
只见屏后走下十二个美人来，都是汉宫妆束，歌的歌、弹的弹、吹的吹。其声靡靡，其韵扬扬，也不知为何曲。歌毕，一齐离去。
然后又走下十二个美女来，举袂扬裙，分行齐舞，或如垂手，或若招腰，或有类乎霓裳。左右上下，或正或侧，或疾或徐，其态摇摇，其势翩翩，也分辨不出是什么舞。舞毕，也由屏后离去了。
接着又走下十二个美女来奏乐，乐器是笙、箫、筝、笛、琴、瑟、琵琶、云锣、响板，其始悠扬，其阕萧飒。
Everyone in the audience was captivated by the beautiful dance music. Li Se, as she listened, thought, "The music these people are playing is comparable to the music she played when I first met Ru Xue. What...what is she doing now?"
Just as he was lost in thought, he suddenly heard Zhu Gaochi say to him, "Young Master Li is a promising young man with a limitless future! I wonder what books you've been reading lately?"
Li Se hurriedly laughed and said, "This humble one is foolish and ignorant. I don't know how Your Highness came to know me. I am very rude and have been living in a foreign land. I haven't read any books lately."
Zhu Gaochi smiled and said, "You don't need to be so polite. Many people admire you! You don't need to feel inferior. A hero's origins are irrelevant. As long as you study diligently in the future, you will definitely be put to great use. Besides, even if I don't help you, do you think others will just stand by and watch? Reading more books will definitely be beneficial." Then he smiled meaningfully.
Li Se was completely baffled, having no idea what the Crown Prince meant.
Zhu Gaochi seemed uninterested in singing and dancing, and only chatted idly with Li Se. He casually asked, "Young Master Li, where is your immortal home? Who else is in your family?"
Li Se said, "I don't know where my home is. I am an orphan, and now it's just my wife and me."
Zhu Gaochi stopped eating, looked up in surprise, and said, "What? You're already married?"
Seeing that the Crown Prince had suddenly lost his composure, Li Se didn't know why and dared not ask. She simply replied softly, "Yes."
Zhu Gaochi scrutinized Li Se for a while longer before exclaiming in disbelief, "What a pity! What... what's the reason for this!" He then looked at Li Se several more times.
Li Se thought to himself, "This Crown Prince seems quite foolish. He's far inferior to the Prince of Han, who is so dashing. What is he doing? It's really inexplicable."

URL 1:http://localhost:909/htmlBlog/591.html

URL 2:/Blog.aspx?id=591&aspx=1

Previous Page : Sexual relations between me and my girlfriend's mother

Next Page : "The Amorous Affairs of a Female Official" - Chapter 161 Applying Medicine to Her

增加

comment Open a new window to view comments

Contact Information

Immortal Cultivation of the Heart (Erotic Version) - Episode 6, Chapter 3: Birthday Banquet

comment Open a new window to view comments