Translator – Xiao He Lian
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Chapter 20.2
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As the year was coming to an end, the biggest snowfall since the beginning of winter fell.
This day happens to be the birthday of the second branch Madam Xiao.
While everyone was talking together, a little maid walked up to Madam Xiao and said, “Second Madam, the banquet is ready.”
After three dishes were served, the Duke of Zhen and his two younger brothers moved to the side to drink. To keep the fun going, several juniors started shouting and playing ‘Flying flower order1(The so-called “flying flower order” refers to the use of the word “flower” in poetry while drinking. The more strict form is in a certain order, such as when the first person says “flower” in the first character, when the second person says “flower” in the second character, and so on.)’.
Except for Lu Yan, the only child in the first branch, the other two branches all had a son and a daughter, namely, Lu Ye and Lu Jin in the second branch and Lu Ting and Lu Heng in the third branch.
The great-grandson that the old lady can’t put down now was born to Lu Ye’s wife Shen Man. Tracing back to its roots, Shen Man was also a daughter of the Shen family, but from a side branch.
As they were playing for fun, this Flying Flower Order will naturally not be too difficult.
At this time, Lu Heng pointed to the snow outside and said, “How about choosing the word ‘snow’ to suit the scene?”
Everyone had no objections.
“Flying Flower Order” is not difficult. To put it bluntly, it means taking turns to pick up poems. Today’s rule is to pick up poems with the word “snow”. Of course, if the first person begins the poem with the word “snow”, then when the second person continues the poem, “snow” will be placed as the second word and so on.
Whoever fails to take their turn will be punished with a drink.
Lu Jin spoke first, “Snow covers the courtyard and the moonlight is idle.”
Then Lu Ting said: “Spring snow is empty and the grass is thin!”
After the second stanza, it just happened to come to Lu Heng. There were many poems about “Snow in front” and “Snow in back”, but a poem with snow as the third word is more difficult…
Lu Heng thought for a long time and then whispered: “Welcome spring, snow is gorgeous and drifting to the extreme.” After saying this, her own gaze shifted a little.
Lu Ting would not expose his biological sister, nor would Lu Jin, but Lu Yan was different. He glanced at Lu Heng and said bluntly: “The rhythming is not right.”
Being exposed on the spot, Lu Heng’s face couldn’t help but turn red.
Unexpectedly, she was defeated in the first round. She wanted to be coquettish and say that the first time didn’t count, but Lu Yan reached out and poured her a glass of wine.
Her pair of eyes looked a little desperate.
She needs to block her third brother’s mouth in advance!
After thinking for a moment, she raised her glass and cheered.
But history always repeats itself. After changing places and after a few rounds, there were fewer and fewer poems with “snow” in them. However, it was still Lu Heng who suffered, causing her to pull her hair and say: “I should have suggested the word “winter”, who suggested using the word snow!”
She stole a glance at Lu Yan, who was staring at her wine glass, and wailed: “As far as the third brother’s temperament is concerned, when will I be able to have a third sister-in-law.”
After hearing this, Madam Wen hurriedly patted her on the head, “Is this what you should say?”
Madam Wen’s words sounded like she was educating Lu Heng, but her tone and look were clearly saying – Lu Yan can’t find a wife, the whole family knows, is it necessary for you to say it?
The old lady said from the side: “The little girl is always like this. She can’t play well but she never thinks about working harder, instead she just blames her third brother for being unreasonable.”
As soon as she finished speaking, several people at the table couldn’t help but laugh out loud.
Lu Yan touched the tip of his nose and said helplessly, “Does grandma think I’m being unreasonable?”
Old Lady Lu gave him a “of course” expression.
At this moment, Little baby Yun, whom Old lady Lu was holding in her arms, suddenly chuckled, and everyone’s attention was attracted to this little guy.
Lu Yan was saved from being teased.
Because some of the sons in the family had to go to work the next day, the banquet ended a little early.
After Princess Jing’an returned to Chongya Garden, she sighed repeatedly, and her bright eyes were actually stained with a ray of sadness.
Duke Lu Jun put his hand on her shoulder and said, “Why are you sighing again?”
The eldest princess rubbed her eyebrows and said, “Didn’t you hear what they said at the table today? Now even Heng’er knows how to tease him up about his marriage.” As soon as the Meng family daughter left, everyone in the family knew everything, and Lu Yan’s marriage fell through again.
Lu Jun took off the hairpins one by one for the eldest princess and then said: “Getting married is a big event, and there is no need to rush it. And next year, I guess the Emperor has the intention to transfer him to another place. If he gets married now, he may have to leave the bride behind for a long time.”
As soon as she heard this, the eldest princess’s voice suddenly rose. “Next year? Next year he will be twenty-four! No, tomorrow I will go to the palace to talk to the Emperor.” A single dissatisfaction is enough for her to run to the palace, this is the typical Princess Jing’an.
“Jing’an, please stop fooling around. He is serving as a Magistrate in Jingzhao Prefecture and has a lot of things to do. Just…”
Before Lu Jun finished speaking, he was interrupted by Princess Jing’an, “Drag this for even longer so that he can go to the brothels? Do you know where Yan’er has been staying the past few days? And do you know why the daughter of the Meng family left? It is said that one should not know one’s son as well as one’s father, so Duke, why don’t you tell me what he is really thinking?”
When Lu Jun saw that she was about to have a tantrum, he quickly covered the eldest princess’s mouth and carried her directly to the bed.
“Jing’an, go to sleep.”
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Who knew that Duke Zhenguo had the ability to predict events like a god? The next day, it happened to be the day when all the ministers were going to court, and after the court session, Lu Yan was called by the Emperor to stay back.
In the study, Emperor Cheng Yuan handed Lu Yan a secret letter and said: “I order you to go to Yangzhou guised as the son of a wealthy businessman in Jingzhou.”
Yangzhou…..
After Lu Yan heard this, his heart skipped a beat and he couldn’t help but frown.
