Amidst the hustle and bustle of people, the light from the fire lit up the Su mansion after nightfall. The green tiles, the flying eaves, the carved corridors and the painted rafters, the falling snowflakes were either pushed away or melted by the heat in the air.
Today's banquet had just begun. It extended from a side hall on the side of the Su mansion. There were twenty-six tables, some round and some square, and about two hundred people. This was just an ordinary banquet in the Su mansion in this winter. There were fewer banquets in other seasons, but as the end of the year approached, the banquets became more frequent.
The third branch of the Su mansion, many relatives, some elders who worked for the Su family, and some shopkeepers who had gathered from all over the country had already taken their seats. Sitting at the central round table were naturally Grand Duke Su, Song Mao, and a few elders who were of the same generation as Grand Duke Su, as well as Su Boyong and Su Zhongkan. The layout of the surrounding tables was basically very particular. Only those who had truly contributed to the Su family could sit here. For example, Mountain Elder Su Chonghua of Yushan Academy, Head Shopkeeper Su Yunsong who was in charge of the business, and some other shopkeepers, even if they were directly related to the third branch, had to be real stewards. Only people with this kind of status could sit nearby. If Xi Junyu had been invited, he would probably be able to sit here.
As for Su Tan'er, although she was now in charge of many things in the first branch, she was still a woman after all. She had not yet had a proper status, so she sat at a table further away from Ning Yi. There was not much conversation between the two, but their expressions seemed normal. Of course, it was hard to say what they were thinking in their hearts.
From this table onwards, the rules for seating were much more relaxed. They sat at a square table a little further away. Su Wenxing and Su Wengui were gathered together, occasionally glancing over with ulterior motives.
At this time, Su Tan'er and Ning Yi would never have imagined that in such an ordinary banquet, there would be a few people paying attention to the two of them with fluctuating emotions. Moreover, until the end, their emotions could not be resolved in the slightest.
"Later, Song Zhizhou and the others will definitely come over and praise that Ning Yi. Once Song Zhizhou mentions it, everyone pay attention. The show is about to begin."
Regarding this matter, Su Wengui believed that he had already seen through it. Especially when Song Mao mentioned Ning Yi once in the first few paragraphs of discussion and pointed out that Ning Yi was good at teaching, he was even more certain of his thoughts. A quarter of an hour after the banquet began, the tables began to move. After another quarter of an hour, Song Mao picked up his wine cup and walked around with Su Zhongkan.
Given Song Mao's status as a Zhizhou, it did not matter if he sat in the main seat and did not move. However, he had always been attentive to everything. This walk was not because he was using his status as a Zhizhou, but because he was putting himself in the position of a friend of the Su family. In this way, he greeted the surrounding tables, which was already giving them a lot of face. But then, in a casual manner, he looked in the direction of Su Tan'er and Ning Yi and said a few words. "The Su family has Tan'er and Liheng …"
"I'll go over …" Su Wenxing picked up a wine glass and leaned over. Just as he approached, he saw Song Mao and Su Zhongkan turn to leave. He froze slightly and turned back.
"What's wrong …"
"I don't know. Uncle just said a few words …"
"Given the Zhizhou's status, he should not have said much. I'm afraid the Zhizhou feels that the time is not ripe yet." Su Wengui thought with a gloomy face. "Maybe he needs to wait for Second Sister and Ning Yi to go over to toast, then he can say some words to test them."
Amidst the flickering flames, the banquet went on noisily. People were moving about, children were playing, and people were toasting each other at the table. The few of them had something on their minds and were not in the mood to eat, drink, and play. After a while, Su Tan 'er and Ning Yi stood up. They also picked up their wine glasses and walked towards the main table in the crowd. Su Tan'er and Ning Yi returned after toasting. Su Wenxing and Su Wengui also returned with confusion. They looked at Ning Yi and Song Mao and blinked. Then, they discussed for a while. Not long after, Su Tan'er and Ning Yi stood up and talked to Song Mao not far away. Su Wengui nudged Su Wenxing. Su Wenxing followed them … and returned with a wine glass …
The banquet gradually dispersed.
According to the stricter rules, the others could only leave after the Great Grandfather left. However, the Great Grandfather liked to chat with his old brothers here, so the atmosphere was lively. Seeing that it was about time, he smiled and waved his hand. "Those who have something to do, eat your fill, or get drunk. Disperse, disperse, haha …"
Some of the children had had enough fun and had begun to doze off. Some had vomited and lay on the table. After the Great Grandfather said this, the atmosphere became more free. Some people left, while others came to the table to greet the Great Grandfather and the others and chat about interesting things. The faces of Su Wengui and the others were gloomy. Su Wenxing had been bragging for a few days because Song Mao was coming. At this moment, he felt as if his face had fallen to the ground. He couldn't put up a front no matter how hard he tried.
"What? There's no chance at all …"
"Your uncle never intended to test him in the first place …"
"If you can't persuade your uncle to help, why don't you just say it? When you came out, you even said that you'll definitely …"
At the other end of the line of sight, Song Mao had already stood up. He seemed to be saying something with a smile. "I can't hold my liquor …" He was probably about to leave. Su Tan'er and Ning Yi had also gone to greet the Great Grandfather. When Song Mao was about to reach the door, Su Tan'er and Ning Yi also turned to leave. Su Wenxing, whose face was dark, suddenly stood up. "Wait!"
The noise was suppressed for a moment by these words. Then, it started again. Many people noticed him, and naturally, they didn't think that the words were directed at them. Song Mao, who was at the door, glanced over. Su Tan'er and Ning Yi looked over in confusion. Then, they looked around and turned to continue walking. The Great Grandfather tilted his head and looked at Su Wenxing. He blinked a few times. "Oh, Wenxing, what are you guys talking about? Is something the matter? "
"I … I … uh … nothing … nothing …"
After saying this, he sat down resentfully.
After a moment, he stood up again and chased in the direction that Song Mao had left.
*****
After leaving the banquet, Song Mao returned to his room. He took a sip of the hangover tea that Song Kai had prepared and then washed his face.
He didn't drink much wine. For him, it was only enough to rinse his mouth. At this time, his mind was still clear. He sat down at the table and took out a book and put it aside. Then, he ground the ink and took out a few pieces of Xuan paper to lay them out. He prepared a writing brush and put his hands in a writing posture.
Today was a fruitful day.
Originally, it was just a routine visit to Master Qin. He didn't expect to gain much. For an official like him, he had to pay visits to important people often. No one knew when he would be useful, so it was always good to build a good relationship. He didn't have much expectations for the master-disciple relationship between him and Qin Siyuan. This matter was nothing more than a bargaining chip. In the future, when Qin Siyuan rose to power, he would naturally remember him. If he lost the chance to rise again, he could at least have some contact with his two sons. This relationship wasn't deep. Even he didn't expect that today, he would more or less go further.
Today in the Qin's Mansion, Ning Liheng and the two old men behaved casually, which indeed shocked him. It seemed natural and didn't seem like a relationship between a son and a nephew. No wonder Master Qin introduced him and little friend Ming Gong. Even though Zhang Xuan was shocked, it wasn't a bad thing. After he revealed his relationship with the Su Clan and the other party, Qin shi's attitude toward him had clearly changed. It was no longer the polite exchange between an ordinary disciple and a teacher. Zhang Xuan was satisfied that their relationship had deepened.
On the other hand, he also got to know Kang Xian and Kang Mingyun.
Thinking of this, Song Mao first wrote a few words on the Xuan paper: Kang Gongming, please bestow. Then, he stopped. He was going to visit Ming Gong in a few days. He was thinking about the words on the card. Then, he made a stroke under the word "bestow" and wrote the word "Dao" next to it. Dao Bestow. This was suitable for moral and upright people and scholars to use.
These words were minor details, but at the moment, he was indeed thinking about these things. As for testing whether Ning Yi was fishing for fame or not, after he greeted Ning Yi in the Qin's Mansion, he completely dispelled the idea. In all fairness, with his current status, there was no need for him to fear Qin Siyuan or Kang Mingyun. As for Ning Yi, who only had the status of a commoner and was acquainted with these two people, there was even less of a need for him to fear. If he really wanted to do something, Ning Yi was just a small character to him.
But why bother?
In any case, whether the second branch took over the Su family or the little girl named Su Tan 'er took over the Su family, there was no difference between what he could get. Why bother? From that moment on, the decision that could be made was clear. Whether Ning Yi was fishing for fame or not, he didn't need to expose him, so of course, there was no need to test anything.
As for the nephew who wanted to embarrass him … it was just a small matter. Since the decision had been made, he didn't care about it anymore.
After a moment, Song Kai came in and reported, "Young Master Wenxing wants to see you." He nodded and said, "Let him in." His eyes were still focused on the Xuan paper in front of him, and he began to write the following words …
*****
The snow wind blew, and the night under the snow was a bit lonely and desolate. In the distance, there was the sound of the temple bell.
The banquet in the distance had basically ended. Looking from the railing on the second floor, the fire seemed to have faded a lot. Ning Yi lay there and looked at the Su family's courtyard with the flickering lights. In the snow, the lights in the rooms and attics rippled with artistic conception.
The sound of footsteps came from the staircase. He didn't need to look to know who it was. These footsteps were different from Xiao Chan's, who usually liked to come up and pull him down. Xiao Chan's footsteps were much more lively. These footsteps were elegant and quiet. Perhaps it would be more appropriate to say that she was calm and quiet.
Tilting his head, the silver-white figure was coming from the other side of his field of vision. He only saw a corner of the fox fur coat because there was a pillar next to him. The figure walked to the side of the pillar and stopped. She also lay on the railing and looked out of the courtyard.
The two looked at each other in silence for a while. If he tilted his head to look, he could see the beautiful and immature side profile of the woman. Not long after, Su Tan 'er finally said, "Husband likes to look at the scenery here."
"It's beautiful, isn't it?"
Ning Yi smiled. He knew that for the two of them, it was time for a showdown.
…
"Husband is a strange person."
"En?"
*****
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