Chapter 333: Chapter 333 Family Banquet

Prince NanAn and his companions had just reached the second gate.

A servant ran up from behind.

“Young Master,” the servant called out.

Su Chong turned around.

After a moment, the servant ran over and said, “The Prince Yu Mansion has sent an invitation, inviting the Young Master and a few others to attend a banquet.”

Su Chong raised his eyebrows slightly.

He took the invitation and glanced at it.

“It really is inviting us to the Prince Yu Mansion for a banquet,” Su Chong said in surprise.

“Thanks to you all,” Su Chong laughed.

Chu Shun patted him on the shoulder and said, “Brother Su, you’re too modest. Even if we weren’t here, you wouldn’t be left out of the invitation.”

The dignified Young Master of Dongxiang Marquis Mansion, even the Heir of Duke Chong was defeated by him. How could they dare not invite Su Chong to such a grand event like the Lotus Appreciation Banquet?

No one attended the Dongxiang Marquis Mansion housewarming banquet before, and Marquis Dongxiang still remembers it.

Not this time—moving for the second time—even the Emperor gave face and attended.

“Brother Su, tell your family’s servants that we are attending a banquet in a few days, and have them not to punch us in the face,” Prince NanAn said.

“…”

There was a hint of bitterness in Prince NanAn’s tone.

Once with tender skin, now his face is almost roughened like an old tree bark.

People need face, just like trees need bark.

When the time comes for the Lotus Appreciation Banquet, everyone will be radiant, except them, who would have bruises all over, which is too damaging to their image.

Although the image has pretty much already been ruined.

“I’m not sure if it’ll work,” Su Chong said pensively.

“…”

Young Master Su extended his hand, “Ten taels of silver, and I’ll settle this for you.”

Su Chong, “…”

Chu Shun took a silver ingot out of his pocket and handed it to Young Master Su.

Young Master Su gleefully hid it away.

“How will you settle it?” Su Chong asked.

“It’s really simple, I just need to tell them that you’re planning to find a wife at the banquet, and I guarantee they won’t hit your face,” Young Master Su said confidently.

“If they don’t hit you, they definitely won’t hit them.”

“…”

Su Chong raised his hand and knocked on Young Master Su’s head, “With our Dongxiang Marquis Mansion’s reputation, do you think your brother here can get a wife?”

“That’s why, since you can’t, you need to rely on your face,” Young Master Su said.

“Brother, you need to use your face to mesmerize them, so they’d fight each other to claim you, just like how your brother-in-law did.”

Whoosh!

A sharp blade seemed to stab into Su Jin’s chest.

She still stood, though Su Chong was about to collapse.

Chu Shun laughed and said, “It seems Father and Mother aren’t in a hurry about Brother Su’s marriage.”

Su Chong looked up at the sky, feeling melancholy.

When he first came to the capital, they didn’t want him in the mansion until he got married.

But ever since he entered the mansion, his parents never brought it up again, as if they had given up on him.

They continued chatting as they entered the inner courtyard.

Inside, Mrs. Tang and the Marchioness Jingguo and others were already at the table playing mahjong.

When it was time for lunch, they only stopped for half an hour.

Regarding the cake Su Jin brought back, Young Master Su praised it endlessly.

After the birthday banquet, Mrs. Tang and the Marchioness Jingguo returned to the table, while Su Jin and the others went shopping.

After buying things, they sent Young Master Su back to the mansion, and Su Jin returned to the Duke Zhen Country Mansion.

The Duke Mansion was still immersed in the joy of Old Master Xie capturing the King Beimo alive.

The Old Madam was so pleased that she awarded three months of monthly salary to everyone in the Duke Mansion.

Xingxing’s monthly salary was ten taels of silver.

This time, she received thirty taels, making her so happy she couldn’t close her mouth.

Su Jin wasn’t particularly moved, as her thoughts were on the family banquet.

Tired from shopping, she took a half-hour nap and changed into a dress, as it was time for the banquet.

This was her first family banquet since marrying into the Duke Mansion.

The Duke Zhen Country Mansion had a large number of people, and the rules were strict.

Princess Nanzhang and the others accompanied the Old Madam at one table, along with the Second Master and Third Master.

Su Jin and Xie Jinyu were at another table.

Xie Jingchen and Xie Jingchuan were at the same table as their brothers.

In a corner, there was another table for the mansion’s concubines.

Princess Nanzhang glanced around and asked, “Was Qingqiu Garden not notified?”

“They were notified, but the maid said Lady Chi was feeling unwell, so she wouldn’t attend the family banquet,” the maid replied.

Princess Nanzhang was merely asking casually and didn’t dwell on it.

“Who is Lady Chi?” Su Jin asked curiously.

Sitting with concubines, yet called a lady.

Xie Jinyu and Xie Jinxiu ignored her.

Xie Jinhuan explained, “Lady Chi is a concubine gifted to the uncle by Nanliang. After entering the mansion, the uncle arranged for her to live in Qingqiu Garden.”

“Lady Chi has always been reclusive, rarely attending banquets.”

“Previously, the mansion suspected she was a spy planted by Nanliang, but she hardly leaves Qingqiu Garden throughout the year, and Old Master Xie has never set foot there.”

The first branch of the Duke Mansion is quite simple.

Apart from Princess Nanzhang, there is only Lady Chi.

A concubine who is extremely out of favor.

Since Old Master Xie looks down upon her, Princess Nanzhang doesn’t pay her much mind either.

Asking about her is merely an act to showcase the magnanimity of the house’s mistress towards her concubines.

In fact, Princess Nanzhang is more interested in the new concubine brought in by Third Master, Aunt Xue.

Aunt Xue entered the mansion with a veil on.

Now that the veil is off, her stunning beauty at such a youthful age makes Third Madam pale in comparison.

Particularly after Aunt Xue’s arrival, Third Master hasn’t stepped into Third Madam’s room even once.

Upon seeing Aunt Xue, Third Madam’s eyes were filled with icy daggers.

Aunt Xue, however, is quite measured, staying in her place with the other concubines, though her beauty is too striking.

After glancing at Aunt Xue, the Old Madam’s gaze fell on Third Master.

Third Master felt a heaviness in his heart.

He understood the Old Madam’s meaning; she wanted him to deal with Aunt Xue before the Duke returned to the capital.

The Duke would return in a month.

The time left for him was too short.

The Old Madam spoke a few words, mainly praising Duke Zhen and Old Master Xie for their military victories at the border, contributing immensely to the court, and urging the young ones to follow the example of the Old Duke, to strive hard and bring honor to their ancestors.

After encouragement, the family banquet commenced.

Su Jin’s task was to eat well.

Chit-chat and so on had nothing to do with her.

Xie Jingchen and his brothers drank wine, at least on the surface showing deep brotherly affection.

Princess Nanzhang glanced in their direction several times, frowning repeatedly.

As the banquet was about to end, she glanced at Mrs. Zhao.

Mrs. Zhao frowned heavily.

The banquet lasted more than half an hour, and the dishes on the table had gone cold.

Once the Old Madam put down her chopsticks, everyone sat for a moment before dispersing.

Su Jin and Xie Jingchen returned to Agarwood Pavilion.

Midway, Xie Jingchen asked her, “Did anything go wrong?”

“No, nothing,” Su Jin replied.

“Why do you ask?”

“I thought they might poison you,” Xie Jingchen said.

Su Jin chuckled.

If they really poisoned her, this family banquet would have become quite lively.

After so many occurrences, they likely wouldn’t dare.

“What about you?” Su Jin asked.

“They must be wondering why I’m not coughing up blood,” Xie Jingchen said coldly.

“…”

Peony Garden.

After entering the room, Princess Nanzhang waved the maids out.

Princess Nanzhang’s expression was cold and stern, “What’s going on? With the task I assigned you?”

Mrs. Zhao said, “I’m puzzled too. Every cup poured from the Yin Yang Pot for Young Master was poisoned wine. By right, just one glass should cause him to bleed and faint, but he drank a dozen cups without any reaction.”

“Are you sure he drank it?” Princess Nanzhang asked.

“I saw it clearly,” Mrs. Zhao said.

“Then there’s something wrong with the wine; someone swapped the poisoned wine!” Princess Nanzhang fumed.

Mrs. Zhao looked at her, “Is it possible? Who in this mansion would help Young Master?”

Princess Nanzhang also felt that nobody dared oppose her.

A maid brought over a wine pot.

Princess Nanzhang personally poured a cup and gifted it to a young maid.

The young maid was overjoyed and drank it right away.

In less than a quarter of an hour, the young maid collapsed.

Mrs. Zhao fed her a pill, saving the girl’s life.

The potion, undoubtedly poison.

The wine, Young Master drank too.

Yet he wasn’t poisoned; it was beyond comprehension.

Princess Nanzhang pondered for a long time, finally thinking of one explanation, “Maybe this type of poison doesn’t affect him.”

Agarwood Pavilion, inner room.

Su Jin poured herself tea, looking at Xie Jingchen, “Since you knew they were poisoning you, why didn’t you expose them and catch a maid in the act?”

“Exposing would only kill a scapegoat maid,” Xie Jingchen said calmly.

“Rather than brushing it off in the end, better to let them escalate, so at the next family banquet, Grandfather and Father are present.”

The Old Madam would shield Princess Nanzhang.

But Duke Zhen and Old Master Xie wouldn’t.

Su Jin somewhat anticipated Xie Jingchen spitting blood in front of Duke Zhen and Old Master Xie.

That would certainly be quite a scene.

Source: Webnovel.com, updated by NovelKeep