Three days later, when Su Nansheng saw Su Hele in the carriage, she couldn't help feeling surprised.
She knew that Deng would go, but she didn't know that Su Hele would go too.
Moreover, her sister, who was as gentle as a chrysanthemum, shouldn't attend such a banquet.
Su Hele wore a moon-white ruffled dress embroidered with auspicious clouds and a snow-white silk shawl. Her figure was exquisite and charming.
The elegant and fair face made the cinnabar mole under her right eye more obvious, like a lovesick seed.
"Sister seems to be in a good mood today."
Su Hele glanced at Su Nansheng indifferently:
"Of course I don't want to attend such a vulgar banquet, but to avoid you causing trouble for the Su Mansion, I have to go."
Since Su Nansheng agreed to marry He Xun as a concubine, she had ignored Su Nansheng.
Let her cool off, which could be regarded as a lesson for her.
Su Nansheng smiled slightly: "I thought sister condescended to come for someone."
Although she didn't know the conversation between the two that day, according to the informant, He Jin's face was not good when he came out, obviously the communication was not very pleasant.
The purpose of Su Hele's participation in the banquet was self-evident.
"You might as well worry about yourself. I said you can't be a concubine. Look, not only has the Anshun Marquis Mansion not responded to your marriage, but also held a flower viewing banquet. You should know the purpose of this flower viewing banquet."
Su Hele's chin lifted slightly, with a hint of mockery in her tone.
She had inquired that He Xun had returned from the northern border.
As soon as he came back, the mansion held a flower viewing banquet. It was obvious to anyone with a discerning eye what was going on.
Su Nansheng didn't answer, but instead praised:
"Although sister doesn't often attend banquets, she seems to know the tricks inside quite well."
Seeing that Su Nansheng was unmoved, Su Hele deliberately revealed the truth:
"The banquet is clearly for the eldest son He to choose a concubine. I don't know how many concubines he will choose for himself."
"None of them will be there." Su Nansheng said firmly.
In her previous life, He Xun didn't have a single concubine.
Hearing this, Su Hele snorted softly: "You won't shed tears until you see the coffin."
When He Xun had chosen his concubines, she would see how Su Nansheng would cry.
...
When the two arrived at the Anshun Marquis Mansion, there were already several luxurious carriages parked in front of the door. The fragrance of clothes and the shadows of hair buns were everywhere, and the voices were noisy.
Seeing this, Deng, who got out of another carriage, immediately waved to the two of them:
"These people are either rich or noble. You two should be more vigilant, especially A Sheng."
After the exhortation, Deng took them to present their invitation cards.
Soon, a little maid led the people into the Marquis Mansion. The mansion was full of pavilions and towers, and the beams were painted, indescribably luxurious and rich.
The people were led into a two-story waterside pavilion. As soon as they entered the hall, they smelled the fragrance of the wind and heard the sound of silk and bamboo.
There was a black ink screen standing in the middle of the north side of the hall. On the left side of the screen stood a half-person-high acacia vase with intertwined flower patterns.
On the right side was a gilded cloud-patterned Boshan stove more than ten inches high, with fragrant smoke lingering.
Chen Wanrong was sitting upright in front of the pear wood table in front of the screen. Li Yiniang was sitting on her left.
Li Yiniang frowned slightly, as if she was a little unhappy.
Chen Wanrong was looking at Su Nansheng with a smile.
"Pay respects to the madam."
Su Nansheng and the others immediately bowed and saluted.
Chen Wanrong's face was gentle: "Why be so polite, please take your seats quickly."
Immediately, a little maid led Su Nansheng's sisters to their seats, while Deng was arranged next to Chen Wanrong.
After the people were seated, the hall returned to its noisy state. There were even actors performing and musicians dancing.
Su Hele sat upright, while Su Nansheng quietly observed the situation around her.
From the open window, she could faintly see the waterside pavilion opposite, and the hearty laughter of the men came from afar.
Su Nansheng raised her eyebrows. It was really a blind date banquet.
After waiting for another cup of tea, when all the guests had arrived, Chen Wanrong took the lead to stand up:
"The gardeners outside must have prepared it. Let's go and enjoy the lotus flowers."
"It's only after April now. Are the lotus flowers in your place already in bloom?" The one who spoke was Mrs. Chen of the Duke of An.
Chen Wanrong smiled at her: "If I could only show you some ordinary things, how would I dare to trouble you to come here?"
"You're so glib."
The people said and laughed as they walked out of the waterside pavilion. Sure enough, they saw large patches of lotus flowers blooming in the water, like a flower path.
"Look at this large tricolor lotus. How delicate it is."
"This little dancing concubine is also very beautiful."
...
Su Hele didn't bother to look at these lotus flowers. Her attention was all on the waterside pavilion opposite.
People also came out one after another to enjoy the lotus flowers. They were all noble and handsome young masters.
Su Hele was proud of herself. It was really for He Xun to choose a concubine.
There would definitely be a competition session later. As long as she showed a little bit of her skills, she could overwhelm the crowd.
He Xun would naturally be infatuated with her. Then she would firmly reject him. Wouldn't it be a hard slap in the face for Su Nansheng?
It would also make Li Yiniang see how precious she was.
"This isn't the noble Miss Su. Why is she with us vulgar people?"
The delicate laughter interrupted Su Hele's thoughts.
"Her father has been demoted to Fangzhou. Even if she's a celestial being, she won't be able to be noble in that place. Naturally, she has to choose a family that can make her continue to be noble while she can still be noble."
There were women laughing and echoing.
Su Hele gritted her teeth and pretended to be disdainful. Then she smiled and looked at Su Nansheng.
She didn't need to argue about such a small matter. Su Nansheng would naturally stand up for her.
If Su Nansheng got into a fight with these gossiping women impulsively, it would be even better. It would make her look more gentle and elegant.
It was just... where was Su Nansheng?
...
Su Nansheng was taken to a gazebo by the water. He Xun was sitting inside fishing.
He was wearing a silver-white narrow-sleeved regular clothes today. The collar and cuffs were embroidered with golden evil spirits, and he had a jasper belt around his waist.
His eyebrows flew into his temples, and his phoenix eyes were as bright as stars. He could be said to be a dragon and a phoenix. He was just sitting there casually, and people could understand what it meant to be cold and noble.
"Master He." Su Nansheng bowed and saluted.
He Xun turned his head. Su Nansheng lowered her head, making it impossible to see her face. She could only see the intertwined silk steps beside her hair swaying. It was very dazzling.
"Can you fish?"
He Xun's voice was deep, without the slightest bit of majesty on the battlefield, but the aura he carried still made people afraid.
This...
"No." Su Nansheng raised her head, with a sincere expression on her face.
She also wanted to say that she could, but this wasn't something that could be done with bravado.
He Xun hooked the corner of his lips: "I'll teach you."
Then he took out a fishing rod from the bamboo tube beside him, put on the bait, and handed it to Su Nansheng.
Su Nansheng hesitated a little. Was it just to teach her to fish that he had called her over so mysteriously?
"Come here."
He Xun's voice carried a sense of oppression that made people unable to refuse.
Helplessly, Su Nansheng had no choice but to step forward and take the fishing rod from He Xun's hand. She sat on the chair beside her.
"Throw it into the water, wait patiently, and when you see the floating feathers move, retract the fishing line." He Xun instructed.
Hearing this, Su Nansheng did as she was told. However, when she swung the fishing line, the hook caught her silk skirt, causing her to let out a low cry.
He Xun turned his head to look at Su Nansheng.
She was wearing a phoenix-patterned emerald silk skirt today, and she was wearing a silver and white shawl with gold thread and mother-of-pearl inlay. Occasionally, when the sun shone on it, it would sparkle, as if stars were falling on her shoulders.
Her fair face slowly turned red because of her panic, making her look extremely charming.
He Xun turned his head back, with a smile in his phoenix eyes.
She looked much more well-behaved, but he could still see the appearance of when she was a child.