"The maid has found out that these peddlers all heard that our mansion is going to hold a banquet for a hundred people and came here to make some money while they can."
In just the time it takes to drink a cup of tea, Bitao returned to the carriage with the news.
Su Nansheng told the carriage to move on and then continued to ask,
"But how did they find out about this?"
Although Su Hele had sent out a lot of invitations and many people must have known about it, it shouldn't have spread to every corner of the streets and alleys.
Bitao didn't let Su Nansheng down and immediately replied,
"It is said that the Second Young Mistress accidentally let it slip to the shopkeepers when she was shopping. She said that a banquet for a hundred people would be held and that many noble young ladies would attend. A young clerk overheard it, and then everyone found out."
Hearing this, a look of mockery flashed across Su Nansheng's eyes.
Accidentally? Su Hele now knows how to build up her own reputation.
A banquet for a hundred people sounds so glorious.
"My lady, the Second Young Mistress got to know those ladies through you, but now she wants to outshine you."
Bitao wrinkled her nose and complained.
"Even you can see it." Su Nansheng said teasingly.
Bitao was stunned.
"What do you mean by 'even you can see it'? My lady, do you mean to look down on the maid?"
Su Nansheng chuckled.
"Friendship is about the long - term. Don't worry about this temporary victory. Don't be upset. I'll take you to Zuijiang Tower to watch the magic show today."
Making an appointment with someone was just an excuse. She didn't want to attend such a dangerous banquet. What if Su Hele caused another disaster?
As soon as Bitao heard about the magic show, she immediately threw her previous dissatisfaction aside and said excitedly,
"Great! Great! The maid thought you weren't interested in such things."
Recently, there have been traveling performers in the capital. This kind of foreign art is already popular among the people in the capital, not to mention the novel magic show.
It is said that those performers can create thousands of illusions, just like a dream.
Moreover, they only perform at Zuijiang Tower and nowhere else.
They heard about it from Miss Feng at a banquet a few days ago. At that time, the lady didn't show any reaction, and they thought they wouldn't be able to see this excitement.
Su Nansheng lowered her eyes and didn't say a word.
She wasn't very interested at first, but it was said that today was the last show, and it was on the same day as Su Hele's banquet. Of course, she would support those traveling performers.
...
Su Nansheng took her seat in the elegant private room on the second floor of Linjiang Tower. Bitao stretched her neck to look at the dense crowd downstairs.
The magic show in the main hall downstairs hadn't started yet. Only the Huji dancers with high noses and deep eyes were dancing there to warm up the atmosphere. Their waists swayed gracefully, and they were full of charm.
"This is the first time the maid has seen so many people in a restaurant. Hey, isn't that Lady Du?"
Bitao quietly pointed at a woman who was walking upstairs and whispered.
Following the direction Bitao was pointing at, Su Nansheng indeed saw Lady Du in gorgeous clothes and ornaments.
Why did Lady Du come here? Didn't Su Hele invite her?
Just as she was wondering, a somewhat familiar voice interrupted her train of thought.
"Aunt Su is here too. What a coincidence."
Looking up, she saw Lady Zhao, the wife of Minister Cao, sitting in the private room next to hers.
Su Nansheng was even more puzzled. If it could be said that the wife of the censor was not qualified to be invited by Su Hele, then the wife of the minister should be qualified, right? Why didn't she go to the banquet either?
"Yes, I heard that they will go to other places after this show. I thought I should come and see it, so I came here to join the fun."
Although puzzled, Su Nansheng quickly answered Lady Zhao's question.
"Exactly. These Japanese people are so stubborn. I wanted to invite them to perform at my mansion so that everyone could see it, but they refused. I had no choice but to come here myself."
Lady Zhao looked a little dissatisfied, but she quickly restrained herself and smiled,
"Your mansion must be very busy today. How could they let you out to enjoy yourself?"
Su Nansheng's heart skipped a beat, and she smiled,
"I thought you had remembered the date wrong, Lady."
Hearing this, Lady Du glanced at her, smiled faintly, and said,
"I never promised to attend the banquet. Besides, those same - old flower - viewing banquets are not as wonderful as this magic show."
Su Nansheng also smiled and lowered her head to drink tea.
At this time, there was a commotion downstairs.
"Here it comes. The magic show is starting."
...
At the gate of the Marquis of Anshun's Mansion, Concubine Li's cheeks were stiff, and her face was as gloomy as water.
Half an hour had passed since the banquet was supposed to start, and she had been waiting here for half an hour.
But what had she waited for?
The wives of a dozen minor officials and the second wives of two or three fourth - rank officials. That was all!
Yes, the wives of the dukes and the ministers didn't come!
Concubine Li gritted her back teeth so hard that she could barely control her anger. She gave Su Hele a fierce look and whispered through gritted teeth,
"You stay here and keep waiting. I'll go and accompany those ladies!"
Although their status was low, they were the only guests at the banquet for now. If they were left out and left, the banquet would be a complete failure.
Su Hele's face was pale, and her eyes were fixed eagerly on the far end of the long street.
She had never been more eager for the noble guests to come to the banquet than at this moment.
Why didn't anyone come? They clearly said they would wait for her invitation, and they had clearly accepted those invitations.
Could it be that something had delayed them on the way?
Su Hele imagined all kinds of unexpected situations in her mind, but it got louder and louder outside.
"Wasn't it supposed to be a banquet for a hundred people? I took the risk of being caught by the constables to come here and sell my rouge. Where are those noble ladies?"
"I think they're not coming. Look at the time. It's already almost noon. Which noble lady would be so late?"
"Humph, then we won't be able to make any money. We should have gone to Linjiang Tower. It's very lively there today."
...
The voices of the discussion grew louder and louder, which made Su Hele extremely annoyed.
She glared at the crowd fiercely and then said to the doorman,
"Why don't you drive them away? If they offend the noble guests, you'll be in trouble!"
Seeing this, the doorman, who had been on tenterhooks, quickly drove the people away.
This time, they didn't dare to show any mercy. They took their sticks and drove away all the people who were waiting outside the mansion.
But even though the gate of the mansion was quiet, Su Hele didn't wait for another noble lady.
...
Concubine Li looked at the empty courtyard that had been specially set aside for the banquet. Her vision went black.
She forced herself to suppress the dizziness, forced a smile at the few ladies, and then whispered to Nanny Wang,
"Quickly send someone to Qionghua Courtyard to ask when the mistress will be back. If not, ask where she has gone and send someone to invite her back. Also, find Su Nansheng. Tell her to invite people to the banquet quickly.
And hurry to the mansion of the Chief Clerk Zhou to invite Lady Wang and Lady Wu. Invite all the ladies who are on good terms with me. Hurry! Hurry!"