pdf-ebookys Chapter 164 Plum Appreciation Banquet
Chapter 164 Plum Appreciation Banquet
The people who had been waiting in the shops in the West Market for a few days went back to pass on the news.
"You said those two women never came back?"
The servant nodded.
"This Shen Tang is too vulnerable, isn't he?"
"I thought he was some remarkable figure, but he gave up for a mere few thousand taels?"
"Hmph, what knowledge can a country bumpkin have?"
This group of people are none other than the spoiled young men from aristocratic families.
After the ministers left the court that day, they heard Shen Tang say that they were good-for-nothings.
They usually rely on their family's strength to run rampant in the capital, but now they hear that a woman dares to comment on them like this.
Therefore, that night, a group of uneducated children from aristocratic families gathered together to discuss how to make Shen Tang lose face.
Each family turned a blind eye to the behavior of their children.
After all, they know their son's courage and intelligence best.
"Has there been any unusual movement in the Marquis' Mansion recently?"
"My Lord, an attendant from the Marquis's Mansion went to the Imperial Manor."
Hiss——, Huangzhuang, that’s a bit difficult to deal with.
Although it was awarded to Shen Tang, it was also a gift from the emperor.
Although they are bastards, they also know what they can and should not get involved with.
Although Shen Tang offended many people in the Marquis' Mansion, they were all veterans who had been immersed in officialdom for many years, and no matter what, they would never show their dislike for Shen Tang openly.
Not only can they not display it, but they also have to be enthusiastic about it, because this is the emperor's favorite.
Therefore, Shen Tang received many invitations from noble families in the past few days.
Many invitations to banquets such as tea parties, poetry gatherings, and flower-viewing banquets were sent to the Marquis's mansion.
Since coming to Beijing, Shen Tang has not had any contact with any family.
Thinking that he would spend more and more time in Beijing in the future, there would be more and more banquets like this.
In that case, let’s pick one and take a look.
Anyway, in today's Da Qi, there are not many people more valuable than Shen Tang.
Shen Tang picked a post and asked someone to reply.
In a short time, the news that Ning'an Hou was going to attend the plum blossom viewing banquet at the home of General Zhu spread throughout Shengjing.
The noble ladies and daughters of various families all wanted to see the legendary Shen Tang, and even invitations to the plum blossom viewing banquet were hard to come by.
At this time, the Ji family.
Ji Ruhui was selecting new materials sent by the cloth shop.
"The county lady is beautiful, so naturally she looks good in anything she wears."
The maid stood aside, looking at her mistress, who had been picking out clothes for a whole day.
"What do you know! Tomorrow Shen Tang will come to attend the plum blossom viewing banquet. If I can suppress her, then I will still be the number one noblewoman in the capital."
Ji Ruhui felt unhappy when she thought that everyone's talk had been centered around Shen Tang since he came to Beijing recently.
When will a person who only knows how to farm be worthy of being mentioned in the same breath with them?
"County Lady, Shen Tang planted cotton after growing rice. I think she's a crude woman who only knows how to farm. Running around in the fields every day, exposed to the wind and sun, she must be very rough. How can she compare to the beauty of the County Lady?"
The maid praised with a smile.
Ji Ruhui's complexion improved a lot.
"Tomorrow, give this county lady the phoenix hairpin that the princess gave me."
The next day, there were many carriages in front of Zhu Taiwei's gate. It can be said that almost all the noble ladies in the capital gathered here that day.
The wife of the Grand Marshal was also grinning from ear to ear.
The Zhu family really didn't expect that Marquis Ning'an would choose their family, which made them very proud among the group of ladies.
Today, not only the daughters of various families came, but for banquets like this, most of the elders from various families would also come, which made her look very proud.
Among all the plum blossoms in the capital, the plum blossoms in Zhu Taiwei's house are unique in the capital, even better than those in the Royal Plum Garden.
In the warm room, many people who were familiar with the Zhu family had been waiting early.
"Sister Zhu, are Uncle Zhu and the Marquis of Ning'an close friends?"
Zhu Shiwen shook her head. To be honest, their family was no less surprised than other families.
The fact that Ning'an Hou chose their family was beyond their comprehension of his attitude.
"It must be that the plum blossoms in Madam's house are so beautiful that Marquis Ning'an also wants to come and see them."
"Who says it isn't? The plum blossom is the most noble and pure. It would be a good idea for Ning An Hou to come and see it. I'm sure it would be very beneficial to be embracing its pure qualities."
Everyone was surprised that someone dared to be so presumptuous. When they turned around, they saw Ji Ruhui, who was dressed gorgeously in a bright red cloak, looking up as she walked in.
"I've met the county lord."
"Everyone, get up. Why hasn't Ning Anhou arrived yet? He really has no sense of etiquette. He dares to be late for such a banquet."
After saying that, he walked straight to the top and sat down on the other side of Madam Zhu.
Everyone fell silent for a moment, looking at Ji Ruhui as if she wanted to say something.
But one is a county lady and the other is a marquis, neither of them is someone they can afford to offend.
Just when Mrs. Zhu was feeling embarrassed and difficult, she saw Ji Ruhui looking around and speaking lightly, but her tone was filled with strong disdain.
"I didn't even know the banquet started at 9:00 PM. I arrived a quarter of an hour early and people are still gossiping about me behind my back."
The voice of the person coming was like the sound of jade colliding, clear and pleasant, but it also had a bit of the tone of the Jiangnan water town, making people feel a little more clear and soft.
A crimson purple flowing cloud skirt with intricate auspicious cloud patterns woven on it fluttered gently with the steps of the person coming. The skirt was wide and flowing, like clouds flowing in the sky.
A silver-white ruyi-snail sash was tied around her waist, and her long black hair, like a waterfall, was tied up with a white jade hairpin, exuding an ancient charm. Her temperament was gentle and elegant, like someone who walked out of a painting.
She didn't have too many jewelry or hairpins on her body, but she made everyone else present look a little vulgar.
Everyone looked at Shen Tang who came in slowly, and they were stunned for a moment.
It was Mrs. Zhu who finally reacted and brought everyone to pay their respects to Shen Tang.
"Meeting the Marquis of Ning'an!"
Everyone stood up and saluted, and Shen Tangxu helped them.
"Your Majesty is certainly not late, but we are already familiar with each other, so we came a little early."
Shen Tang smiled slightly and said politely:
"I came from Jiangnan and have never had the opportunity to attend such an elegant banquet before. I would like to thank Madam for allowing me to take this opportunity to broaden my horizons."
Mrs. Zhu's smile deepened.
Who said Shen Tang was rude? She looked very humble.
"What Ning Anhou said is true. After all, Jiangnan is beautiful, but ordinary people will only see plum blossoms as beautiful as those in Zhu Taiwei's family once in their lifetime.
It is a blessing for the plum blossoms that the Marquis can see them."
Shen Tang looked at the woman in red, who was well-dressed. From the voice, it sounded like she was the one who said she was late.
"I wonder who this lady is?"
"This is the Princess of Jiashan."
"Oh, who was I then? It turns out I was the Princess of Jiashan County."
The other party looked at Shen Tang with pride.
Humph, knowing that it is a party for a noble lady, he still dressed like this. It must be intentional.
As a result, Shen Tang's next words made the other party furious:
"While I still treat you as a human being, try to act like one."