Chapter 14 Another Handsome Man
The scenery of Nanshan Lake is beautiful, and the villas of dignitaries are all located here. Due to the prominent status of the Liang family of Duke Xin, their villas are the most elegant and luxurious.
The south side of the villa faces the lake, on which there are several exquisite pleasure boats. Visitors can board the pleasure boats to enjoy the lakeside scenery, or visit the garden to see the fun of pavilions and towers.
Prince Liang of the Xinguo Mansion was a prominent figure among the young men of the capital. Ordinary people could not curry favor with him, and he rarely held banquets. Therefore, this rare banquet had quite a few guests.
When Pei Xingju's carriage arrived, there was already a long line of people blocking the entrance to the villa, and the Liang family servants were sweating profusely as they tried to maintain order.
When they learned that Pei Xingju was coming, the others moved aside and managed to make enough space on the narrow mountain road for Pei Xingju's carriage to pass.
Zhuang Wan saw this scene through the gap in the carriage curtain and was secretly shocked.
At the same time, try to recall the contents of the book.
By this time, Pei Xingju had been in the imperial court for many years and possessed his own power, but he also kept it extremely secret. The world only knew that he was able to win the emperor's heart with his sweet words and flattering demeanor, and therefore they were somewhat afraid of him.
Little did he know that he had already become a fierce beast that could rival the emperor. His greatest political enemy was Duke Xin, the father of the Liang prince who had hosted the banquet.
I just don't know why Pei Xingju brought her to the banquet hosted by Prince Liang.
As he was thinking about this, the carriage shook and stopped.
A clear voice came from outside.
"It's rare that Lord Pei is willing to do me the honor. This prince has been waiting here for a long time."
Zhuang Wan thought, what a beautiful voice.
However, when she got out of the car and saw the person coming, she was even more amazed.
This person's appearance was not that of a native of the Central Plains. His forehead was broad and high, his eyebrows were long and sharp, and they slanted down to his temples. Two strands of hair fell from his forehead, half covering his eyes. But it was precisely those pale eyes that made him so memorable.
His thin lips curled slightly, as if he was born to smile, but his smile was not warm, but rather noble. His aura was like his status, making people feel aloof and unattainable.
Such a handsome and aggressive man, but he has a free and easy air about him that is not abrupt, and he is pleasing to the eye no matter how you look at him.
Zhuang Wan couldn't help but stare at it for a long time.
However, she didn't know that her momentary daze made the two men beside her think too much.
Prince Liang did not show it on his face, but he kept rubbing the two fingers in his sleeves. His light-colored eyes were sharp but revealed an imperceptible tenderness.
Pei Xingju observed the two of them calmly, then slowly curled his lips and said, "Thank you, Prince Liang, for coming to greet me personally. I am flattered."
"please!"
"please!"
As Prince Liang walked, he said, "A few days ago, a high monk divined for me, and it said that this year's fortune would be as good as a rainbow. I'm in high spirits and have organized a banquet to celebrate, but I'm not sure if this fortune refers to wealth or career advancement. What do you think, Lord Pei?"
"Prince Liang is a man of radiant spirit and a noble destiny. His fortunes in wealth and officialdom will soar."
"Really? But I always feel that some of my luck has been taken away by others."
Pei Xingju stopped and asked: "Is there such a thing?"
The two looked at each other and smiled.
Fights between men were never grounded; sometimes a glance, a word or two could spell the end. Zhuang Wan, oblivious to this, followed Pei Xingju, curiously admiring the courtyard scenery, as if she had never seen the world before.
After walking for a while, the person in front suddenly stopped. Zhuang Wan almost bumped into him, but luckily someone raised a hand to protect her forehead.
Prince Liang lowered his arm and said to Zhuang Wan with a smile, "Miss Zhuang, we've arrived. Ahead is the recreation area for the ladies. A maid will lead the way for you."
Oh, so the banquets are separate for men and women.
Zhuang Wan understands!
She bowed politely: "Thank you!"
Liang Jinxian didn't know what he was thinking after hearing this sweet thank you, and the curve of his lips rose a little higher.
Pei Xingju took it all in.
Soon, Liang Jinxian called the maid and ordered, "Take Miss Zhuang to the pleasure boat to listen to music, and make sure she serves you well."
"yes."
A maid in green clothes came forward and said, "Miss Zhuang, please follow me."
Zhuang Wan nodded, said goodbye to the two of them, and followed the maid.
.
Here, Zhuang Wan followed her maid through the courtyard to the lakeside pleasure boat to the south. From afar, she could hear the sounds of stringed instruments and the laughter and playfulness of women from the boat.
The maid who led the way explained, "The pleasure boat is full of young women. The ladies are admiring the flowers in the North Pavilion."
"Thank you for letting me know."
When they reached the shore, the maidservant asked the old woman to row the boat to pick up the people, but she was at a loss as to how to introduce Zhuang Wan's identity.
After thinking for a moment, she called out, "Miss Zhuang, the female relative of Lord Pei from the Ministry of Justice, has arrived. Come and pick her up."
The old woman immediately rowed the boat over.
Perhaps the shouting was too loud, attracting the attention of the noble ladies on the nearby pleasure boat. Soon, more and more noble ladies came out and stood by the railing, curiously observing Zhuang Wan.
Zhuang Wan sat in the small boat, facing the gazes from all directions. Even though she was thick-skinned, she still felt it was eye-catching at the moment.
Of course, what caught people's attention was the rumors about her and Pei Xingju some time ago. Now that the parties involved have appeared, it is natural to watch them closely.
Fortunately, the old woman rowed the boat skillfully, and soon they arrived at a beautiful houseboat.
Another maid came down and helped her up.
The pleasure boat is spacious and has two floors. Musicians play music on the first floor, while the second floor is for enjoying the scenery.
The ladies are on the second floor.
Zhuang Wan went upstairs with her skirt lifted up, and as expected, she was met with another wave of curious and undisguised jealous looks.
There were about twelve or thirteen noble ladies on the pleasure boat, and one of them, wearing the dress of Xiang Fei, came forward first.
Her face was gentle as she said to Zhuang Wan, "I've heard of Sister Zhuang's great name for a long time, and today I finally get to meet you."
"Come on, Sister Zhuang, sit here."
Zhuang Wan bowed in thanks, feeling slightly curious.
She smiled and said, "Sister Zhuang, I'm afraid you don't recognize me. I'm the daughter of Minister Jiang of the Ministry of Revenue, and my name is Baohe. I'm two years older than you, so please forgive me for rashly calling you sister."
"Thank you very much."
Jiang Baohe pulled Zhuang Wan to sit at the long table, and the maidservant poured tea and brought fruits and snacks.
Zhuang Wan secretly observed the seating arrangement. Because of Pei Xingju's status, she was sitting to the right of the main seat.
At this time, other noble ladies also sat down one after another.
With Zhuang Wan's arrival, the originally bustling pleasure boat seemed to have frozen in time, and the atmosphere became somewhat stiff.
Of course, Zhuang Wan also knew why he was so stiff.
Pei Xingju, like all male protagonists in novels, was surrounded by a halo, making him particularly attractive to the opposite sex. He was handsome, capable, powerful, and yet, still a bachelor in his twenties, he naturally attracted the attention of unmarried women in the capital.
Now, the charming male protagonist that you have been thinking about day and night but cannot get has been won by Zhuang Wan. Are you angry?
If looks could kill, Zhuang Wan would have died a thousand times while on the boat.
She had a smile on her face and laughed in her heart, and unconsciously made a hundred little figures for Pei Xingju.
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