Chapter 121: The Game
After politely declining the invitation, Su Fengzhang continued, "I'm sorry for wasting the young lady's time today. Brother He, why don't you help me escort Miss Liu Xu out? Thank you very much."
After saying this, he turned and left. Liu Xu was so anxious that she wanted to catch up with him, but He Tang stopped her and shouted enthusiastically, "Miss Liu Xu, Brother Su doesn't have time, but I do. What book do you want? Why don't I help you write it?"
"Any kind of book will do. I've actually written storybooks before. I wonder if Miss Liuxu knows the storybook 'Feng Yue Xiao Jia Ren'? If not, it doesn't matter. Why don't we discuss it in more depth?"
"That willow catkin girl, that's not what I meant. What I meant by in-depth is..."
The smile on Liu Xu's face froze. She glanced at He Tang and said with a smile, "It seems that Master Su is not available today. Liu Xu will take her leave first. Master He does not need to see me off. I can go on my own."
After saying this, he left very decisively, as if there was a dog chasing and biting him.
He Tang looked at Liu Xu's back with a look of regret, slapped his lips and said, "What nonsense are you talking about? You scared the girl away. I just wanted to ask if I could draw a picture of a beautiful woman. I really have no other intentions!"
Liu Xu had already boarded the carriage to Yonglefang. After lowering the curtain, her face darkened and she frowned, saying, "Is there really a cat in the world that doesn't steal fish?"
The maidservant who followed immediately said, "This Master Su is so heartless that he couldn't bear to see the girl sad."
Liu Xu clutched the handkerchief in her hand and said quietly, "These talented scholars and writers probably look down on me in their hearts."
The maid quickly said, "How could you think that, young lady? Although Master Su didn't agree, he was still polite to you. And the man just now was even more attentive. Young lady, you can't be so disrespectful to yourself."
Seeing that Liu Xu was still sad, the maid said again: "Miss, maybe Mr. Su is not moved not because he doesn't like you, but because he has the will but not the ability."
Liu Xu's eyes moved, and she spat at the maid and said, "Don't dare say such things carelessly."
Although she said this, no one knew what she was thinking. Liu Xu lifted the curtain and looked out the window. She happened to see a man leaning on the railing on the opposite building. When she met the man's eyes, she was frightened and quickly lowered the curtain.
The man leaning on the railing and drinking is none other than He Jun, Prince of Xi. He is a completely frivolous person with a nonchalant look.
The Fifth Prince, who was not far away, looked at him with a half-smile and asked, "Did you let her go?"
He Jun took a sip of his wine and asked curiously, "Cousin, are you the worm in my stomach? Otherwise, how could you know it was my idea without even asking?"
The fifth prince walked up to him and looked down. He could vaguely see the carriage from Yonglefang gradually moving away.
He glanced back at He Jun and said lightly, "Do you like him or not?"
"I sent a beauty to his door and let him enjoy her kindness. How can he say he doesn't like it?" He Jun laughed.
The Fifth Prince raised an eyebrow and asked directly, "Did you participate in the previous competition between the northern and southern scholars?"
"I don't want to get involved in those fancy things. Shouldn't I be the one asking you this?" He Jun asked back.
The Fifth Prince didn't answer. Instead, he said, "I'm curious. Why did you send Liu Xu there? You've finally cultivated a talent in Yonglefang. Don't let it be ruined by a small figure?"
He Jun smiled and said, "Don't worry, Liu Xu admires the talented man and comes to visit. Others won't be suspicious if they see her."
"It's good that you know your limits." The fifth prince said calmly.
He Jun suddenly stared at him and asked, "How dare you say you have no interest in Su Fengzhang? If you weren't interested, why would you accompany me to watch the show today? Cousin, wasting time doesn't seem like your style?"
The fifth prince drank silently without saying a word.
He Jun continued, "However, after this incident, I have a higher opinion of Su Fengzhang. There are many talented and scheming people, but there are very few who know the importance of propriety and are not attracted by women."
"What a pity! Su Fengzhang is a scholar from the south and has close ties with the Xu family. I'm afraid he can't be of any use to me." He Jun said it was a pity, but his eyes didn't say that.
The fifth prince chuckled and suddenly said, "Didn't you let Liu Xu go there to use the beauty trap? Why do you like him and not women now? He Jun, are you a homosexual?"
He Jun spit out a mouthful of wine and said quickly: "Cousin, are you kidding?"
The Fifth Prince was actually pleased to see him lose his composure. He reached out and patted his shoulder and said, "Don't spend too much time on him. If you're too free, help me do something."
He Jun sighed, wondering what kind of trouble it was that would make the Fifth Prince ask for his help.
Su Fengzhang in the Scholars Building didn't know that Liu Xu's arrival was just a trap. He didn't let it disrupt his life rhythm. It was still the same as before.
Seeing that he was the same as always, not being complacent because of the beauty's favor, nor looking down on the girls from Yonglefang in front of others, others actually admired him a little more in their hearts.
When He Tang came to visit again, he couldn't help but sigh: "Brother Su, are you sure you are only nineteen and not thirty-nine? How can you sit still like this? If it were someone else, they would at least be a little proud, if not smug."
"What are you proud of?" Su Fengzhang asked back.
He Tang said with a smile: "Of course she is favored by the most beautiful lady in Yonglefang."
Su Fengzhang laughed and asked, "You are wrong. Miss Liu Xu just wants me to come out and write a storybook."
He Tang was helpless: "Brother Su, you are just playing dumb. You can ask anyone else for the storybook, why bother coming to the Scholars' Building? Don't you really understand what Miss Liu Xu meant by visiting in person?"
Su Fengzhang suddenly reached out and patted his forehead, saying, "If you came here specifically to say this, then please leave now and don't disturb me while I'm studying."
He Tang rubbed his forehead and said, "Of course not. How could I do such a disgusting thing?"
Su Fengzhang looked at him with a smile, as if to say that it was you who had been doing it before.
He Tang said quickly, "I'm bringing you my newly painted beauty painting for you to appreciate."
"Let me make it clear first, I really just want your advice, nothing else." He Tang explained before opening the scroll. As soon as he opened it, Su Fengzhang knew why he explained it, because the one painted on it was Miss Liu Catkins.
Su Fengzhang was not picky, he just commented on the painting skills.
To be honest, Su Fengzhang is better at landscapes, flowers and birds, while He Tang is best at paintings of beauties. The paintings of beauties he painted have their own charm, and each one has its own characteristics and is moving.
"Knock knock knock!" Su Qu knocked on the open door and walked in with a smile, "Feng Zhang, is He brother here too?"
He Tang was a little surprised to see it was him. He subconsciously glanced at Su Fengzhang, but couldn't see anything before saying, "Brother Su Yu, how come you have time to come here at this time?"
Su Qun smiled and said, "It's almost New Year, and my family sent some local specialties over. I thought Feng Zhang is from the south and he must have never eaten these, so I brought some over so he can try them too."
He Tang then noticed that he was holding something in his hand, and felt even more puzzled. He said, "I didn't expect that you two really got to know each other after fighting, and now you are so close."
Su Fengzhang was also surprised, but he said politely, "Brother Su Qun, you are too polite."
"Didn't I tell you that you can just call me Yuliang?" Su Qun said with a smile.
"This is..." Su Qu saw the scroll on the table and smiled meaningfully, "It turns out to be Miss Liu Xu. I thought you, Feng Zhang, were indifferent, but I didn't expect..."
"Why should we avoid others about this matter? A talented man deserves a beautiful woman. If Feng Zhang is interested, why should he restrain himself?"
He Tang smiled awkwardly and quickly explained, "Brother Su Que, you misunderstood. I painted this picture, and only asked Feng Zhang to give me some pointers after I finished it. Feng Zhang was just doing it on my behalf."
Su Que was stunned for a moment, then smiled and said, "Really? I misunderstood."
"Just thinking about the stunning beauty like Miss Liu Xu in front of you, Feng Zhang, you remain indifferent. I really don't know what kind of beauty can catch your eye."
Su Fengzhang smiled and asked, "Brother Yuliang, are you trying to be a matchmaker for me?"
Without waiting for Su Qun to speak, he continued, "Even if I'm afraid, I can only decline politely. Marriage is a matter of parents' decision and matchmaker's words. My own words don't count."
Su Qun looked up at him and suddenly smiled, "How could that be? I just mentioned it casually."
"In that case, I won't bother you anymore. These local specialties taste good. If Fengzhang likes them, I'll send some more." Su Qun stood up and said goodbye.
As soon as he left, He Tang went over to look through the local products and said curiously, "He must have taken the wrong medicine. He acts like a good brother. Could these things be poisonous or contain laxatives? They're trying to prevent you from participating in the Spring Examination next year."
"That's not the case. He's not that stupid." Su Fengzhang said lightly, but still asked Su Arong to put the things away.
He Tang said, "Anyway, this Su guy is not a good person. At least I think he is much more cunning than Lin Yuye. He is not a good person."
I have to say that Hetang's intuition as a small animal is very accurate.
"Forget it, who cares what he's here for." He Tang put aside the matter and invited enthusiastically, "Brother Su, let's stay up together on New Year's Eve. It's so lonely when you're alone, and everyone else is out. Staying up together can be lively and fun, talking and laughing. What do you say?"
This time, Su Fengzhang agreed immediately.
As the New Year approached, there was a heavy snowfall in the capital. The red crabapple trees downstairs were completely submerged and disappeared. The whole place was covered with white snow, which amazed people from the south.
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