Mid-Autumn Festival
After a few more days, the moon gradually became fuller, and it was almost Mid-Autumn Festival.
For the past few days, Suxi had been living on a small couch in the study of the main house in Xiyuan, separated from Shen Yunqiu by a screen. However, without a bed curtain overhead, falling asleep at night was quite difficult. Fortunately, Shen Yunqiu didn't seem to mind her deafening snoring every night. Apart from a few sullen complaints during the day, he didn't seem to have any intention of actually sending her away.
The servants still brought meals on time every day. Suxi would throw away the food every day, and then fill an extra portion for Chen Yunqiu when she went to the small kitchen for dinner. The young master would sometimes be picky and refuse to eat, so she would go out every now and then to buy some fresh food to improve the diet. As time went on, Xihe even suspected that her excessive appetite had caused her to become unwell. Chunzhi had been noticeably listless these past few days, ignoring everyone and looking sullen.
Today, the moon hung low in the sky, as round as a piece of jade with excellent quality. The servants in the Shen Mansion were busy all day, and she was also called to the kitchen to help prepare the Mid-Autumn Festival family dinner. Shen Yunqiu could only eat some of the leftover hibiscus ice cream from yesterday to fill her stomach.
"Xiaoxi, go set these plates!"
"Oh, okay!"
Suxi took the pile of plates and bowls handed to her by the maid in charge of the mansion, and placed them on the ebony low tables on both sides along the vermilion carpet leading from the courtyard gate to the main hall. She placed them one by one in sequence. She was almost too tired to breathe, so she had to lean against the pillar of the corridor in the side hall to rest for a while, looking up at the sunset glow on the horizon.
At the bustling entrance to the Shen Mansion, two servants stood on either side, their faces adorned with stiff, ingratiating smiles as they accepted invitations from guests. Strangely, Shen Wenzhao, who usually frequented the brothels and taverns, was quietly guarding the door today. He was dressed in a brocade robe and a jade crown, looking every bit the gentleman, his demeanor radiant and heroic.
"Congratulations to Master Shen on taking over as Minister of Personnel. He is truly a great talent!"
"Mr. Shen, you are truly promising. When you become successful in the future, please don't forget to support me..."
The people who came kept praising him one after another, which made Shen Wenzhao's mind wander and he could not suppress his joy. The corners of his mouth were almost stretched to the back of his ears.
"Of course, of course. When he becomes successful, he will never forget you all!"
Shen Wenzhao led everyone to the table and sat down in high spirits, while in the yard, Shen Pingchang was also chatting with others in a friendly manner. He drank cup after cup of wine and was already showing some drunkenness before the banquet started.
Suxi pricked up his ears to listen to the noise in the front yard. Suddenly, his shoulders sank. Before he could turn around, Xihe's arm was already on him. "Hey, Xiaoxi, did you know that the eldest young master is about to be promoted to the Minister of Personnel?"
"Um····"
Suxi had just heard something from the noise in the front yard, but Xihe was mysterious and took her hand to a corner of the corridor where there was a wide view.
"Did you see that man?"
Suxi nodded, her gaze following Xihe's finger towards the man seated at a wooden table closest to the main hall. He wore a black veil and looked to be in his thirties. He possessed a handsome appearance, yet possessed a subtle, feminine air. After a glass of wine, she noticed the man's smooth neck, devoid of any prominent Adam's apple.
"I heard that was the eunuch in the rumors, coming from the palace to deliver the imperial decree! Actually, there wasn't supposed to be such a grand ceremony today. It's only because someone from the palace has arrived that the master hurriedly invited guests and set up a grand banquet to celebrate the eldest young master's good fortune!"
"Eunuch..."
Listening to Xihe's vivid description, Suxi murmured that he always felt something was wrong.
I remember there was a Mid-Autumn Festival banquet like this in my past life. However, that day, Shen Yunqiu had chased away the maid who came to ask her to work in the front hall. She didn't come to the banquet herself, but instead begged her to go out with them to watch the moon, eat, drink, and have fun, strolling until late at night. So, at that time, I didn't know about Shen Wenzhao's affairs.
And today...
Shen Yunqiu's words from that day in Fuyu Tower were still fresh in his mind. How could a playboy like Shen Wenzhao, uneducated and dissolute, who had never taken the imperial examinations, had no political achievements, and was even the son of a prefect, have soared to become a fifth-rank official? Furthermore, the Su family had just suffered a tragedy, and Shen Wenzhao's wedding was just around the corner. The timing was too coincidental. To say there was no connection between the two would be a fool's belief.
In other words, Shen Pingchang must have reached a deal with a high-ranking official in the capital, and perhaps the Su family was the bargaining chip in the deal, the ladder for Shen Wenzhao's bright future.
"Xiaoxi, Xiaoxi, what's wrong with you? Are you feeling unwell?"
Su Xi was brought back to his senses by Xihe's voice. He then realized that his whole body was shaking uncontrollably with fear and anger, and cold sweat had already soaked his back.
"Nothing, let's go to the kitchen to help, be careful not to be caught and have our money taken away."
"Yes, yes, let's go!"
Xihe was now very cautious, afraid of making mistakes, so he pulled Suxi and ran towards the stone-tiled house where wisps of smoke were rising.
-
At the end of the Wei hour and the beginning of the Shen hour, the doorman finally collected all the invitations, closed the heavy red door, and retreated along the wall to the backyard. At the banquet, there were exactly ten tables of guests, some with their families, some alone, and even one with a parrot on his shoulder, attracting many people to tease him, making the place very lively.
Inside the hall, Madam Shen was supported by Chunzhi and sat at the head of the round table. Shen Wenzhao also came in from the side hall, supporting Lin. They greeted the old lady with a slap on the shoulder and then took their seats. Not long after, Shen Pingchang also sat down. While offering tea to Madam Shen, he stretched his neck to look towards the corridor of the side hall.
"Second brother hasn't come yet? Is he not fully recovered yet?"
Mrs. Shen asked, but there was no trace of concern in her tone.
"Don't worry, mother. How can we allow him to make mistakes when a distinguished guest from the palace comes? I have instructed the servants. If he doesn't come, I will have him brought here by force."
Shen Pingchang comforted him and looked over again. Sure enough, he saw the servant pushing the wheelchair in from the side hall. The man sitting on it was pale and had a cold expression. Shen Wenzhao looked disdainful and reluctantly moved his feet to make room for the man next to him.
Sitting at the very bottom with his back to the guests, Shen Yunqiu felt extremely uncomfortable. Before he could even pick up the teapot to pour a cup of tea, he heard a burst of discussion from the courtyard behind him.
"This must be Young Master Shen. I've heard that he's known for his talent and extraordinary martial arts skills. How did he become like this now?"
"Even his hair is white. If I hadn't seen the seating arrangement, I would have thought he was the old man from the Shen family!"
"Yes, they are both from the Shen family. The eldest son is handsome and has a bright future. Look at this...tsk tsk tsk..."
Instantly, Shen Yunqiu paused in pouring tea, glanced sideways at Shen Wenzhao who was standing beside him with a smug look on his face, and had already guessed about 70% of the answer.
Today's guests, except for a few nodding acquaintances in the officialdom of Shen Pingchang, are mostly Shen Wenzhao's drinking buddies. This incident must have been secretly directed by him, and he may even have paid a lot of money.
"Heh--" Shen Yunqiu chuckled secretly, moving closer to Shen Wenzhao who was secretly observing his expression, and lowered his voice, "A bunch of rats, birds of a feather flock together, as expected. Even if you put on an official robe, it still can't cover up your rat tail."
"you!!!"
Shen Wenzhao reacted and stood up in anger, but when he met Shen Pingchang's warning eyes, he could only sit down dejectedly, hanging his head like a defeated rooster and saying nothing.
By this time, the food and wine had arrived, and the guests were already chatting and drinking in groups of three or four. Meanwhile, at the table in the hall, no one had touched their chopsticks. Only Shen Yunqiu had already finished half a bowl of rice. He seemed completely unaware of the displeased looks from the others at the table and continued to eat in silence.
The hall was unusually quiet for a moment. A breath, two breaths, and then, with a bang, Shen Pingchang finally couldn't contain his anger and threw his chopsticks. But Shen Yunqiu still ignored him, instead raising his hand and directly picking up half a piece of fish belly and placing it in the bowl.
"Chen Yunqiu, is this how you treat your elders? It's one thing for your family to understand that you weren't feeling well and not hold you accountable for not offering tea to them, but how dare you pick up your chopsticks before they even said anything? Have you learned filial piety like a dog? You're so impatient! Do we normally give you too much to eat and wear?"
"Father, you're joking." Shen Yunqiu interrupted Shen Pingchang's low voice and scolded, "It's just that like father, like son. The son is like this now, it's all because of your good teaching. Besides, it's so rare to have a meal without worrying about someone poisoning it. It's so rare, so I have to eat it, right? Don't you agree, father?"
Shen Yunqiu raised his eyes and looked directly at Shen Pingchang, not missing the deep resentment in his eyes that instantly turned into shame and fear. He then glanced at everyone at the table, all of whom had pale faces and very unnatural expressions.
"Also, speaking of serving tea..." Shen Yunqiu did not intend to let this matter go. He smiled softly, turning the white porcelain teacup in one hand.
"Father, Mother, and Grandmother, I am a man of few years. Are you really not afraid of dying young by drinking the tea I offer you?"
"Shut up, Shen Yunqiu! Are you looking for a fight?"
Shen Wenzhao threatened in a low voice, as if he was afraid that the noise here would be heard by the guests below and ruin the reputation that the Shen family had been cultivating.
"If you want to fight, then fight. There are so many people here to cheer you up. Brother, don't just talk..."
Shen Yunqiu glanced back and saw Shen Wenzhao immediately look sullen and stop swinging his fist.
"Chen Yunqiu, just wait for me!"
He uttered these harsh words, and finally Madam Shen came to her senses in shock and picked up her bowl. "Everyone, eat! Today is Mid-Autumn Festival, don't make things unhappy! Yunqiu is not feeling well, Lin and Wen Zhao, please take care of her. Don't get angry over such a small matter!"
After he finished speaking, the Shen family finally dared to pick up their chopsticks, and they frequently picked up dishes and added tea. Shen Yunqiu accepted all of this, which was a rare moment of satisfaction. After all, the Shen family was very concerned about their reputation. If he made a scene, no one would be able to end the day well.
Halfway through the banquet, the maids and servants who had been busy all day finally had time to rest for a while. They gathered in the corridor of the side hall, eating some leftovers while watching the movements in the front hall from afar.
Sitting next to Xihe, Suxi looked at the scene of Shen Yunqiu being treated like a star by everyone in the front hall through the thick bushes in surprise and doubt. He could hardly believe his eyes for a moment.
"Xiaoxi, thanks to you!" Xihe patted Suxi's shoulder with a ball of rice in her mouth, "You know, the old lady is really not a pushover! You know, I almost tripped when I was carrying the copper basin today. If you hadn't reminded me, I would definitely have been punished!"
Coming back to his senses, Suxi looked back at Xihe's chubby little face and suddenly remembered this.
Yes, wasn't this the day in her past life when Xihe angered the old lady and was immediately executed? It was precisely because she was so frightened that Shen Yunqiu took her out for a walk, even sending Yinzhen to secretly retrieve the body from the bottom of the well and bury it properly. But today's incident has been put behind us, so surely it won't happen again.
"very nice."
Su Xi pinched Xihe's face in great relief, feeling a little relieved.
Xihe's life was finally saved.
"By the way, where's Chunzhi? Why doesn't she come over for dinner? Once the banquet is over, we have to clean up, and then there's nothing to eat!"
The little maidservant who was serving another old lady nearby also came over and asked curiously.
"Chunzhi said she has a stomachache and needs to go to the bathroom. Sister Bihe is serving her in the front hall right now."
Another little girl interrupted.
"Is that so?" Xihe murmured, but saw Suxi glancing absentmindedly into the distance with a blank look in his eyes, as if he was thinking about something.
"Xiaoxi, what's wrong with you? Why are you acting so weird today?"
"nothing."
Suxi responded perfunctorily, still looking straight at the end of the corridor.
There, it just leads to Shen Pingchang's study.
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