Chapter 431

After washing and dressing, Su Qiao ate breakfast and, under Liu Rushi's service, changed into a moon-white scholar's robe.

Holding a folding fan, his long hair slightly standing up, his face handsome, a smile at the corner of his lips, he truly looked like a refined young master, gentle as jade.

Liu Rushi watched until her cheeks flushed red, her eyes dazed, unable to help but stare blankly.

"Sigh, if you want to look, wait until I return tonight and I'll let you look your fill!"

Su Qiao called Liu Rushi back to her senses.

Liu Rushi shyly shot him an annoyed glance.

After the two finished packing up, they went out, boarded a carriage, and headed straight for the Nancheng Sect.

The location where Lu Hong and others set the banquet was a manor in the suburbs of Nancheng.

Calling it a manor, it was simply a large private courtyard.

Not to mention it covers a hundred mu, it is at least over ten mu of land.

There were rockeries, artificial lakes, and pavilions and towers, etc., much like the construction style of Suzhou gardens.

One could say the cost was not small!

Hosting Su Qiao in such a private courtyard was considered fitting for Su Qiao's status.

To confuse Su Qiao, they had also specially invited many other merchants from Fuzhou.

Near the corner pavilion by the lake, several tables were arranged.

Lu Hong, wearing a dark blue brocade robe, sat at the main seat with several other family heads, chatting and laughing as if discussing something happy.

On the tables were fine wines and delicacies; flying things from the sky, swimming things from the water, and running things from the land, all kinds of food were available.

In addition, they had specially invited a troupe of actors to perform for everyone.

Not only that, there were also pretty young girls, charming and seductive courtesans, and alluring wild Hu women, singing and dancing to heighten the atmosphere.

Many maids serving dishes and carrying cups were also beauties carefully selected.

Lu Hong and others deliberately made it so grand and lively to confuse Su Qiao and also to cover their true intentions.

Su Qiao did not yet know that Lu Hong and others had prepared a Hongmen Banquet.

At this moment, he and Liu Rushi had long since boarded the carriage and, under the escort of a group of Embroidered Uniform Guard, were leisurely leaving the city, about to reach outside the Nancheng Sect.

The sky gradually grew dim, and the fiery setting sun, carrying the last bit of warmth, fell into Xishan.

Inside Fuzhou city, every household lit candles; before curfew ended, it was still a good time for everyone to play.

Street vendors pushing carts, old women standing by the street selling steaming, fragrant snacks...

The streets and alleys seemed to become even livelier with the arrival of evening and night.

Ordinary commoners, those scholar-officials and Confucian scholars, as well as merchants, beautiful women, and nobles, were all strolling through the crowd with smiles.

Su Qiao lifted the curtain and, before leaving the city, saw these scenes; his heart also seemed to calm down a bit.

"Master..."

Liu Rushi felt Su Qiao's emotions fluctuate slightly and could not help but grasp his hand, her eyes carrying a hint of doubt.

The two's relationship was very intimate, making the two more and more in sync.

Any tiny change in Su Qiao would be noticed by her.

"I am fine; we will arrive soon. When that time comes, just follow me."

Su Qiao smiled and instructed Liu Rushi.

Although she did not know what was going on, Liu Rushi still obediently nodded.

The manor was not far from the Nancheng Sect; it took only a quarter of an hour to arrive.

By now, the sky outside had completely darkened.

But here at the manor, a large number of lanterns were lit; this place was illuminated brightly, as if it were daytime.

"The Imperial Envoy, Lord Su—has arrived!"

Su Qiao's carriage had just stopped; Su Qiao and Liu Rushi had not yet gotten off the vehicle.

The Lu family servants who had been watching at the gate immediately shouted out the announcement.

Everyone inside the garden quickly stood up, tidied their appearance, and hurried outside as if running.

Just as Su Qiao arrived at the gate, they came out to welcome him.

Su Qiao could even see a layer of hot sweat on Lu Hong and others' foreheads.

Mainly because the lanterns were too bright, Su Qiao also saw clearly.

"We humble ones greet Lord Su!"

Lu Hong and others immediately bowed and clasped their hands to Su Qiao...

Su Qiao waved his hand to let them rise. "I am attending the banquet today in a private capacity. Public is public, private is private; there is no need to consider my official rank."

"You see through things clearly; we were indeed attached to appearances. Since that is the case, we will shamelessly address you as Brother Su!"

Lu Hong and others immediately climbed up the pole.

I am only in my twenties, a budding flower; how can you call me brother?

"Uh, that doesn't seem right?" Su Qiao wanted to refuse.

But Lu Hong and others made the final decision. "Let it be so!"

They were all so much older than him, yet they called him Brother Su; truly.

Well, in the end, I am the one profiting.

Su Qiao did not insist on opposing anything.

After all, it was a banquet; the hosts gave face and were polite, so he could not slap their faces.

Thus, amidst these strange forms of address, Su Qiao was warmly welcomed inside.

Even the Liu Rushi they brought along was directly addressed by everyone as Lady Su.

Who cares if you are a Lady or not.

Many people knew Liu Rushi's identity and also knew the relationship between the two.

But so what?

They were merely merchants, not censors or remonstrance officials.

Who cares about that?

Calling someone Lady won't make a piece of flesh fall off; as long as it makes Liu Rushi happy, she might whisper in Su Qiao's ear later.

As long as I get the benefits!

Liu Rushi was indeed happy to be addressed that way, yet she kept a 0.3 fraction of alertness in her heart.

Knowing what was going on, she followed behind Su Qiao, not letting success go to her head, and seeing that Su Qiao did not get angry or react in any way to this title.

While sighing with relief in her heart, she was led by a maid to the table for the women.

Su Qiao sat down in the primary seat among the guests.

Flanking Su Qiao on left and right, on the left was the Sun family head Sun Yaoqing, and on the right was the Lu family head Lu Hong.

This kind of treatment was only for Su Qiao; even if the Fuzhou Prefect Liu Minghe had come, at most only one family head would accompany him.

There had never been a time when two family heads accompanied someone together.

"You all have waited long; it is I who arrived late!"

Su Qiao stood up, first poured a cup of wine, and raised the cup to signal to everyone.

Regardless, Su Qiao did indeed arrive a little late.

"Brother Su is too polite; you are not late, you are just in time!"

286, the wine is poisoned!

This damn ability to tell lies, I truly admire you!

Su Qiao drained the wine in his cup in one breath, as an apology.

The others dared not be negligent, and one by one quickly drained the wine in the cups before them.

After sitting down again, Su Qiao glanced around.

Good heavens.

The decoration here is truly excellent.

Although it was outside by the pavilion on the lake, it was done without any flaw.

Silk curtains, a stage with singing girls, and so on, all very lively and bustling.

Just as Su Qiao arrived, those dancing girls and others all stopped.