Amidst the clamor of voices, the firelight illuminated the Su Manor after nightfall, with its green-tiled roofs, flying eaves, carved corridors, and painted beams. Snowflakes fell, only to be pushed away by the heat in the air or melted. Search: (Wanben Shenzhan) to read high-quality literature for free.

Tonight's banquet had just begun, extending from a side hall near the Su Manor's side, with a scale of twenty-six tables, some round, some square, accommodating just over two hundred people. This was merely an ordinary banquet in the Su Manor during the winter. There were fewer in other seasons, but as the year drew to a close, such banquets became more frequent.

The three main branches of the Su family, numerous cousins and relatives, some veterans working for the Su family, and the stewards gathered from various places had all taken their seats. Naturally, Su Taigong (the old master), Song Mao, and several elders of Su Taigong's generation occupied the central round table, along with the heads of the family, Su Boyong and Su Zhongkan. The arrangement of the surrounding tables was generally based on status; only those who had made genuine contributions to the Su family could sit there. For example, Su Chonghua, the head of Yushan Academy, Su Yunsong, the chief steward in charge of a regional business, and other stewards—even direct descendants of the three branches—had to be genuinely in charge and possess the appropriate status to sit nearby. If Xi Junyi were invited, he would likely be seated there as well.

As for Su Tan'er, although she now managed many affairs of the main branch, she was, after all, a woman, and not yet officially recognized. She and Ning Yi were seated further away at another table. There wasn't much conversation between them, but they seemed normal, although what each of them was truly thinking was hard to say.

From this table onward, the rules for seating became much looser, right next to a square table. Su Wenxing and Su Wengui were gathered together, occasionally casting glances with ulterior motives in this direction.

At this time, Su Tan'er and Ning Yi probably never imagined that, in such an ordinary banquet, there would be several people whose moods were fluctuating as they paid attention to them, and that, in the end, those emotions would remain unresolved.

"Governor Song and the others will definitely come over later and praise that Ning Yi. As soon as Governor Song starts talking, everyone should pay attention; the show is about to begin."

Su Wengui believed he had seen through this matter, especially after Song Mao mentioned Ning Yi once in the initial discussions and praised him for his teaching skills. This idea became even more firm. About fifteen minutes after the banquet began, activity started between the tables, and another fifteen minutes later, Song Mao finally picked up his wine cup and strolled around with Su Zhongkan.

Given Song Mao's status as governor, he could have remained seated in the main seat throughout the banquet. However, being thorough as he was, this stroll wasn't intended as a display of his gubernatorial status but rather to position himself as a friend of the Su family, just as he had always done. In doing so, he had greeted everyone at the surrounding tables, which was already a considerable gesture. Subsequently, as expected, he approached Su Tan'er and Ning Yi in a casual manner and said a few words: "The Su family has Tan'er and Liheng..."

"I'll go over..." Su Wenxing picked up a wine cup and walked over, but just as he approached, he saw Song Mao and Su Zhongkan turn and leave. He paused slightly before turning back.

"What's wrong?"

"I don't know. Uncle just said a few casual words..."

"With the governor's status, he shouldn't say too much. Perhaps the governor feels the timing isn't right yet," Su Wengui thought with a gloomy face. "Perhaps he's waiting for the Second Sister and Ning Yi to come over and offer a toast before saying something to test him."

Amidst the swirling firelight, the banquet continued noisily, with people moving about, children playing, and wine cups clinking on the tables. Several people were preoccupied and had little interest in eating, drinking, or playing. Before long, Su Tan'er and Ning Yi stood up, and they also took their wine cups and got up, mingling with the crowd to approach the main table. Su Tan'er and Ning Yi returned after offering their toasts, and Su Wenxing and Su Wengui also returned, looking at Ning Yi and then at Song Mao, blinking, before discussing it again. Soon after, the couple Su Tan'er and Ning Yi got up again and had a conversation with Song Mao not far away. Su Wengui nudged Su Wenxing, and Su Wenxing followed... returning with a wine cup...

The banquet was gradually coming to an end.

According to strict etiquette, no one should leave until the Old Master departed. However, the Old Master enjoyed chatting with his old comrades, and the atmosphere was lively. Seeing that the time was about right, he waved his hand with a smile: "Those who have matters to attend to, those who are full and drunk, may disperse as they please, hehe..."

Some of the children who had been playing had already begun to doze off, and some had vomited and were slumped over the table. With the Old Master's words, the atmosphere became more relaxed. Some people left, while others came to this table to greet the Old Master and talk about interesting things. The faces of Su Wengui and the others were ashen. Su Wenxing had boasted for days that Song Mao would come over, and now he felt his face had fallen to the ground and shattered into a million pieces, impossible to piece together again.

"What is it? There's no show at all..."

"Your uncle never intended to test him on anything from the beginning..."

"If you couldn't get your uncle to help, just say so! When we came out, you said for sure that tonight..."

Over there, Song Mao had already stood up, seemingly saying with a smile, "I'm no match for the wine..." indicating that he was about to take his leave. Su Tan'er and Ning Yi had also gone to greet the Old Master. As Song Mao was about to reach the door, Su Tan'er and Ning Yi also turned to leave. Su Wenxing, his face pitch-black, suddenly stood up: "Wait!"

The noise of the crowd was suppressed for a moment by these words before resuming. Many people noticed him, naturally assuming the words weren't directed at them. Song Mao at the door glanced over. Su Tan'er and Ning Yi looked over in confusion, then looked around and continued walking. The Old Master tilted his head, looking at Su Wenxing, blinking a few times: "Oh, Wenxing, what are you saying over there? Is something the matter?"

"I... I... uh... nothing, it's nothing..."

After saying these words, he sat down dejectedly.

After a moment, he stood up again and followed in the direction Song Mao had left.

******************

After leaving the banquet and returning to his room, Song Mao took a sip of the sobering tea that Song Kai had prepared in advance, then washed his face.

He hadn't drunk much, only enough to rinse his mouth. His mind was still clear. He sat at the table, took out a card and placed it to the side, then ground the ink, took out several sheets of Xuan paper, laid them out, and prepared a writing brush. He assumed a writing posture, pondering in his mind.

Today had been fruitful.

Originally, he had only made a routine visit to Qin Shi, expecting little in return. His way of being an official was that he needed to visit important people, and you never knew when it would prove useful. Maintaining good relationships was always a good idea. Regarding his relationship with Qin Siyuan as a student, he had not had high expectations. It was merely a chip placed there, so that Qin Siyuan would remember him if he ever rose again. If he never had the chance to rise again, he could still maintain some contact with his two sons. The level of interaction was not deep, and even he had not expected it to develop further today.

Today, in the Qin residence, the casualness shown by Ning Liheng and the two old men had startled him. It seemed natural and not like the interaction between younger relatives. No wonder Qin Shi had introduced him as a good friend of Master Ming. Although he was shocked, things were not bad. When he revealed his relationship with the Su family and his kinship with them, Qin Shi's attitude towards him had changed noticeably. It was no longer just a perfunctory courtesy between a student and a teacher. With this deepening of the relationship, he was very satisfied.

And on the other hand, he had also met Kang Xian, Kang Mingyun.

Thinking of these things, Song Mao first wrote a few words on the Xuan paper: "Auspicious Viewing of Kang Gong Mingyun." Then he paused. He was going to visit Master Ming in a few days, and he was deliberating over the wording of the note. He then underlined the word "ci" (bestow) in "cujian" (auspicious viewing) and wrote the word "dao" (way) next to it. "Daojian" was suitable for morally upright and highly respected scholars.

These word choices were minor details, but that was indeed what he was thinking about at the moment. As for testing whether Ning Yi was seeking fame and reputation, he had dismissed it after greeting Ning Yi at the Qin residence. To be fair, with his current status, he wasn't afraid of Qin Siyuan, nor was he afraid of Kang Mingyun. As for Ning Yi, who associated with the two of them as a commoner, he couldn't be said to be afraid or intimidated. If he really wanted to do something, Ning Yi was just a small figure to him.

But why bother?

Anyway, whether the Second Branch took over the Su family or that little girl named Su Tan'er took over the Su family, what he could get wouldn't be any different, so why bother? From that moment on, the decision to make had been very clear. Whether Ning Yi was seeking fame and reputation or not, he didn't need to expose him, so of course there was no need to test anything.

As for that nephew who desperately wanted to embarrass the other party... that was just a small matter. Since the decision had been made, he no longer cared about it.

After a moment, Song Kai came in to report: "Young Master Wenxing is requesting an audience." He nodded, "Let him in." His gaze remained focused on the Xuan paper in front of him, and he began to write the subsequent text...

*******************

The snow wind blew, and the night scene under the snow had a sense of loneliness and desolation. In the distance, the sound of temple bells drifted over.

The banquet in the distance had basically ended. Looking over from the railing on the second floor, the firelight seemed to have faded a lot. Ning Yi leaned there, casually looking at the flickering lights of the Su family courtyard. In the snow, the lights in each room and pavilion were very artistic.

Footsteps came from the stairs. Without looking, he knew who it was. The footsteps were different from those of Xiao Chan, who liked to come up and pull him down. Xiao Chan's footsteps were much more lively. These footsteps were graceful and quiet—or perhaps "calm" and "quiet" would be more accurate.

Tilting his head, the silver-white figure was coming from over there. He only saw a corner of the fox fur. Because there was a pillar next to him, the figure stopped at the pillar, leaning on the railing to look out at the courtyard as well.

The two remained silent, looking out together for a while. If one turned their head, they could see the woman's beautiful face, still tinged with youthful innocence. After a while, Su Tan'er finally spoke, "My lord seems to enjoy looking at the scenery here."

"Isn't it beautiful?"

Ning Yi smiled. He knew that the time had come for them to reveal their true feelings.

……

"My lord is a strange person."

"Oh?"

*******

I didn't expect to finish writing this until after 5 o'clock. The first volume will be finished in the next chapter. I'll write a few words of gratitude for the Sanjiang Recommendation and talk about my outlook for this book before going to sleep. Please vote for Demonic Servant at the Sanjiang channel, and also ask for clicks, collections, and recommendation votes ^_^

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