PNB Chapter 376 Everyone is busy
Chapter 376 Everyone is busy
The head steward of the He family could tell he was in a hurry.
As soon as he finished speaking, the regent, dressed in a dark blue python robe, strode into the banquet hall.
There was silence.
The Regent never attends ordinary banquets, so why is he here so suddenly? Could something serious have happened again?
In an instant, countless thoughts were forming among the many guests present.
Thinking of the Fan family's sudden downfall, some people broke out in a cold sweat, secretly praying that they wouldn't be the next unlucky ones.
Even those who had done nothing wrong wanted to speculate on the Regent's intentions, so that they could answer appropriately should they be questioned about their official duties later.
There were also Jiang Mingyuan and a group of other young people who were about to enter the imperial court and were temporarily unaffected by the situation. However, they couldn't help but secretly consider and observe the others present.
As the host, He Jinghui should naturally be the first to express his opinion.
He put down his wine glass and stepped down from the seat of honor.
Despite cursing Mu Nanzhao to the core in his heart, he still had to respectfully greet him with clasped hands.
"I was unaware of Your Highness's presence; I have failed to greet you properly."
Upon hearing this, all the male guests seemed to wake from a dream and stood up to greet him.
Mu Nanzhao glanced at him indifferently, "No need for formalities. This is a flower viewing banquet at the He family's residence. I had nothing to do at noon, so I came to join in the fun."
He turned to look at Ho King-fai and said, "I hope this won't spoil everyone's enjoyment."
He Jinghui forced a smile, "What are you saying, Your Highness?"
"We are overjoyed that you would grace us with your presence!"
He Jinghui laughed heartily a few times, but only when you get close could you see the slight trembling of his cheek muscles.
I'm so angry, but I still have to laugh enthusiastically!
"Don't you all agree?"
Everyone hurriedly echoed, afraid that if they spoke slower than others, the Regent would misunderstand.
"Welcome, welcome! Your Highness is so approachable, it's like a gentle breeze to warm one's heart."
"Who doesn't know that the prince's calligraphy and poetry are extraordinary? If we are fortunate enough to witness them today, this flower-viewing banquet will surely be a once-in-a-lifetime event!"
“Indeed, Your Highness’s presence will surely make this a grand and elegant event. Perhaps I should make a record of this banquet so that it can be passed down to future generations.”
……
Amidst a chorus of compliments, He Jinghui led Mu Nanzhao to the seat of honor.
Although Mu Nanzhao was more familiar with the He family's residence than with his own home, the necessary procedures still had to be followed.
After everyone was seated again, Ho King-fai announced the start of the banquet, hoping that everyone would not be reserved and would enjoy themselves to the fullest.
The maids who had been waiting outside filed in.
Following He Jinglan's instructions, the first dishes served were candied fruit, snacks, and tea.
While the dishes were being served, He Jinghui suppressed the sparks in his eyes and said in a voice that the two of them could hear:
"You didn't even have an invitation, did you?"
Mu Nanzhao looked down at the banquet hall and said indifferently, "I'm just having lunch at your house. When do I need that nonsense?"
He Jinghui closed his eyes, breathless, "You..."
His grandma’s!
He Jinghui gritted his teeth inwardly.
No wonder this guy didn't respond or comment on Jiang Mingyuan and Gu Xixi's matter at all last night.
Not only did she not need his help, she impatiently chased him away, as if she didn't care at all.
He Jinghui originally thought that Mu Nanzhao wouldn't come today because he hadn't received an invitation and was too proud to admit it.
I never expected that they would show up uninvited and go wherever they wanted!
What invitation? To the Regent, it's probably less useful than a piece of paper.
By this time, the first round of food had been served to all the tables.
A white frosted crystal covered bowl is placed in the center.
Compared to the common tea snacks and candied fruits around the table, the contents of this covered bowl are clearly the main attraction.
Sure enough, the guests skipped the tea and snacks and took the covered bowls first.
He Jinghui glanced at Mu Nanzhao and smiled as he reached out to lift the lid.
His temper flares up quickly, but it also subsides just as fast.
After all, if he hadn't developed such a temperament, he would have been furious long ago when dealing with Mu Nanzhao, who often acted unpredictably.
The female guests occupied the other half of the banquet hall, separated from the male guests only by a long screen.
So when the regent suddenly arrived at the banquet, all the women present heard it.
Of course, many of the noble ladies present today came to enjoy the flowers and have fun.
Those with talent would like to use this opportunity to exchange poems and lyrics, or perhaps confidently display their literary skills and overwhelm others.
But for most of them, the underlying goal was still networking. For example, the young officials and sons of noble families visiting today, the scholars who had just passed the imperial examinations…
This kind of planning is not unreasonable.
Because many of them cannot fully choose their husbands.
Such elegant banquets are one of the few ways they can seek marital happiness for themselves.
It would be lucky to find a husband that one likes and who can also benefit one's family.
Regent Mu Nanzhao was the most feared single young master in the entire capital.
At the same time, he is the most attractive husband candidate.
Young and unmarried, exceptionally handsome, holding a high position of power and wealth, and with neither parents nor concubines in his household.
Whoever can melt this iceberg will become the matriarch of the household upon entering the family.
She neither needs to pay her respects morning and evening, nor does she need to worry about how to deal with her husband's many mistresses.
It's the life every bride dreams of.
No one expected the Regent to attend the banquet today.
Everyone knows that opportunities are rare and once lost, they don't come again.
The atmosphere in the women's section became somewhat subtle.
Undercurrents are swirling, and some have already quietly erected invisible spikes.
He Jinglan was fully aware of this, but pretended not to know anything and invited everyone to drink tea.
There was an empty table next to her.
Since both seats are the most prestigious, some people are curious about who this seat is reserved for.
At this moment, He Jinglan's eyes lit up as she looked towards the door.
"Xixi, come and sit down!"
The women looked in that direction and saw Ziyan, He Jinglan's head maid, accompanying a woman as she entered.
The woman was beautiful, and she always had a slight smile on her face when she looked at people.
Although she seems approachable at first glance, she possesses an aura that commands respect.
An Qinghe craned his neck to see, but unfortunately, he could only vaguely make out a figure through the screen.
In his haste, he poked Jiang Mingyuan from under the table, "Hey, Xixi's here, come quick!"
Jiang Mingyuan turned his head and glanced at it.
It had been a long time since we last met. We only had a brief glimpse of each other during the day's stroll, and I didn't even have a chance to say a few words to her.
When Jiang Mingyuan saw that familiar figure again, he couldn't help but smile slightly, and warmth appeared in his eyes.
Mu Nanzhao, seated in a high position, observed the subtle actions of the two men.
He Jinghui suddenly felt the air around him was a bit cold, and glanced to the side knowingly.
He thought to himself, "If these three get together, at least they won't tear down his mansion."
He Jinglan went down and took Gu Xixi's hand.
The two exchanged a smile and then took their seats at the head of the table.
Some people saw Gu Xixi's hairpin and stared in astonishment.
“I’ve seen this hairpin before. It’s from the Western Regions, and there’s only one of its kind. How did it end up on her head?”
Someone pouted unhappily, "I've seen them too, but my mom just won't buy them for me!"
Quiet discussions gradually spread among the guests.
The women inquired about each other.
What kind of background does this woman have that makes Miss He so close to her?
Some clever people quietly mentioned, "Suddenly, a completely unfamiliar face appeared, and coincidentally, the Regent also came to the banquet, which is unprecedented for him."
"Is there perhaps a connection between the two?"