Early in the morning, the entire Marquis Residence was decorated with lanterns and streamers, festive and full of cheer. Su Mingzhu had not only invited families close to the Marquis Residence but also a few of Su Mingpei’s good friends.
Madam Wan changed into new clothes, adorned her head with pearls and jade, dressed extravagantly, and sat at the main seat, receiving everyone’s compliments with a benevolent smile.
“Young Master Su has become Great Scholar Li’s disciple—doesn’t that make him the Crown Prince’s classmate? His future is limitless!”
“When he passes the imperial exam and gains an official position, Madam, you’ll be truly blessed.”
“That daughter of the Tang family was foolish to end her engagement with him—she’ll regret it forever!”
Madam Wan beamed like a blooming flower. “Oh no, it’s just that he happened to catch the scholar’s eye and received a bit of guidance.”
“Madam, don’t be so modest. To be noticed by such a great scholar is already one in ten thousand.”
“This banquet was arranged by Mingzhu? It’s done quite well.”
Su Mingzhu had spent a fortune to order the banquet from Qianbei Zui. It featured delicacies like shark fin, bird’s nest, abalone, and the Eight Rarities.
As the women praised her, Su Mingzhu humbly said, “Not at all, I just learned from my sister.”
One of the women remarked, “When the eldest Miss Su managed the household, the banquets were never this grand.”
“Mingzhu is truly capable.”
Su Mingzhu smiled shyly. It wouldn’t be long before her reputation for being virtuous and capable would spread among the noble families.
The banquet was set in the flower hall, with a screen dividing the men and women—men on the left, women on the right.
By the time Su Shuyao arrived, the guests were already seated. Her seat had been reserved in advance—at the main table, with Madam Wan on her left and Su Mingzhu on her right.
She had been placed in the seat of honor.
Truly, anyone with eyes could see the intent behind it.
Su Mingzhu came forward enthusiastically, “Sister, you finally came. We thought you weren’t going to show up.”
With just that one sentence, all the women at the table looked over.
In their hearts, they all thought: The eldest young miss of the Marquis of Weiyuan Residence is so overbearing—not only does she take the host’s seat, but she also acts so aloof. Truly arrogant.
Su Shuyao smiled calmly. She didn’t sit down but instead picked up a cup of wine and walked over to Su Mingpei, raising the glass in front of him.
“Congratulations to the Heir for obtaining a renowned teacher. I wish you a future bright with success.”
Su Mingpei saw her composed expression and thought she looked sincere. He accepted the toast. “Thank you.”
After toasting, Su Shuyao didn’t leave. She kept smiling gently at him and said softly, “The Heir is a man of great ambition. A few days ago, I happened to save Great Scholar Li’s daughter. In return, the scholar agreed to guide my elder brother with a few essays. I originally intended to introduce the Heir to him, but the Heir firmly refused.”
“The Heir said he would never rely on me to become someone’s disciple. He’d rather die than accept my recommendation. So, when I heard today that the Heir succeeded in becoming a disciple, I assumed it must be based on your own talent that you won the scholar’s recognition.”
“Such noble character—truly like an orchid in the valley, independent and pure.”
Her tone was steady, gentle yet firm, with a natural grace and eloquence.
With just a few words, she painted Su Mingpei as a virtuous, refined gentleman of the highest moral standards.
Everyone at the table raised their cups to toast him.
“Young Master Su is a model of a true gentleman!”
“Such integrity and character—I am full of admiration!!”
…
Praises flowed like a great river, endless and overwhelming. Su Mingpei hadn’t expected Su Shuyao to change so much today and speak so eloquently.
He didn’t really believe that she wouldn’t recommend him. He thought she was just sweet-talking him to win his favor, and that in the end, she’d still take him to meet Great Scholar Li.
Feeling as if he had drunk honey, Su Mingpei smiled modestly. “I’m flattered, truly flattered.”
Someone asked, “Young Master Su, why did you refuse the eldest miss’s offer?”
Su Mingpei replied calmly, “Everyone has their own aspirations. I simply didn’t want to take a shortcut.”
“If I can rely on my own abilities, why turn to unorthodox means?”
“I believe effort makes the man.”
“A gentleman should stand tall like a pine on a cliff—unyielding and proud.”
Someone in the crowd began clapping, and instantly the entire hall burst into thunderous applause. Compliments came from every direction.
Su Shuyao pressed her lips together in a smile, then finally sat down slowly, composed as if placing a piece on a chessboard.
With everyone’s attention on Su Mingpei, no one questioned whether she should be seated at the host’s position.
Suddenly, a voice rang out, “But I heard that Great Scholar Li has indeed been guiding a student lately—and that person isn’t Young Master Su?”
“Huh? Could it be the scholar is guiding two students?”
Su Mingpei looked over sharply. The speaker was Gu Shuo, heir to the Earl of Dong’an.
Su Mingpei, being the heir of a marquis, looked down on the son of an earl. Gu Shuo wasn’t easy to deal with either—the two had always been rivals.
When he’d heard Gu Shuo was attending today’s banquet, Su Mingpei was originally displeased, but thinking of the chance to show off, he’d felt smug.
Gu Shuo was only studying at the Imperial College and acted all high and mighty. If he saw Su Mingpei become Great Scholar Li’s disciple in person, wouldn’t he die of envy?
“Great Scholar Li will only take one final disciple,” Su Mingpei said loudly.
In his previous life, he had been the scholar’s sole final disciple.
He didn’t believe the scholar would take another one now.
Gu Shuo stood up and said clearly, “That disciple has already visited the scholar’s residence for several days. From what I’ve heard, the scholar is quite fond of him.”
“Young Master Su, you probably haven’t even entered the scholar’s home, have you?”
Su Mingpei’s brows drew together. “Impossible. Absolutely impossible!”
Gu Shuo said loudly, “Why not? You know him. Just ask around!”
“Who is it?”
“Su Mingli—your cousin,” Gu Shuo answered without hesitation.
At the mention of Su Mingli, Su Mingpei’s expression changed. He turned to look at Su Shuyao.
Su Shuyao’s elder brother would be taking the imperial exam next year…
Her brother—there was Su Mingli, too.
“You… you took Su Mingli there?”
Su Shuyao showed a moment of surprise, then shrank back slightly and replied innocently, “Heir, you said you’d rather die than accept my help, so I brought Brother Mingli to Great Scholar Li instead.”
Just moments ago, Su Mingpei had loudly declared in front of everyone that he didn’t want her help.
And everyone had praised him for being upright and dignified.
“What? Is there a problem?”
She tilted her elegant lotus-like face, revealing a perfectly-timed look of confusion. Anyone watching would think she was utterly innocent.
Su Mingpei actually crushed the wine cup in his hand, utterly breaking down.
Everyone present was no fool. They instantly understood.
Su Mingpei hadn’t even officially become the scholar’s disciple—yet here he was hosting a banquet already.
Seated calmly in the host’s chair, Su Shuyao elegantly lifted a spoonful of shark fin soup.
As expected of a banquet from Qianbei Zui—the taste was smooth, like clouds melting in her throat.
Su Mingzhu’s banquet arrangements really were quite excellent.