Chapter 332: Chapter 332 Casually
Dongxiang Marquis Mansion.
Su Chong kept glancing at the food box carried by the Hidden Guard.
His face showed pain.
From the main gate of the Marquis Mansion to the second gate, the food box almost flew off three times, only to be secured by the Hidden Guard’s determined protection.
Chu Shun looked at Su Chong and said, "Why are you at odds with the food box?"
"It’s the food box that’s at odds with me," Su Chong whispered.
"The food my sister makes by hand is just like... "
"Like what?" Prince NanAn asked.
"Torture from the Ministry of Justice."
"... "
Chu Shun and the others didn’t believe it.
The eldest sister-in-law has excellent medical skills, how could the food she makes be so unpalatable?
Though the two seem unrelated...
Su Chong put his arm around Chu Shun’s shoulder and said, "The deadly part is every year, my dad and I have to finish the food my sister makes."
"He calls it a test, saying if you can eat half a plate of my sister’s braised pork, any food you eat in the wilderness in the future will taste like a delicacy."
"... "
"Today is my mother’s birthday, and my dad didn’t take a day off from work, not because he is so dedicated, but because he fears the destructive power of my sister’s dishes," Su Chong said.
"... "
"But at least having you guys with me this year is some comfort."
"... "
Prince NanAn and the others could no longer look at that food box normally.
They had stayed at the Dongxiang Marquis Mansion for such a long time, and since Mrs. Tang was celebrating her birthday, they wrote a Hundred Longevity Painting for her as a gift.
It would be quite dishonorable to be scared away by the elder sister-in-law’s dishes.
But their delicate stomachs couldn’t handle the attack of her dishes.
They stared at the Hidden Guard.
The Hidden Guard twitched his mouth and handed the food box to Su Jin, "Eldest Young Madam, I am afraid I can’t carry this food box any longer."
Su Jin hadn’t yet figured out what was going on.
Xingxing looked at Su Jin and said, "Eldest Young Master, what’s in the food box isn’t braised pork, it’s delicious."
"Are you sure?" Su Chong asked.
"I’ll eat it for you to see later," Xingxing said.
Su Chong looked skeptical.
Had his sister turned into a virtuous wife?
Hmm.
If he hadn’t recently made his brother-in-law take the blame for a couple of things, he’d believe it.
But even if it was braised pork, with so many people to share, they couldn’t eat more than two pieces.
Upon meeting Mrs. Tang, Su Jinfu bowed to her and wished her a happy birthday, "Daughter wishes Mother happiness as vast as the East Sea and a life as enduring as the South Mountain."
Mrs. Tang smiled and said, "Your well-being is my greatest blessing."
Everyone sat down to chat leisurely.
Outside, a maid came in and said, "Madam, Marchioness Jingguo has come to wish you a happy birthday."
Mrs. Tang looked at Chu Shun with a smile, "The Heir of Marquis Jingguo is quite thoughtful."
She got up to greet Marchioness Jingguo in the front courtyard.
When everyone reached the front courtyard, they found not only Marchioness Jingguo but also Marchioness Beining and Duchess Dingguo there to offer their well-wishes.
Prince NanAn was looking around at the door.
The Prince NanAn Mansion is closest to Duke Chong’s Mansion, why is his mother taking so long?
Hearing the sound of hooves, Prince NanAn walked down the steps.
Only to see a servant coming on horseback, followed by a cart, which wasn’t luxurious.
Moreover, Princess NanAn usually rides in a soft sedan chair when traveling.
The cart carried the steward of Prince NanAn Mansion.
Seeing him get down from the cart, Prince NanAn asked, "Where is my mother? Why didn’t she come?"
Since her own son was at Dongxiang Marquis Mansion, and it’s the Marquis’s wife’s birthday, even if not grandly celebrated, she should still come personally to offer birthday wishes, that’s the very least of etiquette.
There was no way she wouldn’t understand that, especially given the chance to see him.
The steward said, "The Princess Consort had something come up and couldn’t come. She asked me to deliver the birthday gift and said she’d come to apologize another day."
"Did something happen at the Prince Mansion?" Prince NanAn asked.
"Something happened to you, Your Highness," the steward replied.
"... "
Prince NanAn was speechless.
Chu Shun hooked his arm around his shoulders and asked, "What happened to you?"
"I’d like to know too," Prince NanAn replied speechlessly.
If you’re going to make an excuse, at least make it credible.
The steward instructed a servant to bring out the gift, as some matters were not suitable for public discussion, and he entered the mansion to wish Mrs. Tang a happy birthday.
Mrs. Tang smiled and said, "Please thank Princess NanAn on my behalf."
With a gentle demeanor like water, the steward of Prince NanAn Mansion found it hard to believe this was the Dongxiang Marquis’s wife.
The steward intended to leave, but was unable to do so.
Prince NanAn asked, "Spit it out, what’s the issue?"
The steward sighed, "The Prince and Princess Consort are concerned about Your Highness’s marriage."
Prince NanAn, "... "
"Why the hurry?" Prince NanAn exclaimed.
"This time it can’t be delayed," the steward explained.
"I need a reason," Prince NanAn demanded.
"Early this morning, a message came from the palace. Princess Shouning has taken a liking to you, Your Highness," the steward said.
Prince NanAn, "...!!!"
Prince NanAn was struck as if by lightning.
Chu Shun and the Heir of Marquis Beining exchanged glances.
"How did she take a liking to me?" Prince NanAn’s mouth twitched uncontrollably.
"My father and mother won’t agree, will they?" Prince NanAn’s anxiety was palpable.
That foolish princess.
She was so foolish she got herself into trouble at the Baihua Building and had to be rescued by "the enemy."
If he really had to marry her—
Prince NanAn felt a dark cloud over his life.
The steward said, "The Prince only got wind of this, neither Empress Dowager nor Empress seems to have such intentions, but the Empress does pamper Princess Shouning, as you know, Your Highness."
"Whether the Empress and Empress Dowager would bring it up, the Prince isn’t sure, which is why Your Highness is at the right age to marry, and the Princess Consort and the Prince think it’s best to settle on a marriage sooner rather than later, to make this issue disappear."
Prince NanAn, "... "
This is indeed a good strategy.
As long as he is engaged.
A grand princess surely won’t become a concubine to him.
But!
He currently had no intention of marrying.
Is he really going to be forced into this?
The steward said all he could and then took his leave.
Prince NanAn looked frustrated, while Chu Shun and the others struggled to suppress their laughter.
The Heir of Marquis Beining patted Prince NanAn on the shoulder and said, "Without a sound, you captured Princess Shouning’s heart, truly extraordinary, Your Highness."
Prince NanAn pushed away the Heir of Marquis Beining, "Quit gloating."
The Heir of Marquis Beining stifled a laugh.
Prince NanAn sighed, "The last time I saw Princess Shouning was at the Baihua Building... "
Could it be because he untied her ropes that she took a liking to him?
The tall tree catches the wind, indeed.
But wasn’t it the eldest sister-in-law who stood out first?
Thinking of Xie Jingchen, Prince NanAn silently snarked: it was the eldest sister-in-law who stood out, but others took the hit.
After the steward of Prince NanAn Mansion left, another servant rode up to the gates of the Dongxiang Marquis Mansion.
Hmm.
Standing there for ages, no one came to greet him.
The servant cautiously stepped onto the stairs, trembling with every step.
Especially when stepping into the Dongxiang Marquis Mansion, his heart felt like it would burst out of his throat.
Afraid that someone might suddenly emerge from the shadows to attack him.
But after descending the steps, he looked all around to find emptiness.
The servant, "... "
This delivering invitations feels like coming to one’s doom.
Such a grand marquis mansion, is it necessary to be this casual?
"Is anyone there?" the servant called out.
"Coming, coming."
"... "