Chapter 3186: I Didn’t Hear
Chapter 3186: I Didn’t Hear
‘Those ancestors are already gone,’ Ning Shu silently mused in her heart.
Ning Shu carried the food box she’d brought and stepped out of the marquis’ quarters. It was then that she ran into Gu Fanlu in the garden. He was feeding fish there.
Gu Fanlu crouched by the pond with a dish of fish food in his hands. He stared blankly at the fish in the water. From time to time, he tossed in a pinch of food.
Ning Shu avoided him. She didn’t want too much contact with him.
“Cousin.”
Ning Shu heard the voice but didn’t look back. She acted as if she hadn’t heard a thing.
“Cousin.”
“Miss, the young master is calling you.”
Lianqiao, who followed behind Ning Shu, couldn’t help but tell her.
“I didn’t hear.”“Cousin.” Gu Fanlu caught up to her. “Cousin, why do you always run off the moment you see me?”
Ning Shu shook her head. “I really didn’t hear you. Cousin, what do you need from me?”
“It’s my first time in the capital. Is there anywhere special that I should go to?”
“Such as?” Ning Shu asked with a sideways glance.
“Like a place where scholars gather?” Gu Fanlu looked a little lost. “You know my sense of direction is a bit… fuzzy.”
Calling it ‘a bit fuzzy’ was an understatement. He was completely hopeless with directions.
“A place where scholars gather?” Ning Shu said flatly. “The Crimson Pleasure House.”
“Cousin, I’m not that kind of man. How could I go to a place like that?”
Ning Shu almost rolled her eyes. “I didn’t say that kind of place was not a good place. What are you so defensive about? It’s a place where you have beauties as companions to recite poetry together. I’m being honest, all scholars like going to these places.”
Gu Fanlu’s ears turned red. “I really don’t go to such places. You’re a lady. How can you speak of such filthy places?”
Ning Shu did roll her eyes this time. Men took beauties, chased pleasure, and indulged in passion in such places, and yet they still had the nerve to call it filthy.
If they thought so, then they shouldn’t go to brothels.
They went and then complained about it being filthy. What about them, then?
Those brothels existed for a reason. Supply existed because there was demand.
If Ning Shu weren’t so concerned with maintaining her ladylike image, she would have kicked him out of her way already.
She curtsied. “Cousin, I need to return to my embroidery. Was there something you needed?”
“Oh, oh,” Gu Fanlu replied. “I just wanted to say hello.”
Ning Shu remained polite but distant. “Cousin is a man. I am a lady. There should be a proper distance between them. If others see us, they would not think it appropriate.”
He stopped her just to say hello? Really?
“I’ve made a mistake.” Gu Fanlu cupped his hands in apology. “I’ve been rude. I beg your pardon, Cousin.”
Ning Shu returned the gesture. “You’re being too serious, Cousin.”
Talking was really exhausting.
When Ning Shu returned to her own courtyard, she was soon summoned by Madame Rongguo. She informed Ning Shu that she had sent an invitation to Prince Xin’s household for the fundraising banquet they would host in two days.
It was basically like a modern-day charity gala.
The purpose was to have noble ladies of the capital’s rear courtyards donate some money.
The banquet would take place at Marquis Xuanping’s residence.
Ning Shu wanted to refuse. The ancestral hall at the marquis’ residence was like a ticking time bomb. If anyone were to discover it, especially when there were so many other people present, it would be disastrous.
“Mother,” Ning Shu said. “Let’s choose another location. Don’t hold the banquet at our house.”
Madame Rongguo looked at Ning Shu kindly. “Then where do you suggest? Think carefully. This banquet is mainly for entertaining the noble ladies of your future husband’s household, Prince Xin’s household. You must show thoughtfulness.”
MTL Editor: Ran