Chapter 57

Speaking of the Xu family women entering the residence of the Marquis of Dingyuan, Wang, apart from Wang Shi and Xu Cuitaomu who were familiar with the place, the others had only been there a few times and couldn't help but curiously look around.

In the main hall, candles burned brightly, and the lanterns were splendid. Wang Shi ordered the servants to bring in the gifts: ten jars of wine, ten bolts of fine silk, a hundred flowers of various colors made of red and green filigree, and eight large lacquered fruit boxes.

Though the gifts seemed expensive, in reality, they were either not produced on their own estate or taken from the shops. With the family lacking silver, Wang Shi had no choice. In previous years, she would spend at least a hundred or eighty taels of silver each time she returned to her natal home.

Wang Bi's wife, Yuan Shi, and a group of daughters-in-law looked at the Xu family's group of beautiful women and all said that the Xu family had good feng shui, raising daughters who were one more beautiful than the other.

Today, Xu Qinglian and several sisters each wore a colorful golden-edged gourd-shaped robe with phoenixes and flowers, and a skirt with golden branches, green leaves, and a floral train. The colors of their clothes were different: Xu Qinglian wore pure white, Xu Cuitaomu wore bright red, Xu Cuiyun and Xu Cuiliu wore emerald green and sandalwood color, Hongye wore black, Lüzhu wore light red, and Xiao Yushi wore a plain white embroidered skirt with a blue and white bamboo patterned overcoat.

To say that the Xu family girls were indeed above average in appearance, each could be called beautiful. One couldn't help but admire the old lady's eye for choosing a daughter-in-law. Most families chose a daughter-in-law based on family status and virtue, with the wife's appearance being secondary.

The young ladies were beautiful, and naturally, the maids were not inferior, being young and in their prime. The Xu family ran a silk shop, so they had plenty of good materials. The maids wore white silk brocade jackets, blue and green floral brocade vests, emerald green skirts, and yellow gauze waistbands lined with Hangzhou silk.

Wang Shi was a face-conscious person. Seeing that her natal family's ladies and maids were outshone, she smiled even more broadly.

After exchanging pleasantries and some conversation, the old lady, Yuan Shi, ordered the banquet to be set up, and everyone took their seats according to their status. Several singing girls below the hall opened their red lips, showed their white teeth, lightly plucked the jade lute, and sang while holding the lute.

At the Mu family banquet, Xu Hao listened quietly to everyone's conversation, mostly about how Mu Nixue had personally refused several marriage proposals, offending many people, which led to her being collectively shunned in the ladies' circle. However, the young men were only more determined, almost elevating her to the status of a goddess.

Xu Hao had never been part of the aristocratic circle and was hearing these secret gossips for the first time. He secretly laughed, thinking that the situation was the same in both ancient and modern times, all due to young men and women with too much time on their hands playing silly games.

However, the number of rejected proposals was so high, and the circle was interconnected through marriages, so it was no wonder the young ladies were jealous! Thinking that his future husband had once pursued Mu Nixue, how could he feel comfortable?

For a moment, he was distracted. Since Zhu Gaohuo arranged for him to enter the Mu family, there had been no further developments. It seemed that even Zhu Di found it difficult to arrange a good match, given that he was a Xu family member, and a strong alliance carried too much risk.

Xu Hao certainly had the desire to find a partner, but it wasn't strong. A single meeting wasn't enough to leave a lasting impression. As Mu Sheng said, there were plenty of beautiful women in the world.

At this moment, Xu Jingqin casually asked, "Why are you here?"

Xu Hao replied, "I haven't visited for a long time. Today, I originally planned to go home to pay respects to my second grandfather and thought I might as well come to pay a New Year's visit."

"Don't bother going," Xu Jingqin shook his head and explained, "The old man is drunk and singing every day, unwilling to see anyone. It would be boring, and he would only ask you a couple of questions before sending you away."

Xu Hao smiled bitterly, "Grandmother ordered me to go, so I can't skip it."

Xu Jingqin smiled and said, "I haven't paid respects to her for a long time. When you go home, knock a few times for me. I'll visit when I have time."

Xu Hao thought of something and smiled, "In a few days, Xu Wen will be getting engaged. Would you like to go with me to celebrate?"

Unexpectedly, Xu Jingqin's expression changed, and he sneered, "That kind of person who betrays his benefactor, I hope never to see him again. Take back your words, or I won't recognize you."

Xu Hao was puzzled. Wasn't it just a change in military position? Why such resentment? Seeing Xu Hao's confusion, Xu Jingqin didn't bother to explain further and turned to chat with others.

On the other side, Mu Sheng looked at the sky and stood up, "It's not appropriate to stay too late during the mourning period. Let's end it here."

Everyone stood up. They had been impatient for a while, unable to listen to songs or play games, finding it extremely boring. They immediately bid farewell and left.

Xu Jingqin didn't even acknowledge Xu Hao, walking away without a word. Li Jinglong, however, invited Xu Hao to visit his residence and left with a drunk Cao Daxiong.

Xu Hao, having business and the status of a study companion, accompanied Mu Sheng to see the guests off in the courtyard. The weather was cold, and he shivered, turning back to put on his outer coat.

When he came out, Mu Sheng, who had drunk a lot, was tired and yawned, "You're a lucky bastard, but I warn you to get out quickly, or I'll skin you."

What? Xu Hao stared blankly as Mu Sheng was supported by a servant and walked away. He felt a surge of joy. Could it be that Mu Nixue had developed feelings for him? Why else would Mu Sheng say such a thing?

While lost in thought, a servant approached and said, "Please follow me, sir."

Xu Hao smiled, "Where to?"

"My lady wants to see you. It's not convenient in the inner quarters, so please follow me." The servant looked somewhat impatient.

"Let's go."

Xu Hao followed the servant with a smile. They walked to a secluded courtyard, dark and without any lights. The servant explained without turning back, "It's not far ahead. My lady is afraid of being seen, so she doesn't allow any lights."

"That's right." Xu Hao smiled and suddenly kicked the servant's back, then pounced and quickly pulled the servant's belt, tightly勒住他的脖子。

双手持续用力，小厮被勒得直翻白眼，在下面使劲挣扎，双腿乱踢乱蹬。

徐灏冷笑道：“真以为我会鬼迷心窍上你们的当？你老实点，不然把你绑起来扔到没人的地方，一晚上冻死你。”

小厮吓了一跳兼且喘不上气来，赶忙使劲在冰冷的地面上拍了几下，徐灏见状松了松腰带，问道：“他们打算在哪埋伏？”

小厮摇摇头一副宁死不屈的模样，徐灏失笑道：“多余问你。起来吧，你带我去找你家三少爷。”

小厮一怔，脱口而出道：“那边怎么办？”

“我管他怎么办，赶紧走人。”徐灏没好气的道。

事情已然败露，那小厮垂头丧气的重新在前头引路，这次走的是直路，绕过一条回廊就是个院子，沿途皆有风灯和下人守着门户，徐灏知道走对了路，身处于沐家院子里，守在某处的一群无耻之徒胆子再大，也不敢跑到这儿来欺负自己。

区区伎俩就想骗过自己？徐灏有些好笑，不过话说回来，男女之事往往能令人色迷心窍下什么都不去想，恋爱中的人智商为零。

这是误认为自己得了沐凝雪垂青，所以嫉妒的想要教训一下吧？或者是沐晟看不过眼有意令自己知趣走人，总之这些王八蛋没安好心。

难怪刚才在席间说的那些话，句句不离沐凝雪呢，都是在试探自己的反应，貌似自己当时太淡定了，更惹人误会。

真是冤枉死了，奶奶的，不怪乎沐凝雪看不上你们，这么作践她，可见你们心里多么阴暗。

愤愤不平的徐灏尽情在脑海中痛骂，等走到内宅大门前，对着小厮大声道：“你去告诉那些混蛋，我就是喜欢沐家小姐，怎么着吧！有种就守在外面别走。”

这位有病吧？这话是在这地方说的？小厮唬的脸都青了，一猫腰撒丫子就跑，很快消失不见。

守在大门的四位妇人吃惊的从茶房里冲出来，叉腰喝道：“你是谁？那混账话你敢再说一遍？”

“有什么不敢的？”徐灏的态度比她们还横，把眼一瞪，“我就是喜欢沐凝雪，就是喜欢沐凝雪，你们能把我怎么着？”

声音在夜晚传出老远，几个妇人脸都给气歪了，这都跑到自家门前撒野，那还得了？当即有人大喊道：“咱们一起上，把这胆大包天的登徒子给绑了。”

就见徐灏轻蔑一笑，缓缓把手背在身后，头一仰，从容就义。