bookcurios Chapter 118 The Storm at the Banquet
Chapter 118 The Storm at the Banquet
Gui'er guessed correctly. Although Sha Yanxiao was polite and courteous to all the socialites, he was more concerned about Miss Rong. Many people at the banquet would praise Sha Yanxiao and Miss Rong for their good looks when they saw them together.
Guier heard people whispering nearby, "It seems this promising young marshal has chosen Miss Rong."
"Needless to say? His father is not only a textile tycoon, but his uncles also own banks and shipyards. He's truly wealthy enough to rival a nation. Besides, Miss Rong has an older sister who also married a warlord, but that woman was already in her 40s and her wife had died. She was merely a concubine. The young marshal is a talented young man who has never been married."
Turning around, Gui'er saw Miss Ji sitting aside, watching Sha Yanxiao and Miss Rong chatting and laughing. Although there were many well-dressed young men around Miss Ji who were courting her, Miss Ji responded indifferently, but she always looked a little nonchalant. Sometimes when Miss Ji looked at Miss Rong, Gui'er always felt that there was a hint of ruthlessness in her eyes.
Sha Yanxiao said that Miss Ji's family was one of the most powerful gangs in Shanghai, and Gui'er felt a little uneasy for some unknown reason.
"Gui'er, so you are here?"
Gui Er heard a familiar voice and turned to see that it was indeed Song Xichen. She said happily, "Brother Xichen, you're here too?"
Song Xichen smiled and said, "I heard that the young marshal who is so successful recently is choosing his wife, so our whole family came here to see the excitement." He pointed behind him.
As expected, Mr. Song, Mrs. Song, Miss Song and even the second young master Song Xilun were there.
This time, the Marshal was very enthusiastic towards the Song family. Both parties specially introduced Sha Yanxiao and Song Tingting to each other. Guier was shy when she saw Song Tingting and the handsome Sha Yanxiao.
Gui'er was shocked. Isn't Mrs. Song Sha Yanxiao's biological mother? Song Tingting is Mrs. Song's biological daughter. What's going on?
She quickly asked Song Xichen, "Why? Are you planning to let Miss Song and the Young Marshal have some contact?"
Song Xichen smiled and said, "How is that possible? With our family, how could we possibly marry someone so high up? But my mother said that Marshal Sha has a younger son. Although he's a concubine's son and doesn't appear in public very often, he's quite good. We should get to know him if we have the chance."
Sha Yanwen? Indeed, he was the son of the fourth concubine, and his two uncles were both minor officials in the government, which was quite good. However, Guier knew that Sha Yanwen had a habit of smoking opium.
After hesitating for a while, Gui'er looked around and saw no one was paying attention to her. She lowered her voice and said to Song Xichen, "Brother Xichen, I don't mean to spoil your fun, but Sha Yanwen has a habit of smoking opium."
Song Xichen's smiling face froze in an instant. Gui'er quickly said, "Don't be so embarrassed. I don't want anyone to know that I was the one who snitched. Otherwise, I'll be in trouble."
Song Xichen quickly put on a smile, looked around, and said softly, "Thank you for telling me."
Gui Er thought of the intrigues between the Fourth and Eighth Concubines, and felt a little scared. After a pause, she said to Song Xichen, "I hope you won't mention me when you tell your family about this." She smiled bitterly, "Firstly, I don't want others to know that I was the one who leaked it. If Fourth Aunt knew, she would definitely resent me. Secondly, I'm afraid Madam Song wouldn't appreciate my kindness. When I was in the Song Mansion, she thought I was hindering your marriage."
Song Xichen smiled and said, "What does this have to do with you? I just have no interest in traditional marriage." Then he reached out to touch Guier's head.
As a result, before the hand touched Guier's hair, Guier felt another hand falling on her head. She looked up and saw it was Sha Yanxiao.
Sha Yanxiao said to Song Xichen with a forced smile, "Director Song, how are you? Are you here to catch up with my sister again?"
Song Xichen smiled politely and said, "Hello, Young Marshal. I was telling Gui'er that you are really young and promising. I'm afraid most of the socialites in Shanghai are attracted to you."
Sha Yanxiao didn't accept his compliment and said with a half-smile, "No, Director Song is mature and steady, with an extraordinary temperament."
Guier looked at their faces, which were 80% similar, and her brain suddenly short-circuited. She blurted out, "Actually, you two look quite alike."
For a moment, the air froze. Gui'er quickly tried to make amends, "What I meant was, they are all handsome young men, hehe."
Sha Yanxiao ruffled Guier's hair with his hands, and Song Xichen pinched her face hard.
"Mr. Sha, so you are here," a clear and lively female voice came from behind.
Guier turned around and saw Miss Rong.
Sha Yanxiao smiled and said to Miss Rong, "Miss Rong, this is my sister Guier."
Miss Rong looked at Gui'er gracefully, extended her hand gently and said, "Hello, Sister Gui'er."
Gui'er shook his hand and said with a smile, "Hello, Miss Rong, nice to meet you."
Sha Yanxiao did not introduce Song Xichen to Miss Rong, but smiled and said to Miss Rong: "I'll take you to eat something." Then he took Miss Rong away.
Gui'er felt that this was quite similar to Sha Yanxiao's style. He should value Miss Rong very much.
Song Xichen smiled, shook his head, and said to Gui'er, "In a few days, there will be a performance by a foreign dance troupe at the Paramount Ballroom. Do you want to go and see it?"
"Really? Okay, okay, I want to go," Gui'er said, then hesitated again, "But I'm afraid I need to ask Brother Yanxiao first."
Song Xichen nodded and said, "Okay, if he agrees for you to go, just tick the calendar."
Guier nodded happily.
At this time, other people came to chat with Song Xichen, so he said goodbye.
As soon as Song Xichen left, the Marshal actually came over to find Gui'er and said with a smile, "Guier, did you have fun?"
Gui'er quickly said, "Father, it's okay. Many people are praising my second brother."
The Marshal's face lit up when he heard this. He said to Gui'er, "Today's banquet is so crowded and lively. I wonder if the three Zhang sisters are used to it. Go and chat with them and let them come out and have some fun."
Gui'er didn't expect that the Marshal was so considerate. She agreed and went to find the Zhang sisters.
However, the three Zhang sisters still refused, arguing that women should not show their faces in public. Gui'er smiled and said, "Don't worry, many socialites and wealthy ladies are here today, because Brother Yanxiao is now the most sought-after son-in-law in the city."
Miss Zhang Er's face looked a little strange when she heard this, and she smiled and said, "Really?"
Gui'er was worried that the other party would dislike such gossip, so she quickly smiled and said, "Actually, there isn't one. The only two who are really competitive right now are Miss Rong, the daughter of the textile tycoon, and Miss Ji, who comes from the family of Shanghai's leading boss."
Miss Zhang Er and Miss Zhang San looked at each other and said with a smile, "Since Miss Gui'er has invited us so graciously, let's go and take a look. However, we are completely unfamiliar with the banquet rules. If we are impolite in any way, we hope Miss Gui'er will remind us."
Gui'er sighed inwardly, they really looked like traditional ladies in the boudoir, and quickly said with a smile, "That's natural."
Miss Zhang Si was a little more lively than her two sisters. Seeing the opportunity to attend the banquet, she looked forward to it and asked Gui Er, "Do you think this dress suits me?"
They were all wearing newly custom-made clothes. Although the styles were conservative, they were probably still in line with Shanghai's current fashion. Gui'er nodded and smiled, saying, "Of course. Father has custom-made the most fashionable styles for you."
So he took them to the banquet hall, which was bustling with activity. Their arrival didn't attract anyone's attention. Gui'er was about to take them to eat something when the three sisters came to the Marshal first. The three of them neatly performed a standard bow, which immediately attracted the attention of many people.
The Marshal was beaming with joy, feeling extremely proud. Word spread among the guests, and they knew that these three sisters were Marshal Zhang's daughters.
After greeting the Marshal, Gui'er took them to a table with some food and sat down. Miss Zhang Si looked around curiously, while her two sisters were very elegant and focused on eating. Although they had never eaten Western food before, they did not seem panicked or at a loss. Gui'er could not help but admire them in her heart, as they were indeed well-mannered.
At this time, Sha Yanxiao walked over and politely asked about the three Miss Zhangs. He said, "It's been a few days since we last met. I wonder how the three Miss Zhangs are doing?"
Miss Zhang Er and Miss Zhang San were a little excited when they saw Sha Yanxiao coming over, their expressions seemed to be mixed with joy and sadness, but after a few seconds they regained their composure and said with a smile, "Thank you for your concern, Marshal. We are fine."
Miss Zhang Si asked Sha Yanxiao innocently, "Young Marshal, this is the banquet you hosted."
As soon as she finished speaking, Miss Zhang Er and Miss Zhang San used their eyes to stop Miss Zhang Si from speaking any further.
Sha Yanxiao smiled and said, "Yes, it's very boring, but I can also meet some people, just to relieve my boredom."
Gui'er was a little confused. She didn't know if it was her illusion, but she always felt that Miss Zhang Er and Miss Zhang San had a special feeling for Sha Yanxiao.