Chapter 185: Help her Take A Bath (2/2)
Murong Xue's anger finally overflowed. She bellowed, ”Ouyang Shaochen!” Her angry shout resounded through the skies. In the bamboo grove, many birds took fright and flew off.
Before long, Murong Xue left the bathing pool and changed into some clean clothes. Then she walked out of the folding screen and saw Ouyang Shaochen in a white gown sitting at a rosewood round table with a cup of tea in his hand. He took a sip of tea from time to time, handsome and elegant.
A breeze wafted the fragrance of bamboo and toilet soap. It smelt fresh and sweet, enchanting her.
Murong Xue slightly raised her eyebrows and knew that Ouyang Shaochen had already taken a bath and changed into fresh clothes. It was incredible that he could do all this in such a short time...
Looking at well-dressed Murong Xue, Ouyang Shaochen curved his lips into a smile, put down the teacup and stood up. ”It's getting late. We've got to go to the banquet now.”
”Okay, let’s go.” Murong Xue replied, looking sulky. She turned around and strode out of the room.
Summer was hot. The banquet was held not in a hall but in the square of Mountain Resort.
The grand square had been cleaned up and many raised platforms of different heights had been set up. On the highest platforms, there were two golden chairs, which were exclusive for the Emperor and the Empress.
The lower platforms on both sides were prepared for imperial concubines and princes. Many exquisitely carved rosewood chairs were neatly placed on each of the lower platforms. In front of the chairs was a long table on which laid fresh fruit and various pastries. Silver wine pots were full of good wine and the air was heavy with the aroma of wine.
Several young eunuchs stood in the square and courteously guided people to their seats.
Murong Xue followed other people into the square and was about to look for the seats prepared for the members of Marquis Mansion. Just then, a familiar loud voice rang in her ears, ”Murong Xue, come here... ”
Murong Xue pursued the direction of the voice and saw Yuan Fangfei sitting on a chair prepared for Marquis Mansion and waving at her with a big smile.
Yuan Fangfei looked like the cat who had eaten the canary, fully satisfied and triumphant. With a smile on her face, Murong Xue thought, 'She hasn't received the betrothal gifts from Marquis Mansion. But she has already seen herself as the daughter-in-law of Murong Jian and Mrs. Zhou. She seems eager to get married...'
Murong Xue walked forward and sat down beside Yuan Fangfei. Then she looked at Yuan Fangfei and asked, ”Why are you alone? Where's Murong Ji?”
Yuan Fangfei pointed at a man behind her and replied with a casual air, ”He's over there.”
Murong Xue's eyes followed the direction in which Yuan Fangfei's finger pointed and saw a thin man standing in a corner with a bronze mirror in his hand and carefully applying some ointment onto his face. Pitifully, his face was swollen and covered with visible bruises and abrasions. If Yuan Fangfei hadn't told her that he was Murong Ji, she wouldn't have recognized him at all.
Apparently Murong Ji had been seriously beaten by Yuan Fangfei in the carriage this morning. Yuan Fangfei was really a strong and fearless woman...
”Look! Here comes Prince Mu... ” A cheerful female voice shouted out. Murong Xue turned around and saw Mu Liufeng coming across. He wore a blue gown. His collar embroidered with exquisite and inconspicuous patterns of flowers, was slightly open, revealing a small part of his strong chest. His evil and pretty face was bathed in golden sunlight. At this point, all eyes were focused on him.
He had a pair of charming eyes. As he blinked, the young girls present were enchanted and screaming excitedly...
Yuan Fangfei glanced at him and snorted scornfully, ”He's an unreliable playboy. God help those girls who fall for him...”
Murong Xue looked up at the sky. Yuan Fangfei had a low opinion of Mu Liufeng. Although it was not pleasant to the ear, it was an accurate description of Mu Liufeng's character...