Chapter 31: A Toxic Man (1/2)
Translator: Li Xinyi
Proofreadby Men Shunde
Mr. Zongnotices the expressiononNangongNing’s faceand explainsgallantly, ”Miss Nangong, although the ShennongHall is a big drugstore, I am from theRegent’s Mansion, so they have to be quite polite to me.”
NangongNing nods her head, ”Yes, I can see that. It is like the story between the fox and the tiger.
”Yeah. Oh, No! MissNangong..., you are satirizingme!Do you mean the fox assuming the majesty of the tiger— borrowing the power to do evil?”Mr. Zong realizes she is being sarcastic and he bristles.
She smiles and is about to say something when a middle-aged man hurriesin.
Seeing the man,Mr. Zongstares at NangongNingand thenturns to greetthe man.
”Mr. Su, you...”
Mr. Su, the manager of the Shennong Hall, just smiles apologetically at Mr.Zong, then turns to NangongNing, with a strange sense of awe, saying,”Lady, areyou Miss Nangong?”
Mr. Zong looks puzzled.
NangongNing is also puzzled, but she nods her head.
”Really sorry, the young boy is not sensible, Miss Nangong andMr. Zong, this way please!”
Mr. Zong looks at NangongNing quizzically.
NangongNing rolls her eyes back at him.
She also wants to know why!
Seeing that they don’t move, Mr. Su adds, “I'm sorry. This placeis so humble here.Please follow me and we have some better tea over there.”
NangongNing takes a look at Mr. Zong, whonods his head. NangongNingcalms down and stands up, saying to Mr. Su, “Thank you.”
TheyfollowMr. Su into the inner room and finds that behind the Shennong Hall there is anothercourtyard and an elegant little house stands in the center of the yard.
Compared with the tea-seats in the Hall, the layout here is more refined and elegant. There aresomecalligraphyand paintings by famous peopleon the wall and a heptachordbeside it. It seems likea hotel rather than a drugstore.
Mr. Zong sits down and looks at the tea to be served,and then he saysloudly, ”Mr. Su, why haven't you served me such good tea before? And, you have never invited me to come here!”
Mr. Su’s face shows an embarrassed look, but he just bows to her and says, ”Miss Nangong, I did not know that you were coming.I am very sorry for the impoliteness.”
NangongNingtries her best to recall her original memory, but nothing is about theShennongHall.
So, why is Mr. Su so polite? What is the purpose of his politeness?
ButMr.Zongsuddenlyunderstands, and cries out, ”Oh, I see.You have heard that sheis bestowed by the Emperor on the Regent in marriage, haven’t you?”
Mr. Su nodshis head, saying, ”It is known to all in the capital, and of course, including me.”
“Hem,I see. It is for the sake of my Lord.” Mr. Zongpicks his teacup up, takes a swig of it, showing his discontent.
NangongNingforces a smile.
That accounts for Mr. Su’s politeness.
She didn’t realize the advantage the bestowed marriage brings her until now, which, in fact, makes her feel uneasy.
Shetakes her cup up and sniffs the tea gently, only to find the tea fragrant and the color of the tea clearer than any other tea colors.
“This is the bestBiluochun tea, but Mr. Su, doyou always serve your guests with poisoned tea?”
As soon as she finishes her words,she tilts her teacup and pours the the content of it onto Mr. Su’s head,who makes a sudden dodge aside.
”As a manager of a drugstore, you are unexpectedly a practitionerof the martial art!”
At this time, with a big bang, Mr. Zong, who sits on the opposite side, rolls his eyes and then falls down with his head on the table.
NangongNing gazes at Mr. Su, who sits on her opposite.
The happy smile on Mr. Su’s face now turns into a cold one and he says to NangongNing, “My master wants to see you.”
“Your master?” NangongNing asks, “Who is he?”
At this moment, a sudden sound of music comes to theirears, which is extremely seductive, making listeners fall into a state of ecstasy.
NangongNingcannot enjoy the music, but it makes her heart beating faster and her ears hot.
“What awful music is that?” She is furious and cries out.
Just then, an aromatic smell wafts toward her, and NangongNing holds her breath subconsciously. A sweet male voice is saying:
“This is the Music ofSeduction, whichis composed by a master in a brothel and costs me a lot of money. Isn’t it pleasant to to listen to it?“
NangongNing is speechless.
A master in a brothel? Is that a prostitute?
The music of seduction written by a prostitute can’t be a good one!
“Don’t pretend to be someone mysterious!Come out ifyou want to see me!”
“Hey,it’s not necessary for me to pretend to be someone. Of course, I’ll come out because I am here to meet you.”
NangongNingis speechless again.