To worship heaven and earth is to kneel down toward the door.
When worshiping in the high hall, one naturally faces two empty imperial chairs.
When husband and wife bow to each other, Su Ping bows to the tray.
He did all this silently.
Wen Daoyuan squinted his eyes and watched, wondering how someone with such talent could endure such humiliation.
Is it true that people's hearts are so unpredictable?
Su Ping, is he really greedy for the power of the Duke's government?
"The ceremony is over!"
The old housekeeper sang loudly, then turned around and clasped his fists at the people present: "I have not returned from guarding the border, and I have neglected all of you. I would like to invite Haihan, and I will accompany you next time."
After speaking, Tang Yuan nodded to Su Ping and retreated with Cuizhu.
After leaving the main hall, not far away, Tang Yuan suddenly stamped his feet, turned around and asked, "Where's the lady?"
"Miss... went to swim in the lake."
Cuizhu hesitated, intending to lie, but couldn't bear the penetrating gaze of the old housekeeper.
"As a young lady's personal maid, you just don't try to dissuade her, but instead you help her do whatever she wants?"
Tang Yuan said coldly, "Do you know, if Su Ping had turned his back and made a fuss just now, you would be the first to die."
In fact, the old housekeeper only knew that the Crown Prince's wife would not be present, and did not know that Shen Xinlan had also run away. He didn't realize it until Cuizhu came out with a tray.
Fortunately, he was used to wind and rain and persuaded Su Ping in an emergency, otherwise the consequences would be disastrous.
"This slave deserves to die..."
Cuizhu's face turned pale and he knelt down quickly.
"If you don't want to be executed, follow me to see Madam immediately."
The old housekeeper snorted, rolled up his sleeves and walked back to the back house.
Cuizhu quickly got up and followed.
Not long after, the two met Zhou.
After listening to the old housekeeper's report, Mrs. Zhou frowned and asked, "What happened to Su Ping when you left?"
"not at all."
The old housekeeper bowed and said, "In my opinion, Su Ping is already a member of the Duke's Mansion. Even if he is angry, he will not do anything detrimental to the Duke's Mansion."
Mrs. Zhou thought for a while and said, "Go and let Su Ping toast the guests."
"Toast..."
Tang Yuan was stunned for a moment, and then said suspiciously: "I'm afraid that no one present will respond. This..."
"That's what I want."
Zhou's eyes flashed, "He can even bear to pay a visit to the church. It's just a toast. He will continue to bear it."
Cuizhu reported Su Ping's slap in the face and those threatening words to him afterwards.
Although it is absolutely necessary to add insult to injury, it is enough to show that Su Ping is somewhat confused about his identity.
Now that Shen Xinlan has made such a fuss, it will inevitably leave some negative impact.
Let Su Ping toast, and his image of being willing to do anything for glory and wealth will be thoroughly rooted in people's hearts.
This move can not only offset those negative effects, but also defeat Su Ping.
It can be said to kill two birds with one stone.
The old housekeeper took the order and left.
At this time, Mr. Zhou never imagined that it was precisely because of his order that a series of subsequent events would occur.
These events not only affected themselves, but also the Duke's Mansion, and even the entire continent of China, which started a huge change.
After the old housekeeper left, Mrs. Zhou looked at Cuizhu and asked lightly:
"Did you come up with this idea for Miss?"
"I don't dare, slave."
Cuizhu knelt down with a plop, her whole body shaking like chaff, "I am just a servant, how dare you..."
"Think it through before talking."
Zhou interrupted Cuizhu's words calmly.
Cuizhu looked up in shock, then seemed to understand something, and there was no trace of blood on her face.
On the other side, Tang Yuan received Zhou's order and hurried back to the banquet hall, only to see Su Ping still standing motionless in the worship hall.
Why……
Tang Yuan sighed, walked behind Su Ping, and whispered: "Uncle, it's time to toast with all the guests."
"Toast..."
Su Ping came back to his senses and nodded calmly.
Tang Yuan led Su Ping to the table closest to the door with a servant carrying drinks.
"My lords."
Tang Yuan cupped his fists and saluted, and began to introduce Su Ping one by one.
The table in front of me is full of senior officials.
The deputy envoy of the General Affairs Department, the minister of Honglu Temple, the young minister of Dali Temple, the young minister of Taichang Temple, the young minister of Taipu Temple, the younger minister of Zhan Shifu, and the left and right censors of the Ducha Yuan.
Su Ping wrote them down one by one, and after Tang Yuan finished the introduction, he picked up the wine glass and said, "My lords, you are here to honor me. I would like to express my gratitude to you with this wine."
After the words fell, the young minister of Dali Temple was about to raise his glass, but was touched on the elbow by the young minister of Taichang Temple.
The young minister of Dali Temple raised his eyes and found that no one on the table was making any move, so he quickly let go of the wine glass.
"Haha, eat them all. It's rare to have a meal at Duke Dingguo's mansion. Why are you so polite?"
With a smile on his face, the minister of Honglu Temple took a piece of meat and put it into his mouth without even looking at Su Ping the whole time.
Someone took the lead, and several others also let go.
“The wine is good and the food is also good.”
Shao Zhanshi shook his head, "It's a pity, it just makes the scenery a bit unpleasant."
"Haha, you just care about eating and drinking. Why do you care so much?"
The deputy envoy of the General Affairs Department smiled nonchalantly and said, "Otherwise, people would think you really came here for him."
"Hey, I don't dare to be friends."
Officials from different yamen had surprisingly consistent attitudes when facing Su Ping.
Other guests also looked over with interest.
"..."
Su Ping's gesture of raising the glass froze in mid-way, and his heart was extremely desolate.
Who are you?
A son-in-law who is greedy for money and power, seeks to repay favors, and is ignorant and incompetent...
The lowest ones here are all officials of the fourth rank. Among the people, they are the first-class big shots.
How could such a big shot be willing to drink with him without fear of being stained?
and.
This table in the hall has the lowest official position, and even these people are so disdainful. The remaining powerful officials, princes and nobles will not respond even more.
Toast, you can only humiliate yourself.
"hehe."
Su Ping smiled lightly, raised his head and drank the wine in the glass in one gulp.
Just as he was about to put down his wine glass and leave, Tang Yuan spoke again: "Uncle, it's time to sit down at the next table."
Su Ping turned his head suddenly and stared at Tang Yuan.
However, in the old housekeeper's eyes, apart from a hint of apology, there was more helplessness.
Su Ping was a little stunned.
in this case……
Do I have to respect this wine?
Facing Su Ping's gaze, Tang Yuan nodded slightly.
"……good."
Su Ping was silent for a long time, finally let out a breath and walked towards the table on the right.
This table is occupied by counts, ranging from first to third rank, all of which are hereditary titles passed down from ancestors.
"Your Excellencies have come to honor me, and Su Ping would like to take this wine to express my gratitude."
Su Ping raised his glass.
No one responded.
If you are polite, you will eat your food with your head down. If you are not polite, you will make a few sarcastic remarks.
Su Ping drank it all regardless and saluted again.
Then without waiting for Tang Yuan's reminder, he walked towards the next table.
Tang Yuan gritted his teeth, suddenly took the tray from the servant's hand, and followed Su Ping step by step.
"All the worthy elders have come to appreciate you. I, Su Ping, would like to express my gratitude with this wine!"
"All you benevolent gentlemen have come here to appreciate the honor. I humble myself to Su Ping and take this wine to express my gratitude!"
"..."
Table after table was greeted with respect, each time the honorific Su Ping used became more noble, and each time the humility he used became more humble.
However, the eyes of the guests in the hall were full of disdain, and no one raised their glasses.
Even if there were one or two people who couldn't bear it, and a group of colleagues were by their side, they had no intention of drinking with Su Ping.
And everyone's discussion gradually shifted to Su Ping.
"It seems that the rumors are true. This person is really willing to do anything for the sake of glory and wealth."
"If he is a normal son-in-law, even if his status is lower, what if we drink this wine?"
"My conduct is really bad. If I drink with him today, I will be ridiculed by my colleagues tomorrow..."
"Hey, so there has been a dilemma between love and justice since ancient times. The old prince was wise in his life, but..."
"..."
In the face of these discussions, Su Ping turned a deaf ear and turned his back on himself.
Drinking glass after glass of wine, I invited you to drink together again and again, acting out my own one-man show.
Until the last table, it was also the most distinguished table in the venue.
The Ninth Prince stopped Su Ping from toasting.
"Do you know why we don't drink with you?"
Lu Chengxu asked bluntly.
"I don't know, so please give me some advice, Your Highness."
Su Ping bowed.
"Are you really drinking wine?"
The Ninth Prince shook his head, "No, it's not. Drinking is about fun. Regardless of our character, talent, or status, it's hard for you and I to have the interest to drink together, so why force it?"
Prince Jun raised his eyebrows but did not refute.
"What His Highness said is..."
Su Ping laughed at himself and was about to put down the wine glass in his hand when a dissatisfied voice sounded.
"Boy Su."
"You respect everyone, but you don't respect us. Why? Look down on us two old guys?"