The servant girl came to inform that the banquet was ready.
Girls, please move to the flower hall.
Gu Jiu stood up, "Sisters, let's go to the banquet."
"Sister Xiao Jiu leads the way."
Gu Jiu smiled and led everyone back to the flower hall.
There are nine tables, all of which are placed in the flower hall on the right.
Everyone sat down.
Gu Yue took the initiative to sit with Ms. Zhao Liu, nicknamed it Accompanying Seat.
Gu Jiu ignored her and asked Gu Shan to sit at the table with Xie's family.
Gu Shan felt a little apprehensive about Ma Shi.
She pulled Gu Jiu and whispered, "Second Sister, can you let Fifth Sister sit at the table with me?"
Gu Jiu looked at Gu Shan strangely, "What's the matter? Is the fourth sister in trouble? The fifth sister and the eldest sister are going to accompany the other girls in the house."
Gu Shan opened her mouth, not knowing where to start, "It's just that my aunt talks a lot, and I'm afraid I won't be able to handle it well, so I want my fifth sister to stay with me."
This reason barely convinced Gu Jiu.
Gu Jiu said to her: "I'll go ask Fifth Sister. If Fifth Sister is unwilling, don't be disappointed."
"Thank you, Second Sister."
After Gu Jiu settled everyone down, she asked Gu Lin if she would like to sit at the same table with Xie's family.
Gu Lin looked towards Xie's family, "Can't Fourth Sister handle it alone?"
Gu Jiu nodded, "Fourth sister said she couldn't handle it alone."
Gu Lin raised her eyebrows and laughed, "Okay, I'll be with Fourth Sister."
Gu Lin happily went to accompany Gu Shan.
Gu Shan secretly breathed a sigh of relief, and smiled at Gu Jiu.
With Gu Lin around, when the eldest aunt Ma was talking nonsense, Gu Lin stabbed at her with a single word, that would be a good scene. I don't believe that my aunt Ma still has the face to continue talking nonsense.
Together with Gu Mei, Gu Jiu accompanied the girls of the Duke's Mansion and Hou Mansion.
Mrs. Xie settled the wives and came to the back tables.
Seeing that Gu Yue didn't sit at the same table with the girls from the Duke's Mansion, she frowned slightly.
Mrs. Xie glared at Gu Yue, why did this dead girl sit at the table next to her. Could it be that Gu Jiu stole Gu Yue's chance.
Xie sneered to herself, she knew that Gu Jiu was not a good person, she was competitive everywhere, even wanting to grab Gu Yue's chance. It really doesn't make sense.
It's just that the seats have been set and it's not easy to change, so Xie could only suppress his anger, smile, and greet everyone to eat and drink.
When passing by Gu Yue, Xie secretly pinched her.
Gu Yue felt guilty and didn't dare to raise her head.
Xie snorted coldly, put this matter aside for now, and ask Gu Yue what happened at night.
The banquet officially begins.
The well-trained maids serve the dishes neatly and orderly.
The menu is carefully drawn up.
A table of sixteen dishes, two cold dishes, four steamed dishes, four boiled dishes, four stir-fried dishes, and two soup dishes.
The food and wine were served, and as the host, Mrs. Xie greeted everyone to eat and drink.
The atmosphere in the flower hall gradually became lively.
The dishes prepared in the kitchen are very good and cater to most people's tastes.
There are many kinds of wine prepared to meet everyone's needs.
Taking advantage of the warm atmosphere, Gu Jiu picked up the wine glass, called the other four sisters, and toasted one table after another, trying her best to do what a host should do.
Seeing this, Xiao Wei, the eldest wife of the Hou Mansion, laughed, and murmured to the eldest wife, Zhang, "The girls are really nice, and the atmosphere of today's banquet is very good."
The atmosphere is good, and at least 70% of the purpose of the banquet has been completed.
Mrs. Zhang smiled, and said: "The main reason is that Xiaojiu is a girl who is hardworking and can do things. If she hadn't greeted her, the other girls would probably just sit in their seats and remain indifferent."
When the eldest lady Xiao Wei heard this, she couldn't help but look at Gu Jiu.
Gu Jiu has grown a lot taller in the past six months, and her figure is still thin, but she can already see a little girlish lines.
Little Wei saw that Gu Jiu led the other four girls of the Gu family, shuttled through the banquet to toast the guests, greeted everyone to eat, and said auspicious words.
The whole process was smooth and made everyone feel comfortable.
She couldn't help but nodded secretly, "Little Jiu, although she lacks experience, she is smarter."
"The handwriting is also very good." Mrs. Zhang pursed her lips and smiled, "Today's menu was copied by Xiaojiu."
The eldest lady Xiao Wei followed suit with a smile, and asked in a low voice: "Do you know how the brother and sister Xie arranged for Xiao Jiu?"
The eldest wife, Mrs. Zhang, knew in her heart that the so-called arrangement naturally refers to Gu Jiu's marriage.
She looked around and said to Xiao Wei in a low voice: "You can tell what Xie's brothers and sisters are thinking. She must not be happy that Xiao Jiu is better married than Gu Yue. She must be focusing on Gu Yue's marriage first, and then Will consider Xiaojiu's marriage.
I don't know exactly what Mr. Gu thinks. But the two of them should have similar ideas. After all, Xiaojiu's maternal ancestral family has fallen, not as good as Xie's family. "
The eldest lady Xiao Wei nodded, "Xiao Jiu, this child, does not have a strong grandparent's family, so he is indeed at a disadvantage."
When the eldest wife Zhang heard this, her eyebrows and eyes moved, "It's better for the sister-in-law in the lobby to bother and help Xiaojiu. With the connections of the sister-in-law in the lobby, it shouldn't be difficult to tell Xiaojiu a suitable marriage."
The eldest lady Xiao Wei did not immediately respond, but said: "Parents are not in a hurry, and I am an outsider, and it is not good to introduce marriage to Xiao Jiu rashly. Let's see."
The eldest wife, Mrs. Zhang, lowered her head and thought about it, and then understood what Xiao Wei meant.
Xiao Wei wanted to introduce the marriage for Gu Jiu, but she didn't want to offend Master Gu and Xie.
Xiao Wei also wanted to wait for Gu Yue's marriage to be settled, and then introduce the marriage to Gu Jiu as a reference.
In this way, no one will be offended, and things can be done properly.
After thinking it over, the eldest wife, Mrs. Zhang, laughed, "My sister-in-law is more thoughtful. The child Xiaojiu is still half a year away from Jiji, and her marriage is not in a hurry."
Little Wei nodded, "It's true that you're not in a hurry. It's about the marriage of those boys in your family. You should hurry up."
The eldest wife, Mrs. Zhang, said: "I won't hide it from you, I'm discussing the children's marriage with my natal family."
Xiao Wei suddenly realized, "Do you want to get closer to your natal family?"
"I have this idea. But for Dalang's marriage, I still want to tell him a decent and honorable girl. Sister-in-law, do you have any good girls to introduce to me?"
Little Wei laughed.
It seems that Mrs. Zhang intends to marry the second son to her natal family, and the eldest son to marry a noble girl.
Little Wei pointed to the front, "There are so many honorable girls sitting over there, and my younger brother and sister are interested in that one, you tell me. I'll help you as a matchmaker."
"What I'm waiting for is the words from Mrs. Hall. The third girl in the Luhou Mansion, the one named Pei Man, what does Mrs. Hall think?"
"Luhou Mansion?"
Little Wei frowned imperceptibly.
"Siblings, have you figured it out? Lu Hou is not an easy person to get along with. Getting married to Lu Hou is a risk."
The eldest wife Zhang suddenly became entangled.
Xiao Wei suggested: "How about the girl from Daihou's Mansion? If my siblings are interested, I'll match you up."
The eldest wife, Mrs. Zhang, looked at the girls in the Daihou's mansion.
She was a little hesitant, "I heard that the sister-in-law in the hall is going to marry the Daihou Mansion and marry the girl Mei to her. If my Dalang married a girl from the Daihou Mansion, outsiders would say that our Gu family is changing relatives. "
Little Wei shook his head slightly, "It's okay. Our two families have separated long ago, and there is no such thing as a marriage exchange. But the siblings must be prepared. If they want to marry, they can only marry the second daughter. The eldest daughter has long been arranged for the marquis .”
The eldest wife, Mrs. Zhang, suddenly laughed, "I don't need to be reminded by the lobby sister-in-law, I also understand. My Dalang is not worthy of the eldest daughter of the Hou family. To be able to marry the second daughter is already a tall order."
Xiao Wei asked: "Then this matter is settled like this? I'll go find out what Madam Dai Hou has said in a while."
"Okay! Thank you, Mrs. Lobby."
The two talked and laughed, and a marriage was almost settled.
Mrs. Xie came over to toast, and the sisters-in-law and the others drank two glasses with them.
Mrs. Xie had something in her heart, so she took the opportunity to ask Mrs. Wei.
"Sister-in-law, did Mrs. Haisib reveal anything?"
Xiao Wei smiled, "Sister Xie, don't be in a hurry. I'll ask for you after the wine is finished. Don't worry, it seems Mrs. Hai Xibo is still very satisfied with Zhen girl. As long as there are no accidents, this marriage should be It can be done."
Xie suddenly laughed, "Thank you, Mrs. Hall. If this marriage is successful, I will treat you to a drink."
"You should treat me to a wedding candy."
"Yes, yes, yes. Look at me, I'm clumsy, please don't mind my sister-in-law in the lobby."
After Mrs. Xie finished speaking, he went to the next table to toast.
The eldest wife Zhang asked the little Wei in a low voice, "Is the marriage between Miss Zhen and Zhao Silang really possible?"
"It's not a big problem. After the wine is over, you can ask brother and sister Xie for me how much dowry she plans to prepare for Zhen girl."
The eldest wife, Mrs. Zhang raised her eyebrows, "What's the matter, Mrs. Hai Xibo is still picky about the girl's dowry?"
Little Wei picked up the wine glass, pondered for a while and said, "It's not Mrs. Hai Xibo who is picky about the girl's dowry, but the second and third wife of the Zhao family who are picky about the girl's dowry.
You also know that there are deep conflicts among the three houses in Haixibo Mansion. If girl Zhen married in the past with too little dowry, she would probably be wronged.
They are all the daughters of the Gu family. As an aunt in the lobby, how can I bear to see her being wronged at her husband's house. "
The eldest wife, Mrs. Zhang, suddenly realized, "The elder sister-in-law wants me to remind my brothers and sisters to prepare more dowry for Zhen girl, at least it will look good."
"Exactly." Little Wei didn't hide his thoughts.
Mrs. Zhang frowned, "Sibling Xie is not short of money. She has made a lot of money with her natal second brother in the Northwest for so many years. I know that.
But brother and sister Xie are a bit stingy. Especially for a girl from a concubine, she must be reluctant to spend money. "
Little Wei smiled contemptuously, "It's not her private money that was spent. It was money from their second husband's, so she just prepared two or three thousand taels of dowry for Zhen girl
For a family like ours, if you marry a concubine and give birth to a girl, the dowry is at least five thousand taels, and ten thousand taels is not too much.
I don't ask her to prepare a dowry of 10,000 taels for Zhen girl. A dowry of five or six thousand taels should be prepared. "
After a pause, Xiao Wei said again: "Before I came, the old lady told me to remind my brother and sister Xie.
Marrying a daughter is not marrying an enemy, you have to prepare for everything, don't be stingy with the little money.
I thought it was inappropriate for me to say this, after all we are separated. I also ask you, brother and sister, to convey the meaning of the old lady to Xie brother and sister for me.
On Mr. Gu's side, my master will also mention him. "
Mrs. Zhang laughed, "As long as Mr. Gu nods his head on this matter, there will be no problem. In the final analysis, the second room is Mr. Gu's decision."
Xiao Wei breathed a sigh of relief, "This matter will trouble my siblings."
Mrs. Zhang waved her hand with a smile, "You don't have to be polite to me. If the marriage between my Dalang and the Daihou Mansion is completed, I have to thank you and give you a matchmaker's money."
Xiao Wei said with a smile: "It's fine to thank the matchmaker for the money, just invite me to a wedding wine."
"Naturally, the wife in the lobby is indispensable for drinking wedding wine."
…
Gu Yue pulled Miss Zhao Liu from Haixibo Mansion to talk.
She deliberately flattered and flattered her, saying auspicious words one after another like the wheels of a cart.
Miss Zhao Liu knew that Gu Yue was trying to curry favor with her, but the sugar-coated cannonball was really too beautiful, as sweet as honey.
At the beginning, she would be wary. When she eats too much sugar-coated cannonballs, Miss Zhao Liu also enjoys the feeling of being flattered. It's so beautiful!
During half a meal, the two became as close as sisters, holding hands and talking affectionately.
The people sitting next to them were amazed when they saw this scene.
Gu Yue really spared no effort to please Miss Zhao Liu.
After finishing the banquet, the two moved to the small flower hall on the left to drink tea and snacks, and continued to chat.
Gu Yue was also very thoughtful, she made indirect remarks, and was stunned to grasp a lot of news about Zhao Erlang.
Miss Zhao Liu didn't think much about it either. Only when Gu Yue was just out of curiosity would she inquire about her own situation.
Gu Yue had a lot of eyes, and she encouraged Miss Zhao Liu, "Sister Zhao, take me to see your fourth brother, okay? If the marriage between my eldest sister and your fourth brother is completed, our two families will be relatives in the future. But Before we get married, at least let us meet your fourth brother and know what your fourth brother looks like."
Miss Zhao Liu hesitated.
Gu Yue took her hand, "Sister Zhao, just agree. I'll call my eldest sister too, and we'll go there together, okay?"
Miss Zhao Liu hesitated for a moment, then nodded and agreed, "Okay. I'll let the servant girl go to the outer courtyard to have a look, and ask my fourth brother to come to the courtyard, and we will meet in the courtyard."
"Okay! Sister Zhao, wait for me. I'll tell my eldest sister. The eldest sister is shy, and it may take some time to convince her. Sister Zhao, just sit here and wait for me. I'll be back in a while." .”
"Sister Yue, go, I'm not in a hurry."
Gu Yue nodded with a smile, and left in a hurry.
When Gu Yue walked out of the flower hall, she didn't go to see Gu Zhen immediately.
Instead, he called the servant girl Putao, "You ask a little maid who is unfamiliar to you to go to the outer courtyard to find the Eighth Young Master. Ask the Eighth Young Master to bring Xie's cousin to the courtyard to wait for me, remember?"
Putao was a little frightened and asked, "Girl, what are you going to do?"
Gu Yue smiled coldly, with cruelty in her eyes, "Can't you see what I'm going to do? I can't just sit back and watch my eldest sister marry into Haixibo Mansion. Her best home is the Xie family."
"Girl, are you crazy?"
Putao Xin almost jumped out, looked around, but fortunately there was no one around.
Gu Yue stared at Putao, "Do you think I look crazy? I am calmer than ever now. You go."
Putao hesitated, "Miss, please think twice. The servant saw that the wife and Mrs. Haisib had a very happy conversation, and the elder girl's marriage should be settled soon. Why are you interfering at this time? It's ruined The eldest girl's marriage is not good for you, girl."
"Who said that?" Gu Yue stared at Putao, "You have been with me for so many years, don't you know what I mean?"
"what?"
Putao had a shocked face, "Girl, are you serious about not coming? Are you really interested in that Zhao Erlang? That man beats his wife, and he has a bad temper and will beat others.
Girl, don't be confused, okay? Otherwise, I'll call my wife out, and the girl will talk to her.
If the wife is willing to support the girl, then, it's not too late to call Eighth Young Master. "
Gu Yue said with a straight face, "Is there anything to talk about. What do you think I will talk to my mother now? I have to do something to have the bargaining chip to talk to my mother about this matter, do you understand
My mother will agree to my marriage to Haixibo Mansion only if I destroy my eldest sister's marriage, understand
Moreover, the big sister has a great advantage of marrying into the Xie family, as it can stop the Xie family's mouth. In case the Xie family has been playing with me and Brother Six. "
Grape is nervous and restless.
The girl must be crazy to have such a crazy idea.
"What's so good about that Zhao Erlang, the girl just fell in love with him."
"You don't understand!" Gu Yue suddenly smiled, her eyes were gentle and longing.
"How can you, a maid, understand such a man. But I understand him. The first time I saw him, I knew that my true son had appeared."
Gu Yue's gentle tone made Putao's skin crawl.
Gu Yue stared at Putao, "Are you going? If you don't go, then don't serve me by my side from now on."
Putao was about to cry, so she nodded helplessly, "I will obey the girl."
"Remember to find an unfamiliar maid. This matter must be done naturally without leaving any traces, remember?"
"Slave remembers."