Welcoming banquet? Shi Chenglin looked at Shi Chengyu in confusion: "What welcoming banquet? Didn't I tell you that you should keep a low profile when you return home to visit your relatives?"
Shi Chengyu didn't want to keep a low profile. His brother, who was a high-ranking official, had returned, so he should be in a glorious position to show those blind people that the Shi family had status.
"Brother, you have become a high-ranking official in the capital. You are returning home in glory. How can you keep a low profile? Besides, I am just hosting a welcome banquet. The invitations have been sent out. How can I not hold it? It would be so embarrassing."
Shi Chengyu's wife also spoke up at this time: "Big brother, you are returning home in glory. If we don't have a banquet, people will think we are keeping a low profile. They might even think you are fleeing back from disaster! So we have to have a big one."
Mrs. Shi said this only so that tomorrow's welcome banquet could go smoothly and in this way she could save face for her daughter. With a good face, those who bully her will know that their Shi family is not to be trifled with.
Shi Chenglin glanced at the second wife who had spoken, and just as he was about to speak, he heard his own wife nodding in agreement: "That's right, husband, we have returned in glory, so it's okay to have some fun. Just hold a banquet and treat it as a way to have fun with the people, what do you think?"
In fact, Mrs. Shi had no interest in the banquet in such a small town. But she felt that she should be the most distinguished person in this small town, so she also wanted to stand out.
Having been suppressed in a place like Kyoto where nobles can be seen everywhere, it shouldn't be a big deal to let loose in this small town. Thinking of this, he agreed to the banquet the next day.
When Shi Chenglin heard that his wife agreed, he thought it was just a small place and wouldn't have much impact, so he agreed directly.
"Okay then, let's have a good rest tonight so that we can be in good shape tomorrow."
Of course, he had to show his best side. Shi Chengyu thought that this matter would fail, but he didn't expect it to succeed. He originally thought that if his elder brother and sister-in-law didn't agree, time was urgent, so he could only act first and report later.
She actually agreed, that's even better: "Madam, please prepare well. Have you invited everyone you should invite?"
There weren't many people in this town who could be invited. Others like the county magistrate from the yamen and the wealthy businessmen in the town would be an honor to invite them.
Before falling asleep, Mrs. Shi Er was still thinking about the scenery of tomorrow. She was so excited that she tossed and turned all night and couldn't sleep well. When it was almost dawn, she simply didn't sleep, got up and dressed up, wanting to be the most eye-catching person today.
After getting dressed, I realized that it was still dark, so I went straight to find Shi Feixian. Shi Feixian had also prepared for today's banquet for a long time, not to mention others, but all the classmates she invited.
She wanted to crush Bei Bei and Fang Xiaoxi, two annoying guys, in front of the whole class. It would be best if Fang Xiaoxi could see her glorious side today and make her regret it.
Thinking of this, Shi Feixian was in a good mood. She put on the clothes that her aunt specially brought back for her from the capital, and put on makeup to make herself look very luxurious.
When he saw his mother coming over, he immediately smiled: "Mom, do you think I look good today?"
Shi Feixian turned around, and the skirt she was wearing also turned around. It felt like there were colorful colors underneath, which looked so gorgeous: "She is worthy of being my daughter, she is so beautiful."
Hearing his mother's praise, Shi Feixian was very satisfied: "Then when should I go out? Oh, I can't go out first. I have to wait until they come before I go out. This way, I can be the last one to appear."
Madam Shi Er nodded and said, "Okay, then wait. When they come, I'll have someone notify you."
The sky gradually brightened. The Shi family put a lot of effort into this banquet. Almost the entire yard was decorated, and it looked new and gorgeous.
The Shi family's housekeeper was already standing at the door to welcome the guests. When the guests saw the magnificent Shi family, they were stunned for a moment. They had not expected that the Shi family was so rich.
Is the position of the richest family in Xianyou Town going to be given up? The Ling Mansion doesn't look that good, and there is no such noble person.
Those who didn't know were asking questions, but those who knew scolded them: "What nonsense! Don't let the Ling family hear you. There are people in the Ling family who are officials in Kyoto. Otherwise, how could the Ling family be the richest family?"
So that's how it is. Ling Yuanbao had been brought here by his father a long time ago. It's not that he didn't hear the voices of people around him, but he just didn't care.
He looked around, wondering if Nan Nan wouldn't come today? Didn't she receive the invitation? Why hasn't she come yet
Not to mention Nan Nan, not even one person from the entire county magistrate's mansion came. And all the people from the academy who received the invitation letters came one after another, but there was still no sign of Nan Nan.
Master Ling took Ling Yuanbao with him and said, "Come on, let's go in. What are you doing standing at the door? If someone didn't know, they would think you were here to help welcome the guests!"
Ling Yuanbao was a little speechless. Who would help the Shi family to welcome the guests? Helplessly, he could only follow them. After entering, Master Ling went to chat with someone.
At this time, Nannanbeibei had almost left home. Caiyifang had already delivered their clothes yesterday, and they were just waiting to advertise them today.
Qian Jiujiu and Mu Yexiao naturally did not have any, they just wore their usual clothes. Although they did not look that great on the outside, their clothes were extremely good inside. At least no other clothes in the whole town could compare to what they wore.
The group finally arrived at the door of the Shi family, and happened to meet Master Fang with Fang Shaofeng and Fang Xiaoxi. Beibei waved at Fang Xiaoxi: "Xiaoxi, come here, let's go in together."
Steward Shi stepped forward to greet him: "I greet the county magistrate. Come in."
When the maidservant of the Shi family saw Beibei and Fang Xiaoxi coming, she immediately ran to inform her eldest daughter: "Miss, the county magistrate's daughter and Miss Fang are here together."
Shi Feixian's eyes lit up: "Here it comes, it's my turn to come on stage."
Someone in front had already led Qian Jiujiu's family inside and arrived at the banquet hall. There were already a lot of people here.
Qian Jiujiu raised his eyebrows: "I didn't expect that a banquet in a small town would be so lively. The chrysanthemums are nice, but I don't know if the crabs are fat or not."
A party always has to have a name, and the name of the Shi family is very good. It is clearly for the elder brother to welcome him back, to invite people to enjoy the flowers and eat crabs, and to tell everyone that his elder brother, who is an official, has returned.
Seeing Qian Jiujiu, Madam Shi Er quickly went to greet her: "This is Madam Mu, right? This is the first time we meet! I didn't expect that Madam Mu looks so young, but her children are all grown up."
Why does this sound so strange? Is it saying that I have taken good care of myself? Or is it referring to something else
"This lady takes good care of herself, unlike Madam Shi, who works so hard, so naturally she looks a little older."
Hard work? What was hard for her? Besides, she looked good, but Qian Jiujiu actually said that she looked old. It was really infuriating.
But the other person was the county magistrate's wife, so she really couldn't do anything. She could only smile awkwardly: "Madam Mu is really good at joking."
Qian Jiujiu's mouth corners slightly raised: "I'm not kidding, when you get older, you have to accept your fate and take good care of yourself."
Beibei was standing aside, with a gloating look in his eyes. When it came to talking, no one could be a match for his mother.
In fact, when Beibei and his group came in, they attracted a lot of people's attention. What attracted the most attention was that this group of people, with handsome men and pretty women, were pleasing to the eye no matter how you looked at them.
If it were a single person, it would probably be attributed to the clothes. But now with so many people, the clothes are subconsciously ignored. It’s just that the person looks good.
Mrs. Shi Er was very angry, but she could only bear it. Fortunately, Mrs. Shi Da came out at this time. Mrs. Shi Da gave birth to two sons and no daughters. She loved her niece Shi Feixian very much.
I asked about Shi Feixian's recent situation last night and learned that Shi Feixian had suffered a loss at the hands of the county magistrate's daughter, so I wanted to help my niece get it back.
So when he heard that the county magistrate's family was coming, he planned to come out. As a result, he saw that his brother-in-law suffered a loss. This mouth is quite sharp.
"Sister-in-law, who is this? This is really a good way to talk. Older women will age, no matter how they take care of themselves. So sister-in-law, don't mind it. You are not someone who relies on your looks to attract a husband."
Qian Jiujiu blinked her eyes. It was indeed a good feast. What she said was a veiled allegation. She actually said that she attracted Mu Yexiao with her beauty. Why did she suddenly feel happy? Was he praising her for her beauty
"You are the noble from the capital. You are really different. What you say makes people happy. You keep praising me for being beautiful. Thank you so much."
Mrs. Shi was confused. Is this a compliment? This is clearly contempt. This person doesn't understand what others are saying.
Madam Shi Er burst out laughing: "Madam Mu is really interesting! But the face will age easily. When you are surrounded by beauties, don't be unable to bear the loneliness."
Qian Jiujiu said, "I can't stand it. I'm not like you guys who are so generous. Not only can I stand the loneliness, I will also take the initiative to seek loneliness."
While speaking, he glanced at Beibei and the others and said, "You kids, go play by yourselves. There's no point in talking to us."
Beibei and Nannan looked at each other, then took their playmates and went somewhere else. Madam Shi also glanced at Shi Feixian and said, "Feixian, you should also go and entertain your classmates."
After the children left, Madam Shi finally spoke: "Madam Mu is truly a good and virtuous wife to Master Mu."