After looking around, Yan Qingqing realized that most people were similar to her, and were basically there for the Ding family's reward.

However, their clothes were better than Yan Qingqing's and Yuan Huiniang's, at least they didn't have so many patches.

However, their expressions were more tense than Yan Qingqing's. Come to think of it, since they were there for a reward, the birthday gifts they prepared must have taken a lot of thought and money.

Take the cake Yan Qingqing made, for example. Although it didn't cost much money, it took a lot of her time and effort. It's just that labor costs are low these days.

Yan Qingqing had a very calm attitude. It would be best if she could get the reward, but if she didn't, she would just have a big meal. Anyway, she wouldn't lose money.

Soon, servants from the Ding family came over to arrange for Yan Qingqing and the others to sit at a table, a standard eight-person table.

The banquet was very well prepared, with dishes including Four Happiness Meatballs, Braised Lion's Head Meatballs, Stir-fried Pork with Scallions, Dongpo Pork, and several seasonal vegetables.

Yan Qingqing and her group at the table were all staring at the food, their mouths watering, but they had to restrain themselves. They were afraid that if their birthday gifts caught the eye of Old Madam Ding, they would be embarrassed by their eating habits.

Yan Qingqing had no such concerns at all; she ate the food on the table with large, elegant bites.

Every now and then, he would put a piece of food on Yuan Huiniang's plate with his chopsticks. This touched Yuan Huiniang deeply.

Although Yan Qingqing ate elegantly, she ate very quickly. Soon, half the food on the table was gone, and by the time the others realized what was happening, Yan Qingqing and Yuan Huiniang had almost finished eating.

During this time, the steward from the outer courtyard came over and called several people in, saying that Old Madam Ding liked their birthday gifts very much, and needless to say, the next step would be to bestow rewards.

As the banquet was about to end, Yan Qingqing sighed. It seemed that her birthday cake was probably not going to be made.

Just as Yan Qingqing was about to get up and leave, a steward hurriedly walked into the inner courtyard and asked, "Is Yan Qingqing from Canghe Village still here?"

Yan Qingqing was secretly delighted, but she didn't show it on her face.

She stepped forward and said, "I am Yan Qingqing. May I ask what business the manager has with me?"

The steward was overjoyed and said, "What else could it be? Of course it's good news! The old lady especially liked the round birthday gift you made, and she asked me to take you to the inner courtyard."

Yan Qingqing calmly nodded and said, "Alright, then I'll trouble the manager to lead the way."

Seeing Yan Qingqing's composure, the manager couldn't help but look at her with more respect.

Although the Ding family wasn't extremely wealthy, they were still one of the richest families in Chengyang County. Most people would look around in amazement when they came to their house. However, Yan Qingqing's clothes were clearly inferior to those of an ordinary family, but her calm demeanor made her seem like someone who had seen the world.

Yan Qingqing arrived at the inner courtyard, where every plant and tree appeared even more luxurious and exquisite, and after a few more steps, she felt the place become lively.

A well-dressed head maid was waiting outside the door. Upon seeing this, the steward said to the head maid, "Miss Xi'er, Yan Qingqing has arrived."

Xi'er looked Yan Qingqing up and down and then said with a smile, "Please come in, madam. The old lady is waiting inside."

Yan Qingqing nodded and said, "Thank you for your trouble, Miss Xi'er. But I am not a lady. If you don't mind, you can call me aunt."

Xi'er smiled and gestured for Yan Qingqing to come in, then said, "Auntie, please go in quickly. The old lady is waiting for your reply."

Yan Qingqing slowly stepped into the room and saw a dozen or so people, men and women, sitting around a large table.

It is said that boys and girls should not sit together after the age of seven, especially in wealthy families. Yan Qingqing thought that the people sitting together like this must be Old Madam Ding's own children and grandchildren.

Yan Qingqing smiled and gave a deep bow to Old Madam Ding, who was sitting in the center, and said, "May you have boundless happiness and longevity, like the evergreen pine of the Southern Mountain. May you shine as brightly as the sun and moon, and never grow old."

A few words made Old Mrs. Ding, who was sitting in the main seat, smile broadly, and she said "good" to Yan Qingqing several times.

This old lady Ding had her hair neatly combed, wore a longevity and fortune headband, had a full forehead, and had a kind and gentle gaze; she looked like a kind old lady.

Especially when she smiles, her eyes crinkle, making people feel an irresistible fondness for her.

While Yan Qingqing was observing Old Mrs. Ding, Old Mrs. Ding was also sizing up Yan Qingqing.

Grandma Ding felt that although Yan Qingqing was dressed in shabby clothes, she had a calm and composed demeanor, neither arrogant nor humble, which suited her taste very well.

After examining it for a while, Old Mrs. Ding asked, "Did you make this? What's it called?"

When Grandma Ding asked, Yan Qingqing answered truthfully, "I did make this. It's called a birthday cake."

Grandma Ding asked, somewhat puzzled, "Birthday cake, judging from the name, must be used for birthday celebrations, but I've never heard of such a thing before."

Yan Qingqing replied with a smile, "This cake has a story behind it. It is said that there are many small countries on the west side of the sea, and they believe that a person's birth time is when their Bazi (Four Pillars of Destiny) is at its weakest."

It is most vulnerable to invasion by evil spirits, but cake can ward off evil.

In the West, high-ranking officials and nobles often bake birthday cakes, partly to celebrate their birthday and partly to ward off evil and pray for good fortune.

Grandma Ding nodded in agreement and then said, "When I was young, I also liked to read some miscellaneous books. I remember a travelogue mentioned that there were people living in very far places, and their appearance and customs were quite different from ours."

I've always longed to have the opportunity to visit, but thanks to you today, I've had a truly unique birthday celebration.

Then he had his head maid, Xi'er, cut the cake.

Fortunately, Yan Qingqing's cake was two-tiered, so each of the dozen or so people could have a slice.

Grandma Ding took a bite and said with a smile, "Soft, sweet, and delicious."

Since Grandma Ding had spoken up, her children and grandchildren also praised it highly. In particular, the fat man sitting next to Grandma Ding said with a smile, "My son is really doing his mother a favor today. This cake is really delicious, but it's a pity that each person only gets such a small piece."

Grandma Ding glanced at her fat son and said disdainfully, "Look how fat you've become, and you're still thinking about food all the time."

After she finished speaking, everyone present burst into laughter. Although the family was very kind, Yan Qingqing did not let her guard down. After all, they were a wealthy family, and it was impossible for them not to have disagreements in private.

After Old Mrs. Ding had almost finished eating her cake, she said to Xi'er beside her, "Go and get ten taels of silver, then go to the storeroom and get two bolts of cotton cloth, and also bring two boxes of pastries for your aunt to take back."

Yan Qingqing was delighted to hear this, as ten taels of silver was not a small amount, considering that all her current possessions amounted to only a little over two hundred copper coins.

Yan Qingqing didn't refuse and quickly thanked Old Madam Ding before following Xi'er to get the things.