Chapter 222: The Emperor's Banquet

“And this!”

Lu Qiniang stuffed a scallion into each of the master and servant's hands.

Those who were eating in the warehouse looked at the guests curiously while eating.

Xiao Yan wanted to close the door, but Master Li said, "No need, keep it open. They seem to be enjoying their meal. I've obviously eaten, so I've also worked up an appetite."

"Eat, eat," Lu Qiniang also took a bun and bit into it, "You haven't come for a long time. I was thinking of going to see you before, but Xiao Yan said it was inconvenient for me to go, so I didn't bother you. Did you receive the salted duck eggs and pickled cucumbers I asked someone to bring you?"

"I received them. They are all excellent." Master Li smiled. "It's hard for you to pick out duck eggs with double yolks."

"I don't have anything good to give you, so I can only use some thought."

"Abandoned Mother, are these the bandits who kidnapped you before?" Mr. Li asked with a smile.

"Oh, what bandits? They are just a bunch of poor people who can't survive. I can't even mention them while eating. After listening to their stories, I feel so choked up." Lu Qiniang took a bite of the scallion.

The smile on Master Li's face froze, and then he said nonchalantly, "I'm free anyway, so I'll tell you about it."

"There are so many. Take Xiong Da, for example. His family was originally a small landowner. It was all because of his father, who had great taste and bought an antique vase at a bargain. But someone targeted him and ruined his family."

"Why didn't he file a complaint?"

"I do want to sue, but the person who stole the vase from his house is the county magistrate. Where can I seek justice?"

"Isn't there a prefect above us?" Mr. Li frowned.

"That's what I said. But Xiong Da said that the prefect and the county magistrate are in the same boat. He didn't dare to continue to sue, for fear that he would be beaten with a stick again and become disabled, and he would not even be able to be a bandit anymore."

"Speaking of the bastards, their family originally had several acres of land, but they couldn't pay the taxes, so they had it taken away. I asked them about the taxes there, and guess what they paid? It was three times the amount required by the court! They paid it without knowing why, and who would dare to sue the officials? If you don't pay what others pay, you're considered a troublemaker."

Lu Qiniang shook her head as she spoke.

Xiao Yan said, "Qi Niang once asked me what an imperial edict was."

Speaking of this, Lu Qiniang felt a little embarrassed, "Stop talking, I thought the imperial edict was a piece of paper the size of a handkerchief, what a joke."

Xiao Yan smiled and continued, "After she learned about what they were doing, she said, 'Since the imperial edict is so large and is for everyone to see, why doesn't the emperor have it posted everywhere and read? At least it would let the people know that if taxes are collected unreasonably, they can file a complaint. He should also point out a place for the people to file complaints. You can't let officials judge themselves.'"

"Why are you saying that?" Lu Qiniang felt even more embarrassed now. "I was just thinking about it at home when I had nothing to do, and you told others about it. I just feel that people like us who can't read live in a muddle. If we knew a little, wouldn't those officials think twice before trying to trick us?"

Mr. Li nodded thoughtfully.

"The emperor is definitely a good person. But the sutra is a good one, but it has been misinterpreted by the people below." Lu Qinniang said.

"You don't know the emperor, so how do you know he is a good person?" Mr. Li couldn't help laughing.

"If the emperor is not a good person, can he be good to Xiao Yan and take care of Jiang Yi and his brother?"

"The emperor also has many things he hasn't done well." Master Li said quietly.

"Shh, we can't talk about this." Lu Qiniang made a hushed gesture, "There are all kinds of people, don't spread the word."

Yun Ting was honest in front of Master Li, but now his eyes were rolling around and no one knew what he was thinking.

Mr. Li ate buns and asked about Lu Qiniang's recent business.

"Everything is fine." Lu Qiniang only reported good news and not bad news.

As for the elderly, letting them know that the younger generation is living well and not letting them worry is also a form of filial piety.

"What's good about it!" Yun Ting said, "I've been poached and can't even make ends meet..."

Your Majesty, please give me some money.

They come here to eat and drink for free, saying that they like it and are happy, but they just don't pay.

Your words are true, but they cannot be exchanged for gold and jade!

Lu Qiniang said hurriedly, "Nonsense, everything is fine now. By the way, we are researching new fireworks, which are said to be very beautiful. If you have time, come and see them in a few nights. I invested fifty taels of silver! It makes me sad just thinking about it. Just think about it, how many pigs that is!"

Mr. Li was amused by her.

Yun Ting hurriedly asked, "Uncle, have you had any banquets or anything like that recently? I'll bring some fireworks and say that it's me, your unfilial nephew, who is filial, that will make you proud. Oh, and my grandmother has returned to Beijing, right? I haven't been able to kowtow to her yet. I'd like to let her see and be happy."

If these fireworks can be set off in the palace, and it is because the emperor has appreciated them and approved them, then everyone else will be fighting for them, right?

Lu Qiniang thought to herself, this is great, we can save money on the banquet.

But I don't know if it's convenient...

She couldn't help but look at Xiao Yan.

Xiao Yan smiled and nodded, his eyes silently soothing.

Lu Qiniang immediately understood what was going on.

Xiao Yan said yes!

That will definitely work.

Mr. Li laughed and said, "How can I have a banquet? I can't possibly treat you to a meal just to help you sell fireworks."

"Why not? Just to keep in touch." Yun Ting said in a dishonest way.

"I see you talk a lot more now than before."

"That's right, I've been learning martial arts from Xiao Yan! How about I show you how to wield a sword?"

"I won't watch it anymore. What's so interesting about your performance? I just watched the third girl perform for a while at Qi Niang's house. It was quite interesting."

"You've been home." Lu Qiniang said with a smile.

"I heard that Daya and Jiang Xuan's marriage is settled?"

"It's settled." Lu Qiniang said, "Although Jiang Xuan is a bit older, these two are a perfect match!"

"Alas," Yun Ting sighed, "Zhao Zhao is good in every way, except that she doesn't have much dowry."

Lu Qiniang glared at him, "Nonsense, how come there's no dowry? Aren't you earning it for her?"

She knew Yun Ting wanted to ask Mr. Li for money, but she couldn't do that.

The elderly have some money in their hands, but when people get old, the sense of security comes from money.

As a junior, you should only take on as much as you can afford. What's the point of staring at the old man's coffin money?

Yun Ting was so anxious that he kept winking at Lu Qiniang.

Master Li saw this and pretended to hit Yun Ting, "You're such a jerk."

Yun Ting patted his elbow. "Whose elbows don't bend outward? If they bend inward, that doesn't look good either!"

"The eldest girl is indeed my favorite. Even if it's just to make her look better, I have to hold this banquet. Let me think about it, who should I invite?"

Teng Wenfu thought to himself: There is no good banquet, let’s see which unlucky guys will be targeted by the emperor.