Fatty Wang cried for a while, and for some reason, his mood improved after he cried.

He wiped away his tears with his sleeve, "It's alright, it's alright. You two don't know your father. He's an optimist."

I don't know if it's because the sky is overcast today that I've become so sentimental. Hahaha.

Wang Yan looked at Fatty Wang, knowing she needed to say something encouraging.

“Yes! Dad, I’ve wanted to prepare a banquet for a long time. Now that you’re here, we can work together.”

"Let's go order the sign tomorrow. Once the sign comes out, I'll fire you. Okay?"

"Okay, okay!"

"So, what standard banquet should we order? How much per table? How many dishes should we order?"

This sparked a lot of interest in Fatty Wang. He pounded the garlic scoop in his hand while discussing it with Wang Yan.

What specifications should we accept?

Wang Yan replied: "Our little shop hasn't really become famous yet."

I don't think anyone would come if I made it myself for five taels of silver. Or should we do what the neighborhood does and offer banquets for one tael of silver at a time?

Fatty Wang asked again, "One tael of silver is for six dishes, one soup, and one dessert? What kind of dishes should we order?"

"Here's what I'm thinking: based on our family's spicy dishes, I'll come up with a few recipes that can incorporate spicy ingredients."

The mention of Fatty Wang got them excited, and they began discussing it enthusiastically.

Wang Ying took the teapot he had pounded and poured the already boiled spring water into it.

Mix the ingredients and water evenly, then pour the tea into a small copper pot, sprinkle in a little salt, and bring it to a boil over a low flame.

A pot of Shuangjing Lei Cha (a type of tea) is ready. It is rich and mellow, and can quench thirst and satisfy hunger.

After brewing the tea, Wang Ying went to get three bowls and poured one for Fatty Wang, who hadn't eaten much for lunch.

Fatty Wang picked up his teacup, savoring the delicate aroma of tea leaves, the rich fragrance of peanuts, and the crispy, delicious taste.

After taking a sip of Lei Cha (擂茶), he realized he was a little hungry.

Wang Yan and Wang Ying were just keeping him company while he drank tea. The two of them poured tea down to the bottom of the bowl, but Fatty Wang finished the whole small pot of Lei Cha (pounded tea).

Then my mood visibly improved, and when I got back to the second floor of their ham shop and saw 20 hams, my eyes lit up.

Aunt Wang peeked out and saw that he was in much better condition, so she was relieved.

So he moved a small stool next door to chat with Aunt Lu.

…………………………………………………………

It only took Wang Pangzi three days to go from feeling very disappointed to feeling slightly disappointed to feeling happy.

There are three reasons: their family needs to prepare a banquet, Wang Yan, the young cook, is working hard to practice her culinary skills, and of course, there is the most important reason.

He learned that if the Lady Hou hadn't kicked him out back then, he still wouldn't be able to get out after the New Year.

The Third Young Master is in trouble! Lu Qi was still a little worried about Fatty Wang; he had left looking so dejected that day.

So I took leave early. He came, and he brought some big news.

Gu Ting's affair of buying an official position has been exposed! Wasn't he aiming for the position of Director of Studies at the Imperial Academy?

Moreover, he had been working on this for almost two years at the Court of Imperial Sacrifices. Logically speaking, if he hadn't been targeted, it would have been possible for him to pull some strings.

But at this critical juncture, someone leaked the information, and even the emperor found out, angrily denouncing the unhealthy practice of buying official positions in private during the morning court session.

As a target in the line of fire, Gu Ting is really unlucky this time!

Actually, quite a few people do this kind of thing in private, but Gu Ting is the most unlucky. The others quickly stopped when they saw things were going wrong.

But Gu Ting had been specifically named by the Emperor, so even if he tried to escape, he couldn't.

As soon as the morning court session ended that day, the Minister of the Court of Imperial Sacrifices returned home and immediately dismissed Gu Ting from his post.

A promising young man, now his life is over.

With the Emperor's golden words, no matter how well he performed in the exams, how outstanding his work achievements were, or how good he was at interpersonal relationships, he could forget about ever becoming an official again.

Moreover, even things like Gu Xiao getting his leg broken at the casino and swindling his own daughter-in-law's money were brought up in the streets.

The Marquis also suffered as a result, but fortunately the family had been separated! However, he was still scolded by the Emperor for not managing his household properly!

Then the Marquis was fined half a year's salary, and Gu Xiao was summoned back to the Marquis's mansion by the old master.

This time, the old Marquis didn't beat him. The old Marquis wanted him to take Gu Ting away from the capital.

Gu Xiao was indignant and wanted to go crazy again, so his second wife came with him.

Seeing that something was wrong, she quickly pressed down on his shoulder and whispered, "Nonsense! Think about Gu Jing and Gu Yan."

You already caused a scene when the family divided the property before the New Year, and you've only just managed to appease the old lady and gentleman for a few days now. What are you up to?

Gu Xiao didn't care about that now, his face full of gloom and resentment, "I know you're doing this for Big Brother! But why should I!"

Our two families have now separated, so I can stay wherever I want!

What right do you have to tell me where I go? Gu Ting did something wrong, and he has already borne the consequences.

From now on, even ordinary citizens like us will have the right to stay in this capital! You think you can send me to the countryside with a single word? Bah!

After saying that, Gu Xiao spat on the ground, and Zheng Jin loosened his grip on his shoulder.

Gu Xiao stopped resisting because the old Marquis casually said to him, "Either be expelled from the family register, or go back to the countryside."

Gu Xiao immediately shut up and lost his temper.

If the old marquis were truly determined to expel those who had been reprimanded and scolded by the emperor, he would have a legitimate reason to do so.

Two days later, the old nanny who had helped them pack their luggage delivered a message.

The general idea is that only Gu Ting and Gu Xiao need to go to the country estate.

After listening, Gu Ting keenly sensed that something was amiss. His mind, which had been in a daze for several days since being dismissed from office, suddenly cleared up.

Even if Gu Jing and Gu Yan are not driven away, Xu Shaoqing and the second wife will still have to leave with them, right?

What schemes and tricks has the second wife used this time?

Gu Ting was furious and rushed to find his father, telling Gu Xiao about his suspicions.

Gu Xiao couldn't detect anything wrong either. "Perhaps your mother cheered up the old lady, which saved us from having to go to the countryside. This is actually a good thing for us!"

"No! She hasn't left the house since this incident. And even if she is his legal mother and needs to take care of his elder brother in the capital, what does that have to do with Xu Shaoqing?"

Why is Xu Shaoqing staying in the capital?! Could it be that the Second Madam is trying to cover up her misdeeds and leave Xu Shaoqing behind as a scapegoat?

That way, no one will suspect that she betrayed us!

Gu Xiao frowned. "How is this possible? Could something have happened to Xu Shaoqing?"

Because of what we did back then, even Xu Shaoqing barely acknowledges the Anbo Mansion anymore.

Gu Ting shook his head, but a few doubts arose in his heart. "No! The second wife is more suspicious. Look at our account books from last time!"

Upon hearing this, Gu Xiao was speechless, gritting his teeth and hating Zheng Jin (the second wife) with resentment!

Granny Zhou was taken to the new house by Gu Ting, and she has suffered a lot since then.

She was a spineless person, so she revealed that the second wife might have been spying on Gu Xiao and his family's accounts.

Of course, after saying these words, Granny Zhou herself couldn't escape a severe beating!

How dare they reveal what they know to others! It's utterly despicable!

Gu Xiao angrily went to find Zheng Jin. He wanted to ask this vicious woman what grudge she had against him, Gu Xiao, that made her go to such extremes!

Gu Ting, filled with doubt, went to Xu Shaoqing's place. Xu Shaoqing was wiping away tears in the room. When she saw him, she stood up and smiled.

"Husband, we've almost finished packing our things."

Gu Ting looked at her and asked, "Why are you crying?"

Xu Shaoqing turned her face away and didn't answer, "It's nothing!"

Gu Ting was still somewhat unwilling to be driven away like this. "Should we go back to the Marquis's residence to see Father and Mother?"

Upon hearing this, Xu Shaoqing could no longer contain her anger and coldly retorted,

"It's alright, I've already been adopted out, and I have nothing to do with them anymore. It's fine if I don't go back."

Gu Ting became even more suspicious. She had been slapped twice by Jiang Shiyi when she went back last time, yet she was overjoyed when she came back.

How could their attitude change so quickly? It's a bit too sudden.

Gu Ting suppressed his agitation and continued to persuade him. In any case, as long as the Marquis's Mansion could be persuaded to mediate, the Marquis's Mansion should give him face.

He still wanted to stay in the capital, where he had a chance; in the countryside, even with his talents, he wouldn't be able to put them to use.

No matter how you try to persuade Xu Shaoqing, she just won't listen.

Gu Ting also got angry; he was already somewhat confused.

Enraged by Xu Shaoqing's inability to understand human speech, he couldn't help but spit out his anger.

"I don't want to go to the countryside now. Do you know what our situation will be like if we go there?"

But if I don't go, my words won't carry any weight. The only hope is to beg the Earl and his wife for a glimmer of hope. You probably understand!

His attitude was bad, and Xu Shaoqing felt wronged. "You, you have no idea what's going on! I abandoned my parents for you!"

Why are you still like this? I've already told you, they won't help you if you go back, why won't you believe me?

After saying that, she buried her face in her arms on the table and started crying.

Gu Ting closed his eyes in anger. It was clearly because she couldn't understand the implied meaning that he had to explain it to her in detail.

Is now the time to worry about this?

No! No! Xu Shaoqing's words seem to have a hidden meaning, don't they?

Gu Ting stepped forward and grabbed her arm. "What do you mean? How can you be so sure that the Lord and Lady won't help us?"

Xu Shaoqing: "I said I can't, and I mean it! Do you believe me? Do you believe me?"

"...I believe you!"

Xu Shaoqing then gave up and instructed Guilan to pack her things.

Guilan asked timidly, "Miss, didn't the old lady from the Marquis's mansion say that we don't have to go to the countryside with them?"

Xu Shaoqing's face fell. "My husband has already gone, so of course I have to go with him! What nonsense are you talking about? Go and pack according to the list Guixiang gave you."