Chapter 113 Attending the Banquet

After a while, Madam Lin came in carrying a box of things. "I said no, no, but Lord Lu insisted on giving me these. He said that thanks to our family's care, we were able to make a living smoothly. It just so happened that Lord Ouyang asked him to buy them, so he bought some for us all."

As she spoke, she opened the box and was stunned to see seven exquisite little boxes.

Qiao Mianmian casually opened a box and recognized it as rouge. She lightly dabbed some on the back of her hand; it was delicate and vibrant, far superior to the rouge from Manager Meng's shop.

Not only is the rouge good, but the little box is also very exquisite, and it doesn't look cheap at all.

Moreover, there were seven portions in total, not only for the Lin family and the Zhang family, but also for Lin Xiahe and Lin Wangchun, who had married out of the family.

"How much...how much does this cost?" Lin had never been to Bianjing and couldn't calculate its value. "Is it one tael of silver per box?"

Qiao Mianmian didn't know either, as she had never been to Bianjing, but she always felt that it was more than one or two taels of silver.

Hu Qianqian looked at the rouge and said, "Mother, if it's one tael of silver a box, it's too expensive. Shouldn't we return it?"

“I said no from the beginning, and Lord Lu said we shouldn’t accept it, so he was too embarrassed to come to dinner. I’ve already accepted it, so how can I return it?” Madam Lin looked at Rouge with worry. “Besides, I’m already this old, I don’t need this anymore.”

At most, I'd apply some lip rouge; I'd never actually use white or red lipstick, or what would that look like?

Qiao Mianmian picked out a box of darker colors for her mother, saying, "You're still young, look, this color suits you so well. I'll put some on for you, and you can show it to Dad. It'll definitely look good."

Lin's skin was originally fair, but because she had been working a lot, she had become quite tanned. She felt embarrassed and said, "Oh, don't be silly. You can choose for yourselves. We'll accept their kindness and give it to Lord Lu later."

As she spoke, she pulled her daughter into the yard. "I'm asking you, has Sanhua taken a fancy to Qingjiu?"

How did you know?

"Do you think there's anything that can escape my eyes?" Lin asked. "Isn't that right?"

“Yes. But as for Qingjiu, it’s still not fully appreciated.” Qiao Mianmian said.

Madam Lin felt the same way. “These days, Sanhua comes and goes with a smile every day. I’ve seen you two whispering to each other. Stop worrying about other people’s affairs and think more about yourself. You’re sixteen now, it’s time to get engaged.”

"I know, I'm just waiting for you to introduce me." Qiao Mianmian is not opposed to marriage, but the person she will spend her life with has to be pleasing to the eye and comfortable to be around, even if she doesn't like them a lot.

Seeing her daughter's expression, Madam Lin pursed her lips. "You should lower your standards a bit. Oh, Xia He, what brings you here?"

Seeing her fourth daughter return, Madam Lin was surprised. "If you had something to say, you could have sent someone to let us know. Why did you come back by yourself? Is something wrong at home?"

"No, I just went out to buy some things and thought I'd come and see you." Lin Xiahe held her mother's hand and looked at her younger sister beside her. "Our Mianmian has grown up to be even more beautiful."

She held her pregnant belly, accompanied by the eldest son of the main branch of the family. "Mianmian, go and get some food for Heze. He keeps talking about your cooking. Knowing I was coming, he specially brought some things for me."

Qiao Mianmian agreed and led Wang Heze to the kitchen.

Lin Xiahe gave her mother a wink, and the two of them went upstairs together.

Lin's brows twitched. "There's no one else here. Tell me quickly, or I'll get really anxious."

"It's a good thing, don't be afraid." Lin Xiahe smiled and said, "Don't you like my sister-in-law quite a bit?"

"Yes, your sister-in-law is very polite, and she manages the household perfectly. I often say that your mother-in-law is very lucky to have married such a good daughter-in-law." Lin sensed something was wrong and suddenly stopped. "Why are you bringing her up?"

Lin Xiahe: "It's like this, my sister-in-law came to see me this morning and specifically mentioned that there is a younger brother in the family who is not yet engaged. She said that the Zhou family is very worried because they have not been able to find a suitable match. These are just things she said to me in casual conversation, but at the end she mentioned that the Zhou family will be holding a spring outing banquet in a few days, and if you and my fifth sister are free, you can come together."

Madam Lin understood, "She... wants your fifth sister to be her brother's wife?"

"It hasn't come to that yet, but from what my sister-in-law said, she's taken a liking to him. I just don't know if Fifth Sister and the youngest brother of the Zhou family are destined for each other." Lin Xiahe said, emphasizing, "Didn't you tell Fifth Sister's fortune before, saying that her marriage would be related to a scholar? The Zhou family makes ink, and the sons in the family have all studied since childhood. There was even a scholar in the family before."

The more Lin Xiahe talked, the more she felt that her sister's marriage was coming.

Madam Lin was delighted to hear this. She had just been talking about it with her youngest daughter, and she never expected that such a wonderful marriage would come knocking on her door.

If the Wang family marrying Lin Xiahe was considered a step down, there was a significant difference in status. Now, the Qiao family's fortunes are improving, their restaurant is packed every day, and buying the shop is only a matter of time. They're not that much different from the Zhou family. "Mother, you must seize this opportunity. On that day, you must dress up your fifth sister beautifully." Lin Xiahe was confident in her sister's looks, but even more striking would be better.

"Don't worry about that. Lord Lu just sent some rouge, so I'll give it to Mianmian. After she got her wages, she made herself some new clothes, so she can wear them now. The Zhou family must have a very good family tradition to raise someone as well-mannered as your sister-in-law." Madam Lin couldn't help but laugh as she spoke.

When Qiao Mianmian pushed the door open, she heard her mother burst into laughter. "What's wrong with you? Why are you laughing like that?"

"If there's good news, close the door and we'll tell you!" Mrs. Lin beckoned to her daughter impatiently.

Qiao Mianmian was surprised that the Zhou family had taken a liking to her. It sounded like the Zhou family was indeed well-off. Their ink-making skills, passed down from their ancestors, meant they not only had their own shop in Lin'an, but also had business dealings in places like Jinling.

Moreover, the Zhou family is indeed upright and honest. If all members of the Zhou family possess the same character as the Zhou family, then it would truly be a good match.

However, Qiao Mianmian also values ​​the person. Since the family background is acceptable, she will go and meet them to see if they are compatible.

February is the season of spring warmth and blooming flowers. On the day of the banquet, Madam Lin got up early to dress up her daughter.

"That's enough, Mother. If you keep applying it, how will my face look?" Qiao Mianmian washed her face with water, applied only a little lip rouge, and then a thin layer of blush.

This is the best time of our lives, and we don't need to overdo it. "If we go too far, people will think we're shallow and lack confidence. As long as we dress appropriately and show our care, people will be more at ease."

Hu Qianqian, holding her son, watched from the doorway. "Le Ge'er, look at your aunt! How beautiful she is! Mianmian, you're definitely the most beautiful one here today."

"Stop praising her! I want to apply more rouge, but she won't let me." Madam Lin felt that her daughter's rouge wasn't vibrant enough, but time was of the essence, so she had to give up. "Hurry up, I've rented a carriage today, let's eat some cakes on the way."

Cao Yuan made scallion pancakes, which were crispy and crunchy. After Lin Shi finished eating, she realized that the scallion flavor was too strong and hurriedly looked for water.

Qiao Mianmian handed over the water bottle again, saying, "Why are you so nervous? It's just a meeting, be natural. I don't only have one choice. Didn't you say that our family, the bride's family, should be more reserved?"

"Stop talking. My heart is in my throat. I don't even know if the Zhou family is easy to get along with." Lin felt stuffy in the carriage, so she pushed open the wooden window and looked out. She saw Lord Lu riding a horse in front of her. When the carriage came up to Lord Lu, Lin greeted him.

Qiao Mianmian also curiously leaned over to look, "It really is Lord Lu and Qingjiu." Lu Zhao was already tall, and riding on horseback made him even more imposing. She looked him up and down and thought to herself, no wonder those young ladies couldn't help but throw sachets at him when he rode through the streets like that.

Lu Zhao's gaze also fell on Qiao Mianmian. The girl had clearly dressed up specially today. Her thin lips were as red as fire, and her slightly curled sideburns seemed to ripple in his heart, giving him a feeling that she was about to burst forth.

Qingjiu spoke first, asking where the Qiao mother and daughter were going.

"Let's go to the Zhou family's banquet," Madam Lin said with a smile. "You all go ahead with your business. I'm really not used to riding in a carriage, so I won't say anything more." Otherwise, she would throw up.

She lowered the wooden window and thought to herself that a horse-drawn carriage was not as good as a hand-pulled carriage. It was so stuffy inside. She wondered how rich people could stand it in the sweltering summer.

Upon hearing Lin's words, Qingjiu naturally agreed. When she arrived at the yamen and heard Lord Ouyang mention the Zhou family, she asked, "This morning I met Aunt Qiao, and she also said she was going to the Zhou family. I wonder if it's the same Zhou family?"

"I don't know, there are too many people with the surname Zhou in Lin'an City. Anyway, my aunt is holding this spring banquet to find a suitable partner for my cousin. But I have to work today, and your sister-in-law isn't feeling well, so we didn't go to the Zhou family." Ouyang Yi said regretfully, "The Zhou family is rich, so their banquet must have been very delicious. If the Qiao family went to my aunt's house, and Aunt Qiao brought her fifth daughter, it means the two families have already agreed to meet today at the Zhou family."

"Smack!"

It made a very crisp sound.

The pen in Lu Zhao's hand fell to the ground.

"Brother Lu, what's wrong with you?" Ouyang Yi teased. "Why are you standing there like this today? You can't even hold a pen properly."

Qingjiu picked up the pen and said, "I've got it now. Miss Qiao Wu is indeed dressed exceptionally beautifully today. She's stunning, so beautiful that I can't even describe it. Lord Ouyang, what does your aunt's family do?"

“Our family has a long tradition of ink-making, passed down through generations. Speaking of which, my cousin is quite refined and handsome, though a bit shy. If he and Miss Qiao are truly a perfect match, they would be a handsome couple, a perfect pair.” Ouyang Yi had just begun to smile when he saw Lu Zhao stride out. Puzzled, he chased after him to the door. “Brother Lu, weren’t you going to write some files? Why are you leaving again?”

Qingjiu didn't understand why his master left, but he knew that his master looked terrible and was in a very bad mood.

Meanwhile, at the Zhou family's place, Madam Lin was greeting Mrs. Zhou with her daughter.

Zhou introduced from the side, "Mother, this is the Qiao family's younger sister that I've often told you about. I'm not exaggerating, she really is a beautiful woman, isn't she?"

Mrs. Zhou, being elderly, squinted and beckoned to Qiao Mianmian. When Qiao Mianmian approached, her eyes flashed with amazement. "She really is a stunning beauty. I've seen quite a few people, but this young lady from the Qiao family is the most beautiful I've ever seen."

Her youngest son's marriage had been undecided because he was quite particular about appearance. Now that he had seen the Qiao family's daughter, he thought that as long as she was of good character, the marriage would be fine.