Chapter 671: A Chance
Xiao found Qin Yao's behavior funny and watched her for a long time before coming over to help her out.
He took the initiative to hold Mrs. Qiu's hand and asked her to help take care of his sister from the same hometown who had just arrived in Beijing.
Qin Yao was able to get away and went to the kitchen to bring out the freshly baked cake for everyone to taste.
As for Ding Xiang, no one knew where he and Si Niang had gone to have an affair. Qin Yao had not seen any trace of these two people since the guests arrived.
Xiao acted as if she was used to it, and comforted her instead: "She is such a grown-up girl, she can't get lost, let them do whatever they want, we will just do our own thing, I will ask the maid to call me when I leave, and then I will go back by myself."
Qin Yao instantly stood in awe of Xiao and gave her a thumbs up. Such a sense of relaxation was unparalleled.
Cakes are quite new in Beijing. The guests were amazed after eating them.
Old ladies like Mrs. Qiu, who are old and have poor teeth, are full of praise for it.
Aunt Yu was amazed and said, "I didn't expect this golden dessert to not only smell good, but also taste soft and sweet. It's not greasy at all when paired with your milk tea, Madam Qin. It's absolutely amazing."
Qin Yao smiled and said, "If you think it tastes good, eat more. There's more in the kitchen. I've prepared a portion for everyone. After the party, take it back and let the children have a taste."
Everyone was delighted, that was great.
Eating cake, drinking milk tea, and chatting about gossip, the whole lunch passed by.
In the afternoon, as the temperature rose, Liu Ji took off his heavy cotton coat and put on a brand new white snakeskin vest. Together with Mr. Qiu, who had just come off duty, he warmly welcomed the neighbors who came to the banquet at the door.
When a guest came, Mr. Qiu greeted him first and then introduced him to Liu Ji.
Liu Ji once again greeted the guests and exchanged a few polite words, secretly memorizing who these people were, where they worked, and whether they were merchants or farmers.
He will then organize it into a document and give it to his wife. If she is happy, he will guarantee a big reward!
"Old Madam Wang brings her grandson as a gift, ten taels of silver!"
Liu Fei, who came over to help his brother and sister-in-law in the afternoon, suddenly sang and shouted loudly.
As soon as these words were spoken, the noise in the courtyard suddenly stopped for two seconds before slowly resuming its discussion.
The women around Qin Yao also looked at her.
The invitation specifically stated that it was just to thank the neighbors for their care, and that no gifts would be accepted for the banquet, and it would not be considered as an exchange of favors.
So no one gave any gifts.
Only a few thoughtful people, such as the close neighbors like the Qiu family, came to congratulate with some dried fruits and meat strips.
The Wang family's gift of ten taels of silver made those who didn't give any gifts feel very embarrassed.
Qin Yao hurriedly explained to everyone, thanked everyone for their kindness and support, dispersed the awkward atmosphere, and went to the front yard to welcome them.
Aunt Yu came along. Her family was a neighbor of the Wang family and the two families were familiar with each other. She helped Qin Yao speak to them to save her the embarrassment of not knowing who she was.
Qin Yao smiled gratefully at Aunt Yu who had followed, and the two of them came together to the Wang family's grandparents and grandchildren brought by Liu Fei.
"Da Lang Er Lang San Lang!"
Liu Ji shouted in the yard, and his three sons who were playing with the neighborhood children in the martial arts field immediately ran over.
Liu Ji pointed at the grandparents of the Wang family and said, "Go, take care of the young master of the Wang family."
Dalang nodded to show that he understood. The three brothers ran over, took the young master of the Wang family away, and took him out to play.
The child was not very happy. Wang Chengyang, who looked about the same age as Erlang, frowned and said, "Grandma, I'll accompany you."
Madam Wang smiled lovingly and waved her hand, "Grandma doesn't need you to accompany her. Go play with them."
Wang Chengyang looked at the three Dalang brothers warily, and seeing that they were smiling, he followed them out reluctantly.
"Madam Wang, please come in and sit down." Qin Yao smiled politely.
Madam Wang is called the Old Madam, but she is actually not that old. She looks much more energetic than Madam Qiu. She is about 45 years old and not so old that she needs help.
However, her legs and feet were not very good, so she used a crutch and was supported by Aunt Yu and the maid who accompanied her. They came to the flower hall together.
Those who were still chatting stood up to greet them. After all, the Wang and Qi families had the highest official positions in Kuanzhengfang.
Madam Wang smiled and motioned for everyone to sit down. "We have been neighbors for more than ten years. Why are you being so polite to me? Come and sit down."
But everyone still waited for her to sit down before sitting down again.
Qin Yao brought tea and snacks, "Please have some tea."
She didn't say any polite words, just had a sincere smile on her face, which made people feel that she really welcomed the guests.
Old Madam Wang nodded and motioned for her to sit down as well.
When Aunt Yu saw the snacks, she couldn't help but praise them, "Old Madam, please try the snacks from Madam Qin's house. I guarantee you've never eaten such delicious and soft pastries!"
As soon as the snacks were served, Mrs. Wang smelled a rich sweet fragrance. Now seeing everyone's support, she scooped a spoonful of snacks with the spoon Qin Yao handed to her and put it into her mouth with some anticipation.
Before she did anything, others were eager to ask, "How is it? Is it soft and sweet, and melts in your mouth?"
Old Mrs. Wang's eyes slowly lit up and she nodded slowly, as if she had just come to her senses from the delicious food, and nodded repeatedly.
"It's really good. What is this dessert made of? I have been in the capital for so many years and I have never tasted anything like it. Madam Qin is really skillful~"
Qin Yao didn't dare to take credit for this dexterity, and explained, "It can't be said that I made it, it was all thanks to my former cook. I just said a few words, and I didn't expect her to really make this egg cake."
"Egg cake?" Old Mrs. Wang asked with a smile, "Is it made of eggs?"
As she spoke, she scooped another spoonful into her mouth. The fragrance made her dizzy. She squinted her eyes and swallowed the cake completely. Then she said regretfully:
"My Jin'er didn't have the good fortune to enjoy this feast. She happened to be on patrol in Qingzhou. Otherwise, we should have come together today to taste the delicious snacks at Madam Qin's house."
Qin Yao felt that the word "Jin" sounded familiar. Then she remembered that Old Lady Wang's husband's surname was Wang, so it should be Wang Jin?
It can't be such a coincidence. Qin Yao was secretly surprised.
To confirm, he followed what Old Lady Wang said and asked tentatively, "The person the old lady is talking about is not Lord Wang Jin, the Imperial Censor?"
As soon as these words were spoken, all the neighbors in the hall looked at Qin Yao in surprise.
Aunt Yu asked curiously, "Madam Qin knows Lord Wang?"
Old Mrs. Qiu also said, "It's Lord Wang. Your family came from Zijing Mansion, how do you know Lord Wang?"
Old Mrs. Wang’s reaction was okay. After all, they all lived in the same neighborhood, and what Qin Yao found out on her own was normal.
But looking at her expression, it seemed like she knew him.
"I've seen him before. We met once when my Lord was inspecting Zijing Mansion." Qin Yao waved her hands, as if we were not familiar with each other.
Old Lady Wang felt that it was not that simple, but seeing that Qin Yao did not want to say more, she did not continue to ask, and only said: "Then our two families are really destined to be together."
I secretly planned to wait for my son to come back and then ask him about it in detail.
(End of this chapter)
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