Chapter 437 The Qian Family Banquet
"Of course it's convenient."
Cheng Wanwan smiled gently.
Isn't that why she came today?
She continued, “The lotus leaves are lush and the lotus buds are delicate and beautiful. Such a beautiful scene naturally needs admirers. If you ladies have time, you can come to Dahe Village in three days to enjoy the view. If you ladies would like to hold a private flower viewing banquet at Dahe Banquet, you may need to send someone to the village to make a reservation in advance, so as not to neglect you.”
"I happen to have some time," Madam Qian said with a smile. "I hope you will be kind enough to bother me when I come to visit."
The people around them echoed their agreement.
They wanted to interact more with Lady Sui, but she always lived in seclusion in the village, so they couldn't find an opportunity.
Now that the opportunity has been presented to us, there's no reason to let it slip away.
"What are you all talking about? Why is it so lively?"
Just then, a crisp voice came from the doorway.
Cheng Wanwan looked up and saw two wealthy women leading two young ladies into the room. She had never been in this circle before, so she didn't recognize them.
Madam Qian whispered a reminder: "The lady in the long red dress is Madam Zheng, the magistrate of Fenghuang County. The lady next to her is Miss Zheng. The other lady is Madam Lin, the censor who lives in Hekou County. The lady next to her is Miss Lin."
Cheng Wanwan nodded. The Censor was also a seventh-rank official, a type of official sent from the capital to supervise local officials. When their term was up, they could return to the capital to report on their duties and be reassigned. In some ways, the position of Censor had more potential than that of a county magistrate, as could be seen from Madam Zheng's attitude toward Madam Lin.
After the introductions were completed, Madam Qian immediately greeted them with a smile, "Madam Zheng, Madam Lin, your arrival is an honor to our Qian residence. Please come inside."
Generally speaking, officials' wives would not attend merchants' banquets, but Qian Hui and Zheng Wangfeng grew up together, and Madam Zheng and Madam Qian had a good relationship, so they came to show their support. Madam Lin, because of her husband's official position, was very willing to attend the merchants' gatherings, so she also brought her daughter to join in the fun.
The arrival of the two officials' wives made the banquet hall even more lively.
“Madam Sui, we met once before.” Madam Lin smiled at Cheng Wanwan. “When the Shen family held their family reunion banquet, my daughter and I also went to the Shen residence, but there were too many people and we didn’t have time to greet each other.”
Cheng Wanwan was the main character at the time, and was surrounded by people, so she didn't notice Madam Lin. She said, "It's okay that we missed each other last time. We've met today, haven't we? Also, I plan to hold a lotus appreciation banquet in three days. If Madam Lin and Madam Zheng have time, they can come to Dahe Village for a chat."
Madam Lin's eyes lit up: "I didn't expect there to be lotus flowers in Huzhou. Back when I was still unmarried, there was a lotus pond in my home. I haven't seen it for more than 20 years and I miss it very much. I will definitely attend the lotus appreciation banquet in three days."
Madam Zheng laughed heartily, "To be honest, I've never seen a lotus flower before in my life. This is a good opportunity to broaden my horizons."
"Everyone, stop standing and talking, let's take our seats and prepare for lunch." Madam Qian led everyone into the flower hall. "If the food is not to your liking, just let us know. There are several chefs waiting in the back, and they will surely be able to make something that satisfies everyone."
Madam Zheng laughed: "When people come as guests, even if they don't like the food, they won't bring it up. What you're saying is pointless."
Cheng Wanwan thought that this Mrs. Zheng was a cheerful person. She wondered how such a mother could raise such a narrow-minded son. Every time she saw Zheng Wangfeng's eyes, she felt that they were very gloomy.
She found a seat and sat down. To her left was Madam Qian, and to her right was Madam Lin.
Mrs. Lin was a relatively reserved person, eating her food quietly.
"Madam Lin, your daughter is so elegant and graceful; she's truly delightful to behold." Madam Zheng's gaze fell upon Miss Lin. "I wonder if Miss Lin is engaged?"
Madam Lin smiled and said, "She's still young, I plan to keep her by my side for another two years."
“Miss Lin is already sixteen, isn’t she?” Madam Zheng said in surprise. “Sixteen is not young. Keeping her at that age will only lead to enmity. That won’t do.”
Madam Lin smiled, pursing her lips, and said nothing.
After the banquet, the Qian family arranged a stage for a traditional opera performance, featuring the graceful style of Huzhou opera. These noblewomen had little entertainment and loved watching operas.
Some people who didn't like watching the play played cards on the side.
Cheng Wanwan glanced at it and was immediately embarrassed; it was actually Dou Dizhu (a popular Chinese card game).
She taught Madam Shen and Aunt Meng how to play Dou Dizhu (a card game), and when did it spread to Baiyun County? Judging from how skillfully these people handle and play the cards, it's clear that they've been doing it for more than just a day or two.
Should we also make a mahjong set? It would probably be even more popular than Dou Dizhu (a popular Chinese card game).
Seeing her staring at the cards, the lady warmly invited, "Madam Sui, would you like to play a couple of rounds?"
Cheng Wanwan quickly waved her hand: "No, I'll just watch the show."
She's terrible at cards; she can't even beat Old Madam Shen, so she's even less likely to be able to beat these highly skilled ladies.
She watched the play for a while; it was about concubines vying for the emperor's favor in the palace. The methods were all childish and made Cheng Wanwan drowsy.
She drank quite a bit of tea and planned to go to the restroom.
After Wei Hongying arrived, she had already asked the maids about the location of the latrine. She led the way and took Cheng Wanwan to the back courtyard.
As soon as I reached a secluded spot, I heard voices.
Wei Hongying quickly stopped, and Cheng Wanwan also stopped, not wanting to disturb them. She was about to leave when she heard the two of them talking about marriage, and her inner gossip started to burn.
Her gaze swept through the gaps in the grass and trees, and she saw that the two people were Madam Zheng and Madam Lin.
"I just saw Miss Lin and I like her very much. I hate myself for not having given birth to such a daughter." Madam Zheng held Madam Lin's hand. "I have a son, eighteen years old this year, who is still unmarried. He ranked first in the county-level examination this year and has already become a scholar. He will definitely pass the provincial-level examination in the autumn. Could you please find some time to let my good-for-nothing son meet Madam Lin..."
Before she could finish speaking, Madam Lin said with a faint smile, "My daughter plans to stay for another two years. I don't want to keep your son from leaving. I need to use the restroom, so please excuse me."
Madam Lin turned and left.
"Madam, this Madam Lin looks down on our young master," the old servant behind Madam Zheng whispered. "Madam Lin is so arrogant; it seems that Lord Lin will definitely return to the capital for a promotion in two years. It's said that the Lin family is a very powerful clan. If the young master becomes their son-in-law, his future will be limitless..."
Madam Zheng pursed her lips.
Her son is so outstanding, and the only woman she can currently meet who is a good match for him is the eldest daughter of the Lin family. However, Madam Lin doesn't give her any chance at all.
A calculating glint flashed in her eyes, and she walked in the opposite direction.
Cheng Wanwan quickly concealed herself, afraid of being discovered.
She thought she was hearing something good, but instead she saw Madam Zheng looking disheveled. If she had been caught eavesdropping, Madam Zheng would probably have been furious.
She will never do such a thing again; she felt too guilty.
Continue read on readnovelmtl.com
