Chapter 489 A Guest Arrives from Afar
On the first day of the tenth lunar month, the autumn sky was clear and the air was crisp.
The weather is at its best of the year; it's sunny but not hot, and breezy but not cold, making it perfect for traveling.
After daybreak, people began to enter the village one after another. This time, nearly two hundred people were invited, including scholars, officials, merchants, and ordinary people. Anyone who had ever spent money in Dahe Village before, regardless of their status, was invited this time. However, officials such as Lord Shen and Lord Fu were too busy every day and did not come.
The people of Dahe Village have long had experience in receiving tourists, and the village's reception capacity has also improved.
After the visitors entered the village, Zhao Da took their carriages and horses away and took good care of them. Zhao Tiezhu led everyone to the flower garden.
This flowerbed was built in the spring, with a high wall around it covered with vines and flowers. Not many people in the village know what it looks like inside, and outsiders know even less.
At the entrance of the flower garden, wild chrysanthemums transplanted from the mountain are everywhere. The small yellow or white daisies sway in the wind, warmly welcoming every visitor.
Mrs. Lin couldn't help but exclaim, "These chrysanthemums are so beautiful!"
Mrs. Fu nodded: "Although the flowers are small, when they are gathered together, they create a lively and joyful scene."
As soon as the two women said this, some of the merchants' wives in the vicinity immediately echoed their sentiments.
"They're just wild chrysanthemums," Madam Ge said indifferently. "With the people of Sui'an making such a big fuss inviting so many people to admire the chrysanthemums, I thought it would be a green peony among chrysanthemums, or a ten-foot-long curtain of flowers..."
She hadn't wanted to come today, but her husband said she had offended the people of Sui'an last time and had to come to make amends, so she came.
Having come all this way, she was somewhat displeased to see wild chrysanthemums covering the mountains and fields.
"In late autumn, chrysanthemums sprout in the green fields, silently spreading their blossoms towards secluded corners. Their fragrance sinks into the earth, while birds flutter and play their flutes."
A group of scholars nearby suddenly began reciting poems, and they were reciting poems about these wild chrysanthemums.
Madam Lin exclaimed, "What a fine poem!"
As she spoke, she glanced at Madam Ge.
She had never dealt with Madam Ge before, but she had heard about Madam Ge's last visit to Dahe Village to forcibly take the koi carp.
Madam Zheng's failure to be invited this time clearly offended the people of Sui'an. If Madam Ge doesn't quiet down and make the people of Sui'an unhappy, Lord Ge's official position will probably never be promoted even half a rank before he dies.
As the group stood at the door admiring the wild chrysanthemums, Cheng Wanwan walked out from the flowerbed.
She smiled and said, "We have guests who have come from afar. Please forgive us for not welcoming them properly. Ladies and young ladies, young masters and shopkeepers, please come in quickly."
Only then did everyone walk inside.
Upon entering, there is a wide path lined with many trees, and there should be flowers planted under the trees, but the flowers have already faded in autumn.
Further in, you can see a field of flowers that are knee-high, but they are not in bloom, so you can't tell what they are.
Cheng Wanwan explained, "Jasmine is planted here. It didn't bloom this year, but we should be able to come and admire the jasmine next year."
She pointed and said, "Those are plum trees planted over there. They were transplanted from elsewhere and have a good survival rate. They should bloom in December this year. Everyone is welcome to come to Dahe Village to enjoy the snow and plum blossoms."
Madam Meng was also invited. She walked beside Cheng Wanwan and sighed, "Last time I heard that the people of Sui'an planted plum trees, I went back and had my servants buy a lot of plum trees, twenty trees in total, but they all died."
"The soil and water in Dahe Village are good, and secondly, my eldest sister is very good at this," Cheng Wanwan said with a smile. "Once we get inside, you'll see just how good my eldest sister is at growing flowers."
Cheng Yuanyuan is hardworking and eager to learn. In addition, she occasionally teaches some modern flower planting techniques, so the survival rate of the seedlings naturally increases. Moreover, she buys many of the famous chrysanthemums directly from the mall as semi-finished products, which makes them easier to grow.
As you continue walking, the view gradually opens up.
The sound of flowing water could be faintly heard. As you got closer, you would find that a narrow stream had been built by man. The bottom of the stream was made of stones, and the water flowed over the stones. You could also see some small fish.
This is a spacious reception area, with tables and chairs already neatly arranged. The women are on one side, and the men are on the other.
All around the venue were chrysanthemums of various colors, blooming in competition.
Mrs. Ge, who had just looked down on wild chrysanthemums, was completely stunned.
What she saw was the precious Jade Pot Spring Chrysanthemum, the rare Ten-Foot Curtain Chrysanthemum, the extremely difficult-to-grow Red Dress and Green Skirt Chrysanthemum... and many more chrysanthemums whose names she did not know.
So many chrysanthemums were casually placed on the ground, red, yellow, green, white, dark... The visual impact was stunning to everyone.
"So beautiful!"
"This is the first time I've ever seen so many precious chrysanthemums."
"The people of Sui'an are too casual. How can they just leave red and green clothes on the ground like that? What if someone accidentally steps on them?"
"These green clouds are like colorful clouds. I've only ever seen them in books before, and they're even more beautiful than described in books."
“What’s the point of just admiring chrysanthemums? How about we write a poem about chrysanthemums?”
The scholars echoed this sentiment.
For scholars, appreciating flowers is a means to write poetry; if they produce a good poem, they can become famous at this gathering.
While the men were reciting poems, the women naturally had their own activities. Cheng Wanwan had everyone sit down by the stream and play a game called "Flying Flowers Order," which was popular among women.
Imagine placing a cup of wine in a stream. Whoever it lands on has to recite a poem based on the theme and rhyme scheme. Just one line is enough. This way of playing is more interesting and prevents people from racking their brains to come up with a poem.
Cheng Wanwan wouldn't dare participate in such an activity, otherwise she would keep reciting ancient poems, which she didn't write herself, and she would always feel like she was plagiarizing them.
She smiled and said, "Everyone must have a great time. I'll go and have someone prepare the meal."
Just as she was about to turn around, Madam Meng suddenly stood up: "Sui'an person, I'll go with you."
She used to be a maid, and now she can barely recognize all the characters. Asking her to stay here and compose poems is just ridiculous.
Cheng Wanwan led Meng to the kitchen courtyard of the flower garden, where more than twenty women were preparing food. Today's chrysanthemum appreciation party was going to feature a roasted venison feast.
Zhao Tiezhu and his men had already prepared charcoal, which they carried in an iron pot toward the banquet area. In the middle of the area, a long grill for roasting meat had been prepared. Two bricks were stacked together, and an iron mesh was placed on top. Sliced and marinated venison was placed on the mesh, and it began to sizzle and ooze oil.
The aroma immediately spread, filling everyone's mouths and noses.
Those who were reciting poems couldn't sit still any longer and got up to come and watch.
In this era, there is a way of eating such as barbecue, but this is the first time that so many people have ever eaten it like this. It looks quite novel, and the aroma is different from the aroma of the food they usually eat, which makes their mouths water.
Cheng Wanwan smiled and said to everyone, "Everyone can go back to their seats and wait for the barbecue to be served. Those who want to try it themselves can come over here."
This is a stone slab barbecue. A pit is dug under the stone, and charcoal is burning inside. The stone is so hot that the venison sizzles as soon as it is placed on it, which is quite interesting.
Many writers, itching to try it themselves, decided to bake it.
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