Chapter 657 The Qian and Leng Families Form a Marriage Alliance
On the day of the provincial examination, the autumn air was crisp and clear.
Cheng Wanwan, Lu Yingxue, and Mr. Zhou escorted more than twenty students to the examination venue.
The entrance exam involved staying inside for three days and three nights, with students bringing their own blankets, food, and water. Some students with poor physical strength simply couldn't endure it.
However, the children in Dahe Town are all in good physical condition and are unlikely to faint during the exam.
After the students verified their identities, they lined up to enter. Once everyone was inside, Lu Yingxue walked to the entrance, stuffed a heavy silver coin into the hand of the gatekeeper, and whispered a few words.
The young man secretly hid the silver in his sleeve, then walked around the examination hall and whispered a few words to Lu Yingxue when he returned.
Cheng Wanwan saw Lu Yingxue walk over with a wry smile: "Xiao Zhan is still in the toilet number. Fortunately, he reads books at the entrance of the pigsty every day, so it shouldn't have much of an impact on him."
Cheng Wanwan didn't know how to comfort him. As long as Master Yu's reputation wasn't cleared, Yu Zhan would always be treated this way in the literary circle.
She changed the subject, saying, "Didn't you say you were going to get a set of pure gold headdress and jewelry made for Jiaojiao as her dowry when you came to Huzhou? Come on, let's go take a look over there."
The moment shopping was mentioned, Lu Yingxue's interest was piqued. She immediately put her anxiety aside and went to browse the jewelry shops.
The jewelry shops in Huzhou are much more exquisite than those in Ping'an County, offering all kinds of jade, agate, pearls, and various beautiful styles.
Lu Yingxue made jewelry for Jiaojiao, and Cheng Wanwan also prepared dowry headwear for her two granddaughters. Xiaozhuzhu made a set, and Xiaozhenzhen also made a set. To show that she was not biased, she also made an exquisite peace lock for Ergou and Yingying's son Chenchen...
It was already noon when we came out of the jewelry shop.
The two decided to eat out. Huzhou also has a Grand River Banquet, so they naturally went to their own restaurant to eat.
Cheng Wanwan is a Gold Card VIP customer. Even without a reservation, she can be seated in a private room. Every Dahe Banquet restaurant reserves a superior room for Gold Card customers.
She and Lu Yingxue walked towards the Huzhou Daheyan branch. This shop was located at the end of a bustling downtown street. It had three floors and was more than three times larger than the main Daheyan branch in Ping'an County, and it could accommodate a larger number of customers.
Upon entering, the lobby was packed with people, and the private rooms on the second floor were also teeming with guests.
Just as Cheng Wanwan was about to show her gold card and go to sit on the third floor, Lu Yingxue tugged at her sleeve: "Sister Wanwan, look over there, isn't that Old Master Qian and Master Leng?"
She turned her head and saw that, sure enough, Old Master Qian and Master Leng were having a pleasant conversation by the window.
Qian Hui also participated in this imperial examination. It was normal for Old Master Qian to be in Huzhou. Moreover, the Qian family and the Leng family were old acquaintances, so it was normal for them to sit together and drink. For some reason, Cheng Wanwan sensed a hint of gossip.
Just then, Old Master Qian turned around, saw Cheng Wanwan, and immediately stood up, about to bow.
Cheng Wanwan stepped forward: "Grandpa Qian, don't stand on ceremony, sit down, sit down. Oh, what's Master Leng doing here too?"
Master Leng stood up and cupped his hands in greeting: "If it weren't for some private matters that I had to discuss with Elder Qian, I would have definitely treated Lady Sui to a meal. Please don't take offense, Lady Sui."
“Sui Gongren is no outsider either, so why don’t we let Sui Gongren be a witness? Sui Gongren, Madam Yu, please sit down and have a meal together.” Old Master Qian stroked his beard and said without any formality, “I came to Huzhou this time for two reasons: first, to accompany Hui’er to take the imperial examination, and second, to discuss marriage with the Leng family.”
Lu Yingxue loved listening to gossip, and sitting to the side, she said with great interest, "As far as I know, Master Leng only has one daughter. Is Young Master Qian going to discuss marriage with Miss Leng?"
Not to mention Lu Yingxue, Cheng Wanwan was also very curious, after all, there was still a little bit of difference before Miss Leng would become her niece-in-law.
Over the past two years, Miss Leng has grown older, but she has been plagued by rumors and is unable to find a husband. She has also felt sorry for Miss Leng.
"To be frank, and I'm not afraid of being laughed at by Lady Sui," Old Master Qian coughed, "Hui'er has always been fond of Miss Leng, but since Hui'er doesn't have any official rank, he's afraid of being disliked by Master Leng. Therefore, our Qian family doesn't dare to mention this matter."
Cheng Wanwan vaguely remembered that when the Leng family threw the embroidered ball, Qian Hui tried his best to catch it, but unfortunately, by some twist of fate, the ball ended up in Cheng Zhao's hands.
If it weren't for this twist of fate, Miss Leng and Qian Hui's child would probably be almost a year old by now.
She smiled and said, "This is great news."
“It’s all my fault…” Master Leng said with a look of remorse and self-blame. “I shouldn’t have done that back then. Oh well, let’s not talk about it anymore… Hui’er is a good boy. Every time he comes to Huzhou, he visits us. I originally thought he was trying to maintain the business between the Qian and Leng families, but later I found out that he just wanted to inquire about Shuang’er’s well-being. Shuang’er is in poor health. To have such a sincere person is a blessing that Shuang’er has accumulated over eight lifetimes. What right does our Leng family have to look down on Hui’er?”
Grandpa Qian said seriously, "It's not a matter of whether they dislike each other or not. The main thing is that the two children need to be in tune with each other. I wonder if Miss Leng..."
Master Leng smiled and said, "Her mother had a detailed talk with her a few days ago, and judging from her expression, she was very willing. Otherwise, I wouldn't be sitting here having such a pleasant conversation with Old Master Qian."
The Leng family had been blinded by greed, wanting a scholar as their son-in-law. But after these two years, they gradually realized that power was a hot potato. The key was that the family should be happy. As long as their daughter was happy, the Leng family was willing to accept anyone, no matter what kind of person he was. Besides, Qian Hui was not bad either.
Cheng Wanwan also became happy: "When the Qian and Leng families hold their wedding banquets, you must send me a wedding invitation. If I have time, I will definitely go and have a drink at their wedding."
Old Master Qian laughed heartily, and Master Leng also laughed, raising their wine glasses to clink.
Just then, the sound of arguing came from the entrance of the restaurant.
Cheng Wanwan frowned, turned around and saw a middle-aged man dressed in exceptionally rich clothes standing at the entrance, followed by a large group of followers.
The man slammed his hand on the counter and said coldly, "Go and arrange a private room, or I'll overturn your table."
The innkeeper, standing behind the counter, said nervously, "The Grand River Banquet requires reservations a month in advance, or you need a gold card to be seated in a private room. It's alright if this guest didn't have time to make a reservation; we can make an exception and let you dine in the main hall..."
"Insolence!" The man's attendant stepped forward and roared fiercely, "Do you know who this is, daring to be so rude!"
The shopkeeper was so frightened that he shrank back. He had been in business for so many years and had seen many dignitaries, but this was the first time he had ever seen a customer with such a strong presence.
He was willing to back down, but with so many customers watching in the lobby, if he made an exception for this person, then every guest would be forced into a private room in this way, and his Grand River Banquet would be unable to continue.
Just as they were at a standoff, a clear voice rang out: "This gentleman has quite a temper. Have some tea to cool down."
Cheng Wanwan held a cup of tea and handed it to the middle-aged man. "I am the owner of Dahe Banquet. Please tell me what you need, sir."
As soon as she finished speaking, the shopkeeper at the counter looked up abruptly.
The owner of the Grand Banquet, isn't that... Sui Gongren!
Good heavens, Sui Gongren came to his restaurant for a meal and he didn't even know!
Perhaps to put the middle-aged man in his place, the shopkeeper quickly stepped forward and bowed respectfully: "This humble servant greets Lady Sui and pays her respects!"
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