Since Zhen and the others would be leaving tomorrow evening, Madam Fang instructed the servants to prepare several tables of food and wine.
We're planning to have a farewell meal together.
The meal was unusually lavish.
There was meat and vegetables, the rice was dry, and there were several bottles of wine on the table.
Prefect Fang sat at the main table and raised his wine glass to begin his remarks.
"I would like to express my sincere gratitude to everyone for taking care of my wife on the way. To show my appreciation, I will drink a cup of wine!"
He downed the wine in one gulp with gusto, and the servant beside him poured him another cup.
"This second cup! My wife and I want to thank Aunt Li, Aunt Zhou, and Madam Zhen. If it weren't for your help in delivering my wife's baby, we would probably be separated by life and death by now..."
Speaking of this, Prefect Fang looked terrified. Just thinking about his wife lying there, cold and lifeless, made him want to cry!
Seeing the tender side of the prefect, everyone was touched.
The women looked at Madam Fang with envy; having such a loving husband was something they could only dream of.
Most men, especially married men, can't help but look at their wives who have borne them children.
He secretly made up his mind that he would treat his wife better from now on!
Madam Fang squeezed the hand of Prefect Fang, who was lost in his grief.
"My husband... everyone is still waiting!"
Hearing his wife's gentle voice, Prefect Fang felt extremely fortunate and even stepped forward to stand in front of Zhen Wanwan.
“Madam Zhen, I want to toast you with this third cup! If it weren’t for you, my wife would probably be on her way to the Yellow Springs by now… Waaah.”
Zhen Wanwan looked awkwardly at Prefect Fang, who was crying uncontrollably in front of her.
It's really hard to imagine that a middle-aged man, especially a high-ranking official, would cry so unceremoniously in front of her.
However, she greatly admired Prefect Fang, who respected and cherished his wife.
“Sir, you flatter me. My wife and I are very close friends. Saving her was what I should do, and it was also my own choice.”
Mrs. Fang looked at Zhen Wanwan with emotion. She really didn't expect that she would meet someone she could talk to so well again in her lifetime.
Prefect Fang, not bound by rules, spoke with a serious expression.
"Whether you truly intended to save Madam or not, you indirectly saved my life! Let me drink first! You can do as you please!"
The important person had already offered her a drink, how could Zhen Wanwan dare to refuse!
"Then, this humble woman will shamelessly accept your gratitude."
Zhen Wanwan raised her glass, ready to drink, but someone intercepted it halfway.
"I'll drink this wine on behalf of Lady Zhen!"
Qu Huaiyuan snatched the wine glass from Zhen Wanwan's hand and drank it all in one gulp.
He then bowed to Prefect Fang and said, "Please forgive me, Your Excellency, but Madam Zhen has just given birth and should not drink alcohol. I will temporarily stand in for her!"
"Oh?" Prefect Fang apologized sheepishly, "It was my oversight!"
He pointed at Qu Huaiyuan and asked Zhen Wanwan, "Is this Zhen's husband?"
Upon hearing this, everyone fell silent. When it came to making everyone present feel awkward with just one sentence, Prefect Fang had done it!
Before Zhen Wanwan could say anything, Qu Huaiyuan blushed furiously, looking as if he were on fire.
"I...I'm not..."
Madam Fang slapped Prefect Fang in annoyance: "You really can't say anything nice."
Magistrate Fang, who had been beaten for no reason, stared pitifully at his wife.
Could he have mistaken someone for someone else? Is this scholar not Zhen Niangzi's real husband?
To avoid putting his wife in an awkward position, Prefect Fang decided to salvage the situation by saying, "I've been drinking, and my eyesight isn't very good. I don't know who your husband is, Madam Zhen."
Silence fell over the crowd once again.
Zhen Wanwan hadn't felt embarrassed at first, but now she was put in an awkward position by Prefect Fang's words.
"Shut your foul mouth right now."
Even the usually gentle Mrs. Fang couldn't help but yell at her husband.
She seemed to understand why His Majesty disliked her husband...
"Looks like I've come at the wrong time!"
Outside the courtyard gate, a tall and upright man walked in slowly.
Everyone was amazed by his handsome appearance and couldn't help but exclaim in surprise.
"It's so beautiful!"
Everyone says that children can't talk, and Zhen Wanwan didn't believe it before, but now she does!
The person who came was none other than the God of Wealth who had brought her money at noon!
As soon as Zhu Yuan entered the door, he heard Prefect Fang say that Qu Huaiyuan was Zhen Wanwan's husband!
Because he had been observing their movements ever since he came in.
Sure enough, the two looked quite well-matched standing together.
They were behaving intimately, with Qu Huaiyuan holding Zhen Wanwan's wine glass in his hand, and Zhen Wanwan less than half a meter away from Qu Huaiyuan!
No one would believe that they don't have anything to offer!
Hmph! Since this woman has already found a husband, why did she accept his gifts and agree to his demands today?
And their two children were watching from the side!
"My esteemed advisor, your presence is an honor. I apologize for not being able to greet you properly!"
When Prefect Fang saw Zhu Yuan enter, he quickly put down his things, straightened his clothes, and went to greet him.
Zhu Yuan glanced indifferently across the room and asked, feigning nonchalance.
What are you doing here?
"Because my good friend is embarking on a long journey tomorrow, I am hosting a farewell banquet for him tonight!"
Zhu Yuan gave a soft "hmm" and showed no intention of leaving.
Prefect Fang was in a dilemma. On one hand, he wanted to thank Lady Zhen and the others for saving his life, but on the other hand, the strategist might want to talk to him about official business.
He didn't have time to think much; his mouth spoke before his brain could process it.
"If the strategist has nothing else to do, why not stay and join us for the banquet?"
Zhu Yuan pondered for a few seconds before nodding and agreeing, "Okay."
"Someone, tell the kitchen to add a few more dishes!"
Prefect Fang led Zhu Yuan to the seat of honor: "Strategist, this way please..."
Since Zhu Yuan was to sit at the main table, Madam Fang, being a woman, naturally had to avoid it.
She went straight to Zhen Wanwan and sat down next to her.
"Good sister, don't take my husband's words to heart. He's always been quick-witted and doesn't think things through!"
Zhen Wanwan said with a grin, "What a coincidence, I just let it go in one ear and out the other. What I don't want to hear, I can't hear~"
Mrs. Fang smiled: "You have a very broad mind."
“However…” Madam Fang glanced at Qu Huaiyuan ambiguously, “You and Mr. Qu really don’t have the slightest bit of interest in each other?”
"Cough cough cough..."
Zhen Wanwan was confused by her question and choked on the water she had just drunk.
"You're so quick to jump to conclusions! Where did you even see that I had that kind of relationship with him?"
Mrs. Fang was startled by her intense reaction.
"No, no, I was just asking. Look how scared you are!"
After calming down, Zhen Wanwan explained earnestly, "I'm not excited, I just find it unbelievable! Brother Qu and I are completely unrelated..."
Zhu Yuan sipped his wine, while secretly observing Zhen Wanwan.
Naturally, I didn't miss that sentence.
It seems he misunderstood!
However, Qu Huaiyuan seemed to have a thing for her...
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