Soon, a sumptuous meal was served, and Yang Lihua saw that there was nothing else to do, so she went back to the backyard to entertain the guests.
Madam Min and Madam Wu were talking when they saw Yang Lihua come in. Madam Wu smiled and said, "Lihua, your family is truly amazing! The other dishes are all fine, but this Feilong soup is truly rare.
"Before, my master was in poor health, and I wanted to have two flying dragons found to nourish him, but I paid a high price and still couldn't find any! Now, your family actually served flying dragon soup to our guests. It's truly rare!"
Madam Min also laughed and said, "Yes, I have lived in Tai'an for so many years, and I have only drunk Feilong Soup twice."
Yang Lihua personally served them the soup and replied, "We haven't eaten this Feilong soup before. Yongning was lucky this time and passed the imperial examination. His family is really happy. They want to have a banquet to celebrate, but they are afraid that there won't be any good dishes to serve. It would be unfair to their relatives and friends who have come all this way."
"Later, it was the family guards who went into the mountains with bows and arrows, and after much effort, they finally managed to bring back a few flying dragons."
After that, she poured another bowl for the children and whispered to them, "It's a little hot, drink slowly."
Miss Min and Young Master Wu were both served by maids, but Zhuzhu, the youngest, drank happily with a spoon by herself, and even remembered to scoop the first spoonful of soup for her mother.
Miss Min and Young Master Wu followed suit and hurried to feed soup to their mothers, even though it was late.
Mrs. Wu and Mrs. Min were both happy, and they were thinking about having their children come to the Tai family more often in the future, or inviting Zhuzhu to play in the city more often.
Not only the Feilong soup, but the other dishes are also delicious, even the vegetables are crisp, tender and fresh.
There were not many guests at the Tai family, and the banquets were not as noisy as those at other people's homes. There was no need to put on a smiling face to entertain guests. Mrs. Min and Mrs. Wu only needed to eat well and chat occasionally. It was a rare moment of relaxation.
In the main room of the front yard, Old Master Tai and Third Master Tai were accompanying Mr. Wu and the three heads of the Song, Qi, and Teng families, and they were also happily eating and drinking.
The three masters of the Song, Qi and Teng families were not without envy and jealousy towards the Tai family, but with Mr. Wu around, their sons were not bad either and would definitely be able to pass the imperial examination and become scholars in the future, it was just three years later.
What's more, the Tai family is very polite and their family is prosperous, so they are willing to make friends with them.
So, everyone carried the colorful sedan chair, and the atmosphere at the table was extremely good!
Tai Yongning and his three senior brothers set up a separate table in the east wing. The brothers spoke without restraint and played and laughed freely.
After they had eaten half their fill, they went to the main room to toast their elders.
After Mr. Wu gave them a few words of encouragement, they stepped aside to help pour the wine.
Halfway through the banquet, Mr. Tai returned to the east room, personally brought out a box and handed it to Mr. Wu.
"Mr. Wu, our Yongning is a farm boy. Due to his poor family, he has never had the opportunity to study for many years. Fortunately, this boy is lucky enough to meet a good teacher like you.
"When he went to the provincial capital this time, my family originally thought that he would be lucky if he could pass the Tongsheng exam, but we didn't expect that this kid would catch the back of the car and even get the title of Xiucai. Our whole family is grateful to the teacher for his hard work and teaching. Yongning is what he is today. It is all thanks to the teacher.
"We wanted to search the world for the finest goods to give to you as a thank you gift, but our family's means are limited. Perhaps God also felt our family's anxiety, and a few days ago when I went into the mountains, I accidentally came across a wild ginseng. Today, I would like to borrow this flower to offer to you as a gift to nourish your body. Please don't refuse it!"
As he spoke, he opened the box. There was a roll of birch bark in the box. When he opened the bark, black soil and a white ginseng were revealed. It looked like it was at least two or three hundred years old!
Everyone was stunned. Although wild ginseng was produced in the north, every year we heard of people who were lucky enough to successfully collect ginseng.
But seeing freshly unearthed wild ginseng like this is a rare opportunity, not to mention that ginseng of this age is even rarer.
Mr. Wu was prepared, after all, his family had already obtained one. But the look he gave Mr. Tai was still meaningful!
Did this ginseng choose Tai's family? How can it be picked so easily?
Mr. Tai pretended not to notice Mr. Wu's confusion, because he couldn't explain it at all. Is he saying, "My granddaughter is a fairy, and picking ginseng is like digging potatoes in your own garden?"
"Grandpa, this wild ginseng is so rare! What's more, it's fresh!"
"Yes, the old man's family is really lucky! If you come across one again in the future, please leave one for my family. It will be enough to be a family heirloom."
"Haha, yes. My mother is old, so I wanted to get one last year, but unfortunately, I couldn't find any. Even if I did, they were bought by someone in the southern state for a high price!"
The masters of the three families of Song, Qi and Teng all came forward to take a closer look and were very envious.
Of course, Grandpa Tai agreed and promised with a smile, "Okay, if I come across it again when I go up the mountain, I will definitely keep it for you. This thing really requires luck. When I want it most, I just can't find it."
"Indeed, treasures have spirits. They are definitely not like the radishes in our backyard, where you can get as many as you pull." Master Qi added casually, making everyone laugh.
Mr. Wu wanted to decline, after all, the gift was too expensive.
But he had been taking medicine to replenish his body recently, and he really needed some good ginseng. And even if he didn't eat such a good thing, it would be great to save it and give it to his teacher when he returned to Kyoto.
Thinking this way, he said, "This wild ginseng is really a good thing. I won't be polite to you, old man. Yongning is a good boy and studies very hard. I will definitely do my best to teach him. I hope that he and his brothers will all succeed and rise to prominence."
"Thank you, sir."
"Thank you for your kind words, sir!"
Mr. Tai, Song Qiteng and the other three masters all responded, sat down and poured wine, and the party became lively again.
In Xixiangfangli, Tai Jizu and Tai Jizong were accompanying Banxianer, Manager Min, Manager Wu, as well as the village chiefs of Liujia Village, Zhangjia Village, and Sanchahe Village. They were also chatting and laughing, and raising their wine glasses frequently.
Manager Wu is not a person who looks down on others. Manager Min is even half a Tai family member. Banxianer is also smart and smooth. The three village heads are even more eager to curry favor with the Tai family. Everyone wants to join in the fun and share in the joy, so naturally everyone is happy.
In particular, Tai Yongning came over specially to toast, and his gentle, polite and approachable attitude made everyone feel even more proud!
The banquet lasted from noon to sunset. After the banquet in the yard was cleared, the buffet outside the yard also made the villagers from all villages eat until their stomachs were full!
After drinking some strong tea to sober up, the guests were about to leave.
Although Song Hui, Qi Ming and Teng Yu did not pass the examination to become scholars, the three families were still grateful and respectful to Mr. Wu. They prepared a banquet and invited Mr. Tai and Yongning to attend.
Of course Mr. Tai agreed and made an appointment to have a drink together in a few days.
In the backyard, Mrs. Wu and Mrs. Min received the news and prepared to leave.
But there was a hint of hesitation in Madam Wu's expression. Yang Lihua noticed this and asked, "Madam Wu, do you have anything to say?"
Mrs. Wu smiled somewhat ashamedly and replied, "Indeed, I have an unwelcome request. Lihua, please don't think I'm shameless."
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