Chapter 61 Xu Nian meets the sisters at the Xu family banquet

Three days passed in a flash, and the Xu family became busy early in the morning of the banquet day.

Xu Nian was in the room trying to decide which headdress Xiu'er had chosen was suitable for today when he heard Zhao Lan's voice coming from outside the door.

"Miss, Madam asked me to come over and ask, are you ready?"

Xu Nian quickly put a pair of pearl flowers on her hair, turned around and walked out of the room.

"Let's go, Aunt Zhao, don't make my mother wait anxiously."

Xu Yaozu and Tian lived in the main courtyard, Jingming Courtyard. When Xu Nian arrived, he saw Xu Ling and Chen Xiao playing with some lucky bags.

"Ling'er, you came early. What are these for?"

Seeing her daughter dressed up so well today, Tian was very happy and said, "Several ladies will bring their daughters here. They always give gifts when they meet for the first time. I asked the steward of the outer courtyard to buy this. What do you think of it?"

Xu Ling opened a lucky bag and handed the things over.

"Look, big sister, it is gorgeous, but not as exquisite and beautiful as the one you gave me."

Xu Nian tapped her forehead and said, "Little rascal, what have you taken a fancy to in my things?"

"I didn't, it's just not as good looking as what my elder sister made for me."

Xu Nian carefully examined the bracelet in her hand. It was indeed too gorgeous. It would not be a big deal if it was not compared with the jewelry on her and Xu Ling. However, if she took it out now, people might misunderstand her.

"Mother, I still have a few pearl flowers. Let's change it to that one. I think the ladies will be happier."

Tian had no other choice but to do this.

"Well, wait till I give you the money tonight and then you can go and buy it."

"Mom and I have been clear about this, but if you really want to give it to me, I can't refuse, right?"

Tian nodded at her and said, "You said Ling'er is a little rascal, but I think you are the one.

It’s almost time, let’s go out and greet them.”

"Xiu'er, go to my room and bring the pearl flowers to Shouzhu Courtyard."

After Xu Nian gave the instructions, he took Xu Ling and walked behind Tian.

At the exact time of Si, the carriages of the ladies of each family arrived outside the courtyard gate one after another. There were not many people invited to the banquet this time, only the county magistrate, the chief clerk, the instructor and the captain of the guard.

The most special one among them is the Wei Qianzong, which does not exist in other counties. It is only because the money and food of Wansheng County are directly used to support the Zhenbei Army that the position of Wei Qianzong of the sixth rank came into being.

Although the prosperous dynasty valued culture over military power, military officers were real official positions in the Northern Frontier, and this Captain Wei had fought on the battlefield and performed meritorious services.

The first to arrive was the teacher's wife, Madam Zhu. Xu Nian was very surprised that she came to the banquet alone, not only without any family members or servants with her.

Xu Nian went with Tian to greet them. After the two sides exchanged greetings, Zhao Lan took Madam Zhu to Shouzhu Courtyard.

The next to arrive were Madam Liu, the wife of the county chancellor, and Madam Cui, the wife of the chief clerk, each with their own daughters. The last to arrive were Madam Guan, the wife of the captain, and her daughter.

When Tian brought Madam Guan to Shouzhuyuan, they were having a pleasant chat. The source of the conversation was Madam Cui's twin daughters, who made Wang love them very much.

"I am late today. I apologize to the old lady first."

Wang looked up and saw the woman coming in, dressed in silk and satin, bowing to her with a smile on her face.

Yesterday, the eldest daughter-in-law had already told her the identities of the people present today, so she had an idea of ​​what was going on.

"Not too late, not too late, you came just in time, wow~ Today, an old woman like me is having a feast for the eyes, and here comes another little girl, girl, come here quickly, let me take a good look at her."

Mrs. Guan smiled and took her daughter to Wang.

"This is my little girl Pingting."

"Okay, okay, I like this flower-like girl very much as soon as I see her, especially since she is so well-behaved."

Wang took Wang Pingting's hand and looked at her carefully.

"Old lady, don't be fooled by this girl. She is as naughty as a monkey at home."

Wang Pinting, who was lowering her head and pretending to be shy, twitched her lips fiercely. Her mother really had to ruin her show like this.

"Children are all the same in front of their mothers, and my eldest daughter is no exception."

Xu Nian, who was pulled out innocently, said: "..."

People did not stay in Shouzhu Courtyard for long. Tian took several ladies to the hall, and Xu Nian took several young ladies from official families to his own Qingteng Courtyard.

Xu Nian could see that the girls were headed by Wang Pingting. The daughter of the county magistrate was called Shen Yan. She was fourteen years old this year, the same age as Wang Pingting. She was a very bookish girl. She always smiled at others laughing and seldom interrupted.

The twin daughters of the chief clerk's family are named Fu Wanling and Fu Wanru. They are nine years old this year and have personalities very similar to Xu Ling, so the three of them had already gathered together and started playing and chattering.

Xu Nian personally poured a cup of tea for Wang Pinting and Shen Yan.

"This is the tea I made myself. My two sisters, please try it and see if you like it. If not, I will ask the servants to make another pot."

Shen Yan elegantly picked up the cup, sniffed it and praised: "It has a refreshing fragrance, it's a good tea, I like it very much."

Unexpectedly, Wang Pingting took a look at the chrysanthemum in the teacup and her expression changed. She snatched the teacup from Shen Yan's hand and put it on the tea table with a "clang". She rolled her eyes and said, "You are allergic to flowers, so who are you pretending to be?"

Shen Yan lowered her head with a red face. Xu Nian was also shocked. Allergy can be a serious matter. She hurriedly told Chen Xiao to take the tea away and asked Xiu'er to make a new pot.

Xu Ling and the twins were also stunned by the noise and sat there obediently, not daring to say a word.

"It's my fault for being careless. Fortunately, Sister Wang reminded me. Otherwise, if something happened to Sister Shen today, I would be blamed even if I died a thousand times."

Shen Yan waved her hands in panic, "Don't blame Sister Xu, it's my own fault."

Wang Pingting said unhappily, "She is asking for trouble herself, so don't bother with her."

Xu Nian didn't know the reason, but he didn't want the atmosphere to become so tense.

"I'm glad you don't blame me, it's boring just sitting there drinking tea, why don't we do something interesting?"

Wang Pingting calmed down and asked, "What's interesting?" Then she said in great fear, "Isn't it going to be some flying flower game or poetry?"

Xu Nian was so amused by the painful expression on the young lady's face that even the three little ones who had just been frightened couldn't help laughing.

Shen Yan smiled and said, "As long as it's not poetry or embroidery, Pingting won't have any objection."

Xu Nian's eyes lit up. "I was really worried that everyone would like these, and I would not be able to handle it and would just be laughed at, so I prepared rope weaving."

Everyone looked over curiously, wondering what rope weaving was.

Xu Nian asked Xiu'er to bring the prepared colored ropes and silk threads. With the flying of her fingers, a petal took shape. In less than a cup of tea, a pink azalea lay in her palm.

Several people were dazzled and surprised. Xu Nian picked up the azalea and put it in Shen Yan's hand.

"Give it to Sister Shen as an apology gift."

Shen Yan picked up the azalea, touched it, and then put it under her nose to smell it. Her eyes were slightly red as she said, "Thank you, Sister Xu."