Chapter 3332 Host
Although Yin Huo refused to become a lay disciple of the Taoist temple, he agreed to stay in the temple for a few days.
So when they left, they left Yin Huo and Changshou behind. Bai Erlang couldn't understand why they had to stay at the Taoist temple. "The Taoist temple isn't far from our home. A carriage would only take 25 minutes to get there. Why do we have to stay here?"
Bai Shan said to Yin Huo, "As long as you are happy, we will have someone pack some things and send them to you when we get back."
Yin Huo smiled and waved his fan, saying, "Let Changshou go back with you. He knows everything about my things."
Bai Shan nodded and invited the Taoist priests, "I will be hosting a buffet the day after tomorrow. If you are not busy, please do me the honor of having a simple meal with me."
The Taoist priests agreed with a smile and escorted the group to the mountain gate.
The Bai family's buffet banquet was prepared for four days. Apart from sending invitations to guests who needed special invitations, the rest was to spread the word and ask those who wanted to come to the meal to come on that day.
Because there were feedback that a lot of people would come, Mr. Bai and Mrs. Liu discussed it and generously stated that the banquet would last for three days.
The banker also received the post. Not only them, but also the banker's relatives and friends received it. In addition, a list and a stack of blank post were sent to the banker.
Mr. Zhuang immediately noticed the difference in the post, and Zhuang Dalang also noticed it and quickly asked, "Father, why is our family listed as the host of this post?"
Mr. Zhuang closed the invitation, his eyes slightly red, and he looked up and smiled, saying, "It's not a big deal. I have a few more invitations here, and the top rows are all empty. If you see anyone you want to invite, please invite them all."
"This..." Zhuang Dalang was speechless for a moment holding the list and post in his hand.
Mr. Zhuang called his servant Bai Qiu and said, "Since it's a banquet, we should go there early. You can pack your things."
Bai Qiu is the servant of Mr. Zhuang in the Bai family, who runs errands for him. As he gets older, he needs someone to take care of him attentively.
Zhuang Dalang flipped through the invitation in his hand and asked, "Is this buffet hosted by the Bai family for my father?"
Mr. Zhuang smiled slightly and said, "This is their filial piety. The notice has been sent out. If you have time, please go to Qili Village early to help."
Zhuang Dalang was stunned for a while before agreeing.
Bai Shan had people clean up two courtyards. One of them was where Mr. Zhuang used to live, and it was given to him to live in. The other was the guest house in the front yard, which was larger and could accommodate Zhuang Dalang and his family.
Zhuang Dalang and his family had been to Qili Village several times, but this was the first time they stayed overnight, so they felt a little uncomfortable when they arrived.
Bai Shan warmly entertained them and personally escorted them to the guest house. "Everything is new. Brother, please take a look and see if there is anything missing. I will have someone prepare it."
Zhuang Dalang smiled awkwardly and said, "It's already very good. Thank you, Junior Brother."
Mrs. Zhuang was much more enthusiastic and familiar with Zhou Man. They walked into the house hand in hand. "These quilts are all new. It's much colder in the mountains at night, so you must cover yourself with the quilt to avoid catching a cold."
Mrs. Zhuang agreed, took her hand and said with a smile: "Thank you very much, Junior Sister. I think this room is very well decorated. Junior Sister is really thoughtful."
Both of them were beaming with smiles. Zhou Man looked curiously at the three children standing outside cautiously and asked with a smile, "Is that your great-grandson?"
"Yes," Mrs. Zhuang said with a more genuine smile, "The child is naughty. When he heard that we were going out for a feast, he insisted on coming with us, so he asked for leave from school."
"My senior brother and his family are the hosts this time, so naturally I have to join them for the feast." Although Zhou Man had not been back to Luojiang County for many years, he still knew about Mr. Zhuang's family. After all, Zhuang Dalang and Mr. Zhuang had been exchanging letters.
Whenever his sons got married, had children, or any important events happened at home, Zhuang Dalang would write to tell Mr. Zhuang.
During festivals, the banker would also prepare gifts. Every year when Zhou Silang came to the capital, the banker would pack something for him to take back to the capital.
Whenever Mr. Bai wanted to send a letter to the capital, he would always ask Zhuang Dalang.
So from the teacher, Zhou Man learned that Zhuang Dalang's eldest grandson was seven years old this year and was Zhuang Ji'an's child.
The remaining son and daughter are the children of the second son Zhuang Jiran, while Zhuang Jisi had just gotten married and had no children yet.
Zhou Man looked at the three children who were acting so stiff in the garden, and pulled Mrs. Zhuang aside, smiling, "My master often talked about his three great-grandchildren in the capital. I remember he sent some cloth and pens and ink back during the Dragon Boat Festival. I wonder if they are doing well with you?"
Mrs. Zhuang smiled and said, "It's okay, it's okay."
"That's good," Zhou Man said with a smile, "That was a gift from the Crown Prince. It's made of fabric from the Jiangnan area, and I was worried my sister-in-law wouldn't be used to it."
Mrs. Zhuang was surprised. "Yes, was it a reward from the prince?"
"Yes," Zhou Man said with a smile, "Sister-in-law, you may not know this yet, but Mr. Li is now the prince's teacher, specifically teaching him. He is highly regarded in the palace. Every year, there are gifts from the palace on festivals and Mr. Li's birthday."
"Because you are the Prince's tutor, you are also well respected in the court. You may not be respected in distant places, but in the capital, countless students admire you." Zhou Man took Mrs. Zhuang's hand and said with a smile, "So, sister-in-law, don't be polite with us. If you need anything in the future, tell me and I will bring it back to you in the capital. Even if I can't buy it myself, there are still many people who can help you."
Mrs. Zhuang's eyes widened. She hadn't gotten over the fact that her father-in-law was the prince's teacher yet. She swallowed hard and said, "Didn't they say that my father-in-law only helps organize books in the palace and occasionally teaches a few classes to the students at Chongwenguan?"
Zhou Man raised his eyebrows and asked, "Who said that?"
Mrs. Zhuang pointed at Zhuang Dalang who was talking to Bai Shan outside and said, "You, your senior brother."
"Oh," Zhou Man hesitated for a moment, wondering whether he would sow discord between his senior brother and his wife. Finally, he looked at the three children in the yard and lowered his voice, "Senior brother lied to you."
Mrs. Zhuang raised her eyebrows and became angry.
Zhou Man whispered, "But I can understand, Senior Brother. The closer one's position is to His Majesty and the Crown Prince, the more cautious their families must be. Otherwise, if they make a mistake and are caught, it would be a serious crime that would implicate the entire family."
Zhou Man counted on his fingers, "For example, forced buying and selling, lending money at high interest rates, bullying neighbors, and so on. Because you are the Prince's tutor, many imperial censors in the court will keep an eye on you, and naturally they will also keep an eye on my brothers and sisters-in-law. If they find you doing something wrong, they will impeach you, and then your family will be punished as well."
Mrs. Zhuang waved her hands and said, "We don't do such things. Our family has added a lot of property over the years, but it was all bought with real money. There was no forced buying or selling. You know this too. The money for the property was sent back by your fourth brother. It was all given by your father-in-law."
Zhou Man nodded repeatedly, "Of course I know, that's why I can understand you, brother, but..."
(End of this chapter)
Continue read on readnovelmtl.com
