Chapter 524 A Dream of Youth 56
The Chen family will hold a banquet on the winter solstice, and Mrs. Chen will also attend the banquet with gifts and her two children.
Besides Chen Yin's business partners, the guests at the banquet also included some scholars and poets. Xie Wangzhi had become a top scholar in the imperial examination and gained considerable fame, which in turn made Chen Yin's business in the prefectural city even more successful, and his network of connections expanded significantly.
The Chen family was fully aware of this, but they did not say anything. After all, the two families supported each other, sharing both prosperity and adversity.
Xie Ning didn't really care about the banquet. She was just a cute and adorable mascot, and all she had to do was smile at the elders. She did receive quite a few red envelopes, though.
She was fine recognizing people along the way, but Xie Qi was completely disoriented.
One of the ladies noticed Xie Ning's round face and round eyes and liked her even more. She gently touched Xie Ning's cheek and then stuffed a bulging red envelope into her hand. "This must be Ning-jie'er, right? Such a young age, yet she already has such a kind heart. It's truly rare."
It's about Xie Ning studying medicine.
An elderly woman with long face glanced at Xie Ning and said to Chen Shi, "This girl should be kept at home and pampered. If she is sent out like this, not only will she not learn music, chess, calligraphy, painting, or needlework, but she will also learn those kinds of 'skills.' What will people say about her in the future?"
I strongly disagree.
Madam Chen paused for a moment, "Old Madam Lü is right to reprimand us, but this was agreed upon by the child's father, and His Highness Prince Duan also agreed. It would be a blessing if this child could achieve something in his studies and benefit the people."
Madam Lü looked embarrassed for a moment, then pulled Xie Ning's young wife aside and glanced at Madam Lü, changing the subject.
"Speaking of which, I haven't thanked Xie Jieyuan for his great kindness yet. He donated the prescription, which saved countless lives. My youngest child was also able to survive this calamity because of him." As she spoke, her eyes reddened slightly.
Her son contracted the disease and was on the verge of death. She almost cried herself blind, so she was truly grateful to the Xie family. In this city, who doesn't remember the Xie family's kindness?
She was busy taking care of her still-recovering child recently, so she didn't visit in person. The gifts she sent were also returned. The steward who delivered the gifts said that there were many things left at the Xie family's door, all gifts from the people.
However, the Xie family returned all that they could, and took what they couldn't to the relief center outside the city. They said that the elimination of the plague was not his achievement alone, but the result of the joint efforts of the city officials, doctors, and the people. If they wanted to thank him, they should focus on recovering their health, which would be a blessing.
These words warmed the hearts of those who heard them.
The lady holding Xie Ning's hand is Xia Zhizhou's daughter-in-law, Madam Xia the Third. Many people came because they found out that Madam Xia the Third was here; otherwise, a small merchant family wouldn't be worth their fuss.
Seeing the ladies present praising Xie Wangzhi, Madam Chen simply smiled modestly.
Madam Lü curled her lip, clearly disapproving.
Xie Ning held her breath and was finally able to leave with Xie Qi after paying respects to the last lady.
The room smelled too strongly of cosmetics, making her nose itch. Although the ladies all smelled nice, there were too many people, so the smells were mixed, heavy, and pungent.
Madam Chen didn't want Xie Ning to go out, but knowing that Xie Ning didn't like this kind of scene, she let her go, only instructing Qingli, who was following her, to take good care of her.
"Let Sister Xiao and the others take Bao'er to play. Don't worry."
Huo Xiao is fourteen years old this year. She is her niece from her maternal family. She came to Quanzhou to propose marriage. Her father wanted to arrange for Huo Xiao to marry her eldest son. Huo did not refuse immediately, but said that her younger brother and sister-in-law should bring their children to play for a while and see how things go.
They got along quite well, so at today's Winter Solstice banquet, while she was greeting the ladies, she specially gave Huo Xiao the power to help her greet the young ladies brought by the ladies.
When Xie Ning arrived, he could only marvel at how young people were truly unafraid of the cold, enjoying chrysanthemums by the waterside pavilion in the dead of winter, braving the cold wind.
Huo Xiao held Xie Ning's hand and asked gently, "I heard from my aunt that your nickname is Bao'er. Can Sister Xiao call you Bao'er?"
"It will be all right."
No one knew Xie Ning, and they were all teenage girls, so it was really strange to talk to a child who was only a few years old.
So apart from Huo Xiao and her twelve-year-old sister Huo Ling, the other girls were quite indifferent to Xie Ning.
Xie Ning didn't care about this and just ate the pastries on the table.
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