It was the end of the peach month and the beginning of the wheat season, with beautiful flowers and leaves, and the spring scenery was bright and beautiful, perfect for banquets.
Xu Jiang made a menu according to everyone's taste and started working in the kitchen early.
This family dinner was mostly vegetarian, firstly to taste the fresh spring food and secondly to not offend Xizhi, Wan Qingmiao, Mr. Lin and Lin Hongchu Shouyi.
No wine is served, only tea, of which there are two kinds: Bijian and Ziyang.
Lou Yunchun went to the next alley to pick up Xizhi and Wan Qingmiao.
When Wan Qingmiao entered the door, the gifts he brought almost got the door stuck, and it took several pairs of hands to hold it steady.
As soon as he entered the door, he shouted, "Sister, I'm here!"
"I heard it." Xu Jiang came out to greet him, "Why do you bring so many gifts?"
"Is that a lot?"
"Isn't this enough?" None of the four or five maids who came to receive the gifts came empty-handed.
"I still think it's not enough, but Brother Wang won't let me buy any more." Wan Qingmiao still felt it was not enough. If Shopkeeper Wang hadn't stopped him, he would have looted most of the money from the store.
He was really stupid and rich. Fortunately, Shopkeeper Wang was a man of his time and didn't let him do anything wrong.
Xu Jiang stepped forward, took Xizhi's hand, and said angrily, "Mother, why don't you say anything about keeping an eye on things?"
Wan Qingmiao said, "Half of these were bought by my mother, and there are still many left in your bookstore."
Xizhi smiled.
Xu Jiang was speechless. She had forgotten that Xizhi had no restraint when it came to buying things. The mother and son were exactly the same in this regard.
Lou Yunchun was just about to go back to the Lou residence to pick up his parents when Lou Jing and Madam Lou had already arrived. Not only them, but Master Lin, Lin Hongchu, and Zeng Zhui had also arrived.
Xu Jiang smiled and said, "What a coincidence! Father and the teacher came together."
Lou Jing said: "It's not a coincidence, but I made a special trip to Taixianfang to pick up Brother Lin."
Master Lin nodded with a smile, his expression showing a rare sense of relaxation and joy.
Xu Jiang didn't see Xun Yan, so she asked, "Why didn't Master Xun come?"
"Need I say more? It's a rare ten-day holiday, how could Old Yuan let him go? He took him away last night."
Xu Jiang suddenly understood.
Lou Jing asked Xizhi, "Is everything okay, mother-in-law?"
Xizhi bowed slightly, "Thank you for your concern, everything is fine." Then she stepped forward and shook Madam Lou's hand, saying, "Last time we met, we were in a hurry and didn't have a good chat. Today, when the mood is clear and everyone is free, it's a good opportunity for us sisters to have a good chat."
Mrs. Lou was a little nervous at first, but seeing how friendly and generous she was, she relaxed, smiled, and nodded in agreement.
Xu Jiang called Wan Qingmiao and introduced him to several elders.
"This is my younger brother, Wan Qingmiao."
"Junior Wan Qingmiao greets Master Lou and Master Lin." Wan Qingmiao first bowed to Lou Jing and Master Lin, then bowed to Madam Lou and said, "Greetings, Auntie."
Several people returned the greetings.
Lou Jing compared him and Xu Jiang and said with a smile, "They are indeed brother and sister. They look quite similar and both speak in a thoughtful and likable way."
After all, he was an old fox in the officialdom. He praised the brother and sister with just one sentence, which made everyone present feel pleasant and comfortable.
Wan Qingmiao responded, "Thank you for the compliment, sir."
Master Lin asked kindly, "Is everything going well in the capital?"
"Thank you for your concern. Everything is fine."
"That's good."
Lou Yunchun asked Master Lin and Lou Jing, "There's a chessboard and a small table set up under the east window. Father and Master, would you like to go over and play?"
"Oh?" Lou Jing became interested and then looked at Xu Jiang. "This must be your idea, right?"
How could he have such interest in being born as a wooden stake?
Xu Jiang smiled and said, "This game is called 'Rise to the Top'. I created it based on a copy of 'Three Immortals' Endgames' I stumbled upon. Zhaoyue and I have been playing for two days, and we still haven't decided who will win. I wonder if Father and the Master can break the game and decide who is better today."
This was clearly adding fuel to the fire, but Pianlou Jingchi saw it and immediately pushed Master Lin towards the east window.
Zeng Zhui and Wan Qingmiao both loved to join in the fun, so when they got together, they hit it off immediately and pulled each other to follow Dongchuang.
Xu Jiang said to Madam Lou and Xizhi, "Mother, mother, it's still early. The family banquet won't start until the afternoon. There's an incense burner in the flower hall. How about I take you there and have a seat?"
Madam Lou said, "Let's walk around the yard first and then go back later. You guys take care of yourselves, and Liu Mei and I will take care of this."
Xu Jiang looked at Xi Zhi, who nodded. Then Xu Jiang said to Liu Mei, "Sister Mei, I'll trouble you to take care of it."
Liu Mei replied, "With me here, Madam, don't worry."
So the three of them walked into the yard.
After the elders had all left, the younger sisters were able to chat.
Lin Hongchu threw herself into Xu Jiang's arms, "Sister, I haven't seen you for a few days. Do you miss me?"
Xu Jiang hugged him and said with a smile, "I do."
Yin Yin threw herself on Lin Hongchu and asked, "Sister Lin, did you miss me?"
Lin Hongchu turned around, pinched her round face with both hands, and said maliciously, "I don't want to."
Yin Yin immediately pouted.
Lin Hongchu coaxed, "I want to, I want to, I want to. If you don't come, no one will praise the dishes I cook."
Yin Yin showed an embarrassment, "Then forget it."
Lin Hongchu was so angry that she tried to grab her again, "Hey, you little girl!"
Xu Jiang laughed out loud.
Seeing the three people playing around, Lou Yunchun felt it was inconvenient for him to just stand by and watch, so he called two servants, prepared some more tea and snacks, and went to the east window to serve the chess game.
With Zeng Er and Zhenji coming to watch, they were afraid there wouldn’t be enough food.
"What are you doing? I heard your voices outside the yard." Wu Zhi arrived late.
This was their family dinner, and Wu Zhi had originally said she didn't want to come, but Madam Lou and Xu Jiang were afraid that she would be lonely, so they tried to persuade her, and she had no choice but to agree.
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