Chapter 340 Banquet
In order to attend the banquet hosted by the magistrate's wife, Zhang Juexia got up early, dressed up, and took a carriage to the back hall of the county government office.
Before leaving, Li Yun stopped her and asked her to take the peach blossoms with her, but Zhang Juexia refused without a second thought.
She didn't like to have people around her, and she had been to the back hall of the county government office several times, and the county magistrate's wife and others were old acquaintances.
Seeing her insistence, Li Yun didn't force her, and only said, "The ladies who came to our house for the banquet that time all brought maids with them. If anything happens, they will have someone to take care of them."
"Sister-in-law Yang, what could be the problem? Isn't Li Yingyue going there too? Don't worry!"
Li Yun looked at Zhang Juexia's carriage and shook his head. He was also a stubborn person, and it was really hard to deal with him.
The whole family was very satisfied with the host who was not arrogant.
After a long time, I really treated Zhang Juexia as a family member.
She looked at the carriage, which was only a tiny shadow left, and said, "I hope everything is alright!"
After the carriage stopped at the county government office, Zhang Juexia got off.
Because the magistrate's wife had only invited female guests, Lin Yuan, who served as both a coachman and a bodyguard, was stopped outside the door.
Zhang Juexia told him to just wait outside.
She waited for a while, but Li Yingyue didn't show up, so she went into the back court alone.
She must have arrived too early. There were only a few people in the yard, including two or three familiar faces. She greeted them with a smile, then found a corner and sat there in a daze.
A maid brought her tea, and she smiled and said, "Thank you!"
The little girl was obviously frightened, and she retreated with her face red and her head lowered.
She was a little thirsty after walking, so she picked up the teacup, drank tea and listened to their conversation.
"I wonder why Madam Chen invited us here?"
"Hey, this kind of banquet is the most boring. Madam Chen must be having a boring life, so she should find some fun for herself!"
"Don't talk nonsense. I heard from my master that our county magistrate is going to be promoted."
"Is that true?"
"The specific appointment has not been issued yet, but it will be soon."
"That makes sense. Madam Chen must have been reluctant to let us go, so she invited us here."
"I don't think so. I heard that those women of marriageable age also received invitations. I guess Madam Chen wants to do a few more good deeds before leaving."
"Treating people to dinner is not a good deed in the slightest. If you don't know, don't talk nonsense."
"How can this be nonsense? Madam Chen is hosting this banquet, and all women of marriageable age should come. If men have reached marriageable age, shouldn't they be able to see each other properly?
If this can lead to a few matchmakings, wouldn't Mrs. Chen's actions be considered a good deed?"
"Look at my brain, it's getting less and less useful. It's a pity that there's no one of the right age in our family."
"Then we can listen in on the sidelines! It's a great thing to add some fun to this dull life."
Zhang Juexia thought that his early arrival was not in vain, and he finally understood the purpose of Madam Chen's banquet.
When the food is served, she can boldly pick up the food with her chopsticks.
Gradually, several familiar ladies and young ladies also came.
Li Yiran also came. When she saw Zhang Juexia, she took the initiative to greet her.
A familiar-looking lady said in surprise, "You two actually know each other?"
Zhang Juexia smiled and said, "We just met."
Li Yiran sat next to Zhang Juexia, "We hit it off right away, I guess!"
Zhang Juexia smiled and looked around, but still couldn't see Li Yingyue.
Li Yiran glanced at Zhang Juexia and asked, "Are you waiting for Li Yingyue?"
"Um."
"I just heard someone say that Li Yingyue is sick and can't come."
Zhang Juexia was very worried. When she saw her yesterday, she was fine. How could she be sick today? She quickly asked Li Yiran, "What disease did they say they had?"
"That's not what I said! But it's okay if she doesn't come."
"Why?"
"I told you you're stupid, but you still refuse to admit it. Li Yingyue is so capable! How many families in Shunhe County would want to marry her?"
Zhang Juexia was of course happy to hear her good sister praised. "Yingyue is really capable. Whoever marries her will be blessed."
"Blessed? Earning money from my own family and then earning money for my husband's family, is that a blessing?
I think she will die of exhaustion sooner or later!
These ladies are all good at calculating, and they are like the beads on an abacus, making a crackling sound.
Which family is really seeking marriage?"
Zhang Juexia was speechless after being retorted by Li Yiran, but when he thought about what she said, it seemed to make sense.
At the beginning, she handed over the canned food business to Li Yingyue so that she could have autonomy in her marriage.
If she can't marry someone who truly loves her, then all our efforts will be in vain.
Li Yiran had just noticed Zhang Juexia's worry, and now seeing her lower her head and remain silent, she couldn't help but say sourly, "You sisters are really affectionate."
At this time, someone who should be Li Yiran's acquaintance came over and started chatting with her.
Zhang Juexia was disturbed by Li Yiran's words, so he got up and looked for another secluded place.
She hesitated several times, wondering whether to leave and go to the Li Mansion to see Li Yingyue.
But then he remembered that the invitation to this banquet was personally sent by the magistrate's wife. If he left without saying a word, it would seem like he was disrespecting her.
Just as she was in agony, a maidservant came over. She came to Zhang Juexia and lowered her voice deliberately, "Are you Zhang Juexia?"
Although Zhang Juexia was surprised, he still nodded.
Seeing Zhang Juexia nod, the little maid felt relieved. "Finally, I found you. Our Madam sent me to look for you. She wanted you to go in and keep Miss Li company."
"Miss Li? Which Miss Li?"
"It's Miss Li Yingyue! Our Madam's niece! Everyone in Shunhe County knows her!"
"Isn't Miss Li sick?"
"That's why the Madam sent me here to invite you. She said you were Miss Li's sister, and that she was unwell, so it would be perfect for you to go in and keep her company."
Zhang Juexia was puzzled. Li Yiran said that Li Yingyue could not come, but this little maid said she was coming.
Who should she listen to?
Could it be that Li Yingyue was going to give her a surprise?
The little maidservant beside her was also a little anxious, "You'd better hurry up! Otherwise Miss Li and our wife will be anxious waiting."
Zhang Juexia couldn't care less and stood up and said to the little maid, "You lead the way!"
The little maid breathed a sigh of relief. "Just follow closely behind me."
Seeing the little maid leading her in another direction, Zhang Juexia couldn't help but ask, "Why do I remember your wife living in the courtyard in front?"
"Has it been a while since you last came to the back court? Our wife thought that courtyard was too small and moved to another one a long time ago."
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