Chapter 539 Bandits Come to Offer Congratulations
The next day, the Jiang brothers and their sons-in-law all pitched in, making thorough preparations to prevent a repeat of the previous incident.
They hired two chefs from the Fortune Inn to cook, and also invited chefs from two other restaurants. They made arrangements with the owners of the pork and chicken shops so that they could send someone to get more if needed.
Sanwa and Lao Si went to invite all the teachers from the school, and then greeted everyone they knew.
After going around, the three children discovered that the Taoist priest who was closest to them was not there.
To the Jiang family's surprise, Hu Yangqing arrived in the evening with a group of servants, setting up tables and a tent for them. He even brought tables and benches, more than the family had prepared themselves.
The fourth brother was quite surprised.
He leaned close to Sanwa's ear and said, "If I remember correctly, Hu Yangqing lives in Jincheng. His father, Hu Shanyu, is the head of the Hu family. Over the years, he has built a very large business in Jincheng, including casinos, inns, and even a brothel. He is very close to the four major families in Jincheng. If there is no war, his future is limitless."
"If I had suspected before that he intended to marry his cousin to my second brother, now that he's pulled this stunt, I know it must be his own sister. But don't worry, his sister Hu Wanying is different from Hu Wanqiu. She's better than Hu Wanqiu in both upbringing and personality. I heard that even her tutors are all successful candidates in the imperial examinations."
The fourth brother lowered his voice, "Could it be that they have ulterior motives and are actually after you?"
Sanwa glanced at them expressionlessly. "Mulan is fine. You'd better ask her clearly. If she's not here for Second Brother, tell them to leave as soon as possible. There absolutely cannot be any mishaps tomorrow."
Before the fourth brother could say anything more, the third brother had already turned and gone inside.
The fourth brother walked over, and Hu Yangqing was asking Xie Dong about the various arrangements for tomorrow's banquet.
"Brother Qing, let's talk in private."
Hu Yangqing nodded politely to Xie Dong, then walked to a quiet spot to the side. "Fourth Young Master, please speak."
"Oh, Mr. Hu, you're too kind. I'm just a peasant boy, I don't deserve to be called a young master." The fourth brother quickly bowed in return, thinking to himself that this rich man was really putting on airs.
If you didn't feel anything before, you just sensed the other party's intentions.
But now, he suddenly felt annoyed.
Perhaps he doesn't know what's good for him.
He got straight to the point, "You are the heir of the Hu family, how could you do such a thing for a small family like ours? To be honest, we are flattered. There is something I must ask you clearly: when you said yesterday that you wanted to play matchmaker for your sister, were you targeting my second brother or my third brother?"
Hu Yangqing smiled meaningfully and did not answer the question immediately.
The fourth brother had made up his mind, most likely because he was after the third brother.
Indeed, the Hu family knows best the difference between a Jinshi (successful candidate in the highest imperial examination) and a Yacha (yamen runner), otherwise they would have come a few years ago.
Now that Sanwa has just passed the imperial examination, they have rushed over in a hurry. Why does he have to guess such a simple thing?
But we still need to ask, otherwise we might unknowingly harm Sanwa, which would be a greater loss than gain.
As the saying goes, "A wife who has shared hardship should not be abandoned," and officials in the court value virtue most, so they must not fall into a trap at this time.
“Young Master Hu, my third brother and sister-in-law are a harmonious couple. The Hu family's daughter certainly cannot be subservient to anyone. If you have taken a liking to my second brother, that would be fine. But if not, we have no way to repay this great kindness today…”
“Oh, you’re being too polite. Sanwa and I were classmates, though only for two years. There’s still some friendship between us. Why do you have to be like this, Fourth Young Master?” Hu Yangqing patted his shoulder. “My sister will come to see your second brother in person tomorrow. I won’t interfere with her thoughts.”
The fourth brother was relieved. "Then I'll thank you on behalf of my third and second brothers."
"You still have the mind to chat with me here? Is everything else ready?"
The fourth brother looked at him sincerely and said, "We don't have much experience. How about we ask Brother Hu to take a look at the list and make some additions for us? We would be more than happy to do so."
Hu Yangqing laughed and said, "It's good that you don't blame me for overstepping my bounds."
"How could that be?" The fourth brother bowed and raised his hand. "Brother Hu, this way please."
Seeing that the Hu family children had made arrangements in an orderly manner, Song Chunxue went up to thank them and then went into the house to find the second son and the third son.
What do you two think about this?
Sanwa said gently, "Fourth Brother just asked, and his sister will come in person tomorrow to see if Second Brother is to your liking."
He couldn't help but laugh and said, "Second brother, you must dress up properly tomorrow, so that people won't look down on you."
The second son said seriously, "I don't want to be a live-in son-in-law, I don't want to climb the social ladder."
"..." Song Chunxue and Sanwa looked at each other in bewilderment.
Then, they both turned away and burst into laughter.
"Haha, second brother, you know what, you really are destined to be a live-in son-in-law. But if someone takes a liking to you tomorrow, you don't have to be a live-in son-in-law. Mother can check it out for you." Sanwa felt that the Jiang family wasn't doing too badly now. The Hu family were merchants, while the Jiang family would be scholars in the future.
Song Chunxue put away her smile. "I'm afraid they'll be arrogant and take a fancy to the second son, insisting that he become their son-in-law. I'll be the first to object."
“But we don’t need to worry. If the truth is right, we’ll have to see what we think.” Song Chunxue stood up. “I’ll go outside and make some arrangements. I should get some rest. We have to get up early tomorrow.”
"Okay." The second son nodded. "Mother, you go ahead and get busy."
He wanted to say a few more words to Sanwa.
...
The next day, Jiangjiabaozi was unusually lively. Ten tables were set up at the entrance and eight in the courtyard. The number of people who came to offer their congratulations was enormous, catching everyone off guard.
No one expected so many people to come and offer their congratulations with such generous gifts that they couldn't fit them all on four tables, so they simply put them on the ground.
The beggars on the street all came, and instead of driving them away, they were allowed to sit down and have a proper meal.
Seeing that they had their families with them, Song Chunxue asked someone to give them more steamed buns.
But what's frightening is that bandits also arrived.
More than fifty people rode on horses, wearing sleeveless vests made of various animal furs and with various animal tails hanging from their waists, and arrived at the alley outside in a majestic manner.
"We are here to congratulate the young master of the Jiang family on passing the imperial examination. Three years ago, I met your mother by chance. Later, she gave me various talismans and taught us how to cultivate land, plant crops, and raise poultry. Now we are doing very well on the mountain. Today, we have come to celebrate your success and hope that you will serve the people in the future so that the people down the mountain can live a good life without worrying about food and clothing."
"Let's do it!"
"I'll do it! I'll definitely become a good official in the future!"
"I heard you're on good terms with Lord Xie. Let him offer us amnesty. We're not bandits anymore, let's do it!"
"..."
The people in the courtyard, seeing their bare shoulders and the large knives hanging from their waists, all hid to the side, not daring to approach them.
Song Chunxue recognized him; the leading man had thick eyebrows, and she had even given him money during their first encounter.
I don't remember where I saw her again, but it certainly wasn't on the way.
It was probably when they went to the Fortune Inn to buy talismans.
"Oh, right, this is our congratulatory gift." With that, the burly man with thick eyebrows gestured for his men to bring the gift up.
But upon seeing the congratulatory gift, those in the know exclaimed in surprise.
"That's a big spender!"
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