Double Ninth Festival Banquet at the Marquis of Zhongyong's Residence
Because she was going out today, Madam Gu got up early to prepare. First, she cleaned up the originally plain carriage and hung up decorative curtains. Then she hung the two lanterns with the character "沉" (chen, meaning sink) that she had bought yesterday in front of it. After tidying up, she went to the Meng residence at the other end of the alley.
Meng Zhao also dressed up carefully today. She wore a light purple long dress made of thick brocade, which was both warm and light. She wore a plain brocade jacket over it, with delicate dark patterns embroidered on the cuffs and collar.
Because the colors of the clothes were all rather plain, a red silk ribbon was tied around the waist. The end of the ribbon had tassels hanging down, which swayed gently with each step, adding a touch of brightness to the overall outfit.
She took out the Treasure Pavilion's refreshment kit and applied her makeup. Because she had been going to restaurants to sample food and check out different places every day, Meng Zhao's face was now much rounder than before when she smiled. So she emphasized the contouring on her jawline to make her face look more delicate.
Then, the stray hairs around the eyebrows were removed, and the brow peaks were slightly covered. The eyebrows became softer, and the whole person appeared gentle and harmless, which is more in line with the current aesthetic.
When Madam Gu saw Meng Zhao, her eyes lit up, and she couldn't help but exclaim, "Zhao Zhao usually dresses plainly, but today, with just a little dressing up, she's truly stunning!"
Granny Sun, who was standing to the side, nodded repeatedly, "Madam Meng does look different from usual today, especially her eyebrows and eyes, why are they so bright and sparkling?"
Meng Zhao explained with a smile, "This is one of the new products my shop has recently developed. When applied to the eyelids, it will shimmer slightly in the sunlight, making the eyes appear more lively."
Granny Sun widened her eyes in surprise: "There's actually such a thing? I've lived for so many years and this is the first time I've ever seen anything like it."
Madam Gu smiled and replied, "Once Zhao Zhao's shop opens, you'll see for yourself. I don't know what's going on in her head, but she always manages to come up with all sorts of novel and wonderful things."
Knowing that Madam Gu was attending a banquet today, Shen Qinghe specially left Afu behind to drive the carriage. Huang Cui helped carry the prepared gifts onto the carriage, and then waved goodbye to Meng Zhao and Madam Gu. In the carriage, Granny Sun carefully instructed Meng Zhao on the rules of the banquet, while Meng Zhao listened attentively and nodded in agreement from time to time.
The carriage passed through the streets and arrived at the city gate for inspection. Afu pointed to the "Chen" sign hanging on the carriage and handed the invitation from the Marquis of Zhongyong's residence to the guards. The guards glanced at it and waved for them to pass. Meng Zhao and Gu Shi left the city without even getting out of the carriage.
The capital is crowded and noisy, so many princes and nobles would buy villas or estates in the suburbs for peace and quiet. Marquis Zhongyong was a founding hero, and his Qingxi Villa was built by the water. It was elegant and refined and was a gift from the emperor. I heard that there was a hot spring in the villa in winter, which was a rare and wonderful place.
At this moment, the gate of Qingxi Villa was wide open and filled with all kinds of carriages. Granny Sun first sent Afu to deliver the invitation. After Afu returned, she helped Madam Gu and Meng Zhao get out of the carriage. Just as the three of them were about to enter the gate, a soft voice suddenly came from behind: "Madam Gu, it has been a long time!"
Meng Zhao and Madam Gu turned around together, and Madam Gu whispered to Meng Zhao, "This is the Lady of the Hanlin Academy."
Meng Zhao followed Madam Gu forward and greeted the Hanlin scholar's wife. Upon hearing that Meng Zhao was Madam Gu's adopted daughter, the Hanlin scholar's wife praised her for being gentle and virtuous. However, Meng Zhao could tell that the Hanlin scholar's wife's eyes did not fall on her at all, and she probably forgot about her as soon as she turned her head. But Meng Zhao did not care.
This lady of the Hanlin Academy had a wide circle of friends, and she and Madam Gu accompanied her to meet many people. Meng Zhao stood behind and wrote down the names and identities of all these people so that if they happened to meet them when the shop opened in the future, she would have a better understanding of their identities.
The group walked to a pavilion. After the Hanlin scholar's wife sat down, she smiled and said to Madam Gu, "Madam Gu, you don't usually attend these banquets. It's been a long time since we've seen you come out today. You must sit down and have a good chat with me." After saying that, she glanced at Meng Zhao indifferently.
Meng Zhao, being a businesswoman, was adept at reading people and naturally understood what the Hanlin Madam meant. So she took the initiative to speak up and said, "Godmother, there are quite a few fish in that lake we just passed. I'd like to go and take another look."
Just as Madam Gu was about to speak, the Lady of the Hanlin Academy interjected, "Alright, you younger folks probably don't like what we older folks say. This Qingxi Villa is quiet and elegant, why don't you go and take a look?"
Madam Gu quickly said, "Granny Sun, you should go with Zhao Zhao."
"No need, godmother, I can wander around by myself." Meng Zhao knew that Gu Shi would be nervous if she stayed with the Hanlin Madam by herself, so she left Granny Sun behind and walked out of the pavilion.
No sooner had Meng Zhao left than Madam Gu became somewhat nervous. "You called me here because you wanted to say something?"
Madam Hanlin sat opposite her, her expression calm, with a hint of a smile in her eyes. "What could it be? Of course, it's your second son's marriage. Second son is not young anymore. Haven't you thought about this?"
Upon hearing this, Madam Gu relaxed a bit. "Of course I'm anxious about this, but it's no use if I'm anxious. Erlang is stubborn and refuses to budge on the marriage. I can't do anything about it."
“I think you’re just too soft-hearted. You’re her mother. If you let him get married, how could he not agree? You don’t know how many people outside are eyeing your family’s marriage. You stay away from home for a long time, and others can’t find you, so you’re enjoying some peace and quiet. But as a result, everyone knows that my master is Shen Erlang’s superior, and they’ve all come to my house.”
Madam Gu's heart tightened upon hearing this, and she forced a smile: "This... I'm sorry to have troubled you."
Madam Hanlin waved her hand and smiled, "It's not a problem, but the longer this matter drags on, the more gossip there will be. You are his mother, and you have to make decisions when necessary. You can't just let the children have their way in everything."
Madam Gu nodded. "You're right. I'll bring this up with Qinghe again when I get back."
Meng Zhao walked slowly along the path of Qingxi Villa. Before she knew it, she saw a small pavilion in the middle of the lake and walked over out of curiosity.
The pavilion was surrounded by clear lake water and distant rolling mountains, a truly pleasant sight. Meng Zhao couldn't help but think that if this villa were turned into a tourist attraction and an entrance fee was charged, it could probably earn a lot of money.
Just like this tranquil lakeside pavilion, all you need to do is set up a few fishing gears in the pavilion so that people who are tired of the hustle and bustle of the capital can come here to enjoy a moment of peace. After fishing, they can take the fish directly to the small kitchen to be killed and roasted on the spot. Wouldn't that be wonderful?
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