Sensing the gazes of the crowd, the "strange birds" in the cage huddled together, making them look like a single bird at first glance.
The most peculiar thing is its call, which can actually make a sound similar to "manman".
“‘Resembling a duck, bluish-red in color,’ shaped like a quail, and with a voice like ‘manman,’ this is a pair of lovebirds!”
Hu Shiyi Niang immediately became excited and squatted down by the cage, teasing the birds in the cage as if they were chicks. Whether the birds sensed her foxy nature or not, they were trembling with fear.
Xu Milu smiled and nodded: "What better auspicious gift for a wedding than a pair of lovebirds? These birds live on barren mountains in the sea and are as strong as magpies. Because one of them has no wings, they always fly in pairs. When they fly, flocks of lovebirds almost cover the sky. When the sunlight shines down, their blue and red feathers shine like satin. They are extremely beautiful."
Everyone was captivated by the scene she described, and couldn't help but feel a longing to fly to the fairy mountains overseas and have a great time.
Wei Ying adored the pair of birds, pulling Xu Fangnian to examine them closely, truly unable to put them down. Seeing his obvious delight in the birds, Xu Fangnian couldn't help but feel a little annoyed and retorted sarcastically:
“‘Mountains and rivers separate us, and our parting is hastened, our reunion is long. We wish to be a pair of lovebirds, spreading our wings and soaring high.’ So this is what a lovebird is? I don’t find it anything special, except that it has one less eye and one less leg than an ordinary bird… I have heard that Madam Xu is a famous chef in Chang’an, with superb skills. Why don’t we use the osmanthus tree as firewood and this world as our furnace to cook and taste this strange beast?”
Everyone's expression changed.
Although the Tang Dynasty was enlightened, there was no precedent for women to be cooks at that time. Moreover, Xu Fangnian's tone clearly indicated that she regarded herself as the head of the household, which was quite an insulting act.
Hu Silang and Hu Shiyi Niang's expressions immediately changed, though they were still well-mannered. Huang Sanlang, however, was a reckless and unruly man. He abruptly turned his head, transforming it into a large weasel's head, baring his teeth and snarling at Xu Fangnian.
"Hehehehe!"
"ah!"
Xu Fangnian had just seen that everyone was a handsome man, so he knew that most of the guests were eccentrics and did not feel anything was wrong. But now that he had witnessed the “great transformation of people”, he was so frightened that he retreated and fell to the ground with a “thump”.
Xu Milu noticed Xu Fangnian's hostility towards her, but she didn't point it out directly; she simply smiled slightly.
“Madam Xu, these lovebirds were specially requested from me by your husband as a wedding gift for you two. As for how you prepare them—whether you fry them, boil them, or cook them—it’s none of my business. I’m only here for the banquet today and it’s inconvenient for me to cook. Besides, even if I were to cook, it should be for close friends and family…”
Wei Ying gave a wry smile, stepped forward to help the embarrassed Xu Fangnian up, and whispered:
"Everyone here today is a good friend of mine. If you continue to cause trouble like this, how am I supposed to face others in the future?"
Seeing the open and honest look in Wei Ying's eyes, and noticing Xu Milu's composed expression, Xu Fangnian realized that she had been overthinking things and was just jealous, which had led to today's embarrassing situation. She quickly bowed to everyone and said gracefully:
"I was drunk today and said some nonsense. I hope you won't take it to heart. Madam Xu, Eleventh Madam, I apologize to you both..."
Xu Milu smiled, but her expression was full of distance and politeness:
“Madam Xu, words spoken are like seeds that take root in the earth. Some words, once spoken, cannot be taken back or forgotten. Today, these lovebirds are a gift from me to you and your husband, wishing you two a harmonious and long-lasting marriage.”
After saying this, she got up to take her leave. Hu Silang and Hu Shiyi Niang followed behind in tacit understanding. Cheng Chumo also got up silently, patted Wei Ying on the shoulder, and did not say anything more.
Huang Sanlang just chuckled and then grinned at Xu Fangnian in a threatening manner:
"Young Master Wei, let's drink together again next time! Today's drinking was really unpleasant. Next time I'll bring my ten-year-old bottle of liquor, one sip and I guarantee your mouth will be filled with fragrance!"
—This banquet ended rather unhappily.
Wei Ying rubbed his temples with a slight headache and sighed softly, but seeing Xu Fangnian's helpless look, he couldn't help but advise her:
“Madam Xu is always magnanimous, and she certainly won’t hold today’s matter against you. You can bring some rare ingredients to apologize another day, and that will be fine. Fangnian, you really went too far today. I know you’re used to being a little temperamental, but Madam Xu is my best friend, no different from Xuanbo. I used to be a dissolute person, but since I married you, I haven’t had any romantic affairs.”
Xu Fangnian's eyes reddened, and she clutched the handkerchief in her hand tightly, sobbing as she nestled into Wei Ying's arms.
"I saw that Hu Shiyi Niang was as beautiful as a flower, and Xu Niangzi was so spirited, with a kind of heroic spirit that ordinary women don't have. That's why I was so confused for a moment. I'm not as carefree as them. Will my husband think I'm old-fashioned and boring?"
"If you had said that earlier, things wouldn't be like this now."
Wei Ying was both angry and amused, and couldn't help but put his arm around Xu Fangnian to comfort her:
“As I said before, women are born to suffer many hardships. My mother-in-law also said that your manners are impeccable even among women from noble families. I feel sorry for you being so proper and restrained all day long, which makes you lose your vitality. That’s why I thought of introducing you to Madam Xu and Eleventh Sister, so that you can meet such extraordinary women like them and relax a bit, instead of being as tense as a drawn bow… Fangniang.”
He was born with a pair of captivating, amorous eyes, and when he called Xu Fangnian by her maiden name in such a soft voice, it made her blush with embarrassment.
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