Manager Meng looked slightly surprised, but more puzzled, and said:
"Master Liu, don't you know? These 'Prosperous Oily Eggs' and 'Braised Delicacies' were made by your in-laws. Don't you also stock these two dishes at your tavern?"
Manager Meng then realized that the two taverns owned by Master Liu had received their braised delicacies and rich, oily eggs later than theirs. He was startled and realized he had spoken out of turn. There were many intrigues and backstabbing among wealthy families.
He quickly laughed it off, saying, "Well, Master Liu, Sister-in-law Lin, you two enjoy your meal while I go and greet the guests. I'll have to go now."
After saying that, he hurriedly left, looking very busy.
Liu Guisheng was quite surprised to hear this. It turned out that the famous "Rich and Delicious Eggs" and "Braised Delicacies" that were popular throughout the county were actually made by his aunt's family. His family's tavern also had the manager in charge of these dishes. He really didn't know that.
He said, "Peach Blossom, why didn't you tell me?"
Lin Taohua was also very surprised; she didn't know her second sister-in-law could do this.
Looking at Lin Taohua's expression, Liu Guisheng said, "You didn't know either, did you?"
Little Su immediately gave Lin Taohua a look.
Damn it! How could this country bumpkin possibly make such excellent food, especially since he happens to be a relative of Aunt Lin?
From the moment she entered the manor, she began to reorganize the entire household, strictly forbidding anyone from entering or leaving. She looked down on this Aunt Lin, an ordinary peasant girl with neither good looks nor a good background, and who had only given birth to a little girl.
At first, she targeted her, but seeing how utterly pathetic she was, unlike the other concubines in the inner quarters who schemed and plotted to get close to the master, and hearing that her older sister had only married her to continue the family line, she gradually became less concerned about this unremarkable concubine. At that time, her most important task was to continue the master's family line.
Unexpectedly, the usually silent Concubine Lin had become pregnant with the master's child during this time. It was because the master had become too lax in his treatment of Concubine Lin after Mingjie was born.
Lin Taohua nodded and said, "I was unaware of this. Since entering the manor, I have considered myself a member of the Liu family and have had much less contact with my own family."
Liu Guisheng nodded and said, "It's good that you have this awareness, but I can see that you miss your family very much. My wife and I don't care about those rules. Family is the most important thing. You can visit your family whenever you miss them. Just take care of your health."
Madam Su could only bite the bullet and say, "Yes, Aunt Lin, if you want to go, just tell me, and I will make the arrangements for you."
"Thank you, sir and madam," Lin Taohua said, curtsying.
Song Anxin continued, "Then I would also like to thank Master Liu and Madam Liu. My family also misses Aunt Lin very much."
Liu Guisheng, a man who values family, also wanted to get to know a capable person like Song Anxin. Her newly launched gift sets had made the county's restaurants a fortune, and his own tavern had also earned a lot. Businessmen are always quick to sense profit.
He smiled and said, "It's better to arrive at the right time than to arrive early. Aunt Lin, why don't you stay here and have a meal and chat with your family? This is Aunt Lin's second sister-in-law. I really admire the two dishes you prepared, as well as the new gift box. Would you do me the honor of joining me at the table for a chat?"
Song Anxin smiled and said, "Master Liu, what are you saying? How could I refuse your invitation? This must be Mingyue. The little girl has grown up so much. There are several of your cousins and their wives among them. I'm sure you'll like them."
Liu Mingyue blinked her big eyes as she hid behind her mother. These were the family her mother had been talking about.
Song Anxin could tell that Lin Taohua was very homesick. Given that they had run into each other and her sister-in-law wasn't living as well as they had imagined, she thought it would be good to befriend this Master Liu. Firstly, it would give her more opportunities to get to know Lin Taohua, and secondly, Master Liu was the richest merchant in the county, so befriending him would definitely be a good thing.
So Song Anxin took Lin Fengshou and Song Anbang to Liu Yuanwai's private room, while Lin Taohua took her daughter, Old Madam Song, and several of her nephews to eat.
The servants reported that Liu Mingzhu, the eldest daughter of the Liu family, had already returned to the mansion. As for Madam Su, she did not want to sit at the same table with Song Anxin, a country bumpkin, so she pretended to be unwell and left with her youngest son, Liu Mingjie. Song Anxin knew this perfectly well, but she didn't care. There were always a few arrogant people who looked down on others.
Song Anxin and the others chatted happily with Master Liu. After talking with Song Anxin, Master Liu found that this woman was not as rough and uncouth as she appeared. She had an extraordinary demeanor and manner of speaking. His second son was also well-educated, and he liked the scholar Song Anbang even more.
The group enjoyed themselves immensely.
After the meal, Song Anxin and her family saw off Liu Yuanwai and his entourage at the entrance of the restaurant.
Song Anxin smiled and said, "Master Liu, farewell. Peach Blossom, you are pregnant now, so you should take good care of yourself. Mingyue, you should also listen to your mother."
Lin Fengnian and Fengshou were all reluctant to part with their aunt and their newly met cousin Mingyue. In particular, Lin Fengnian's childhood memories became clearer after getting to know Lin Taohua, as his aunt had taken care of him a lot when he was young.
"Little aunt, Mingyue, remember to come visit us in Linjia Village," Lin Fengyao said with reluctance in his eyes.
He finally has a younger sister. How wonderful it is to have a younger sister—she's beautiful and obedient.
Lin Taohua also looked reluctant to part with Song Anxin's family, her eyes red as if she had been crying.
Without Xiao Su's presence, Liu Mingyue, the little girl, became much bolder:
"Cousin Fengyao, I'll miss you. Mom, shall we go to Linjia Village to visit Cousin Fengyao next time?"
Lin Taohua didn't speak but looked at Liu Guisheng.
“Why are your eyes so red? Even if you see your family, you need to keep your emotions calm. It’s better for the baby in your belly. If Mingyue wants to go, take her with you. I heard your older brother and sister-in-law miss you very much,” Liu Guisheng said.
Overwhelmed with grief, Lin Taohua said, "Master, my... my second brother died in battle..."
As she spoke, she covered her face and began to cry again.
Song Anxin knew that Feng Nian must have told her about this, which explained why her sister-in-law's eyes were red when she came out.
She quickly comforted her, "Peach Blossom, don't be sad. If you're sad, the baby in your belly will be sad too. Your second brother also sacrificed his life for the country. Our family is proud of him. He is our family's hero. Besides, your second brother loved you when he was alive and certainly wouldn't want to see you crying so sadly."
Lin Guisheng was at a loss for words. He seemed to have heard Jinxiu mention that Aunt Lin's family had an older brother who had joined the army, but the war in the northern frontier was not going well, and he never expected that he would actually sacrifice his life.
He didn't know how to comfort her, so he said, "In that case, you should definitely go and see it. In a couple of days, take your things and go to Linjia Village. I'll talk to Madam about it."
After hearing her second sister-in-law's words, Lin Taohua calmed down and stopped wiping away her tears. Hearing her husband's words, a hint of joy appeared in her red eyes, and she said, "Yes, sir."
Since the master has spoken, the lady should, should, be allowed to go out and visit her family.
Liu Guisheng then turned and cupped his hands to Song Anxin, saying:
"Sister-in-law Lin, your eloquence is truly admirable. Next time you come to the county, you must visit my residence for tea. I, Liu, will be waiting for you anytime."
Song Anxin replied that she would definitely do it next time, and then led her whole family to watch the luxurious carriage slowly drive away. The group then prepared to head home.
But before that, we have to go to Yong'an Lane to fetch the oxcart and take Old Madam Song back.
Song Anxin held her mother's hand and said, "Mother, the Mid-Autumn Festival is almost here. Why don't you come back to Linjia Village with us to celebrate the festival and then come back? It's so lonely at home by yourself."
Grandma Song refused, saying, "That won't do. It's not right for a mother to live with her married daughter. You're a member of the Lin family now. Don't let people talk about you behind your back."
Song Anxin rolled her eyes at this feudalistic thinking. Why should she belong to someone else's family just because she got married? She was also her mother's daughter.
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