Chapter 185: Having an elder in the family is like having a treasure.
After the marriage was officially approved by the emperor, Zhao Yunjing returned home and the Zhao family began preparations in a proper and respectable manner.
With half a month left before the divorce, and since Uncle Zhao and Aunt Zhao had never organized such a large banquet before, and since they had previously lived in the village and interacted with the villagers, the banquet was simply a matter of eating and drinking well, without many rules or regulations.
But things were different in Beijing. Just drafting the banquet guest list kept Uncle Zhao up for three days and three nights. Aunt Zhao also couldn't sleep. In just two or three days, she lost a lot of hair. The two were at their wits' end when Shuisheng suddenly mentioned Old Madam Li. The couple rushed over to ask her for advice.
Grandma Li was reluctant to see her granddaughter get married, but she had been prepared for it. She was very happy that the Zhao couple took the initiative to come to her door to ask for advice. She thought that the couple had not changed their attitude just because she had changed her family's status. They were still so humble. She was sure that Ajiao would not suffer if she married into the family.
Old Madam Li was the matriarch of the Li family before, and she had organized many banquets like this. Even before she got married, as the eldest daughter of the main branch, organizing banquets was a required course for her. In addition, she was very familiar with the families in the capital. Therefore, the big problems that troubled the Zhao couple were easily handled by her.
Grandma Li said, "Isn't Master Liang here in the capital? He is Yun Jing's mentor, and his age is just right, so he would be very suitable to be the officiant. Ning Xian can be the witness. Besides, apart from the Duke of Wei's family, you don't have much contact with other prominent families in the capital. Moreover, Yun Jing was already quite popular, and now he has done something that offended people, so he needs to cool things down a bit to avoid others using it as a topic of discussion. Therefore, I suggest that apart from the Duke of Wei's family, the neighbors on that street, and the relatives and friends of both families, you should not invite anyone else if possible."
Uncle Zhao breathed a sigh of relief: "That's good, that's good. When you're having a banquet, you should invite people you know well. It's only enjoyable to eat with people you know well. If all the guests are royalty, no one will be able to enjoy the banquet properly."
Aunt Zhao also breathed a sigh of relief, thinking that her hair should be saved.
"However, Yun Jing is highly regarded by the Emperor, so people from the palace will definitely come, plus some uninvited guests. You should reserve at least three more tables for this banquet. In addition, increase the number of staff and make sure security is handled properly. As for the menu, I have one here. Although it is not as good as the one in the palace, it will certainly look presentable when served."
Aunt Zhao held the menu, at a loss for words. Old Mrs. Li had not only saved her hair but also her life. Perhaps, after Ajiao and the others got married, she should bring the old lady to the Zhao family? Otherwise, when Ajiao went to another place with Yun Jing, Jiang Wuyu was busy, and Xiao Wu and Xiao Jiu went to the academy, there would only be an old lady left at home. Who could feel at ease?
If the servants in the household are disloyal, or if wicked servants are raised because Ah Jiao and the others are not around, and then these wicked servants bully their masters, the old lady will suffer a lot of hardship when they find out and try to bring them back!
Grandma Li had no idea that Aunt Zhao was so carefree. Before the banquet was even fully settled, she was already worrying about other things. But if Aunt Zhao wasn't so carefree, she wouldn't have been able to raise such optimistic and resilient children as Zhao Yunjing and the others.
The Zhao and Zhou families were busy arranging wedding-related matters, while in a small house not far from each other, someone was drowning their sorrows in alcohol.
Feng Wei snatched the wine cup from Chen Gongzi's hand and advised, "Brother Chen, now that you are a third-ranked scholar, there are many wealthy families in the court who want you as their son-in-law. You only need to nod your head, and you can probably marry even a princess from a prince's mansion or a princess from the palace. What is there to be unhappy about?"
"Who says I'm unhappy? I'm overjoyed!" Young Master Chen snatched the cup back. "I'm a third-ranked scholar, even more impressive than my father. The Emperor values me highly and wants me to work with Zhao Yunjing to increase the grain production of Daliang. If we do, I'll be promoted several ranks, and in a few years, I'll be a high-ranking official in the capital. My future is bright, so why would I be unhappy!"
"Why are you drinking alone when you're so happy?" Feng Wei thought for a moment. "How about we go for a drink with courtesans? I've heard that the most beautiful courtesan in Chang Le Fang is a fairy, but she doesn't see guests easily. She usually only sees scholars; she's quite aloof. How about we—"
"No matter how noble she is, she's still a prostitute. Even when I was depraved before, I would never go to a brothel for pleasure. Now that my father is dead, does that mean I can let myself go?"
"That's not how it works, Brother Chen. Men need to vent their emotions. When they're happy, they need a woman by their side to add fragrance to their lives, and when they're down on their luck, they need a woman to comfort them. Isn't that the life every man wants?"
"This is what you wanted, not what I wanted!" Young Master Chen slammed down his wine cup and stood up unsteadily. "I can't hold my liquor, I'm going back to my room to sleep. Brother Feng, please make yourself at home!"
Feng Wei shook his head and left the Chen residence shortly afterward.
His family was poor, and the money for his trip to the capital for the imperial examination was raised by his family and fellow villagers. Fortunately, Zhao Yunjing's people took care of all the expenses for food and lodging along the way, so he was able to reach the capital with the least amount of money. He couldn't afford to buy a house in the capital.
People like him, who entered the court as a fellow Jinshi, were everywhere. It was extremely difficult for them to rise to the top. As long as he didn't make a name for himself, he couldn't expect to bring his parents, wife, and children to the capital. Otherwise, his family would be crammed into that rented little house with no income, living off their savings. It was estimated that in less than half a year, he would have to entertain some inappropriate thoughts. Once he did, he had no backing or support, and the only outcome would be beheading.
Back in his rented little house, Feng Wei started drinking alone and soon fell asleep drunk. In his hazy state, he seemed to see a beautiful girl walking towards him. The girl had a pleasant voice and a soft figure. She called out "Brother Feng" and moved closer to him.
Feng Wei hugged him back, then shoved him with all his might, jumped up and roared, "Get the hell out of here! I have no money! Get out! Get as far away as you can!"
The girl coughed up a mouthful of blood: "Brother Feng, look who I am!!"
Feng Wei's eyes widened as he recognized her. Oh, it was a girl he had known since childhood.
"Oh, it's Xiaohua."
"Brother Feng, so you still remember Xiaohua..."
Liang Xiaohua hugged him, saying, "Brother Feng, I've been thinking about you too. Ever since I saw you on the street that day, I knew we would meet sooner or later. Brother Feng, listen to me, I have money. Whatever you want to do, I can support you..."
Liang Xiaohua left a bag of gold and a wisp of incense at the Feng family's house before leaving. Feng Wei bit into the gold pieces one by one and suddenly burst into laughter.
At the same time, another person appeared in Young Master Chen's room.
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