Chapter 35 Birthday Banquet
Zheng Yu and Madam Li greeted Madam Liu with smiles on their faces: "Greetings, Madam Meng. I am Zheng Yu. This is Madam Li, and this is my son Zheng Yang and daughter Zheng Qiaoniang. It is truly an honor to have you grace our humble abode with your presence!"
Liu helped Meng Liniang out of the carriage and then took Li's hand: "Master Li and Madam Li are too kind. It is Madam Zheng's seventieth birthday, and we juniors should come to offer our congratulations. Even if Madam Li did not give me an invitation, I would still have to shamelessly ask for one..." She smiled and turned to Qi Mama, gesturing for her to present the gift box: "This is a small token of my appreciation for Madam Zheng's seventieth birthday. I hope Master Zheng and Madam Zheng will not find it offensive."
Zheng Yu repeatedly cupped his hands in greeting: "Not at all, Madam Meng, you're too kind. My mother was overjoyed when she learned that you and your wife were coming to celebrate her birthday. She even ate an extra half bowl of rice because of the hot weather. The old lady originally wanted to personally greet you and your wife at the door—"
Madam Zheng is seventy years old this year. Madam Liu knew that Zheng Yu was just being polite, so she naturally had to say something polite: "The weather is so hot, how can we let the old lady come out in the sun? I already know about Master Zheng's kindness. If we really let the old lady come out, it would be wrong of us as juniors."
After exchanging pleasantries, Zheng Yu was about to ask Lord Meng why he hadn't arrived yet when he saw two horses approaching from afar, accompanied by two attendants. Upon closer inspection, Liu recognized them as Magistrate Meng and Meng Guanqi.
Madam Liu hurried forward, her face full of concern, and said, "Why didn't you come by sedan chair, sir? The sun is too strong..."
Zheng Yu and his wife hurriedly stepped forward to greet them, and Liu took the opportunity to introduce her family: "Madam Zheng, this is my son Meng Guanqi and my daughter Meng Liniang."
When Zheng Yang saw Meng Guanqi, a hint of surprise flashed in his eyes. Meng Guanqi was quite famous in Biyang County School. He had passed the county-level examination at a young age and become a Xiucai. Moreover, Tang Jiaoyu, the most learned scholar, had predicted that with his talent, he might be able to take the exam next year. This was already a very high evaluation, which made all the students envious. You should know that Biyang County had not produced a Juren (a successful candidate in the provincial-level imperial examination) for a long time.
Zheng Yang passed the county and prefectural examinations last year, but failed the prefectural examination, falling just short of becoming a Xiucai (a successful candidate in the county-level imperial examinations). He had long wanted to get closer to Meng Guan, who had the potential to become a Juren (a successful candidate in the provincial-level imperial examinations), and discuss academic matters with him. However, he recently stopped attending the county school, and heard that Magistrate Meng would personally tutor him from now on.
Zheng Yang was filled with envy. Having a father who had passed the imperial examination was indeed different. The most learned instructor in the county school only had the title of Juren. How could he compare to a Jinshi (successful candidate in the provincial examination)?
If only he could also receive guidance from Magistrate Meng.
It wasn't that there wasn't a chance. For this birthday banquet for Old Madam Zheng, he strongly insisted that Zheng Yu must invite Magistrate Meng's family. If he could establish a relationship with Magistrate Meng or become friends with Meng Guanqi and get their guidance, his chances of passing the imperial examination would be much greater.
According to the rules of the imperial examination system in Dawu, students who pass the county and prefectural examinations can obtain the title of Xiucai (a scholar who passed the lowest level of the imperial examinations) if they pass the provincial examination within two years. He will have to take the provincial examination again next February. If he fails this time, he will have to retake it. He is already quite old and does not want to waste so many years on the Xiucai hurdle...
The Zheng family readily agreed to their son's request. They had no shortage of money, but only Zheng Yang in the entire household was capable of studying. He had taken the imperial examinations for five years but still hadn't achieved the title of Xiucai (a scholar who passed the lowest level of the imperial examinations). This year, however, they had a chance. If they could pass the provincial examination, their family could truly transition from farmers to scholars and achieve a complete leap in social class.
Therefore, their attitude towards Magistrate Meng's family was so humble that it bordered on fawning.
The male and female guests separated at the main gate. The male guests were led to the front courtyard by Master Zheng, while the female guests were led to the inner courtyard by Madam Li, Madam Zheng.
Looking at the two ladies walking hand in hand at the front, Ruoli smiled and realized that this was their first meeting. She really thought they were long-lost sisters!
She's such a good actress.
She followed Liu into the inner courtyard, her eyes discreetly scanning the back garden of the Zheng residence. Good heavens! Compared to the Zheng residence, the county government's backyard was practically a slum! Every five steps there was a pavilion, every ten steps a scenic view—artificial hills, small bridges, flowing water, lotus flowers—everything imaginable, along with winding corridors. Finally, past a bamboo grove, there was a large lake filled with lotus flowers. It was the peak season for lotus blossoms, and a gentle summer breeze carried their sweet fragrance across the lake. A wooden bridge spanned the lake, leading to a pavilion in the center. A few meters away from the pavilion was a stage, where a group of women dressed in brightly colored clothes sat chatting and laughing.
Li Xiaoxiao, who had never seen much of the world, was shocked. How could the Zheng residence be built like this without being considered an illegal structure?
After Madam Meng and Meng Liniang crossed the bridge, the servants were stopped and invited to sit in the back room on the other side of the lake. Several tables of wine and food were set up inside, and many people dressed as servants were already chatting and laughing.
This must be where the servants eat.
Liu arrived last. Less than half an hour after Li Xiaoxiao sat down, the servants of the Zheng family began to serve the dishes. There were seven dishes and a soup for eight people at the table, with both meat and vegetables. It seems that the Zheng family truly deserves to be the richest family in Biyang County. They are willing to serve such good food to their servants. The masters must be served even better.
With Granny Qi in charge, the maids in the Meng household were very well behaved. Even Li Xiaoxiao, who had the biggest appetite, only ate half full before putting down her bowl.
Granny Qi's gaze inadvertently swept over Li Xiaoxiao, a hint of satisfaction flashing in her eyes.
Everyone in the household knows that Li Xiaoxiao has a big appetite and can eat enough for three people. Now that she has taken the initiative to put down her bowl and stop eating, it is clear that she is not a person without tact.
Granny Qi was very satisfied.
The servants ate quickly, and by the time they finished, the masters had only eaten half of their meal. It was already past noon, and the sun was blazing. After finishing her meal, Li Xiaoxiao felt the urge to relieve herself, so she asked for directions to the urinal and went there.
As expected of the richest family, even the latrines used by the servants didn't smell bad, and after use, they could close the lid and sit on it to rest.
Li Xiaoxiao was feeling drowsy, thinking that since there were plenty of restrooms available, it wouldn't be unreasonable for her to take a short nap here, right?
She closed her eyes.
"Xiangyun, how is it? Did Young Master Meng drink that wine?" A voice suddenly came from beside me.
Upon hearing the words "Young Master Meng," Li Xiaoxiao opened her eyes.
The maid named Xiangyun whispered, "He drank it. I've already spoken with Baohe. He's helped Young Master Meng to Mingyue Hall to rest. His servant isn't here. The young master was invited to the inner courtyard by Old Madam Zheng. You should hurry in and call him out. The medicine was very weak. If it goes on too long, Young Master Meng might wake up. Don't miss the opportunity."
The maid hesitated, "Xiangyun, do you think it's a bit inappropriate for the young master to do this? This is only the second time he's met Young Master Meng, and the young master is already... won't this implicate the family?"
Xiangyun said impatiently, "Don't ask so many questions. When did it become our business to worry about the young master's affairs? You know that the young master was amazed when he first saw Young Master Meng. When he found out that he was coming to attend Old Madam Zheng's birthday banquet, he made a special trip all the way from Lin'an. Now that he finally has a chance to get close to him, he will not give it up no matter what."
The maid said, "But I heard that Young Master Meng is the only son of Magistrate Meng, passed the imperial examination at a young age, and is the grandson of the former Minister of Rites. If this gets out, I'm afraid..."
Xiangyun said, "Even if the sky falls, the old lady will be there to hold it up. You know who the old lady's daughter is without me having to tell you, right? If something happens, someone will naturally step forward to handle it."
Seeing that the maid was hesitant to move, she stepped forward and threatened, "In our house, the young master's word is law. Even if he wanted the stars in the sky, the old lady would find someone to pluck them down for him. And let me tell you the truth, that Magistrate Meng offended someone he shouldn't have. That's his fate for life. The Meng family in the capital has long since severed ties with them, and no one will back him up. Besides, once the young master is done with this, he's a scholar and easily embarrassed. How could he dare to spread this around? Doesn't he have any face left? Doesn't he want to take the imperial examinations?"
Her words were like a venomous snake flicking its tongue, each one drilling into one's ear: "You go and tell the young master right now that Young Master Meng is drunk and sleeping in Mingyue Hall, do you understand?"
The maid seemed to take a step back, replied "Yes," and went to the inner courtyard.
Xiangyun snorted coldly, remembering that she still had errands to run and wouldn't be gone for long, so she immediately went through the corridor of the hanging flower gate to the outer courtyard.
The maid was hurrying towards the island in the middle of the lake when someone called out to her, "Sister in front, please wait a moment."
The maidservant turned around in surprise: "You, who are you?"
Li smiled and said, "I came with Madam today to wish Old Madam Zheng a happy birthday, but I just finished eating and I need to go to the toilet. I don't know where the servants' restroom is. Could you please show me the way?"
The maid breathed a sigh of relief and pointed in the direction of the latrine: "It's over there—" Suddenly she felt a pain in her neck, her vision went black, and she collapsed limply.
Li Xiaoxiao helped her up and walked towards the restroom, saying, "Oh, just bear with it, we'll be there soon..."
On the way, they encountered some maids who looked at them curiously. Li smiled and said, "She drank too much and felt like throwing up. I'll take her to the latrine..." The maids had no choice but to serve their masters, but they had no interest in serving other people's maids. Hearing this, they quickly walked away.
Li Xiaoxiao thought to herself, "She's wearing different clothes, and the maids at the Zheng residence don't recognize her, so she's probably not from the Zheng family. Judging from what she just said, she must be some guest from Lin'an. To dare to do something so big on Old Madam Zheng's birthday shows that she doesn't take the Zheng family seriously at all. Humph, I want to see which lecherous pervert dares to set his sights on our young master who hasn't even lost his baby fat yet. I'll beat him to death!"
She randomly opened a latrine, threw the maid inside, and was about to close the door and leave when she thought about it and went back. She untied the maid's belt and tied her up tightly, then took off the maid's socks and stuffed them into her mouth. She locked the door, opened the back window, and jumped out.
Mingyue Hall, the Zheng residence is so big, where exactly is it?
As Li Xiaoxiao walked out, she clicked her tongue in amazement. After all, she was from 30,000 years in the future and had no feelings for same-sex love, but drugging and forcing someone was going too far. And he even relied on his background, saying that the old lady's daughter had married a high-ranking official and could get away with it. Good heavens! Did that daughter know that her nephew had tricked her like this?
This Zheng residence is really huge; she's almost lost. Where exactly is Mingyue Hall?
"Stop right there! Where are you from?"
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