There were many people tonight, so the food preparation took a while. They ate some street food and weren't hungry. The family sat by the window watching dancers perform on the stage in the hall below.
Now it's a group dance. Beautiful and graceful dancers are dancing on the stage, performing a well-known local folk dance. Their costumes are bright and beautiful, and Xiao Xiangxiang is very interested, excitedly shouting "Ah ah ah!"
Jiang Jiuniang held her little girl and kept explaining to her what everything was and why there were so many people tonight. Regardless of whether Xiangxiang could understand or not, she just kept babbling on and on.
Lu Baichuan and Gou'er could also speak, although they thought Xiangxiang might not understand, but Jiang Jiuniang was still in charge of the household, so they just followed her orders and dared not say anything more.
Before long, the courtesan Shishi came out. As expected of the courtesan, she amazed everyone as soon as she appeared, and the men cheered for her.
I heard that this Shishi girl doesn't show herself to the public easily. Many people have money but can't even see her. Tonight, coming to dinner and being able to see such a beauty is really lucky for those people.
Jiang Jiuniang kept staring at the courtesan, scrutinizing her every outfit. She chattered on, "Daughter, look! Isn't that dancer's dress pretty? It's called a crop top, with tassels on the side—so sexy and fashionable! When you're older, Mom will make you one, and we can wear matching mother-daughter outfits to the hot springs. Even in the hot springs, we'll look beautiful..."
The father and son standing nearby, bewildered and shocked: ...
Especially Lu Baichuan, when he heard his wife say that she wanted to dress their daughter in this kind of clothes, he felt his blood pressure rise.
He knew his wife was open-minded, and that everyone in the place where she used to live dressed like this without anyone saying anything. But times had changed, and wearing this out would definitely cause trouble.
Fortunately, my wife still had some sense of reason, and she changed her mind and said that she was going to soak in a hot spring, so it was fine.
Lu Baichuan breathed a heavy sigh of relief, finally able to put his mind at ease.
Only Gou'er couldn't understand, so he spoke up and said, "Mother, this dress has a bad meaning. You and your sister should wear something else."
Jiang Jiuniang turned to look at him, then suddenly smiled and said, "Don't worry, I won't favor one over the other. I'll definitely prepare one for you too."
Dog: !!!
"Mother..."
He wanted to say something to defend himself, but Lu Baichuan covered his mouth: "Don't say anything, as long as your mother is happy."
Besides, it's not as simple as just wearing a skirt!
As expected, Gou'er shut up, and Xiangxiang in Jiang Jiuniang's arms laughed even more heartily. Gou'er suddenly understood why his mother was so insistent on having a younger sister.
It's probably because only girls can understand girls' quirky and adorable side; a boy like him certainly wouldn't.
When Shishi finished her dance, the dishes they ordered arrived. They were quite lavish, probably because the waiter was trying to please them by giving them two side dishes.
Jiang Jiuniang had Gou'er lock the door to the private room, then took out a crib from her spatial storage and placed it beside her. She then put her daughter inside, and the three of them began to enjoy their dinner.
Not long after we started eating, someone who looked like a host came on stage to give a speech.
"Dear guests, today is the tenth anniversary celebration of Zhichunlou. All drinks are free! Tonight, we are honored to have Miss Shishi dance for you, and we also have Mr. Ouyang to inscribe a message for Zhichunlou. Please welcome Mr. Ouyang!"
The Lu family was surprised that Mr. Ouyang would meet them in this way. They exchanged glances, feeling a bit strange, and decided to wait and see.
Before long, an elderly man with a white beard stepped onto the stage, smiled and bowed to the crowd below, and began to say some polite words: "Thank you all for your patronage. I am very pleased to be invited to Zhichunlou for dinner today. I have composed a poem for Zhichunlou and wish Zhichunlou's business will get better and better!"
The words were spoken very politely, but they seemed somewhat unrealistic.
"Isn't it rumored that Old Master Ouyang has an eccentric temper and doesn't like crowded and noisy places? This... doesn't seem like it. I think he's enjoying himself quite a bit!"
Jiang Jiuniang casually remarked, and Gou'er also fell into deep thought, realizing that this was quite different from the information they had gathered.
"Could it be due to financial difficulties, forcing him to do it?"
Lu Baichuan looked at the person on the stage who was grinning from ear to ear and forced himself to speak.
Jiang Jiuniang pursed her lips: "Does he look like he's being forced?"
Lu Baichuan: ...
The crowd below was still quite lively. Someone asked, "Mr. Ouyang, many people are saying that there is a treasure hidden in our Northern Yan. Do you believe it?"
These words caused an uproar. Everyone was very interested in what kind of treasure it was, and they all rushed to ask questions.
The Lu family members exchanged glances. Goodness, this scene seems somewhat familiar.
Just like the Taoist priest in Changzhou back then, he played a leading role.
Even the person asking the question might have been pre-arranged.
However, the incident in Changzhou last time was caused by Consort Hui's family. Now that Consort Hui's family is ruined, why is someone still trying to cause trouble again?
Those who can come today are all wealthy people. If they really believe it, they have the ability to spend the money. What else could this kind of promotion be for if not money?
It's estimated that the news of Consort Hui's family's fate hasn't reached here yet, and the people here want to use the influential Mr. Ouyang to push things forward.
Mr. Ouyang stroked his beard and smiled with narrowed eyes: "If you believe, it exists; if you don't believe, it doesn't. I think it's normal for our Northern Yan to have such a vast and abundant land, hiding some good things."
Then someone asked, "But a general said it was fake. He works in the imperial court. Whom should we listen to?"
Instead of answering directly, Mr. Ouyang said, "Those kinds of warriors may still be of some use on the battlefield, but they don't understand these things in the court. Besides, military generals are just outsiders and don't know much. Civil officials still dominate the court."
The crowd below burst into laughter, thinking he was absolutely right.
Lu Baichuan felt that the old man was implying something about him, and he had evidence to support his claim.
The dog was so angry that it couldn't eat. It said, "Father, Mother, I don't want him to guide my writing anymore. I don't need someone like that!"
"Calm down, calm down. No matter what, we paid for this meal, so we can't waste it."
Jiang Jiuniang waved her hand, not caring at all, but her eyes were fixed on the old man on the stage.
Lu Baichuan comforted Gou'er, saying, "This is a normal phenomenon. Many scholars look down on military officers, thinking they are vulgar and not presentable. But my family is highly regarded, which is why the civil officials in the court have been targeting us."
The dog was shocked; it was the first time he had ever heard such a thing.
After all, he had never heard such remarks during his years of studying in the capital. He was also respected and liked in places like Jingzhou. This was the first time he had realized how filthy the insults these people outside used against his father were.
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