Chapter 176: Hosting a Banquet to Seek an Opportunity
Not only did the Wan family finally feel relieved, but the other girls also went back and told their families about this and that. Their families felt a little relieved and passed the news on to their relatives and friends.
Don't worry for now. Princess Qi has already said that we will only attend the banquet this time and will not rob. No, we will not borrow money!
For many families, this was indeed good news. The Qi Wang Mansion was like a local king in Dongling Prefecture, and those who sent invitations dared not refuse to come.
In previous years, when I attended banquets, I was full of worries and wished my clothes were torn, but when I left, I was still frowning.
But this year is different!
Every household attending the banquet was dressed in respectable clothing, giving Princess Qi enough face. Although it wasn't particularly luxurious, compared to last year when some people came to the banquet in patched clothes, the level of this year's banquet was much higher!
Although Jiang Wan was of noble status, he still greeted guests with a very polite smile.
The wife of the prefect and the wife of the garrison commander led the female members of each family into the house, paying their respects. When they were called, they looked up inadvertently and were stunned for a moment.
No wonder his proud daughter only praised Princess Qi to the hilt after returning, without any intention of belittling or comparing herself with her.
So that’s it!
People who are similar to themselves can still develop a competitive spirit. With such a huge gap that is beyond reach, who would have the nerve to compete with gods and immortals?
"Madam Wan and Madam Feng, please take a seat. All the ladies and girls, please take your seats quickly."
Jiang Wan smiled gracefully and appropriately.
"The prince is greeting the male guests in the front courtyard, so the ladies will have to follow me to the back courtyard. Although I am the princess, I am young and inexperienced. If I have been negligent in any way, I hope you will forgive me."
For a beauty, it is pleasing to see her apologize.
The garrison commander's wife, Mrs. Lan, waved her sleeves and stared at the beautiful face in front of her, with the same affectionate and righteous expression on her face as her daughter had three days ago.
"Your Highness, you're so polite. I think this banquet is excellent in every way. The guests are great, the layout is beautiful, and the food is definitely even better!"
With such a person in front of him, it was a good idea to eat with him. The others nodded in agreement, some sincerely and some flatteringly, but the atmosphere was generally harmonious and enjoyable.
During this banquet, Jiang Wan accurately identified several families who were suspected to be his future strategic partners.
After all, she was desperately poor, so she didn't want to delay any longer. When the guests left the banquet, she found an excuse to keep the girls and their mothers who had come to her house last time.
The host and the guest sat down in the flower hall, and Jiang Wan had a smile in his eyes as if they were chatting.
"I wonder if you all find today's meal still edible?"
"Delicious! Princess, was this meal prepared by your chef using a secret recipe? I heard that noble families have many recipes of their own that they don't pass on to others, right?"
The impatient Meng Yu was the first to jump out to show her support. As a loyal fan of Jiang Wan, she would never let her idol fall, so she praised him with all her heart.
Sure enough, Jiang Wan gave her a satisfied smile, and Meng Yu immediately became more energetic and turned around to start tricking her mother.
"Mom, let's buy the princess's secret recipe. I think today's meal is so delicious. I want to eat it again in the future, and it would be best if I could eat it every day!"
"What nonsense are you talking about?"
Madam Meng Xiao, who had recovered from her fascination with the beauty, wanted to raise her hand and hit this foolish girl. She quickly stood up and apologized to the Princess of Qi.
"Please forgive me, Princess. My little girl has never seen the world and doesn't know much. Please forgive me if I have offended her."
The prefect's wife, Mrs. Meng, also stood up and pleaded for mercy.
"Princess, please allow me to report this. My niece has always been honest and straightforward, with a heart as big as a man's. I had no intention of offending you. Please forgive me, Princess!"
"That's all right, ladies. Please take a seat quickly. There's no need to be so polite. Miss Meng has a straightforward and likable personality, which I find quite appealing."
Jiang Wan smiled and comforted the man to a seat, then looked at the handsome Meng Yu. Today, she had dressed as a girl, a rare sight. Honestly, while she looked dashing, she wasn't as handsome as she was in men's clothing.
This girl has a male appearance but a female body.
"Meng Yu, I'm afraid I'm going to disappoint you. This recipe in my hand is an heirloom from my ancestors, so I'm afraid I can't sell it to you."
“Oh, then I won’t buy it.”
Meng Yu sat back in his chair obediently, frowned, looked at Wan Jingya, and then turned to look at the beauty with some worry.
I originally thought the princess was planning to sell her recipes to save money, and I thought I'd do my best to help. But now that she's not selling her house, what is she going to do?
Lu Ping'er, who was sitting at the last seat, seemed to have thought of something, but she didn't say anything. She just signaled to her cousin across from her with her eyes.
She was just a merchant's daughter, so she had no right to speak here. But her cousin was the eldest daughter of the Deng family, so when she spoke, it was different.
Deng Linlang was indeed not stupid, and she often played with her cousin, so she knew a little about business, so she looked at the person above her and asked.
"Excuse me, Princess, are you planning to open a shop selling this kind of food?"
"I guess so."
Jiang Wan didn't keep anyone in suspense.
"But I'm not opening a shop. I'm planning to open a workshop. And I don't sell this kind of food. I sell the following."
After knocking lightly twice on the table, Hongzhu Hongxiu, who was guarding the door, came in carrying two trays. The trays were covered with cloth, and it was unknown what was inside.
After the maids placed the tray on the table and left, Jiang Wan raised his hand to uncover the cloth.
"Everyone, please look."
Two snow-white porcelain bowls were placed on two trays.
The bowl is as crystal clear as snow.
The liquid in a bowl is as clear and bright as amber.
The prefect's wife, who was closest to her, peered into the bowl several times before muttering uncertainly.
"What on earth is this white thing? Why do I see..."
"Looks familiar, doesn't it? If Madam Wan doesn't mind, why not use the bamboo chopsticks beside to dip a little and have a taste."
Meng looked at the Princess of Qi who was smiling gently across from her. After thinking for a few breaths, she picked up a chopstick and picked up a little bit of food from the bowl that was as white as sand. After a slight pause, she decisively put it into her mouth.
Then he raised his eyes, his gaze suddenly bright.
"Salty, it's salt!"
Everyone present changed their expressions instantly.
"That's impossible, Fourth Sister? When did salt become so fine and white?"
Mrs. Meng was a little bit hesitant to believe it, and then her sister-in-law put the food into her mouth with a chopstick.
"Try it yourself, sister-in-law. Is it salty? And there's not even a hint of bitterness. It's pure salty!"
Salt has had a bitter taste since ancient times. Even if the salt consumed by the nobles was ground finely, it would not be so white and beautiful, and it would not be without bitterness!
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