As the hour of Chen approached, which is close to nine o'clock in the morning, more and more guests began to arrive at the Wei residence.
Although Hong Xiaoduo didn't go to the front, she could still hear the gist of what was happening from the busy servants.
Lord Wei's original plan was to have his own family, the clan leaders and other guests, plus the guests he was hosting, totaling only three tables. He also considered the possibility of uninvited guests, so he prepared an extra table. However, Madam Qi ignored him. She was wary of the number four tables and instructed the steward to prepare six tables. In any case, even if not that many guests came, the food wouldn't go to waste, and the people working in the manor could also eat.
But to our surprise, it wasn't even noon yet, and there were already nearly ten tables of guests.
So they quickly added tables and chairs, and went out to buy fruits, snacks, and ingredients for the luncheon.
With too many guests, the kitchen couldn't handle the workload, so they had to quickly find a way to hire another chef.
Lord Wei is incorruptible and has always disliked hosting banquets, so in this situation, there is clearly not enough manpower. Although it is not quite chaotic, it is close.
The guests couldn't stand it any longer and ordered all the servants and maids who had come with them to go to Manager Zhongqing and be at his beck and call.
Lord Wei, who was talking to the guests, was embarrassed to ask the guests' people to do things, but when he thought about how he was too proud to admit it, he realized that he would lose face later.
"Oh dear, I really didn't expect so many guests to come. Otherwise, we could just tell them to stop busying themselves and go straight to the restaurant," Wei Junpei said, looking at the slightly disheveled steward Zhongqing who hurriedly passed by him.
The guest opposite him was Ding Zhiyuan, the Minister of the Court of Judicial Review, who had also come uninvited. Upon hearing this, he looked at him with a complicated expression: "Lord Wei, if I may be so bold as to say something offensive, sir, you must have never held a banquet in a restaurant before, have you?"
Or rather, in your Wei household, have you never inquired about such matters?
"What do you mean by that, Lord Ding?" Lord Wei asked, somewhat puzzled.
Although Lord Ding was also an upright official, the two had not been close before, and had no personal dealings. It was only because of Nie Qing's case a few months ago that they had more frequent contact.
However, that case, by uncovering a whole host of corrupt officials, led to the punishment of a number of corrupt bureaucrats. After the case was closed, a bond of mutual respect and admiration developed between the two men, like two heroes wielding their swords.
"What Lord Ding means is, Lord Wei, you really don't know, but when you hold a banquet at a restaurant, you have to make a reservation in advance," another guest said with a smile.
Lord Wei disagreed, saying, "It's not like we're going at noon when there are many customers. We're going more than an hour earlier. Why can't we go?"
"Lord Wei, you make it sound so easy, but how can it be the same? When you entertain guests at a restaurant, do you order the same dishes for every table? Some dishes that are a must-have on the table cannot be made on the spot just by buying the ingredients. They may need to be marinated, steamed or boiled in advance."
"You can't serve different dishes to every table of guests, can you?" Ding Zhiyuan didn't know how to explain.
Upon hearing this, Lord Wei nodded in sudden realization and said, "It is true that I did not consider this carefully. Alas, the few main dishes that my kitchen prepared today are simply not enough."
"Lord Wei, please don't be upset. Today is a joyous occasion for your family to reunite. The guests who have come to offer their congratulations all know your character. Rest assured, no one will hold it against you," the person next to him quickly reassured him.
Ding Zhiyuan nodded in agreement, saying, "Yes, these extra guests are all uninvited, just like me. How could they possibly complain about your gifts? Please give the order later to serve the older guests the main dishes."
"If you feel bad about it, sir, you can treat us to another meal another day, that will be fine."
"I was about to ask you that if you hadn't said anything, you'd all come to my residence. Did you ask for leave beforehand?" Lord Wei asked.
"Don't worry, they're all getting on in years. They wouldn't come if things weren't arranged for them," Ding Zhiyuan said with a smile.
At this moment, Hong Xiaoduo and Kaiyang were playing cat's cradle in the backyard.
Seeing that she was too busy, Ms. Hua quickly went to help her mother-in-law with the arrangements.
“Ruanniang, since you won’t let us help, then you go and help. Don’t worry about us, go quickly.” Hong Xiaoduo turned to Ruanniang beside her and said.
“But the young mistress asked me to stay here.” Ruanniang was a little embarrassed.
“It’s alright, just say I let her have it, she won’t blame you,” Hong Xiaoduo said again.
Upon hearing this, Ruanniang hesitated for a moment, then quickly went out. She figured if she could just go ahead and see what was going on, and if one more person wouldn't make a difference, she could always come back.
"Kaiyang, are you nervous?" Hong Xiaoduo asked after Ruanniang left.
Kaiyang nodded: "With you here, I'm not too nervous, just a tiny bit."
"It's normal to feel nervous in this kind of situation. Just think of it this way: this is your home, and the guests are here to congratulate you on finding your way back and your family is finally reunited."
Just be natural and generous. Bow and greet people as appropriate. Don't worry about whether your behavior is inappropriate. Besides, people who come to congratulate you sincerely won't think badly of you even if you do something impolite.
Conversely, if someone with ulterior motives comes along, no matter how perfectly you perform, they will still find fault with you.
"Besides, in my eyes and in my heart, my Kaiyang is the best child ever." Hong Xiaoduo said, looking into Kaiyang's eyes.
Kaiyang felt a little embarrassed by her praise, but he was secretly delighted.
Just as Kaiyang nodded, Wei Zizheng and his wife walked in, looking at Kaiyang with barely concealed excitement.
Hong Xiaoduo put down the flower rope in her hand and gently pushed Kaiyang toward his parents: "Go on, remember what I told you, don't come over and disturb me while I'm eating my delicious food."
"Oh, I understand," Kaiyang replied reluctantly, and walked to his father and mother's side.
Hong Xiaoduo deliberately told him that he was the main character today, and if he walked to her side, the guests' attention would follow him to her, which would affect her eating.
Wei Zizheng and his wife each held one of their son's hands as they walked outside.
As Kaiyang walked, he turned around and looked back. He saw that although she had distanced herself from him, she had definitely followed him. Only then did he feel relieved and continue walking towards the front yard.
He looked at the hands holding his on both sides, his father's and his mother's, and wondered why they seemed even more nervous than he was.
Lord Wei wasn't sure if there would be any more guests coming to the front yard, but the steward had just told him that all the guests on the banquet invitation had arrived.
It's almost time, so there's no need to wait any longer for uncertain guests.
The clan chief and two other elders sat at the head of the table on one side, while Lord Wei and his wife, Lady Qi, sat at the head of the table on the other side.
The hundred or so guests present all looked toward the three people walking in from not far away.
Mu Rongjing, who was sitting in the front row, suddenly stood up when he saw the face of the child being held by Xiao Wei and his wife.
The expressions of the others on the other side changed immediately upon seeing Kaiyang...
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