As for the Wu Family’s side, naturally, Wu Yugui and Lady Wu Wang were seated there, along with two elders from the Wu family. In the outer room of Lian Zhizhi’s new ho was another table, hosting close female relatives from the bride’s side like Lian Manman, Zhang Caiyun, Lian Yeye, Lady Zhao, Lady Zhang Wang, Lady Wu Wang, together with Xiao Long, Xiao Hu, and others who were all seated at this table.
When farmstead families host banquets, there often isn’t enough room, so they usually set up seats in the open-air courtyard. However, it was the winter month now with freezing cold, and the Wu Family went for a more ticulous arrangent for this joyous occasion. Besides borrowing a few rooms from neighbors, they also temporarily set up simple tents to accommodate all the tables.
The dozens of tables served as a reception for guests from the Wu Family’s side and for relatives from Thirty Mile Camp who contributed to Lian Zhizhi’s dowry. Additionally, tables arranged by the restaurant were also fully occupied, seating people like Scholar Wang’s family, Wang Youheng, Old Huang, along with Wu Lang’s classmates and friends. There were also governnt officials from the county yan and gentry from shops and villages in Jinyang County connected to both the Lian and Wu families.
Shopkeeper Chiang and Wu Yuchang worked as receptionists at the restaurant side, while Shopkeeper Wu wasn’t seated and helped with various tasks. anwhile, on the Lian Family’s side, Wu Lang accompanied by Xiao Qi seated guests at the tables arranged by the restaurant.
Amid another deafening firecracker sound, the banquet comnced simultaneously everywhere. Wu Jiaxing, naturally, had to toast at every table, while Lian Zhizhi sat calmly in her new room. The wives sent by the Wu Family to keep her company were persuaded by Lady Zhang Wang and Lady Hu to enjoy the banquet, leaving Lian Zhizhi among only her family, where she felt even more at ease.
In the morning, nobody ate properly, and Lian Zhizhi had barely eaten, so she was a bit hungry now. There are fewer protocols in front of family. Once all the dishes were served, Lian Manman simply brought Lian Zhizhi out, letting her sit beside her, and everyone at the table enjoyed a joyous al together.
The Wu Family’s banquet was extraordinarily sumptuous, with dishes like fried atballs, chicken, duck, fish, and pork knuckle, and several exquisite winterti delicacies. Part of the vegetables was supplied by the Lian Family, while another part was bought by the Wu Family at a high price from the county.
During the banquet, everyone couldn’t help but praise how grand and rich the Wu Family’s banquet was.
At the sa mont, in the upper room of the Lian Family Old Mansion
Two tables were placed side by side on the kang, crowded with dishes and bowls, with various aromatic dishes steaming hot, and two large basins placed by the tables.
The person sent by the Wu Family to deliver the banquet set everything up, exchanged a few polite remarks, and said they would return in the afternoon to clean up, then left.
Old Master Lian and Lady Zhou sat on the edge of the kang, watching the person leave, and Old Master Lian’s smile faded away slowly. Lady Zhou sat cross-legged, glanced at the table full of dishes, then at Old Master Lian, and finally lowered her head, closing her eyes tightly in resolve.
The elderly couple remained silent, yet Lian Shouyi and the others couldn’t wait any longer.
"Ha! This banquet is truly extravagant!" Lian Shouyi stood on the ground, his eyes fixed on the dishes on the table, unable to pull away, "Dad, what are we waiting for? Let’s dig in before it gets cold or it won’t taste good."
"Isn’t that right, let’s eat already. Jizu’s wife, hurry and bring the bowls and chopsticks." Lady He, looking at the banquet, swallowed hard while indifferently instructing Lady Chiang to fetch the bowls and chopsticks.
While the others remained silent, they too stood before the table, waiting for Old Master Lian to give the word so they could begin eating.
Undoubtedly, although the words of Old Master Lian and Lady Zhou didn’t hold as much weight as before, the longstanding authority and set rules were still potent. Regardless, without the old couple’s permission, nobody dared to approach the table or use the chopsticks.
Old Master Lian, lost in thought and silent, displayed a slightly vacant look in his eyes.
"Mother!" Lian Shouyi called out to Lady Zhou.
Lady Zhou glanced at the children and grandchildren standing by the table, then at Old Master Lian, and decided to make the decision for him.
"Second daughter-in-law, Jizu’s wife, go get the bowls and chopsticks." Lady Zhou waved her hand, instructing them.
"Alright." Lady He, eager for this mont, eagerly moved more swiftly than Lady Chiang.
"Can’t do anything right except when there’s food; usually calling her is like calling the deaf, never responding. Yet she leaps at the sight of food! Can’t do anything right, can’t get enough to eat." Lady Zhou straightened her back and cursed at Lady He’s departing figure.
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