Lian Manman stepped out from the Upper Room and quietly breathed a sigh of relief. Fortunately, she had extinguished the fire in ti; otherwise, if Lady Zhou couldn’t restrain herself and ca out to confront Old Master Lian, the argunt could have continued indefinitely and escalated to who knows what extent.
Returning to the West Wing Room, she saw that in the outer room, Lady Zhang, Lian Zhizhi, Lady Chiang, and Lady Zhao had already started preparing the al. Inside, Lian Shouxin, Wu Yugui, Old Master Lian, and others were chatting and laughing as if the incident earlier had never happened.
Today was Lian Zhizhi’s engagent to Wu Jiaxing. Aside from the Lian and Wu families, the matchmaker, and a few other guests had been invited: Mr. Loo, Wang Youheng, Shopkeeper Wu from the town, and the Lizheng from Thirty Mile Camp. Old Master Lian had not gone to the Upper Room precisely because he was there to accompany these guests.
When Lian Manman entered the room, she didn’t imdiately help with the preparations; the mory of the recent incident cast a shadow over her gaze for a mont. Lady Zhou’s thods were plain and direct, but their response was very good, especially Lady Wang’s staunch support for Lian Zhizhi – that move had been executed beautifully.
Yet, if their reaction had been any less effective, say they had been passive or soone had erupted under the pressure, or if Lady Wang had not been so clever, or if Lady Wang had been self-serving, desiring either to protect her own interests or control Lian Zhizhi in the future, it would definitely have caused friction between the families, leaving hidden troubles for Lian Zhizhi’s future marriage.
Lian Manman glanced toward the Upper Room. There was no movent from Lady Zhou, indicating she probably would not create more trouble. However, they couldn’t be too relieved just yet. They never expected Lady Zhou would give them such a public set-down like she just had.
Lady Zhou was like a powder keg, unpredictable in when she might explode.
"Mother, we have many visitors today, and I’m afraid our room is a bit small," Lian Manman whispered to Lady Zhang.
"Wasn’t it already agreed..." They had previously arranged that if their small room could not accommodate everyone, they would use the Upper Room. Of course, not the east chamber but the west chamber.
Lady Zhang began to respond but stopped mid-sentence, looking at Lian Manman.
"Manman, what are you trying to say?" Lady Zhang asked.
"Mother, why don’t we set up the tables over at our shop? It’s more spacious, and tables and stools are readily available. Pots and other things are also there; since we haven’t started cooking yet, we can move everything over and cook there just as well," Lian Manman suggested, then leaned closer and whispered in Lady Zhang’s ear, "I’m worried Grandma might cause more trouble later."
"She already..., what more could she do..." Recalling the earlier incident, Lady Zhang beca so agitated that she took a couple of deep breaths, "Right, Manman, you’re correct. I have given up hope on her. We should prepare for the worst-case scenario."
Speaking like this, Lady Zhang went inside to call Lian Shouxin out. After a brief discussion, they ca to an agreent. They hadn’t thought to shift to the new shop before because it was their ho; naturally, the engagent should be held at ho.
Now, moving there ant that the space was ample and convenient for everyone to sit down for a al. Even if the villagers saw it, they wouldn’t be able to criticize.
"Let’s do it in the new shop, then. The tables and stools are all new. Otherwise, I would have to move them over later," Lian Shouxin said.
The new shop’s tables and stools, custom-made during the busy farming season, had only been delivered over the last couple of days.
"Alright, then let’s go set things up first. You all chat for a while longer, then co over," Lady Zhang said.
"Mother, you should also go inside and join the conversation with Third Aunt and the others. Leave these tasks to us," Lian Manman insisted, "Look at my aunts and sisters-in-law; they’re even more thorough than you would expect."
"Yes, Fourth Auntie, you go back to the house. We’ll take care of all the outside work and make sure it’s done smoothly," Lady Chiang said with a smile.
Lady Gu, Lady He, and Lady Zhao all nodded in agreent.
"Alright, then I’ll leave it all to you," Lady Zhang replied happily with a smile.
Wu Lang and Xiao Qi had already gone to the shop, driving over the ox cart with all the prepared ingredients and cooking utensils. Lian Manman, Lady Gu, Lady He, Lady Zhao, Lady Chiang, Lian Yeye, Si Lang, Liulang, and others followed the cart, and they soon reached the new shop.
Everyone was busy moving things into the shop and setting up. Shortly after, they started cooking in the kitchen.
In no ti, Lady Zhang and Lian Shouxin also brought everyone over.
The nu for the feast had been decided in advance, and with Lian Manman managing the coordination, the kitchen operation was busy but orderly. Though it was Lian Zhizhi’s engagent day and she was supposed to cook, most of the dishes were prepared by everyone, with only a few special dishes like braised carp left for her to handle.
Lian Zhizhi, adept at cooking, was even more at ease with Lady Zhao assisting her with the fire.
Soon enough, two banquet tables were set, one for male guests and another for female guests. The male guests were entertained by Lian Shouxin and Wu Lang. In addition to the Wu Family Father and Son, the invited guests, Old Master Lian with Lian Shouren and Lian Jizu, sat at the table, and Xiao Qi was also placed next to Wu Jiaxing by Lian Manman. For the female guests, Lady Zhang hosted along with Lian Zhizhi. Other than Lady Wang, Wu Jiayu, and Matchmaker Wang, Lady Gu, Lady He, and Lady Zhao all took their seats.
Lian Manman’s relatives, starting with Lady Chiang, did not sit at the table. They were responsible for serving dishes, and only after this round of guests finished could they sit down to eat.
The banquet dishes were sumptuous and dignified. The Lian Family from Old Master Lian down to the sons and daughters-in-law present all took their places. The younger generation and their spouses were busy attending to the guests, everything proceeding smoothly, even the normally rambunctious Si Lang and Liulang behaved.
"This is what a prosperous family should look like!"
Old Master Lian burst into a smile at hearing this, but in an instant, his smile beca rigid.
***......***
Here’s the first update, asking for your votes. (To be continued. If you like this work, you’re welco to cast your recomndation vote at Qidian. Your support is my greatest motivation.)
User Comments
0 comments from readers