Mrs. Cui and the others also knew about Mrs. Yuan Xu’s pregnancy, treating her like a delicate egg. After so pleasantries, Mrs. Yuan Xu was brought by Mrs. Cui to a side room next to the flower hall.
Mrs. Cui said, "This room is specifically reserved for hosting elderly guests and pregnant won. Da Yi’s wife, you can rest here comfortably. If you need anything, just tell Ah Shi and she’ll take care of it."
Mrs. Yuan Xu finally conceived this golden egg after eight years, so she must be carefully attended to, without any mistakes, and Mrs. Cui left Ah Shi behind to assist her.
Mrs. Yuan Xu felt quite embarrassed, "Aunt of the Gu Family, there’s no need to trouble yourself, I’m fine really. I ca today to congratulate Cousin Xiao Yu, I can’t be adding to your troubles."
Mrs. Cui replied, "It’s not a bother, the household has enough staff, so just use them as you need."
Qi Kangle also said, "Indeed, sister-in-law, when you’re at your aunt’s ho, there’s no need to be too polite."
Upon hearing this, Mrs. Yuan Xu nodded in acceptance.
After giving Mrs. Yuan Xu a few instructions, Mrs. Yuan Chang said, "Aunt, let’s go see the bride, Er Rui’s wife has been eagerly waiting to et her."
Mrs. Cui nodded with a smile, about to lead Mrs. Yuan Chang and Qi Kangle to Gu Jinli’s courtyard when Aunt Miao said, "Madam of the Dong Family, the Xu Family has arrived, let’s go greet them."
Qi Kangle quickly said, "Aunt, go et the guests, we are family and can go see Cousin Xiao Yu ourselves."
"Alright, then Aunt won’t be polite with you." Mrs. Cui, being extrely busy, said this and then went with Aunt Miao to welco the guests.
"County gentry Xu Family has arrived!"
"County town rchant Boss Hu has arrived!"
"County town Qu Family Scholar Qu has arrived!"
"Prefecture official Master Qi has arrived!"
"Prefecture great rchant Boss An has arrived!"
"Jinling great rchant Dong Family has arrived!"
"County Magistrate’s wife, Mrs. Zheng has arrived!"
"County Chief’s wife, Mrs. Fang has arrived!"
"Imperial rchant Young Master Dou from the Capital has arrived!"
"Capital noble family Master Ouyang has arrived!"
Mai Dong was loudly singing the list of guests who ca to celebrate, his voice almost hoarse, and those hearing this string of guest nas were equally excited.
The Gu Family has truly prospered, managing to get acquainted with so many nobles, including Imperial rchants and officials, and even a noble family; indeed, it’s as if smoke rises from their ancestral grave.
Manager Feng of Changfeng Building was greatly surprised upon hearing this, realizing that in just a few years, the Gu Family had befriended so many reputable figures, and thus...
"Brother-in-law, the Gu Family is rely marrying off a daughter, and a money-losing one at that, yet all these nobles co to celebrate? It’s truly arrogant." Chai Sanfu stomped his feet, warming himself while envy, jealousy, and resentnt marked his gaze upon the prestigious guests coming to congratulate the Gu Family.
Manager Feng’s expression turned sullen as he whispered angrily, "What brother-in-law, your sister is rely my concubine, call Manager Feng."
He further added, "The Gu Family’s invitation clearly states that the main house only hosts distinguished guests; you and the other servants should head to the workshop estate to enjoy the banquet, quickly, before the Gu Family people suspect sothing."
The Gu Family people are all astute, especially Gu Jin’an and Gu Jinli, who are smart and ruthless. If not for having backing this ti, Gu Jinli and Qin San Lang would likely have gone to the Northwest again; he dared not act otherwise.
Chai Sanfu, infuriated upon hearing this, fud, "Hmph! Despise the Chai Family, yet plead with for help? Better watch out, or I may ss things up in anger and teach you a lesson!"
But the Gu Family, knowing there were many people today, to prevent any trouble, dispatched many servants to patrol, and Chai Sanfu, dressed plainly and lacking manners, was imdiately monitored upon entering the village.
Qiu Lang quickly led his team to Manager Feng, "Manager Feng, these are the people you brought, right? Please have them follow . Top-notch banquet has been specially prepared at the workshop estate to entertain them."
Manager Lin of Yongxing Building added, "I brought a few servants as well, have them go along."
Qiu Lang nodded and took the people brought by Manager Lin and Manager Feng to the workshop estate.
Chai Sanfu remained quite behaved, not causing a fuss, and began eating upon reaching the workshop estate.
anwhile, Manager Feng was equally well-behaved at the Gu Mansion, requesting Gu Jin’an, "Little Boss Gu may be marrying, but our business shouldn’t stop. The braised dishes, roast duck, tofu, bean curd, and seasonings must continue to supply Changfeng Building."
Gu Jin’an smiled, "Rest assured, Manager Feng, our two families have been in business for years; the Gu Family won’t cut off your supply unless you break the rules on your side."
Manager Feng paused before quickly smiling again, saying, "Rest assured, Brother An, we’re old acquaintances; we know the Gu Family’s rules well, isn’t that right, Old Lin?"
Manager Lin nodded, "Indeed, Manager Feng is correct. Following the rules allows the Gu Family to cooperate with us, and our restaurants can earn profits."
He sighed, "Nowadays, business is tough, the poor economy makes running a business difficult. The Gu Family has supported us everywhere; with the things from the Gu Family, we’re able to make money, and the restaurant stays afloat, otherwise... alas, we are grateful."
What Manager Lin didn’t know, though, is that he was the only one feeling grateful, while the other was about to bite the hand that feeds him.
...
"Scholar Shang, Village Chief Shang’s family has arrived!"
In the midst of conversation, the Shang Family arrived, prompting Gu Jin’an to apologize to the two managers and personally go to receive them.
Scholar Shang, knowing he was busy, waved his hand, saying, "No need to tend to us, you go on with what you must. We can manage on our own."
Upon hearing about the arrival of Village Chief Shang’s family, Mrs. Cui imdiately took Ms. Yan to greet them. Ms. Yan, specially dressed today, was pleased upon seeing the girl beside Ms. Jiang, nodding approvingly—the girl looked fair and delicate.
Beautiful, Qingliang would surely like her.
"Aunt Gu, where’s Sister Xiao Yu? Yuanyuan wants to see her, may I?" Yuanyuan burst into tears at ho upon hearing Gu Jinli was to marry and go to the Northwest, longs to see Gu Jinli, so she asked imdiately upon entering.
Mrs. Cui smiled, "Of course you can, your Sister Xiao Yu is looking forward to seeing you too."
Saying so, she entrusted Ms. Yan with taking them to et Gu Jinli.
Ms. Yan was more than happy, leading Ms. Jiang and her daughter with Miss Shang San to Gu Jinli’s courtyard, chatting with Miss Shang San along the way.
Miss Shang San understood her family’s intentions, keeping her head bowed throughout, her complexion red, appearing both nervous and shy. Yet, when Ms. Yan asked questions, her answers were quite proper, which made Ms. Yan even more satisfied.
Old Mrs. Yan and Third Grandma were presently with Gu Jinli in her room, and upon seeing Miss Shang San, were exceedingly delighted.
Old Mrs. Yan took Miss Shang San’s hand, saying, "Good girl, thanks for coming amid this cold weather. I’ve heard you’re with your parents doing business over in Linhe Prefecture, not often in the countryside, are you used to it?"
Miss Shang San smiled, replying, "In response to Granny Gu, I grew up in Shang Family Village until six years old when I went to Linhe Prefecture with my mother to reunite with my father. I’ve returned to the village annually since then. Shang Family Village and Da Feng Village are quite similar, so no discomfort here."
"Used to it, that’s great." Old Mrs. Yan was exceedingly pleased; she feared the young lady from Village Chief’s ho, having been raised in a prefecture as opposed to the countryside, might not adapt well.
Ms. Jiang laughed beside them, saying, "Aunt Gu, you might not know that while my niece spends more ti in the prefecture, upon returning to the village during busy farming periods, she helps with drying the grains—though she doesn’t do much farm work, she knows how."
"Knows how to farm, well, this is impressive." Old Mrs. Yan smiled so broadly her face almost stiffened, her heart highly satisfied with Miss Shang San.
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