Chapter 1493: Chapter 1469: The Banquet Begins
Zhou Liulang and Manbao agreed, one invited Old Man Qiu inside, and the other pulled Qiu Pei in.
Once inside the courtyard, Zhou SiLang generously introduced Old Man Qiu to everyone.
Old Man Qiu completely relaxed, made a fist and palm salute to everyone with a smile, then followed Zhou Liulang to the side courtyard.
Zhou Liulang explained, “I just ca out from the kitchen, I need to change my clothes first.”
Old Man Qiu asked, “Does your family need you to personally cook for the banquet?”
“I made two dishes, the rest were cooked by Aunt Rong and other cooks,” Zhou Liulang laughed and said, “Old Madam Liu even invited a chef from a tavern outside to wield the cooking spoon. Later, you must try and see how the dishes taste.”
Old Man Qiu looked around and sighed, “Your family has moved to Chongyuan Courtyard, but you’re still a cook?”
Zhou Liulang looked confused, “If I don’t cook, I can’t do anything else. Is living in Chongyuan Courtyard a reason not to cook?”
Upon hearing this, Old Man Qiu felt more at ease, smiled, nodded, and said, “Yes, yes, it’s my mistake, hahaha…”
These days, the Zhou Family’s restaurant was open, but people seed very busy. Despite hearing Zhou SiLang had arrived in the capital, he hadn’t co over to propose marriage.
During the New Year, Zhou Wulang had co to the capital and told their family that the Zhou Family had agreed to their conditions, but because he was a bit young, it was better to wait until Zhou SiLang arrived to propose properly.
However, although there was no formal engagent, the marriage arrangent between the two families was acknowledged by both sides. rchants on half the street knew they were going to be in-laws.
But Zhou SiLang had been in the capital for two days, yet he hadn’t visited, Zhou Wulang was also nowhere to be seen, and Zhou Liulang stayed in the restaurant next door every day. Being the bride’s side, it wasn’t appropriate for them to rush the proposal.
It wasn’t until Zhou Liulang sent them an invitation that they took the invite, went all the way into the inner city, and then to Chongyuan Courtyard. As they walked, their hearts grew uneasy, cold with worry, fearing that the long-decided marriage arrangent might have fallen through.
Zhou Liulang led him to the side courtyard, where Ms. Lu was playing with three children in the yard. “Fifth Sister-in-law, this is Uncle Qiu, please entertain him while I change my clothes.”
Ms. Lu agreed, quickly invited Old Man Qiu to sit, and went to pour tea.
Old Man Qiu was worried the Zhou Family might back out, while the Zhou Family also wanted to settle the marriage quickly, fearing it might fall through for Zhou Liulang.
After all, he wasn’t young anymore; his marriage had nearly beco a burden to the Zhou Family over the past couple of years.
Initially, Zhou SiLang wanted to wait until his wife recovered before proposing, but since Old Man Qiu ca today, they took the opportunity to discuss it, planning to formally propose once Ms. Fang recovered.
This housewarming banquet of the Zhou Family truly covered all levels of society. There were people like Old Man Qiu, Shopkeeper Zheng, and others, along with friends of Mr. Zhuang like Mr. Jiang, classmates of Zhou Lixue, and students from the Imperial Academy, as well as young masters from aristocratic and noble families.
The back courtyard was relatively peaceful, but the front yard was very diverse. Thankfully, the place was large enough, and Old Madam Liu had arranged the seats in advance. Old Man Qiu and Shopkeeper Zheng and others sat together, and soon beca lively with conversation, so the atmosphere wasn’t cold.
anwhile, the less familiar Sun, Zhang, and Du families sat with Lord Tang and others, ensuring no neglect, as they were all neighbors who often t at various official gatherings.
Bai Dalang also invited his classmates. Although they weren’t all familiar, they had at least heard each other’s nas while studying.
For example, Bai Shan, who was now famous at the Imperial Academy. There wasn’t a student there who didn’t know him.
Then there’s Yin Huo, also very well-known since he was put on the list of those to absolutely avoid relations with as soon as he joined.
And Ji Hao too, who was famous for being the grandson of the forr Left Pri Minister and enrolling midway through.
By the way, Ji Xiang retired; he submitted two petitions, and while the emperor feigned reluctance the first ti, he agreed the second.
He’s still the Left Pri Minister, but has handed most of his work to others, no longer attending morning court. Rumor has it that once he hands over his responsibilities, he wishes to return ho.
This was essentially a peaceful separation between ruler and minister. Recently, on the occasion of the dragon raising its head, the emperor even publicly commorated so of Ji Hao’s earlier contributions.
However, it is said that Ji Hao’s father, Ji Xiang, was sent outside and there’s uncertainty about his chances of returning to the capital.
When Bai Shan ntioned this to Manbao, he said, “The emperor’s words are deceitful lies. So when you frequent the court, don’t trust the so-called golden words of the emperor, he’s very adept at lying.”
“If he really appreciated Ji Xiang, promoting his son to a position in the Six Ministries would have been better. But instead, he was sent away, clearly showing the emperor still resents the Ji family for their past actions in Yizhou City.”
Bai Shan doesn’t think the emperor did wrong; Ji Xiang failed to restrain his family and deserved punishnt. However, he found it hypocritical for the emperor to punish soone while expressing a deep bond between ruler and minister.
Regardless, Bai Shan feels that in the adult world, hypocrisy often outweighs truth, and he’s gotten used to it.
Bai Shan may understand this reasoning, but soone as simple as Ji Hao hasn’t even realized the danger they are in, still obliviously enjoying life.
Therefore, completely unfazed, he continues to enjoy himself daily, similar to life in Yizhou, except his tongue is less sharp now.
Yes, still as frank as ever.
So after sitting down, he looked around, frowned, and asked Bai Erlang, “Are both families living at Zhou Man’s house?”
Feng Zongping almost choked on the atball he’d just put in his mouth. Yi Ziyang was glad he hadn’t eaten anything, putting down his bowl and chopsticks to look at Ji Hao and Bai Erlang.
Bai Erlang didn’t catch the underlying implications, nodded, and said, “Yes, do you want to see our courtyard after the al? Hey, during the room selection we had to show brotherly harmony, so I let my eldest brother choose the main room first. But my room is quite big; I have a large wooden bed by the window where I can lie down and read while having a snack…”
Ji Hao frowned, “Isn’t it bad to lodge at soone’s place?”
Everyone: …
Bai Shan didn’t even lift his head. Bai Erlang was already asking curiously, “Why is it bad? Aren’t we all staying together?”
Ji Hao couldn’t help but ask, “Do you often lodge at each other’s hos when you’re at ho?”
“Not exactly,” Bai Erlang said, “Manbao’s family is big, and my mother is quite strict. In Qili Village, if we were to stay sowhere, it’d likely be at Bai Shan’s house. It’s quite free there; we can even read supernatural novels at night. Manbao has a few ghost story books that are especially good to read at night.”
Everyone: …
Ji Hao paused for a long ti before saying, “That was fine when you were younger, but now that you’ve grown up, isn’t it inappropriate?”
Bai Erlang finally caught onto his aning, rolled his eyes unceremoniously, and said, “What’s inappropriate about it? All the adults are here, and our teacher is here too. We’re supposed to study with him. Don’t all families have a few relatives and friends lodging sotis?”
Bai Erlang asked him, “Don’t you have any relatives lodging at your house?”
Well… they do.
This is the capital, and during the major exams, whose house doesn’t have a few relatives staying over? Especially this year, with the special examination, there were even more relatives lodging in the hos.
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