Capítulo 1494: Chapter 1470: During the Banquet
Feng Zongping held back his laughter and turned his head to look at Bai Shan sitting beside him. Seeing that Bai Shan still didn’t speak, Feng knew Bai Erlang could respond well, so he smiled and shook his head, and asked, “What kind of supernatural novel are you reading?”
Bai Shan finally opened his mouth and ntioned a few books he had seen in the bookshop and thought were quite good.
Bai Erlang turned his head to look at him but said nothing.
Not far away, Mr. Zhuang withdrew his gaze, and Mr. Jiang, who sat opposite him, smiled and said, “Your young pupil is becoming increasingly clever.”
Mr. Jiang did not hide his admiration. He also taught and ntored students, and among his friends, many were teachers like him.
But none could compare to Mr. Zhuang, who had three excellent pupils serving him, only Mr. Zhuang managed such a feat.
Mr. Zhuang smiled and then shook his head, saying, “They’re still quite mischievous and have much to learn.”
After the banquet started, Zhou SiLang held his wine glass up and toasted every table once, acquainting everyone. At least now, the faces matched with the nas.
After making the rounds with the toasts, he returned to his seat, feeling sowhat uncomfortable since he was not familiar with many people, and the guests were also uneasy.
He sat between Shopkeeper Zheng and Old Man Qiu, directly pulling Shopkeeper Zheng into a conversation, “Shopkeeper Zheng, this ti I ca to the capital with two sacks of sun-dried yam slices. Our family even prepared a small bag; Manbao said you often use bran for frying, but bran stir-frying is also good. Our family tried it, would you like to see this new preparation thod?”
Shopkeeper Zheng’s eyes lit up slightly and asked, “Did Doctor Zhou Junior tell you this preparation thod?”
Zhou SiLang nodded and smiled, “It’s written in a dical book. During the New Year, my fifth sister-in-law and elder sister-in-law tinkered with it for a while, using quite a bit of yam, but finally succeeded. Manbao tried it and said the dicinal properties are good.”
Shopkeeper Zheng then smiled and said, “Then give a bag to take ho and try.”
Zhou SiLang responded cheerfully, “Sure, I’ll pack a bag for you in a mont.”
Turning around, he spoke to Old Man Qiu, “Uncle Qiu, this ti I brought my wife to the capital specifically for Sixth’s marriage. I brought the family register, and I’ve invited a matchmaker to co tomorrow. You must agree.”
His words were soft, giving Old Man Qiu plenty of face, so Old Man Qiu laughed heartily and said happily, “Invite soone first and then talk.”
Shopkeeper Zheng and the others realized they were discussing marriage and imdiately joined in the fun, saying, “You’re not sincere. He’s begged you so much, and you should agree.”
“Exactly, exactly,” Doctor Ding said with a smile, “let us seize the chance to have so celebratory drinks.”
Zhou Liulang blushed slightly, while Zhou Wulang looked at his fourth brother with admiration, feeling that he was getting more and more adept.
A short distance away, Lord Yang and several others were discussing talent recruitnt at Chongwen Pavilion.
Initially, they didn’t intend to talk about business, but Sanlang from the Zhang family happened to be on the recruitnt list, so the conversation turned to this.
Of course, as they chatted, they couldn’t help but talk about Lord Tang. Erlang from the Sun family joined in the excitent and directly poured a cup of wine to toast Lord Tang, laughing as he said, “Zhihe, now that you’re the county magistrate of Chang’an County, you’ll have to take good care of us.”
Lord Tang: …
Yang Heshu couldn’t help but laugh softly.
Lord Tang glared at him before raising his wine glass to clink with Sun Erlang’s cup, finishing it and saying, “I should ask you all to take care of . Spend more ti reading and less ti horsing around and fighting. It’s hard to be a county magistrate; don’t make it difficult for .”
Bai Dalang’s classmate had a few drinks and, with so intoxication, asked, “Who’s taking the big examination this year?”
Everyone shook their heads, and Bai Dalang said, “Only just enrolled for two years, it’s still early.”
But he sighed, “I’m not like you all. I’m two years older than you, and you haven’t married or had children yet, so naturally, you have ti to take it slow. I can’t; if I keep studying without any achievents, not only will my wife’s family feel disappointed, but I also feel I’m letting down my wife and children.”
Bai Dalang said, “Your family isn’t short of money, so what’s the harm in studying for two more years?”
He sowhat couldn’t understand. His father hoped he’d beco an official, but never forced him to make an imdiate breakthrough. As long as he continued studying, the family was very pleased.
The classmate’s family wasn’t poor either. At least there was no worry about food and drink, and he didn’t need to work and earn money himself, unlike Zhou Lixue. If he didn’t study quickly to earn money, he might not have funds to study, so why not study?
Bai Dalang drank a cup of wine and comforted him, “Take your ti, study for another two years before going for the big exam; that’s fine.”
The classmates sitting with him laughed and comforted that classmate, “Stop worrying. Bai Da hasn’t even married yet, and he’s so relaxed; you’ve already got both children. What are you worried about?”
Bai Dalang: …
The conversation upfront was lively, and behind them, Manbao and her group were also seated.
Ms. Zheng ca out to accompany them, while Old Madam Liu only ca out to greet everyone before returning to her room to entertain herself.
Today, all the young girls and wives ca, and an elderly lady like her would make everyone feel uneasy, so she let Ms. Zheng accompany them.
Ms. Zheng’s simplicity made her seem childlike, allowing her to enjoy their company.
After eating and drinking their fill, many people rested for a while before taking their leave.
Manbao first saw off the Sun, Zhang, and Du families, then sent off Liu Lirong and the others, arranging to et next ti to visit Princess Mingda in the palace.
Then it was ti for Second Miss Fu to leave. Manbao packed so items Zhou SiLang brought from ho and gave them to her, saying, “These are local specialties from Luojiang County; you might want to try them?”
Fu Wenyun accepted them with a smile and said, “Then I’ll go back now. When I have ti, I’ll co and play with you.”
“Alright.”
Returning to the backyard, Madam Tang and Madam Yang were still there. Zhou Lijun brought them to Manbao’s room, where they leaned against the wooden couch by the window, resting with eyes closed.
Most of the guests had dispersed, except for a few close friends of Manbao, even Ji Hao had said goodbye and left.
As they were all familiar, Bai Shan simply took them to the garden, drinking and playing chess in another pavilion, simultaneously resting and chatting.
Manbao took so cold tea from the kitchen and placed it on the low table, then removed her shoes to sit on the couch.
Madam Tang opened her eyes and gestured for her to check on Ms. Cui.
Manbao glanced over, noticed she didn’t look well, and touched her pulse. Ms. Cui blinked, saw it was Manbao, and closed her eyes again.
Her young maid and nanny quietly stepped forward, placed a pillow under her, draped a blanket over her, and placed a small incense burner beside her, then retreated outside the screen.
Manbao watched in amazent and turned to ask Madam Tang, “Do the ladies of your aristocratic families always live so extravagantly?”
Madam Tang, leaning against the couch, laughed and said, “This is nothing. Because we ca to your place, we deliberately brought fewer people. If we went to soone else’s ho, the entourage and things we brought would double.”
She raised her chin slightly and asked softly, “How is she doing?”
User Comments
0 comments from readers