Transmigration: A Farm Girl's Brocade-Chapter 86 - Invitation to a Meal_1
Chapter 86: Chapter 86 Invitation to a Meal_1
Chapter 86: Chapter 86 Invitation to a Meal_1
Sister Zhang instructed Steward Wong to convey her thanks to Qian Yixiu, saying that the sweet fermented rice was very delicious, and even sent her six silk flowers and six ribbons for tying her hair as gifts.
She also hinted to Steward Wong that she had only tasted a spoonful of the sweet fermented rice before offering it to her master, who also liked it very much, and said it was even better than that of Drunken Immortal Residence. She suggested that next time when coming to the provincial city, it would be best to ask for a couple more jars.
Seeing that he had pleased Sister Zhang, and even the master was fond of it, Steward Wong was overjoyed and nodded repeatedly in agreement. His daughter, Lv Ping, was beautiful and smart, serving in Second Madam’s courtyard, and with Sister Zhang’s patronage, her chances of being promoted to head maid were even greater.
He immediately boasted, “Rest assured, Sister Zhang, I am very familiar with that little girl’s family; I will ask them to make a few more jars next time.”
While he was speaking, a servant from Fourth Master came looking for him, saying that Fourth Master Song ZhiXian had summoned him for instructions.
Fourth Master Song ZhiXian was a scholar who had taken the graduate exams several times without success, and ultimately gave up on the idea. The family bought him a fifth-rank official position, although he had no actual bureaucratic assignment, usually helping to manage miscellaneous affairs in the mansion.
Being summoned by this master, Steward Wong was filled with apprehension. Upon his arrival, he saw the eldest son and the young master cousin there as well.
Eldest Young Master Song Huaijin was Madame Tai’s favorite grandchild from the eldest son’s line, usually residing with the Old Master’s family in the capital. Each year, he would come to Xizhou Mansion for two to three months with his cousin, Liang Jinzhao, to show filial piety in front of Madame Tai.
The cousin was the eldest grandson of his grandaunt from Duke Mansion. A secular disciple of Master Bei Kong, a revered monk from Daci Temple, he went to Daci Temple annually to listen to the master’s Zen teachings.
Fourth Master Song instructed him, “There is a girl named Qian Yixiu in Huaxi Village, whose father died on the battlefield, leaving behind a household of the old, weak, and sick. They are truly pitiable. If any evil person bullies her family, you must help her out.”
Steward Wong hadn’t expected that the girl had truly won the master’s favor, and he hastily agreed. What he didn’t anticipate even more was that the eldest son and the young master cousin each rewarded him with a purse, telling him to stay alert.
Originally, Steward Wong had planned to visit the Qian family, but it turned out they had come to call on him. While agreeing to go for a drink, he also hinted that they should make more sweet fermented rice in the future, as both he and Sister Zhang liked it.
Qian Sangui readily agreed to the request.
Upon arriving home, Qian Yixiu gave the four brightly-colored silk flowers to her younger aunt and the two simpler ones to her mother, keeping the ribbons for herself. Not only was her younger aunt delighted, her mother’s eyes lit up as she praised, “The silk flowers are beautiful, I like them.”
Because Old Wong was coming over, they had to prepare a more lavish spread and invite a few distinguished guests to accompany him. The next day, Qian Sangui also invited Wang Lizheng, Doctor Lin, and Mr. Zhang, who were all highly respected by the villagers.
Lady Wu and Qian Manxia went to the town market to make lavish purchases, buying chicken, duck, fish, meat, and even procured two jars of aged spirit, something Qian Sangui hadn’t tasted in many years. He sniffed the aroma from the open jars deeply, amusing Qian Yixiu and the others with his enjoyment.
Qian Yixiu thought of keeping Monkey Brother confined in the backyard for the day. Monkey Brother wasn’t fully trained yet and was exceptionally mischievous; she was afraid the villagers might provoke him unknowingly. To ensure he stayed in the backyard, she even gave a small silver ingot to Qian Manxia to buy a couple of fun toys from the town.
Qian Manxia, following Qian Yixiu’s request, bought a wooden tiger and a ball sewn from pigskin, spending fifty wen money in total. Seeing this, Lady Wu’s face creased with worry over the expense.
Early on the second day of July, Qian Yixiu took Dashan and Monkey Brother, dressed in his new clothes, to the backyard. She also tied Monkey Brother up and brought over food and toys, coaxing and threatening him that if he didn’t behave and untied the rope himself, he would no longer get to wear nice clothes or eat tasty food. She massaged the back of his neck for a while, and the little monkey hummed in comfort.
Lady Lan, the wife of Xie Huzi, Wife of Qian Liang, Lady Huang, and Mandie all came early to help out. Lady Xu and Lady Wong followed their husbands to the mountains to pick Xia Grass at the crack of dawn, and by midday, they rushed over to help out. Lady Wu was skilled in cooking, and today her efforts were in full swing, with the appetizing aroma wafting from afar.
Qian Manxia was wearing an outfit given to her by Ah Zhu today, a light snow-green inner shirt and pants, with a rose-red vest on the outside, a pink belt in the middle, and a pink rosebud pinned atop her head. She originally wanted to wear the delicate flowers from the provincial city, but Lady Wu wouldn’t allow it, telling her to save them for when she got married.
All dolled up, she ran to the mirror in the left wing room and admired her reflection, looking stunningly beautiful.
Qian Yixiu exaggeratedly praised, “Little auntie looks so pretty, almost catching up to my mother.”
Cheng Yue also nodded and complimented, “Yeah, little aunt looks nice.”
Qian Manxia was so delighted by the compliments that she was on cloud nine.
Because Qian Manxia was wearing nice clothes, Lady Wu didn’t let her work in the kitchen, instead having her and Qian Mandie serve tea and run errands outside, attending to guests.
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Qian Mandie looked at Qian Manxia’s clothes with great envy, “Manxia’s clothes are so pretty,” she touched them and, to her surprise, exclaimed, “They’re even made of silk, Uncle and Auntie are really generous.”
Qian Manxia had a good relationship with this cousin and pulled her into her own room to tell her that the clothes were a gift from Old Master Zhang’s servant girl. She also gave her an apricot-colored vest embroidered with plum blossoms and a set of light-colored inner clothes with a goose-yellow belt, “They’re hand-me-downs, sister, I hope you won’t mind.”
Qian Mandie’s face flushed with excitement as she held the clothes up against her body. She giggled and said, “My goodness, I thought only daughters of wealthy families wore silk clothes like these. I never imagined I’d have a set too, how could I possibly scorn them? Thank you, Manxia.”
Seeing that the clothes were a good fit, Qian Mandie hurriedly put them on and also pinned a red rosebud in her hair. She then filled a basin with water and eagerly admired her reflection again and again.
Old woman Qian, the first wife, the second wife, Second Grandpa’s family, and Xie Huzi’s family arrived first, and Lady Tang came too, thick-skinned as ever. Lady Wu and the others didn’t pay her much attention. She sat in the yard cracking sunflower seeds, cheerfully greeting everyone, seemingly oblivious to their cold shoulders.
She’s really got some nerve! Now that’s some thick skin for you.
Qian Yixiu ignored Lady Tang’s attempts to grab her attention, instead twirling around and leading Duo Duo and Xie Huzi’s seven-year-old daughter, Er Ya, away. She brought them into her little aunt’s room, gave each of them a pair of silk ribbons and also tied them into their little buns.
The two girls were overjoyed, both running to the kitchen to show their mothers, asking if they looked prettier now.
Duo Duo ran to Lady Wang and said, “Sister Embroidery gave them to me, do I look nice?”
Lady Wang smiled and nodded enthusiastically; as soon as she had entered the courtyard, she saw Qian Mandie in her silk clothes and felt over the moon.
Soon after, Doctor Lin and Wang Lizheng’s eldest son, Wang Hongli, also arrived. Mr. Zhang had classes to teach and would only be able to come later in the day.
Wang Hongli laughed and said, “My father isn’t feeling too well today, so he sent me to attend the feast on his behalf.”
Qian Sangui knew in his heart that Wang Lizheng looked down on his family, but he still cheerfully urged him to take care of his health.
When Old Wong and his eldest son, Wong Liang, arrived at the Qian family’s third wife’s place, Wang Hongli’s eyes widened in surprise, never having expected the father and son of Old Wong to actually come.
