Outside the courtyard, the noise was bustling with the banquet preparations, yet Miao Jue remained seated in the main hall of his house, sipping tea leisurely.
“Are all the guests here?” he asked.
Miao Jue’s sons, daughters-in-law, and grandchildren stood in a row in the hall, awaiting the final instructions before the head of the family made his entrance.
Upon hearing the question, the eldest daughter-in-law, Ying Aunty, stepped forward with a smile, “Old master, everyone is here. The seats are a bit crowded, so we moved some benches from inside the house. If it gets too tight, I think we should have Yuanzi go and apologize to the guests.”
Miao Jue nodded, “Alright. Let Yuanzi go in a bit. Yuanzi, you’ve been cooped up studying in town for too long. You need to engage more in social interactions. You talking to the guests will make them feel valued.”
Here’s a recap of the Miao Jue family’s structure.
Miao Jue had three sons and two daughters. The daughters were already married off. The eldest and second sons didn’t have the talent for studying but didn’t shirk farm work, which made Miao Jue feel he had disciplined them well—neither liking nor disliking them. The third son was chosen to study, and although initially doted on, he didn’t achieve much and ended up teaching literacy classes in the village without attaining any official titles.
As for the third generation, Miao Chuo, born to the third son, was initially favored but was eventually surpassed by Miao Yuan from the second house. Since then, Miao Jue had grown cold towards the third house and turned his favor towards the second house, along with the first house, with whom the second house had good relations.
Miao Yuan, the person mentioned, responded respectfully, “Grandpa, I will handle it properly.”
Among the row of grandchildren, Miao Chuo, upon hearing this, lowered his head even further.
Along with his parents, they had almost become mute at home since Miao Yuan passed the child scholar exam.
“Are all the expected guests here?” Miao Jue lifted his eyelids and asked again.
Ying Aunty quickly responded with a smile, “Not to mention others, just the Miao He family, they are all here. Miao He’s second aunt, Zhang Mian, who sold a lot of soybeans to the workshop before, immediately sat down with Miao He’s mother upon hearing that soybeans would no longer be bought, and didn’t go anywhere.”
The reason for the banquet was Miao Jue using Miao Li as an excuse, saying that Miao Li, who lent land for their workshop, was a great benefactor but was complained about by Yang Dalang at a previous banquet. Since they shared the same family name, they needed to restore some face for him. Conveniently, many villagers hadn’t eaten tofu pudding for a while, so this was a good chance to foster neighborhood relations.
Satisfied that Miao He’s family had been detained, which at least hurt Yang Dalang’s face a bit, Miao Jue nodded approvingly, “What about the others?”
“Well, some families who didn’t sell soybeans went to Yang Dalang’s place. But over there, it’s surely cold and quiet, nothing compared to our lively scene!” Ying Aunty added with a smile.
“Yes, Grandpa,” Miao Jin’er, Ying Aunty’s youngest daughter, impatiently interjected. Dressed in new summer clothes and adorned with pearl flowers, she was eager to go out and show off but had to stay and listen to instructions. She pouted and said, “The villagers are all here for you, Grandpa. They arrived early and have been waiting. You can’t keep them waiting long, you’re both the host and the guest of honor today.”
Her flattery made Miao Jue feel elated. Although today’s event had underlying motives, the grand turnout made Miao Jue feel quite proud. He chuckled, “Alright, Jin’er is right. We shouldn’t keep the villagers waiting. Let’s go out and start the feast.”
Miao Duan’er had other thoughts and asked, “Grandpa, what about that student you mentioned? Is he here?” She had eavesdropped outside and heard talks about the guests’ carriages. Were they really arriving in carriages?
Miao Jue waved his hand, “He’s here. Yuanzi, go and invite Miao Sanqing, who’s resting in the east room.”
Huh? Miao Sanqing!?
Isn’t he the storyteller from the Dahu Restaurant? How is he connected to the county town!?
Hearing this, Miao Duan’er couldn’t hide her disappointment, which was promptly noticed by Miao Jue. He reprimanded her gently, “Duan’er, you should respect people regardless of their appearance. Miao Sanqing has spent years in the county, and his poetry and stories are impeccable. Show him proper respect.”
Miao Duan’er quickly bowed her head and agreed.
No one noticed Miao Chuo’s sarcastic smile as he lowered his head.
Meanwhile, outside, the passing carriages had already raised the guests’ expectations and curiosity sky-high!!
Let’s count them.
Manager Jin led the first team with people and tables, totaling four carriages.
The Liang family, with their gifts, arrived in two carriages.
The pharmacy owner, Manager Fang, also came with his family in a carriage.
Li Ming and his group, though not all present, came with two carriages.
The discreet but luxurious convoy of Old Master Qu arrived with two carriages, catching many villagers’ eyes.
And finally, the Ji family’s medical hall arrived with three carriages!!
The villagers were dazzled!!
Yet none of these carriages stopped in front of Miao Jue’s house!! What’s going on!?
So when Miao Jue, wearing a newly tailored scholar’s robe, was escorted out of the house, he was immediately surrounded by the curious villagers.
“Mr. Miao, has your student arrived? None of the carriages stopped here!”
“Your student is really something, making us wait here and still not finding the place!?”
“Yeah, we’ve been waiting for him to start the feast. Should we send someone to find him?”
“Wait, with so many carriages passing by, how would Mr. Miao know which one it was!?”
“Oh, it must be the most luxurious one!! It looked like it belonged to an official!!”
The village chief, who had caused a stir last time but still showed up today, added enthusiastically, “Of course! A student taught by Mr. Miao couldn’t be a simple person. The county is much bigger than Miao Shui Town. This banquet must reflect his hospitality towards his guests.”
And so, when Miao Jue finally understood what everyone was asking about, he was speechless.
Miao Sanqing, who was just walking beside him, was actually his student with connections in the county!
Even Miao Yuan, who walked closest to him, felt awkward.
As for Miao Sanqing, he was utterly puzzled!! He had indeed learned to read from Miao Jue, but he was only informed that today he could come for a meal and maybe share his experiences of wandering in the county. What carriages or luxury, he had none of that!
However, Miao Jin’er, eager to show off, decided to answer for him. She had received many envious glances for her new clothes and was in high spirits. Seeing her grandfather’s hesitation, she eagerly explained.
“The guest is right here, Miao Sanqing. He has spent years in the county and is well-versed in poetry and stories. He has been here for a while.”
Her words caused an eerie silence.
Everyone was stunned for a moment.
Then, they all focused on the ordinary-looking, black and chubby man in a green robe standing next to Miao Jue!
They scrutinized him up and down several times.
“This guy looks familiar?”
“Yeah, I think I’ve seen him?”
“Miao Sanqing… Oh, isn’t he the eldest nephew from the Miao Mai family who went to live in town earlier?”
“Ah, I remember!! The storyteller from Dahu Restaurant!! I saw him once when I went to find someone!”
“Huh? So, he’s the student Mr. Miao mentioned?”
“But, wasn’t he supposed to be from the county, here to thank his teacher?”
“The person mentioned he spent time in the county. Didn’t you listen carefully?”
“Oh, right, right, that counts…”
“Mr. Miao, now that the guest is here, can we start the feast?”
The expressions of disappointment on the faces of the crowd mirrored the one Miao Duan’er had earlier!
Even Miao Jue, usually eloquent, was at a loss for words. Hosting such a grand banquet, only to welcome Miao Sanqing? Looking back, the story he had crafted in his mind now seemed full of holes, almost embarrassing…
However, the villagers’ chatter continued.
“Where did those carriages go? Surely they weren’t just passing through, where did so many carriages come from all of a sudden?”
“I didn’t want to mention it, but I think I saw a carriage from the Liang family…”
“Oh!! That Liang family!! Didn’t they go to Yang Dalang’s place!?”
“Yeah, Yang Dalang’s place… seems like they’re having a hot pot feast too.” The last sentence was quieter.
“Had I known, I would have… Tsk, I’m not familiar with them, so I wasn’t invited from the start!”
“I wonder who went, I’m really envious!!”
“Miao Ping’s family, perhaps. People were mocking them earlier, but…”
“Enough talking, let’s go find Miao Ping after this meal!!”
“Alright.”
Miao Jue’s face turned hot and red in the midst of the villagers’ chatter.
Even Miao Yuan, who usually maintained his composure, had a stiff expression.
As for the village chief, who had been leading the conversation, he had already slipped away amidst the crowd.
Leaving behind the twelve tables of guests waiting to start, their attention had shifted from Mr. Miao’s student to just waiting for the meal. No one even noticed that Miao Jue never formally introduced his student to the crowd.
This ridiculous banquet cost the Miao family ten taels of silver!
And in the end, it didn’t make anyone realize the significance of soybeans, the workshop, or its potential impact.
Moreover, they had no idea how this event would become a laughingstock in the village in the days to come.
***
While Miao Jue’s family awkwardly hosted their banquet, the hot pot feast at Yang Dalang and Miao He’s place was about to start.
Before the feast began, the guests exchanged some pleasant surprises.
“… Mr. Qu?”
“This must be Young Master Xu Ming, haha, didn’t expect to see you here.”
“Mr. Qu is here for the hot pot feast too?”
“Of course, Brother Yang is one of the co-owners of our teahouse. So, Young Master Xu Ming is here as well?”
“I didn’t know him. Just came to get acquainted today.”
“Ah? How so?”
“This young master Xu Ming was brought by me. Apologies to Brother Yang for the sudden intrusion with extra people.” Doctor Ji explained with a wry smile. He was cornered by this young master before leaving.
Even Liang Yuanwai joined in, smiling, “Young Master Xu Ming changed his travel plans just to come here, what a coincidence.”
“Yes,” facing the senior figures around, Xu Ming composed himself before speaking, but seeing the host’s son looking over, he decided to introduce himself first. “I am Xu Ming. I apologize for the sudden intrusion. I heard the plums here are exceptionally tasty, so I came with sincerity. I also brought a small gift to congratulate you on your new home, hoping for your forgiveness.”
Meanwhile, Miao He, who had been busy replenishing the quickly disappearing peanuts on the table, thought to himself, “…”
Fine. A high school-looking foodie, just speak normally, will you?
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D-day 9 !! ?o?.(??? ??)
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Those people are really shameless… =.=
Thank You for the new chapter ?*’?’???