Chapter 20: Opening the Banquet

Chapter 20: A Banquet to Welcome Guests

"What does it mean to be wise and virtuous?"

Madam Zhao smiled faintly, closed the account book she had just finished calculating, and pulled out another one to continue her work.

She did not look up again, but the maids heard an extremely soft sigh.

"However, it's all just society preying on women’s vulnerabilities."

No one else in the room spoke; only the sound of pages turning, one after another, silently echoed her whisper.

Three days came and went, then three more. Having fully settled the household affairs, Xu Shi finally confidently threw open the doors for a banquet. Invitations were sent out, and on the eighth day of the month, guests arrived one after another at the Jiang residence.

As a trusted commander under the sworn brother of Prince Yihuai, Jiang Huailiang's web of connections far exceeded Xu Shi's expectations.

Especially after Li Zhanghuai arrived with his wife and children to show his support, some families who had initially been reluctant to attend also brought lavish gifts to congratulate the Jiang family on their move and the opening of their new estate.

Fortunately, Xu Shi had always been cautious in her dealings. Three days earlier, she had made arrangements with two restaurants in the city, and now these preparations came in handy. Chefs and ingredients were urgently brought into the Jiang residence through the back door. It cost more money, but at least the family’s reputation remained intact.

Jiang Huailiang was in the front courtyard, engaged in lively discussions with his brothers. After managing all the miscellaneous tasks, Xu Shi sat gracefully in the rear chambers, chatting happily with the female guests.

As the eldest daughter of the Jiang family, Jiang Wan displayed the composure befitting her status. Though her thin frame had not yet filled out, and her face—which her father repeatedly assured would grow quite beautiful—still looked somewhat drawn and awkward, she won people over with her graceful and steady demeanor.

Though her smile may not have been particularly warm, she still managed to host all the young ladies attending the banquet without a hitch.

As for the twins, who were strikingly different in build, under the threat of their elder sister’s physical prowess from the previous day, they were exceptionally well-behaved today, doing their best not to shame the Jiang family.

The old Jiang couple did not need to socialize. After all, Li Zhanghuai, the current top official in Maocheng, had specially brought his wife to pay respects to them, addressing them as Uncle and Aunt. Who would dare find fault with the two family elders?

Having a competent head of the household was indeed beneficial. When faced with a grand occasion, she could take charge and ensure everything was managed with perfect order.

While the adults engaged in warm conversations in the main hall, the children naturally gathered together, buzzing with excitement.

As the eldest son of Prince Huai, Li Yuanxiu was seventeen—in the prime of youth. Though not exceptionally handsome, his refined and calm demeanor stood out, and he already carried the bearing of someone in authority.

The son of Jiang’s second uncle was too young to be of much help, so Li Yuanxiu assisted in hosting the young men at the Moon-Viewing Pavilion. With someone else handling matters, the real host could take it easy.

The fifth son of Prince Huai, Li Jingxiu, was cozied up closely with his newly recognized friend of the same age, chatting intimately.

"Yaozu, do you really not have to study or practice calligraphy? That’s so lucky! I’m so jealous of you!"

Li Laowu, who had been whacked ten times on the palm by his eldest brother yesterday for failing to recite an essay, covered his face with a miserable look.

"What are you jealous of? I’m jealous of you! We’re both younger brothers at home, yet you don’t get beaten every day? That’s just unfair."

Jiang Yaozu shoveled pastries into his mouth while mumbling through a full mouth.

"And there’s no way I can avoid it! My elder sister gave me a month’s grace, saying I could take it easy for a while. But if my handwriting remains as messy as a chicken scratch after that, I don’t even want to imagine how badly she’ll beat me..."

"Really? Are you tricking me? Your elder sister doesn’t seem like the type you described."

Li Jingxiu glanced toward the pavilion across the water. The young lady in light green seemed approachable and kind. Could she really be so quick to use her hands as Jiang Laosan claimed?

"That’s because you’re still young, brother. You haven’t seen or experienced enough!"

Brushing the crumbs off his hands, Jiang Laosan began recalling the past with a pained look.

"Have you ever been held down and dunked in a drainage ditch seven or eight times? Have you been dragged by the arm and beaten regularly every day? Have you enjoyed the 'joy' of bamboo shoots stir-fried with pork strips?"

Li Jingxiu’s eyes widened in shock.

"You were disciplined like that since childhood? Is she really your biological sister?"

"As real as it gets! Let me tell you secretly, brother—my elder sister is really, really fierce. Whoever becomes my brother-in-law in the future, tsk tsk tsk, will probably have had a rough life ahead!"

Already accustomed to such treatment, Jiang Laosan waved his hand dismissively at his friend’s astonished expression.

"Ah, life—what’s the point? Just die and be done with it!"

"Pfft—"

A young man nearby, sipping fruit wine, couldn’t help but chuckle at the plump Jiang kid’s weary sigh.

"Third Brother, what are you laughing at?"

Li Jingxiu turned to him, frowning slightly in displeasure. He felt his elder brother was making fun of his new friend, which embarrassed him.

"Nothing, I just choked on my wine. You two keep chatting. I’ll go elsewhere and not disturb you!"

Li Yanxiu quickly stood up and waved his hands, insisting he hadn’t been laughing at his brother or his friend. Otherwise, the boy might pitch a fit right then and there, embarrassing the Li family in public.

Placing his fruit wine on the table, he turned and walked away briskly. With his eldest brother around, nothing major should happen.

At fifteen, the young man’s physique was not yet burly, but he was tall and stood out exceptionally. Especially when he turned and lifted his gaze—he was the spitting image of a young male lead from an ancient novel.

With dashing eyebrows, bright eyes, red lips, white teeth, and a tall, straight nose that made his eyes appear deep and captivating, his thick eyelashes fluttered slightly, giving him a tender look even when glancing at a dog. Dressed in a crimson round-collar robe, he looked more dazzling than flowers.

Please forgive Jiang Wan, a science-minded person, for not having enough flowery phrases to praise the handsome youth. In her mind, there was only one standard template:

This guy is really handsome!

It’s just a pity that she had transmigrated to ancient times and found it so stifling that she developed a mental illness, though her spirits had temporarily improved.

If she had encountered such a top-tier pretty boy while still working at the Third Hospital, she would have found it hard to control her hands from reaching out to tap a modern gadget.

Sensing someone’s intense gaze, Li Yanxiu lifted his eyes and looked toward the pavilion across the water.

Oh, it was the Jiang family’s eldest daughter, the one Jiang Laosan described as so fierce.

Their eyes met, and the young man nodded politely, greeting the hostess in a friendly manner.

Jiang Wan also nodded in return, then looked down at her own hands, which appeared dry and yellowish like chicken claws compared to his. She pursed her lips indifferently.

Ah, life—what’s the point? Just die and be done with it!

"Sis, why did you stop?"

Jiang Han poked her twice on the back.

"Weren’t you going to teach them how to play Gomoku? Are we still going or not?"