Chapter 368: The Zheng Family Manor is a Good Cover!
ounger sister, wondering what the elders were here for.Jia Yin giggled and hid behind her uncle, making faces. This made Jia An and Jia Xi so angry that their heads were about to explode!"Alright, sto...Jia Yin hugged her mother's neck and said, "Mother, go find Uncle Three and Aunt Three, and ask them to come back for the meat!"
"Of course, you can rest assured that I won't forget." Tao Hongying gently tapped her daughter's nose and said to the old lady, "Mother, such a big happy event, we definitely need San Ge's family to come back so everyone can celebrate together.
"And Mr. Peng, who is now also part of our family, such a happy occasion calls for a toast. Otherwise, it would be disrespectful on our part."
Li Laoer added, "Mr. Wen and Mrs. Cui will also have to be invited, as well as the Liu family. They will definitely be holding a banquet, but it probably won't start tomorrow. So, we should also let them know."
"Then just let Jiner go. Madam Liu is a good person, and the two boys in the Liu family get along well with her children, they all come together for a lively celebration." The old lady also instructed: "Also, Da Yong is at the docks. Get someone to ride fast horse and call him early. If he has something important to do, that's fine, it would be best if he could come back. Hui Niang and the children haven't seen him for several days!"
"Good."
Li Lao'er told his nephews to get pens and ink, and quickly listed out a tally.
Jia Yin saw that there was nothing she could do to help, so she jumped down and said to her grandmother, "Grandma, I'm going to sleep at my godfather's place."
The old woman was puzzled, "Where's your stepfather Isn't he coming back tonight"
Grandma He stood at the door and said, "Rest assured, Madam. I will stay and watch over Miss for the night."
The old lady thought that tomorrow would definitely be busy, "Well then, you take Funiu over there. At night, make sure the quilt is warm and cover her well so Funiu doesn't catch a cold."
Yes, Madam.
Grandma He stepped forward to pay her respects, then bent over and carried Jia Yin out, Shui Ling quickly followed.
Shuǐyún then stayed behind and entered the west wing.
Huiniang was too uncomfortable to go out after giving birth, she was going crazy staying in the room.
Hearing Shuiyun's words, she was delighted. Both the old woman and Li Laoer had received awards, and there would be a grand feast at their home tomorrow. They were even going to call Li Yong back. She happily embraced her two children.
"Your father will be back tomorrow, letting you cause trouble, hmph, when he gets back, he'll spank your butts!"
Two children, as if they understood, both cried out loudly, causing Huiniang and Shuicun to be flustered and soothe them for a long time.
Dongmei was just kneeling outside the courtyard, listening to the imperial decree. Of course, she knew that a grand banquet would be held tomorrow.
At this moment, she was unpacking boxes, looking for clothes for Jia Yin.
Tomorrow, it's not just the happy event for Old Madam and Second Master. Jia Yin, this county princess, is also a protagonist.
Seeing that Grandma He brought good news and moved in, she already knew what was going on. She instructed Grandma He and Shui Ling to rest first, saying she would take the night watch later.
Grandma He still wanted to refuse, but Jia Yin embraced Dong Mei's neck and pointed with her finger at a crimson outer garment and a skirt embroidered with gold thread.
Then, Grandma He bowed her head and quietly retreated out the door.
The next morning, before dawn had even broken, the entire Shattered Gold Beach was bustling with activity.
Jia Yi had already ridden to Lu'an to send a message, while Liu Yang went to the camp at the dock.
Li Lao'er also went out in person to invite Mr. Wen and Mrs. Cui, and by the way, asked Mrs. Cui to go to Liu's house as well.
Fortunately, today was a holiday, Mr. Wen did not go to court or the yamen.
As soon as Li Lao'er arrived, he smiled and said, "Congratulations, Mr. Li."
Li Lao'er laughed heartily, “Mr., you have such good information!”
"With the new grain's arrival, the Emperor bestowed heavy rewards upon the Li family. Such a big event, how could it be kept secret" Mr. Wen chuckled. "Let me tell you frankly, everyone knows I frequent your household more than others. This little courtyard received three batches of guests last night, and we finished two pots of tea."
Li Lao Er heard that there was a probing tone in his words, so he said: "Sir also knows that our family is unwilling to mix too much with those families in the city. Therefore, today's banquet at our home is still attended only by close relatives and new friend Mr. Peng. There are no outsiders."
Mr. Wen nodded in agreement, "That's right. These people in the city are all motivated by self-interest. It's best to leave them alone."
As they spoke, they took Wen Hai with them and rushed to Cui's manor. Madam Cui had also heard the good news and was having things packed into a cart, ready to go to Suijin Beach.
Li Lao Er asked her to go to Liu's house, and she agreed immediately.
Originally, Liu Zhiheng was thought to be away from home, so Madam Liu brought the two children over.
To everyone's surprise, Old Master Liu actually got on the carriage as well! This clearly shows that he intends to forge a strong alliance with the Li family!
Mrs. Cui was overjoyed and accompanied him all the way to Suijin Beach.
In the Suijin Beach, the village headman was leading people from Ye's courtyard to move things out.
Baskets of chicken eggs and duck eggs, piles of emerald green vegetables, a few cages of rabbits, a large basin of live fish, plus a fat pig that was knocked dead!
Village Head Yue was beaming with delight, showering praise nonstop.
"The manor house the lord gave Fu'er is really nice, he even sent so many things over last night! Look at these oil beans and spinach, they are so fresh!"
"This must be the second crop planted in summer, it's just opening up now! Our village vegetable garden is about to be pulled out clean. We should try planting a second crop next year too!"
As he was talking, the live fish in the basin began to jump and splash, causing the old man to laugh even more. "Is there a fish pond on the farm This fish is so lively!"
Winter Plum smiled, occasionally responding with a word or two.
Everyone didn't find it strange at all, because Dongmei was usually not talkative in her daily life...
Once the crowd had carried the fat pig out, the village head shouted to the villagers, “Hurry up and bleed it! Don't delay, or the meat will go bad.”
The villagers burst into laughter. One replied, "Uncle, don't worry! We're pros at slaughtering pigs now. We were even reluctant to touch the few we had in our pen. Who would have thought that a pig from outside the village would be delivered right to us!"
“Yeah,” another villager said, “Do they also raise white pigs at Zhengjiazhuang They're even fatter than ours! It’s just that this pig is a bit fierce. How did it run into something and die halfway”
"Oh well, who cares how they died, we're in for a feast!"
Everyone laughed and quickly moved everything out.
Winter Plum let out a sigh of relief and turned to see Shui Ling's eyes darting around. She patted Shui Ling's head and said, "Talk less, work more. There are many people today, and you can never leave Miss's side at any time, understand"
Shui Ling quickly nodded and dashed over to Li's house next door.
Jia Yin sat on her grandmother's back like a monkey, grinning as she watched the villagers slaughter and skin the fat pig.
Lao Li is too shrewd. Just one glance at these vegetables, fish, and eggs, and he knew it was Little granddaughter's doing again.
However, now that Zhengjiazhuang serves as a cover, there's no need for her to be so worried about it...
But Old Li still swatted the little girl with her hand, scolding, "Be more careful in the future, you know"
"Okay, Grandma!" Jiayin whispered softly in her grandmother's ear.
Li Lao Tai, feeling itchy, moved aside, and the two generations of family members burst into laughter.
Then He's grandmother brought Shui Ling forward, took over Jia Yin, and then persuaded the old lady, “Old Madam, guests will be here soon, please quickly change into another set of clothes.”
"Alright, I'll dress up nicely today. It's not that I care about fancy things, but I can't embarrass the grandkids!"
The old woman chuckled and walked into the house. Jia Yin quickly called Shui Ling to follow her.
Previously, she and her parents and uncles had spared no effort in getting the old lady clothes and jewelry. Unfortunately, the old lady kept everything locked away in a trunk.
Today is a great opportunity, be sure to bring out all the good things and show them off!
Grandma He had served in the palace for most of her life and was very skilled. She helped the old lady change her clothes, comb her hair, and choose jewelry; she was simply masterful at it.
After half an hour, the old woman was completely transformed from head to toe, exuding an air of nobility.
Jia Yin clapped her hands in applause and gave her grandmother a big kiss on the cheek. "Grandma, you're so beautiful, like the Queen Mother of the West!"d, enduring until his forehead veins bulged.I had originally been lenient with these people, allowing them to speak at length because I understood they were reluctant to let go. However, the situation...