Chapter 125 August Fifteenth (Part One)

  Everyone at the banquet was very formal and reserved, only when the old man spoke with a smile did others accompany him with a smile and join in the conversation. At other times, all that could be heard was the light sound of chopsticks gently touching porcelain bowls, revealing caution.

  Then, Xu Wanting's words, although not many, were particularly striking because they were spoken voluntarily. Old Master Xie was in a great mood today and smiled at everyone, saying: "I'm not a tiger, why are you all so afraid? It's rare for us to gather together for a reunion dinner, but you're all so restrained! You should be like Wanting, that's what it means to be a family!"

  Everyone burst out laughing, and the atmosphere relaxed a bit. Xu Wanting smiled and said: "Old Master, you misunderstood, everyone respects you, not fears you! As soon as you speak up and give an order, look, doesn't everyone relax immediately? You are the most kind-hearted and benevolent, how can you be associated with the word 'fear'?"

  Everyone laughed even harder after hearing that, and the atmosphere became even more lively. Old Master Xie couldn't help but laugh out loud, "Still, it's Wan'er who knows how to talk! She can coax old grandpa into a good mood!"

  "This girl is straightforward and speaks quickly, forgive her for being rude to you, old master!" Jiang Shi hastily said with a smile.

  "A family dinner is supposed to be like this!" The old man smiled and said, "As long as the children are well-behaved and obedient, that's all that matters. I trust our own child won't go wrong on this point. Everyone should be like her, then we'll truly be a family! Don't worry too much, dear daughter-in-law!"

  "Ah, this is the old master's fondness for her!" Jiang Shi smiled again. In her heart, she couldn't help but think that if Yuanyu really married into their family, it wouldn't be bad to rely on her younger sister's relationship and call him "Uncle".

  "Hehe, Sister-in-law is being modest! It's all thanks to Wanyu that Old Master laughed a few more times tonight!" Madam Xie also smiled and said.

  Thank you, old master. With a smile, he stood up and led the way in raising his cup to toast Old Master. Old Master slightly nodded his head, seeing that everyone wanted to come over and pay their respects, so he waved his hand with a smile and said: "This round is enough trouble for now, let's do it all together! The thought is what matters, that's enough! After this, you brothers, sons, and nephews can drink on your own, I'll just watch and be happy too! Eldest daughter-in-law, take care of your sister-in-law a bit! Second son's family, I remember you have a good capacity for liquor, don't hold back, you can also have a couple of cups with your sisters-in-law! Ruan Er, take care of your wife, pregnant women can't get too tired! Wan Er and Hui Er, don't be reserved either, your cousins are all very pleasant to be around!"

  The old man ordered, and the crowd responded. For a time, it was quite lively, although they didn't dare to make too much noise in front of the old man, but they chatted incessantly.

  After dinner, everyone accompanied the old man in the flower hall to chat and digest, gradually the moon rose to the middle of the sky, a bright moon like a silver plate hung in the vast dark blue vault, the moonlight poured down, shining brightly in the courtyard, the shadows of houses and trees on the ground were very clear.

  "Madam has set up a banquet in front of the Danhuai Hall beside the Furong Pond in the garden to appreciate the moon, and has specially arranged for a troupe of child actors to perform. The water is also sparkling clean, and next to it are some extremely fragrant osmanthus flowers. I wonder if Master would like to go and enjoy himself?" After sitting for a moment, Mrs. Xie stood up with a smile.

  Mr. Xie also cordially invited Old Master to go and have some fun together.

  The old man thought for a moment, smiled and said: "It's rare that you two have arranged everything so thoroughly. Since that's the case, let's all go!" He turned his head to Xie Fu Yun and said: "It's still early now, if your wife isn't tired, she can also come and sit for a while."

  "Thank you for your concern, daughter-in-law is not tired." Yao Cun Jia hurriedly supported Lu He's hand and stood up to smile in response. Xie Fu Yun also respectfully responded.

  "Hurry up and sit down!" The old man was even more delighted, laughing: "Jia'er doesn't need to be so polite, just enjoy it! Since that's the case, let's put it behind us!"

  As they spoke, the crowd stood up and escorted Old Master out. Mrs. Xie had already ordered two sedan chairs to be prepared, one for Old Master and the other naturally for Yao Cun Jia. At the same time, she ordered someone to rush over to Dan Hua Tang and inform them that Old Master would be arriving soon; she also ordered the theater troupe waiting in the corridor behind Fu Rong Pavilion on the left side of Dan Hua Tang to get ready.

  Yao Cun Jia insisted on not riding the sedan chair, saying that all the elders were there, where was the reason for her to be served in return? Even sitting down, she felt uneasy at heart.

  The old master saw the situation and didn't insist anymore, so he let Xie Fu Yun and Yao Cun Hui, along with the maids, carefully escort her as they followed behind. They then went ahead first.

  Yao Cun Jia and Xie Fu Yun have all agreed.

  The other side of the Danbi Hall was all settled, and Yao Cun Jia's sister and Xie Fu Yun Fang arrived. Mrs. Xie smiled when she saw her, and hastily ordered someone to carefully support her as she leaned on the soft couch that Old Master had specially ordered to be moved over. After asking her a few questions, seeing that her complexion was normal and her spirit was very good, she finally felt at ease. She couldn't help but feel secretly pleased again: this daughter-in-law is so reasonable, not arrogant or impatient, doing things in a steady and dignified manner, unlike those with shallow eyes. As the mother-in-law, she also has face in front of everyone!

  Just imagine, if the daughter-in-law was safely and steadily riding on the sedan chair, while she and her husband were walking alongside serving the old master, how could she not have any discomfort in her heart?

  Xie Fu saw that his daughter-in-law had a stable and secure place to stay, so he hurried off to attend to the old master.

  Before long, a pretty maid led two little maids over, each carrying a food box. The boxes contained four small plates of snacks, and the two girls smiled and said that they were specially rewarded by the old master to the big madam and the young lady, asking them to use them without going to thank them!

  When Yao Cun Jia wanted to get up, the maid had already smiled and pressed down on her, saying it was not necessary. Yao Cun Jia then thanked her with a smile, and Yao Cun Hui also bowed to thank the maid, who received it with a smile before turning around to report back.

  Looking at the crowd of people rushing about and trying to curry favor, Yao Cunhui couldn't help but wipe away a cold sweat. Fortunately, the Xie family usually lived separately, otherwise, this would be unbearable.

  The two sisters were chatting idly, while the maids and daughters-in-law shouted "It's starting! The play is beginning!" But as soon as the sound of gongs and drums boomed out, the crowd gradually quieted down, each person staring intently at the stage built by the water.

  Yao Cun Jia's sister also stopped talking and watched the play with everyone else.

  Yao Cunhui suddenly saw Xie family sisters at the opposite table, Xu Wanting smiling and waving at herself. Yao Cunjia also saw it and smiled: "You go over there to be with them, it's more lively, go!"

  "My brother-in-law is not around, I'll keep my sister company!" said Yao Cunhui.

  "Are not Green Lotus and Xing'er still around? I rarely see these few young ladies from the Xie family on ordinary days. As relatives, you should also spend more time with them." Yao Cun Jia smiled again.

  Xie Fu Yun only has two sisters, both of whom are married. The little sister that Yao Cun Jia mentioned is actually the third miss from the second house and the fourth and fifth misses from the third house. These three misses are around the same age as Yao Cun Hui and have already been betrothed to other families.

  Yao Cunhui thought what her sister said was right, so she smiled and agreed to go.

  "Cousins and sisters-in-law are always together at home, aren't they tired of it? Today is a rare occasion, but you didn't even come over to sit together!" Xu Wanting warmly held Yao Cunhui's hand, the coolness in her touch made Yao Cunhui feel somewhat uncomfortable, she smiled and said a few words, calmly pulling back her own hand, and paid respects to one of Xie family's sisters-in-law and two younger female cousins.

  The three Miss Xies were all gentle and soft-spoken, even the more lively Fifth Miss was only slightly more talkative than others. She smiled politely in response, sat back down, watched the play while whispering and laughing softly to herself.

  Under the bright moonlight, all the lanterns on the stage were extinguished. Under the moonlight, it had a special flavor. The actors on the stage waved their sleeves lightly, sang with beautiful and gentle voices, accompanied by the sound of water, which was particularly pleasing to the eye.

  However, Yao Cunhui didn't show much interest. Having seen all sorts of modern entertainment programs, she found it difficult to resonate with the ancient stage, and wasn't an expert in the field either. Fortunately, their seats were quite far from Old Master Xie's side, so the girls could chat and laugh quietly among themselves.

  "It's really boring here, shall we go play on that fake mountain? The view of the high mountain and small moon should be no worse than this clear wave and bright moon." Half a moment later, Xu Wanyu suddenly said with a smile.

  Several girls all burst out laughing, with a somewhat eager-to-try look. On the artificial hill there was a pavilion, with small Osmanthus fragrans trees, right at the northeast corner of Danbi Hall.

  "On that high platform, watching this play must be quite interesting!" Miss Xie Wu also laughed.

  "But at this late hour——" Miss Xie hesitated.

  "Goodness, Fourth Sister, what a big moonlight tonight! It's also the Mid-Autumn Festival, everyone is playing in this garden, what are you afraid of?" Miss Xie Wu slightly pouted.

  "It's better to go and say hello to Old Master, Madam, and the others, isn't it?" Yao Cunhui smiled.

  "Still, Hui's sister is thoughtful!" Miss Xie smiled.

  "I think so too, the etiquette of Taboo and Hui is the most complete!" Xu Wanting's eyes swept over Yao Cunhui, smiling: "Third sister, let's go tell the elders?"

  "Alright." Xie San smiled and nodded, getting up with Xu Wanting to leave.

  Yao Cunhui then sent a little maid to instruct Yao Cunjia, and Xie Si Miss smiled when she saw her.

  Before long, the two of them returned, accompanied by Xie Fulin, the third young master of the second house of the Xie family. Xie Fulin had been ordered by the old master to accompany them and said with a smile, "You're quite capable of causing trouble," before leading them away together.

  Two little maidservants followed behind serving tea and water.

  This artificial hill is made of the best Taihu stone, designed and constructed by famous garden masters. Every rock and every boulder has its own rules and craftsmanship, each with its own unique charm. Not to mention other things, just talking about the hollow cave at the bottom of the artificial hill, it can hold five or six hundred people.

  Under the pouring moonlight, several people laughed and climbed up the steps, the faint scent of osmanthus and unknown flowers quietly came, refreshing the lungs, everywhere can be seen mountain rocks exquisitely carved, cleverly crafted, just right to adorn the wisteria and other famous flowers, one step at a time.

  "I've never climbed up here under such a wonderful moonlight before! Thank you, Cousin Wan'er, for the great idea!" Standing at the top of the mountain in front of the Juantai Pavilion, looking out at the distant view, Miss Xie Wu stood with her arms slightly open to greet the wind, smiling cleverly.