Chapter 652 - 239: Entertaining Guests
Chapter 652: Chapter 239: Entertaining Guests
The courtyard was bustling, and Chen Wanqing didn’t restrict the servants. Seeing that she was easy to talk to, the young maids liked to gather around and amuse her.
However, they were terrified of Zhao Jing. Even though he had never once raised his voice, the maids feared him more than they feared Chen Song. As long as Zhao Jing was in the courtyard, they would all become incredibly well-behaved, as if they had spotted a man-eating tiger.
On the day the snow finally melted completely, the Xu family sent out invitations, announcing they would invite relatives and friends to a plum blossom viewing banquet on the rest day three days later. The commoners in the Capital City also caught wind of this news and began asking around. After making inquiries and confirming there was indeed no invitation sent to Court Chengyi Mansion, the commoners excitedly began to gossip.
"They’re going to cut off all ties forever."
"Isn’t that obvious? Last time, Mr. Chengyi knelt outside the Xu family’s door for more than half a day but couldn’t get in. Now that Third Ms. Bai has been beheaded, the feud between the two families is deadlocked. Cutting contact is the only way."
"I just think it’s a pity. Back in the day, the young lady of the Xu family and Mr. Chengyi were a perfect match—a talented man and a beautiful woman made in heaven. When they rode their horses through the streets, they were the envy of so many. Who would have thought that twenty years later, it would end like this?"
"It’s all in the past. Let’s stop talking about it..."
On the day the Xu family hosted their banquet, Chen Wanqing’s pulse was checked by an Imperial Physician, confirming that she was a month and a half pregnant. However, Xu Su Ying’s amnesia hadn’t improved at all. But since she hadn’t been taking the medicine for long, it was normal to not see immediate progress. She would take it for another ten to twenty days. If there were still no results by then, they would really have to resort to acupuncture.
Returning to the matter of the banquet.
The last time the Xu family hosted a banquet for their relatives and friends was when Xu Yanlin married Miss Huang. That was already three years ago. Now, three years later, the Xu family was once again throwing a grand feast. On the surface, they were inviting everyone to view plum blossoms, but in reality, it was to celebrate the return of Xu Su Ying’s family.
Since the old madam placed great importance on this event, she had invited the Shopkeeper of the tailor shop a few days earlier to take measurements and make new clothes for everyone in the family. Furthermore, because Chen Wanqing was pregnant, wearing looser clothes would be more comfortable, and her belly would only grow larger in the future. Therefore, they specially had a few extra outfits made for her.
On the day of the banquet, the old madam inspected everyone’s attire early in the morning and nodded in satisfaction.
It was still early, but guests had already begun to arrive one after another. These were all families on good terms with the Xu family. Among them were the old madam’s maiden family, the Xu family’s in-laws, colleagues and old friends spanning three generations of the Xu family, as well as some families they had always kept close ties with.
Xu Su Ying was accustomed to grand occasions and wasn’t intimidated in the slightest. She talked and laughed cheerfully, full of wit and humor, looking exactly like the eldest Miss Xu from twenty years ago.
Chen Wanqing didn’t let her mother’s reputation down either. She sat quietly below the old madam. Every smile and frown of hers was gentle and dignified. With facial features that somewhat resembled both Xu Su Ying and the old madam, anyone could recognize at a glance that she was Xu Su Ying’s daughter.
At this moment, the guests began to feel a sense of regret. If they had known Xu Su Ying’s daughter was so outstanding, they would have acted earli— Even acting earlier would have been too late; she had already gotten married while still in her hometown.
These old madams were shrewd from years of experience. They noticed that Chen Wanqing was careful with her steps whenever she moved. Perhaps because the floral scent in the hall was too strong, she also uncomfortably covered her nose and mouth slightly, masking the rolling in her throat.
The old madams immediately guessed, "Could it be that this girl is pregnant?"
They exchanged knowing glances and quickly confirmed their suspicions. Once certain, they stopped letting Chen Wanqing accompany them and considerately urged her to go rest. The old madam and Xu Su Ying felt the same way. It was enough for Qing’er to make an appearance; she didn’t need to stay with them the whole time.
Accepting everyone’s good intentions, Chen Wanqing was indeed prepared to return to her room to rest. However, not long after stepping out of the reception courtyard, she saw a nanny hurriedly chasing after her.
"Miss Cousin, please wait a moment. The old master has something to see you about."
Chen Wanqing stopped and waited for the old nanny to approach. Seeing that it was a familiar face, she asked, "Does Grandfather have something to tell me?"
"Exactly," the nanny said breathlessly. "Two distinguished guests have entered through the back door. The old master specifically instructed that you and your husband go to the West Courtyard to entertain them."
Chen Wanqing reflexively felt that something was amiss. She wondered, "If they are distinguished guests, why would they enter through the back door? If they are truly distinguished, shouldn’t Grandfather entertain them personally? At the very least, there are Eldest Uncle, Third Uncle, and my male cousins... Even if the visitors include female guests, Eldest Aunt or my mother should be the ones to step forward. Why would I be needed?"
The nanny guessed, "Both distinguished guests are young, about the same age as you and your husband. Perhaps because of this, the old master specifically called for you. Miss, please don’t delay. It’s not good to keep the guests waiting for long."