"It’s okay, we can give each other pointers," Lin Xiaoguai said with a smile.
She truly didn’t feel nervous, firstly because Shen Chi’s current status gave her enough security, and secondly because in her future life, although she didn’t like it, she had attended quite a few banquets. Although those weren’t as high-standard as the current one, even the organizers with high status from this era couldn’t compare to the remarkably ordinary banquets of the future.
"By the way, which family are we visiting this time?" Lin Xiaoguai asked as she observed the darkening sky outside.
"We are going to the Rui Family. It’s Old Sir Rui’s seventieth birthday today. The only reason I thought to bring you along is that my aunt is the eldest daughter-in-law of the Rui Family," Zheng Cuicui said with a smile.
"What about the birthday gift..." Lin Xiaoguai became somewhat anxious, as she hadn’t brought any gift.
"Take it easy, take it easy," Zheng Cuicui reassured her as she patted her hand. "If you were supposed to prepare a gift, I would have told you earlier. But since this is your first time, how could I let you spend money? I have already prepared the gift."
Zheng Cuicui knew her uncle was not in a bad financial situation, but like her husband, she thought of her younger brother who had suffered a lot and wanted to prepare everything for him.
"Sister-in-law, please don’t do this in the future. A gift for a first meeting should be personally prepared by me to show sincerity," Lin Xiaoguai said helplessly.
"Just this once, we’ll do as you wish from next time," Zheng Cuicui said with a light laugh. "This time, I have prepared a fine piece of Bloodstone for you, which Shouxin found previously. Old Sir Rui doesn’t have other hobbies; he just likes to carve his own seals. He will definitely like the Bloodstone."
Lin Xiaoguai nodded with a smile, "You’ve gone to a lot of trouble, sister-in-law." She thought to herself about how to repay her sister-in-law some other time.
The Rui Family’s home wasn’t far from the Military District, and in the short time of their conversation, they had already arrived at their destination.
As they got out of the car, they were greeted by an imposing old western-style house under the night sky.
At the entrance, elegantly dressed guests were exchanging courtesies, and from time to time, low laughter floated through the air.
"When did you get here, Cousin Cuicui?" Just then, a voice called out.
Lin Xiaoguai looked up to see a short-haired, pretty young woman quickly approaching. Coming closer, Zheng Cuicui introduced, "This is my cousin, Rui Ying. Yingying, this is my brother’s wife, Lin Xiaoguai. You two are about the same age; you should get along well."
"Hello," Lin Xiaoguai greeted with a slight smile, her delicate features radiating a unique beauty even under the cover of night.
Rui Ying’s eyes flashed as she grinned, "Where did this beauty come from? You’re about to overshadow all the boudoir daughters of the Capital."
Although the comment sounded a bit sour, Lin Xiaoguai inexplicably felt that Rui Ying was in a good mood, almost as if she was looking forward to something.
"You silly girl, such things are better said in private. Be careful what you say when there are many people around," Zheng Cuicui scolded with a glance.
"I know, I know. Cousin, that’s not fair, getting a new favorite and forgetting about your old one," Rui Ying sighed dramatically.
Zheng Cuicui couldn’t help but smile at her cousin’s theatrical performance, "Alright, alright, stop playing around, and take us inside."
"As you command, Empress Dowager Zheng!" Rui Ying laughed, making a jesting bow.
Zheng Cuicui and Lin Xiaoguai followed Rui Ying, who quietly briefed them on the day’s banquet as they walked.
"There are many people here today, and you’re relatively early. I’ll take you to get some food first. Grandfather is still resting, and he won’t appear until the older generation of guests arrives. Be aware that there might be quite a few people paying attention to both of you today."
Whether it’s the Eldest Young Madam Han, who is typically out of the public eye, or the newly prominent Second Young Madam Han, both were likely to be the focus of attention.
"Is the banquet today managed by your aunt?" Because she was mentally prepared, Zheng Cuicui wasn’t flustered when she heard this and instead asked quietly.
Rui Ying made a face, "A few of my aunts wanted to interfere, but grandma put them in their place."
Rui Ying’s mother and Zheng Cuicui’s mother were sisters, both surnamed Sheng. The difference was that Rui Ying’s mother was younger and hadn’t officially started working, so she wasn’t implicated during the Cultural Revolution.
Although the youngest daughter, Rui Ying’s mother received the same education as her older sisters. Despite the era, she wasn’t spoiled by her siblings; she was generous, cheerful, and acted with propriety, which was why the Rui Family had welcomed her as their eldest daughter-in-law.
In the past, because her mother’s family and the families of her siblings had been suppressed, some of the sisters-in-law had gotten quite arrogant over the years. Had it not been for the support of her in-laws, it was feared that she might have lost her place in the Rui Family long ago. Even so, life had been oppressive, affecting even Rui Ying. Now that fortunes had turned, although the Sheng family had suffered during the Cultural Revolution, all the Sheng siblings had been successfully rehabilitated and came back into favor at the upper levels. The aunts couldn’t dare to act as recklessly as before, and she couldn’t help feeling a sense of triumph.
"Where are your brothers?" Zheng Cuicui asked.
"They are with Dad, entertaining the male guests."
This era’s banquets were not like those in the future, where a female companion would only be a fiancée or wife; thus, many people came unaccompanied, necessitating separate hosting.
Although it wasn’t as strict as in ancient times where even the venues for hosting had to be segregated by gender, interactions between men and women always required extra caution to avoid any rumors.
After handing over the prepared birthday gift to a servant at the door, the three of them passed through the hall to a sizable banquet hall.
By then, the banquet was in the form of a buffet. Although the variety of food and beverages was not as diverse as in the future, it still looked quite decent.
"Rest here for a little while, and help yourselves to anything you want to eat. I’m going to tend to the other guests," Rui Ying said as she led them to a rest area and took her leave. (To be continued. If you enjoy this work, please come to Qidian (qidian.com) to vote for recommendation tickets and monthly tickets. Your support is my greatest motivation. Mobile users, please visit m.qidian.com to read.)