Chapter 402: Chapter 402 Banquet Chapter 402: Chapter 402 Banquet Xuexue gently patted her back and whispered, “Let’s wait a little longer, if he doesn’t come soon, we’ll start eating without him.”
The village head and the elders were all present, it wouldn’t do to have them just sitting there waiting for Shopkeeper Fan alone.
“Mmm!” Madam Xie nodded in agreement, that was all they could do.
Just then, suddenly, the sound of horse hooves approached, and when everyone looked up, they saw a horse-drawn carriage slowly come to a stop not far away. After a moment, from the back of the carriage, an elder, supported by a young lad, slowly stepped down. On a closer look, everyone realized it was Shopkeeper Fan from Xiaohe Restaurant.
Xuexue quickly stood up, went to greet him, and said with a smile brimming with joy, “Shopkeeper Fan, you’ve arrived.”
“Indeed, the shop has been busy, which caused my delay,” Shopkeeper Fan said with a bow and a smile.
The young lad following behind him was holding gifts of various sizes, all wrapped in red paper, which looked very festive, although it was impossible to tell what was inside.
“Miss Mo, today you are moving into your new home, and this humble one has prepared some modest gifts, which I hope you will kindly accept,” Shopkeeper Fan said, and with a wave of his hand, the young lad promptly came forward and handed the gifts to Xuexue.
“Shopkeeper Fan, your presence is gift enough, there was no need for you to go to such expense.”
Xuexue held several boxes of gifts in her arms, not daring to move in fear that they might all tumble to the ground.
Mo Xiaoqiang appeared from nowhere, took the gifts from her, and said with a beaming smile, “Xuexue, let Dad carry them for you.”
Under the watchful eyes of the crowd, Xuexue could say nothing but nod, and then she led Shopkeeper Fan to the banquet table.
As soon as he arrived, the village head and the elders all stood up to greet him with a bow, and only after that did they sit down, and thus the feast officially began.
Madam Xie, being a woman who had been divorced by her husband’s family, could not take the lead.
It was Big Bull and Xuexue who tended to the guests, perhaps because the young people were more lively, and besides, Xuexue knew how to deal with people. She had even prepared a jug of wine and two pounds of meat specially for each of the elders and the village head to take home after the meal. Everyone chatted and enjoyed the food and drink, clearly having a great time.
Old Lady Mo sat at the table, staring dumbfounded at the array of dishes; there was a large pot of braised pork alone, not to mention fish, shrimp, and even a whole chicken.
“Damn them, those wretched girls, such a waste, inviting the whole village to eat such fine food, that must have cost a fortune in silver,” Old Lady Mo muttered as she turned her head to see the neighboring table, finding the same dishes served there, and couldn’t help but feel a pang in her heart.
Madam Ruan, however, didn’t mind at all and started eating with her chopsticks. Such fine food was not something she could normally enjoy at home unless her son was there. Now, with so much meat and vegetables available, she wanted to make sure not to let it go to waste and hurried to eat as much as possible.
Mo Xiaoqiang said proudly, “That’s because my daughter is capable.”
Old Lady Mo glared at him, “What’s the use of being capable? A forgetful creature you are, with so much silver, you don’t even think to give some to Hengjian, to help him pass the Juren exam. Once he becomes an official, all this banqueting will be nothing.”
Mo Xiaoqiang’s face darkened, “Mother always thinks of your grandson’s best interest.”
Old Lady Mo spoke with a hint of frustration, “I’m thinking of your interest too. Once Hengjian becomes an official, do you think he’d forget about you, his uncle?”
Hengjian, who was standing nearby, quickly said to Old Lady Mo, “Uncle is like a second father to me, I would never forget him.”
Upon hearing this, Old Lady Mo felt contented and turned to Mo Xiaoqiang, saying, “Qiangqiang, look how considerate your nephew is. Why are you, as his uncle, so small-minded?”