Chapter 469: Hundred-day Banquet (1)
Editor: Atlas Studios
When Fan Siwen found out that his son achieved a ranking in the examination, he excitedly paced around the house twice before instructing the kitchen to prepare a good meal. At night, his family would celebrate.
However, seeing that it was late at night and Fan Zijin still had not returned, Fan Siwen sat in the reception pavilion with a dark expression. Madam Xia looked at him worriedly and told him the news she had just received. “Zijin and Haoran are drunk and fooling around. They’ll be back tomorrow.”
Fan Siwen wasn’t an idiot. He sneered and said, “He won’t be back tomorrow.”
Which student didn’t want to share their joy with their family first thing after doing well in the examination?
Only Fan Zijin would sleep at someone else’s house on such an important night. Fan Siwen’s breath was stuck in his chest and he couldn’t get it out.
At this moment, he even felt a little resentful. It wasn’t like Zijin didn’t have any brothers, but he was only close to Qi Haoran. Meanwhile, he either mocked, suppressed, or ignored his step-brothers at home.
Which family didn’t have one or two illegitimate children? The relationship between the legitimate son and the illegitimate son might not be as good as that of a legitimate brother, but they wouldn’t live like enemies and strangers like their family.
Seeing that Fan Siwen was being stubborn, Madam Xia did not persuade him anymore. She sat silently at the side, planning how to persuade her son to give in to her husband when he returned.
Fan Zijin had yet to return, and Madam Xia was the one who sent someone to find out the good news.
Madam Xia sighed slightly and asked, “Is Second Master not back yet?”
The person who was asked lowered his head. Madam Xia waved her hand. Forget it. In any case, the Qi family’s 100-day banquet was held tomorrow. She would be able to see him then.
This was the grandest banquet ever held by the Qi family. Everyone who was invited showed up. Since the Zhang family and the Shu family were going to be there, they couldn’t help but be curious about the dispute between the three families, so they came to watch a show.
As for the Zhou family, they were either included under the Shu family or entirely forgotten about.
First Senior Madam Zhang came with her daughter-in-law, Third Madam Zhang, and Second Senior Madam Zhang also brought along her daughter, Zhang Zisu. Although they had resolved their grudges in private, they still had to apologize to the Qi family in public. Therefore, these two people were here to apologize.
What surprised the Zhang family was that the old madam of the Shu family’s fourth branch had also shown up. She had brought her daughter-in-law, grandson, and granddaughter. Even her son had come. This surprised Senior Madam Zhang slightly. Seeing so many people from the Shu family show up, it would appear that they highly valued the Qi family. If it weren’t for the sake of putting on an act, Senior Madam Zhang wouldn’t have come to the Qi family’s banquet. After all, their relationship had deteriorated to that extent previously.
Second Senior Madam Zhang knew the reason. Her mother probably wanted to see Wanniang’s daughter.
Shu Qingniang also came. She sat with the women of the Zhou family, but her eyes were fixed on the main seat, curious to see what Shu Wanniang’s daughter looked like.
Everyone looked at the three families vaguely and realized that the atmosphere at the Shu family’s side was a little strange. Not only the Shu family, but the married daughters of the Shu family were also a little strange. Everyone followed their eyes and looked in the direction of the main seat.
Hence, when Li Jinghua carried Little Treasure out accompanied by Mu Yangling, she was shocked by everyone’s enthusiastic gazes. Then, she quickly came back to her senses and walked forward with a smile. Everyone also snapped out of their daze and looked up at the child. Then, they started showering the child with compliments.
Li Jinghua accepted all of those praises with a smile. From time to time, she would humbly say a few words. In the past six months, she had also made one or two relatively good friends. They surrounded her, like stars surrounding the moon. From time to time, they would help her deal with the guests.
Li Jinghua nodded at them gratefully. When Mu Yangling was facing her, she talked non-stop. Yet, when facing strangers, she would not speak unless absolutely necessary. However, if someone provoked her, she would not give in at all. Hence, Li Jinghua did not dare to involve Mu Yangling, afraid that she would misinterpret others’ words. She let her follow behind and help her carry the child, because Little Treasure was too heavy. She only carried him for a while before her arms felt sore. Just a month ago, she could have easily carried him around the farmstead.
Old Madam Shu had been staring at Mu Yangling since she came out. Without her daughter-in-law’s introduction, she knew that the young but elegant person was Madam Mu. She sized her up critically for a long time before saying, “Other than her eyes, there’s nothing else that looks like her.”
Madam Shu-Fang lowered her head. She had never seen that second aunt, so she didn’t know how to answer.
The moment Mu Yangling came out, she knew that someone was staring at her. Because that gaze was too presumptuous and blatant, it was difficult for her to pretend not to know.
In any case, there were women in this room, so she temporarily endured it and followed Li Jinghua to bring the child to greet the few matriarchs.
However, not only did they not retract their gazes, but they also became more aggressive. Mu Yangling turned her head unhappily and met the most intense gaze among them.
Old Madam Shu met Mu Yangling’s eyes calmly, but she only saw displeasure and warning in her eyes. There were no other emotions, no probing, curiosity, or shock.
Alarm bells rang in Old Madam Shu’s heart. Was this really Wanniang’s daughter?
It sure didn’t look like it!
Glancing at Old Madam Shu, then at Madam Shu-Fang, who was beside her, she understood who that old lady was. She glanced at Old Madam Shu mockingly, then turned to meet another pair of eyes. When she saw Zhou Tinglan there, she knew that it was Shu Qingniang, who had pushed her mother out of the carriage.
This time, Mu Yangling revealed a smile at Shu Qingniang, a smile as dazzling as a blooming summer flower. It instantly stunned the people who noticed Mu Yangling, but it frightened Shu Qingniang.
With the grudge between her and Shu Wanniang, Mu Yangling wouldn’t give her such a bright smile. Hence, she was frightened, certain that there must be a conspiracy.
However, Mu Yangling quickly looked away and only glanced at Shu Shuniang, who was looking at her.
Li Jinghua also saw Mu Yangling’s smile and was stunned for a moment. This was the first time she had seen Mu Yangling smile like this. It was neither a heartless smile nor a soft smile. That smile just now had also stunned her. Li Jinghua’s intuition told her that there was something wrong, but since she was surrounded by everyone, she could not ask her.
Halfway through, she took the opportunity to grab Mu Yangling and ask, “Ah Ling, what happened?”
Mu Yangling looked at her in confusion. “What happened?”
Speechless for a moment, Li Jinghua asked, “Then why were you smiling just now? Forget it, I won’t ask you. But follow me closely later. Just because you don’t cause trouble doesn’t mean that people won’t come and provoke you. I’m afraid you’ll be bullied because you’re clumsy with your words.”
Mu Yangling pursed her lips and smiled. This time, Li Jinghua kept staring at her. When she saw her smile, she touched her face and sighed. “Ah Ling, I only thought you were pretty in the past, but now, I think you’re gorgeous. You’ve indeed grown up. When you finish growing up in the future, I wonder how stunning you will be.”
Mu Yangling said, “My father said that I bear a 70-80% resemblance to my grandfather.”