Chapter 485: Chapter 454, Slap in the Face_1
At the fourth quarter of the Hour of the Horse (12:00 PM), Daohua and her entourage finally arrived at the Chen family’s residence, leisurely and unhurried.
Their delayed arrival wasn’t because the Yan family intended to slight the Chen family, but rather because Xiao Yeyang intentionally dragged his feet for some time. Consequently, the Yan family, Dong family, Zhou family, and Su family were collectively late.
Since the Chen family did not invite Yan Siyu’s household, this morning Old Madam Yan’s countenance grew somewhat unpleasant upon learning of this. Daohua, having noticed, complained about it to Xiao Yeyang when he came to join them, and then this fellow excused himself to the latrine, delaying until noon before arriving.
Originally, Master Chen Hong was quite displeased with the tardiness of the Yan family, but upon seeing Xiao Yeyang and Yan Zhigao arrive together, his face immediately donned a warm smile.
If it were any other member of the Imperial Family, Chen Hong might not have been so attentive, but Xiao Yeyang, even remote from Beijing, was still brought up by the Emperor from time to time.
He knew that every year during the holidays, the Emperor would send gifts to this Little Prince, which showed how deeply the Emperor favored him.
Yan Zhigao clasped his fists with a smile, “Magistrate Chen, we truly regret being late, please don’t take it to heart!”
Even though Chen Hong minded, at this moment he didn’t show it in the slightest, “Lord Yan, you are too courteous, your presence alone brings me great joy.”
Only after seeing Daohua’s carriage enter the gate did Xiao Yeyang withdraw his gaze, then he glanced at Chen Hong, saying, “Don’t blame Lord Yan and the others. It’s my fault, I had some stomach discomfort this morning and it caused a delay.”
Upon hearing this, Chen Hong repeatedly claimed it was no trouble at all, but internally he began to ponder.
Does this mean the Little Prince is also staying at the Yan Residence?
Chen Hong smiled and invited everyone inside. Seeing Xiao Yeyang and Yan Zhigao walking side by side, with courteous and deferential interactions, he was inwardly shaken.
It seemed the Little Prince’s relationship with the Yan family was deeper than he had imagined!
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Chuihua Gate.
Madam Chen went forward with a smile to greet Madam Li and the others.
Because the Dong, Zhou, and Su families were guests at the Yan Residence, their respective ladies slightly lagged behind, allowing Madam Li to walk in front.
However, Madam Chen bypassed Madam Li and directly took the hands of the Dong family’s Madam and Su family’s Madam, exchanging warm and intimate pleasantries.
The smile on Madam Li’s face stiffened a bit but soon adjusted back to normal.
Zhou family’s Madam saw this, chuckled while taking her arm, and whispered, “Don’t mind it, the people from Beijing all have their eyes set on profit.”
Madam Li laughed and shook her head, “Don’t laugh at me, I used to encounter this kind of thing often, but after coming to Ningmen Prefecture, it’s been less frequent. Encountering it so suddenly now, I’m somewhat out of practice.”
Zhou family’s Madam found Madam Li’s comment amusing and couldn’t help but laugh softly.
Madam Chen heard it and immediately looked over, asking with a smile, “Madam Zhou, what are you laughing at?”
With an unchanged expression, Zhou family’s Madam pointed towards a young girl in purple standing in front of Chuihua Gate, “I was telling Madam Li, who is that young lady, she’s turned out so stunningly beautiful?”
Pride showed on Madam Chen’s face, “Madam Zhou, don’t flatter her too much, that girl is my good-for-nothing daughter.” With that, she motioned to the girl in purple, “Jiarou, come over here and meet these ladies.”
Chen Jiarou approached gracefully and curtsied to the ladies, “Jiarou pays respects to all the Madams.”
The Dong family’s Madam laughed and helped her up, looking at Madam Chen while praising, “Miss Chen is truly lovely!”
Blushing, Chen Jiarou bowed her head.
Madam Chen humbly laughed and said, “In terms of beauty, who could compare to the young ladies you brought over, Madam Dong?”
Madam Dong, seizing the right moment, said, “Yuanyao, aren’t you going to bring your sisters to greet Madam Chen?”
Dong Yuanyao and her sisters immediately came forward to give their respects.
Madam Chen called out with a smile, then her gaze swept back and forth several times over the young ladies. She sighed inwardly, thinking that her Jiarou was quite attractive and considered a beauty in Beijing, but she hadn’t expected that there would be those in Zhongzhou to match her.
The Dong Family’s young ladies were bright and charming; the Su Family’s were gentle as water; the Zhou Family’s were cute and lovable, and the Yan Family’s each had their own unique characteristics.
However, among all the young ladies, the most eye-catching was the eldest legitimate daughter of the Yan Family, who was lively and ethereal, making one forget the mundane world upon seeing her.
The Yan Family sure knows how to raise their children!
Chen Jiarou was also sizing up the young ladies, and at the end, her gaze landed on Daohua. Although the other young ladies were not bad, similar beauties could be found in Beijing. It was this eldest young lady of the Yan Family, with her spirited and ethereal quality, whom she had rarely seen.
After Chen Jiarou and Daohua had exchanged greetings, Madam Chen smilingly led everyone to the banquet tables in the backyard.
Being the highest official in Zhongzhou, and Yan Zhigao as the highest official in Ningmen Prefecture, as soon as Madam Dong and Madam Li appeared, the ladies in the yard all came up to greet them.
Madam Li and the others briefly greeted everyone and then went to pay their respects to the highest seat where Old Madam Chen was sitting.
This was the former wet nurse of the Emperor, and the necessary respects could not be omitted.
Old Madam Chen looked very kind, and she was also very humble and approachable, but the occasional sharp gleam in her eyes let one know this was a shrewd old lady, “Thank you for attending our banquet. Please take your seats quickly.”
Madam Chen was somewhat dissatisfied with Yan Family’s tardiness and smilingly took over, “Yes, Madam Li, please take your seats quickly. Everyone is hungry and has been waiting for you to sit down before starting.”
Upon hearing this, Madam Li’s brow immediately furrowed. Madam Chen’s words were indeed uncomfortable, as if saying she was the reason for everyone’s delay.
Thinking of the Emperor backing the Chen Family, Madam Li suppressed the indignation in her heart and didn’t say anything after all.
Madam Li might endure, but Daohua could not. She spoke out at once, “I ask that Madam Chen does not find us at fault. In a few days, it is my grandmother’s birthday, and there are just too many things to be taken care of at home.”
“We received the invitation only yesterday afternoon; the preparation time was too short, which is why we were a bit rushed today. If next time Madam Chen could send the invitation a bit earlier, I think we wouldn’t have been late.”
With those words, the courtyard suddenly became somewhat quiet.
Daohua’s meaning was very straightforward and evident: their lateness had a reason, and it was due to the Chen Family’s inconsideration, not sending the invitations earlier, which caught people off guard.
Madam Chen’s face stiffened slightly, with her smile almost unable to stay in place. Being used to talking in innuendos and through veiled critique, she was at a loss for how to respond when faced with someone so direct in speaking their mind.
Old Madam Chen looked at her daughter-in-law with an air of disappointment, regretting once again that she had found such a witless daughter-in-law for her son.
Being the Magistrate of Ningmen Prefecture, her son was definitely going to have dealings with the Yan Family. Offending them right at the beginning, how were they to get along in the future?
She knew her son well—he didn’t possess many talents and his only advantage was his loyalty.
The gold mine operation was of great importance to the Emperor. If they couldn’t handle this task beautifully, how would the Chen Family stand firm before the Emperor?
She knew well that the Emperor always had talented people at hand.