's considered disrespectful to decline an imperial gift.But the village head didn't know, speaking like this, with a sincere face, his heart was full of thoughts for the emperor and the court.The eunu...The Liu family has always been low-key, but this time with their son becoming an official, Old Master Liu wants to make a big splash.
Therefore, today's banquet invited many relatives and friends. Not only were there many male guests in the front courtyard, but also many female guests in the back courtyard.
Especially since Liu Zhiheng's two sons were at home, many people also brought their children of similar ages.
For a time, the Liu family's front and back yards were bustling with activity.
Mrs. Liu sat in the flower hall, greeting the wives of her usual acquaintances, as well as her aunts, sisters-in-law, and cousins.
People chatted about clothes and accessories, the weather, and generally got along well.
Seeing that Lady Liu always gazed outwards, as if waiting for someone, a woman smiled and asked, "Is there some distinguished guest coming"
Mrs. Liu nodded and replied, "Indeed, I have invited several distinguished guests today."
When everyone was curious and about to ask again, a little girl ran in to report, "Madam, Mrs. Li and the others have arrived!"
Mrs. Liu quickly got up and rushed out without even having time to greet the others.
Curious, everyone also stood up and walked to the door to have a look.
At this moment, a group of people entered from outside the Huimen gate.
Mrs. Liu's wet nurse, Tang Mama, was supporting an elderly woman of about fifty years old. She wore a deep blue cloud-patterned peacock robe, her figure plump and well-proportioned. Her slightly graying hair was neatly combed into a bun, with a jade hairpin in the shape of a longevity character, which made her brows bright and amiable.
She was accompanied by a four or five-year-old girl on her right. The little girl wore a silver-red slanted collar blouse and a pure white cloud gauze pleated skirt. Her soft, slightly tousled hair was tied into two small flower buns adorned with pearl-encrusted red ribbons. A pair of gold cicada ornaments lay on the flower buns, looking lively and adorable.
She was wearing a seven-jewel necklace on her chest.
Bathed in sunlight, it glitters and shines, eye-catching indeed.
But the most captivating was still the girl's appearance. Her skin was as white as milk, her eyebrows were faintly drawn, but her big eyes resembled black grapes, her long eyelashes fluttered, and her small nose was turned up, her lips were rosy.
Perhaps seeing Madam Liu made her very happy, her big eyes curved into crescent moons with joy and cuteness!
Following closely behind the elderly man and boy were two women, about the same age. One wore a lotus green dress, elegant and noble, while the other wore purple, neat and generous.
The more people looked, the more curious they became, all speculating about when the Liu family had met this noble person. They had never seen them before!
Could it be a reclusive aristocratic family from Kyoto
At this time, Madam Liu had already stepped forward and warmly called out, “Aunt, how did you just arrive If you hadn't come, I was about to send someone to fetch you!”
As she spoke, she bent down and picked up Jiayin, saying, “Our Fu Niu’er has arrived! Your two older brothers were urging Mama to make your favorite snacks in the kitchen last night!”
Jia Yin hugged Mrs. Liu's neck and kissed her, sweetly saying, "Thank you, Auntie. Fu Niao also brought delicious fruits for you and the brothers!"
Needless to say, these are the people from Li's family and Mrs. Cui.
"Li Lao Tai smiled and explained, “Before leaving the house, this girl insisted on bringing a gift for Zhi Heng. She was busy gathering flowers and fruit for half an hour before finally managing to come out!"
Mrs. Liu turned her head and saw that several of her household stewards had indeed carried in two baskets, and Dongmei was also carefully holding a three-foot-tall woven basket.
She didn't take it to heart, thinking that Li's family had just brought some fruits picked from the mountain. She smiled and said, "Our Fu Niu is the most thoughtful, knowing that Aunt needs fruit for today's banquet! Come in, Aunt will get you some snacks."
Everyone laughed as they arrived at the Flower Hall. Lady Liu personally helped Old Mrs. Li to her seat, while Tao Hongying and Lady Cui stood on either side of the old woman. However, Jia Yin was placed in another empty seat.
Everyone was increasingly amazed. Liu shi didn't make them guess for too long, and with a smile introduced, "This is Lady Li, the matriarch of Zhongshan Marquis's Mansion, also an imperial consort bestowed with the first rank."
"Speaking of it, my master’s promotion to fourth rank today is thanks to Lord Bo's kindness. Without Lord Bo's elder finding the excellent corn and potato seeds in the south, my master wouldn't have this glory today!"
After saying that, she took Jia Yin's hand again and said, “This is the adopted daughter of Marquis Xinting and also the Princess Kangle personally bestowed by the Emperor.”
Everyone was taken aback, only then realizing that this old and young pair were actually members of the Li family!
The Li family name is now well-known throughout Kyoto and beyond.
Of course, some people praised it, some were curious about it, and some mocked it. There was a mixed response.
Because this family came from refugees, fleeing to this place but provided the new city with too much talk.
Whether it's Xintinghou's every possible support, Li Jia Lao Da's near-death return, or the offerings of jade gourds and golden fruits, or even receiving rewards for offering grain, all these things together are enough to talk about for three days and three nights!
The Li family was surprisingly low-key. Despite receiving an imperial grant and entering the ranks of nobility, young and old alike never made a public appearance.
But today, at the Liu family's banquet, the inner wives of the Li family actually came, which shows how close the Liu and Li families are...
No matter what anyone thinks, it's important to stand up and bow at this time.
Because, every single one of them pales in comparison to Lady Li's status. They don't even come close to her rank, let alone the preciousness of a princess like Miss Li!
Li Laotai smiled and raised her hand, pretending to help everyone up. "Everyone, please don't be so polite. Today I'm here to congratulate Zhiheng. I didn't expect to be late and disturb everyone. Please forgive me."
No one dared to accept this apology. Someone quickly laughed and agreed, "Lady's arrival isn't late at all, we just got here too."
A woman spoke wittily, "Well, if you must blame someone, blame the crowds today. The streets outside are jammed, and it was a real struggle to get in here."
Everyone laughed and then bowed to Princess Jia Yin. Jia Yin didn't put on airs, she jumped down and returned the bow gracefully, her smile was sweet and cheerful.
Women everywhere love children, especially such a cute and lovable little girl. So they all started praising her.
"The county princess is so fair and lovely, what tonic does she usually eat"
Before Old Lady Li could respond, someone in the corner let out a cold snort, but when everyone looked, they couldn't find who it was and just thought they had misheard.
Li Laotai raised her eyebrows slightly and smiled, "My girl was born this fair, but she's also afraid of the sun. If she gets a day's worth of sunlight, she'll be as black as charcoal. But if she stays cooped up at home for two days, she'll recover quickly."
Having said that, she turned her head to signal Tao Hongying forward. "If you ask what I've fed this child on a daily basis, I truly don't know, because all of it has been personally taken care of by me, your daughter-in-law."
Lady Liu seized the opportunity to introduce Tao Hongying to the crowd, "This is the county princess's mother, the fourth madam of the Marquis's Mansion."
Then, she personally took Mrs. Cui forward a few steps, “This is Miss Jin Rou, the only daughter of Scholar Cui Zhengqing. She originally married into Kyoto, but now, following the relocation, she has returned to the Jiangnan region.”
As you all know, my grandfather didn't have any sisters. But our great-grandfather and Cui Daxue were sworn brothers, treating Jinerou like their own daughter. Me I'll be having a younger sister-in-law soon!
"My younger sister is introverted and not good with words. If you happen to meet her elsewhere, please take care of her a little more."
Of course everyone readily agreed, smiling on the surface while their minds were in turmoil.n, that I finally shed the burden of being the head of the household.It can be said that this family has made it to today, all thanks to Mother's hard work.Now that Mother has suddenly passed away, as...