Republic of China: Guandong Ginseng King

Chapter 401 Chen Xiuyun Attends the Banquet

On the fifth day of the first lunar month, Liu Dongshan hosted a banquet for his local friends and relatives in Maoer Mountain. Qu Laokouer, Qu Jiang, Qu Shaoyang and others all went to join in the fun.

On the sixth day of the first lunar month, Qu Shaoyang hosted a banquet for his subordinates in the yamen, the captain and deputy captain of the patrol team, the owners of various shops, and the people in charge of the mountain gold mine. It was basically a small annual meeting.

It's a good opportunity for everyone to get together, review the past, envision the future, communicate and exchange feelings, and facilitate better cooperation in the future.

On the eighth day of the first lunar month, Qu Shaoyang took Chen Xiuyun and the two children to Tonghua City to visit County Magistrate Chen and others.

As for why I brought my wife and children with me, it was mainly because I heard that there would be a lantern festival in the county this year.

Fengtian is too far away. It will take at least a month to go back and forth with the child, right?

There were a lot of things going on in the government office, and Qu Shaoyang really couldn't spare the time to accompany his wife and children back to the Chen family.

So, he thought about taking his wife and children out to relax.

As for Meng Lanxin, she is almost eight months pregnant. She is bulky and has difficulty moving. How can she go out for a stroll?
It’s better to recuperate at home and come out when there is an opportunity in the future.

When preparing for the Damiaogou gold mine in the spring, Qu Shaoyang bought a courtyard in the county town.

We hired an elderly couple to look after the place and do the daily cleaning.

So this time when you go to the county town, you don’t need to stay in an inn, you can just stay in your own house.

Qu Shaoyang sent people to prepare in advance, so when they arrived, everything was arranged.

Chen Xiuyun and the children were tired from riding in the carriage all the way, so after dinner and cleaning up, they went straight to rest and sleep.

The next morning, Qu Shaoyang went to pay a visit to County Magistrate Chen and then visited other people one by one.

The Damiaogou gold mine made a lot of money last year, and the people in the county government all benefited a lot. In addition, Qu Shaoyang never failed to give gifts to these people during festivals.

Therefore, when these people from the county government met Qu Shaoyang, they were very friendly and enthusiastic.

When everyone learned that Qu Shaoyang brought his wife and children with him on this trip, he immediately told his wife.

Let them arrange an occasion and invite Qu Shaoyang's wife to a gathering so that the female family members can get to know each other and get along well.

County Magistrate Chen was transferred from another place. His wife stayed in her hometown to serve her parents-in-law. He did have a concubine, but how could a concubine come out to host a banquet? It was not decent.

Therefore, the banquet had to be arranged by Cao Zhubu's wife, Yu.

The Cao family is a well-known local gentry in Tonghua, and Yu's family is also a wealthy family. They have seen the world, so hosting a banquet is naturally a piece of cake for them.

As soon as Cao Zhubu came home and told her about it, Yu immediately got busy.

At the same time, he sent out invitations to the families of officials in the county government, gentry and officials in the county town.

At the same time, he arranged people to invite the opera troupe and chefs, discuss the menu, prepare the banquet, and arrange the seating.

On the thirteenth day of the first lunar month, the wife of Cao Zhubu held a banquet at her home and invited the wife of Qu Shaoyang and the wives of prominent figures in Tonghua City.

The solar term came early this year. It has been several days since the rain, and the weather is quite warm, with thaws everywhere during the day.

When going out to the banquet, he certainly couldn't bring those two devils with him, so the two kids Gensuo and Genyou were left at home, looked after by Baiji, Baimi and others.

Chen Xiuyun took the two maids Baizhi and Baiwei, got on the carriage, and escorted by Qu Shaoyang, went to Cao's mansion for a banquet.

The group arrived outside the gate of Cao's mansion. Qu Shaoyang dismounted and the coachman also got off the carriage and brought over a footstool.

Qu Shaoyang stretched out his hand and helped Chen Xiuyun get off the carriage. Behind them, the two girls, Bai Wei and Bai Zhi, also jumped off the carriage holding gift boxes.

At this time, the steward of Cao's residence came running forward and said, "My humble servant greets Lord Qu and Madam Qu. Madam, please come in. Our Madam has been waiting for you for a long time."

Today's banquet is held just for Chen Xiuyun. The servants in Cao's residence are so considerate and their attitudes are so nice.

Qu Shaoyang nodded to the steward, and then accompanied Chen Xiuyun into Cao's house. As soon as they entered the gate, they saw two stewards' wives in their thirties, dressed very elegantly, and hurriedly came to greet them.

"Your servant greets Madam Qu. Madam, are you all right and healthy? Please come with us. Our Madam is waiting for you."

"Sister-in-law Cao has a gentle temperament and is very easy to get along with. You don't have to be reserved when you meet her. Just say whatever you want to say.

Today is a rare opportunity to meet with you ladies, so let’s have some fun.”

Qu Shaoyang adjusted the strap of Chen Xiuyun's cloak and gave her instructions.

"Don't worry about home. The children are taken care of. You can eat, drink and have fun as much as you want. I'll pick you up after the banquet."

Today, the Cao residence is hosting a banquet, and only female guests are entertained. The men have all gone to the county government office, and County Magistrate Chen is hosting a banquet to entertain them.

"Okay, I understand. You should go to the county government office immediately and don't waste time."

Chen Xiuyun has gained experience over the past few years and is not stage-frightened.

She smiled at Qu Shaoyang, turned around, led the two maids, and followed the wives of the Cao family to the reception room to meet Mrs. Cao.

"Oh, this must be the Qu family's brother and sister, they are so handsome.

No wonder Inspector Qu keeps his wife hidden all day long and never brings her out for us to see.”

As soon as Chen Xiuyun and her companions entered the reception room, Yu came forward quickly, held Chen Xiuyun's hand, looked her up and down, and praised her repeatedly.

"Sister, I've said before that Xiuyun comes from the countryside. She is uncultured and unworthy of being in an elegant household, so she seldom goes out.

I am very grateful for your kind invitation today. If I have been rude, please forgive me."

Chen Xiuyun knelt down, bowed and smiled.

"This is a small gift I brought to my sister. I hope she will accept it."

As Chen Xiuyun spoke, she took the gift box from Baizhi and handed it to Yu.

"Hey, listen to what the Qu family's brothers and sisters are saying.

Sister-in-law, we all know that your brother from your mother's side just passed the imperial examination last year and will take part in the provincial examination next year.

You said you were born in the countryside, isn't that too modest? Come on, sister-in-law, please sit down and I'll introduce you to someone."

Yu took the gift box with a smile on her face, handed it to the person next to her, then took Chen Xiuyun's hand and walked inside.

At this time, everyone else in the room stood up. Yu introduced them one by one, and Chen Xiuyun greeted everyone.

Then, everyone sat down again, and the servants brought tea and snacks, and they ate and chatted.

Soon, more guests arrived and Yu introduced them to Chen Xiuyun again.

After everyone had arrived, a servant reported that the stage was ready and the invited actors had already dressed up and were ready to start singing.

"My dear sisters, today we have invited a troupe to perform an opera, and the stage has been set up in the courtyard.

Then please move to the flower shed in the courtyard and let's listen to the opera first, how about that?"

Bengbeng opera refers to the Errenzhuan.

As the saying goes, one would rather give up a meal than give up Errenzhuan. This shows the status of Errenzhuan in Northeast China.

Generally, when there is a happy event in a family, such as an old man's birthday, the eldest son or grandson's wedding, or a year of bumper harvest, many people will invite a troupe of Errenzhuan opera to perform.

As soon as the gongs and drums sounded, a man and a woman dressed up came on stage, sang a little tune and flicked their hats, and the listeners immediately became energetic.

(End of this chapter)