They've all separated, so what does it matter to me if they get poorer and poorer?

Chapter 98 Control Group

It was a very ordinary question, but to someone who harbored deep dislike for the other person, it sounded like utter contempt.

Uncle Liang snorted, his face turning even uglier.

He entered the room and sat down with an air of authority, glancing at Xu Zhichun: "Let's skip the celebratory banquet."

Uncle Liang's youngest son was being used as a comparison with Liang Mingxuan, so he was unwilling to hold a banquet to celebrate. However, it wouldn't do if only his family didn't hold a banquet; Liang Mingxuan's family also had to refrain from holding one.

Otherwise, things will only look worse for them.

He couldn't sit still for a moment, so he rushed over.

Xu Zhichun was taken aback: "Huh?"

Uncle Liang got anxious: "What? You're not happy about it?"

"no--"

I have absolutely no idea what you're talking about. Oh right, not only should we ask the village head and others to express their gratitude, but it seems like such a big event should involve a banquet to celebrate with all the villagers and relatives.

It's the same as throwing a banquet to celebrate when a relative's child gets into university.

Xu Zhichun had never raised a child before, so her experience was zero. If Uncle Liang hadn't come and told her, she would never have thought of this.

Uncle Liang interrupted her without room for argument: "Since that's not the case, then it's settled. Minglang only left recently, so it's not appropriate to hold a banquet to celebrate now. Besides, Mingxuan is still young, so we should keep a low profile. Let's skip the banquet. Do you understand?"

Xu Zhichun not only heard it, but he was also not stupid. He hadn't thought of it before, but now he not only thought of it, but he also understood it thoroughly.

To be honest, if it were his own Mingxuan who had just passed the exam, while his son had come in third, he definitely wouldn't have made a special trip to say this; he would have definitely held a grand celebration with drums and gongs.

Xu Zhichun had absolutely no experience in hosting a victory celebration banquet. Besides, Mingxuan was indeed too young, and there was really no need to hold a banquet. It was better not to hold the banquet at all, as it would save trouble.

Mingxuan is already better than their family, so there's no need to provoke them further.

Otherwise, if something goes wrong, it will eventually cause trouble.

Xu Zhichun then said, "Uncle is so farsighted. Mingxuan and I haven't thought about this yet. Let's not have a celebratory banquet. It's better to let the children rest quietly for a few days. We can hold a banquet when they pass the imperial examinations and become scholars or successful candidates. But we should still set up two or three tables at home to invite the village head, the clan elders, and the neighbors who have helped us a lot. Uncle and Aunt can also come and sit down when they have time."

Uncle Liang wished she wouldn't even bother setting up those two or three tables, but that was impossible. Putting aside everything else, how could Village Head Liang not be grateful? Shouldn't the clan elders and village elders also extend an invitation as a sign of respect?
Not to mention Xu Zhichun, even their own families would have to set up two or three tables and invite Xu Zhichun and Liang Mingxuan over.

"so be it!"

Uncle Liang left with a curt remark.

Xu Zhichun said to Liang Mingxuan, "We're not having a banquet this time, Mingxuan, don't be upset. How about your sister-in-law buys you a gift and makes you new clothes to celebrate?"

Liang Mingxuan shook his head and then nodded: "I won't be angry. It's more convenient this way, and I'm happy to save trouble. I like whatever my sister-in-law buys for me, and she can also make me a couple of new outfits."

Xu Zhichun smiled with satisfaction: "Okay! Let's make dinner."

"Ah."

The next day, there was no konjac tofu or konjac noodles for sale, so Liang Mingliang had to send ice jelly to the Lotus Restaurant. Xu Zhichun, Zeng Xiaoyan, and the others stayed home to dig konjac and rush to make konjac tofu and konjac noodles.

The news that Liang Mingxiang had also passed the preliminary examination had finally spread throughout the village.

Everyone was shocked once again.

"My goodness, their lineage has produced two scholars who passed the imperial examinations at once! You can't find another family like that for miles around!" "Amazing! These two brothers are incredibly talented!"

"That's right, especially Mingxuan, who is two years younger than Mingxiang, yet he came in third place."

"That's right!"

"."

No matter how much praise is given, it always comes back to Liang Mingxuan.

Zhang and Mao were initially all smiles and smugness, but even the most oblivious person gradually realized something was amiss.

Why is it that every time they talk about Mingxiang, they have to mention Mingxuan as well? And their words always seem to praise Mingxuan even more.

Zhang couldn't hide her feelings; the more she listened, the more frustrated she became. When she heard someone comparing Liang Mingxiang and Liang Mingxuan again, she finally couldn't hold back and retorted, "My Mingxiang doesn't need to be compared to others! Mingxuan was lucky this time, but next time it'll be Mingxiang's turn to be lucky! Taking the imperial examination next time is much more important, what does this matter!"

If her son hadn't pointed his finger at her and scolded her, she would have yelled that Mingxuan must have cheated.

It's really hard to say that.

The sister-in-law, taken aback by her retort, was somewhat bewildered—but after regaining her composure, she gave a cold laugh and retorted, "Oh, sister-in-law, are you just jealous of Mingxuan? Seriously, as his aunt, is it really necessary for you to say something like that! People will laugh themselves to death if they hear that!"

Zhang stormed off in a huff.

Outrageous!

Xu Zhichun acted quickly. The next day, he went to the city to set up a stall and bought a lot of meat. That day, he cooked a meal and invited Liang Lizheng and his wife, Zeng Xiaoyan and her husband, Zhu'er's aunt and her husband, Liang Dabo Zhang Shi Liang Mingxiang, Liang Erbo Bai Shi, seven clan elders and village elders, and four or five people from the village who had frequent contact with him. Some clan elders came with their grandsons, making a total of three tables.

Zeng Xiaoyan and Aunt Zhu'er came to help prepare the meal. We ate around 3:30 pm to eat early while it was still light, so it would be easier to clean up.

Liang Mingxiang didn't come. He said he had been working too hard recently and was feeling a bit unwell, so he stayed home to rest and wouldn't come.

Upon hearing this, Xu Zhichun subconsciously thought of the classic line, "Is it physical discomfort or mental discomfort?" Oh well, it's better if he doesn't come.

She offered a couple of seemingly casual words of concern.

Everyone here is smart, especially the older village head, clan elders, and village elders. They are all very experienced and wise. Everyone knows why Liang Mingxiang didn't come.
Besides, Uncle Liang and Madam Zhang looked so reluctant.

Everyone saw through it but didn't say anything, and even asked him a couple of questions.

The village head, clan elders, and other villagers all shook their heads and sighed: Liang Mingxiang is too petty. He doesn't go out often, so none of them know him well. They never expected him to be this kind of person. With such a narrow mind, he probably won't amount to much. To put it more bluntly, it's better if this kind of person doesn't amount to anything; even if he does, it might not be a good thing.
Xu Zhichun was very generous; all three tables of food consisted of the same nine dishes and one soup, including chicken, duck, fish, and meat, which surprised the clan elders and village elders.

Although they didn't arrive empty-handed, their gifts were limited: about ten coins and ten eggs. Liang, the village head, gave a much larger gift, a full two taels of silver, given privately so as not to embarrass others. The food was clearly exceptionally good.

"This is such a feast!"

"Yes, yes, it's even more lavish than our family's Chinese New Year celebration, haha."

“Mingxuan deserves it, he deserves it, after all, he passed the preliminary examination.”

"Haha, you're right!"

After praising and expressing their admiration, everyone urged Liang Mingxuan: "Look how good your sister-in-law is to you. You must be filial to her in the future!"
Thinking that Xu Zhichun had lost her husband and had no children to rely on, and that all her hopes were on this younger brother-in-law, she couldn't help but feel sorry for her and insisted on making Xu Zhichun the head of the household.

(End of this chapter)