Tang Dynasty: A Guide to Avoiding Pitfalls for Li Er at the Start

Chapter 72 Pearl, Jade, and White Jade Soup

Five days later.

Outside the Wen residence, lanterns and decorations were hung.

Red lanterns hung high, and red ribbons were scattered all around.

As the firecrackers went off, neighbors came forward to offer their congratulations. Wen He was very generous and gave each person a piece of tofu.

He's not stingy, he's actually very generous.

Although tofu has existed for a long time, it was improved by Liu An, the King of Huainan, during the Western Han Dynasty, which is what we now call "old tofu".

What Wenhe delivered today was different; it was southern-style tofu made with gypsum, which is whiter, more tender, and more delicate than the northern kind.

Gypsum was already being mined by the end of the Han Dynasty, and by the end of the Sui Dynasty, it was being used to make lacquerware, so it is not difficult to find.

It's just a bit pricey; one tael of plaster costs ten coins.

It's simply a money grab.

Fortunately, when he was granted a title, Li Er rewarded him with a lot of silk cloth, otherwise he would only be able to cook wheat porridge for others today.

"How stingy! They're even delivering tofu. What kind of impoverished family dares to invite us?"

Upon seeing this, Yang, who was on the other side, immediately sneered and casually threw the invitation in her hand away.

This was personally delivered by Wenzhong yesterday.

Originally, the Palace Attendants Bureau was supposed to deliver it, but considering that the Duke of Ying's residence and the Wen residence were right across from each other, they asked Wen Zhong to do it instead.

Unexpectedly, Yang didn't even look at them.

“Mother, this is too rude, Father will be unhappy.” Wu Shun tried to pick up the invitation, but was stopped by Madam Yang.

"What's so impolite about that? Does a mere county magistrate like him deserve to invite our family?"

In the past few days, Yang had also inquired about the Wen family across the street, and found that they were just newly appointed county magistrates.

Most of those who have recently been granted titles are former members of the Qin King's mansion, and they are either dukes or county dukes, or at the very least, founding county marquises.

A county is certainly not a place where someone from the Prince of Qin's mansion would be of any importance.

Wu Shun was naturally aware of this, but she worried that her mother was so materialistic that her father would blame her when he came.

"What, you little brat, do you expect me, the dignified Duchess of the State, to visit that mere county magistrate?" Madam Yang glared at her.

Wu Shun hesitated for a moment, then chose to remain silent.

She also agreed with her mother's reasoning. If they went to a county that sent people to invite them, wouldn't that be too embarrassing?

She nodded silently, about to go back with Madam Yang, when she turned around and found that her younger sister had run out.

"Second Aunt, that thing is dirty from falling on the ground, don't pick it up."

"But sister, the seal on this invitation..."

"Throw it away quickly, it's bad luck. It's almost time, I have to go and rest during my pregnancy. You two sisters, stay in the mansion and don't run around."

Yang snorted, supporting her belly which showed no signs of pregnancy, and walked away with the help of others.

Only the two sisters remained, staring at each other.

"What will happen if Mother doesn't give birth to a younger brother this time?" Little Wu Erniang asked with some worry.

Upon hearing this, Wu Shun pondered for a moment, then his eyes suddenly brightened: "Then my elder sister will enter the palace in the future. If she can become the Crown Prince's concubine, even a secondary concubine, those two brothers will not dare to bully us."

Looking at her elder sister's determined expression, Wu Erniang shook her head in bewilderment.

Wu Shun had told her before that His Highness the Crown Prince had summoned them to Chang'an this time and had specially arranged a residence for them.

It is very likely that she will be selected for the Eastern Palace selection, after all, the Crown Prince is now eight years old and it is time for him to be engaged.

At such a time, why summon them to Chang'an? Isn't the meaning behind this intriguing?

But Wu Erniang always felt that things weren't so simple.

But she couldn't explain it.

The two sisters were talking as they were about to walk into the mansion.

Suddenly, a shout came from the other side: "General of the Left Guard, Duke of Yi, has arrived!"

The two sisters stopped abruptly.

Before they could react, they suddenly heard another voice: "The Crown Prince's Right Guard, General of the Right Martial Guard, Duke Su, has arrived!"

Upon hearing the sound, the two sisters were startled and turned around abruptly.

The central gate opposite opened, and a boy who looked no more than ten years old, dressed in a brocade robe, came out of the mansion with a beaming smile.

Qin Qiong and Cheng Zhijie alighted from two simply decorated carriages at the entrance of the Wen residence, one after the other.

Although Cheng Zhijie was a step behind, he went to greet Qin Qiong as soon as he got off the carriage.

"Second brother, you've come today too. Why aren't you resting at home?"

Since the Xuanwu Gate Incident, Qin Qiong's health has been deteriorating, which has caused Cheng Zhijie some concern.

Qin Qiong smiled and shook his head: "It's alright."

At this moment, Wen He had already come over, and when he saw Qin Qiong, he was also greatly surprised.

He remembered that Qin Qiong's name was not on the list that Li Shimin had given him, and it seemed that the Inner Palace Secretariat had not sent him an invitation either.

Seemingly noticing his surprise, Qin Qiong smiled and apologized, "I've been an unwelcome guest today, young man, please don't take offense."

In ancient times, people were very particular about visiting each other. If there was no invitation, a visiting card had to be presented in advance, otherwise the person would be considered an unwelcome guest.

But this is Qin Qiong. If Wen He dares to say anything impolite, Cheng Zhijie, who is standing next to him, will devour him alive.

"You flatter me, Duke Yi. Your presence is an honor to my humble abode."

"Hehe, young master, you know how to talk. What about me, old Cheng?" Cheng Zhijie slapped Wen He on the shoulder, almost breaking his small frame.

"The Duke of Su is naturally a distinguished guest as well."

"Hehe, easy. By the way, did you prepare any of that alcohol from that day? The taste was really strong. I still remember it vividly today."

Cheng Zhijie licked his lips, his greedy expression making Wen He mentally exclaim, "Pervert!"

Holy crap, do people actually like drinking alcohol?

"That stuff, you really can't drink it." Wen He said with a bitter face.

Cheng Zhijie was somewhat dissatisfied and snorted, "I think you're just being stingy."

Wen He had no choice but to ask Qin Qiong for help; with him around, Cheng Zhijie would at least behave himself a little.

"My two dukes, please come into the mansion first. I have prepared many delicious dishes for you today."

"Oh, really? I heard Your Highness say before that you would definitely prepare something that none of us have ever seen before." Cheng Zhijie was a little impatient.

When the court session ended today, His Highness specifically mentioned this matter to them, and he had been looking forward to it ever since.

Wen He squinted and nodded with a smile.

"Yes, I have prepared a feast for our distinguished guests today, including a dish called Pearl Jade White Jade Soup."

"What a great name!" Cheng Zhijie exclaimed immediately upon hearing this.

Even Qin Qiong, who hadn't come to the banquet, couldn't help but nod.

"Just hearing its name, it must be a rare delicacy."

"Yeah yeah."

Wen He echoed.

Even Zhu, a thousand years later, thought so.

Just as Wen He was inviting the two of them into the mansion, another convoy of carriages suddenly appeared in the distance, consisting of five or six carriages and dozens of guards.

The two Wu sisters were stunned by the size of the carriage.

"That seems to be the regulations for a prince!"

Sorry for the late update, please forgive me.

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(End of this chapter)