Chapter 8

Given the influence of the Meng family in Jiangning and the status of the matriarch as a third-rank lady, the officials and nobles who came to celebrate her birthday were endless. Even the magistrate of Jiangning, Shao Wenquan, and the professor of the Jiangning Prefecture School, Zhu Xueli, personally came to celebrate, which greatly enhanced the prestige of the Meng family.

The merchants present couldn't help but sigh: "We are all merchants, so why is there such a big difference? The prosperity of the Meng family, of course, has the blessing of their ancestors, but more importantly, it is the merit of the Meng family! The matriarch's title as a third-rank lady is because she has a son who is a jinshi (imperial scholar)! If the eldest son of the Meng family can also pass the imperial examination next year, the Meng family will surely become even more prominent!"

The merchants realized the importance of merit without prior agreement and all planned to hire famous teachers to educate their children after returning home, hoping to achieve success and bring glory to their families! Seeing Meng Ruogu welcoming guests at the door, they were all envious!

Meng Ruogu had been away from home for over a month, but he returned early today. As the only male descendant of the Meng family, it was his duty to stand at the door and welcome guests!

The guests came one after another, and they naturally couldn't come empty-handed. Various precious gifts were already piled up like a small mountain. Lin Zhao came to the front courtyard and, seeing the scene and the yard full of guests, couldn't help but exclaim: "The Meng family is truly extraordinary!"

In the back hall, the young lady Li Shi and the young miss Meng Ruoying greeted the female guests, making the place lively and bustling!

As noon approached, Meng Ruogu found Meng Ruoying and asked, "Little sister, the guests are almost all here!"

Meng Ruoying nodded and said, "Then let's start the banquet!"

"Good, are the wine and dishes all arranged properly?" Meng Ruogu asked.

Meng Ruoying smiled and said, "Don't worry, big brother. These were all arranged by my sister-in-law, and everything is in order!" The Meng family had clear divisions of labor; Meng Ruoying managed the business and major affairs, while the household affairs were managed by the young lady Li Shi.

"You've worked hard!" Meng Ruogu felt a bit sorry and looked at his little sister apologetically!

Meng Ruoying shook her head and said, "It's not hard. Big brother, just focus on your studies and the imperial examination, but take care of your health!"

Meng Ruogu nodded and asked, "By the way, I asked Dongyang... Lin Zhao to help you. How is he doing?"

" Him?" Meng Ruoying was momentarily at a loss for words...

"He has been studying with me and hasn't experienced much, so he hasn't done well. Please bear with him!"

"No, he has done well, very well!"

"Really?" Meng Ruogu couldn't help but be pleasantly surprised!

Meng Ruoying nodded and said, "By the way, big brother, there's something I want to ask you..."

"What is it?"

Just as she was about to speak, Meng Ruoying shook her head and said, "Never mind, it's hard to explain in a few words. I'll ask you another day!"

"Alright, you go invite grandmother, and I'll go greet the guests. Let's start the banquet!"

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In the main hall of the Meng residence, a plaque inscribed with "Loyalty and Righteousness Passed Down" by Emperor Taizong hung high, symbolizing the achievements and glory of the Meng family.

The old matriarch, with her youthful appearance despite her age, dressed in festive attire, walked out with the support of her granddaughter and great-granddaughter, her face beaming with joy.

The guests present quickly stood up to show their respect to the matriarch!

The matriarch sat in the main seat, ready to receive the congratulations of the guests! As the eldest grandson, Meng Ruogu led his wife Li Shi and his younger sister Ruoying to kneel and kowtow, saying, "Grandchildren (daughter-in-law, granddaughter) wish the matriarch a long and healthy life, and may she live to a hundred years!"

"Good, good children, the ground is cold, get up quickly!" Meng Ruogu looked at his three grandchildren and smiled, saying, "Living to a hundred years might be too much, but my old bones are still strong, and I'm still waiting to hold a great-grandchild!"

Upon hearing this, Li Shi's face turned slightly awkward, but fortunately, no one noticed! The matriarch then pointed to her granddaughter and laughed, "And you, little one, I'm waiting for you to get married and find a good husband!"

"Grandmother!" Meng Ruoying was a bit embarrassed!

Lin Zhao, standing far away, saw clearly that Chen Xuan had already taken his seat, looking smug! What a shameless person!

The matriarch then laughed and said, "Also, when Ruoying has free time, she should teach her sister-in-law how to manage the business and keep accounts!"

Meng Ruoying's marriage was inevitable, and the management of the business would naturally be handed over. The matriarch's arrangement was reasonable.

Meng Ruoying nodded lightly; for her, this was a heavy burden that she had long wanted to shed.

After the Meng siblings, the professor of the Jiangning Prefecture School, Zhu Xueli, and the magistrate of Jiangning, Shao Wenquan, as the honored guests, took the lead in paying their respects! With the matriarch's title and out of respect for the elderly, the words of praise and congratulations were naturally not lacking.

Then the important guests came forward one by one to pay their respects, and the main hall of the Meng residence was filled with joy. Many other guests, who were of lower status, had no chance to enter the hall and could only offer their blessings from the courtyard.

After most of the guests had left, Chen Xuan arrived late, intentionally waiting to make a grand entrance!

"Chen Xuan wishes the matriarch a life as long as the sea and as enduring as the mountains!" The words of praise were not particularly original!

"Good, good!" The matriarch was quite fond of Chen Xuan and, if her granddaughter liked him, intended to have him become the Meng family's son-in-law.

Chen Xuan then had someone present a jade Guanyin statue and said with a smile, "I know the matriarch is a devout Buddhist, so I had this Guanyin statue made and consecrated by a high monk at the Kaibao Temple in Bianjing for 49 days, and it was just delivered to Jiangning yesterday!"

The Kaibao Temple, founded in the first year of Emperor Renzong's Huangyou era, had only been established for about 20 years, but after the surrender of the Wu-Yue King Qian, the Buddha's relics were enshrined there. Therefore, it was regarded as a holy place by Buddhists. Chen Xuan's gift was clearly aimed at pleasing the matriarch!

The matriarch nodded repeatedly, very satisfied, and said, "Good, good, good, thank you, Mr. Chen!"

Chen Xuan shook his head and said, "As long as the matriarch is happy, I also heard that the matriarch enjoys fine food, so I brought a chef from Bianjing to prepare delicious dishes for her!"

"Good, good!" The flattery was quite appropriate, and the matriarch was very pleased!

Then several maids brought out dishes in succession, and Meng Ruoying promptly instructed the serving of the dishes to the guests, marking the official start of the birthday banquet!

Under Chen Xuan's guidance, a table of exquisite dishes appeared before them!

"Three Sheep Bringing Good Fortune, Sea and Mountain Sharing the Same Age, Longevity and Happiness, Anqi Offering Longevity, Family Reunion!" Chen Xuan burst out with the auspicious names of the dishes he had thought of!

In reality, they were just roasted mutton, duck soup, pork noodles, jujube cake, and rose cookies, and red-braised meatballs! Although simple, in the Northern Song Dynasty, when stir-frying was just beginning to become popular, they did have some unique characteristics! However, if Lin Zhao saw them, he would certainly sneer.

The matriarch nodded happily, and Li Shi promptly served her grandmother, who was quite satisfied and praised the dishes, saying, "Thank you, Mr. Chen, they are indeed delicious!"

Seeing this, Chen Xuan had a smug smile on his face and occasionally gave Li Shi a meaningful look!

Li Shi immediately said, "Grandmother, the kitchen of our residence has also prepared delicious dishes to celebrate your birthday, and they say they can compete with the chef from Bianjing!"

Lin Zhao thought to himself, "What a way to set someone up for a fall! Raising them up high just to bring them down hard and then step on them. Indeed, the most venomous heart is that of a woman. Unfortunately, your opponent is me, and I'm afraid someone's wish will be in vain."

"Is that so?" The matriarch asked with a smile.

"Such skill? I would like to see it!" Chen Xuan chimed in!

Li Shi nodded and said, "Yes, grandmother, wait and see!" She then instructed the maids to serve the dishes and scanned the crowd for Lin Zhao, thinking to herself, "This time, I'll make your whole family look bad!"

The guests present were all officials, nobles, and wealthy merchants, all of whom had a keen interest in fine food. Chen Xuan's dishes were already quite tempting to them. Hearing that someone claimed to be better, they all looked forward to it, many of them with the intention of seeing a joke.

At this moment, a beautiful woman appeared at the door, dressed in a simple apron and headscarf, looking like a cook, but with a unique charm. It was Gu Yuelun! Behind her, two servants carried a large wine jar!

Following Lin Zhao's instructions, Gu Yuelun bowed and said, "I wish the matriarch a long and healthy life!"

"What delicious dishes? Even a wine jar is brought in..." Chen Xuan immediately sneered!

Gu Yuelun didn't get angry and smiled, saying, "The deliciousness comes from the food itself, not the container. Just like many people who look good on the outside but are actually hollow inside... One cannot judge a person by their appearance, nor can one underestimate a wine jar!"

These words, naturally taught by Lin Zhao, were clearly aimed at someone, and Chen Xuan was once again offended.

Gu Yuelun smiled and said, "This dish is called 'Complete Fortune and Longevity,' also known as 'Buddha Jumps Over the Wall,' specially prepared for the matriarch's birthday!" She then lifted the lid of the wine jar with her delicate hands!