Chapter 165: Arrival of the Esteemed Guests
Translator: Henyee Translations Editor: Henyee Translations
Chu Yehui took a rice dumpling and ate it. The rice dumpling was no longer as warm as before, but the moment he opened the food box, a unique fragrance wafted out.
“Wow! Chu First, this rice dumpling is delicious. Who made it?”
Chu Xuhua puffed out his chest slightly and said proudly, “My fifth sister taught us how to make it.”
Chu Yehui paused and was a little puzzled. “Fifth Sister?” He had not returned to the village for a long time and did not know much about what happened in the village.
Chu Xuhua explained, “My parents brought my fifth sister back from her adoptive family.”
Chu Yehui was even more puzzled. “Wasn’t your sister enjoying a good life in the county? Why did you bring her back?”
Chu Xuhua did not want to talk about Chu Qingzhi being abandoned by her adoptive parents, so he said vaguely, “It’s a long story, but she has been home for a while.”
Seeing that Chu Xuhua did not want to say more about this topic, Chu Yehui did not ask further. “Xuhua, let’s talk about the rice dumplings.”
Chu Xuhua nodded.
Chu Yehui took another bite of the rice dumpling. It was fragrant and glutinous. It was really delicious. “How much is one rice dumpling?”
Chu Xuhua said nervously, “Twenty-five copper coins.”
Chu Yehui thought for a moment and said in a negotiating tone, “Xuhua, I think the rice dumplings are delicious, but they’re new after all. We have to see if everyone can accept it. Therefore, 1 plan to buy a hundred to try out. If they’re easy to sell, we’ll increase the quantity. What do you think?”
It was finally a deal. How could Chu Xuhua reject it? “No problem. When do you want the rice dumplings?”
Chu Yehui quickly finished the remaining rice dumplings. “Tomorrow morning.”
“Sure, I’ll go back and prepare the rice dumplings later.” Chu Xuhua remembered something. “By the way, I’m having a banquet at home today. Do you want to come?”
Chu Yehui blinked. “Why are your family holding a banquet?”
Chu Xuhua straightened his back. “My fifth sister has been conferred the title of a baroness by the emperor.”
Chu Yehui was shocked. “Baroness?”
Chu Xuhua said proudly, “The imperial edict has already been issued. It’s the county magistrate who personally sent it. Are you coming or not?”
Chu Yehui agreed. “Yes, yes, yes. How can I not go back for such a big occasion? It’s already noon. Wait for me. 1’11 make arrangements and go back with you.”
Chu Xuhua nodded. “Sure.”
The three of them returned to the Chu Village together.
At this moment, the Chu Village was very lively. A group of villagers were preparing for the lunch banquet at Chu Qingzhi’s house. Laughter and chatter could be heard.
Ning Yuting sat behind the table with a brush in his hand. There was a stack of blank paper on the table. When someone came with a gift, he would write it down on the paper.
Yuan Hongjun and Bao Linjiang assisted him from the side.
At this moment, the secretary of the county office walked over and took out a banknote worth 50 taels and silver ingots worth 20 taels. “The county magistrate asked me to send this over. The latter is my gift to Miss Chu.”
Ning Yuting wrote down their names and identities and placed the gifts in the box beside him.
Then, it was Yuan Hongjun’s job. “Secretary, come and sit here.”
The secretary nodded and followed Yuan Hongjun.
Chu Qingzhi added a delicacy called leaf-wrapped sticky rice cake.
The essence of the leaf-wrapped sticky rice cake was the filling. Under Chu Qingzhi’s guidance, the aunties in the village prepared two fillings. One was pork and sprouts, and the other was peanuts and sesame seeds.
During the process of making the two fillings, everyone drooled at the smell of the fragrance.
Bao Linjiang came to the workshop to see everyone making leaf-wrapped sticky rice cakes. It was something new. On this trip, he realized that he had really been a frog in the well in the past.
After watching for a while, he went back to help.
The village chief walked up to Ning Yuting and placed a basket of eggs on the table as well as a big rooster. “Yuting, your handwriting is very good.”
Ning Yuting smiled elegantly. “Village Chief, you flatter me.”
The village chief asked with concern, “Have you recovered from your injuries?”
Ning Yuting smiled and nodded. “It’s recovered. Thank you for your concern, Village Chief.”
Since he had recovered, it meant that he had to leave. He had lived here for nearly two months and was reluctant to part with everyone.
The village chief looked at the people behind him who were waiting to present the gifts. “We’ll talk when you have time.”
Ning Yuting nodded. “Okay.”
This time, it was Xu Wanrong and Sang Wanlu. The two of them brought along heavy gifts. There was cloth, tea leaves, and silver. Ning Yuting took a long time to record it.
Such people were naturally esteemed guests. Yuan Hongjun immediately called Chu Qingzhi out.
Seeing that it was the two of them, Chu Qingzhi immediately smiled. “Wanrong, Wanlu.”
Xu Wanrong was graceful and beautiful. Sang Wanlu was surrounded by a motherly glow. They looked very pleasing to the eye.
Chu Qingzhi called the two of them to her room. There were too many people outside and she was afraid that something would happen to Sang Wanlu. “I didn’t expect the two of you to come too.”
Xu Wanrong said excitedly, “It’s such a big matter. We definitely have to come and congratulate you.”
Sang Wanlu said in admiration, “Qingzhi, it’s such an honor to be personally conferred as a baroness by the Emperor. In the future, your family will be able to hold their heads high.”
Chu Qingzhi said humbly, “I just did what I could do.”
Xu Wanrong looked at Chu Qingzhi in admiration. “Qingzhi, you’re so brave. You actually went to help the refugees. If it were me, I definitely wouldn’t be able to do it.”
Chu Qingzhi smiled and said, “It’s better for delicate girls like you not to go to such a dangerous place.” If not for the fact that she knew martial arts and Tang Jinghong beside her, she would have been cooked and eaten by those refugees.
Xu Wanrong’s smile faded. “I hope disasters won’t happen again.”
“Let’s not talk about this. Let’s talk about something happy.”
“Yeah.”
Chu Qingzhi chatted with the two of them for a while before she was told that important guests had arrived.
The guests this time were Shopkeeper Qian of Hongyan Restaurant and Shopkeeper Zhou of Fuyuan Restaurant.
The news that Chu Qingzhi had become a baroness had long spread throughout the county. As business partners, they naturally had to send gifts and join in the fun.
Chu Qingzhi walked out of the house. “Shopkeeper Qian, Shopkeeper Zhou, welcome.”
Shopkeeper Qian said politely, “Miss Chu, you’re the first baroness in decades. You make us proud too.”
Chu Qingzhi smiled appropriately and said, “You flatter me. Please come in.
The county secretary is also in the room. You can chat together.”
When they heard this, their eyes lit up. “Okay..”
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