Chapter 306: Broadening My Horizons
Translator: EndlessFantasy Translation Editor: EndlessFantasy Translation
“Why? I’ve already picked out a good match for him.”
“Aunt, you need to understand that I am his mother. Do you think our family background is inferior to yours or that we lack wealth?”
Upon being pointed out, Madam Wang blushed. “Well, I’ll focus on finding a match for Zihan.’
“Good. Zihan’s marriage will be celebrated at Bichun Garden. Grandmother has said that when the marriage is settled, the estate will be transferred to Zihan’s name.”
“Not here at your place?”
“He’s not my son. When it comes to such a significant matter as marriage, it should be done in his home. How can one leave their residence and get married in someone else’s house? It doesn’t make sense.
She put Madam Wang in her place. Upon learning of the matter, Old Mistress Wang confronted Madam Wang and scolded her fiercely.
Madam Wang’s decision to arrange a marriage for Chuan’er was driven by the fear of him overshadowing Zihan.
It’s puzzling what she was thinking with such a pig-headed mentality, especially when the Wang family relied on Yuan Jiaqi’s support, yet she harbored such selfish motives.
On April 25th, Lucky Garden bustled with activity as the Fengyun brothers took leave for the wedding preparations.
As the elder brother, Feng’er assisted in organizing the wedding, leveraging his experience.
Without the involvement of Qiao Mai and Yuan Jiaqi, everything was arranged swiftly and efficiently. Old Master and Mistress Wang nodded in satisfaction.
Madam Wang followed them closely. “Father, mother, when Zihan gets married, should we also host such a grand wedding?”
“If you have the money, go ahead. Your father and I will attend.”
“How much did Fengyun spend on his wedding?”
“About half a million taels of silver.’
“We can afford that. Not to mention half a million. We can even spend a million.”
“Well, if it weren’t for Qiao Mai’s recipes, would you have earned so much money in all these years? Your comparison with her is unnecessary.” “Mother, the recipes were purchased by our family.”
“If it weren’t for your father’s reputation, could you have bought such a lucrative recipe for a few thousand taels?”
Madam Wang fell silent. Qiao Mai had sold the recipes to the Wang family out of respect for Old Master Wang. She wanted him to teach her husband and children.
It was a deal arranged by Wang Jiaru, and Madam Wang had no direct involvement.
However, she had managed the business over the years.
Hearing such heartless words from her daughter-in-law, Old Master Wang couldn’t stay silent any longer.
“Did you spend your money to buy the medicines for Zihan?” Madam Wang’s face turned pale. “Father, I am wrong.”
“You must not forget your roots. I’ve observed your efforts in arranging marriages for Chuan’er and Zihan. Your intentions are clear. After Zihan’s wedding, you don’t need to come here. Even if you visit the capital, go to Bichun Garden.”
“Yes.”
Being scolded by her mother-in-law could make her cry, but being criticized by her father-in-law made her contemplate suicide.
What did she do wrong? She only wanted to prevent Chuan’er from overshadowing Zihan, all for the family’s sake. Why?
Why did everyone think she was wrong?
On April 26th, it was the joyous day of Qiao Fengyun’s wedding. Everyone enthusiastically welcomed the new bride into the family.
For this second wedding, civil and military officials no longer swarmed Yuan Jiaqi, shamelessly seeking invitation cards as they had done before.
Families split their gifts into two, one to the Xiao family and the other to the Qiao family.
No one wanted to miss out on the festivities at the Qiao residence. Those who regretted not attending last year were determined to go this time. They wanted to enjoy the wedding feast and witness the famed Lucky Garden, which had been praised so highly that they had to see it.
Anticipating the large attendance, the Qiao family had their chef prepare fifty tables of delicacies.
Even the emperor took notice. Accustomed to frequenting Qiao’s Small Eatery, he couldn’t resist attending the Qiao family’s celebration.
However, if he were to go to the Qiao family, who would dare to eat and drink? He can’t disrupt his subordinate family’s wedding.
He ordered Prince Shunqin to find a way to obtain an invitation. Disguised as Prince Shunqin’s relative, the emperor will join the festivities.
He also wanted to visit the minister’s luxurious residence to see how extraordinary it was and finally meet Madam Qiao.
This put Prince Shunqin in a difficult position, considering his status. Attending the wedding of a first-ranked official seemed to elevate them, but it was the emperor’s request. He had to secure an invitation.
Faced with the impossibility of pleading with Yuan Jiaqi, he suddenly remembered that his son, Li Longji’s wife, was from the Wang family. Their elders seemed to reside in Lucky Garden. He entrusted this challenging task to Li Longji.
Helpless, Li Longji visited the Qiao residence at night with generous gifts to get an invitation from Old Mistress Wang.
The royal family, including the emperor in disguise, attended the Qiao family’s wedding. The celebration was lively, breaking away from conventional customs and offering a fresh and extraordinary experience.
As guests roamed the Qiao family’s garden, they marveled at its unique features.
“Have you noticed? There’s no dampness or mosquitoes in their garden.”
“That’s right. I haven’t been bitten all day.”
“I heard even breathing the air here is more comfortable. Can you feel it?”
“Yes, it’s better than outside.”
“Look at the clear water and the fishes. It’s so beautiful.
“Which family’s fish aren’t fat? Look carefully; the water here is so clear you could drink it, and not a single bug inside.”
“Oh, it’s true.”
“Wow, their backyard is beautiful, like a fairyland.”
“Have you been to a fairyland?”
“It’s just slightly better than an ordinary garden.”
“I think you’re jealous!”
“Wow, look at their little animals. So cute!”
With people everywhere in the garden, the emperor, accompanied by the Old Prince, toured the premises.
Returning to their seats, the exhausted emperor quickly sipped some tea.
He realized even the tea was better than what he had in the palace. He furrowed his brows in contemplation.
“I’ve broadened my horizons. My subordinate’s home is better than the imperial palace.”
Upon hearing this, the Old Prince suggested, “Your Majesty, how about I talk to
Old Mistress Wang and have them send anything you like to the palace?” “No need. That would make me the same as bandits.” “I heard these exotic items are all acquired by Madam Yuan from overseas.” “I see. I never thought she had some tricks up her sleeve.”
“If you want to try something new, I heard you can pre-order from Qiao’s Small Eatery. Madam Qiao promises to deliver whatever she can. If she can’t, she informs the customers who pre-ordered.”
“Alright, list it for me. Note down anything I praise. Later, you can pre-order from Qiao’s Small Eatery.” “Understood, Brother!”
“The tea was quite good.”
“I liked it too. I’ll get an extra portion.”
“Sure.”
The pre-order service was an arrangement made by Qiao Mai and Shopkeeper Niu after the New Year. Anyone who wanted something rare had to place an order with Shopkeeper Niu in advance.
Qiao Mai would then determine the price based on the items listed in the order, ignoring unreasonable requests.
Finally, the eagerly awaited wedding feast began. The emperor didn’t bring Yubao. He relied on Prince Shunqin to be his food taster. They occupied a whole table with their family.
Tasting dishes with names unknown to them, the emperor took a sip of wine and exclaimed, “The wine is excellent!”
Prince Shunqin noted it in his mind and ate. “This dish is also good!”
“Brother, we can’t pre-order the dishes.”
“Buy their recipes!”
“Alright!”
All the guests enjoyed the feast, indulging in never-before-tasted wines, unfamiliar beverages, and unique dishes.
No one was pretending or putting on airs anymore.. They all let loose, and the only word that mattered was “Eat!”
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