Chapter 710: The Peasant Girl’s Splendid Manor
Chapter 710: Obstacles and Mo Yongxi's Outcome (3)
The guests who came to congratulate were seated at the main banquet table, while the flowing feast was set up in other rooms. Fortunately, the Mo family mansion was large enough to accommodate dozens of tables. Otherwise, guests would have had to sit in the courtyard, braving the cold wind while eating cold dishes.
After resting for half an hour, Chu Heng felt much better and insisted on attending the banquet, taking the first seat at the head of the table. Xiao Ruiyuan, Yan Junyu, and the Ghost Doctor sat on either side of him. Mo Qingze’s mentors were next, followed by Master Liu, Han Zhiyun, and Shen Ji, with Mo Qingze accompanying them. The ten seats at the Mo family’s large round table were filled.
At the next table were shopkeeper Xing, shopkeeper Mu, Yang Bao, and five village chiefs from neighboring villages, hosted by Nian Zhen and Yun Zhao, the two brothers. The women’s banquet was set in a dining room separated by a wall, with boys under ten years old also seated there. Mo Yan also sat among them.
Soon, delicious dishes were served one after another. Mo Qingze picked up a wine jar and poured each cup full of grape wine.
Most of the people at the main table had already tasted this wine before, so there were no surprises. However, the village chiefs at the second table expressed astonishment upon learning that the wine was brewed by the Mo family. They were even more envious when they heard that the Mo family was building a winery and planning to start a vineyard, particularly Yang Bao, who couldn’t help feeling a mix of jealousy and admiration.
Building a winery, especially one of such scale, would require a lot of help, meaning the villagers would have another opportunity to earn wages. Even if they didn’t know how to brew wine, they could still pick or wash the grapes, earning money right at their doorstep!
Chu Heng, attending a civilian banquet for the first time, found it somewhat novel. The dishes didn’t look as exquisite as those served at palace banquets, and even the plates were simple white porcelain. However, the aroma of the food was unexpectedly enticing.
Encouraged by Mo Qingze, Chu Heng picked up the communal chopsticks and reached for a plate of vegetarian dumplings in front of him. The dumplings were small, perfect for one bite. As soon as he bit into one, the fresh and savory flavor filled his mouth. The texture was just right, making it even more delicious than the meticulously prepared vegetarian dishes from the imperial kitchen.
“Not bad!”
Chu Heng, who usually adhered strictly to the rule of not speaking while eating, couldn’t help but express his pleasure. He thought to himself, no wonder everyone around him was so eager to gather here. It turned out that these delectable dishes satisfied their cravings—how had he not thought of joining them before?
Sitting on either side, Xiao Ruiyuan and Yan Junyu also picked up their chopsticks, oblivious to their cousin’s inner grumbling. Even if they knew, they wouldn’t argue; after all, they genuinely enjoyed the Mo family’s meals. However, it wasn’t just the food that drew them in; it was also the warm and comfortable atmosphere.
Mo Qingze humbly smiled and said, “It’s just simple fare. If you don’t mind, please help yourself to more.”
Chu Heng nodded and continued sampling the other dishes with the communal chopsticks. As he ate, he discovered that every dish was indeed exceptionally tasty. Even the ones he usually disliked seemed to have become more flavorful, and he couldn’t resist taking a few more bites.
The others, naturally, were no different. With good food and wine before them, they quickly relaxed after the initial restraint, eating heartily. Before long, most of the food and wine on the table had been consumed.
The same was true in the other rooms. The atmosphere was lively, with guests exchanging toasts and conversations, singing, and enjoying themselves. Even the most mischievous children sat quietly beside the adults, their faces buried in bowls, savoring delicacies they rarely got to enjoy, unwilling to lift their heads.
At that moment, no one in the room noticed two figures pushing open the slightly ajar gate of the Mo family’s courtyard. By the time anyone realized it, the two people had already entered the main hall, walked directly toward Mo Qingze, and placed a wooden door panel down before kneeling on the cold, hard ground. With sorrowful expressions, they pleaded, “Ze’er, please spare your cousin this time. We beg you, we beg you…”
(The End of this Chapter)
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