"Guihua, see if the blanched dried cabbage is ready? Hurry and scoop it out, squeeze it into balls, and we'll fry some egg paste later for everyone to dip in. ..."
Despite wearing only a thin garment, Madam Gu was drenched in sweat from the heat of the kitchen as the temperature rose. She didn't even have time to take a sip of water.
"Mother, you should go sit for a while. Huaihua and I have it here!" Zhao Guihua said with a smile.
Du Tieshan, who was peeling scallions by the door, watched Madam Gu bustle about and couldn't help but laugh. "Haha, Mother, I know you're happy, but meals should be made slowly, and guests should be invited slowly. Don't you see? The villagers are all here. I heard Sanman and Fang'er are also rushing to the village by carriage..."
Madam Gu was naturally overjoyed, practically blooming with happiness.
My little daughter, my little daughter, you've truly brought honor to the Yun family...
"It's nothing for me to be tired. We have many guests today, so thank you all for your hard work!" Madam Gu said with a smile.
"Don't worry, Mother. The food will definitely be ready in half an hour. Besides, we've hosted banquets before, so we're used to it..." Zhao Guihua replied.
Thus, with the help of the village women, tables of food were quickly prepared.
Yun Daman had gone to the county town at some point and returned with half a bag of candy and two strings of firecrackers...
"Xiaolou, Xiaolou, use the bamboo pole to set off the firecrackers, that way they'll be loud enough!" Yun Daman grinned from ear to ear.
His sister had become a little county princess and was even registered in the imperial lineage. This was more exciting for the Yun family than money falling from the sky...
Jin Xiaolou said "Oh," tied the firecrackers to one end of the bamboo pole, and slowly lifted it. "Uncle Daman, is this right?"
"Yes, yes, Xiaolou, hold it up for now. I'll see if the meal has started!" Yun Daman said, then ran into the main hall.
The guests had all taken their seats, and for those who couldn't find a spot, tables were set up in the courtyard...
As the main character of today's banquet, Little Xi Tian naturally sat at the head table next to her father.
Madam Gu changed her into a bright red little floral jacket, tied two pink hair ties on her head, and then put on the hairpin Xiao Jinheng had given her. Soft and delicate, like a carved jade, with a little dressing up, she truly looked like a little princess...
Xiao Jinheng sat beside Little Xi Tian, feeling proud of her as well.
The more the little village girl worked to change herself and create miracles, the more legitimate her entry into the palace would be in the future, saving those noisy ministers from saying she was of peasant origin and unworthy of being the Crown Princess...
Outside the main gate, the sound of firecrackers echoed through the sky, and even the craftsmen building windmills came to watch.
Yun Sanman and Shangguan Fang'er brought several boxes of pastries as gifts for their sister and tried on two sets of finished clothes on her...
"Sweet Baby is naturally beautiful, she looks good in anything!" Shangguan Fang'er praised with a smile.
"Thank you, Sister Fang'er!" Little Xi Tian's eyes curved. Seeing Shangguan Fang'er, she immediately changed her address.
After all, she would marry San Ge sooner or later, so changing her address earlier would help shorten the distance...
Shangguan Fang'er's cheeks flushed slightly as she stepped forward to help Little Xi Tian adjust the hem of her skirt. "You are our family's little lucky star. I heard that the Prefect has betrothed Yiyi to Jinshan. Is that true?"
Anyone with discerning eyes could see that all the good fortune of the Yun family was brought by Sweet Baby...
Shangguan Fang'er, being so intelligent, naturally knew how much potential Little Xi Tian possessed.
"Yes, Sister Fang'er. Father and Mother said they will hold an engagement banquet for the second nephew in a few days!" Little Xi Tian said crisply.
"That's wonderful!" Yun Sanman murmured, "What virtue have I earned to have such a good sister in this life..."
Little Xi Tian had become a little immune to compliments today, but she still accepted her third brother's blessings with a smile and exchanged pleasantries happily.
Old Man Yun raised his wine bowl and said with a hearty laugh, "Come, villagers, today is the day our Xi Tian was enfeoffed as a county princess. I also thank everyone for their care over the years. To my daughter's promotion to county princess, let's have a drink..."
Old Man Yun's voice trembled with emotion, exceptionally excited.
After sending off these guests, he would embrace his wife and have a good cry.
"Old Man Yun, congratulations, congratulations! In the future, if the villagers encounter any difficulties, will asking Sweet Baby help?"
"Yes, like Zhou the Cripple's family, they've become unreasonable and are privately occupying over an acre of my land. No matter what I say, it's useless. How about this, tomorrow I'll take Sweet Baby to my house to stay for a few days and see if Zhou the Cripple still dares to be arrogant..."
"Shut up! Don't keep calling her Sweet Baby. She's now Princess Dongping. Don't you women have any manners?"
"Hahaha, I just got excited and misspoke. Princess, Princess, I'm sorry!"
"..."
When the villagers gathered together, it was inevitably lively and noisy. The entire Yun family mansion was immersed in a joyous atmosphere.
Some villagers from other villages passing by stopped and craned their necks to look into the courtyard, thinking the Old Yun family was celebrating New Year again...
Eunuch Zhao, unable to hold his liquor, was called to the study by Xiao Jinheng after drinking half a bowl of sorghum wine.
"Your Highness the Crown Prince!" Eunuch Zhao bowed respectfully, his old back hunched.
Xiao Jinheng grunted and asked calmly, "Have there been any incidents in the palace? How are Father Emperor and Mother Empress?"
Although he was in Dashui Village, he was always concerned about palace affairs...
Emperor Cheng was getting old and sometimes prone to confusion, so Xiao Jinheng wanted to be informed about various matters.
"Your Highness, there have been no incidents in the palace, but I've heard some news. I don't know if it's true?" Eunuch Zhao murmured.
Xiao Jinheng narrowed his eyes upon hearing this. "What news?"
Eunuch Zhao pursed his lips, glanced back, and lowered his voice, "Your Highness, there's movement from the Yan Kingdom. According to scouts, the King of Yan is taking the young Imperial Advisor on an inspection tour..."
Xiao Jinheng: "???"
The King of Yan is going on an inspection tour?
This is truly a rare occurrence...
After all, in the entire Great Yan Kingdom, the foolish king was not as frightening as the young Imperial Advisor by his side.
If they were to travel around the Great Liang Kingdom, investigate the people's conditions, and probe matters within the palace, it would be disastrous.
As the saying goes, know yourself and your enemy, and you can win a hundred battles.
Currently, the Liang Kingdom was weak, its national strength declining, and its people impoverished. If the Yan Kingdom obtained this intelligence, it would inevitably launch an attack...
"Eunuch Zhao!"
"Your servant is here!"
Xiao Jinheng rubbed the jade pendant in his hand. "I have a task for you..."