Farm Girl's Manor
Chapter 710: Numerous Obstacles - The Ending of Mo Yongxi (3)_1

Chapter 710: Chapter 710: Numerous Obstacles - The Ending of Mo Yongxi (3)_1

However, the guests who had come to offer their congratulations would be accommodated as per the usual banquet format. Therefore, the feast for the guests was set up separately in the great hall, while the buffet was arranged in other rooms. Luckily, the Mo Family’s residence was large enough to set tables for several dozen feasts; otherwise, guests would have had to sit out 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 taking part in the wine banquet, sitting at the first seat at the head table. Xiao Ruiyuan, Yan Junyu, and Doctor Gui were seated to either side, followed by several of Mo Qingze’s former teachers, then by Mr. Liu, Han Zhiyun, and Shen Ji in turn. With Mo Qingze accompanying from the side, ten people perfectly filled the Mo Family’s large round table.

The next table was occupied by the Punishing Shopkeeper, Owner Mu, Yang Bao, and five village heads from neighboring villages, who were all attended to by the brothers Nian Zhen and Yun Zhao. The ladies’ seating was organized in the dining hall adjacent by a separating wall, and boys under ten years of age also sat at the women’s table, with Mo Yan taking a seat there as well.

Soon, one after another, delicious dishes were served, and Mo Qingze picked up the wine jar, pouring a full glass of grape wine for each cup.

The others were no strangers to grape wine; Shen Ji and several teachers had already received gifts of grape wine from Mo Qingze, so there was no surprise there. However, the village heads at the next table were amazed upon learning that the wine was brewed by the Mo Family themselves, who were even in the process of building a facility to start a winery, which evoked envy and admiration from Yang Bao.

To construct a winery, and such a large one at that, naturally necessitated the need for helpers. Wouldn’t the villagers thus have another source of income from helping out? Once the winery was built, there would be wine to make, and even if the villagers didn’t know how to brew, they could at least pick and wash the fruits - this meant they could earn a wage right at their doorstep!

Chu Heng was attending a civilian wine banquet for the first time and found it quite novel. The presentation of the dishes couldn’t compare to those of the palace banquets, and even the plates that held the food were but ordinary white porcelain. However, the aroma was unexpectedly appealing.

At the invitation of Mo Qingze, he reached out with the communal chopsticks toward a vegetarian meatball dish in front of him. The meatballs were small and perfectly sized for one bite. With one taste, a burst of umami filled his mouth, having just the right texture to greatly enhance the mouthfeel - they were even more delicious than the meticulously prepared meatless meatballs from the Imperial kitchen.

"Not bad!"

The usually stern Chu Heng, who was a stickler for the principle of not talking while eating or sleeping, couldn’t help but utter a pleased compliment. Yet inside, he wondered why, considering the delights that seated guests were experiencing, no one had thought to include him, their cousin, in these gatherings.

Xiao Ruiyuan and Yan Junyu, seated on either side, also picked up their chopsticks, unaware of their cousin’s inner grumbling. Even if they were aware, they wouldn’t have disputed it; after all, they indeed loved the Mo Family’s meals, but what attracted them even more was that warmth and comfort.

Mo Qingze said with a modest smile, "It’s just some humble rice and plain tea. If it isn’t to your displeasure, please have some more."

Chu Heng nodded, continuing to taste other dishes with the communal chopsticks. Only after eating a good portion did he realize that every dish was exceptionally tasty, and even the dishes he usually disliked seemed to become appetizing, compelling him to take several more bites.

As for the others, there was even less to say. With fine food before them and exquisite wine in their company, they quickly relaxed their initial reserve and began to eat heartily. It wasn’t long before the dishes and wine on the table were much diminished.

The same was true in the other rooms, where guests were toasting, exchanging lively conversations and songs, and enjoying themselves thoroughly. Even the most mischievous children sat obediently by their elders, their little faces buried in bowls, savoring delicacies not typically available to them, too reluctant to look up.

At that moment, unnoticed by the people inside the room, two individuals pushed open the Mo Family’s slightly ajar courtyard door. By the time the others realized what was happening, the duo had already made their way into the Mo Family’s great hall, heading straight for Mo Qingze. After setting down the door they were carrying, the two people dropped to the cold hard ground with a thump, their faces full of sorrow, and pleaded, "Qingze, please spare your cousin this time, your uncle is begging you, begging you..."