Transmigration: A Farm Girl’s Brocade
Chapter 320 - 195 Xiao GuGu_3

Chapter 320: Chapter 195 Xiao GuGu_3

A type was a roasted plum blossom cake, also golden in color, soft and sweet. Due to its soft and easily melting texture, it was well-liked by the elderly.

The snacks from Fragrant Pastry House also became the exclusive desserts at Wuxi Teahouse, and a small counter was specially set up within the teahouse to sell pastries from Xiaxia’s Fragrant Pie House. The tea patrons could not only enjoy them there but also purchase some to take home.

After seeing this, Qian Manchuan wanted to set up a counter in the teahouse for "Old Brother Snack House," but Shopkeeper Cui did not agree.

In fact, Shopkeeper Cui had specifically sent someone to ask Qian Yixiu whether the teahouse was still selling "Old Brother" pastries. Qian Yixiu had let them continue selling. Although they had separated their businesses from those few branches, they were still relatives and could not simply disown each other after splitting up.

On the 26th day of the eighth month, the Qian family ate breakfast early. Except for Cheng Yue, who returned to Wangjiang Building, everyone else began to get busy, including Qian Sigui who came over to help.

Since Qian Manxia was to be married the day after tomorrow, many distinguished guests were arriving today and would stay at Guiyuan. Old Lady Zhang and Lady Song from the last time, who had not been able to make it, as well as Shopkeeper Cui’s wife and daughter-in-law, were all expected to come.

They had specifically tidied up Lingxiang Garden in Hexi Garden for the female guests from the Zhang and Cui families. Zhang Zhongkun and Shopkeeper Cui would stay in the front courtyard guest rooms, while Mr. Yu would first go to stay with the Wan family.

It seemed that Fourth Master Song from the Song family would also come, and if he did, he would be arranged to stay in the front courtyard guest rooms as well.

Still, the saying goes that plans cannot keep up with changes. Shopkeeper Cui suddenly hurried over in a horse-drawn carriage saying that not only the Zhang family members and his family would come today, but Fourth Master Song would also bring along his two daughters, Lan Jiejie and Qing Jiejie. Most importantly, Sir Liang would also come. Due to Sir Liang’s arrival, there might even be officials from Xishan County attending the wedding.

He urged the Qian family to quickly prepare accommodations.

With such people coming, the arrangements for accommodations had to be changed again. After discussing with Shopkeeper Cui, Qian Sangui decided that Liang Zechong and Fourth Master Song, as distinguished guests, would stay in the guest courtyard, Lingxiang Garden. The Zhang family’s mother-and-daughter-in-law, Lan Jiejie, and Qing Jiejie would stay in Lianxiang Water Pavilion, the ladies of the Cui family would stay in the wing rooms of the main courtyard, and Qian Sangui, Zhang Zhongkun, and Shopkeeper Cui would go to stay at Mr. Yu’s Linhe Garden.

As for the servants, except for those who served close to their masters and would live with them, the men would stay in the front courtyard, and the women in the main courtyard.

Hearing about these almost legendary figures, Qian Sigui couldn’t help but sigh secretly to himself that his father and brother and nephews had been too greedy for minor gains by pushing out the third branch. The loss from the Dessert House was immeasurable.

At the quarter past noon, horse-drawn carriages carrying the Zhang family’s mother-and-daughter-in-law and the Cui family’s arrived. Being busy, Zhang Zhongkun would only be able to come tomorrow. Zhang Yang sent them and had to rush back in the afternoon, as Huang Yue’e and her son, Master Yu, were still at home.

When the carriage stopped, Zhang Yang helped Old Lady Zhang down first, followed by Lady Song. From the second carriage, Shopkeeper Cui’s wife, Lady Hong, and daughter-in-law, Lady Hua, alighted.

After the greetings, Qian Yixiu took Old Lady Zhang by the sleeve and accompanied them to Lianxiang Water Pavilion.

Lady Hong and Lady Hua were also busy with preparations, as the mistresses from the Capital City could not consider themselves mere guests. And with Old Master Duke himself coming this time, they dared not be negligent. They led the way to Lingxiang Courtyard, intending to arrange the rooms to Old Master Duke’s liking.

Old Lady Zhang stayed in Qian Yixiu’s bedroom, while Lady Song stayed on the couch in the west room. Apologizing to Lady Song for the simple accommodations, Qian Yixiu said she was afraid they had not attended to her properly.

Lady Song smiled and said, "This is the best room, from the window one can see the beautiful scenery of the lake, and the scent of lotus leaves is always in the air. I wouldn’t prefer any other room."

The lake was now full of withered lotus flowers, and only a few leaves were still green. However, many scholars and literati preferred the poignant beauty of the withered lotus. Lady Song, who had enjoyed reading poetry in her youth, did indeed like this room.

Qian Yixiu had lunch here with them and then asked them to rest while she returned to Wangjiang Building.

In the afternoon, at Shen Hour, a few more carriages arrived at Guiyuan. Liang Zechong and Fourth Master Song were accompanied to Hexi Garden by Qian Sangui, Qian Yijin, and others, while Qian Yixiu took Lan Jiejie and Qing Jiejie to Lianxiang Water Pavilion.

The two young ladies were already closely related and very familiar with Lady Song, so they were delighted to stay together.

Representing the Song family, the Song sisters contributed to Qian Manxia’s wedding trousseau, adding four bolts of jacquard silk. The Zhang family’s mother-and-daughter-in-law gifted a set of inlaid jade and red gold headgear, and the Cui family’s ladies contributed four dragon and phoenix auspicious multicolored brocade quilt covers.

The Liang family gave a pair of Cloisonné large vases. Moreover, they sent Qian Yijin a jade carved inkstone and gifted Qian Yixiu a red gold inlaid jade necklace.

Qian Sangui knew that the spiritual object the Old Fairy had asked his granddaughter to fetch had something to do with the Liang family. The Liang family’s generous gifts were an indirect way of showing gratitude for his granddaughter’s help.