Chapter 105: Chapter 105: Pushing One’s Luck
Cheng Ru was also understanding. Although she mentioned it once and was rebuked by her mother, and then subtly refused by Qu Fulan, she did not insist further, showing no displeasure at being turned down.
But there are always those who are not so tactful.
Second Miss Pei Lan was once again hosting a banquet at home to entertain the noble ladies of the Capital City.
Last time, when she invited guests, there was such an unexpected incident at the banquet that she lost face. Now that she’s about to leave, she naturally wants to seize the opportunity to regain her dignity; she can’t leave in disgrace.
Most of those noble ladies didn’t hesitate to accept the invitation when they received it.
No matter how uncouth Pei Lan was at the last banquet, she is still the cousin of Heir Pei. Previously, Heir Pei wasn’t around, but now that he has returned, they are eager to interact with the Pei Family.
Being able to help their husbands by easing difficulties and smoothing relations is the mark of an exemplary wife.
So at the banquet, every three sentences from the noble ladies included two about Heir Pei, truly doing their utmost to gather information about him to provide more details to their husbands for future use.
Even though Pei Lan understood the reason, being flattered by these high-ranking noble ladies was quite satisfying for her, and an air of superiority subconsciously showed in her words.
During a chat, someone mentioned the food and milk tea at the "Flower Garden Ode."
It shows that the marketing of "Flower Garden Ode" is quite successful, having established a reputation within the noble circles.
"I didn’t know what it was initially. It was my husband who tasted it while listening to a book reading, found it delicious, and brought me a portion. After trying it, I liked it too."
"I even took my niece there once, and now I regret it. She insists on going every day, but those places are ultimately not suitable for us women to frequent. If there were a shop exclusively selling milk tea, with no men allowed, it would be great."
Another lady added, "I love the exquisite dishes of ’Flower Garden Ode.’ After tasting them once, I want to eat them every day. But I share your concern; even though I wear a veil every time I go, there are always some lecherous men staring."
There are quite a few lechers in the Capital City, and these men are often the privileged sons of nobility, making them hard to offend without causing trouble.
"I’m not worried about those things. It’s just that after visiting several times, I haven’t seen a decent host, and the service is somewhat lacking."
The lady speaking was from a military general’s family, naturally boisterous, and with somewhat androgynous looks, she never worried about being ogled at, focusing instead on other matters.
The ladies each expressed their opinions.
Pei Lan, eager for an opportunity to display her capabilities, spoke with pride upon hearing this, "Ladies, there’s no need to worry. Whether you wish to enjoy the dishes or the milk tea from ’Flower Garden Ode’ today, it’s just a matter of a word from me."
The ladies, hearing this, sensed there was more to the statement, prompting them to ask, "Does ’Flower Garden Ode’ belong to the Pei Family?"
Pei Lan nodded, "Indeed."
The noblewomen, hearing this, became more interested; if this were the case, attending this banquet would be quite rewarding.
"But how do you invite the chef from ’Flower Garden Ode’ here? Given its success, the chef must be busy; we can’t reasonably ask them to abandon their duties there to cook for us, can we?"
Others agreed, while they were eager to try the offerings of "Flower Garden Ode," affecting the Pei Family’s business would not be worth it.
Pei Lan smiled indifferently, "Ladies, there’s no need for concern. The dishes and milk tea you mentioned can be made by a maid in our mansion; there’s no need to trouble the chefs of ’Flower Garden Ode.’"
The other ladies were delighted to hear this, "In that case, we are in for a treat today."
Other ladies also chimed in agreement, and Pei Lan’s vanity soared to new heights. She immediately called her maid, "Go to Lixiang Courtyard and see if Second Brother is at home. If he is, tell him I wish to borrow Fulan for a while. If he’s not in, speak directly to Fulan and ask her to come."
The maid went and soon returned, whispering something to Second Miss.
A shadow flickered in Pei Lan’s eyes, but her face remained composed. She then stood up, claiming her grandmother had summoned her, and she needed to go over.
The noble ladies naturally thought nothing of it, still immersed in the joy of soon tasting the delicacies.
Pei Lan, with her maidservants, headed straight to Grandmother’s courtyard.
It turned out that the maid had come to deliver a message, saying Heir Pei was heading out and taking Fulan along.
Qu Fulan was originally a maidservant of Heir Pei; wherever he wanted to go with her, others had no right to intervene.
If it were an ordinary day, it would be fine, but at this crucial moment, if Qu Fulan isn’t around, who will make the dishes and milk tea?
Promises had been made, and so many noble ladies were waiting; Pei Lan couldn’t afford to lose face.
She was counting on this opportunity to shine.
Yet she couldn’t directly ask Second Brother for Fulan, so she had to seek aid from the old lady, hoping she could persuade Second Brother to let Fulan stay.
Fushou Hall.
The old lady was sitting in the courtyard, watching Tuan practice writing.
The young child, under the guidance of his father and second uncle, had already learned to read and write.
Hua Hao and Yueyuan were fanning beside them.
This courtyard was shaded by large trees, cooler than other places, and with some fanning, it became even more refreshing.
There was a small bowl of milk tea on the table.
This was why Tuan loved coming to the old lady’s place; in the second room, he couldn’t eat much, but the old lady doted on her great-grandson, giving him a small bowl.
After finishing his writing, Tuan recited a poem for the old lady, who was overjoyed.
At this moment, a maid came to deliver a message.
"Old lady, Second Miss is here."
The old lady was slightly puzzled upon hearing this, "Isn’t she hosting noble ladies today? Why isn’t she entertaining guests and has come to see me?"
Pei Lan had wanted her grandmother to sit with the guests, but the old lady, disliking such socializing, naturally refused.
While they talked, Second Miss arrived.
Upon seeing the old lady, she immediately kneeled.
This startled the old lady, "What’s the matter? Why are you kneeling? Get up and talk."
With the help of Hua Hao and Yueyuan, Second Miss stood up and hesitated before speaking her mind.
She first mentioned the notable statuses of the noble ladies present today, their inquiries about the old lady’s health upon arriving at Pei Mansion, their original intent to come personally, but upon learning she preferred solitude, refrained from disturbing her; then she mentioned the ladies’ praise of the food and milk tea at "Flower Garden Ode," and her promise as a host to have Fulan prepare some for them.
"Granddaughter knows Fulan belongs to Second Brother, and wanted to ask him to lend Fulan, but was told by the maid that Second Brother was leaving and taking Fulan along, so I dared not delay his matters. However, having promised those ladies, if Fulan doesn’t go, explaining to them is secondary, the main concern is they might misunderstand and think our family’s maid is arrogant, disregarding guests, hence asking Grandma to speak to Second Brother to lend me Fulan."