Chapter 73 Preparations for the Banquet

"The village chief is here!"

Someone shouted, and the village chief immediately halted his hurried steps, feigning composure as he walked over, his gaze fixed intently on the plaque.

"Well… Daping, what do you think about placing this plaque in the ancestral hall?" the village chief asked urgently.

Li Daping was momentarily stunned. He had intended to hang it in the parlor of the new house, just as Si had suggested—a place where everyone who entered could see it.

But the ancestral hall was a good idea too. After a moment's hesitation, Li Daping replied, "Let's wait for Si to return and ask for his opinion."

Although he was Si's father, the plaque was something Si had earned himself; he couldn't make the decision for him.

The village chief nodded slightly, "Of course, that's only right." He planned to try persuading the young man to put the plaque in the ancestral hall so the rest of the village could see it and perhaps be inspired.

"Daping, be sure to let us know when you hold the banquet."

"Yes, do let us know when you host it," others echoed.

Li Daping responded, "Certainly, when the time comes, everyone in the village will be invited."

He could clearly feel the villagers' warmth toward him had grown.

After the crowd dispersed, Li Daping and Li Zhengyi carefully carried the plaque into their home.

Feng Cui-cui called from the side, "Be careful, be careful! If you so much as scratch that plaque, neither of you will get off lightly!"

Watching from the side, Jiang Yu couldn't help but laugh. Li Daping and Li Zhengyi exchanged a glance, their hands growing even more cautious.

"When Si comes home, we'll host a banquet at the new house," Feng Cui-cui said. "We must prepare the dishes well. Eldest daughter-in-law, I remember your eldest brother is a cook by trade. He cooked for your second brother's wedding, and it was delicious. Should we invite him this time as well?" she asked Jiang Yu.

Jiang Yu's eyes lit up as she looked at Feng Cui-cui. "Mother, if you think it's a good idea, I'll go and ask my eldest brother." It had been a long time since she'd visited her family.

Now that their little family had some money, she had already discussed with Yi-ge about giving some silver to her parents, as a token of filial piety.

Her eldest brother wasn't a professional cook at a restaurant, but rather a traveling chef for rural banquets. His income depended on being hired for weddings and funerals. Sometimes he earned well, but often there was little to be had.

This would be a job for her brother, and though she hadn't asked about payment, she knew her mother-in-law would be generous—it was, after all, a banquet for Si.

"Alright, go and ask him later, and bring some pastries home as well," Feng Cui-cui said, not one to be stingy. Her daughter-in-law didn't often return home, and it would be poor form to go empty-handed, especially when she was going to ask her brother for help.

"Alright," Jiang Yu replied, her smile deepening.

"If he agrees, we can discuss the menu in advance," Feng Cui-cui said, wanting everything to be done well.

Jiang Yu nodded emphatically, "Yes, Mother."

That afternoon, after lunch, Jiang Yu set off for her parents' house, carrying a packet of pastries.

She called out joyfully at the door, "Father, Mother!"

"Did I just hear Yu's voice?" her mother wondered aloud, then she saw Jiang Yu. "Yu, what brings you home? Has something happened? Did you quarrel with Zhengyi?" Her mother's face was filled with worry.

Jiang Yu quickly shook her head, "No, nothing like that, Mother. Don't let your imagination run wild. Where's Big Brother?"

"He's out fetching water," her mother replied.

Her father silently brought Jiang Yu a stool. "Yu, have a seat and tell us what's brought you here."

Jiang Yu handed the pastries to her mother. "Mother, I brought these for you and Father."

Her mother scolded her gently, "Yu, these pastries are so expensive. What if your mother-in-law minds you always bringing things to your family?" No mother-in-law liked a daughter-in-law who constantly gave to her natal family.

"It was my mother-in-law who told me to bring them," Jiang Yu insisted, pushing the pastries into her mother's hands.

"Really?"

Jiang Yu nodded vigorously and pulled five taels of silver from her pocket. "Here, take this silver and buy yourselves something nice to eat and wear."

Her parents' eyes widened at the sight of the silver. Her mother hastily pushed it back, as if it were a hot potato.

Her mother said sternly, "Yu, bringing pastries is one thing, but why so much silver? What will your mother-in-law think?"

She was worried about her daughter's standing in the Li family.

Jiang Yu pressed the silver into her mother's hand. "Yi-ge and I talked it over. This is our filial gift to you. It's from our little family's own funds; Mother-in-law doesn't care how we spend it."

"You… where did you get so much silver?"

"We've been doing some business in town and made a little money. Don't worry, we still have enough left. We've even sent Zilin to private school. You don't need to worry about me, I’m doing well," Jiang Yu replied with a smile.

In her parents' eyes, the Li family was still the same old household that had struggled to send their youngest son to school—so poor that life was a constant hardship. Out of concern for their daughter, they had often slipped her money, but theirs was just an ordinary family and could only help so much.

Had the Li family finally turned their fortunes around?

"You sent Zilin to private school? That must cost a fortune," her mother fretted. The Li family's past hardships had all been for the sake of education.

Jiang Yu explained their current situation, though she didn't mention exactly how much they'd earned—only that they'd made a bit.

"That youngest Li boy is so capable?" her mother marveled. "He invented a new dish? We've heard of this spicy chicken on the street—lots of people in town love it, though we've never tried it ourselves."

"That's not all," Jiang Yu said. "Si took the imperial exams this year and passed as a licentiate!"

Her parents were stunned. Making money in business was impressive, but passing the exams was an altogether greater achievement in their eyes.

"He passed?"

"Yes, he did. He was first place in the county, then prefectural and academy exams as well. They say it's called the 'Little Triple Laureate,' and it's extremely rare. Even the county magistrate came to announce the good news," Jiang Yu recounted the scene, her parents listening with wide-eyed disbelief.

The Li family had truly risen at last!

This was good—at least their daughter would have a better life.

Her elder brother returned, carrying water on a pole across his shoulders. "Little sister!"

Jiang Yu smiled at him. "Big Brother, I came today to ask if you would cook for my brother-in-law’s licentiate banquet. Are you free these days?"

He was momentarily stunned, forgetting to set down the pole and water buckets.

A licentiate banquet? The youngest Li had passed the exams?

Once he processed this, he replied quickly, "I’m free! When is it?"

"Si hasn't returned yet, but it’ll be in the next few days. My mother-in-law wants to discuss the menu ahead of time and plans to make it a grand event," Jiang Yu explained.

Her brother, regaining his composure, finally set down the water. "Alright. I’ll go to the Li family tomorrow to finalize the menu—is that alright?"

"Perfect. I’ll go with you tomorrow. I’ll stay here tonight, anyway—it’s been a while since I came home."

At that moment, several visitors had come calling at the private tutor’s house for Su, still unaware of the commotion back home and looking thoroughly confused.