Free Web NovelChapter 2362: Chapter 2337: Celebration?
As they left, the Zhou Family and the Bai Family finally came to their senses. The Zhou Family was purely surprised, "Manbao, you’ve been promoted again?"
The Bai Family was more astonished, "How come you’ve been conferred a title?"
It was truly unexpected.
Bai Shan and the three others cheerfully explained, "Because of the major achievement in capturing the Kucha King’s city, His Majesty granted the title as a reward."
By this time, their hearts weren’t aching as much, and this shouldn’t be known by the family, otherwise, they would feel the same ache.
So the three squeezed out smiles and very happily told them that everyone who went received rewards; Yin Huo and Liu Huan also received titles.
Old Madam Liu couldn’t help but recite "Heaven Master," then discussed with Ms. Qian, "This is a joyous occasion; we must hold a banquet to celebrate."
Bai Shan quickly said, "Grandmother, it’s just a title of county nobility, I’m still young, no need to rush the celebration, perhaps leave it for later."
But Old Madam Liu insisted, "You didn’t invite friends and family when you passed the imperial exam. This time you must not refrain after being conferred a title. And it’s not just your affair."
She smiled, "Besides you, there’s Erlang and Manbao; one received a title, and the other got promoted. It’s necessary to invite friends and family, especially Manbao, she has a practical role, her colleagues and superiors must be greeted."
If you don’t host a party, how would anyone know you’ve been promoted?
If people misaddress you in the future, the fault is theirs.
Old Zhou immediately agreed, "Indeed, a banquet is warranted."
Old Madam Liu glanced at the two princesses standing nearby and smiled at them, "You have guests, so go entertain them. Leave these matters to us."
Old Zhou was glad to comply, wanting to avoid having his daughter manage household affairs. It was best entrusted to Old Madam Liu and Madame Zheng, so he nodded repeatedly and called Zhou Lijun, "The princesses are here to see the items your aunt and others brought back, right? Go fetch them to show."
Zhou Lijun had entered the city a day later than Manbao and the others; after entering city, he didn’t directly bring the fully loaded convoy to Chongyuan Courtyard first but went to Elms Alley, moving belongings one car at a time daily.
Things hadn’t been fully transported yet, but the essential two carloads had returned, containing the items bought for Princess Changyu and Princess Mingda.
Manbao arranged for them to talk in the study, servants carried in two large trunks, and the seals on the trunks were inscribed with "Princess" indicating they were for the princesses.
Manbao tore open the seal and opened the trunk to reveal boxes of various sizes.
Manbao picked out a large box, opened it for Princess Changyu to see, "These are the gemstones I purchased for you."
Seeing a variety of gemstones in the box, mostly rubies, Princess Changyu was both surprised and delighted, "I can’t believe the money and items I gave you could buy so much."
Manbao nodded, "The fabric you gave me was quite valuable. After reaching Xizhou, Bai Er and the team encountered a major merchant from India stranded in the city. They directly exchanged fabric for his gemstones, alongside some spices."
This was a barter, spending no money in procurement.
Manbao opened several smaller boxes for her to see, all contained spices, neatly packed, "These spices are nice, most of your money went into buying these. Oh, also, this is my gift to you."
Manbao brought out a box and opened it for her to see; inside were various colored tourmalines.
Princess Changyu exclaimed, "How beautiful!"
Manbao proudly declared, "Of course, I meticulously sourced these from store to store."
She told Mingda, "I’ve chosen a box for you as well, and one for myself."
Manbao showed them, and as she opened the box, said, "I’ve strung a series for you already. Isn’t it beautiful?"
Princess Changyu, looking at the red tourmaline in her hand, noted its brilliance under the sunlight, its color subtly shifting, remarked, "This is lovely. It appears as four strings. Can you spare two for me? I’ll trade jade with you."
Bai Shan glanced over to see Manbao shaking her head, "No, this is a gift from Bai Shan; I can’t pass it to you."
Princess Changyu:...
Her teeth felt a bit sore.
Manbao pushed her box closer, smiling and said, "You can select some from my box to string together."
Princess Changyu began selecting, picking a few purplish beads, suggested, "During New Year’s, Father gifted me an inkstone, and knowing I dislike writing, I’ve kept it for you. I also have some jade stones. Would you like to choose some?"
Manbao didn’t hesitate, "I’ll have a look."
Mingda picked a few purplish ones from her box for Princess Changyu, advising, "Mixed colors can be quite lovely; you could string pink and purplish ones together, with a few light red ones for bracelets; they could look splendid on the wrist."
The three gathered to discuss jewelry, while Bai Shan and the others slipped away to converse themselves, "Are you holding a banquet at your home?"
Yin Huo assured, "Surely my family is hosting one."
He would never join officialdom this lifetime, and acquiring a title at last, his grandmother and father would certainly host a great banquet to celebrate.
Bai Shan then looked at Liu Huan.
Liu Huan seemed unsure, "It is indeed a joyous occasion, logically my grandfather should host a great banquet. However..."
"But you’re preparing for the exams; this year’s Ming Classic exam was delayed for a month, but it’s near, thirty days away. Minister Liu surely wouldn’t waste time on a grand banquet, possibly waiting until your exams conclude before making a decision." Bai Shan reassured him by patting his shoulder, "Do your best to pass, then we might enjoy a festive drink. Otherwise, we might have to visit you on your sickbed."
Liu Huan:...
Yin Huo chuckled, "You don’t desire your family hosting a banquet?"
Bai Shan sighed, "I’ve now understood why everyone looked at us that way in the grand court. Evidently, our conferred titles were downgraded, well-known to all. If we host a grand banquet, invite them over, should anyone slip up and mention it, surely my grandmother and mother would be distressed."
He genuinely sought to avoid further turmoil.
And since there’s such a mix of guests, this matter likely can’t be concealed. So he aimed to defer it, suggesting to Bai Erlang, "I’ll tell the family to wait until I’ve passed the Ministry of Rites and Ministry of Personnel exams for celebration. By then, the previous events would have passed from memory, coupled with my joining officialdom, possibly less debated."
Bai Erlang had no objections, "Perhaps my dad will wish to come, I’ll tell my elder brother to send a letter to invite my parents to the capital, how about that?"
Bai Shan applauded, "That’s a sound reason, then it’s settled; later, let’s approach Grandmother and Eldest Brother together."
So they all looked at Yin Huo, "We’ll first seek a drink at Yin Huo’s place."
