Free Web NovelChapter 671: Chapter 671: Seeking Outside Help
After having dinner at Qin Yao’s place, Liu Fei didn’t stay.
He rushed back to the South Market before the curfew lifted, as the Dragon Boat Festival was the next day. The store had set up a stage and invited an opera troupe to perform, and he had to stay to help with the thank-you banquet.
Qin Yao was busy with the moving party that would take place the day after the festival, so the Dragon Boat Festival day was spent in hustle and bustle.
It was the first time they were hosting a banquet in the Capital City. As the whole family were outsiders, they were unfamiliar with the local customs.
Fortunately, Qin Yao enlisted an external aid—Ding Xiang.
Moreover, this aid brought in another strong support, Mrs. Xiao, Xiao Rong.
Early in the morning, as soon as the curfew was lifted, two small sedan chairs arrived outside Qin Yao’s doorstep.
Ding Xiang couldn’t wait; as soon as the sedan chair was steady, she lifted the curtain and jumped out herself.
Without waiting for her mother, Mrs. Xiao, she quickly surveyed the several courtyards ahead and behind, finally fixing her gaze on the ’Liu Mansion’ gate.
"I’ll knock on the door!" Ding Xiang said to Mrs. Xiao in the other sedan chair and strode up to the red door, lifting the knocker and knocking hard.
Her eagerness seemed eager enough to break down the gate.
Perhaps understanding her anxiety, the door quickly opened to reveal a man with a composed face.
Ah Wang was startled at first, then he regained his composure and politely greeted, "Miss Ding."
"Ah Wang, right?" Ding Xiang exclaimed with excitement, asking repeatedly, "Where’s Qin Yao? I’ve brought my mother over; go and call her out quickly!"
Qin Yao’s family had already risen early, while Liu Ji and his son were busy washing tea bowls and making tea.
Qin Yao and Yin Le were busy beating eggs, swinging their homemade whisk with such force that it left an afterimage.
As soon as she heard the familiar young girl’s voice outside, Qin Yao didn’t pause her actions. She continued beating the eggs while quickly walking towards the front yard.
"Qin Yao!"
Ding Xiang shouted excitedly. Before Qin Yao could react, a light orange figure flew over like a butterfly, carrying a hint of floral fragrance, and collided into her, embracing her tightly.
"Why did you come so late? I’ve been waiting until the flowers are about to wilt."
Ding Xiang gave Qin Yao a warm hug first, then noticed the things in her hands. She laughed, stepped back, flew over again, and brought someone over for an introduction.
Qin Yao quickly handed the egg whites in her hands to Ah Wang, indicating for him to go to the kitchen to prepare while she managed here.
After tidying her attire slightly, she smiled as she faced the woman Ding Xiang had pushed over to her.
Mrs. Xiao looked about twenty-five or twenty-six, with fair skin, a voluptuous figure, and a healthy, rosy face.
When she smiled, her lips curled up generously and warmly.
Standing with her stepdaughter, Ding Xiang, who was barely past the age of maturity, she resembled an elder sister caring for her little sister.
Ding Xiang chuckled and said, "This is my mother. I specially invited her over to help us. She knows everything about hosting banquets, so if there’s anything we don’t know, just ask her."
Qin Yao smiled and respectfully bowed, "Thank you for the trouble today, madam."
Mrs. Xiao graciously stepped forward to help her up, "It’s no bother. I’ve been used to organizing such events since I was young, staying by the matron’s side. It’s just a small effort for me."
"However, you, I’ve heard Xiang’er mention you a thousand times. Finally meeting you today, you truly have an extraordinary demeanor. I feel you’ll be someone I get along with beyond today."
Qin Yao offered a sincere smile, "Since you say so, madam, then I won’t stand on ceremony with you."
"Our family plans to stay in the Capital City long-term, and there’re many things we don’t know about. We might need to keep troubling you and Mr. Ding."
"Of course, if there’s anything I can do for you, madam, please feel free to ask. As Ding Xiang might have already told you, I’m not good at much, but I can help with heavy lifting or even go hunting in the mountains."
Saying this, she paused, leaned closer to Mrs. Xiao’s ear, and whispered, "Even putting someone not very clever into a sack to help clean up is not a problem."
Mrs. Xiao’s eyes widened in surprise, then she laughed again, her laughter clear and unrestrained.
"But you better not charge me too much," Mrs. Xiao laughed, playfully pointing at Qin Yao.
Qin Yao nodded, "Of course not."
Ding Xiang didn’t know what the two were talking about. She looked at Qin Yao and then her mother, grinning along.
Mrs. Xiao cleared her throat lightly to compose herself, adjusting her expression, "Alright, it’s getting late. The guests will be arriving soon, so let’s get to work."
Qin Yao and Ding Xiang rolled up their sleeves in unison, ready to take orders.
Mrs. Xiao looked around the spacious martial arts training ground and asked, "Are you hosting the banquet here? How many tables have you prepared?"
Qin Yao replied, "Yes, it’s spacious here. I’ve set up three tables inside and five outside, so eight tables in total."
Mrs. Xiao nodded in understanding, then pointed to the main door, "Who’s greeting the guests? Your family might not recognize everyone since you’re new here. Do you have any respected elder neighbors who could help? It would prevent the guests from feeling neglected."
Qin Yao was prepared for this. She had asked Yin Le the day before to request the help of Mr. Qiu from next door. Liu Ji and Mr. Qiu would greet guests together.
Mrs. Xiao nodded in comprehension and asked if the tables, chairs, bowls, and chopsticks were ready.
Qin Yao said, "We’ve rented seven sets of tables, chairs, and dining ware, which will be delivered shortly."
"We’ve also ordered the dishes from Tianxiang Building, which will arrive in the afternoon."
Mrs. Xiao reminded, "Make sure to send someone to oversee the food preparation in advance so that the tavern doesn’t delay."
Qin Yao immediately instructed Yin Le to handle the tavern affairs.
Yin Le first bowed to Mrs. Xiao before agreeing, "Alright, I’ll head over after finishing beating the eggs."
Liu Ji and the children greeted Mrs. Xiao, and as they saw Mrs. Xiao handle everything efficiently, the family’s initial anxiety began to ease.
By midday, the first guests arrived.
All households had their own tasks, so it was mostly the women who came early for tea and snacks. Some brought children, while others just came for a short visit before heading home, planning to return for the formal meal in the afternoon.
Except for the two sons still at West Market, the entire Qiu family from next door came.
Aunt Yu and Zhang Guizhi from the alley opposite also came after preparing breakfast for their elderly family members, helping to warm up the atmosphere.
With candies to eat and a new house to explore, it was just a change of place for gossiping.
Qin Yao greeted each of them. They were all quite curious about her, asking questions eagerly, almost as if digging out her ancestral roots and claiming kinship.
Qin Yao was always impatient with such things, and with Liu Ji greeting guests at the door, she had no choice but to brace herself and engage.
Old Mrs. Qiu found her familiar from the start. Upon asking, she discovered Qin Yao was the daughter of the Mutual Market Supervisor, her own son’s superior, and the wife of the Deputy Mutual Market Supervisor. She exclaimed, "Oh my! The flood washed over the Dragon King Temple—family didn’t recognize family!"
She caught a fleeing Qin Yao, partly accusingly saying, "Miss Qin, you should have said something earlier!"
Qin Yao glanced at Mrs. Xiao for help, giving an awkward smile.
