Chapter Thirty-Five: A Full House

is like a bottomless pit. There are so many mouths to feed, all elderly, weak, sick and disabled. It's simply too difficult to satisfy everyone.""I know you're kind and can't bear to see the hardship...After much anticipation, the new daughter-in-law has finally arrived. A banquet is held to celebrate.

Everyone picked up their chopsticks and dove into the dishes they liked, praise poured out uncontrollably.

"Madam Kong, where did you find the head chef for this banquet The food is simply delicious!"

Though pleased in her heart, Kong's wife was humble on the surface.

"Speaking of which, it's quite a coincidence. The chef I hired had something come up and couldn't make it. We were in a real bind because we couldn't find anyone else at the last minute. My cousin then introduced me to someone named Li, she lives in Qingshui Village, and my cousin said her ancestors were imperial cooks."

She smoothed her hair and added.

"I didn't take it seriously at first, thinking that as long as I didn't embarrass myself, that was enough. Who would have thought that this Li sister's cooking skills are so good."

The questioning guest was also surprised, “Oh my, a descendant of the imperial chef! This is not easy to find. It must have cost a lot to hire them, wasn’t it especially difficult”

"No, no," Madam Kong quickly waved her hand, hastily praising the Li family.

"This Li, she's skilled and reliable. Last night, she brought four or five people to start working. Including breakfast today and the banquet, the total cost for labor was only two ounces of silver!"

"Two taels" the guest exclaimed, his eyes widening.

"This is quite a bargain. The other day, Zhao Xiucai's mother had a birthday banquet at home. I heard that they hired a chef and it cost five taels of silver for just two tables of dishes! Your food is much more unique and delicious."

Mrs. Kong's face was radiant with joy, her eyebrows raised and eyes sparkling.

Old Master Kong and his friends at the table in the front yard were also having a delightful meal.

Even the carp leaping over the dragon's gate was given an extra one to send up, the meaning was truly too good.

A banquet, where guests and host enjoyed themselves to the fullest.

After the banquet ended and most of the guests had left, Tao Hongying and a few others who had been busy all day sat down to a simple meal. They had a pot of stir-fried cabbage and some leftover bone soup from the banquet, each person munching on a steamed bun made with two layers of dough.

As soon as Lady Kong sent off the last guest, she arrived at the kitchen and saw the Li family like this, even more satisfied.

"Oh my, you're all too kind. Why isn't there any stir-fried meat After working hard all morning, can you really be full just drinking soup"

"It's alright, madam. We are tired too and don't feel like moving much. Just have a simple bite if you want."

Tao Hongying replied, swallowed the last mouthful of pastry, and lowered her head to see her daughter's greedy saliva flowing. She used her chopsticks to dip a little bone broth for her.

Jia Yin's little tongue was lapping so fast, wanting more and more. Unfortunately, Tao Hongying was afraid she would get a stomachache, so she wouldn't give her any more.

Li Laosi took over his daughter, Tao Hongying, and a few others tidied up the stove, quickly making it neat and tidy.

Lady Kong went back and fetched two ounces of silver, she even added a box of fine pastries, and wrapped a braised pork leg and a package of meat balls in oiled paper.

"Take these home to eat. You've worked hard today. In the future, if our family has a banquet, we'll trouble you to come!"

Tao Hongying made some polite remarks and then accepted it.

After thanking them once again, the Li family's talent set off on their way home.

As the sun began to set, Lao Li waited anxiously for her son and daughter-in-law to return. She stood at the gate of the courtyard, peering out into the distance.

Wu Cuifang's heart ached, and she cried out.

"Mother, why are you so anxious They'll be back when it's time for them to return. Besides, it's not necessarily a good thing that they came back early. Maybe the vegetables were burnt, and they were driven back."

Some chestnut shells were placed on the wall. Old Mrs. Li raised her hand and grabbed a handful to throw at Wu Cuifang, who covered her head and ran away. Unfortunately, she tripped over a smooth stone.

She dashed straight out, tumbled head over heels, and when she lifted her head, blood mingled with dirt smeared across her upper and lower lips. The pain made her howl.

Just then, the figures of Tao Hongying and her companions finally appeared at the entrance of the village. Li Lao hurried over to greet her granddaughter.

"Oh my, little lucky girl, you must be tired. Come here, let grandma hold you!"

Everyone laughed helplessly. They were the ones doing the work, but the old woman only cared about her granddaughter.

They quickly entered the courtyard, and Li Lao Er and Li Lao San, Jia Yi, Jia Xi, and Jia An all came running out upon hearing the commotion.

Seeing the box of snacks in Li Lao Si's hands, and the elbows and meatballs that faintly smelled of fragrance, the whole family was delighted.

Jiaxi and Jianan were clapping their hands and jumping around excitedly.

"Food! There's food!"

Old Li beamed with joy, took three dumplings, and shoved one into each of her three grandsons' mouths.

Then, she took the things to the kitchen and prepared to cook dinner herself.

The two daughters-in-law were tired after two days of work, she didn't want them to work anymore.

If you give it to Wu Cuifang, I'm afraid the meat will be eaten before it even reaches the table.

Then there was Wu Cuifang, who pretended to be seriously ill, groaning and moaning like a dying ghost.

Although she claimed to be deeply hurt, her stomach grumbled with hunger.

When Old Mrs. Li entered the room, she secretly opened the pot lid and stuffed several large chunks of pork knuckle into her mouth. Her mouth was scalded, not to mention the blisters on her tongue. The pain made her spin around on the floor, but she refused to spit out the meat.

Jia Anjiaxi discovered it, and shouted aloud.

Li Laotai wanted to scold someone, but seeing the ashamed and flushed faces of her second son and Jiayi, she swallowed her words back...

At dinnertime, Wu Cuifang's bowl only had cabbage.

She sucked in the cold air, wishing desperately that her lips and tongue would feel better, too weak to protest.

Jiao Yin hid in her grandma's arms and watched the excitement, feeling so relieved. She triumphantly kicked her legs and took a few bites...

After dinner, Tao Hongying took out the wages.

"Mother, this is two days' wages."

Then, there was also a very delicate little purse, and she hesitated for a moment.

"This is a gift given by Madam Sun to Funiu because she likes her very much. It's adorned with two silver beans."

Seeing that her little treasure chest was about to be handed over, Jia Yin immediately panicked, shrieking and reaching out desperately to grab it.

Old Lady Li laughed so hard she could barely catch her breath, quickly taking it and putting it into Jia Yin's hand.

"Little one, grandma could still embezzle a little money from you. Play with it, play until you're tired, and then grandma will take it back and save it for your dowry when you grow up."

That was the two-tael silver payment for the work, and Li Lao Tai also pushed it to Tao Hongying.

"This is what you worked hard to earn back. It's not public property, so you guys should split it yourselves."

Wu Cuifang's eyes immediately turned red, and she wanted to speak, but Li Laoer pinched her arm hard.

Tao Hongying seemed not to have seen Wu Cuifang's appearance, and she handed the silver to her mother-in-law again.

"Mother, we haven't divided our family property. Whatever we earn belongs to the whole family. Besides, Jiaren has gone to the city to study, which costs a lot of money. We should keep this silver to buy him clothes and stationery."

Li Laer became increasingly guilty, "Brother-in-law and sister-in-law, thank you for your kindness. I'll go into the city in a few days to look for work. I can't take your silver."

"What are you saying, Second Brother!" Li Lao Si couldn't stand his brother being so polite.

"We're all family. Though Jiaren is my nephew, both my older brother and I treat him like our own son!"

Li Laosan also nodded quickly, grinning sheepishly.

"Yes, after Jia Ren passes the imperial examinations and gains fame, we, his uncles, will also have face."

Seeing this, Old Madam Li took the silver, "Alright then, I'll take it."

Wu Cuiflower looked at the white silver, but she didn't feel as grateful as Li Laer. She muttered sourly to herself.

“He would sell well in front of his mother, he really wants to give it. Why not just give it privately Doing it in front of everyone is like trying to make our family indebted to them.”

Tao Hongying was not one to be trifled with, and she immediately fired back.

"What's wrong with taking silver when it comes from an honest source Your second sister-in-law would like to give you some too, but it's a pity that you're too lazy and everything is rotting away. You can't even earn a single copper!"ck and leading Lǐ gē'er back to the academy.Tao Hongying and Zhao Yuru were afraid that there wouldn't be enough staff at the cafeteria, so they hurried over to help. As soon as they finished, they ra...