The Sweet little Fulang Chapter 122 Part 3

      The feast was prepared by the village women skilled in cooking, with helpers like Wei Lanxiang lending a hand. This gave Lu Gu a chance to sit and enjoy the meal.

　　“Gu Zi, take Shen Yan and Shen Yu to find seats. Hurry, or there won’t be any left,” Wei Lanxiang called out, her hands still busy washing vegetables in a wooden basin as she noticed the tables and chairs being set up in the yard.

　　“Got it, Mom.” Lu Gu agreed and led his younger siblings to find seats. Though he appeared composed, he was inwardly nervous. The crowd was large, and he scanned the gathering guests, hoping to find a table with more women and shuang'ers.

　　“Gu Zi, over here!” Quan Zi’s fulang, holding a child, had chosen a clean table. Feeling a bit awkward alone in the bustling yard, he waved Lu Gu over, he was happy to have some company.

　　Shen Xuanqing, having finished talking with the men from Chenjia village, spotted Lu Gu and walked over with a smile. “Go ahead and sit.”

　　“Mm.” Lu Gu nodded and led Shen Yan and Shen Yu to the table.

　　Shen Shunwang and Zhou Xiangjun were not stingy people, and a lavish feast would show the Chen family that the Shen family would treat their daughter well. Just like when Shen Xuanqing got married, this banquet also featured ten dishes and a soup, ensuring the guests were well-fed and leaving a good impression.

　　Lu Gu sat at a table with people around his age. The spicy stir-fried rabbit meat was fragrant, but he and Shen Xuanqing often ate rabbit in the mountains. This particular rabbit had been caught by Shen Yuping a few days ago, with the help of Da Hui and the other dogs.

　　As summer arrived, wild chickens became more active, sometimes even sneaking into the fields to peck at seeds and leftover wheat grains.

　　Since Shen Yuping didn’t hunt often, the pheasant on the banquet table had been caught by Shen Xuanqing. Even some of the eggs used for the wedding had been brought over from their house, to ensure there would be enough for the festivities.

　　This was Lu Gu’s first proper banquet. The last time he had attended one was as a child, with his mother. Back then, the dishes were simple, he only remembered that the dishes on the banquet were just some cabbage and tofu, and a bit of meat was considered a luxury.

　　The lively chatter at the table, especially from Zhen ge'er, who was sitting next to him, loved to joke and he also said a few more words. Around them, men drank and played drinking games, their voices loud and boisterous. The banquet was truly a lively affair.

　　Dish after dish was served. The elderly women at the table ate quickly, afraid of missing out, but their table, filled with young women and double-borns, was more restrained. No one fought over the food like the children or the elderly.

　　Lu Gu’s favorite dish was the braised pork slices, cooked in a large pot over high heat until tender. The perfect balance of fat and lean meat made it incredibly satisfying.

　　By the end of the meal, Lu Gu set down his chopsticks and sipped some tea to wash away the greasy aftertaste. Though the fatty meat was rich, it was a rare treat for villagers who might only eat a few pounds of meat a year. The rich flavor was deeply satisfying, and even the leftover oil at the bottom of the bowl was poured into someone’s own bowl to take home.

　　“Gu Zi, come here.” Wei Lanxiang called him over after he finished eating.

　　“Mom.” Lu Gu entered the kitchen and was handed a bowl.

　　“Take this back for your sister-in-law. There’s sliced meat at the bottom.” Wei Lanxiang had prepared a bowl of meat and vegetables for Ji Qiuyue, who was at home. On top was a freshly steamed white bun, still warm from the pot.

　　“Yes.” Lu Gu obediently took the bowl and headed outside. Seeing that Shen Yan had also finished eating, he asked, “Are you going back? I’m taking some food for Sister-in-law.”

　　“I’ll go with you.” Shen Yan pushed her chair back and stood up, following him home.

　　By noon, the heat had intensified, and even a few steps under the sun made it hard to keep one’s eyes open. When they returned, Ji Qiuyue was just feeling hungry. She had stopped vomiting recently and had a good appetite. As long as she ate well, her mood improved, and her complexion looked better too.

       The chickens, ducks, and rabbits in the backyard had been moved to the new house a few days ago, and even the goats had been taken over. The manure in the backyard had been thoroughly cleaned, significantly reducing the smell. Otherwise, in this sweltering heat, the stench of fermenting manure would have been unbearable for everyone, not just Ji Qiuyue.

　　Another benefit was that the number of flies in the house had noticeably decreased. As long as the food in the kitchen was covered and kept tidy, there was no need to worry about flies landing on it.

　　The bowl Lu Gu brought back belonged to their family, marked with a red dot at the bottom, so there was no need to return it.

　　In the countryside, families didn’t have enough dishes and utensils to host large celebrations, so they borrowed from neighbors. While chopsticks weren’t a concern, bowls and plates had to be marked to avoid mix-ups or theft. Some people even chipped the edges of their bowls to deter thieves, as no one wanted to steal a damaged bowl.

　　When Lu Gu returned, Wei Lanxiang told him he didn’t need to go back. This was the village custom. During Shen Xuanqing’s wedding, it had been the same, only the aunties and grandmothers stayed behind to wash dishes and clean up. Young people rarely stayed, and those who did were usually given something to take home. Young shuang'er like Lu Gu wouldn’t even have a chance to stay and help, even if they wanted to.

　　As the sun moved across the sky, the festivities gradually wound down. The heat was intense, and the recent farm work had been exhausting. Not only did Ji Qiuyue finish her meal and go back to her room to rest, but Lu Gu and Shen Yan also went to take naps.