Chapter 34
On the twelfth day of the first lunar month, the Li family held a banquet. Fang Yu had originally thought the invitation was from Li Yun himself, and that Li Yun was the host. However, after arriving, he realized they were guests at the residence of the Provincial Education Commissioner.
Initially, he had only prepared five flavors of watermelon seeds, along with two refined, improved pencils, packaged in fine gold foil and brocade boxes, which he felt were quite presentable. However, when Qiao Hezhi checked them, he felt they still seemed a little insufficient.
Although what he prepared were rare, high-quality items not yet available on the market, precisely because they weren't available outside, their value was not immediately apparent.
Qiao Hezhi thoughtfully added two boxes of the Qiao family's famous, expensive tea. This gave it both monetary value and originality, leaving nothing to criticize.
Fortunately, he followed Qiao Hezhi's arrangement; otherwise, the gifts might have been embarrassingly inadequate when presenting them.
Before this, Fang Yu had truly never attended a banquet at a prominent household. The largest estate he had visited was still Qiao Hezhi's maternal home. However, while it was large and luxurious, it was ultimately a merchant family. Its customs could not be compared with those of a scholarly household like the Education Commissioner's residence.
He didn't know if all scholarly families were like this or if it was an individual custom, but when presenting the invitation at the gate for verification, guests would also hand over their gifts, accompanied by a gift list. After the servants verified the invitation was correct, they would immediately announce aloud what gifts had been presented.
As Fang Yu alighted from the carriage, he heard several announcements: "One pair of ivory 'Zhongshu Jun' brushes, one set of white porcelain tea ware, one pair of blue-and-white flower vases..."
[中書君 (Zhōngshū Jūn): lit. Lord Secretariat; fig. a literary name for the brush used for calligraphy and painting, originating from a story where a rabbit-hair brush was personified as an official].
He glanced back at Xuezhu, who understood and quickly handed the gift list to Fang Yu. Fang Yu scanned it, felt nothing was inappropriate, and then went to have his invitation verified.
Li Yun was naturally hospitable, and today the Commissioner's residence was bustling with activity. Different from the previous Plum Blossom Viewing Gathering at Lingxuan Cave Mountain, this time the attendees were all notable figures of Yuncheng. Officials large and small came with their principal wives and family members. Moreover, Fang Yu overheard a conversation near the invitation verification area.
"Steward Sheng, these are some humble gifts prepared by our Master. Please accept them. The Master is feeling unwell and fears going out might worsen his cold. He specially sent me to deliver these, to congratulate Commissioner Li on the new spring and wish him a prosperous official career..."
The steward glanced at the list. The gift-delivering servant was sharp; even a slight frown from the steward told him what was on his mind. "We are from the Qiao family of Hufengjing. We trouble Steward Sheng to convey our regards to the Commissioner. The small slip below is an inquiry after Steward Sheng's health."
The old steward's face broke into a slight smile. "Is Master Qiao's condition serious? The residence has excellent medicine for colds. If needed, we can send some for Master Qiao."
"With the grand banquet at the Commissioner's residence today, we couldn't possibly trouble you. It's originally just a minor illness; a physician has already been called, and he should recover after a few days of rest."
"That's good then. Please inform Master Qiao upon your return that the Commissioner has certainly received his regards."
Upon hearing this, the servant quickly expressed gratitude: "Thank you, Steward Sheng."
Listening to the conversation, Fang Yu felt it was quite a coincidence. If it was just the surname Qiao, that would be one thing, but the only Qiao family in Hufengjing was Qiao Hezhi's family.
He turned and went down, waiting a little further outside for that servant. Before he could call out, the sharp-eyed servant recognized Fang Yu first and stepped forward to pay his respects: "Son-in-law!"
Fang Yu nodded. "I just heard you say my father-in-law is ill? When did that happen?"
The servant glanced around, seeing no one paying attention to them, then smiled and said, "The Master is perfectly well. He's attending a banquet elsewhere at this moment. Originally, he hadn't received an invitation from the Commissioner's residence, but hearing about today's banquet, the Master instructed us to prepare some modest gifts to send. It's also to let Commissioner Li know there's a merchant family named Qiao in Yuncheng."
Hearing this, Fang Yu understood. Merchant status was lowly; only through such methods could they try to connect with influential families—though 'connect' might be too strong a word; as the servant said, it was just to get their name heard.
"Did you include tea on the gift list sent today?"
The servant didn't immediately grasp the meaning, but seeing that his family's son-in-law was invited by the Commissioner's residence, he understood. He promptly replied, "No. We prepared some jewelry and artifacts. Merchant families usually send things like that."
Indeed. Sending money was direct and clear, very fitting for a merchant's temperament.
"Hmm, you may go. Please convey my regards to my father-in-law and mother-in-law for me."
"Yes, sir!"
The servant watched as Fang Yu, hands clasped behind his back, walked towards the invitation verification area, a smile on his face. He said to the other servant who had brought the gifts with him, "After all, the son-in-law has more face. He actually received an invitation from the Commissioner's residence. The Master and Madam will surely be happy when they find out."
"One portion of assorted snacks and pastries; one pair of carved pencils; two boxes of 'Fangrui Xueyue' tea!"
The people waiting nearby to have their invitations verified heard Fang Yu's gift list. Upon hearing the first items, they secretly wondered what kind of gifts these were—someone actually bringing snacks to the Commissioner's residence? It was somewhat laughable. Then hearing "a pair of pencils," they didn't know what that was, but judging by the materials, it didn't sound expensive—probably some poor, shabby student under the Commissioner. However, upon hearing there were also two boxes of "Fangrui Xueyue," they stopped their random speculations. Fangrui Xueyue was expensive, dozens of taels of silver per box. Two boxes were enough to uphold one's reputation.
After announcing the gift list, the steward said politely, "Fang Xiucai, please come inside."
After entering, it was like navigating a winding, nine-turn path, then suddenly opening into a bright, spacious courtyard. Tables and stools were already set up, and a stage had been built. Performers were singing opera on it, but the audience was sparse; most people were mingling and chatting everywhere.
Inside, Fang Yu didn't see anyone he could really talk to. He hardly knew any of the city's influential families. The young masters and ladies present mostly knew each other; they were essentially from the same social circle. To put it bluntly, he was a bit out of place here.
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