Everyone contributes what they can: those with money contribute financially, and those with strength contribute their labor.
After comforting himself like this, he learned to be an ostrich again, eating and sleeping as usual, except that occasionally his heart would still skip a beat, but as time passed, there were more things to do in the general's mansion, and he couldn't help but worry about these things anymore.
During Yu Shi's confinement, family matters were temporarily managed by her mother-in-law, He Mama. This capable and authoritative mother-in-law spent most of her time in Yu Shi's room, playing with the young nephew, doing some sewing, and chatting with Yu Shi to alleviate her boredom. Before long, Yu Shi was about to complete her month-long confinement. According to custom, a grand full-moon banquet had to be held at the General's Manor. As an official of considerable rank, Zhi Yi was highly valued by the current Emperor, and he also enjoyed excellent relationships with his colleagues, superiors, and subordinates. Even the merchants from Datong had prepared generous gifts in advance, so even if Zhi Yi wanted to keep things simple, it was no longer possible.
However, Zhiyi took the gift list from her mother's hand and frowned slightly, "So many people? How many tables will we need to set up?"
"What's more, Madam He estimated that there are over 130 officials in Datong Prefecture, and if we include their families, we would need to set up around 20 tables. Additionally, considering the superior and colleagues of the master, as well as their dependents, there are approximately 500 people. Furthermore, there are over 220 prominent households in Datong, and including their families, this adds up to a total of around 400 tables for the banquet."
Zhi Yi rubbed his forehead, "The mansion has never handled any major events before. The lady just gave birth to a child and is still weak. She's also young and inexperienced, and hasn't been through many big social gatherings. If we really want to make this banquet happen, I'm afraid..." This was also what Zhi Yi was worried about. Yu Shi's door was not high, nor had he seen any major events before. He estimated that it would be difficult to succeed. As a grown man, he was even more unsuitable and not specialized in such matters. For a moment, Zhi Yi was at a loss. The success or failure of this full moon banquet would affect the face of the General's mansion as well as Zhi Yi's own face. If it failed, how would outsiders mock him?
He's mother was also secretly worried, but unfortunately she was just a slave and couldn't think of any other way. Although she was Madame Yu's dowry maid, she had some prestige and had seen many things, but that was only the infighting and management skills within the inner courtyard, if you really want to do something big, it would be out of her depth.
Zhiyi also clearly understood the nature of Yu's family and the matter at hand. She was already having a hard time managing the General's mansion, if not for He Mama and Ruqing helping out on the side, it's unknown what kind of situation would have arisen.
He sighed, Zhi Yi stood up, and the dark patterned silk green robe fluttered with his footsteps, revealing a hint of the bamboo lining inside.
But in the backyard, Yu Ruo heard about this and frowned. Although Sister Yu had a gentle nature, she was not powerful enough. Zhi Yi was powerful enough, but as a big man, he didn't care about this matter either. The full moon banquet became a hot potato that no one wanted to handle.
But no matter how difficult it is, the gift has been accepted, and the banquet must be held. This is also what Zhiyi thinks, and it's also what Ruqiu has figured out.
Yu's family was shocked when they heard that they had to host a banquet, and it was still 400 tables. They were so scared that their face turned pale, and they quickly expressed that they really didn't have the ability.
Zhī yì chén zhe yǎn shén wàng zhe tā: "Wǒ zhī dào nǐ méi nà ge néng lì bàn xià lái. Kě shì, bù bàn yě děi bàn."
English Translation:
Zhiyi calmly gazed at her: "I know you don't have the ability to do it. But, not doing it is also not an option."
At this time, Yu's family was confused, and He's mother was also panicked. In the end, they grasped at Ruqing as a lifesaving straw. Ruqing, being a young lady from a humble background, had never seen any grand scenes before, let alone host a banquet. Moreover, the guests were wealthy and influential people from Datong, who were not like those in rural areas who would be satisfied with just eating and drinking. If things didn't go well, they might be ridiculed and lose face.
The difference between a legitimate daughter and an illegitimate daughter lies in the fact that a legitimate daughter can follow her mother to learn from experience, while an illegitimate daughter is often confined to the house to do needlework. Even if she is taken out to see the world, it's just a formality.
In the past, Qing'er had managed the He family's household, but it was only a small household of over 10 people, simple and easy to manage, without much effort. The General's estate has 50-60 people, she could barely manage it, equivalent to a branch manager suddenly taking over as CEO, there must be some difficulties. But she can still cope. Now, the position of CEO is not yet warm, and she also has to manage all the operations of the parent company, this burden is completely overwhelming.
However, three cobblers are better than one Zhuge Liang. Yu Shi hasn't recovered from childbirth yet and shouldn't overexert herself, so the task of managing the servants and arranging the banquet fell to Ru Qing. In the end, Ru Qing came up with a lazy solution - she simply outsourced everything to an external restaurant, spending more money to get it done.
It sounds like a good idea. Nowadays, he doesn't care about spending money anymore, the only thing is to hold the banquet first and talk about it later.
Yu's family still has more than ten days before they can go out after childbirth. The details of the discussion with the wine shop owner fell on Ruoqing.
She was dressed in a pale rose-red embroidered yulan magnolia flower front, waist and back intersecting collar satin jacket with a moon-white silk satin pleated skirt, outside with a pair of white yulan magnolia intersecting collar apron, slantingly putting on a hairpin, at the corner of her bun inserted a cup-mouth-sized rose palace flower, the back of her brain was held by a branch of crimson agate jade hairpin, each wrist was matched with a green silver silk jade bracelet, her head covered with a face veil, all the way sitting in a carriage to the largest wine building "Yingbin Wine Building" in Datong.
However, halfway through, something suddenly fell from the building next door and hit one of the guards on the head. The guard was wearing a helmet, although he wasn't hurt, he was still dazed and dizzy, and couldn't help but draw his sword and shout loudly: "Who is so bold, daring to launch a sneak attack on the family of General Town?"
As soon as the guard finished speaking, everyone's curious or worshipful eyes were fixed on the thin veil.
A clear voice came from upstairs: "Sorry, I made a mistake for a moment, please forgive me."
It sounds like you've heard this voice before, so ask Ling what's going on outside.
Linglong poked her head out and suddenly exclaimed: "Wanhua Temple, Chenxiang sister, is that a brothel?"
