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Time swiftly passed to August, and the Long Family held a grand banquet to celebrate Madam Tai's recovery. In truth, the celebration served as an opportunity to invite officials and merchants from Yangzhou.
Early that day, Su Yuntang was summoned by Lady Long to Zheng Tang to discuss the banquet arrangements. Lady Long reclined in a round chair, fanning herself with a hand fan, squinting as she assessed Su Yuntang. "Now that you are married into the Long Family, you are our Second Young Mistress. You must contribute to today's banquet."
"Your daughter-in-law will obey your instructions, Mother," Su Yuntang replied with a respectful bow.
Lady Long nodded in satisfaction and handed her a red invitation card. "This is the guest list for tomorrow. Take a look and decide how to arrange the seating."
Su Yuntang took the card and quickly scanned it, her heart sinking in surprise. There were over a dozen officials listed, including the Salt Transport Commissioner, Zhi Fu, and Tongpan, not to mention the wealthy salt merchants. To her astonishment, her own parents were also on the list.
"Mother, with so many distinguished guests gathering, I fear..."
"What are you afraid of?" Lady Long scoffed. "Your Hu Family comes from a lineage of salt merchants; surely you understand these social intricacies?"
Su Yuntang felt a chill run down her spine and quickly replied, "Your daughter-in-law dares not presume; I am merely concerned about making mistakes as I am still new here."
Lady Long softened her expression slightly. "Very well, Chun Tao will assist you. Remember, there must be no mistakes at tomorrow's banquet."
The next two days passed in a flurry of activity for Su Yuntang. On the day of the banquet, just after noon, she accompanied the housekeeper to check on the food preparations. The kitchen was bustling with steam rising as over a dozen cooks worked diligently; steam billowed from the bamboo steamers while the counters were filled with neatly chopped ingredients.
Next, she inspected the arrangement of tables and chairs in the flower hall. The large red wooden table was polished to a shine, covered with a brocade tablecloth, and silver wine pots and tea cups were arranged neatly.
"Second Young Mistress, should this vase go here or over there?" a little maid timidly asked.
Su Yuntang glanced around and pointed toward the window. "Place it there; with the breeze, the fragrance of the flowers will spread further."
As time passed and guests began to arrive, Su Yuntang returned to her quarters to change into a light moon-white silk shirt embroidered with gold threads, topped with a lake-green jacket. She looked elegant and refreshing in the summer heat. With only a jade hairpin adorning her hair, she was accompanied by Hong Xiu and Lu Ao at the entrance of the flower hall to welcome guests.
Old Hu and Madam Hu were among the first to arrive. Old Hu wore a dark silk robe while Madam Hu donned a stone-blue embroidered gown with gold hairpins in her hair. As they entered the flower hall, their gazes immediately fixed on Su Yuntang.
"Greetings to Father and Mother," Su Yuntang said hurriedly as she stepped forward to pay her respects.
Old Hu scrutinized her for a moment before nodding. "Hmm, are you getting along well in the Long Family?"
"Replying to Father, everything is fine," Su Yuntang answered obediently.
Madam Hu took her hand and whispered urgently, "In such an occasion today, be careful with your words; do not make any mistakes."
"Understanding," Su Yuntang replied softly.
Lady Long had specially donned a stone blue Shu brocade gown today, adorned with embroidered peonies symbolizing wealth and prosperity. A gold hairpin decorated with green gemstones held her hair in place, with two eastern pearls dangling from its tip. She sat gracefully at the head of the women's seating area, observing Su Yuntang as she mingled among the guests. Su Yuntang's demeanor was poised, leaving no room for Lady Long to find fault.
Before Lord Long announced the start of the banquet, Long Xi arrived, dressed in a moon-white robe with a jade belt cinched at his waist. He walked directly to Su Yuntang and took her hand, guiding her to sit at the main table.
As the wine flowed and dishes were served, the summer night's heat was gently stirred by the banana leaves in the courtyard, and the guests inside began to feel pleasantly tipsy.
Just as the salt transport commissioner raised his glass to share a humorous story that elicited laughter from the table, Lady Long suddenly set down her wine cup and lightly clapped her hands twice. "Dear esteemed guests and friends, today marks my recovery and our family’s addition of a new daughter-in-law—one joyous occasion after another. On this auspicious day, it is only fitting that we showcase our Second Young Mistress's talents."
Her voice was clear and crisp, each word articulated distinctly, causing the previously lively flower hall to fall silent. All heads turned as dozens of eyes focused intently on Su Yuntang.
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