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Cheng Mutian, who was not one to stay long, was delighted to hear this. He came out and asked Cheng Fu to count out a few coins and handed them to Gan Shier, saying, "This is enough for you to pay for the wine. You stay with your father and father, I'm going home for dinner."

Gan Shier refused to let him go, pleading, "Brother, please sit with me for a while, or what will my wife do if she finds out I've come here to drink and dine at brothels?"

Cheng Mutian grabbed his arm and couldn't move, so he had no choice but to sit down with him in Jichu Pavilion next to Master Gan's, and called a waiter to bring wine. Seeing that he had a stern face and no one to talk to, Gan Shier called to Cheng Fu, who was standing next to him, "What's the point of hierarchy when drinking? You come and sit down too." Cheng Fu loved this kind of restaurant, and he quickly responded. He glanced at Cheng Mutian and, seeing that he had no objection, he moved a stool and sat down at the octagonal table.

Gan Shier called the waiter to bring another small silver coin to fill the wine cup and handed it to Cheng Fu, saying, "If you encounter my wife, I'll trouble you to cover for her." Cheng Fu laughed and said, "Young Master Gan, you've only just gotten married and you already dare to take in a concubine. Are you afraid my third wife will blame you for drinking at brothels?" Gan Shier twirled the small silver coin in his hand for a while and said in a muffled voice, "You're right. How could she blame me? She'll just keep it to herself and not say anything."

Cheng San Niang was a mistress who had left home, so Cheng Fu dared not comment on her affairs. He turned his head and saw Cheng Mutian gazing out the window in deep thought, and asked, "Is there something you need, young master?"

Cheng Mutian withdrew his gaze, looking quite distressed: "Brother Wu can only call me 'Mother,' not 'Father,' what should we do?"

Gan Shier sprayed a mouthful of wine onto Cheng Fu, who then patted his back while secretly laughing. The two laughed and joked, saying, "It's rare to see someone like you who drinks while still thinking about his son."

Cheng Mutian glanced at the two of them and said, "I was just thinking about my son, what's so funny? I haven't even laughed at you for being afraid of your wives." Cheng Fu didn't dare say that he wasn't afraid of Azhu's stick, so he immediately shrank back and just drank his wine. Gan Shier disagreed: "I'm not afraid of my wife, I love her."

Cheng Mutian said, "Since you love her, don't let her go crying and bothering her sister-in-law all day long, as if her sister-in-law is as carefree as she is."

Gan Shier paused for a moment, then said, "She went to your house and cried? Was it because of that concubine? My wife is good in every way, except she's too timid. She never tells me what's on her mind. How could I not know that she doesn't want me to take in other women? I've been hoping day and night for her to tell me the truth, but she just won't say a word."

Cheng Mutian said impatiently, "What do your private matters have to do with me? Just leave my wife alone." Cheng Fu, afraid that Gan Shier would lose face, quickly tried to smooth things over, "Young Master Gan, wives are all so thin-skinned. You have to guess what they're thinking. My wife is too straightforward to be guessed, and I even find it unpleasant."

Gan Shier swallowed a mouthful of wine and sighed, "Men have it tough enough working outside, and then they have to guess what's going on when they get home. Isn't that exhausting?" Cheng Mutian agreed wholeheartedly, saying, "That's right. When your sister-in-law and I first got married, she would ask me every now and then if I wanted to take a concubine. Doesn't she know whether her husband wants to take a concubine or not? She just had to ask on purpose, making me guess what she was thinking. It was so annoying."

Gan Shier asked, "I see you two are doing well now. What made your sister-in-law change her mind and stop testing you?"

Cheng Mutian laughed and said, "Who cares if she's testing me or not? I only remember that women's words are all sweet, but their hearts are full of jealousy." Cheng Fu also laughed and said, "Young Master, that's what I often say. How could you have learned it?"

Chapter 113 Growth (Part 2)

As if realizing something, Twelve stood up and said, "I'm not waiting for her anymore. I'm going back to tell her what?" Cheng Mutian was puzzled and was about to ask for details when he heard a commotion next door, with Master Gan's voice in the middle. He and Twelve exchanged a glance and ran out together.

Inside the Jichu Pavilion where Master Gan was staying, three or four heavily made-up courtesans, each dressed in a bright red skirt that was quite eye-catching, were seated. Cheng Mutian assumed it was because of them that trouble had arisen, so he stood at the door without moving, only pushing Gan Twelve inside. Gan Twelve went forward to ask what was going on, but it had nothing to do with the courtesans. The waiter said, "This customer ordered all the dishes in our restaurant. The kitchen went to great lengths to prepare them, but he doesn't want them anymore. Isn't that just playing games with people?"

Master Gan argued, "I only ate the few dishes you served. How was I supposed to know you made them again?" Gan Twelve was also confused and quickly pulled Cheng Mutian in, saying, "Brother, I don't know how to make these. You do it."

Cheng Mutian glanced at the table and saw that only small dishes had been touched by chopsticks, while the large platters of food had just been served and were still steaming hot. He immediately understood what was going on. He quickly winked at the waiter behind Master Gan's back, then scolded him, "What's the big deal? I'll pay for whatever you order. Do you think I can't afford it?"

Those who could work as waiters in such taverns were all adept at reading customers' expressions. The waiter immediately changed his demeanor, bowing and scraping to Master Gan, claiming he had acted rashly and offended a distinguished guest. Master Gan, a frequent visitor to taverns in Quanzhou, vaguely guessed that he had acted improperly. He stopped arguing, took out some money from his pocket to tip the waiter, and told him to go to the main corridor and call a few more courtesans to select flower cards.

Gan Shier couldn't figure it out at all. Unable to contain his curiosity, he came out of the room and quietly asked Cheng Mutian, "Where did my father go wrong?" Cheng Mutian first scolded him, "How can you, as a son, say a single word about your father-in-law's mistakes?" Then he explained, "The small dishes served first are for looking at the dishes. If a customer likes a particular dish, he can tell the waiter to have the kitchen make it. If he leaves all of them, it is considered that he wants them all."

Gan Shier laughed and said, "Indeed, things are different from those in Quanzhou. I must have thought that the dish in front of me was the main course. Brother, you are not very efficient. You didn't explain this to my father in person but told me instead. If he asks about it later, I will be the one to embarrass him." Cheng Mutian shook his robe and said, "It's not like I asked you to ask me."

Gan Shier, worried about his wife at home, didn't argue with him. He borrowed a cash note and ran home from the shop, only to find Cheng Sanniang pacing back and forth in her room, her hands clasped together, looking extremely uneasy. He went up to her and hugged her tightly, asking, "What happened?" Cheng Sanniang, seeing that he was the only one who had returned, panicked even more: "Is Father still blaming me?"

Gan Twelve laughed, "Father's having a good time at the restaurant; he's completely forgotten about what happened at noon." Cheng San Niang, who had been anxiously waiting, finally relaxed. Remembering her sister-in-law's words, she lowered her head and stammered, "Sir...sir...do you...love...that Cui Zhu?" Gan Twelve cupped her face and said, "No need to ask, I don't want to embarrass you. It turns out I'm not good at being a gentleman. I'm not even as good as that brother who always yells at your sister-in-law with a dark face." He then took out the borrowed money and called Cui Xiu over to give it to her, saying, "No need to perform anymore, here's the money. Prepare your dowry and get married."

Cheng San Niang vaguely guessed what was going on. She was about to burst into laughter, her heart pounding with joy, when suddenly she saw Cui Zhu leaning against the door, crying loudly: "Young Master, how cruel you are! You tricked me into becoming your concubine, but today, to please the main wife, you're kicking me out!"

Cheng San Niang's heart, which had just begun to rise, sank again. Remembering the bedroom door that had been tightly shut for so long that day, she lacked the courage to rebuke her for talking nonsense. Clutching her handkerchief, she slumped into a chair. Gan Shier, now knowing that women were all prone to jealousy, didn't wait for his wife to ask. He preemptively explained, "Wife, you haven't raised this girl well. I asked her to act in a play with me, but she insisted I pay her first. I searched our room thoroughly and only found a few copper coins. She was the one who pointed me to your hidden money box, and that's how I managed to scrape together two hundred strings of cash as a deposit." He then scolded Cui Xiu, "You agreed to take the money and leave after the play! Why are you still making such a fuss?"

Cuixiu wiped her face and stood up. She sneered, "What kind of show is this? I think the young master is putting on an act. Don't think you can wash your hands of this by throwing away a few coins."

Gan Shier was so anxious he was jumping up and down: "I had nothing to do with you in the first place. How can you say I'm washing my hands of this?"

Cuizhu knelt down at Cheng Sanniang's feet and cried, "Young Madam, I know you were just pretending to test the young master, but I didn't expect it to become real. Anyone would feel bad in this situation, but you should also think about me. Did I really want this? I had a good marriage, but I ended up in this state because of you. If you want to get rid of me, just say so. How can you take advantage of me and then deny everything? How am I supposed to face people in public?"

Cheng San Niang looked at her, then at Gan Shier who was filled with indignation, and still chose to believe her husband, saying softly, "Young Master said he did not touch you."

Cui Zhu said, "You believe that, young mistress? If she didn't touch him, why did he close the door?" Gan Shier said urgently, "I've already explained it clearly, he was looking for money to give you." Cui Xiu asked him, but her eyes were on Cheng San Niang: "Looking for money can take half a day?"

Gan Shier was furious: "Didn't you say that the young mistress is only willing to speak her mind because she's soft-hearted, so you should keep the door closed for a while?" Cheng Sanniang said: "Madam, you didn't say anything when I closed the door in front of you. Did you really choose not to speak? I didn't want to live that life of guessing, so I dragged her into this act for you. I've heard what my brother and Cheng Fu said, and I know I made a mistake. I won't do such absurd things again. But this girl and I have absolutely no connection. Do you believe me?"

Just as Cheng San Niang was about to utter the word "trust," she heard Cui Zhu say, "Whether there's a beginning or an end, it's not up to me to say. Young Madam, please have a sensible old woman examine my body and you'll know."

These words struck Cheng San Niang like a bolt from the blue. A physical examination cannot be faked, and she knew she should unconditionally choose to believe her husband, but the word "believe" rolled around on her lips and just wouldn't come out.

Why didn't she listen to her sister-in-law and tamper with the family letter? Why did she use the concubine to test her husband? Why didn't she knock on the door as soon as they entered the room? She twisted her handkerchief in her hands, her heart filled with endless regret.

Before she could figure out how to face all this, Cuizhu's urging voice rang out again, so she could only stand up hesitantly, suppressing her tears as she asked Gan Shier, "My lord, what should we do?"

Gan Shier was also in a state of confusion at this moment, and stamped his foot: "Let's test it then. Let's go to your mother's house together and ask your sister-in-law to borrow an experienced old woman."

The two of them, along with Cuizhu, went through the alley next door to find Xiaoyuan, explained the situation to her, and asked to borrow an old woman who could perform physical examinations.

Xiao Yuan looked at the young couple in front of her who had no experience in handling household affairs and was speechless.

Now that Cailian is married, she understands them very well. She also loves Third Sister, so she quietly advised Xiaoyuan: "Third Sister is young, and Young Master Gan is carefree and doesn't have much of a mind. Why don't you take this opportunity to teach them a lesson, Young Madam? Otherwise, their family is always in chaos, and they will inevitably bother you."

Even if her relatives didn't have any more children, it had nothing to do with Xiaoyuan. She knew that Cailian was speaking up for Cheng Sanniang out of pity, so she nodded gently, smiled, and invited Gan Shier and his wife to sit down. She then asked someone to bring out the fruit tea she had recently come up with. Acai brought over a small stove and a small pot, boiled the water, and poured it into a cup containing small pieces of Bodhi fruit, pear, and orange. She put the lid on the cup and said, "Let it steep for a while before adding honey. Please wait a moment, masters."

Xiao Yuan nodded slightly and said to Cheng San Niang, "This fruit tea is even better than flower tea. You can try it when you get back. Just don't add the honey too early. Add it after the water has cooled down."

Although Cheng San Niang was anxious, she was used to being cautious and dared not show it. Gan Shier, however, couldn't wait any longer. He pushed aside the fruit tea and asked Xiao Yuan, "Sister-in-law, will you lend the old woman to us or not? Give us an answer! We're still waiting to examine that girl who's spouting nonsense."

Xiao Yuan glanced at Cui Xiu and said, "What's the point of testing this? Just because the master accepted it doesn't mean it's a miracle. If we want to sell it, it's the same thing."

Gan Shier stood up and said urgently, "We must test it. We can't let her try to extort money from me."

Xiao Yuan carefully observed his expression and found it to be completely genuine. She secretly rejoiced for Cheng San Niang and called the old woman guarding the side gate to take Cui Zhu to the servants' room to undress and have her body examined.

The old woman quickly returned with a reply, saying that Cuizhu was not a girl. Immediately, everyone in the room reacted differently: Cheng Sanniang was heartbroken, Cuizhu was smug, and Gan Shier was stunned. Xiao Yuan, not wanting to ask if Cuizhu had been defiled by Gan Shier, simply assumed she had misjudged the man again and quietly called Cailian, instructing her to serve soup and see the guests off.

Upon seeing the soup offered to the guests, Gan Shier hurriedly said, "Sister-in-law, I have no ill intentions towards my wife. This girl has nothing to do with me. My mistake was that I shouldn't have acted out that play to force my wife to tell me her true feelings. I didn't know that all women's hearts are the same and there's no need to be suspicious."

Xiao Yuan became interested and asked, "How are they the same?"

Gan Shier replied, "That's what my brother said. He said that women's words are all sweet, but their hearts are full of vinegar."

Xiao Yuan secretly chuckled and cursed Cheng Mutian, saying, "Whether what you say is true or false is none of my business as your sister-in-law. Let Third Sister go home and question you." After saying that, she secretly winked at Cheng Third Sister. Cheng Third Sister had learned her lesson from being a silent person, and dared not remain silent any longer. She hurriedly said, "Since the gentleman and Cuixiu are alright, please help me call a slave trader and sell her on the spot."

Xiao Yuan was overjoyed that her sister-in-law was finally acting like a proper mistress of the house, and she hurriedly ordered someone to find a slave trader. Unexpectedly, Cui Xiu said, "I didn't sign a contract of indenture. My term of sale has long passed. I am a good man now, and you can't sell me."

Chapter 114 Growth (Part 2)

When Cuihua brought the indenture, everyone went to check and found it had indeed expired, and by a single day. It turned out the girl had done it on purpose; no wonder she was so arrogant. Xiaoyuan sighed. Her sister-in-law truly lacked experience in managing a household. Hired servants should have had their contracts renewed in advance; how could they allow such a blunder as having an expired servant in the house? Seeing her sister-in-law sigh, Cheng Sanniang thought the matter was difficult and went over to hug her arm, pleading, "Sister-in-law, I've never handled household affairs before. Please help me this once; I'll learn from you."

How many people in this world can be self-taught? Even I, she learned through hardship. Xiao Yuan's heart softened, and she said, "Since Gan Shier says he is innocent, and you believe him, then I'll offer a few suggestions, and you can choose for yourselves, how about it?"

Cheng San Niang and Gan Shier both nodded: "Sister-in-law, please tell us quickly."

Xiao Yuan picked up her fruit tea, took a sip, and said calmly, "The simplest way is to kick her out. I have plenty of strong and capable old women here; I can lend you several."

Gan Shier said repeatedly, but Cheng Sanniang shook her head: "My husband still has to serve as an official in the future. What if she goes out and talks nonsense and is used by someone with ulterior motives?"

Xiao Yuan glanced at Gan Shier with a smile. Her sister-in-law was still hoping her husband would become an official; she couldn't help with that. Gan Shier coughed twice, hurriedly picked up the fruit tea, and as if he had suddenly tasted its flavor, he held onto the cup tightly.

Xiao Yuan chuckled inwardly and continued, "It's fine if we don't kick her out, let's just grant her wish and take her in as a concubine." Cui Xiu, who had been silent for a long time, was overjoyed, her eyes fixed on Cheng San Niang, waiting to see if she would agree. Cheng San Niang's eyes were red-rimmed. She looked at Gan Shier and asked, "Sister-in-law, do you have no other way?" Gan Shier, however, understood the situation and smiled, "We'll do as you say, sister-in-law. But I wonder if there are any rules about taking in a concubine?"

Xiao Yuan Cuizhu took the expired indenture and shook it, saying, "She is a good man now. Forcing a good man to become a concubine is a serious crime. It would be better if she wrote an indenture willingly."

Gan Er hurriedly asked Cui Zhu if she was willing. Cui Zhu was silent for a while. Then she said, "I come from a respectable family. I need to write a proper document to formally take a concubine."

Xiao Yuan laughed and said, "It's my fault for being confused. I'm an innocent girl from an innocent family. Of course, we should sign proper documents."

Cui Zhu blushed when she called these two "innocent" women. She moved to the side and dared not utter another sound. Xiao Yuan asked Gan Shier and his wife for their opinions. They both whispered, "We're just waiting to learn a few tricks from our sister-in-law." Xiao Yuan smiled and beckoned to her maid, telling her to fetch a matchmaker to act as a go-between.

It was a mutually agreeable arrangement. One could get paid simply for being a witness. Such a good deal didn't happen every day. The matchmaker, having received the news, rushed to the Cheng residence with her business. Panting, she asked Xiaoyuan, "Young Madam Cheng wants to buy a maid? Who is the patron?" Xiaoyuan smiled and said, "I'm well-known. Why would I buy someone like that? It's my sister-in-law who's virtuous. She wants to find a concubine for her husband." She then pointed to Cuixiu: "She's just started as a maid and has no family. The patron is herself."

The matchmaker suggested, "Selling yourself is fine. Just write a contract of sale. Making a formal document requires going to the government office for stamping, which is too much trouble." This made Cuixiu blush even more, but she remained unmoved. Xiaoyuan sighed softly. She asked the matchmaker to provide the existing marriage contract and offered five hundred coins as a bride price. Then she had both parties sign it. Finally, the matchmaker pressed her fingerprint on the document.

After the signed documents were sent to the government office and stamped for filing, Cuizhu considered herself a proper second wife. She straightened her back and curtsied to Cheng Sanniang, saying, "Greetings, elder sister. May I ask which day you would like to have my tea?"

Xiao Yuan laughed heartily: "Why bother with tea? The important thing is to pack your bedding." Cui Zhu said: "I haven't sold myself into slavery, so you can't sell me." Xiao Yuan still laughed: "If you push us too far, even the main wife will be sold, let alone a concubine like you? But we're not a poor family. It wouldn't sound good if word got out that we sold you. Why don't we do it the way your young master does and do something elegant?"

Cui Zhu, unaware of what refined matters were, smiled knowingly, "Indeed a good idea, but I wonder who would want it."

Cheng San Niang was also puzzled. Xiao Yuan smiled and said, "Your husband once gave a concubine to Cheng Fu, which caused him to be beaten. He even thought that giving a concubine to someone was an elegant thing."

Cui Zhu's eyes showed panic, but she said, "Our young mistress is reluctant to send me away. She still needs me to maintain appearances. Otherwise, if there's no one in the house, it would be difficult for the master to refuse if he wanted to send me."

This girl is truly remarkable; every word she uttered hit the nail on the head, making Cheng San Niang hesitate. She then pulled Xiao Yuan aside to discuss, "Sister-in-law, why don't we wait until our master returns to Quanzhou before making any plans?"

Gan Shier was pondering who to give Cuizhu to when she suddenly interrupted him, and he hurriedly said, "Wife, I'll talk to Father. I'll take responsibility no matter what happens."

This whole mess started because Cheng San Niang wanted her husband to say he wouldn't take a concubine. Now that she heard him say this, she was overjoyed that her wish had finally come true. She laughed and said, "Then let's send him away. I'll think of another way to decorate the house." After saying that, she asked Cui Xiu, "I'm not a heartless person. Who is your favorite servant? If I ask the young master to send you to him, it won't be considered mistreating you."

Cuizhu then realized that whether it was a contract of sale or a marriage certificate, they were both fish on someone else's chopping block, only one was cheaper and the other was more expensive. She was filled with regret and, afraid that she would give it to a stranger if she answered too slowly, she hurriedly said, "He is the second son of the old woman guarding the second gate of the Cheng family. Before Xiaoyuan entered the Cheng family, Cheng Sanniang had no one to take care of her and often lacked food and clothing. She had to do needlework and asked Cuixiu to ask the old woman at the second gate to take it out to exchange for money. Somehow, she got involved with her son."

Xiao Yuan was troubled: "Since I took over the household, the old woman guarding the second gate has been replaced. Where can I find her now?" Cui Zhu saw that she could not hide anything from her. She lowered her head and shed a few tears. She still went to beg Cheng San Niang, volunteering to be her shopkeeper and swearing that she would never seduce Gan Shier.

With her husband's guarantee in hand, Cheng San Niang was unwilling to listen to her. She asked Gan Shier, "Didn't my husband say that books are expensive? I'll take her and exchange her for a few books with you, is that alright?" Gan Shier repeatedly praised the idea as wonderful. Even Xiao Yuan praised the idea as ingenious and elegant. The three of them discussed it and agreed that a bookstore in the south of the city was doing good business. They summoned Gan Li to present the documents for taking a concubine and took Cui Zhu to inquire about the price.

The bookstore was located on Imperial Street. After a short while, Gan Li returned with two books and said with a smile, "That concubine didn't cry or make a fuss, and the bookstore owner was very pleased to see her. He could only exchange one book, but he gave her an extra one."

None of them understood why Xiu wasn't crying or making a fuss. Gan Li laughed and said, "She just wants to be a concubine. It doesn't matter where she is. She's probably secretly happy about it right now."

They looked at each other, unsure whether this was a punishment or a favor to her. Suddenly, Gan Shier slapped his thigh and exclaimed, "Oh dear, I haven't gotten back the money she swindled from me!" Cheng Sanniang smiled and comforted him, "We haven't gotten back the bride price, and these two books are quite thick, so we haven't lost much."

Xiao Yuan called for soup and said with a smile, "Consider it a lesson learned. You should eat the soup and go back to tidy up your household chores. You should also find a reliable person to guard the indentures of these people."

Gan Shier and Cheng Sanniang both got up to thank her for her help, but they didn't eat the soup. They apologized to each other, calling each other "husband" and "wife". Xiao Yuan finally understood why Cheng Mutian's teeth would turn sour whenever he saw the couple, and she quickly interjected, "Your roommate is gone. I'm afraid Master Gan will have to send a concubine."

Gan Er turned his head and laughed, "I'm not like my brother who's afraid of our father."

Cheng Mutian rushed in from outside, glared at him fiercely, threw the restaurant bill in front of him, and gritted his teeth, saying, "Gan Twelve, you owe me another ten strings and five hundred." Cheng Mutian used the word "again" because Gan Twelve was borrowing money to "cover up" the debt, but Cheng Sanniang didn't know about the "cover up" matter and was afraid that she would find out the details, so she quickly pulled Cheng Mutian aside and said to Cheng Sanniang, "Although Gan Twelve is bold, he can't stand up to Father-in-law. At that time, people outside won't say anything bad about him, they will only say that you are too domineering and scared the master into not daring to take a concubine."

After thinking about it carefully, Cheng San Niang realized that this made sense, and hurriedly asked her how to act in a way that would be more cost-effective.

Xiao Yuan picked up a book that Gan Li had brought back and said, "Give away a few and take back a few. When your father-in-law returns to Quanzhou, there will be a few more books."

Cheng San Niang lowered her head and laughed for a while, saying that her sister-in-law was the most resourceful, and even Gan Shier admired her. The two thanked their sister-in-law for her guidance again, and the couple, carrying the book and the restaurant menu, went home together.

After the two of them left the courtyard, Xiao Yuan sniffed Cheng Mutian and asked, "You don't smell of alcohol on you, so how come you spent so much money?" Cheng Mutian told her about how Master Gan had embarrassed himself by ordering all the dishes in the restaurant, and then said, "Master Gan is really extraordinary. It's one thing to go out for drinks with his son, but before leaving, he even took a courtesan with him, saying he wanted to give her to his son as a concubine."

Xiao Yuan didn't believe it and said, "Don't think I don't understand the ways of the world. Ten strings of cash are only enough for drinking and carousing, not enough to redeem a prostitute."

Cheng Mutian laughed and said, "Do you think I'm as stupid as Gan Shier? If I paid for Master Gan's drinks, then the concubines would be considered a gift from me. If the couple quarrels in the future, wouldn't I be the one to blame? So I just said that I didn't have enough money on me, and I paid for the drinks first and then slipped away."

Xiao Yuan breathed a sigh of relief and made him a cup of fruit tea, saying, "I thought you really bought it, but it turns out you didn't." Cheng Mutian didn't like sweet drinks, so he pushed the fruit tea aside and laughed, "Why didn't you buy it? Cheng Fu, who was helping him, said that Master Gan had plenty of money and spent a full four hundred guan to buy the top courtesan at the restaurant."

Xiao Yuan patted her chest: "Luckily, I taught them the method just now, otherwise Third Sister would be crying here every day." As she spoke, she told him about how Gan Shier and his wife were testing each other but a maid took advantage of the situation, and then she pulled his ear and asked: "Second Brother, what does it mean to have honey on your lips but a jar of vinegar in your heart?"

Chapter 115 Farewell Banquet (Part 1)

Mu Tian was much more assertive than Gan Shier in front of his wife. Seeing the maids and servants around him unhesitatingly pull Xiao Yuan's hand away, he skillfully glared at her before going next door to teach Wu Ge to call him "Daddy." The official's rigid nature was escalating; not only was he clueless about romance, but now he couldn't even tolerate a joke. Although Xiao Yuan knew his character well, she couldn't help but get angry. A short while later, Cheng Mu Tian returned and quietly told her, "Don't try to test me with your maid like Third Madam did, or I'll call for family discipline." Xiao Yuan was amused by his words, her anger vanishing completely. Ignoring his strong objections, she used the cover of his wide robe sleeves to tightly grasp his hand, and together they went to teach Wu Ge.

Gan Shier used the delaying tactic taught by his sister-in-law, taking the top courtesan of the tavern as his concubine, which appeased Master Gan's heart and made him happily play in Lin'an for more than half a month. He ate and drank in all the big restaurants and visited all the famous brothels, making him so happy that he didn't want to go back home.

He had intended to enjoy himself for another half month, but then he received a letter from Madam Gan, which read: "Your trip to Lin'an was wonderful. Why not return after the New Year?" Upon reading this letter, Master Gan dared not linger any longer and hurriedly went to bid farewell to Master Cheng. When Master Cheng saw that his old friend was about to leave, he tried to persuade him to stay, but to no avail. So he ordered a banquet to be held in the back garden for a whole day to bid him farewell.

Hearing that her family was hosting a farewell banquet, Cheng San Niang came especially to help her sister-in-law and learn from her experience. Xiao Yuan knew why she had come, and before Cheng San Niang could speak, she smiled and said, "You've come at the right time. Let's take a look at the menu together and see if there are any dishes that your master would avoid." She wanted to test Cheng San Niang, so she deliberately kept the detailed menu a secret and only gave her a general list of dishes.

Cheng San Niang took the menu and glanced at it. It only listed a few general categories: embroidered cakes, dried fruits, gold-threaded fragrant herbs, carved honey-fried dishes, dried meats, and eight cups of wine. She asked Xiao Yuan, "Sister-in-law, this menu isn't very detailed. Could you please ask the head of the kitchen to explain it to me?" Xiao Yuan nodded approvingly, "San Niang is clever. She'll be better than me in the future." After saying that, she took out the detailed menu for her to see and beckoned to Sister Niu, who was waiting in the corridor, to explain it to Cheng San Niang in detail. Sister Niu said, "These dishes are served in order. The first course, embroidered high, has three kinds: fragrant glutinous rice balls, tangerines, and pomegranates; five kinds of dried fruits: ginkgo nuts, pear flesh, jujube rings, lotus seeds, and steamed jujubes; five boxes of fragrant herbs: licorice flowers, cinnabar glutinous rice balls, costus root and cloves, and borneol; six kinds of carved honey-fried dishes: carved plum balls, red dates, carved bamboo shoots, honey-glazed winter melon fish, carved red glutinous rice balls, and large pieces of papaya; ten kinds of dried meat strips, soapberry strips, and Yunmeng..." The first course is served with various dishes: dried shrimp, dried meat, milk curd, scallion pancakes, salted chicken, braised pork with vinegar, and pork melon. The last course consists of eight main dishes to accompany the drinks, each with two dishes, totaling sixteen. The first dish is milk curd skewers and three-crisp soup; the second is lamb tongue skewers and sprouted tripe; the third is fresh shrimp trotters and stir-fried eel; the fourth is hand-washed crab and fish-fake clam; the fifth is crystal-clear soup and pig's stomach-fake river; the sixth is stewed chicken and stewed rabbit; the seventh is skewers and ginger-vinegar raw snails; the eighth is roasted steamed buns and unroasted steamed buns.

Xiao Yuan smiled at Cheng San Niang and said, "Look, these four departments and six bureaus are serious about organizing banquets, but they can't escape the trap of extravagance." After saying that, she pointed to the menu and instructed Niu Sao, "We are having a family banquet, so we don't have to be so formal. The fruits that are just for playing with and can't be eaten are better placed on the pavilion railings or windowsills. Don't serve them as appetizers."

Sister Niu nodded, carefully noting it down. Xiao Yuan continued, "The flowers in the garden are blooming beautifully, but they need to use fragrant herbs to scent them, which makes people dizzy and nauseous."