CHAPTER 372: CHAPTER 356: FIRST BIRTHDAY BANQUET (2)

We planned for only three tables, but six tables worth of people showed up.

Forced by circumstances, Prince Luling arranged for his sons to go buy ingredients.

We have experience from the previous wedding banquet.

This time, everyone remained calm and composed.

Mu Yuanxiu came down the mountain again to help.

Li Xing’an saw him and immediately frowned.

Before Mu Yuanxiu could speak, Li Xingmao said, "I invited him to help."

Only then did Li Xing’an refrain from saying more.

"I’ll go with you, I’m familiar with the shopkeepers there." Knowing the Li Family needed ingredients, Li Xing’an intended to go buy them, and Mu Yuanxiu mounted his mule, nodding towards Li Xing’an.

"Thanks, thanks." Li Xing’an didn’t refuse.

He was determined to get to know the shopkeepers well, so next time he wouldn’t need Mu Yuanxiu’s help.

Exactly because he knows nothing, his big brother and old dad often call Mu Yuanxiu for help.

The two bought some rice oil, meat, and longevity noodles in the street, then returned with their mule and horse carrying them.

With only six tables of people, the banquet was quite relaxed.

Nanny Jiang still took charge as the cook, while the two ladies from the Liu Family who came to help were responsible for washing and cutting vegetables, and Mrs. Li Zheng was responsible for stoking the stove.

Liu Laoda and Liu Er were in charge of serving dishes.

However, since the dishes weren’t ready, they worked outside the kitchen, doing odd jobs like chopping firewood and fetching water.

Li Yuzhu and her two sisters also had tasks to do.

The Second Princess stood with Li Xingmao at the entrance to greet guests, managing the women.

The Great Princess and Li Yuzhu followed Chai Eying to help; they had plenty to do too, like receiving gifts, serving tea, fruits, and snacks.

Liu Da Niu considered helping in the kitchen, but Li Yuzhu didn’t let her do anything, letting her be a true guest for once, sitting under the constructed shade and chatting with other women from the village while waiting for the banquet to start.

She was already over four months pregnant, how could she work in the kitchen? With so many people and tasks, it’s physical work.

Chai Eying was also pregnant, and today she cuddled the birthday star, Guoguo, sitting among the women, chatting.

On Guoguo’s head, she wore the little accessory Chai Eying specially crafted for her.

When the sunlight hit it, it sparkled brightly.

Today, she wore a vermillion dress that Chai Eying had prepared in advance.

She sat in Chai Eying’s lap, beaming with joy, greeting everyone.

Chai Eying told her what titles to use, and she sweetly called out in response.

"Grandpa, Grandma, Uncle, Aunt."

She didn’t say many words but spoke clearly, showing six little white teeth when talking, with two small dimples appearing on her cheeks.

She delighted everyone who liked her.

At that moment, Li Lixing came over from the entrance to say, "Eldest Sister-in-law, guests are arriving."

For the usual village guests, they just come straight into the courtyard.

Inside the screen wall area, the open space to the left was for male guests, and the right for female guests.

The villagers all knew each other, was there any need for formal invitations?

Chai Eying then asked, "Who is it?"

"It’s Eldest Sister’s second sister, bringing gifts along." Li Lixing said, "Eldest Sister, should she be let in?"

The more than twenty women sitting there all looked at Chai Eying, waiting for her to speak.

Chai Eying was known to be at odds with her second sister, the entire Taohua River Village knew it.

The Great Princess gave a soft hum.

Li Yuzhu raised an eyebrow, why has Miss Chai come?

"Let her come in, anyone visiting is a guest." Chai Eying smiled.

Today is Guoguo’s birthday banquet, a great joyful day; she didn’t want too much trouble.

Chasing her away in front of all these guests would be her fault.

But inviting her in, if Miss Chai made trouble, then it would be Miss Chai’s fault; let’s see if Miss Chai has the face to make trouble then.

"Oh, then I’ll invite her in." Li Lixing turned around to fetch the guests.

Not long after, Miss Chai followed Li Lixing over, her maid carrying a gift box in her hand.

Before she even reached close to Chai Eying and the others, she began to speak with a smile, "Third sister, for your daughter’s birthday banquet, why didn’t you invite me? No matter what, I am her Second Aunt, aren’t I?"

While speaking, she placed the gift in the maid’s hand on the table, "Bought for Guoguo, see if she likes it."

Guoguo glared at her.

When Miss Chai looked up, she caught Guoguo’s angry gaze.

Her heart couldn’t help but skip a beat.

How strange, why does this little girl’s gaze seem so chilling? Like she is her foe!

The first time they met, this little girl claimed she was a bad person, and today her expression is the same!

Was she an enemy with this little girl in a previous life?

Miss Chai also glared back at her, silently cursing, "No manners!"

However, on the surface, she still smiled as she opened the gift box.

The box contained two pieces of water-red brocade and two pairs of small shoes, one pair of cotton shoes for winter, and one pair of slip-ons for the season.

The craftsmanship was average.

It was the standard specification for a birthday gift, but the material was better than what villagers would send.

Several women who were drinking exchanged glances; some showed surprised expressions.

The Great Princess was most knowledgeable about fabrics and craftsmanship; she whispered to Li Yuzhu, "These things were all bought from the market, not worth much."

Li Yuzhu glanced at her and lightly curled her lips.

It’s already good that Miss Chai didn’t come to cause trouble; expecting her to bring good gifts?

Chai Eying said indifferently, "Second Sister, it’s thoughtful of you. Have a seat; let’s eat longevity noodles before you go."

"Of course, I still want to watch Guoguo pick the items," Miss Chai said with a smile.

Guoguo snorted lightly, ignoring her.

The two sisters staged this false politeness, making the table atmosphere awkward.

Miss Chai’s etiquette was flawless, and Chai Eying couldn’t chase her away, so she had to let her sit.

After all, don’t every family have a couple of annoying relatives?

As long as the face-saving gestures are done, thought Chai Eying.

After Miss Chai was seated, she occasionally praised Guoguo.

Guoguo ignored her, turning her head to play with Liu Da Niu, talking to Li Yuzhu, and replying to other women, but pointedly not acknowledging Miss Chai.

Miss Chai’s face darkened with anger, but thinking of her purpose for coming, she held back her temper.

After a while, Li Lixing came running and said, "Big Sister-in-law, your big sister-in-law is here."

Chai Eying was surprised, "Has the big sister-in-law arrived? Hurry, invite her in."

"Yes, it’s the Eldest Young Master Chai and Sister-in-law Chai," Li Lixing said.

Chai Eying stood up holding Guoguo, going to greet the guests herself.

Just around the screen wall, Li Xingmao, along with the Eldest Young Master Chai and Sister-in-law Chai, arrived.

The Eldest Young Master Chai was carrying his son, Chai Tianlang.

Next to Sister-in-law Chai, the maid Chuntao was holding four gift boxes.

"Eldest Brother, Sister-in-law, what brings you here?" Chai Eying laughed as she approached.

Sister-in-law Chai frowned, "My niece’s first birthday banquet, how could I not come? Seriously, no one even informed me! Luckily, I calculated the date myself! If not, I would’ve missed today’s feast."

Though she complained, her tone was joyous, reaching out to hold Guoguo.

Guoguo remembered her, smiling as she called, "Aunt."

Making Sister-in-law Chai beam with happiness, "Oh, what a memory, remembering me after just one meeting." She pointed at the Eldest Young Master Chai, "Who is this?"

"Uncle," Guoguo called sweetly, then looked at Chai Tianlang, "Cousin."

Chai Tianlang clapped his hands and laughed, "Mom, she calls me brother. If you don’t give me a sister, I’ll treat Guoguo as my sister."

In front of all the guests, her son was urging her to have another child? Sister-in-law Chai was both crying and laughing, "She’s already your sister! You little rascal!"

The Chai couple and Guoguo, though not blood-related, cared due to Chai Eying, which touched Li Xingmao deeply.

"Eldest Brother, Sister-in-law, please come inside." Li Xingmao smiled as he ushered them in.

"Come on, let’s go inside and chat. I brought plenty of gifts for Guoguo." Sister-in-law Chai laughed.

"You’ve gone to such lengths," Chai Eying said with a smile.

"Oh, she’s my niece; as her aunt, how could I not be delighted? No need to fuss over expenses; she’s my only niece, how extravagant could it be?" Sister-in-law Chai laughed.

They started toward the banquet table, when someone approached, calling out, "Eldest Brother, Sister-in-law, are you here to see Third Sister and Guoguo too?"

Sister-in-law Chai looked up, noticing it was Miss Chai.

Her expression turned sour, and she said flatly, "Is it Second Sister? Why are you here?"

If Miss Chai dared to cause trouble, she’d dare bind this stubborn girl up again and throw her into the swamp in front of the Li home to feed the turtles!

"It’s a niece’s first birthday; how could I not come? Second Sister, when your child turns one, I’ll be there too." Sister-in-law Chai smiled softly, patting Miss Chai’s stomach, "Soon, right?"

Miss Chai turned pale with anger.

If her child were to be born soon, would she be worrying every day?

The shadow of a child was nowhere in sight!

"Yes... yes, soon," Miss Chai said with a forced smile.

"Sister-in-law, have a seat." Chai Eying led Sister-in-law Chai toward the table with the women.

Li Xingmao and Li Lixing, accompanied the Eldest Young Master Chai to the men’s table.