Springtime Farming: A Happy Wife At Home

Chapter 2328: Attending the Banquet

Shao Yunduan hosted a banquet to entertain the County Magistrates. They had dined together yesterday and planned to go out for leisure today. The next two or three days would be dedicated to court meetings to discuss future governance, after which everyone would be free to depart.

On this day, as they were leaving the city, Qiao Xuan organized a banquet in the back garden of the government office to entertain the women accompanying them. She also invited the local high society ladies to join the festivities, ensuring a lively and engaging event.

Madame Qiao and Qiao Wei were also invited. Although both mother and daughter had been displeased the night before, they were determined not to miss the banquet.

Shao Yunduan’s actions had riled them, and they were eager to see how Qiao Xuan would handle the situation.

Miao Cong felt uneasy and reminded Qiao Wei to keep her composure when interacting with Madam Shao.

Instead of calming her, his reminder only heightened Qiao Wei’s discomfort and jealousy towards Qiao Xuan, leading her to lash out at him.

Miao Cong knew Qiao Wei’s temperament well. In the past, he would have avoided advising her, knowing that any attempt to do so would only provoke her further.

However, this matter was too significant to allow any mistakes. Miao Cong knew he had to speak up.

Despite his frustration, Miao Cong refrained from showing anger. He smiled after being reprimanded, gently comforting Qiao Wei and sweet-talking her until he was exhausted. Eventually, he managed to calm her down.

It wasn’t so much that he had successfully pacified her; Qiao Wei was simply in a hurry to leave and didn’t bother to argue further, barely acknowledging him.

As he watched the mother and daughter board the carriage and depart, Miao Cong couldn’t help but sneer. He thought to himself, ‘I’m not capable of admitting defeat or lowering myself, and yet I want to suppress others. Isn’t this courting disaster?’

Was there any hope left for the Qiao Family?

Madame Qiao and her daughter arrived at the back garden of the court very early.

When they got there, no one else had arrived yet.

However, Jia Heming’s wife, Zhang Wenshu’s wife, and a few other half-hosts were already present, entertaining guests in the pavilion of the back garden.

Everyone in Hangzhou knew of the Qiao Family, even if they had never seen them before.

As soon as Madame Qiao and Qiao Wei revealed their identities, the ladies’ eyes lit up, and they scrutinized them with keen interest.

Qiao Wei disliked this scrutiny, feeling as though everyone was comparing her to Qiao Xuan and silently praising her rival.

But what was Qiao Xuan? She wasn’t even worthy of carrying her shoes!

Madame Qiao smiled at Jia Heming’s wife and said, “Mrs. Jia, you and Qiao Xuan have known each other for many years, haven’t you? I’d love to hear about what’s happened over the years. Our Old Master is in a remote area of Nanyue Province and hasn’t been able to get any news about her. I’m afraid Xuan might still resent us for not keeping in touch!”

Mrs. Jia: “…”

Everyone: “…”

This was quite impolite. The first thing Madame Qiao mentioned was “Xuan.” How could they expect to converse politely?

Mrs. Jia maintained a polite smile. “Madam Shao is very intelligent and capable. She is dignified, kind, gentle, and has a warm heart. She has done many good deeds and has been very helpful to us over the years. We all hold her in high regard!”