Chapter 243: Chapter 243: Splendid Prosperity in Boiling Oil and Flaming Fire

The whole family didn’t go to town anymore and started purchasing preparations for the banquet.

At this time, Boss Qian from Fengle Building, Huang Yuanwai, and other people rushed over from town after hearing the news. 𝒇𝙧𝙚𝓮𝔀𝓮𝒃𝙣𝓸𝒗𝒆𝒍.𝙘𝒐𝒎

"Congratulations, congratulations, Shopkeeper Tong." Huang Yuanwai got off the carriage with his hands behind his back, sticking out his belly, and cheerfully congratulated Tong Huaqiong.

"It’s a pity that I heard the news a bit late." Boss Qian regretted not witnessing the process of hanging the plaque personally.

"Congratulations, Sister Tong." Mrs. Hong beamed as she got out of the carriage.

He Chao also naturally received the news, but he didn’t come along. On such a good day, he should keep the shop for his master, so his wife, Mrs. Hong, came to Qinghe Bay on behalf of them to offer congratulations.

Tong Huaqiong greeted Huang Yuanwai and others with a smile and invited them into the courtyard.

Even though they’ve known each other for so long, it was Huang Yuanwai’s first time visiting Tong Huaqiong’s home in Qinghe Bay.

He couldn’t help but marvel that Tong Huaqiong, a widow who started by selling pastries on a stall, opened a shop, bought land, and received commendation from the government in such a short time.

Now, not only Yan Guan Town but even Pingchuan County and the capital city knew of Tong Huaqiong’s name.

To Tong Huaqiong’s surprise, Gu Baishuang sent her son Nie Xiaofeng to deliver a congratulatory gift.

Nie Xiaofeng looked as if he had a knife to his throat, forced to come, his face full of displeasure.

Nie Xiaofeng originally didn’t like Tong Huaqiong’s family. With his youthful temperament and inability to hide his emotions, his dissatisfaction showed on his face.

Tong Huaqiong didn’t mind his expression. No matter how unwilling he was, Nie Xiaofeng still had to call her grandmother. Since he brought a gift, he was a guest, and Tong Huaqiong warmly invited Nie Xiaofeng for tea.

Tong Huaqiong’s enthusiasm left Nie Xiaofeng momentarily stunned, as he was not used to interacting with such a step-grandmother.

He would rather Tong Huaqiong still be as sharp-tongued as before; at least then he knew how to handle her.

But Tong Huaqiong deliberately didn’t oblige him. After inquiring about Gu Baishuang’s situation, Nie Xiaofeng mumbled a few words, left the gift, and ran off.

Tong Huaqiong didn’t mind either.

"Dahuan, Dashu, you two go buy groceries."

Tong Huaqiong greeted Huang Yuanwai and others to drink tea in the house, then came out to instruct brothers Gu Dahuan and Gu Dashu to buy groceries for the banquet.

"I heard Shopkeeper Tong means to host a dinner? No need to bother. I’ll have someone bring a few tables’ worth of meals from my place, ensuring everyone in the village eats happily." Boss Qian jumped in front of Tong Huaqiong to make his presence known.

"Boss Qian, no need to bother you. This is my happy occasion, so naturally, I’ll prepare it myself." Tong Huaqiong distanced herself from Boss Qian.

Boss Qian knew Tong Huaqiong’s refusal was sincere and dared not press further.

"Mother, let me oversee the feast. You being commended is a happy occasion; our feast should be lavish." Chen Sufen happily volunteered.

Gu Taohua and Liu Yueer chimed in, enthusiastically discussing using big carp, pig knuckles, braised lamb, and other hearty dishes to set the tone.

Tong Huaqiong thought for a moment and waved them off: "No need to be so lavish."

Gu Taohua asked puzzledly, "Why not lavish? Mother, this is your happy occasion, and our family can afford a lavish feast."

Moreover, the family is not short on silver now, so why is Mother being so frugal?

Gu Taohua didn’t understand, and neither did Chen Sufen nor Liu Yueer.

It wasn’t about the silver for Tong Huaqiong; she was thinking far ahead.

Nowadays, Tong Huaqiong’s Taohua Dessert is flourishing, and she developed a medicine for spike blight, gaining government commendation...

With such prosperity, how could it not arouse envy?

Especially since everyone lives in the same village, why should someone like Tong Dajiao, who couldn’t make it before, be so prominent now?

If you prepare a feast full of luxurious dishes, won’t it arouse more jealousy?

For the villagers, it’s rare to eat meat a few times a year; a big stew with plenty of meat to share is enough to satisfy everyone. If you have a feast full of extravagant dishes, people might eat your food and then turn around and curse you, wishing for your downfall.

Why should someone living in the same village...

If this feast is too lavish, how will you manage future joyful occasions?

So the best way is to have meat at the feast, but not only luxurious dishes.

To avoid spoiling everyone’s appetite.

Tong Huaqiong had Chen Sufen prepare stews with meat, soup, and meatballs, along with fluffy white buns, letting everyone enjoy the meal without invoking jealousy.

After hearing Tong Huaqiong’s reasoning, Gu Taohua, Chen Sufen, and Liu Yueer understood her deeper intention.

"Mother certainly thinks thoroughly." Chen Sufen said.

"Of course, how else would Mother receive government commendation? We are the lucky beneficiaries." Liu Yueer flattered Tong Huaqiong.

"So from now on, think more before acting. Don’t rush impulsively, especially since our family isn’t what it used to be." Tong Huaqiong took the opportunity to say.

Gu Taohua and the two daughters-in-law nodded in agreement.

When the villagers heard there would be a feast, they didn’t need instruction; they stayed at the Gu family to help.

Cleaning vegetables, cutting meat, lighting fires, moving chairs and tables from various houses, busily preparing for the banquet.

There was no special effort to hire a pastry chef; the meals were prepared by Chen Sufen with the help of village girls and daughters-in-law.

Following Tong Huaqiong’s guidance, Chen Sufen and her helpers stewed several pots of meat and vegetable dishes, steamed buns, and made soup.

The quantity was enough to allow the villagers to eat their fill.

The large bowls of meat and vegetable dishes were placed on tables, and everyone ate with hot steamy buns non-stop.

"So delicious!"

"After all, it’s Aunt Tong; there’s plenty of food!"

No one sat at the tables; they held bowls full of rice and dishes, everyone ate until they were stuffed.

It was the first time Liu Yanhong, the County Magistrate’s young master, had eaten the big stew at a rural feast, excitedly running around the courtyard with his bowl.

People murmured, wondering why the County Magistrate’s son ran around like a dog chasing the smell of meat.

Tong Huaqiong specifically prepared a table of home-cooked dishes inside for Huang Yuanwai and others.

The excitement continued until mid-afternoon when everyone, full and satisfied, helped to clean up before gradually leaving Tong Huaqiong’s courtyard.

Some going to the fields, some heading home.

Soon there were only a few bad bamboo shoots left at home, when Gu Jingzhe heard the news and also rushed back from the town’s private school.

Initially, everyone was too busy to think deeply about Tong Huaqiong’s commendation, but when the crowd dispersed, the family faced each other and felt elated again.

"Mother, this is a great event only possible by our ancestors’ blessings; we should burn incense before the ancestors to let them know of our great fortune. Also, we should dismantle the plaque and place it in front of Father’s memorial, and let Father see the hundred taels of gold too." Gu Dashu excitedly said.

"Burn your ancestor’s leg." Tong Huaqiong blurted out.

Her face seemed iron-blue.

The Gu family: "..."

This honor was earned by Tong Huaqiong through her own efforts, not by the Gu family’s ancestral blessings. She had no significant relationship with the Gu family’s ancestors, so she naturally didn’t want to perform ancestral veneration just because she received a commendation.

The Gu family didn’t understand why Gu Dashu’s words would provoke Tong Huaqiong’s indignation on such a good day.

What Gu Dashu said was right; in the village, whenever there’s a joyful event, like a birth, a good harvest, or a wedding, isn’t incense burned before the ancestors’ memorial, letting them celebrate together underground and thanking them for their protection?

Especially for such a significant event as receiving government commendation, isn’t it necessary to comfort eighteen generations of ancestors?