Chapter 43: Chapter 42 Banquet, Unexpected Guest Chapter 43: Chapter 42 Banquet, Unexpected Guest Two days passed by in a flash.
In the early morning, Yang Zhenshan rode around Yang Family Village.
He had never seen a horse before, and thus, had no previous riding skills, so he had to start from scratch.
Fortunately, Red Cloud was gentle and, coupled with Yang Zhenshan’s superior physical condition, riding wasn’t too difficult. However, mastering riding skills required more practice.
Without any guidance, Yang Zhenshan learned through trial and error.
Every day, he spent an hour riding Red Cloud around the Yang Family Village, not galloping, just leisurely controlling the horse’s slow pace.
This not only fostered a bond between him and Red Cloud but also built understanding.
Not just him; Yang Mingcheng, Yang Mingzhi, and Yang Mingwu also rode around daily.
Today was the day of the Yang family’s banquet. After his ride, Yang Zhenshan went straight home to prepare.
Ms. Wang and the Li family had brought out the ingredients prepared the previous day. In the yard, Yang Mingcheng and Yang Mingzhi set up two large pots while Yang Minghao and Yang Yunxue washed the ingredients near the well.
A bit after Nine in the morning, the head chef from the county’s restaurant arrived with four apprentices.
Soon after, the Yang family’s courtyard was filled with the aroma of cooking food.
The neighbors also came to help, setting up tables and chairs from the entrance of the Yang family all the way to the big locust tree in the center of the village.
Yang Zhenshan, Yang Zhengxiang, and a few elders stood at the entrance of the village waiting for the guests.
This time, Yang Zhenshan was not only hosting the entire Yang Family Village but also many others including landlords, scholars, and martial Artists.
Everyone in Anning County who held a bit of status and had some connection with the Yang family was invited following Yang Zhengxiang’s recommendation.
Around a quarter past Nine, Mr. Wang from Wang Family Village led several sons, coming from Ms. Wang’s maternal home.
Being close relatives, they were naturally invited.
However, Mr. Wang felt somewhat embarrassed and apologized profusely to Yang Zhenshan upon meeting him.
The incident involving Ms. Wang had spawned many idle gossip affecting both the Yang and Wang families.
Yang Zhenshan, of course, paid no heed to such matters, comforting Mr. Wang before welcoming him into the home.
Then came the maternal family of the Li family, who were simple farmers.
Yang Zhenshan didn’t put on airs when facing them and warmly welcomed them into his home.
Shortly after, the Jiang family also arrived. However, Yang Yunyan didn’t come as her due date was approaching, and it was not suitable for her to be out.
Following them was the Lu family, with Lu Songhe himself coming with a large group.
When his father-in-law and mother-in-law came, Yang Zhenshan naturally went to greet them well.
“Seeing your family like this, your mother and I can rest assured!” Lu Songhe said with relief, looking at the bustling Yang family.
Although he felt a pang of regret that his daughter hadn’t enjoyed such blessings, he was still comforted.
When he looked at the group of children, his mood greatly improved.
“Dad, you rest for a bit. I’ll check on you in a while!”
“Oldest son, come greet your grandfather and uncles!”
Today brought many guests, and Yang Zhenshan could not stay solely with Lu Songhe, so he called Yang Mingcheng to assist.
“You go on; don’t mind us!” Lu Songhe knew Yang Zhenshan was busy and didn’t keep him.
Yang Zhenshan greeted Lu Zhaoran and several nephews, then hurried back to the village entrance.
At this time, many guests were arriving, and Yang Zhengxiang and some elders were busy ushering waves of guests to their seats.
These included the village chief from the neighboring village, surrounding landlords and gentry, and some invited scholars and martial artists.
“Brother Zhengshan, congratulations, congratulations!”
“Senior, congratulations!”
One unfamiliar person after another approached to congratulate; Yang Zhenshan felt like he was a robot, continuously returning gestures.
Truthfully, he didn’t recognize any of these people; since his original self didn’t, neither did he.
But guests should be respected, and their presence honored the Yang family, so he had to be a warm host.
Actually, after some small talk, he got to know quite a few martial artists and scholars.
In just two hours, the twenty tables he prepared were filled.
Luckily, today the weather was clear with bright sunshine. Although the temperature was slightly low, with so many people gathered, it didn’t feel cold.
Approaching noon, Yang Zhenshan welcomed some unexpected guests.
Several carriages were slowly coming down the dirt road.
“Ah youngest brother, haha~~”
The first to alight from the carriage was Lu Zhou; his presence did not surprise Yang Zhenshan, but the few people behind him were unexpected guests.
Yang Zhenshan advanced to embrace Lu Zhou, “Brother Lu!”
However, his gaze shifted to the elder and the youth behind Lu Zhou.
The elder was dressed in a brocade robe, his silver hair meticulously groomed, and his face bore a kind smile.
The youth had red lips and white teeth, somewhat frail like a scholar, but his eyes carried a hint of arrogance.
Noticing his gaze, Lu Zhou quickly introduced, “This is our Second Young Master Lu from the Lu family, and this is our Seventh Young Master!”
Yang Zhenshan was slightly taken aback, quickly stepping forward and bowing, “Zhenshan greets Second Young Master Lu, greets Seventh Young Master!”
The Lu family was the most prominent gentry family in Anning County.
Though not very significant in the greater realm of Da Rong, in Anning County, they were like the land emperors.
To put it bluntly, even the county magistrate had to bow low in front of the Lu family.
It was an honor for the Yang family to catch the eye of the Lu family.
It was not self-deprecation; it was the truth.
Although the Yang family boasted several Martial Artists, they were nothing in front of the Lu family.
A glance at the guards beside the carriage told Yang Zhenshan that these seven or eight guards were all Martial Artists.
In front of others, a Martial Artist could only serve as a guard.
Such was the disparity.
“Haha, Lu Zhou is my nephew, so I take the liberty of calling you Zhengshan; you wouldn’t mind, right?” Second Young Master Lu laughed heartily.
“How could I? It’s my honor!” Yang Zhenshan smiled.
It was normal for a man in his sixties or seventies to call him by his name.
If it was possible, Yang Zhenshan wouldn’t mind lowering himself a generation; he much preferred being considered a ‘younger’ member of the family.
But only in the social sense, and not actually being seen as lesser.
Being called a ‘grandchild’ made one seem youthful; being treated as a ‘grandchild’ felt demeaning, and there was a difference between the two.
“Haha, very good! Qi!” Second Young Master Lu turning to the Seventh Young Master Lu.
Lu Qi stepped forward, bowed and said, “Lu Qi greets Uncle Yang!”
Yang Zhenshan was taken aback again, “Seventh Young Master, this is too much honor; I dare not accept!”
“Haha, why not dare! It is his honor to call you uncle!” Second Young Master Lu said.
Now, Yang Zhenshan was somewhat confused.
To be honest, it was already a sign of great respect that the Lu family visited.
But Second Young Master Lu’s overtures seemed to overly elevate the Yang family.
Originally, the Yang family had very limited interactions with the Lu family, tied only through Lu Zhou, and had absolutely no direct relations with the wider Lu family.
Previously, the Yang family wasn’t even qualified to serve the Lu family; now, the Yang family had gained a bit of thin face, but at most, it was just enough to catch the Lu family’s notice.
Now, with Second Young Master Lu’s behavior, it appeared to consider lineage with the Yang family, suggesting a much closer relationship between the two families.
Yang Zhanshan looked at Lu Qi and then back at Second Young Master Lu, yet his face wore an eager smile.
“Then I will take the liberty, Seventh Young Master!”
He reached out to support Lu Qi’s arm.
Though unclear of the Lu family’s intentions, Yang Zhenshan naturally had no reason to turn away those who sought closeness with his own.
“Uncle Yang can just call me Qi Lang!” Lu Qi said, genteel and cultured.
Yang Zhenshan nodded, still smiling.
The Lu family truly was a family of high standing; their manners and mindset were not something smaller families could compare with.
Though Lu Qi had a touch of arrogance in his eyes, his actions were polite and well-mannered.
While they spoke, two more carriages arrived.
Yang Zhenshan turned his head and saw that there were also government officials in tow.
Second Young Master Lu also looked back and smiled, “Mr. Luo has also come!”