Clan Rise: Starting as a Grandfather

Chapter 205: Chapter 199 Birthday Feast, A House as Busy as a Marketplace

One day later, Yu Qingyi and her entourage arrived at Chongshan Pass, and six carriages stopped directly in front of the small courtyard gate of the Yang family within the pass city.

”Is this our family’s courtyard?” Yu Qingyi alighted from the carriage with the help of Qingxia, and curiously examined the small courtyard in front of her.

”Replying to the Marchioness, this is indeed the residence of our family in the pass city,” Ding Qiu quickly stepped forward to respond.

This courtyard was the one gifted by Zhou Lan. Although the Yang family did not reside here regularly these years, occasionally when members of the Yang family visited Chongshan Pass, someone would stay here for a few days.

Ordinarily, the courtyard was maintained by the servants of the Luo family, so it was very clean, and all kinds of necessities for daily life were prepared.

Although Yu Qingyi knew that the Yang family had a set of courtyards in Chongshan Pass, she had never visited before.

Everyone alighted from the carriages, and just as Ding Qiu was about to step forward to knock, the door opened from the inside.

”Ah, it turns out to be Housekeeper Ding!”

An elderly gentleman with graying hair stood inside, looking at Ding Qiu, his eyes pausing briefly.

This old gentleman was arranged by the Luo family to take care of the courtyard.

He had opened the door after hearing the noise outside.

Ding Qiu often accompanied the people of the Yang family to Chongshan Pass, so this old gentleman was familiar with Ding Qiu.

”Old An, the Marchioness and the two young ladies have arrived,” Ding Qiu nodded and greeted him while speaking.

The Marchioness and young ladies!

Old An was startled for a moment, then quickly looked towards the carriages outside the door, and just saw Yu Qingyi walking over surrounded by maids and matrons. He immediately pushed open the two doors widely, ”This old servant greets the Marchioness!”

”Mm,” Yu Qingyi nodded at him amiably, then entered the courtyard guided by Ding Qiu.

The courtyard was not large but could accommodate thirty or forty people if squeezed together—of course, ’squeezed’ not inside the main house but in the front courtyard and the back rooms.

This time, so many servants and guards came down from the Yang family that the courtyard had never been this bustling.

Yu Qingyi walked around the courtyard and began to arrange everyone’s lodging.

Though they were staying in the pass city for only a few days, arrangements still needed to be made, especially for Yang Yunxue, a young lady not yet out of her boudoir must have special attention.

Just as Yu Qingyi finished arranging everything, her accompanying Nanny Song came to report: ”Madam, Mrs. Luo has arrived!”

”Mrs. Luo!” Yu Qingyi didn’t immediately realize who this Mrs. Luo was.

”It’s the mother of Shopkeeper Luo Zhen!” Nanny Song reminded.

Yu Qingyi then suddenly understood; her interaction with the Luo family was minimal, and all contact with the Luo family was personally handled by Yang Zhenshan, so her knowledge about the Luo family was not extensive.

She glanced around the hall, seeing nothing improper, then said, ”Then please invite them over!”

”Mrs. Luo is also bringing the young Miss of the Luo family!” Nanny Song reminded again.

Yu Qingyi nodded, ”Mm, invite them over together!”

The relationship between the Yang family and the Luo family naturally goes without saying; Yu Qingyi also knew that Yang Zhenshan valued Luo Shang and his son.

Soon, Nanny Song led a lady in her forties and a young girl of around thirteen or fourteen years old over.

The mother and daughter were dressed simply, which did not resemble the flamboyant attire of other merchants.

”Met Madam!” The two entered and saluted respectfully.

Yu Qingyi stood up and smiled, ”Sister Zhang, there’s no need for such formalities, please have a seat!”

Hearing Yu Qingyi address her as Sister Zhang, Mrs. Luo’s face immediately showed a relaxed smile.

She was not a foolish woman; in fact, she could be said to be smarter than most women. The Luo family’s development to its present state also had her contributions.

If it were not for her overseeing Chongshan Pass, how could Luo Shang and Luo Zhen confidently leave Chongshan Pass to travel outside.

And the importance of the Yang family to the Luo family was self-evident.

Without Yang Zhenshan’s support, it would be impossible for the Luo family to develop, and in the future, the Luo family would need even more support from Yang Zhenshan.

It could be said that the future of the Luo family could not be separated from the Yang family; perhaps the Luo family could find other backers in the future, but even if they found other backers, who could guarantee that the new backers could support the Luo family like Yang Zhenshan, with the same generosity and magnanimity.

Indeed, Yang Zhenshan was generous and magnanimous.

It was common for officials and merchants to collude, but in such relationships, usually, the officials dominated, and most of the profits obtained by the merchants would be taken by the officials.

By comparison, Yang Zhenshan did not demand much, he even could be said to demand very little.

Therefore, the entire Luo family had reached a consensus—that is to firmly latch onto the Yang family.

Well, Zhou Lan was Yang Zhenshan’s ’big thigh,’ and Yang Zhenshan was the Luo family’s ’big thigh,’ no mistake there.

Before Mrs. Luo came, she was worried that Yu Qingyi, this Mrs. Yang, would be difficult to deal with, but now she felt relieved.

”Madam, please have a seat first!”

Yu Qingyi did not refuse, sitting down first.

Mrs. Luo then took a seat, ”This is my eldest daughter, Qian’er.”

”Qian’er greets the Madam!” Lu Qian bowed again to Yu Qingyi.

Yu Qingyi examined the young girl, who was about thirteen or fourteen years old, not strikingly beautiful but possessing a delicate and pretty appearance.

”She’s very delicate and pretty!” Yu Qingyi praised.

Speaking, she stretched out her hand to Nanny Lin beside her, and Nanny Lin immediately handed her a small wooden box.

”Come, I don’t have much to offer, but I happened to come across a fine piece of white jade recently and made a few jade ornaments. These two bracelets are for you!”

Yu Qingyi handed the wooden box to the young girl.

The young girl looked towards Sister Luo, who smiled and said, ”Since it’s a gift from the lady, you should keep it!”

”Thank you, Madam!” The young girl then accepted it.

Afterwards, they chatted casually, mainly Sister Luo talking about the situation at Chongshan Pass, especially the birthday banquet at the Marquis Mansion.

Although the Luo family wasn’t qualified to attend the Marquis’s birthday banquet, having operated in Chongshan Pass for many years, they were well-informed, so Sister Luo knew a lot about the Marquis Mansion and the banquet.

Now, Yu Qingyi needed this information.

”Madam, I heard that even people from the Capital City have come specifically to attend the birthday banquet!”

”Capital City, do you know who came?” asked Yu Qingyi.

”I’m not sure!” Sister Luo slightly sheepishly smiled, ”It’s said that it’s families of nobles who came, but exactly which families, that’s not something we humble merchants can inquire about!”

Yu Qingyi thought for a moment and felt a bit foolish for asking the question.

Such information couldn’t even be accessed by the Yang family, let alone the Luo family.

”Is there any rumor going around here at Chongshan Pass?” Yu Qingyi inquired.

Sister Luo’s eyes flickered with excitement; she lowered her voice and said, ”Yes, but I don’t know if it’s true!”

”There are rumors that next year someone will go out of the Pass to campaign against the Hu Zei. It’s not widely known, only because our Luo family business has grown and we’ve done quite a bit of business with some of the military officers in the army, did we hear bits and pieces about it.”

Nowadays, the Luo family’s business was extensive, and they had contacts with many lower-ranking military officers in the Camp at Chongshan Town.

Of course, these relationships were only ordinary, not intimate.

For example, the Luo family often had to maintain relationships with those in charge of guarding the city gates and those responsible for patrolling and maintaining public order in the town.

Although the Luo family had Yang Zhenshan’s support, it didn’t mean they didn’t need to manage other relationships.

Hearing this, Yu Qingyi understood that the campaign next year against the East Sea Hu Clan was likely a confirmed fact.

Then, they talked much more, until it was nearly dusk, and Sister Luo suggested it was time to leave.

Yu Qingyi wanted to invite her to stay for dinner, as she had a good impression of Sister Luo and didn’t mind talking more with her.

But since they had just arrived today and many things were still unsorted, Yu Qingyi had to abandon the idea of offering dinner.

”Sister Zhang, let Qian’er come with me to the Marquis Mansion for the birthday celebration tomorrow.”

As she was seeing Sister Luo out, Yu Qingyi suddenly said.

Sister Luo was stunned, and then both shocked and delighted, ”Is that appropriate?”

”What’s inappropriate about it? It’s just to see the world, nothing serious!” Yu Qingyi said with a smile, ”It’s a good opportunity for Qian’er to keep Xue’er company.”

The gates of the Marquis Mansion weren’t easily accessible to ordinary people, and the Luo family, being just merchants, almost had no chance of entering.

Yu Qingyi also thought highly of the girl Lu Qian, thinking of letting her accompany Yang Yunxue.

However, for Sister Luo and Lu Qian, this was a tremendous boon.

A place like the Marquis Mansion was beyond their reach; having the chance to attend the Marquis’s birthday banquet was an extremely honorable opportunity.

Even just to see and broaden their experience, it would be greatly beneficial for them.

Lu Qian was also of marriageable age. They didn’t intend to find a suitable groom at the banquet, as most attendees were beyond their reach, but they could use this opportunity to elevate their own status.

Not to mention, just by saying that Lu Qian had attended the Marchioness’s birthday banquet would make her stand out among the merchants, also a noteworthy point when discussing marriage.

After Sister Luo expressed her gratitude, Yu Qingyi saw her out.

The night passed without event.

The next morning, as soon as it was barely light, the whole Chongshan Pass became lively.

Every house and mansion was preparing to attend the birthday banquet.

The number of attendees at the Marchioness’s birthday banquet was not small; just the officials’ families from Chongshan Town alone numbered in the hundreds, not to mention the nobles from the Capital City.

These officials’ families didn’t come to Chongshan Pass alone; each brought a group of servants and guards.

With such a large crowd entering Chongshan Pass, it naturally became exceptionally lively.

Just after the Hour of Si, carriages began to crowd the streets, and soon the General Mansion was bustling like a marketplace.

The Chongshan Town General Mansion was not actually a Marquis Mansion; it should be called the General Mansion, as the real Changping Marquis Mansion was in the Capital City.

Of course, wherever the Marquis Changping resided could be regarded as a Marquis Mansion.

The General Mansion also consisted of the Front Office and the back courtyard; the back courtyard likewise had a grand door.

Houses belonging to gentlemen of rank had three rooms and five frames at the door, decorated with gilt and animal-faced fixtures and tin rings.

Even though this wasn’t the real Marquis Mansion, it was still a General Mansion, hence it also had three rooms and five frames at the door, painted with green oil and animal-faced fixtures and tin rings.

Before the grand entrance, a variety of carriages had already formed a long line stretching to the end of the street.

The doors opened wide, and ladies and young misses in brocaded dresses, escorted by their servants, disembarked from the carriages and entered the mansion.

In the gatehouse next to the door, a group of servants were recording the gift lists brought by the guests, while the gifts were moved through a side door into the mansion.

Outside the door, two women around thirty years of age were greeting the guests.

These two ladies were the younger madams of the Marquis Mansion, Lady Han and Lady Fan.