Chapter 664 - Dowry
They had originally planned on holding Little Shitou's birthday celebration before the metropolitan civil service examinations as a family. This would also allow him to relax a bit and avoid him from becoming too nervous and not balancing himself between work and rest.
Xiaocao planned on inviting Grandfather Zhao's family, her godmother's family, and a few of her good friends. In addition, she wanted to invite Little Shitou's master, Great Scholar Yuan, and a few of his good school friends. However, her only mistake was in assuming that this would be a simple matter. She had thought that holding the banquet at the Medicinal Cuisine House would be enough.
In general, the rooms at Medicinal Cuisine House needed to be reserved at least a week in advance. Xiaocao had quickly estimated the number of people and decided to reserve three rooms. That would have been more than enough space to cater her own family, Grandfather Zhao's family, her godfather's family, the guests that Zhu Junyang wanted, her own good friends and their husbands, as well as Little Shitou's schoolmates and teachers.
She didn't expect that once word got out at the Imperial College that things would change that much. Now, even the teachers who were invited were enough to fill one whole table. As for the students who got the invitations, they would be able to fill three rooms until they burst. Then there were the students who were usually mere acquaintances with Little Shitou who turned up without being invited; they ended up filling another table.
Somehow, the news that the Yu Family was getting food catered from the Medicinal Cuisine House had also reached the ears of the emperor emeritus and a few of the imperial princes. That was it! These old men, who loved food, had all scurried over with gifts along too. Then there were a few families who had good relationships with the Fang Family; all of them also appeared at the Yu Residence. It was so busy that the Yu Family and Fang Family's people had no time to deal with it all!
Fortunately, Xiaocao had taken all of the private rooms back from the Medicinal Cuisine House in advance. Otherwise, this banquet would become a farce that everyone would laugh at.
Their master's younger brother was having his birthday celebration, and it was turning out to be a big event. Thus, the chefs and servants from the Medicinal Cuisine House did their best. Every single dish was made to complete perfection. This meal was so delicious that those old gluttons ended up stuffing themselves silly. It could be said that both the hosts and guests at this celebration were immensely satisfied by this event. Before they left, every person also got a box of pastries as a gift. However, one shouldn't look down on this mere box of desserts. In the Yu's Western-Style Desserts Store, this tiny little box cost at least a few dozen taels!
There was only one shop in the entire capital, even the entire Great Ming Empire, that sold western-style desserts. As for those old dessert shops, like Daoxiang Village, who sold traditional style desserts, they were all incredibly happy that the 'Yu's Businesses' hadn't extended their reach into their territory. Otherwise, they would have no road left to live.
The manager of Daoxiang Village had once tactfully inquired Yangliu whether The Yu's planned on making traditional style desserts. When she reported to Xiaocao, her answer back was enough to set their hearts at ease--within the next twenty years, The Yu's only planned on making western-style desserts. This allowed all of the old and famous dessert shops to let out a big sigh in relief. Many things could change in the span of twenty years. Who knew what things would be like twenty years later?
After his birthday celebration passed, Little Shitou discovered that his relationships with other people had improved immensely. Within the Imperial College, whether it was the teachers or students, everyone would show him a genial smile whenever they saw him. Those who were closer to him would even come over and greet him! When the students were debating, many of them would go and find him to exchange thoughts and ideas. It truly helped him to refine his own thoughts. Thus, at the college, Little Shitou was maturing at a breakneck speed.
