Misty Rain of the Old Times

Chapter 278 Unblocking
They sprinkled willow branches with sweet dew to wash away the dust, stepped over a copper basin with charcoal fire to dispel the darkness, and then the group went straight into the main hall of the Gao family.

The main hall is the place for receiving extremely important guests. Not to mention a family as prominent as the Gao family, even ordinary wealthy families would not entertain ordinary guests in such a place. But now the Gao family is holding a welcoming banquet here for Chen Xuan and others.

Not only the eldest young master Gao Jingming, but also Chen Xuan, Geng Hong, Zhao Erhe, Xiao Cai, Xiao Ye and others will be coming together.

As servants of the Gao family, they usually only had the job of serving others. Now they were being served in the main hall. This was the first time they had ever experienced such a high standard, so Geng Hong, Xiao Ye and the others were nervous and at a loss, even though this was what they deserved.

Chen Xuan, on the other hand... well, he was used to it. He often ate at the same table with Gao Jingming. When he was still young at Gao's house, he could occasionally go to the inner courtyard with little Gao to have a meal.

When they arrived, two octagonal tables had already been set up in the main hall.

Although Gao Jingming will gradually become the pillar of the Gao family, the elders are respected in the family, so Mrs. Gao invited Chen Xuan and others to take a seat.

At the main table, Mrs. Gao sat in the main seat, Xiao Gao sat in the left honor seat, Chen Xuan sat in the main guest seat, and then several wives of the Gao family in the mansion and the young masters and young ladies who were in charge of the affairs came to the table one after another, and the table was full of twelve people.

Then came the side table. Steward He sat at the main seat, the two guards Geng Hong and Zhao Erhe sat at the left guest seats, Xiao Cai and Xiao Ye sat at the right guest seats, and then several stewards from the Gao family came to accompany them. The whole table was full.

As servants, they not only entered the main hall, but were also accompanied by the ladies, young masters, and stewards. Is this legal and reasonable?
But it makes sense.

After all, she accompanied the eldest young master of the Gao family to study abroad for seven years and served him for so many years. If she didn't show some appreciation, it would be disheartening.

This is just a formal thank you. Later, the contributions of Geng Hong, Zhao Erhe, Xiao Cai, and Xiao Ye over the years will be "cashed in" into real benefits. It can be said that as long as they don't do anything stupid, the Gao family will make them rich for the rest of their lives.

For the contribution of protecting the Gao family's successor for seven years, no reward is too great.

However, for Chen Xuan, it is not a question of whether to repay or not. To put it bluntly, his relationship with Gao Jingming is that they are a family. How can it be the same?

As for the main hall, it is against the rules for Master Gao's concubines and illegitimate children to sit at the table. This is a family dinner, and there is no such thing. Besides, the successor has returned, and the whole family will rely on Xiao Gao in the future. If he doesn't show up to compliment his eldest brother at this time, how can he expect Xiao Gao to take care of him in the future?
Don’t worry about the fact that Xiao Gao has read so many books and naturally understands how to maintain a good family. Anyway, under normal circumstances, it is like this. A family lives in harmony, with a leader and a deputy. This is what a family is.

After taking his seat, Chen Xuan took a quick look around. In addition to those he had met before, there were both familiar and unfamiliar faces present. The second and third wives were all there, but there was also a sixth wife, who looked to be in her twenties and was extremely beautiful.

The Fourth and Fifth Madams are not here. I guess they are with Master Gao.

Then Gao Jingxue, Gao Jingning, Gao Jingfei, Gao Jingxun and other young ladies and masters were all there. They had grown up and were in their teens, and had begun to understand things. The other young ladies and masters who had joined in the past seven years were not there because they were still young and not suitable to be at the table.

After these young ladies and gentlemen took their seats, they were secretly looking at Chen Xuan and the others. After all, they had not seen each other for seven years. They had a good relationship back then, but now they felt a little strange, yet very cordial. They wanted to say something, but they didn't dare to overstep the boundaries in front of their elders, and they didn't know where to start.

Then the Gao family's servants came in one after another, bringing a sumptuous meal and drinks. There were eighteen dishes on each table, and the tables were almost full.

"Today is a family dinner to welcome my son and Xiaoxuan and the others. Don't be restrained, just be casual," Mrs. Gao said with a smile.

Having a son makes me content. I have been looking forward to my son’s return day and night. I am so happy that everything I see seems to me good.

Chen Xuan thought, "Really? I don't need to be so reserved. Then I'm going to start making it. Forget it. I should be more restrained. I can't be as casual as I am outside."

Gao Jingming raised his glass and looked at Madam Gao and said, "Mother, I am unfilial and have not served you for many years. Now that I have returned, I will do my best to be filial to you. I feel guilty and hope you will forgive me."

As he spoke, his eyes turned red and he tilted his head back and started drinking.

Mrs. Gao's face was also moved when she heard this, and she said with relief: "My son has grown up, and I am satisfied with this kind of thought."

When the young ladies and gentlemen present saw this, they felt that this big brother was strange yet kind, and a little at a loss. Perhaps this was how a big brother should be.

They still don't quite understand what it means to be a role model as the head of the family.

With Gao Jingming's status and position, his every word and action will affect the entire Gao family. He is no longer the lawless boy who dared to steal imperial edicts.

"Brother, I haven't seen you for many years. I miss you so much. Let me offer you a drink," Gao Jingxue stood up and said. According to the laws of Jing Kingdom, she was an adult and was engaged, so she could drink at the family dinner.

Gao Jingning also stood up and raised his glass and said: "Brother, there is me too"

"And us," Gao Jingfei and Gao Jingxun also joined in the fun. They were a little younger and couldn't drink alcohol, so they just drank beverages.

Gao Jingming smiled and said, "Jingxue, Jingning, Jingfei, Jingxue, have you been obedient these years? Come, let's have a drink together, brothers and sisters."

Seeing these brothers and sisters having so much fun together, everyone present was delighted. With such a bad family background, one would be afraid of family discord.

Putting down the cup, Gao Jingming looked around and said, "Jingqing and Jinghao are not here, we need to get closer later."

Gao Jingqing has married out of wedlock, and Gao Jinghao has also moved out and started a family. They are unable to come back for the time being. After hearing the news, they will definitely come back to see this eldest brother. Whether they can live a good life depends entirely on the attitude of this eldest brother.

"Xuan'er, I haven't seen you for a few years. You've grown so tall. Do you still remember me? Thank you for taking care of me all these years. I'll toast you a glass." After the brother and sister exchanged greetings, Gao Jingning raised his glass and looked at Chen Xuan.

"And us, Xuan Ge'er, I'm Jing Xue..."

Several others also joined in the fun, but the three ladies' eyes sparkled and their cheeks were slightly red when they looked at Chen Xuan. The main reason was that Chen Xuan was too handsome now. Even if they didn't have that kind of thoughts, they couldn't help but feel their hearts fluttering.

Why didn't I realize that Xuan Ge'er was so handsome at first? Could it be that I got used to him after being with him for so long? Chen Xuan raised his glass and stood up and said, "Greetings, young masters and young ladies. Chen Xuan offers you a glass in return."

Everyone in the Gao family is a very nice person, and Chen Xuan has received the Gao family's favors for many years. In the Gao family, he naturally abides by his status and keeps a positive attitude. It has nothing to do with other things. Relationships between people are mutual.

Everyone at the main table was having a great time, and naturally everyone at the secondary table was also in harmony.

After three rounds of wine and five dishes, Mrs. Gao picked up her wine glass and stood up. Everyone who noticed her action put down their chopsticks and kept quiet.

Then she looked at Chen Xuan and the others with gratitude and said, "Xiao Xuan, Master Geng, Master Zhao, Xiao Cai, and Xiao Ye, thank you so much for taking care of Jing Ming over the years. You have worked so hard. Here, as a mother, I would like to express my sincere gratitude to you and offer you a toast."

As she spoke, she held the cup with both hands, bowed, and drank it down.

Logically speaking, this is unreasonable, but she is just representing her identity as a mother at this time.

Chen Xuan and the others quickly stood up and said, "It's my duty." They raised their glasses in response.

After she sat down, Gao Jingming also stood up and raised his glass to express his sincere gratitude. Over the years, he had seen every little thing. Even though Chen Xuan had grown ugly in the past two years, he had never worried about any big or small matters. He just needed to focus on his studies.

Especially the gift given to the emperor that year, Zhang Ao's difficulties, and Wu Junyao's targeting later, etc. If it weren't for Chen Xuan, it would be hard to say whether Gao Jingming could study peacefully until now and return after completing his studies.

Then Gao Jingming, as the backbone of the Gao family of this generation, his brothers and sisters and even his aunt all stood up and toasted Chen Xuan and the others to express their gratitude.

This is the attitude that a wealthy family should have. Indeed, as a servant, it is natural to take care of the young master, but if there is no attitude, who would be willing to be loyal to him?

After a few rounds, those who were not good at drinking were already a little tipsy, but the atmosphere became more heated.

Later, Geng Hong and Zhao Erhe's eyes were slightly red, and I don't know whether it was because of excitement or the emotion of finally returning home after many years.

The welcoming banquet lasted from the afternoon to the evening. The dishes on the table were changed several times and a lot of wine was consumed. Mrs. Gao, the mother of the family, never left the table. How many people could afford such courtesy?
When everyone was satisfied and drunk, Mrs. Gao, who had persisted to the end, announced: "Let's stop here for today. My son has returned from his studies. The whole family is celebrating and everyone will receive rewards. Come, send Xiao Xuan and the others back to rest and take good care of them."

"Yes"

"Madam, I will take my leave..."

Then Chen Xuan and the others were helped away, after all, they were drunk.

Of course, Chen Xuan couldn't get drunk, but he knew in his heart that if he didn't get drunk, Mrs. Gao would continue the welcoming banquet. As a mother, she was truly grateful to those who had taken care of Gao Jingming for many years, and she would not stop until everyone was satisfied with the welcoming banquet.

As parents, from the perspective of their children, status and position are secondary.

Gao Jingming, Xiao Cai and Xiao Ye stayed, while Chen Xuan was helped to the small courtyard where they had lived before.

Now that their son, who had been away from home for seven years, had returned, Mrs. Gao and her son would definitely spend some time alone together to check on each other's well-being.

Mrs. Gao and her companions came to the backyard, and a servant brought them some sobering soup.

When the effects of the alcohol wore off a little, Mrs. Gao looked at Gao Jingming, Xiao Cai and the others, and her eyes gradually became a little strange.

Uncomfortable with his mother's gaze, Gao Jingming cautiously asked, "Mom, why are you looking at us like that?"

"Xiao Cai and Xiao Ye, come here," Mrs. Gao called.

Then Xiao Cai and Xiao Ye came forward in confusion, and then Mrs. Gao rolled up their sleeves, and everyone understood what was going on.

When Mrs. Gao saw that the toad blood was still on Xiaocai and Xiaoye's arms, she was speechless and then suddenly relieved. She said, she had noticed that Xiaocai and Xiaoye were still virgins before.

But then he looked at his grown-up son with some worry. Is there something wrong with my son?

At this moment, Gao Jingming and the other three were blushing. They understood what Mrs. Gao meant, but it was not easy to say such things to her in person.

Gao Jingming blushed and lowered his head, saying, "Mother, I'm fine. The reason... the reason... was because you told me to let Xuan supervise me and beat me to death if I dared... That's why I always restrained myself. Later on, I did get a little impulsive, so I simply asked Xuan to seal my acupuncture points so that I wouldn't go against your instructions."

Otherwise, I would have given you several grandchildren by now.

Upon hearing this, Madam Gao was at a loss whether to laugh or cry. "So that's how it is. My son has really grown up. He can do what ordinary people can't. How many people in the world can compare to my son? You are already old enough to be the head of the family, so I won't ask any more questions."

This kind of thing definitely cannot be explained so clearly, even if you are a family.

In short, Mrs. Gao "unblocked" Gao Jingming with just one sentence.

……

(End of this chapter)