Chapter 164： Jiangning banquet

At this moment, there was a commotion outside. Yang Datou and his younger brothers went out to welcome him first, and then came in and said, "Mom, it's the Zhao family, the Wu family, the Kong family in the county, but..."

Jiang Ning stood up and said, "Nothing but what?"

"They don't seem to be dealing with it very much." Yang Datou is really as big as two people. Who would have thought that when he went out to entertain guests happily, he would encounter such a situation!

Jiang Ning immediately took the lead and went out. As soon as she went downhill, she saw a bunch of carriages blocking the village road in and out of her home.

Zhao Yuejiao looked at the carriages of the Wu family and the Kong family haughtily with her hands on her hips, and then glared at the three people standing in the middle of the road, "A good dog doesn't block the way!"

Jiang Ning happened to hear this and asked in surprise: "Who is this lady?"

Zhao Yuejiao looked at Jiang Ning and looked her up and down. After being reminded by others, she calmed down her temper, but she still looked aloof and said, "I am the eldest lady of the Zhao family."

"From Yuan Zhao's wife's family?" Jiang Ning was even more confused. Didn't he say that Yuan Zhao was a well-known and rare good person in the county? How could he raise a daughter so arrogant?

Zhao Yuejiao’s expression seemed to say that since she knew it was me, she shouldn’t say hello quickly.

Jiang Ning smiled and nodded at the three people in the middle of the road, and ordered Yang Datou and Yang Erdan to invite them in. Then he looked at the carriages on both sides, stepped forward and asked, "I wonder which distinguished guests you are?"

"I've seen Mrs. Muyi." The curtain of the carriage on the left was lifted, revealing a face that surprised Jiang Ning.

“Master Wu!”

Wu Shubai smiled respectfully at Jiang Ning, looked at the carriage on the right, "Old Kong, get off the car!"

As soon as he finished speaking, Kong Rufan jumped out of the carriage, and his eyes lit up when he saw Jiang Ning, "Mrs. Jiang, it's Mrs. Muyi! I've seen Mrs. Muyi!"

Jiang Ning made a gesture of invitation with a joyful expression on his face, "You two distinguished guests, please sit in the room. Can you ask the coachman to move the carriage?"

Wu Shubai glanced at the nymphomaniac Zhao Yuejiao with a nonchalant look, and obediently asked the driver to give up his seat.

When the road was open, Jiang Ning said politely to Zhao Yuejiao: "Miss Zhao, do you want to go up and sit down?"

Looking at her attitude, it was clear that she was just here to walk around and was about to leave. Jiang Ning didn't want to keep her. Unexpectedly, Zhao Yuejiao nodded shyly, "Then I'll bother Mrs. Muyi."

Jiang Ning was made to have goosebumps all over his body.

Zhao Yuejiao entered the courtyard with the help of the maid, but she disliked everything she saw, but she tolerated it.

Jiang Ning was too lazy to talk to her and stopped talking to her when she came in.

Zhao Yuejiao didn't know what to do and actually entered the main room with her. She kept glancing towards the male guests' table and asked Jiang Ning: "Mrs. Muyi actually knows Mr. Wu and Mr. Kong? It's really surprising." "

Jiang Ning was smiling but not smiling at all, and said, "I have met him a few times, so I think we know him!"

Zhao Yuejiao was not satisfied with this answer and frowned subconsciously. The maid on the side quickly reminded her, and she suppressed it again because she wanted to ask something more.

Jiang Ning stood up and walked towards the three people who had just been targeted by Zhao Yuejiao, "Are you okay?"

Mrs. Zhou was flattered and quickly regained her composure. She stood up and bowed to Jiang Ning, "We are fine. Thank you, Mrs. Muyi, for your concern."

Yang Sizhuang came to Jiang Ning, nodded to Mrs. Zhou and her daughter, and said, "Auntie, these two are the mother and sister of my classmate Xu Nuoshan. They came from Sangpu. It was a long way. I packed two bags for them. guest room.”

"No, no, we can just stay at the inn in the town." Mrs. Zhou quickly declined.

Jiang Ning smiled and said, "Ms. Zhou, you don't have to be polite to us. Your son is a classmate of mine. It's a rare opportunity to talk together. You live at home and everything is free."

After appeasing Mrs. Zhou and her daughter, Jiang Ning and Yang Sizhuang came to the edge and whispered, "Is this the resolute Mrs. Zhou that your brothers said? She looks like she has an extraordinary temperament." This is not what ordinary village women encounter today. She was so frightened that she secretly wiped away her tears because of her grievance, but Mrs. Zhou acted as if nothing had happened, as if what she had just been humiliated had never happened.

Yang Sizhuang nodded.

Several scholars came later. Mr. Ming only asked people to send congratulatory gifts and did not show up.

Due to the arrival of several scholars, the guests present all spoke in a much lower voice.

The last to arrive was the county magistrate and his party.

Let the banquet begin as soon as they arrive.

Yang Datou had prepared the dishes long ago. As soon as the guests arrived, the first braised food platter was served first. It used Jiangning's special recipe. The braised food was so fragrant that even though it was cold, it was full of fragrance.

Even Zhao Yuejiao, who had no hope for running water mats, took several bites.

The second dish is crispy roast duck rolls. The duck roasted early this morning is cut into slices, added with shredded cucumber and green onion sauce, and then rolled together with bread. The difference between eating Peking roast duck is that they roll it in advance. Good, convenient for guests to eat.

This dish was well received by everyone.

Several scholars are even preparing to compose a poem.

The third course is steamed sea bass, which uses the most primitive steaming method. The difference is that the water from the first steam is poured out to remove the fishy smell, and then the fried bean paste is poured on it, chopped green onion is sprinkled on it, and hot oil is poured on it. Not only does it come out quickly, but it also ensures the freshness of the dish.

Wu Shubai and Kong Rufan only took one bite and nodded affirmatively. Fish is difficult to cook, and it is too fishy to eat properly. However, this steamed fish has no fishy smell, only a strong umami taste.

The fourth dish is fried fish cake. This time, it is finger-sized fish. It has been pickled in advance and fried until the fish bones are crispy and can be eaten directly without spitting out the bones. It was praised by many guests.

The next few dishes are shrimp vermicelli, stir-fried flower shells, braised rabbit meat, seafood porridge, Yuanbao dumplings, medicinal chicken soup, stir-fried seasonal vegetables, and sweet soup.

There were twelve dishes in total, and the portions were sufficient. There was a lot left on the tables where the scholars were sitting.

After the banquet, Jiang Ning asked his sons to give each of the guests a bag of snacks, which were the same kinds of cakes he made that day.

Some of them were eaten and some were taken away. The guests who came over were extremely satisfied and left. They all praised Mrs. Muyi’s generosity and the delicious dishes on the table.

Some people even asked about the chef and found out that it was Mrs. Muyi’s eldest son who cooked the food. Everyone was shocked.

Kong Rufan asked even more carelessly: "Mrs. Muyi, are your family descendants of the imperial chef?"

Jiang Ning raised his eyebrows, "How do you say that?"

Kong Rufan said seriously: "There is a descendant of the royal chef in the south of the Yangtze River. I have eaten the dishes he cooked, and my master's craftsmanship is no worse than him."

Jiang Ning’s smile deepened, “Thanks to Mr. Kong’s respect, my son’s cooking skills were all developed by himself.”

Kong Rufan thought thoughtfully, "I was amazed when I tasted Mrs. Muyi's cooking. It seems that Mr. Ling has some inherited talents. Thank you for your hospitality today. I will visit you again when I have the opportunity."

Kong Rufan clasped his fists and left with Wu Shubai. Before leaving, he licked his face and asked Jiang Ning for an extra pack of snacks.

Jiang Ning was amused by him and giggled. He brought him a few more bags and finally coaxed the two young men away.

Zhao Yuejiao saw them all leaving and quickly caught up without even saying a word.

Jiang Ning can already stand on the sidelines.