Chapter 142: Chapter 141 Making New Clothes

Mrs. Meng was well aware of her daughter’s thoughts.

Although she was angry, as the wife of an official and the wife of a merchant, socializing was part of the norm. For her husband’s sake, for the future of their family, she had to forgive Lady Tang.

“The Tang Family sent an invitation, stating that their legitimate grandson Tang Shunyan is turning three years old. They’re not holding a big celebration but have invited some guests. Our family also received an invitation.”

Meng Zhaojun, despite her mother’s confirmation, broke into a smile at the thought of seeing her little nemesis Tang Shunyan again.

“Mother, you’re the best.”

“Hmph, such a young age and already thinking about outsiders,” Mrs. Meng chided. “I’m telling you, at the banquet, don’t go wandering into Lady Tang’s courtyard. She is close to giving birth, and if she gets upset and something happens to her, you will offend her.”

Meng Zhaojun thought of Lady Tang’s pettiness and pouted. If it weren’t for the chance to see Tang Shunyan, she wouldn’t want to go anywhere near Lady Tang’s courtyard.

“Mother, the banquet isn’t going to be held in Lady Tang’s courtyard, is it?”

“Of course not. The banquet will include not just women but also men. Men wouldn’t find it appropriate to go into Lady Tang’s courtyard. Even if the banquet is held in the grand garden, it wouldn’t be at a woman’s courtyard.”

Actually, Mrs. Meng was seizing this opportunity to begin teaching her daughter.

Meng Zhaojun had spent the past few days in her mother’s courtyard, absorbing her teachings. She felt overwhelmed by the many rules and etiquettes of ancient times that she, as the daughter of an official, had to learn.

“After the New Year, I will hire a teacher for you to learn etiquette. You can’t focus only on playing,” her mother continued.

“Oh…” Meng Zhaojun felt that living in ancient times and being groomed to be a talented lady was far more challenging than studying for over a decade in her previous life, not to mention the arduous college entrance exams. Being a talented lady in ancient times was no easy feat.

For the sake of her future prospects, she had no choice but to learn these things. Meng Zhaojun was quite stubborn by nature, and having arrived in this dynasty, she had to accept its education.

She, as the daughter of an affluent family, couldn’t be like a farmer girl. Otherwise, what would be the difference between her and a farmer girl?

She needed to have her advantages to avoid the risk of being outdone.

Meng Zhaojun felt incompetent, lacking a ‘Golden Finger’ except for not having been given the soup by Meng Po and thus retaining the memory of her past life. This in itself was a minor ‘Golden Finger,’ with much less effort already giving her an edge over others.

Mrs. Meng made new clothes only for the mother and daughter, while the clothes for her husband, son, and other family members were all ready-made.

…

The Tang Family’s home was bustling today. The legitimate grandson of the richest man of the Tang Family was celebrating his third birthday. They had invited a few close guests to visit, and one of the family’s taverns was closed to outside customers today; it was dedicated solely to serving the guests who came to offer birthday congratulations.

Of course, some tables would also be set up at the Tang’s residence to accommodate those who couldn’t go to the tavern to eat.

With such a luxurious house, the Tang Family could have easily hosted all the guests, but the homeowners did not wish to turn their house topsy-turvy and chose to entertain at the tavern instead.

Even though the guests were entertained at the tavern, they all came to meet the birthday boy Tang Shunyan first and presented their gifts.

Today, as the center of attention, Tang Shunyan would surely receive an overwhelming number of gifts. He arranged for his wet nurse to collect them and did not let them pass through the hands of any other maids.

Mrs. Li was very cautious with the gifts received, instructing them to be carefully placed, as they might be showcased later.

Tang Shunyan actually wished that the sisters from his wet nurse’s family could attend his banquet.

His suggestion was rejected by his family members, especially by Lady Tang, who argued that if those farmer girls attended and unwittingly offended someone important due to their lack of knowledge, what then?

The other members of the Tang Family had their reasons for refusing. If their children came to the banquet, Hongji must make an appearance, which would delay his carving work.

Inviting them to a child’s banquet was clearly just a ploy to make them bring gifts, wasn’t it?

If the gift is too expensive, it would trouble their farmer family; if it’s too cheap, it might be laughed at by others.

Tang Shunyan began by persuasively arguing his case, but his family disagreed and pointed out the pros and cons of the situation to him.

Tang Shunyan had no other choice but to delay his meeting with his wet nurse and her daughter.

Even at his young age, he knew better than to cause trouble for his wet nurse’s family.

Of course, among the birthday gifts Tang Shunyan received today was a wallet from Meng Zhaojun, but it was placed inside a box, and Tang Shunyan hadn’t seen what was inside. He had his wet nurse put it away.

“Tang Shunyan, I wish you a happy birthday.”

“Hmm, thank you.” Tang Shunyan’s face was almost frozen with a smile, maintaining it all day, especially in front of Meng Zhaojun, as he assessed her attire.

Meng Zhaojun was dressed in a white mink coat on the outside and a pink satin winter skirt on the inside, looking both noble and beautiful. The skirt reached her feet, neatly covering her pair of cotton boots, and her headwear was exquisite and lovely.

If this were not a small place, others might mistake her for a Princess arriving.

As Tang Shunyan was scrutinizing Meng Zhaojun, she was also sizing up the birthday boy, Tang Shunyan.

Because today was his birthday, Tang Shunyan, who usually wouldn’t wear red, was dressed in a red birthday outfit.

Whether it was the hat or the clothes, all were red, but the little boy dressed in red and styled as a male could easily be mistaken for a little girl.

The Tang Family members were notably attractive, and Tang Shunyan had inherited the Tang Family’s genes; even at a young age, one could see the shadow of a future handsome and debonair man.

Such a young man was one she had wisely chosen to mould through her nurturing plan.

The boy and the girl hadn’t chatted much when other guests arrived, bringing their children as well, since the occasion was a child’s birthday feast.

Most of the invited guests were familiar faces, and in a flash, Tang Shunyan found himself at the center of a circle of children.

“Tang Shunyan, happy birthday.”

“Thank you.”

Seeing herself not being the center of attention, Meng Zhaojun, in a bid to redirect their focus, said to Tang Shunyan:

“Tang Shunyan, in a few days it will be my birthday too, and I expect you to congratulate me then.”

Tang Shunyan’s attention was diverted by Meng Zhaojun’s words, and he looked at her and said:

“If your family sends out invitations, I will surely attend, but if your family isn’t hosting a large celebration, I could only have my elders send you a gift.”

“Hmm, I’ll need to ask my mother about that when I get back, and I’ll let you know afterward.”

Meng Zhaojun might have been too excited and happy in the past couple of days to think about her own birthday.

Their conversation caught the attention of the other children, who stopped talking and quietly watched them, with none of the children saying they wanted to be invited as well.

Indeed, aside from seeing Meng Zhaojun at the Tang Family’s home, they didn’t often meet Meng Zhaojun and weren’t familiar with the proud daughter of the county magistrate’s house.

Now, surrounding Tang Shunyan, they couldn’t get a chance to talk to her either.

Meng Zhaojun might be somewhat more mature; aside from Tang Shunyan, who was part of her nurturing plan, she had no interest in dealing with the other little brats.

This resulted in her having no close female friends or intimates in the county, besides Tang Shunyan.

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