Chapter 470 - 252 Moon_2
Qian Yijin’s face turned red as she chided, "Sister, as a maiden, it’s improper to talk so loosely. It’s unpleasant to hear. Remember, some things should not be said carelessly. Just because brother doesn’t laugh at you, doesn’t mean others won’t ridicule you."
Hearing this, Cheng Yue also nodded vigorously, adding, "Yixiu must heed Jinwa’s words, otherwise it won’t be easy to marry off."
From the courtyard, Old man Qian’s booming voice interrupted Qian Yixiu’s reverie. Old man Qian and Old woman Qian had arrived; they hadn’t been home for a meal in several days.
As soon as the old couple sat down, Old man Qian started to complain, "Because of Duo Duo’s marriage arrangement, both the eldest son’s wife and the Wife of Manchuan have been wearing long faces all these days. Seeing them takes away our appetite; today, we came here to eat our fill without any reservations."
Qian Sangui instructed the servants to add two more sets of tableware, reserving the main table for Old man Qian while directing Old woman Qian to another table, explaining, "Mother will eat at that table today. Mr. Pan is particular." He subtly reminded his parents to mind their manners during the meal, as Mr. Pan was a man of letters who valued propriety.
Upon hearing that he would be dining with a person of high status, Old man Qian was overjoyed, saying, "Father knows, father has dined with the gentry in the county town before, and knows not to carelessly sort through the dishes, speak too much, or smack his lips during the meal."
At precisely noon, Mr. Pan arrived on time. He was wearing a ginger-yellow patterned brocade long gown inside, with a grey fox fur-trimmed cotton cloak over it, and an Eight-treasure Pearl Crown on his head.
His arrival immediately made Old man Qian, Old woman Qian, Lady Wu, and a few attending Servants feel nervous. They had only ever glimpsed him from afar and had never had close contact with him. His extraordinary bearing was like the lofty moon, his aloof demeanor like the chill of the outside wind. Even though his face mustered a few strands of a smile, everyone still felt he was distant and icy. Only Cheng Yueniang and a few others did not have this feeling.
As Qian Sangui asked the Prince Consort Pan to take a seat, the Prince Consort Pan gestured with his hand for Old man Qian to sit at the head. Old man Qian was so frightened that he didn’t dare to sit, his cheeks trembling nonstop. It was only when Qian Yijin came over, steadying him into his seat and patting his back, that he began to relax.