Baozi Xishi's Struggle

Chapter 463 Lively New Year's Eve Dinner

After everything was done, Shen Yu took off her apron, held up an oil-paper umbrella and went to the back yamen.

Entered the county magistrate's courtyard.

Accompanied by flying snowflakes, in the white snow, the fiery red lanterns, bright window grilles, black tiles and white walls, vermilion pillars and doors and windows, accompanied by the loud laughter coming from the house, are like a vivid freehand painting.

Even Shen Yu, who had no artistic talent, couldn't help but stand at the gate of the courtyard to admire it for a moment before walking in carefully on the snow.

At this time, the two adults had long stopped playing chess. Yang Chi was talking about something vividly, and Lu Zheng would interject from time to time.

Not only Yucheng and Xiaozhuzi were listening attentively, but even the two servants waiting outside the study had smiles on their faces, but they didn't dare to laugh out loud.

Shen Yu stopped and the servant saw her coming and went in to report. Only then did Shen Yu enter the study.

After paying respect to the two adults, Shen Yu smiled and said, "My two adults, the New Year's Eve dinner is ready."

"I wanted to come over and ask if dinner is ready now so I can bring someone to bring the prepared food over."

When Lu Lang heard this, he said happily, "Oh, it's done so quickly."

"Today we will not eat in the dining hall of the back yamen. We will go to the dining hall of the front yamen and eat with the yamen runners."

"You go back and set the table first. Lord Yang, the two advisors and I will be here soon."

Shen Yu hurriedly agreed, but Yu Cheng said to Yang Chi obediently: "Master Yang, Xiao Zhuzi and I will go back first. I want to help my sister serve the dishes."

"The story you told is really interesting. Thank you for telling us the story."

Yang Chi smiled and said, "Are you hungry? You two wash your hands here, and we'll go over together."

Shen Yu hurriedly said, "Thank you, Master Yang. They have been out for half a day. I'd better take them back first. I don't dare to trouble you."

Yang Chi stopped and smiled, saying, "Walk slowly, the road is slippery in the snow."

Shen Yu and Yu Cheng held Xiao Zhuzi's hands and bowed, then walked out of the study together.

Shen Yu held a big umbrella, with Xiao Zhuzi in the middle. The three of them held hands and walked carefully on the snow back to the kitchen room of the front yamen.

Li and her colleagues, as well as several yamen runners on duty today, were waiting there, ready to pack the prepared meals into lunch boxes and send them to the back yamen.

Shen Yu hurriedly said that the two adults would come over to have dinner with everyone.

The yamen runners were all a little nervous after hearing this.

The county magistrate was okay. I saw him every day. Over time, I got to know that although he was not very willing to take charge of government affairs, he was a gentle person and did not put on airs.

But the other Lord Yang is the prefect, and I heard that he is a shrewd and capable official. If you say or do something wrong in front of him, you will be in big trouble.

Seeing that the yamen runners all had nervous expressions on their faces and were standing there at a loss, Shen Yu smiled and said, "Don't be afraid, yamen runners."

"Today is New Year's Eve, and the adults came here to eat with everyone. I think it means to have fun with the people, and also to make it more lively for everyone to celebrate the New Year together."

"The dishes will be served soon, just enjoy yourselves."

"The two adults are gentle and will not cause you any trouble today."

After hearing this, several yamen runners relaxed again and came over enthusiastically to help serve the dishes, set the tables and chairs, and place everyone's bowls and plates.

Although we said we were eating together, we were actually eating at four tables.

The two adults and two legal advisors sat at one table, Shen Yu's entire family sat at one table, the yamen runners sat at one table, and the servants sat at one table, totaling more than thirty people.

Shen Yu counted secretly and felt lucky.

Fortunately, the county government had sufficient ingredients prepared, and the flour and fillings brought from home were also sufficient, otherwise, it would not be enough to eat.

Of course, for dishes like braised pork trotters, only two were cooked, so only the adults could get one, and Shen Yu's whole family could get one.

But the yamen runners and servants didn't mind.

Although the dishes on their table were obviously not as sumptuous as those on the previous two tables, steamed fish noodles, stewed chicken, steamed duck, and Taiping eggs, which are essential dishes for the New Year's Eve dinner, were available on every table.

Just these, plus a few steaming stir-fried dishes and plenty of meat skewers, filled the table.

Smelling the tempting aroma of food on the table, they were already overjoyed and couldn't wait to start eating.

The table has been set up and the dumplings in the pot are cooked. They are being served in bowls to each table.

The two adults and two secretaries, each holding an oil-paper umbrella, walked leisurely into the kitchen's yard.

The four of them entered the large dining room next to the chef's room. When they saw the sumptuous dishes and steaming dumplings on the table, they couldn't help but smile with satisfaction.

The meal was very lively.

At first the room was a little quiet and no one dared to speak.

The county magistrate, as the host, said a few auspicious words about the New Year in a cheerful tone after taking his seat. He also said that today was New Year's Eve, so everyone should not be restrained and could eat and drink to their heart's content.

The lawyers and runners were all very perceptive, and they uttered pleasant and auspicious words like flowing water.

Everyone likes to hear nice words, and the county magistrate was so amused that he smiled widely and said that it was a good idea for everyone to have the New Year's Eve dinner together today, as it added to the festive atmosphere.

Then it was Shen Yu's table's turn. After seeing the previous situation, Shen Yu knew that this should be the custom of having New Year's Eve dinner, and he had already discussed a countermeasure.

She thought for a few words and whispered to Yucheng and the others, asking them to stand up and say auspicious words on behalf of everyone.

Although Yang Chi was used to this kind of scene, when Yu Cheng and the others stood up and said some auspicious words for the New Year, the sincere and clear children's voices were soothing and comfortable to hear, and he couldn't help but laugh along.

The servants who can follow the two masters must be very smart.

They followed suit, as they had been influenced by what they saw and heard on a daily basis. Soon, after a discussion, they elected a representative to stand up and speak a few words in a very professional manner. However, some of his words were disjointed and did not make any sense, which made everyone laugh.

In the end, Yang Chi, the only legitimate guest, came to clean up the mess.

He smiled and urged, "You guys are really patient, you keep talking about good things."

"As for me, I don't have any other thoughts at the moment. Looking at this table full of delicious food, I just want to eat well so that I can have a happy New Year. Don't you think so?"

The yamen runners and servants had already become greedy after smelling the delicious food on the table.

However, it is customary to say auspicious words before the New Year’s Eve dinner, so I can only listen patiently.

When they heard Yang Chi say this, they responded sincerely, and everyone shouted "Yes", "Your Excellency is wise."

Yang Chi smiled and said, "What else is there to say? I think everyone should start eating quickly. Only by eating well can the new year be better."