How Do You Plan to Pay?

Madam Cui was so angry that she puffed out her cheeks and glared at them. "I won't keep you any longer. Show them out."

The housekeeper shooed the poor relatives out in a swarm, and Zhou Wanwan smiled and said, "I suddenly feel sleepy, I have to go back to sleep. If you two ladies need anything, just come and find me!"

Madam Cui suddenly spoke up, "Wait, are you still going to hold the banquet?"

Zhou Wanwan nodded and said, "Of course, it's for the banquet. Does Madam Cui mean she wants to book a banquet?"

Madam Cui looked at her and said:

"The Cui Family is having a welcome banquet the day after tomorrow, so let your mountain stronghold host it!"

These are all important people from the capital; you'd better be careful.

This banquet was for distinguished guests of the Cui Family in the capital. The Cui Family was only a collateral branch, and the guests were from the direct branch.

Cui Wenyuan, a member of the direct line, was the Vice Censor-in-Chief, Principal Third Rank official in the current court, wielding the power to supervise all officials. Even the Book of Documents of the Six Ministries had to show him deference.

Zhou Wanwan looked at Madam Cui and asked, "Which type would you like? How many tables?"

Looking at the menu, Madam Cui asked, "The Imperial Banquet-Level Unparalleled Meal costs one hundred taels of silver per table. What are we eating?"

Zhou Wanwan said:

"Blood swallow and shark fin soup, braised sea cucumber with scallions, crab roe abalone and shark fin soup, steamed grouper, braised abalone, garlic vermicelli Little Green, braised fish maw, braised Dahai, abalone sauce sea cucumber with goose feet, Buddha Jumps Over the Wall, braised bear paw, rock sugar snow frog, cheese baked lobster, thick fish maw soup."

Of course, the seafood will change frequently, but the quality will never be low.

This is top-quality ingredient.

Madam Cui paused for a moment, then said, "This table isn't expensive. Get me thirty tables."

Zhou Wanwan looked at her and said, "That's three thousand taels. How do you plan to pay?"

Madam Cui frowned, and Madam Nie beside her said:

"Zhou Wanwan, what do you mean by this? A mere three thousand taels, does Madam Cui think she can renege on the debt?"

"Prepare the banquet the day after tomorrow. If it's as good as you described, we'll naturally pay for it."

Zhou Wanwan was too lazy to argue with them and waste her time.

What's the point of talking if you're not going to pay?

They have criminal records; Zhou Wanwan can't trust them.

Madam Cui and Madam Nie thought they had reached an agreement, but Madam Cui sneered and said, "They're really giving her too much credit; letting her host the banquet is doing her a favor."

Madam Nie calmly said:

"I heard that the banquets at Black Wind Stronghold are quite good, and many families have booked them now."

I ate there last time too. Although it only cost ten taels of silver, the portion was very generous and the taste was excellent.

Madam Cui smiled and said, "I've heard it's quite good. So, do you think I should pay for it?"

Madam Nie sneered, "Of course not. We've been swindled out of so much money by her today, why should we give it to her?"

Zhou Wanwan returned to the courtyard and said, "These two are really something. Trying to freeload? They even cheated a child. They're shameless."

Zheng Xing'an laughed and said, "Then what do we do?"

"So what? They're treating, not me, so what does it have to do with me?"

Zhou Wanwan had no intention of getting involved in these matters at all; they were just being presumptuous.

Soon, the Cui Family was decorated with lanterns and colorful streamers, all in anticipation of the arrival of Cui Wenyuan, the direct descendant.

Madam Cui chuckled and said, "I heard that Cui Wenyuan has two sons and two daughters. I also heard that neither of his sons is married. I hope they would take a liking to our Yingying."

Madam Nie was overjoyed. "Isn't that wonderful? Our Nie Rou is all grown up now, it would be great if someone could take Rourou to her."

Madam Cui chuckled and said, "Then our two daughters will become sisters-in-law, hahaha!"

Madam Nie looked at Nie Rou and said, "Go and ask Zhou Wanwan if the banquet arrangements are ready."

Nie Rou went straight into Zhou Wanwan's room. Just as she was about to speak, she saw Zhou Wanwan engrossed in her work.

It's all seafood.

Nie Rou no longer cared about anything else.

She didn't stand on ceremony and sat down directly, saying, "Zhou Wanwan, there's so much delicious food, why didn't you invite me?"

While eating seafood, Zhou Wanwan said, "Are we familiar with each other? You don't really think we're master and servant, do you?"

Nie Rou looked at her and said, "What do you mean by that? Aren't you my maid now?"

Zhou Wanwan sneered, "Nie Rou, don't put on airs in front of me."

Nie Rou's face flushed with anger. Just as she reached for her chopsticks, Zheng Xing'an knocked them to the ground, saying, "My young lady hasn't eaten yet! What are you trying to do?"

Nie Rou looked at her and said, "You actually dared to knock my chopsticks to the ground? Do you have a death wish?"

Zhou Wanwan looked at her calmly and said, "Nie Rou, I advise you to tone it down, or don't blame me for being impolite."

Nie Rou slammed her hand on the table and said, "I'd like to see how you're going to treat me rudely."

Then, a "crack" was heard, and a whip mark appeared on Nie Rou's body.

She screamed and ran outside, but the whip seemed to have eyes, following her relentlessly.

Nie Rou screamed in terror and ran around the yard, but the whip lashed harder and harder until her clothes were torn to shreds.

Just then, the Cui family, the direct descendants of the Cui Wenyuan, walked in, followed by a number of officials.

Nie Rou kept crying, screaming, and begging for mercy, leaving everyone dumbfounded.

Cui Wenyuan looked at her and asked, "What is she doing?"

Madam Cui smiled awkwardly and said, "She... she was catching butterflies! She's just a child, she doesn't know any better. I'll take her away right away."

Madam Cui summoned two old women who immediately restrained Nie Rou and took her away.

Nie Rou screamed, "A ghost! A ghost is chasing me and hitting me! Waaaaah!"

Madam Cui coughed and said, "This girl has gone mad. Let's ignore her and go to the front hall!"

Madam Cui led everyone to the flower hall, where she served tea and snacks to the guests.

She pulled Madam Nie aside and said, "What's wrong with your Nie Rou? She's acting like she's gone mad."

Madam Nie smiled wryly:

"I don't know what's wrong with this child. He just came out of Zhou Wanwan's room and he turned out like this."

"Zhou Wanwan, why hasn't the food been served yet?"

Madam Cui frowned and looked at the Daya beside her, saying, "Go and ask Zhou Wanwan what's going on? Why haven't the dishes been served yet?"

The Daya went to Zhou Wanwan's courtyard and said arrogantly, "Zhou Wanwan, our mistress wants you to serve the dishes immediately."

Zhou Wanwan ate grapes and looked at her, asking, "What dishes should we serve?"

The Daya angrily retorted, "Zhou Wanwan, stop pretending to be crazy! You clearly promised my mistress that you would be in charge of preparing all thirty tables of food today!"

Zhou Wanwan raised an eyebrow and smiled:

"Don't talk nonsense. When did I agree to that? Do you have any proof?"

Besides, I have no prior acquaintance with the Cui Family, so why should I help Cui Family?