Traveling through the busy farmland of a peasant girl

Chapter 252 Shen Li's Banquet

The residence of Lady Fuxi of the Capital City seemed to be dressed in gorgeous attire today, filled with a warm and solemn festive atmosphere.

The vermilion gate was open, and a gold-plated plaque hung high on the lintel, shining brightly in the sunlight. The five large characters "Fuxi County Lady's Mansion" were vigorous and powerful, highlighting the noble status of the owner of the mansion.

On both sides of the gate, a pair of majestic stone lions stood quietly, their eyes wide open and their bloody mouths gaping, as if announcing to the guests the extraordinary nature of this feast.

At this moment, the bright red silk tied on the stone lion fluttered gently in the wind, adding a bit of liveliness and joy to the solemn atmosphere.

As you step into the mansion, the courtyard suddenly opens up, like a beautiful painting slowly unfolding before your eyes.

Dozens of carved round tables are arranged in an orderly manner. Each table is made of high-quality mahogany with delicate and beautiful texture. The tables are covered with brocade tablecloths with exquisite embroidery. The silk threads gleam with a soft luster in the sunlight and feel silky to the touch.

The sets of silver cutlery were neatly arranged, the blades reflected a cool glow under the light, and the exquisite carvings on the spoon handles showed luxury.

The crystal wine glasses are transparent and flawless. When gently tapped, they make a clear and pleasant sound, as if singing a song of welcome. The bonsai placed on the table is even more ingenious. There are pine and cypress trees, with upright postures and unyielding tenacity, symbolizing longevity and perseverance.

Or exotic flowers and plants, colorful, gorgeous, emitting charming fragrance, adding a bit of elegance and tranquility to the banquet.

The maids and servants were dressed in uniform, the colors were simple yet solemn. They walked lightly, moving back and forth between the courtyards, holding exquisite dishes and fragrant wines steadily in their hands, and arranging the venue in an orderly manner.

In the garden, colorful flowers are blooming in profusion, red like fire, pink like clouds, and white like snow. They cluster together, vying for beauty. The fragrance of flowers is everywhere, drifting in the wind, intertwined with the aroma of delicious food in the air, making people feel relaxed and happy and intoxicated.

The spring water on the rockery flows gently, crystal clear, meandering down the mountain and falling into the stone pool below, splashing crystal water and making crisp and pleasant sounds, as if playing a cheerful melody, adding a touch of lively beauty to this lively scene.

Soon, the invited ladies arrived one after another.

The first person who caught the eye was Lin Wan'er, the daughter of the Minister of War. She was wearing a light blue brocade dress with delicate butterfly patterns embroidered on the hem. It swayed gently with her steps, as if butterflies were dancing.

A ribbon of the same color was tied around her waist, forming a beautiful bow, which made her figure even more slender.

Her face was as white as jade, her eyebrows were as black as distant black, and her eyes were bright and clear, like a clear spring. Her gaze was lively and bright. As soon as she stepped into the mansion, she smiled and shared the interesting stories of the day with her companions. Her crisp laughter echoed in the air, attracting everyone's attention.

"Sister Wan'er, you look so beautiful today. The butterfly embroidered here is so lifelike. Could it be from the best embroidery workshop in the capital?" A young lady in a pink silk dress asked with a smile, her eyes full of envy.

"Sister, you're joking. This is just some material I found by chance. I liked it so I made it into clothes." Lin Wan'er responded with a smile, gently waving an exquisite round fan in her hand. The landscape painting on the fan was fresh and elegant.

Immediately afterwards, Zhao Yaqin, the wife of the Minister of Rites, also walked over.

She wore a deep purple velvet gown embroidered with a gorgeous peony pattern. The peonies, in full bloom, layered with vibrant petals, exuded a sense of elegance and grace. Her hair was piled high, adorned with a gold-inlaid jade hairpin. The jade was translucent and soft, radiating a gentle sheen. Her face was dignified and beautiful, her eyes radiating a calm and intelligent spirit.

She moved gracefully, each step seemed carefully measured, and she was a lady from a noble family.

"Madam Zhao, long time no see. You look so noble today!" Lady Shen Li, the Lady of Fuxi County, walked forward with a smile, bowed slightly, her eyes full of respect and enthusiasm.

"What are you talking about, County Lady? I heard that Fuxilou is going to open a branch in the capital today. How can I not join in the fun of such a grand event?" Zhao Yaqin responded with a smile, gently shaking the silk handkerchief in her hand. The orchid embroidered on the handkerchief was quiet and elegant, emitting a faint fragrance.

As time went on, more and more ladies arrived.

Su Ling, the daughter of the Duke of Zhenguo's Mansion, has a gentle and quiet personality. She wears a moon-white gauze dress with a few pale pink plum blossoms embroidered on the hem, making her look like a fairy in the snow.

Her eyes were soft and quiet. She stood quietly aside, admiring the beautiful scenery in the courtyard, and occasionally whispered a few words to the maid beside her. Her voice was gentle, like a breeze on your face.

Qian, the wife of a scholar from the Hanlin Academy, was a warm and generous person. She wore an orange brocade dress embroidered with auspicious cloud patterns.

As soon as she entered the door, she greeted the ladies she knew warmly. Her hearty and infectious laughter instantly made the atmosphere around her more lively.

It is worth mentioning that many of the guests are old customers of Fuxilou in Qingshan County.

Like Mrs. Li, who ran a silk shop, she often traveled between Qingshan County and the capital to purchase fabrics. Every time she went to Qingshan County, Fuxilou was her first choice for resting and dining.

There were also several young ladies from Mr. Zhang's family who had property in Qingshan County. When they lived in Qingshan County in the past, they loved the food at Fuxilou. When they heard that the branch in Beijing had opened, they couldn't wait to come and show their support.

As soon as these old customers met, they enthusiastically talked about their past experiences at Fuxilou in Qingshan County.

"I still remember that time at Fuxilou Restaurant in Qingshan County, I tasted their signature dish, squirrel mandarin fish. The taste is still unforgettable to this day. The fish body was fried until golden and crispy, drizzled with a sweet and sour sauce, and sprinkled with some pine nuts. It had a rich taste and distinct layers. It was truly a delicacy!" Mrs. Li said as she savored the taste of the dish, her face full of intoxication.

"Yes, I also love their dim sum the most, especially the rose bean paste pastry. The crust is crispy and the filling is delicate and sweet. The fragrance of rose and the mellowness of bean paste blend perfectly. When you eat it, you feel full of happiness." The eldest daughter of Mr. Zhang's family agreed with a smile, a hint of nostalgia in her eyes.

After all the guests arrived, Shen Li walked gracefully to the high platform in the courtyard.

Today, she wore a red, gold-threaded, phoenix-embroidered dress. The hem of the dress dragged on the ground, and as she walked, she moved like flowing clouds and water. The phoenix embroidered on the dress fluttered its wings, ready to take flight. The golden threads shone brightly in the sunlight, embodying her nobility and splendor.

Her hair was tied into an exquisite bun, and she wore a golden crown inlaid with rubies. The rubies were bright and dazzling, like burning flames. Her face was beautiful and charming, and her eyes showed confidence and intelligence.

Shen Li clapped her hands lightly. The crisp applause instantly attracted everyone's attention, and the courtyard gradually became quiet.

"Ladies and young ladies, thank you for your visit today to my Fuxi County Lady's Mansion. I believe you all already know that I am holding a banquet here today to celebrate the grand opening of my Fuxilou Beijing branch." Shen Li's voice was crisp and pleasant, like a yellow oriole singing out of a valley, melodious and resonating in the courtyard, and every word was clearly heard by every guest.

“Fuxilou is somewhat well-known in Qingshan County, and this time in Beijing, we have brought brand new experiences and surprises.

Fuxilou is not just an ordinary restaurant, but an ancient department store that brings together all kinds of good things for food, clothing, housing and transportation." Shen Li smiled, her eyes sparkling with excitement, and began to introduce it in detail.

"In the clothing area, we have the latest styles of clothes, from gorgeous brocade dresses to light and comfortable everyday clothes, from exquisite embroidered shoes to warm leather boots, whether you are attending a banquet or going out at home, we can meet your needs.

Each piece of clothing is carefully made by skilled tailors, using superior fabrics, exquisite embroidery, and quality is reflected in the details.

We've also introduced a variety of unique bags, including small, exquisite clutches made of soft satin, embroidered with delicate patterns, and accented with delicate tassels. These are both beautiful and practical, perfect for evening wear and banquets. We also offer large-capacity shoulder bags made of durable leather with a well-structured interior that can easily hold your daily necessities. Whether you're out shopping or outings, these are your go-to bags.

As Shen Li spoke, her eyes revealed her pride in her own products. She also gestured to the maid beside her to show her several exquisite bags, attracting the attention of the ladies and young ladies in the audience.

"Speaking of food, that is a major feature of Fuxilou. Our restaurant not only has traditional signature dishes, such as the squirrel mandarin fish and rose bean paste pastry mentioned above, but also specialties from all over the world.

Moreover, we have newly introduced unique milk tea shop elements and carefully developed a variety of flavors of milk tea, including refreshing jasmine milk tea, rich chocolate milk tea, sweet strawberry milk tea and so on.

Each cup of milk tea is made with fresh milk and premium tea leaves, paired with fresh fruit or sweet jam. Its rich taste and fragrant aroma are sure to make you want to drink it. Shen Li's vivid description elicited slight nods from the ladies in the audience, some even revealing expressions of anticipation.

"In addition to these, Fuxilou also has a rich food section with all kinds of fresh and juicy fruits, whether it is watermelon and peaches in summer or citrus and persimmons in winter. We gather fruits from all over the country and we can guarantee their freshness and deliciousness.

The tobacco and alcohol area has fine wines and high-quality tobacco from all over the world to meet everyone's taste needs.

The toy area has a variety of exquisite toys that are suitable for children to play with and can also be given as gifts.

We also have a variety of delicious prepared foods such as dried meats, preserved fruits, etc. for you to enjoy at any time.

In short, Fuxilou is like a treasure chest, with everything you need. As long as you step into it, it will satisfy every aspect of your life." Shen Li's words were full of infectiousness, making everyone look forward to the opening of Fuxilou.

"To thank all our customers for their continued support and kindness, Fuxilou is launching a membership card top-up promotion. Top up your gold card by 50,000 taels and receive two sets of premium skincare products."

Shen Li turned slightly to the side, and the maid beside her immediately handed her two sets of beautifully packaged skin care products.

The packaging was made of fine brocade, with bright yet elegant colors. It was embroidered with exquisite patterns and inlaid with tiny gems, shining with charming light.

The bottle is made of transparent glass with smooth lines and delicate carvings, exuding a faint fragrance that makes people love it.

"This is not an ordinary skin care product. I personally selected it and used the most precious herbs and spices, and it was carefully developed.

It contains the essence of Changbai Mountain thousand-year-old ginseng, which has excellent nourishing effects. It can penetrate deep into the bottom layer of the skin, replenish the nutrients needed by the skin, and keep the skin radiant at all times.

And the rose essential oil, a tribute from the Western Regions, has the effects of whitening, nourishing, and moisturizing, leaving your skin fair, smooth, and creamy."

Shen Li picked up a set of skin care products and introduced them in detail, her eyes revealing confidence and pride.

“Recharge your silver card with 10,000 taels and receive a set of premium skincare products, also of top quality and with remarkable results.

Recharge your copper card by 5,000 taels and receive a free fruit basket. The fruits are all freshly picked in season, with rich varieties, sweet and juicy.

"There are lychees from Lingnan, with their translucent flesh, sweet and juicy; and grapes from the Western Regions, plump and sweet and sour, allowing you to savor the purest natural flavors." Shen Li continued, a confident smile on her face and a gleam of anticipation in her eyes, eagerly anticipating the guests' enthusiastic response.

The ladies and young ladies in the audience began to whisper and discuss, their eyes revealing varying degrees of excitement and curiosity.

"This Fuxilou sounds really great. Not only does it have food and drinks, but it also sells so many good things, even the bags are so exquisite. The discounts for the membership card are also very attractive. I'm just worried about where to buy new clothes and bags." A young lady whispered to her companion next to her, her eyes flashing with excitement.

"Yes, I think Fuxilou has invested a lot of money this time. The discount for the gold card is particularly attractive. Two sets of high-end skin care products are worth a lot of money. And I also want to try the milk tea. It sounds delicious." Mrs. Qian, a scholar of the Hanlin Academy, echoed, opening and closing the fan in her hand rhythmically, as if she was thinking about whether to apply for a gold card.

Seeing that everyone was a little excited, Shen Li smiled and said, "If you are interested, you can go to the side hall of the mansion to find my housekeeper to apply for a membership card after the banquet.

Fuxilou's doors are always open to everyone and we look forward to welcoming you. We not only offer delicious food and a comfortable environment, but also regularly host various events, allowing you to enjoy delicious food, shop, and make like-minded friends.

Then, the banquet officially began. The sounds of stringed instruments and orchestras rang out, and melodious music drifted in the air, like the gurgling of water or the gentle breeze in the mountains, intoxicating everyone.

The dancers, dressed in light gauze gowns, danced gracefully, their figures as graceful as fairies descending to earth. Their movements were light and graceful, and as they spun and leaped, their sleeves fluttered like blooming flowers, a breathtaking sight.

The guests enjoyed the wonderful singing and dancing, savored the delicious food, laughed and talked constantly, and the atmosphere was very harmonious.

Halfway through the banquet, Shen Li also arranged an interesting lottery session.

She ordered people to prepare a huge lottery box, which was made of high-quality mahogany and had exquisite dragon and phoenix patterns carved on the surface, symbolizing good luck and fortune.

Inside were slips of paper with various prizes written on them, including exquisite jewelry, precious calligraphy and paintings, coupons for Fuxilou, and so on.

"Next, it's time for our lucky draw. Ladies and young ladies, you all have the chance to win generous prizes!" Shen Li said with a smile, her eyes full of anticipation.

The first lucky winner was Mrs. Sun, the wife of the Minister of Justice. She won a precious calligraphy and painting. When she opened the slip and saw the prize written on it, a smile of surprise suddenly broke out on her face.

"Oh, this is so lucky! I've been eyeing this calligraphy and painting for a long time, and I never thought I'd win it at the Fuxilou banquet today."

Mrs. Sun said excitedly, holding the calligraphy and painting tightly in her hands, as if afraid it would fly away. The calligraphy and painting unfolded, and the brushstrokes were majestic and powerful. The seal at the end showed that it was the work of a famous artist and was priceless.

As the lucky draw progressed, the atmosphere of the banquet reached its climax. The ladies and young ladies were immersed in joy and surprise, and their impression of Fuxilou became even deeper.

Some young ladies cheered for winning their favorite jewelry, while some ladies were satisfied with the Fuxilou coupons they received. They all said that they must go to Fuxilou to taste the goods and go shopping in the mall in the future.

After the banquet, many guests went to the side hall to apply for membership cards. Shen Li stood at the door of the mansion, smiling and seeing off each guest, her eyes full of joy and satisfaction.

She was secretly delighted in her heart. The opening of Fuxilou was a perfect start. She believed that in the future, Fuxilou would shine brightly in the capital and become a popular shopping and dining destination.