The Valued Lady is Truly Dominant

Chapter 1025: Chapter 1025: Meeting Guests at the Banquet

Song Ci’s autumn feast, hosted according to her own liking, took place in a garden with pavilions and corridors, offering a view of the lake from a slightly elevated position. The lawn was covered, and long tables were laid out, accompanied by cushions and small tables, adorned with seasonal flowers. Though not breathtakingly beautiful, it had a unique charm.

Indeed, the old lady hosted yet another self-service banquet, preparing exquisite pastries, teas, fruits, and wines, along with meticulously prepared cocktail ingredients.

The table dedicated to liquors and juices featured jam made from simmered sour plums, a tub filled with leftover crushed ice from summer, and fruit pectin boiled with sugar water, transforming into juices of various colors, along with honey, etc.

Each table had one or two vases with large bouquets of fresh flowers, quite a spectacle of floral splendor.

”They say that the banquets at the Prime Minister’s Mansion are quite unique, and now seeing it, the rumors are indeed true—it’s truly original,” praised Princess Anping, holding Song Ci’s hand.

Song Ci laughed and said, ”A banquet is basically sitting together and eating while listening to plays. I think, why not drink anywhere? We women, confined within our homes, can’t enjoy the romance like men do, but there are many ways to keep oneself happy and joyful.”

”Just like drinking wine in the autumn, watching plays while eating delicacies, doesn’t it happen often in families like ours? Year after year, it’s the same old thing, so it’s better to make it more leisurely.” Song Ci pointed to the garden and said, ”Please relax, this garden is left for us to enjoy; no men are allowed here, so feel free to enjoy yourselves.”

Madam Guan laughed, ”I used to think Madam Song was low-key and reserved; now it seems the rumors were wrong. You’re actually a delightful person.”

Song Ci sighed, ”At my age, every day alive is a day gained. Whether happy or not, a day is a day. Naturally, I’ll choose to be happy and free; that’s my realization.”

”You’re not just enlightened; you’re truly open-minded,” Madam Qian chimed in with a smile.

”Indeed, indeed, you praise me so comfortably; you must drink a few more cups later.”

Everyone smiled knowingly.

”Madam, this banquet resembles the foreign customs; did you learn of this from folk novels and stories?” Guan Shuyan asked with a smile.

Song Ci was slightly surprised: ”Wow, you young girl already know these are foreign customs?”

Guan Shuyan, somewhat shy, said, ”I sometimes read various books, and some have illustrations showing similar arrangements at overseas Nanyang court banquets.”

Song Ci uttered a white lie: ”Perhaps we read the same book. I found it interesting, so I thought of hosting it this way. Alas, I’ve been outed in my imitation.”

Guan Shuyan felt uneasy and hurriedly said, ”You’re too modest; I find this arrangement very refined and quite eye-opening, nowhere near an imitation.”

Song Ci laughed and said, ”You girls go play as you please; women are most free when they are young maidens. Enjoy yourselves while you’re still in your best years. Wei’er, take good care of the sisters.”

Song Ruwei smiled, curtsied elegantly, and obliged, leading the young ladies to have fun.