Cultivation Daddy

Chapter 172 - 171: The Banquet Eve

The day before the banquet, the Li residence became busier than ever.

Li Xinyue arrived early in the morning and spent almost the entire day supervising the final decorations. Since she had already arranged the general layout in advance, the workers only needed to complete the smaller details. Even so, she did not relax at all. She walked around the courtyard with a scroll in her hand, checking the layout more carefully.

The banquet area had changed completely.

The wide courtyard was decorated with red and gold lanterns, but the color was not so heavy that it looked vulgar. Spiritual silk hung from the beams in soft layers, and small wind chimes made from jade shells were placed near the corners of the roof. When the wind passed through, they made a clear and gentle sound that did not disturb the ears.

The performance platform stood near the center of the courtyard. It was not too high, but it was large enough for Jingsheng and Jingxuan to perform their sword and spear dance. A long table had also been arranged at one side for the musicians. Li Jain’s zither would be placed in the middle, Li Yujian’s flute on the left, and Li Yuhan’s pipa on the right.

Li Xinyue looked at everything and finally nodded with satisfaction.

In truth, when Li Jain first said he wanted to host a banquet, she had thought that he only wanted a family gathering with a few guests. But after thinking more carefully, she felt that the banquet could not be handled too simply.

The Li family had just settled in South River City. Although the Spiritual Tavern’s reputation had already reached many ears, since the tavern had not reopened, most people only knew the name and not the family behind it.

Even I’d they’d guess it, they were still not willing to believe without enough evidence.

This banquet was a good chance to let others know that Li Jain was not someone who could be casually looked down on, and that his children were not pitiful children without foundation.

"This is much better," she said: "A birthday banquet should be lively, but it should not look like a wedding. Keep the decorations warm and elegant. You have all done a good job."

The workers quickly answered.

"Yes, Miss Xinyue."

Li Xinyue looked toward the entrance again and pointed at the two flower stands near the gate: "Move those slightly inward. Guests should see them when they enter, but they should not block the path. Also, the lanterns near the gate should be lit after sunset tonight. Do not wait until the guests arrive tomorrow."

As she was thinking about the guest seating, the servant at the gate came over and reported, "Lady Xinyue, Miss Fang has arrived."

Li Xinyue’s hand paused and asked: "Fan Ruyin?"

"Yes." The servant nodded.

Li Xinyue’s expression became subtle.

During these days of helping arrange the banquet, she had naturally heard a little about Fan Ruyin. She realized that the children were not close to Fan Ruyin like they should.

More importantly, Fan Ruyin’s behavior did not look like a mother who had come back because she missed her sons. Every time she comes over, she’ll just all over Li Jain, not even saying a few words to the triplets.

To Fan Ruyin, as long as Li Jain accepted her, the children will gradually warm up to her.

Li Xinyue closed the design scroll and said: "Let her in."

Fan Ruyin entered a short while later. Today, she had dressed even more carefully than usual.

She brought two servants with her. As soon as she stepped into the courtyard, her eyes moved across the decorations, the seating, lanterns, flower stands, and the stage. A look of satisfaction flashed through her eyes.

This banquet was even better than she expected.

If she stood beside Li Jain tomorrow while the guests came forward to greet him, those people would naturally misunderstand her position. Even if Li Jain did not say anything, others would think on their own. She only needs to act properly, and everything will take shape on its own.

Once the misunderstanding spread, it would be harder for Li Jain to deny her later.

Thinking of this, Fan Ruyin’s mood improved.

Li Xinyue’s brows lifted slightly, as she observed Fan Ruyin’s expression.

"This looks good," Fan Ruyin said: "The banquet should be grand. After all, this is the Li household’s first proper banquet after coming to South River City."

Li Xinyue turned and looked at her.

Fan Ruyin continued walking forward and said to a worker who was carrying a box of tablecloths, "Be careful with those. Tomorrow’s guests all have status, and if anything looks messy, it will embarrass the household."

The worker froze and subconsciously looked at Li Xinyue.

Li Xinyue smiled faintly: "Put them where I told you earlier," she said.

The worker immediately lowered his head and left.

Fan Ruyin’s smile stiffened slightly, but she quickly recovered.

She looked at the workers and servants moving around and said with a smile: "Everyone has worked hard. This banquet is very important to our Li household, so please do your best."

Fan Ruyin’s choice of words sounded very interesting to her. Fan Ruyin can scheme, unfortunately, all of her plans are written on her face.

Li Xinyue’s expression cooled slightly and she continued to watch. As long as Ruyin didn’t go too far, she would not intervene.

Fan Ruyin did not seem to notice the change in Xinyue expression, she stepped forward with the air of someone inspecting her own courtyard: "The lanterns here are nice, but I think there should be more near the main gate. Tomorrow, many important guests will come. If the entrance looks too simple, it will not match Li Jain’s current status."

Li Xinyue smiled faintly: "Mis Fan seems very concerned."

Fan Ruyin looked at her and said naturally: "Of course. Xinyue, you have worked hard these days. As someone who’s connected to this household, if there is anything I can help with, just tell me."

Li Xinyue looked at her and said slowly: "What connection?"

Fan Ruyin lifted her chin slightly: "The triplets are my children. Since this is their brothers’ birthday banquet, I naturally cannot stand aside and do nothing."

Her words sounded reasonable, but Li Xinyue had seen too many people like her.

Li Xinyue’s smile did not change, but her tone became colder: "Brother Jain asked me to handle the banquet arrangements. If Miss Fan has suggestions, you can tell me, but it is better not to casually instruct the workers. Otherwise, if something goes wrong, it will be unclear who is responsible."

Fan Ruyin’s expression stiffened. She had not expected Li Xinyue to block her so directly.

"I was only trying to help." Fan Ruyin said.

"I know," Li Xinyue replied: "That’s why I am reminding you too."

Fan Ruyin’s fingers tightened slightly inside her sleeve, but she soon adjusted her expression. She could not make trouble with Li Xinyue now. This woman was clearly in charge of the banquet, and if she offended her now, it might affect her plan tomorrow.

So Fan Ruyin smiled again and said: "Then I will trouble Miss Xinyue. If there is anything else I can do, just tell me."

Li Xinyue was amused and looked at her carefully.

This woman’s ambition was written on her face. Because of her goal, she was so shameless that she wouldn’t take no for an answer.

"If you want to help, then you can help in the kitchen later. Brother Jain has many ingredients to prepare tonight."

Fan Ruyin frowned. She had not come to do servant work.

Still, when she remembered her purpose, she forced herself to smile:

"Of course. Preparing ingredients is also important. Is Li Jain inside? I will go see him in a moment." She said and went to say a few words to the servants she brought.

Li Xinyue did not expose her motive. After all, this was still Li Jain’s household matter, and she was only helping. But she had to warn Li Jain somehow, otherwise with his current temperament, he might not even realize that someone was trying to borrow his shadow.

A while later, Li Jain came out from the kitchen to check the courtyard.

He had been preparing some of the banquet ingredients since morning. Although many dishes could be made on the day itself, some sauces, spiritual broths, and marinated ingredients had to be prepared beforehand. His sleeves were rolled up slightly, and there was still a faint scent of herbs and spices on him.

Li Xinyue walked over as soon as she saw him: "Brother Jain," she said: "The decorations are almost done. The stage is ready, the lanterns will be lit tomorrow evening, and the guest seating has been arranged."

Li Jain nodded: "You worked hard."

Li Xinyue glanced toward Fan Ruyin, who was speaking to one of the servants with a gentle smile.

Li Jain followed her glance and was a little surprised: "Oh, Fan Ruyin is here too?"

"Yes, she arrived not too long ago."

"Oh, ok." Li Jain said and went back into the house.