Yun Shang, seasoned in business, was decisive and acted without hesitation.
She would have been a strong woman in modern times.
Su Xiaoqi immediately took a liking to her.
It was then that they began discussing business.
After their conversation, both were surprised to discover they had much in common.
They chatted with increasing enthusiasm and depth.
After a thorough discussion, it was no longer just about sending Zhao Xiaozhu to the Feathered Robe Workshop to work.
They formulated a plan for cooperation.
However, with many people present, it was not convenient to talk further, so they arranged for Su Xiaoqi to visit Yun Shang at the Feathered Robe Workshop when she had time for a more in-depth discussion.
Du Yiyi, who was accompanying Su Xiaoqi, saw her look of surprise.
"Sister Xiaoqi, today is your birthday. Can't you take a break for an hour or two?"
Su Xiaoqi, hearing Du Yiyi's voice was a bit too loud, fearing others might overhear, quickly raised a finger to her lips and shushed her.
She signaled for her not to mention the birthday again.
Although Madam Yu had told her earlier that she would host a birthday banquet for her.
That was only spoken in front of the Zhao and Shen families.
This time, the public announcement for the invitation was not related to that.
After all, in this era, a woman's birth date was not something to be casually revealed to others.
Madam Yu certainly understood this.
Therefore, when she invited the prominent figures of Mianzhou City to the banquet, she merely used the Double Ninth Festival on the ninth day of the ninth lunar month, when chrysanthemums were golden and crabs were plump.
She was hosting a crab feast today.
Of course, some people with insider information were quietly preparing birthday gifts for Su Xiaoqi.
"My adoptive mother invited so many people for me, doesn't she hope I can get to know them? I mustn't disappoint my adoptive mother's efforts," Su Xiaoqi said with a smile.
Du Yiyi raised her eyebrows and said, "Auntie hopes you can get to know them, so you won't be alone in Mianzhou City.
But more importantly, she wants to make a statement in front of them, to tell them that you are the adopted daughter she has taken under her wing."
It was as if she was announcing to Mianzhou City: Su Xiaoqi is someone Madam Yu will protect, so don't even think about bullying her.
Su Xiaoqi understood, of course. Discussing cooperation and business was merely a natural progression for her.
She couldn't possibly waste such a good opportunity to earn money.
Du Yiyi also understood her desire to earn money, and could only shake her head helplessly, holding her fruit wine cup as she stayed by Su Xiaoqi's side.
After mingling, Su Xiaoqi had met everyone.
A thousand people, a thousand faces.
The guests at the banquet had varied personalities; some were compatible with Su Xiaoqi, and naturally, some were not.
However, the atmosphere remained harmonious and natural throughout.
Su Xiaoqi also met a young girl surnamed Tie.
Her name was Tie Jingyao, only thirteen or fourteen years old, but she was slightly robust.
It was said that her family was not native to Mianzhou.
They came from the north, and their family's main business was operating workshops.
Primarily for wooden and iron products.
This was exactly what Su Xiaoqi needed, so she naturally restrained her demeanor and made good friends with her.
As they became more familiar, Su Xiaoqi learned that the very workshop that Chen Jinniang had commissioned for the Mid-Autumn Festival mooncake boxes was this very one—Tie Ji Workshop.
Thinking of the craftsmanship, Su Xiaoqi was even more satisfied.
During this time, someone mentioned the Su family.
They said that the host had invited unknown merchants, yet the Su family, who occupied half of Mianzhou City, had not been invited.
"Hush, the guest follows the host. Since the Su family is not present, it means the host does not wish to invite them, so why should we say more," Yun Shang said disdainfully.
As a businesswoman herself, she strongly disapproved of some of the tactics employed by the Su family.
Therefore, she had always had a poor impression of them.
In the past, at any banquet she attended, Su Yurou, the eldest daughter of the Su family, who appeared gentle and likable on the surface but was actually someone she greatly disliked, was always present.
Many times, she had been too lazy to attend.
This time, upon hearing that the Su family had not been invited, she was willing to come.
"Oh, what is Miss Yun saying? If you dislike people from the Su family, why were you just chatting so happily with Miss Su?"
Someone teased Yun Shang.
"Her surname is Su, but she is not from the Su family in the west of the city."
"How do you know she isn't? I heard she was married from the Su family, and when she married Scholar Shen, she did so under the title of a daughter of the Su family."
"Humph." Yun Shang let out a snort and said no more.
"It's what you heard, what you heard. Are you not aware that hearsay is not to be believed?" Tie Jingyao, tidying her clothes, retorted unhappily.
She was truly fed up with these young ladies and wives from the south.
One by one, they always spoke circuitously, implying who they were cursing for anyone to hear.
She really didn't want to associate with them, but fortunately, she had met two straightforward individuals today, and she raised her cup to toast Yun Shang.
Upon hearing the words of the eldest daughter of the Tie family, everyone gasped. They thought her disposition was truly as iron-like as her surname.
If Yun Shang's rebuttal earlier was considered gentle, Tie Jingyao seemed on the verge of losing her temper.
The young lady who had been speaking casually and saying "I heard" immediately fell silent. She had no need to offend everyone present for the sake of a Su family member who was not there.
Although Su Xiaoqi was at a distance, she turned her head at a very opportune moment and smiled at Yun Shang and Tie Jingyao.
Both felt a sense of recognition and looked back, only to see Su Xiaoqi's radiant smile.
She was not close to them.
At this distance, Su Xiaoqi should not have been able to hear anything.
But her hearing was excellent, so she had heard everything they had said clearly.
In her heart, she thought even more highly of Yun Shang and Tie Jingyao's character.
It seemed that these two were not only suitable for doing business but also for deeper communication and developing into true friends.
Madam Yu was not only particular about her guests but also meticulously selected the dishes.
She knew that although Su Xiaoqi had grown up in Mianzhou City, she couldn't tolerate the local Sichuan pepper spiciness.
So, she specially invited a chef from Zui Feng Lou who was skilled in preparing Lingnan cuisine.
Coupled with the hairy crabs from Yangcheng Lake, which had recently been transported from the Mianzhou dock.
The dishes were exquisite, and the variety was diverse.
Everyone drank fruit wine, clinking their cups, and it was a pleasant affair.
The banquet concluded at three-quarters past the afternoon. Many people had to rush to Xishan to ascend mountains and enjoy the view with their families, so they took their leave early.
Su Xiaoqi and Du Yiyi naturally stayed at home with Madam Yu.
Madam Yu ordered servants to bring tea to cleanse the palate. The few of them drank it.
Then, Madam Yu had servants bring a large rosewood chest. The exterior looked ordinary.
But upon opening it, it was filled with gifts.
There were gold ornaments and jewelry, as well as fabric for clothes.
There were also jade objects for appreciation, and exquisite snacks from Chen Jinji.
These were all gifts from the ladies and madams who knew it was Su Xiaoqi's birthday.
Madam Yu packed them into a large trunk; she could take them away directly when she left in the evening.
"Adoptive mother." Su Xiaoqi looked at Madam Yu with deep emotion.
On her well-maintained face, there were faint traces of time's passage, but it did not make her appear old; rather, it added to her grace and nobility.
This was a beauty that had settled in, something extraordinary.
For some reason, from the moment Su Xiaoqi saw Madam Yu, she felt she was exceptionally gentle and very congenial.
It felt as if she were her family by nature.