Chapter 65: An Unexpected Blind Date

No one had expected that the ten-year-old girl the Jiao family had invited would truly take on the role of head chef and orchestrate the wedding banquet to absolute perfection. The dishes were not only novel, with two or three courses prepared in ways unfamiliar to everyone present, but the flavors were exceptional as well. Who could have imagined that the foul-smelling pig intestines would be transformed into such a delicacy? At first, no one dared to touch them, but soon they were snatched up in a frenzy, leaving none behind. Some guests even begged the Jiao family to reveal the recipe.

But the Jiao family could hardly divulge the secret. Seeing that all the guests praised the banquet, Lady Luo’s smile never left her face, winning her great respect among the bride’s relatives. After all, with the groom’s family showing such care for their daughter, the bride’s relatives could find no fault, and the marriage was happily concluded.

In truth, the hardest part of cooking is not the act itself, but the tedious preparations beforehand and the chaos that follows the meal. Since Wenyao was the head chef, she did not have to deal with these chores. Once all the dishes had been served and she was no longer needed in the kitchen, Wenyao, together with Wendi and the two daughters from the Jiao household, carried trays to bring food to the bride.

Jiao Yang, having been pulled away repeatedly to offer toasts, had come to Wenyao earlier to ask her to prepare something light for the bride, who had been up since dawn getting ready and had yet to eat. The young woman, a stranger in their home, had no one else to rely on, so he turned to his nieces for help.

Wenyao had wanted to joke as she might have in her previous life when friends married, but remembering the feudal era she now lived in and that her uncle was the one making the request, she immediately abandoned the thought. Nonetheless, bringing food to the bride was a task that transcended all eras.

The four girls tiptoed to the bridal chamber, listening quietly at the door for any sounds from within. Hearing nothing, they exchanged glances and carefully knocked.

“Who is it? Please come in,” came a gentle voice from inside.

“Second Aunt, it's us. May we come in?” Jiao Ning, the eldest daughter of Jiao Jian, called softly.

There was a brief silence, then a shy voice replied, “Come in.”

Thus, the four girls entered with their trays. Jiao Yang had already lifted the bridal veil and gone to greet guests, leaving the bride alone in the new room, filled with bewilderment and nervous anticipation. Seeing the four girls enter, her expression visibly relaxed.

Wenyao was startled upon seeing the bride for the first time. Her face was heavily powdered with something unknown, lips painted red, brows blackened, and cheeks dotted with blush. It could not be called beautiful; at best, one could discern that her features were delicate beneath it all.

The aesthetics of ancient people, Wenyao mused, could sometimes be difficult to appreciate.

The four girls kept the bride company for a while, chatting and encouraging her to eat. Through the casual revelations by Jiao Ning and Jiao Yuan about the Jiao family’s affairs and personalities, the bride’s demeanor eased considerably.

Wenyao recognized that these two girls were the soft comforts sent by Jiao Yang to reassure his new wife, while she herself was just the cook delivering food.

As the banquet drew to a close, the guests began to disperse, as was customary. Only those who had been brought in to help, the Jiao relatives, and the entire Wen family remained.

Humming an unfamiliar tune, Wenyao found her family and saw Wenjun standing beside Wen Xiuyi, his face twisted in discomfort as if suffering from constipation.

Wenyao skipped past the old lady and went straight to the father and son, bumping Wenjun with her elbow. “Brother, what’s wrong? You look like you’ve swallowed something sour.”

Wenjun’s embarrassment was palpable.

Wen Xiuyi added, “Today no fewer than five young ladies found excuses to strike up conversations with Doctor Wen, and at least ten aunts asked your little aunt if Doctor Wen is engaged.”

Wenyao laughed openly, unsurprised to find that this fate had followed her from her previous life to this one.

Her laughter made Wenjun wish he could crawl into a hole. He clung to his sister’s sleeve, glaring at her in warning.

Wenyao spread her hands in surrender, grinning. “My brother is always popular, no matter when.”

Wen Xiuyi chuckled, joining in, “Of course. Just look at him standing there—he really is like a crane among chickens, isn’t he?”

Wenyao sized up Wenjun and nodded, “He is.”

Father and daughter laughed heartily together, while Wenjun ignored them altogether.

When Wenyao finished laughing, she whispered to Wen Xiuyi, “When can we go home?”

Wen Xiuyi shook his head, glancing at the two elderly sisters still engaged in conversation. “I don’t know. Wait a bit. It shouldn’t be long now.”

Indeed, not long after, Lady Luo and Lady Xiao Luo finished their discussion and beckoned Wenyao over.

Wenyao went over happily.

“Grandma, Aunt, how was it? Were you satisfied today?” Wenyao asked with a smile.

Lady Xiao Luo grinned widely, unable to hide her delight as she clung lovingly to Wenyao. “Perfect, absolutely perfect. You wouldn’t believe how many people asked me about the chef. I just told your grandma about it—they all want to hire you.”

Wenyao’s eyes sparkled. “Really? Did you agree?”

Lady Xiao Luo nodded toward Lady Luo. “With your grandma here, I dared not promise anything. I told them if they wanted to hire you, they’d have to ask your family.”

Lady Luo’s face betrayed nothing. She pulled Wenyao back to her side and said, “If there’s nothing else, we should head home. The whole family has been busy for days. If it weren’t for my sister, I wouldn’t have managed all this.”

Lady Xiao Luo understood that the Wen family was exhausted and did not insist on their staying longer. Instead, she took a red pouch from her sleeve and slipped it into Wenyao’s hand.

“Wenyao’s red envelope.”

Wenyao weighed it; the pouch was heavy. She thanked her aunt profusely.

Lady Xiao Luo was utterly fond of her grand-niece now. “It’s I who should thank you. The kitchen has prepared food for you to take home. When things settle in a few days, I’ll come visit you.”

Wenyao laughed, “Remember to bring the new aunt.”

“I’ll remember, I will. Those two ought to come thank you properly.” Lady Xiao Luo then turned to Lady Luo, saying, “You should think about Wenjun. Several families have inquired. He’s changed now; you and your husband should make plans soon.”

Lady Luo sighed and nodded, “Alright, I’ll ask his father. We’ll be heading home now.”

Hearing that the Wen family was leaving, Jiao Yang, still tipsy, came out to see them off. Only after being urged to return to his bride did he stumble back inside. The Wen family, weary from the festivities, climbed onto their ox cart and made their way back to Gutong Village.