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Shen Yu’an followed closely behind the newly arrived young maid as they made their way to the banquet hall.
From a distance, they could see a brightly lit area and hear the sound of people talking.
The young maid stopped and reminded Shen Yu’an, “Miss, we have arrived.”
Shen Yu’an entered alone, while the young maid stayed outside to keep watch.
Inside the room, it was brightly lit, and members of the Shen family and the Bai family were engaged in conversation.
In the afternoon, after Shen Yu’an and the others had rested, Bai Wu and Bai Miaqing went to find Master Bai and Madam Bai.
Bai Wu recounted the events that had transpired along the way.
He explained how Shen Yu’an had saved them from the clutches of those cannibalistic bandits.
He described how the Shen family had willingly shared their provisions with them, allowed them to travel together, and protected them during dangerous encounters along the journey.
It could be said that without the Shen family, they would not have survived.
Initially, Master Bai and Madam Bai had assumed that Bai Wu and the others had paid for the expenses and provisions, taking advantage of their larger numbers. It seemed like a mutually beneficial arrangement.
They never expected the situation to be like this.
Master Bai and Madam Bai felt a greater sense of respect towards the Shen family and their companions.
Master Bai glanced at his younger brother, Bai Wu, and then lovingly looked at Bai Miaqing.
The Bai family had the two brothers, but Master Bai only had three sons. One of them was already twenty-one and didn’t return home during the day as he worked in a shop. The other two were around the same age as Bai Miaqing, with one being thirteen years old. They were also away during the day, attending classes at school.
Therefore, when the Shen family arrived at noon, they only saw Master Bai and Madam Bai, the two heads of the Bai family.
Master Bai looked at Bai Wu and said, “It seems that they have shown great kindness to our Bai family. After a couple of days, I will arrange some tasks for them to do in my shop. That way, they can have a stable source of income and be free from worries. What do you think, younger brother?”
Bai Wu thought about the events outside Huashan County and how Fei Yanchen treated the Shen family, especially Shen Yu’an.
He gently reminded, “There’s no need for that. The steward of the Bai family has already allocated a place for them when he took us to register with the authorities.”
“These people will have a future no worse than ours. Big brother, just treat them as you would anyone else.”
“It’s easier to add embellishments to a beautiful fabric, but it’s difficult to put charcoal on snow.”
Madam Bai couldn’t understand why Bai Wu held such a high opinion of the refugees who had come along.
She questioned, “Although these people managed to arrive here safely, it doesn’t necessarily mean they have any special abilities. Are you sure about your evaluation of them, younger brother?”
Bai Wu responded with seriousness, “Big brother, sister-in-law, I am capable of distinguishing between the gratitude I have for the Shen family and these matters at hand.”
Bai Miaqing also chimed in, “Aunt, what my father said is true. Although they may not have a solid foundation at the moment, they will never remain in such a state.”
Madam Bai, with her plump face, looked at Bai Miaqing with affection in her eyes.
As she didn’t have any daughters of her own, she developed a strong fondness for her newly arrived niece.
With her slightly chubby hands, Madam Bai held Bai Miaqing’s hand and gently patted it, saying, “Yes, yes, you’re absolutely right, Miaqing.”
….
At the banquet, in addition to the Shen family and a few familiar members of the Bai family, Shen Yu’an also noticed three unfamiliar faces.
Those three individuals were seated next to Master Bai and Madam Bai. The oldest among them was around the same age as Shen Dalang, while the youngest was about the same age as Shen Sanlang and Shen Silang.
With just a glance, Shen Yu’an noticed the resemblance between the three individuals and Master and Madam Bai, immediately realizing their identities.
Madam Bai looked at Shen Yu’an, who had just arrived, and said, “Miss Shen, please have a seat.”
Shen Yu’an’s voice carried a hint of apology as she replied, “I apologize for arriving late.”
Beside Master Bai, Bai Mingxi suddenly heard a cold voice and looked in the direction from which the voice came, lifting his head.
Only to see a young girl wearing dark purple clothing walk in.
Although the color was somewhat dull, it didn’t make the girl look old-fashioned. Instead, it added a touch of mystery to her cold face. Bai Mingxi couldn’t help but be captivated by her.
Fei Yanchen, sensitive to Bai Mingxi’s gaze towards Shen Yu’an, coughed slightly in displeasure.
Bai Mingxi heard the sound and glanced at Fei Yanchen, realizing that he had been caught staring at a girl he had just met for the first time. He quickly lowered his head, but his ears had already turned red.
No one noticed this subtle exchange of glances.
Madam Bai, resembling Shen Yu’an, waved her hand indifferently and gestured for her to take a seat.
She praised, “Miss Shen, you truly have a beautiful appearance. I couldn’t help but like you at first sight. It’s a pity that I wasn’t blessed with a daughter.”
Shen Yu’an looked at where everyone was seated and noticed an empty seat between Fei Yanchen and Bai Miaqing. She walked over and sat down.
With confidence, she accepted Madam Bai’s compliment, saying, “Thank you for your kind words, madam.”
After receiving the praise, she didn’t forget to compliment Madam Bai in return.
Madam Bai’s face beamed with a smile as she responded, “You’re such an adorable girl. Your sweet voice is just like Miaqing’s.”
She lightly tapped her head and said, “Look at my memory. Now that Miaqing is back, I can consider myself someone with a daughter.”
The atmosphere was lively as everyone chatted and laughed.
The dishes served by the Bai residence were plentiful, and the servants brought them out one by one, filling the entire table.
The Shen family members looked at the array of dishes on the table, many of which they had never seen before, and felt a bit reserved.
However, thanks to the lively personalities of Hua Ling, Sanlang, Madam Bai, and the Third Young Master Bai, who acted as the “social cow,” the atmosphere soon became lively.
Bai Ji took the opportunity to introduce the three young masters of the Bai family who were absent that day.
“This is my eldest son, Bai Mingxi. This is the second son, Bai Mingzhi, and the third son, Bai Mingjia.”
“These individuals are all friends who returned together with your Second Uncle and Miaqing.”
Everyone continued to chat and laugh, and the Bai family members didn’t put on any airs. The meal was harmonious and pleasant.