The Evil Mother-in-law: Torment Children, Work Hard, Be Rich!-Chapter 82: My Genius Girlfriend – Ancient Edition
"Aunt Tong, how’s the birthday cake preparation going? The longevity banquet in the front hall is about to begin, and the master wants you to present the prepared cakes."
Yu Qin hurried over with a few maids.
As she spoke, she glanced toward the small kitchen, curious to see what impressive cakes Tong Huaqiong had made.
Tong Huaqiong greeted her and said, "Miss Yu Qin, it’s all ready, just waiting to be served."
As she spoke, she invited Yu Qin into the small kitchen, where Yu Qin saw a pile of items on the table, all covered by dish covers with layers of cloth hiding them tightly.
"Aunt Tong, covered so tightly? Can I take a peek first?" Yu Qin said.
The maids serving in the front hall were immediately hit by the aroma of the cakes upon entering the small kitchen, craning their necks to sniff continuously.
Like Yu Qin, they were all curious about the cakes beneath the covers.
"Miss Yu Qin, I covered them on purpose to surprise the old lady at the birthday banquet," Tong Huaqiong said.
Though curious, Yu Qin thought better of peeking after hearing Tong Huaqiong’s explanation.
"Alright, I’ll bring people to help you carry them over now."
Yu Qin waved to the maids, "Listen to Aunt Tong’s instructions."
"Is the little cart I wanted ready?" Tong Huaqiong asked the maids, her hands empty.
"Sister Yu Qin ordered it, so we dared not disobey. It’s ready and waiting outside," one maid replied crisply.
One of the maids outside pushed a wooden cart to the door, satisfying Tong Huaqiong.
She had specifically requested the small cart for the longevity peaches and cakes.
First, because carrying them by hand was inconvenient and accidents could ruin the banquet atmosphere and thwart her chance to shine, and second, the visual effect was better with the cart—to slowly wheel it in, uncover it, and reveal the grand longevity peaches and cakes.
She regretted not being able to use music; otherwise, she’d adopt an idea from a hotpot restaurant—maids and stewards holding big signs and singing while presenting cakes.
What a stunning scene, not unlike presenting a birthday tribute to the Emperor and Empress Dowager in the palace.
This was at the Huang Mansion, so she didn’t dare be too flamboyant. But once she opened her own shop, she’d definitely borrow this marketing strategy.
Tong Huaqiong smiled, instructing the maids to carefully move the longevity peaches, cakes, and the big koi onto the small cart.
She was glad earlier when eating meat she estimated the time was near, letting Man Er take the cake out from space.
After arranging the cake, peaches, and koi, Tong Huaqiong had a few maids bring peach blossom pastries, plum blossom pastries, and lotus leaf pastries.
While other maids listened to Tong Huaqiong’s instructions, Gu Taohua discreetly led Yu Qin to a corner, pointing at some plates of cakes. "Sister Yu Qin, these are baked by my mother for you."
Yu Qin grinned, finding Widow Tong worth befriending.
She discreetly accepted them, instructing a third-class maid from her room to sneak them away later.
Tong Huaqiong, along with Gu Taohua and Man Er, followed Yu Qin to the banquet hall.
They could hear the lively sounds from the front hall from a distance, as maids carried dishes towards the front.
Tong Huaqiong knew the seating time was near.
She had the maids carrying the cakes wait outside for her signal to present them, and asked Gu Taohua to push the small cart with peaches, koi, and cake, then followed Man Er into the banquet hall with Yu Qin.
Upon entering the banquet hall, Tong Huaqiong saw the wives and young ladies dressed elegantly, chatting, and even witnessed one lady quietly rolling her eyes at another.
Just like modern banquets—chitchat, gossip, competition...
Unfortunately, she was working and couldn’t join the feast to gather intel firsthand.
"...We’ve nearly got one foot in the grave; I didn’t want such a big fuss. I thought discreetly eating a bowl of noodles would suffice. But my son disagrees, insisting on making such a big spectacle,"
Tong Huaqiong followed Yu Qin to the front of the banquet hall, seeing Old Mrs. Huang holding another old lady’s hand, talking.
Though she spoke against the grand birthday banquet, her face expressed undeniable pride and joy.
The lady next to her said, "It’s because you have such a good son. He’s willing to do this for you; you should accept it. Speaking of which, your son has such filial piety, unlike mine who got cocky as a County Magistrate, sitting at the government office daily and I haven’t seen him for days. When I complain, he says being a parent official means keeping the citizens in mind."
Tong Huaqiong thought, good heavens, this lady is the County Magistrate’s mother!
Another widow.
Their posture and tone were like best friends talking!
Yet their conversation carried a subtle competitive edge; a historical version of ’My Brilliant Friend.’
Just as Old Mrs. Huang was about to speak, Yu Qin approached her.
"Old Madam, Aunt Tong presents your birthday tribute," Yu Qin said sweetly.
Old Mrs. Huang, hearing Tong Huaqiong was here, beamed, her gaze settling on Tong Huaqiong—the widow from Qinghe Bay promised a surprise at the banquet with secrecy, and her mysterious manner intrigued Old Mrs. Huang.
She was curious about Tong Huaqiong’s cakes.
Hopefully, it would allow her to restore her honor in front of her friend.
Your son may be a County Magistrate, but he can’t match my son’s thoughtfulness for his mother.
"Greetings Old Madam, may you live as long as Nanshan and enjoy prosperity like the Eastern Sea," Tong Huaqiong recited the birthday blessing.
A strategy with no novelty but avoiding errors.
"What have you brought? Show it," the old lady bluntly asked Tong Huaqiong.
Time was of the essence; the female guests were watching, waiting for the highlight—the cakes—to debut so the banquet could start.
Tong Huaqiong wasn’t flustered, smiling as she clapped her hands towards the outside.
The guests were captivated, having attended many birthday banquets but never seen such flair.
Soon Gu Taohua wheeled the cart in, the top layer adorned with mound-like longevity peaches, and brilliantly surrounded by wisps of celestial mist, resembling a heavenly scene.
The mist was an effect created by Tong Huaqiong using dry ice.
The celestial peaches captivated everyone as expected upon their arrival.
Beside the fog-shrouded peaches lay a koi fish, and on the lower tier, a birthday cake.
Gu Taohua’s plump figure in her pink attire resembled a standout peach.
The Huang Mansion maids responsible for carrying the pastries followed Gu Taohua in single file.
Instantly, the guests were mesmerized.
Gu Taohua approached Old Mrs. Huang, and Tong Huaqiong carefully placed each peach from the wooden cart onto the prepared table.
Yes, she was setting up a birthday dessert table.
Surrounded by little peaches and a celestial big peach, Old Mrs. Huang’s eyes gleamed with satisfaction.
Once the peaches were arranged, Tong Huaqiong positioned the koi on the table, then took lotus leaves from a maid and placed them around the koi, removing the cover of lotus pastries from another maid and arranging them on the leaves. Immediately, the layers came alive, as if the koi swam amidst lotus leaves and flowers.
Gu Taohua helped Tong Huaqiong place various flower-shaped pastries like peach blossom pastries and plum blossom pastries on the dessert table.
The entire table blossomed into a floral display.
The eyes of many guests were glued.
They hadn’t expected cakes to be presented in such an innovative way.
Amid the guests’ continuous praises, the grand moment arrived; Tong Huaqiong uncovered a large three-tier cake and placed it at the top of the table.
The cake, meticulously made by Tong Huaqiong, was embellished with petals all around, a large character "寿" for longevity written in the center.
"What is this?"
Even the County Magistrate’s mother hadn’t seen such a novel treat.
Old Mrs. Huang glanced at her friend, unable to help but ask Tong Huaqiong, her voice filled with inexplicable delight.
