Chapter 978: Banquet Chapter 978: Banquet Editor: Atlas Studios The officials in Guangzhou all knew that there were two young guests at the Princeâs Residence.
Although some people were suspicious that Prince Rong would really treat his half-brotherâs sons so well, they did not suspect the identity of the two children.
They just felt that there must be more to the story.
Moreover, it was also very strange why the two children would suddenly come to Guangzhou.
They couldnât really be here to visit their Fourth Uncle and Fourth Aunt like they said, right?
Aside from the fact that this wasnât the Qi familyâs ancestral home, the kids had only brought two servants with themââŹÂŚ Everyone felt that there must be an inside story, but no one dared to dig deeper.
The noble circle was so chaotic, who knew what dirty things were going on inside?
Since the Princeâs estate was covering it up, wouldnât they be clearly offending Prince Rong and the Princess Consort if they probed further?
Therefore, not only did the officials warn their wives, but they also warned their sons not to ask around.
When they played with the young masters of the Princeâs estate and Dukeâs estate, they only played games and said things that children should say, instead of probing around.
Therefore, when Mu Yangling and Little Madam Xia brought the six children to the banquet held by the Guangzhou government office, the Guangzhou Chamber of Commerce, and the Foreignersâ Chamber of Commerce, the six children quickly hit it off with the kids of the officials and happily went off to play hand in hand.
Mu Yangling and Little Madam Xia were invited to sit at the seats of honor.
Among those present, their status was the highest.
A few Westerner women stood at the side in Western gowns.
When they saw Mu Yangling and Little Madam Xia being welcomed in, they looked at each other and surrounded them, wanting to greet them.
They were isolated by the Han people, but since this was a social gathering, they couldnât just stand by the side.
Seeing that Mu Yangling and Little Madam Xia were respected, they guessed that their statuses were very high.
Perhaps they were the Princess Consort and Little Madam Xia.
Thus, they hoped to break into the circle through them.
When the officials who were talking around Mu Yangling saw the foreign women coming over, they frowned and covered their noses with a handkerchief.
Seeing Mu Yangling and Little Madam Xia looking at them curiously, the governorâs wife couldnât help but whisper, âYour Highness, Madam, these foreign women exude a strong smell.
I wonder how long it has been since they washed upââŹÂŚâ Mu Yangling was stunned as the foreign women quickly walked up to her.
A fragrance wafted into her nose, followed by a faint sour and sweaty odor.
Mu Yangling couldnât help but sneeze twice.
Resisting the urge to retreat, she smiled at them.
âAre you the wives brought here by the Western gentlemen?
Since youâre guests from afar, please have a seat.â Once they sat down, her seat would be far away from them.
Seeing that Mu Yangling was being polite, the foreign women bent their knees to show their respect and sat on the nearest chairs.
Mu Yangling pulled Little Madam Xia to sit at the top seat and heaved a sigh of relief as soon as she sat down.
Mu Yangling used cosmetics and fragrance cream, but she did not use spices.
Even Little Madam Xia rarely carried spices with her because their fragrance was too strong.
However, the scent exuded by these Western women was so strong it was as if they had poured spices on their bodies.
Still, it could not completely hide their body odor.
Mu Yangling vaguely remembered that in this era, people in Western Europe were still pooping and defecating on the streets.
Over there, one only showered a handful of times a year in this era.
No wonderââŹÂŚ The officials and wives of the Chamber of Commerce members in the room also held their handkerchiefs and covered their mouths as they smiled.
However, they still chatted politely with the foreign women.
After all, with the development of Guangzhouâs port, there would only be more opportunities for cooperation.
Meanwhile, these foreign women only knew a little Mandarin, so they gestured as they spoke.
Communication wasnât much of a problem.
The Western women were very interested in Great Qiâs tea leaves and satin, while the Great Qi women were interested in their spices and jewelry.
Through their communication, they made some exchanges and small transactions.
Not only could they satisfy each otherâs needs, but they could also lay the foundation for the menâs cooperation.
At the same time, they could sound out some information.
It was really a win-win situation.
Mu Yangling had been sitting up there with a smile, encouraging everyone to talk freely.
Little Madam Xia secretly sized up the Westerner women below curiously and whispered to Mu Yangling, âI think they all look similar.
Even when theyâre together, I can barely tell whoâs who.
And once theyâre apart, I always get them mixed up because they look too similar.â Smiling, Mu Yangling said, âWe think they look similar, but they think the same about us.
If we walk out and come in again, they might not be able to tell us apart.â âReally?â Little Madam Xia felt that it was very strange, for there was no resemblance in her and Ah Lingâs appearances.
Mu Yangling pursed her lips into a smile and nodded.
It was common that Westerners and Easterners couldnât tell each other apart.
That was because they usually saw too little of each other.
If they were in more frequent contact, they would get better at distinguishing the faces and less likely to be mistaken.
While Mu Yangling was talking to Little Madam Xia, a Westerner woman sitting below stood up and gestured at Mu Yangling.
She asked with a smile, âIs this beautiful woman the honorable Princess Consort of Great Qi?â Mu Yangling stopped talking to Little Madam Xia and turned to look at her with a smile.
She nodded slightly and said, âIâm Princess Consort Rong.
And you are?â âOh, Iâm Andreâs wife.
You can call me Anna.â She introduced herself casually, but she looked very confident.
Mu Yangling nodded slightly and praised, âMadam Anna, you speak Mandarin very well.
This is the first time Iâve seen you.
Is this your first time in Great Qi?â âOh no, I first came here 18 years ago.
Iâve been to China eight times.
I stopped coming as I got older, but I still speak some Mandarin.â âAnd each of those eight times, you came with Mr.
Andre?â Anna nodded with a smile.
âYes, I always come here with my husband.
Guangzhou has changed a lot compared to before, so much so that I almost couldnât recognize it.
I heard that this change is all thanks to Your Highnesses, so I followed him here out of curiosity this time.â Smiling, Mu Yangling explained, âEvery region is changing because of the hard work of the people.
The people of Guangzhou are very hardworking, and His Majesty has high hopes and support for them.
Itâs only natural that Guangzhou is transforming.â Anna nodded and smiled.
Looking into Mu Yanglingâs eyes, she said with a smile, âI heard that the honorable Your Highness is very strong.
I wonder how much weight you can lift, and if I will get to see it with my own eyes.â The expressions of the women in Great Qi turned cold as they looked at Anna and the Westerner women with hostility.
Mu Yanglingâs smile remained unchanged, but her eyes also turned cold.
Smiling, she said, âOh, your husband should be able to give you an answer with regards to this.
As for my strength, to be honest, I donât know how much weight I can lift, but I should be able to lift something as heavy as you and throw it over the wall.â Mu Yangling winked at her mischievously.
âBut we obviously canât joke like this, donât you think so, Madam Anna?â Anna smiled.
âYour Highness is so humorous and good at telling jokes.â Mu Yangling returned the smile and asked casually, âMost of the businessmen who come to Guangzhou to do business are businessmen from Portugal and Spain.
Are you ladies also from Portugal and Spain?â
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