In the garden of Rongguo Mansion, a banquet that was about to cause an uproar quietly kicked off. Xue Baochai, a woman of illustrious birth and talent, is making final preparations for the upcoming crab feast.
As night fell, the lights came on, and the lively scene of the banquet was in stark contrast to the tranquility and order of Jiafu in the past. This banquet is destined to be extraordinary. It was supposed to be a simple party, but under Xue Baochai's planning, it turned into a grand banquet with almost local flowing water. Little did she know that the night would be forever remembered for the four fatal mistakes she made.
1. Xue Baochai's feast planning
In the Rongguo Mansion in Jinling, Xue Baochai was busy preparing for the upcoming crab feast. She wanted to take advantage of this opportunity to enhance the relationship with the people in Jiafu, especially to contribute to Mrs. Wang. This banquet was originally in the name of Shi Xiangyun inviting Jia's mother to appreciate osmanthus flowers, but Xue Baochai had his own plans. She used her resources and influence to prepare sumptuous food and exquisite decorations to make the gathering a memorable event.
In Xue Baochai's yard, a busy atmosphere was permeating. Servants came and went, carrying all kinds of utensils and ingredients. Huge red crabs are piled up in a mountain and exude an enticing aroma of seafood. On the exquisite porcelain, crab roe sauce, vinegar and garlic sauce and various condiments are neatly arranged and waiting for guests to taste.
Baochai commanded from the sidelines, making sure everything was arranged. She deliberately arranged some antique vases, which were filled with autumn osmanthus flowers, exuding a faint fragrance. There are also several delicate palace lamps placed in the courtyard to add a touch of warmth to the upcoming night banquet.
2. Confusion of positions
In the garden of Rongguo Mansion, the crab feast in the night is in full swing. Xue Baochai's original plan was a small gathering, but it was complicated by her first mistake—confusing the purpose of helping Madame Wang with Shi Xiangyun's poetry society. The theme and intent of the banquet were vague, making what should have been a light-hearted party a little too ostentatious.
However, this grand banquet has lost its original elegance and connotation to some extent, and has become too mundane and lively. Many guests sat around and exchanged their opinions and thoughts while eating delicious crabs.
In a corner, several young ladies from Jiafu whispered: "This banquet is really rare and grand. ”
"Indeed, but I heard that this was Shi Xiangyun's idea, but now it has become Xue Baochai's banquet. Another lady added.
This is not an isolated case. On the other side of the banquet, several ladies were also talking to each other: "I heard that Shi Xiangyun can't even afford such a banquet, and in the end he still relies on Xue Baochai to fund it." ”
"It's a pity, Shi Xiangyun's reputation is probably going to be affected. Another lady whispered.
This kind of talk soon spread throughout the banquet. Although there is not much malice in people's words, such discussions undoubtedly deal a blow to Shi Xiangyun's reputation. She originally just wanted to invite Jia Mu and others to appreciate the osmanthus flowers, but she didn't expect it to evolve into such a situation.
Shi Xiangyun smiled in the crowd, trying his best to maintain his demeanor. She walked up to the guests and spoke to them politely, but from time to time she would hear talk about the banquet, which made her feel uncomfortable.
Bao Chai was busy around the banquet, and she noticed the whispers and discussions, but she didn't stop. She continues to move from seat to seat, making sure every guest is properly treated.
In the center of the banquet, an old lady was talking to the people around her: "This kind of banquet is really rare, Miss Xue is really well-intentioned. ”
"Yes, but the scene is too big to lose its original elegance. Her companion replied.
Third, the scale is out of control
Xue Baochai's second mistake was that she turned a small, elegant party into a large banquet attended by nearly 100 people from Rongguo Mansion. Guests wander through the ornate courtyards, staggering and laughing. The well-arranged courtyard is filled with a variety of delicacies, and the aroma of crabs is piled up.
Jia Mu sat at the top, her expression revealing a hint of displeasure. The rules and traditions of Jiafu are extremely important to her, and she always maintains the order and harmony of the family. However, the banquet in front of her obviously deviated from her expectations.
Mrs. Wang sat next to Jia Mu, her face with a hint of embarrassment. As the housewife of Jiafu, she knew the rules and etiquette of the family, and she was surprised and confused by Xue Baochai's move.
"It was a very lively event. Jia Mu said softly to Mrs. Wang.
"Yes, Baochai has made a lot of efforts. Mrs. Wang responded, with a bit of helplessness in her voice.
At the banquet, Xue Baochai was busy, she walked between the guests, making sure that every guest was properly treated. However, she didn't realize that her actions had broken the rules of the Jia Mansion and caused some of the guests to whisper.
In one corner, several guests exchanged glances, whispering about the unusual nature of the banquet. "Baochai is really generous, this kind of banquet is the first time in Jiafu. One guest said.
"That seems to have gone too far, though. Another guest responded.
Although the atmosphere of the banquet was warm, under this enthusiasm, there was a trace of discord. Some of the older members of Jia Mansion were a little dissatisfied with the size and format of the banquet.
Fourth, the confusion of the hierarchy
In order to make the banquet more lively, Xue Baochai specially invited many servants in Jia's mansion to participate. These servants, dressed in neat costumes and with expressions of excitement and curiosity, came to the banquet site. They gathered in a corner of the courtyard, whispering, exchanging surprises and delights for each other. This is a rare scene for them on weekdays, where they can watch the demeanor of their masters up close and enjoy delicious food at the same time.
However, this practice is inappropriate in the traditional culture of Jiafu, and it is also the third mistake made by Xue Baochai. In Jiafu, there was a clear line between master and servant, and their dealings followed a strict hierarchy. At this time, the banquet broke this long-standing order.
During the banquet, an elderly lady whispered to her friends, "Look at these servants, they are actually sitting with us today, this is the first time in Jiafu." ”
"Yes, although Miss Xue is kind, it seems a bit rude to do so. Her friend replied.
Some of the young ladies among the guests were more tolerant, curious about the novelty of the scene, and even occasionally conversing with the servants. But even so, the spectacle still left many guests feeling uncomfortable.
On the other side of the feast, several servants gathered, and although they enjoyed the food, they also felt an indescribable embarrassment and restraint. They were usually accustomed to seeing the majesty of their masters, but now that they suddenly sat at the same table with their masters, they were inevitably a little uneasy in their hearts.
"It's really rare to be able to attend such a banquet today. A servant said cautiously.
"Yes, but we still have to be careful and don't forget who we are. Another servant reminded.
Some of the details of the banquet also seem to be out of step with the traditions of Jiafu. For example, some servants laugh loudly in front of their masters, and although they are not meant to be offended, in the eyes of some guests, this behavior lacks the necessary reverence and etiquette.
5. Misconceptions of good faith
As the crab banquet came to an end, the guests got up to say goodbye. Xue Baochai respectfully bid farewell to each guest at the door, but she noticed the cold expressions on the faces of Jia Mu and Madame Wang, as well as the complicated gazes exchanged between some of the guests.
The end of the banquet did not bring the expected pleasure and satisfaction. Xue Baochai's fourth mistake appeared, and her kindness was misunderstood by some as showing off and greed for the minions. In her eyes, inviting more servants to the banquet was a sign of respect and care, but this act caused a series of inequalities and grievances under the strict hierarchy of Jiafu.
During the banquet, some uninvited servants peeked in the distance, looking at those colleagues who had been fortunate enough to attend the banquet with envy and loss in their eyes. This unequal spectacle, a rarity in Jiafu, casts a shadow over what should have been a joyous feast.
An elderly grandmother whispered to her companion after the banquet: "Today's banquet is really unique. ”
"Yes, but it seems that there is something wrong with Miss Xue doing this. Another lady replied.
After the banquet, Xue Baochai quietly watched the cleaning work in the courtyard. The lights in the courtyard faded out, and the hustle and bustle of the banquet faded away, replaced by an indescribable silence and a faint loneliness.
When Jia Mu and Mrs. Wang left, Xue Baochai bowed respectfully, but their expressions remained indifferent, which made Baochai feel a little sad. She originally wanted to enhance her relationship with the Jia Mansion through this banquet, but she didn't expect it to cause misunderstanding and embarrassment.
After the banquet, the Rongguo Mansion returned to its former tranquility. In the night, Xue Baochai walked alone on the way back to the room, her steps seemed heavy. She looked back on tonight's feast, and as much as she tried to do her best, it didn't turn out the way she wanted.
Late at night, the flowers in the courtyard sway gently in the breeze, and the moonlight shines on the quiet path. Baochai's figure in the moonlight looked a little lonely. Tonight's banquet, which was originally intended to connect feelings and enhance friendship, turned into an embarrassing party due to some mistakes and misunderstandings.
Xue Baochai walked into his room, the room was quiet, only the moonlight and the shadows of the trees outside the window. She sat down slowly, thinking back to the scene tonight, and couldn't help but feel some doubts and loss in her heart. The afterglow of the banquet gradually dissipated into the night, leaving only deep contemplation and a quiet night.
Reference: Dream of Red Mansions