Crossing the Mountains

Chapter 53 Tan Family Banquet
Many guests came to this family dinner. As Tan Anfeng said, it was a banquet specially prepared by his father to manage relationships, show his generosity, and make business partners.

Aisha didn't care about any of this, he just wanted to find Alan's whereabouts.

Even before the feast began, the courtyard was already bustling with activity. Some gathered in small groups, others chatted quietly in pairs, and servants bustled about, creating a chaotic atmosphere. Aisha took this opportunity to signal Badan, who silently merged into the crowd, exploring every corner of the Tan residence.

When Tan Anfeng saw him coming, he quickly greeted him warmly, introduced him to his family as a brother, and praised him for his elegance and righteousness, saying that he was a western merchant who was worth doing business with.

Mr. Tan was busy discussing important matters with County Magistrate Yan and had no time to exchange pleasantries, so he simply nodded as a greeting. Mrs. Tan, upon learning that he had helped her son solve a number of problems, smiled politely and said that her son had good judgment and had made friends with handsome men and distinguished personalities. They said that they could look after each other and expand their business together.

Tan Anfu, who was dressed in a gorgeous dress, became more active. Even though she was still thinking about Chi Leguan, it did not prevent her from getting to know such a handsome and wealthy businessman from the Western Territory. She immediately bowed and greeted him.

She asked softly, "I heard from my brother that the young master came from Mohe East?"

Aisha, intending to extract information from her, readily replied, "That's right. Lady Fu knows about me?"

"Of course, my brother really likes you, a friend who has come from afar. He also said that those precious fumigants were generous gifts from you..." Tan Anfu said shyly, "I, I really like this scent. I haven't seen anything like it in the county. It's rich and unique. I think I must thank you when I get the chance."

"As long as Madam Fu likes it, I've brought another box to the banquet this time. I just hope that a beauty like Madam Fu will be fond of it. Then my spice business will be prosperous in the future." Aisha agreed casually.

Aisha sneered inwardly. The Tan family was truly as shrewd and mercenary as the rumors said, willing to sacrifice even the most humble of ladies for profit. He, a naive Hu merchant, should have been flattered and grateful for such a tender and gentle gesture, but unfortunately, he had no desire to interact with her.

The reason why Anzhi incense is precious is that it condenses a large amount of Anzhu grass and Zhiji beard. These two kinds of flowers and plants grow in the lake water of sandbars. After drying, only fine grass silk remains, which is then ground and crushed into incense pills. One incense pill condenses hundreds of grass silks, so just scrape off a little bit of powder and light it, it can be used to fumigate ten sets of clothes.

Tan Anfu's every move exuded an extremely rich, almost pungent, scent of Anzhi. It was clear she loved novelty but didn't understand fragrance. She probably used up an entire pill just to fumigate a few pieces of clothing, a truly wasteful waste.

However, because of this, Aisha could be sure that Alan was not with her.

Anzhixiang was Ah Lan's favorite fumigant. If she were with Tan Anfu, she would have warned her and wouldn't have let her waste such a precious thing. Furthermore, he had openly given her the incense, and Tan Anfeng had been making a big fuss about it at home. If Ah Lan were here, she would have definitely noticed it was his brother's doing.

But there has been no response so far.

Aisha had to consider that Alan might not really be at the Tan family.

Thinking of this, he wanted to ask Tan Anfu for confirmation again, but just then, Mr. Tan raised his wine cup and spoke loudly: "Tan, I would like to thank all the gentlemen and old friends for your visit to my humble home. Our Tan family's business has been able to gain a firm foothold in the four counties of Hexi, thanks to your support. Now that we have added ten new shops, I hope that everyone will..."

After a long chatter, the guests took their seats and raised their glasses to celebrate the Tan family's continued growth. Regardless of how much sincerity or pretense there was, the banquet was still a harmonious and harmonious one.

Aisha heard the people sitting next to him whisper, "Ten new shops? Hasn't Old Tan been struggling financially this year? How come he suddenly has so much cash again?"

Another person said, "I heard that County Magistrate Yan acted as guarantor, using several of his prosperous shops as collateral, and exchanged a large amount of silver from the counter, so he was able to turn the business around."

"Really? Old Tan has a really big appetite." "Of course not. I'm really trying my best to get the top spot..."
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At this time, Badan came back in time for dinner. He met Aisha's eyes and shook his head, indicating that he had not discovered anything.

Aisha took two sips of wine and ate a few bites of food, which tasted like wax.

The people at the border were bold and open-minded. After three rounds of drinks, the banquet became more and more lively. Some people talked about business, some sang to cheer, and some danced the Huxuan dance.

Aisha put down her chopsticks, stood up and went to look for Tan Anfu. She said with a tipsy look, "Madam Fu is as beautiful as a flower, and the fragrance of the frankincense is so refreshing, but..."

"Just what?"

"Excuse me, has Miss Fu ever bought a Hu slave?"

"Hu Nu?" Tan Anfu frowned slightly, a little wary. "Why do you ask this, sir?"

"Ah, Madam Fu may not be familiar with the fumigants from our Western Territory," Aisha explained. "You only need to rub a small amount of powder into the Anzhi Fragrance Pills each time. Using too much will create a rich aroma, but it's too extravagant. If you had a Hu slave by your side, I think he would be more familiar with the food, clothing, jewelry, and spices of the Western Territory, and Madam Fu would be able to try more novel things."

"I see." Tan Anfu's pretty face flushed, "I used the incense incorrectly. I'm sorry to have embarrassed you, sir."

"The Tan family is so wealthy and does border business. Logically, they should buy more Hu slaves to serve them. Why haven't we seen any?" Aisha continued to ask.

"Well, there were some in the early years, but after Grandfather took a Mohe woman as a concubine, Grandmother started keeping a close eye on her, saying that female slaves from the Western Territory were all vixens and were not allowed to be used anymore. Later, that concubine fell out of favor, and the illegitimate daughter she had was thrown away to the old house in the countryside. The Hu slaves who served her were also driven out, and there were no more Hu slaves in the house."

"No wonder," Aisha nodded. "So that concubine's daughter is still living in the old house in the countryside?"

"She..." Tan Huaike smiled, covering his lips. "Young Master has just entered the Pass, so I'm afraid he hasn't heard of this happy event in my family. My half-Hu blood sister married into the Shentu Mansion not long ago and became a widow for his eldest son."

"May I ask when did you get married?"

"Two months ago."

Two months ago, a daughter of the Tan family with Mo He blood, who had been raised in an old house in the countryside for many years, married off and became a widow?
The timing was perfect.

At that time, he had already entered the pass, but was lying in wait, waiting for the princess's marriage team to join him. After that, he had to avoid the assassins' searches and pursuits. He had no time to care about those trivial matters.

And... Shentu Mansion? Why does it sound so familiar?

After the banquet, Aisha frowned and asked Badan, "Which family did you say the Zhong brothers and sisters found a way?"
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　Next chapter: I'm going to meet the widowed bride.

　　
　
(End of this chapter)