Chapter 413 Receiving Gifts and Making a Fortune

The matter concerning the State of Song was just a minor incident; after that brief conversation, no one mentioned it again.

It wasn't until the New Year's Eve dinner was served that a light snow began to fall.

Before long, Sheng Sheng, her little face flushed from playing, came over to him with a handful of snow, beaming: "Brother, look, it's snow from Jin!"

Sheng Sheng wasn't cold, she was just exposed to the wind, and even the tip of her nose was a little red.

Xie Yunyang frowned slightly, subconsciously shoving the hand warmer he was holding into her hands, then patted her head and warmed her hands with it: "How is the snow in Jin different from the snow in our country?"

Sheng Sheng honestly replied, "It seems there's no difference, it's all white, just finer snow than in the capital. But it's still a lot of fun. Now that it's snowing, Yan Hu and the others must be playing with it at home, right?"

"Mmm." Xie Yun warmed her hands a little before letting go of her.

The Third Young Master Shen silently took in this scene. Shen Jiaqing walked over with her hands behind her back, stood behind the Third Young Master Shen, smiled, and said, "Third Brother, how is it? Doesn't it look just like when we were little and protecting our little sister?"

The Shen family has three precepts. The first is: A man who loves his wife will prosper.

Secondly, those who love their younger sisters will prosper.

Third, a loving family will always be happy.

These three family precepts are kept in mind by every man in the Shen family.

Xie Yun's tender care for Sheng Sheng touched the hearts of the Shen family.

Young Master Shen smiled and shook his head, glancing at him: "I heard that Old Master Mo intends to support a new master and get involved in the chaotic situation."

Shen Jiaqing was surprised, as he was a doctor and had never had any way of knowing such information.

However, the Jin state was rife with spies, making it incredibly easy for those in the palace to obtain information. His third brother was a high-ranking official, so naturally he could also learn about it from His Majesty.

It's just hearsay, but it's probably true in most cases.

Looking at his third brother's meaningful gaze, Shen Jiaqing had a guess in his mind: "Old Master Mo has always disliked these things, and in recent years he has even stopped accepting students. This means that there is definitely no one he approves of among those people in Song. This time, he suddenly decided to side with the new master. Could this master be...?"

Young Master Shen smiled but remained silent, offering no reply.

"Let's go eat."

...

The cold wind swirled fine snow onto the window paper, blurring a hazy white. Inside, the charcoal fire in the copper stove crackled, and the boiler bubbled and boiled, warming one and dispelling the chill.

The New Year's Eve dinner table was already full. The braised pork knuckle was glistening with oily brown sauce, the scallions on the steamed fish made the fish meat look white, the Buddha Jumps Over the Wall soup was steaming in the casserole, the soup was so thick that it could cling to the edge of a spoon, and there were also plates of snow-white dumplings, neatly arranged on silver plates.

Besides their clothing styles, the cuisines of the Jin and Yu states also had their own unique characteristics.

Before, Sheng Sheng had to rush to the capital before the New Year, and she ate in a hurry along the way, so she didn't have time to properly experience the flavors of Jin.

Today's meal was truly satisfying.

Moreover, everyone in the Shen family adored her, feeding her bites from one person to another, until her belly was round and full by the end of the night.

For the Shen family, this year is also a special one.

It was because of Shen Jiaqing, and because the Shen family was kind and hospitable, that the Shen family took extra care of these two "big shots" who came to their residence.

But after spending just half a day together, the clever and lively Sheng Sheng and the gentle and polite Xie Yun Yang were both very approachable and lovable children. The Shen family genuinely began to treat them as their juniors.

Especially after hearing Shen Jiaqing say that the two had traveled a long way to be here for their brother, he praised them even more.

Sheng Sheng was so cute and adorable that it fulfilled the Shen family's dream of having a baby girl. Old Madam Shen immediately declared that she would adopt Sheng Sheng as her goddaughter, but Shen Jiaqing hurriedly stopped her.

“Grandma, she’s a princess. If she becomes your granddaughter, what will happen to the Emperor of Yu?” Shen Jiaqing advised. “Besides, she calls me ‘uncle’ all the time. If you adopt her as your goddaughter, wouldn’t I be on the same generation as my father?”

Everyone was amused and laughed so hard they were doubled over.

Shen Jiaqing's father, the Second Master Shen, who originally made his fortune as a carpenter, kicked him directly.

"You child!" Old Madam Shen glared at him. Although her words were a bit rough, they made sense. In the end, Old Madam Shen did not insist on her own ideas.

But Madam Shen still lovingly pulled Sheng Sheng into her arms and said, "That's right, Your Highness is a noblewoman, how could an old woman like me do anything to you? Please don't mind, Your Highness."

Sheng Sheng's eyes crinkled into a smile: "How could that be? Sheng Sheng really likes Grandma Chen and all the aunties, and the uncles and elders too! Um, the little brothers too!"

These words pleased Old Madam Shen greatly, and she stuffed many more precious treasures into her arms.

Sheng Sheng has already collected many treasures tonight. Just now, during the New Year's Eve dinner, the elders of the Shen family each gave them a large red envelope, which was bulging with money.

Sheng Sheng roughly estimated that all these things combined were more than the thank-you gifts they had given to the Shen family.

Sheng Sheng initially wanted to refuse, but as soon as she said no, the other ladies joined in stuffing her with treasures, seemingly intending to keep stuffing them in until she wanted them.

Despite repeated refusals, they had no choice but to accept their enthusiasm.

"Sheng Sheng, don't be shy, your aunties like you and want to give you these treasures!"

"Yes, Sheng Sheng, you don't know, we've all wanted a daughter, but we only have boys. Today, we're fortunate to have met you, so please consider this our dream fulfilled. These treasures are our dowry for our daughter!"

"Yes, yes, and besides, as a princess, it's our honor to receive this gift!"

Surrounded by a group of aunts, Sheng Sheng was enveloped in a variety of fragrant aromas that made her dizzy and lightheaded. Before she could even process what was happening, she found herself suddenly considered a lucky person for giving gifts.

In short, it all boils down to two words: accept it.

So Sheng Sheng stopped refusing, smiled obediently, said thank you for each gift she received, and then added a sweet word.

The ladies were so charmed by her appearance that they gave away all their treasures and were still happy to do so.

In the end, Sheng Sheng made a fortune.