Chapter 197 Gift

Mrs. Wan sat upright in the main seat. She glanced at everyone and spoke slowly, "Moving to a warm house is a big deal, so we can't give casual gifts. But we can't give gifts that are too expensive either."

"The best gift is furniture, such as tables, chairs, screens, vases, etc."

"These items often carry auspicious meanings. After being given as gifts, the recipient can also use them."

Tables and chairs decorated with auspicious patterns of dragons and phoenixes, screens painted with flowers and birds of the four seasons, and vases symbolizing peace and prosperity, each one is filled with good wishes for the host family.

"The second thing is the food Yao'er mentioned. In the countryside, families usually give eggs, rice, dried meat, etc. to show affection."

"If you're a little better, you can give cakes and candies. That's also a good choice."

"Finally, there are paintings and calligraphy. You can give some as a gift, and if the host likes it, they will hang it in their home."

"But before giving a painting or calligraphy as a gift, you must find out the host's preferences, such as whether the host likes or dislikes the artist, and whether the host prefers landscape paintings or something else."

If you don't give someone something they like when giving them calligraphy or paintings, it will backfire.

"If you don't want to make any mistakes, you can give me some of the four treasures of the study. After all, these are things that everyone might need."

"But there's another unique custom in the southwest, which is 'hanging red'!"

Wan said a lot, and Song Zhixu, who was sitting aside, felt confused for the first time in his originally clever head.

His eyes were filled with confusion, and he felt that the complexity of these gift-giving methods was dizzying. He even felt that the housekeeper's accounting was no easier than their imperial examinations.

Before, his younger sister had been complaining about how difficult it was to learn how to be a housekeeper, and he had thought she was just stupid. But today, it was just a simple gift-giving matter, and yet Mother was able to offer so many insights.

He couldn't help but look at his sister with sympathy.

As a result, I happened to see her stealing the cakes from her mother's purse like a little mouse when her mother wasn't paying attention.

Her eyes rolled around as she carefully took out a cake from her purse and quickly stuffed it into her mouth, chewing it with her cheeks bulging. Suddenly, she felt that she had really misjudged the idea. His sister was really stupid.

"That's about it. You guys can discuss and prepare it. It's still early and we can go to the county town to buy some."

She thought about offering to help with the preparations, but then she remembered that some of the students might be struggling financially. If she offered to help, she wouldn't choose something cheap. So she didn't say it. The children were grown up, so she had to let them handle those things on their own.

"If you really can't think of what to give, just come and let me know, and I'll prepare it for you." Mrs. Wan looked at Song Zhixu, her eyes full of love.

"Thank you, mother. I'll leave first." Song Zhixu bowed and turned to leave, but then thought again. "Are you going back to Juzhou now, mother? Or are you going to attend Master Gu's warm-room wine party before leaving?"

"Master Gu invited me personally just now, but I declined. Your cousin is serving as the magistrate of Annan County alone, without anyone around to care for him." Wan sighed slightly, a look of worry on her face. "You don't know, I went to his residence yesterday, and it was such a mess. So I'm going to take Yao'er to the county town later. We plan to stay at your cousin's residence for a few days."

The cousin that Wan mentioned was Zheng Qinghe. Zheng Qinghe's mother and Wan were sisters. Zheng Yunxi had come to the southwest under the pretext of visiting her aunt, Wan.

Ever since being rejected by Gu Jiayue that day, Zheng Qinghe had become decadent. He no longer attended to his official duties at the county government office and spent every day drunk to the point of unconsciousness.

All this happened to be seen by Wan Shi who came to watch Song Zhixu's game. She thought that he was acting like this because he had no women in his backyard.

So she came up with the idea of ​​choosing a few concubines for Zheng Qinghe.

She was only his aunt, and since Zheng Qinghe's parents were still alive, it wasn't her job to arrange the selection of a wife. But as an elder, she could still arrange one or two concubines for him.

Alas, thinking this way, Wan Shi felt that she couldn't delay any longer. "Your sister and I will go back first. You should study hard here with Jiang Shanzhang. Think and ask more questions. If you need anything, please write to me and I will arrange it for you as soon as possible."

Song Zhixu had already guessed what his mother was going to do.

I don’t know if she knows about what happened between my cousin and Master Gu.

I guess she doesn't know. Given my mother's personality, if she knew, she wouldn't be so polite to Master Gu.

"Okay, Mom, I will take good care of myself. Please go soon." He prayed silently in his heart, hoping that his cousin would keep his mouth shut and not let his mother break his psychological defenses and tell her everything.

Wan took Song Yao away, and Song Zhixu also went out and returned to the courtyard where Fu Wenhan was.

Song Zhixu walked into the house and repeated what Wan had told him.

"Everyone, think about it quickly. It just so happens that most of our servants are here. We can tell them to ride as fast as they can to the county town to buy it."

Everyone was silent at first, with a thoughtful look on their faces, before they each discussed the matter with their acquaintances.

For a moment, the house was filled with noise.

Chen Shuyan looked at the people around him who were discussing what kind of gift to give, such as warm jade or a large bed made of golden nanmu wood. He lowered his head slightly, a trace of embarrassment on his face.

I am short of money and cannot afford such an expensive gift.

Su Yichen touched his arm and said with concern: "How about I lend you some money first?"

Chen Shuyan shook his head, a resolute look on his face. "Thank you, Brother Su, for your kindness. Gifts are about the thought, not the value. I think Master Gu is not a superficial person, so I plan to give her a painting of my own."

Su Yichen nodded in agreement, "Indeed, Master Gu is generous and magnanimous. He is indeed not the kind of person who is picky. Go and paint quickly, and we will call you when we get there."

"Okay." Chen Shuyan stood up and walked briskly back to his room to study and paint.

Several students whose family backgrounds were similar to Shen Shuyan's also returned to their rooms, intending to present their own calligraphy and paintings as gifts.

The remaining students all came from families with some wealth, and after some discussion, they sent their servants to the town to make the purchase. Those who did not bring their own servants asked acquaintances to do the work.

Compared to the bustling dormitory, Jiang Luli's place was a bit deserted.

He stood at the door of the warehouse, looking at the things piled in the boxes, his brows furrowed in dissatisfaction. "Is that all?"

Lu Yao nodded. "Yes, when we left the capital, the master said to keep everything simple. So we only brought what you usually wear. We didn't bring any of the romantic, pretentious things."

"Just because I said I don't want to take it, then I won't take it?" Jiang Luli looked at Lu Yao with some dissatisfaction, thinking that this guard was too honest.

Now, after searching through all his luggage, he couldn't find a suitable gift for Gu Jiayue. How could he not be angry?

This is the first chance to give Gu Jiayue a gift, so I must not be perfunctory.

"We'll do whatever the master tells us to do. Please punish us." Lu Yao knelt on the ground with his head bowed, but he was complaining in his heart. The boss was so annoying. He didn't want to work this crappy shift for a single day.

Jiang Luli choked. "Alright, you didn't do anything wrong. Get up."

Jiang Luli felt as helpless as if he was playing the lute to a cow.

Lu Yao stood up and stood aside, not saying a word and not giving Jiang Luli any advice.

When Xiao Fuzi entered the room, she found the atmosphere a little awkward.

He looked at Lu Yao, hoping he could give him some hints.

Lu Yao gestured with his eyes to the open box at his feet, and then mouthed the word "Gu".

Xiao Fuzi understood instantly that the master was worried about giving Master Gu a room-warming gift.

"The master's paintings have been praised by the prince, the tutor and the emperor. Why don't we give him a painting as a gift?" Xiao Fuzi suggested cautiously.

Jiang Luli shook his head and said with a look of disdain: "Nothing new."

"Then I remember that the master has a fine Hui inkstone. Why not give it to him?"

"It's just ordinary." Jiang Luli refused again.

Xiao Fuzi mentioned a few more, but they were all ruthlessly rejected by Jiang Luli.

After a moment's silence, Xiao Fuzi suddenly spoke again, "Master, I remember that when you left the capital, the princess gave you a small box. Inside it seemed to be a piece of fine warm jade. Why don't we carve it into a seal and give it to Master Gu?"

Jiang Luli's eyes lit up instantly, and a smile of surprise appeared on his face. "This method is very good. Reward!"

Xiao Fuzi immediately smiled happily. "Thank you, Master. I will prepare the carving tools for you right away."

Lu Yao, who had been standing there in a daze, finally reacted.

Oh, the master just asked him to help with some advice?

Then just tell me directly. How would I know if you don’t tell me?

You are so old and still make people guess.