Hearing Old Lady Li's question, the old woman smiled awkwardly and explained, "My wife and husband were originally going to come in person, but something came up at home and they were delayed."
"Madam was afraid that her uncle would worry, so she sent this old servant to deliver the New Year's gifts first. She will go back to her parents' home to reunite with him after she finishes this busy period."
Upon hearing this, Old Lady Li's face stiffened. Zhen Xiaozhi's words sounded nice, but she was probably too bored to even set foot in this remote mountain village.
Sure enough, no matter how much time passed, she still couldn't shake her disgust.
As the year draws to a close, Old Lady Li didn't want to spoil the mood, so she agreed with her wife, saying, "That makes sense. We'll wait until Xiaozhi has time to come again."
As she spoke, she called out to the kitchen, "Cuihua! Go to the storeroom and get the New Year's gifts I prepared. Your aunt's family is visiting, so have her take them back with her!"
The old woman chatted idly with Li Laotai with a smile, but her eyes darted around, taking in everything in the house.
I need to get back before I can report back to my wife!
The servant carried the items from the carriage to Zhen's courtyard one by one.
The three women, including Grandma Li, also took out the New Year's gifts they were going to give to Zhen Xiaozhi.
In stark contrast to the gifts sent by the Han family, which consisted mostly of pastries and snacks.
The New Year's gifts from Zhen's family were wrapped in red wrapping paper and placed in a delicate little basket by Zhen Wanwan.
The basket is exquisitely woven, with a pretty ribbon wrapped around the handle, making it look quite impressive.
The old woman's mouth was wide open, and in comparison, the things they brought seemed shabby and stingy.
Grandma Li calmly accepted the New Year's gifts from the Han family, seemingly already aware of what was to come.
Seeing this, the old woman felt her feet burning. She accepted the return gift from Zhen's family and immediately got into the carriage and went back.
Wang Cuihua glanced at the pastries in the corner and curled her lip in disdain.
"Mother! Are our aunts treating us like beggars? What kind of married woman only brings a few boxes of pastries when she visits for the New Year?"
Faced with Wang Cuihua's complaints, Old Lady Li, unusually, did not refute them.
He simply said, "Never mind, we'll just live our own lives. It won't hurt her to look down on us!"
Three days is not a long time; it passed in the blink of an eye.
Tonight, Zhen didn't sleep in late, which is rare for her, and changed into a peach-colored cotton-padded jacket.
Guaibao and Tianbao were also dressed in very festive clothes, and Yuan Huizhou happily changed into his New Year's battle robe.
Even Granny Zhang and the others changed into new clothes to welcome the New Year.
Because Xiao Yizhi arrived late, Zhen Wanwan took out a suitable coat for him from her spatial storage.
At this moment, Granny Zhang was hanging up Spring Festival couplets with Rou'er and Xiaomei, and there was also the sound of Gou Dan and a group of children laughing and playing.
Several firecrackers were heard from the village.
Zhen Wanwan laid out the candies and snacks, and took out the red envelopes she had prepared in advance, ready to give the children lucky money.
"Tiger and Da Ni, quickly bring your younger siblings over here!"
Tiger, who was holding hands and circling around, heard Zhen Wanwan's words and gathered his younger siblings together, making them line up and walk to her one by one.
"aunt!"
They had already wished Grandpa Zhen, Grandma Li, and their parents a Happy New Year this morning, and now it's Zhen Wanwan's turn.
Zhen Xiaohu bowed to Zhen Wanwan, knelt down, and said, "I wish Auntie all your wishes come true, good health, and all the best in the new year!"
Zhen Wanwan sat upright in the chair, smiling as she handed over the red envelope: "Auntie also wishes you a Happy New Year and academic success! Here, this is yours!"
Upon receiving the red envelope, Zhen Xiaohu grinned, revealing a missing front tooth that made everyone chuckle.
He quickly covered his mouth and ran to the side.
Because Xiao Yizhi was born two months later than Zhen Xiaohu, he was placed behind Zhen Xiaohu in the order of birth.
He awkwardly imitated Zhen Xiaohu in wishing Zhen Wanwan a Happy New Year: "Happy New Year, Auntie!"
After saying this, he felt very uncomfortable. In all his life, he had never paid New Year's greetings to his elders.
This is the first time.
Zhen Wanwan enjoyed Xiao Yizhi's New Year's greetings with a clear conscience. Looking at the adorable little male lead, she gently rubbed his head and said softly.
"Here! This is for our little general!"
"Little General" was the nickname given to him by the children in his family, which Xiao Yizhi liked very much.
Therefore, Zhen Wanwan catered to his preferences and directly called him Little General.
The remaining children, except for the two who couldn't talk or walk, all sweetly wished Zhen Wanwan a Happy New Year.
They also received a generous red envelope, and a joyful atmosphere filled the entire courtyard.
Of course, Zhen Wanwan didn't miss Zhang Mama and the other two.
Xiaomei smiled so broadly her eyes disappeared, and said sweetly, "We servants are so lucky to be with you, Madam! This money is equivalent to half a year's salary for me!"
Rou'er took her arm and teased with a grin, "That's for sure! Sister Xiaomei has saved up quite a bit of money these past few months just from the lady's rewards! When she gets married, she'll be a little rich woman!"
Upon hearing the second half of the sentence, Xiaomei looked at Zhen Wanwan and Granny Zhang with embarrassment, and gently punched Rou'er's arm with her little fist.
Her cheeks were already bright red.
Zhen Wanwan had a sudden thought: Xiaomei had indeed reached an age.
After she and Zhuyuan got married and moved to a new house, they would have to buy a few more maids and servants.
As for Xiaomei's marriage, she also wanted to mention it to Zhuyuan, hoping to settle down and marry her off after she turned seventeen.
If she takes good care of Rou'er and Xiao Mei during these three years, she will have someone to help her when her business grows bigger.
As firecrackers went off outside, Zhen Wanwan and the others returned to Grandma Li's courtyard to prepare New Year's Eve dinner together.
According to local custom in Anqing Prefecture, the earlier the New Year's Eve dinner is eaten, the better, in order to be the first to experience good fortune.
When in Rome, do as the Romans do, and the Zhen family decided to join in the fun.
At this moment, the men and women of the Zhen family all pitched in, some tending the fire, others cooking.
Zhen Wanwan was busy grilling fish and plating it. Seeing the exquisite New Year's Eve dinner on the table, she felt a sense of accomplishment.
It's a bit of a shame that there's no mobile phone with internet access.
After finishing her tasks, Zhenfu burned paper money for her relatives who had suffered misfortune and were far away.
Because many of her relatives in Lijia Village had fallen on hard times, Old Lady Li requested that her family observe a year of mourning for them.
This year, Zhen's family did not buy firecrackers for the Lunar New Year.
The family sat down quietly around the table to eat.
Under Zhen Wanwan's constant influence, the Zhen family members no longer distinguished between men and women, and all sat at the main table.
As is customary, Grandpa Zhen said a few auspicious words, and the three adult Zhen siblings, Wang Cuihua, and Grandma Li all held wine glasses.
"Our family was able to escape disasters and wars and arrive here safely thanks to the concerted efforts of our entire family. I hope that you three siblings can help each other and rely on each other in the future."
"The son (daughter/daughter-in-law) knows."
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