A middle-aged manager stood outside the door, dressed in a blue shirt and a small hat, looking very proper and respectable.
Upon seeing someone approach, the middle-aged steward cupped his hands and asked, "Excuse me, is this the residence of the Marquis of Zhongshan?"
Hui Niang and the others were used to visiting the Li family regularly, so they didn't think the Li family was anything special, since they got along so well and were so close.
Hearing about the title being revoked so suddenly, she was stunned for a moment before she realized what was happening.
Hui Niang quickly replied, "Yes, this is the Li family's residence."
"Then please trouble this lady to announce that I am the steward of the Guo family, here to deliver a congratulatory gift," the middle-aged steward said very politely.
Hui Niang and the others certainly couldn't make things difficult for him, so they quickly went to call Old Lady Li.
At this moment, Li Zhensheng and Li Lao Er were not there, so Jiaren accompanied his grandmother to greet the guests.
The middle-aged steward was led to the main room for tea. He showed no surprise at the Li family's humble and unassuming lifestyle, but instead treated them with great respect.
It turned out to be Mr. Guo, who had heard that the Li family's grandchildren were getting married and specially sent a congratulatory gift.
The gift wasn't particularly expensive; it was just an uncommon cookbook, a set of writing implements, two pieces of fabric, and two boxes of pastries.
It's fair to say that this kind of preparation shows that they put a lot of effort into it.
Grandma Li didn't actually want to accept the Guo family's congratulatory gift, after all, the previous argument had been too unpleasant.
However, according to the custom of celebrating a wedding, one cannot refuse gifts and guests; otherwise, it is considered unlucky.
She thought for a moment and then said, "How are Mr. Guo and Xiao Wenhao doing? If they're not too busy, please come to our house for a celebratory drink in a few days."
The middle-aged steward quickly replied with a smile, "Thank you, Madam, but our master is not feeling well and is afraid he won't be able to come. However, Young Master Wenhao's academy is on holiday, and I will certainly accompany him to the wedding banquet."
Grandma Li secretly breathed a sigh of relief.
It's good that Grandpa Guo didn't come. Guo Wenhao is a pitiful child who didn't harm the Li family. On the contrary, he got along very well with Jiayin.
He's now studying at the academy, so if he comes over, it would be nice to have his grandsons entertain him and talk about the academy.
After exchanging a few more casual words, the middle-aged manager took his leave.
Jiayin and her brothers were called out to eat steamed egg custard. Jiayin was also a little surprised to hear that the Guo family had sent a congratulatory gift.
But thinking about it carefully, given the Li family's current status, the Guo family would only fawn over them and wouldn't dare to scheme against them.
So, she ate the whole thing along with the smooth, tender steamed egg custard...
Previously, Jiayin was the only child in the family, and Grandma Li felt it was lonely. Sometimes she even felt that when she sighed, the echo could be heard in the house.
But when the children actually came back, she got a headache from all the noise.
Jiaren is alright; he reads whenever he has free time and is very quiet.
Jia Huan was so busy getting married that she would blush and hide away, refusing to say a word, when teased.
But the remaining few boys, led by Jiayi, along with Liu Yang, Jia'an, Jiaxi, Lige'er, and Maoge'er, were practically tearing the roof off.
Go to the hot springs in the valley and have a water fight.
Go up the mountain to collect bird eggs and trap rabbits and pheasants.
They even broke open the frozen river surface and lay on it to fish.
As a result, they didn't catch any fish, and because the river was fed by hot springs and wasn't frozen solid, they all fell in.
Fortunately, the river wasn't deep, but it was still enough to soak their clothes.
When the north wind blew, the six boys' jackets and trousers froze stiff, not like popsicles!
At this moment, they were stripped naked, wrapped in quilts, and sat on the head of the kang (a heated brick bed), sneezing from time to time.
Old Mrs. Li was so angry she really wanted to find her pipe and whack them on the head!
Tao Hongying made ginger soup, giving each boy a bowl and quickly pouring it down their throats.
Jiayin, carrying the jar of candied fruit, followed behind her mother with a grin.
The boys drank the ginger soup, their noses wrinkling from the spiciness, and then opened their mouths like baby birds, waiting for their little sister to feed them.
Jiayin, being mischievous, pinched a candied fruit and held it to her brothers' lips, then suddenly took it away, causing them to crane their necks and scream, yet they dared not let go to snatch it back.
Because they were all naked, if the blanket fell down, they would be exposed.
Jiayin laughed so hard she wanted to roll around on the kang (heated brick bed), but her mother slapped her and scolded, "Be good, stop bothering your brothers. Quickly give them some candied fruit, then you should go hide in the east room, or they might give you a cold."
Jiayin stuck out her tongue and quickly fed the food.
The boys drank ginger soup to induce sweating and ate candied fruit. Wrapped in their thick blankets, they became somewhat drowsy.
Grandma Li scolded, but she was actually more distressed. She helped this person tuck in the blanket and stuffed a pillow for that person. After she finished, she took her granddaughter out.
Just then, Li Laosan and Zhao Yuru returned from Luo'an with Wu Sanshu's family of three.
When Zhao Yuru heard that the children had fallen into the water, she was startled. She ran into the house and saw the boys sleeping on their backs with their bare legs exposed.
She was both annoyed and amused, and said to her mother-in-law, "Let's not talk about Jia'an and Jiaxi, just look at Jiayi and Liu Yang. They are only a year or two younger than Jia Huan. In other families, they should be looking for a wife, but they are still causing trouble and playing around all day."
"Isn't that right?" Old Mrs. Li chuckled. "I think we'll have to rely on Jia Huan to have a great-grandson. As for the rest of us, that would be a long time coming!"
It's rare for the whole family to get together, so of course we have to cook something delicious...
That night, the Li family's dining table almost collapsed under the weight of the falling debris.
Jiayin was also happy that her third uncle, aunt, and brothers had all returned, so she brought out a lot of good things. Not to mention the vegetables and fruits, she even took out a large piece of beef from the refrigerator in the courtyard.
Tao Hongying chopped two radishes and stewed them. When it was done, she sprinkled some chopped cilantro on top. The boys drank the soup and water, and they were sweating profusely from the heat.
They slept on the heated kang (a traditional heated brick bed) for an afternoon, and when they got up, they were full of energy and energy.
Not to mention catching a cold, he didn't even have a stuffy nose. You have to admire him; this silly boy has such high energy!
Doctor Zhang and Uncle Zhao were also invited, along with Li Yong and Hui Niang, Liu the镖头 and his wife, the village elder and his wife, and Aunt Wu's family. With everyone crowding around, the two tables were almost overflowing.
But no one seemed to mind; on the contrary, the smiles on their faces just wouldn't stop.
Life is more enjoyable when it's lively and bustling.
Especially Uncle Zhao and the others, who are getting old, love nothing more than being surrounded by a large group of people.
It's as if watching the children make a fuss makes them feel a few years younger, full of energy.
Not only did the food taste delicious, but the liquor was also even more intoxicating...
Before you know it, the next day the Peng family will send someone to deliver wooden furniture and make beds.
The night before, the family was preparing food for guests. Tao Hongying and Zhao Yuru lit oil lamps and, along with Granny He, Shuiyun, Shuiling, and Dongmei, busied themselves in the kitchen.
Feeling bad, Zhao Yuru said, "After Jia Huan's wedding, I'll have him cook a nice meal to thank you all. Everyone has worked so hard for his wedding."
Tao Hongying said with a smile, "Sister-in-law, what are you saying? You take care of Jia'an like your own son, and I'm just as happy as if my own son is getting married when I'm busy with Jia Huan!"
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