Today is the Little New Year, and it's a family tradition to eat dumplings.
However, it's impossible to please everyone, especially with many children and grandchildren who have different tastes.
Grandma Li was so happy that she took Granny He and Shuiyun with her and prepared four kinds of fillings.
Pickled cabbage and pork, chives and eggs, pork with scallions, beef and cilantro!
Mrs. Wen was home alone when she heard the commotion at the Li family's place, so she came over to help.
The women, young and old, sat in one group on the kang (a heated brick bed) and stood in another, dividing into two groups to make dumplings.
As the sun began to set, Li Laosan and Li Laosi returned with Li Zhensheng, and even the Marquis and Li Yong followed behind on horseback.
Li Zhensheng kowtowed to his mother, then spoke, and asked to invite Liu Biaotou over for a meal to discuss Liu Yang's stay in the south.
Grandma Li simply invited Liu the镖头 (bodyguard) and his family of three, the village elder and his wife, Hui Niang and her three children, Uncle Zhao and his group, and Doctor Zhang to a gathering.
Tao Hongying and Jia Huan also received the news. They closed the restaurant early and went home to help out, also wanting to join in the fun.
On the way, they happened to run into Mr. Wen and Li Lao Er again.
Now, the family is more complete.
The men wanted to drink, but weren't in a hurry to eat dumplings.
So, Jia Huan quickly stir-fried four dishes, Tao Hongying sliced a plate of braised donkey meat, tore up two roast chickens, added a fried peanut, and a spicy seafood platter.
After preparing a total of eight dishes, the banquet was held in the main room.
The men, young and old, sat in a circle, with Jiaren and Lige helping to tend the charcoal stove, warming and pouring the wine.
As for Cat Brother, he had already followed his sister into the kitchen to steal a bite.
When asked about his experience traveling south, Li Zhensheng gave a brief account before turning to Liu Biaotou and Li Lao Er.
He said carefully, "Jiayi and Liu Yang stayed in the south this time. It's quite a coincidence. I took the children out to sea to fish before, just to broaden their horizons."
"Unexpectedly, when they encountered Japanese pirates chasing their fishing boat, Jiayi and Liu Yang were skilled and killed five or six pirates, saving many people."
When the Hailan Army, responsible for patrolling and guarding, arrived, General Tang Jing valued Jia Yi and Liu Yang highly and invited them to join the army many times. He even made them captains directly.
"I made some inquiries privately, and I learned that this General Tang is very brave and fair in his actions. He is highly respected among the fishermen. In addition, Liu Yang and Jia Yi were also tempted and begged me to stay."
"I went to pay my respects to General Tang and asked him to temporarily have the two boys help out in the Hailan Army."
"I came back this time to seek your opinions before deciding whether the two children should stay in Hailan Army for the long term."
Both Li Lao Er and Liu Biao Tou were surprised and frowned with worry.
But then they both sighed.
Liu, the head镖师 (bodyguard/escort), said, "My son Liu Yang has never been well-behaved since he was a child. He's incredibly bold. I originally thought he might be destined for a life of martial arts."
"That's why, fearing that something might happen to him and the family line would end, they had a second son. Unexpectedly, instead of joining the martial arts world, he went off to kill Japanese pirates!"
"As parents, we naturally hope that he will live a peaceful and honest life, but since we can't stop him, we won't stop him. Let him do whatever he wants."
"In the end, killing the Japanese pirates and protecting the people of Tianwu is better than fighting and killing in the martial arts world!"
Li Lao Er took a sip of wine and said, "I was originally worried about Jia Yi's future. Actually, joining the army would have been the best choice for him. But our fourth son and Dayong are both following the Marquis in the Northern Expeditionary Army."
"If Jiayi and Liu Yang join the army again, they will be too easily feared, and it will be difficult for the two children to get ahead."
"Now that they've joined the Hailan Army, it's good. My eldest brother originally planned to settle down in Quanzhou and prepare another way out for the family."
“In the future, Jiayi and Liu Yang will work there, and the family business will be taken care of. They will also have a bright future.”
After saying that, he couldn't help but look into the inner room, worried that his mother might be concerned.
Inside the house, Old Mrs. Li stopped what she was doing as soon as she started talking about her grandson.
She knew in her heart that it was a good thing for Jiayi to have such an opportunity, and that joining the army to kill the Japanese pirates was to protect the country.
But grandmothers are always reluctant to let their children run so far and face danger...
"Alright, second son, write a letter to Jiayi. Tell him to do his job well, and that the family supports him. Just tell him to be extra careful."
Grandma Li sighed and said, "We don't ask him to achieve great things, we only hope he is safe and well. It would be even better if he could come back for a few days every year during the Spring Festival."
Aunt Liu held her chubby youngest son in her arms, and her eyes welled up with tears as she thought of her eldest son.
If she could, she wouldn't want her son to kill Japanese pirates.
But parents who love their children plan far ahead for them.
Her son liked this path and could secure a good future, so no matter how reluctant she was, she couldn't stop him!
Mrs. Wen patted her hand, offering silent comfort...
Jiayin ran back into the house at some point, listened for a while, and sighed inwardly.
After that, the brothers will be scattered all over the country, and it will be extremely difficult for them to get together again.
The Marquis stroked the little girl's soft hair, and after hearing that Li Lao Er and Liu Biao Tou had decided to let the children go out and explore, he spoke.
"General Tang Jing's eldest son is also in the Hailan army. I have some acquaintance with him. I'll write a letter and send it to the south together."
"From now on, please ask the Tang family to take good care of Jiayi and Liu Yang. They don't need to do much to help them. As long as no one dares to steal credit or frame them, the two boys' futures will be much smoother."
Li Lao Er and Liu Biao Tou were delighted to hear this and quickly stood up to bow and express their gratitude.
In an instant, everyone refilled their glasses and talked about how Tianwu was beset by internal and external troubles and was attacked from all sides. It was so obvious that they could no longer deceive themselves.
But in Xinduli, most of the powerful and wealthy still live a life of debauchery, indulging in nightly revelry, which is truly lamentable.
Jiaren and Lige'er sat at the door, listening quietly without interrupting.
The reason why children from prominent families are more likely to excel than children from ordinary families lies in this.
Even without someone to teach you step by step, you can learn so much just by being exposed to these kinds of things at banquets, during casual conversations, and among friends and relatives...
The next day, Jiayin was going to the Marquis's mansion in the city, and everyone had to start arranging their New Year's gifts.
Fortunately, a list had already been made beforehand, and the required items were clearly written down.
Now, all she has to do is follow the list, prepare the fresh fruits, vegetables, and potted flowers that she needs to subsidize, and then transport them directly to the Marquis's residence.
Jiaren brought Lige'er, Maoge'er, and even Jiahuan, all dressed in new clothes, to deliver New Year's gifts for the family.
We definitely can't forget about the Peng family, Dean Zhou's family, and Mr. Tang's family at the academy.
But before that, Jiaren had to go to the Jia family, and then, accompanied by Jia Xu, go to the Xing family.
In this way, the Xing couple can have a good look at his appearance and character.
Moreover, even if outsiders are suspicious or curious, they won't worry if Jia Xu is with them.
Even if the marriage doesn't work out in the future, it won't ruin Wan'er's reputation.
That's quite a thorough consideration!
The family worked all morning to finally get all three carriages ready.
Seeing the children get on the bus and go out to move around and busy themselves, Grandma Li and the others were a little unaccustomed to it for a while.
Time flies so fast; it seems like the children have grown up in the blink of an eye and are now old enough to represent the family in wedding ceremonies...
Served at midnight~~
Continue read on readnovelmtl.com