When Madam Xing went out for social engagements, she heard far too many complaints.
Every time, she couldn't help but feel happy for her daughter, that she had married into such a good family as the Li family.
So she started nagging again, instructing, "Wan'er, you must be filial to your grandmother and good to your sister-in-law. Be diligent with your hands and do more needlework for them..."
Wan'er felt helpless. Xing Ning grabbed two oranges and ran away, claiming he was going to find his father and come back for a family reunion dinner at noon.
Leaving aside the fact that Wan'er was at home, let's just say that Old Lady Li took her granddaughter and granddaughter-in-law directly to the best jewelry store in Xindu.
The manager of the jewelry store had the sharpest eye; he knew every prominent family in Xindu.
He rushed to the door to greet Grandma Li and the others almost as soon as they got out of the car.
Grandma Li didn't put on any airs. She chatted with the shopkeeper for a few minutes with a smile, and then the group went upstairs.
There were other guests on the second floor, and surprisingly, they were acquaintances.
Dean Gu and Gu Qingqing were selecting jewelry. Gu Qingqing hesitated for a long time, torn between a set of pearl jewelry and a set of agate jewelry.
Upon suddenly seeing the Li family and Jiayin, Gu Qingqing was overjoyed and immediately stepped forward to greet them.
Dean Gu also smiled and sat down with Old Lady Li to talk and drink tea.
Wenjuan, carrying Xingxing, asked the shopkeeper to bring out some bracelets and necklaces suitable for children.
In recent years, Cyclamen has been almost entirely sustained by Jia Huan.
Li Zhensheng's uncle is very generous; he not only pays wages every month, but also gives out even more dividends at the end of the year.
Wenjuan's purse was bulging. With the New Year approaching, she planned to make needlework for her elders and sister-in-law, and buy a new piece of jewelry for each of Xingxing, Yueya'er, and Yuanyuan as New Year's gifts.
Jiayin was pulled over by Gu Qingqing to help her choose jewelry.
Jiayin noticed the vibrant color of the agate. Gu Qingqing, who was rarely so flamboyant, asked, "Sister Gu, is there some good news?"
Gu Qingqing blushed and replied softly, "My family has arranged a marriage for me, and we'll get married next autumn."
Jiayin subconsciously did the math and realized that the Gu family planned to marry Gu Qingqing off as soon as she came of age.
At the age of fifteen, she was still a junior high school student in her previous life, but here she is about to get married!
"Um... Sister Gu, won't you stay at home for a couple more years?" Jiayin was a little reluctant and hugged Gu Qingqing's arm affectionately. "If Sister Gu gets married, we'll have one less person to play the turtle-drawing game."
Gu Qingqing laughed heartily upon hearing this, pretended to pinch her, and said reproachfully, "I thought you were reluctant to part with me, but it turns out you were just afraid of having no one to play cards with!"
After saying that, she sighed and whispered, "I don't want to get married so early, but the man has no mother and his father is seriously ill. He hopes that I will marry into the family as soon as possible and take charge of the household affairs."
Jiayin's eyes lit up when she heard this, and she realized that the Gu family did not neglect their daughter, but had their own considerations.
With no mother-in-law to keep her in check after marriage, and her father-in-law passing away soon after, this kind of marriage is incredibly hard to find.
Once the daughter marries into the family, she will be the head of the household and won't have to worry about being mistreated!
She quickly pulled Gu Qingqing aside and helped her order that set of agate jewelry, because the bride-to-be naturally wanted to dress up in a festive and beautiful way.
A short while later, Dean Gu left with Gu Qingqing.
Jiayin immediately told the shopkeeper to pack up the remaining pearl jewelry and save it for Gu Qingqing's dowry next year.
In this way, Gu Qingqing was happy, and she was no longer afraid that the gift she gave would be disliked.
Grandma Li, having found some free time, didn't stand on ceremony and bought two pairs of gold bracelets, three pairs of jade bracelets, and two pairs of gold hairpins in one go.
I also ordered some gold and silver ingots shaped like flowers and fruits, in case guests with children come to visit during the Lunar New Year, so they won't leave empty-handed...
Jiayin is quite wealthy; although she already has a lot of jewelry stored in her space, it doesn't stop her from getting bored easily...
The group, young and old, were very satisfied with their purchases and then went to the silk shop.
The jewelry shop owner and his young assistant saw them to the door. The assistant couldn't help but exclaim, "Shopkeeper, this old lady from the Li family doesn't look imposing, but she's incredibly generous!"
The shopkeeper tapped him on the head and took the opportunity to lecture him: "Don't you dare look down on people like that. The Li family just doesn't want to be in the limelight."
"Don't you realize that the most profitable restaurant in Xindu, Cyclamen, belongs to the Li family, and the most profitable dim sum shop also belongs to the Li family!"
"The Broken Gold Beach is the number one treasure trove in Tianwu. They charge ten thousand taels of silver for selling jade melons there."
"When it comes to income, there are very few in Xindu that can compare to the Li family. Next time they come, we will definitely serve them with utmost courtesy!"
"Yes, yes, sir, I'll remember!" the young clerk quickly replied, craning his neck to look at the Li family's carriage again, trying hard to memorize these wealthy patrons...
In the cold winter, the restaurant had few customers, so business should have been very slow.
But cyclamen breaks this rule!
In the lobby, between the seats, the waiters would occasionally shout out their orders.
"A bowl of boiled sliced pork and a plate of spicy crab!"
"One plate of Mapo Tofu and one plate of Spicy Chicken!"
Spicy dishes, which were usually avoided by everyone, have now completely turned around and become the darlings of all customers.
Almost every table ordered one or two dishes, and the spiciness made them sweat profusely, as if the winter chill had been dispelled.
In the kitchen, Jia Huan, along with a group of cooks and helpers, was also working up a sweat.
When Jia Huan finally got out for some fresh air, he saw that his grandmother had brought his wife, children, and sister.
He happily rushed over, picked up his son and bounced him around, then called everyone to the side room.
"Grandma, why did you come out for a walk today? What would you like to eat? I'll go and make it for you right away!"
While talking to her grandmother, Jia Huan ruffled her younger sister's hair, guessing that her grandmother's willingness to come out for a walk was all thanks to her younger sister.
Jiayin seized the opportunity and immediately ordered with a grin, "Brother, I want boiled fish!"
"No, I'll get pimples on my face!"
Grandma Li and Wenjuan spoke in unison, shattering Jiayin's beautiful wish.
Jiayin immediately deflated and hung her head.
Last time she indulged in a gluttonous meal, she ate a whole pot of boiled fish by herself, and when she woke up this morning, her face was almost unrecognizable.
Her family was terrified and kept a close watch on her for three days, feeding her only bland food, until the acne on her face cleared up. But from then on, boiled fish disappeared completely from her world...
Jia Huan laughed heartily at his sister's antics and quickly coaxed her, "We had a lot of customers today, so we sold out of fish, but we still have plenty of shrimp. I'll make you some salt and pepper shrimp."
Before Jiayin could speak, someone outside the door laughed and said, "Better late than early! Huan-ge, cook an extra dish, I want to have a couple of drinks!"
Then, the door was pushed open, and Li Lao Er walked in with a big smile on his face, followed by Li Lao Si.
Old Mrs. Li was stunned for a moment, then suddenly stood up and asked, "Second son, is Jiayi out?"
Li Lao Er nodded and said, "Mother guessed half right. General Tang of the Hailan Army has returned and has already entered the palace to meet the Emperor."
"At tomorrow's court assembly, the Hailan army will present their prisoners and receive rewards. Jia Yi's merits and demerits will cancel each other out, and he will be released from prison and able to go home!"
"Great!" Jiayin cheered. "Tomorrow, I'll go pick up Third Brother and take him home!"
"I'm going too! I'm going too!" Old Mrs. Li's eyes reddened. "When I see Jiayi, I'll definitely give that brat a good slap."
Everyone laughed, and no one took it seriously.
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