Early on the morning of Lunar New Year's Eve, Suijintan was bustling with activity.
The children, dressed in new padded jackets and trousers, looked like long-legged red envelopes, running around the village.
Even when they occasionally caused a minor mishap, the women would try their best to refrain from pulling ears or spanking.
I really don't want my child to cry, as it would spoil the good fortune of our New Year celebrations...
The day before yesterday, on the morning of the 28th, the village had already slaughtered pigs and sheep, and each family received two large pieces of meat.
The remaining snacks, live fish, vegetables, fruits, and other New Year's gifts were also distributed.
In fact, each family received dividends of over a hundred taels of silver, so they could afford to buy these things if they wanted to.
But the New Year's gifts distributed in the village have a completely different meaning in everyone's hearts.
Every household in the second village also received a share, but it was a grade lower.
The Big Locust Tree Village and the Big and Little Wang Villages received the lowest grade, which consisted only of meat and snacks!
Because in the evening, the Marquis, Li Lao Er, Li Lao Si, and Mr. Wen, along with Jia Yin, all had to go to the palace for a banquet. After the banquet, it would be inconvenient to return to the village, so they would have to stay at the Earl's mansion.
Therefore, the Li family's New Year's Eve dinner was moved to noon.
Cyclamen Restaurant was closed for three days, and Jia Huan couldn't stay idle, so he took Chef Yang to take over the cooking duties.
Jiaren brought his wife and children, along with Lige'er, back with him.
Of course, Li Laosan had also started his winter break early a few days ago with the academy and stayed at home for several days, so he was the one who distributed the New Year's gifts.
With Uncle Zhao and his fellow old men in the backyard, Doctor Zhang, the village elder and his wife, and the lone镖头 Liu, the Li family courtyard was just as lively as in previous years.
Mr. Jiang and his servant Gu Li were also invited over.
Since they didn't have any families, they could eat together, saving them the trouble of sending food boxes to the school.
As the sun was just beginning to set, the family reunion dinner was laid out on the table.
Almost everything that flies in the sky, runs on the ground, or swims in the sea was caught in one fell swoop.
After being fried, stir-fried, and cooked, they were transformed into their finest forms and displayed before everyone's eyes.
Li Lao Er carried the wine jar and personally filled the wine jars for the old men, thanking them for their hard work in guarding the Broken Gold Beach for another year.
"My dear uncles, you've all worked hard. We must drink to our hearts' content today. As the saying goes, having an elder in the family is like having a treasure. Look how wealthy we are in Suijintan! Our treasures are practically sitting at the whole table!"
Everyone laughed heartily, especially the village chief and Uncle Zhao, who waved their hands repeatedly.
The village chief said, "We are just a few old men who can't walk anymore, we're not any treasures, as long as you don't mind."
Uncle Zhao nodded and sighed, "Speaking of which, we've suffered a lot in our lives."
"I originally thought that I would just die wherever I went on the road of fleeing famine, but I never expected that God would open his eyes and give me such good fortune!"
"Now we sleep on warm kang beds, wear thick coats and trousers, spend money freely, and eat and drink well. We never dreamed of this before!"
Jiayin set out the bowls and chopsticks for the old man and said with a smile, "Grandpa Zhao, don't worry, this is just the beginning."
"Take good care of yourself. Maybe around this time next year, we can take a boat trip to the south to see the ocean and whales the size of houses. You'll be even more impressed then!"
"Haha, really?" Uncle Zhao's eyes lit up, and he slapped his thigh, exclaiming, "Then I'll have to take good care of myself and try to stay alive and kicking for a few more years!"
"That's right! There are so many places in this world that we haven't eaten or played in yet. We must go out and explore when we have the chance." The village chief excitedly waved his pipe.
Unfortunately, before he could even wave it a few times, Aunt Wu snatched it away, scolding, "It's almost time to eat, don't spill any ash and ruin everyone's appetite."
The village chief smacked his lips twice, looking somewhat aggrieved, but fortunately, Li Lao Er immediately stuffed a bowl of wine into his hand.
"Uncle, you are the pillar of our Broken Gold Beach. The feast is about to begin. Why don't you say a few words to everyone?"
The village chief was immediately delighted and began to speak with great enthusiasm.
From the moment I met the Li family, I knew they were different. I experienced the hardships of fleeing famine, and finally, I cherished the good days I had.
No one found the old man nagging; on the contrary, they all felt the same sense of emotion.
When a dozen or so wine bowls clinked together, the crisp sound and the aroma of wine filled the air, marking the perfect end to a year of hard work and fruitful harvest.
With none of the women in the family present, Aunt Wu and Jiayin sat down with the others.
Aunt Wu even poured herself a bowl of wine.
Jiayin wanted to go too, but everyone ruthlessly stopped her.
Banquets were also set up in the east and west rooms. In the west room, Ye Shan brought Wen Hai, Mr. Wen's attendant, as well as Zheng Sanjiang, Mu Xu, Gu Li, and a few other young men including Zheng Yi.
The east room was occupied by Dongmei, Granny He, Granny Lin, Shuiling, and Shuiyun.
Originally, Shui Ling and Shui Yun were supposed to go home for the New Year, but since the mistresses weren't there, they were worried and refused to go back, so they stayed.
The remaining servants, maids, cooks, grooms, and others also set up a table in the kitchen.
After a busy year, everyone, regardless of their status, deserves to enjoy a sumptuous meal at this moment...
After the meal, Jiayin gave some instructions about household matters, then dressed up, changed her clothes, and prepared to enter the palace.
It must be said that the embroiderers in the Marquis's mansion were truly skilled.
Jiayin's "battle attire" for the banquet was a bright red brocade jacket with narrow sleeves, paired with a snow-white satin skirt.
She also wore down-filled pants hidden under her skirt, and warm deerskin ankle boots on her feet.
The belt was embroidered with intricate patterns in gold thread and occasionally adorned with a few pearls, making it very exquisite.
The jade ring tucking the hem of the skirt was not made of mutton fat jade, but of jadeite with excellent translucency.
Under the lights, it shimmered and shone, echoing the emerald green peacock feather cloak covering it.
The cloak looks light and not bulky, but it is actually lined with sable fur.
No matter how cold it is, as long as you pull the cloak tight, it becomes a warm little world under your coat, impervious to the cold.
As for jewelry...
With everyone's help, she chose a gold and jade phoenix hairpin with pearls in its mouth to adorn her hair, a red gold seven-treasure necklace to hang on her chest, gourd pendants strung with pink pearls to wear on her ears, and a pair of red agate bracelets on her wrists.
Granny He and Granny Lin personally took charge, ironing the clothes, combing the hair, and applying makeup. They were busy for a full half hour before they were finally finished.
Jiayin ate too much and has been dozing off ever since.
After finally regaining her senses, she was startled when she saw the "finished product" in the mirror.
Granny He and Granny Lin were incredibly capable; they transformed her from a wild and unruly girl into a dignified and elegant young lady from a prominent family.
Let alone outsiders, even she herself felt like a stranger.
But this is fine too, no matter what outsiders say, this is her first official appearance after all.
In order not to embarrass her godfather and second uncle, she would pretend all night long!
Besides, she's learned so many rules over the years, she has to put them to use at least once, otherwise Granny He would probably be so frustrated she'd vomit blood.
Sure enough, Granny He excitedly paced around the room several times, almost bursting into tears.
She kept reminding her, "Princess, you must not forget those rules, just hold on for one night!"
Jiayin found it both amusing and helpless, and offered her a few words of comfort.
She went to the front yard only after a maidservant came to invite her.
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