Among the gifts Jiayin brought back just now, there was a very nice four-panel kang screen. It was a double-sided embroidery presented as tribute from the south, with one side depicting five blessings surrounding longevity and the other side showing green mountains and clear waters. It was very exquisite.
Jiayin originally intended to place it on her grandmother's kang (heated brick bed), but the old lady used it as a birthday gift instead.
Firstly, it's a bit too simple to just bring a cake to someone's door.
Secondly, this is one of the few times the Li family has made a public appearance in Xindu, and they don't want others to laugh at them for being stingy.
This kang screen has a perfect meaning; it comes from the palace, so no one can find fault with it, and it also shows the royal family's favor towards the Li family.
Jiayin pouted, and Grandma Li guessed that her granddaughter was reluctant to part with it, so she hugged her and laughed, "Is our little money-grubber feeling the pinch again? Grandma will tell your uncle that if he comes across a good one in the future, he will buy you another one to make up for it."
"No, that's not it!" Jiayin snuggled against her grandmother and said sweetly, "This is for Grandma. Good things should be given to Grandma. I'd feel bad giving them to strangers!"
Grandma Li felt a warmth in her heart, pinched her granddaughter's chubby cheeks, and replied, "My Fu Niu is the most filial. Grandma knows. Then let's choose another one. Your uncle brought back a lot of good timber from the south. Why don't we choose a piece as a birthday gift?"
Jiayin quickly waved her hand, "No need, no need, just give me the kang screen this time, I'll find a better one for Grandma later."
"I must keep the timber. If Grandpa Zhang and the others find out, I'll be in big trouble! Grandpa Zhang insists that I memorize the medical books until I'm eighty!"
Everyone laughed heartily.
This time, the family's fleet returned from the south, bringing with them a lot of good timber, all of which Li Zhensheng had carefully selected.
The climate in the south is humid and hot, which is suitable for the growth of trees. People from nearby countries also sell timber from their hometowns.
Li Zhensheng found an opportunity, bought a large quantity at once, and then transported it back by water, which took a lot of effort.
This was one of the reasons why my uncle and nephews almost missed the Mid-Autumn Festival.
Most of the timber was used to build the Earl's and Princess's mansions, and the rest was divided up among the elders of the family.
Old Lady Li, Doctor Zhang, the village elders, Uncle Zhao and his group, and even Old Master Liu all chased Liu Zhiheng away and rushed over to snatch a piece.
The reason is simple: they all need to have coffins made.
What happens after death is what elderly people worry about most.
A good coffin can put their minds at ease and make them less afraid of old age and death.
Although Li Zhensheng promised to bring back more in the future, the elderly still cherish the few pieces left in their home as if they were their own eyes.
They waited for the Earl's and Princess's mansions to be completed so that the carpenters could have some free time to begin building their "homes" after they died.
If they move the timber now, Jiayin, the group's darling, will definitely be turned into a meat pie in no time...
The next day, after dinner, everyone dressed up and set off.
Tao Hongying brought Jiayin along, along with Granny He and Shuiling to serve her.
Because Madam Wen was pregnant, she brought along Granny Tian in addition to Sister-in-law Qiong.
Grandma Li and Wenjuan stayed at home and did not go with them.
After all, this was the first time they had visited the Jia family, and they weren't yet close enough for the whole family to go together to celebrate the birthday.
Moreover, Old Lady Li was a first-rank imperial consort, two ranks higher than the current birthday celebrant's title. In the past, she would have overshadowed the host.
There's also Wenjuan. Although she's the eldest daughter-in-law of the third branch of the Li family, her status is determined by her husband. Jia Huan doesn't have any official rank or title, so she won't be taken seriously even if she attends such social events.
Moreover, she was pregnant, and her belly was quite big, so her family had to worry about her constantly...
A birthday celebration may seem casual, but it actually involves a great deal of social etiquette and considerations.
Sitting in the carriage, Tao Hongying figured out the intricacies of the situation. Unconsciously, she straightened her back and secretly pondered how to slowly find a few talented apprentices and pass on her private recipes.
Now that her family is doing well, they don't need the little money she earns.
Instead, she had to start socializing and making social appearances as the wife of a fourth-rank general and the mother of a princess.
She shouldn't let her husband and daughter lose face because she's a cook.
As for her interests, she can focus on developing new dishes, and then have the restaurant launch them once she has mastered them.
The cookbooks her daughter gave her are enough to keep her occupied for years.
Thinking about it carefully, it seems that no problem is insurmountable as long as my daughter is by my side...
She couldn't help but look at the chubby girl across from her, who was chatting and laughing with Madam Wen, her eyes filled with affection and pride.
Jiayin was talking about the pastry shop's business when her mother's gaze suddenly made her uneasy, and her first thought was...
She doesn't seem to have caused any trouble these past two days, does she?
The carriage clattered and clattered into the city, heading straight for the pastry shop.
The shop received the news early in the morning.
I heard that my master is going to a birthday banquet, so I plan to bring a birthday cake as a gift.
Chen Xi and Manager Peng were extremely excited.
Before the store even opened, the owner had already started soliciting business.
This master is so reliable!
This is the first time a birthday cake has ever been shown to the public.
Chen Xi used every trick in the book, personally handling almost everything from baking the cake base and whipping the cream to decorating it.
By the time Jiayin and the others arrived, the cake was already prepared.
The two-tiered cake, two feet in diameter, features peaches presented by the birthday celebrant on the top tier and a profusion of flowers on the bottom tier.
The painting of the God of Longevity is so lifelike that it seems to capture every detail, from the folds of his clothes to the traces of his beard. The peach he holds in his hands is pink and white, just like a real peach.
The lower layer is covered with clusters of flowers in various colors, creating a vibrant and lively scene.
This is definitely a style that older people would like; it's festive and has a good meaning.
Jiayin read it and praised it highly, making Chen Xi and Manager Peng beam with joy.
When making the cake, it is placed in a large white porcelain plate.
Take another special wooden box, put the cake in from the side, tighten the buckle, tie on the ribbon and decorative flowers, and you're all done.
Jiayin thought for a moment and then asked Manager Peng to pack some snacks and four small cakes for her.
After everything was ready, the sun was high in the sky, and the group hurried to the Jia family's house.
The second wife of the Jia family was welcoming guests at the hanging flower gate. She was overjoyed to see Madam Wen and the Li family arrive and hurried forward to greet them.
"Oh, Jinrou, you've finally arrived! I've been waiting so long!" She was a straightforward person with a big smile on her face, which made not only Madam Wen but also Tao Hongying less nervous.
Madam Wen took her hand and introduced her to Tao Hongying and Jiayin.
Tao Hongying is fine, but Jiayin, this princess, has a much more noble status.
Madam Jia was about to perform a grand ceremony, but Tao Hongying stopped her, saying with a smile, "She's just a child. She's only here today to congratulate the old lady and share in the joy. Madam Jia, please don't stand on ceremony. Just treat her like an ordinary junior."
Jiayin smiled sweetly and bowed, saying, "Greetings, Second Madam."
"Oh, oh, Your Highness, you flatter me. Please come inside." Madam Jia was overjoyed by the Li family's affability and smiled broadly.
She was worried all night, fearing that this new member of the Li family, who was visiting for the first time, would be difficult to get along with.
Continue read on readnovelmtl.com