Jiayin, however, took her nephew and said to her sister-in-law, "Sister-in-law, let's go home first. It looks like the village will be having a communal meal tonight!"
Wan'er was both amused and exasperated, replying, "I wanted to talk to Grandma and Fourth Aunt, but unfortunately I couldn't squeeze up. They just opened the granary and released a hundred catties of white rice; the village is definitely going to be lively."
Jia'an spoke a few words with the village chief and Uncle Zhao and other elders, then went forward to take his little nephew and play with him, while keeping company with his sister-in-law and sister, and asking a few more questions about his brothers.
From the bridgehead to the new village, it's not far, but it's not close either; it's nearly two miles.
But as everyone chatted and laughed, they were still somewhat reluctant to leave when they arrived at the Li family mansion. They hadn't quite finished talking.
In the end, it was the village chief who started to shoo people away. He waved his pipe and shouted, "Let the old lady and the fourth lady rest for a while. Let's get busy. Slaughter the pigs and chickens as needed. Once the food is ready, let's have a good time."
Everyone responded cheerfully and got to work.
Although the village has seen a significant increase in population in the past two years, only about half of the villagers who risked their lives together by crossing mountains and valleys remain.
But some old traditions remain unchanged, such as the tradition of eating communal meals during this festive occasion.
The men, young and old, gathered together, drinking and boasting, reminiscing about their days when they were all invincible warriors.
The women and children sat together, showing off their silver bracelets and their newly added chubby grandson.
They weren't trying to evoke envy or jealousy; they were genuinely grateful.
They are grateful for the hardships they endured when they fled the famine, and grateful to the Li family for leading them to establish a new home in Suijintan.
Whenever a fire was lit on the large stove, the squeals of the fat pigs and the aroma wafting far and wide marked the happiest time in the village.
If there's a quarrel or disagreement in someone's family, or someone who's petty and calculating, they can just have a drink together and say a few kind words and it'll all be over.
The fact that the Li family is the backbone and leader of everyone has never changed.
Today, to welcome back home, we must make it even more festive and joyful!
Grandma Li and her daughter-in-law Tao Hongying have always been the most beloved and supported women of all ages in the village.
It wasn't that the villagers disliked Wan'er, Wenjuan, or even Zhao Yuru.
Zhao Yuru is a woman of few words and gentle nature, not a good subject for gossip.
Wan'er and Wenjuan were both refined young ladies who had been studying and writing since childhood. However, there was always a slight distance between them and the villagers; they were respected but not close enough.
Unlike Tao Hongying, who has a straightforward temper and speaks frankly, the women in the village dare to laugh along with her, slapping their thighs and gossiping about whatever comes to mind.
But when facing Wan'er and Wenjuan, he had to carefully craft his words before daring to utter them...
Once inside her backyard, with the villagers staying in front, Old Lady Li finally breathed a sigh of relief and said with a smile, "The villagers are so hospitable. It's so much more lively at home."
Wan'er then had a chance to step forward and bow, replying, "I hear the villagers say almost every day that they miss Grandma. Now that you're back, everyone is so happy."
Grandma Li looked her eldest granddaughter-in-law over and over, then patted her hand and said, "Wan'er, you've been working so hard these past few days. While we were away, you had to take care of the Earl's mansion and the village, look after your sister, and look after the children. It's been too tiring for you."
"Now that your aunt and I are back, you should rest well. After Grandma recovers for a few days, we'll take you to the jewelry store to buy a big, solid gold bracelet!"
Everyone laughed upon hearing this and couldn't help but look at Jiayin.
When it comes to solid gold bracelets, Jiayin is definitely her favorite.
Over the years, she's really "corrupted" the old lady. When it comes to rewarding her granddaughter-in-law, the first thing she thinks of is a solid gold bracelet.
Wan'er smiled too, feeling incredibly warm inside.
Mothers-in-law and daughters-in-law are always scheming against each other, wishing they could fight to the death.
But in the Li family, she was just fulfilling her duties as a daughter-in-law, but her great-grandmother felt sorry for her hard work and asked for a reward.
What happiness this is!
With a family like that, any daughter-in-law in the world would be willing to work herself to death.
"Grandma, this is all I should do. I was hoping that when you and Aunt Si come back, you can see where I handled things wrong and then teach me properly."
"But there's no rush. You should take good care of yourself. If you really feel that I deserve a reward after some time, then I will definitely not refuse. I will definitely choose the heaviest gold bracelet!"
Grandma Li laughed heartily, took Yuanyuan and bounced her around, replying, "Just looking at how well Yuanyuan is being raised, I should buy you another pair!"
Seeing that her grandmother looked tired, Jiayin busied herself finding clothes and opening the hot spring room.
After waiting for a while, Granny Liu and the others finally had a chance to prove themselves.
They urged Granny Chang and Xia Qing to rest, and then took over the task of serving their master.
Soon, Old Lady Li took a bath, changed into clean and cool clothes, and fell asleep on the kang (a heated brick bed).
As for Tao Hongying, she couldn't stay still at all. After changing into clean clothes, she went to the front with Wan'er.
Jiayin sat by the kang (a heated brick bed), watching over her grandmother, fanning herself again and again, just like when her grandmother took care of her when she was a child.
Shui Ling, Shui Yun, and the others watched and quietly slipped away...
The weather was too hot, and people inside and outside the capital, whether busy making a living or wealthy and leisurely, all changed their habits as long as conditions allowed.
Instead of going home at sunset, he went outside.
Those who had no money in their pockets would squat under the shade of trees on the street and chat with their neighbors.
Those with money in their pockets would invite three or five friends to get together and have a nice meal.
The hottest food in the city recently is cyclamen cold noodles.
Actually, cold noodles don't require much skill; compared to many other foods, they're quite simple.
In the past few days, many restaurants and eateries in the city have followed suit and started selling cold noodles.
But they couldn't argue with that; Cyclamen was the undisputed leader, accounting for 80% of the customers and revenue.
Both dishes consist of rice noodles with a sweet and sour broth, a few slices of braised meat, and a small handful of fresh side dishes, but the one from Cyclamen tastes better.
Cold noodles are more chewy, braised meat is more fragrant, and spicy cabbage is more appetizing.
Moreover, the sweet and sour soup is covered with ice crystals, and one sip makes your whole body scream with coolness.
Even before the sun sets, Cyclamen Restaurant is already packed with people, and it's impossible to find a seat.
Liu Zhiheng has been spending most of his time in Xindu lately, so his colleagues inevitably have to take on more tasks. After squatting in the fields for so long, they've all gotten tanned like black mudfish.
Today, all his colleagues finally returned, so Liu Zhiheng quickly brought them over for a big meal as compensation and a thank you gift.
As soon as they entered, they were all taken aback by the lively scene before them.
Several colleagues, in particular, stared wide-eyed.
They've only been away from Xindu for two months, have things changed that much?
No one is cooking dinner anymore; everyone is gathering at the cyclamen restaurant.
Liu Zhiheng saw this and felt proud.
He laughed and said, "A new dish has recently been introduced here called cold noodles, and it's become incredibly popular. I brought you here today specifically to try it; I guarantee you'll love it."
After saying that, he called for the waiter.
The young waiter was so busy he was dizzy. When he saw that they were acquaintances, he quickly smiled and bowed, then led them to the reception room in the backyard.
Because both the lobby and the private rooms upstairs were already full.
Liu Zhiheng ordered the food, but when Jia Huan didn't come over, he asked her a question.
Two updates today!
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