Chapter 742: Winter Solstice (Updated on October 3)
The winter solstice in the Jin Dynasty was the second most important festival after the New Year. The emperor would offer sacrifices to heaven on this day, officials and wealthy families would offer sacrifices to gods, and the common people would offer sacrifices to their ancestors.
On this day, the city gates at the border will be closed and a truce will be observed. Soldiers will have a day off to rest, officials will have a day off to rest, and even merchants on the street will have a day off to rest.
Therefore, people will prepare various ingredients one or two days before the winter solstice, so as to avoid being unable to buy anything on the street on the day of the winter solstice.
Every year, places like provincial schools and academies also have winter solstice holidays.
When they were in Qili Village, Mr. Zhuang usually only gave them three days off, but when they arrived in Yizhou City, they found out that the provincial school generally gave them five days off.
Old Lady Liu arrived in Yizhou City on the day Bai Shan was on holiday.
This time she brought her daughter-in-law Zheng as well.
It is naturally not convenient for the mother-in-law and daughter-in-law to live in the small courtyard, but their original villa is too far away from here, even farther away than the city gate.
Bai Shan was still worried about where his grandmother and mother would stay when they arrived, but after picking them up at the city gate, the convoy went directly to Huanxi Street next to Kangxue Street, and then they stopped in front of a courtyard.
Bai Shanxian jumped out of the car, looked up at the plaque, and saw the words "Bai's House" written on it, and was stunned for a moment.
Madam Liu helped Nanny Liu get out of the car. Seeing her grandson was stunned, she smiled and said, "Don't look at it. This is your home. There will be plenty of opportunities to see it later. Let's go in first."
After entering the gate, Manbao was amazed. He walked to Bai Shan and whispered, "Your family has a house in Yizhou City, why haven't I heard you mention it?"
Bai Erlang also rushed up from behind, "Yeah, didn't you say that your villa is far away, too far from Kangxue Street, and it's inconvenient?"
Bai Shan: "...I just found out about this myself."
Nanny Liu helped Madam Liu to the main courtyard. There were three courtyards in total, and there were three rows of people lined up side by side. It was very large.
At least from what Manbao saw, one courtyard was about the same size as the small courtyard they lived in now, and there were eight such courtyards here, including the large courtyard in the main hall, which made a total of nine.
Madam Liu sat down in the first seat and explained to Bai Shan, "This is the courtyard our family just bought. After you were admitted to the provincial school, I had people pay attention to it. It took a lot of effort to buy it, and it was renovated not long ago."
Madam Liu smiled and asked, "What do you think of this courtyard?"
Bai Shan nodded and said, "It looks good."
"Then how about you and Mr. Zhuang move in?"
Bai Shan thought for a moment and then shook her head, "Grandma, we're used to living in the small courtyard, and it's closer to the school. To go to school from this courtyard, we have to go around and through the gate, and then go to the main street to get to the school. It's quite far."
Madam Liu smiled slightly, patted his hand and said, "If you don't want to, forget it. I won't force you. Just stay here for a few days. I'll have the servants clean up the room for you."
He added, "I'll send someone to invite Mr. Zhuang over later. He's your teacher and has helped you a lot. We just arrived in Yizhou City, so we have to thank him properly."
Bai Shan happily agreed.
Madam Liu then looked at Manbao, took her hand and pulled her towards her. After taking a closer look at her, she smiled and said, "It's only been a few months since we last met. You've grown taller and become more beautiful."
Manbao's eyes lit up with joy, and he kept asking, "Really? Really?"
"Really? If you don't believe me, ask your Aunt Zheng."
Zheng smiled and nodded, "She's getting prettier and prettier, especially her face, which is so fair and tender."
As she said that, she couldn't help but reach out and pinch it.
Manbao:...She knew that as soon as she saw Aunt Zheng, she would pinch her face.
Madam Liu looked at him with a smile and praised Manbao a lot. This time, she looked at Bai Erlang and continued to praise him, "Erlang has become more handsome and taller. How are your studies going?"
Bai Erlang, who was originally very happy to hear the praise, suddenly felt upset. Why do adults always ask about people's academic performance after praising them?
Although Mrs. Liu had just moved in, she had asked someone to repair and clean the room in advance. Since there were many people with her this time, everything was quickly cleaned up and the kitchen began to get busy preparing for tonight's dinner.
Before Mr. Zhuang arrived, Old Madam Liu pulled the three of them aside and started talking. "On the winter solstice, the Bai family in Kangxue Street will hold a banquet. You three should come with us."
She smiled at Bai Erlang and said, "Your father will also be here tomorrow. We will go together the day after tomorrow."
Bai Erlang: "Why is my father going too? Isn't that a relative of yours?"
Bai Shan: "...Are you stupid? Your last name is Bai too?"
Manbao laughed heartily and said happily, "Shanbao's father is your cousin. Aren't your cousin's people also your father's people?"
Bai Erlang finally realized what was happening, and then he said angrily, "My father never told me that Bai Shan had memorized some kind of family tree. I never memorized it, so how would I know who the third branch of Longzhou Zhizi Hall was?"
Madam Liu said with a smile, "That's your father's fault. I'll tell him later, how can a son of an aristocratic family not memorize his family tree?"
She explained the relationship to them, "Moving into a new house is a great joy. The man who moved here is your cousin. His given name is Yu, and he's the eldest son of the third branch of the Zhizi Hall in Longzhou. He's the fourth generation from our branch, and the fifth generation from yours."
So the blood relationship and relationship are not very close.
Madam Liu smiled and said, "Although we are not closely related by blood, we are still of the same clan and live in a foreign land. It is natural for us to connect with each other, which is why he sent out invitations. Since he has invited us, we should go."
"But in terms of relationship, his family is closer to my aunt who married into Yizhou City. Bai Yu's father is my aunt's cousin..."
Madam Liu said, "Auntie, you should call her Grandma. Her son Qiao Ji is the Chief Secretary of the Provincial Government, and Bai Yu is the Deputy Minister of the Imperial Guard."
Bai Shan said: "They are both fifth-grade, but Bai Yu is half a grade higher than Qiao Ji."
Madam Liu knocked his head and said, "You should call me uncle."
Then he said, "But when it comes to real power, your uncle Qiao is still more powerful. But these things are not something you kids should consider."
Madam Liu smiled and said, "All you need to know is these things. When you visit someone's home, just observe the etiquette. As for the rest, have fun and eat as you please, and don't fight or make mischief. Got it?"
The three of them agreed.
Madam Liu then pulled Manbao aside and said with a smile, "On that day, you will follow me and your Aunt Zheng. Since you have just arrived in Yizhou City, you should get to know more girls of the same age so that you can play together."
Manbao thought of Sister Fu, who was far away in Jiangnan, and nodded, saying, "I understand, Grandma Liu. I will be friendly to people and make good friends."
Bai Shan said from the side: "I think it's a bit difficult."
Madam Liu patted him gently and said, "Don't bully your sister."
"What sister? She's still my senior sister."
Good night
(End of this chapter)
Continue read on readnovelmtl.com
