Chapter 243 The Visitor on the Third Day of the Lunar New Year
Early on the third day of the Lunar New Year, Jishui Village was still immersed in the tranquility of the new year.
Thick snow covered the fields and rooftops, with only a few wisps of smoke and the occasional sound of firecrackers.
Jiang Ling had just finished a simple breakfast with Xiao Ran and Xiao Yi and was cleaning up the dishes when she heard a series of crisp, rapid hoofbeats coming from outside the courtyard gate:
"Sister Jiang! Sister Jiang! We've come to wish you a Happy New Year!"
Cheng Jiaojiao's voice arrived before she did.
Jiang Ling followed the sound and went outside.
Cheng Jiaojiao, dressed in a festive pomegranate red embroidered gold dress, jumped down from the carriage like a fireball.
He ran up to Jiang Ling in a few steps and affectionately took her arm.
"Sister Jiang, it's been so long, have you missed me?"
Jiang Ling touched her little face, "Of course I did. Didn't I give you all New Year's gifts before the New Year?"
Subsequently, Princess Chaoyang and Pei Xixi also got out of the carriage with the help of their maids.
Princess Chaoyang was dressed in an apricot-yellow palace gown and a white fox fur cloak, with a dignified demeanor;
Pei Xiaoxiao wore a light pink brocade jacket, which made her look delicate and cute.
"Princess Chaoyang, Miss Pei? You've come too. Happy New Year."
Xiao Ran and Xiao Yi also put down their work and came out curiously to greet them.
Princess Chaoyang and Pei Xixi stepped forward, bowed respectfully, and said in unison:
"Sister Jiang! Happy New Year, and may everything go well for you! I apologize for bothering you."
"Happy New Year! I'm so happy you could come, I wouldn't dare disturb you. It's cold outside. Please come in."
Jiang Ling smiled and invited the three distinguished guests into the shop.
As soon as Cheng Jiaojiao entered the door, she eagerly told people to bring her things in:
"Sister Jiang, look! My brother and Brother Jingxing have prepared New Year's gifts for you and asked us to bring them! Originally, my brother and Brother Jingxing wanted to come in person, but they were too busy with things during the New Year to come, so we did it on their behalf."
Cheng Fang and Zhao Jingxing both received New Year's gifts from Jiang Ling. They originally wanted to take some time to come over together, but they were too busy during the New Year to get away.
It's already the third day of the Lunar New Year, so it would be very impolite not to give them a visit.
That's why Cheng Jiaojiao and the others were allowed to come.
Cheng Jiaojiao was naturally very happy. She wished that her brother and Jingxing would be busy so that they would have time to let her out. Otherwise, if the two of them came, they definitely wouldn't take her with them.
Jiang Ling accepted the gift, feeling a warmth in her heart. She said, "Young Master Cheng and Young Master Zhao are too kind. You are so busy, yet you still remembered me. I am very happy that you could come."
"Sister Jiang, please show us your new house! I'm so curious!"
Cheng Jiaojiao grabbed Jiang Ling's arm and said impatiently.
“Okay, this way please.” Jiang Ling readily agreed and led them on a tour.
The new house is a courtyard house with a regular layout. Although it is not as magnificent as the mansions of marquises and princes in the capital, it is clean, neat and ingenious in every way.
The blue brick floor and white plaster walls make the room appear exceptionally bright.
Cheng Jiaojiao remained Jiang Ling's most loyal supporter, marveling at every scene she saw:
"Wow! Sister Jiang, this floor is so smooth! These walls are so white! Wow! This cabinet has such a unique design, it looks like it can hold a lot of things!"
However, upon entering the main room, which served as the bedroom, Princess Chaoyang slightly furrowed her delicate brows, looked around, and then, with a touch of the reserve befitting a royal princess, commented:
"Sister Jiang's room... is very neat and elegant, but... the layout seems a bit small."
She had lived in the Prince's mansion since childhood, and her daily movements were mostly within the palace and the backyards of various officials. Every single one of these was a courtyard with three or six sections.
In her opinion, this courtyard was too small and plain.
"However, I have never seen the style of these furniture before. They look simple, but they have a unique charm and the workmanship is extremely exquisite."
From the moment Pei Xixi stepped into the courtyard, her attention was completely drawn to one thing.
At this moment, she stood at the door of Xiao Yi's room in the east wing, tilting her head back, her small hand gently stroking the window frame, letting out an incredulous exclamation:
"Sister Jiang... is this... is the glass inlaid in this window made of crystal? How can it be so... so big? And so clear and bright!"
She had never seen such a large, flawless, and crystal-clear piece of glass.
You should know that their family are considered high-ranking officials in the capital, and they wouldn't dare use such a large glass piece when decorating their house.
The pale winter sunlight streamed through the window without obstruction, illuminating the entire room brightly, making even the dust particles floating in the air clearly visible.
Jiang Ling smiled slightly and explained, "It's a type of glass, I call it glass. It does let in more light than regular glass windows, so the room is brighter in winter."
Jiang Ling came from the 21st century, so installing a few glass windows was naturally not a big deal for her.
Since she couldn't install electric lights in the house, she could only put more effort into the lighting.
With such a large window installed, at least we don't need to turn on the lights during the day.
Pei Xiaoxiao's eyes were filled with stars. "Such a big glass window! When it snows or rains, we can enjoy the snow and rain from inside the house without having to come out! At night, we can also look at the stars through the glass window!"
Pei Xiaoxiao was overjoyed and couldn't wait to go home, begging her father to renovate her boudoir in the same style.
After the tour, we returned to the shop and sat down.
Jiang Ling turned and went to the kitchen, took out the New Year's snacks she had prepared, and also cut a plate of fresh fruit and brought it out.
The three of them had eaten plenty of snacks and desserts these past few days and had long lost their appetite.
But when the fresh aroma of fruit wafted over, their eyes were drawn to the plate of fruit.
In the dead of winter, it's hard to find even leafy greens, let alone seasonal fruits and vegetables.
Nowadays, all that's left in every household is persimmons.
Cheng Jiaojiao picked up a slice of apple with practiced ease and ate it, squinting her eyes in satisfaction.
"There's still more food here at Sister Jiang's place. I only got to try a little of the fruit Sister Jiang brought last time before my parents put it away."
Jiang Ling considered for a long time before deciding on the New Year's gift she wanted to give them.
Half of them are these fresh fruits and vegetables.
They were all royalty and nobility, possessing countless gold and silver jewelry, and naturally, no shortage of pastries and delicacies.
Even the emperor couldn't conjure up fresh fruits and vegetables in the dead of winter.
Therefore, these are the most suitable gifts.
"Eat more if you like. I still have plenty here. I'll bring some back for you later."
Princess Chaoyang and Pei Xiaoxiao only realized after they came to their senses that Cheng Jiaojiao had already started eating!
This was prepared by Sister Jiang for the three of them, so naturally they couldn't let it go to waste.
After expressing their gratitude, they all started to taste the food.
When you put a variety of sweet and juicy fruits into your mouth, the rich aroma of the fruits spreads to your nose, and the cool stimulation is like a long-awaited rain after a drought.
They all had expressions of enjoyment on their faces.
"These grapes are so sweet! I've never eaten such sweet grapes before!"
"It's amazing that there are still winter melons in this season! How fresh!"
"This peach is so juicy, it's bursting with juice in every bite!"
Continue read on readnovelmtl.com