Upon arriving in the county, they split into three groups. The eldest brother and sister-in-law, along with Erxi and Fengyao, went to pay New Year's respects to Master Liu, while the eldest brother, along with Granny Wei and Qingshan, went to the county government office.
At the same time, her family prepared some New Year's gifts to give back to some business associates who had previously visited her family to offer New Year's greetings. These were to be given separately by Lin Fengshou and Shi Tou Xiaohe.
Lin Fengnian, as the eldest son, and Song Mei stayed at home to receive those who came to pay New Year's visits.
Along the streets of the county town, people could be heard exchanging New Year's greetings. In their hands, they were carrying either New Year's gift boxes of braised duck eggs from her family or New Year's gift boxes of persimmon cakes from the persimmon cake workshop. It had become a trend in the county.
People exchanged New Year's greetings and chatted loudly in the streets. Song Anxin overheard the news that Tianqing Wine had already reached this place.
"Did you know that a new kind of wine called Tenqing Wine has appeared in Kyoto? I heard that the wine is as clear as a mountain spring and its aroma is so strong that it could lure down the gods from heaven."
"Is this wine really that magical? I'd love to taste what this wine that can lure down even the gods tastes like."
"Who wouldn't want to? I heard that the sake was served to royalty and nobility that day. We commoners don't know if we'll ever have the chance to drink it even once in our lives."
"........"
"Congratulations, Madam! Congratulations! Once our winery resumes production after the New Year, your family business will surely grow even stronger, and wealth will flow in from all directions."
Granny Wei naturally heard these comments as well. Knowing that her master was engaged in this business, she quickly offered her congratulations.
Song Anxin smiled and said, "Then I'll take your kind words, Granny Wei."
She knew that after today, the owners of restaurants and taverns would probably come looking for her house soon. But to her surprise, she was blocked by these owners when she left the city gate.
Soon they arrived at the county government office. After introducing themselves on the green hill, they were led inside.
"Happy New Year, Madam Hui! Thank you so much for always remembering me." Master Fan accepted Song Anxin's New Year's gift from Qingshan, his usually serious face showing great joy today.
Song Anxin smiled and said, "Master Fan seems especially happy today, is there some good news?"
The magistrate of Yan County sat up and said, "In the frigid north, there is heavy snow every year, and the people suffer greatly during the winter. Many people freeze to death every year. Last year, the weather was even worse and colder as the New Year approached. This morning, I received news that no one has frozen to death there this year. Even beggars have survived by living in the earthen pits of the concentration camp."
"The people in the north not only survived the cold thanks to their heated kang beds, but also had a warm New Year. Master Fan is a northerner who cares deeply about the people, and he is happy for his fellow villagers."
Upon hearing this, Song An felt a sudden mix of emotions. She had wanted to get off the earthen bed because she was afraid of the cold and wanted to give everyone a warm winter. But she never expected that she could help all the people in the north survive the harsh winter, and that it was all because of her.
Master Fan stood up and bowed deeply to Song Anxin, saying, "On behalf of the people of the North, I thank Madam Hui."
Song Anxin quickly stood up and helped him up, saying, "Master Fan, there's no need for such a grand gesture. I'm very happy that this earthen bed can save so many lives in the north."
After chatting with Magistrate Fan for a while, she got up to take her leave and went to the Liu family mansion. When she arrived at the gate of the Liu family mansion, the servants were already waiting at the door. They were led to the reception hall of the Liu family mansion.
In the flower hall, Brother Lin and his wife, along with Master Liu, Madam Su, and Peach Blossom, sat chatting in a very harmonious manner. When Master Liu and Madam Su saw Song Anxin arrive, they quickly stood up and bowed to greet her.
"Madam Hui, it is an honor that you, a busy lady, could still come to our house to pay your respects for the New Year." Madam Su said with a smile, and continued, "Madam Hui, Brother Taohua and Sister-in-law Taohua, it is rare for you to come all this way. Please stay for lunch and let my husband and I treat you well."
"Oh, this is too kind of you, Madam. We won't stay for dinner. We'll just go home and eat," Sister-in-law Lin quickly refused.
"Sister-in-law Peach Blossom, please don't be so polite. It's rare for you all to get together with Aunt Lin during the New Year. It's a blessing for our Liu family that Aunt Lin has a family like yours."
Ms. Su's face remained smiling, showing not a trace of her previous disdain.
Song Anxin was very surprised, but she didn't show it on her face. When did Madam Liu become so kind to them?
Lin Taohua felt increasingly heavy, and the old woman beside her helped her up. She said:
"Yes, elder brother, elder sister-in-law, and second sister-in-law, my husband and wife heard yesterday that you were coming, and the family started preparing early this morning. Please stay and have lunch with us."
When she woke up, Song Anxin noticed that her belly was larger than that of a typical pregnant woman at the same stage of pregnancy, but her complexion was excellent, and she radiated happiness.
Since things had come to this point, and as the saying goes, one doesn't hit a smiling face, Song Anxin and Brother Lin and Sister-in-law Lin agreed.
Upon seeing Song Anxin enter, Master Liu's face showed a hint of eagerness, but considering that Song Anxin was there to offer New Year's greetings, he couldn't just jump straight into these matters. He needed to exchange pleasantries first. After a while, he finally spoke after much hesitation:
“Madam, one of the New Year’s gifts you sent today is quite unique. Would you please come to the study to talk to me about it?”
Song Anxin knew perfectly well that she had included a small bottle of Tianqing wine in the New Year's gifts for all the shopkeepers, and Master Liu's New Year's gift was no exception.
She certainly wouldn't refuse this business that came to her door, so Song Anxin temporarily separated from Master Liu and the others in the flower hall and went to the study of the Liu family mansion.
The study in the Liu family mansion was very large, containing many books and calligraphy and paintings personally inscribed by Master Liu. It seems that although Master Liu was a businessman, he also had the heart of a scholar, which explains why he valued family tradition and reputation so much.
Upon arriving at the study, Master Liu, though eager to get to the bottom of things, still instructed the servants to serve tea and carefully bring out the wine. He then began to speak:
"My lady, I've tasted this wine. It's mellow, with a clear and refreshing aroma, pure to the core. Could this be the wine from the capital...?"
He was unsure and didn't say his last words.
Song Anxin said with a half-smile, "Yes and no. Tianqing wine in the capital is a royal delicacy. I am just a mere seventh-rank lady and dare not take such a risk. However, my wine," she paused, her face showing a deeper meaning, "I can only say that it comes from the same source and is no worse than Tianqing wine."
Song Anxin naturally couldn't use the name Tianqing Wine anymore. It was enough for the higher-ups to know and the lower-ups to know. Sometimes, all they wanted was the title of "royal deity," otherwise, how would the higher-ups squeeze some suckers out of them?
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