When Gu Zhengkai came in, he overheard the end of their conversation. Jiang Qiao gave her seat to her uncle so that Gu Zhengkai could also be influenced by the elders.
She got up and went back into the house to pack her things, and also brought over the clothes and shoes she had brought with her to everyone.
After listening to the elders' analysis, Gu Zhengkai was impressed, but he still had some doubts. However, he didn't say anything in front of the elders.
In fact, Ma Liu's analysis was just his own, and he didn't know if it was true. However, he was a member of the family, and he couldn't feel at ease if he didn't speak out. His purpose was simply to remind everyone.
"Alright, just be more careful with your words and actions in the future. There's nothing to be afraid of; it's just a trend."
"Come on, come on, it's the New Year, let's not talk about unhappy things. One set for each of you, take a look, I've already written your names on them."
Gu Zhengkai chuckled and pulled out his package. "Wow, this is all prepared, inside and out."
"That's right, I'm the head steward of our family now, Grandpa Liu. Doesn't the head steward manage everything?"
Ma Liuchong gave Jiang Qiao a thumbs up. "That's right. Don't underestimate the Grand Steward. He's in charge of everything from food and clothing to housing and transportation. If the Grand Steward wants the Emperor to drink old tea, he'll never get to drink new tea."
Gu Zhengkai was surprised. "Ah, there's such a thing? The emperor is really pitiful."
Ma Liu just smiled and then didn't continue the topic. "Where are the kids? Where did the two brothers go?"
"They went to play with the other kids outside. Qi Xiang and the others called them to go out and set off firecrackers together. It's rare for the kids to be in this mood all year round, so let them play."
Gu Zhengkai took off his gloves. The feeling of setting off firecrackers was good; it seemed that any bad mood would vanish with the sound of the firecrackers.
"Uncle, I've boiled the water. In a little while, why don't you go in with the grandfathers to take a bath? Let's have a fresh start in the new year, get rid of the old and dust, and have a good spirit for the coming year."
"Okay, Dad, I'll go with you to take a bath."
Gu Zhengkai helped the three old men into the bathing room. Jiang Qiao had already prepared the water and lit the brazier. What's more, there were washed fruits and wine next to the bath tub.
"My goodness, even the Empress Dowager's treatment isn't this good, is it? Hehe, let's enjoy it this time too. Oh my, why do I feel like our Qiao'er is so thoughtful?"
Gu Zhengkai helped Qiao Jie take off her clothes and helped the old man into the bathtub. "That's right, our Qiao'er is the best girl in the world, without exception, the only one. I've never seen a child more worry-free than this girl."
Qiao Jie nodded. "Yeah, that's right. Even though I live with Ya Tou, she takes care of everything for me. Zheng Kai, peel an orange for your uncle. I'll eat it while I soak it."
Gu Hanting certainly knows how to enjoy life. He poured himself a glass of wine, and while the old man was in the bathtub, he started drinking first. "Oh my, old brother, don't you think we're the most fortunate old folks? I don't think I ever enjoyed this kind of treatment when I was young. Fruit and wine have been prepared for us."
Outside, Jiang Qiao called out, "Uncle, I've left the clothes and tea at the door. Help yourselves out. Give my three grandfathers a good rub."
Ma Liu ate the apple with relish, shaking his head and saying, "Oh dear, who would have thought I, Ma Liu, would be in this situation today—"
Qiao Jie and Gu Hanting smiled at Ma Liu's expression. They could understand Ma Liu's feelings. Back then, who was Ma Liu? He was the one who served others. Now he was enjoying being served. How could his feelings and experiences be the same?
Actually, Jiang Qiao just wanted the old men to have a comfortable bath. Normally, as a girl, she couldn't take care of them, but today, with her uncles at home, it was a perfect opportunity. All she could do was make the arrangements. This physically demanding task really had to be done by Gu Zhengkai.
Gu Zhengkai and the others were taking a bath inside when Zhixuan and his brother returned. They had already distributed all the firecrackers to their friends and had their bonding time. Now it was time to hurry home; it was too cold outside.
"Sister, we're back—"
Jiang Qiao pointed to the bathroom and said, "Come in and help. Grandpa and the others are taking a bath in there. I'll get you some clothes."
Gu Zhixuan pulled his younger brother into the house quickly. There were three old men; if they were to expect their father to finish cooking all by himself, it would take a long time.
While everyone was taking a shower, Jiang Qiao went to the crossroads at the village entrance, burned paper money for each of her deceased relatives, and told them about the events of the past year.
On the way back, they ran into Jiang Xiuqi and a few other people. "Hey, uncles, what are you doing? Why aren't you with your families on New Year's Eve? Why are you out here?"
Jiang Xiuqi smiled and said, "I brought people out to check things out. It wouldn't be good if they caught fire because of the firecrackers."
"Why don't you come and sit at our house for a while?"
Jiang Xiuqi waved his hand, "No, I should go back soon. See you tomorrow."
Watching Jiang Xiuqi and the others' retreating figures, Jiang Qiao sighed. Being a team leader isn't easy. While everyone else is sitting together chatting, he has to worry about all sorts of random things. Sigh, with great power comes great responsibility.
When Jiang Qiao returned, Gu Hanting and the others had already come out of the shower. Qiao Jie didn't let them go straight back to the main room. Instead, they were lying on the kang (heated brick bed) in the bathroom, drinking water and chatting. The old man was worried that the two old men might catch a cold during the New Year, which would be inappropriate. Although he and Jiang Qiao were both doctors, it takes time to recover from a cold, and it would be painful for them.
"Grandpa, are you done washing?"
Gu Hanting smiled and nodded, "Your uncle and the others are still washing inside. Girl, there probably isn't enough water in the pot. You should boil some more. You need to wash yourself too, so our whole family can welcome the New Year clean and tidy."
Jiang Qiao smiled and agreed. Qiao Jie called out, "Girl, bring over the needles and cupping jars, let's give everyone cupping and acupuncture."
Jiang Qiao smiled and agreed, then went out to transfer the remaining contents of the large pot into a bucket for Gu Zhengkai and the others to carry outside.
"Uncle, I've added water for you. Please come and get it yourselves."
Gu Zhengkai responded from inside. Jiang Qiao went back to the main room and not only took the cupping jars and needles, but also brewed some medicinal tea and brought it down. She was worried that these few people might catch a cold, as it was considered unlucky to be sick during the New Year, so it was better to take precautions early.
When she went downstairs, Gu Zhengfeng and his two sons had already come out.
Jiang Qiao waved her hand, "You all go lie down on the kang, one by one. Big brother, go add some firewood and watch the fire. You come last."
Everyone's situation is different. After Jiang Qiao and Qiao Jie took each person's pulse, Jiang Qiao was in charge of acupuncture, while Qiao Jie performed cupping on the others. Finally, it was Qiao Jie's turn. After Qiao Jie finished, Jiang Qiao also gave Gu Zhixuan a few acupuncture needles and applied cupping.
"I'm not sick, why are you giving me acupuncture?"
Continue read on readnovelmtl.com