Apart from working at the county medicine shop, Liu Yuhan would go back and forth to the provincial capital. She wanted to build a new house in the provincial capital, and Huo Dong was reluctant to let her be busy with this.
He sent people to buy furniture according to Liu Yuhan's idea, including beds, wardrobes, tabletops, stools, and even furniture for the main room.
Liu Yuhan was afraid he'd buy decorations too, so she secretly took a number of decorative bottles and other items from her space. She bought some ornamental potted plants for the front yard, leaving the backyard empty for growing vegetables. She hung a plaque on the gate that read "Liu's Residence." "Mansion" couldn't be placed randomly.
While she was busy decorating, General Huo's birthday arrived.
Huo Dong sent someone to Fulai Village to pick up the Liu family early in the morning. This was also agreed in advance.
Liu Yuhan has already set aside a room to live in temporarily. She will be staying in the provincial capital for the next few days.
People in the capital already knew that the Huo family had married a farming family in Changle County.
Many wealthy people were surprised and couldn't believe it. Some of the girls who were waiting to get married had a crush on Huo Dong and were heartbroken...
General Huo did not come back for his birthday party last year, and he did not invite anyone to his birthday party this year. However, people who paid attention to the Huo Mansion found that the Liu family had arrived around noon, and it seemed that good things were about to happen to the two families.
General Huo and several of his grandchildren met them at the gate of the mansion.
Old Lady Jiang, Liu Daling, and the others were all a little restrained as it was their first time entering such a luxurious mansion. Aunt Fu supported Old Lady Jiang and led her forward. Aunt Fu was in high spirits recently because of the good news. The eldest young master had finally gotten engaged, and the object was a young lady from the Liu family. The young lady from the Liu family was a good girl, and the master and the mistress would be relieved if they knew about it.
They sat in the main room and chatted casually, and the Liu family gradually relaxed.
Liu Yuhan originally only prepared two brushes for General Huo, but later, since he thought that the two were engaged and the old general liked calligraphy and painting, he spent nearly ten days painting a picture of pine and crane.
Pine is the "king of all trees", an evergreen tree that does not wither in winter, so it is regarded as a fairy creature. Pine is often a symbol of longevity, used to celebrate birthdays and symbolize immortality.
“When a crane is a thousand years old, it turns grey, and when it is another two thousand years old, it turns black. It is called the black crane.” Therefore, “crane longevity,” “crane age,” and “crane calculation” are used as birthday greetings.
The pine and crane paintings not only imply increased blessings and longevity, but also praise the character of the elderly, who are as noble as cranes and as ambitious as pine trees.
There is a poem inscribed in the lower right corner of the painting: May you be rich and glorious, please sing a poem to wish you a long life, and may you be as strong as pine and cypress and as majestic as the mountains.
General Huo was all smiles when he received the pen and painting and couldn't put them down.
"Okay, granddaughter-in-law, you are so thoughtful. Grandfather is very satisfied. Thank you."
Liu Yuhan was a little embarrassed.
"From now on, can you call me grandpa like Yan Ping?"
"Yes. Grandfather."
"Oh, good, good boy. If Yan Ping dares to treat you badly in the future, tell your grandfather and I will take care of him. From now on, the Huo Mansion is also your home."
"Yes. Grandfather."
"Yan Ping, take out the things I prepared."
"Yes, grandpa." Huo Dong came out from the inner room carrying a big box.
General Huo took out a slightly larger wooden box from the big box.
"This is my welcome gift to you. It should have been given to you long ago. A gift from an elder cannot be refused. Granddaughter-in-law, take this."
Liu Yuhan looked at Huo Dong who was standing next to the old general, and Huo Dong nodded at her.
"Thank you, Grandpa." Liu Yuhan bent over and took it with both hands.
"This is for Liu Yang. He is a good boy and will achieve great things in the future." The old general gave Liu Yang a peace locket of excellent quality.
Liu Yang took it with both hands and thanked him.
General Huo also gave jade pendants to Liu Guang, Liu Lu, Liu Yao, Liu Yun, Xiao Si and Xiao Wu, and safety buckles.
"Old General, lunch is ready."
"Okay. In-laws, shall we take our seats? Please."
In accordance with the old general's request, the Huo family set up two large tables in another large hall, one for the men and one for the women. Everyone ate and drank as usual, enjoying themselves.
After lunch, they sat for a while and then said goodbye. Liu Yuhan and Huo Dong took them to see the Liu residence.
Old Mrs. Jiang and others had heard from Liu Yuhan that he had bought a house in the provincial capital, but they had not yet visited it.
Seeing that the house was so new, so big and so nice, and that all the furniture inside had been put in place, the Liu family members were extremely happy as they touched and looked here and there.
"Sister Han, this house is so big and nice."
"Grandpa, there's a door in the backyard. Behind the door is a large piece of fertile farmland. It belongs to our family. It's a full 30 acres."
"Really?! Then Grandpa has to go and see it."
"Okay, let's go check it out."
Liu Yuhan led them to open the small door in the backyard, and it turned out to be a fertile field where crops were still being grown.
"Is this the piece of land? They're still growing crops here?"
"Grandpa, this piece of land is all mine. We've also bought the grain together. We'll just send people to harvest it when the time comes." Huo Dong said.
"Yeah. It was all handled by Brother Huo Dong, and he was the one who found the place."
"Thank you, Huo kid. You really understand us. It's good to have a field."
"Grandpa, there's no need to be polite to me. Grandpa, to the left is an official road, and the provincial school is five miles ahead. It will be convenient for Liu Lu to go to the provincial school in the future."
"Good. Very good."
Except for Liu Yuhan, all the Liu family members returned to Fulai Village. They were going to pack Liu Yang's luggage, as he would set off with Huo Dong the day after tomorrow.
As the sun sets, Liu Yuhan and Huo Dong sit side by side under the eaves of the Liu family's house. Liu Yuhan leans on Huo Dong's shoulder. The two of them don't say anything, but they feel that time has passed so quickly.
"Xiao Han, what are you thinking about?" Huo Dong hugged Liu Yuhan in his arms and gently stroked her long hair.
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