On the fifteenth day of the first lunar month, the Shen family decorated their mansion with a vibrant and energetic atmosphere, with each potted plant carrying an auspicious meaning.
Tian Sangui was begged by Old Mrs. Shen to cook for the old man. Having lived in the Shen family for so long, Tian Sangui naturally wouldn't refuse.
A reunion dinner is of course incomplete without glutinous rice balls. Shen Xing'er came to find Tian Sangui and was immediately attracted by the white balls on the cutting board.
"Big sister, what is this? It's so beautiful!"
Tian Sangui was kneading meatballs by hand and placing them on the table.
"These are called tangyuan, which symbolize reunion!"
"Wow, this is the first time I've ever seen this! I want to come too!"
Shen Xing'er waved her little hands and stomped her feet excitedly.
Tian Sangui was naturally happy to oblige. With her participation, the food would taste even better. How could he say that what he made wasn't delicious?
After helping Shen Xing'er wash her hands, he sat down and taught her how to do it.
"First, make a small round indentation, then put your favorite filling in it, and roll it into a ball again!"
"Hey, easy, I got it!"
Following Tian Sangui's technique, Shen Xing'er did this and that, and a round, jade-like dumpling stood in her palm. She showed off to Tian Sangui, "Big sister, look, isn't it pretty?"
Tian Sangui, who looked over, praised her with a smile: "It's so beautiful, even better than what the eldest sister made."
"Hahaha!"
Lanjuan and her brother joined in the fun.
In the main room, Grandpa Shen, lying on the bed, heard Grandma Shen mutter, "You'll have your favorite little gold bars to eat again tonight!"
"Ah...ah?" Old Master Shen hurriedly opened his blurry eyes, his speech slurred due to his serious illness.
Seeing that he was in great spirits, Old Mrs. Shen was overjoyed and reached out to take Old Master Shen's hand, which was waving around anxiously.
"Yes, yes, San Gui came to our house to cook. Today is the Lantern Festival!"
The old lady could see the joy in the old man's eyes. Miraculously, the old man got up from the bed on his own without anyone's help, although his movements were not smooth.
Tears welled up in the old woman's eyes; she had longed for this day for so many years, and he was finally getting better.
Seeing the old man hastily putting on his shoes and about to leave the room, Old Mrs. Shen was terrified and ordered the servants beside her, "Quick, quick, hold him steady so he doesn't fall!"
The maids and servants swarmed around the old master, completely surrounding him.
Grandma Shen followed behind and arrived at the dining hall. It turned out that Grandpa was here to wait.
"Go quickly and tell everyone in the houses to come over as soon as possible!"
"Yes, Madam!"
The fact that the old man could move was the greatest blessing God had given to the Shen family. His sons, daughters-in-law, grandsons, and granddaughters quickly filled the hall, all kneeling at the old man's knees and offering auspicious wishes.
The hall was filled with a peaceful and festive atmosphere.
As dusk settled, Tian Sangui finished his preparations and the head waitress ordered the maids to serve the dishes.
"Miss Tian, please!" The old woman respectfully invited Tian Sangui to take his seat in the front hall.
"Big sister, let's go!" Shen Xing'er happily took Tian Sangui's arm, but just as she took a step, she remembered something.
Looking back at Lanjuan and her brother, they saw that they were also staring longingly at Tian Sangui.
"Granny, they are my friends, could you...?"
The old woman smiled gently and said, "Miss Tian, please rest assured, this old servant will make all the arrangements. Please take a seat!"
"Don't worry, big sister, I like Sister Lanjuan very much too, and we won't neglect them!"
"Alright, thank you, Granny!"
"please!"
After taking Tian Sangui away, the nanny entertained Lanjuan and her brother in a side room. Every dish on the table was served. This was already the best treatment given to them because of Tian Sangui.
After spending so many days together, the siblings learned that wealthy families had strict rules, and servants and masters could not eat the same cuisine. They were already fortunate to have escaped Tian Sangui's clutches.
"Thank you, Granny!"
"This old servant will not disturb your meal any longer!"
After the nanny left, the siblings, no longer feeling nervous, sat down casually and began to eat heartily.
"I think it's nice not to eat with important people; you can be more carefree and relaxed. Don't you think so, sister?"
"Don't say that to San Gui's face. My brother and I are where we are today thanks to our sister San Gui. We must never forget her kindness!"
"knew!"
In the hall, Shen Xing'er and Tian Sangui entered. The whole family stood up to greet them with smiles on their faces. Even the old master tried to get up, but his legs were not nimble, and he could not stand up after several attempts.
Seeing this, Tian Sangui quickly stepped forward to help the old man sit down, saying, "Your health is not good, please sit down. We are too young to help you get up!"
Everyone laughed politely, but the old man, with tears in his eyes, grabbed Tian Sangui and cried, "Ah...ah!"
Pointing to the seat under the old lady, he settled Tian Sangui there.
The old lady smiled and conveyed the old man's meaning to Tian Sangui, "Sangui, come and do it. If you don't come, the old man won't be happy!"
"Since this is the old master's wish, San Gui, please take a seat!"
"It's rare to see the old man so happy, San Gui, stop dawdling!"
Under the gentle persuasion of the ladies, Tian Sangui could not refuse and took the seat that originally belonged to Shen Li.
I'll apologize to her another day; for now, I'll do as the old man says.
Once everyone was present, they started cooking at the old lady's suggestion.
The maids behind him stepped forward in an orderly fashion to prepare dishes for their masters. Afterward, Tian Sangui followed everyone and picked up a piece of meat from his bowl, chewing it in small bites.
"I heard that San Gui is coming to our prefecture city this time to open a restaurant?"
Madam Shen put down her chopsticks and began to speak.
"Yes, yes, my eldest sister bought the entire shop. My aunt doesn't know how fiercely my eldest sister bargained with the shop owner back then!"
Shen Xing'er proudly spoke up for Tian Sangui.
"She really is a capable child. Look at our silly girl, she still can't even manage a household!"
The second wife jokingly pointed to her own daughter, who was having dinner.
The old lady's smile suddenly stopped, and she picked up her wine glass and took a small sip: "Lily hasn't even learned how to manage a household yet, what's the rush with yours?"
Hearing the old lady's unpleasant tone, the second wife quickly got up with her daughter to apologize.
"Mother, you're overthinking it. Your daughter-in-law was just saying it casually, it was just a joke. Fang'er is still young, it's not too late to wait a few more years!"
The second wife appeared to be apologizing to the old lady, but in reality, she was subtly using a retreat as a tactic to subtly hint at the matter of appointing a housekeeper for her daughter.
How could the old lady not tell? The second wife thought she was clever and shrewd, but little did she know that these little tricks of hers were the same ones the old lady had used back then.
Grandma Shen regained her gentle demeanor, picked up the wine glass in front of her, and raised it high: "Come on, today is the fifteenth, the last day of the New Year. I wish our Shen family a blessed family with both sons and daughters, and great success in all endeavors!"
Then the whole family stood up and greeted them, "Wishing Father and Mother good health, and peace and prosperity!"
Tian Sangui went with the flow, picked up his wine glass and drank it all in one gulp.
Afterwards, everyone took their seats, but the second wife and her daughter remained standing, looking out of place.
The second master felt ashamed, so he pulled his wife's dress and led her to sit down on a chair. Seeing her mother sit down, Fang'er had no reason to stand, so she sat down as well.
The matter was left unresolved.
Tian Sangui witnessed a family power struggle and couldn't help but admire the old lady's superior strategy, as a blessing resolved the conflict between her daughters-in-law.
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