Jiang Shuyun's return means that the Chinese New Year is not far away.
Jiang Shuyun added to or subtracted from the New Year's gifts prepared by Mu Yi'an, and then Butler Li took Li Li to the prefectural city to deliver the gifts.
Mu Yi'an had finished settling the accounts and was about to pay the farmhands on the estate and give them New Year's gifts. The shopkeepers also needed to be rewarded; they had worked hard for a year and deserved some incentive.
Jiang Shuyun couldn't help, so she took the child back to see her parents, then her in-laws, and delivered the New Year's gifts. The two split up and got busy.
After receiving their wages, the farmhands each received a pork belly, a piece of mutton, a piece of floral cloth, and a piece of gray cloth.
"Everyone has worked hard this year. There are only two days left until the Chinese New Year. Everyone can take their wages and New Year's gifts and go home to have a prosperous New Year."
After the New Year, and after the Lantern Festival (the fifteenth day of the first lunar month), we'll resume work in our village.
"Thank you, boss!"
The farmhands were all smiles; they had earned quite a bit this year, mainly by saving it all up.
The farmhands were sent away; Xu Wu drove the oxcart to see them off.
“Uncle Jiang Hua, you and your family of four will spend the New Year on the estate. I will settle your wages separately during this period.”
"Boss, no need, we were supposed to work for a year anyway."
Jiang Hua did a good job this year; he cleaned the pigsty and sheepfold promptly and spread lime on time.
The biggest fear when raising livestock is the risk of disease.
Later, Mu Yi'an also asked Doctor Chu to help her prepare some Chinese herbal medicines that could disinfect and sterilize. She would regularly boil them and spray them on the pens.
Mu Yi'an was satisfied with the work attitude of Uncle Jiang Hua's family of four, and the Jiang family was also very content with their life on the estate.
They ate well, lived well, and most importantly, Jiang Hua's wife's health gradually recovered. At least she wasn't sick or taking medicine anymore, and she could do some light work.
"Uncle Hua, one thing at a time. They are all long-term workers. They have holidays, and so do you."
However, since your work requires constant human intervention and your families are all together, you will receive the appropriate benefits.
When I go back to pay respects to my ancestors for the New Year, I'll tell Xu Wu and the others to look after the livestock pens.
Mu Yi'an doesn't discriminate; if you don't rest, you get overtime pay.
Mu Yi'an gave Xu Wu's family a monthly allowance and a New Year's gift. They had a contract of servitude, so they could only stay on the estate during the New Year.
After settling things at the estate, I went to the shop.
Manager Tong has already taken inventory of the goods, and the accounts are clear.
Mu Yi'an didn't see any other work to do; she just gave some instructions to Manager Tong, and the New Year's gifts had already been distributed.
"Manager Tong, you've worked hard!"
Mu Yi'an handed over a red envelope, which was prepared specifically for Manager Tong.
"Thank you, boss. Happy New Year in advance!"
Manager Tong is very satisfied with her current job and also with her employer.
After finishing the arrangements in the county, Steward Li returned.
"Madam, everything has been taken care of. The New Year's gifts have been delivered to each family, and we have also received their return gifts. Here is the gift list."
Mu Yi'an took it and glanced at it, then understood.
"Butler Li, you must be tired from your journey. Tomorrow, we're heading back to the village. You and your family can stay here and look after the house. Uncle Li is also coming back, so it'll be a good opportunity for a family reunion."
"Thank you, ma'am. We're not tired at all, really."
Butler Li is now full of energy, free from infighting and dirty tricks, and sleeps soundly at night.
Mu Yi'an didn't say anything. She had already told them who she wanted to take back, and the rest would stay in the county for the New Year.
The houses in Jiangjia Village are too small and there aren't enough rooms for all the people.
This year, Jiangjia Village has earned a considerable income from growing watermelons, and the village is filled with a festive atmosphere for the Chinese New Year.
Every household had red couplets pasted on their doors, and skillful hands had even cut paper-cuts for the windows. Red lanterns were hung high, creating a festive atmosphere.
The old house hasn't changed much; the New Year's Eve dinner was prepared by Granny Xing and Sister Lin together.
Jiang Qi is getting married after the New Year. Doctor Chu had Matchmaker Huang come over before the New Year to discuss the wedding date.
Jiang's parents thought that with the provincial examination this year, after Jiang Qi got married, Shuheng and Shuyun would also have a quiet time to study.
Therefore, of the three dates provided by the Chu family, the closest one was chosen: the 18th day of the first lunar month.
Mu Yi'an thought it was a good idea. The dowry had been prepared before the New Year, and while Shu Yun was at home, she happily prepared for Jiang Qi's wedding.
The first day of the Lunar New Year was the same routine: visiting relatives and friends, with people coming and going in an endless stream.
On the third day of the Lunar New Year, Mu Yi'an was going back to her parents' home.
Nothing much changed in the Mu family this year. Mu Yi didn't participate in the provincial examination. His marriage was basically settled, and after the New Year, Mu's parents would go to the prefectural city for the two families to meet.
After the fifth day of the Lunar New Year, things started getting busy at Mu Yi'an's house.
The furniture that had been made for Jiang Qi was brought back one by one.
Fang Mianhua and Sister-in-law Song helped make the clothes and bedding. Mu Yi'an prepared several sets of cotton and silk bedding, both thin and thick.
Jiang Qi already received her betrothal gifts, so Mu Yi'an didn't prepare any jewelry. Instead, he bought twenty acres of fertile land and a shop near the county town as part of Jiang Qi's dowry.
These two items cost Mu Yi'an three hundred taels of silver, the rest cost about one hundred taels, and the remaining one hundred taels was kept as a dowry.
The dowry that Doctor Chu originally gave was thirty-eight tiers, and what Mu Yi'an prepared made up ten tiers, for a total of forty-eight tiers, which was comparable to that of the legitimate daughter of a minor official.
"Jiang Qi, here is the land deed for twenty acres, the shop deed, and the indenture of the Lin family of three. Keep these safe."
This hundred taels is for you to keep hidden away; it's your dowry prepared by your second brother and me. This time, you will definitely be happy.
"Second sister-in-law, sob sob..."
Jiang Qi knew that her second sister-in-law had prepared a dowry for her, but she didn't expect it to be so much.
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