The little girl was especially happy today. The padded jacket she was wearing was nice and warm, as were her cotton-padded pants and shoes.
She had never worn such warm and beautiful clothes before.
She knew that the clothes and food were all gifts from her third uncle, so when she saw Zhao Dashu in the old Sun family's courtyard, she called out loudly, "Hello, Third Uncle!"
Zhao Dashu was taken aback. The little girl seemed to know how to handle people better than her parents. "Hmm, how are you? Are you still cold?"
"It's not cold anymore, you're dressed warmly today."
Zhao Dashu patted her head and took out two candies from his pocket.
Pear Blossom and Little Rain especially love this candy. There's only one shop in the city that sells it, and it's quite expensive—eight hundred coins for half a catty. He habitually takes a few with him when he goes out, so his daughter can have some whenever she wants.
I gave the little girl two, and I still have six in my pocket. That should be enough for my daughter.
Li glanced at her daughter, then at Zhao Dashu, and pursed her lips.
Wang and Zhao Dawen had no idea what had gotten into their third son, why he was suddenly being so kind and gentle to a little girl.
Da Zhuzi and Madam Pan exchanged glances. It seemed their younger sister was quite capable. Wait, their third uncle seemed to genuinely like the girl. Could it be that he disliked his nephews because he couldn't bear sons?
"It's cold outside, let's go inside and play."
"My third uncle went in too, and my third aunt and cousin went in as well."
Zhao Dayong raised an eyebrow, surprised that his daughter was so sweet-talking. Zhao Di and the others had taught her countless times to flatter Xiaoyu, but she always refused, saying she couldn't bring herself to do it.
This younger one seems much smarter than the eldest daughter; perhaps she can tear open the crack in the third son's family's relationship where no one can take advantage.
I didn't realize that she still remembered to bring her candy even when she went out.
Zhao Dashu said he'd rather stand in the yard in the cold wind than go into his mother's room because the smell was too strong. He didn't bring his grandson today to avoid upsetting the child, but they left some milk for him.
"There are too many people in the room, why don't you go to the main room?"
Let him die alone if he's going to, as long as his wife and children don't suffer.
"You can eat in the main room later. Your uncles, your grandma, and I will eat together. The house is so small, it can't accommodate so many people."
Dad's smart!
"Okay, let's go to the main room."
Zhao Xiaoyu, Song Shi, and Xiao Lei went into the main hall without hesitation, while Zhao Dashu could only bite the bullet and go to the main house.
"Big brother, second brother, what are you standing there for? It's so cold outside, isn't it? Come in and chat with your mother!"
Okay, let them go in.
When Zhao Dashu went inside, he found that the smell had faded, to the point that it was almost odorless, and even had a pleasant fragrance. Upon closer inspection, he discovered that incense was being burned in the room.
Last time he told Mrs. Huang that the house smelled bad, they cleaned it? And even lit incense?
These people made a good purchase; they have good judgment.
Deserves a reward!
Zhao Dashu gave the group an approving look, and the women were happy. Their efforts yesterday had not been in vain; their master was satisfied.
From now on, they will make sure to clean the house thoroughly before their master comes, so that he doesn't smell anything unpleasant.
"Mom, are you happy that we've all come to have dinner with you on the Winter Solstice?"
“They all come over on the Winter Solstice even when you’re not home.”
Old Mrs. Sun originally thought that her third son's return would be a support for her, but who knew he would turn out to be such an ingrate.
"It turns out that it doesn't matter whether my mother has me or not."
Old Mrs. Sun instantly snapped out of her daze. She was so used to arguing with people that she forgot the person in front of her was a great demon, someone she couldn't defeat.
"How could that be? With your whole family back, my house is even more lively. I'm too happy to even have time to celebrate. It's the same whether you're here or not."
All three are the same; it's better not to have any at all.
"That's good. I thought it wouldn't matter whether Mom had me or not!"
The eldest and second eldest Zhao brothers both felt that their mother and third brother's conversation was a bit strange, but they couldn't quite put their finger on what was wrong. In short, it seemed different from before.
Seeing Zhao Dashu standing there, Huang went over and moved a stool in front of them.
"Mom, the kitchen just said they made your favorite cabbage dumplings and scallion and pork dumplings. Eat more of them later."
Zhao Dayong made conversation, saying that his mother used to be very stingy, and every year when he came to spend the winter solstice with her, she would make different kinds of dumplings.
She ate scallion dumplings with more meat than vegetables, while they ate cabbage and pork dumplings with more vegetables than meat. The most outrageous thing was that she ate refined flour dumplings, while they ate dark flour dumplings.
My third brother is here today, and they can guarantee that I won't make two kinds of dumplings, nor will I limit the quantity. They can eat their fill today.
With the third son around, they can also enjoy some good fortune.
"Yeah?"
Old Mrs. Sun doesn't really crave meat or dumplings; she simply can't control her love for food.
"Third brother, eat more later."
"Don't worry, Mother, I won't be polite when I come here."
Old Mrs. Sun really didn't want to get close to her youngest son; she was getting angry just talking to him, feeling so frustrated.
"Your wife and the others didn't come today?"
“How could I not come to celebrate the festival with my mother? I’ll sit in the main room with my sister-in-law and the others. This room isn’t very big; it can’t hold so many people.”
"That's true, it's good to have you all with me."
No, I'm not. My mother is really acting strange today. But she's always been acting strange. Ever since she became unable to move, her temper has become even more unpredictable, and she's been very solitary.
"Mom, it's rare for the third son to come home, so the whole family will definitely come to spend the holiday with you."
"Really? Your third brother has always been very filial."
She fell silent after saying that. Filial piety? Today is a holiday and everyone is eating her food. Has anyone brought her any gifts?
Old Mrs. Sun wished she could live alone. Having these unfilial children made her even angrier, and she felt sorry for the lack of food and meat they had eaten that day.
The more I thought about it, the more afraid I'd be eaten out of house and home. "What did you guys bring me for the holiday today?"
The eldest and second eldest, who only had mouths, took a step back and remained silent.
Xu Laosan shrugged. "I originally wanted to discuss holiday gifts with my elder brother and the others yesterday, but they didn't mention it."
They don't take him along, and if anyone is unfilial, it's the eldest son.
"Eldest son?" Old Mrs. Sun was a little angry. When the old man was still alive, they wouldn't dare to be so presumptuous. They were clearly bullying this old woman, weren't they?
"Mom, can I bring two cabbages from home later?"
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