Chapter 337: More unrestrained

One by one, all the famous families or dignitaries in Xiangshan County reported their families.

There were at least a dozen families, and their gifts to the Liu family piled high in the hall.

The two elders of the Liu family looked at the dazzling array of things worriedly.

“When did we receive these things before? We don’t know any of the people who sent us gifts, so why are they suddenly knocking on our door?” Grandma Liu asked anxiously.

“Those people all mentioned Nannan’s title, so I’m afraid it’s the county lady title they are after. Otherwise, how can the nobles who we could not even climb in the past suddenly send gifts to our country house?”  Grandpa Liu soothed her. “Do not think too much. When people send us gifts, let’s take a stroll and return the favor without our own gift, just as long as we do not lose face.”

“I’m just worried about how to return their gifts. Look at these presents. They are all expensive stuff. The key is we do not need them. How are we supposed to return them? If we return according to this arrangement, it will cost a lot of money.” Grandma Liu was distressed!

Their family’s savings were all the hard work of Nannan and the family’s sons and daughters-in-law to plant fruit trees and herbs. How could they take it just to maintain their dignity?

Hearing his wife’s arguments, Grandpa Liu looked through the gifts, all of which were silk, gold and silver jewelry.

They indeed didn’t need them. They haven’t even used up all the good fabrics stacked up in their coffers.

The women in the family never wore extra gold and silver jewelry to show off.

As for the famous wines and teas, the grandpa felt a bit disdainful. These products couldn’t catch up with the nourishing wine and herbal tea that their Nannan concocted for them.

“Let’s for Nannan to get up, and ask her how to return the favor,” Grandpa Liu said.

This matter was not as simple as it seemed.

At first glance, these seemed to be gifts to their Nannan, to make friends with the County Lady. But people wouldn’t tell them openly what they were plotting behind the scenes.

They were all peasants, country folks and weren’t acquainted with so many means.

If they were blindsided and ignorantly took things at face value, they might cause Nannan trouble. 

Liu Yusheng took a lazy nap, and when she went to the hall with Fu Yuzheng, she saw the whole family worrying about the pile of gifts.

“Grandpa, grandma, dad, mom, second uncle and second aunt, what’s going on?” Liu Yusheng walked toward them and let her eyes fall on those gifts. “Who sent these things?”

The whole family looked at her in unison. “They are all from rich and noble families in the county. We have never dealt with them before, and they are meant for the Ruyi County Lady.”

Liu Yusheng and Fu Yuzheng glanced at each other,  and their eyes flashed with understanding.

“Nannan, do you want to accept these gifts? How are we going to return them? Tell me about it. When the time comes, I will step in. Stay out of it.  I’m worried about those people hitting on you.”

Liu Yusheng nodded and smiled. “Okay.”

This was actually just to reassure the elderly.

The people who sent gifts had explicitly said that they were for Ruyi Count Lady. There was no way she could get rid of the relationship.

People in the county town would act without delay upon hearing news from the court; so they probably caught wind of something from the imperial capital.

It wasn’t the Ruyi County Lady they were wanting to climb, but the King of Nanling.

“It’s just some ordinary New Year’s gift, so don’t be so nervous. I guess those rich and noble families see Nannan become a County Lady and want to make some good friends. Let’s just treat it as common.” Fu Yuzheng also reassured the elders. “In the capital, it is very common to send gifts to each other in the same circle to keep the friendship. Even if the gift is accepted, it is not a big deal. Others can not pinpoint anything.”

“Is that really the case?”

“It is.”

The two girls smiled calmly, and the family’s hearts also calmed down.

They didn’t quite understand the doctrines of the upper class, but they often heard the sordidness between the rich and the powerful, so they inevitably worried more.

On the contrary, they felt not the tiny bit of excitement of being included as an equal in the upper class circle at all.

To them, it didn’t matter if they were recognized or not, regardless of their status. They were just ordinary farmers living in Xinghua Village, living their lives in peace and quiet. They did not need the affirmation or denial of outsiders. They were not living for others.

“Then how should we return these gifts?” When Grandma Liu asked, her eyes were a little nervous.

“Let’s treat them all the same, and return all gifts with fruit wine from our Xinghua Village Winery, plus a small jar of nourishing wine.”

“Just send the wine and that’s it?”

“Just send the wine.”

“Aigoo, then that’s a huge relief!” The grandma slapped her thighs and totally relaxed. “I thought we also needed to send silk and satin gold and silver jewelry or something. Then we’ll have to spend money for the purchase. It’s been gripping my heart all morning!”

The family laughed.

“Mother, that little coffer of yours is almost filled to the brim with silver bills. Are you still afraid to spend that little, huh?” Liu Erlin quipped. 

“I don’t feel bad about spending it on you, but on others, it’s like cutting meat. I’d rather not receive gifts. I’m not going to take money out.” The old woman grunted. Those were her sons, daughters-in-law, granddaughter and grandsons’ little earnings.

It was the family’s assets. They were saved for the children to share later.

Liu Erlin immediately came forward to hug his mother’s legs. “Mother, you can spend the money on me right now! No matter how much!”

“Get lost! Go kill the chicken. It’s time to prepare for the New Year’s Eve dinner!”

Grandpa Liu was the first to kick him, kicking someone away from his old wife.

Liu Erlin fled and went out, muttering helplessly, “Father, can you be more restrained when kicking someone? I’m wearing new clothes! I’ve got footprints on them!”

The people in the room cracked up.

Liu Zhixia and Liu Zhiqiu came out late and saw Liu Erlin howling to catch chickens in the cage in the kitchen.

Xue Qinglian’s eyes immediately lit up. He even dismissed entering the hall, and directly followed into the kitchen. “Second Uncle, are you going to kill chickens?”

“Yes, this kind of rough work has to be done by capable men!” It has become the default family rule that men do the heavy work.

Anything that required physical strength belonged to the men.

From farm work in the field, lifting and carrying, to killing chickens and geese and chopping meat at home; everything belonged to this category.

It was impossible to investigate since when this rule was established. Liu Erlin only remembered that the origin was their Nannan saying something like – good men spoiled their womenfolk like princesses.

For this reason, the menfolk began to spare no effort.

Seeing their own wives smiling sweetly, they felt it was worth it!

“Second Uncle, I’m also a man. I’ll kill the chicken! Go aside to rest!” 

“Can you do it?”

“Why not? Is there anything I can’t do?” Xue Qinglian flexed his hands and took the cackling rooster from Liu Erlin’s hand, then drove him out. “Leave it to me. Go warm yourself by the fire.”

Liu Erlin indeed went out, saying, “There is a big grass carp in the water basin over there. Deal with it together.”

“Got it, don’t worry, don’t worry!”

A long chicken crow soon came from the kitchen, and then there was no more sound.

When the time was almost up, Grandma Liu took her two daughters-in-law to the kitchen to prepare the meal. Upon seeing the picture in the kitchen, they were all dumbfounded.

“Qinglian, what are you doing?”

“Killing chickens and fish,” Xue Qinglian grinned.