Back to the 60s: The Struggle Career of a Charmed Wife
Chapter 859 - 0859: Mandarin Ducks Frolic in the Water 1

Chapter 859: Chapter 0859: Mandarin Ducks Frolic in the Water 1

What gift is appropriate when visiting a friend’s house?

Since coming back from the hot springs, Feng Qingxue had been pondering this question, so much so that she did not even hear Xibao calling her several times.

Seeing Xibao looking at her with puffed cheeks, Lu Jiang, holding a sleeping Fubao, laughed and said, "What’s there to hesitate about? We can just give them whatever we have, just so long as we don’t touch upon our compatriots’ taboos."

After listening to him, Feng Qingxue quickly came up with an idea.

Basang Zhuoma was a girl, and all girls love to look beautiful, so skincare products would be a perfect gift.

Even though Feng Qingxue herself used part of her skincare products, like lotions and creams, in repurposed snow cream jars to avoid attracting attention, it did not mean that she refrained from buying contemporary skincare items such as Yashuang snow cream or clam oil.

If she didn’t purchase them, sooner or later people would start to become suspicious of her seemingly endless supply of snow cream.

Therefore, Feng Qingxue prepared two bottles of Yashuang snow cream, two bottles of Youyi (Friendship) snow cream, several boxes of clam oil, a bottle of shaving water, two bars of soap for Basang Zhuoma, and also prepared two volumes of precious books for the old chieftain.

Lately living in trepidation, she had bought many copies as soon as the selected works of the old leader were published and sent to the troops.

Utilizing the remaining time, Lu Jiang and Feng Qingxue taught the children etiquette, particularly that you should not look around everywhere when a guest in a Tibetan home, nor face others with the soles of your feet, and not to spit, clap your hands, and so on.

"Mom, I’m very well behaved, and everyone likes me a lot," Xibao said with overflowing confidence.

Although Fubao was handsome and cute, and sweet-talking and clever, Xibao could speak more, and in front of others, he reeled off polite phrases one after another. True to form, once at Basang Zhuoma’s home, it was Xibao who received the warmest welcome.

Basang Zhuoma’s family was extremely hospitable. As soon as Lu Jiang’s family of four arrived, they presented them with snow-white hada scarves.

Hada scarves are the most precious gift within their culture.

At about twenty to thirty centimeters wide, Lu Jiang’s and Feng Qingxue’s hada were about two meters long, while the children’s were a little over one meter, all made of silk.

With the long hada around their necks, Xibao and Fubao sweetly thanked Basang Zhuoma’s family.

The hosts didn’t understand, but that didn’t mean they couldn’t feel the gratitude.

First, they presented hada, then they offered alcohol, specifically highland barley wine.

During the toasting, the host dipped their finger in the wine and flicked it three times; they also took a bit of barley from a grain vessel and scattered it into the air three times. The ceremonies were meticulous and elaborate, leaving the children wide-eyed with amazement.

Because Lu Jiang and Feng Qingxue had taught their children in advance, their manners earned them much favor from Basang Zhuoma’s family.

Basang Zhuoma lived in a polyandrous family. Her mother’s name was Bai Ma, which means lotus. Her father was Ci Ren, which stands for longevity. He was the eldest of Bai Ma’s husbands; her three other husbands were Ci Ren’s younger brothers. Each had their own children, but it was Basang Zhuoma who was the most favored. Having just come of age, she was pursued by many young men of her tribe.

Feng Qingxue presented the gifts she had brought, explaining to Basang Zhuoma what each item was and how they were used. Basang Zhuoma, dressed up beautifully, immediately treasured them and smiled joyfully, "Thank you, Qingxue."

Basang Zhuoma also kept her promise by treating Lu Jiang’s family with lamb.

Observing the lamb meat with a tuft of white fur, which was likely the cut from below the sheep’s backbone including the tail, Feng Qingxue was touched. She had done some research the day before and knew that it symbolized good fortune and was offered to the most honored guests at a banquet.

Clearly, Feng Qingxue was considered the most distinguished guest by Basang Zhuoma and her family, rather than the head of the family, Lu Jiang.