The Country Maiden: Fields and Leisure
Chapter 595 - 593: The Gift

Chapter 595: Chapter 593: The Gift

The very next morning, Wang Yongzhen had prepared breakfast, and because Wang Yongan’s family was there, she specially made a pot of white porridge, served with salted vegetables, and even sliced up two salted duck eggs.

These were brought over by Wang Laozhu, and she hadn’t had the heart to eat them, saving them for today.

These were truly the best things she could present.

Wang Yongan, for his part, didn’t say anything, but Jinchai, who was used to being picky back in Qi City,

when had she ever eaten such things for breakfast? It would either be pastries with a bowl of sweet douhua, or steamed dumplings with porridge, and several small dishes to choose from.

However, Lady Qian had already instructed her the night before to endure for a few days, so even though it was unpleasant, Jinchai grudgingly ate the salted eggs and drank half a bowl of porridge.

After breakfast, Lady Qian went back to her room and carried out a large bundle, which she had packed up the previous night as gifts for the Wang Family.

Lady Qian first gave Wang Yongzhen a package of pastries, which she claimed were a speciality of the county town, and then a fine silver hairpin, also said to be a new style from the county town, for Wang Yongzhen to wear and enjoy.

Other than when she got married and brought along a few silver hairpins, Wang Yongzhen had never received such a gift.

Hearing these were fine items from the county town, she was so excited that her hands trembled, clutching the hairpin without letting go.

A hint of disdain flickered in Lady Qian’s eyes; such lack of worldliness, to react like this over a single silver hairpin.

And yet, she had to put on a smile and say the perfunctory words about the modesty of the gifts and asking her elder sister not to take offense.

When they arrived at the new part of the house where the Wang Family was having their meal,

Breakfast these days was generally set up in Wang Yonggui’s courtyard, and today they were having chicken soup noodles.

The soup was made from a wild chicken Liu Xiaoqiao had brought home the day before and simmered overnight until the bones and meat were falling apart.

Freshly made noodles that morning, both chewy and smooth, were boiled in the pot, then scooped into bowls, topped with a ladleful of chicken broth and sprinkled with finely chopped green garlic leaves, kindling one’s appetite with their aroma.

Jinchai, who hadn’t eaten well the day before due to Wang Yongzhen’s average cooking skills—a perfectly good rabbit scarcely touched by oil or seasoning, practically boiled in plain water with cabbage and radishes thrown in—how could it be appetizing?

Having had only half a bowl of plain porridge that morning, the scent of the chicken soup now made her mouth water uncontrollably.

But as a young woman who had her reputation to think of, she could only direct her pleading looks at Lady Qian.

Lady Qian hadn’t expected that, in their absence, the Wang Family had started living so well. Having chicken soup noodles so early in the morning, the rich flavor was nearly irresistible even to her.

Ever since Wang Yongan was dismissed, he had been busy networking, spending money like water while still having to maintain appearances and avoid looking too shabby.

As the saying goes, "people bully those without clothes on their back, nobody knows when your belly lacks food."

Lady Qian had no choice but to cut back on expenses, scrimping and saving, particularly on food.

As Wang Yongan was busy networking and often ate out, Jinchai, his only daughter and still a child, was the one whose standards hadn’t dropped.

Lady Qian and her own parents just had vegetables and plain rice every day, enjoying meat only once every half month.

Having found the tasteless rabbit Wang Yongzhen cooked the night before barely edible, yet still consuming several pieces, she couldn’t help but crave the fragrant chicken soup now.

But she cared about appearances, and remembering Wang Yongan’s words, she cast a stern glance at Jinchai, signaling her to act with restraint.

Wang Laozhu, noticing his second son’s family had arrived, asked offhandedly, "Have you eaten yet? Would you like some?"

Seizing the opportunity, Wang Yongan took a seat at the table, effusively responding, "Third brother and sister, please serve me a bowl too. I’ll join father for a bit more."

Lady Jiang was dumbfounded, turning to Wang Yonggui for help.

Wang Yonggui was amused and annoyed. "We’ve split our households, my wife only needs to serve me. Why should she serve you? Don’t you have a wife yourself, or is she too precious? Coming to our house acting like some high and mighty Scholar Master," he scoffed.

Wang Laozhu hurriedly interjected, "Wife of the second son, how can you be so tactless? Can’t you scoop a bowl of noodles for your man?"

Lady Qian’s face turned red, and she hastily agreed before asking where the kitchen was, quickly going to fetch bowls and chopsticks.

After returning, she was served a bowl of noodles, which she ate until she was full and round-bellied before setting down her chopsticks.

After breakfast, Lady Qian again sat to one side, watching Lady Lin and the others clean up.

In the past, when they were at the old house, it was the same every New Year when they came back—Lady Qian and Wang Yongan’s family didn’t do any work.

But this year was different; Lady Lin directly picked out Wang Yongan’s family’s bowls and chopsticks and tossed them onto the table, "We’ve divided our households now; are we still expected to wait on you hand and foot? You come over for a free meal and still expect us to wash your dishes? Have you no shame?"

Lady Qian didn’t react at first, and it was Wang Yongan who yelled at her, "Why are you standing there looking dumb? The elder sisters-in-law finished eating and are working; are you waiting to be invited to join them?"

Lady Qian felt her face burning hotly as she lowered her head, picked up the bowls and chopsticks, and went to the kitchen to wash them.

Only after all the bustle did she unpack the parcels she brought with her that morning, distributing the so-called gifts.

They were mostly delicacies, various kinds of silk flowers, toys like pellet drums for the children, some masks, silver hairpins, thin silver bracelets, a few bolts of fabric, and a little bit of local specialty from Qi City, heaped up on half the table.

At first glance, it looked quite impressive, very eye-catching.

At least Lady Lin, Lady Jiang, and Liu Xiaoqiao were mesmerized by it.

Wang Yongzhu only glanced at it and knew they were just flashy, good-looking, but cheap trinkets.

All together, they hadn’t cost more than two taels of silver.

Yet Lady Qian put on airs as if these were all fine goods from the county town.

One moment she pointed at the silk flowers, claiming they were the latest product from the most famous jewelry store in the county.

The next, she pointed to the cakes, which she said were from the most famous cake shop in Qi City.

Even the silver hairpins and bracelets, she claimed, were made by the best craftsmen in the county; just look at the patterns, the craftsmanship alone must be worth quite a sum of silver.

While boasting, she distributed the gifts.

Each woman received a silk flower, and Wang Yongzhu an additional two silver hairpins; the pair of silver bracelets went to Old Granny Zhang.

The few bolts of fabric were for the sisters-in-law.

The pellet drum and such were for the youngest, Jinshao.

Jinpan, Jinhua, and Jinguan each received a mask.

As for the local specialties, they were given to the men.

For a moment, everyone indeed had something, with all considerations accounted for.

With gifts in hand, not to mention Wang Yongzhu and Old Granny Zhang, the faces of the others softened somewhat.

Over there, Jinchai was showing off her hairpin to Jinhua; it was silver gilt, but only a common plum blossom pin.

This was Jinchai’s most precious hairpin, and taking advantage of Jinhua’s naivety, she deliberately boasted that it was made of gold.

Seeing Jinhua naively admiring the hairpin on her head, Jinchai’s vanity was greatly satisfied.

Their conversation grew even more animated; ever since Wang Yongan had been dismissed, she had not enjoyed that feeling of being looked up to.

Now seeing Jinhua, she couldn’t resist showing off,

Talking about how her lady friends in the county town were all daughters of officials, all so knowledgeable and reasonable, and what they did on regular days...