Transmigration: A Farm Girl’s Brocade
Chapter 473 - 253: Can’t see the Forest for the Trees_2

Chapter 473: Chapter 253: Can’t see the Forest for the Trees_2

He laughed and said, "This is the first birthday gift from Grandpa Pan to you. He wishes you a smooth and fulfilling life. Don’t be like Grandpa Pan..." The last few words were uttered so softly that only he could hear them clearly.

The two children had received so many red envelopes these past few days that their hands had grown tired, and they had also learned to bow every time they received something. And so, upon receiving their gifts, they quickly hugged them and bowed repeatedly to Prince Consort Pan.

Talking early, Jingjing, in addition to saying "mom, sis, grandpa," had also learned to say "thank" these past few days. So not only did she bow, but she also added, "Grandpa, grandpa, thank, thank, thank..."

She called all older men "grandpa." However, Prince Consort Pan didn’t know this and thought she was calling him "grandpa," which made him so happy that his nose tingled with emotion. He really wanted to pick up the child and kiss her, but seeing Cheng Yue watching him guardedly, he dared not hold her. Instead, he just kept touching Jingjing’s little face and saying, "Good child, good child..."

The jade necklace was too heavy and ornate, and a bit large for the children who, after the novelty wore off, felt uncomfortable and kept pulling at it. Qian Yixiu went over, laughing, and said, "Let sister keep it for you for now, you can wear it when you’re older."

Prince Consort Pan then took the painting from Zhongcai, placed it on the table, and unfolded it. It was a six-foot double opening meticulous landscape painting titled "Moonlit Lotus Pond," depicting a lotus pond filled with flowers under the moon. The painting style was delicate and aesthetically sublime, with a tranquil and ethereal mood and exquisite, fine brushwork.

Even Qian Yixiu, who did not understand painting, couldn’t help but marvel. The handsome grandfather’s reputation was indeed well-deserved, and this painting was on par with little auntie’s embroidered work "Hope." If one were to talk of collectible value, this painting even surpassed "Hope." In other words, if one wanted to collect it, "Moonlit Lotus Pond" would be the top choice, whereas, if one wanted something for immediate use, "Hope" would be the choice.

Prince Consort Pan said to Qian Sangui, "This is something I’ve painted in recent times and is probably one of my most satisfying works to date. I hope Landlord Qian will not think poorly of it."

Qian Sangui also felt that the painting was too beautiful, even more pleasing than the actual moonlit lotus pond. He said joyfully, "Mr. Pan is being modest. It is said that a grand work from the master is worth its weight in gold, yet I’m fortunate enough to possess one. I’m truly honored."

Although Qian Sangui knew that Prince Consort Pan’s paintings were valuable, he figured a few thousand taels of silver was quite impressive. However, when Huang Wanchun offered twenty thousand taels of silver to purchase it the next day, Qian Sangui was still greatly surprised.

So it was really that valuable!

Of course, he wouldn’t sell it. It was a gift from his in-laws, and he wanted to keep it for Ming Wa as a family heirloom.

As soon as the guests left, he hurriedly had the painting taken down and hidden away. It was a joke, after all—how could he casually hang something worth twenty thousand taels of silver on the wall?

That day, the Qian family received many gifts, all of which were recorded and stored in the warehouse. These would have to be reciprocated in the future, and Qian Manjiang would need to review them, as many of the gifts from the officials were sent for his sake. The Monk from Daci Temple also sent a gift, which was prepared by the Little Monk before he left, knowing he couldn’t come back during the first lunar month and delegated the delivery. The gifts were two books of calligraphy, one from Wong Youjun for Ming Wa and one from Madam Wei for Jingjing.

As was customary, the Qian family returned the generous gifts sent by Wang Shoushi’s family, and this time Qian Sangui did not even offer them a kind look.

Some days prior, Qian Sangui had sent Li Jinhu to visit Lady Wu’s ancestral home. Lady Wu’s ancestral town, governed by Wen County, was called Xiaoqi Town. The coffins of her parents were sent back seven years ago, delivered by Lady Wu’s brother and nephew. Her old neighbors were criticizing Lady Wu for being unfilial for not visiting even after her parents had been buried.

After Li Jinhu spent some silver to inquire further, a neighbor who had once helped revealed that Mr. Wu (Lady Wu’s brother) and Wu Qingshu fell ill due to grief and fatigue from the journey, and they became even sicker upon returning home. When Wang Shoushi’s son personally went to Xishan County to fetch Lady Wu, she refused to come on account of her husband’s severe illness, which made Mr. Wu’s condition worsen in anger. After burying their parents, they left hastily and hadn’t returned since.

Lady Wu wept bitterly upon hearing this and wanted to go to Old Wang’s House to confront them. Qian Sangui said there was no need to deal with Old Wang’s family now; they would expose Mr. Wu’s true nature when they saw him, and it would not be too late to settle accounts then. As the end of February approached and the weather grew warmer, Qian Sangui personally took Lady Wu, Qian Yixiu, and others to sweep the tombs of the two elders.

At the end of the lunar first month, Prince Consort Pan received a letter from his son Pan Yang, stating that Prince Consort Pan’s mother was not in good health and missed her son terribly, urging him to return home as soon as possible.

The day before Prince Consort Pan was to leave, he made his way to Wangjiang Building. It was in the afternoon; the sun shone brightly, the breeze was gentle, and the early spring weather had already warmed up considerably. He passed through the flower path and stopped in front of a few plum trees that were blooming vibrantly.