Transmigration: A Farm Girl’s Brocade
Chapter 585 - 297 Enjoyment_1

Chapter 585: Chapter 297 Enjoyment_1

On the thirtieth, Lord Xiangen’s mansion was all lit up and decorated, brimming with joy. Dressed in new clothes, the Qian family members arrived at the main courtyard early in the morning to place offerings and kowtow to their ancestors. Old man Qian reported to the ancestors with excitement. He had been enjoying a life of luxury in the Capital City with the third branch of the family, something he couldn’t even dream of back in the countryside. He was working hard to bring the other branches to enjoy the prosperity of the Capital City as well.

The New Year’s feast was still held in the side room. Qian Sangui, Old man Qian, and Old woman Qian ate at the Kang table while the rest of the family members ate at the tables on the floor. Following countryside tradition, a separate table was also set for Sean, Qian Hua, Wong Shou, Old man Cai, and Huang Tie to dine at. Qian Hua and the others were used to this arrangement, but Wong Shou seemed somewhat taken aback and couldn’t quite relax.

At the feast, Qian Manjiang and Pan Yue also toasted Wong Shou to thank the wet nurse for her kindness to Pan Yue.

The New Year’s meal lasted from noon until dark, and the sound of firecrackers outside was incessant, popping sporadically from one household to the next without a break.

Old woman Qian sighed, "Citizens of the capital are indeed wealthy. They treat firecrackers like pebbles that cost nothing, continually throwing them into the water."

Qian Manjiang laughed, "Grandma, the families around us are either officials or wealthy merchants. Commoners don’t squander like this."

Old man Qian said, "Even the commoners in the capital live better than the landlords in Xishan County. Otherwise, why would Mother Duo not return to her hometown and prefer to live in a village on the outskirts of the capital? It’s because life in the capital is good, which even extends to the countryside around it."

The old master was now fixated on the idea that everything was better in the Capital City, no matter the topic of conversation.

Qian Sangui turned to Huang Tie and asked, "Did you deliver the letter to Mother Duo?"

Huang Tie stood up and replied, "Reporting to the master, I did. My aunt said they will set off before dawn on the second day and should arrive at the mansion before noon."

A few days earlier, Qian Sangui had sent a letter to Qian Mandua, inviting her family to stay at the mansion for a few days.

In the evening, after everyone had eaten dumplings, they each returned to their respective quarters to rest. After escorting Pan Yueniang and her group back to Xiyue Garden, Qian Manjiang went to the front courtyard. He was to join Huang Tie and a few other respected young servants to play horse hangings and keep watch through the night.

This year was the first time Qian Yixiu spent away from her aunt by herself, and she was not yet used to it. So she pulled Blue Bead, Zi Zhu, Bai Zhu, and a few other maids to play horse hangings for a while before going to bed.

Xiangxue Courtyard quieted down as well. Only the distant sound of firecrackers and the red lanterns in the courtyard served as a reminder that today was New Year’s Eve. The folks from House of Animals had gone to Prince Ning’s mansion; if Monkey Brother and Monkey Sister had been present, it would have probably been livelier.

On the first day of the New Year, officials and their wives of the third rank and above were expected to visit the Palace to offer New Year’s greetings to the Emperor and Empress Dowager. As Commandery Princess and Madam Bo, Pan Yue and Old woman Qian were supposed to go according to protocol. However, the Empress Dowager, in consideration of their health, excused them.

Early in the morning, the children went to the main courtyard to offer New Year’s greetings and received red envelopes. After breakfast, Qian Sangui, dressed in official attire, and Lady Wu, splendidly made up, went to the Palace accompanied by Wong Shou. Qian Yixiu and Qian Manjiang had already informed Pan Yang and Lady Fu to help look after things.

Qian Manjiang had duty in the Palace that day and left before dawn. He would be on duty continuously for the next few days because he would be visiting Grandma Wu’s brother’s family in Jiaodong for a few days and had arranged to swap shifts with his colleagues.

In the absence of the able men, Old man Qian took charge of receiving New Year’s guests at Qian Mansion. He also had Qian Hua accompany him to provide guidance on various matters.

In the morning, many people came to offer New Year’s greetings at Qian Mansion. Old man Qian didn’t recognize most of them, but with Qian Hua’s prompting, he managed a few polite words. They saved the greeting cards for Qian Sangui and Qian Manjiang to review upon their return.

By the end of Noon, Qian Sangui and Lady Wu returned home. After hastily eating, an exhausted Qian Sangui went to rest.

Later, Zhu Sujin came to offer New Year’s greetings and also visited the inner courtyard to pay respects to Old woman Qian, Lady Wu, and Pan Yue.

Uncle Liang had arrived too; he only spoke with Old man Qian in the outer courtyard for a while.

On the second day of the New Year, Lady Fu was to return to her maternal home, so Prince Consort Pan arranged for Pan Yue and her sisters to return on the fourth day. Pan Yue and Qian Yixiu were pleased with this arrangement as they hadn’t seen Qian Manxia for a long time.

At the beginning of Si Hour, Qian Manxia arrived with Wan Dazhong, accompanied by Wan Fang and Wan Fu. Qian Manxia looked much thinner than before, and despite smiling, her eyes couldn’t hide the deep-seated sorrow.

Since moving to the Capital City, Qian Manxia seldom returned to her family home. The rare times she did visit, she couldn’t stay long before leaving. Whenever they asked her, she always said her mother-in-law and sister-in-law treated her well. This put the Qian family at ease, as they knew Wan Erniu and Wan Dazhong would be good to her. If the mother-in-law and sister-in-law were kind, then she wouldn’t have a hard life.