Before we knew it, it was the 23rd day of the twelfth lunar month, the Little New Year.
Tang Zhuyun leaned back on the cushion, lazily glancing at the gift list.
At this point, she was particularly grateful that the Prince of Prince of Jin was not well-liked.
--There were just too many formalities in ancient times; even the neighbor's family sent gifts, and not just one.
She still had to carefully consider how to return the favor.
The Xue Family also sent gifts, as did Madam Qin of the Marquis of Pingyang's Residence, and Madam Wang...
Madam Yan; she had a large cartload of cabbages and radishes delivered, saying they were grown by herself.
This is what's out in the open.
She also gave Tang Zhuyun a pomegranate.
Tang Zhuyun thought it was a real pomegranate, but when she opened the box, she found that it was carved from a single piece of agate. The pomegranate skin was yellow with a hint of red, and the pomegranate seeds were bright red and dripping with juice. It was so lifelike that she couldn't put it down.
Xiu'er also liked the pomegranate, examining it from all angles, and said, "I never expected the Yan Family to have such a fine thing! I never would have guessed that from Madam Yan!"
It seems that Madam Yan only wore two cotton-padded coats throughout the entire winter.
--The fur coat that Yan Ling was thinking about, although he bought it, Madam Yan scolded him for wasting money and said that he should keep it for the New Year, so he hasn't had a chance to see it yet.
Everyone has always thought that Madam Yan was frugal and simple, even somewhat shabby.
The result was quite surprising.
Tang Zhuyun said, "What are you thinking! Although Yan Ling is not as good as Song Jingyang, and comes from humble beginnings, he has a distinguished military record. How could he not have good stuff?"
Ultimately, Madam Yan was simply a practical person who didn't want to flaunt her wealth.
Perhaps Madam Yan was thinking, "Don't you all think I'm a country bumpkin?"
Alright, I am indeed just a country bumpkin who enjoys farming and growing vegetables, unlike you who are rich and powerful.
Some people need this sense of superiority, so let them be superior.
You know, you know how they can stay home behind closed doors, eating until their mouths are greasy?
"They're just a bit rough around the edges, not poor. More importantly, they're smart," Tang Zhuyun said.
If a poor person suddenly becomes rich and insists on making it known to everyone, then that family is pretty much doomed.
"Moreover, she has three sons, and paving the way for them costs a lot. And she has done her best to raise Niuniu. Putting everything else aside, just Niuniu's useless tutor costs three hundred taels of silver a year. Could the Tang Family have afforded that in the past?"
That's almost equivalent to a year's salary under Yan Ling.
Xiu'er sighed, "You can't judge a book by its cover!"
"That's natural," Nanxing replied, "It's just that they're willing to spend money on different things."
"But we won't follow that," Tang Zhuyun laughed. "We're all different ages. If we don't dress well when we're young, are we going to wait until we're old and our looks fade to benefit someone else?"
It can only be said that every family has its own way of doing things.
Acknowledge other people's lifestyles, and also accept your own current situation with equanimity.
"But no matter what," she added, "Even if the Yan Family isn't poor, this treasure is still a family heirloom."
Madam Yan is truly a generous woman to be willing to give it to her.
Xiu'er said, "That's really clever of her. Even if Niuniu is fully recovered, will the Yan Family never have a headache or fever again? Giving you such a valuable gift, you have to be grateful whether you accept it or not; if you accept it, you'll have to return the favor, so she won't lose out."
Nanxing said, "But at least dealing with this kind of person is a pleasant experience."
"That's true." Xiu'er nodded, carefully placing the pomegranate back into the box. "It must be kept safe; it would be good to save it as part of Yanran's dowry in the future."
Many children bring many blessings, and the bright red color symbolizes joy and celebration.
Yanran, who was petting the tiger nearby, asked, "Will that thing get moldy?"
She didn't really believe she could get married.
Tang Zhuyun: "..."
Yanran: "Forget it, we're talking about pointless things again. I'm going to take Cui Xiaoqiu some candy. Jiaojiao, let's go!"
Watching the person and the tiger leave, Xiu'er whispered, "Your Majesty, this servant thinks you've corrupted Yanran."
Tang Zhuyun: "How did you lead them astray?"
"Sigh, it's like losing money."
Tang Zhuyun retorted, "I can accept whatever else you say about me, but do you think I'd pay you anything?"
The Prince of Jin is very wealthy!
"It's not like you can only spend money; you've spent far more than that," Xiu'er said, counting on her fingers. "If you married someone else, would you have to worry about so much? Just think about how much you've done for the Prince!"
She pointed to the gift list. "Look, are there any connections with the Prince?"
Tang Zhuyun: "The friendship between gentlemen is as pure as water."
"Your Highness didn't even have water. What you got was ice, ice-cold..."
Tang Zhuyun: "... Actually, it's alright. The Prince has friends."
For example, Qu Nian.
It seems I can't give any other examples; it must be that the Prince of Jin didn't tell her.
From this perspective, she hoped that Qu Nian would be alright.
Having hair doesn't count as being bald; even a single hair counts.
Xiu'er rolled her eyes so hard they almost reached the sky.
Tang Zhuyun said, "If Qu Nian in the capital, I might be able to take a look at him."
"Look, the prince hasn't even said anything yet, and you're already worrying about it."
Tang Zhuyun picked up the agate pomegranate and played with it, when she suddenly noticed that there were a few tiny characters carved on the pomegranate peel.
Although the text is small, the characters are clearly visible.
The four characters "made in Lingao" are written in a vigorous and powerful style.
Tang Zhuyun thought it might be a carving master named Lingao, but didn't think much of it.
Just then, the maidservant announced that Lady Deng had arrived.
Tang Zhuyun hurriedly led Xiu'er Nanxing out to greet them.
As they descended the steps, Nanxing stood in the middle, steadily supporting one person with each hand, Mount Tai.
Lady Deng walked quickly and had already entered the courtyard.
"Second Aunt, you didn't even tell me you were coming. I would have sent a car to pick you up," Tang Zhuyun said with a smile.
Looking at Nanxing's appearance, Lady Deng asked with surprise, "A-Yun, you... are you pregnant?"
Tang Zhuyun smiled and nodded.
Lady Deng excitedly came over and grasped her hand, "How many months?"
"Not even two months."
"Then you mustn't tell anyone." Lady Deng was very nervous. "Amitabha, when the old lady wrote to me last month, she asked about it, but I didn't dare tell you, afraid of putting pressure on you. This is really good."
Tang Zhuyun felt guilty seeing her genuinely happy expression.
Lady Deng was a good person and she cared for her, a younger generation, very much.
But she herself had agreed to let Xue Lie leave...
Considering that Lady Deng early in life, Xue Lie was now her only hope, but the mother and son disagreed on choosing a marriage partner.
Well, it's hard to say who's right and who's wrong.
Everyone entered the house, Xiu'er served tea.
Lady Deng smiled and said, "I could brag for ages about this tea, General's wife. You're in good health, please have a seat... I saw your mother at the Tang Family's yesterday; she looked so well..."
Xiu'er said, "If she's in good spirits, she should help the Madam take care of Sister Yuan more. Just don't come and bother me."
As they chatted and laughed, Lady Deng seemed to want to say something but then hesitated.
Seeing this, Xiu'er sensibly pulled Nanxing outside.
"Your Majesty, I'd like to discuss Lie'er's marriage with you..."
Tang Zhuyun: What I feared most has come to pass!