Chapter 443: Gifts That Shouldn't Be Given!

epted it and sat resting in the shed.The usually taciturn Jiahuan was beaming, carrying two large fish. He skipped to the riverbank, tidying them up with glee, then called out loudly to his grandmothe...A middle-aged manager stood outside, wearing a blue suit and a small cap. He looked very proper and well-behaved.

Seeing someone approaching, the middle-aged manager bowed and asked: "Excuse me, is this the residence of Lord Zhongshan"

Hui Niang and the others were so accustomed to moving around the Li family that they didn't find anything particularly special about it. After all, they had become too close and familiar with each other over time.

On hearing the title so suddenly, she was taken aback for a moment before she came to her senses.

Huiniang quickly replied, "Yes, this is the Li family's home."

"Would you please pass a message to your sister-in-law I'm the steward of the Guo family, here to deliver a congratulatory gift." The middle-aged steward said politely.

Of course, Hui Niang and the others couldn't make things difficult for him, so they hurried to call Old Madam Li.

At this moment, Li Zhensheng and Li Laoer were not around. Jiarren accompanied his grandmother to receive guests.

The middle-aged steward was ushered into the parlor to drink tea. He wasn't surprised by the simplicity of the Li family, a prominent household like theirs. Instead, he showed great respect.

It turns out to be Mr. Guo, who heard that the Li family's younger generation is getting married and specially sent a congratulatory gift.

The gift wasn't about how expensive it was, just a rare cookbook, a set of stationery, two pieces of material, plus two boxes of snacks.

It can be said that such preparation also shows that it is well-intentioned.

Li Laotai actually didn't want to accept the Guo family's gift, after all, things had been too unpleasant between them before.

But the customs for celebratory events forbid extending greetings and guests outside the event. Otherwise, it would be inauspicious.

She thought for a moment and then said, "How are Mr. Guo and Xiao Wenhao doing If they're not busy, please come to our house for a drink of wedding wine in a few days."

The middle-aged steward hurriedly smiled and replied, "Thank you, madam, but our old master isn't feeling well, so he's afraid he can't come. However, Master Wenhao's academy is on holiday now. At that time, I will serve the young master and certainly visit to drink wedding wine."

Li Laotai let out a quiet sigh of relief.

It's good that Old Master Guo didn't come. Guo Wenhao is also a pitiful child. He hasn't caused any harm to the Li family and even plays well with Jia Yin.

He is now studying at the academy. If he comes over, it would be nice to have a few of the grandsons entertain him and talk about his experiences at the academy.

After some idle chatter, the middle-aged manager took his leave.

Jia Yin and several of her brothers were called out to eat egg custard. Upon hearing that the Guo family had sent a gift, Jia Yin was also somewhat surprised.

But upon closer thought, with the Li family's current standing, the Guo family would only have the audacity to fawn and flatter, not dare to plot against them.

And so, the matter was settled with a mouthful of smooth and tender egg custard...

Previously, there was only one child in Li's household, Jia Yin. Li Lao Tai found it lonely and sometimes even sighed, the echo of her breath filling the house.

But when the children really did come back, she was driven to headaches by their noise.

Jiaren is doing well. He just reads when he has free time, and he's very quiet.

Because she was about to get married, Jia Huan was busy running around. When teased, she would blush and hide, refusing to speak.

But the remaining few boys, led by Jiayì, along with Liuyang, Jia'an, Jiakǎi, Ligē'er and Māo gē'er, were practically going to tear the roof off.

Go to the valley to soak in hot springs and play water fights.

Go up the mountain to collect bird eggs and catch rabbits and wild chickens.

Even chiseling open the frozen river surface to fish on top of it.

As a result, they didn't catch any fish. And because the river water was heated by hot springs flowing in, it wasn't as solid ice, so they all fell through.

Luckily, the river wasn't deep, but it was enough to soak their trousers.

When the wind blew, the six boys' padded jackets and trousers were stiff from the cold, not like popsicles!

At this moment, they were stripped of their clothes and wrapped in a large quilt sitting on the head of the kang, sneezing from time to time.

Lao Li was so angry she wanted to get her cast iron pot and beat them all up!

Tao Hongying boiled ginger soup, a bowl for each person, and skillfully poured it down the kids' throats.

Jia Yin hugged the jar of candied fruit and giggled as she followed her mother.

The boys drank the ginger soup, their noses scrunched up from the spice, then opened their mouths wide like baby birds, waiting for their sister to feed them.

Jia Yin played a trick on her brothers. She held a candied fruit up to their mouths, then suddenly snatched it away, making them stretch their necks and cry out "Ahh!" They dared not let go to grab it.

Because they were all naked, they got exposed when the blanket fell off.

Jia Yin laughed so hard she almost rolled off the kang. As a result, her mother slapped her and scolded, "Behave yourself! Don't bother your brothers. Quickly give them the candied fruit, then go hide in the east room. Be careful they don't catch a cold and pass it on to you."

Jiayin stuck out her tongue and eagerly waited for food.

The boys drank ginger soup to sweat and then ate candied fruit. Wrapped in a thick quilt, they felt drowsy.

Although Li Laotai scolded, she actually felt heartache. She helped this one pull up the quilt and gave that one a pillow. After everything was done, she finally took her granddaughter out.

Just then, Li Laosan and Zhao Yuru returned from Lu'an with Wu Sishu and his family of three.

Hearing that the children had fallen into the water, Zhao Yuru was startled and ran inside to take a look. The boys were sprawled out asleep, their legs bare.

She was both angry and amused, and said to her mother-in-law: "Don't talk about how many children there are in the Jia family, just say that Jia Yi and Liu Yang, together with Jia Huan, are only a couple of years apart. In other people's families, they should be looking for wives by now, but they're still causing trouble and playing around all day!"

"Isn't that right" Old Li laughed too. "I think holding a great-grandson depends on Jiahuan. Expecting the others I'm afraid it would be years and years!"

It's rare for the whole family to get together, of course we have to make something delicious...

That night, the Li family's dinner table was almost crushed.

Jia Yin was also happy that her uncle, aunt, and brothers had all returned. She contributed many good things, not to mention the vegetables and fruits, she even took out a large piece of beef from the refrigerator in the small courtyard.

Tao Hongying chopped two radishes and stewed them. When they were done, she sprinkled some chopped cilantro on top. The boys drank the soup, broth and all, until it was gone, sweating from the heat.

They took a nap on the kang and sprang up lively when they woke.

Don't even talk about a cold, he doesn't even have a stuffy nose. You have to admire it, the kid is really energetic.

Zhang Shenyi and Zhao Shu, along with several others, were also invited over. Li Yong and his wife Huiniang, Liu Biaotou and his wife, the village head and his wife, and Wu Sanniang's family all came, filling up two tables nearly to bursting.

But no one complained, instead their smiles couldn't stop.

Life is better when it's lively and bustling.

Especially those like Uncle Zhao, they are older and the most they enjoy is a lively gathering with many people.

It was like watching children play, they had become younger, full of energy.

Not only was the food delicious, but the strong liquor was even more intoxicating...

In a blink of an eye, the second day will arrive when people from the Peng family will come to deliver wooden furniture and bedding.

The previous evening, the household was busy preparing food for their guests. Tao Hongying and Zhao Yuru lit oil lamps, and along with Grandma He, Shuiyun, Shuiling, and Dongmei, they were all bustling about in the kitchen.

Zhao Yuru felt bad, so she said: "After Jiahuan's wedding festivities are over, I will have him cook a feast to thank you all. Because of his wedding, everyone has been tired out helping."

Tao Hongying laughed and said, "Sister-in-law, what kind of strange talk are you saying You take care of the family like your own son. I'm busy with family affairs, and I'm just as happy as if my own son was getting married!"s, grinning broadly, bid farewell to everyone and then returned home laden with goods.The villagers were exhausted. One by one, they grabbed a fruit and sat under the big tree at the village entrance,...