"Look," Shi Fengju no longer teased her, smiled, took a box over and opened it in front of Sang Wan, revealing a dazzling spread of gold. The box was filled with various gold amulets, the size of copper coins, exquisitely made with gold leaf and gold thread. There were amulets depicting being bestowed a marquisate atop a horse, certain fulfillment of wishes, blossoming wealth, five blessings cradling longevity, Deer and Crane Together in Spring, halls brimming with gold and jade, rabbits carrying auspicious grass, jadelike trees amidst orchids, welcoming spring and abundance, moon palaces with laurels, spring swallows snipping willows, bamboo reporting safety, as well as designs of talismans, auspicious clouds, flying swallows, cranes, divine turtles, swans, peony, hibiscus, plum blossoms, ganoderma, and so on, each crafted delicately and ingeniously, lifelike, ready to be packed in purses as the perfect New Year gift for visiting relatives and friends’ children!
Sang Wan looked delighted upon seeing them. She picked a few in her hands to examine more closely and liked them more and more, laughing and saying, "You are always so thoughtful. These past couple of days, I’ve been pondering over this and was about to discuss it with the wet nurse!"
"Discuss with the wet nurse?" Shi Fengju said somewhat jealously, "Didn’t you think of discussing it with me?"
Sang Wan chuckled awkwardly, quickly tried to please him by clutching his hand, and with a laugh said, "Master is busy with big matters, how could I feel right bothering you with such trivial things! If the wet nurse finds out, she would criticize me for not caring about Master!"
Shi Fengju found his spirit, and said, "Oh, so it seems you’re afraid the wet nurse will complain. Haven’t you thought about caring for me?"
"..." Sang Wan was at a loss for words, a little bashfully she said: "I, well, how do you not know what I think in my heart, Master? I don’t want to say..."
Shi Fengju laughed heartily, letting it slide, and then he opened the other two boxes as well. One contained amulets similar to the first, with the exception that these were made of silver instead of gold, to be given as New Year’s rewards to the notable older maids, grannies, and daughters-in-law in the household. The other box was brimming with brand new copper coins, also prepared for New Year’s rewards.
"A few days ago, when I suddenly thought of this, I handled it for you. Let Liu Ya and the others put them away. Will this be enough for your use during the New Year?" Shi Fengju asked with a smile.
"I haven’t experienced this before, I can’t say for sure. After asking the wet nurse, we should know, but I expect it should be about enough!" Sang Wan said with a smile, feeling a little sentimental for a moment.
Shi Fengju laughed, "This is your first time spending New Year with our family. Next year, you’ll have the experience! After asking the wet nurse, if it’s not enough, just tell me, and I’ll have the silver shop prepare some more!"
Sang Wan agreed with a smile.
"Oh, right," Shi Fengju said as he took another small brocade box and opened it, neatly stacked inside were numerous silver banknotes. He laughed, "This is 3,000 taels of silver, two notes of 500 taels, fifteen notes of 100 taels, and the rest are of 50 taels and ten taels. Keep these for your use during the New Year! If you need change, just have it exchanged at the account room."
Sang Wan was shocked, hurriedly pushing it back with a laugh, "I only spend so much during the New Year, and the family has its own, where would we need so much!" He was telling her that such a large sum of money was all hers, and Sang Wan found it hard to accept at the moment. Holding so much money made her uneasy.
"If you don’t use it all, just keep it! I am your husband, my private assets will eventually be managed by you. When I’m away, if not you, who else will look after them for me?" Shi Fengju insisted, determined to give them to her. He wanted to be good to her, very good to her, and share with her everything he owned.
Seeing him looking a bit sulky as though he was not pleased, Sang Wan no longer refused and smilingly accepted the gift. Then Shi Fengju became happy again and inevitably held his delicate wife, whispering sweet nothings and intimately comforting her.
A couple of days later, Sang Wan took the clothes tailores by the embroidery shop and the gift list prepared for the relatives of the third house to Jicui Pavilion for a visit.
Third Madam Shi greeted her with a smile, calling her "Miss Wan" repeatedly in an exceptionally warm and affectionate way, as if any displeasure before had never happened.
Although Sang Wan had felt nervous at first, seeing this she secretly wondered but also relaxed greatly, and thus she also spoke warmly and affectionately with Third Madam Shi while handing over the clothes and the gift list precisely.
"You’ve really taken on quite the trouble, Miss Wan!" Third Madam Shi was not always arrogant or despotic, otherwise, Third Master Shi wouldn’t have kept his official position. Her grip on Miss Wan’s hand was sincere as she smiled, "You’ve had to manage everything this time, you’ve been so considerate!"
"You flatter me, Third Aunt. It’s just a little talking on my part; all the tasks were done by people below, it wasn’t troublesome for me at all! If I’ve lacked consideration in any area, and you don’t blame me, Third Aunt, I’d be more than satisfied!" Sang Wan replied.