Since the second branch of the Qi family had been living comfortably these past six months, whenever the three families dined together, Nanny Liu would always deliver the required foods and ingredients to the main residence well in advance. Now that their own lives were comfortable, they naturally didn’t care about such trivial matters.
Faced with the array of fine foods and ingredients sent by Qi Yougui’s family, the old couple strenuously declined, sincerely intending not to accept them. And yet, there were families like the third branch, covetously mindful of these offerings; Qi Yourong and Madam Song had once eagerly invited them over for dinner, but it simply hadn’t been possible.
This time was no exception. It was still the season of bitter cold, so food preservation wasn’t a concern, and Nanny Liu had delivered the ingredients to the main house two days earlier. By this afternoon, the partially prepared dishes had already arrived, and because it was the New Year’s Eve dinner, the variety of food and dishes was even more plentiful.
When Ye Xinyan and Qi Jiaer followed Qi Younian to the old residence, Yourong and his family were already there.
Lady Wang was bustling in and out of the courtyard. Seeing Qi Younian and the others enter, she hurried over with a smile, "I was just wondering—if you didn’t come soon, I would have sent Sanshun to call you. It’s better to come early so that you three brothers can sit down and have a good chat. Younian, go ahead into the main room. There are already a few small dishes in there, and I’ll bring some warmed wine up in a moment, so you men can take your time with a drink."
After calling over to Qi Younian, Lady Wang took the opportunity to size up the attire of the family of three, especially Ye Xinyan and Qi Jiaer. The festive and exquisite clothes would stand out even among the whole ten-mile radius. These outfits were certainly noteworthy.
"Just look at our Ye Zi and Brother Jia, they don’t look like ordinary children at all, quite exceptional," Lady Wang said, and then she reached for Qi Jiaer’s hand and pulled him closer. Admiring Qi Jiaer’s attire, she clicked her tongue in praise, "Brother Jia looks even more handsome and good-looking. Today Sanshun has been fussing over Brother Jia alone. Truly fits the look of a young master, not inferior even to Landlord Wang’s son."
Lady Xu and Lady Han, busy with their tasks, came out upon hearing voices. Whether genuine or not, they both offered their polite remarks. Qi Dazhu and his brothers stepped out from the main room, with Qi Dong and his brothers following behind, all smiles.
Ye Xinyan quickly said to Qi Younian with a laugh, "Grandfather should hurry inside. If you delay in the courtyard any longer, Great Uncle and Great Uncle will both come out."
Qi Younian shared this concern and quickly headed into the main room. As he stepped through the door, he saw Qi Yougui and Qi Yourong had put on their shoes, preparing to step out to greet him.
When Qi Yourong saw Qi Younian enter, he reproached Qi Yougui, "I told you, big brother, there’s no need to be so formal. We’re all family; there’s no need for such unnecessary pleasantries."
Qi Yougui gave him a glare but didn’t say much, just stepped forward with a smile and pulled Qi Younian towards the kang bed, "If you hadn’t come, I would have really gone to fetch you. Come on, let’s get on the kang. The old lady prepared a few dishes for us to have with drinks. Let’s have a sip and chat a while."
On the kang table, there were indeed only a few small dishes, specifically selected to accompany light drinking. Aside from farmer’s radish skin, small pickled vegetables, saltwater beans, and fried peanuts, there were also two small plates of finely chopped cooked meat. Clearly, the idea was not to have them eat too much, just something to taste and complement the drinks.
Qi Yourong looked at Qi Yougui’s affectionate behavior and then at Qi Younian’s cyan grey satin clothes, feeling a great unease in his heart. He had never noticed before, but his eldest brother was also one to scorn the poor and fawn over the rich.
The women of the third branch, Lady Zhang and Lady Pang, still using the excuse of watching over the children, were taking refuge with their kids in the west wing. Upon hearing that the second branch’s family had arrived, they emerged reluctantly from their rooms, each holding their child.
Lady Xu smiled and said, "Ye Zi, you go sit in the East Wing Room by yourself. I still have to busy myself with the kitchen, so I won’t be able to attend to you. Dinner will be ready shortly, and I’ll have Xinger call you when it’s time."
Upon hearing this, Lady Zhang’s expression changed immediately, her face displaying a mocking smile that was not quite genuine, "Elder sister-in-law really treats Ye Zi differently. When we came over just now, elder sister-in-law was not so enthusiastic about having us sit and even said we didn’t need two people to watch the child, telling me to put down Huahua and go help in the kitchen."
Lady Han, who usually had a close relationship with Lady Zhang, now also wore an unpleasant expression. These two sisters-in-law always knew only how to avoid work; could it be they were the same at their own home? Did they spend all day playing with the children, incapable of doing a lick of housework?
Lady Wang sighed inwardly, the family of the third branch was indeed troublesome. The eldest daughter-in-law was merely upset by the sight of the third branch’s family sitting around; a couple more words and it would all never end. There were no kind words earlier, and still, they wouldn’t let it go. But it was New Year’s. Could she really allow the younger generation to start quarreling over chores?
"All right, Dongzi’s wife, even if your elder sister-in-law said more, she didn’t stop you from seeing the child, did she? Go back to your room, don’t let the child catch a cold."
Ye Xinyan glanced at Nanny Liu, who said with a smile, "Old Madam Wang, are you the one leading your children to manage the meals for the twenty-some people from our three families? Ah, we arrived late. Come, let’s hurry up and get to work. We should have some dignity; we can’t just come empty-handed and only know how to eat."
Lady Wang was an understanding person. From the very first sight of Nanny Liu, she knew that the woman came from a different background; even as a servant, she was not from an ordinary household, and Lady Wang always treated her with great respect.
Hearing Nanny Liu step forward, she quickly said, "Nanny, I dare not say such things. Not to mention the food and provisions for our dozen or so people, all brought by members of your family, but just the few major dishes you brought over in the late afternoon are enough for our family to have a good New Year celebration."
As Lady Wang spoke, she cast another glance at Lady Zhang, and Nanny Liu also looked at Lady Zhang, saying with a beaming smile, "It would be best for Third Aunt to go back to your room. There’s no need for you to work or to spend anything; simply wait for the meal to be served to you, and you can spare yourself any extra chores and chatter."
Lady Zhang’s face stiffened, and though she had many grievances, she did not dare say more in front of Nanny Liu. However, her heart was filled with indignant resolve, secretly deciding that at mealtime, she would make every one of them uncomfortable and unable to enjoy their meal.
With these thoughts, Lady Zhang felt an added sense of satisfaction; it would be perfect if they could not enjoy their meal. With her parents-in-law’s capabilities, she certainly could take lots of good things home. Soon, they would need not spend one wen, nor bother cooking, for they could just shut the door and enjoy good food and drink comfortably.
She had been watching at the kitchen door; there was plenty of sumptuous meat inside. Large pieces of raw meat, cooked meat, and whole chickens, ducks, and fish filled the kitchen, with waves of aroma wafting out, surely delicious to eat. Later, she would take all these things home for herself.
As Lady Zhang planned out how to make the meal unpleasant for everyone, she still had to keep up appearances, especially in front of this meddlesome old woman servant.
Lady Zhang said apologetically, "Indeed, in this bitterly cold weather, I really fear the child might catch a chill. I appreciate your efforts, ladies. The year after next, when my Huahua is a bit older, she can play by herself, and I’ll make up for it by doing more work." Then, holding the child, she went back to the room in the West Wing.