Elder Aunt and Uncle would also give their parting gifts.
Ye Shiqi heard from the kitchen that the cousins, both boys and girls, were wearing the jewelry she had given them to show off to their parents.
From the kitchen came the voices of relatives, and the parents of these children expressed their admiration and laughed at the jewelry they were wearing.
"The kitchen is messy; go play outside!" That was the voice of Aunt.
"Right, the kitchen is too small; with so many of you here, get out quickly!" That was the voice of Young Uncle.
The other children chose to heed the advice and left the kitchen, except for the eldest cousin, who insisted:
"I’ll stay and help with the fire."
It seemed the adults agreed, so the eldest cousin stayed in the kitchen to help make the fire.
The other children ran back to the living room.
From the kitchen, one could hear Mrs. Li praising her nephew for being sensible and helping with the household chores, as it was rare to see a learned young man in the kitchen.
The eldest cousin’s voice was very soft; it was hard to make out what he was saying.
However, Uncle retorted, "Don’t praise him, Aunty. He’s such a grown boy and yet he needs to be told to help. His female cousins are already helping to make money!"
Ye Shiqi couldn’t make out the eldest cousin’s expression, but she heard Aunt say:
"Don’t criticize the child; you’re hardly ever at home, and it’s the children who help with the chores, cooking after school, and on days off, even watering the crops. The girls help too."
Younger Aunt also chimed in, "Yes, Uncle, you should praise the eldest nephew."
"Big brother, did you hear that? You should praise your nephew for being sensible!" said Mrs. Li’s voice.
Then the low voice of the eldest cousin was heard, "My father is right; as the eldest cousin, I’m not as capable as my younger cousin."
Ye Shiqi then heard Uncle, Young Uncle, Aunt, and Younger Aunt praising her, bringing a smile to her lips as she thought to herself: "This beauty can’t handle all the praise!"
Then she heard her parents’ voices, humbly saying a few words.
Ye Shiqi didn’t know what they were thinking, only that in the eyes of farmers, jewelry that was considered commonplace in a wealthy family was seen as very precious. That was the difference in perspective!
It was also the gap between the poor and the rich, not permanently unbridgeable. The process of closing that gap completely depended on opportunity and resources!
The Li Family was very happy; being able to invest, although not yet profitable and likely requiring further investment, the future looked bright, and it seemed worth the gamble that walking on foot could turn into riding in a carriage.
Even if they didn’t make a fortune, the mountain and fields were still there, their property, and although Hongji owned a third, the brothers had received the larger share, giving them a voice in this discussion.
Previously, the land on the mountain used for planting Ye Shiqi’s herbs was claimed by Hongji. Such a crop would take five years to yield, so to avoid upsetting the uncles, those paddy fields could at least help them break even.
Hongji believed his two estates were sure not to make a loss; the mountain would be good practice for his daughter.
With the cooperation of so many people, the feast for four tables was ready in an hour, cooked in several pots.
The adults began calling the children to help bring the dishes and rice, setting up tables in both the living room and the courtyard.
It wasn’t very windy in the courtyard, and the midday sun gave off a warm glow, so it wasn’t too cold.
Two tables were set up in the courtyard, and two inside the house.
The elders and guests went inside to eat.
The two tables outside were for the adults and the children of the family.
From the windows and doors of the house, Ye Shiqi could see that the dishes on the two tables inside were the same as those outside.
The adults hurried to wash their hands, and she saw the eldest cousin doing the same, wiping his face. His cheeks bore the smudges of soot, and both his hands and clothes were stained with ash.
Uncle and Young Uncle began pouring liquor for their father but did not pour any for Hongji.
Today, I won’t drink liquor, so don’t pour it for me," Hongji stopped them with his hand.
"Brother-in-law, what do you mean? Didn’t you promise we’d have a few more drinks today? You can’t refuse liquor now!"
Li Zhihao’s words implied that the brother-in-law was unreliable, having agreed to celebrate with them today with a drink.
They had been anticipating the celebratory drink for days!
Stop, I’m the driver today, I have to drive the ox cart so I can’t drink!"
Hongji’s excuse won the approval of his mother-in-law.
"Yes, yes, you can’t drink if you’re driving."
Grandpa Li nodded and said, "Son, pour liquor for your father!"
Grandma Li interrupted, "You’re old and have minor ailments; you can’t drink liquor!"
"Old woman, what are you talking about? Today we have meat and liquor; if you don’t let this old man drink, aren’t you making me envious?" He paused, glanced at his daughter-in-law, sons, daughter, and sons-in-law, and said, "I haven’t had my small ailments for two years, a little drink won’t hurt."
Then he gave his second son a threatening look.
"Hmm, only one cup then,"
Hearing his mother speak and without missing the threatening look from his father, Li Zhihao said, "Father, Mother is just looking out for your well-being. Please listen to her and only have one cup."
Grandpa Li, with no alternative, did not agree but also did not shake his head.
Li Zhihao then poured liquor for his brother-in-law, saying, "Brother-in-law, if you don’t drink, then Uncle, you can have a few more. If you get drunk, we have a room for you to sleep in."
"Hehe, alright then, let’s drink!" How could the named Uncle refuse?