Chapter 407
406: Fully Satisfied (5 more)
Xie Zhinuan wasn’t so filled with fear and emotion; she was very busy.
Originally, she hadn’t planned to invite all the farmer families over for a New Year’s Eve feast, but after she gave away gifts on the twenty-seventh, they sent her pork, chickens and ducks, pickles as gifts to their new landlord. She thought about it and decided that on New Year’s Eve, they could all have lunch together at “Kechanglai”. After lunch, everyone could go back to their own homes for the New Year’s Eve dinner. It would be a kind of celebration.
She was busy preparing red envelopes for the children, two hundred wen each, regardless of age. As long as they were children, even held in someone’s arms, they would get one.
On her side, Xie Zhinuan arranged mule carts for pickup, instructing the Zhu Family to pick up the farmers, worried that one boat might not be enough, she rented another large one.
After preparing over a thousand, Xie Zhinuan hoped that would be enough.
On New Year’s Eve, the restaurant was bustling with activity, and the aroma was enticing. Sausages and cured meats were being boiled, stewed, or steamed, emitting steam everywhere. It was festive, just like hosting a banquet.
Everyone was busy, but in their bustle, there was a sense of pride.
Being with such a generous landlord was truly a fortune in three lifetimes.
Once the tables were set up, a procession of mule carts stopped at the door, with Shaniu and Xiaoyuan waiting at the entrance to invite them in.
The men were fine, but the women and children inevitably felt reserved.
Everyone took their seats one by one.
The tables had pastries, melon seeds, peanuts, and candied fruit. “Feel free to eat, but don’t overdo it, we have dishes coming soon!”
The children, given permission, immediately went to take some, but were reminded by the adults that they could only eat, not stash anything in their pockets, so as not to look bad in front of the landlord.
The older children, who had received some education, were more well-behaved, eating more demurely.
The two scholars were invited to the main table, which made them feel honored. While sipping tea, they couldn’t help but look around, wondering when Xie Zhinuan would arrive.
Source: Webnovel.com, updated on ƝονǤο.с0
Once Xie Zhinuan heard everyone had arrived, she came out holding Xie Yi. Both mother and son were dressed in bright red jackets with fox fur trimming the collars and sleeves, looking like they had stepped out of a painting.Xie Yi’s hat was trimmed with fur, making him look even cuter and more adorable.
He glanced around and began to smile.
“Landlord!”
The crowd stood up in unison.
Xie Zhinuan smiled, “Please sit, today is a big celebration, and you’ve all put in a lot of effort to get here. Please sit down and don’t be shy!”
She set Xie Yi on a chair to the side and grandma Chen watched over him.
Seeing that it was about time, the chef came over to report that the dishes were ready.
“Then let’s serve the dishes!”
“Yes, landlord!”
Once the dishes were served, Xie Zhinuan had a chest brought over and she personally distributed New Year’s money to the children.
“You must study hard with your teacher, and don’t neglect martial arts practice!”
To the children from the other three manors, Xie Zhinuan’s advice was, “If you wish, you too can study, learn to read, and become useful people in the future!”
And then she handed them their New Year’s money.
Some couldn’t help but take a peek; it was two hundred wen. This was from the landlord.
They had never received so much New Year’s money before; even getting one wen in past years was a big deal.
After distributing the New Year’s money, Xie Zhinuan provided red envelopes for each family, which were collected by the respective head of the household.
Inside was two taels of silver.
“This is the last day of the year. Next year, you’ll work hard for me, managing the fields. Let’s all work together to make our farms even better!”
“Yes, landlord!”
Xie Zhinuan nodded with a smile, signaling for them to return to their seats.
Then she picked up a glass, “I propose a toast to you all, happy New Year!”
“Landlord, happy New Year!”
Those who could drink, drank, and those who couldn’t, took a sip.
“Eat up!”
The dishes were excellent, all were meats, including chicken and duck, and the flavors were outstanding. To be able to enjoy such a feast in their lifetime, to be so valued by the landlord, was more than enough.
Chapter 408