Chapter 390 - Chapter 390: Celebrating the Mid-Autumn Festival
Chapter 390: Celebrating the Mid-Autumn Festival
Translator: Henyee Translations Editor: Henyee Translations
August 15th, Mid-Autumn Festival.
Bright sunlight streamed in through the window, filling the air with the scent of sunshine. Birds chirped incessantly outside, where wild chrysanthemums bloomed in full glory, displaying the unique maturity of autumn.
As Chu Qingzhi opened her eyes, she heard Tang Jinghong’s blessing, “Qingzhi, happy Mid-Autumn Festival.”
His voice, low and slightly hoarse, was sexy. Hearing it, Chu Qingzhi felt a tingling sensation
She exposed her arm, revealing a lifelike golden feathered phoenix tattoo. This way, she and Tang Jinghong could receive each other’s messages in time. Whenever the phoenix warmed up, it meant a message had arrived.
Touching the golden phoenix on her arm, Chu Qingzhi sweetly replied, “Jinghong, happy Mid-Autumn Festival to you too.”
Tang Jinghong’s smile slowly spread across his face, his tone gentle, “Qingzhi, I’ve brought you a festival gift. It should arrive by noon. Enjoy the holiday today.”
A gift for her? The idea of receiving a present specially prepared for her on a festival filled Chu Qingzhi with joy. “Jinghong, thank you.”
Tang Jinghong replied, “No need to thank me.”
After an intimate chat, Chu Qingzhi got out of bed.
She woke up late today. By the time she got up, every household in the village was already busy preparing the midday feast, slaughtering chickens and ducks.
However, there was no rush in her family. With many hands to share the work, it would be done in no time.
Chu Qingzhi stretched lazily at the door.
Chu Qingyue was feeding chickens near the chicken coop, clucking along with them.
On such major festivals, unless necessary, everyone was supposed to rest, including the staff working at the family workshops. Naturally, Chu Qingyue was at home too.
Chu Qingzhi looked towards her sister, thinking how hardworking her sister was, always bustling around the house like a spinning top.
She walked towards the courtyard…
The three wolf cubs saw her and rushed over, howling excitedly.
When she first brought them home, they were thin and low-spirited. Now, under Xu Songnian’s careful care, the three cubs had grown chubbier and lively. If it weren’t for a large space in the village for them to run around, Chu Qingzhi had no doubt they would tear the house apart.
Chu Qingzhi crouched down and gently touched the wolf cubs, infusing a bit of spiritual energy into their foreheads.
“Aw, aw, aw…” The cubs sat in front of her, looking up at her like she was their mother.
Chu Qingzhi smiled, “Go play. I’ll give you some milk when it arrives.”
Ever since they started getting milk at home, the wolf cubs had been drinking it.
“Aw, aw, aw…” The cubs ran off happily.
Chu Qingzhi watched them go and chuckled, “You guys are quite adorable!”
Wu Yaqing heard Chu Qingzhi’s laughter and came out of the house, “Qingzhi, why are you so happy.”
Chu Qingzhi pointed towards the swing, “Look over there…”
Wu Yaqing looked and couldn’t help but laugh too. The three wolf cubs were sitting on the swing, swinging back and forth in a cute, clumsy manner.
Hearing their laughter, other family members came over to see…
“Third Sister, Third Sister…” Li Qingyin came carrying a heavy basket, struggling a bit with the weight.
Li Qingyu quickly took the basket from her. It was covered with a cloth, hiding its contents. “Qingyin, what have you brought?”
Li Qingyin’s face beamed with a smile, “Third Sister, take a look and you’ll see.”
Li Qingyu brought the basket inside and uncovered it to reveal a basket full of duck eggs. “Are these fresh duck eggs? Or salted duck eggs?”
“Salted duck eggs,” Li Qingyin said happily. “Third Sister, these salted duck eggs are so fragrant and delicate, and they even ooze oil. They’re delicious.”
“You’ve helped me so much. These salted duck eggs are specially for you, as my festival gift. I won’t give you mooncakes, as you make plenty of it on your own, and the ones I buy outside aren’t as tasty as yours.”
Li Qingyu smiled and said, “Then I won’t stand on ceremony.”
Li Qingyin said, “Third Sister, I’ll head back now. Today, I also plan to make some delicious food for the kids.”
Li Qingyu stopped her, “Take some mooncakes for the kids. I was planning to bring some to you, but since you’re here, it saves me a trip.”
Exchanging gifts was customary. Li Qingyin accepted, “Thank you so much, Third Sister.”
Li Qingyu packed thirty mooncakes for her sister.
Li Qingyin thanked her with a smile, “Third Sister, thank you.”
Li Qingyu replied, “No need to be so formal with your sister.”
After Li Qingyin left, Li Qingyu urged everyone to eat quickly. They too had to visit relatives and friends to give gifts. There was much to do.
Shortly after the meal, villagers began arriving with gifts, expressing their gratitude to the Chu family for helping them prosper. Li Qingyu accepted them all, planning to return the favor to each family when time permitted.
After some tidying up, Li Qingyu and Chu Rong first took Chu Qingyue and Chu Qingyan to present gifts to their masters, a duty they could not neglect. The gifts were generously prepared.
For other relatives, Grandpa Chu and Granny Chu assigned each person one or two families to visit. Even Chu Qingzhi was tasked with delivering gifts, a novel experience for her, as she was usually the one receiving gifts.
Apart from these, business partners also sent gifts to Chu Qingzhi’s family, so the Chu family naturally had to return the favor. The day had just begun, yet it already felt incredibly busy.
Grandpa Chu and Granny Chu stayed at home to look after the house.
Jiang Zhaoyong went to the county town to buy generous gifts for the Chu family. “Grandpa, Grandma.”
Granny Chu was very fond of Jiang Zhaoyong. “If you’re coming, just come. Why bring something? Just come directly next time, no need for gifts.”
“It’s the festival, I can’t come empty-handed.” Jiang Zhaoyong had no relatives here, and everyone at the school had gone home for the festival. Being a sociable person, he thought of joining the Chu family to enjoy the festivities and, incidentally, to ingratiate himself with the elders, laying a solid foundation for his future marriage to Chu Qingning.
Soon, everyone returned from sending the gifts. The elders went to the kitchen to prepare the midday meal, while the younger members gathered in the yard to make lanterns.
In this era, it was customary to “light lanterns” to enhance the moon’s beauty.
That day, under the guidance of the elders, the younger family members made lanterns from bamboo strips, creating shapes like fruits, animals, and the words “Celebrating the Mid-Autumn Festival.” They covered them with paper, painted them in various colors, and at night, candles were lit inside and hung high in the house.
Chu Rong had prepared the materials and started making lanterns right away.
Chu Qingzhi watched Chu Rong make one and quickly learned how to do it herself, then made a cute red apple lantern..