The heavy snow before the New Year fell continuously for seven days and seven nights before finally stopping. In unpopulated areas, the snow accumulated to a depth of nearly two meters.
In Anyang Prefecture, a thousand miles away, the blizzard was even worse. The roofs of families who did not clear the snow in time collapsed under the weight.
Blanketed in white snow, Song Village looked like an ink wash painting, exuding peace and tranquility everywhere.
The sound of carriage wheels rolling over the snow was exceptionally distinct.
Fushun stood on the carriage, gazing at the surrounding houses.
The Eldest Miss had said that the largest blue-brick house near the back mountain in the village was the newly built old house of the third branch of the Song family.
Thick black smoke drifted up into the sky from the chimney. His eyes lit up, and with a smile, he gripped the reins and drove the carriage further in.
Song Daniu and his wife, who lived at the entrance of the village, were just preparing to eat. Just as they were about to close their door, they saw a carriage pass by.
The couple stepped out of their courtyard to watch. "It's not Master Zhao's carriage. It's heading towards the back mountain, so it must be Song Jinzhao."
Daniu's wife raised her brows in confusion. "Didn't Old Man Song say that the third branch's family went to the capital and wouldn't be coming back for the New Year this year? Why are they back?"
Song Daniu shook his head. "The carriage is a bit small; it doesn't look like it can fit four people."
At the same time, the first and second branches of the Song family also saw the carriage.
Oldest Song looked at the back of the carriage and muttered, "Could it be that Jinzhao and the others are back?"
Elder Aunt Song, holding a child, nudged her husband's arm. "Go over and take a look. If they're back, let me know so I can go help cook."
Oldest Song nodded.
Old Lady Song, who was cooking, heard a knock on the door and walked out with Old Man Song. "Who is it?"
The oldest and second sons never knocked when they came over, and on such a cold day, the villagers wouldn't even step out of their doors.
Fushun looked through the crack in the door and saw two elderly people approaching.
He smiled and called out inside, "Old Master, Old Madam, I am Fushun, the Eldest Miss's steward in Anyang Prefecture. I have been ordered to deliver the New Year's gifts."
Old Man Song opened the door and looked at the beaming Fushun. "Jinzhao sent you?"
Fushun smiled and nodded, hurriedly bowing. "This lowly one, Fushun, greets the Old Master and Old Madam."
"Before the master left for the capital, she specifically instructed me to deliver the New Year's gifts during the twelfth lunar month. The snow has been too heavy these past few days, causing a delay on the road. I beg the Old Master and Old Madam's forgiveness."
Old Man Song and Old Lady Song, having never been bowed to before, subconsciously took a step back. They figured this must be a servant their eldest granddaughter bought in Anyang Prefecture.
"Father, Mother," Oldest Song and Second Song with his wife called out at the same time.
The second branch lived closer than the first branch but saw the carriage later, so the two groups arrived almost simultaneously, one right after the other.
Fushun turned his head to look at the three approaching people, his eyes darting between them. Not knowing which was the first branch and which was the second, he first gave a slight bow to acknowledge them, then turned to Old Man Song, hoping to learn their identities through him.
Oldest Song glanced at Fushun and asked Old Man Song, "Father, who is this?"
Old Man Song replied, "He is Jinzhao's steward in Anyang Prefecture, here to deliver some things."
"This is my oldest son, and this is my second son and second daughter-in-law."
Fushun hurriedly smiled and bowed deeply again to Oldest Song and Second Song. "Greetings, First Master. Greetings, Second Master. Greetings, Second Madam."
Oldest Song was bowed to and didn't quite know what to do, while Second Song and his wife looked Fushun up and down from head to toe.
Even a servant was dressed better than they were; one could only imagine how wealthy the third branch was now.
Seeing everyone standing at the door, Old Man Song opened both sides of the courtyard gates completely. "It's cold outside, come in first."
Fushun nodded in agreement, turned around, and parked the carriage in the courtyard, tying it up. He lifted the carriage curtain, revealing a carriage full of New Year's gifts.
Seeing him carry things down from the carriage trip after trip, the Song family's eyes nearly popped out of their heads.
Were these all New Year's gifts? How much stuff was this!
After moving everything into the main hall, Fushun opened the chests and introduced them one by one.
"These are two sets of new bedding the Eldest Miss prepared for you two elders; they are especially warm for the winter."
"These are two sets of ready-made clothes, complete from inside to outside and top to bottom. These are fabrics, in case the Old Madam finds it convenient to make something herself."
"These are new clothes the Second Miss prepared for her female cousins, along with hair flowers and handkerchiefs, all currently fashionable in Anyang Prefecture."
"These are books, along with some brushes, ink, paper, and inkstones, that the Eldest Young Master prepared for his two younger male cousins who are studying."
After introducing the items in the chests, Fushun lifted the lids of the bamboo baskets. "These are chickens and ducks raised on the estate's own farm, as well as pork and mutton, all properly cured. There is also wine and tea."
The dazzling array of items filled half the main hall, making everyone's eyes blur.
Second Aunt Song excitedly pinched Second Song's waist hard, wishing she could rake all the things into her own home.
The two elders looked at the things on the table and the floor, smiling so widely their eyes were almost squeezed shut.
"She just sent someone to deliver things in September, why did she send so much again this time? Jinzhao must have spent a lot of silver."
Fushun smiled and bowed. "The Eldest Miss is filial, so the Old Master and Old Madam should be happy."
With that, he turned sideways and pointed to two unopened chests on the floor, saying to Oldest Song and Second Song, "These two chests are holiday gifts the Eldest Miss prepared separately for the first and second branches. She said since she isn't coming back this year, she still needs you two to take good care of the Old Master and Old Madam."
Before Oldest Song could reach out, Second Song stepped forward to pick first. However, Fushun pointed to the chest on the right and told him, "This is for the second branch."
Second Song and his wife's eyes simultaneously fell on the remaining chest. "Are the contents of the two chests the same?"
Fushun feigned ignorance and shook his head. "I do not know. These were all prepared by the Eldest Miss before she left."
He pointed out again, "Second Master, your chest is this one."
Second Song and his wife looked unwillingly at the chest on the left, feeling that the things inside must be better.
A burning smell drifted in from outside. Old Lady Song, who was holding the new clothes and looking at them, suddenly widened her eyes upon smelling it and yelled at the top of her lungs, "My pot!!!"
She stumbled into the kitchen and lifted the pot lid. The water inside had completely boiled dry, and the bright orange pumpkin had been cooked black.
Old Lady Song hastily grabbed a spatula to scoop out the pumpkin. Seeing that a crust had formed at the bottom, she slapped her thigh in frustration.
"Oh my goodness, my pumpkin! How are we supposed to eat this now?"
Second Aunt Song, who had followed her over, said, "With ready-made chicken and duck, who still wants to eat pumpkin? If it's burnt, it's burnt."
Old Man Song and Old Lady Song glared at Second Aunt Song at the same time, startling her so much that a chill ran down her spine, and she didn't dare make a sound.
Seeing Old Lady Song about to pour water to wash the pot, Fushun quickly stepped forward and took the water basin. "Let me wash it."
Pushed aside, Old Lady Song looked at Old Man Song somewhat helplessly. They had never used servants before and were a bit unaccustomed to it.
Second Song grabbed Old Lady Song's arm. "Mother, let's go over and tidy up the things first."
With so many things delivered, how could one chest be enough? No matter what, they had to get a share of the rest.
Elder Aunt Song, not seeing Oldest Song return after a long time, grew anxious.
She turned back to the room and handed the child to Song Qiaoniang. "Take care of your younger brother. Mother is going to check on your grandfather's side."
Just before leaving, she gave a few instructions to Song Yongnian, who was reading in the other room.
