Returning to the main room, Second Aunt Song opened her chest. Inside were simply ten bolts of cloth, not even worth as much as the single chest given to the old couple.
With a sweeping glance from her, Second Song decisively walked over to Oldest Song's side to open his chest.
With quick reflexes, Oldest Song firmly pressed his hand down on the chest. If the things Jinzhao gave their family were better than the second branch's, they would not only have to listen to a barrage of complaints, but the items might also be snatched away. This chest could not be opened.
Seeing his sneak attack fail, Second Song clamored, Brother, hurry and open the chest to see what's inside. We already opened ours.
Oldest Song used his leg to push the chest behind him. No need. I'll carry it back later and let your sister-in-law open it. It's probably just some cloth anyway.
Second Aunt Song came over smiling to back her husband up. Brother, open the chest and let me see. There are a few colors Jinzhao gave us that I don't really like. It just so happens that Sister-in-law likes purple, so I can trade this bolt with you.
Elder Aunt Song, who had just hurried over, happened to hear this and loudly declared without a second thought, I don't like purple. Sister-in-law, you should keep it to make clothes for yourself.
Stepping over the threshold and seeing so many things displayed in the room, she could hardly conceal the shock in her eyes.
Seeing her arrive, Oldest Song quickly smiled and pulled her over to the chest. Lihua, these are the New Year's gifts Jinzhao sent someone to deliver to us.
The second branch thought she would open the chest, but after nodding, Elder Aunt Song showed no further reaction.
Even though Jinzhao is far away in the capital, she still remembered to send us New Year's gifts. She really is a filial child.
Old Man Song looked at his eldest daughter-in-law with satisfaction. It was enough to appreciate the gesture in one's heart, unlike those two from the second branch whose eyes were practically falling out staring at the goods.
After washing the pots clean, Fushun came to the main room. Since the New Year's gifts have been delivered, if there are no further instructions, this lowly one will take his leave now.
Old Lady Song pointed at the gloomy sky and spoke up, It's getting late. You should leave tomorrow.
Fushun hesitated; he had originally planned to spend the night in the city.
Seeing this, Old Man Song said, The horse can barely walk anymore. At least let it rest too.
Seeing both elders speaking up to ask him to stay, Fushun had no choice but to smile, nod, and agree. Then this lowly one will go cook.
Old Lady Song was just about to reach out and stop him when she was blocked by Second Aunt Song. Mother-in-law, he is Jinzhao's steward, which means he's a servant. It's only right that he cooks. Let him do it.
Fushun was about to say that it was indeed his duty to cook, but Second Aunt Song beat him to it again.
She lifted a well-marinated and sun-dried braised duck and handed it to him. Chop this duck up and steam it.
Fushun looked toward Old Man Song.
Old Man Song's face darkened and his voice dropped. No need to steam it. There are vegetables in the kitchen, just casually make a couple of dishes. They aren't eating here, so just cook for the three of us.
Having lost face, Second Aunt Song bit her lip tightly.
Second Song said ingratiatingly, Father, let Brother and me stay and eat with you and Mother tonight.
Old Man Song showed no mercy. There's no need. Take the chest Jinzhao gave you and go back.
As for the things for the children, let them come and get them themselves tomorrow.
Second Song disappointedly scanned the items on the table and the floor. We can just take everything back together today.
Old Man Song raised his voice, his tone growing heavy. I said let them come and get it themselves.
Oldest Song picked up his chest and said, Father, Mother, then Lihua and I will leave first. We'll come to see you tomorrow.
Seeing the couple from the first branch leave, Second Aunt Song unwillingly signaled Second Song to leave as well.
Ever since the third branch became prosperous, their parents-in-law's tempers had grown worse and worse, and there was absolutely nothing they could do about it.
Upon returning to their old house, Elder Aunt Song could not wait to open the chest.
So it's just cloth too. I thought there would be something else. Oldest Song looked away, uninterested.
Elder Aunt Song took the cloth out. The colors are nicer than the second branch's. There are two bolts suitable for Qiaoniang to wear. When spring arrives, we can make spring shirts for her.
These two bolts of fabric are especially soft and have the character for fortune embroidered on them. They must be for Yongshi.
Oldest Song noticed the thickness of the cloth didn't look quite right and reached out to count the bolts. Twelve bolts. That's two more than the second branch got.
Hearing this, Elder Aunt Song happily stuffed the fabric back into the chest.
Clang, thud.
What was that sound?
Elder Aunt Song looked down at the ground but found nothing. However, the sound just now clearly indicated that something had dropped.
Song Qiaoniang came out of the room holding Song Yongshi, a silver bracelet in her hand.
Mother, is it this? It just rolled into the room and I saw it.
Elder Aunt Song took the bracelet with shining eyes. The delicate lotus patterns sparkled brightly, looking incredibly beautiful.
She looked at Oldest Song in pleasant surprise. Did Jinzhao give this to me?
Since it was a wide bracelet and a style suited for married women, it definitely wasn't for Qiaoniang.
Song Qiaoniang said with eyes full of envy, Mother, this bracelet is so pretty.
Elder Aunt Song put the bracelet on her wrist and carefully examined the patterns on it.
Not only is it pretty, but it's also valuable. Made of silver, it must be worth at least a few taels.
Song Yongnian walked out from the left room holding a book.
He bent down to pick up a letter that had fallen under the table and said, quite speechless, Not only is there a bracelet, but there's also a letter. They both dropped on the floor and you didn't even notice.
Elder Aunt Song glanced under the table. It was too far in, I didn't see it. Hurry and see what it says!
Song Yongnian opened the envelope. Inside was only a single sheet of paper with just a few words.
It's nothing much. Sister Jinzhao just says that Grandpa and Grandma are getting older, and asks you to take better care of them on a daily basis.
Oldest Song took the letter and looked at it from beginning to end. Even though he couldn't read a single word, he was just happy in his heart.
Jinzhao really is something. Taking care of our parents is our duty to begin with, yet she went out of her way to send a bracelet.
Elder Aunt Song reached out and took the bracelet off. She's giving me a hint. The bracelet was given to me, after all.
Seeing her take the bracelet off her wrist, Oldest Song hurriedly reached out to put it back on her.
It looks good on you, no need to take it off.
Elder Aunt Song dodged his hand, insisting on taking the bracelet off, and carefully cradled it in her hands.
It wouldn't be good to let the second branch see it. I don't need to wear a bracelet when I'm doing chores at home. I'll wear it when we return to my maiden home on the second day of the New Year.
Then she said to the siblings, Jinzhao bought things for you too. Grandpa said for you to go get them yourselves tomorrow. We should be eating dinner over there tomorrow night.
Oldest Song picked up the chest disapprovingly. Just now, the second brother wanted to eat there, but Father didn't let him. If we were going to eat together, we would have done it today. I reckon it won't be until the Little New Year.
Elder Aunt Song said, That's because there's an outsider in the house. He rushed over from a thousand miles away to deliver things, and then having to cook for a huge family, even if he is a servant, our parents wouldn't agree to that. We'll definitely wait until he leaves and eat tomorrow.
Oldest Song said, So that's how it is. I thought Father was upset.
Elder Aunt Song clicked her tongue. With Jinzhao sending so much, how could they possibly be upset? She was successful and filial; they would probably wake up laughing from their dreams.
