An eight-year-old kid emptied his scumbag father's warehouse and followed his grandparents into
Chapter 493 New Year’s Eve Dinner
On the 27th day of the twelfth lunar month, there were a few light white clouds floating in the sky, and the sunlight shone through the clouds onto the earth, giving people a warm and peaceful feeling.
Jing Chunxi was in the middle courtyard, curiously watching the women of the Cui Mansion steaming rice cakes, when he heard a commotion coming from the front courtyard. Xiao Man ran in excitedly, saying, "Miss, Shopkeeper Yan and his wife have come personally to deliver the New Year gifts. Lu Ying said the Crown Prince isn't home, so they asked for them to be sent to Miss's courtyard."
Looking up, a few servants came in carrying large and small boxes, followed closely by the two brothers Yan Qing and Yan Huai. Xiao Tianbao ran out of breath, and several of them had smiles on their faces. Xiao Tianbao called out breathlessly: "Xiao Man brother, you are so bad. You didn't even wait for Tianbao."
There were quite a few people following behind, all of them carrying things on their shoulders or in their hands. The team was huge, with at least twenty people.
Walking at the back were the shopkeeper Yan and his wife. They both had smiles on their faces and appeared very polite. A clerk was standing by to greet them and carefully place the gifts in the middle of the yard.
Seeing the people carrying things behind them trying to step in, Jing Chunxi was startled. Chuntao and Tang Shuang also stepped forward to stop them. Jing Chunxi said to the couple who bowed to her, "Are you moving your family here? Just show your intention, why so many?"
Madam Yan called the three siblings over, and the five of them bowed respectfully and were about to bow down. Shopkeeper Yan said, "This is a small gift from our Yan family. Your life-saving grace is greater than heaven. I hope the young lady will accept this small token of my appreciation."
Jing Chunxi was startled again and quickly called out, "Chun Tao, Tang Shuang."
Tang Shuang was still guarding the door, too late to turn back. Chun Tao, upon seeing the situation, had already stood beside Jing Chunxi. She helped Madam Yan up, while Xiao Man helped Shopkeeper Yan, who had just been pulled by Xiao Tang Bao and happened to be standing nearby.
Jing Chunxi had no choice but to accept the three brothers and sisters' sincere kneeling kowtows and listen to the couple's words of thanks. Mrs. Yan thanked her while holding her hand and crying, which made Jing Chunxi extremely embarrassed.
After exchanging some pleasantries, Mrs. Yan led Jing Chunxi forward and opened the box. They saw that it was filled with some precious ornaments, including exquisite jade pendants, dazzling gem necklaces, and delicately crafted gold bracelets.
She couldn't help but sigh at the generosity of Shopkeeper Yan, but she also knew in her heart that this was not just a gift, but also a gesture of goodwill and respect from Shopkeeper Yan to the Cui family.
In addition to these decorations, there are also all kinds of New Year goods such as pigs, sheep, chickens, ducks, fish, etc. Four New Year pigs alone were carried here, and they were slaughtered.
Each of the four pigs was plump and looked to weigh at least two hundred pounds. They had obviously been carefully selected.
When the servants in the mansion saw these rich New Year's goods, they all smiled with joy. Although they did not come forward, they all discussed in secret that this year's New Year's Eve dinner would definitely be extraordinarily sumptuous.
The New Year's goods had to be collected. Jing Chunxi asked Tang Shuang to lead them and take them all to the backyard kitchen.
Jing Chunxi tried to refuse the gold and silver jewelry again and again, but she couldn't get away with it, so she had to move it to her own room first. She returned the wooden box to them no matter what.
Seeing Jing Chunxi again, Little Sweetie forgot about her snotty brother and slept in Jing Chunxi's bed for two more nights. During the day, she became Jing Chunxi's little follower, never leaving his side. For two nights, she curled up in Jing Chunxi's arms like a little angel and slept soundly.
On the morning of New Year's Eve, it was already bright. Little Sweetie had just gotten up and was taken back home by Yan Qing and Yan Huai who had arrived early, without even having breakfast with Jing Chunxi.
Although the common people were not allowed to enter the palace, many, filled with gratitude, sent New Year gifts to the Cui family. They stood outside the gates, clutching their gifts and wearing sincere smiles. Some even knelt before the gates and kowtowed several times before reluctantly leaving.
Starting on the twenty-fifth day of the twelfth lunar month, for several days in a row, both sides of the Cui residence's gate were filled with gifts. There were enamel bowls filled with a pound or two of rice, a few fresh eggs, and a handful or two of tender green vegetables. Someone even gave tea, homemade snacks, rice cakes, sweet potatoes, taro, and dried vegetables.
Although these gifts were not valuable, they were all tokens of the people's love. Many people left without a trace, and it was impossible to stop them. The tribesmen could only order their servants to collect them all.
An old man who claimed to be the clan leader, unable to find the prince, had no choice but to come to Jing Chunxi in person and ask: "Miss, the people have just managed to get enough food and clothing, and the things they sent us are all the best in the family. We want to return them, but we don't know who they belong to. We don't want to take them for free, so what should we do?"
He had an embarrassment on his face, and his eyes revealed his concern for the people and his responsibility for the Cui Mansion. With such an elder, I believe that the descendants of the Cui family will not have bad hearts.
Jing Chunxi asked for details and found out that the people had given ordinary things, not gold, silver or anything valuable, so he took the initiative and said, "Old Patriarch, since these are the people's gifts, it means they are grateful and respectful to the Cui family.
They send it like rice to a hundred families. What is sent is a blessing, so just take it to the kitchen and cook it! After eating it, everyone will be healthy and motivated in the coming year.
As long as we live up to the people and work harder for their welfare, we will have a clear conscience."
Her words were filled with determination and confidence, which made the old clan leader feel very relieved. Jing Chunxi thought about it and gave another suggestion: "Clan leader, the Cui Mansion is a kind family. How about this? On New Year's Eve and the first day of the new year, we can give out porridge to the public. This can at least take care of the elderly, the weak, the sick, and the homeless. It can also be considered as a reward for the people."
The old patriarch's eyes filled with tears, and he nodded continuously: "Miss, this is a good idea. I will arrange it right away." After that, he thanked Jing Chunxi! Then he walked away tremblingly.
This kind of scene had not been seen for many years. It seemed that the Cui Mansion had won the support of the people again, and the young lady's suggestion could win back the people's hearts. This gave the old patriarch hope again.
During the New Year’s Eve dinner, the Cui Mansion was decorated with lights from the main gate to the backyard. The lights were lit early, making the place look festive and bustling.
Feasts were set up in the front and back yards, a total of sixty tables. This was a rare sight since the Empress Dowager's passing, as all the clan members had come. Everyone's faces were beaming with smiles, and they exchanged pleasantries, creating a harmonious atmosphere.
Compared to the liveliness in the courtyard, sitting at the dining table in the side hall of the front yard were only Jing Chunxi, Cheng Rui, Cheng Zhi, and Xiao Deguang, the acting county magistrate. A seat was also reserved for Xu Zize next to Jing Chunxi.
The four of them didn't pick up their chopsticks for a long time and were waiting quietly.
Xiao Deguang poured a small glass of wine but didn't drink it. He simply poured it slowly onto the ground, not knowing whether he was paying tribute to his loved ones or to the innocent people who had died. His eyes held a trace of sadness and helplessness, as if he was recalling the difficult years of the past.
Jing Chunxi didn't move either. Instead, she looked at them and said, "If you are hungry, eat two pieces of snacks to fill your stomach first. You have to wait for Brother Xiaokang." Her voice was gentle and firm, making people feel a warm power.
Xiao Deguang spoke to himself, "I heard from the elders in the palace that this is the largest gathering of the Cui family since the Empress Dowager passed away. The family banquet was even discontinued in the past two years."
He glanced at everyone present, as if seeking their approval: "This is such a grand event. First, Xiaokang has returned; second, Jian'an has finally seen a new look. This is cause for celebration!"
His words were full of expectations for the future, and he was also proud of Xu Zize. After all, Xu Zize was the grandson of the Cui family and the nephew of their Tao family.
Jing Chunxi was indeed a little hungry. She silently picked up a piece of cake and started to nibble on it. She felt that the other meaning of holding such a large event was probably that she felt that the Prince of Yan's Mansion was about to rise.
Whether it is the Cui family or the Tao family, their hearts are full of longing for the future of the family. At the same time, they also understand that all this requires their joint efforts to achieve.
The young man, still under fourteen years old, endured countless hardships because his father was the Prince of Yan and the Empress Dowager's grandson. From the age of eight, he was held hostage in the imperial palace for over four years. During that time, he lived in fear and uncertainty, facing the intrigues and complex interpersonal relationships of the palace. At a young age, he learned to conceal his emotions and to be strong in the face of adversity.
He was already a teenager, traveling extensively and taking over almost all of his father's external affairs. His young shoulders carried the weight of the family, facing the royal family's past affairs, the fratricide between his father and his brother, generations of family feuds, and family affairs. These heavy burdens weighed on him, and were not something an ordinary person could bear.
But he never complained, never gave up, and relied on his wisdom and courage to make it through step by step. His growth was full of hardships and tribulations, but it also made him more mature, resilient and introverted.
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