Educated Youth in the Countryside: She is the Village's Embroidery Queen!-Chapter 222: Head of the Household Authority
As a guest, it’s not polite to tour the host’s home, but as the homeowner, you can look as much as you want.
Therefore, after the team captain’s uncle helped move things into the house and then left, Yi Chichi began an all-encompassing tour of the Wen Family home under Wen’s mother’s guidance.
Without the tour, she wouldn’t have realized how spacious the Wen Family home actually was.
Though there were only the mother and son at home, and with Wen Shi joining the military leaving Wen’s mother alone, the Wen Family home surprisingly had five rooms.
One of the rooms served as a storage room, housing food and miscellaneous items.
Previously sent seafood among others were located there and hadn’t been distributed.
Additionally, there were tools such as rattan baskets and woodworking tools.
Upon seeing the woodworking tools, Yi Chichi wondered, "Why are these here?"
"At one point, Wen Shi impulsively wanted to learn woodworking, so I prepared a set for him, but soon after, he enlisted in the army, leaving the tools unused."
Mentioning Wen Shi brought a gentle glow to Wen’s mother’s eyes.
"Come, let me show you the rooms; there’s not much to see in the storage room."
"Alright."
Yi Chichi’s room is the one Wen Shi used to stay in, specifically arranged by Wen’s mother. The walls were freshly painted white, curtains replaced, and even the bed cabinets and wardrobes were updated with new ones.
Besides that, Wen’s mother organized a multifunctional shelf resembling a display rack for her.
Below the shelf is a cupboard with double doors, providing ample space inside, while the top has a partitioned grid with various sized compartments for books, stationery, and assorted small objects.
Bedding like quilts and covers on the bed are all new.
A striking red color with embroidery on satin fabric looked extremely high-end, and next to the wall laid a big red blanket.
Touching it was thick and soft.
Yi Chichi turned to look at Wen’s mother, "Mom, did you spend a lot on these purchases?"
"That’s not important."
Wen’s mother waved her hand dismissively, "With a new wife entering the house, I surely won’t treat you badly."
Moreover, her mischievous son sent a lengthy telegram post-registration, as if fearing she might mistreat the daughter-in-law, spent generously with not a bit of concern over waste.
Without punctuation marks, it was exhausting to read and break sentences.
"By the way, since you are married into the family, this household will be yours to manage from now on."
Before finishing speaking, Wen’s mother reached under the pillow, took out a small package, and handed it over.
"Here, this is the family’s entire fortune."
Yi Chichi accepted it and looked inside, finding a stack of money and tickets. She bent over to the bedside, grabbed a wooden box, and handed it over.
"This is the Wen Family heirloom for daughters-in-law, I am handing it over to you today."
Yi Chichi, ... is her mother-in-law too efficient?
She was just handing over the household assets when Yi Chichi had just arrived; could she say she likes it?
Not out of greed, but Yi Chichi felt comfortable with Wen’s mother’s attitude.
"Mom, can I open it and have a look?"
"Of course, once given to you, it’s yours — feel free to look."
Wen’s mother encouraged her with a smile to open it.
Consequently, Yi Chichi saw what was inside the wooden box.
A pair of Mutton Fat Jade Bracelets, a meticulously crafted Jewelry-inlaid gold hairpin, and a string of East Pearl Bracelet.
Coming from a wealthy family background, Yi Chichi’s original world experience provided some insight into antiques.
While not at the level of professionals, she could outperform most amateurs.
Having a third uncle in the trade, it was inevitable to acquire knowledge.
Therefore, with a cursory glance, she could identify these as Imperial Court Treasures.
Picking them up confirmed it, with a mark of Imperial Palace Manufacturing.
Instantly, her gaze towards Wen’s mother grew puzzled.
"What’s wrong?"
Noticing her unusual gaze, Wen’s mother glanced up with some suspicion.
Yi Chichi took a deep breath, sensing her mother-in-law’s identity might not be simple.
"Mom, are you aware of the origins of these items?"
Wen’s mother understood, seeing she had figured it out.
She chuckled, "These are Wen Family trinkets; it’s safe for you to keep them. It’s just given the unfavorable conditions now; these can’t be worn presently. Store them until circumstances improve, then you can wear them."
Originally planning to keep them stored, Yi Chichi packed the items, closed the lid, and handed the box back to Wen’s mother, "Mom, please store them for me first; pass them to me when I can wear them."
"...Alright."
This girl was perceptive, with broad horizons and a good character.
That’s enough for her.
As a mother-in-law, worrying about encountering a clever daughter-in-law isn’t necessary — it’s dealing with foolish daughter-in-laws that’s concerning.
Thus, Wen’s mother put the wooden box away again.
During the following time, both mother-in-law and daughter-in-law sorted through the organized items, placed them, and then continued to explore remaining rooms and the courtyard.
The Wen Family courtyard is quite large, with a high fence surrounding it.
Wen’s mother tended to a vegetable garden, and currently, it was the season for abundant fruits and vegetables.
There were also two pear trees and a peach tree, the pear trees bore plenty of fruit, yet the peach tree had nothing but leaves and bugs.
Spread across the courtyard were several mats drying goods like dried beans, black fungus, dried eggplant, sweet potatoes, and chili peppers.
"Once the new wheat comes in, I’ll make you some wheat sauce to try."
"Is it delicious?"
Yi Chichi hasn’t tasted wheat sauce yet and showed interest upon hearing.
Wen’s mother considered briefly, "I’m unsure if you’ll like it; Wen Shi and I enjoy it."
Adding, "It’s spicy; can you handle that?"
"Yes."
She could certainly handle spicy food, whether it was fragrant, spicy, mild, or other — except for sweet and spicy tastes.
"There’s some leftover, good for dinner; you can taste it first."
"Great."
As a result, Yi Chichi ended up eating a hearty dinner; Wen’s mother had exceptional culinary skills, on par with Wu Yongfei.
Wu Yongfei’s cooking talent stemmed from her guidance, while Wen’s mother’s skills were pure talent — whether it was clear stewed chicken or land and vegetables — the taste was definitive.
The wheat sauce was also excellent, appetizing, refreshing, and perfect for accompanying meals. Yi Chichi was hooked after trying a mouthful, suggesting to Wen’s mother, "Mom, can we have noodles for breakfast, with wheat sauce?"
"Certainly, I’ll make it for you."
Knowing Yi Chichi was engaged in embroidery and had partnered with the Friendship Store, Wen’s mother hadn’t expected her to do household chores.
Even if Yi Chichi wanted to do them, she would be refused.
Unable to ignore, after multiple reminders from her mischievous son not to allow his wife to soil her hands with chores, making them coarse.
"Thank you, Mom."
"No thanks necessary."
Seeing the tableware was set down, Wen’s mother swiftly tidied up, not forgetting to inquire, "Will you go visit Mr. Song and Mrs. Song’s family later tonight when it’s completely dark or right now?"
"After dark."
So we can bring more things over.
"Do you need Mom to accompany you?"
"Sure, it’d be nice to meet them."
Wen’s mother paused while washing the dishes, "Actually, I’ve already met them."
"Really?"
"I even became friends with Sister Song."
Yi Chichi fell silent for two seconds, "Mom, the hierarchy is wrong."
"I should call Old Mrs. Song grandma; she’s from the same generation as my mother’s uncle."
Wen’s mother, ... focusing on the right priorities indeed.
