The Country Maiden: Fields and Leisure-Chapter 1626 - 1621: Meeting Gifts

Wang Yongzhu smiled and offered a bow of respect, "Greetings, Third Aunt!"

Old Granny Zhang added, "We’re family, there’s no need for such formal words. You’re the elder, she is the younger, surely not deserving of such formality—"

The Lady of the Gu Family also smiled and changed the subject, calling the grandchildren forward, "Come quickly and greet your Third Grand-Aunt—"

The little ones of the Gu Family stepped forward properly to pay their respects to Zhuo Die.

Zhuo Die was a bit overwhelmed but quickly distributed the prepared gifts for everyone.

Wang Yongzhu received a box, heavy in the hand, unsure of its contents, and naturally could not open it in front of everyone, so she casually handed it to Gu Yu behind her.

After the tea was served, it was customary for a new daughter-in-law to serve her parents-in-law in the first few days of marriage.

However, since they lived separately now, and Old Madam Gu certainly didn’t need Zhuo Die’s service either.

She was eager for the couple to spend more time together, hoping that an early pregnancy would be the greatest filial piety.

Thus, she waved them off, saying they probably had a hard day yesterday and urged them to rest early as there was no need for service, as long as the couple was harmonious, that was all that mattered.

Gu Changque had a darker complexion, so any embarrassment was not easily visible.

Zhuo Die’s fair skin turned visibly red with embarrassment at Old Madam Gu’s teasing.

Fortunately, she had a calm demeanor and managed to hold her composure despite the situation.

After taking their leave, she followed Gu Changque back to the third house.

After all, they didn’t sleep well yesterday, and today was busy with organizing the dowry, meeting the servants from the third house, and managing the household duties there.

Once the couple returned, everyone else got on with their own affairs and naturally dispersed.

Old Lady Gu was so excited she didn’t sleep half the night and was eagerly awaiting the daughter-in-law’s tea in the morning, but now she couldn’t hold on and went to her room to rest.

The other members of the Gu Family were also exhausted from the day before, while others could rest, Lady An could not.

Many things used yesterday were still not put away, and she had to send someone to oversee the tasks today. Also, the gifts received yesterday were organized by the accounting office and brought up today.

She needed to verify them and then send them to the third house to finalize the tasks.

However, these duties did not concern Old Granny Zhang or Wang Yongzhu, and the mother and daughter enjoyed some leisure time.

Nesting in the room, chatting leisurely.

Old Granny Zhang sighed, "Now that your uncle is married, I can relax my mind."

Wang Yongzhu nodded, opening the gift box from Zhuo Die, inside were two embroidery items, alongside a brush and fresh ink.

Two pieces of jewelry beside them were particularly extravagant and valuable compared to others.

Old Granny Zhang glanced over, opening her own gift to find two pairs of shoes, two handkerchiefs, and two sachets, delicately sewn, showing great care.

Inside the sachets were two fragrant pellets, emitting a lovely scent, very pleasing to the senses.

Though not monetarily very valuable, they clearly showed thoughtfulness.

The Zhuo family’s finances were modest, so the gifts Zhuo Die provided were indeed impressive.

Old Granny Zhang assessed the gifts and had an understanding in her mind.

It seemed likely that the gift Wang Yongzhu received was specially given; the two pieces of jewelry were different from others, their style resembled items from the Lady of the Gu Family’s Silver Building.

They weren’t cheap; she vaguely remembered the Lady mentioning that Zhuo Die’s family procured wedding supplies from her Silver Building, quite a coincidence.

Presumably, the jewelry was part of Zhuo Die’s dowry from her family, which she had decided to distribute.

Reflecting on this, she advised Wang Yongzhu, "In the future, if you receive any unusual rewards or good items, don’t think of just sending them to this house. Even though you mean well, always thinking of them with good things—"

"Your First Aunt is fine, but I wouldn’t mention anything about your Second Aunt. Yet, your Third Aunt, who just came into the family with limited means, if she keeps receiving good items from you, as an elder, how could she maintain her dignity?"

"Moreover, your Third Uncle is a sincere person and cherishes you the most. Knowing you gave your Third Aunt good things, if her return gifts are inferior, your uncle might be displeased, and over time, he may hold grudges against your aunt."

"If your Third Aunt, for the sake of pleasing your uncle, constantly seeks good things to give to you, even a fortune cannot withstand such wear and tear, can it? Over time, there’s bound to be friction in her heart."

"When your Third Aunt has children, what mother doesn’t think of her own children? Seeing your uncle giving you various good things, even a saint, seeing it often, wouldn’t be happy."

"Furthermore, since the Gu family is now divided, each managing their own, with your uncle’s household independently established, every social transaction requires spending silver. Your uncle, unlike your other two uncles, has limited income, and your aunt’s family’s means are thin, they should be shown consideration—"

Wang Yongzhu understood as she looked at the jewelry and the items on Old Granny Zhang’s side.

She said, "Mother is right. I hadn’t fully considered before. I only thought of being close to Third Uncle and always thought of him when I had something nice. Now it seems I need to be more discreet to prevent any discomfort for Uncle and Aunt."

Old Granny Zhang knew her daughter’s temperament; since she said this, she had taken it to heart. 𝗳𝚛𝗲𝕖𝚠𝚎𝚋𝗻𝗼𝕧𝗲𝐥.𝚌𝚘𝐦

"Mother naturally trusts you! And there’s one more thing, in the coming months, if it’s not urgent, avoid bothering your Third Uncle. There are so many people under your command, have them run errands, okay?"

Wang Yongzhu, both amused and exasperated, "Mother, do you really think I’m so unaware? Even if something critical comes up, I wouldn’t disturb Third Uncle and Third Aunt in the next few months."

"Besides, since the Empress and His Highness, The Ninth Prince are safe, and Third Uncle’s wedding is concluded, I expect the Emperor will soon take action. It won’t be long before we prepare to return to Chicheng, so what else would require troubling Uncle?"

Old Granny Zhang agreed, "That’s true."

It reminded her of Song Chongjin, their son-in-law far away, "You’re right, we are in the Capital City, leaving Chongjin alone in Chicheng, who knows what he’s up to there now!"

"Before leaving, he insisted multiple times for me to bring you back early, not to linger in the Capital City. I’m sure he longs for us to return soon!"

"Everything in the Capital is good, but it’s not as free and easy as Chicheng County. Once the matters here are settled, we should return as soon as possible!"

As the saying goes, a golden nest or a silver nest is not as good as one’s own humble home.

In Old Granny Zhang’s heart, the little courtyard in Chicheng County was truly her home with her daughter and son-in-law.

No matter how splendid the Capital, after a brief stay, prolonged residence left her feeling stifled.

Not to mention, expressing it sparked her desire to immediately call someone to pack, just waiting for the Emperor’s affairs to conclude, and then head home.