Chapter 87: Chapter 87: Brotherhood
Chapter 87: Chapter 87: Brotherhood
Wong Hongli saw that not only had the father and son of Old Wong arrived, but they also brought a package of pastries. Although it was the cheapest kind of jujube cake sold in town, it was still quite a gesture. Even when his own family invited Old Wong to enjoy a al, they had to invite him three or four tis, and it was rare for him to visit, let alone bring anything.
Wong Hongli quickly and quietly sent Qian Yixiu to his ho to tell his father that Old Wong had arrived.
Qian Yixiu was quite unsure about the way Wang Lizheng peeked through the door cracks, but she readily agreed and ran towards the village, leading Qian Yiduo with her.
Upon hearing that Old Wong had truly gone to dine at the Qian family’s third wife’s ho, Wang Lizheng was also astonished and said to Qian Yixiu, “Wang Grandpa felt a bit dizzy this morning, but it’s better now, and I was just thinking of visiting your ho. How tily that you ca to fetch .”
Then he hurriedly ran towards the west end of the village. His strides were large and he moved swiftly, leaving Qian Yixiu and Qian Yiduo unable to catch up, so they had to follow at a slower pace.
Upon arriving, Wang Lizheng bowed and scraped before Steward Wong, who responded with a grunt from his nose and resud chatting with Qian Sangui about the “outside world”. Those who, like Wang Lizheng, saw themselves as worldly and had even been to the provincial capital of Xizhou Mansion, were imnsely curious.
Steward Wong, patting Qian Sangui on the shoulder with a sense of regret, said, “Brother Qian Sangui, our hos are so close, yet how co we’ve only just t? If I’d t you earlier, I would have had soone whom I could really talk to….”
It was a gesture of mutual admiration, as if they lanted not eting sooner.
Qian Sangui, no stranger to worldly matters himself, chatted ceaselessly with Steward Wong and didn’t neglect the other guests either.
Two tables were set up in the main hall, with the father and son of Steward Wong, Wang Lizheng, Doctor Lin, Mr. Zhang, Second Grandpa, and the Sangui Brothers at one table, and other n at the other. Two more tables were opened in the east wing: one for the won, led by Old woman Qian, and another for the children.
The dishes were plentiful and tasty, with the best mature grain wine from town pleasing the guests imnsely. As the wine flowed, Steward Wong said to Qian Sangui, “I have a jar of Capital City’s Tieguotou liquor, which is even stronger than this wine. I’ll invite Brother Sangui over to my place to have a couple of drinks soti.”
Qian Sangui exclaid in surprise, “Your family has Tieguotou? I’ve been craving it for years since our Leader of the Escort Army told about it, but I’ve never had the chance to try it.”
“Hahaha, well then, I’ll have my wife prepare so fine dishes for you to experience the potency of Tieguotou,” laughed Steward Wong heartily.
The n were enjoying the wine and the feast, and the won and children in the east wing ate rrily as well.
Many dishes on the table were new to the guests, and although their manners at the table were not the most elegant, they were acceptable. Only Duo Duo and Xie Erya, the little buddies, were gulping down their food, their little faces greasy. Lady Tang, whose eating pace could match theirs and who was never short of comnts, said, “Third younger brother’s family has really struck it rich, tsk tsk, this banquet must have cost a fortune. What a pity though, all of it just goes into the belly….”
Old woman Qian scolded, “All this at and you still can’t shut your mouth, if you feel it’s such a pity, then don’t eat.”
Lady Tang wasn’t offended, laughed a few tis, and quieted down. But after a while, she started muttering again.
Everyone had their fill of food and drink, and Steward Wong was thoroughly content. After the al, since Qian Sangui had difficulty with his legs, he only accompanied Steward Wong to the outside of the courtyard, while Wang Lizheng and a few others escorted them father and son to Hongqiao Bridgehead.
After this event, people like Wang Lizheng started to see the Qian family’s third wife in a new light. They thought Qian Sangui must be really capable and worldly to have just gotten a bit better and already woven a connection with the Wong family. Impressive!
Afterward, whenever Wang Lizheng found an opportunity, he would ask Qian Sangui how they had managed to build a connection with Old Wong. But Qian Sangui, beating around the bush, didn’t explain clearly.
After that, Lady Wu often made sweet rice wine, sending four jars to Steward Wong each ti and two jars to the Zhang family in the county town. But that all ca later, of course.
That night, as Lady Wang lay in bed, she said to Qian Dagui, “This al couldn’t have been arranged for less than two taels of silver. The third wife dares to spend so much money to repair the house and even uses funds to host a banquet; their family must be exceptionally well-off. How did they suddenly beco so wealthy? Whenever they have money, they say it’s from Lady Wu’s natal family. I don’t believe it. Do they have so other way of making money that they haven’t told us about? We’ve supported them quite a bit over the years. They should at least ntion it if they have a way, shouldn’t they? We could make money together.”
Qian Dagui said, “You think too much. Just because they haven’t told you a way to make money, who do you think told you about selling Xia Grass? Lady Wu’s brother works as an Old Master for Master County Magistrate, so giving his sister a bit of silver, what’s there not to believe? Yixiu is clever, not only did she sell the dolls made by Manjiang’s wife for a good price, but she also won the favor of Old Madam Zhang of Baohe Hall. The Zhang family gave the third brother quite a few tonics and even rewarded them with so small silver ingots. You know about this, so why are you still so suspicious?” After he finished talking, he clicked his tongue twice, “The third brother even gave our mother a small silver ingot. She showed it to ; the small silver ingot was so shiny and looked as lovely as a peanut.”
Most people in the countryside use copper coins; even small silver pieces are rare, not to ntion silver ingots or small silver ingots.
Lady Wang was sowhat envious and muttered, “You’re so naive, taking whatever people say at face value.”
Eldest Qian said, “Whether it’s money from the sister-in-law’s natal family or what others have earned, if it’s not ours we shouldn’t covet it. Never beco like Er Gui’s wife, who, failing to get her way, has even strained brotherly relations.”
“I know,” said Lady Wang. After pondering for a mont, she added, “It’s just that mother-in-law is biased. We give her good things, and she turns around and gives them to Jinwa. Our son Shan Wa is her eldest great-grandson, yet I’ve never seen her give him anything good.”
Qian Dagui beca displeased and said with a darkened face, “My mother has toiled her whole life and has nothing left in her hands. Now that she has sothing valuable from a rich family, she treasures it. Why are you fixated on it?”
Without saying a word, Lady Wang turned over in resentnt.
The next day, Lady Tang, who rarely worked in the fields, ca along with Qian Ergui. Typically, she only went to the field during the busiest farming tis, but today she was unusually diligent.
Lady Wu ignored her, instead greeting Qian Ergui directly.
Seeing that Qian Ergui had gone to the other side of the field, Lady Tang snorted and said, “I figured it out long ago, people all have eyes for power and influence, they look up to the high and ignore the low. Our family has no officials for relatives, so no matter how much we help, people don’t take it to heart. They only give at and silk clothes to those with connections.”
Lady Wu stood up and said, “Are you talking about , second sister-in-law?”
Lady Tang, with daggers in her eyes, said, “I’m scolding those who are opportunistically inclined. Whoever is opportunistic is who I scold.”
Angrily, Lady Wu said, “Indeed, my family has given at to the eldest uncle’s family several tis, but that’s because grandma is there, and it is our way of showing filial respect to her.”
Lady Tang said, “Well, I’m not that greedy. Why is it that only the eldest family receives silk clothes from your family? What’s the reason for that?”
Huffed, Lady Wu said, “That was a personal gift from Auntie Xia to Auntie Die, my husband and I only found out about it at night.”
“Oh, you’ve beco wealthy, and your tone is louder now. Silk clothes, such valuable items, and Auntie Xia, just a child, can decide to give them away,” Lady Tang said sarcastically.
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