Chapter 336 - 335
The villagers weren’t without calculation; seeing the two businesses, the workshops and cattle pens, growing more prosperous and expanding by the day, they felt reassured.
Now that they had a bit of silver, though not a lot, it was still not an insignificant amount. The sum they had saved up over several years of good harvests paled in comparison. With the backing of two such large industries, they could afford to spend a little now and then. Next year, they would work again for the cattle farm. Once spring arrived, they would gather more grass from the lush areas, and by then, they would have earned back the silver.
Good days ought to look like good days, especially during the New Year. Celebrating the holiday well was seen as a good omen for the year to come, something that absolutely should not be taken lightly.
Those with a bit more leeway in their lives couldn’t help but think of the generosity of the second branch of the Qi family, considering paying an early New Year’s visit to the Qi family. The elder Qi Younian certainly lacked for nothing, but presenting him with carefully selected large eggs, dried vegetables, and mushrooms was, after all, a gesture of goodwill.
Although this was Ye Xinyan’s second New Year here, she was not familiar with handling the affairs that came with the celebration. Fortunately, Nanny Jin and Nanny Liu were experienced, and with reminders from Lady Wang of the main house, they had prepared plenty of pastries, eggs, and portions of meat. Faced with a constant stream of visitors bringing gifts to express their gratitude, the nannies in charge managed everything smoothly, accepting gifts and returning the favors in an orderly fashion.
Following Qi Younian’s guidance, the life of a farming household was not easy; as long as they weren’t overly cunning or greedy, returning the favor with a bit more generosity could make the whole family happy for many days to come.
So it often happened that a villager would come bring ten eggs and a basket of dried vegetables, exchange a few laughs, and leave with their basket filled with a sizeable portion of meat and two packets of dried fruit pastries in return.
Most farmers were simple folk, grateful for several favors received from the Qi family, without the desire to take undue advantage. Even those who were sly and sought advantages would lose their nerve against the second branch of the Qi family, now more imposing than even the grand households of the city.
Jinrong and Jiang Yifan, unfamiliar with false pleasantries, arrived at the Qi family on the twenty-ninth of the New Year at Shen Hour, by which time the continuous stream of visiting villagers was coming to an end. Those who had not managed to visit earlier, upon seeing them entering the second branch of the Qi family, had no choice but to stop and refrain from disturbing them with regret filling their hearts.
During the grand festival, those who had gone home and those who had not were all settled in, and it was unlikely for any strangers to come and go. Thus, the appearance of Jinrong and her entourage in Clear Water Village was quite eye-catching. Many who had thought of visiting the Qi family to show their gratitude before the New Year stopped in their tracks, while others, full of resentment, watched the distinguished city folks enter the second branch of the Qi family.