Chapter 347 - 346: Gathering Together for the New Year
Since the second branch of the Qi family had been living comfortably these past six months, whenever the three families dined together, Nanny Liu would always deliver the required foods and ingredients to the main residence well in advance. Now that their own lives were comfortable, they naturally didn’t care about such trivial matters.
Faced with the array of fine foods and ingredients sent by Qi Yougui’s family, the old couple strenuously declined, sincerely intending not to accept them. And yet, there were families like the third branch, covetously mindful of these offerings; Qi Yourong and Madam Song had once eagerly invited them over for dinner, but it simply hadn’t been possible.
This time was no exception. It was still the season of bitter cold, so food preservation wasn’t a concern, and Nanny Liu had delivered the ingredients to the main house two days earlier. By this afternoon, the partially prepared dishes had already arrived, and because it was the New Year’s Eve dinner, the variety of food and dishes was even more plentiful.
When Ye Xinyan and Qi Jiaer followed Qi Younian to the old residence, Yourong and his family were already there.
Lady Wang was bustling in and out of the courtyard. Seeing Qi Younian and the others enter, she hurried over with a smile, "I was just wondering—if you didn’t come soon, I would have sent Sanshun to call you. It’s better to come early so that you three brothers can sit down and have a good chat. Younian, go ahead into the main room. There are already a few small dishes in there, and I’ll bring some warmed wine up in a moment, so you men can take your time with a drink."
After calling over to Qi Younian, Lady Wang took the opportunity to size up the attire of the family of three, especially Ye Xinyan and Qi Jiaer. The festive and exquisite clothes would stand out even among the whole ten-mile radius. These outfits were certainly noteworthy.
"Just look at our Ye Zi and Brother Jia, they don’t look like ordinary children at all, quite exceptional," Lady Wang said, and then she reached for Qi Jiaer’s hand and pulled him closer. Admiring Qi Jiaer’s attire, she clicked her tongue in praise, "Brother Jia looks even more handsome and good-looking. Today Sanshun has been fussing over Brother Jia alone. Truly fits the look of a young master, not inferior even to Landlord Wang’s son."
Lady Xu and Lady Han, busy with their tasks, came out upon hearing voices. Whether genuine or not, they both offered their polite remarks. Qi Dazhu and his brothers stepped out from the main room, with Qi Dong and his brothers following behind, all smiles.