Chapter 553 - 547_1
However, the gift list revealed that each person would receive ten blocks of Fragrant Soap, five bottles of wine, five embroidered ornaments or trinkets, five cans each of fruit preserves and pickled vegetables, various dried goods and bean products, as well as fresh fruits and vegetables. Calculating this way, the gifts for each person amounted to over one hundred Silver, indeed a very generous offering.
Upon hearing this from Momo Xu, Lin Yue chuckled, "Giving plenty of gifts is always better than giving too few, besides, these are all products from our own estate. In reality, the cost isn’t much, and among those, though their current ranks are low, there are quite a few capable ones. Who knows, they might achieve something in the future. Let’s just consider it as establishing good karma."
As for Eunuch Cui and the other two, the dry goods, fruits, and vegetables Lin Yue sent were doubled in quantity. Furthermore, the Fragrant Soap and wine she offered were of the top quality, while only one embroidered ornament was given. Of course, it wasn’t ordinary—it was a newly completed piece of double-sided embroidery. Ordinary embroidery, even several pieces of it, didn’t compare to the value of this single item. Naturally, it wasn’t Lin Yue who embroidered it personally; Lan Fang and Dong Xue had made significant progress under Lin Yue’s instruction and had already produced a few double-sided embroideries. These three pieces were the best selected from their work. Although definitely not as exquisite as those embroidered by Lin Yue herself, they were still quite remarkable, surpassing the average level of quality found in the market.
Since they were setting off the next day, Lin Yue arranged for the gifts to be delivered personally to each recipient the afternoon before. Erhu personally delivered the gifts for Eunuch Cui and his three companions. Compared to the Silver they had previously received, these items were much more appreciated by everyone; the gifts were not only of high quality but also substantial, so much so that during dinner that evening, everyone was in high spirits and exceptionally cheerful.
The following day, Erhu and Eunuch Cui’s entourage embarked on their journey to the Capital City. Lin Yue had reiterated all her reminders, "Erhu, once you’ve finished your business in the capital, hurry back. There’s word from Shanglin Village that your elder sister is not faring well, and it’s estimated that she may only hold on for a month or two more. You’ll need to rush back to see her one last time."
Erhu nodded solemnly, "Wife, I understand. Don’t worry, I’ll rush back as soon as possible. In my absence, please look after my elder sister. She has wronged you in the past, but in the end..." Speaking of this, Erhu still felt somewhat ashamed, but being away from home, he had to entrust these matters to his young wife, as he couldn’t trust anyone else.
"Enough, don’t speak of this anymore. I understand what you want to say. Let bygones be bygones; I no longer mind it. Since I’m your wife, your elder sister is my elder sister too. After all, she has treated you well in the past. For that reason alone, I will do my utmost. You go with peace of mind and take care of yourself. Be particularly cautious when you meet that person in the capital. The emperor’s heart is unfathomable like the sea; you must be careful in your interactions."