Chapter 236 - 119: Do You Have It or Not
Sang Yufei involuntarily furrowed his brows lightly and after a moment he spoke, "Big Brother, Brother-in-law, I still need to participate in the imperial examination next year. With the mixed quality of people in the local area, I feel it’s still better to—"
Sang Hong had already understood his meaning and nodded, saying, "When people come to congratulate us, we welcome them and treat them with courtesy, but for the gifts they bring, we should decline them."
"That’s exactly what I think, too!" Sang Yufei immediately relaxed. The reason he had been hesitant to speak earlier was because he felt that having just managed to make a name for himself, his elder brother and sister-in-law should have been able to benefit from his rising status. But by refusing, it would all come to nothing.
"This is not proper," Shi Fengju shook his head and said, "We are all family here, and I’ll speak frankly. Second Brother, you’re afraid that mean and unscrupulous people will tarnish your reputation, but ultimately, they are people from our own hometown. If you dismiss their kindness outright, it might lead people to think you’re arrogantly aloof and despise others. Forgive my bluntness, but this is not good for Second Brother!"
"That can’t be, can it?" Sang Hong was taken aback. Even displeasure at receiving gifts from others is not allowed?
"Brother-in-law is right," exclaimed Sang Yufei, his face turning slightly pale as he broke into a cold sweat. A reputation for being proud and aloof often implies being unsociable and reclusive, then what official position could he hold in the future? It would be enough to offend people!
"We haven’t considered this thoroughly enough... this matter—" Sang Yufei frowned, "Well, let’s just accept the gifts they send for now! Later, we can prepare a slightly lesser gift in return!"
Hearing him say this, Shi Fengju inwardly nodded, thinking that Second Brother could definitely make it in the officialdom if he thought this way. If he had the same opinion as Big Brother, he would have advised him not to enter officialdom at all, to avoid future suppression and difficulties, which would be too much to bear. A slight misstep could anger someone, possibly even endangering his life.
"Make sure the return gift is slightly lesser, that way they also understand you appreciate the gesture!" Shi Fengju then added with a smile.
"What Brother-in-law said makes great sense," Sang Yufei nodded with a smile.