Chapter 598 - 370: A Pause

Chapter 598: Chapter 370: A Pause

The flowing feast started on time, with many people rushing to Xiangmu Village from the surrounding areas.

However, what caught everyone’s eye was the continuous arrival of carriages, one after another, entering Xiangmu Village.

Indeed, not only the Liu family, but many families previously unseen or unheard of were present.

Those who come are guests, especially since they are here to celebrate for the children.

Jiang Hu, already changed into new clothes, directly welcomed these people into the inner courtyard and arranged two more tables.

Among them were classmates of Jiang Yu and Liu Ze, as well as some well-known wealthy gentlemen from the city.

However, given Liu Hongcai’s status, everyone behaved very honestly.

Even though they were meeting Jiang Hu for the first time, they spoke courteously, praising the delicious food of their family.

Originally, these were Jiang’s clients, but due to the intermediary of Liu’s men, Jiang Hu never knew or met them.

Although two separate tables were set up, the dishes were the same, and there was no big chef today, just the aunties from the village who often help with banquets and have great cooking skills.

At least, they are certainly among the best cooks in the village.

Perhaps it was the rarity of Jiang’s dishes, or perhaps it was County Magistrate Liu Hongcai, who affectionately called Jiang Hu "Old Brother," with the magistrate’s wife intimately bringing along her daughter to chat with Second Aunt.

Of course, it could also be that the son of the dignified county magistrate was unexpectedly dragged by Jiang Yu to help receive guests, leaving Jiang Hu to chat with others.

Those people were very polite to Jiang Hu, speaking courteously, praising the food endlessly, and lavishing compliments on the fine sons and daughters Jiang Hu raised, praises that went on and on.

In short, everyone was very happy today, be it the Jiang family hosting the feast or the guests attending the feast.

A hundred tables, from late morning till afternoon, with nothing left on the tables, everyone left the tables with full bellies.

Knowing that the Jiang family would have to busy themselves tidying up afterward, Liu Hongcai and others did not linger long; when the time seemed right, they got up to take their leave, and those who came with him also followed to leave.

When the house finally quieted down, it was almost evening.

"My goodness, this is so tiring."

Xiaomi pounded her shoulders; she hadn’t been busy with much today, just running around here and there, yet she felt extremely exhausted.

"Rest if you are tired."

Second Aunt was alright today; she had been a bit busy in the morning but spent most of the afternoon with Mrs. Liu in the small yard beside.

Xiaomi shook her head: "No rush, it’s almost dark, I’ll sleep later tonight."

Fortunately, the helping aunties hadn’t left yet, and were busy with the aftermath too, washing all the dishes clean, laid them on a large sieve to dry before packing them away at a dry place.

Tables and chairs were also rinsed clean and placed under the eaves to dry; these were real solid wood, needing to be dried thoroughly lest they get moldy when stored.

When everything was cleaned up, Second Aunt did not keep everyone to finish their meal, instead divided the remaining uncooked dishes among everyone to take home.

In the evening, Xiaoxue made porridge, everyone ate simply, and couldn’t wait to sleep.

But, it wasn’t over yet.

The next morning, when Xiaomi woke up stretching, she found everyone still at home, busy packaging something under the pavilion in the courtyard.

"Dad, Mom, Big Brother, Second Sister, what are you doing?"

Liu Ze had left yesterday afternoon with his parents, even Liu Bo hadn’t returned yet.

"Just woke up! These are to send out to those who helped yesterday. You go have breakfast first, there’s food in the pot and it’s still warm."

Unless there is something urgent, Xiaomi always wakes up later than everyone else, and she just can’t change this habit.

She yawned and stretched, instantly feeling more refreshed.

"Uncle Zhang Yuan and Aunt Xiuyun came to help yesterday, I’ll send theirs later and play with Xiaocao for a while."

They returned the day before yesterday, but were constantly busy, and Xiaocao had come by yesterday, only managing to talk a little with her.

"Alright, but give Xiaocao’s things tomorrow, otherwise people might say we favor one over another, with different gifts for those who helped."

"Don’t worry mom, I know, I’ll go eat first."

After breakfast, the courtyard was already piled with bamboo baskets full of oiled paper packages.

Each package contained some snacks and a small packet of sweets.

There was also a small red envelope, with not much inside, just twenty wen, as a token of gratitude.

Additionally, each contained a handkerchief, plain-colored, suitable for both men and women, eliminating the need to distinguish by gender.

The return gifts were exceedingly good.

Two packages were specifically packed into vegetable baskets, greeting and then heading out first. Jiang Hu carried the basket, Second Aunt followed, and the remaining basket was given to Xiaomi to take to Xiaocao’s parents.

Although others had been in Xiangmu Village for several years, they were often away at the academy or embroidery workshop, seldom in the village, so naturally, they didn’t have close friends here.

However, not having friends in Xiangmu Village does not mean they lack friends elsewhere.

They also needed to sort out the things brought back from Nanyang Prefecture, and as early as tomorrow, they would head to the academy and embroidery workshop, taking the gifts for good friends along too.

After a good sleep last night, the exhaustion was entirely gone.

"Xiaobai, let’s go, take a walk."

With a call, a large white fox swiftly ran over from some corner, and on its back, a mackerel tabby cat steadied atop.

Xiaobai came to Xiaomi, dancing joyfully around her like a puppy, while Xiaomi on its back remained unmoved, even lazily lying down.

Xiaomi rubbed Xiaobai’s head and petted Xiaomi: "You surely enjoy yourself, previously having Xiaohu carrying you around, now you’re making Xiaobai take you everywhere."

Sometimes she even thought that Xiaomi used to stick with Xiaobai so tightly possibly just for this motive.

After all, Xiaohu that time was busy teaching the young ones to hunt, and had less time with Xiaomi.

"Meow~" Xiaomi meowed softly, seemingly responding to Xiaomi.

Xiaomi shook her head, grabbed the bamboo basket, greeted everyone, and went out.

Returning to Xiangmu Village after four or five months away, everything felt new, walking here and watching there.

Encountering Xiaocao halfway, reminded her of her errands, quickly returned with Xiaocao, delivered the gifts to Xiaocao’s parents, then played with Xiaocao.

The two little sisters hadn’t seen each other for a long time, naturally wanting to catch up, especially Xiaocao, who loved hearing about Xiaomi’s experiences in Nanyang Prefecture.