Chapter 176: Gift Giving

Chen Feng opened the small wooden box and saw two index finger-sized light blue pearls laid on purple velvet. They were quite large, likely to be Eastern pearls. Even if they were Eastern pearls, they were still a rare sight. In the future, this pearls were set in headpieces or earrings, they would look elegant and beautiful.

Women always liked beautiful jewelry. Chen Feng’s eyes curved with joy. After admiring them, she carefully closed the lid and set it aside before opening the large box.

Inside the large box was a set of colorful plum-patterned porcelain tea sets, comprising a teapot and six tea cups, all exquisitely beautiful.

Chen Feng happily took out the set to admire it. Using such tableware, her quality of life had taken a new step. She imagined moving to a house with carved railings and painted galleries, sitting there using these tea cups to leisurely enjoy tea, feeling elegant and content.

She loved both of these items and thought that the two leaders were quite generous.

She wondered what the old Marquis, with his beard, had sent. It seemed that neither of these items matched his style, he should have sent ginseng or bird’s nest instead. Or perhaps, the silver note was his gift?

“Mom, these items are all so beautiful.” Dabao said from the side. “In the future, I want to buy even more beautiful things for you.”

“Alright, Mom will wait for that day.” Chen Feng replied as she packed everything back into the box and placed it in the trunk.

The next day was New Year’s Eve. Chen Ming first had Auntie Mu go to the main residence to help with the work.

After breakfast, Chen Ming took Mrs. Wang, Lu, and Wangcai to the main branch to go and pay respects at the Chen family ancestors’ graves.

Previously, Chen Feng and Dabao had never gone to the graves with the Chen family. Chen Feng had been “ill,” and everyone knew that Dabao wasn’t a true member of the Chen family.

This morning, Chen Ming and Chen Feng had quietly discussed whether they should go to the graves today because Chen Ming had noticed that Dabao had shown a particular interest in going to the graves since he was a child. The reason they hadn’t taken Dabao was twofold: they were afraid that the blunt-speaking Mrs. Hu and Chen Jue would say hurtful things, which would upset sensitive Dabao. Secondly, previously, Old Lady Chen and Chen Ye had been quite dissatisfied with Chen Ming and his wife adopting Dabao, so they naturally didn’t want him to cause any more trouble. Now that Chen Feng had become stronger, the people in the main branch should no longer speak ill of them.

Without a second thought, Chen Feng declined. Since they had never been allowed to go before, now that it was widely known about their status, there was even less reason for her and her son to go.

At times like this, Dabao felt a bit hurt. Watching Chen Ming and the others leave the gate, he pouted and said to Chen Feng, “Mom, I’ve never been to a grave. Little Uncle goes, Dahua, Shitou and Hanyan will definitely go, but I can’t go.”

An orphan without roots, where were the ancestral graves for them? Chen Feng felt a pang in her heart. Even she, who knew where her family’s ancestral graves were, sought warmth and protection here.

She patted his little cap and whispered, “The ancestors of the Chen family buried in the ancestral grave are not our ancestors, so we don’t need to visit the graves.”

Dabao was intelligent and certain things had to be explained clearly to him. There would surely be people speaking ill in front of him in the future.

Dabao looked bewildered and asked, “But aren’t they your ancestors, Mom?”

“No,” Chen Feng hugged him and said, “The Chen family and I aren’t related by blood. Remember this, Dabao, don’t say it out loud, especially not in front of Grandma. But your Grandfather gave Mom and Dabao a warm home, and the Chen family has sheltered us for so many years. We must show filial piety to your Grandfather and remember the kindness of your Great-Grandmother and Grandfather Ye.”

Dabao was a bit puzzled but nodded, no longer insisting on visiting the graves. He sat by the table, quietly eating melon seeds, eating one himself and then feeding one each to Qiqi and Gray.

Far from the village, without Lu, Dabao felt less entertained. Hearing firecrackers from Tangyuan, Chen Feng said, “Take Qiq, and Gray to Tangyuan to play with Hanyan… Oh, she’s not awake yet, go play with little Ming Cheng. Remember to come back early, we’re going to have the New Year’s Eve dinner at grandma’s house.”

Dabao’s face lit up at the suggestion and he left with Qiqi and Gray.

Chen Feng and the women were busy in the kitchen. After having lunch at the main residence, they would return for the New Year’s Eve dinner. Knowing that the Chu family wouldn’t be coming for dinner on New Year’s Eve, she prepared an extra portion of the good dishes to send to the Chu family.

Around noon, Dabao returned with Zhui Feng. He said, “Grandpa Chu saw Qiqi and Gray and called them over.”

Chen Feng nodded, knowing that with the elderly gentleman’s fondness for birds, Qiqi and Gray would hold a higher position at Tangyuan.

Chen Feng, accompanied by Dabao, Xue Dagui, and Chu Xiaoniu, went to the village. Xue Dagui and Chu Xiaoniu each carried a large bamboo basket containing New Year’s gifts for the main branch.

As they arrived at the village entrance, they saw a group of children gathered under the old locust tree, playing. Shitou, Dahua, and Sixizi were there. Shitou and Dahua, both well-off, were setting off firecrackers, and the other children were watching with interest.

Dabao happily ran over. His purse also contained some firecrackers, allowing him to set off his own, instead of just watching others.

At the main residence, Chen Feng had Xue Dagui and Chu Xiaoniu take the bamboo baskets directly to the main branch and unpack the gifts. In rural areas, there was no gift list, rather, the gifts were taken out and displayed for everyone to see.

The New Year’s gifts were comprehensive, ample, and of good quality, worth at least a dozen or more taels of silver, which brought smiles to Chen Ye and Mrs. Hu’s faces.

Later, Chen Ming gave Grandma six hundred copper coins, while Chen Feng gave her two taels of silver as a filial gesture. Mrs. Wang also presented Grandma with two sets of handmade silk clothing and two pairs of layered sole shoes, along with several packets of snacks and candies.

Grandma happily accepted the gifts, saying, “Oh, I’m enjoying your blessings.” She specifically told Chen Feng, “I’m also enjoying the blessings you’ve brought, my granddaughter.”

After presenting the gifts, Xue Dagui and Chu Xiaoniu left with the empty bamboo baskets. Chen Ye and Chen Gui wanted to keep them for drinks, but they politely declined.

Upon hearing the men’s sons wanted to keep the two visitors, Mrs. Hu was immediately alarmed. She worried that these two big men would eat a lot. Upon their refusal, she finally relaxed.

Chen Feng noticed that Chen Aman particularly liked the large red satin and a few beautiful flowers among the New Year’s gifts. She quietly assured her, “There’s something for you too, you’ll receive it before you return to the capital.”

Chen Aman smiled and gently squeezed her hand.

During the meal, Chen Jue, for a change, smiled at Chen Feng and Dabao, and even served Dabao two pieces of meat. It seemed she had noticed a few things in the New Year’s gifts that she liked.