The next morning, Zhulan received the New Year gift from Shi Qing. Looking at the gift list, Zhulan was stunned. Shi Qing's gift list was not light. Zhou Shuren resold the gifts, and Shi Qing gave her a lot of valuable things. The gold jewelry was all for her, and there were also pens and ink for Zhou Shuren. The most valuable thing was the seal.
She heard Zhou Shuren talk a lot about Shi Qing. Shi Qing could not do business because of the price of the imperial examination, and he was in trouble for several years. It was said that his house was robbed and some house deeds and shop deeds were lost. She believed that this was not a self-directed act, but a real revenge.
She said that Shi Qing was not someone who would not leave a way out for himself, and he was really generous.
Zhulan showed Zhou Shuren the gift list and asked, "Do you want to accept it?"
Zhou Shuren, "I taught him for free for two years, and also protected him for two years. I accept these gifts with a clear conscience. I accept them."
However, Shi Qing lived in a small courtyard and was only surrounded by a groom and a servant. He was so generous as to give him these things, which showed that he really trusted him!
Zhu Lan is so vulgar. She really likes gold and silver. "Did you really accept it?"
"receive."
Zhulan smiled happily, she was in a really good mood. She had two sets of gold jewelry, both made by masters. The gold hairpins were thin, and the butterflies looked like they could fly. Although this set of jewelry was not made of gold, the craftsmanship was worth silver.
Zhulan happily accepted them all. She really liked them. She didn't know whether she was carrying a girl or a boy. "I'll leave these two sets of jewelry to the baby in my belly."
Zhou Shuren stroked his beard. He felt that he should save good things for his unborn daughter and son. "Yeah."
Zhulan put away all the jewelry and asked, "Shi Qing will be spending the New Year alone, do you want to invite him over?"
Zhou Shuren, considering Shi Qing's generosity, said, "Yes."
Zhulan, "Just tell him tomorrow. I think he really admires you."
Zhou Shuren paused, "Okay."
The next day, Zhou Shuren punished Shi Qing again, "A lot of your understanding of this article is inaccurate. Go back and copy it a hundred times."
Shi Qing's wrist was used to it, "Yes."
Today's class is over, and Shi Qing packed up his writing brushes and ink. He has been studying at Zhou's house for quite some time, and he also ran into his former partners in Lizhou City. When he knew that Lord Zhou was teaching him, he was sarcastic at first, but immediately changed to a flattering face. Now everyone knows that he is Lord Zhou's student.
The students alone are protected, but what about the son? Miss Wu’s brother is her godson, and he seems to be protected by Mr. Zhou too!
Shi Qing lowered his head and thought a lot, with loneliness in his eyes. It was another New Year, and he had never celebrated New Year since he was a child. In the past, he never participated because his mother, a concubine's son, didn't want to see him.
Later, his brother died and he could not attend. This was a concession made by his father to his stepmother. Fortunately, he got used to it.
Zhou Shuren waited for Shi Qing to bow and walk to the door before speaking, "You are alone outside, why don't you come home to celebrate the New Year."
Shi Qing thought he was hallucinating. After Lord Zhou left, Shi Qing realized that he was not mistaken.
Zhou Shuren walked to the gate of the courtyard and heard Shi Qing loudly reply, "Thank you, sir."
He paused, then waved and left.
Shi Qing held the book tightly. It was the New Year, and he had already planned that he would memorize an article for the New Year. Shi Qing walked out of the yard with brisk steps.
Outside the gate, the servant saw the young master and said, "Young master, are you very happy?"
He has followed the young master since he was a child, and this is the first time he sees the young master so happy.
Shi Qing, "Is it so obvious?"
Shi Qing nodded, "Yes, Master's eyes are bright."
Shi Qing curled his lips, "I see, the day after tomorrow the young master will bring you to the Zhou residence to celebrate the New Year, it is indeed a happy event."
The servant exclaimed, this was indeed a great joyous event. Lord Zhou called him "Young Master" so he went to worship Buddha secretly. He would go to worship Buddha again tomorrow, hoping that Lord Zhou would live a long life and that the mistress of the Zhou family would give birth safely.
In the blink of an eye, it was New Year's Eve. This was Zhulan and Zhou Shuren's fifth New Year. This year was different. They had their own child, and the New Year felt different.
Zhulan and Zhou Shuren were quite excited when they came to the ancient times. It was their first year together, and the second year was also okay, but they didn't feel anything after the third year.
But this year, Zhulan and Zhou Shuren got up early in the morning. Both their spirits and attitudes had changed. Zhou Shuren personally took his grandchildren to post couplets and hang red lanterns.
Zhulan cut some window flowers and also made some small red lanterns out of red paper and hung them on the tree outside.
The bare trees are now painted with small red lanterns and red vines, as if they were bearing fruit in winter.
Outside, Zhou Shuren had put up the couplets and bought some cannons. He took off his official uniform and put on casual clothes. The kids around him were calling him grandpa, and Zhou Shuren smiled. He imagined how his son or daughter would be when they were born and pull him to call him daddy.
Zhulan took her daughter, Wu Ning and her two granddaughters to fold the red envelopes together. This year Zhulan brought a lot of peanuts, one in each red envelope.
Yu Shuang asked, "Grandma, the red envelopes you prepared are too many."
There aren't so many people at home.
Zhulan explained: "We're going to be a little more thoughtful during the Chinese New Year this year. We'll tie all the red envelopes to the tree and there'll be a puzzle underneath. Whoever guesses correctly gets the red envelope."
Yu Shuang curled her eyes, "This is interesting."
Xue Han, "Mom, you are especially happy this year."
Last year, my mother didn’t even want to have fun and she wasn’t in a good mood. This year, I’m really looking forward to the New Year. I have an indescribable feeling, more than just happiness.
Zhulan thought to herself that because she had a sense of belonging, she and Zhou Shuren had changed. Now she and Zhou Shuren felt that every day was interesting and they especially cherished time. Unfortunately, she couldn't say it. She replied, "Because, Mom is pregnant again, and I feel I'm still young. In the past, Mom felt that she was getting old with each passing year."
Xue Han leaned against her mother and said, "Mom, you don't look old at all. In my eyes, you are always young."
Xuehan hopes her mother will always be with her, but she feels sad because her mother says she is getting old.
Yu Lu said: "Grandma, we will take good care of your uncle or aunt."
Zhulan, "... ..."
Yes, the baby in the belly is older.
Xue Han chuckled. It was quite interesting to think about a little brother or sister being raised by a niece.
For lunch, we always had hotpot. Since Zhulan couldn't eat mutton, this year Zhulan and her husband sat at the same table with Wu Ning and Xue Han according to the tables assigned to each room.
Rongchuan and Mingyun sat at the same table with Shi Qing.
Zhulan's table has chicken soup as the base, and there are fish slices, pork, mushrooms, etc. on the table.
Because Xue Han and Wu Ning didn't want to eat mutton and beef, Zhu Lan didn't have two pots at her table.
It was the first time for Wu Ning to celebrate the New Year with so many people. Although everyone in the room was talking in a chaotic manner, it was lively and warm.
Shi Qing had eaten better pots before, but the one he ate today was the most heartwarming pot.
Mingyun acted like a little adult, "Mr. Shi, you're welcome."
Shi Qing smiled and said, "Okay."
This is the eldest grandson of the Zhou family. Chang Lian said that Lord Zhou taught him personally and he has been brought up by Lord Zhou since he was young. The few contacts he has had are indeed good.