CH 109

Zhulan was the mother-in-law, and so no one dared to call her when she was resting. When Zhulan and Zhou Shuren got up, dinner was almost ready. Zhulan didn’t go out after getting up, and said to Zhou Shuren who got up: “In the past, children The red envelopes are two pennies, how much do you think this year?”

Zhulan took out the money box, which contained a lot of copper coins.

After thinking about it, Zhou Shuren said, “This is our first New Year’s Day. The whole family has red envelopes. Adults will have ten cents each, and children five cents each. You prepare more one-penny red envelopes. There will be many children who will come to ask for red envelopes tomorrow. I belong to the Shu generation in the family genealogy, and my seniority is quite high.”

Zhulan looked at the folded red envelopes, “I will fold more in a while.”

Looking down at the copper coins in the money box, the total was only Two hundred Wen. But that was not enough; she needed two strings of copper coins which have to be dug out. There was no way, Zhou Shuren was of a high seniority, and there were people who were about the same age as Zhou Shuren and called him Grandpa Zhou Shuren!

When it comes to going door-to-door to ask for red envelopes, most of the children within the clan will visit the households with better conditions. With the reintegration of the Zhulan family and the influence of the Shu lineage, it was widely known that they have a solid background. Therefore, it was certain that there will be an increase, rather than a decrease, in the number of children coming to ask for red envelopes tomorrow.

Zhou Shuren put on the padded jacket, “You don’t need to work in the kitchen, I will fold the red envelopes with you.”

“Okay.”

Zhulan put the red envelopes for the family into the copper plate and put them away separately before continuing to stack the red envelopes.

For dinner, they finally went out together. There were ten dishes, implying perfection, braised fish, braised pork, stewed ribs, chicken stewed with mushrooms, sausages, ham soup, cold dishes, braised pig’s trotters, pork knuckles, braised dried shrimps.

Zhulan had been reluctant to eat dried shrimp, but she used half of it in one meal.

The children cheered, and the adults kept smiling. They all knew that the days would get better and better. The only thing left in a meal was fish, which meant that there would be more than any other year.

During the night vigil, the children couldn’t bear it anymore and went to bed early.

Zhulan took her daughters-in-law and daughters to fold red envelopes, stacked a basket full of them, and when they were all packed, she woke up the children to eat dumplings and then went to bed.

On the first day of the Lunar New Year, it was rare for Zhulan to get up early, and she was deeply afraid that those who begged for red envelopes would come to the door early, and they would lose their face if they were still in bed.

Breakfast was also dumplings, the stuffing was adjusted, and they ate the dumplings early.

Zhulan and Zhou Shuren were sitting in the hall, and each family was celebrating the New Year. Boss Zhou began. Boss Zhou and Li Shi said, “Happy New Year to parents, I wish them good health and all the best.”

Zhulan took out a red envelope, “Okay, good, safe, and smooth, take it!”

Li Shi didn’t expect that she will also have a red envelope, so she squeezed a lot of it quickly, and the auspicious words don’t cost money, “Thank you, parents. I wish my parents a happy life and good health, peace, and good luck every year. Everything will be fine, um, what else is there.”

Mingyun was about to cry, what his mother said was what he and his brother wanted to say. Woohoo, Mother didn’t know these auspicious idioms at all, but she had heard him and his brother chanting them. “Mother.”

Please stop talking.

Zhou’s second son had a disappointed expression on his face, clutching his chest. Being the second one to pay New Year’s greetings had always been a disadvantage. Well, he was just the second child, after all. At least the eldest wouldn’t say too much. However, looking at what his sister-in-law had accomplished was quite disheartening. Yet, with a quick glance at his younger siblings, he instantly felt more balanced. There were even more troubling matters at hand!

Fearing that his mother would speak, Mingyun hurriedly pulled his younger brother to kneel down to pay New Year’s greetings, “I wish my grandparents live younger and younger, live a long life, smile often, and wish things come true.”

Mingteng, who was clever, repeated what his older brother said, and the sullen expression on his face turned into a bright smile. “Wow, Brother is really amazing!”

Second son Zhou recited the three-character scriptures silently and whispered a few words in his daughter’s ear, and when his parents gave out red envelopes, he hurriedly dragged his wife forward to pay New Year’s greetings, ” We wish our parents both great fortune and continuous good luck. “

Zhao Shi repeated it hastily, then exhaled and passed the test.

After Li Shi opened her mouth, Zhulan saw the faces of the family members in her eyes and almost didn’t laugh out loud. She waited maliciously for the little girl who had the last New Year’s greetings and quickly gave the Second child a red envelope.

Yushuang stepped forward, the best-looking among the family, dressed in new clothes, and with a sweet and innocent voice, she said, “Wishing yéyé1 and nǎinǎi2 joyous encounters whenever they open the door, filled with abundant happiness, perfection in every aspect, and a harmonious and joyful family.”

Zhulan burst out laughing, the second child was bad enough, deliberately asking the girl to say four, Changlian’s eyes were full of knives!

Zhou Shuren was also happy, and took the red envelope to his granddaughter, “Okay, okay, here is the red envelope.”

Zhou’s second child looked at his elder sister and brother-in-law with a smile. He was in a good mood. The smaller the more unlucky!

Jiang Sheng’s steps were a little stiff, and there were a lot of auspicious words. It was not appropriate to make money and gather treasures. They are not merchants, they were scholar-farmer families. Woohoo, everything he thought, had been said. Sighing inwardly, he whispered a few words to his son, and then he pulled his wife forward to pay their respects, saying, “We’ve come to pay our respects to my father-in-law and mother-in-law. Wishing you both a house full of descendants and obedient children. May the Zhou family thrive and prosper.”

Xuemei held the red envelope and exhaled, her husband did not have it easy.

Jiang Du’s small face grew fleshy, and there was a small wine hole when he smiled, “I wish wàigōng3 and wàipó4 all the best, happiness, and joy.”

Zhou Changlian thought to himself, it’s okay, and he hurried forward, “Happy New Year to parents. Wish my parents stay healthy forever, and the five blessings will come to you.”

Zhulan looked at the disappointed daughter and the third son who had passed the test and gave the red envelope with a smile.

Zhou Changlian stood aside and gloated at his younger siblings, feeling particularly good.

Changzhi ignored the unscrupulous brothers, didn’t panic at all, and strode forward to pay New Year’s greetings, “My son is paying New Year’s greetings to his parents. I wish my father’s name on the gold list and my mother’s beauty forever.”

Zhou’s second son, Changyi, “…… “

Zhou Changlian, “…….”

They didn’t expect it, they just thought about the auspicious words for New Year’s greetings.

Zhou Shuren raised his eyebrows. He only told the boss, but the sons knew it in their hearts. It is a good sign for the new year. He smiled and said, “Okay, take the red envelope. “

Zhulan also enjoyed listening. After all, there were no women who didn’t love beauty. She naturally looked ten years younger, so she paid even more attention to her appearance.

Rongchuan paid his respects, saying, “I’m here to pay my respects to Uncle and Aunt. Wishing Uncle a prosperous official career and wishing Aunt an increase in blessings and fortune.”

He really had a hard time. He had just started learning, and he said all the auspicious phrases he could think of. It was the prompt given by the success in passing the imperial examination, but it was also his heartfelt blessings.

Zhulan and Zhou Shuren looked at each other, this blessing was good, but Zhou Shuren said: “Uncle thanks you Rongchuan for your blessing, but please don’t say this when you leave the house.”

Rong Chuan blushed, knowing that he couldn’t say this outside, “En.”

Finally, it was Xuehan’s turn. Xuehan looked at her older brothers, and their gaze focused on her face. Wasn’t it agreed that they would dote on their younger sister? Was this how they showed their love and care for her?

Zhulan coughed, and Xuehan hurried forward, “Happy New Year’s greetings to parents, I wish parents a stronger love than gold, united forever, and have another sibling.”

Zhulan choked on her own saliva, cough cough, this was not marriage.5 What was this girl talking about?

Zhou Shuren felt that the little girl’s blessing was on point, so he happily took out a tael of silver coins from his purse and put it

in the red envelope to be given, “Okay, okay, take the red envelope.”

Xuehan smiled, she didn’t say anything silly. Mother was always in Father’s eyes, so it must be right!

The other brothers of the Zhou family, “……”

The younger sister was the smartest, look at the old man’s joy, and gave her the biggest red envelope this year!6