Farmhouse Green Plum

Chapter 577 7 inches

After a pause, Song Ying looked at Song Tian, who was not far away, and said, "Song Tian is working in the government this year. He is an official of some kind, so he can be considered to have established a career and make money. By the way, has he prepared any New Year gifts for you, Second Aunt?"

The change of topic was so abrupt that Yang was stunned for a moment before she said, "He's still young, and the government's expenses are high, so it's time to spend money."

When talking about her son, Yang looked proud, and the frustration she had felt because of Song Ying before was much less.

Compared to other children who are thirteen or fourteen years old, when their families are giving them money, her son has already become an official in the government office and can earn money to support himself!

Song Ying curled his lips secretly, then said seriously, "Fourteen is not young. I was only eleven when I first became your disciple. At that time, I could only give acupuncture to patients in the clinic. I only earned a few coins a day, which was not enough to cover my daily expenses.

But during the Chinese New Year, I still saved some money and bought fresh meat and vegetables for my family to improve their meals. Oh, and I also made a dress for grandma.

She frowned and shook her head, then shouted, "Song Tianna, you're wrong about this. As your sister, I have to say something to you. It's not easy for grandma and my second uncle and aunt to raise us. Now that we can make money, we have to give back to our family."

No matter how little money you earn, you must be polite. Didn’t Second Aunt just say that reciprocity between people will not last long if only one party gives?

In the past, it was your grandma and others who gave everything to you one-sidedly. Now that you can earn money, you should give back to your family. Even if money is tight, buying them a few pieces of candy is considered a filial piety.

When I first arrived in the city, I was very short of money, but my grandmother said she hadn't made new clothes for the New Year in several years. I still gritted my teeth and bought her one.

The next year, we had enough money and bought some cloth to make new clothes for the whole family. I thought to myself, as your elder sister, I wear my hair very well, so why didn't you learn from me?

This won't do. Respecting elders is a fine virtue of our Song family."

Song Tian was originally pasting Spring Festival couplets with Song Yuan, and was a little confused by all this chatter. If he hadn't seen it coming from his cousin's mouth with his own eyes, he would have thought it was said by his mother or grandmother.

He looked at Song Ying, then at his mother who was standing beside him in a daze. He quickly guessed what was going on and felt helpless.

My mother is really something. She has told me many times not to mess with my cousin unless necessary, but I just wouldn't listen. In the end, I am the one who suffers.

Yang frowned. Song Ying's words sounded reasonable and he was trying to teach his younger brother with good intentions, but for some reason, she always felt that they were a bit harsh.

Song Ying's mouth hasn't stopped yet and he's still chattering.

"Grandma and her family have worked hard all their lives and suffered so much. Now that they are old, it is especially important for them to take care of their health. Maintaining health still depends on food supplements, but they are reluctant to buy food.

How about this, from now on, you can be like me and buy some food for our family every now and then. If you can stay healthy and live a long life, you can enjoy more of our blessings, right?

Hearing this, Yang said hurriedly, "No, no, what you bought is enough. We have chicken, duck, fish and meat all the time. Everyone in the village envy us. If we don't finish eating any more, it will go bad."

"I didn't think it through," Song Ying frowned and thought for a moment before adding, "You can't just eat meat to nourish your body; you need a balanced diet. How about this, Song Tian, you give me your share of the money from now on, and I'll buy them together. Don't buy all the same things, or they won't get tired of them."

"How can this be possible!" Yang's voice became sharp and she immediately rejected Song Ying's proposal.

Song Ying looked at her and asked in confusion, "Why not?"

Yang opened her mouth and finally thought of something to say after a long while, "You are a doctor, you are very busy every day, how can you have time to do this."

Song Ying smiled and said, "It's okay. My doctor knows better how to match the diet. It's perfect for him to do this."

The words Yang had just prepared were blocked, and she was speechless for a moment, and the yard fell silent.

Song Tian pursed his lips. The expenses in the government office were very high. The little money he earned was barely enough to maintain his daily life. If he had to take out part of the money every month, he would not be able to make ends meet.

But in this situation, it was difficult for him to refuse. After thinking about it, he said, "Why don't we give all the money to grandma and let them buy food for themselves. They can buy whatever they want."

Song Ying shook his head. "You forgot, Grandma and the others are reluctant to spend the money. Second Uncle used to make a lot of money, but we still had to eat coarse food every day. If you give them money, they will save it for you and my younger brother. You have to buy food directly to truly nourish their bodies."

Song Tian had no choice but to smile awkwardly and said, "I was inconsiderate. I'll trouble you more in the future."

"It's as I should be. They took care of me when I was little, and now I take care of their health." Having said this, Song Ying turned his head and smiled brightly at Yang. "People should reciprocate. I know what Second Aunt said."

Yang felt so upset that her heart ached. If she couldn't hear that Song Ying was being sarcastic at this moment, then most of her life would have been lived in vain.

She felt that Song Ying was becoming more and more ungrateful. She tried to teach her the truth sincerely, but not only did she not listen, she also became sarcastic to Tianwa.

Song Ying was satisfied when Yang shut up.

On her birthday the year she first became his disciple, his master gave her a butterfly hairpin. At that time, just as Yang had hoped, she was overwhelmed with fear and felt that it was too valuable to accept. In fact, subconsciously, she also felt that as humble as she was, how could she ever repay the gift.

But the master said, "It is a gift from the elder, I dare not refuse it."

When she sent gifts to her master and uncle for the first time, she thought about their status and that they would only be appreciated if the gifts were expensive. However, after discussing with her senior brother, she found that the gifts he prepared were not that expensive.

The gifts given to the elders by the young ladies and gentlemen of the Shen family were not valuables like gold or jade, but rather handwritten copies of Buddhist scriptures such as the Book of Filial Piety, birthday paintings, embroidered headbands, handkerchiefs, and necklaces...

The emphasis is on the thought rather than the value.

After seeing so much, she suddenly realized that she was still just a child, and it was ridiculous to ask a child who needed to be supported by others to give expensive gifts.

Even if children from wealthy families can afford expensive gifts, after all, those are earned by the adults in their family. Using the money earned by their parents and elders to buy expensive gifts for their parents and elders is like transferring money from one hand to the other, which is meaningless.

Thus, the "Book of Rites: Inner Regulations" states that for boys and girls under the age of 15, gifts should not exceed dried meat and dried vegetables, and gifts should not exceed dates and chestnuts; the "Book of Rites: Family Rules" states that children...when giving gifts to elders, they may only give pens, ink, paper, and inkstones; gold and silver items are not allowed; and the "Family Instructions of Yan: Fengcao" states that children are not allowed to wear furs or silk, and etiquette is limited... Gifts should generally be local products, and people should not imitate adults in giving away precious items...