The head of the Mu family

Chapter 17 Going to the City for a Feast: Studying Diligently and Showcasing Small Talents

As soon as Qin Song and Qin Bai met, they started arguing about reciting the Three Character Classic, and they spent the whole journey happily reciting it.

We arrived at Dr. Qian's house before dinner, and Mrs. Qian, with her two children, immediately greeted us at the door.

Dr. Qian went out to make house calls, and the house was bustling with activity as everyone prepared for the wedding the following day.

Uncle Qin and Doctor Gao both gave their congratulatory gifts to Old Madam Qian in advance.

Seeing this, Shen Huai first asked Qian's servant to bring down the bamboo basket.

This explains that the whole family is grateful to the Qian family for their kindness.

I was well taken care of when I stayed at the Qian family's house for a while, and I hope you won't find the kindness of a farmer like me lacking.

"Not at all. These bamboo baskets are exquisitely woven and come in various sizes. It's clear that a lot of thought and effort went into them."

This way, adults can use the large size in the pharmacy, and smaller people can use the small size, which is so much more convenient!

Please thank your parents for me, and thank you too.

Madam Qian spoke with the gentle grace of a spring breeze and a soothing rain.

Then, Shen Huai took out his congratulatory gift, a colorful handbag that pleased Old Madam Qian.

Upon seeing the gift inside, they were even more impressed by how thoughtful the child was, personally carrying the small gift and leading everyone inside.

First, they led the Qin family elders and Doctor Gao to the guest quarters for accommodation.

Then she sent two head maids to take the children out to play.

Shen Huai then distributed the small wooden whistles to the children, and in an instant, whistles rose and fell, flying towards the inner courtyard in a swarm.

The youngest child in Uncle Qin's family, carried by a maid, also joined in the fun.

At dinner time, Dr. Qian returned. He was overjoyed to see his old friend and wanted to have a few drinks.

Old Madam Qian, fearing it would cause trouble, did not allow it. Uncle Qin and Doctor Gao also expressed their opinions:

Absolutely not!

After dinner, the Qian family went over the arrangements for tomorrow's banquet and wedding procession one last time.

After the meal, Uncle Qin and Aunt Qin discussed it with Doctor Gao and then asked Doctor Qian's family for help.

Shen Huai then suggested to the children:

Let's go to the study.

Let's check each other's progress; we've made so much over the past year!

Everyone readily agreed.

The two younger members of the Qin family were taken by their maids to watch the excitement.

Seeing this, the adults breathed a sigh of relief and smiled at each other.

Everyone was busy until almost midnight before they realized they had forgotten about the children.

A head maidservant came forward to report that by mid-morning, Wu Ya had dismissed the children and sent them to bed.

The two younger ones from the Qin family were looked after by another head maid in the guest courtyard.

After hearing this, everyone went to rest.

Before dawn the next day, the adults of the Qian family had already gotten up.

Half past dawn, the maids were told to wake all the children up, as the hired opera troupe and wedding procession had already arrived.

The stage had been set up in advance, and the Qian family members each performed their assigned tasks:

There were people in charge of greeting guests, preparing utensils, arranging meals, arranging the opera troupe, settling the wedding procession, guiding guests to their seats, and so on.

Everyone was busy but not chaotic.

Next, at an auspicious time, ancestral worship is held, followed by a wedding procession and the departure of the bride's family.

The ceremony was held at the bride's home, and by the time they returned, it was already dark. Then, at an auspicious time, they held another ceremony to worship their ancestors before finally being led to the bridal chamber.

Although Shen Huai didn't go with the woman, the man's side was already bustling with activity.

During the day, many children from Qian's relatives and friends joined them, and the wedding night festivities were not excessive.

However, there were so many children wanting to see the bride that they almost broke the door to the bridal chamber!

Last night, the red candles were lit in the bridal chamber; at dawn, we will pay respects to our parents-in-law in the hall.

The next day, the newlyweds, still dressed in red, served tea to their elders with deep affection and changed their address to them.

The elders gave gifts, the children called her "Second Aunt," and the bride gave the children a gift in return.

Then the family, along with the overnight guests, went to have breakfast.

After breakfast, the guests set off to return home, and the hosts had to clean up the mess left by the banquet.

Seeing that Uncle Qin and Doctor Gao were about to leave, Doctor Qian and his family pretended to be angry and joked:

"Okay, but you can't just eat and leave like that. We're not on good terms!"

"We brothers know you sincerely wanted me to stay."

But look, this time the old lady brought the two little ones along to join in the fun, so we really have to go back!

Next time, just bring two adults, or we can come by ourselves and stay at your place for six months, okay?

Everyone laughed when they heard this. Doctor Qian knew that the child was too young and would definitely have to go back, so he didn't insist that the child stay.

He grabbed Dr. Gao's arm with only one hand:

"You can leave, but your junior brother has to stay and work as my farmhand for two days!"

You can only leave after you've finished all the work I left you, hehe!

"Okay! It's settled then!"

After he finishes his work, take him to my place and he can help me for a couple more days, hahaha!

The family hurriedly boarded the carriage, bid farewell, and sped away.

"Senior brother! Senior brother! Sister-in-law!"

Doctor Gao called out repeatedly, but no one answered him.

Reluctantly, I had to stay, thinking I could help out before leaving.

Dr. Qian, satisfied, led Doctor Gao to the pharmacy across the street.

Just as Shen Huai was about to follow, Old Madam Qian took Shen Huai's hand and led everyone back into the house.

After enjoying Wu Ya's company for a while, Madam Qian had Qian Shao and Qian Yao entertain her.

Because of the happy occasion, the two children did not go to school today.

On such a joyous occasion, it wouldn't be appropriate to ask them to study, and Shen Huai certainly didn't want to play house with them.

They thought they could use their skills to help the adults.

After thinking for a moment, he pointed to the things that needed to be put away and sincerely asked:

"Brother, sister, do you know anything about these things in your home?"

Where were these things originally placed?

The two children thought it was just a casual question, so they answered with whatever they knew.

After learning about everything, Shen Huai led them on a stroll to a courtyard that hadn't been tidied up yet.

"Ugh, this place is so messy!"

"Brother, sister, why don't you call someone to tidy up so we can play again?"

To make things easier for them to play, the two of them naturally agreed.

Shen Huai then had them call over a few idle maids and servants to direct the servants to put the items back in their places and send those that needed to be sent to the storeroom.

By lunchtime, Madam Qian and the others had finished tidying up the main hall and garden, and planned to tidy up the remaining courtyards in the afternoon.

An old servant reported:

"Madam, the young master and young lady are all ready!"

I just checked, and everything is basically in order.

This afternoon, Madam, you just need to go and check everything to make sure there's nothing you've missed.

Upon hearing this, the mother-in-law and daughter-in-law exchanged a surprised glance.

They immediately took each other's hands, eager to see what was going on, and the servant led them there.

The main rooms along the road were not only neatly arranged, but also cleaned.

We walked to the gate of the last courtyard.

Three maids and three servants stood to the side, and Qian Shao and Qian Yao checked them one by one.

Little Wuya sat on the porch, watching them inspect the place. The mother-in-law and daughter-in-law stood outside without saying a word, wanting to see what was going on.

The two people were seen muttering incantations, checking each other's work, and then leaving the main room.

Wow! Sister Shao and Brother Yao didn't miss a single one this time!

Everything was checked! That's fantastic!

The two older children were overjoyed to be praised by the younger one.

Then Little Five Girl continued:

"The servants in the courtyard must be even more tired today."

"We promised a reward if you finish this morning, Sister Shao and Brother Yao, remember that!"

The two men walked solemnly to the servants, solemnly picked up their small purses, and gave each of them ten coins.

Several maids and servants stood to the side, their expressions obscured.

But that didn't seem like a good idea either, because immediately Xiao Wuya's voice came again:

"Brothers and sisters, this tea was specially prepared for you by Sister Shao and Brother Yao."

Sister Shao just told Brother Yao that they'd go to the Old Madam and Madam's place later to ask for the real reward money for you!

Upon hearing this, the servants hurriedly thanked the young lady and young master.

"No need to look for us, we're here!"

"Granny Lan, take each of them to collect their reward of one hundred coins."

As they spoke, the mother-in-law and daughter-in-law stepped into the courtyard:

"Thank God, my Shao'er and Yao'er have grown up and are capable of doing things!"

"Grandma, Grandma, could you please check if there's anything we haven't taken care of?"

"Your mother and I just came over and checked on the way here. You did a great job!"

Grandma wants to ask you, how do you know what things are and where they are put?

"There are many things we don't know either~"

According to Wu Ya, when people in the countryside harvest grain, wheat is stored together with wheat, and rice is stored together with rice.

Will it be the same if I collect these items?

My brother and I checked, and if this thing was made of cloth, we put it in the cloth warehouse.

Following the same pattern always works, right? Aren't we clever?

After hearing this, the two Mrs. Qian exchanged a glance, and Mrs. Qian smiled and said:

"Brilliant! So incredibly brilliant!"

However, your little friend Wuya is even smarter!

Upon hearing this, Shen Huai immediately added:

"The three of us are all very smart, hee hee!"

"Yes, yes, you're all smart! You must be starving after a busy morning."

I went to eat with Mom and Grandma.

As she spoke, she took Shen Huai's hand and walked out, while Old Madam Qian took the hands of the other two children and followed.

After finishing his meal, Shen Huai felt a little melancholy:

What to do this afternoon? Am I destined to play house too?

After thinking about it, I said to the two kids:

"Sister Shao, Brother Yao, when I was in the countryside, I couldn't afford paper, pens, and ink..."

I'd like to practice calligraphy this afternoon. May I go?

Upon hearing this, the two children recalled what they had witnessed in the countryside and were filled with sympathy.

Afraid that Xiao Wuya would be upset, they immediately and happily took her to practice calligraphy.

Shen Huai was also very happy~

Both of the Qian family's wives felt that every time Xiao Wuya came, the two children's behavior was like the sun rising in the west.

Shen Huai did indeed use pen and paper when he was at the Qian family's house, but afterwards he always wrote with a stick.

I've just started writing, and I really can't get the hang of it right away.

The siblings noticed that Xiao Wuya's handwriting was indeed much worse than before, and they took turns giving her some pointers.

The key is that Xiao Wuya is an obedient and good student. She practices diligently as instructed and asks sincere questions immediately when she doesn't understand something.

Shen Huai: I really can't!