CHAPTER 775: CHAPTER 775: SHANG FAMILY PEOPLE

Gu Family, Shang Family, and Jiang Family were bustling for several days and finally, it reached the ninth day of the first lunar month.

Gu Jinli’s family got up early, everyone changed into new clothes, and together with families from Qin, Gu, Luo, and Luotian, Gu Daya’s family, as well as Village Chief He and his grandson He Jinseng, a group of people took the workshop’s mule cart and headed to Shang Family Village.

Although it was Gu Jin’an who was apprenticing, Scholar Shang knew the families of Qin, Gu, Luo, and Luotian got along well, so he also invited them.

As for the family of Village Chief He, they went because He Jinseng was also trying to become a Scholar this year and was familiar with Gu Jin’an.

Jiang Family paid great attention to today’s apprenticeship ceremony, with Jiang Jiao personally waiting at the intersection leading to Shang Family Village with Ah Jiu. When he saw the mule cart from the Gu Family, he laughed and greeted them: "You are indeed punctual, arriving exactly at Chen hour as said, not a minute off; had I been slower, I might have missed receiving you."

The auspicious time for the apprenticeship was set at the exact hour of Si, while the Gu Family said they would arrive during Chen hour.

Jiang Jiao then looked at Gu Jin’an, seeing him dressed neatly, his face wearing the youthful spirit and vigor, and patted Gu Jin’an’s shoulder contentedly: "Not bad, you’ve grown a lot since I last saw you."

Gu Jin’an smiled and said: "It has been over three years, naturally, I have grown."

He then bowed to Jiang Jiao: "Second Uncle Jiang, these few days must have been tough on you, please accept a bow from Good Brother An."

Jiang Jiao hurriedly helped him up: "No need for formalities, our two families talking like this, you are treating my Jiang Family as outsiders."

Gu Jin’an smiled and said: "I did not treat Jiang Family as outsiders, it’s just that I wanted to thank Second Uncle Jiang first, acting well-mannered now so it will be easier to ask for favors later."

"Ha-ha, you rascal. Alright, for your words today, Second Uncle Jiang promises you, in the future, as long as it’s something Second Uncle Jiang can do, I will definitely help you," said Jiang Jiao. After years of acquaintance between the two families, they were familiar and didn’t bother much with formalities. After exchanging a few family-like words, he sat on the front board of the Gu Family’s mule cart, leading everyone to Scholar Shang’s house.

Traditionally, as the mentor, Scholar Shang wasn’t supposed to meet Gu Jin’an, his student, but the central gate of Shang Family was wide open, a gesture from Scholar Shang highlighting the importance he placed on Gu Jin’an.

The families of Qin, Gu, Luo, and Luotian entered Shang Family together, the ladies followed Taozi to the inner residence, hosted by Mrs. Jiang and Ms. Jiang.

Mrs. Jiang and Jiang Dahu had arrived at Shang Family the day before yesterday, and today, they along with Ms. Jiang were waiting at the second gate for the ladies from several families.

Mrs. Cui, upon seeing them, quickly said: "Mrs. Jiang, you are our senior, how could we let you come to receive us."

Mrs. Jiang smiled and said: "Old lady here isn’t really here to receive you, I am here to receive the third sister-in-law of Gu Family."

The third sister-in-law of Gu Family referred to Third Grandma.

Mrs. Jiang took Third Grandma’s hand and said: "Old sister-in-law, you must be tired today, the weather is quite cold, let’s hurry inside and talk where it’s warm."

Third Grandma laughed and replied: "Yeah, let’s go inside to talk."

She then called to the other ladies: "Wives of Tie Zhu, Damu, everyone, go inside, don’t block the way here."

After speaking, she glanced at Mrs. Chen who was looking around restlessly, using her gaze to warn her not to be too disruptive and attract scolding.

Mrs. Chen blatantly ignored Third Grandma’s gaze and assessed the Shang Residence. She had always dreamed of visiting Scholar Shang’s house as a guest. However, since her family had made some money and visited the county a few times, her opinion of Scholar Shang’s residence now was one of slight disdain, thinking to herself: The mansion of this scholar isn’t even as good as the Xia Family house in town.

"Sister Xiao Yu," Yuanyuan, dressed in a red satin dress looking like a little round ball, ran up and grabbed Gu Jinli’s hand, saying: ’Sister Xiao Yu, you’ve finally arrived, Yuanyuan has been waiting for you for a long time, let Yuanyuan take you to play.’

Yuanyuan, unlike her parents, was a lively little girl who didn’t like to stay with adults, and after behaving all morning, she couldn’t wait any longer. Seeing Gu Jinli, she immediately wanted to drag her off to play.

Ms. Jiang scolded, "How can you be so unruly, my child? Sister Xiao Yu just arrived and hasn’t even sat down to rest. Stop bothering her, otherwise, mother will have to punish you."

Yuanyuan felt a bit aggrieved and said to Gu Jinli, "I’m sorry, Sister Xiao Yu."

Gu Jinli knew Yuanyuan was bored and asked with a smile, "Yuanyuan, where do you want to take us to play?"

She pointed to Gui Niu, Jin Niu, Luo Huiniang, and Tian Xiaohua, saying, "They want to go too."

Yuanyuan’s eyes lit up upon hearing this: "Yeah, let’s all go together."

Then she ran over and grabbed Gui Niu’s hand, saying, "Sister, let Yuanyuan take you to play."

Not being shy, Gui Niu smiled and nodded, "Okay."

Yuanyuan was even happier. Holding one hand of Gui Niu and pulling Gu Jinli with the other, she called out to Luo Huiniang and Jin Niu, leading them to the garden in the back house.

Xiao Ji also followed them.

Seeing this, Mrs. Jiang’s eyes reddened, blaming her own body for not being able to bear Yuanyuan a brother or sister, leaving Yuanyuan to grow up alone; she was always overjoyed to see children of her age.

Mrs. Jiang said to her, "Today is indeed a joyful day. You have also become a teacher’s matron, and your responsibilities from now on are a bit heavier than before. You are not a little girl anymore, and you shouldn’t embarrass yourself."

Mrs. Jiang quickly wiped away her tears and replied, "Mother is right, I was foolish."

She then pulled Mrs. Cui and Gu Jinxiu’s hands and said, "During the New Year, I received an embroidery. Since sister-in-law and Sister Xiu are excellent in embroidery, please come and see if it’s done well."

Mrs. Jiang laughed, "Xue Niang got an embroidery and has been cherishing it so much, saying she must invite Sister Xiu and Dashan’s wife to see it; but when I saw the embroidery, truly, it was not as good as what Sister Xiu could do, only she herself prized it greatly."

Mrs. Jiang, being adept at conversation, quickly made the women from several families get acquainted.

...

In the garden of the Shang Family’s back house, Yuanyuan led Gu Jinli and the others to a patch of herbal land and pointed to a small section covered by a bamboo shed, "Sister Xiao Yu, this is the Dendrobium you gave me. They haven’t died, they are all thriving well. Am I not amazing?"

The little girl looked up, her face seeking praise.

Gu Jinli touched her head and smiled, "Yes, Yuanyuan is amazing, even managing to grow Dendrobium."

The Dendrobium was covered with fist-sized stones, and beneath the stones, apart from soil, there were moss-covered sticks on which the Dendrobium clung, poking out small corners from between the stones, looking somewhat cute.

Yuanyuan was delighted by Gu Jinli’s praise and continued to share the hardships of cultivating the medicine.

While they were talking, several children from the Shang Family Clan ran over, "Yuanyuan, we’ve been looking for you for a long time. Why are you playing with grass here again?"

A girl about Yuanyuan’s age pointed at Gu Jinli and the others, "Who are these people? Why are you playing with them?"

Yuanyuan didn’t really like the inquiring little girl, but out of politeness, she answered, "This is Sister Xiao Yu, she’s Brother Jin’an’s sister."

Another girl, slightly older around nine years old, sneered upon hearing this, "Oh, they’re the group of beggars who fled the famine."