Country Maiden: Fields and Fortune

407: Pursuit (1)

A few elders mustered the courage to come forward to toast, and Xie Zhinuan immediately got up to clink glasses with them.

Qianqian took a sip and asked if this year they could eat their fill, wear new jackets, inquired about the state of their households, and whether their grandchildren had been treated with ample dignity.

After the meal, each household’s head could go and claim a portion of spiced meat, a spiced chicken, and several packages of pastries, and then they were sent home.

Xie Zhinuan sat in her chair, holding a “Warm Stove,” her eyes filled with a tender, faint smile.

Silly Girl and Xiaoyuan came in.

The two looked at each other, and Xiaoyuan stepped forward to whisper, “Master, the carriage is prepared; let’s go home!”

Xie Zhinuan answered with a sound.

“It’s indeed time to go back!”

Back at home, Aunt Chen had already led a few servants in preparing the New Year’s Eve dinner.

“Miss is back!” Grandma Chen called out softly.

Xie Yi was playing with wooden blocks; upon hearing the news, he immediately turned his head, and upon seeing Xie Zhinuan, he called out with a laugh, “Mom!” and toddled towards her.

Xie Zhinuan quickly took off her cloak, tossed it to Silly Girl, squatted down with her arms open, waiting for Xie Yi to jump into her arms. She held him and spun around several times, kissing his chubby little face.

Having just returned from outside, her face was still cold, unlike Xie Yi who had been staying indoors where it was heated.

Inside the house, Xie Yi wore less clothing and was very active. When Xie Zhinuan kissed him, he dodged, provoking her to tease him even more.

Both mother and son laughed uncontrollably.

Aunt Chen had already set up the dinner, and when she came over to invite Xie Zhinuan and saw the mother and son playing happily, as if they weren’t blood relatives yet getting along even better, she felt warmth in her heart.@@novelbin@@

“Miss, the meal is ready!”

Xie Zhinuan nodded, picked up Xie Yi, dressed him, wrapped a scarf around his neck, put a hat on him, and carried him out of the room.

The cold wind blew, and Xie Yi quickly snuggled into his mother’s embrace.

Xie Zhinuan laughed softly.

Holding him, she walked towards the dining hall.

The household had few masters and servants.

One table was set in the dining hall, with two more outside; Xie Zhinuan had sent Silly Girl early to give out the reward money.

She invited Mute Uncle, Grandma Chen, Aunt Chen, Silly Girl, and Xiaoyuan to sit down, placing Xie Yi on a high stool beside her.

It hadn’t been a year since she arrived in this “another world,” but she had established her own business, had a child of her own, and had gained three elders and two friends.

She had achieved a small measure of success.

“Cheers, let’s toast to ourselves, and toast to the success of our endeavors in the coming year!” Xie Zhinuan raised her glass.

Mute Uncle’s eyes reddened slightly as he held up his cup. “To everything going smoothly and achieving our wishes,” he thought.

Silly Girl laughed like a simpleton.

Aunt Chen and Grandma Chen smiled with affection and gentleness.

Tears welled in Xiaoyuan’s eyes.

Her year could be described as both good and not so good; yet, with her master, her future was boundless.

The only thing was marriage…

She had separated from Dong Sheng, and after the separation, she came to the county town while Dong Sheng stayed in the old home. How he was doing now, she had no idea.

Did she care?

Of course, she cared.

After toasting, they ate the New Year’s Eve dinner.

After the meal, Xie Zhinuan brought out the gifts she had prepared for everyone.

Silly Girl couldn’t help but open hers first, and upon opening it, she was utterly astonished.

It was a “silver note.”

Each had a different amount.

Mute Uncle, Aunt Chen, and Grandma Chen received silver notes of two hundred “taels,” Xiaoyuan one hundred, and Silly Girl five hundred.

“Miss, this is too much!” Aunt Chen whispered softly, her eyes turning slightly red.

Her heart was deeply moved, and filled with many emotions.

They had what other “servants” had, and now they had received even more; it was truly too much. What they did was simply their duty, but Xie Zhinuan treated them with heartfelt kindness.

Chapter 409