Carefree Farmwife: Training the Husband, Raising the Bun - Chapter 70

Old Man Li smoothly opened the package, revealing two black cross-collared jackets. These garments were not the rough homespun cloth the villagers usually wore, but satin. The black, smooth fabric shimmered with a fine sheen, instantly pleasing to the eye.

“Well now, old man, you’ve got good fortune! Your eldest son’s family is truly filial. This fabric is something you can only find at the entrance of our village, usually worn by the wealthy families in town. You’ve got both a house full of children and grandchildren and satin jackets, now that’s enough to make anyone envious!” Village Head Zhang stroked his beard and spoke with a touch of envy.

Then he turned to Madam Li and asked, “This fabric must have cost quite a bit, right?”

From his tone, it was obvious he was helping Madam Li look good in front of Old Man Li. Madam Li caught his meaning, and though she only forced a smile, she replied, “Father’s eightieth birthday is a great celebration. Even if it’s expensive, it’s worth it.”

At that, Old Man Li’s face brightened considerably. He carefully wrapped the satin jackets back up and handed them to Feng Qiufang, telling her to put them away properly.

As Feng Qiufang held the clothes, her thoughts turned quickly. The eldest branch of the family had been so generous this time, it seemed that furniture shop of theirs must really be making money. That Li Dalang had quite the skill, to truly manage a shop on his own. Later, she’d have to prod Old Man Li into asking them for more money.

Seeing that the atmosphere had relaxed, Liu Chuncao stepped forward and took the two gift boxes from Ying Suo’s hands. Smiling, she opened them and said, “These are pastries Cuihua bought for you in town. They’re from Zeng Ji’s shop. Grandpa, try some! They’re delicious!”

As Liu Chuncao opened the boxes, a tempting fragrance filled the room. Li Yunyao, who had been sitting off to the side in a brand-new floral blouse, maintaining her young lady’s posture, couldn’t help but react. Having been raised in town by Feng Qiufang, Li Yunyao carried herself with a touch of arrogance and rarely mingled with Wei Ying’s three daughters, simply because she looked down on them.

But when she heard Liu Chuncao say the pastries were from Zeng Ji’s, her almond-shaped eyes flicked toward the table. After recognizing the packaging, she let out a soft gasp, tugged at Feng Qiufang’s sleeve, and gestured with her mouth toward the pastries.

Feng Qiufang had only one son and one daughter, with Yunyao being the younger, so she usually spoiled her excessively. Now, seeing her daughter take an interest in the pastries, of course she had to satisfy her precious girl.

She quickly walked forward, grabbed a piece of pastry, and handed it to Old Man Li with a bright smile. “Father, try it! See if it tastes good? Your second son and I have been in town all this time, but we never splurged on these ourselves. We don’t even know what they taste like!”

Old Man Li immediately felt proud, his face lighting up with a broad smile. He shook his head and said, “Let Village Head Zhang and Old Master Zhang taste it first!”

Feng Qiufang slapped her forehead lightly and laughed. “Oh, look at me with no sense! Zhang Taigong, Village Head, please, try it and see what this treat tastes like!”

The way she acted, one would think the two boxes of pastries were brought by her. She even casually handed two pieces to her daughter, Li Yunyao, completely pushing Liu Chuncao aside and not mentioning Ying Su at all.

Li Yunyao accepted the pastries and nibbled at them daintily, her posture making her look every bit the young miss.

Wei Ying’s two daughters stood watching from the side. At first, since the pastries were for Old Man Li, they hadn’t felt much. But now that Li Yunyao was eating them, Wei Ying’s second daughter began to feel restless. Inwardly, she thought, ‘If Li Yunyao can eat them, why can’t my sister and I?’

“Auntie,” Li Shuang called out cheerfully, “my sister and I would like to try some too! We’ve grown this big and never had any before!”

Feng Qiufang had heard of Zeng Ji’s pastries. They also did business in Shili Town, but unlike their own ventures, Zeng Ji’s was located in the wealthy East Street district. Their pastries were made for rich families. For ordinary people like them, who would ever spend money equal to half a year’s rice and flour just to buy a few boxes of pastries?

So the moment she heard Li Shuang, she instinctively shielded the pastry box. There were only two boxes, and not many pieces inside. If she gave some to Li Shuang and her sister, what would be left?

She was already planning to take the leftovers home later for her daughter to enjoy.

Her smile didn’t falter, but her tone carried a hint of reproach. “You’re a grown girl now, and still so greedy? You’re getting married after the New Year. If you keep being so gluttonous, people will laugh at you!”

She shifted the subject cleverly, bringing up Li Shuang’s upcoming marriage. Naturally, no one would dwell further on the matter of a couple of pastries.

Liu Chuncao frowned, but since she wasn’t of the same generation as Feng Qiufang, it wasn’t her place to speak up.

Li Shuang flushed with embarrassment and anger, about to argue, but her younger sister Li Qiao tugged at her sleeve to stop her.

This aunt had a sharp tongue and authority in the family. If her second sister talked back, they would only suffer for it.

At that moment, Ying Su smiled faintly, stepped forward, picked up a pastry from the box, and handed it to Feng Qiufang. “Auntie, you should try one too.”

Feng Qiufang froze for a moment. Her smile lessened, but she still accepted it. “Then I’ll have a taste.”

Ying Su’s eyes curved as she smiled, her expression especially lovely. She then picked up two more pieces and gave them to Li Shuang and Li Qiao. “Here, try them. See if they’re tasty.”

The two sisters widened their eyes at her, hesitated, then timidly accepted.

“Second Uncle, Second Aunt, you should try some too!” Ying Su then offered pastries to Wei Ying and his wife.

Feng Qiufang’s smile was beginning to stiffen. She then watched as Ying Su calmly handed out the remaining pastries one by one, until nearly everyone had a piece. Even Old Man Li at the head seat widened his eyes, his lips moving as if he wanted to speak, but in the end, he said nothing.

Feng Qiufang’s smile froze completely. She could only watch as the pastries dwindled, until only two remained. Her heart ached.

Just as Ying Su reached out for the last two pieces, she couldn’t hold back any longer. “Leave two for Father!” She blurted.

The words slipped out, and Old Man Li’s expression turned awkward. He had been thinking the same, but having Feng Qiufang announce it in front of Zhang Taigong and the Village Head made him lose face.

He shot her an unhappy glare, coughed lightly, and forced a smile. “It’s not some rare delicacy. If they’re eaten, they’re eaten.”

Li Zhi quickly stepped in to smooth things over, following Old Man Li’s words. “Exactly! If they’re eaten, they’re eaten! We’re in Shili Town all the time, whenever Father wants more, we’ll just buy some!”

Because Feng Qiufang had earlier made a point about how expensive the pastries were, Li Zhi’s words sounded a little forced. But Old Man Li’s pride was soothed. Stroking his beard with a grin, the embarrassment on his face faded a little, and he turned back to chat with Zhang Taigong and the Village Head.