iang said, "If we don't eat enough, we won't have the energy. We must have meat!"Everyone was satisfied, eating hearty meals and working with no effort left in them.The Li family was also concerned. O...On the morning of New Year's Eve, Suijin Beach was bustling with activity.

The children, dressed in their new tunics and trousers, looked like little red envelopes with long legs, running all over the village.

Occasionally, I caused a little trouble. The women tried their best to bear it and did not slap my ears or spank my butt.

I really don't want the child to cry, it would affect our good fortune for the New Year...

The day before yesterday morning, the village had already slaughtered pigs and sheep, and each household received two large pieces of meat.

The remaining snacks, live fish, vegetables, fruits and other New Year’s gifts were also distributed.

Actually, the bonuses each household receives are all over a hundred taels. These things are affordable to buy if you want them.

But the New Year's gift given by the village held completely different meanings in everyone's hearts.

Each household in the second village also had one, but it was a bit inferior.

The big locust tree and Da and Xiao Wangzhuang received the lowest ranking, only with meat and snacks!

Because in the evening, Lord Hou, Li Lao Er, Li Lao Si, and Mr. Wen, along with Jia Yin, were all going to the palace for a banquet, and it was inconvenient to return to the village after the banquet, they decided to stay at Earl's Mansion.

Therefore, the Li family's New Year's Eve dinner was set for noon.

As for the orchid, it has closed shop for three days. Even Jia Huan, who was usually restless, couldn't sit idle. He took over the kitchen duties from Yang the cook.

Jiā Rén brought back his wife and children, as well as Lǐ Gē'r.

Of course, Lao San Li had already gone home for winter vacation with the school days ago. He had stayed at home for several days, and he was responsible for distributing the New Year's gifts.

Plus Zhao Shu and a few other elderly gentlemen from the backyard, Zhang the physician, the village head and his wife, and even Liu the lone鏢頭, Li's courtyard was just as lively as in years past.

Mr. Chiang and Guli, the master and servant, were also invited over.

They didn't have much family either, so they could eat together and save the trouble of sending lunchboxes to school.

As the sun began to set, the reunion dinner was laid out on the table.

Things that fly in the sky, run on the ground, and swim in the sea, almost all have been caught.

After being stir-fried, braised, deep-fried, and roasted, they were presented in all their colorful glory.

Li Laer held up a wine jug and personally filled the cups of several elderly gentlemen, thanking them for their diligence in guarding Suijin Beach for another year.

"Dear elders, you've worked hard today. We must celebrate with a hearty drink! People say that having an elder at home is like having a treasure. Look at our Ruijin Beach, we are so rich! We have treasures sitting at almost every seat!"

Everyone burst into laughter, especially the village head and Zhao Uncle who waved their hands repeatedly.

The village head said, "We are just a few old men who can't walk well. We are not treasures. Everyone should just try not to mind us on a daily basis."

Zhao Shu also nodded and sighed, "Speaking of which, we haven't had a few hardships in our lifetime."

"I thought I'd die anywhere on the road, but unexpectedly, heaven has mercy, and there is such good fortune! "

"Now, I'm sleeping on a heated kang, wearing thick clothes, spending money, eating delicious food and drinking strong liquor. I never dreamed it would be like this before!"

Jia Yin set up a bowl and chopsticks for the old man, smiling and saying, “Grandpa Zhao, don’t worry, this is just the beginning.”

"Take good care of yourself. Maybe this time next year, we can set sail together and go south to see the ocean, watch whales as big as houses. By then, you'll definitely feel even more touched!"

"Haha, really" Zhao Shu was truly delighted, clapping his hands on his thigh and shouting, "Then I have to take good care of myself and live for a few more years!"

"That's right! There are so many places in this world we haven't eaten at and haven't played in. We must go out and see them when we have the chance." The village head was also excited, waving his pipe excitedly.

Unfortunately, before he could swing it a few times, Auntie Wu snatched it away from him, scolding, "Dinner's almost ready. Don't drop any ashes and ruin everyone's appetite."

The village head smacked his lips, a little wronged. Luckily, Li Lao Er immediately shoved a bowl of wine into his hand.

"Uncle, you're the mainstay of our Suijin Beach. The feast is about to begin, why don't you say a few words to everyone"

The village head was immediately delighted and beamed as he spoke.

From the moment I met the Li family, I knew they were different. From the hardships we faced on our journey to escape, to finally cherishing the good days we have now.

Everyone listened with the same feeling of empathy, not finding the old man's words to be nagging.

After several bowls of wine clinked together, their sounds crisp and the aroma intoxicating, a year of hard work and solid harvests came to a perfect close.

With all the women in the house gone, Wu Da-niang and Jia Yin sat with everyone else.

Even Wu's mother poured a bowl of wine.

Jia Yin also wanted to follow, but unfortunately she was stopped by everyone mercilessly.

Both the east house and the west house had banquet tables set up. The west house was attended by Mount Ye with his attendant Wen Hai, as well as Zheng Sanjiang, Mu Xu, Gu Li, and a few other young men like Zheng Yi.

The East wing is occupied by Dong Wu, Winter Plum, Grandma He, Grandma Lin, Shui Ling, and Shui Yun.

Shui Ling and Shui Yun were supposed to go home for the New Year, but since the main wives weren't there, they felt uneasy about leaving. They refused to return, so they stayed behind.

The remaining maidservants, little maids, cooks, grooms and others had also set up a table in the kitchen.

After a busy year, at this moment, regardless of one's identity, everyone deserves to enjoy a sumptuous meal...

After dinner, Jiayin gave instructions about household chores and then began to dress up, changing her clothes in preparation for entering the palace.

It has to be said, the embroidery skills of the Hou Mansion's embroiderers are just excellent.

Jia Yin's "battle armor" for the banquet was a crimson brocade narrow-sleeved blouse paired with a snow satin skirt.

Her skirt concealed a down-filled pair of pants underneath, and she wore warm deer skin short boots on her feet.

The belt was embroidered with intricate patterns in gold thread, interspersed with a few pearls, making it quite exquisite.

The jade ring that adorned the hem of her skirt was not made of nephrite, but of a superb emerald with exceptional water clarity.

Under the light, it shimmered with brilliance. The emerald green peacock feather cloak draped over him echoed this vibrant glow.

The cloak looked light and not bulky, but inside it was lined with sable fur.

No matter how cold it is, as long as you snuggle up inside, your cloak becomes a warm little world, keeping the chill at bay.

As for jewelry...

Everyone unanimously chose Gold-Inlaid Jade's phoenix hairpin to hold her hair back. She wore a crimson gold seven-gem pendant on her chest, pink pearl gourd pendants in her ears, and a pair of red agate bracelets on her wrists.

Grandma He and Grandma Lin personally took charge, ironing the dresses, combing their hair, and applying makeup. It took them half an hour to finish everything.

Jia Yin had eaten too much just now, and she has been napping ever since.

After finally waking up and seeing the "finished product" in the mirror, she was startled.

Grandmother He and Grandmother Lin were incredibly skilled. They managed to transform her from a wild, rebellious girl into an elegant and refined young lady of noble birth.

Even she herself felt like a stranger.

But that's alright, no matter how outsiders talk about it, this is her first official appearance after all.

To save face for her stepfather and second uncle, she had to pretend all night long!

Besides, she had learned so many rules over the years; it was time to put them to use, otherwise Grandma He would probably be so frustrated she'd spit blood.

As expected, Grandma He was so excited that she paced the entire room for several circles, almost shedding tears.

She kept admonishing, "Miss Junzhu, you absolutely mustn't forget the rules, hold on for just one whole night!"

Jiayin helplessly laughed and comforted her a few words.

She only went to the front yard when a young maidservant came to invite her.ght, passing a silent evening. The next morning, not only Tao Hongying was going into the city, but also Li Laotai, Wen's wife, and Wenjuan all went into the city together.Country living is comfortabl...