Abandoned Woman Busy Farming

Chapter 1190: Chapter 1192: Meeting Gift_1

The two followed Jiang Xuexiang and the others into the Jiang Residence, which still looked as dilapidated as it did when Bai Ruozhu and Jiang Yichun had returned to it. After all, poverty was the cause; Elder Jiang Ge insisted on being incorruptible and unstained by wealth. How could he not be poor when, besides his own family, he also had to support relatives?

Jiang Yihong, the youngest in years, had not yet reached the age of steadiness. He had been excitedly approaching Jiang Yichun, chattering with a grin, ”Big brother, I heard that your martial arts skills are excellent. When you have spare time, could you teach me too?”

Although Jiang Yichun tended to be aloof, he was still fond of these younger siblings and slightly nodded, ”Sure.”

”Stop being ridiculous. You should study for academic honors, what use is learning that violent stuff? Don’t forget who you are!” Jiang Chenshi said in a low voice laced with chastisement.

”Mom, just let it be. Knowing some martial arts could help me protect myself. Besides, what does status have to do with it? If big brother can learn, why can’t I?” Jiang Yihong grumbled discontentedly.

”You!” The words that Jiang Chenshi had choked back were not hard for Bai Ruozhu to guess—they were most likely along the lines of, ”Can you even compare to him?”

Jiang Xuexiang cast an unhappy glance at Chen Family and said, ”Yihong learning martial arts is not a bad thing. It’s good for strengthening the body and health, to make sure he doesn’t falter in the exam place.”

Jiang Chenshi, not wanting to contradict Jiang Xuexiang in public, reluctantly closed her mouth. Meanwhile, Jiang Yihong, thrilled, jumped up and winked at Jiang Yichun.

As they talked, the group had arrived at the Main Hall. Sure enough, they didn’t see Elder Jiang Ge, but the room was bustling enough to dazzle anyone.

It had to be said that the Bai Family members were really few in number. If Jiang Yichun hadn’t returned, the Jiang Family would only have had the sole male grandchild, Jiang Yihong. But their cousin, Jiang Xuebin, had three children with his wife, and another cousin, Dou Ning, had four, all of whom were yet to marry; together there were eleven people in total. The hall wasn’t large to begin with, and with Bai Ruozhu and others entering, it became even more crowded.

”Oh, older sister-in-law, you really have worked hard, receiving the younger generation as an elder, which is certainly no easy feat,” a woman’s voice rang out. Bai Ruozhu looked over and recognized it was Madame Dou, to whom she should address as cousin-aunt.

Madame Dou’s tone sounded amiable, but upon closer examination, there was something off about it. Jiang Chenshi’s face flushed with anger. However, with a room full of people, she didn’t dare to make a scene, inwardly blaming Jiang Xuexiang for insisting on having her greet the guests, which is why she ended up being mocked by Madame Dou.

Bai Ruozhu observed everything quietly, thinking to herself, with the Jiang Family in such a state of decay and still fighting among themselves for power, couldn’t they spend this time better by finding a way to make a living? The children were dressed so poorly that the clothes they wore were thinner than even those of her own maids and servants.

The Jiang Family members, of course, saw this as well, and Madame Dou was particularly envious, her complexion far from pleasant.

As the younger generation, Bai Ruozhu and Jiang Yichun, carrying Little Dengdeng, came forward to bow to each of their uncles and aunts, with Dengdeng following suit in the ceremony. But as they made their rounds, not a single person proactively presented Dengdeng with a meeting gift.

In the Capital City of Danliang Country and many other Big Cities, there was a custom where the first time one meets a relative’s child, a gift is given. Or when an elder meets someone from the younger generation, they might give a purse or something similar. It was the Jiang Family Members’ first time meeting Dengdeng, so by convention, they should have offered something.

But at that moment, no one made a move, leaving one to wonder whether it was intentional, done to embarrass Bai Ruozhu and her husband, or if they truly were so poor that they had nothing to give.

Little Dengdeng was a sincere child but also had a great memory. Plus, he had inherited his mother’s penchant for money. He remembered that each time he met an unfamiliar elder, he would receive something. Thus he was somewhat bewildered now—why weren’t they giving him anything?

”Dengdeng, come here to your grandpa,” Jiang Xuexiang said with a smile as he squatted down and extended his hand towards Dengdeng, holding a silver lock.

Little Dengdeng immediately went over with a beaming smile, and Jiang Xuexiang gave him the silver lock.

”This child takes stable steps and has a strong physique,” Jiang Xuexiang said, embracing Little Dengdeng and speaking with pride.

Jiang Chenshi cast a sidelong glance at Lady Dou and Jiang Zhangshi, and also took out a beautifully embroidered pair of tiger-head shoes to give to Little Dengdeng.

”On behalf of Dengdeng, thank you to my uncle and auntie. Auntie’s craftsmanship is truly excellent; this tiger head is exquisitely made,” Bai Ruozhu stepped forward to thank them on behalf of Dengdeng.

Jiang Chenshi’s face softened considerably at that moment and said, ”This was Zhihe who put in the effort. The child doesn’t have any particular skills except for her needlework.”

With a blushing face, Jiang Zhihe also took out a small bib embroidered with a beautiful little tiger, which perfectly matched the tiger-head shoes.

”This is for my nephew,” Jiang Yihong joined in and stuffed a slingshot he made himself into Little Dengdeng’s hands.

Jiang Chenshi glared at Jiang Yihong, clearly dissatisfied with his making of the slingshot.

Having given their gifts, the main room’s family left Jiang Xuebin and Dou Ning’s family feeling sidelined. It was Jiang Zhangshi, with her gentle voice, who said, ”Look at us, so preoccupied with attending to the Old Master’s illness that we forgot to prepare a gift. Elder Sister-in-law didn’t even remind us, we truly neglected Yichun and his spouse.”

Look at the way she spoke, emphasizing filial piety, all focused on attending to Elder Jiang Ge’s illness, hence forgetting other matters, showing how sincere their hearts were. And Jiang Chenshi didn’t remind them either, making it seem like she wasn’t responsible enough as the head of the family, even intentionally embarrassing the relatives.

Bai Ruozhu chuckled to herself, curious to see how Jiang Chenshi would counter.

”Sister-in-law, what you said... Who isn’t worried about father’s illness? Giving a gift upon first meeting a child has always been our custom. If I had to remind you of such a trivial matter, outsiders might think I’m trying to manage every aspect of your life, and it would then seem like I’m driving you out of the Residence,” Jiang Chenshi said with discontent.

Jiang Xuebin’s wife, having heard this, did not retort. She merely lowered her head with a gloomy expression, as if she was about to cry.

Bai Ruozhu silently sighed. Jiang Chenshi wasn’t wise. The earlier statements were acceptable, but why bring up ”driving you out of the Residence” afterward? This just made it seem like she was bullying people. No wonder Jiang Chenshi, as the legitimate mistress of the family, couldn’t handle these relatives. It turned out that Jiang Chenshi’s own status was somewhat low.

Jiang Xuexiang felt the atmosphere turn somewhat awkward and coughed before asking, ”Father didn’t come?”

Lady Dou quickly said, ”Father mentioned he was feeling unwell and there’s no reason for him to receive the younger generation. He asked for Yichun and his spouse to pay him a visit and give their respects.”

Jiang Yichun’s face had already turned very sullen. Bai Ruozhu gently tugged at his sleeve and said to Lady Dou, ”Auntie is right, we should indeed go to see Grandpa.”

Jiang Yichun’s body gave a slight shudder. It was clear that he was very resistant to the words ”Grandpa”. Bai Ruozhu secretly tugged at him again, indicating that he needed to endure. If he was unwilling to utter those words, then let her say them to avoid being faulted by others.

”This is also our first formal meeting with my younger brothers and sisters. These are gifts from my spouse and me,” Bai Ruozhu said, presenting the gifts she had prepared beforehand to Jiang Zhihe and the others, naturally including the children of Jiang Xuebin and Dou Ning. Consequently, the faces of Jiang Xuebin and his wife, as well as Dou Ning and his spouse, turned as sour as if they’d been smeared with something unpleasant.