Chronicle of Farming in Muxianfu

Chapter 109 Preparing for the New Year's Ceremony (Pink!!)

"Mom's Simba is really a good boy, kind and sensible." Muai wiped the juice from the corner of his mouth with a handkerchief, threw the orange peel back into the space, and rewarded Simba with a big peach.Simba held it with both hands happily, and smiled even more happily. "Anyway, I've seen those too. Mom can draw new ones for me."

"You brat, that's what you planned. It's a pity that I rewarded you with peaches. Return the peaches quickly." Mu Ai was amused by his narrow-mindedness, and immediately went back to grab the peaches with a face of regret. Unfortunately, Like a little loach, Simba got off his chair early and squeaked his food in the corner, which made her laugh so much.

Packed up the picture book, put it in a small mahogany box and locked it.Muai washed his hands first, and then Simba, who was pulling a peach into his belly, also washed.Only then did he open the door and enter the small hall. Winter Solstice and Shuan Shuan sat on the small couch under the window to embroider purses for New Year's rewards.The vernal equinox and summer solstice are checking the year's expense account.Xiao An was arranging some small New Year's ceremony, when seeing his wife came in, several people stood up quickly to salute.

Mu Ai sighed secretly, last time Li Wei seemed to be a bit too strong, the four big girls in spring, summer, autumn and winter all became reserved.Thinking so in his heart, but his face remained calm, smiling and letting them continue to work.

Then he sat on the soft couch on the inside, picked up the annual gift list to check for omissions, and Simba also ran to get his drawing book and lay beside his mother to read it seriously.

This year's annual gift is much richer than last year's. A few days ago, Guo Huai specially asked Guo Huai to make some small items in the porcelain kiln where the tableware was custom-made when he went to the birthday banquet. I will make some down pillows or quilts, but the fluff is too difficult to collect, so I have to tell Xiao Heng to ask Xiankelou to help collect more in the future, and prepare to send it next year.

New Year's gift from the Xiao Mansion: Two large boxes each of walnut candy, sesame candy, melon seed candy, and peanut candy, two small jars of honey, one small jar of white sugar, two boxes of dried pork, two boxes of spiced melon seeds, and one box of dried sausage. Two small jars of sweet sauce (strawberry jam), two boxes of fried cakes (raw), two jars of cucumber pickles, and two jars of cabbage pickles.One hundred-year-old ginseng and one hundred-year-old Polygonum multiflorum.A set of Aoxue red plum tableware, a set of two European-style teacups with black leaves, purple peony and gold lacquer edge, a pair of red beauty bottles, a pair of revolving pen holders, a simple drawing of a revolving table is inserted in it, and concubine-colored peonies Two pots of flowers, two pots of pure white lilies, and two pots of ivory orchids.The rest are green vegetables, cucumbers, beans, eggplants, persimmons, and a box each of leeks, spinach, celery, and tender cabbage.All kinds of new foods are accompanied by recipes made.

The annual ceremony of the Wei Mansion is slightly different. The candy is also two large boxes, and the honey is turned into three small jars. One jar is prepared for each of the old lady and the two Wei ladies, a small jar of white sugar, and two boxes of spiced pork jerky. , two boxes of spiced melon seeds, one box of dried sausages, two small jars of sweet sauce, two boxes of fried cakes (raw), two boxes of cakes, two boxes of chicken soup steamed buns (raw), and two boxes of various flower-flavored biscuits. One jar of cucumber pickles, one jar of cabbage kimchi, one century-old Chuanmazi, one century-old ginseng, and eight boxes of vegetables such as beans and eggplants.A set of four European-style cups with twining lotus patterns, two pairs of scarlet long-necked vases, a pair of beauty vases, and a pair of revolving ceramic pen holders.Two pots of concubine-colored peonies, two pots of pure white lilies, and two pots of ivory-colored orchids.There are also two barrels of spring water.In addition, two paper slips are attached, which describe in detail how to eat and how to store them.

Zhoufu gift list: two boxes of five kinds of sweets, one small box of white sugar, two boxes of dried pork, two boxes of spiced melon seeds, one box of dried sausage, two small jars of sweet sauce, two boxes of fried cakes, two boxes of cakes, Two boxes of biscuits, one box of pork and mushroom pies, one box of beef cornbread, one jar of cucumber pickles, and one jar of cabbage pickles.Fifty catties of pork and six chickens.Two pairs of sheepskin boots and two brocade cotton robes.Two pots of concubine orchids and two pots of Xueqing camellias.One box of each of the eight kinds of vegetables, two boxes of sweet potatoes, and [-] catties of ordinary fried melon seeds.

Looking carefully at the three gift slips, Mu Ai picked up a pen and added eight live carps and twenty pairs of live shrimps at the end. Turning around, she saw that Chun Equinox and Xiao An had checked the books, so she took them and took a look at them.

Since I taught Guo Huai and Chun Equinox the new form accounting method in the past two months, the account book looks much more relaxed and clear, not as chaotic as before, and the income and expenditure are clear at a glance.

There are nearly 30 people in the mansion, and they spend a total of 510 taels a year on food and clothing. In terms of etiquette, because the gifts are all produced in their own fields, they only use more than 3000 taels of silver, but the gifts they receive in return are no less than 2000 taels. It was really a lucrative business, and she was a little embarrassed, jokingly said, "This festival gift is really a profitable business. The annual gift sent by the Wei Mansion the day before yesterday was worth nearly [-] taels of silver. Let's go back now. All of them are local products from the field, so there are some suspicions of defrauding people of money with generous gifts."

Winter Solstice helped Shuan Shuan correct a few stitches that were embroidered wrongly, and said with a smile, "Madam, you can't think so. We still feel that our family is at a loss. Although all the products that are sent out are from our own property, except for us In the house, there are no other places."

"Yes, ma'am, let's keep a pair of those red flasks. Put a few flowers in them during the Chinese New Year. It looks so festive and lively." Xiao An is still a little girl at heart. I love the few pairs of vases very much, and I am reluctant to give them away.

Mu Ai smiled and said, "Let's not say that the family has kept two couples, even if they didn't, don't be so petty, it's not a good thing. After the new year, I have nothing to do in the first month, so I draw a few more sets of patterns. Put a couple in everyone's room."

"Really? Ma'am is so kind, then I want the hibiscus pattern!" Xiao An raised her eyebrows happily, fearing that Madam would repent, making Chun Equinox and the others laugh.

"Have the food, clothing and housing for Captain Kong Xi and his nine guards been arranged?"

Hearing Madam asking about the ten murderous guards, the girls stuck out their tongues playfully, with a look of fear. When the guards first arrived at the mansion in the morning, they just stood there with their hands on the handles of their swords. They were almost so frightened that their legs were so weak that they couldn't walk, which made the girls who had never been in contact with soldiers fearful and curious at the same time. Of course, that soft guy Li Sheng was not considered a soldier in their hearts.

Chun Equinox put down the box in his hand, and replied with a smile, "It's all arranged, the two empty rooms in the inverted room are cleaned up, and the bedding and bedding are all new. The ground heat has been burning, so it won't be cold at night." In terms of food, Aunt Guo will prepare according to their shift time. Housekeeper Guo will prepare daily necessities according to the standards of Ouyang guards."

Mu Ai nodded, she was very satisfied with the ten guards sent by Wei Guang, she didn't need to look at their kung fu, but just looked at their eyes to know that they had definitely struggled from life to death on the battlefield.Come to think of it, if something unexpected happens, they can deal with it for a while.

"Okay, let's set up dinner right away. Let's start packing up the gifts from each family according to the list, and send them away tomorrow morning. Xia Zhi is articulate, so I will follow Steward Guo to send the annual gifts of Weifu. Remember to put everything Everything is explained clearly, there is also a box in the study room specially for the young master of Weifu, don't forget to send it along."

"Yes, ma'am." The girls all agreed in unison, and began to work on their own, dividing up the gifts.

Mu Ai ordered the spring equinox to go out and asked Ada and Aer to bring in four large wooden barrels, filled them with spiritual water and moved them down, and brought up three more wooden barrels that were already half filled with well water, and put eight carps and two barrels in each. Ten pairs of prawns and a small amount of spiritual water went in.

The Spring Equinox four looked calm, and their subordinates were still busy, but it was the first time that Ah Da, Ah Er, and Xiao An saw their mistress change things out of thin air. They all looked excited, and their hands were a little trembling. Only the wooden barrel lid fell off, but Xiao An almost dropped the flask in his hand. Chun Equinox caught it with quick eyesight and quick hands.

Mu Ai smiled lightly, carried Simba into the inner room...

On the twelfth day of the twelfth lunar month, at three o'clock in the afternoon, in front of the gate of Kao City Guard Mansion.

The housekeeper Wei was directing the manpower to arrange the carriages and horses and servants for the guests. He heard the report from the servant, saying that someone from outside the mansion came to give New Year's gifts, claiming to be from the Muxian mansion.His eyes lit up, and he hurriedly asked someone to go in to report to his wife, and took him out the door with a smile. After a few polite words, he led the carriage into the yard through the side door, and there was a little girl waiting outside the second door, crisp and fresh. Said bluntly, the madam ordered to move all the things to the east wing of the side yard, and someone had to come and answer.Xia Zhi suppressed the panic caused by entering the mansion for the first time, and followed the little girl with a smile as much as possible.

After entering the small hall, girls in pink jackets and skirts came and went, smiling and moved in all the New Year gifts on the carriage, except for the three big wooden barrels.

After waiting for less than a cup of tea, a gentle and beautiful woman in a peach red brocade dress came in accompanied by two big maids.

Xia Zhi saluted and said hello in an uncluttered figure, handed over the gift list respectfully, and answered a few polite words, and then turned to the main topic, telling Mrs. Wei the things that need to be paid attention to when returning the gift.

"Mrs. Wei, let me tell you that when this maidservant came this time, our wife asked me to tell you in detail the points that need to be paid attention to. These ten boxes of candy were personally brought by my wife a few days ago. It tastes sweet and fragrant, and I said that the young master will love it, so I packed two boxes of each. The three drum-shaped porcelain jars contain extremely precious holy honey. Take a small spoonful of it every day and use it Take it with warm water, it can beautify and nourish the skin..."

"Yeah, but the holy item that Mrs. Xiao sent last time?" Madam Wei listened halfway, then suddenly touched her cheeks that had become delicate and fair, and asked in surprise, thinking in her heart, it would be great if it was a holy item. , I just finished drinking that pot, and I am worrying with my sister.

Xia Zhi smiled slightly, and replied, "Mrs., no."

"Oh." Mrs. Wei Er was a little disappointed.

"Mrs. Hui, this honey is more than ten times better than that holy product. That holy product is made of a small amount of honey." Xia Zhi secretly laughed, Madam Xiao's holy product was made by mixing honey and water.

　This year's gift list gives me a headache,

　　It's hard to get it together.

　　Friends just take a look,
　　Don't be too fussy about the details.
　　Thank you for supporting genuine! !
　　
　
(End of this chapter)