On New Year's Eve, leaving the government office

  On New Year's Eve, although the cold wind was still blowing in the morning, the weather was quite chilly. However, it couldn't resist people's joy and excitement for the arrival of a new year.

  The entire household of Xia Fu got up early in the morning and started bustling about. They swept and cleaned every place inside and out, removing dust and dirt, and tidying up the courtyard.

  The people under Liyuan were no exception, and at this time they also had a clear division of labor and cooperation, starting to sweep various places.

  On this day, Xia Ting also didn't sleep in and got up early to wash and dress. She was thinking of going to the kitchen to make some tangyuan to eat with her mother and brother, symbolizing a new year that is full and round.

  She put on the silver-embroidered butterfly-patterned skirt she had just made a few days ago, her black hair was lightly combed up and slanted with a pearl-inlaid jade hairpin, making her skin look even more crystal-like.

  After dressing up, Xia Ting brought Wan Yu out of the house and into the kitchen. The fresh ingredients needed for today had already been delivered, and now the farms she owned could produce enough to supply the restaurant on their own. There was no need to buy ingredients from outside anymore, and even the daily kitchen needs of Liyuan were all sent from the farms.

  Xia Tingxian first removed the tendons and membranes from the pork fat, chopped it into small pieces, and put it in a bowl with white sugar and sesame powder. He mixed and kneaded them evenly, then shaped them into small balls of pork fat and sesame filling. Then he ordered his servants to bring him the best glutinous rice flour, which he used to make a dough. He pinched the dough into a wine cup shape, put in the filling, closed the opening, and shaped it into a round ball.

  Boil water in a pot and add the wontons. Cook for three minutes, then add a small amount of cold water when they float to the surface and cook for another moment.

  When the filling is ripe, the surface of the soup ball presents a jade color and is glossy. Xia Ting took over the large ladle and scooped the soup and balls into the bowl together, added white sugar, and sprinkled some osmanthus flowers on top.

  Xia Ting looked at the bowl of white, shiny and plump glutinous rice balls with satisfaction. She instructed Wan Yu to take it to the side hall, where she would eat with her mother and brother together.

  Just out of the kitchen, she saw Green Wu hurrying over with small steps. Facing Xia Ting, she bowed and said, "Miss, someone from Jing Wang Fu has arrived. It's that Wei Shan sister from last time. I've asked her to wait in your room."

  Xia Ting's footsteps paused, and she turned to instruct Wan Yu, "You first take the tangyuan to the side hall for my mother and Yun'er to taste. We'll come over later."

  Wan Yu nodded and carried a whole bowl of tangyuan towards the side hall.

  Xia Ting turned around and walked in the direction of the room with a green awning, but didn't know what Rong Jin was doing by sending someone over at this time.

  As soon as she returned to her room, she saw the maid who had come to deliver the pearl flowers last time standing respectfully by the side, waiting for Xia Ting's arrival.

  Xia Ting walked gently over to the couch and sat down. The maid, whose name was Yu Shan, curtsied elegantly and said, "Miss Xia."

  Xia Ting nodded slightly and smiled, saying "No need for formalities, what brings you here today?"

  Yong Rong respectfully nodded, and handed over a fox-fur-edged cloak that had been held in his hands all along, saying "Miss Xia, this is what the young master ordered me to deliver. There's also a letter, please take a look."

  Lv Wei hurried over under Xia Ting's indication and took the cloak and letter together, handing the letter to Xia Ting.

  She gently opened the envelope and took out the letter inside, unfolding it. Xia Ting looked at the content on top with a serious expression. It wasn't until after a while that she revealed a faint smile.

  She brushed off the snow-white cloak wrapped in green silk. This cloak was made extremely delicate, made of the most expensive and superior silk brocade, and lined with fox fur inside. It was a very precious and rare cloak. It was given to Rong Jin by the emperor this morning, but he said in his letter that it was too cold, so he left it for her to use. And told himself that he already had several such cloaks, so she didn't have to worry about it.

  The cloak's exterior is smooth to the touch, made of silk and giving off a beautiful soft sheen. Inside, however, it is extremely warm, all soft and smooth fox fur, wearing this on a cold winter day would be very warming.

  Xia Ting gazed at the cloak in front of her with a smile in her eyes, and then thought of another thing that Rong Jin said in his letter, her lips curled up slightly without realizing it.

  Put down the letter in your hand and said to Yu Shan, "You wait here for a while, I'll let Lu Wei go to the kitchen to scoop up a bowl of tangyuan. You take it back and let Rong Jin taste it."

  Having said that, he turned his head to look at the green weeds beside him. The green weeds hurriedly nodded to indicate understanding, put down the fox hair woven brocade feather cloak on the couch, and stepped out of the door.

  Yong also respectfully continued to stand in place and wait. Although she didn't know what this "Tangyuan" was, she also knew that as a servant, it's best not to ask questions you shouldn't ask. Listening to Miss Xia's words, this thing should be some kind of edible soup food.

  Lu Wenyi quickly returned with a small food box, inside which was a steaming hot bowl of tangyuan. She carefully handed the food box over to Yu Shan and also gave her a heavy purse as a reward.

  Yu Shang carried a delicate food box and bowed to Xia Ting, saying "Miss Xia, I'll take my leave and return to the Wang Fu to report."

  Every time she comes to the Xia Mansion to deliver goods, she always gets a generous reward from Miss Xia. These silvers are almost as much as her annual allowance. This makes her feel somewhat favored and surprised.

  Xia Ting smiled slightly and said "You go, tell Rong Jin that these tangyuan must be eaten while hot."

  Yu Shan hastily nodded in response and was sent out of the mansion by Lu Wu with a smile.

  Xia Ting also went to the side hall with a good mood, accompanying Shui Shi and Xia Zi Yun to eat a bowl of sweet and delicious glutinous rice balls.

  The servants in the Pear Courtyard were busy until late at night.

  It's about time to have the New Year's Eve dinner, Xia Tingjing was standing in the kitchen directing the kitchen maid, aunt and fire girl, cutting vegetables, washing fish, stewing meat, simmering soup, preparing all kinds of ingredients. The whole kitchen was filled with the sound of pots and pans clanging, playing a wonderful and joyful melody.

  Xia Ting is preparing to wrap the dumplings herself. Because the word "jiao" in dumpling has a homophone with "gathering", and "he" also means gathering, so eating dumplings symbolizes reunion and happiness, and also implies the arrival of the new year. Moreover, the shape of dumplings resembles ancient Chinese coins, so eating dumplings during the Spring Festival also carries the auspicious meaning of "welcoming wealth and treasure".

  In her previous life, she always loved to wrap different fillings of dumplings on the eve of the Lunar New Year and sit around with her grandfather, eating and chatting together. The warmth of that scene still makes her nostalgic today.

  At this time, the chopping board transmitted a 'chop chop chop' sound of cutting meat and vegetables, which awakened Xia Ting's deep thought. She slightly shook her head, waved away the sadness in her heart, although Grandpa was no longer there, but now it was different from the past, she now had her mother, had her little brother, and was no longer alone.

  At this time, the sound of firecrackers coming from the streets and alleys, the "chop-chop-pa" sound of abacuses coming from small shops, and the rhythmic sound of firecrackers, mixed with the sounds of laughter and chatter from outside, rose and fell, filling the ears, weaving together into a joyful melody on New Year's Eve.

  Xia Ting carefully pinched each white and plump dumpling, not only were the fillings varied, including three fresh fillings, egg shrimp filling, chicken meat sea cucumber filling, pork cabbage filling, and beef filling, etc., but also the cooking methods were diverse, using steaming, boiling, pan-frying, stir-frying, and deep-frying.

  Soon, two large plates of delicious and good-looking dumplings were done, and the other dishes in the kitchen were also completed. Xia Tingjing washed her hands, left the kitchen and walked towards the side hall.

  Shui and Xiazi Yun had been waiting there since early morning, both of them wearing beautiful and luxurious new clothes. These clothes were all personally designed by Xia Ting and specially made. Because of the New Year's atmosphere, people would have the habit of wearing new clothes during the Chinese New Year, symbolizing a good intention to bid farewell to the old and welcome the new.

  Xia Ting stepped into the hall with a faint smile and sat down beside Shui Shi. The servants from Li Yuan also brought in the dishes one after another.

  Mr. Shui looked at the sumptuous dishes on the table, nodded and said to his daughter, "Just looking at it is rich, this is the atmosphere of the New Year. You've worked hard, haven't you?"

  Her daughter is capable and can handle everything properly, unlike her mother who can't help with anything.

  After the dishes were served, Xia Ting waved her hand, indicating that they could go down to eat and didn't need to wait on them anymore.

  She turned her head to face her mother, Madame Shi, and said, "Nothing, I just wrapped some dumplings. How could that make me exhausted? The others are all being taken care of by the kitchen maids and servants. Mother, let's have lunch."

  She picked up her chopsticks first, because her mother was a concubine. According to the rules, on New Year's Eve, that cheap father would have dinner with the old lady and his wife, so he couldn't come over. It's better this way, she didn't want to see that annoying face on New Year's Eve either. She was afraid she wouldn't be able to eat if she did.

  Shui heard this and didn't say anything more, smiling and nodding his head. Xia Ziyun also picked up her chopsticks under Xia Ting's invitation.

  The round table was filled with all kinds of delicious dishes, including main courses, cold dishes, stir-fries and desserts. Since the dishes were just made, each plate was steaming hot, emitting a savory aroma that wafted up to greet us.

  In the summer, Cong Jing brought a pair of chopsticks with red braised fish for Xia Shi and Xia Zi Yun, because "fish" and "surplus" are homophones, symbolizing "auspicious surplus", also implying "year after year surplus", which is a good implication, so there is always a shadow of fish on the reunion dinner.

  Shui's family was delighted to serve his daughter her favorite braised beef, and Xia Zi Yun was not to be outdone, also picking up his chopsticks to add more dishes to Xia Ting's plate. For a moment, the atmosphere at the dinner table was extremely warm and touching.

  On the other side of Xia's mansion, however, the scene was different. In the grand hall, Old Lady Xia sat in the first position, with Old Master Xia, Li Shi, Xia Yu, Xia Lian, and Xia Rong seated to her right in order.

  It was supposed to be a warm and harmonious reunion dinner, but except for Xia Yu and Xia Rong who were enjoying their meal with great relish, the rest of the people at the table all looked like they had lost their appetite.

  Mrs. Xia Lao and Li Shi were frightened by a threatening remark from Xia Ting's a few days ago until now.

  Since that day, Shui Shi and Xia Zi Yun never came to Chun Xi's residence again. Old Lady Xia felt her dignity had been trampled on, she was a person who valued face extremely in this life, but now she was being forced into a corner by a dead servant girl, without even being able to counterattack slightly. This made it impossible for her to accept from the bottom of her heart.

  The Li family was filled with resentment, that damned little hoof, dared to threaten her like this. The Shui family's cheap woman had always been a thorn in her side, a constant source of hatred. She wished she could get rid of her and be done with it. Although she couldn't drive her away before, every day she would use her authority as the legitimate wife to suppress her opponent, venting her anger. But now, for the sake of her daughter, she had to endure a concubine not coming to pay her respects, and even when they met, she didn't have to bow. This was simply a loud slap in the face. And yet, she couldn't help but tolerate it, for the sake of Lian'er's future, she could only swallow her anger and suffer in silence.

  She almost got herself seriously injured, this little scoundrel is simply too much.

  If it were just this one thing, then so be it. After all, out of sight, out of mind; not seeing those scoundrels would be a blessing in disguise. But yesterday, news came from the Li family, saying that Li's brother was found to have embezzled silver and accepted bribes, losing his fifth-rank official position and becoming a commoner, with their life starting to become somewhat strained.

  This was a great blow to Li and Old Lady Xia, their hometown had actually fallen.

  Xia Lian, on the other hand, was sitting to one side, somewhat dazed and confused. After the events of the past few days, she had been under immense pressure and was now quite frightened. Although her mother and grandmother had intervened, strictly ordering her brother not to mention the matter again, as if nothing had happened. But whenever she thought about how she had lain naked with a man in bed, she felt suffocated.

  She had always thought of herself as the most innocent and carefree, but now this matter was like a drop of ink on a white cloth, no matter how she looked at it, it was heart-wrenching. She still couldn't turn the corner, even though she knew her innocence was still intact, but she just felt suffocated and painful.

  She was supposed to be even purer, without any flaws. It's all because of that damned Xia Ting Cong, who made her become what she is today. One day, she will definitely make him taste this kind of pain too.

  Xia Lao Ye sat in his seat with a cold face, and at today's early court session, the Emperor had already announced who would take over the vacant positions in the court. He held onto hope and listened carefully, but until all the positions were arranged, he didn't hear the Emperor mention his name. In other words, he missed this great opportunity for advancement.

  He could only continue to hold this unremarkable and unprofitable fourth-rank official position. This made him grit his teeth in frustration, and the gaze he directed at Old Lady Xia was also tinged with discontent. He had said it early on that he would promote Lan'er to be his formal wife, so that Ning'er could put in a good word for him in front of the Crown Prince of Jing, and try to get a lucrative position. But his mother refused to agree, and instead comforted him by saying that she would resolve this matter for him in a few days. As a result, he watched with his own eyes as all the good positions were snatched away by others. If it weren't for his mother's refusal to budge, he would have been promoted long ago, and wouldn't still be stuck in the same place like now.

  Just thinking about it made him feel indignant and frustrated, who still had the mood to eat reunion dinner, he was already fed up with anger.

  Xia Yu and Xia Rong were both puzzled, unsure what was going on. Why did everyone have to either put on a straight face or look gloomy? At the dinner table, only the two siblings held their chopsticks and picked at their food.

  Such an atmosphere is simply eerie to the extreme. It's gotten to the point where they almost lost their appetite.

  In the Li courtyard, after finishing the reunion dinner, Xia Ting accompanied his mother, Shui Shi, and younger brother, Xia Ziyun, to sit in the hall drinking tea to digest their food.

  Mr. Shui handed over two big red envelopes to his children with a smiling face.

  Xia Ting and Xia Ziyun both smiled as they took their red envelopes from Shui's hands, then stuck close to their mother.

  Xia Ting carefully put away the red envelope in her hand, even though she was now wealthy, the little silver given by her mother was insignificant to her, but she still carefully kept it. No matter what, this little silver was a token of her mother's love and affection for her and her brother. Even if it was just one cent, it was enough.

  After sitting in the hall with his mother and brother for a while, Xia Tingjing finally got up and told Shui Shi that he had something to do tonight and would go out for a trip.

  Mrs. Shui didn't suspect anything either, thinking it would be good for her daughter to go out and see the excitement, so she instructed her to be careful when going out and to come back early.

  After Xia Ting nodded in agreement one by one, she turned around and walked out of the side hall into the house.

  She returned to the room, picked up the fox fur woven satin cloak that was neatly placed on the couch, gently opened it and put it on her body. She also tidied up her makeup in front of the mirror, and only after making sure everything was fine did she slowly walk out of the door.

  At this time, Wan Yu and Lu Wei had just finished dinner and returned. Xia Ting Cong ordered, "I'm going out for a while, you two stay in the yard to take care of my mother and younger brother."

  She didn't plan on bringing Wan Yu or Lü Wei this time, so she just instructed them to stay in the courtyard.

  "Miss, aren't you going to let me follow you?" The young lady was about to go somewhere, and usually she would be allowed to follow.

  Xia Ting smiled faintly and said, "Don't worry about it, you all just stay in the yard, I won't be late, no need to worry."

  Wan Yu wanted to say something more, but Xia Ting shook her head and signaled them to leave.

  Wan Yu had no choice but to go down with Lu Wei together.

  Xia Ting Cong walked out of the courtyard, passed through the stone road and came to the side door. The little gatekeeper saw Xia Ting Cong and his eyes lit up immediately, and he hurriedly stepped forward and said, "Second Miss, I don't know what you're coming over for, is there something you want to instruct?"

  He still vividly remembered the generous reward from the second young lady, which was enough for him to live comfortably for a long time. As a gatekeeper in the Xia Manor for so long, it was his first time receiving such a large amount of reward money.

  These two young ladies must be served well, after all, who would dare to offend the wealthy.

  Xia Ting didn't mind the other person's flattery, on the contrary, this was exactly what she needed. She handed a few pieces of silver to the gatekeeper and said, "I'm going out for a while, remember to leave the door open for me. When I come back, I'll give you another reward."

  The little gatekeeper nodded repeatedly with the silver in his hand, laughing so hard that he was beside himself. "Second Miss, please rest assured, I'll definitely keep the door open for you, you can go now."

  Xia Ting softly responded with a "yes" and stepped out of the side door, walking a few steps to the side, waiting for the arrival of the carriage.

  Before long, the sound of "clattering" and "clattering" came from afar, Xia Ting raised her eyes with a smile, he's here.

  Digression

  Everyone, I'm really sorry. Jianjian doesn't know if she ate something bad and her stomach has been uncomfortable all night. She only managed to write 5,000 words. Everyone please bear with it for now, and wait for Jianjian to make up for it tomorrow, okay? Now she has to go out to see a doctor. Really sorry, everyone!