The person sent to buy groceries returned promptly, and Lady Zhou summoned several daughters-in-law, granddaughters-in-law, and granddaughters to the Upper Room to cook together. The purchases for the day included pork, chicken, and roast goose. Naturally, Lady Zhou didn’t trust leaving the kitchen to the daughters-in-law. She stood in the middle of the kitchen, assigning and supervising their tasks. Lady Chiang brought over a chair and placed it in the middle of the kitchen, inviting Lady Zhou to sit down.
Lady Zhou sat for only a short while before standing up again. She preferred to stand, as it made it easier for her to observe everything in the kitchen and the actions of the daughters-in-law.
"Just cut the chicken legs in half, don’t cut them any further. Once they’re in the pot, they’ll shrink and disappear," Lady Zhou instructed Lady Zhang, who was busy chopping chicken into pieces, getting ready to stew it in the pot.
"Slice the at thinly, and separate the skin first. Reserve it for making a broth later," turning her head, Lady Zhou gave another instruction to Lady Gu.
"Half the roast goose is enough. Save the other half for tomorrow, so we can have another al then. How much money do you earn to be spending so lavishly? Keep this up and soon we’ll all be left to fend off the northwest wind," Lady Zhou scolded Zhao Xiue, who was slicing the roast goose and arranging it on a plate.
As the elder matriarch, Lady Zhou was in high spirits on this joyous day. All the daughters-in-law, whether compliant or not, were particularly agreeable today. Smiles adorned their faces, and no one contradicted Lady Zhou. Even Zhao Xiue, usually the most defiant, simply sneered at Lady He beside her without uttering a word after being criticized by Lady Zhou.
Lady Zhou kept the daughters-in-law and granddaughters busy and running in circles, which only served to improve her mood.
Dinner was sumptuous, with four tables laid out. In addition to the Lian Family’s own mbers, so neighbors who usually interacted with the family and had co to offer congratulations were also invited to stay for dinner.
After dinner, once the outsiders had left, the Lian Family mbers naturally remained behind.
The important matter of Lian Shouren’s departure to assu his official post required a thorough family discussion.
"...The official docunt states that I must report for duty imdiately. It says that my predecessor had to resign due to illness and they urgently need a new official to handle affairs. I plan to set out within the next three to five days," Lian Shouren said.
Taicang County in Hejian Prefecture, bordering Liaodong Prefecture, is about four to five hundred miles from Thirty Mile Camp. The guests who had co to congratulate had all remarked that it’s a good place: firstly, because Taicang County is a prosperous large county, and secondly, because of its distance from Thirty Mile Camp. Compared to traversing a thousand miles over mountains and through waters to take up an official post, the re four to five hundred miles on official roads was considered very close. Also, because the distance wasn’t far, any difference in climate and local customs would be easy to adapt to.
Therefore, everyone said that Lian Shouren was fortunate in his appointnt.
"The journey alone will take at least three to four days, then there’s packing, bidding farewell to relatives and friends, and preparing travel funds," Lian Shouren said, glancing at Lian Shouxin when he ntioned travel funds, "These expenses..."
"Big brother, based on what you’ve said, there’s only one day to pack our luggage. How can we manage that? Our family has nearly twenty people; even if we rush, packing will take at least two to three days," Lian Shouyi interrupted Lian Shouren, smiling as he spoke.
"We can’t afford to delay the urgent matter of Eldest Uncle’s appointnt. If we hurry, we can get our things packed in one day. I’ll send word right away for my mother, sister-in-law, and my brother to co over and help," Zhao Xiue chid in imdiately.
"Right, right, that makes sense," Lian Shouyi agreed with a laugh.
As if to prove the adage ’you jinx what you fear the most,’ Lian Shouren’s complexion instantly turned a shade darker. He instinctively looked towards Lady Gu.
Lady Gu secretly grimaced at Lian Shouren and winked, gesturing for him to keep calm and stick to the plan they had agreed upon earlier.
"Second brother, are you planning to accompany to assu the post?" Lian Shouren asked Lian Shouyi.
"Big brother, haven’t we already agreed on this? You’re the eldest, and we’ll all follow you. Besides, you’re going to a place like Hejian Prefecture where you don’t know anyone. With and a few nephews around, you’ll never have to worry about being short-handed. Isn’t there a saying, ’When fighting tigers, brothers are a pair; when going to battle, father and sons share.’ Brother, we certainly can’t let you go off on your own. Not to ntion, our parents would never have peace of mind, right?" Lian Shouyi said, beaming.
The Lian Manman family sat on the kang (a traditional heated bed), exchanging glances and maintaining silence. They had already agreed to speak less and listen more, to quietly witness how things would unfold.
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