Farm Tough Girl-Chapter 177 - 178 Raised These Sons in Vain_1

Chapter 177: Chapter 178: Raised These Sons in Vain_1

Chapter 177 -178: Raised These Sons in Vain_1

This New Year’s was lively, the Liu Family, Qinghe Siblings, all spent it together at Muniang’s place, and the key was the presence of several rambunctious children at the table, making the New Year’s Eve dinner exceptionally joyful.

As evening came, Muniang specially bought fireworks and took them out into the courtyard to set them off, the children were beside themselves with joy. Watching the fireworks explode in the night sky, they danced and cheered with excitement. They had only ever heard of fireworks and had never actually seen them before. A household that could afford fireworks in Tupo Village was unheard of, so the villagers naturally did not have the chance to feast their eyes. Entrusted to Muniang’s fortune, the entire village was now transfixed on the fireworks display from outside their windows.

“My lady, the fireworks are so beautiful!” Erlang exclaimed excitedly.

“Look at that one, that one is beautiful!” Muniang, who had seen even more splendid fireworks in the modern world, had never experienced a moment quite as delightful as this evening.

Erlang embraced Muniang with a satisfied smile and said looking at the night sky’s fireworks, “My lady, days like this are wonderful. I really like them.”

Muniang chuckled and said, “You like setting off fireworks?”

“With you by my side, I like it,” Erlang replied with a grin. “My lady, you’ll be my lady forever, won’t you?”

Muniang snuggled up in Erlang’s embrace and said with a playful tone, “Mhm, for a lifetime, and if not, for two lifetimes!”

Erlang chuckled heartily.

Hongsheng suddenly shouted, “Sister Mu and brother-in-law are hugging in public, how shy!”

As soon as he spoke, he was muffled by Madam Liu’s hand. This little rascal really stuck his nose into everything!

Erlang said indignantly, “I’m hugging my own wife! There’s nothing to be shy about!”

Hongsheng was not to be outdone, “When I grow up, I’ll marry Sister Mu too, and I want a hug from Sister Mu too!”

Erlang humphed, “My lady said she’s going to be my wife for this lifetime, so you may as well give up!”

A wave of laughter swept through the courtyard.

Muniang poked Erlang playfully and said, “You really learn quickly, don’t you.”

While Muniang’s courtyard was full of excitement, Mr. Qiao’s household couldn’t compete with that. This New Year’s, Qiao Yuanzhen visited a classmate, the third household celebrated at Muniang’s house, and as for the eldest household, it was even more infuriating—they actually went to Mrs. Ji’s parental home to celebrate. This left the elderly couple puffing with anger and bulging eyes.

Madam Zhao almost smashed the table to pieces, “I really raised these sons for nothing! Not a single one of them gives a damn about us! Now, on New Year’s they let the elderly celebrate alone!”

Qiao Dazhi was also furious. Originally, he was the one who had driven out the third household, so it wasn’t surprising that they didn’t return, and even if they did, he would not have welcomed them. It was important for Yuanzhen to focus on his studies and visiting classmates was crucial for building his network.

The key issue was with the eldest household. They had watched Mrs. Ji’s parental home make a little money over the past few years, and this couple forgot their own name, rushing over there without a hint of dignity. They say one enjoys blessings in old age, with grandchildren surrounding one’s knees and reaping the joys of a full house, but what was happening to them now? Clearly being neglected!

Just then, the sound of “bang, bang, bang” erupted from outside, splendid fireworks blossomed in the night sky, and the villagers all ran out to watch, chattering and speculating excitedly.

“That must be the fireworks from Muniang’s house! Their family is really rich, how much did those fireworks cost? They were able to afford them!”

“Indeed! Their family is making a fortune now; this is nothing to them—just pocket change. Truly, such good fortune!”

Qiao Dazhi watched the fireworks outside, envious jealousy souring in his heart. He snorted heavily and, with a sweep of his sleeves, he strode into the house.

Madam Zhao had never seen fireworks in her whole life. She stared eagerly, filled with regret. If only she had known Qiao Muniang could make so much money, she wouldn’t have driven her and her son out three years ago. How easily she could have controlled them, and all of Muniang’s money would have been hers!

But these were just fanciful thoughts to indulge in privately. Madam Zhao had to face reality—their family was still poor, her sons grew increasingly estranged from her, and this year had been particularly hard to bear.

After the New Year had passed, Muniang also prepared New Year’s gifts for many villagers in Tupo Village who had been kind to their family, including fine satin and ten pounds of pork, which were considered luxuries for the peasant households.

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Mrs. Lin, who was always frugal, didn’t say a word against such extravagant gifts. She was thankful by nature and remembered how everyone had helped their family in the past. Now that they were doing well, a generous New Year’s gift was indeed owed.

Muniang wrapped the gifts in red paper herself before going door to door to wish a happy New Year. By the time she returned, her basket was filled with extra red envelopes. Upon seeing them, Mrs. Lin exclaimed reproachfully, “Child, you went out to give gifts, why bring back more things?”

Muniang replied playfully, “The elders insisted on giving these red packets to us juniors—I couldn’t refuse.”

Opening them, Mrs. Lin saw they weren’t much—only three to six copper coins each. They were merely tokens of good will. Relieved, she had them put away.

Qingya suddenly came in and announced, “Lady, Mr. Wu has sent over a New Year’s gift.”

Muniang was slightly startled; she had forgotten to send a New Year’s gift to Wu Haoli. It was considerate of him to remember, and she hurriedly had it opened.

She was taken aback upon seeing it—it was an exquisitely crafted large vase. Although Muniang didn’t know much about porcelain, one glance at this piece suggested it was extraordinary.

By her side, Hong Luo gasped, “This is produced by the Official Kiln!”

Mrs. Lin was startled, “Such an item is priceless! Sending such a precious gift to our home—it’s too valuable. We can’t accept this; we should return it.”

With no choice but to laugh, Muniang said, “Mother, there’s no such thing as returning a New Year’s gift—that would be like slapping someone’s face. If they could part with it, it just shows that to them, this item is no different from a cabbage. Let’s not overthink it.”

Mrs. Lin nodded but still fretted, “But if he sends us something so valuable, we don’t have anything adequate to reciprocate with. Too modest a gift wouldn’t be right, yet we can’t afford anything too costly.”

Hearing this, Hong Luo nodded as well. Muniang hadn’t thought so much about it before. She knew Wu Haoli was wealthy, likely considering something like this as common as cabbages. She felt there was no need for the usual pretentious formalities of exchanges with businessmen—just accept the gift, and even if she were to send back some cabbages, it probably wouldn’t matter. But seeing Mrs. Lin and Hong Luo’s reaction, she knew they would want to smack her if they knew she was going to straight-up return cabbages.

After pondering, Muniang suggested, “Then let’s send over the black bear pelt that Dazhi hunted down in the mountains last time. It may not equal the worth of this item, but it can represent our sincerity.”

Mrs. Lin finally agreed, nodding, “That’s not a bad idea.”

Muniang had the black bear pelt wrapped and sent to Wu Mansion. However, Wu Haoli felt somewhat dejected. She had after all kept him at arm’s length, not even affording him the position of a friend. This realization left Wu Haoli feeling rather desolate.

Muniang had no idea that her simple act of reciprocation had inadvertently cut a fresh wound in someone’s heart.