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She didn’t gift sausages and other items in the shop because they were already available.

As for the Lu family, she decided to prepare fruits, vegetables, sausages, and preserved meat.

For Magistrate Wang, she also sent seafood products to help Shopkeeper Niu avoid problems selling them in the shop.

Despite living in the north, there were quite a few people from the south who appreciated seafood as it was delicious and had a unique taste that appealed to northerners as well.

People came to Qiao’s Small Eatery to buy seafood, but it didn’t sell as quickly as others.

Traditionally, people would send New Year’s gifts to each other around the

20th.

This year, the Wang family also sent a gift. They didn’t send any food but a servant with a hefty sum of 100,000 taels in silver.

They mentioned giving her a dividend, and they actually handed it over. With a 100,000-tael gift, it was a substantial 20% of the Wang family’s annual income.

Mayor Qian sent various pastries from his family’s pastry shop, adding to the assortment of gifts.

Ruyi, the Qin family, and Shopkeeper Tong sent their New Year’s gifts early. However, Lu Sanniang’s side remained silent.

Qiao Mai sighed and prepared the return gifts, including one for the Lu family.

She didn’t intend to change her behavior because Lu Sanniang’s daughter acted out. She was still Qiao Mai, and as long as there was no real falling out, she would continue on her path.

After Old Mistress Wang received the gifts, she was thrilled. She tried on the pajamas at night and found them comfortable and warm. She even put on the scarf and gloves and took a stroll outside despite the maids’ advice.

Neither she nor Old Master Wang felt the slightest chill.

“Are these overseas items this good?”

“Yes, look at what other people have; why are these so exceptional?”

Old Master Wang’s eyes sparkled with curiosity. He thought these items might be treasures from the heavens.

Both elders cherished their gifts, holding the pajamas and scarf, with smiles from ear to ear.

The children happily changed into their pajamas in the evening and played around the house.

As for Ruyi, when she received the hairpin, she wore it in her hair, radiating happiness. She knew the preciousness of this accessory.

Rumor had it that a single piece could cost thousands or even tens of thousands of taels, making it a sought-after accessory among young ladies and noblewomen in the capital. It was something hard to come by.

Sometimes, she’d see Linger and Qiao Mai wear similar items in their hair and feel envious. Now that she had one of her own, she couldn’t help but be overjoyed.

In summary, Qiao Mai’s gifts brought joy to every household except Lu Sanniang.

She felt caught in the middle, as her eldest daughter’s stubbornness had hurt Qiao Mai’s feelings. She didn’t feel right accepting the New Year’s gift from the Qiao family and receiving things for free.

It wasn’t until Qiao Mai sent her a gift that she hurriedly prepared something to send in return, feeling embarrassed and as though she’d lost face.

This year, Old Master and Mistress Wang had no plans to return to the capital but intended to celebrate the New Year at the Qiao residence.

This decision led Wang Zongsheng to rush with his wife and children to bring the elders home. Relatives and friends came to visit their home but found nobody there. It was a strange situation.

In the end, the Wang family had no choice but to forcibly bring the old couple back.

Before leaving, Qiao Mai handed a delicate box to Madam Wang and suggested she open it later.

She also brought a bottle of herbal medicine for Zihan.

Meeting him again, it felt like he had improved even more since their last meeting. He was not only well-behaved but had more lively and expressive eyes.

Every time Madam Wang met Qiao Mai, she couldn’t help but express her gratitude and appreciation.

With the old couple gone and their maids, the house became much quieter.

The weather outside was pleasant. Winter had come and gone, but after the first light snowfall, there hadn’t been any more snow.

This anomaly concerned everyone, not just Qiao Mai.

The unknown disaster that loomed, be it a flood or drought, weighed heavily on their minds.

Despite this, the New Year has to be celebrated. The festive spirit was subdued, but the town’s wealthy households and many people secretly began stockpiling food.

Some people dug pits in their yards and filled them with water, anticipating potential water shortages.

The bright sunshine graced the Qiao family’s children with free time, as they were no longer required to attend school. They would ride their horses around the house, and Ling’er joined them in their games, delighting in the carefree moments.

Their joyful laughter could be heard from outside.

Qiao Mai paid little attention to their mischief, allowing them to enjoy their playtime.

She occasionally visited the vegetable garden at the back of the house, helping the maids with harvesting. Since Old Mistress Wang had returned to the capital, she also assisted in feeding the domestic animals.

The eggs from the chickens and quails during the winter sold well, and the shop could barely keep them in stock.

Despite the poor harvest, the business was thriving.

This New Year was no different from previous years. However, the unexpectedly warm weather made Qiao Mai allow her children to ride horses outside.

The townspeople rarely saw the children from the Qiao family. When they appeared, they instantly became the center of attention.

The boys were handsome and charming, while the girl was as delicate as fine jade. Their clothing might not have been the finest, but they still looked respectable.

In the small town, numerous vendors looked to make extra money during the New Year.

As the children rode their horses past these vendors, the sellers noticed them and raised their voices.

The children had money in their pockets and bought whatever they liked.

What warmed Qiao Mai’s heart was that her children had good hearts. When they saw kids from less fortunate families, they would share their purchases.

If they encountered beggars, they would give them a few coins.

Every New Year, Qiao Mai set up food stalls to help those in need.

The Qiao family had a reputation for kindness, known throughout the region.

The town didn’t return to normal until the fifteenth day of the New Year. The weather remained the same, which left people with mixed feelings.

Fortunately, the flooding from the previous year had seeped into the ground, so the drought wasn’t evident for the time being. The surrounding rivers hadn’t dried up either.

People continued with their daily routines. With Qiao Mai’s support, the sixty acres of land behind her property began to see activity from tenant farmers.

With the support of the kind-hearted Qiao family, they had a good year last year.

Having land adjacent to a river made it convenient for irrigation. Three families worked the land diligently.

With the approach of spring, Qiao Mai started pickling eggs and quail eggs daily, as well as preparing some pickled vegetables.

Her preparations weren’t just for her family but also for potential disaster relief.

When it comes to grains, both empty courtyards are filled with white rice and various crops.

Preparation was the key to ensuring everyone’s well-being in case of unexpected circumstances.

March felt more like April this year. By noon, it was warm enough to make people sweat. Qiao Mai wondered if this weather was normal.

Old Master and Mistress Wang returned at the end of February due to visiting relatives in the capital.

Their return brought liveliness to the house. They took the children for a picnic, giving them more opportunities to be seen by the townspeople.

The Yuan and Qiao families had to change their usual gathering place after being driven away by Shopkeeper Niu.

They moved to the opposite side and even brought a stool. They would sit there all day as if monitoring the Qiao family.

When they saw Ling’er, their mouths hung open. The Qiao family felt like they had seen Tian Sanzhuang.

They were convinced that this was definitely Tian Sanzhuang’s daughter, his flesh and blood..