The Eldest Daughter of a Rural Family
Chapter 195 Malicious Intent (4)_1

Chapter 195: Chapter 195 Malicious Intent (4)_1

Grandma Fang and Fang Hui came out, having already led Sister Peiqin and her siblings back home.

When paying New Year’s respects to one’s own elders, kowtowing is customary, but Pei Qin, unaware of this practice, directly clasped her hands and bowed to Old Scholar Fang and Grandma Fang. Pei Yuan, Pei Qian, and Pei Wendong followed her lead.

Grandma Fang looked at the four siblings paying respects to Old Scholar Fang with a smile, "You’ve even got them offering a scholar’s greeting to you. Looks like you’ll get to enjoy playing the teacher!" She worried, though, as Sister Peiqin and her siblings had not grown up nearby and no one had taught them the proper rites. Old Scholar Fang was serious about such matters and felt somewhat displeased.

Old Scholar Fang nodded his head, "We’ll have to inquire about your learning soon."

Grandma Fang then cheerfully called over Sister Peiqin and her siblings, bringing out some money to hand out as New Year’s gifts.

Seeing a red envelope handed to her, Pei Qin laughed, "I’m already an adult, so I’ll decline." Every year, she was the one giving red envelopes to her parents. Her parents would hand her a money note, claiming that no amount could keep down her age, as she was growing so relentlessly; a token gesture would suffice.

"In your grandma’s eyes, you are all still children!" insisted Grandma Fang, stuffing the red envelope into her hand.

Pei Qian took the red envelope, feeling its weight; it must have contained at least a dozen notes, and she tucked it away.

Fang Li and Fang Fu also brought out red envelopes to hand out to the siblings, each with a substantial amount.

Fang Hui also smiled and distributed red envelopes to them.

They paid their respects again.

Pei Qin then took out three more red envelopes, handing them to Fang Liuming, Feng Bo, and the youngest, Fang Xin.

Fang Liuming refused, his face turning bright red, "Cousin! I’m only a year younger than you, it’s not right for you to give me New Year’s money!"

Feng Bo laughed teasingly, "I’m only five days younger than Cousin, so I really shouldn’t accept it!"

Grandma Fang stopped Pei Qin from giving them out, "They’re all of an age to be thinking about marriage; they don’t need New Year’s money anymore! Don’t give it to them!"

"Grandma is right!" Feng Bo said awkwardly, glancing at Pei Qin.

Pei Qin then withdrew the two red envelopes.

Suddenly, visitors arrived at the house to chat and gossip.

Grandma Fang introduced Sister Peiqin and her siblings to various relatives like grandmas and aunts, and they paid their respects to each in turn.

Busy with the New Year festivities until noon, Lady Yu and Lady Ruan busied themselves with cooking, while Fang Hui and Grandma Fang also lent a hand.

Old Scholar Fang then asked Pei Wendong about his literacy progress and how much of the "Three-Character Classic" he had memorized.

Eager to make his elder sister proud, Wendong bragged about finishing the first part of the "Three-Character Classic" in twenty days. He also mentioned dabbling in "The Four Books" and could explain what he had memorized. These past days, he had done nothing else but clean the house and courtyard and practice reading and writing.

Old Scholar Fang listened and seemed a little melancholic. The death of Rongniang had forced the children to grow up quickly, and it was sad that Rongniang would not be there to see them succeed.

"Did Sister teach you from the beginning, Cousin Wendong? To learn so much in such a short time; when I started learning, the ’Three-Character Classic’ took me half a year. I’m truly ashamed," teased Feng Bo.

Fang Li, Fang Fu, and Feng Shouxing all praised Pei Wendong, and after praising him, they also commended Sister Peiqin for teaching him well.

When it was time to serve the meal, Fang Li praised Pei Wendong’s memorization skills to Grandma Fang.

Feng Shouxing and Fang Hui exchanged glances.

A table brimming with chicken, fish, meat, braised dishes, and a variety of meat dishes was laid out.

Fang Fang exclaimed over the abundance of meat and delicious dishes, much more than last year.

Grandma Fang and Lady Yu kept serving dishes to Sister Peiqin and her siblings, and although Fang Hui was too far to reach, she stood up to serve Pei Qin once, "Tomorrow, your uncle and his family are visiting relatives. Why don’t you kids come over to our place? We don’t have many relatives either, and it would be lively to have you over!"

Pei Qin responded with a smile.