The Country Maiden: Fields and Leisure-Chapter 1653 - 1647: Drunk

The Wang family, although familiar with feasts, had never seen anything like this.

The maids moved in an orderly manner, silently placing dishes down before retreating to the side.

Since it was a family dinner, the table was divided into male and female places.

Wang Yongfu and his brothers, along with the boys in the family, took one table and sat down.

Old Granny Zhang and Wang Yongzhu led the women to the other table and sat down.

Old Granny Zhang nodded to signal the start of the dinner, and the maids in attendance approached the tables to serve the dishes.

This display intimidated the Wang family, who struggled to hold their chopsticks, and as the dishes were placed on the plates before them, Wang Yongping sprang up, waving his hands: "We can’t do this! We can’t do this! We’ll help ourselves, we’ll help ourselves!"

At the other table, Lady Jiang and Liu Xiaoqiao were similarly startled, hesitant to extend their chopsticks.

Wang Yongzhu had to wave them off, indicating that only Gu Yu and Li Xia should remain, while the others were dismissed.

Only then did the Wang family feel at ease.

A pot of fine wine was brought out, and after a few drinks, the Wang brothers relaxed and began to eat heartily.

The little ones watched the adults slurp their drinks, cup after cup, and curiosity got the better of them as they edged closer.

This wine was premium Jade Spring Wine, amber in color, with an intoxicating aroma that was mild and slightly sweet upon entry, yet the effects were quite strong.

To the men, it was akin to honey water, and seeing the children approach, they couldn’t help but dip their chopsticks in the wine, teasing the kids.

By the time Wang Yongzhu and the others realized, Little Bean, Jinguan, Jindao, Jinfu, and Brother Rong already had flushed cheeks and dazed looks.

Especially Brother Rong, the youngest, who had already snuggled into Wang Yongfu’s arms, sleeping like a little pig.

Jinguan, a bit older, was still somewhat alert despite the redness of his face and the glassiness of his eyes.

Jindao and Jinfu, although looking sturdy, were still too young and couldn’t handle it; as the drunkenness set in, they became feverish and randomly stripped off their clothes, revealing their dark arms and little chests.

Jindao tugged at Wang Yongping, insisting on showing him some martial arts moves.

Meanwhile, Jinfu treated Wang Yonggui like a tree, trying to climb up him, his small foot kicking painfully.

Wang Yonggui’s brand-new clothes were covered in footprints, not to mention receiving several kicks to the stomach, leaving him wincing in pain.

Attempting to pull Jinfu off, Jinfu, drunk, was surprisingly strong and slippery, grappling onto Wang Yonggui’s belt, threatening to pull it off if he dared to drag him down.

Momentarily, they stalemated.

Beside them, Jinguan and Jinpan shivered with suppressed laughter.

Wang Yonggui was so mad he rolled his eyes: "You mischief makers, standing there laughing? Hurry up and get this person off me—"

Liu Xiaoqiao saw this and was both amused and annoyed, rushing over, it took a while to persuade Jinfu to let go of the belt and fall into her embrace, mumbling, "Mommy, dizzy—"

On the other side, Jindao had finished showing off his moves, albeit in a chaotic form, mostly directed at his father, Wang Yongping.

Wang Yongping scooped Jindao up, only to be pummeled by an impromptu drunken fist, leaving him baring his teeth, eyes tearing up.

Wanting to draw back his hand to cover his face, he could only grit his teeth and endure it, while still holding his son.

Eventually, Jindao exhausted his energy, closed his eyes, and fell into a deep sleep; Wang Yongping cradled him under one arm, reached for his own face, exhaling in pain, "hiss—".

Amusedly, he looked at his son asleep like a sack under his arm, patting Jindao’s hair, gently cradling him.

Quan Xiuniang came over to take Brother Rong from Wang Yongfu’s arms.

Brother Rong, despite his drunkenness, was well-behaved, simply nestling quietly in Wang Yongfu’s embrace.

Quan Xiuniang took him, checking his forehead and back for sweat, finally relaxing with a sigh.

Old Granny Zhang laughed wryly, thinking her sons had made progress.

Yet seeing this, what progress had they made? Seemed to have turned backward!

She spat, instructing: "Take the children indoors to sleep—"

Gu Yu promptly opened a room in the west wing, which was cleaned and well-prepared.

Liu Xiaoqiao and others hurriedly followed Gu Yu in, carrying the children to the kang.

Jinguan was also taken inside by Jinpan, and he climbed into bed, dozing off as soon as he touched the pillow.

Initially, someone was supposed to stay behind to watch over the children.

Quan Xiuniang was considerate, aware of her earlier impropriety with her husband, so she didn’t dare move forward, fearing to disturb, volunteering to stay and watch the children.

Gu Yu smiled and said, "If Auntie and Eldest Lady Dou trust this maid, let me stay and care for the little masters."

Liu Xiaoqiao knew Gu Yu well; Gu Yu had stayed in Qilidun previously, carefully caring for Jinguan.

And being the close maid of her sister-in-law, who appeared more dignified than themselves, there was no worry.

Hence, she politely said: "Thank you, Miss Gu Yu."

And then pulled Quan Xiuniang along to leave.

Outside, the children’s commotion, coupled with the meal done, led to dismantling the table.

Tea and snacks were served, with the whole family gathered in the courtyard discussing family matters.

The family’s situation was largely discussed, with Wang Yongzhu refraining from prying into the unspoken matters.

It was evident that the Wang family was much improved from previous years, judging by everyone’s complexion.

The Wang brothers naturally shared good news, avoiding complaints, aware of their sister’s ample assistance, not wanting to sound self-pitying.

Unknowingly, the discussion shifted to the village’s Tea Mountain.

Since the Tea Mountain began producing tea last year, Ninth Master Lee took all the tea away.

Just that transaction at the year’s end ensured the village’s hundreds of people each received two taels of silver.

Many household heads had never seen these snow-white silver ingots in their lifetimes.

Barely anyone had seen silver calculated per head—elders to babbling infants, everyone got some.

Those with larger families suddenly acquired dozens of taels, equivalent to half a lifetime’s savings.

For a time, Qilidun was more joyous than during the New Year, with everyone thanking Buddha, chanting the names of Wang Yongzhu and the Wang family daily.

With this income, Qilidun underwent a transformation.

Those repairing and building homes, others immediately using the money for weddings; after the New Year, many celebrations commenced.

Except for some village girls with prior arrangements, said to marry this year, reluctant to wed after the windfall, claiming they wanted to stay and serve their parents longer.

Who didn’t know they were reluctant to part with the annual dividend?

Even the brides’ families were wholly agreeable.

Moreover, outside girls were desperate to wed into Qilidun, making the young bachelors highly sought after.

Even widowed elders with no plans of remarrying found young widows eager to marry them.