Chapter 10: Rules of a Wealthy Household

Xiu Jie beamed and quickly put a meatball in Jia Yin's bowl. "Try this, Auntie's cooking is the best, I've never had meatballs this delicious!"Jiayin rubbed her tummy and reluctantly ate the meatball...She then smiled and said, "Auntie, please don't be so polite. We being able to travel south together on the same boat is fate. It's nothing major, just a small gesture."

Having said that, she looked at Tao Hongying, "Could you please bring your child over so I can have a look"

Upon hearing this, Tao Hongying hurriedly adjusted her posture and, holding Jiayin, walked to Mrs. Sun's presence.

Jia Yin naturally knew that this woman was a noble person of their Li family, and in the days to come, she would still depend on others' favors.

So she tried hard to part her little lips and giggled happily.

Seeing this, her saliva couldn't be controlled and flowed down into her neck, making it itchy and she started shaking her head...

Mrs. Sun laughed uncontrollably and brought her youngest daughter closer to the cradle.

"Look, Nannan, how cute this little girl is!"

Children all like to imitate each other. Seeing Jiayin shake her head happily, Miss Sun also shook her head and laughed along with her.

And lastly, she also extended two small hands to touch Jia Yin.

"Oh, Nannan is smiling." Seeing her daughter so lively, Mrs. Sun was even happier.

These days, my daughter hasn't been eating well and hasn't been sleeping well on the boat. She has been crying for several days. It's rare to see her this energetic.

This little girl from the Li family is really interesting.

With her around on the boat, Nannan will have more playmates and things will surely be much better for her.

The more Sun looked at Jiayin, the more she liked her. She directly told the maidservants around her to get a wooden box from the dressing table.

Upon opening the wooden box, Sun took out a golden necklace from inside. Hanging at its bottom was a small longevity lock.

"This longevity lock was made by me before Nannan was born. I had two made, and this extra one is perfect for your child."

"My lady, this won't do, it's far too precious."

Li Laotai hastily refused, but Sun Fuzi directly put the longevity lock on Jia Yin's neck.

"I like this child, what's wrong with giving a small present"

After she finished speaking, she gently pinched Jia Yin's chubby little face.

Jia Yin didn't expect such a surprise, she loved it so much, she sent the "gold master" a "toothless" smiley face!

Li Laotai still wanted to decline, after all, she was already grateful to be able to take a boat south, how could she ask for such an expensive thing.

But at this moment, Zhao Yuru walked in with two bowls of sheep's milk, followed by a maid.

"Madam, the goat's milk has arrived," the maid whispered. "I watched it being milked and boiled it myself. I added almonds to remove the strong smell."

Mrs. Sun nodded, and Old Lady Li recalled a few idle words she had heard occasionally.

Big families' important guests always have their food tasted first for safety. This goat milk comes from their Li family, making it even less likely to raise suspicion.

So, she quickly called to Tao Hongying, "Fu Niuer is quick-tongued, let's feed her first."

As she spoke, she took a spoon and ladled the sheep's milk to Jiayin's lips.

Jia Yin gave her grandma a big thumbs up in her heart, then drank it happily.

The scent of milk gradually filled the air. The baby in Lady Sun's arms became impatient, stretching out her little hand to grab the milk bowl again, "Na...na..."

"Quickly feed Nuan Nuan." Sun's wife hurriedly passed her daughter to the wet nurse.

The maidservant also scooped some goat's milk and carefully fed it to the young mistress.

Perhaps she was hungry, or perhaps she was infected by Jia Yin's enthusiasm, but Miss Sun also began to drink glug-glug, her appetite wide open. This made Mrs. Sun even happier.

"In a while, we'll continue our journey. If you have anything to say to Wang Guanxi, just go ahead and tell him. Don't be shy. Come chat with me often in the future."

While the two children were nursing, Mrs. Sun softly instructed Li Laotai and Tao Hongying.

Old Li hurriedly replied, feeling much more at ease.

After two bowls of sheep milk were finished, both Jia Yin and Miss Sun's family had their bellies round with fullness.

Little Miss Sun let out a soft burp and snuggled into her mother's arms.

Her black grape-like eyes blinked not, staring at Jia Yin who was even smaller than her, with a look of novelty.

Lao Li and Tao Hongying chatted with Madam Sun until both children showed signs of tiredness. Then they returned to their residence.

This is the simplest of the servant quarters, at the end of the lowest deck. The room has no windows and the floor still shows dampness.

The Li family members were divided by gender, taking up two rooms in total. The cramped space made it a bit difficult to turn around.

Even so, the Li family was deeply grateful to the Sun family.

As long as they can reach Kyoto safely, they would endure even worse conditions than this.

"Mother, I put a straw mat under your stall. Your legs aren't good, so don't catch the damp."

Zhao Yuru supported Li Lao Tai to her bedroom and instructed her carefully.

Li Laotai nodded, feeling a wave of comfort at the thoughtfulness of her third daughter-in-law.

My second sister-in-law and my second brother went to help with the work, and I'll have to go in a while too.

Just now, Wang Fu's brothers said that you are old and don't need to do anything. Hongying will feed the baby, and she can go back to work when she is free.

Zhao Yuru is careful and gentle. In just a short while, she has become acquainted with several young servants on the ship.

"Alright, get to work quickly. Make sure to keep an eye on the second daughter-in-law and prevent her from talking nonsense."

Li Laotai instructed Zhao Yuru, Zhao Yuru agreed, and then stretched the bedding before going out to busy herself.

Old Mrs. Li leaned back against the bed, holding her granddaughter in her arms and gently patting her. A long sigh of relief escaped her lips.

Only now did their family feel fully settled aboard the Sun's vessel.

Jia Yin felt sorry for Grandma and wanted to cheer her up with a smile. Unfortunately, she had eaten too much and fell asleep soon after.

When the sun was high in the sky, the large ship glided back into the river, raising its sails and setting off on a long voyage.

Leaving the dock meant leaving behind the heartbreaking sight of the disaster victims.

The Li family's several brothers adapted to life in a day and each found suitable work to help out.

Li Laoer was good at writing and calculating. He helped Wang Guan manage the purchasing and accounting, quickly becoming Wang Guan's trusted assistant.

Li Lao San was taciturn, but he was originally a bricklayer, skilled and meticulous.

Where there are potential hazards on the ship, he only needs to study for a while, and he can knock and beat it to repair and strengthen it.

Li Lao Si is very strong. Carrying a heavy object is easy for him.

It took several servants working together to lift the large hatch cover, but he was able to do it with no effort at all.

Jiarren and several youngsters also didn't sit idle, proactively helping the servants. They were very perceptive, working efficiently and diligently.

They are not servants of the Sun family. No matter how well they do, they won't steal credit.

So, the maidservant found them quite agreeable and took good care of them in every way. Occasionally, she would even sneak them a bag of sesame candy or something similar.

Li Jiahuan didn't hang out with his brothers, instead he was in the kitchen, helping Tao Hongying and Zhao Yuru cook.

He was busy bustling around the stove, which gave Tao Hongying and Zhao Yuru some relief.

With the Li family so diligent, the ship was inevitably much livelier than before.

The sounds of men working, grunts and groans, and the laughter of children chasing each other, all added a sense of ease and lightness to this ship that had originally set sail south to escape the war.

Mrs. Sun listened to the faint laughter on the deck, gently patted her sleeping daughter in her arms, and a smile appeared on her face.

Outside the window, Jiayin is leaning on her grandma's back, looking at the river view.

Old Lady Li was afraid that her granddaughter would catch a cold, so she wrapped her up so tightly that only her eyes were showing. It was quite amusing to see, and anyone passing by couldn't help but tease Jia Yin.children to pay New Year's greetings and bow down. Even the heads of Dahuai Tree, Da Wangzhuang, and Xia Wangzhuang also came.Li Jia offered them tea and snacks, and the children also gave them lucky...