The bright moon and the empty courtyard are like water like a Chinese year

Chapter 4 Mrs. Song Jiatai's "Sixty" Birthday
"Master, eldest lady, please take a look at the menu for Mrs. Tai's (Li Yue) birthday banquet. Is there anything else that needs to be changed?"

Early in the morning, while the master (Yaoguang) and the eldest wife (Huiyi) had just finished their breakfast in the room, Butler Song came in with the menu for Mrs. Tai's (Li Yue) birthday banquet.

"Well, everything is fine, there is no problem." The master (Yaoguang) looked at it and replied.

"Hui Yi, come and take a look." After finishing speaking, the master (Yao Guang) handed the menu for Mrs. Tai's (Li Yue) birthday banquet to the eldest wife (Hui Yi).

"The most important thing is that the master and mother like it, as long as you are satisfied." The eldest wife (Hui Yi) took the menu from the master (Yaoguang) for the birthday party of the wife (Li Yue) on the day, and replied with a smile.

"But having said that, last year when "Hui Xi Lou" came to the meeting, the tablecloths and things that came over were insufficient. This time, we must remind them not to be the same as last year. Not to mention things, the tablecloths were still dirty. , Mother’s birthday this time is so grand, and I must not make any mistakes again, so as not to be rude.” The master (Yaoguang) thought for a while, and said to the eldest wife (Huiyi).

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"If you are really too busy, let Zhenhong help out together. Anyway, I promised Yiyi that Zhenhong will follow you and Song Butler to learn about household accounting. I am afraid that you and Song Butler will be too busy alone." Master (Yao Guang) thought about it, and then said to the eldest wife (Hui Yi).

"Master, I understand, I will take care of it, so don't worry." The eldest lady (Hui Yi) replied with a smile.

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Venue: (Jade Treasure Pavilion) Jade Shop

"Hey! This piece of jade is pretty good."

The third concubine (Minxiu) picked up a piece of "jade" from the plate on the table and said to the second concubine (Yiyi).

"What's so good about it? This time it's my mother's [-]th birthday. This piece of jade is so small that you can fancy it. Isn't it too petty?"

The second aunt (Yiyi) said sarcastically.

"What about this piece? Is it big enough? Isn't it petty?"

The third concubine (Minxiu) put down the original jade, picked up another big jade, and said to the second concubine (Yiyi).

"Big is big enough, but the color is bad, that's bad, it's not green enough at all, how can you give it away?" "You want your mother to laugh at you? If you give it to me, I won't choose this one, it's so embarrassing."

The second aunt (Yiyi) said sarcastically again.

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"Second Aunt, Third Aunt, don't be in a hurry, I still have it here, I went to get another plate, and I'll show you."

At this time, the boss Hong of Cuibaoxuan Jade Shop spoke up in order to resolve the embarrassment.

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"Huh! This pair of jade earrings is very delicate." Third Aunt (Minxiu) said in surprise when she found a treasure from the second set of jade wares.

"Yes, this is a treasure of our store. This pair of lake green jade earrings is not only thick enough, but also transparent and colorful. But the real old pit jade is one of the treasures of our store. .”

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At this time, the boss Hong of Cuibaoxuan jade shop found that the third concubine (Minxiu) was holding the jade earrings in her hands and was putting them on her ears. "Selling flowers and praising the fragrance of flowers".

"It looks good, but the price is not cheap, are you willing to buy it?"

The second concubine (Yiyi) looked at the third concubine (Minxiu) wearing such a beautiful jade earring, felt a little uncomfortable, and said sarcastically again.

"The most important thing I bought for my mother's birthday is that my mother likes me to wear it like this. It's so beautiful. I believe my mother will like it."

Facing the repeated sarcasm from the second concubine (Yiyi), the third concubine (Minxiu) responded unwillingly.

"Yes, Third Aunt, it looks so good on you. I believe your wife (Li Yue) will look good on it. She must be very satisfied."

At this time, Boss Hong of Cuibaoxuan Jade Shop also joined the third concubine (Minxiu) and replied flatteringly.

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"It turns out that Minxiu, you have such a good eye, and you are so willing to spend money. This is the first time I have discovered it."

"I knew you were so willing to spend money. Last year, on your mother's birthday, you might as well not have sold so cheaply and buy a broken jade token." The second aunt (Yiyi) continued to sneer as she saw that she was upset.

"Third aunt, such beautiful jade earrings, how about I wrap them up for you?"

At this time, the boss of Cuibaoxuan Jade Shop, in order to resolve the embarrassment again and sell the pair of jade earrings as soon as possible, spoke again.

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"Wait a minute, how much is it?" Third Aunt (Minxiu) hurriedly stopped and asked.

"For your sake, the third aunt of the Song family, I'll let you pay 300 yuan."

"If someone else buys it, 500 yuan must be indispensable."

Boss Hong of Cuibaoxuan Jade Ware looked at the third concubine (Minxiu) and replied with a smile.

"It's only such a little money, wrap it up for her. In case she repents, you will lose a lot, boss."

After listening, the second aunt (Yiyi) continued to laugh and sneer with her lips pursed.

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"Boss Hong, put the jade earrings here with you first. It's inconvenient for me to carry them with me now. I will send a maid to pay the bill later, so I can pick them up by the way."

The third concubine (Minxiu) thought about it, she didn't bring enough money when she went out today, and she didn't want to make the second concubine (Yiyi) laugh in front of others, so she had to explain it like this.

"Okay, okay. What the third aunt says, what to do. Just do as you please." In order not to offend the Song family, boss Hong of Cuibaoxuan jade shop had no choice but to reply with a polite smile.

"Thousands of money are hard to buy, so be careful that someone will buy it later. It's too late to regret it."

The second concubine (Yiyi) knew that the third concubine (Minxiu) must not be able to afford the jade earrings now, so she continued to smile and tease her.

"Don't be afraid, don't be afraid. If that's the case, it can only prove that this pair of jade earrings has nothing to do with me. It's a big deal. At that time, I will buy another gift for my mother."

The third concubine (Minxiu) knew the aggressive method of the second concubine (Yiyi), so she held back and replied with a smile.

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The third concubine (Minxiu) and the second concubine (Yiyi) who chose the congratulatory gift at Cuibaoxuan Jade Shop returned to Song's house and went back to their rooms.

Location: Second Aunt (Yiyi) Room

"Cuibaoxuan's jade earrings are 300 yuan. I didn't expect her to buy gifts this time so much faster than last year."

The second concubine (Yiyi) was sitting on the coffee table, talking while eating the snack brought by the maid who was close to her.

Then the second aunt (Yiyi) sat on the coffee table, thought for a while, and came up with a bad idea:

"If I bought it first, wouldn't Minxiu be unable to buy it?"

After thinking about it, she told Ju Xiang, the close maidservant standing beside her, "Ju Xiang, hurry up and run for me, go to Cuibaoxuan, find Boss Hong, and tell him that you are Mrs. Song's wife." The person who was sent to pick up the jade earrings, come to my drawer and take out 300 yuan to settle the bill."

"Oh oh oh" Ju Xiang heard it, and immediately went to do it.

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Venue: Room of the third wife (Minsu)
"Third aunt, I just went to Cuibaoxuan. Boss Hong said that earlier a maid came to tell him that it was Song's aunt who came to pick up the jade earrings and returned the money. He thought it was sent by you, so he said I gave her the jade earrings and received the money, and now I realize that I made a mistake, so let me come back and say sorry to you." The third concubine (Minxiu)'s close maid, Zhuxiang, came back from Cuibaoxuan and said to the third concubine (Min-soo) replied.

"What? The jade earrings were taken away?" The third concubine (Minxiu) said in shock after hearing the answer from the close maid Zhuxiang.

"Third concubine, I think it's probably the second concubine's fault again." Zhuxiang, the third concubine's (Minxiu) close handmaiden guessed.

"Forget it, forget it, I'm too lazy to argue with her. This morning, when I made an excuse to accompany me to Cuibaoxuan, I was surprised. How can someone like her be so kind?"

"As a result, when I was choosing jade at Cuibaoxuan, I always took the opportunity to mock me. Such a person is actually like this. If it weren't for Mrs. Tai's (Li Yue) birthday coming soon, I would really have to make trouble with her." Third Concubine ( Minsu) said angrily.

"Lu Yao knows that horsepower can see people's hearts for a long time. Third concubine, you can avoid people like second concubine in the future so as not to get into trouble." Zhuxiang, the close maid of third concubine (Minxiu), said with concern.

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"Mom, what are you angry about?" At this moment, Miss San (Ruoxian) slipped in, only half-heard what was said just now, and asked with a half-knowledge.

"It's nothing, originally I planned to buy a pair of jade earrings for your grandmother at Cuibaoxuan to celebrate her birthday, but Zhuxiang came back and told me that the jade earrings were bought by your second mother first."

"I'm still having a headache now, I don't know what gift to buy for your grandma."

"It's rare for you to come here. Come and help me think about what to buy?" The third wife (Minxiu) slowly explained while pulling her daughter.

"Mom, you don't have to think about it, don't think about it anymore, I've already thought about it for you and bought it"

"I believe that on my birthday, grandma will be very happy and satisfied when she sees the gift I bought." Miss San (Ruoxian) immediately comforted her mother as she saw her thinking hard.

"Look at what you said, what kind of gift is it, so powerful?" The third wife (Minxiu) was very curious when she saw what her daughter said.

"Jade Guanyin. Mom, don't you think it's beautiful?" Miss San (Ruoxian) replied happily and complacently.

"Wow, it's so beautiful! How much does such a beautiful Jade Guanyin cost?" The third wife (Minxiu) looked at the Jade Guanyin that her daughter took out of the box, her eyes lit up, and she made a curious voice of admiration. Ask for the price.

"800 yuan. It's for grandma. This money is indispensable. Such a generous and decent gift. No matter how expensive it is, it's worth Mom. Don't you think so?" The third lady (Ruoxian) replied naively.

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Location: Second Aunt (Yiyi) Room

"What? 800 yuan? She actually spent 800 yuan to buy a Jade Guanyin?"

"Then my jade earrings, isn't it?"

"This Minxiu is really insidious. When I accompanied her to choose a gift, I chose a 300 yuan jade earring, but now I turned around and went to buy a 800 yuan jade Guanyin."

"He clearly wants to bully those who have less money with more money." The second concubine (Yiyi) said unreasonably after hearing the gossip from the close maid Juxiang.

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"Mom, it's obviously your fault. You snatched up Sanma's jade earrings, making her unable to buy jade earrings, causing her to spend more money on Jade Guanyin. Why are you still suing this villain first? "

"Why are you always so unreasonable?"

Sitting next to the second concubine (Yiyi), the eldest lady (Ruoli) drinking Blue Mountain coffee couldn't help but stood up again and said something fair.

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Venue: Mrs. Tai (Li Yue) Room

Finally, it was the day of Mrs. Tai's (Li Yue) [-]th birthday. Early in the morning, under the service of the maids and housekeeper Song, Mrs. Tai (Li Yue) was dressed up beautifully, very grandly and appropriately.

Venue: Song Family Hall

On the day of his birthday, the master (Yao Guang) and uncle (Zhen Hong) who returned home after inspecting the business early in the morning, slowly approached the hall from the door.

"Master, Uncle, Young Master." Jia Dingjia bowed his head and called respectfully.
"Master, Uncle, Young Master." Jia Ding Yi bowed his head and called respectfully.
"Master, Uncle, Young Master." Jia Ding Bing bowed his head and called respectfully.
On the way from the door to the hall, as soon as the servants saw the figures of Master (Yaoguang) and Uncle Young Master (Zhenhong), they immediately bowed their heads and saluted respectfully in unison.

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The master (Yao Guang) who slowly approached the dining table in the hall from the door, immediately discovered that the servants had made a mistake in the record of giving gifts, and taught them what to pay attention to.

"Is there any problem with the congratulatory gifts from the guests?"

"No problem, sir"

"Let me see"

"The Shu family is well-known in Guangzhou as a big pharmacy for medicinal materials business, while the Tao family is the chairman of the four major chambers of commerce in Hong Kong, and the family runs the wine business."

"This thousand-year-old ginseng tree in Changbai Mountain should have been given by the Shu family, while the two old flower carvings and Nv'erhong were given by the Tao family. Fortunately, Qi's family gave gifts. You all know it, otherwise if you make a mistake and spread it, you will be caught again. The Qi family said right and wrong."

"I'm sorry, there are too many guests who gave gifts to the master, and we got confused all of a sudden."

"There are some things that can be done wrong, but when it comes to reciprocating the gift, there is absolutely nothing wrong with it."

"Otherwise, in the future, we will record the gift according to this account book. If we return the wrong gift, people will make fun of us. They will make fun of our Song family. Even such a small matter can't be handled well."

"This time is the [-]th birthday of Mrs. Tai (Li Yue), so many people have sent gifts, you all remember to keep your spirits up all the time, so that nothing will go wrong again."

"Understood Master"

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"The two of them have never been in charge of registering congratulatory gifts. Zhenhong, you have to learn to manage accounts anyway, so stay here in the hall and help them register together. By the way, let's take a look at Steward Song. Help, help share, learn more, it is always good, otherwise there will be no way to make them listen to you in the future." After that, the master (Yao Guang) was worried that the congratulations were not enough, and motioned to the uncle and young master (Zhen Hong ) to help out.

Each room began to pay birthday wishes to Mrs. Tai (Li Yue).

"Where are Weiren, Weijia, and Ruoxi? Why? Didn't they come back?" Mrs. Tai (Li Yue) asked curiously.

"Mother, I sent a telegram a month ago, and Wei Ren wrote back to me, saying that the three of them are on their way back and probably have a long journey. There is a delay." The eldest wife (Hui Yi) explained patiently.

"Mother, it's better not to wait for them. Maybe when we arrive, we will pay respects to your old man's birthday first and wait for them to come back." The master (Yao Guang) said comfortingly so as not to affect the mood of Mrs. Tai (Li Yue)'s birthday.

"Yes, yes, mother, let's celebrate your birthday first, look, Ruoli, Ruoxian, aren't you there too?" Third Aunt (Minxiu) also comforted her.

"That's right, there are two more this year, my brother Zhenhong and niece Xiao Yingzhi, it's very lively." The second aunt (Yiyi) saw that everyone was comforting, and she followed suit.

"Well, you all have filial piety, then let's start." Mrs. Tai (Li Yue) was no longer disappointed when everyone comforted herself, and accepted everyone's proposal.

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"Mother, Yaoguang wishes you: "Happiness is like the East China Sea, and longevity is longer than Nanshan. "The master (Yaoguang) first knelt on his knees and congratulated.

"obediently obediently"

"This Jinshou peach gold medal is specially ordered by me to create for your mother, which means that your mother is full of gold and jade, and my life is longer than the sky. I hope my mother likes it."

"I like it. I like Yaoguang very much. You are really filial."

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... (Song Steward returned a red envelope for Mrs. Tai (Li Yue).)

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"Mother, Huiyi wishes you: "Longevity without bounds, life equal to heaven. "The eldest wife (Hui Yi) then knelt on her knees and congratulated.

"obediently obediently"

"This is the Donghai Pearl and Coral Necklace I specially selected for my mother. I hope my mother likes it."

"I like it. I like it. It's very beautiful. Huiyi is really thoughtful."

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... (Song Steward returned a red envelope for Mrs. Tai (Li Yue).)

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"Mother, Yiyi and Ruoli wish you: "Be strong and healthy, and always smile. "The second concubine (Yiyi) and the eldest lady (Ruoli) also knelt on their knees and congratulated.

"obediently obediently"

"This pair of lake green jade earrings is a gift from me and Ruoli. I hope my mother likes it."

"It's beautiful. It's so beautiful. This is old pit jade. It's perfect with the pearl and coral necklace that Huiyi gave me. I like it so much. You guys are really caring."

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... (Song Steward returned a red envelope for Mrs. Tai (Li Yue).)

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"Mother, Minxiu and Ruoxian wish you: "Blessings and longevity, prosperity and prosperity. "The third concubine (Minxiu) and the third lady (Ruoxian) also knelt on their knees and congratulated.

"obediently obediently"

"This Jade Avalokitesvara is a gift that Ruoxian and I personally selected for you. I hope your mother likes it."

"Grandma, look, do you like it?" Ruoxian followed up and asked.

"I like it. It's very beautiful Yuguanyin. Grandma likes it the most. You are all thoughtful and filial. Grandma remembers it all."

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... (Song Steward returned a red envelope for Mrs. Tai (Li Yue).)

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Finally, it was finally the turn of the uncle and his daughter (Yingzhi) to pay their birthday wishes.

"This year is the first time and also the first year for Zhenhong and Yingzhi to pay their respects to Mrs. Tai (Li Yue) at the Song family. Zhenhong and Yingzhi wish you: "Songhe Yannian, all the best. "Uncle and young master (Zhenhong) and daughter (Yingzhi) first entered the Song family, the etiquette cannot be waived, and they follow the customs when they enter the country, and they also knelt on their knees to congratulate.

"obediently obediently"

"This picture of a hundred years of life was written by my little girl Yingzhi for you. I hope Mrs. Tai (Li Yue) will like it."

"The picture of one hundred longevity is very interesting."

"Shouzi, if the writing is not good, I hope grandma will not take offense." Xiao Yingzhi said with a smile.

"It's really rare to be able to write so many birthday characters at such a young age, and each of them has beautiful and correct handwriting." Mrs. Tai (Li Yue) said with great satisfaction and love.

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... (Song Steward returned a red envelope for Mrs. Tai (Li Yue).)

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Then, amidst laughter, Mrs. Tai (Li Yue) enjoyed the birthday banquet prepared by her son and daughter-in-law, singing and dancing performances, etc., ending this year's birthday.

Chapter 4 (End)
Note: The ones with () are just to inform the readers of their respective identities.When reading, you can remove the name in () by yourself.

(End of this chapter)