Xia Lao Ye Zi and Xia Zhi both went upstairs, only to see Xiao Hei Yu Er had already divided the things they bought into several piles. He was saying to Xia Lao Tai Tai and everyone: "These were all bought by Sixteen. Wait for Sixteen to come back and distribute them."

  Everyone's eyes were on Xia Zhi, with surprise, curiosity and delight in their gazes. Distributing gifts was always the most joyful moment. So as soon as Xia Zhi entered the house, without saying a word, he began to distribute the gifts.

  She first picked out the pastries that Xia Dagu brought to Xia Laoye and Xia Laotai, explaining that they were specially made by Xia Dagu for Xia Laoye and Xia Laotai to eat.

  "This was made by Eldest Sister-in-law and Liu Sao with their own hands. In order to make these few pastries, Eldest Sister-in-law didn't sleep the whole night yesterday." Xia Zhi told Old Master Xia and Old Madam Xia.

  The old couple smiled and accepted the dim sum. Xia Dagu's life was considered very good by the villagers, but in the city, it could only be considered a small well-off family. Moreover, Guo Gufu had always been very frugal, and although Xia Dagu would come to visit her parents-in-law in the countryside during the New Year, she didn't bring many gifts.

  Xia Lao Ye Zi and Xia Lao Tai Tai were not people who paid attention to these things. In their opinion, as long as Xia Da Gu was doing well and getting along with Guo Gu Fu, that was better than anything else.

  Then, Xia Zhi carefully picked out the things she had bought. She first handed the duck egg green striped fabric to Old Lady Xia. "Grandma, this is what I bought for you and Grandpa. It's just right for you two old folks to make a summer outfit each."

  Little Black said excitedly beside him, "Dad, Mom, nowadays people in the city are all wearing clothes made of this material, it's so cool. Sixteen also had one made for me, it's in my luggage, I plan to wear it out in a couple of days."

  Old Lady Xia rubbed the ruler in her hand, laughing so hard that she could hardly close her mouth. She had been doing needlework for years and was very particular about the quality of fabrics. "Sixteen, where did you get so much money from? Even if you have money, there's no need to buy this for us. Your grandfather and I can wear anything. You should wear more good clothes yourself."

  Old Man Xia pursed his lips, covering up the overly obvious smile on his face. He leaned over and took a closer look at the plaid shirt, then said: "Two days ago when I went to the market, I saw someone in town wearing clothes like this, it's really good." Then he asked Xia Zhi, "Sixteen, how much did this cost? Later, let your grandma give you some money. How much money do you have? You can remember to bring something back for me and your grandma on the way back, that's enough thoughtfulness."

  Xia Zhi didn't explain to Old Man Xia, and instead let Old Lady Xia quickly put away the fabric. "Mom, don't just leave this fabric lying around, hurry up and make some clothes with it. It's just in time for you to wear them these next few days."

  "Ah, ah." Old Lady Xia took a look at Old Man Xia and saw that he was letting her take it, so she happily accepted.

  Then, Xia Zhi took out the summer bamboo fabric and told everyone that it was for Xia Qiao, Xiao Shu Er and Xiao Xia Lin to make clothes. Xiao Shu Er had been leaning against Xia Zhi's side early on and smiled with joy upon hearing this. Xia Qiao's expression was much more reserved, he looked at Xia Zhi with some concern, wondering how Xia Zhi could afford to buy so many good things.

  However, Xia Qiao didn't ask that in front of everyone. He planned to ask Xia Zhi carefully when they were alone together later.

  Xia Zhi let Xia Qiao put away the cloth with the embroidered edge, and then took over the large red banana leaf fabric and handed it to Lao Yue. "Lao Yue, this is for you and Lan Zi to each make a jacket."

  The girls in the Zhuang family rarely wear cheongsam. Xia Zhi then told Lai Yue that she had a ready-made cheongsam in her bundle, which could be used as a model for Sun Lan to cut out later.

  At her age, which young girl doesn't like fashionable clothes? La Yue let out a cheer and blushed as she thanked Xia Zhi. Then Xia Zhi took out the shoe's insole to show to Old Lady Xia.

  "This piece of fabric is good." Old Lady Xia examined it carefully, then smiled and said, "Sixteen, you bought a lot, this is enough to make over ten pairs of shoes." Usually when people made shoes, they used leftover material for the uppers, but this was the first time anyone had bought such a large piece of fabric like Xia Zhiyou did.

  The money has been distributed, and Xia Zhi brought out a box of pastries, explaining that she and Xiao Hei had bought them at Gui Xiang Zhai. "I specifically asked the shopkeeper to pick out the best ones, they are for me and my uncle to pay respects to the two elders."

  "Alas." Old Lady Xia felt that the things in her hands were almost too heavy to hold. "Sixteen, you've already bought fabric, what's the point of buying these pastries? These pastries are expensive. Last time your eldest aunt had someone bring back some pastries and said they were also bought by you. That must have cost several taels of silver, just the box itself is worth a lot."

  "Grandfather, grandmother, I happen to have some money on hand. This is a token of filial piety from me and my uncle, you and grandfather must accept it." Xia Zhi said with a smile.

  Old Lady Xia smiled and nodded beside him, her eyes inadvertently glancing at Xia Xiuzai sitting on the other side. This eldest son had passed the imperial examination to become a scholar-official and had been teaching at the Wen Shu Academy in the prefectural city for many years. The things he had brought back over the years added up were not as much as what Xia Zhi had brought back once.

  Xia Xiuzai sat there slightly awkwardly and took the opportunity to ask Xia Qiao and Xiao Shu'er: "Is your mother at home?"

  "My mother is not at home, she went to visit relatives on the other side of the river bend." Xiaoshu said, "Dad, you and my sister have come back, but mom definitely doesn't know yet."

  "Oh." Xia Xiuzai let out a sound, and only then did he continue to sit down at ease. If Tian Shi was at home at this time, he would have to rush back immediately. With so many people gathered here, Tian Shi's place would be deserted.

  Everyone ignored Xia Xiuzai and Xiao Shu'er's words, they all surrounded Xia Zhi to see what she had brought back. In addition to the pastries, Xia Zhi also brought back a package of tea leaves for Old Master Xia.

  Old Xia took over the tea package, first smelled it, then opened the tea package and looked at it again, and nodded in satisfaction. "Not bad, this tea is not bad."

  Old Lady Xia smiled and said, "Still, sixteen is considerate, knowing that her grandfather usually likes to drink tea." Usually, Old Man Xia's tea was bought from the small grocery store at the village entrance, mostly crushed tea leaves pressed into tea bricks. The taste of those tea bricks was naturally far inferior to the new tea brought back by Xia Zhi.

  Old Man Xia held a package of tea leaves in his hand and glanced at Xia Xiuzai again.

  Xia Xiuzai also felt a bit embarrassed, and he shifted uncomfortably on the edge of the kang.

  Old Xia still couldn't bear to scold Xia Xiuzai, especially in front of the children, so he withdrew his gaze and didn't say anything to Xia Xiuzai.

  Then Xia Zhi took out the candies and distributed them to Xiao Shu, Xiao Xia Lin and Dong Yue. Of course, she wouldn't forget to leave the best for Xiao Hei Yu.

  In addition to the gifts she brought back for everyone, Xia Zhi also brought back some stationery, including those given by Li Shan Chang and Xiao Hei Yu.

  Of course, Xia Zhi also bought some silk flowers and a hair comb, which she took out for Lao Yue to choose from. The hair comb was also for Xia San Shu's share. In addition, Xia Zhi had also bought new wooden combs and a fine-toothed comb for Old Lady Xia.

  After distributing the gifts brought back, Xia Zhi took out several oil paper packages. These were some cooked foods she bought from famous shops in Fucheng, including braised donkey meat, roasted pig head meat, and roasted goose.

  Xia Zhi explained to Xia Lao Ye and Xia Lao Tai again, saying that all these things were to show filial piety to the two elders. Xia Lao Ye and Xia Lao Tai both smiled with their eyes narrowed. What they cared about was not the material things, but Xia Zhi's filial heart.

  "Alright, alright," Old Man Xia said repeatedly. "You all come here to eat this afternoon. These dishes are just right for adding more food. I'll also ask your mother to stir-fry two more dishes. Let's all get together and have a good time."

  The children all cheered up.

  Old Lady Xia looked at the luggage of Xia Zhi and Xiao Hei Yu. When the two children left, each had only one package, but this time they returned with several more packages. It seems that Xia Zhi not only didn't buy fewer things for everyone, but also bought a lot for herself and Xiao Hei Yu.

  However, Old Lady Xia did not go to flip through the two children's packages. Her gaze fell on Xiao Hei Yu's chest first. Xiao Hei Yu still had that long-life lock hanging from his chest, but there was an additional silver necklace around his neck. Actually, as soon as she saw Xiao Hei Yu, Old Lady Xia noticed it. But everyone was busy talking and then distributing gifts, so she didn't have a chance to ask Xiao Hei Yu about it until now.

  The little black fish saw Mrs. Xia's gaze and took off the silver necklace to show her. "It was bought for me by Sixteen."

  "Wow, this must be worth a lot of money." Old Lady Xia was a connoisseur, she put the silver necklace in her hand and turned it over several times. The silver used for this necklace as well as the workmanship were both exceptionally good.

  Xia Zhi surprisingly spared no expense to buy such an expensive thing for Xiao Hei Yu! Old Lady Xia couldn't help but glance at Old Man Xia. What they as parents had not done, Xia Zhi had accomplished.

  Mrs. Xia looked at Xia Zhi with gratitude. At this time, she had naturally noticed the difference in Xia Zhi's dress. The crimson gold earrings and the crimson gold hairpin were small and exquisite, yet distinctive, and valuable at a glance.

  The tenth month held in her hand the things that Xia Zhi had bought for her, and was also sizing up Xia Zhi. "Fourth sister, your golden earrings are really beautiful. And this hair clip, I've never seen one like it before."

  Xia Zhi leaned in close to Nian Yue and let her take a look, then took off the hairpin so that Nian Yue could see it more clearly. Old Lady Xia also came over, first looking at Xia Zhi's golden earrings, then together with Nian Yue, looked at the crimson gold hairpin.

  "It's all good stuff." Old Lady Xia smiled and nodded repeatedly, "We sixteen were originally born to be pretty. People rely on clothes, and with a little dressing up, they become even more lovable."

  Summer arrived and smiled, letting Old Lady Xia help her re-pin her hair. Only then did she have a chance to sit down on the edge of the kang. Old Man Xia and Old Lady Xia were both sitting at the head of the kang, while the younger ones all gathered around Summer of their own accord. Little Xia Lin even hugged Summer's leg tightly. In the end, it was Lao Yue who pulled him away, saying that this would make Summer feel even hotter.

  Everyone's eyes were fixed on her, and Xia Zhi knew it was time for her to share stories about the capital city.

  However, before she could speak, Old Master Xia had already carefully chosen his words and started asking her. "Last time your eldest aunt sent someone to deliver a message, saying that you two were living quite well in the prefectural city, but didn't say much else... Sixteen, I bought these things for you, let me calculate it roughly for you, at least it's worth **two silver coins**."

  "Sixteen, where did you get all this money?" Old Man Xia asked the question that everyone else was thinking.

  For this question, Xia Zhi had long been prepared. She knew that everyone would definitely ask about it.

  "I worked in the provincial city." Xia Zhi then took over, briefly and concisely telling everyone about selling zongzi. Xiao Hei Yu was not to be outdone, occasionally interjecting to add a few words, all of which were about how hardworking and capable Xia Zhi was, and also talked about the interesting things they encountered when they went to sell zongzi together.

  If it was just wrapping and selling zongzi, they wouldn't have made so much money. So Xia Zhi also helped Li Xia out, mentioning that she had used the backyard of Xia Dagu's house as a workshop.

  Everyone in the house except Xia Xiuzai opened their eyes wide. It turned out that Xia Zhi had done so many things in Fucheng these days.

  "If it weren't for this matter, I would have returned home with Lao Jiu before the holiday." Xia Zhi said finally.

  Everyone was in admiration, but only Old Man Xia understood that the summer solstice had already encountered many difficulties and complicated things that were not mentioned. Even if someone helped, setting up a workshop was not an easy task.

  Xia Zhi is indeed clever and capable, and also likable. Not everyone who is clever and capable is necessarily likable. So Xia Zhi becomes even more precious.

  Old Man Xia had some questions for Xia Zhi, but he didn't plan on asking them now. There was plenty of time later, and he could have a good chat with Xia Zhi at his leisure.

  After finishing her own affairs, Xia Zhi suddenly remembered that Xia Er Shu and his family were coming. She quickly took out the pastries that Xia Er Shu had asked her to bring. "Grandpa, grandma, these are from my second uncle and aunt."

  "This is all Sixteen's doing." Little Black immediately exposed the truth, "If it weren't for Sixteen, my second brother wouldn't have thought of bringing things back to Father and Mother."

  Xiao Hei Yu said that Xia Er Shu brought Xia Zhu to work at Gui Fang Zhai. "I also went with Shi Liu to Juan Zi's younger sister's home. My second aunt, Wu Yue and Qi Yue are all serving people there."

  As soon as he mentioned Xia Ershu and Xia Erniang, Old Master Xia's face darkened a bit. "Let's talk about these things slowly, don't rush." Old Master Xia said, looking at Xia Xiucan, "Old Big Brother, what plans do you have this time you've come back?"

  Compared to the already settled matter of Xia Ershu and Xia Erniang, Old Master Xia was more concerned about Xia Xiuciai. Because he knew that according to Xia Xiuciai's agreement with Tian Shi, Xia Xiuciai should bring back a large sum of silver this time, prepare it for Tian Shi, and then send it to the Tian family.

  Mr. Xia paid extra attention to this matter, as it concerned his eldest son's family, especially his daughter Xia Zhi. Mr. Xia was worried about Xia Zhi.

  Xia Xiuzai was a bit hesitant and looked at Xia Zhi before speaking.

  Xia Zhi happily told Old Man Xia: "Grandpa, I have some great news to tell you."

  (。)