Chapter 260 - 261: Birthday Greetings

Chapter 260: Chapter 261: Birthday Greetings

The small courtyard where Li Cuicui and the others were now living hadn’t changed much, other than two new side rooms that had been added for Granny Song to live in while she took care of them.

The group was chatting and laughing when, before long, a child from the village ran up to report that a carriage was entering the village.

"How many carriages are there?" He Mei asked curiously.

The child who brought the news scratched his head. "Just one oxcart. We saw it was Uncle Shi..."

Before the child could finish, Shi Dayong walked in with his family, their faces wreathed in smiles. "May your fortune be as deep as the Eastern Sea, and your life as long as the Southern Mountains, Mother-in-law!"

Gu Yuanfeng and his children also began to pay their respects. "We wish you a long and healthy life, Mother (Grandma)!"

"So, it was Stone Son-in-law who returned," Liu Tian said with a hearty laugh. "You’re truly blessed, my dear friend. So many grandchildren! Your family is flourishing!"

Li Cuicui smiled back at her. "You’re doing quite well yourself. Look at your Heizi—he’s given you three to hold in two years. Now everyone is saying your family has excellent feng shui, that all the luck for boys and girls has gone to your home."

Thinking of her sturdy twin grandson and granddaughter at home, Liu Tian broke into a wide grin that revealed her missing front tooth. "Our whole village has good feng shui. In all the surrounding countryside, no village is living better than ours."

Nowadays, no one from Gaoling Village had to leave to find work. Between the soap workshop in the county town and the tofu mill right here, there was more than enough work to go around, and the wages were high.

For the past two years, the young men in the village had no trouble finding wives. The moment they came of age, families were already vying for them. As a result, the village’s population had boomed, which kept the old folks beaming all day long.

So, a rumor had started to spread in the area that Gaoling Village was situated on a feng shui treasure land and was destined for great things.

"Mother, it’s almost time. Should we wait any longer for Seventh?" Xie Ruyi asked as she approached with her two personal maids.

"Let’s wait a bit longer. The weather has probably delayed them," Li Cuicui said, craning her neck. Inwardly, however, she was anxious. ’Seventh Wife is so far along in her pregnancy. I just hope the road wasn’t too rough on her.’

Seeing her other sisters-in-law enter one by one, Xie Ruyi went over to ask them about the preparations.

「On the road outside the village, several carriages were slowly approaching.」

"This carriage truly is remarkable," Chu Dongnan mused again from inside the second carriage, stroking his beard.

"That boy certainly keeps his cards close to his chest," said Ouyang Bing, who had insisted on tagging along. He lifted the curtain and peered out at the snow and ice. "I have no idea how his mind works, coming up with the idea of wrapping chains around the wheels for traction."

"And have you noticed? It barely jolts at all, even on a narrow path like this," Chu Dongnan said, looking and prodding all around the carriage’s interior. He just couldn’t figure out the mechanism.

"The wheels are on snow, not hitting rocks directly. Isn’t it perfectly normal for it not to be bumpy?" Ouyang Bing didn’t understand. Even if they rolled over a patch of ice, the carriage didn’t bounce.

Chu Dongnan shook his head. "Did you forget? We only put the chains on when we reached these country roads. We didn’t have them on the main thoroughfare."

Ouyang Bing turned his head to look at Mudou. "Is that true?"

Mudou said, "Young Master was asleep before. It is indeed true."

Ouyang Bing: "..."

’There’s a guest present, you know! Mudou is still as dense as his name, always so painfully direct.’

"That’s right, you were asleep, you rascal. So tell me, isn’t this carriage comfortable? I’ve been sitting for ages, and my back isn’t sore and stiff like it usually is."

"If I had a carriage like this, I wouldn’t dread making house calls anymore."

"That’s certainly open for discussion," Ouyang Bing said, his tone dripping with envy. "I’m sure with Gu Wenheng’s current wealth, he wouldn’t mind parting with it."

"No, that won’t do. A deal is a deal. I could, however, propose that he use this carriage to cover my medical fees. If he feels that’s not enough, I can even add some silver," Chu Dongnan said. The more he looked at the carriage, the more delighted he became; he was one step away from claiming it as his own.

Jin Qianqian leaned against a pile of quilts. "You’re being a bit dramatic, aren’t you? It’s just a trip home, yet you insisted on bringing a doctor along."

Gu Wenheng, however, put on an innocent expression. "They were just curious about the local scenery and customs. They absolutely insisted on coming."

"If Doctor Chu heard that, he’d probably have a fit," Jin Qianqian scoffed. "Now, if you said *Ouyang Bing* insisted on coming, that I would believe."

"Regardless, they’re here with us for the journey now." Gu Wenheng certainly didn’t feel he was getting the better end of the deal with Doctor Chu. ’As long as that prepared Centennial Ginseng ensures Qianqian has a safe delivery, I’ll hand it over with both hands.’

Seeing a figure in the distance turn and run back toward the village, Jin Qianqian couldn’t help but smile. "Those children are so fast. They must be going back to announce our arrival."

By the time Gu Wenheng lifted the curtain to look, he only caught a glimpse of a fleeting shadow. "I wonder whose boy that is. He’s certainly fast."

But his family was even faster. The carriages had just turned into the village when a massive crowd came surging out to welcome them.

"Seventh Uncle! Aunt Seven!" Gu Le Di was the first to reach them, running right up to the carriage attended by Hong Tianbao.

"Le Di, why is everyone out in this cold?"

At this point, Gu Wenheng couldn’t remain in the carriage. He hopped out and then carefully helped Jin Qianqian down.

"Wenheng, you’re back," Gu Yuanjin said, striding forward. He made sure to nod to Jin Qianqian as well. "It must have been a tiring journey, Sister-in-law. It’s too cold out here; please, hurry inside."

After Gu Wenheng and Jin Qianqian greeted everyone individually, the crowd ushered them forward.

"Scholar Gu, you’ve forgotten us!" Ouyang Bing shouted from his perch on the carriage shaft, his loud voice drawing everyone’s gaze.

Far from being embarrassed by all the attention, Ouyang Bing simply broke into a wider grin and waved to the crowd. "Greetings, everyone! I was personally invited by Brother Wen Heng to attend the birthday feast."

Chu Dongnan, who had just poked his head out, quickly retracted it upon seeing Ouyang Bing’s showy display.

Gu Wenheng: "..."

’That shameless bastard,’ he thought. ’He’s the one who insisted on tagging along.’

Jin Qianqian: "..."

The people of Gaoling Village: "..."

’How are we supposed to react to that? What should we say?’

Unfazed by the lack of response, Ouyang Bing didn’t feel the least bit awkward. He hopped down from the carriage and walked directly to Li Cuicui, who stood in the middle of the throng.

"You must be Old Mrs. Gu," he said. "This humble junior wishes the esteemed birthday matriarch prosperity as radiant as the sun and moon, and a life as enduring as the pine and crane."

Li Cuicui quickly composed herself. "We’re honored that you’ve come all this way. Please, come inside."

Just then, Mudou came forward holding a birthday gift that had been hastily prepared before their departure. He handed it to Housekeeper Fu, whose face seemed familiar. "This is a small token of our young master’s esteem. He wishes the Old Madam good fortune, great prosperity, and excellent health."