Ziqing and Ziyu were tidying up Xiaobao's room, replacing the bedding with new sets. They brought in a small bamboo bed and layered thick blankets on top of it. The basins for washing had all been replaced as well. Only after everything looked satisfactory did they leave.

Changgeng was unloading goods from the cart nearby. This time Uncle Wen delivered quite an impressive haul, enough to feed several men for days. There were rabbits with their pelts already removed and processed, five pheasants, and about thirty pounds of wild boar meat still raw, probably intended for Lin He's own cooking.

In addition to that, there were a dozen or so packages each of candies and pastries, several bolts of fine silk fabrics, and multiple animal furs. Though not the finest silver fox pelts, these were still exotic materials rarely seen in their household. The rest consisted of various meats piled up into a sizable heap in the courtyard.

Huangshi gasped when she saw all these goods - they'd be enough to celebrate the New Year at home! How could they possibly accept so many gifts? She scolded Lin He for taking such generous offerings, but then Lin He showed her the jade bracelet from Madam Wen. Though Huangshi had little knowledge about precious stones, this translucent white jade clearly signified something valuable.

"How could you receive such expensive things!" she admonished again, "We don't even have anything comparable to return as a gift!"

Lin He smiled reassuringly, "We can't very well refuse someone's kindness. As for the gifts, when Young Master Wen returns home we'll prepare some sausages and cured meats as a token of appreciation."

Huangshi nodded in agreement. "Then start preparing now. When your father comes back from work later today, have him buy more meat at the market. You and the girls can help make these treats to send with Young Master Wen when he goes home."

"Ah yes," Daobao chimed in, "Young Master Wen really loves those sausages. He always talks about them when he sees me, so this time he specifically mentioned wanting some."

Lin He glanced at the young noble playing with Xiaobao and Chen near the courtyard. The boy lay on his stomach on the ground engrossed in the card game she made for Xiaobao. Despite never having seen such toys before, he was completely absorbed in learning from Xiaobao, who happily taught him while lying on the dirt floor.

"Huangshi shouted suddenly, "Ziqing! Ziyu! Get a cushion down there right away - it's freezing on the ground this time of year. What if Young Master Wen catches a chill!"

Lin He gently stopped her, "No, let them play. You'd be surprised how restricted these noble children are at home. Their tutors only want them studying books with no one to actually play with. That's why he wanted to come here in the first place - our simple card games keep moving constantly, a cushion would just get in the way. He's wearing enough layers, look at Xiaobao playing all day on the ground without ever getting sick!"

"But Xiaobao is a country boy," Huangshi insisted worriedly, "He's used to rolling around outdoors while Young Master Wen..."

"Mother," Daobao interrupted, "Lin He is right. Young Master Wen isn't that delicate. Master and Madam Wen already know about our living conditions. If they sent him over here with no pretensions, we should just let him be himself."

While Huangshi still hesitated, Erniu suddenly rushed in from outside shouting, "Where's Young Master Wen?"

At the sound of his name being called, Wen Ningmo turned and approached them. He performed a respectful bow to Erniu who awkwardly responded with, "Young Master is too polite!"

Just as Wen Ningmo opened his mouth to reply, Xiaobao suddenly shouted excitedly, "Mo Gao! It's your turn!"

The young noble immediately returned to the card game, watching which made Erniu quietly remark, "I didn't expect this kid from a wealthy family to be so unpretentious."

Standing in the courtyard for a while longer, Huangshi finally said, "Erniu, since it's still early afternoon, you and Changgeng should drive the cart to Huayu Town now. Master Wen sent us all these goods - I want Lin He to make some sausages as gifts of appreciation when Young Master returns home. Also buy more food supplies for him to enjoy while he stays."

Erniu immediately called over Changgeng sitting in the courtyard, and together they set off towards town. By midday, Huangshi ordered Lin He along with Ziqing and Ziyu into the kitchen to prepare lunch, specifically instructing them not to make their usual home-cooked fare but special dishes for Young Master Wen.

The problem was, Lin He had no idea what "special" meant here. After all, how could someone who presumably dined on abalone and bird's nest eggs every day find something in their simple kitchen appealing? She found some marinated offal in the pantry - stir-fried pig intestines with chili peppers, then combined preserved pork with home-dried tofu as another dish. A quick egg scramble with more chilies completed a few vegetable side dishes.

When Huangshi walked into the kitchen and saw only these dishes on the table, she immediately objected, "These are our usual meals! How can we serve them to guests?" She forced Lin He to braise one of the rabbits from Master Wen's delivery, resulting in an enormous pot. Still unsatisfied with the quantity, she ordered even more elaborate dishes for dinner.

Lin He found her mother's anxiety ridiculous - it was just a child after all, yet they were treating him like some imperial prince!

After Erniu returned with his cart full of supplies, the family gathered around the table to eat. Erniu also felt there weren't enough dishes and made suggestions himself, but Lin He paid no mind as she served Young Master Wen. Though he hadn't displayed any airs about being a noble child upon arrival, this changed completely once it came time to eat.

First, he called his servant for water to ceremonially wash his hands. Only after everyone else had already taken their seats did he finally sit down at the table. He ate with excruciating formality - slow chewing and minimal conversation. The Lin family, used to chatting freely during meals, fell completely silent in his presence. This was the first time they'd experienced that ancient Confucian rule of "silence during meals" - all thanks to Young Master Wen's company.

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