It seemed that because Wang Qingchen had been staying at home during the period leading up to the Lunar New Year this year, the Wang Youfu family was particularly jubilant.

This New Year was far busier than previous ones, largely because Wang Qingchen had succeeded in the provincial examination, leading to new connections with several prominent families in town. Consequently, the preparations for the New Year feast swelled considerably. Furthermore, with Luo Qing now pregnant, Madam Yang had one less helper. Of course, Madam Yang didn't mind this in the least. Thus, many of the household chores fell upon Madam Yang and Aunt Wu.

Wang Youfu and Wang Qingchen managed the procurement of goods; once purchased, less remained for them to handle. Mostly, Madam Yang directed Aunt Wu in sorting things out. Occasionally, Luo Qing would assist with light tasks, though prioritizing her pregnancy remained paramount.

As the year drew to a close, the Wang Youfu household needed to take stock of their annual earnings. On this day, Wang Qinghua closed the mill, and upon returning, the entire family gathered to tally the year's income.

The lion’s share naturally came from the family's land holdings, followed by the mill, and then the shops. Regarding the land, after Wang Qingchen entered the county school, Wang Youfu took it upon himself to acquire more. After Wang Qingchen passed the provincial examination, Wang Youfu acquired yet more. Now, the income derived solely from their land was already quite substantial. As for the mill managed by Wang Qinghua, it had firmly established itself in town, and with Wang Qinghua also handling the processing of grain, its profit margins were not insignificant either.

As the family calculated their earnings for the year, they discussed various matters, large and small. Madam Yang looked over the family's income, mentally calculating what finer things they could acquire—items suitable for presentation as New Year's gifts. After all, some of the notable families in town had seen countless ordinary things and wouldn't be impressed easily; therefore, the gifts needed to be well-chosen.

Hearing his mother, Wang Qingchen shook his head. "Mother, when we associate with those families, sincerity is what matters. As for those expensive things bought with silver, they aren't necessary. If they truly value such items, they possess the means to acquire them themselves. Moreover, if any family is truly so materialistic, then we have no need to associate with them. Thus, for the New Year gifts, we should prepare them much like any other family; no special extravagance is needed."

Madam Yang hesitated upon hearing this. Truthfully, a significant reason she wished to prepare finer gifts was the fear that if the offerings were lacking, her son might be ridiculed by those families. Thus, if only for her son's sake, she felt compelled to ensure the gifts were top-notch. However, now her son was suggesting they adhere to the usual custom of other families, which gave Madam Yang pause.

Uncertain how to proceed, Madam Yang turned to Wang Youfu, hoping he would offer a decisive opinion.

Wang Youfu had initially been entirely in agreement with Madam Yang’s approach. Those prominent families in town possessed deep coffers and lacked nothing fine; naturally, their household should prepare superior gifts, lest their offerings be deemed meager! But after hearing Wang Qingchen’s reasoning, Wang Youfu conceded there was merit to his son's words. If the families they associated with valued such superficialities, perhaps it was better not to associate at all.

So, Wang Youfu said to Madam Yang, "We only need to ensure we aren't discourteous. As for the rest, let us prepare our gifts the same way others do!"

Seeing that Wang Youfu agreed, Madam Yang could only nod in assent. Afterward, Madam Yang reorganized the New Year gifts she had already mostly prepared. Once everything was arranged, the Wang Youfu family began distributing the gifts. Gift-giving naturally involved receiving return gifts, so soon, Wang Youfu's own household saw a considerable pile of New Year offerings accumulate.

As for the tokens of filial piety for the Old Master and Old Madam, Wang Youfu took Madam Yang, the eldest son, and the second son to deliver them personally.

The gifts presented by the Wang Youfu household this year were numerous, some being the return gifts from the prominent town families, making them appear exceptionally dignified.

The Old Master and Old Madam beamed upon seeing the offerings. The Old Madam’s joy stemmed from the fact that the gifts from the Second Branch were indeed excellent—all fine things. The Old Master, however, was pleased because, despite the Second Branch's increased prosperity and Wang Qingchen’s success as a Juren (Provincial Graduate), they remained so respectful toward the elders, with their filial gifts even surpassing those of previous years. This indicated that the Second Branch had not forgotten their roots and held their elders in their hearts. Thinking deeper, the Old Master even believed that the Second Branch would show compassion even when dealing with their own brothers. At this thought, the Old Master grew even happier.

"It is enough that you visit your mother and me often; why bring so many things?" the Old Master said with a smile to Wang Youfu.

"Father, these gifts are merely an expression of our sincerity; please accept them!" Wang Youfu replied.

The Old Madam, who had remained silent after the Old Master spoke, was quite pleased upon hearing Wang Youfu’s response and immediately turned to the Old Master, saying, "This is our son's heartfelt gesture, let us accept it!"

The Old Master had only commented because he felt the gifts from the Second Branch this year were rather valuable. If the Second Branch had brought nothing at all, he would have become anxious, certain that the Second Branch held no regard for the old couple. Now that both Wang Youfu and the Old Madam had spoken, he graciously accepted them.

Meanwhile, Tian Shi, observing the items sent by the Second Branch, first felt a pang of envy, then began calculating how much of these things she might manage to obtain from the Old Madam. After a moment's thought, however, Tian Shi concluded that the Old Madam would never give such fine things to her now; they were certainly destined for Little Aunt Wang Guifang. The Old Madam, devoted to her biological daughter, would surely wish to give her everything good. Thinking along these lines, Tian Shi began to stew in silent resentment.

Afterward, Wang Youfu and his family spent some time chatting with the Old Master, who mainly urged Wang Qingchen to perform well in the upcoming Metropolitan Examination next year, ideally passing to become a Gongshi (Successful Candidate) and qualifying for the final Palace Examination.

Wang Qingchen smiled wryly and nodded in agreement. Truthfully, he felt uncertain about these matters. Passing the provincial examination was already a stroke of good fortune. As for the subsequent metropolitan exams, he figured he would mostly just participate to gain experience. However, since the Old Master had spoken so earnestly, he could only nod and assure him that he would do his utmost. After talking a little longer at the old residence, the Second Branch returned home.

Wang Youfu’s family had visited the old residence in the morning, and in the afternoon, Zhang Shi arrived at Wang Youfu’s home.

Since most of the preparations and hustle for the New Year were now complete, Madam Yang was not particularly busy. Upon Zhang Shi’s arrival, Madam Yang welcomed her and they settled in for a friendly chat.

"Second Sister-in-law, did you deliver a great deal of things to the old residence as filial tribute this year?" Zhang Shi inquired.

Madam Yang looked puzzled. On one hand, she felt the offerings were modest, certainly not excessive; on the other, she was curious why Zhang Shi was asking about this specific matter. Nevertheless, Madam Yang first replied, "Not too much, really. Some of what we sent were just return gifts from those families in town. Why do you ask?"

After hearing Madam Yang’s answer, Zhang Shi sighed. "Ah, what else would it be about? You wouldn't believe it. When my husband and I took our offerings to the old residence earlier, you should have seen the look of disdain on the Old Madam’s face! I was puzzled; we always send the same things every year, so why such scorn now? I even wondered if I had done something recently that displeased the Old Madam, causing her to give me the cold shoulder. Then, as my husband and I were leaving, Big Sister-in-law stopped us, mentioning exactly how many fine things you had sent over today, and suggesting that what my husband and I brought was barely worth showing! It truly infuriated me! What business is it of hers how much my husband and I offer as filial piety? And regarding the Old Madam’s disdain for our gifts—she should consider how much our household earns in a year, and that my husband works himself to the bone for it! We don’t expect her to say sweet words, but she needn't be so contemptuous!"

Madam Yang hadn't anticipated this turn of events and immediately felt apologetic toward Zhang Shi. "My husband and I thought that since the other families sent so much, we should send some substantial gifts to the Old Master and Old Madam as well. We certainly didn't intend for you to feel slighted."

Zhang Shi had a straightforward nature and usually settled accounts clearly. She certainly wasn't going to hold Wang Youfu's family responsible for this. So, Zhang Shi waved it off. "It's fine; this has nothing to do with you. After so many years, I know the Old Madam’s temperament. Has she ever cared for our two branches beyond demanding benefits? Now that your family is successful, she offers a pleasant expression. But when was she ever like that before? Rest assured, I only wanted to know the reason; I won't get angry over this. Otherwise, from the day I married, how much anger would I have accumulated?"

At Zhang Shi's words, the sisters-in-law both laughed, and the matter was thus dropped.

On New Year's Eve, the Wang Youfu family swept their home clean and pasted couplets on the doors. Afterward, the whole family sat down together to enjoy a happy reunion dinner.