Chapter 131: Chapter 130: Filial Piety Comes First Among All Virtues

Housekeeper Tang returned to the manor, by which time it had already darkened, and the family had finished their dinner. Without time for his evening meal, he first met with the Old Master and young Master, reporting on the progress of factory construction.

With the end of the year rapidly approaching, it was the busiest time for official duties, and Mr. Tang and Eldest young Master were the busiest of all. After dinner, they would meet in the study to discuss affairs. The arrival of Housekeeper Tang to report on matters came after he discussed the plans for building the house.

Mr. Tang simply smiled without a word, now leaving more matters in the hands of his eldest son.

“Hmm, very good work. Tomorrow, when we raise the roof beams, have a feast arranged for those workers and give them red envelopes.” Mr. Tang instructed.

“Reporting to Eldest young Master, I have already booked three tables of food and drink at a restaurant in the town to treat the workers and the village chief. The matter of the red envelopes will be taken care of, and a band of trumpet players will be hired to entertain the construction site.”

The words of Housekeeper Tang made Eldest young Master nod and say:

“That Hongji, is his entire family going to attend as well?”

“Eldest young Master, Old Master, I have something to report to you. Hongji mentioned that tomorrow is his father-in-law’s birthday, so it seems he will not be able to attend the important affair of raising the roof beams.”

“Oh, that’s understandable, then just take care of it yourself!”

Upon hearing Eldest young Master say so, the housekeeper fell silent for a moment but then decided to express his thoughts:

“Old Master, Eldest young Master, I was thinking that since filial piety is the most important virtue and tomorrow is the birthday of Hongji’s father-in-law, should we grant Mrs. Li, his wife and daughter, a day off in consideration of Hongji’s standing?”

Before the Eldest young Master could speak, Mr. Tang nodded and said, “Then let it be done. Grant Mrs. Li a day off and inform Madam.”

“Should I have a carriage arranged to take Mrs. Li tomorrow, and allow the couple to bring their children to the birthday celebration?”

Eldest young Master then said, “Such a small matter, you can just handle it.”

Housekeeper Tang added, “Eldest young Master is right. The main thing is, Mrs. Li is young Master’s wet nurse, and her leave must have the approval of young Madam. Also, I saw Hongji and Mrs. Li; the money they earned from work has all been taken by his mother, so they will definitely have difficulty preparing birthday gifts for the father-in-law tomorrow.”

Eldest young Master then said, “How can this be? Our partners attending their father-in-law’s birthday looking so shabby? You don’t just look at the monk; you look at his face too. It’s not just about Hongji and his wife anymore; others will laugh at us.”

“When I saw Hongji, it appeared he couldn’t get money from his mother to buy gifts. I first thought of preparing gifts for them, but he said no. I didn’t want to be too assertive without consulting you, Old Master, young Master.”

Upon hearing what the housekeeper had to say, Eldest young Master nodded and said:

“Hmm, housekeeper, you are doing the right thing. Gifts are a trivial matter for us, but they can help and win hearts. You’ve done well. I’ll speak with young Madam; just go ahead and arrange the gifts and the carriage, and ensure everything at the factory is carried out smoothly.”

“Alright, I’ll see to it right away.”

Knowing the Old Master and young Master still had work to do, the housekeeper left the study. He first arranged for his evening meal to be served, followed by the organization of the carriage and gifts. These minor tasks were delegated to the subordinates.

That night, before going to sleep, Mrs. Li gazed out at the sky. Unable to see the moon or stars amid the darkness, she thought that the next day might bring clear skies or perhaps be overcast. But regardless of the weather, it was going to be a significant day–it was her father’s birthday.

In previous years, she would walk with her husband and daughters to her parental home for a birthday visit. Even if the presents weren’t expensive, it was the arrival and the filial sentiment that mattered.

But tomorrow is such a momentous day, father’s birthday, and as a daughter, I cannot be there, which fills my heart with yearning and guilt.

I haven’t seen father for many months now, and mother I saw just once two months ago, briefly exchanging a few words. This is the hardship of a married daughter, unable to frequently visit home.

The next morning, as usual, Mrs. Li took the young Master to Madam’s courtyard for breakfast. The young madam’s belly was growing ever larger, with only two months left until the birth, leaving her with little time to look after the young Master.

The young Master would only eat breakfast at his grandmother’s, then go to see his mother to pay his respects. Mrs. Li had been by the young Master’s side every day, and after several months, she had grown accustomed to the duties of a wet nurse.

Of course, she also learned from Madam that the family had entered into a partnership with the Tang Family, meaning she would not need to work as a wet nurse after the New Year.

Truth be told, she was delighted by this news. To reunite with her husband and daughter, to be by her daughter’s side, watching her grow up.

Hongji and his family probably hope that she will quickly birth another plump grandson, and this too was her obsession.

During breakfast, with her grandson paying his respects and her husband and grandson eating together, it was a merry gathering for Madam.

Mrs. Li would, as usual, arrange breakfast for the young Master. He no longer needed to be fed by others. Simply placing his favorite foods on the plate or bowl was enough for the young Master to enjoy his meal.

The young Master no longer breastfed from her but had switched to cow’s milk, prompting the Tang Family to raise a dairy cow especially for this purpose.

At this stage, Mrs. Li’s role as a wet nurse was nearly akin to that of a maid–she could manage without being by the young Master’s side all the time.

“Mrs. Li, later you’ll take the carriage arranged by the housekeeper to go and join the celebration of your father’s birthday,” Madam said.

“Madam…” Mrs. Li revealed a surprised and joyous smile upon hearing Madam’s words, never having expected that the Tang Family would show such consideration to a servant.

Madam sat with poised grace, her face bearing a slight smile as she said:

“Don’t be so grateful to me; it’s simply because your husband is our partner, and both Old Master and young Master have given their permission for you to visit your family. I’m granting you a day off to do so, but you must return after the feast.”

“The young Madam hasn’t agreed to…” Mrs. Li began, but her words were cut off by the entrance of a maid.

“Paying respects to Madam.” Jufeng entered the room; she had been sent by the young madam. It seemed Elder Young Master and the young madam had said something that had persuaded the grandmother to allow Mrs. Li a day off.

“Hmm, does the young madam require something?” Madam guessed that her daughter-in-law must have sent word through this maid.

“Yes, the young madam instructed me to take the young Master to the study and look after him for the entire day until Mrs. Li returns from her family visit,” Jufeng said.

Madam shook her head in response to Jufeng’s words, “Your Madam is carrying a heavy burden; you cannot leave her side. If you are worried about the maids in the young Master’s courtyard, I will arrange for Jinhua to take care of everything.”

“This… I shall follow Madam’s orders. I will report back to the young madam right away,” Jufeng knew when Madam gave an order, it was final. In fact, Madam’s concern was warranted–should anything amiss befall the heavily pregnant young madam, her maids would not be spared from consequences.

“Grandmother, may I go with my mother to join the birthday celebration?” Tang Shunyan, having listened to the adults speak at length, yearned once more to see his sisters.

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