Xiao Qiniang peered out, noting the bustling streets, indeed quite lively.
Mobei was a frontier town, vast and sparsely populated, far less prosperous than the inland regions. Its population had been declining year by year due to warfare. In recent years, with increased attention from the imperial court, Mobei had regained some vitality. During the worst times, villages in this area had been nearly wiped out, with nine out of ten houses empty, a tragic sight. Everything in Mobei seemed to be moving in a positive direction, and the Xiao family had made a significant contribution, or so Xiao Qiniang believed.
"It's like this every New Year," she remarked. The wind was too strong, so Xiao Qiniang withdrew her gaze after a quick glance and pulled her cloak tighter. Li Man'er also closed the window, no longer looking outside.
The waiter brought hot tea. "Customers, please wait a moment, the food will be here shortly."
Li Man'er nodded slightly and poured a cup of hot tea for Xiao Qiniang. "Miss Qi, have some hot tea to warm yourself up."
"It is quite cold. Sister Man'er, at this time of year, what were you usually doing in the capital?"
Li Man'er recalled the mixed feelings of joy and gloom the original owner experienced at this time each year, and couldn't help but laugh. "Busy taking inventory of the storerooms."
"Ah?"
Li Man'er explained for her. "This time of year, the Ning family's gift-laden carts would arrive in the capital. They would depart from Jiangnan over a month in advance, first by water, then switching to land transport by carriage. Large carts and small carts would be brought to the Li family's residence."
Xiao Qiniang listened with a sour taste in her mouth. The journey from Jiangnan to the capital wasn't that long, yet the Ning family took over a month, indicating how much they were bringing.
"Except for a few items for the Li family, most of them were specially prepared for me by my maternal grandfather and uncles. Treasures, antiques, ancient books, calligraphy, deeds to houses and land, fine jewelry, hair ornaments, all sorts of exquisite fabrics and furs. Even the gold blossoms and silver ingots for gifting were elaborately crafted in various designs like plum blossoms, orchids, bamboo, and chrysanthemums, each year different."
Xiao Qiniang's eyes turned red. The Ning family was immensely wealthy; think of all the good things! If they sent such gifts only once every ten or eight years, perhaps no one would be jealous, but they sent them every year, for birthdays and New Year's. How many good things were given away?
"It's as if those things were blown in by the wind; they send them every year. They don't get tired of sending them, but I get tired of storing them," Li Man'er sighed with feigned weariness. "You have no idea, the storerooms have to be sorted out several times a year. We pick out the less fashionable items, either melt them down to have the silversmith remake them, or simply give them away to make space and get them out of sight, out of mind."
Xiao Qiniang's hand trembled as she picked up her teacup and took a sip. The tea was still warm, yet she felt as if she had drunk a cup of ice-cold tea. Envy had distorted her appearance; both were born into aristocratic families, but compared to Li Man'er, she felt worlds apart. Although Li Man'er's reputation wasn't the best and she had lost her mother at a young age, enduring many scornful glances in the household, she still reaped substantial benefits! The Ning family was her backing; as long as she had money, her life wouldn't be too bad. Even if her marriage prospects were ruined, what was there to fear if she lived a life with so much wealth?
And look at her! Despite being born to the primary wife, she was raised by a disreputable concubine. A primary wife's dowry should be magnificent, or the family would lose face. As for a daughter of a concubine, a meager gift would suffice. Xiao Qiniang felt like she had turned into a jar of aged vinegar, exuding sourness from the inside out, from top to bottom.
"So, every year around this time, I'm busy looking at account books, managing the storerooms, and calculating my assets. Oh, right, and the managers of the various estates should also be coming to the manor to report their accounts around this time. The estates don't yield much profit throughout the year; they mostly focus on growing crops and raising livestock, not earning much money, and the taste isn't great either. In times of natural disaster, some rent reductions have to be given to the tenants. However, the managers say that land is always the foundation; as long as you have grain, you won't panic..." Li Man'er put on a helpless expression and shook her head.
The entire room was stunned. The servants who had accompanied Xiao Qiniang wore expressions as if they had seen a ghost. Good heavens, this Miss Li was so wealthy!
Xiao Qiniang exhaled a long breath, forcing a smile that was more like a grimace. She didn't know what "humblebragging" was, but she certainly knew what "showing off" was! If it weren't for a shred of dignity left, Xiao Qiniang would have loved to throw tea at Li Man'er, to snap her out of it and make her realize that what she was saying was hardly something a person should utter!
Fortunately, the waiter arrived with the dishes, easing the awkwardness. "Customers, our restaurant doesn't have many dishes, but each one is a classic. The flavors are all reminiscent of Jiangnan. Please enjoy." The waiter's eyes gleamed. He knew how to speak to whom, so he brought the prepared dishes to Li Man'er's table first.
Li Man'er quickly picked up her chopsticks and said to Xiao Qiniang, "Miss Qi, try it quickly. I'm starving."
Xiao Qiniang felt an inexplicable sense of relief. Finally, some quiet. If she had known that food could shut her up, she would have sent someone with a knife to the kitchen, holding it to the head chef's throat.
During the meal, countless eyes were fixed on Li Man'er. She was completely oblivious, doing as she pleased, showing no sign of being uncomfortable or self-conscious.
After the meal, Li Man'er wanted to go shopping again. "Last time, it was Miss Qi who wanted to buy me a gift. This time, it's my turn to reciprocate."
It was better that she didn't mention it. The mere mention reminded Xiao Qiniang of her embarrassment that day. The items she had bought were simply not to Li Man'er's liking, and Li Man'er had even sold a luminous pearl for eighty thousand taels!
"I had originally intended to give Sister a gift, but it didn't work out, so I shouldn't let Sister spend unnecessarily."
"Oh, we're out to have fun, aren't we? It doesn't matter who buys what." Li Man'er paid the bill with a flourish and said to Xiao Qiniang, "I don't have anyone capable with me, so I'll have to trouble Sister's people to help carry things back to the manor."
Xiao Qiniang replied, "Of course, but please buy whatever you need for yourself. Don't spend money on my account."
"Miss Qi, you say such polite words again. It's just a little money."
Xiao Qiniang almost spat out a mouthful of blood. That was too much.
The two left the restaurant and headed towards the most lively area. "The goods from that Fatty Tian's establishment are truly ordinary. If Miss Qi has the chance to visit the capital in the future, you'll see the craftsmanship of the artisans there and know what real quality is." Li Man'er casually pointed to the street. "Miss Qi, it's so lively on the street, why don't we walk around instead of taking the carriage?"