Shen Yun and Su Xiaoqi exchanged a glance. Shen Yun took a box and said to Zhao Dashan, "And this. Xiaoqi specially packed it for your father."
This was what Su Xiaoqi had just had Guo'er bring down from the mule cart. He opened it halfway and handed it to Zhao Dashan.
"Ginseng?" Zhao Dashan's eyes widened when he saw the item with a developed stem, shaped like a person.
He had only seen such a thing once when he was working in the city repairing the compound for Magistrate He. He had never imagined that his own family would receive such a thing.
Su Xiaoqi smiled and said, "It's ginseng. You can put it in water to drink, or in soup. You can also cut it into slices for your grandfather to chew on daily to invigorate the spirit, boost energy, and prolong life."
This was a hundred-year-old ginseng that Yu Rong had given her to thank her for curing her persistent headaches. She had received five roots in total, keeping only one for herself, giving one each to Old Yu Shi and Zhao Shi, one for Zhao Ci here, and preparing one for Yu Shi. This single root was worth at least a hundred taels of silver.
Zhao Dashan's hands trembled. He glanced towards the main house, regretting that his old man was at the clan elder's house playing chess again today. Otherwise, he would surely be very happy.
In addition, Su Xiaoqi called Guo'er to bring another basket of snow fungus down from the mule cart. Just then, Qian Shi came out. Zhao Dashan quickly put the ginseng away and handed the snow fungus to her. Su Xiaoqi explained how to eat the snow fungus.
Snow fungus had recently become very popular in Mianzhou City, and its price was quite high. Given their family's circumstances, they certainly couldn't afford it. Yet, they had been given an entire bamboo basket. Even Qian Shi, who had intended to find fault with something, couldn't say anything now.
However, her eyes were sharp, and she spotted the rectangular rosewood box Zhao Dashan was holding. She turned to take it and have a look, but Zhao Dashan blocked her. Having been married for over twenty years, he knew perfectly well what kind of person Qian Shi was. If she saw the ginseng, she would surely turn around and sell it for money. This was meant for his father to recuperate with, as explicitly stated by Yun Ge'er and his wife, and it couldn't be squandered by her. Thus, Zhao Dashan held onto it steadily, and Qian Shi couldn't even touch its side.
Hearing that their elders were not present, Su Xiaoqi and Shen Yun did not stay long. They took another gift from the mule cart to the main hall of the second branch. Zhao Dashan promised to inform his younger brother, Zhao Erhu, when he returned.
With that, Shen Yun and Su Xiaoqi went together to the Zhao clan elder's house. Actually, the clan elder, Zhao Ren, was Zhao Ci's cousin. They shared the same grandfather. However, their families had split and lived separately in the previous generation. Zhao Ren inherited the position of Zhao clan elder as the eldest son. The relationship between the two old brothers had always been close. Zhao Ci would often come to the clan house to chat and pass the time with his elder brother.
For the Winter Solstice festival gifts, they naturally had to present one to the head of the Zhao clan. Upon arriving at the Zhao clan house, they coincidentally met Zhao Ci, who was walking out with a goatee. The two quickly paid their respects and explained their purpose.
Zhao Ci nodded with a smile. He was very pleased with his grandson, who had previously been unremarkable and then successfully achieved the top rank in the provincial examination. Zhao Ci felt that he was continuing a wish that he had never been able to fulfill.
He knew that after passing the Xiucai exam, he had taken the imperial examination five consecutive times but had failed to be promoted. Later, as his children multiplied and the family's livelihood became difficult, he had no choice but to return to the village and become a teacher, earning a meager income to support his family. Although he had given up, deep down he was still persistent about pursuing the imperial examinations.
It was this persistence that made him somewhat unworldly and dislike dealing with mundane affairs. As a result, his family was brought to its current state by Qian Shi, his eldest daughter-in-law. Zhao Ci had not had the inclination to manage things before, and now that he had the inclination, he lacked the energy. Furthermore, as far as he knew, apart from his second granddaughter Zhao Xiaolan, whose whereabouts were unknown, his third granddaughter Zhao Xiaozhu and his youngest son Zhao Liushun had been living much better lives after leaving the Zhao family. Even his wife, Old Yu Shi, who had toiled her whole life, was living a much better life with their eldest daughter. Several times, she had sent people to tell him to come over as well. Furong Manor had plenty of rooms, and their eldest daughter's children were filial, and even their grandson's wife was a good person. They would definitely not be unwelcome there.
However, Zhao Ci greatly valued propriety and, regardless of the circumstances, was unwilling to cause his eldest son any trouble. Old Yu Shi, unable to walk, had gone to the manor with their eldest daughter to enjoy her old age, which people in the village could understand. If he, a healthy man, were to follow, what would that make him look like? Others would surely comment on his eldest son. According to the rules of Zhao Family Village, the eldest son inherited the ancestral house and was also responsible for supporting the elders.
"Grandfather, Grandmother asked me to ask if you would like to live at the manor?" Shen Yun asked this every time he visited, and this time was no exception. Zhao Ci still shook his head.
Shen Yun said no more, only telling him that Xiaoqi had sent him a ginseng root, which he could eat when he had nothing else to do.
"What do I need ginseng for? Keep it for your grandmother. She suffered a lot when she was young," Zhao Ci refused. He was in good health. He didn't have to do anything all day. When he was young, he studied and took exams; now, in his old age, he played chess and chatted with the clan elder at the clan house. Unlike Old Yu Shi, who, out of compromise with him, raised all six children by herself when she was young, handling all household chores and other responsibilities. But in her old age, she couldn't enjoy the fruits of her labor and had become paralyzed in both legs. Zhao Ci felt guilty about her, but it was impossible for him to give up his current leisurely life to take care of his wife. He had tried before and couldn't bear it, which was why he hadn't stopped Qian Shi from sending her to Zhao Sanniang.
Su Xiaoqi did not know these family secrets of the Zhao family before. She had learned about them occasionally from Zhao Shi after they became close. Zhao Shi did not mean anything else; her words were mainly for explanation. Fearing that Su Xiaoqi might hesitate to raise her maternal grandmother due to gossip, she had revealed these trivial family matters of the Zhao family. Therefore, hearing Zhao Ci speak like this, Su Xiaoqi was not surprised. She thought that he was ignorant in his youth, but now in his old age, he was showing consideration for his wife. However, it was a bit too late for Old Yu Shi. After all, she had suffered, but seeing Zhao Ci like this, and thinking of Old Yu Shi's temperament, Su Xiaoqi felt that she could now fully understand Old Yu Shi. A mother becomes strong when her man is unreliable; if she doesn't become stronger herself, wouldn't she have no way to survive?
"Grandfather, please don't worry. Grandmother also has ginseng," Su Xiaoqi said respectfully, regardless of what she was thinking. However, she didn't feel much affection for him. Putting filial piety aside, Su Xiaoqi really looked down on Zhao Ci's character. What was the point of passing the Xiucai exam? He was a poor household manager and had a daughter-in-law like Qian Shi. He also did not manage affairs; his four sons and two daughters were all raised by Old Yu Shi alone. This was more terrifying than modern single-parent households.
Shen Yun, who was holding her hand, clearly saw the complaints filling Su Xiaoqi's mind. He sighed helplessly, unable to reprimand Su Xiaoqi for disrespecting her elder. He could only gently squeeze her palm, signaling her not to let her thoughts run wild. Su Xiaoqi suddenly awoke and met Shen Yun's understanding eyes. Her heart skipped a beat, and she quickly lowered her head.