Zuo Muchan and Zuo Zhu also dropped their farm tools, patted the dust off their clothes, tidied their hair, wiped their faces with their sleeves, and after making sure there was no sleep in their eyes, they hurried to greet them warmly.
Everyone dismounted from the carriage.
Bai Sheng had Hengheng survey the surroundings. Finding that no one was paying attention nearby, she immediately released two calves behind her third uncle's carriage and placed a pile of chickens, ducks, geese, pigs, sheep, and several bags of rice and flour on the carriage.
Zuo An, Zuo Shan, and the few children from Lu Yun finished their embrace and immediately walked up to Lu Ye and Bai Sheng and the others, bowing respectfully. "Junior Zuo An (Zuo Shan) greets Uncle Lu, Aunt Lu, and all distinguished guests!"
Bai Sheng stepped forward, patted their heads with a smile, and stuffed a bag of pastries into each of their arms.
At this moment, Zuo Muchan and Zuo Zhu walked over.
Although it was the first time they met, they surprisingly felt very close. After a brief and warm exchange of pleasantries, Zuo Mochen led everyone towards his home.
As they neared the small courtyard, Zuo Siming came running out with a group of people to welcome the guests.
Little Jiujii ran to the very front, zipped over to the four children, took their hands, and said, "Sister Huahua, Brother Yeye, Brother Ruirui, Brother Yiyi, I've missed you so much!"
"Brother Jiuji, we've missed you too," the four little ones said, tugging on Jiuji's front, and planting a kiss on his little face, just as their mother did to them every time.
Jiuji giggled happily.
Zuo Siming had not expected Bai Sheng and Lu Ye to bring so many people to their home.
He was copying books when he heard his son shouting excitedly. He immediately put down his pen and ran out with the Zuo family children to welcome them.
Before the guests arrived, Old Madam Zuo and her two daughters-in-law quickly tidied the house, trying their best to maintain that little bit of dignity and propriety.
Because of Young Master Lu and Madam Lu, their family had finally had a good year, so they had to show the utmost enthusiasm to entertain guests.
By the time everyone entered the courtyard, the not-so-large courtyard immediately became crowded.
The women and children of the Zuo family were in a flurry, searching for tables and chairs in every corner of the house. With guests visiting, it wouldn't do to have them standing all the time.
Zuo Siming cupped his fists and said with a smile, "My apologies, Young Master Lu, Madam Lu. Our humble abode is truly simple. Please wait a moment, my mother and wife are preparing tables and chairs for everyone."
Bai Sheng laughed heartily, "Master Zuo, we should be the ones apologizing. We originally planned to take our family out for a spring outing, but we suddenly remembered that Master Zuo's home was nearby, so we came to visit. As we have many people, we brought our own tables and chairs. Yang Ming, bring the tables and chairs in."
"Yes, Madam!" Yang Ming replied respectfully.
Zuo Siming was slightly surprised and immediately asked the young and strong laborers in the family to go out and carry the tables and chairs.
Soon, three sets of tables and chairs were neatly arranged in the front courtyard, all of them brand new.
After everyone was seated, Zuo Siming quickly called the entire family over to introduce them to the guests one by one.
Lu Ye quietly looked at the Zuo family. He could truly see shadows of his own family in their appearances. His sister Xiaohua looked the most like them.
He was becoming more and more certain that his father was Zuo Hanchen.
If that were the case, then these people before him were his closest relatives!
Grandparents, elder uncles, second uncle, third uncle, as well as cousins and nephews...
Lu Ye's nose felt a little sore, and his eyes couldn't help but become moist.
Bai Sheng looked at him sideways and squeezed his hand.
Zuo Siming first introduced Old Madam Zuo and Master Zuo.
Bai Sheng and Lu Ye saw Master Zuo lying on a reclining chair, covered with a thick cotton quilt, and looking frail, unable to even open his eyelids. He was likely seriously ill.
Zuo Siming said that his father liked to bask in the sun, so he had to lie on the reclining chair to do so every day.
Bai Sheng exchanged a glance with her master and decided to examine Master Zuo's health when they had time.
Then, Zuo Siming introduced his own family: his wife, Madam Wang, his son Zuo Song, his daughter-in-law Fang Shi, his granddaughter Zuo Zhi, who was 12 years old, his grandson Zuo An, who was 10 years old, and his grandson Zuo Jiuji, who was 4 years old.
Next was the second son Zuo Muchan's family: his wife Cui Shi, his son Zuo Zhu, his daughter-in-law Lu Shi, his granddaughter Zuo Gui, who was 10 years old, his grandson Zuo Shan, who was 7 years old, and his grandson Zuo Hai, who was 5 years old.
The third son, Zuo Lichuan, was unmarried and a lifelong bachelor.
The fourth son...
Upon mentioning the missing Zuo Hanchen, everyone in the Zuo family fell silent for a moment.
Seeing this, Bai Sheng immediately tugged at Lu Ye's sleeve. Lu Ye understood and began to introduce his own group with a smile.
Lu Ye first introduced his master, Grandma Wu, her daughter Gu Siyue, and Concubine Mei, who was dressed as an ordinary woman, her identity concealed.
Then, Prince Yu also concealed his identity, only saying that he was his master's grandson and Gu Siyue's son.
Next were the third and fourth uncles.
The Zuo Siming brothers were stunned when they saw their third and fourth uncles.
Zuo Siming worked as a tutor at the Lu mansion and stayed in the academy, rarely coming out, so he hadn't seen his third and fourth uncles much.
The third uncle stepped forward, patted their shoulders, and whispered, "Let's talk in detail later."
The three brothers immediately nodded.
After introducing everyone in the family, Zuo Siming asked, "Has that little girl Lu Hua not come today?"
Bai Sheng smiled, "Xiaohua is the supervisor at the shop and is quite busy. I'll bring her to play next time."
As Bai Sheng finished speaking, Yang Ming entered, leading two calves.
Behind Yang Ming was Lu Huo, driving two large fat pigs and five or six piglets.
A Qiu carried two cages of chickens and ducks, followed by several bleating sheep.
After placing the live animals in the pigpen on the side of the small courtyard, they went out again to bring in several bags of rice and flour.
Zuo Siming exclaimed, "Young Master Lu, Madam Lu, you are... you are too kind. How can this old man accept such a generous gift..."
Lu Ye laughed loudly, "My wife said that since we have so many people disturbing you, we've brought a small gift, hoping Master Zuo will accept it."
"This... this is hardly a small gift, this... this is too precious," Old Madam Zuo was almost overwhelmed with joy and couldn't help but stand up.
The other Zuo family members were also shocked. Their eldest brother (father, eldest uncle) only worked as a tutor at their home, and they received such a generous return. Logically speaking, their eldest brother (father, eldest uncle) wasn't exceptionally outstanding to such an extent, right?
Seeing the shocked expressions of the Zuo family, Bai Sheng quickly stood up and said with a smile, "Old Madam Zuo, Master Zuo, we have many people, and each and every one of us is a glutton. This small gift is nothing."
"We are all gluttons," the fourth child, Yiyi, repeated in a baby voice.
Everyone burst into laughter, and the atmosphere immediately became much more relaxed.
After the introductions were complete, Zuo An impatiently picked up two bamboo baskets and led more than a dozen younger brothers and sisters out of the courtyard, shouting loudly. They were going to play by the riverbank.
Seeing this, the fourth uncle felt a tickle in his heart. He scratched his fingers and moved closer to Bai Sheng, constantly looking at her with pleading eyes.