MFBOWSBTMT Chapter 46

The ninth month had already turned cool, and there was always wind in the evening.

 

The setting sun cast its glow over the land, as if sprinkling gold dust or draping golden silk, its light falling upon the faces of the Chen family. Zhou Shuifen’s eyes brimmed with reluctance as she watched Chen Xuesheng, clad in bright red wedding robes, seated on the Wang family’s mule cart, gradually growing distant.

 

Chen Xiasheng, as the younger brother-in-law, followed behind Chen Xuesheng according to Xiahe Village’s customs, escorting him all the way to his husband’s home.

 

He was still young, only twelve, and though he often bickered with Chen Xuesheng, today, with his elder brother leaving home, he knew things wouldn’t be like before where they see each other every day. The thought made his heart ache.

 

When Wang Qi carried Chen Xuesheng out the door, he secretly turned away to wipe his tears. The sight of it made Qiao Suiman’s heart sting.

 

Zhou Shuifen’s eyes were red. Though she knew this was a joyous occasion, she couldn’t suppress her tears, so she turned away to discreetly brush them off.

 

Some of the guests the Chen family had invited for the wedding banquet had already left the previous night. The closer relatives, like Chen Ping’s brothers and Zhou Shuifen’s maternal family, stayed until today to support the wedding ceremony.

 

Once Chen Xuesheng departed, the remaining guests began saying their goodbyes in small groups.

 

In an instant, the once lively household was left with only Chen Ping and Zhou Shuifen, making the emptiness all the more desolate. Qiao Suiman stayed behind a little longer to keep them company, at least until Chen Xiasheng returned.

 

The matter of the bridal escort was already discussed with Miao Lianhua. Qiao Ruifeng and Qin Yu would accompany Qiao Suiman to the Lu family together, ensuring Qin Yu wouldn’t be left alone at home after Qiao Ruifeng saw him off.

 

Before that, they had already arranged for some familiar women and fulang to come early to the house and lend support. Qin Yu had invited Zhou Shuifen, Aunt Qian, and Feng Jie, and Chen Xuesheng would also drop by. Each would be given a small token of appreciation for their presence.

 

The auspicious hour set by the Lu family was the end of wu shi[mfn]午时 : 11AM – 1PM[/mfn]. The other villagers only needed to arrive at the Qiao household before then, after which everyone would go together to the Lu family for the wedding feast.

 

The Qiao family has no elders, and the Lu family were refugees without many relatives, so Yu Ping had suggested this arrangement. Both families agreed, and the villagers had no objections either. After all, this was their first time attending such a wedding feast, and it was just a few extra steps of walking.

 

Qiao Suiman and Qin Yu sat at the Chen household for the time it took two sticks of incense to burn. Zhou Shuifen kept muttering about how quickly time passed like how Qiao Suiman, once as quiet as a kitten, was now about to marry.

 

“This is a good thing. Everyone grows up and starts their own family eventually,” Chen Ping said.

 

“That’s right. That Dongqing-xiaozi likes you, and everyone can see it. You’ll surely live well once you marry into their home.” Zhou Shuifen took Qiao Suiman’s hand and gave it a gentle pat, her eyes filled with warmth.

 

Qiao Suiman’s nose stung. He would never forget Zhou Shuifen’s care over the years.

 

“Aunt Shuifen, Wang Qi-ge treasures Xuesheng dearly. He’ll definitely have meat to eat every day in the future.”

 

Zhou Shuifen chuckled. “You children, talking just like Xuesheng.”

 

Then she sighed again. “Now, all of you who should marry are marrying. I didn’t fail your mother’s trust.”

 

Qiao Shuiman’s mother used to sew clothes and make shoes together with Zhou Shufen. The two got along well, and after becoming pregnant around the same time, they grew even closer. Sadly, Qiao Suiman’s mother suffered greatly. She was often beaten by Qiao Chengfu, and Li Hua tormented her as well. By the time she gave birth to Qiao Suiman, her body and spirit were exhausted, and she didn’t survive.

 

Back then, Zhou Shuifen just left her confinement period, but Qiao Suiman’s mother had no other choice. With her last breath, she begged Zhou Shuifen to look after her child. As a baby, Qiao Suiman was neglected by Li Hua and survived only by eating countless bowls of rice paste from the Chen family, supplemented by the occasional stolen pot of rice porridge from Qiao Ruifeng.

 

“Aunt Shuifen…”

 

This kindness… He doubted he could ever repay it in this lifetime.

 

“Ai, I was just saying… your mother, she just had poor luck in marriage. But now that both of you are happy and well, she can rest easy.”

 

Qiao Suiman’s throat and nose felt blocked, unable to make a sound or speak. He could only nod repeatedly, his eyes red.

 

After sitting a while longer, Chen Xiasheng returned, holding a hefty red envelope. It was the gift money the Wang family had given to the younger brother-in-law.

 

Now that Chen Xiasheng was back, Qiao Suiman and Qin Yu had no reason to stay any longer. They rose to leave, though Zhou Shuifen insisted on packing them some leftover dishes.

 

Though they were leftovers, they were meat dishes usually reserved for special occasions. It was meat dishes like chicken stewed with mushrooms. Add some water and noodles and cook it again, and the smell alone was enough to make one’s mouth water.

 

After returning home, Qin Yu rolled the noodles while Qiao Suiman arranged the table and chairs. There were many people eating at the Chen family’s house yesterday, and there were not enough tables and chairs, so he lent theirs over.

 

This was common practice in the village. Not just tables and chairs, but even pots, bowls, and utensils were borrowed from neighbors for banquets. There usually weren’t that many people at ordinary households, so it wasn’t worth buying extra for just one feast. Plus, these things aren’t cheap.

 

So there was an unspoken rule in the village: when someone hosted a celebration, everyone chipped in. Sooner or later, it would be their turn to host as well.

 

Besides, Qiao Suiman and Chen Xuesheng had always been close, so of course he wanted to lend his support. At yesterday’s feast, while the men drank wine, the women, fulang, and children enjoyed several barrels of drinks Qiao Suiman specially prepared.

 

Aside from perilla drink and green plum wine, he had also made a new osmanthus drink. It hadn’t even been sold at the market yet but was first served at Chen Xuesheng’s wedding. It gave him quite a bit of face. After all, this was the same drink even the county magistrate had tasted!

 

Now, many in the village were envious. Everyone knew the Qiao family’s drinks sold for ten wen a tube in the market, yet they made so much for the Chen family for free. Just drinking a few bowls was worth the cost of their gift money.

 

The chicken noodle soup was soon ready. Qiao Ruifeng returned from the fields just in time to eat. The hot noodles, infused with the fragrance of chicken and the sweetness of mushrooms, were devoured eagerly by all. Even the meat bones were saved for Heijin to gnaw on.

 

Heijin had grown much sturdier over the past few months. As their lives gradually improved, Qiao Suiman not only fed him wheat bran but also threw him some coarse flour bun from time to time. With the occasional meat, its coat became even more sleek and glossy.

 

Its temperament, however, remained the same. It is fierce with strangers, and affectionate with family. But a guard dog only needed to be fierce toward outsiders, so Qiao Suiman didn’t interfere, letting it continue to act spoiled with them as usual.

 

Qin Yu boiled water, and Qiao Suiman filled a basin to wash up in his room. Next to the bed sat a large wooden chest, which Qiao Ruifeng and Qin Yu had bought for his dowry. Inside, it now held his wedding robe.

 

Miao Lianhua was extremely attentive to their marriage. On the front of the robe, she embroidered mandarin ducks in gold thread. Though small, the stitching was intricate. On Lu Dongqing’s wedding robe, the mandarin ducks were embroidered on each sleeve. The two sets matched and complemented each other.

 

Because of this, Qiao Suiman didn’t dare touch them carelessly, afraid of ruining the delicate work.

 

He carefully took out the bridal robes again. Chen Xuesheng looked so beautiful in his wedding robe today. No wonder Wang Qi had stared at him so long, completely entranced.

 

The thought made Qiao Suiman grin foolishly to himself. Imagining Lu Dongqing’s stunned expression was enough to make him laugh.

 

 

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