Splendid peasant girl busy farming

Chapter 11994

Now, not only Yang Huamei, but even Yang Ruoqing was somewhat puzzled.

"Why is it being postponed again?" Yang Huamei asked, directly voicing the confusion of the two.

Cao Bamei recalled Xiuxiu's words and repeated them verbatim: "Xiuxiu said that after returning to the Wang family, there are many relatives and friends there, many of whom are old business associates. She will probably accompany Wang Wei to visit many families before the New Year. Business is busiest before the New Year, with debt collection and such. After the New Year, the bride will have to visit all the relatives in the Wang family. There are also two uncles and an aunt celebrating their birthdays. Yongxiao will probably have to stay here for the New Year and wait until Xiuxiu has finished her business before he can take care of the children."

Yang Ruoqing and Yang Huamei both had a sudden realization. To put it nicely, as the young mistress of the Wang family, Xiuxiu would have a lot of things to do once she arrived.

To put it bluntly, it's because Yongxiao isn't the Wang family's biological grandson. If he were, no matter how busy Xiuxiu was, the grandmother would help take care of him, everyone would have their own responsibilities, and everyone would be at ease. Frankly, Xiuxiu still doesn't trust Wang's mother to raise Yongxiao. And Wang's mother, while she might say she'll treat Yongxiao like her own grandson, would likely make all sorts of excuses when it comes to actually caring for him. Everyone understands this implicitly, but no one says it aloud.

“They’re all equally good,” Yang Huamei said. “Leaving Yongxiao here was probably Xiuxiu’s special idea. She wanted the child to take her and Xiuhong’s place and keep you and Yongjin company more, so that you wouldn’t have a lonely New Year.”

“Yes, Aunt Mei’er’s words are also very likely, and I agree.” Yang Ruoqing followed Yang Huamei’s words, but in her heart she was still more inclined to believe that Xiuxiu was powerless after her marriage.

“Aunt Mei’er, Qing’er, I won’t lie to you two,” Cao Bamei turned her head and glanced at Xiu Hong’s empty room, then continued, “Although Xiu Xiu married a little further away, in town, she also brought Yong Xiao with her.”

"But actually I'm not that worried about Xiuxiu. What worries me the most is Xiuhong."

"Eighth Sister, what do you mean by that? Xiu Hong is married right here in our neighborhood, right under our noses. If anything happens to her, you and Yong Jin can get there in no time. What's there to worry about?" Yang Huamei asked, her face full of confusion.

Cao Bamei could only smile wryly, "Aunt Mei'er, there are some things you don't understand."

“What don’t I understand? Haven’t I been a daughter-in-law myself? I’ve been a daughter-in-law, I’ve been a mother-in-law, and now I’m a mother of three in a blended family. Tell me, what don’t I understand?” Yang Huamei clapped her hands together and made a series of claps with her mouth, speaking very fluently.

Even Cao Bamei couldn't help but glance at Yang Ruoqing and say, "Your aunt has really honed her skills in the year she's been running a shop in town!"

Yang Ruoqing smiled and nodded: "She speaks fluently and eloquently, truly befitting a boss lady."

Yang Huamei waved her hand with a smile: "What boss lady? Our tiny business is nothing compared to yours, Qing'er!"

"Old Xu and I are just running a shop, earning a little money to eat and raise a few kids!"

"Aunt Mei'er, I heard from Yongjin that your roast duck restaurant is doing very well?" Cao Bamei asked curiously. Xiuhong had told her before that she and Sixi did not plan to stay in the village to do farm work after their marriage. They had even planned to help her father, Yongjin, because after the New Year, her father would stay at home to take over the management of the three families' hundred or so acres of land, while her uncle, Yang Yongqing, would go to Tianxianglou in town to manage it.

Initially, Xiu Hong and Sixi planned to stay in the village to help their father, but later, for some reason, they changed their minds.

She also said that she wanted to do some small business so that she could have a chance to make a living. So when Cao Bamei met Yang Huamei, who was also doing small business, she naturally wanted to pay more attention to her and ask her more questions.

"What's so great about it? It's just enough to make a living," Yang Huamei said modestly, waving her hand.

“Auntie, don’t be so modest. We’re not strangers. I just heard your business is doing well and I’m happy for you.” Cao Bamei asked again, even reaching out to take Yang Huamei’s hand. “Auntie, tell us, what kinds of small businesses are still profitable outside these days?”

Yang Huamei patted Cao Bamei's hand in return: "Bamei, what are you saying? Let's not even talk about it in front of a great merchant like Qing'er. Just look at your Yongjin. He's been a manager for so many years. He knows more about making money than I do. You can have him tell you about it later!"

Cao Bamei wasn't stupid; she could tell that Yang Huamei didn't want to talk about it. Thinking about it, she realized that she had been too impatient and had become attached to appearances.

Making money from their shops is their secret; why would they tell outsiders? Even if it were the second branch of the family, they wouldn't share their success stories with others.

Seeing the two women engaging in a game of cat and mouse over the topic of their small, money-making business, Yang Ruoqing coughed lightly and steered the conversation back on track: "Aunt, Second Sister-in-law, wasn't our topic for today supposed to be about our children's marriages? How did it veer off-topic?"

"Hehe, we were just talking about that topic, so we just chatted about it casually," Cao Bamei said with a smile. "Let's not talk about that anymore."

Yang Ruoqing laughed: "If you're going to talk about those boring business matters, then I'll have to say goodbye and go home early. Let the men worry about business, you don't need to worry about it."

"Yes, yes, Qing'er is absolutely right. I won't say anything more. Old Xu is the one who takes care of our family business." Yang Huamei took the opportunity to continue the conversation, while picking up her teacup to end the chat by drinking tea.

Cao Bamei tactfully turned her head and asked Yang Ruoqing, "Where was I?"

"Second sister-in-law, you previously said that you were more worried about Xiu Hong than Xiu Xiu," Yang Ruoqing reminded her.

Cao Bamei nodded repeatedly, "Yes, yes, that's what I said. I am indeed more worried about Xiu Hong."

"Why?" Yang Huamei asked, after taking a few big gulps of tea and fiddling with the teacup.

"Although Xiuhong is married to someone from a nearby family, there are four brothers in Sixi's family. Sixi's parents are all biased towards the eldest son, the second son and his wife are cunning, and the third son and his wife are just average and have no opinions of their own. Sixi is the least likable of the four sons. As for our Xiuhong, you all know what I mean. She has been constantly criticized by Sixi's mother. I'm worried that if we live together for a long time, there will be many conflicts."

After listening to Cao Bamei's concerns, Yang Ruoqing and Yang Huamei exchanged a glance. While neither denied Cao Bamei's worries, however—

"Second sister-in-law, there is no such thing as a perfect family relationship in this world, but I believe that being able to live under the same roof and be family is fate. Over time, everyone will have to work things out, and once things are worked out, life will naturally get better," Yang Ruoqing said.

There were some things she didn't say directly, namely that Xiu Hong herself had chosen this path and this in-laws, and she should have been mentally prepared for it.

Yang Huamei, however, had a different perspective: "If you ask me, Eighth Sister, you're worrying too much."

“Aunt, what are you talking about? You know how domineering Si Xi’s mother is. The Wang family and the Si Xi family used to live not far apart. You should know Si Xi’s mother’s character in your area better than I do!” Cao Ba Mei said.

Even though she and Sixi Niang are now officially in-laws and relatives, Cao Bamei still doesn't have a good impression of Sixi Niang.

Similarly, Cao Bamei also believed that Sixi Niang didn't really care about her; they disliked each other, but there was nothing she could do, she couldn't go against the two children.

Yang Huamei shook her head: "That Sixi's mother is indeed arrogant, because she relies on her four sons to back her up, and her own family has three brothers, so she really does act like a tyrant in the neighborhood." "But think about it, even the most arrogant person has to back down in front of our Yang family, doesn't she?"

"It's because she backed down that this marriage happened. To put it bluntly, Sixi from their family is marrying up to our Xiuhong. Xiuhong brought so much dowry with her today, she has face, substance, and confidence. From now on, as long as Xiuhong has the courage to do what she wants, and Sixi listens to her, and she doesn't let others lead her by the nose, her life will definitely be good. No one will dare to ride roughshod over her!"

“Sixi is a really good boy, I really like him, he doesn’t seem like his mother’s biological son at all,” Cao Bamei said. “I just like him because he listens to my Xiuhong.”

"Haha, Second Sister-in-law, what are you saying? If Sixi isn't Sixi's mother's biological daughter, then who is?" Yang Ruoqing laughed as she listened to their conversation.

“The dragon has nine sons, and each one is different. Second sister-in-law, think about it, my aunt gave birth to my second brother and his three brothers. Aren’t they all different in personality?” Yang Ruoqing asked again.

Cao Bamei laughed, "Indeed, thank you both so much for keeping me company. I felt so empty inside before, but now I feel much better..."

"That's good. I'm going home now." Yang Ruoqing got up to say goodbye.

Yang Huamei also put down her teacup and stood up: "I'm going back to the old house too. If I don't go back soon, the three kids will probably cause a huge uproar."

After the New Year, Wujin, Sijin, and Sanjin will celebrate their first birthday. Right now, these three little ones are learning to walk, giving the adults quite a bit of a hassle.

Cao Bamei stood up and said to Yang Ruoqing and Yang Huamei, "Come to my house for lunch. We'll have the leftovers from breakfast, so please don't mind!"

Yang Ruoqing shook her head: "Second sister-in-law, we won't be coming over at noon. Tang Yazi and I are going to accompany Uncle to Zhoujia Village."

"Going to Zhoujia Village?" Cao Bamei asked.

"My uncle is worried about Aunt Da'e and wants to go over and spend some more time with her before the New Year."

“Oh, that’s only right.” Cao Bamei nodded repeatedly.

"Is your Aunt Luo Da'e feeling better?" Yang Huamei had also heard about Luo Da'e's illness from Madam Tan.

"Well, how should I put it... it's just like that..."

Yang Huamei and Cao Bamei both understood.

Cao Bamei changed the subject, saying, "If the three of you can't come, then have your aunt bring the children over. Oh, and Jinling too, you must come. That child is too kind; he even gave a gift!"

"It's just a small token of his appreciation. Since he's so sensible, you should accept it," Yang Ruoqing said with a smile.

Zuo Jinling gave two gifts to the second wife, one to Xiuxiu and one to Xiuhong.

“But Jinling probably won’t be able to come to the banquet this noon,” Yang Ruoqing continued. “Wuyou went to Sixi’s house to be Xiuhong’s bridesmaid, and Jinling also went to Sixi’s house to see her husband off. They’re all having the banquet at Sixi’s house this noon!”

Today's send-off ceremony for the groom's brother-in-law actually included Tuan Tuan and Yuan Yuan on the list, because they are of the same generation as Xiu Xiu and Xiu Hong.

They weren't allowed to go because they were too young and their families were worried about them.

But Xiao Sanzi, Hong'er, Yang Yongqing's son, and others all went to escort their brother-in-law.

Jinling's visit to deliver New Year's gifts to his brother-in-law was unexpected by the Luo family, as they had never imagined that Zuo Jinling would come to deliver such gifts.

When Yang Yongjin learned that this third-ranked scholar was also the son-in-law of the Luo family, he was truly honored. So Yang Yongjin temporarily found Yang Yongqing and the others and included Zuo Jinling's name in the procession to send off the groom's brother-in-law.

Let Xiu Hong's family see this: look, the governor's son Feng'er and the general's son-in-law, a top scholar, are both my daughter's groomsmen, and the general's own daughter, Luo Wuyou, is my daughter's bridesmaid. That's how grand and prestigious our Yang family is when we marry off our daughter!
Yang Ruoqing and Luo Fengtang were perfectly aware of Yang Yongjin and his group's little schemes.

That's just human nature, especially since the two families are actually relatives.

Furthermore, Yang Ruoqing and Luo Fengtang saw that Luo Wuyou was a bridesmaid and Zuo Jinling was a groomsman. As young people, they also liked excitement and these kinds of things, so they went along with them to have fun.

"Qing'er, then have Sister Cuilian bring Tuantuan and Yuanyuan over for lunch. When you get back, please let them know beforehand. Before lunch, Yongjin and I will also go over to invite them." Cao Bamei grabbed Yang Ruoqing's hand again, extending a very sincere invitation.

Yang Ruoqing smiled and said, "I'll pass on the message later. As for whether they come or not, that's up to them. Second brother and sister-in-law, you can focus on your own business. Don't worry about our family."

"Don't mention it, it's only right!" After giving Yang Ruoqing a formal invitation, Cao Bamei didn't forget Yang Huamei beside her. She turned to Yang Huamei and said, "And Aunt Mei'er, you, Uncle Xu, and the children, please stay for lunch later!"

Yang Huamei politely declined, saying, "No need to be so polite, Eighth Sister. Our family is going back to town later. We'll come back for dinner during the Lunar New Year!"

Cao Bamei held onto Yang Huamei's hand tightly, saying, "Today is a rare good day. There's no rush to go back. Let's have lunch at my house first!"

Although Cao Bamei was very sincere and didn't mince words when inviting Yang Huamei, Yang Huamei didn't readily agree.

"I'll discuss it with your uncle later and see what he says..."

"Aunt, Uncle Xu listens to you in everything, why would he need to discuss it? You must be joking," Cao Bamei teased with a smile.

Yang Huamei smiled and waved her hand, "No, that's not true. My husband, Lao Xu, is a man of his own mind. I'm living with him now!"

These words not only left Cao Bamei with mixed feelings, but also Yang Ruoqing on the other side!
Today is the Lunar New Year in southern China. I'm in my hometown of Anhui, wishing all my children a happy new year!