For second branch's daughters, New Year wasn't much different from any other day. Because they weren't favored in Yue Family, they won't get lucky money when they kowtow to Yue Da Fu and old Mrs. Chen on New Year. They weren't qualified to join their cousin brothers in kowtowing to pay New Year's greetings to ancestors. On the contrary, they had to boil water and make tea when the men from the clan came to kowtow to Yue Da Fu to give New Year's greetings or when visitors come. They were more busy than before the New Year.
In the kitchen, You Yin fanned the fire vigorously to light the stove, while You Jin turned the spatula vigorously as she flipped vegetables to make stir-fry.
Today was the second day of the new year. It was the day when the married out daughter returns to her maternal home. Mrs. Chen and Mrs. Han left early this morning. Only Mrs. Su and Wan Niang didn't have their maternal home to return to. So they stayed at home.
In the main room, Wan Niang sat on the lower end with a big belly. She jollily accompanied their charming guest, Yue Chang Hong: "It's such a cold day. It must have be tough on Eldest Sister to make way here."
Yue Chang Hong loved to be flattered. Although she had only met Wan Niang twice, she didn't really hate her. On the contrary, she enjoyed her flattery. She beamingly replied, "It's just a few bit of roads. It's fine."
"What's wrong with Liu'er? How come she has a black face as soon as she enters the door?" Old Mrs. Chen looked at her granddaughter's unhappy face and felt a little unhappy in her heart: "On such a festive season, got to pay attention!"
From the start, Ge Liu-er was in a bad mood. Now being told off by old Mrs. Chen, she was even more displeased. She put on her shoes and went outside; leaving only Yue Chang Hong to embarrassedly explain to old Mrs. Chen: "Isn't Liu-er fourteen this year? Earlier, during the year end, her grandmother mentioned a family to us; saying that family had dozens of acres of land. That younger generation grew upright and is hardworking. He's currently working for his uncle, who runs a shop in the town!"
"Isn't this a wonderful news? What's there to be unhappy about?" Wan Niang didn't know Zhou Jun Peng's visit during the year end and naturally felt that Ge Liu-er was well suited to such conditions.
However old Mrs. Chen understood the reason as soon as she heard it. She sighed heavily and said, "This child has ambition!"
In fact, how could old Mrs. Chen not want Ge Liu-er to be able to marry Gentleman Zhou? But there was no movement on Gentleman Zhou. Maybe he didn't like Liu'er. Wouldn't it be a sin for Liu-er to this good marriage for him?
"Mother, I don't know what to do. That child was so angry that she refused to kowtow to her grandmother on New Year's eve. She is still angry today!" Yue Chang Hong was at wit's end by her spoiled daughter's tantrum. Seeing that there were only old Mrs. Chen and Wan Niang in the main room now, she lamented and asked old Mrs. Chen for advice.
What can old Mrs. Chen do? Reaching out her hand, she poked her daughter's forehead. Wishing that iron could be steel, she spoke: "Really? A big matter like marriage had always been decided by parents' and matchmaker's words since ancient times. If you husband and wife think that this younger generation is suitable, you can finalized the engagement. It can't be that you still want to go to the county city and tie Gentleman Zhou over to marry her?"
"I'm just afraid that Liu'er can't think it through!" Yue Chang Hong knew Ge Liu-er's temperament: "She's like this since young. If she doesn't get her way, there will be trouble!"
The mother and daughter were silent for a while. Wan Niang, who was on the side, grasped the underlying story. It turned out that Ge Liu-er had a crush on Gentleman Zhou, who visited during the year end. Now she refused to set her eyes on other! The cogs in her mind turned and suggested an idea to Yue Chang Hong: "Eldest Sister, Liu-er is just a little girl. How can she know what it good? Since this younger generation is good, it is better to take Liu-er to the town while the market is on and have a look. Maybe she will nod her head?"
When Yue Chang Hong heard this, she felt that it made sense and clapped her hands at once: "Yes! I'll take Liu-er to the town in two days!"
The three people in the room chatted away. They didn't notice Ge Liu-er, who was outside the door. She had heard everything they said just now.
***
After lunch, Ge Liu-er made up an excuse and went from the main room to the room where Wan Niang lived in the west wing. Slightly drowsy Wan Niang saw her coming. Although she didn't know what was going on, she got up with a smile and greeted her: "Liu-er is here."
Ge Liu-er unreservedly sat on the kang. Her round eyes were filled with disgust for Wan Niang: "Why did you give my mother an idea to take me over for a look?"
Wan Niang, who was speculating the situation, didn't expect her to be so direct. For a moment, she didn't come back to her senses: "Ah? What look? Who did you hear it from?"
"You. I was outside the door when you gave my mother this idea." There was some hatred in Ge Liu-er's eyes. Why couldn't the people around her understand her? Could it be that she was really going to marry a country man who dig food from the soil? She recalled of the rich wives in silk and satin clothes she saw in the town before. They were so imposing. Then thinking about the ash-covered and soiled faced aunties in the village, Ge Liu-er decided right there and then that she must marry a city gentleman in the future!
Wan Niang found it slightly awkward. She didn't expect to be caught by the person herself. This wasn't evident on her face. Her mind spun and an idea popped up: "Liu-er, let me ask you this. If you don't promise your mother to go have a look, can you marry Gentleman Zhou?"
Not waiting for Liu-er to reply, she continued: "You know in your heart that you only met Zhou Gongzi once. How could you possibly marry him?"
Hearing Wan Niang ripping open her own scars so frankly, Ge Liu-er was about to cry: "All of you look down on me! You all think I deserve to live a lowly life!"
Seeing that she was lying on the kang and started sobbing, Wan Niang softly comforted her: "Liu'er, no matter what, I am also your aunt. Naturally, I would think of the best for you." Moreover, Wan Niang also had the heart to climb high. How can she not understand this? She suggested: "If you really want to marry Gentleman Zhou, I have an idea..."
As soon as she heard that she had an idea, Ge Liu-er immediately wiped away her tears and looked straight at her: "What's your idea?"
She had already regarded Wan Niang as her last life-saving straw.
"First, promise your mother to have a look. Then beg her to let you stay at your third uncle's house in the county city for a few days. Find a chance to meet Gentleman Zhou and cultivate a good relationship. If it's doesn't work, we, women, will always have some assets."
With a purposeful gaze, she eyed Ge Liu-er's well-developed chest: "Sometimes, a man would give you his life at the hook of your finger as long as you use the right method. Let's not mention a good thing like marrying you into the family?"
Ge Liu-er was a little embarrassed by her blatant eyes. But when she heard that she could marry Gentleman Zhou, her heart was full of joy. She even changed the way she addressed Wan Niang: "Second Aunt, is what you say true?"
Wan Niang smilingly nodded: "Of course I won't lie to you."
She was very satisfied about winning over the heart of another relevant member of Yue Family. Only when the more people on her side, the sooner and more stable she can become the proper daughter-in-law of second branch. Not a disgraceful equal wife.
Ge Liu-er also had no other ideas. She felt what Wan Niang said had some truth. So she nodded, thanked Wan Niang, and left the west wing satisfied.
You Yin, who came back from the outside, noticed Ge Liu-er's eyes were red but had a grin as she came out of Wan Niang's room. She timidly greeted, "Elder Cousin Sister."
Ge Liu-er glanced at her with some disgust. She was really a poor country girl who had never seen the world! Ignoring her, she just walked away.
You Yin thoughtfully looked at the tightly closed door of the lower room in the west wing. She couldn't figure out why would Ge Liu-er and Wan Niang get together. She didn't bother to think about it.
Back to Ge Liu-er. After returning from Yue Family, when Yue Chang Hong tested out the idea of taking her to the town. Ge Liu-er knew what was up and nodded in agreement. The mother and daughter began to plan for this doomed matchmaking trip with different thoughts.
The Spring Festival was over soon. In a blink of an eye, it was time for Wan Niang to go to labor.
On the second day of February, it was Dragon Raises Head Day.
After coming out of the main room in the afternoon, Wan Niang had yet to return to the west wing. when she let out a cry. Her face paled in pain. It turned out to be delivery due day.
Since this was his long-awaited son, Yue Chang Lu was naturally the most concerned. He hurriedly helped her back to the west wing. Then he hurriedly drove the ox cart to the next village to invite the Granny Wen.
But not long after Yue Chang Lu set off, Mrs. Su, who was only about a month away from delivery due date, also got contractions. You Jin panicked when seeing Mrs. Su lying on the kang with her teeth gritted: "Mother! How are you?"
Mrs. Su was used to giving birth. She naturally knew that she was going into labor ahead of time. Her pale face showed a weak smile: "I'm fine. Quickly take your sisters out. Don't scare them."
Only then did You Jin notice panic and fear in the eyes of several younger sisters. Especially the two youngest sisters, they were about to cry. She hurriedly ushered everyone out of the west wing: "You Yin, You Zhu, you two, go to the stove and boil some hot water. You Bao keep a good eye on the three younger sisters. Don't let them run around."
Although the children were flustered, they all listened to You Jin's words. They busied away despite the fear in their hearts.
Old Mrs. Chen, who was sitting on the kang in the main room, heard the chaos outside. She put on her shoes and came out to find out that both of them were in labor. She blasted an earful at You Yin sisters who were busy boiling water: "What's the use? It got to be another two money-wasting things! Still wasting this old lady's firewood!"
You Jin can't care about anything else. She knew Mrs. Su's pregnancy wasn't good and her health was very poor. She had to go and invite Doctor Ma. If Mrs. Su can't get through this, then everything will lose hope.
As soon as Doctor Ma heard that Mrs. Su had gone to labor early, he hurried to fetch the medicine box. Even Doctor Ma's wife, Mrs. Lin packed up when she heard that Granny Wen hadn't arrived yet and followed: "I had helped with delivery in the earlier years. It'll do some good to have help."
You Jin gratefully knelt down and kowtowed heavily to the two of them: "Grandpa Ma and Granny Ma did our family a huge favor. I will definitely repay you two elders in the future!"
Mr.s Lin hurriedly helped her up: "You child. Do you still need to be polite? Let's go and quickly check your mother!" Mrs. Su was pregnant with twins. On top of that, it was premature birth. It might get dangerous.
You Jin nodded and led the two to Yue's house.