Chapter 083

Chapter 083

Today, it was the eastern courtyard's turn to prepare dinner. At dusk, Xiao Yan returned from town with lean pork and asked his sisters-in-law to make shredded pork longevity noodles.

Lin Ningfang was still in her room, unaware of what was happening outside. When she came over to help set the table and arrange the bowls and chopsticks, she discovered that the pot contained noodles, and the fragrant aroma of fried shredded pork wafted through the main hall.

Her face flushed as she looked at Tong Sui.

Tong Sui smiled and said, "This wasn't my idea; it’s a tradition established by Grandfather."

How did the old man know?

Lin Ningfang instinctively glanced toward the back yard.

The men of the Xiao family were sitting at the entrance of the back house, cooling off. Among them, Xiao Yan faced the main hall, eagerly observing his wife's reactions.

Their eyes met, and Xiao Yan flashed a bright smile. Lin Ningfang quickly looked away. She didn’t feel particularly happy, nor was she angry, but she certainly hadn’t expected everyone to know about it.

Being granddaughters-in-law, her sisters-in-law worked tirelessly for the Xiao family, so celebrating their birthdays was only right. Lin Ningfang acknowledged that she hadn’t contributed much, so she felt undeserving of such attention.

As the family gathered around two tables to eat the noodles, everyone sensed Lin Ningfang’s discomfort.

Madam He picked out a piece of shredded pork from her bowl and placed it in her grandson's bowl, glancing sideways at her son at the other table: "Yao Ge Er, eat this quickly. We’re enjoying this because of your Third Aunt. I didn’t even see your Third Uncle go to town to buy meat for my birthday."

Xiao Yan: "..."

Xiao Shouyi frowned at his wife. His daughter-in-law only had this one meal of longevity noodles a year; why say such discouraging words?

Madam He huffed. Her words weren’t meant to upset her daughter-in-law; couldn’t she criticize her son?

What Lin Ningfang feared most was the Xiao family being kind to her, saying things that might make her cry. Hearing Madam He’s familiar sarcastic tone, she relaxed instead and smiled reassuringly at Mianmian, who was cautiously watching her.

Mianmian felt relieved, picked up her noodles, blew on them gently, and ate delicately.

Tong Sui and the others also started chatting about other topics.

After dinner, Tong Sui and Liu Chu continued washing dishes and feeding the pigs and mules. After finishing everything, they returned to the eastern courtyard.

Xiao Zhen had already washed up and helped her prepare warm water, carrying it into the south room.

Behind the curtain, he curiously asked, "Have you prepared the birthday gift for Third Sister-in-Law?"

Tong Sui: "Yes."

Xiao Zhen: "A purse?"

Tong Sui: "Not at all. It has nothing to do with you, so stop asking."

Xiao Zhen: "You are my wife. How can giving gifts to others have nothing to do with me?"

Because of this statement, Tong Sui was kept awake for a long time that night before finally getting some sleep.

The next morning, after breakfast, Tong Sui and Liu Chu invited Lin Ningfang to the eastern courtyard.

Liu Chu gave Lin Ningfang a headscarf made of fine light peach-colored cloth, which looked vibrant when worn. However, Lin Ningfang had an elegant demeanor, making the scarf seem a bit too casual for her refined air.

Liu Chu stepped back to take a look and smiled, "Let’s make do with this for this year. Next year, I’ll get something else."

Lin Ningfang took off the scarf, touching it affectionately. "No need to change it. This will be worn out by next year, and then Elder Sister can make me a new one."

Liu Chu looked at Tong Sui.

Tong Sui brought over a basket containing a long rope and a cotton cushion.

Even with her intelligence, Lin Ningfang couldn’t guess what this birthday gift was.

Tong Sui smiled and said, "There’s no suitable place at home, so let’s invite Fifth Younger Brother and go to the Lingshui River."

Xiao Zhen and Xiao Yan had gone hunting in the mountains, while Xiao She had been waiting in the back yard since Tong Sui called him.

With Xiao She around, the tall corn stalks along the way to the river were no longer frightening. The four of them arrived at the river and walked further west, choosing a secluded spot where the women washing clothes couldn’t see them.

Tong Sui selected two waist-thick poplar trees and asked Xiao She to tie the rope between them, creating a swing.

Village children often played like this, and Xiao She immediately understood Second Sister-in-Law’s intention. He climbed the tree nimbly and tied the rope securely, testing it himself to ensure the sisters wouldn’t fall while swinging.

Lin Ningfang: "..."

After Xiao She came down, Tong Sui tied the cotton cushion to the middle of the swing and said to Lin Ningfang, "I’m not very skilled, so whatever I give feels inadequate. I thought of setting up a swing so we three sisters-in-law could play together here. The sun doesn’t shine directly here, and there’s a stream opposite, making it quite picturesque."

How could Lin Ningfang refuse Tong Sui’s kindness?

As the birthday girl, she approached the simple swing first, grasping the rough ropes and attempting to sit down.

The ropes were thin, and even with the cushion, they felt a bit tight. The unfamiliar sensation made Lin Ningfang blush silently.

Tong Sui and Liu Chu helped her swing, allowing her to get used to the motion.

The movement created a gentle breeze. Initially hesitant, Lin Ningfang gradually relaxed as the swing rose higher. Looking at the shimmering river and the blue sky to the north, she suddenly remembered her carefree childhood.

How long had it been since she last swung?

How long had it been since she simply played?

From the moment she chose to marry Xiao Yan, her life had been about survival. Now, living seemed to mean more than just surviving.

The swing slowly stopped.

Lin Ningfang stepped onto the ground and smiled at Liu Chu and Tong Sui. "It is fun. Let’s take turns."

Tong Sui teased Xiao She, "Fifth Younger Brother, do you want to play?"

Xiao She said disdainfully, "I don't care. I'll go over there and keep watch for you."

The sisters-in-law were one more beautiful than the next; they couldn't let the wild men outside sneak a peek.

He sat far away, looking around now and then, and watching the sisters-in-law on the swing. He found that Eldest Sister-in-Law had the smallest courage; she would panic and cry out if the rope swung too high. Second Sister-in-Law was brave, swinging so high that her back almost became parallel to the ground at the highest point, her skirt fluttering in the wind like a light swallow as she came down.

Third Sister-in-Law didn't swing too high or too low, but her posture was very special, swaying like a flower. What was most remarkable was that Third Sister-in-Law kept smiling all the time.

The three sisters-in-law played for about an hour, and when it was time to leave, Xiao She climbed up the tree again to untie the ropes.

In the afternoon, Xiao Zhen and Xiao Yan returned. The two brothers had hunted a pheasant and a rabbit respectively.

Seeing his brother who had stayed at home all day, Xiao Yan asked him, "What did Second Sister-in-Law call you for this morning?"

Xiao Zhen also looked at Fifth Younger Brother.

Xiao She: "She asked me to tie the swing ropes by the river for them and accompany them."

Xiao Yan: "Swinging? Did Third Sister-in-Law go too?"

Xiao She: "Yes. By the way, Third Brother, you really aren't good enough. I saw Third Sister-in-Law happier with the other sisters-in-law than with you; she never stopped smiling."

Xiao Yan: "…"

He strode back to the West Court.

Xiao Zhen continued asking, "How long did you play outside?"

Xiao She: "About an hour. We played for a while and then rested. By the way, Second Sister-in-Law swings really high and isn't afraid of falling."

Xiao Zhen thought of the two trees in the Tong family's backyard. That girl must have played a lot when she was young.

---

Xiao Zhen took some time to visit Master Wang in Changping Town again.

Master Wang had previously told him to come in late June to pick up the bow, but it still wasn't ready due to some delays. This time, Xiao Zhen finally saw two bows made from golden wood.

His bow was slightly larger than Tong Sui's, placed side by side, they looked like a pair of couple bows.

Master Wang prepared two wooden arrows for him to try shooting.

Xiao Zhen aimed the arrowhead at an old wooden stump in the yard, pulled the bowstring taut, and released it. The wooden arrow pierced into the stump with great force.

Master Wang praised, "A good bow for a hero; it was meant for you to discover that golden wood."

Xiao Zhen: "It's all thanks to Xiaoman. Without her, I wouldn't have had the chance to enter those mountains."

Master Wang could see how well the young couple got along when he was in Taohuagou. He handed over another box, "These are beads I polished from the leftover pieces. You can take them back and string them yourself. You should be able to make three or four strings."

Xiao Zhen opened the box, which indeed contained smooth "golden beads."

He put the box away, slung the two bows on his back, and asked Master Wang, "Can you make a swing frame here?"

Master Wang: "Yes, is it for your niece?"

Xiao Zhen: "Yes, but Yu Chan likes to play too, so please make it sturdy."

Master Wang: "Sure, come back in five days to pick it up."

Xiao Zhen then bid farewell and rode back to the Xiao residence on a donkey.

The men were all in the backyard. Seeing the bow on him, the elder called for someone to bring it over to look at it.

Not only was the golden wood beautiful in color, but its texture was also warm and smooth like jade. Xiao Yan couldn't bear to let go after taking the bow, saying to Xiao Zhen, "Second Brother, you use the smaller one, give this one to..."

He didn't finish his sentence, as Xiao Zhen had already snatched the larger bow back and walked away.

Xiao Yan turned to the elder, "Grandfather, look at how petty Second Brother is."

Xiao Mu: "You lack judgment, whose fault is it?"

Xiao Yan huffed and patted Xiao She's shoulder, "Tomorrow we won't hunt. We'll go into the mountains to find golden wood. Then we can each make a golden bow."

Xiao She: "We need to go to Taohuagou to find it. We've almost searched every mountain here, and if Second Brother didn't find any, there probably isn't any."

In the eastern courtyard, Tong Sui was reading when Xiao Zhen suddenly placed two bows on the table in front of her.

She was immediately captivated and grabbed the smaller bow that belonged to her, running her hand smoothly from left to right, feeling its smoothness and delicacy without any rough edges.

Tong Sui couldn't wait to try it outside and asked him, "Are Third Younger Brother and the others in the backyard?"

Xiao Zhen: "I didn't see them."

Tong Sui then grabbed the quiver hanging on the wall and walked briskly through the eastern courtyard's main room. Just as she stepped out the back door, she noticed the elders sitting in the central courtyard, all looking at her.

Xiao Yan deliberately teased, "Second Sister-in-Law, this bow is so beautiful, where did you get it?"

Tong Sui's face flushed red, and she quickly retreated back inside. In the eastern wing, she set up an arrow and aimed at the man leisurely sitting on the bed stringing beads, her face still red, glaring at him.

Xiao Zhen: "There's no one else here, why are you still so shy?"

Tong Sui put away the arrow and turned her back to him, saying, "I won't believe your words anymore."

Xiao Zhen: "I counted, these beads can make four bracelets, one for each of Mother, Aunt, you, and Cousin."

Tong Sui listened and glanced at the beautiful round wooden beads, asking, "Did Grandfather and the others see this box of beads too?"

Xiao Zhen looked up at her: "I'm not stupid."

Tong Sui smiled.

Xiao Zhen threaded only one string and pulled her hand to slip it onto her wrist.

Tong Sui examined it for a moment and questioned, "Do young girls really wear this? I seem to only see elderly seniors who like to wear these."

Xiao Zhen: "Then keep it and wear it when you become an old lady."

Tong Sui: "..."