Chapter 105

Chapter 105

Xiao Zhen entered the city on the fourth day of the month and only today did he truly have a day off.

He also wanted to spend more time with Tong Sui, so before leaving home, he had instructed everyone to wait until dusk for his return.

Thus, at noon, Xiao Zhen took Tong Sui to a restaurant in the city.

Recently, the city had been quite peaceful, and the restaurant business seemed to be doing well. Even in these times, there were always people with some spare money who enjoyed dining out with friends.

Xiao Zhen reserved a private room.

The couple wore simple clothes, not intending to show off any authority. However, Xiao Zhen had interrogated the four notorious thugs at the county office and practiced military drills on the city walls, so one of the restaurant staff recognized him and promptly informed the owner. When the dishes started coming from the kitchen, the owner personally came over and added several signature dishes that they hadn't ordered.

The table was filled with eight hot dishes and four cold dishes.

Xiao Zhen smiled and asked, "So much food, do you think we can finish it all?"

The owner replied earnestly, "Sir, you keep our city safe and peaceful. This is just a small token of appreciation from our restaurant. Please enjoy the food; it's fine if there are leftovers."

Xiao Zhen asked Tong Sui, "Do you want to try them?"

Tong Sui said, "It's too wasteful."

Xiao Zhen kept the one cold dish and two hot dishes they had ordered, and had the rest packed in boxes to be sent to the Xiao residence later.

The weather was already cold, so the food wouldn't spoil by evening when it could be reheated.

When it came time to settle the bill, Xiao Zhen insisted on paying for all twelve dishes.

The diners in the main hall watched as the owner and the couple went back and forth. Once Xiao Zhen and Tong Sui left the restaurant, the diners began discussing.

"The Xiao family is really different. I remember when the corrupt official was around, he often came to these private rooms and never paid a single coin."

"I thought the Xiao family would eventually act like the corrupt official, but now it seems they are true officials of integrity."

——

In the afternoon, they toured the county town. Whenever they encountered interesting places like the county office, granary, or blacksmith shop, Xiao Zhen would take Tong Sui inside to explore and explain things.

Whenever they passed by silk shops or jewelry stores, Xiao Zhen showed an interest in entering, but Tong Sui would ride her donkey ahead, leaving him behind.

Xiao Zhen had no choice but to catch up.

Tong Sui scolded him, "We just demonstrated your integrity at the restaurant. Now, taking me to those places would make others think I'm after wealth and luxury."

Xiao Zhen replied, "Twelve dishes are indeed too many, but buying clothes and jewelry would actually be useful. It's different."

Tong Sui said, "If I don't use them, it's still wasteful. Besides, if you buy them for me, what about the others in the family?"

Xiao Zhen understood her reasoning; he just wanted to treat her well.

Riding closely together, Xiao Zhen looked at her and said, "Remember this. There will be a time when we can dress up properly, and then I'll take you shopping."

Tong Sui smiled and nodded.

After a satisfying tour, they returned to the Xiao residence at dusk.

Xiao Zhen went to see the elder in the study, while Tong Sui was taken by Xiao Yuchan to the parlor in the East Wing Courtyard. Liu Chu and other female relatives were also called over.

On the table in the parlor were several rolls of colorful fine cloth and two jewelry boxes.

Xiao Yuchan complained to Tong Sui, "Everyone gets a share of the fabric and jewelry, but Aunt insisted on waiting for Second Sister-in-law to come back before choosing. As a result, Second Sister-in-law and Second Brother have been out until now, making us wait."

Tong Sui had no idea they would buy such things, and the money she gave the elders wasn't nearly enough.

Auntie Xiao smiled and said, "I bought these to give you young people as early New Year gifts. You're all in your prime, and since you've moved to the city, you should dress up nicely. Always looking drab is a waste of your good looks."

She liked all her nieces and daughters-in-law and was happy to spend the money.

Unable to refuse such kindness, and since everyone was getting something, Tong Sui obediently waited her turn to choose.

Following the order of seniority, Liu Chu was first, followed by Tong Sui, Lin Ningfang, and Xiao Yuchan last.

Xiao Yuchan pointed to the hibiscus red fabric and said, "I chose this one in the store and asked Aunt to buy it. Don't you dare fight me for it."

Tong Sui and the other sisters-in-law weren't like that. They left the fabric Xiao Yuchan wanted and discussed among themselves how to divide the remaining three pieces. Liu Chu chose the turquoise color, Tong Sui picked the peony pink, and Lin Ningfang chose the bamboo green.

There were two types of jewelry: jade hairpins and earrings.

Auntie Xiao said, "They are just ordinary jade. Good jade is beyond my means, and we shouldn't wear expensive things outside anyway. So let's go for affordable and beautiful items."

To Liu Chu and Tong Sui, even this jade was very good. Lin Ningfang understood that Auntie Xiao's words were directed at her. After selecting her portion, she knelt and bowed to Auntie Xiao, holding the jade hairpin and earrings, saying, "Being remembered by Aunt is a blessing for Ningfang. If you keep being humble, it makes me feel like an outsider."

Auntie Xiao felt a pang of sympathy. The eldest niece had her daughter and was close to the family, the second niece had both parents and a harmonious family, but this third niece was alone. With He Shi's temper, she probably never said anything kind to the third niece. She had become the only kind female elder in the family for the third niece.

"Alright, I spoke wrongly. From now on, I'll give you all the same gifts. You'd better all like them, or I won't give anyone anything."

All four younger ones laughed.

——

Tong Sui brought the items back to the East Wing Courtyard first. Since they had to hurry for dinner, she planned to put them away later.

But when they returned, Xiao Zhen saw the items on the bed and began examining each one.

The peony pink fine cloth felt much softer than coarse cloth. Xiao Zhen unfolded the fabric and unexpectedly wrapped his little wife in it.

Tong Sui, wrapped like a cocoon, said, "..."

Xiao Zhen looked at the fabric and then at her, saying, "Is this peony powder? It's not as pretty as the powder on your face."

Tong Sui glared at his chest and said, "Quickly put it away; be careful not to dirty it."

Xiao Zhen: "Don't put this piece in the trunk. While it's still not too cold, make it into new clothes for the New Year."

Tong Sui raised her eyes to look at him, "Will this year be peaceful?"

Even though the Xiao family had considered everything, the rebel king was always a hidden danger.

Xiao Zhen: "If I say it will be, do you believe me?"

Tong Sui met his gaze for a moment and nodded.

Back when she first married him, no matter how reasonable Xiao Zhen sounded, she would have just listened casually. Now, she truly believed him.

Xiao Zhen could see that she believed him, smiled, placed the fabric aside, and picked up the two pieces of jewelry to put them on her.

The jade hairpin was easy to wear, but the earrings were thin, and Xiao Zhen was too tall. He bent down so much that his neck ached, yet he couldn't even get one earring through her earlobe.

Tong Sui didn't mind his clumsiness; she just felt awkward with him so close, his breath falling on her neck.

"I'll do it myself."

"I'll do it."

Xiao Zhen seemed determined and made her lie down on the bed.

Tong Sui complied.

Xiao Zhen moved the wooden stool from the dressing table to the edge of the bed, sat down, and with one hand held her delicate earlobe while the other tried again to insert the earring.

Tong Sui looked at his unusually focused face now and then, glanced at the ceiling, and then at the window.

Finally, both earrings were in place, and Xiao Zhen helped her sit up.

Tong Sui, pulled by his arm, sat facing him on the edge of the bed, her eyes lowered.

A shy newlywed, illuminated by the light, her blushing face was more beautiful than any peony flower.

Xiao Zhen held the back of her head and kissed her, then stood up.

—

The next day, the men went to the military camp early, and the women prepared to entertain the ladies from wealthy families in the city.

With Lin Ningfang guiding the etiquette, everyone remembered what they needed to, and with Aunt Xiao skilled in social interactions overseeing things, the young wives wouldn't be too nervous.

Xiao Yuchan was the least nervous and told Tong Sui and Liu Chu, "Just remember, no matter how powerful these people are, they can't compare to our family. They need to please us. Even if we fart, they'd pretend not to smell it. What's there to be nervous about?"

Aunt Xiao was talking to Mianmian and covered her ears upon hearing this, scolding her niece, "Always talking about farts, not a bit ladylike. You mustn't speak like that when the guests arrive."

Xiao Yuchan: "I know, I can pretend."

Aunt Xiao shook her head. With many nephews, the second nephew was fine, more refined, but the third, fourth, and fifth were rough. During their teenage years, they picked up coarse language outside and brought it home, rubbing off on their niece who spoke a bit roughly as well.

By midday, the guests began arriving.

There were eight families of women, all wearing simple clothes and only two or three plain-looking pieces of jewelry on their heads, knowing the Xaos came from a village and not wanting to overshadow the hosts.

Some brought middle-aged ladies, some brought young wives, and others brought fifteen- to sixteen-year-old unmarried girls.

As Lin Ningfang had warned Tong Sui, these women treated her as the head of the Xiao family, observing her reactions to everything.

Of course, Lady He and Aunt Xiao weren't neglected either, as Xiao She and the Qiao brothers were still unmarried.

After an hour of lively conversation, the female guests politely declined the offer to stay for dinner and left together.

Once everyone was gone, Tong Sui and the others breathed a sigh of relief.

In Lingshui Village, wives and aunts often visited the Xiao family, but villagers spoke directly. The ladies from the city had a different manner, refined and elegant, sometimes mentioning things casually, which upon reflection revealed hidden meanings.

It was mentally and verbally exhausting.

Tong Sui spent the afternoon reading in her room to clear her mind of those voices.

Before nightfall, the elders returned. Talking about hosting the guests, Lady He was very excited, praising the few young girls she had seen today.

Xiao Ye and the four unmarried cousins lived in the military camp and were unaware that someone had taken notice of them.

Xiao Yan laughed, "Fifth Younger Brother hasn't woken up yet; Mother might be disappointed. Fourth Younger Brother and the cousins are indeed old enough; if suitable, we can choose one."

Lady He: "Waiting for Fifth Younger Brother to wake up is uncertain. I'll decide for him; once he's married, he'll come around."

Between husband and wife, it's about having a beautiful and virtuous wife.

Xiao Shouyi coughed.

Lady He realized and looked at the elder, flattering him, "Father, don't you agree?"

Xiao Mu then said, "If they find someone they like and want to marry quickly, we can arrange it. If they're not in a hurry, you don't need to waste energy on this. With the rebel king watching from outside, the situation in Wei County is unstable. Any marriage agreements made now are temporary, and the brides' families could break them anytime."

Tong Sui secretly looked at Lin Ningfang.

Privately, Lin Ningfang had told her that most of the girls who visited today were likely not the eldest daughters of their families.

The wealthier and more influential the family, the more shrewd their actions.