Chapter 17 Who Would Welcome Such a Young Bride?

Chapter 17 Who Would Welcome Such a Young Bride?

Su Rouer took Ju Geer back to the county town and didn't return until market day.

Wei Pozi couldn't care less; she had carefully dried the Heartburn Grass the previous day. Although the quality of the Heartburn Grass had deteriorated somewhat, causing Wei Pozi considerable distress, it could still fetch some money. Besides, Bai Xiaofeng had mentioned that she also planned to sell her embroidery in the county. Therefore, on the day of the market, Wei Pozi woke up early, shook Xingxing awake, and prepared to leave with the little girl.

Bai Xiaofeng was already dressed and ready, carrying two small bundles, waiting eagerly.

"Mother," Bai Xiaofeng smiled warmly at Wei Pozi. "Yesterday, my eldest sister-in-law heard I was going to the county with you and gave me some of her embroidery to sell as well."

"Hmm." Wei Pozi responded indifferently. She wasn't a harsh mother-in-law; she usually allowed her daughters-in-law to keep the money they earned from their needlework to help with household expenses.

However, the three daughters-in-law were considerate and would often voluntarily hand over half of their earnings for household use.

Bai Xiaofeng was very satisfied. How many families without separate households treated their daughters-in-law so kindly!

Bai Xiaofeng's eyes fell on Xingxing, and she exclaimed, "Oh, our Xingxing looks so lovely today!"

Xingxing had two small pigtails tied with thin ropes, looking particularly spirited. She wore the new clothes Bai Xiaofeng had made for her, fitting perfectly and making her look adorable.

Xingxing, with her big round eyes, hugged Bai Xiaofeng's leg tightly. "Second Auntie, Grandma said these clothes were made by you. They're so beautiful and comfortable! Thank you, Second Auntie!"

"Oh! I was thinking if anything didn't fit right, I'd adjust them, but it seems they fit you perfectly, Xingxing!" Bai Xiaofeng laughed.

Xingxing replied seriously, "It's because Second Auntie is so skilled! Thank you for your hard work, Second Auntie!"

Bai Xiaofeng couldn't stop smiling, feeling her heart melt at the child's words.

She subconsciously touched her belly, wondering if the efforts she and Yu Erhu had made in recent nights would result in her getting pregnant with a daughter.

If she did have a daughter like Xingxing, she would be incredibly lucky!

Wei Pozi, pleased by Xingxing's new clothes, was even more amiable towards Bai Xiaofeng. Bai Xiaofeng felt elated, and her witty remarks kept Wei Pozi in high spirits. Xingxing laughed heartily, her big eyes fixed on Bai Xiaofeng, which made Bai Xiaofeng feel even happier. She even thought about adopting Xingxing if her mother didn't want to raise her anymore.

Wei Pozi, in a good mood, decided they would take a mule cart to the county.

Bai Xiaofeng's smile stretched from ear to ear.

On market days, mule carts in the village were especially popular. In the past, several households in Nantuo Village owned mules, but due to recent disasters, most people couldn't afford to keep them and had slaughtered them for food. Only one household remained with a mule.

The owner was an old widower named Xu, who lived alone and relied on his mule for income.

However, this old widower had a habit of talking incessantly.

Since there were no other options, they had no choice but to use his mule cart.

At the entrance of Nantuo Village, Old Xu was already waiting with his mule and cart.

Although many people were heading to the county to sell goods, few chose to take the mule cart. Most villagers preferred to walk through the mountains to save money during the lean years.

Despite the recent rain alleviating the drought, the harvest hadn't yet provided any surplus money for luxuries like a mule cart ride.

Thus, apart from Wei Pozi's group, only two others were taking the mule cart.

Wei Pozi reluctantly paid seven coins: three each for herself and Bai Xiaofeng, and one for Xingxing.

Old Xu sat at the front of the cart, glancing back at Xingxing and saying, "Is this the little girl you picked up? She looks quite cute."

Wei Pozi responded indifferently.

"Ah, it seems your family still has some food," Old Xu continued. "I see she's wearing new clothes. Oh, oh."

Xingxing, feeling shy, clung to Wei Pozi.

Wei Pozi glared at Old Xu disapprovingly.

Old Xu didn't seem embarrassed and laughed, cracking his whip and inviting the other two villagers to board.

With few passengers, the mule cart was spacious.

The other two villagers soon fell asleep, while Old Xu chatted with Wei Pozi. "Sister, what happened with your third daughter-in-law the other day? She insisted on renting my cart to go to the county late in the evening, her eyes red."

Wei Pozi ignored him, her eyes downcast.

Old Xu continued unperturbed, "Hmm, she complained to me about being scolded by you and threatened by her husband over a plant. She left for her parents' house with her child. Oh, how could your family treat her like that?"

It was after dinner when many villagers were outside chatting. Many saw Su Rouer, eyes red, leaving with her child.

However, most villagers thought she was being disrespectful, not realizing her distress.

Who would welcome such a young bride?

Even Old Xu thought so.

He had listened to Su Rouer's complaints during the ride and now used them to tease Wei Pozi.

But Xingxing, hearing Old Xu's words, became indignant. She frowned and declared, "That's not true! My grandma never bullies anyone!"

Grandma is so kind! How could she bully anyone?

Old Xu found it amusing and teased her, "But your third aunt's eyes were red. Are you saying she was faking it?"

Xingxing was puzzled. She hadn't seen what happened, having been out walking with her grandfather.

She thought hard and then said confidently, "It must be a misunderstanding!"

Yes, that's right! It must be a misunderstanding!

Xingxing nodded vigorously.

A hint of a smile appeared at the corner of Wei Pozi's mouth.

Xingxing's unconditional support felt like a warm current, making her feel very comfortable all over.

Old Xu also found the child amusing and teased, "That little girl, why don't you ask your grandma why your Third Aunt was red-eyed, taking the child back to her natal home? What's going on?"

Wei Pozi gave Old Xu a sidelong glance and spat, "You're even teasing a three-year-old! I think you're regressing!"

Old Xu chuckled, "Sis, you tell us. Your third daughter-in-law ran out with her eyes all puffy—wasn't it just to make others talk about you? She told me a whole lot about how you treat her badly... If it were anyone else, these rumors would be flying everywhere by now. Aren't you going to refute it?"

Wei Pozi snorted coldly, not bothering to respond.

Family ugliness should not be aired in public!

Bai Xiaofeng, however, said indignantly, "My mother doesn't need to refute anything. Who in the village doesn't know what kind of person my mother is?"

Wei Pozi looked at Bai Xiaofeng somewhat surprised.

But Bai Xiaofeng's words did earn Old Xu's approval. He nodded thoughtfully, "Your mother, she may seem temperamental, but her heart is truly good... Otherwise, during such a famine, who would take in another mouth to feed when their own children are barely surviving? Only her!"

Wei Pozi impatiently interrupted, "Enough, enough! Shut up already! You talk the most every day. Can't you let a person sleep in peace?"

Old Xu laughed heartily and made a gesture of zipping his lips, "Alright, alright, you sleep, you sleep! I won't say anything! Oh, I did say she has a temper, didn't I? Just a few words from me, and she finds it annoying! I won't say anything, I won't say anything!"

Wei Pozi rolled her eyes and ignored Old Xu.