Chapter 87 Mountain Home Hearth 87

Chapter 87: Mountain Homestead 87

Qin Banban still longed for the candied bayberries Liu Guyu had promised her, but since all the fruit picked yesterday had been given to Xie Baozhu, she went to Little Stream Mountain again today and gathered another basketful.

In May, the bayberry trees were laden with fruit, each branch drooping with plump red berries, like tiny crimson lanterns hanging high.

After filling her basket, Banban tugged at her straw hat, which had tilted backward, and turned to head down the mountain.

Passing by the stream, she knelt to rinse a handful of bayberries, tossing them into her mouth one by one while mumbling, "Mmm, sweet and sour—delicious!"

She walked along with a bayberry in her mouth, looking around as she went. Her two braids swung from front to back and back to front with her steps.

Just as she reached the foot of the mountain, Qin Banban noticed someone blocking the path ahead. Looking down, she saw a person's shadow cast across the ground.

Banban looked up, still chewing on the bayberry, and saw that it was Tian Hexiang standing there.

Tian Hexiang was wearing a pink-and-moonlight blue dress today, made of fabric that was both new and beautiful, with subtle floral patterns that seemed to shimmer in the light. She also wore silver-inlaid hair ornaments, a stark contrast to her usual attire.

Zhou Qiaozhi would never spend so much money on her daughter; every cent in the household was scrimped and saved for her younger son’s education. So, this outfit was likely prepared by her future in-laws.

Village gossip had it that Zhou Qiaozhi had arranged a good marriage for her—to a landowner’s family in the county.

The delicate pink top paired with a soft moonlight blue skirt was a rare sight even in town, both in color and style. What girl wouldn't covet such pretty things?

But Qin Banban only glanced briefly before looking away and said, "Why are you blocking the way? Move aside!"

Tian Hexiang, however, tossed her head smugly and touched the silver hairpin in her bun, bragging, "This was a gift from my future husband. Look, isn’t it pretty?"

As she spoke, she even took off the silver-inlaid hairpin and waved it under Qin Banban’s nose, her eyes full of pride.

After waving the hairpin, she extended her arms to show off the bracelets on her wrists, continuing, "And these bracelets were also gifts from my future husband. Want to take a look? They’re so shiny and clear—your family doesn’t have anything like this, do you? Aren’t they beautiful too?"

Qin Banban didn’t understand what she was showing off for; she found Tian Hexiang quite strange.

The silver hairpin’s design seemed somewhat outdated. Recently, while helping Liu Guyu set up a stall in town, Banban had seen wealthy women wearing silver hairpins of a similar style.

As for the bracelets, they were pretty, but the openings were too large, making Tian Hexiang constantly worry about them slipping off. It was clear they weren’t specially made for her.

Well, Tian Hexiang’s taste was rather peculiar.

But Qin Banban didn’t say any of this. She merely pressed her lips together and said calmly, "Have you no shame, calling him 'husband' before you’re even married."

Tian Hexiang, however, saw nothing wrong with it. She planted her hands on her hips and declared, "The wedding is at the end of the month—in less than ten days' time!"

"Qin Banban, even though we haven’t always gotten along, we’ve known each other all this time. Once I marry into the county family, I probably won’t have many chances to return. We might never see each other again."

"As an older sister, I’ll give you some advice: a girl should marry into a wealthy family to live a good life. I heard a young master from a wealthy family visited your house yesterday—handsome and from a well-off family. You’ll be of marriageable age next year, so you should act fast! I know many girls and young men were sneaking looks at him yesterday!"

Tian Hexiang spoke with unusual sincerity, as if offering earnest advice.

But Qin Banban was instantly furious upon hearing this!

Brother Xie was her brother’s classmate and close friend, and he had visited out of his friendship with her second brother. Yet Tian Hexiang’s mind was so full of such dirty ideas!

If this got out and Brother Xie heard about it, what if it caused a rift between him and her second brother? Or worse, if the village found out, what would happen to her reputation?

Qin Banban glared at Tian Hexiang and snapped, "If you want to climb the social ladder, go ahead! Don’t assume everyone else is like you! Move aside! Stop blocking the path!"

With that, she charged forward like a firecracker, her shoulder bumping hard against Tian Hexiang’s.

Caught off guard, Tian Hexiang fell to the ground, her palm scraping against a sharp stone, leaving a bleeding mark.

But her first concern wasn’t her hand. Instead, she hurriedly clutched the bracelets on her wrist and yelled after Qin Banban as she stormed off:

"Qin Banban! What’s wrong with you? I was trying to help, and you don’t even appreciate it! You wild little brat, you’ll spend your whole life stuck in these mountains!"

"You wretched girl! If my bracelets are damaged, you could never repay me even if you sold yourself!"

After shouting, Tian Hexiang belatedly noticed the pain in her scraped palm. The sting gradually intensified.

Tears welled up in her eyes almost instantly. She used her other hand to brush the dust off her clothes, and when she saw the frayed hem of her skirt, she felt even worse, and her eyes grew even redder.

"Wretched girl... throwing kindness back in my face! You’ll never amount to anything! You’ll marry some country bumpkin and waste your life in this remote mountain village!"

With that, she stormed home in a huff.

As soon as she entered, Zhou Qiaozhi grabbed her. Seeing her daughter covered in dust, with a scraped hand, messy hair, and a frayed skirt, she exclaimed:

"Oh, you! Your wedding is so soon, and you’re still gallivanting about outside! Look, your new clothes are ruined! You wretched girl, even when you get nice things, you can’t take care of them! What about the bracelets? Are they damaged? Let me see!"

Tian Hexiang had been preoccupied with her clothes and accessories, but when her mother showed concern only for them and not her, she grew upset.

Stomping her foot, she cried, "Mom, all you care about are the clothes! Can’t you see my hand is hurt? It hurts so much!"

Zhou Qiaozhi glanced briefly at her palm and said dismissively, "Oh, it’s nothing! The bleeding’s already stopped! What girl is as delicate as you? A little scrape and you act like you’re dying!"

"How did this happen? Thank goodness it’s on your hand. If your face were injured and scarred, the marriage would surely fall through!"

She then let go of Tian Hexiang’s hand and twirled her around, inspecting the bracelets and clothes. Only after confirming there was no other damage did she relax.

Tian Hexiang frowned, wanting to speak, but Zhou Qiaozhi spun her left and right until she felt dizzy.

Once Zhou Qiaozhi released her, Tian Hexiang steadied herself and was about to complain again.

But Zhou Qiaozhi suddenly said, "Your in-laws sent over the wedding dress. It’s already in your room. Go try it on."

The wedding dress? At those words, Tian Hexiang’s anger vanished entirely. She excitedly rushed to her room.

Soon, her excited cries could be heard from inside: "Ah! Such a beautiful wedding dress! Mom, I love it!"

Zhou Qiaozhi didn’t respond, her face blank as she sat in the main room, waiting for Tian Hexiang to come out in the wedding dress.

Tian Qiusheng, who had been studying inside, heard the commotion and came out. Zhou Qiaozhi glanced at him, wanting to tell him to go back to his studies, but since he had been obedient and diligent lately, she decided to let him take a short break—but not for too long.

She set up the simple water clock in the corner, deciding he could rest for half an hour—no longer.

By then, Tian Hexiang had changed into the wedding dress and emerged.

Compared to the other girls in the village, Tian Hexiang was quite pretty, deserving of the description "a delicate beauty."

As the saying goes, "Clothes make the man, and the saddle makes the horse." Dressed in red wedding attire, with light makeup applied and the earrings from her in-laws adorning her ears, she looked genuinely radiant.

Tian Hexiang was overjoyed, fingering the dress material as she said, "Mom, the fabric is so nice! Feel it—soft and smooth! And it’s embroidered with twin lotus flowers and butterflies! So beautiful! It’s even prettier than the peach blossoms I embroidered!"

"I also saw the red veil! It’s embroidered too, with tassels hanging from the corners! So lovely! I wonder if I can cut it into a handkerchief after the wedding?"

Zhou Qiaozhi poked her forehead and said impatiently, "How petty!"

"You’re marrying into a life of luxury—there’ll be so many fine things for you to enjoy! Why would you need to cut up an old veil? You’ll have pink, blue, white, and yellow handkerchiefs, embroidered with birds, flowers, and butterflies! You could wear a different one every day for ten days!"

Tian Hexiang was even more delighted upon hearing this and stopped sulking. She hugged Zhou Qiaozhi, cooing: "Mom, you're so good to me! It's up to you to find me a good marriage! Hey, Mom, have you met my future husband? How tall is he? How old is he? Is he handsome?"

The young girl, at the peak of her youth, was overjoyed. On the eve of her wedding, her eyes shone with anticipation for her future husband, dreaming of a loving and harmonious marriage.

She chattered excitedly, unable to contain her exhilaration.

"I heard the young man who visited Qin Banban’s house yesterday was very handsome! Tall, with long limbs... Though a bit tanned, he had such a manly presence! Mom, is my husband as tall as him? As handsome? Mom, tell me, have you seen him or not?"

Zhou Qiaozhi’s expression stiffened for a moment before she glared at Tian Hexiang and tapped her forehead again.

"Shameless girl! Talking about your husband’s looks like that—if outsiders hear you, they’ll surely laugh at you!"

"Enough! Good looks can’t put food on the table! But his family is wealthy! I heard they own hundreds of acres of fertile land! Plus, a few storefront properties! Once you’re married, you’ll live in comfort! You silly girl, let me tell you, I went to great lengths to arrange this marriage. You’d better remember my kindness and take good care of me in the future!"

Hundreds of acres of fertile land?! And storefront properties!

Tian Hexiang was so shocked her jaw nearly dropped. She forgot all about her earlier questions regarding height and appearance and nodded repeatedly.

"I’ll remember, Mother! I’ll definitely remember your kindness! And about my younger brother’s studies—once I’m married, I’ll ask my husband to help find a reliable tutor for him."

Zhou Qiaozhi nodded with approval, a gratified smile appearing on her face.

"As long as you remember. Your brother’s education is important. I always knew that Liu the minor scholar was no good. Last time, after that incident, all his students left... And his mother, Mrs. Qiao, tsk, she’s a sly one! Underhanded and nasty!"

She seemed to have completely forgotten her past friendship with Qiao Huilan, now freely gossiping about her behind her back.

Meanwhile, Tian Qiusheng, who had been sitting quietly nearby, spoke up timidly: "Sister, your wedding dress is beautiful, but doesn’t the color seem a bit off? It looks more like magenta."

In truth, it was rare for village girls to wear red wedding dresses. At most, they would wear a plain red veil to see them off, and if the family could afford it, an oxcart would escort the bride.

Red wasn’t commonly worn in the village either. Why tailor a red wedding dress just for one day?

Even wealthy families couldn’t justify such extravagance!

Moreover, proper red dye was hard to come by. Tian Hexiang couldn’t really tell if the color was authentic or not; she only knew the dress was beautiful, making her skin appear fairer and her figure more elegant.

She pouted and said, "What does it matter if it’s authentic or not? You’ve studied so much you’ve gone silly! This dress is so pretty!"

Tian Qiusheng: "Sis..."

Tian Qiusheng wanted to say more, but Zhou Qiaozhi suddenly stood up, her face stern as she scolded:

"How long have you been out here? Get back to your room and study! You have no self-discipline—I always have to remind you! It seems like your mind is never on your books! Your sister’s marriage is paving the way for your future! Can’t you strive to be more capable?"

Tian Qiusheng fell silent, dejectedly lowering his head and shuffling back to his room.

The young boy was small and slender, his slumped shoulders making him look pitiful.

But neither mother nor daughter paid him any mind. The two leaned close together, seemingly with endless private matters to share.

Meanwhile, on the other side, Qin Banban returned home angrily, carrying a basket of bayberries. Only when she entered the courtyard and heard her family’s cheerful voices, with Lucky wagging his tail to greet her at the door, did the young girl smile and cheer up again.

Cui Lanfang came out to meet her, taking the basket from Qin Banban and fetching water for her daughter to wash her hands.

She asked, "Why are you back later today?"

Qin Banban replied, "I ran into Tian Hexiang again."

Cui Lanfang’s eyelid flickered, and she immediately asked, "Did she cause trouble for you again?"

Qin Banban shook her head, not wanting to worry her family with what had happened. After all, as Tian Hexiang had said, she was getting married and moving to the county seat soon. They wouldn’t see each other again, and there would be no more trouble.

Shaking her head, Banban added, "She’s getting married at the end of the month."

Cui Lanfang hadn’t paid much attention to the Tian family’s affairs and found it strange: "Getting married at the end of the month? That’s terribly rushed!"

She remembered the engagement had been settled less than two months ago! How could the wedding be arranged so quickly?

Though villagers simplified many rituals, steps like presenting betrothal gifts, exchanging names, determining auspicious dates, and finalizing the marriage were still followed. The whole process usually took at least half a year—and even half a year was considered rushed!

Why was Zhou Qiaozhi in such a hurry to marry off her daughter?

Cui Lanfang found it odd, but she merely gave it a passing thought without dwelling on others’ affairs, quickly putting it out of her mind.

But by the end of the month, on the day of the Tian family’s wedding celebration,

Tian Hexiang, the daughter of the Tian family, had disappeared.