Chapter 688: Chapter 460: Good Friends
Liu Ze took away Xiaoxue, and the bustling atmosphere of the Jiang family quickly quieted down. Most of the people who had feasted still needed to go to the Liu family.
Fortunately, people had been found in advance to take care of things, so someone was there to clean up afterward. However, with someone missing from the family, even though it was a happy occasion, everyone still felt somewhat melancholic.
Xiaomi stayed close to her second mother, holding her arm and talking to her, to prevent her mother from remembering and starting to cry again.
Luckily, her second mother quickly adjusted, smiling as she patted Xiaomi’s hand.
"Alright, go play on your own. Your second sister’s marriage is a good thing. She’s a grown woman now and should have married long ago. Mother is happy."
Xiaomi chuckled, "I know, when you were as old as second sister, big brother was already born."
In these times, people married young, whether male or female. Her second sister marrying at such an age was indeed rare.
During the banquet this year, some people remarked that mom and dad were reluctant to let their daughter marry, keeping her at home as an old maiden before letting her wed.
However, their family didn’t mind. Xiaomi would often say that marrying too young, whether male or female, wasn’t good for one’s health, and having children harmed the body.
Compared to when she was fifteen or sixteen, seventeen-year-old Xiaoxue indeed seemed less naive and more like an older sister.
This further convinced the family that marrying too young wasn’t a good idea.
So, hearing Xiaomi’s words, her second mother not only didn’t agree but also reminded her.
"You think it’s a good thing, but I was left with many ailments when I gave birth to your big brother in those years. You shouldn’t marry too early either, ideally at seventeen or eighteen, like your second sister."
Not knowing why the topic shifted to herself, Xiaomi was internally exasperated, just about to say she wouldn’t get married, but something changed in her mind.
"Mom, why are you telling me this now? I still have time."
Her second mother, for some reason, suddenly said, "Indeed, there’s time. You and Ziang are still young."
Xiaomi blinked. How did the subject get to her little brother?
But upon looking back, her mother didn’t seem to mean anything else, so after thinking it over, she chose not to ask any further.
After the kitchen was tidied up, the people left, and the Jiang family finally settled down.
But they didn’t idle around.
There was much to do in the fields; they had been away for over a year. The past month was spent dealing with Xiaoxue’s matters, and only now did they have time to check the fields.
Along the way, many people were congratulating them, maybe because they hadn’t seen them for a year, or perhaps because Jiang Hu’s rank had risen again. People in the village were very polite now.
Somewhat unfamiliar.
Xiaomi’s friend, Zhang Xiaocao, got married last winter. It was said that when she returned home for the New Year, she was already pregnant.
Upon hearing this news, Xiaomi was taken aback for a moment before she could react.
Zhang Xiaocao was only two years older than her.
No matter how her family was, she couldn’t change the thoughts of others, which was indeed a helpless matter. After all, if you didn’t marry at the right age, whether male or female, you had to pay taxes.
But now, with some free time, since her second sister would return home three days later, Xiaomi went to see Xiaocao’s parents the day after Xiaoxue got married to ask where Xiaocao had married.
It was quite far, two or three villages away. Xiaomi called on Wei Ziang, bringing prepared gifts, including cloth, jerky, preserved fruits, nuts, and candies.
Additionally, she specially prepared a set of longevity lock, silvery bracelets, and two small gourds for the unborn child.
Gourds, blessings and fortune.
After all, they’d been friends for many years. She couldn’t send her off when she married, so now that she’s back, she certainly had to visit her.
Moreover, Xiaomi thought that she was now the daughter of a marquis after all. Xiaocao was her good friend, almost like the marquis’s niece.
The status of women wasn’t very high in the husband’s family.
Especially in rural areas, many mothers-in-law who were bullied before liked to bully new daughters-in-law now. With her as a marquis’s daughter and a good friend, Xiaocao would certainly have a better life in her husband’s family.
Besides, when she wasn’t home, it was forgivable, but now that she’s back, if she didn’t go to see Xiaocao, others might mock and gossip about Xiaocao because of this.
Even though Xiaomi liked to venture into the mountains, she was well aware of the gossiping tongues in the village.
"Xiaomi, take this with you." About to leave, her second mother handed out a small bundle.
"Mom, what is this?"
It was full and fluffy, soft to the touch.
"Cotton. If you take too much, others might covet it. This is just two or three pounds, enough to make clothes for the child. By the time Xiaocao’s child is born, it’ll be winter."
Her second mother helped her hang the small bundle on the saddle. Since it was in the village with many mountain paths, a carriage wasn’t convenient, so all things were carried on horseback.
Beside her, Wei Ziang’s horse was similarly loaded. Luckily, the horses often drank spiritual spring water, so there was no concern of them being overwhelmed.
"Mom, we’re leaving now. The morning is cool, and we’ll be back in the afternoon."
Word had it, on foot, it took over two hours. Riding horses would be faster, allowing them to have more time to talk with Xiaocao.
"Go on, go on."
Just about to set off, they were called by Wei Ziang.
"Wait a second, Xiaomi. Aunt Xiuyun seems to be coming over, and she’s carrying something."
Zhang Xiuyun, also known as Xiaocao’s mother.
"Could it be that she has something for us to take to Xiaocao?"
Xiaomi saw it too, got off the horse, and after a short while, Zhang Xiuyun arrived.
"Xiaomi, you’re off to see Xiaocao, right?"
Xiaomi often played at their home before, so Zhang Xiuyun had always been kind to her. Now there’s no strangeness between them.
Furthermore, last night Xiaomi specifically went to their house to ask for Xiaocao’s husband’s address, so she knew that she was going today.
"Auntie, are those eggs for Xiaocao?"
Zhang Xiuyun smiled and nodded, "And some goose eggs. Eating them in summer clears heat. You mentioned she married far away, and it’s inconvenient to come back. I was going to find someone to deliver them, but it just so happens that you’re going, Xiaomi."
Her eldest daughter married within the village, and although Qixi might be older, he truly cherished his daughter, and they met every day. In contrast, Xiaocao had married too far away.
"It might be a bit far, but I’ve heard her husband treats her well, and that’s all that matters."
Xiaomi tied the bamboo basket Zhang Xiuyun handed over to the saddle with a rope, soothingly patting the horse’s neck.
"Auntie, it’s getting late, so we’ll head off now."
"Alright, alright, be careful on the road."
Wei Ziang was already waiting ahead. Quickly getting on her horse, Xiaomi nudged it gently with her thighs, catching up quickly, and they went together to visit her good friend.