Chun Yu said, "I don't have as many good things as you all do, I can only barely fulfill my duty as a sister-in-law. Zi Qing, don't look down on your aunt, you also know that your eldest uncle's family is having the hardest time right now, they can barely afford to eat, where would they have extra money to buy these things? And it's not like some people are lucky and have someone to rely on..."

  "Are you here to help or hinder? Why are you still talking so much?" Tian Shi said discontentedly, glaring at Chun Yu.

  Chun Yu reluctantly took out a pair of embroidered shoes, mediocre workmanship, and threw them into the tray. Even Lian Tian couldn't help but furrow his brow, it seemed that today's face had really fallen greatly, not even one thing from their own family was presentable.

  "Zi Qing, your eldest auntie made a pair of shoes for you. It's her kind intention, don't look down on it. And what your third aunt said just now was right, no matter where you go, we are still your natal family. Don't always hold grudges against your eldest aunt, she can't help it either. This life is really not easy to live." Chun Yu said.

  Zi Qing didn't want to say anything at first, but after speaking, she suddenly became angry and laughed as she said to Chun Yu: "Elder sister, this shoe is obviously not my size. Maybe you picked up the wrong one and brought back Guiying's shoes instead?"

  Chun Yu's face suddenly turned red, and she said with a snort: "I remember you two are about the same age, shouldn't your feet be about the same size too?"

  "Big sister is really good at telling jokes, haha, you didn't want to make shoes for Zi Qing, I'm afraid you temporarily took a pair of Guiying's to fill the number, you're quite good at talking, haha, it's really funny. Zhou Shi couldn't help but laugh and say, being able to see Chunyu making a fool of herself, and also being able to see Tian Shi making a fool of herself, is just too delightful."

  Ziying still smiled and looked at Chunyu, saying: "Elder sister, my cousin is one year older than me. Besides, there's no such thing as a size that fits all. I thought you had mistaken and taken the wrong shoe for Guiying, but it turns out you didn't even ask about my foot size. You just casually made a pair to fill in, actually, this gift is not about being expensive or cheap, as long as it's sincere, that's what matters."

  "It's not that my granddaughter can't talk, but it's not what you mean. What could we possibly have to compare with Zi Qing? It's just this one elder's intention. Come, come, take a look at the second aunt's child." The third grandmother intervened to smooth things over.

  Mrs. Tian stared at Chunyu for a long time, unable to say anything, then turned to Xiayu, knowing that Xiayu was close to Ziqing. Indeed, Xiayu took out a pair of intricately carved silver bangles. Only then did Mrs. Tian breathe a sigh of relief, as she had rushed over and didn't know what each daughter had prepared beforehand. Fortunately, at least one of them had something presentable.

  "Zi Qing, Second Aunt knows you suffered a lot when you were young. Second Aunt couldn't help you much either, and these years she's been troubling you to take care of her, but in her heart, she understands that our Zi Qing is a good child, whoever marries you will be the lucky one, Second Aunt wishes your future days are harmonious and beautiful, sweeter than honey." Xia Yu said, stroking Zi Qing's head, with tears welling up in her eyes.

  Qiu Yu's things are not bad either, and it has been a silver step for several years. Zi Qing has always taken care of her, and Zhou Yunjiang has helped Zi Qing do some things, so this time, she didn't discuss with Chun Yu and the others, but took charge herself. In the past, following Chun Yu, things were really hard to get out of hand, and they could only do their best.

  The Zeng family's turn is over, now it's the Shen family's turn. Several people looked at He Shi simultaneously. He Shi smiled and said: "I only have one daughter, this is my first granddaughter getting married, I'm an old woman who can't help but put in some effort, you few are not allowed to laugh at me." After He Shi finished speaking, she took out a pair of golden bracelets with silk threads. Xu Shi, Zhao Shi and Xiao Shi, the three aunts, jointly gifted a gold headpiece.

  The three old ladies laughed and said: "After all, she is the mistress of the family, her actions are extraordinary, we can't compare to her. Zi Qing is a lucky child, so many people care about her."

  Tian's face was neither black nor smiling, wanting to say something but afraid of offending Shen's family and making everyone laugh. Anyway, it was like sitting on pins and needles. Fortunately, Shen was still a kind person and said: "Alright, San Niang, stop teasing my mother. The makeup is also done well. Everyone should go have a cup of wedding wine and share the joy. I'll thank you all on behalf of our Ziqing."

  The three wives also understood Shen's meaning and naturally gave Tian a step down. During the meal, they only chatted and laughed, never mentioning the dowry again, probably because they were afraid of causing trouble for Shen. The other guests left after dinner, but He stayed behind.

  At night, Zi Qing's mind was a bit restless, with some anxiety, some melancholy, and some irritation. She thought about how she would soon be married in this strange world, have her own children, and spend the rest of her life here. It was an inexplicable feeling of unease, but if there was really a chance for her to leave, there were also many people she couldn't bear to part with.

  Ziying sat at the head of the bed in a daze, when He Shi came in, pulled her hand, took off the sheep fat jade bracelet from her own hand and put it on Ziying's hand. Ziying quickly withdrew her hand and pushed it down, "Grandma, this can't be done, you've already given me a generous gift, such an expensive thing, you've never taken it off in your life, how could I possibly accept it?"

  "Good child, that one is for everyone to see. This was left to me by my mother, and I originally planned to leave it for your mother. Grandma can see you get married, she's happy, now giving it to you isn't excessive either. But don't think about taking it off! Grandma will be angry, as if you're looking down on grandma's things? Grandma tells you, this is really good stuff, unfortunately there isn't a pair, otherwise I would have given it to you with the dowry just now."

  Zi Qing had no choice but to put down his hand, "What are you thinking about by yourself?" He Shi asked.

  "I don't know either, just thinking wildly, feeling a bit scared, also a bit nervous, and reluctant to leave my family, I can't put it into words."

  Mrs. He hugged Ziying tightly, patting her back and said: "This is what every woman has to go through. Compared to your mother and grandmother, you are already much better off. You have known Kangping since childhood, and you have been together for several years, so you know each other's character well. There is no mother-in-law to serve, and the new home is just next door. If you want to go back to your mother's house, it's just a stone's throw away. You don't have to worry about making a living either. Child, be content with what you have and live a good life with him. Don't be petty and quarrelsome for no reason. He has never had the love of his parents since childhood, so you must treat him well. When two people are together, if I give you an inch, you should respect me a foot. Is it not better to live in harmony rather than fighting and quarreling every day over small things? Remember Grandma's words, Grandma won't harm you."

  Ziying lay on her grandmother's body and promised. The two of them chatted for a while about the trivial matters between husband and wife before turning off the lights and going to sleep.

  On the eighth day of the twelfth lunar month, in the afternoon, many guests came to our house one after another. Shen Jianren and his family all stayed overnight. After lunch, the cooks from the kitchen came over to try out the stove, it was chaotic. Zi Qing became the most idle person, playing with Xiao Yonglian for a while. Chen Shi's belly was very big, Shen Shi didn't let her go out either, accompanying Zi Qing in the house chatting idly, from food to clothes, and then talking about Zi Qing's skin.

  "Sister, don't mention it. This year I listened to you and drank a lot of goat's milk, and my skin has indeed become much smoother. It's really thanks to you. No wonder your second brother often says you're good. I'm also fortunate to have married into such a family."

  "Second sister-in-law, my second brother had a tough time when he was young. He would often keep things to himself, but he also knew how to care for others. Speaking of which, I should thank you, second sister-in-law. My second brother has been much more cheerful this year than before. You must have guided him well."

  "What can I do for you? Your second brother is a good man, he also said that you had a hard time when you were young, so let me be good to you. But what can I have for my sister? On the contrary, I borrowed a lot of light from my sister."

  Just then, Mrs. Liu came in to feed Xiao Dong and laughed: "What are you two sisters-in-law talking about? So sticky?"

  "What can I say? After giving birth to Yonglian, Eldest Sister is getting prettier and prettier." Zi Qing said with a smile.

  "Don't try to talk back to me, or else I'll make sure that certain someone gets a good taste of suffering. Don't think I'll let him off easy." Madam Liu also said with a smile.

  At three o'clock in the afternoon of the ninth day, the banquet began. There were 25 tables in total. Today's meal was the main course for the bride. Shen asked Ziying to change into a big red new cotton-padded jacket and pay respects to the female elders in the small courtyard with a kneeling ceremony. Although Ziying was reluctant, she had to follow the custom. Liu held a tray, Ziyu held a cushion, and Shen led Ziying. Ziying felt like a robot, being told what to do and having to do it. After one round, her head was spinning. Fortunately, there were no elders in the groom's family the next day.

  After kowtowing, Zi Qing changed into a new cotton-padded jacket. Liu gave her some food to eat and brought it over. Zi Qing knew that she would still have to cry at the wedding tonight and didn't know how late it would go on, so she quickly ate her rice and then sat up straight on the bed.

  It wasn't long before the sky gradually darkened, and the noise outside grew less frequent. Ziqing's third aunt, Xiao Shi, accompanied Shen Shi into the room, followed by Ziqing's three aunts who sat in the east house. Liu Shi supported Ziqing and her group of maternal cousins as they sat in the west house. Before long, the sound of Shen Shi's sobbing and Xiao Shi's wailing could be heard. The words of their crying were similar to those spoken by San Popo when Xia Yu got married, all about how parents had endured hardships to raise their daughter, such as "Raising a child from one chi five cun (a unit of measurement) to adulthood is like scooping up feces with one hand and urine with the other. It's all in vain, a waste of parents' hard work."

  Ziying didn't know how to respond, nor would she cry out loud, but tears couldn't stop flowing. Memories of past and present lives flooded her mind, uncontrollable. The despair of never seeing her parents again, the ten years of meticulous care from her adoptive parents, Ziying was torn apart, unable to let go. The conflicting emotions that had been building up for days finally found an outlet - a good cry. What Ziying didn't know was that the relatives and friends around her, upon hearing her heartbreaking sobs, also shed tears, nodding in agreement: "This child is truly filial."

  Liu held Zi Qing in her arms, patting her back for a long time until she gradually calmed down. The crying finally came to an end and the guests dispersed one after another.

  At this time, Zeng Rui Xiang and Zi Fu several came in.