After arriving home, Zi Qing found that there were several more elderly people at home. It turned out that two aunts had heard someone say that Lin Kangping was bringing his new daughter-in-law back home and came over to take a look.
Ziying found it a bit strange that after Lin Kangping was sold, no one had thought to ask about his news. How did Auntie know he was back home just two days after entering the house? Was it because they were too high-profile? In fact, Ziying's guess was not far off. It turned out that Lin Kangping had gone to the town yesterday to buy those things and when he entered the village, he attracted attention, so someone would naturally ask questions. And then they saw the two of them go to the tomb, what secrets could be kept in this village? Today is a market day, one spread, and it's known. Whether Auntie really wanted to come see her nephew or had other ideas, Ziying didn't know.
Two old ladies, one holding Zi Qing and the other holding Lin Kangping, couldn't stop wiping away tears as they said: "We never thought we'd see this day. It's been over a decade, who knows how you've been living? We were so poor at home, and our good child was sold off, but on the other hand, if we hadn't sold you, where would we have gotten the silver to pay for your medical treatment? Who knows what would have happened to you then? So, Kangping, don't blame your mother, it's all fate. If your mother hadn't sold you, you wouldn't be where you are today, with a wife and a thriving business."
Lin Kangping listened to his aunt's words, and actually, as early as when the engagement was decided, Lin Kangping had thought about his fate with Zi Qing, and his heart had already been at peace. He was filled with gratitude in his heart, and said: "Aunt, don't say that anymore, I understand, I really have no resentment, it's been gone for a long time. Otherwise, I wouldn't have brought my wife back home to meet you today. My wife and I just came back from the market, bought some things, and were about to look for you, but coincidentally, you came over."
"All right, good child, no resentment is fine. Your father would be so delighted to know that you've turned out well." said the elder aunt.
Just then, Yu's eldest daughter Lin Hongying came over with her family. Zi Qing gave a cold glance, this elder sister was wearing cotton clothes, but they were still 70-80% new, and... On her head, she was still wearing a silver hairpin, and on her ears, she was wearing large round silver earrings. The two children, although also young, were dressed very neatly. Compared to Lin Kangping's two aunts, they were much stronger, the two old ladies' clothes were so old that you could hardly see what color they were, and there were one or two patches on them, their heads were also smooth and shiny. The hands of Zi Qing's aunt who was holding her hand were all rough and calloused.
At this time, the donkey cart driver followed in to ask where to unload things. Lin Kangping only then remembered that he had forgotten about him, and took the things inside, first dividing them among the three families: fabric, pastries, a whole pig leg, and two fish as extras. The two old ladies couldn't stop glancing sideways at Lin Kangping as he rummaged through the things, their smiles growing thicker on their faces.
Mrs. Lin, the elder sister-in-law, held onto Kangping's hand all along, nagging him to recall old times and come back often to visit everyone. Kangping and Ziyin had no choice but to accompany her in chatting for a while, mainly answering questions from the two sisters-in-law about his growth over the past decade or so, when he got married, what Ziyin's family did, how they made a living now, whether they planned to return home in the future, and so on.
At this time, Lin Yaoyu said on the side: "It's easy to reunite with the family today. The eldest sister and second sister rarely see Kangping. Mother of the child, quickly arrange some food for the daughters-in-law. By the way, I seem to have seen Kangping buy a few fish, let's stew them together and everyone will have a good drink today."
Yu glared at Lin Yaizu, then thought of the whole pig that Lin Kangping had bought, although it was said to have been divided into three legs. After all, there was still a big head left, and he reluctantly turned his body and went.
Dinner was still rice, a pot of braised radish with meat, a pot of bok choy and tofu, a pot of five-flower pork belly stewed with sour cabbage, and a pot of fish. There wasn't anything else. Zi Qing finally got to experience authentic Northern Chinese big pot stew because the cooking time was long, the dishes were very flavorful, and Zi Qing could barely accept it, especially the stewed sour cabbage which was quite fragrant and not greasy. It reminded her of that popular phrase "Cui Hua, shang suan cai" (Cui Hua, serve the sour cabbage). In this cold winter, in Northern China, besides sour cabbage, there's only bok choy, so it can only be served with sour cabbage.
Zi Qing saw several ladies eating happily, after the meal, she wiped her mouth with a napkin and reminded Lin Kangping a few words before saying: "It's getting dark, I need to hurry home. The kids are still waiting at home."
The two aunts took the fabric and snacks, while the two uncles each carried a whole pig leg and fish, smiling as they walked away, saying that this year they would have a rich and abundant New Year.
Ziying thought they would call themselves and Lin Kangping to recognize the door and have a meal. Looking at Lin Kangping, he seemed to be disappointed too. Ziying quickly grabbed his hand, and Lin Kangping patted Ziying, indicating that everything was fine.
Ziying took out the fabric she had bought for the children and asked Lin Hongxia to cut a piece to make a new dress. Ziying personally measured the sizes of the five children, and everything went smoothly. Ziying planned to make new clothes for several children herself, so that when they wore them out, the neighbors would ask and know that this aunt had not mistreated the children. Thinking of her own little thoughts, she felt happy in her heart, and after getting married, it was indeed different, and she also became more considerate.
In the next few days, everyone was busy cleaning and re-pasting windows. Zi Qing spent her time sitting on the kang making new clothes for the children, except when she was eating. Hu Shi and Ma Shi knew she was making clothes for the kids, so they didn't bother her with chores. When they had some free time, they would come over to keep her company. Jiang Shi and Lin Hongxia also came by often, but Jiang Shi was clearly quieter and a bit shy. She saw the clothes Zi Qing made and was very surprised. For the boys' clothes, Zi Qing had sewn two ducks on the pockets using flowered fabric. For the girls' clothes, she had added some butterfly knots, which looked quite nice.
She saw her always holding an embroidery needle to embroider handkerchiefs, with average craftsmanship, so she pointed out a few things to her and also drew a few new patterns for her. Jiang Shi was grateful in her heart, and to Zi Qing, she spoke without reserve, and Zi Qing thus came to understand that Yu Shi's reluctance to divide the family property was because he was not willing to relinquish control of the family's wealth, saying that they would wait until Lin Hongxia got married before dividing the property.
The Lin family now has 10 good acres of land, and they have also reclaimed more than 10 poor acres of land. Every year, they raise dozens of chickens and three big fat pigs. However, Yu Shi doesn't want to eat them herself, but instead exchanges them for money. She is the one who controls all the family's finances, so everyone in the family has to be careful around her. But during these days, Zi Qing has been observing Yu Shi with a cold eye and feels that she handles things fairly. At least Lin Hongxia hasn't become a spoiled girl, and she knows how to help out with household chores. The relationships between the daughters-in-law also seem harmonious.
Jiang said that the money each person earns from embroidery can be kept for private use, which is more reasonable than what Ziying's aunt said. Ziying understood and took out her embroidery hoop to do a few stitches. In the north, winter days are long, it's cold outside, and you can't go out. From morning till night, apart from cooking two meals, people basically stay on the kang (heated bed). Diligent wives who work on needlework all winter can accumulate a small income.
Ziying guessed that Lin Kangping's initial selling price and monthly salary were probably saved to buy land, which helped the Lin family get through their most difficult days. Later, when things got better, the Lin family slowly set up this business, so Hu Shi and Ma Shi would worry about them staying behind to divide the family property. Ziying saw that the women in this family, Jiang Shi and the unmarried younger sister, were simple-minded and didn't need to think deeply, accompanying her in conversation.
On the eve of the Lunar New Year, Zi Qing finally finished making clothes for the kids. The children were thrilled with their new clothes and couldn't stop touching them. Even the three sisters-in-law had big smiles on their faces. The Lin brothers were even more enthusiastic towards Zi Qing and Lin Kangping. At least the kang was warm that night. Zi Qing snuggled in and didn't want to come out.
After breakfast, Lin Kangyong and Lin Kangping posted couplets outside, the door god, Lin Hongxia and Old Fourth's wife posted window flowers. The window flowers were cut by Yu Shi herself, such as "Five Grains Abundant", " Auspicious Celebration" , "Carp Jumping over the Dragon Gate" and so on, vivid and lifelike, really a folk master. Zi Qing took out the ones she bought to show Yu Shi, who smiled and said: "This child, who knows you like this, wasting money, my mother's cut is much better than this."
"It can't be helped. I think so too. Why don't you cut more, and I'll bring them back home to use myself? No one in my hometown knows how to do this, and I only know how to cut red double happiness characters."
Yu Shi readily agreed and basically cut a set of everything she knew for Zi Qing. Seeing Zi Qing treasure them like precious jewels, Yu Shi felt a sense of accomplishment in her heart and became even more enthusiastic.
The New Year's Eve dinner was prepared by Yu Shi, accompanied by Hu Shi and Ma Shi. Zi Qing helped with the cooking and lighting the fire. The New Year's Eve dinner was eaten at noon, and the dishes were simple: a pot of braised meat, a pot of mushroom-braised chicken, a pot of braised wild rabbit meat, and a pot of braised fish. The men sat at one table, while the women and children sat at another. The men drank wine continuously, while the women finished eating and then packed dumplings. Zi Qing saw that they had packed several large baskets full of dumplings, which were placed outside in the snow to freeze. Once frozen, they were picked up and stored in a large vat in the corner of the wall, where they could be cooked at any time. It was truly a natural refrigerator.
On winter days, it gets dark early. Outside, the occasional sound of firecrackers can be heard from someone's house. At this time, Zi Qing especially misses her family and her still unfamiliar home, Qingyuan. Madame Yu orders Hu to cook dumplings when night falls, but the men are still drinking, their faces red and necks thick, talking about whose husband is diligent in the village, whose day is prosperous, whose children listen, and which family has opened up a new piece of land, etc. The dumplings have been served, but they haven't had enough to drink yet. Madame Yu doesn't care about these things, letting them enjoy themselves.
In the evening, the whole family gathered around to celebrate the passing of the year. The old men drank some wine and gambled with small money by throwing dice. The women sat and chatted while eating melon seeds, Zi Qing was in the kitchen boiling water for a bath, Lin Kangping came over to help her carry the water, Zi Qing worried that he had drunk too much, hurriedly pushed him into the house, where two elder brothers-in-law were teasing him, saying "A wife is married to serve the old men, not to be a mother."
Lin Kangping didn't get angry after hearing it, he just smiled.