Xia Jinjuan picked up his delighted daughter and cast a gaze at Bai Huiru that grew even colder. "I said it back then: you walk your broad path, and I'll cross my single-plank bridge. We have nothing to do with each other. Yet now you come looking for my wife again and again, uttering words that cause misunderstandings. Bai, are you out of your mind?"
Chapter 031: Do I Have Some Sort of Special Ability?
"I..." Bai Huiru froze. Never in her wildest dreams had she expected this reaction from Xia Jinjuan.
She was as beautiful as ever, her charm even more intoxicating than before. How could she possibly lose to a rustic, sallow-faced country woman?
"Brother Jinjuan..."
"Who is your brother?" If Xia Jinjuan had cared even a little about his daughter's mother at first, he was now truly annoyed. He already ignored her when they crossed paths in town, and now she had actually tracked him down to his doorstep.
"Are you leaving or not? If you don't leave, don't blame me for being rude!"
Xia Jinxiu let out a sneer. "My, my! It seems my second brother truly has no regard for old ties anymore!"
Xia Jinjuan gave her a cold look. "Talk nonsense. What old ties? That was just me being a fool back then. Compared to your second sister-in-law, this woman isn't even worth a single strand of her hair."
His wife cared for his entire family, bore him children, and treated him with the utmost tenderness. Moreover, her embroidery skills had now won the appreciation of the big boss, and Jinyi Workshop had even given them a ten percent dividend.
How much silver was that?
Xia Jinjuan didn't even dare to imagine. The crucial point was that with just a casual wave of her needle, his wife could bring in several taels of silver.
Was he out of his mind to suck up to a widow? He was a scholar.
Scholars had a great deal of integrity.
Xia Jinjuan looked at Xia Zhiliao, waiting for his daughter's praise.
Sure enough, just as he expected.
Xia Zhiliao looked at him happily, clearly very satisfied with his performance.
*What has gotten into Daddy? He doesn't even care for this bad woman anymore? Could it be because he saw Mommy making money?*
Xia Jinjuan's expression twitched slightly, and he hurriedly said, "My wife and I have shared weal and woe, and we are going to grow old together. In this lifetime, she is the only woman for me. Don't let any messy nonsense come near; I want none of it."
Bai Huiru had immense confidence in herself, and even more confidence in the depth of Xia Jinjuan's past affection for her.
Yet now, she was being belittled into worthlessness. Her face flushed red and turned pale; she simply couldn't save face. Furious, she flung out a parting shot: "Xia Jinjuan, take a piss and look at what kind of specimen you are! I am a marquis's woman; someone like you isn't even fit to carry my shoes. Do you think I'd ever take a fancy to you? Stop daydreaming like a toad lusting after a swan's meat!"
*Tsk, tsk, tsk. Look, Daddy! This is the woman you hid in your heart—she treats you like a toad, while my Mommy treats you like a precious treasure. I hope you won't be a fool.*
Xia Jinjuan gave a cold laugh. "That's for the best. If you ever come to harass our family again, I don't care whose woman you are—I won't be polite."
Just as Bai Huiru was about to leave, Xia Zhiliao grew a bit anxious.
*Don't leave yet! Whose daughter is that child anyway? Is she my dad's kid? I certainly don't want an extra sister!*
Madam Xia Chen was also rather curious, but she couldn't bring herself to ask the question.
Xia Jinjuan had no desire for his daughter to harbor such groundless confusion. "Surname Bai, the two of us never even held hands back then. Don't go spouting nonsense to make my wife misunderstand."
*Never even held hands? Then she's naturally not my sister. Good, good! But that's pure enough. Who would have thought that in the first half of your life, Daddy, you were truly such a gentleman!*
Bai Huiru glared hatefully at Xia Jinjuan. Whenever this matter came up, she didn't know how grateful she should be. Back then, when she had taken a fancy to Xia Jinjuan, it wasn't as if she hadn't considered giving herself to him.
Yet this wooden block insisted on waiting until after marriage to consummate the marriage. Fortunately, he hadn't messed around; otherwise, she would never have had the opportunity to become a marquis's woman and live a good life in the Capital.
A daughter?
What the hell did that have to do with him?
After Bai Huiru left, Old Lady Xia and Xia Jinxiu unleashed a torrent of curses. That woman was a true home-wrecker; it was a blessing she hadn't crossed their threshold back then, or their household would surely have known no peace.
Xia Jinjuan took his wife and daughter back to their own room. "Wife, if that Bai Huiru ever bullies you again, don't be afraid of her."
Madam Xia Chen felt a warmth flood her heart, and she bit her lower lip gently. "I wasn't afraid of her. I talked back just now."
"That's good. I was just afraid you'd let yourself be taken advantage of." Xia Jinjuan found himself appreciating Madam Xia Chen more and more. "Everything I said out there came from the bottom of my heart. I wasn't just humoring you."
"I know, Jinjuan." A faint blush bloomed across Madam Xia Chen's cheeks, unexpectedly carrying the bashful charm of a young girl.
Viewing her from this angle, Xia Jinjuan thought his wife was rather pretty. "Wife, now that we have some money, you should dress yourself up a bit."
*Mommy, look, look! What did I tell you? Daddy is looking down on you!*
Xia Jinjuan panicked. "I don't mean to look down on you at all! I just feel that over the years, you've suffered so much for me, for this family, and for our children. Now that you're earning your own money, you should spend more on yourself. Look... what is this?"
Xia Jinjuan pulled an exquisite box from inside his tunic. Madam Xia Chen opened it with trembling care. "Rouge?"
"Mm-hmm. Whatever other women have, my wife must have too. When I pass the imperial examinations in the future, I'll buy you the most expensive rouge in the entire world."
*Daddy is so romantic; no wonder Mommy fell for him! Who could possibly resist this?*
Madam Xia Chen curved her lips, her face already burning hot.
Suddenly, a loud "bang" came from outside, and the couple's first reaction was to scoop up their daughter.
Xia Zhiliao felt the deep affection radiating from her father and mother, and the family of three hugged each other and laughed.
"Little sister! Little sister, come quick! Fourth Uncle made something delicious!"
Popcorn?
Xia Zhiliao scrambled outward in excitement. Fourth Uncle had actually pulled it off.
He had a bit of talent, indeed.
Upon going outside, Xia Zhiliao spotted two fish in the courtyard kitchen and licked her lips. She hadn't eaten fish once since coming here.
If these fish were made into pickled cabbage fish, it would be absolute perfection!
How did one make pickled cabbage fish again?
She looked at the two fish, silently running through the method of cooking fish in her mind. Unfortunately, her family's culinary skills were limited; she'd probably have to do it herself.
As she scampered out, Xia Jinxiu emerged from the kitchen. She had merely come in to fetch some water, but she happened to overhear her little niece's recipe.
Should she...
Give it a try?
After all, she wanted to eat it too, and the big stuffed buns her little niece made were genuinely delicious.
Thus, Xia Jinxiu—who had never lifted a finger in the kitchen her entire life—actually set about cooking.
Who else could it be if not her?
After all, the whole family was only able to hear the little niece's inner voice, right?
Since her little niece wanted to eat it, she would just make it.
The three young boys cautiously guarded their little sister as she entered the courtyard. Their arms and hands were full of sweet, crispy popcorn. Even though the first batch had burned a little bit, this novel treat was enough to make everyone overlook that minor flaw.
Xia Hai had a very sharp nose, and he took a couple of heavy sniffs. "What's that smell? Sour, yet quite fragrant! Mommy, Mommy, what delicious thing are you making?"
"It's not me. It's your little aunt! Your little aunt said she was going to show off her skills for you all today!"
It wasn't that Madam Xia Chen didn't want to help, but Xia Jinxiu had a fiery temper; she considered everyone else ignorant and a nuisance, chasing them all out so she could tinker around by herself.
Xia Zhiliao poked her head inside, and upon seeing the dish she had been craving, her mouth split into a grin from ear to ear!
*Little Aunt understands me so well! She is my favorite person in the entire world. Do I have some sort of special ability? Otherwise, why do all my wishes come true every single time?*
Chapter 032: Little Aunt's New Way of Living
Xia Jinxiu pursed her lips. This child was truly smart when she wanted to be, but sometimes she seemed rather silly—yet quite adorable all the same.
Before Xia Hai could even notice, he had already darted into the kitchen, his little blackened claws reaching out to grab a piece of the dish, only to have his hand slapped away by Xia Jinxiu. "Go wash your hands."
Xia Hai stuck out his tongue. Unfazed, he kept chattering away with a cheeky grin. "Little Aunt, I always thought you couldn't cook. I never imagined your dishes could smell so good!"
Xia Jinxiu wasn't someone of fickle moods. Her previous bad temper stemmed from her lofty ambitions of always failing to find an ideal husband while outsiders gossiped behind her back. Now that she knew she was destined to become an imperial concubine in the future, what was there left for her to be unhappy about?
"Of course!" Xia Jinxiu triumphantly picked up a piece of fish, checked carefully for any bones, and fed it to the little girl. "Zhiliao, how does your little aunt's cooking taste?"
In truth, she still felt a bit insecure; she had barely cooked a handful of times, let alone tried a novel recipe like this.
Xia Zhiliao took a bite, nodding incessantly, her smile sweet as honey.
*I never expected Little Aunt to have a talent for cooking! To conquer a man's heart, you must first conquer his stomach. With culinary skills like this, Little Aunt could even open a restaurant!*
Xia Jinxiu took those words to heart. She had previously believed that she would marry into a well-off family and never need to cook herself, but what her little niece said made a good deal of sense.
If she became the emperor's woman, shouldn't she possess some unique talent that would make the emperor unable to live without her?
Since she had a talent for cooking, why not...
Xia Jinxiu was a hair's breadth away from laughing out loud. Taking advantage of the three boys still washing their hands, she asked softly, "Zhiliao, what do you want to eat tomorrow?"
Xia Zhiliao's face fell.
*I want to eat meat! Meat, of course!*
She gestured with her hands, though she had no idea if her little aunt would understand.
"Eat meat? What kind of meat? How should it be prepared?"
Xia Zhiliao looked happily at her pretty little aunt and continued gesturing with hand signs that she wasn't sure anyone could decipher.
*What I want to eat is braised pork belly. I wonder if Little Aunt understands? Look at that blank look in her eyes; she probably doesn't get it. It's braised pork belly—you know, that sweet, sticky, melt-in-your-mouth braised pork belly.*
Xia Jinxiu stroked her head. Although she found it puzzling that this little girl had clearly never eaten anything fancy yet knew the recipes for so many delicacies, so many baffling things had happened to the child that she felt anything the girl *didn't* know would be the abnormal part!
"Alright, we'll have meat tomorrow. You can be the judge for Little Aunt's cooking, and who knows, maybe I'll even be able to open a restaurant someday!" Xia Jinxiu said offhandedly, inspired by what the little girl had just brought up.
In short, trusting the little girl could never go wrong.
Upon hearing that her little aunt wanted to open a restaurant, Xia Zhiliao clapped in approval. She figured that with her own ideas combined with her little aunt's culinary skills, it was bound to succeed.
It wasn't just Xia Zhiliao praising Xia Jinxiu's cooking; everyone at the dinner table couldn't stop raving about tonight's pickled cabbage fish. Xia Jiang and the other boys were at an age where they could eat mountains of food; they didn't even spare the soup, devouring every last drop until the bowls were sparkling clean.
"Little sister, you're full of hidden talents! Once I make some money selling popcorn, I'll open a restaurant for you!" Xia Jinheng said around a toothpick.
Xia Jinxiu still harbored dreams of entering the imperial palace as a noble consort; she had no time for that, having merely spoken on a whim.
*Splendid! Fourth Uncle's business acumen paired with Little Aunt's culinary skills—they're bound to make a fortune.*
Xia Jinheng smiled smugly.
Xia Jinxiu was also tempted. The little niece had never specified when she would enter the palace, so were they just supposed to put life on hold until then?
Besides, wearing these ragged clothes failed to display her beauty; she needed to dress in gorgeous attire so the emperor would fall in love with her at first sight.
And acquiring clothes and jewelry required silver, didn't it?
"Fourth Brother, what you said isn't out of the question. But will your popcorn actually sell?"
"It's bound to succeed! There's no doubt about that. Just wait and see how your fourth brother uses popcorn to earn you a grand restaurant!"
Xia Jinxiu laughed. "Then I'll just wait and see. I might as well practice my cooking in the meantime. Mother, our family needs to buy a bit more meat from now on."
Since her granddaughter had brought it up, Old Lady Xia raised no objections, especially since their fortunes were indeed turning around.
She looked at her youngest granddaughter. Everything had started the moment she became able to hear her little granddaughter's voice.
That fortune-teller hadn't lied after all.
"Practice all you like. When the time comes for your Third Brother's wedding banquet, I'll hand it all over to you. We can even save a bit of money on hiring a cook."
Xia Jinryu's face turned beet red in an instant. "Mother, we haven't even written the first stroke of the character yet!"
"What do you mean haven't written the first stroke? My leg is already healed, and tomorrow I'm going to the Cheng family to propose marriage. Your second brother has to come along—he's a scholar and brings respect. You should spruce yourself up too. Second Brother's wife, how are Third Brother's clothes coming along?"
In matters concerning his younger brother, Xia Jinjuan had no reason to shirk.
Madam Xia Chen smiled and nodded. "Mother, I started making them the day you mentioned it, and they'll be just about done by tonight. I just don't know if Third Brother will like them!"
Old Lady Xia was overjoyed, her expression towards Madam Xia Chen growing much warmer. "With the high prices your embroidery brings in, what could he possibly find to be dissatisfied with?"
Madam Xia Chen flushed with embarrassment at the praise, while Xia Jinjuan grabbed her hand. "Third Brother, with the new clothes your second sister-in-law made for you, this marriage proposal is bound to succeed!"
"I... I'll listen to Mother and Second Brother in everything." Xia Jinryu stammered, the blush on his face unable to recede anytime soon.
*Grandma, aren't you taking me along? I want to see Third Aunt too!*
Xia Zhiliao looked at Old Lady Xia with puppy-dog eyes, her little mouth just starting to pout before Old Lady Xia surrendered. "Aigoo, our Zhiliao wants to go too? Well then, we must take her along to see whether your future third aunt is any good!"
Madam Xia Chen felt a pang of maternal tenderness, but she worried about the child's playful nature. "Mother, who brings a child along to a marriage proposal?"
"So what if we do?" Madam Xia Chen didn't mind. "With our Zhiliao going along, she can also check out the Cheng family's character. We can't just let them pick us; not just any stray cat or dog can become a daughter-in-law of the Xia family. If they can't even tolerate a child, then this marriage isn't worth making!"
Xia Jinxiu, for her part, was fiercely protective of Xia Zhiliao. "Exactly! Our family is only going to get better and better from here on out. If you ask me, if Third Brother isn't in a hurry, he can take his time picking a wife later on."
Old Lady Xia shot her daughter a glare. "How old is your Third Brother? Can he afford to wait?"
Turning back to her granddaughter, Old Lady Xia instantly put on a beaming smile. "Alright, tomorrow Grandma will take Zhiliao to see your future third aunt."
"Grandma, I want to go see too!" Xia Hai was three years older than Xia Zhiliao, right at that mischievous age where even dogs found him annoying—curious about everything and interested in everything.
Old Lady Xia gave him a sidelong glance. "What are you going to see? Stay home and behave. Our Zhiliao brings good fortune; as for you... don't go stirring up trouble."
In her heart, nobody could compare to her little granddaughter!
Chapter 033: Third Uncle and Third Aunt's Marriage is Settled
Early the next morning, Old Lady Xia personally took charge of dressing her little granddaughter.
Xia Zhiliao knew Grandma meant well, but looking at her own reflection in the bronze mirror, she broke out in a cold sweat.
*Grandma, don't you think my face looks like a monkey's backside?*
*Grandma, don't you think my face looks like someone who has been dead for three days?*
*Grandma, do you really think a child of my age needs all this painting of eyebrows and powdering of the face?*
*Tell me, is there any possibility that my face is quite naturally pretty enough without makeup to sink fish and shame the flowers, making me the cream of the crop among children?*
Listening to her granddaughter's nonstop mumbling, Old Lady Xia thought to herself that this little girl was even more long-winded than she was. She examined her for a moment. "Mm, not bad. Our Zhiliao is simply pretty—she takes after her grandma!"
Xia Zhiliao tilted her head to look at herself in the bronze mirror and forced a wry smile.
*Grandma, I won't deny that you were a great beauty in your youth, but do you genuinely think I look good right now?*
"Pretty. Truly pretty."
Xia Zhiliao was on the verge of tears. Why did the reflection in the mirror look so much like a paper funerary doll?
Taking advantage of Old Lady Xia's distraction, Xia Zhiliao quickly restored her appearance. This time, looking at it felt much more comfortable.
*Not to brag, but I really am quite handsome!*
Actually, all the members of the Xia family were blessed with decent looks, largely thanks to Old Lady Xia's genetic contribution.
Seeing her Third Uncle dressed in new clothes, Xia Zhiliao couldn't help marveling. Third Uncle had thick eyebrows, big eyes, an imposing presence, and a body full of sinewy muscle—truly material for a military general.
"Not bad. Second Brother's wife's craftsmanship is beyond reproach." Old Lady Xia was thoroughly satisfied with her son.
Madam Xia Chen modestly demurred, "It's just that the time was too tight, so some parts aren't embroidered as neatly as they could be."
"Second Sister-in-law, it's already wonderful. I've never worn such fine clothes in all my years," Xia Jinryu said. "Thank you for your hard work."
Madam Xia Chen shook her head. From the side, Xia Jinjuan smilingly patted his younger brother's shoulder. "Remember how hard your second sister-in-law worked. She's been busy making clothes for you during the day and earning money at night. You mustn't forget her kindness in the future."
Xia Jinheng nodded in agreement. "Second Brother is right."
"Second Sister-in-law, Second Sister-in-law! When I go to propose marriage, you must make me one just like it."
Madam Xia Chen took this as a sign of everyone's approval and smiled her consent.
"And Jinxiu—when she gets married, I suppose her wedding gown will have to be made by Second Sister-in-law too."
Xia Jinxiu gave a soft humph. "Second Sister-in-law, it's not that I look down on your craftsmanship, but who knows—the man I marry might just have all of that completely covered!"
"You? Oh, give it a rest! Every day you talk about marrying some extraordinary person. Who knows what kind of remarkable fellow you're supposedly marrying?" Xia Jinheng doted on his younger sister, but he loved to bicker with her.
The Xia family had grown accustomed to this routine. Xia Jinqing, though quiet, joined in with a smile.
"I'm not telling you. In any case, it's someone you wouldn't even dare to imagine." Xia Jinxiu glanced at Xia Zhiliao. "Zhiliao, don't you think Little Aunt will marry someone exceptionally, exceptionally formidable in the future?"
Xia Zhiliao nodded. Did that even need asking?
Yet, looking at her vibrant, living little aunt before her, she wondered: was her aunt really going to step into that man-eating imperial harem to scheme and fight for favor against those people?
She couldn't bear the thought.
The family set off early in the morning after breakfast, arriving at the Cheng family neither too early nor too late—just at the proper time.
A marriage proposal could not proceed without a matchmaker. Old Lady Xia had enlisted Aunt Chunhua, the sister of that Cheng family matriarch from their own village, and naturally compensated her well for her trouble.
At first, Aunt Chunhua had been reluctant, but seeing that her sister was willing, and thinking of her niece's situation—coupled with the heartwarming way the Xia family had handled their eldest daughter-in-law's remarriage—she changed her mind. Women especially felt that although Old Lady Xia could be rather formidable on ordinary days, she was genuinely tender-hearted.
Cheng Han was hiding in her room and didn't come out, but the commotion next door could be clearly heard.
Madam Cheng Wang and Old Man Cheng were a hundred percent satisfied upon seeing Xia Jinryu. The couple already knew the Xia family's situation: life was a bit hard, but in the countryside, no family was truly well-off. Besides, since they only had this one daughter, they could always offer some financial support to help them along.
Meeting their prospective son-in-law—sturdy in build, clearly capable of hard labor, and handsome in appearance—they were naturally delighted.
The Cheng family were honest and kind-hearted folk. Since they were going to discuss marriage, they had no desire to hide things or engage in underhanded tricks; otherwise, even if their daughter married into the family, she wouldn't have an easy time in the future.