Mother Zhang saw that her in-laws and Xiao Wu had all gone out, and would not interfere with their conversation. After breakfast, she tidied up her tasks and hurried to see her grandson.
Upon entering, she heard Zhou Jiao mumbling to Ping’an while reciting. Though she couldn’t understand, she felt that her daughter-in-law spoke softly and leisurely, reciting sotis stopping to call Ping’an’s nickna, which made her laugh heartily.
"Jiao Jiao, you should call him by his full na. Xiao Wu nad him Zhang Mingxuan, saying that his five elents lack fire; the aning of Xuan is bright and warm, and sothing with a large reputation, anyway, your father and father-in-law both approved the na. When he has a little sibling in the future, it will be nad Ming He, together making Xuan He, implying they will have great fa and prestige. Haha, my Xiao Wu really knows how to na, Xi Zi’s full na Zhang Mingyuan, he said yuan ans first. Zhang Mingyuan, rolls off the tongue, look at nas he chose, Zhang Mingyuan, Zhang Mingzuo, Zhang Mingyou, Zhang Minghao, Zhang Mingxuan, your uncle says all the good nas with "Ming" are taken by our family."
Zhou Jiao nodded after listening, "If you hadn’t ntioned it, I really wouldn’t have known that Xiao Wu nad Xi Zi and their siblings, it’s indeed good. What are uncle’s grandchildren called? I only hear them being called Tie Dan and Tong Suo."
Mother Zhang laughed heartily, took Little Ping’an into her arms, and said with a smile, "This generation for Xiao Wu is ’Qing’ according to the family book. Your uncle nad his kids Qing Shan, Qingyan, Qingya, your younger uncle nad Qingfeng, Qingling, all related to mountains. Our family has nas picked by your father like Guo Fu, Guoqiang, National Day given by your grandfather. For Xi Zi’s generation your grandfather insisted on following the family book, while your dad and Xiao Wu didn’t stick to it for two generations, otherwise it would get ssy, so Xiao Wu nad Ming Yuan. Your uncle and younger uncle’s ’Ming’ generation, are all river, lake nas, Tie Dan is Zhang Mingjiang, Tong Suo Zhang Minghu, I don’t rember the rest, too many, only know nicknas."
"It’s fine, Ming generation nas sound good too. I guess Mai Miao and Mai Sui’s full nas are also given by Xiao Wu?"
"Yes, Xiao Wu heard elders say Da Ya lacks water, then searched in the book and told your father, it’s three water ’Miao’, just right with nickna Mai Miao, full na Zhang Miao, I don’t know how to write, just heard cultured people. Your second sister-in-law gave birth to Shi Tou insisting Xiao Wu to na nicely, Xiao Wu then picked Zhang Minghao, later as soon as she gave birth to the little girl, your second sister-in-law followed Mai Miao naming Mai Sui, still with Xiao Wu picking full na Zhang Tong, saying it ans prosperity; later surely your sister-in-law will have a prosperous life. My Xiao Wu is kind-hearted, afraid she favors boys over girls, deliberately chose a pleasant na."
Zhou Jiao amusingly watched Mother Zhang, whatever Xiao Wu did, her mother-in-law would always find reasons to speak well of Xiao Wu, truly loved him motherly.
"Mom, the new courtyard is finished, should we host a feast?"
Mother Zhang shook her head, said wistfully: "No need, everyone’s simpler these days. In the past, building this courtyard, laying foundations required serving chicken, duck, livestock, and wine to land deities, even beam-raising brought all relatives and friends. Firecrackers were deafening, cornbread and sweet cakes scattered everywhere, nowadays just a casual couple of tables on moving day. I plan to follow village customs, your father also said, keep it simple, unassuming. Building two big courtyards, if feasted again, certainly labeled as landlords."
New courtyard ground is solid now. Finally ready. You can move in this month."
Zhou Jiao was surprised, wide-eyed, "So soon, I thought at the earliest next month."
"Indeed fast, all in a rush. Originally Xiao Wu and his two brothers planned to build exactly like this courtyard. Later, to save ti carpenter feared stone shortage, left open space to adjust to three rooms, west wing two rooms each, saving considerable effort here. Plus carpenter had doors and windows pre-prepared. Isn’t it faster? Xiao Wu ntioned this to you, right? Your dad praised the carpenter’s integrity, paid extra wages."
"Xiao Wu ntioned, said space was left. Making it smaller is good. We’re just three people, not much use taking large space. That old master is genuine, lucky he organized. Extra wages we covered, eldest brother and sister-in-law, second brother and sister-in-law worked hard, only I avoided indoors. Don’t delay, otherwise later feel biased, can’t let you endure grievances. Mom, listen to , spend a bit, as long as the family is happy, everything’s good."
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