After Xiao Ling’s engagent was settled, Xiao Yuan asked Anning and Hui Family to quickly handle the arrangents, so they could bring Miss Yuan into the family as soon as possible.
This rural marriage arrangent cannot be as extravagant as those in the Capital. It’s just about exchanging birth information, the Xiao Family providing so betrothal gifts, the Yuan Family adding so dowry, choosing a good day to host a few tables, and inviting neighbors for the wedding banquet.
For Anning, such a simple task was really easy to manage.
She and the Hui Family, together with a few girls from the household, took care of it all.
Once everything that needed preparation was ready, Anning then asked Xiao Yuan to inform the Old Master.
Ever since Xiao Yuan obtained a ninth-rank official position, the main branch remained silent, presumably not daring to cause trouble.
That morning, after teaching a few children and giving them howork, Xiao Yuan went to the main branch.
The weather was particularly hot, and when Xiao Yuan arrived, the Old Master and Old Madam were resting under the trees in the courtyard, with a young maid of about ten serving tea next to them.
Seeing Xiao Yuan coming in, the Old Madam snorted and turned her head away, ignoring him.
The Old Master sighed, "Third Son, you are way too bold. Our family was exiled here as criminals, and instead of keeping a low profile, you took the audacious step of organizing so village soldiers; tell , what were you thinking..."
Xiao Yuan calmly took a seat, "Old Master, it’s not that I’m bold, but I truly have no choice. Although we’re not very close to the sea, several tis pirates have targeted our village when they ca ashore. If I don’t maintain so manpower, are you, Old Master, going to be able to mount a horse and fight, or will my elder brothers kill the enemies? How many of the old and young in the household will survive?"
With just a few words, Xiao Yuan left the Old Master speechless.
Xiao Yuan didn’t drink tea; instead, he looked at the Old Master and said, "I’ve co today to inform you and the Old Madam that Lao Liu’s engagent is settled, and the wedding is set for the sixth day of next month."
"What?"
The Old Madam was shocked, "Settled? With which family? I was thinking of finding soone reliable for Lao Liu, but I didn’t expect it to be decided so quickly."
The Old Master, however, showed a dark red face, clearly angry, "The little brat, whose family is he marrying into? I am his father, and he didn’t even say a word about the engagent. Is he trying to infuriate to death?"
Xiao Yuan slowly tidied his sleeves, "Separated families; what does it matter whether it’s ntioned or not? It’s settled now, and I’m simply informing you."
Almost on the verge of being infuriated to death, the Old Master exclaid, "You unfilial one, fine, since you all kept the engagent from , then don’t invite to the wedding. I won’t go; let’s see which hall they worship."
Xiao Yuan got up and walked out, "I’ve inford you; whether you choose to go or not is up to you. If you don’t want Lao Liu, then just don’t go."
At the door, Xiao Yuan turned back to glance at the Old Master, "Rest assured, Lao Liu has and Lao Si; he won’t suffer any grievances."
The Old Master threw the teacup in response.
Xiao Yuan dodged sideways, left with a faint smile on his face.
The Old Master imdiately ordered soone to call Xiao Jue over to inquire about which family’s daughter Xiao Ling was engaged to.
It didn’t take long for Xiao Jue to find out, "Father, Lao Liu is engaged to the fourth daughter of the Marquis Guangning’s Mansion."
"What?"
This ti, the Old Madam couldn’t stay seated.
Lao Liu, that unworthy son, is going to marry the legitimate daughter of Marquis Guangning’s Mansion?
This made her feel extrely unsettled inside.
Why?
The legitimate daughter of Marquis Guangning’s Mansion could even beco a princess, yet she’s marrying the lowborn son of Lao Liu. Even their eldest son’s wife as the Heir of Duke Ping wasn’t of as high a status as Lao Liu’s wife.
Thinking of this, the Old Madam was even more furious.
She thought this was intentional by the Third, to deliberately elevate Lao Liu so as to suppress the Eldest.
She didn’t even consider that having been exiled to the Southern Yi, what good would this do for Xiao Yuan?
"Marquis Guangning’s Mansion, Marquis Guangning’s Mansion." The Old Master slumped into a chair, feeling weak all over, "The Third Son has truly achieved sothing, even marrying Lao Liu to a girl from the Marquis Guangning’s Mansion. Fine, fine, I won’t bother with him anymore; I can’t control him."
Xiao Jue supported the Old Master, feeling utterly bitter inside hearing what he said.
Returning to the room, Mrs. Zhao ca over and handed Xiao Jue a cup of cool tea, "Is Lao Liu really going to marry Miss Yuan?"
Xiao Jue took a sip of tea, "Yes, the Third sohow got the Yuan Family to agree."
Mrs. Zhao pursed her lips, "Lately, I’ve been watching the Third Son’s actions; he’s been too audacious. Besides those village soldiers he trained, it seems so mountain bandits also co seeking him. Those people appear quite fierce; what do you think the Third plans to do?"
Xiao Jue waved his hand, "No matter what he plans to do, we shouldn’t ddle; we can’t get involved."
"Maybe I should write a letter to the Capital and inform my father about these things?"
Mrs. Zhao tentatively suggested.
Xiao Jue turned to look at Mrs. Zhao, a sharp glint in his eyes, "No."
Mrs. Zhao quickly lowered her head, "If not, then so be it."
Xiao Jue wasn’t entirely at ease, "Let tell you, you need to behave yourself quietly. Don’t get involved in matters of the Third’s family, and don’t speak about it outside. You must understand, even though we’ve separated, the sa Xiao surna writes both families, and we are still linked. Even though I disapprove of the Third, if there’s any trouble, it will implicate us; if it’s a matter that could get heads rolling, we won’t fare well either. Moreover, with the Third’s current power in the country, it’s not a loss for us. Haven’t you noticed lately that no one dares to ss with our family, and that’s all thanks to the Third."
"I understand."
Mrs. Zhao murmured.
She completely abandoned the idea of exposing Xiao Yuan’s actions.
She wasn’t foolish; she was also educated as a head wife of a prominent family, understanding the principle that their fortunes were tied together.
Even though they’ve separated, if there were a calamity of extermination, their main branch wouldn’t escape.
"Shall we attend Lao Liu’s wedding?"
Mrs. Zhao asked Xiao Jue.
"Yes." Xiao Jue replied through gritted teeth, "Prepare the gift well, and on that day we will all attend. Make sure to go early and help the Third Son’s wife with the affairs."
Mrs. Zhao nodded, "Alright, I understand."
With the rice seedlings planted and crops set, Anning indeed felt more relaxed.
At this ti, the wheat had also been stored, so Anning took Xiao Ying and a few others to start grinding flour for making so noodle dishes.
During the wheat planting, Anning involved both the fourth and sixth branches, and once the wheat was harvested, naturally the fourth and sixth branches received their shares too.
Lao Si and Lao Liu were almost driven crazy wanting to eat noodles and such. Upon hearing Anning say she wanted to grind flour to make noodles, they imdiately brought their own wheat to grind and store, so they could make so pastries later.
Grinding flour was labor-intensive then, unlike now where you can just pour it into a modern mill and get fine white flour in no ti.
Back then, grinding flour was done with a stone mill, and the flour produced was not only coarse but could also be mixed with sand and stones, making it gritty. To get fine flour, you would need to sift it several tis through a fine sieve, and the process was tedious.
Fortunately, there were plenty of young n in the family, so Anning didn’t need to do it herself.
Anning directed Xiao Ying and Xiao Song to grind the wheat, while she sifted around the mill to clean the wheat flour. After seven or eight processes, she finally produced so fine white flour.
The remaining coarse flour was left by Anning to feed the chickens and ducks in the family.
After she finished grinding the flour, Xiao Ying and the others helped the fourth and sixth branches to grind their flour too.
Anning took a bag of flour and asked Xiao Hui along with five other girls to go ho and steam buns and make dumplings.
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