In the courtyard, Wei Shouzhong was busy working with a saw, wood shavings flying everywhere.
The box was almost finished. There was quite a bit of wood left, so he planned to make a cane for Lang to help him walk. It wouldn’t take much work.
The trees cut from the mountain had to be dried and planed. The wedding day was approaching, and Wei Shouzhong was afraid he wouldn’t make it in ti. These materials were brought over from the village craftsman, with a promise to compensate the craftsman later.
Hui Niang was discussing with him on the side.
"There aren’t too many people invited, but we can squeeze them in."
"The banquet shouldn’t lack at. Be sure to catch so fish or shrimp later."
"We’ll kill another chicken."
She felt a bit reluctant because they only had five chickens at ho, all of which could lay eggs.
But Hui Niang wanted the banquet to be presentable, at least not shabby.
"There’s not much cured at left from last year, but if we slice it thinly, everyone can have a taste. After all, it counts as a dish. I’ll dig so bamboo shoots later to stir-fry."
"There’s still a lot of tofu from last ti. We can cook it with eggs for soup."
"Luckily, our radishes and greens are ample. They can eat their fill."
Wei Shouzhong wiped his sweat: "I’m confident in your arrangents. Everyone knows our family’s situation. If we try to overspend, the village chief might feel uneasy eating it."
"But don’t skimp on the drinks; they love that."
Hui Niang nodded with a smile.
"I’m aware."
"Silly Girl’s mother is skilled at brewing wine, making quite a lot every year to sell. The villagers like to support their business. I’ve already ordered several jars, more than enough."
As they were talking, Yu Tingwan ca out from Wei Zhao’s room.
The young girl had a striking appearance, enough to catch attention just by standing there. Yet, she seed unaware of this, giving Hui Niang a gentle smile.
"Auntie, is there anything you want to do?"
Hui Niang thought that she just couldn’t sit still, and after pondering, she said, "Actually, there is."
"When we host a celebration here, we need to boil celebratory eggs. The Du Family borrowed our dye powder for their celebration earlier and probably forgot to return it."
The Du Family hadn’t returned it, nor had she pressed them.
After all, their son and daughter were gone, and they probably thought they wouldn’t need dye powder again.
"If it’s convenient for you, Wan Niang, could you help Auntie go fetch it?"
After speaking, she added, uncertainly, "Do you know the way to the Du Family?"
Yu Tingwan did know.
The night they moved to the old house, the Du Family’s wife even spoke to her.
Yes, it was the sa woman who told her that Granny Fan had bad intentions, a plump lady with a scrawny nephew who ran around naked.
Yu Tingwan had thought to find sothing similarly thin back then; otherwise, it would hurt going in.
But she had been busy, and she forgot about it.
And sohow hadn’t thought of Wei Shen.
Although he was tall and strong, he was sickly and sowhat delicate.
Surely he’s not doing well.
Yu Tingwan felt at ease about this.
"I know, I’ll go now."
She walked out, and behind her ca Hui Niang’s reminder.
"Be careful, the mountain paths are slippery."
Yu Tingwan replied in a crisp voice, "Okay!"
The snow was thick, so Yu Tingwan walked slowly.
She didn’t et many people along the way, and reaching the Du Family was quite smooth.
The Du Family’s elderly woman, upon hearing her purpose, hurried to fetch it, slipping Yu Tingwan a handful of vegetables as well.
"Oh dear! Look at this, getting old makes forgetful, and I forgot to give it back to Hui Niang. These vegetables are from the field. Just send them to her to add a dish."
Yu Tingwan accepted and took her leave.
As she watched Yu Tingwan leave, the old woman scolded herself for being muddled.
Until the Du Family’s wife sneakily ca out from the house: "Mom, what does the Wei Family need dye for?"
"Are you silly? Of course, they need it for sothing."
The old woman realized.
"Right!"
"But surely the Wei Family is preparing for a funeral, why do they need to boil eggs?"
She looked at her daughter-in-law: "Who’s Lang from the Wei Family marrying?"
The Du Family’s wife glanced around, cautious of eavesdropping, and lowered her voice: "Probably Wan Niang."
"How is that possible!"
"Then why else would Wan Niang co over?"
"The girl can’t just be kind-hearted?"
The Du Family’s wife: ...
Considering Yu Tingwan’s stubborn temperant and tendency to be guarded, she didn’t think Yu Tingwan would run errands just to maintain good relations with the Wei Family next door.
"No way, I’m going to find out."
She quickly grabbed her mother-in-law: "Don’t you dare! We didn’t hear anything for sure. The Wei Family probably doesn’t want it publicized anyway. Don’t cause trouble for them."
While it was still early, Yu Tingwan didn’t rush ho and planned to take a walk by the foot of the mountain.
She found mushrooms there last ti. It had rained several days ago, and likely many had grown again.
She rembered Hui Niang saying mushroom soup was the most delicious.
It was cold, so few villagers ca by for food, and Yu Tingwan quickly picked a lot. Without a basket, she used her clothing to hold them.
As she was about to head back with her great harvest, Yu Tingwan heard crying, similar to a cat, intermittent and mournful.
It seed as if soone was calling out in pain.
But soon it turned to sobbing, indicating soone had likely muffled the sound.
The sound was faint due to the distance.
The chilly wind rustled through the trees, and eerie bird calls resonated in bouts.
Large snowflakes fell on her neck, chilling her back.
Yu Tingwan beca very alert, suddenly looking towards the source of the sound. It was quite a distance away, overgrown with weeds, and with the snow, it was mostly a white expanse, seemingly hiding unknown dangers.
There were no house near the foot of the mountain.
Even if sothing happened, crying for help loudly might be useless.
Who could be there?
Was there anyone else?
Yu Tingwan, after all, was just an ordinary girl with a bit more strength. She was also timid, not foolish enough to risk herself.
She didn’t dare to approach, turning to leave. Fortunately, no one ca out from behind to chase her.
But Yu Tingwan’s expression grew serious, her pace quickening until she was running. Upon entering the Wei Family’s gate, her legs gave out, and she fell to the ground.
Hui Niang quickly rushed over at the noise: "What happened?"
"Did sothing happen?"
Yu Tingwan grabbed her hand.
"Sothing’s wrong by the foot of the mountain."
Her tone was faster than usual, briefly explaining to Hui Niang.
Hui Niang got worried hearing this.
"It’s quite unlucky, Lang’s grandmother fell, and your uncle just stepped out."
She tried to help Yu Tingwan up: "Go to Lang’s room and warm up by the fire. I’ll find the Village Chief."
Yu Tingwan waved her off: "Auntie, I can’t muster the strength, need a mont. Don’t worry about ."
Seeing she was pale but otherwise fine, Hui Niang felt slightly relieved and hurried out.
Yu Tingwan took a long ti to co back to herself, letting the fear in her heart linger.
After who knows how long, a pair of shoes appeared before her.
Yu Tingwan slowly looked up to see whose shoes they were.
Wei Zhao had co out at so point, and whether because she was too fearful to notice or because he walked silently, she hadn’t realized it.
The man had his eyes drooped, just looking at her.
Yu Tingwan: "Am I good to look at?"
She looked quite the ss, with dirt on her clothes and her hair disheveled.
Wei Zhao didn’t speak but stepped back.
Yu Tingwan: ???
Alright, alright, the man was her choice. Lovely!
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