Chapter 7: Getting married. It's you.

Qiu Xuan really didn't expect that the Zong family actually lived deep in the mountains.

These days, she had only heard Lin Cuihua talk about how well the Zong family was doing. When she thought about how the Zong family had lent the Qiu family five taels of silver a few years ago, Qiu Xuan had come to believe that the Zong family lived at the foot of the mountain.

"Our home is just ahead. If you're really afraid of being seen."

"No...it's okay, I'll be back soon." Qiu Xuan lifted her skirt and quickly ran into the woods. The idea of ​​running away had been lingering in her mind, but there was really no chance at the moment.

The forest deep in the mountains would only be more terrifying than the one below, so she wouldn't take the risk.

Looking at it this way, following this person back to the clan is the best outcome.

Qiu Xuan prepared herself mentally before walking out of the woods again.

She was still wearing a veil and was helped to sit on the donkey, so she still couldn't see the man's face clearly.

On the other side, the grandmother was busy preparing the feast at home.

The Zong family rarely gets so lively. There are six tables set up in the courtyard alone, and nearly half of the village’s people have come.

"Yamato, why did your family prepare so many dishes? Let me say this, but they are just taking advantage of the situation." A woman who was about the same age as my mother was standing in front of the kitchen holding a baby girl. She pouted, looking somewhat dissatisfied with the people who were eating fruits and chatting in the yard.

The clan mother's face was full of smiles, and she was not annoyed when she heard her words. "My dear sister, I know you are doing this for my own good and you care about me. I know all about how the villagers have treated us over the years."

"But this is my Erlang's wedding, and I don't want to make it a small one." The clan mother pulled her aside and whispered, "You will sit at the main table later. That table has a lot of meat and vegetables, and it's specially prepared for you."

The woman groaned upon hearing this, nudged the clan mother with her body, and asked suspiciously, "By the way, why haven't I heard you mention Erlang's marriage? How did you suddenly decide on someone, and so quickly?"

There were many people outside and the grandmother didn't want to make the matter public. She gave the woman a wink and the two of them went into the house one after another.

The tea was full, and the clan mother took a sip before saying, "Erlang's marriage was not something I sought, it was delivered to my door."

"Is there something delivered to your door for free?" The woman widened her eyes.

"How could that be possible?" The clan mother came closer and said, "She's the daughter of the Qiu family in Datun Village. Didn't their family owe us five taels of silver? That black-hearted Qiu Shitou wouldn't part with the money."

The words stopped there, but the woman already understood.

"So that's the case. Have you ever met this girl? What's she like?"

The clan mother shook her head. "No, but I asked someone to find out. She's a kind-hearted child, not like her father."

While they were talking, the sound of gongs and drums was heard outside the courtyard gate.

"Let's go, someone is coming."

The grandmother straightened her clothes and left the house after making sure that nothing was wrong with her.

In the yard, a group of people surrounded Zong Xiao and the bride, and the mischievous one wanted to lift the veil.

Fortunately, Zong Xiao acted quickly and blocked it back.

The man was frustrated and felt unhappy: "Erlang, don't be so stingy, let us see if the bride is pretty."

"Gou Cheng, you're so anxious. If others didn't tell you, they would think you were getting married."

The people around laughed out loud when they heard this.

Gou Cheng's face turned red with embarrassment.

Everyone in the village knew that he was a lazy scoundrel who was already 21 years old and still hadn't married.

"Stop arguing here, everyone, disperse, it's time, let the newlyweds come in and get married."

Someone in the crowd shouted something like this, and the people gathered around him slowly dispersed.

Getting married in the village is not that complicated. After entering the courtyard and worshipping in the hall, the bride can go back to the house to rest.

As for serving tea to the mother-in-law, the clan mother doesn't care about it.

It was also Qiu Xuan’s first time to get married. She couldn’t see anything clearly because of the veil covering her head. She could only hear the noises and felt that the surroundings were very lively.

"Erlang, take them back to the house to rest. They must be exhausted after walking for so long in this hot weather." The clan mother looked at Qiu Yun and was very satisfied to see that the girl was not timid and her body was not weak.

"Okay, I'll be there in a moment."

Zong Xiao took Qiu Xuan's hand and brought her to the bridal chamber. The so-called bridal chamber was actually where Zong Xiao lived alone before. The room was not big, but it had everything.

There is not only a cabinet but also a table by the window, which is now filled with a lot of fruits and snacks.

Zong Xiao helped her sit on the kang and said, "Rest here for a while. There's food on the table. If you're hungry, just eat by yourself. I'll ask Huaixue to bring you some hot meals later."

Qiu Xuan was already hungry and even growled twice on the way.

Right now, she just wanted the people in the house to leave quickly and not delay her from eating.

As soon as the door was closed, Qiu Xuan couldn't wait to lift the veil. She was really hungry. If she didn't eat something now, she would faint from hunger.

She stood up and walked to the table, where she saw six plates of food.

Although the plate is only the size of a palm, the snacks on it are particularly tempting.

Qiu Xuan picked up a piece of white pastry. It was soft and tender, and even had the fragrance of osmanthus.

It’s really delicious. This is the first time Qiu Xuan has tasted pastries since she came here.

She raised her hand to take the second piece when the door was suddenly pushed open from outside.

Before Qiu Xuan had time to take off her veil, she made eye contact with the little girl.

The little girl with a round face and almond eyes held a bowl of noodles and called out to her sweetly, "Second Aunt, my uncle asked me to bring you some food."

Qiu Xuan didn't know anything about the Zong family, so naturally she didn't know that there was such a young girl in the Zong family.

But this child is good-looking and people like him at first sight.

"What's your name?" Qiu Xuan walked forward and took the bowl of slightly hot noodles from her hand.

"My name is Huaixue." The little girl was very outgoing and not shy at all.

Qiu Xuan put the noodles on the table and rubbed her red little hands.

"This noodle is so hot, yet your uncle still lets you serve it."

Huaixue pointed to the bowl of noodles and shook her head, "It's not hot."

Qiu Xuan smiled, her palms turned red, how could they not be hot.

She asked, "Are you hungry? Would you like some noodles or cakes?"

Zong Huaixue was not hungry originally, but when she saw the sweet pastries on the table, she wanted to eat them again.

She pointed at the date cake and smiled embarrassedly.

"Here, eat it." Qiu Xuan handed it to her.

The little girl ate one piece happily, and seeing that she wanted more, Qiu Yun handed her another piece.

"Grandma doesn't let me eat so much." The little girl said this, but took it with her little hand.

Outside the house, the clan mother couldn't find Huaixue, so she shouted.

Hearing the noise, Huaixue jumped down from the stool and waved at Qiu Xuan, "Second Aunt, I'll come see you later."

After saying that, he ran out in a flash.

When the clan mother saw her coming out of the bridal chamber, she hurriedly took her to the next room.

"Are you going to eat this cake by yourself?"

"Grandma! No, it's not that. Second Aunt gave it to me."

The clan mother's face lit up with joy, and she asked, "Did you see it? Is Second Aunt pretty?"

"So handsome!"

The clan mother couldn't stop smiling. She was worried at first, but now she saw that this girl was really good.

The happy event lasted from noon to evening. When most people in the courtyard had left, Zong's mother urged Zong Xiao to go back to the house.

On a wedding day, the bride is the most important person.

Zong Xiao was forced to drink quite a bit of wine, but luckily his alcohol tolerance was still good and he wasn't so drunk that his steps were unsteady.

He stood in front of the door, and his ears turned red when he thought of the girl in the house who was willing to marry him.

Inside the house, Qiu Xuan finished her meal early, and took a nap on the kang by herself after noon. She is now in high spirits.

Hearing the noise outside the door, she quickly put down her veil.

The door was pushed open, and Zong Xiao, smelling a little of alcohol, walked in.

There were no lights on in the house, and it was obviously much darker than outside.

He was a little nervous and walked slowly to the edge of the kang.

The veil was lifted, and Zong Xiao looked down, and his eyes bumped into Qiu Xuan who was looking up.

The air around was silent for a while.

Qiu Xuan looked at the familiar scarred face in front of her, her eyes trembled, and there was an unconcealable shock in her eyes.

Qiu Xuan said in surprise, "It's you."