Before we knew it, it was time for the three-day homecoming visit.
Baili Xiao and Xia Chunmei returned to the village together.
Xia Hongfen specially declined today's banquet and stayed home to wait for Xia Chunmei and Baili Xiao to return.
Upon seeing Xia Chunmei, Xia Hongfen hurriedly pulled her into the room and whispered, "I heard from Zhuang Shi that Ning Xiao is a great general. Is that true?"
"It's true," Xia Chunmei said. "Does everyone in the village know?"
"No, Zhuang said you told them not to tell anyone, so she only told me secretly."
On that day, Zhou Shumin revealed Baili Xiao's identity. Xia Xintian and his wife, along with Chen Village Chief Chen from Chenjiaqiao, Xia Huohua, Xia Qiang, Xia Tianji, and several other people who had accompanied the bride, were all present.
Therefore, everyone knows that Ning Xiao is Baili Xiao, the Great General!
Having two village chiefs escort the bride was considered the highest standard for a rural woman's marriage in this era.
"You knew his identity a long time ago, why were you so tight-lipped? You didn't even tell me," Xia Hongfen said reproachfully.
“I’m afraid if I tell you, you’ll feel uncomfortable seeing him.”
"That's true. Now that I've heard he's a general, I don't even dare to look at him." For ordinary people, the sight of a mere yamen runner makes their legs tremble, let alone such a high-ranking official.
Upon hearing this, Xia Chunmei laughed and said, "What are you afraid of? No matter how high his official rank is, you are still an elder. You don't need to be afraid of him."
"How can they be the same?"
"I think he's quite easy to talk to."
"How does he treat you? Do you two... um?" Xia Hongfen said, "You're pregnant now, you can't let him do whatever he wants."
"Oh dear, Auntie, what nonsense are you talking about? Nothing happened between us, we didn't even sleep in the same bed."
"Just because you're not sleeping now doesn't mean you won't sleep with him in the future. Men, after marriage, all they think about is that kind of thing. You're pregnant now, you can't do 'that,' you know?"
“I know that we are only husband and wife in name. We will divorce when the child is older. We won’t do anything like that.”
When it was said to be fake, Xia Hongfen couldn't help but sigh again.
“By the way, that bitch Chen Erlan has been hanging around our village these past few days, and she even secretly went to see Dongmei. I don’t think she’s given up,” Xia Hongfen said. “Your Grandma Ming, Uncle Xintian, and I have all discussed going to Gengjia Village to teach Chen Erlan a lesson. We won’t be able to get rid of that bitch until she’s completely subdued.”
“Aunt, don’t worry about that. I’ve already arranged for people to keep an eye on Chen Erlan. No matter what she’s trying to do, she won’t succeed. Right now, the most important thing is to teach Grandma Ming, Aunt Jinlian, and Aunt Lihua how to make boiled pork slices. I brought back several pounds of lean meat today. I’ll call them over in a bit and teach them how to make boiled pork slices.”
Xia Chunmei had previously considered bringing boiled pork slices to banquets to open up the market for bean sprouts.
However, Xia Chunmei has been too busy to prepare the banquet, and they don't know how to make boiled pork slices yet, so the matter has been delayed.
For three days in a row, Xia Chunmei taught them how to cook at home. Everyone practiced repeatedly until they finally made the dishes look decent.
Xia Chunmei has become so sick of this dish that she's almost sick of it these past few days.
Xia Chunmei also had them each cook the other dishes, which she then tasted and offered her feedback on.
"As things stand, your skills are good enough to take orders. I'll buy all the pots, pans, and utensils tomorrow. Give me your team members' information, and once that's confirmed, you can start taking orders."
Upon hearing this, the group almost screamed with excitement. Being able to take orders meant a promotion, a raise, and the ability to earn more money.
"I will inform Grandma Wang in the county town and ask her to contact customers as soon as possible. People in the county town are rich, so I will charge a higher price. Your wages will also be increased accordingly."
Therefore, I will arrange for the most skilled chef to go there. So, everyone, if you want to earn more money, don't slack off; you must practice your skills. Don't be perfunctory just because you're already a chef.
"Chunmei, what are you saying? Do you think your aunt is that kind of person?"
"That's right, you can rest assured, we will definitely work hard, practice hard, and figure things out."
...
After they went back and told their families the news, they were all incredibly excited.
The fact that they can now take orders means that Xia Hongfen has to go back.
She's been out long enough.
Moreover, she hadn't received any money from Xia Chunmei during this period, even though she was the one in charge of cooking.
Xia Chunmei planned to give her a mule and some pots and pans to help her set up her business.
Unexpectedly, when Bailixia Xiao arrived in the afternoon, he brought a mule with him, and the mule cart was carrying four sets of brand-new cooking utensils.
“I thought you were going to buy these things, so I’ve prepared everything. This extra set and this mule are for Auntie,” Baili Xiao said.
I haven't told him these things.
But this usually stern man was surprisingly nice; he prepared everything, and even thoughtfully prepared a portion for his aunt as well.
That's really great!
"This... I don't want it, it's too expensive." Xia Hongfen dared not accept it, feeling it was too pricey.
The high price of the items was one thing, but another was that she was afraid he would look down on her niece if she accepted such expensive gifts. She, as a member of her family, was not the kind of person who liked to take advantage of others.
"Aunt, you must keep this. You've been working for me all this time without taking a single penny, and you've even taken care of my three younger sisters. As your niece, I'm giving you something, and you're still making excuses? You absolutely must take it!"
If you don't want to take it, I'll personally deliver it to Xiaojiagou. If you're willing to let me go there, then don't take it on your way back.
Xia Hongfen knew that Xia Chunmei was pregnant, so how could she let Xia Chunmei travel such a long distance?
But she also knew that Xia Chunmei said that on purpose, and Xia Hongfen was extremely moved.
"Your aunt must have done a lot of good deeds in her past life to have such a wonderful niece like you." It's just a pity that her short-lived brother didn't get to enjoy the blessings of having a daughter.
Xia Chunmei originally planned to arrange for Dongmei and Qiumei to stay with Xia Hongfen, but Baili Xiao suggested sending them to a female teacher to learn needlework, or music, chess, calligraphy and painting.
Xia Chunmei had thought about letting them learn more before, but she didn't know how. Now that Baili Xiao had solved the problem, she naturally had no objections.
Both younger sisters were willing to go, especially Dongmei, who loved needlework, and Qiumei, who went because her younger sister went.
Since they were willing to learn, Xia Chunmei discussed it with Baili Xiao and decided to send them there on a chosen day.
...
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