He said, "We will be reunited."
The older brother and younger sister didn't realize what was happening and thought it specifically referred to Fang Heng's return to the frontier.
Jiang Sheng slapped her thigh, "Oh right, we need to hurry. Third Brother's family visit leave is only three months. He promised to send Auntie off to her wedding."
"This is the first time we've had such a joyous occasion, so it has to be a grand celebration." Zheng Ruqian, a man of great wealth, said, "I've heard that noble ladies embroider their own wedding dresses. Our aunt doesn't have time to embroider one, but we have to buy a good one, the best one in Fengjing."
"Then we should add some more makeup for Auntie, right?" Wen Zhiyun asked timidly.
Therefore, in addition to buying a wedding dress and preparing a wedding banquet, gifts are also required.
Fortunately, they have all grown up and are no longer timid and helpless children; they also have their own savings.
All the profits from the two Jiuzhenfang workshops and the three other workshops were in Jiang Sheng's hands.
The money for transporting vegetables and delivering goods was all in Zheng Ruqian's hands.
The clinic's profits, as well as the fees swindled from Prince Gong's son, all ended up in Wen Zhiyun's hands.
Even Fang Heng had military pay saved up over two years of military service.
“Let’s go pick out a gift for Auntie.” Jiang Sheng was the first to jump up, her two feet moving rhythmically.
Zheng Ruqian followed closely behind, saying, "I'm a man and I don't know anything about jewelry. Sister, could you give me some advice, or even help me choose one?"
“I don’t understand either, and I need help too.” Fang Heng quickly caught up with his second brother.
Wen Zhiyun, with her gentle nature, glanced shyly at her elder brother and younger brother, and then surprisingly took off after them.
The original six siblings were split into two groups.
Four people chased and laughed in front, while two others followed with smiles behind.
"Isn't Big Brother going to pick out a gift for Aunt?" Changyan turned his head and asked, a rare hint of mischievousness in his voice. "Is it already prepared, or do you not have the money?"
Isn't that asking a question you already know the answer to?
Xu Mo smiled helplessly, "It seems I'll have to get some IOUs approved by my classmates. Little Wu rarely goes out, so I wonder if you'll need your older brother to approve a few more IOUs for you too?"
If we're talking about hurting each other, it has to be those two.
Changyan gave a helpless, bitter smile. "No need, brother, I have money."
The fifth brother in the dilapidated temple had no money, but Zhu Changyan, who came from a wealthy family, was not short of money.
Those cold, hard gold and silver pieces, like shapeless cages, were given to their master, yet also imprisoned him.
It is what countless people yearn for, yet it is what he despises.
But if it brings joy to those around me, then it seems like I've fulfilled my purpose.
That day.
Jiang Sheng picked out an intricate gold bracelet with a lace pattern for her aunt, spending hundreds of taels of silver without batting an eye. However, despite her lifelong love for candied hawthorns, she didn't even glance at the snack stall when she passed by several times.
Zheng Ruqian chose a gold necklace, which is said to make the bride look especially beautiful and wealthy on her wedding day.
Fang Heng chose a jade pendant and asked a skilled embroiderer to make a beautiful knot, which made the pendant elegant and unique.
Wen Zhiyun bought a purse with mandarin ducks on it, stuffed it with his own heart-protecting pills and a few precious health-preserving spices, making it unique in the entire Fengjing.
When it was Xu Mo's turn, he borrowed two hundred taels of silver from Qi Huai, and together with what Zhu Sihuan had left behind, he bought dozens of acres of fertile land for Aunt Zhang in the nearest village outside Fengjing City.
The five siblings made no attempt to hide their gifts from each other, and Xu Mo received praise from all his younger siblings for his thoughtfulness.
When it was time for the long banquet, the boy was being very secretive, only saying that he would know on the day of his aunt's wedding.
Everyone assumed he wasn't ready and didn't ask any further questions.
As darkness fell, the carriage finally returned to the second courtyard.
Jiang Sheng held the gold bracelet with the intricate floral pattern. Her personality, which made her unable to keep secrets, made her want to give it to Aunt Zhang in advance. However, as a dowry, it had to be given on the eve of the wedding to be considered a surprise.
Where should she hide?
Under the pillow when you sleep? Your aunt will find it when she cleans the room.
Is it in the new bedding? My aunt will find it when she airs out the bedding.
Deep inside the trunk? They'll still find you when you change clothes.
Until Zheng Ruqian stretched out his hand, "Give it to me. I know you can't hold back a good fart. Your second brother will keep it for you and give it to you when you do your wedding."
Jiang Sheng then beamed with joy, not forgetting to flatter him, "Second Brother is the best, Second Brother is the smartest, but don't let the other brothers hear this."
Zheng Ruqian, "..."
The sound of the carriage reached the courtyard. Zhang Xianglian, as usual, opened the door with a spatula in hand and saw them smiling broadly. "Quickly, quickly, wash your hands and get ready to eat."
"Auntie!" Jiang Sheng jumped up to her. "Where's the head chef? Why didn't he come?"
“He’s a chef at a restaurant, after all. He can’t come over every day.” Zhang Xianglian said a little embarrassed. “Oh, let’s just eat our own food.”
Crispy and tender braised pork knuckle, stir-fried chicken with rich broth, and translucent pancakes—the whole table was filled with my aunt's signature dishes.
I wonder if I'll still be able to eat this after she gets married.
Jiang Sheng was both happy and disappointed, her heart filled with complex emotions. It wasn't until after the meal that she asked, "Did Auntie look up auspicious days recently?"
Zhang Xianglian, who was about to wash the pots and pans, was stunned.
“It’s an auspicious day, Aunt,” Zheng Ruqian interjected. “Didn’t we agree that we would hold your wedding after your eldest brother receives the top scholar title?”
"Congratulations, Auntie." Fang Heng grinned. "It's good that everyone is here; we don't need to worry about manpower for the work."
A few monkey calls came from outside; I wondered if Jiang Ji was being mischievous.
“When I was seeing patients yesterday, I heard them say that there are many auspicious days this month.” Wen Zhiyun rested her chin on her hand, looking obedient and quiet.
Everyone smiled knowingly.
Zhang Xianglian herself was completely bewildered and dizzy, a feeling of disbelief washing over her. The children around her, the pots and pans, the yard—everything seemed to become distorted and blurry, as if she were trapped in a dream from which she could not wake up.
She... is getting married?
After divorcing her drunken, violent husband, should she marry a truly gentle and considerate man?
Is this true? Does she really deserve it?
But the surroundings felt so real. Little Jiang Sheng was standing next to me, saying something in a crisp voice. It was probably about the wedding dress and dowry. She actually got to have her own wedding?
Thinking back to when I married Zhou Zhiqiang, all I had to do was wear a red dress, kowtow to my parents, and that was it—I was considered married, like water spilled from a cup.
Even if she was beaten, scolded, or humiliated, when she returned to her parents' home, all they would say was a sigh: "You're married now, you're no longer a member of the Zhou family, there's nothing we can do about it."
But apart from being her parents' daughter and the Zhou family's daughter-in-law, she is still herself.
Zhang Xianglian, her name is Zhang Xianglian. She is herself first, then a daughter-in-law, a daughter, and a mother.
"Let's buy the wedding dress at Tiansifang. Sister Yao said their embroiderers are incredibly skilled."
"It would be better to have a mix of cold and hot dishes for the wedding banquet. We need to finalize the menu quickly so I can buy the food as soon as possible."
"Should we find someone to be the head chef...?"
"Fool, the head chef has apprentices, how can he be without cooks?"
"Auntie, Auntie, what do you think?"
The children chattered around her, asking for her opinion.
Zhang Xianglian finally calmed down, her smile serene and peaceful. "Anything is fine."
Everything is fine now.
Continue read on readnovelmtl.com
