Chapter 1326 Dowry 1
"But it doesn't matter," said Xiao Qian. "I'll ask your eldest brother and the others to store more this year. When your fourth brother goes to the capital again, I'll have him ship two jars to you. Aunt Rong can also make sauerkraut. Not only mutton, but pork is also very good for making sauerkraut. However, beef is probably the best, but it's a pity that beef is not often available. The last time I used it to make sauerkraut was because County Magistrate Yang wanted to eat it, so he sent me a piece of beef..."
The two sisters-in-law were gossiping, and the topic came up with Daya Zhou Lixin. Little Qian said, "Someone from the headman's house came early this morning to invite Dad over. They must be discussing the wedding date. Daya might be getting married in a few days."
Manbao was surprised, "Is it so urgent?"
Xiao Qian smiled and said, "You just came back, so you feel that time is tight and you are a little anxious. But in fact, this marriage has been proposed for half a year since their family became interested."
She said, "We set it up in October. The eighth of this month was originally a good date, but my family thought you would be back for the New Year, and Daya was the first one of their generation to get married, so they thought everyone should be back, so we delayed it."
People in the countryside don't have as many requirements for marriage as people in the city. As long as the couple doesn't get married before the farming season, the woman's side will generally not have any major objections.
Now, neither the Zhou family nor the village head's family is short of money. As long as they want to hold a wedding, they can do so at any time.
Madam Qian lowered her voice and said, "If we don't do it before the New Year, the busy farming season will start soon after the New Year. We definitely won't want Daya to marry then, so we have to wait until after the Qingming Festival and the rice seedlings are planted in the fields. Guan Yong is not young anymore, and his family still wants to marry him off sooner."
It is convenient for others and for yourself. Everyone wants to be relatives. Although they have to save face for each other's children, they also have to be considerate of each other. Therefore, Zhou Dalang and Xiao Qian agreed to get married before the New Year. Today, Old Zhou and Zhou Dalang went to the headman's house to discuss the wedding date.
Manbao finished his noodles and asked, "Why did Dad and Big Brother go to their house instead of their family coming to ours?"
Mrs. Qian laughed and said, "They came the day before yesterday. It's because you weren't sure when you'd be back that Dad couldn't decide on a date. Who knew you'd come back this evening, not long after they left? We've already received a generous gift asking about the date, so it's hard to accept a second one. It just so happened that Dad heard someone was selling a cow in Dali Village, so he wanted to check it out, so he stopped by."
Manbao's eyes lit up, "Do you want to buy a cow?"
Qian nodded. "We have some savings now. Dad said we should raise a cow. Not only can it help with the daily work, but it can also give birth to a calf. Now your fourth, fifth, and sixth brothers are all away from home, and your second brother has to take care of the business in Yizhou City from time to time, so he can't take care of the farm work. It's a bit tiring to rely on these people alone."
Manbao said, "Let's hire someone, otherwise it will be too tiring."
Mrs. Qian shook her head. "Why do we need to hire anyone? Wheat, rice, and beans are all planted at different times. It's okay if we plant them a little slower."
Manbao became thoughtful.
It is indeed difficult to ask her father to pay for someone.
Manbao glanced across the yard and asked, "Sister-in-law, can we build a house on that vacant lot over there?"
Mrs. Qian followed her gaze and shook her head, saying, "Our homestead has already been approved. If we want more, we'll have to split up, or we'll have to buy one. But we don't lack a house right now."
There is no shortage of houses for people to live in, but there is a shortage of houses for cows to live in.
Manbao took the bowl out to wash, then sat opposite Xiao Qianshi and shelled beans together. "Sister-in-law, what dowry has your family prepared for Daya?"
"A few quilts, new clothes, and a rattan box. She's been keeping all her money these past few years. Mother said she'd give her two dozen copper coins as a gift." Little Qianshi paused and lowered her voice, "Your eldest brother and I wanted to give her two dozen copper coins as a gift as well."
"So after she gets married, will she stay in the village and farm?"
Little Qian sighed and said, "Farming is too tiring, but she has been doing this since she was a child, so she is not afraid."
Manbao suggested to her, "Sister-in-law, let Daya continue to work in the restaurant. Give her a monthly stipend and tell the headman's family that when you get old, you can give her the shop as a dowry. They will definitely agree."
Xiao Qian was stunned for a moment, obviously not expecting Manbao to suddenly mention the shop. The shop was registered under Manbao's name, and it was agreed that it would be left to Manbao as a dowry.
However, Manbao didn't know about this yet, so Xiao Qianshi paused and said, "Her dowry now is not small, especially with the money she has saved over the years. There is also a lot. In the surrounding villages, no girl has a dowry like hers. It is more than enough."
"But compared to the rest of the family, it's still not as good." Manbao thought she wanted to leave the shop to Datou and Santou, so he said, "Sister-in-law, Li Zhong is doing quite well in the capital now. Our family has a shop in the capital. Fourth brother is addicted to business now, and Li Zhong and the others have to help out occasionally. He will definitely look down on your shop in the future. I asked Li Xue and the others yesterday, and besides San Ya, Li Xue is the best student now."
Manbao whispered, "I only realized after I went out that there are many people who study in this world. If you want to stand out, it's not enough to just be able to farm and do business. You also have to be able to study and take exams. Lixue is not stupid. Let him go out to study. He is of the right age."
Xiao Qian was stunned. "Three heads can take the exam?"
"He may not pass the exam, but if he has read so much, he will definitely be able to make a living," Manbao said, "so you don't have to worry about him. There's no need for Lizhong and Lixun to take care of the shop. Just give it to Daya. That way she can have an easier time."
Xiao Qian reached out and touched her head and said with a smile: "No need to give it to her, I'll take over this shop first."
"It's for you to keep first. When you don't want to cook in the restaurant anymore, give it to Daya."
Xiao Qian: ...
Manbao looked at her with round eyes and asked in confusion, "What's wrong, sister-in-law?"
Xiao Qian sighed and said with a smile, "This shop will be left to you as a dowry in the future."
Manbao didn't expect that this shop still had her own business. She waved her hand generously and said, "I don't need it. I will buy it myself in the future. Sister-in-law, you can give it to Daya."
"That won't work. You bought this shop with your own money, and it was originally registered in your name," said Xiao Qianshi. "You've already turned thirteen and fourteen, so you'll be getting married in the next year or two. All these things need to be prepared."
Manbao scratched his head and said, "But sister-in-law, this shop is a gift to you. It is yours. How can it be transferred back to me?"
"It has never changed hands. The name on it has always been yours."
Manbao: ...
Manbao thought about it seriously and finally found an excuse. She said seriously, "Sister-in-law, I'm not a good cook. If I open a shop in the future, it will be a medicine shop. It's absolutely impossible for me to open a restaurant."
The next update will be around 6:00 PM
(End of this chapter)
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