After Jiang Nuan divided the tiny seedling into branches, she entered the thatched hut and began her cultivation for the day.
The next day, early in the morning, Jiang Nuan was woken up by her two sisters-in-law.
“Mother, today is a big day, we must dress up nicely.” After saying that, Xie took out a set of dark purple cotton clothes from the trunk. “This clothes were made for you by your father-in-law when he was alive. It was made of the best cotton. You only wore it a few times during the New Year.”
"Cotton? What kind of fabric is this?" Jiang Nuan asked疑惑地, "Is silk mixed into the cotton?"
“No,” Xie explained as she helped Jiang Nuan straighten her skirt, “Mianchou is still cotton cloth. It looks just as beautiful as silk, but it’s not as expensive. It’s woven by weavers who soak it in a special medicinal solution.”
After a pause, Xie added, "There is still a difference. Cotton is thicker and doesn't feel as smooth to the touch, and it doesn't fit as snugly as silk when worn; it's a bit stiff."
Jiang Nuan felt it for a moment and nodded in agreement, "It is indeed a bit stiff, but it has a very good texture, and the clothes made from it are exceptionally beautiful."
Jiang Nuan is wearing a stand-up collar dress; if it were made of cotton or silk, it certainly wouldn't have the same feel.
After tidying up Jiang Nuan, the two of them tidied up Huang Yi as well.
Huang Yi didn't need to do much tidying up. He changed into a set of clothes that were neither new nor old, combed his hair, and that was about it.
After getting ready, Jiang Nuan took her family to the village chief's house.
When Jiang Nuan arrived, the village chief and elders had already gathered in the hall.
Sister-in-law Huang brought over the pastries, peanuts, and melon seeds that Jiang Nuan had brought, poured tea, and served them thoroughly before carefully retreating.
Huangjiakou is a clan settlement. The advantage of this is that the entire clan is closely connected, but the disadvantage is that clan power becomes excessive.
It is no exaggeration to say that the clan chief of Huangjiakou had the power to decide the life and death of ordinary villagers.
Even Sister-in-law Huang was very wary of these people.
Sister-in-law Huang's understanding nature won the favor of the Huang family head.
The Huang family patriarch, who was in charge, did not hold back his praise, "Brother Bai, your wife is still so polite and considerate. Your fifth uncle and aunt are very fortunate."
The village chief chuckled and replied, "Don't let my wife hear what you're saying, cousin. She'll definitely tell everyone in Huangjiakou."
"It's alright," the clan chief took a sip of tea and nodded in satisfaction. "It's just the truth. Speaking of which, Fifth Uncle and Fifth Aunt have excellent judgment. Sister-in-law Bai is meticulous and thorough in her work, and Sister-in-law Mu..."
Mentioning Jiang Nuan, Chief Huang's eyes flickered before he continued, "Although Sister-in-law Mu has a bit of a woman's temper, she is a capable person."
Although Chief Huang appears to be gentle, he is actually the most arrogant person imaginable.
As the head of the clan, he didn't take ordinary people seriously. In the entire Huangjiakou, the only people who could make him take notice, besides his elders, were the village chief's family and Jiang Nuan.
He valued Jiang Nuan because, like him, she was literate.
Previously, he was quite skeptical about this and his attitude was not clear, but after confirming that it was true, he immediately changed his attitude.
Otherwise, Little Fatty's problem wouldn't have been solved so easily.
Jiang Nuan was unaware of all this. At that moment, she was dressed in new clothes and was in the side hall with Old Lady Huang.
"Yaya, when it's time, someone will come to call you. When Huang Yi serves tea, just take a sip as a token gesture, don't be too honest," Old Mrs. Huang instructed, holding Jiang Nuan's hand.
“Mother, I know,” Jiang Nuan said helplessly, “You’ve said it three times already.”
She sensed that Old Mrs. Huang was even more nervous than she was.
"It's just adopting a son, not a wedding ceremony. Is it really necessary to be so serious?" Jiang Nuan thought to herself.
"Look at my memory," Old Mrs. Huang slapped her head. "I'm getting old and useless. Write down everything I say, and don't take it lightly, or you might break a taboo later."
"Remember, you must make Huang Yi step over the fire basin to get rid of the bad luck on him," Grandma Gu instructed again.
"Don't worry, Mother, I've remembered everything."
After the two finished speaking, Sister-in-law Huang ran over and called out, "Yaya, it's time. Let's hurry to the hall. Huang Yi is about to come in."
"Okay, coming right away."
A moment later, Jiang Nuan sat to the right of the main seat in the hall.
Then, Old Man Huang and the clan elders of Huangjiakou sat down at separate tables.
In the center of the hall entrance, a brazier was lit, and Huang Xiaosi held a censer made of dried mugwort in his hand.
A short while later, Boss Huang led Huang Yi over, stepped over the brazier, and Huang Xiao Si circled around him with incense. Then, he knelt on the prepared prayer mat and bowed three times and nine times to the head of the table.
"Your son pays respects to your godmother," Huang Yi said, raising his teacup.
Following Old Madam Huang's instructions, Jiang Nuan took a sip of tea, gently helped the man up, and then said, "From this day forward, you are the adopted son of the Huang family."
It was an ordinary conversation, and the hall was as usual, but Jiang Nuan felt a sense of solemnity, and she couldn't help but become serious.
Everyone looked serious, as if what they were witnessing was of great importance.
Next, Huang Yi met with each member of the Huang family and changed his way of addressing them.
It was at this time that Jiang Nuan learned that Xiao Pang was even younger than Huang Xiao Si.
After doing all this, the Huang family patriarch interjected at the opportune moment, "Today, Huang Mu's wife, Huang Jiang, has adopted the son of Huang Cai from the third branch of the family as her godson. This is witnessed by Huang Jue, the patriarch of the Huang family."
The remaining clan elders also spoke up, their statements being largely the same.
After the ceremony, the meal was ready, and the village chief led everyone to the room to eat and drink.
After everyone had eaten and drunk their fill, Sister Huang gave each person a red envelope to take home.
Only after the clan elders were sent away was the process of recognizing relatives truly concluded.
"Luckily, Huang Yi is still young and his demands aren't that high. If he gets any older, he'll have to toast the elders, and he'll have a lot to deal with," Huang Lao Er muttered, hiccuping.
"What? Different ages mean different things?" Jiang Nuan asked, puzzled.
Hearing the voice suddenly, Huang Lao Er trembled in fright. "Mother, it's you!"
He patted his chest before answering, "It will definitely be different depending on the age. Little Fatty is still young and hasn't come of age yet. His parents aren't here either. Today is just a simple introduction. Otherwise, how could it have ended so quickly?"
"Isn't that enough for today?" Jiang Nuan asked, somewhat surprised. "What else do we need to do?"
"There are many things involved: matching birth dates, offering sacrifices at graves, and invoking ancestors..."
"Stop, you don't need to say anymore," Jiang Nuan interrupted Huang Lao Er, "Anyway, there won't be a second one in our family, so it doesn't matter whether you know about it or not."
Jiang Nuan was overwhelmed by all this nonsense, and since it had nothing to do with her, she didn't want to listen anymore.
It was at this moment that Jiang Nuan realized that there were more rules in this era than she had imagined.
When Jiang Nuan came out, it was just past nine o'clock. The family packed up their things and went back, but it was already close to dusk.
This matter, which was neither too big nor too small, took the Huang family nearly two days to resolve. Now that the dust has settled, Jiang Nuan can finally relax.
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