Chapter 179 Adding makeup
Before the wedding
Over the years, the Cui family has gotten along well, and those who know Konjac's wedding date have sent their female relatives to add to the box.
Adding boxes, also known as adding makeup, is an old custom for women in Qinghe County before getting married.
Although the Cui family has been in Dongping County for more than two years, neither Cui Qingyi nor Konjac takes this custom seriously.
After all, they didn't have many relatives or friends here, so when Fan Hui and the proprietress of Jinxiufang came together, Cui Qingyi didn't understand what was going on.
Fortunately, she immediately realized what was happening when she saw the happy expressions on their faces. Cui Qingyi was very happy that they could come to add to the beauty of Konjac, and she hurriedly invited them in.
Gong Xiu, the female shopkeeper of Jinxiufang, was full of anger. "It's fine that you didn't keep the promising young girl I favored at the women's school, but why didn't you tell us about such a big thing as Konjac's marriage? I think Shopkeeper Cui still treats us as outsiders."
Fan Hui also joked: "That's right, but we are loyal and righteous, so we came here even though they didn't tell us."
Fan Hui has been in a very good mood these days. Qi Yuan has settled down in the palace smoothly and sent a letter home saying that everything is fine and asked his family not to worry.
Ever since Qi Yuan left, Fan Hui finally let go of the worry that had been hanging in her heart, and regained her former energy and spirit.
The two of them were joking with each other, and Cui Qingyi hurriedly smiled and begged for mercy: "Two sisters, good sisters, it's my fault, I was wrong, please forgive me for the sake of konjac."
Konjac heard the noise in the house and wanted to come out, but according to local customs, the bride must stay in her own boudoir on the first day of her wedding.
In order to ensure a smooth life after her marriage, Cui Qingyi asked Konjac to observe all the customs, whether they were acceptable or not.
At this moment, Konjac could only speak in the room: "Sister Fan, Sister Xiu, come in quickly, let's talk together."
Hearing the voice of the bride-to-be, Gong Xiu laughed even more heartily: "Come on, we can refuse face to anyone today, but we must give face to our bride. Sister Fan, let's go in."
While waiting to bring these two to Konjac's house to sit and drink tea and talk, Sister Li and Li Miao also arrived outside the yard. One after another, all the families in the girls' school who knew that Konjac was going to get married arrived.
Fortunately, they all knew each other, and Wangcai and Heiya were very calm, and nothing unexpected happened throughout the whole process.
Qiao's mother was busy preparing at home, but when she heard the Cui family across the street getting more and more lively, she knew that the people who came to add the makeup had arrived. She told Qiao Lao Da and hurried over.
Cui Qingyi was busy in the kitchen, and seeing Qiao's mother was like seeing a life-saving straw.
In fact, because Konjac was about to get married, even though there was no banquet at home, Cui Qingyi still prepared a lot of dishes, some of which were ordered directly from the restaurant and delivered.
But Cui Qingyi had only cooked for two people in both her previous life and this life. When there were more people, she would inevitably get flustered and anxious. She would either not be able to find the plates or the vinegar. The situation would be much better if there was someone to help.
Without Cui Qingyi's instructions, Qiao's mother rolled up her sleeves and got to work. With Qiao's mother as a capable helper, things immediately became much simpler.
Konjac was sitting in the room talking to everyone, but she was always thinking about Cui Qingyi. When she heard the voice of Qiao's mother in the kitchen, she breathed a sigh of relief. She was not afraid that Cui Qingyi would not be able to prepare the dishes well in the hurry and embarrass her.
But although her daughter had never been well-off since she was a child, at least she had someone to serve her in everything. Now she was busy in the kitchen because of her own wedding, and Konjac felt guilty about it.
Originally, Fan Hui and Gong Xiu were going to help in the kitchen, but once they moved, it became impossible for other people in the room to sit still. Cui Qingyi quickly asked Fan Hui and Gong Xiu to help greet the guests.
Seeing Konjac's uneasy look, Gong Xiu knew what she was worried about. She waited for everyone to discuss the embroidery on Konjac's wedding dress. Then she approached Konjac and whispered:
"I shouldn't have said this, but we've been sisters for so long and you know what kind of person I am, so I'll just say what I want to say.
Although you are now registered with the government, a woman living in a house for a long time will inevitably attract attention. Has Shopkeeper Cui ever thought of finding a wife?"
If it were someone else, no one would ask this question. To be honest, many people in Dongping County were curious about Cui Qingyi's past, but no one dared to come up and ask unless she said anything.
Even Fan Hui, who was the first to come into contact with the Cui family, never brought it up on her own initiative. Gong Xiu was the first one.
Konjac had long since decided to keep Cui Qingyi's past affairs to himself. "It's not my place to interfere in your affairs. I did try to persuade her to find a girl to keep her company, but I never found the right person."
When she heard about finding a maid, Gong Xiu's attention was diverted again. She clapped her hands and said happily:
"This is not a simple matter. I haven't heard that you are looking for someone here before. How about I introduce someone to you?"
Before Konjac could say anything, Gong Xiu continued, "There was a girl in my hometown. Her parents died of illness a few years ago, and her grandparents raised her until she was twelve years old. Unfortunately, they both passed away last year.
You all know that a little girl without her family must have a hard time. The land and house left by her parents were taken over by the clan members. The last time I went back, the little girl was all alone in a thatched hut at the village entrance.
I was thinking that if Shopkeeper Cui wanted to hire someone, I would go back and ask the girl if she was willing to come."
Konjac was also tempted when she heard this. In her daughter's situation, it would be best if the man who came into the house was someone who had no ties, otherwise, with a big family to support, there would be endless troubles.
But twelve years old is a little too young, and I don’t know if he can work.
Although Konjac sympathized with the situation of the stranger she had never met before, she didn't pay much attention to her. She only thought about whether this person could help Cui Qingyi.
Of course, whether or not to hire someone ultimately rested with Cui Qingyi. Konjac nodded and said, "Sister Xiu is kind-hearted. I'll ask my daughter after I'm done with my work these past two days. If she agrees, we'll ask her if she's willing to come."
Gong Xiu immediately nodded in agreement, "Okay, it won't matter if I stay for a few days. I won't be able to go back to my hometown until next month."
After waiting for a simple meal, everyone started to put on their makeup.
Fan Hui prepared a golden hairpin. The moment she took it out, even Cui Qingyi raised her eyebrows in surprise.
The hairpin was unique in shape and not a common style in Dongping County. Konjac quickly declined: "Sister Fan, this thing is too valuable. I can't accept it."
There are rules for adding makeup, and what to add depends entirely on the person's intention.
But in a small place like Dongping County, generally no one uses gold for makeup. Other jewelry or clothing materials are the most common.
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