Looking at the jewelry in the box—a set of headdress and two bracelets—Madam Yao sighed and said to Xu Tao, "Tao'er, your third aunt is a woman who has seen the world. She has her reasons for giving you these things. Keep them safe."
Xu Tao lowered her head and responded softly. Yao looked at her daughter, who had grown from a tiny little thing to a graceful young woman. Zhou thought about how her daughter would be married off to another family in a few days, and felt even more reluctant to part with her. Her eyes reddened as she said, "Tao'er, don't do any needlework these next few days. Take a good rest and get plenty of energy so you can be a smart and spirited new bride."
Xu Tao looked up at her mother, whose eyes were red-rimmed, and the panic in her heart finally eased a little. She moved her lips and, as if making up her mind, said, "Mother, after I get married, will I not be able to come home as often?"
Madam Yao said, "Why can't you come home more often? We're all in the capital, and our home isn't far from the Feng family's. Your husband is a reliable person, and your mother-in-law is gentle and kind. If you miss home, how could we not let you come back to visit?"
Xu Tao sighed and said, "But I've noticed that my eldest sister hasn't come back much since she got married. Mother, why do girls have to get married?"
When Yao heard Xu Tao's childish words, she smiled and said, "When a girl gets married, she will have children with her husband, and that will be her own family. Tao'er, your father and I are the ones who gave birth to you. We will leave you before you. In the future, your husband and children will be by your side and take good care of you. That is why you are getting married."
Xu Tao said, "But can't I just stay at home and grow old in the same way?"
Madam Yao said, “How can this be the same? Tao’er, in the future, our family will be handed over to your younger brother. Your younger brother will also have his own family. Your father and I married you off so that you could have your own family too. If you don’t get married and stay at home, when your father and I get old and pass away, this family will be run by your younger brother’s wife. What if your sister-in-law is not a good person and makes you suffer? Child, parents love their children and plan far ahead for them. We have been planning for you since you were born. We also hope that our child can always be by our side, but we can’t. We ultimately want you to live a peaceful and happy life in the future.”
Xu Tao nodded with red eyes after hearing this. Madam Yao sighed and said, "Let me tell you one more thing. After you get married, besides serving your parents-in-law and husband well, your first priority is to take good care of your own things and protect your dowry. It is not only your foundation, but also the dowry and betrothal money for your children in the future."
Xu Tao nodded, and Yao said, "Furthermore, after you marry into their family, you must stand tall. If they want to treat you well, then serve them well. If they want to take advantage of your thin skin, don't be afraid. Our family has so many people. Not to mention anything else, just take your older brother for example; he's not someone to be trifled with. If you suffer any injustice, don't suffer in silence. You must come home and tell us. We can uphold justice for you."
Tears streamed down Xu Tao's face, and Madam Yao quickly took out a handkerchief to wipe them away, saying, "Good child, we women all have to take this step eventually. Back then, your mother was also reluctant to leave her own home. After marrying into this family, she and your father had several children together, and we gradually settled down in this household. Listen to your mother, live a good life with your husband after you get married. There's still a long road ahead of you."
Xu Tao couldn't hold back any longer and hugged Yao Shi's waist, sobbing. Just then, a maid came over and said that Granny Chen had arrived. Yao Shi quickly wiped her face and went to the front hall with red eyes.
When Granny Shen saw Yao's eyes, she smiled and said, "The old lady sent me to invite Fourth Madam and Second Miss."
Upon hearing this, Madam Yao said, "Granny, please wait a moment. Tao'er and I will wash our faces before we go."
Granny Shen smiled and said, "Alright, I'll go back first. Fourth Madam and Second Miss can come back after they've finished packing."
With only a few days left until Xu Tao's wedding, Madam Yao knew that the old lady was sending Xu Tao over to give her something. The old lady had also given Xu Yao something before, but on the surface it was just a few hundred taels of money as a dowry. No one knew what she had given her behind the scenes.
Madam Yao entered the inner room and said to Xu Tao, "Tao'er, hurry up and wash up. The old lady wants us to come over."
Xu Tao's maidservant quickly helped her wash her face and comb her hair, and then tried to apply rouge to her, but Xu Tao stopped her, saying, "Granny Shen already knows that my daughter and I have cried, I'm not afraid of losing face."
Madam Yao could only sigh and take Xu Tao to the old lady's courtyard.
The old lady had already heard from Granny Shen that she had seen Yao Shi crying with red eyes in Xu Tao's courtyard. When she saw Xu Tao, who had obviously washed her face and combed her hair, but whose eyes were still red and swollen, she said, "Tao'er, come, sit here."
Xu Tao bowed and sat sideways on the edge of the kang (a heated brick bed). The old lady took Xu Tao's hand and said, "Tell your grandmother why you cried."
Madam Yao wiped her eyes and said, "Grandmother, it's my fault. I was thinking about how my child is about to get married, and I was reluctant to let her go, which made her cry along with me."
Hearing this, the old lady sighed and said, "Parents' hearts are always full of love and concern. Tao'er, your parents are doing this for your own good. You are about to get married. Once you are married, have your own family, and have your own children, you will understand everything your parents have done for you today."
Xu Tao nodded gently. The old lady had experienced a lot, so she naturally knew that not all girls waiting to be married were eager to get married. Some were afraid of the unknown in-laws, while others were afraid of the future. It was inevitable that they would be afraid.
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