Everyone was just joking. People who can become good brothers with Jiang Zhiyuan, not to mention their family background, wouldn't actually be interested in this mutton.
Needless to say, this is the bride's dowry. Even if they were tactless, they wouldn't actually eat up the bride's dowry on her wedding day.
He teased Jiang Zhixing a bit, and that was it.
It's been a long time since we've all gotten together for this wedding, and it's a rare treat that we all have time to chat.
Jiang Zhiyuan first pulled Xu Ningyan over and introduced her to him.
He didn't have many brothers and friends to begin with, and apart from two who were far away and couldn't get away, almost all of them came today.
One of them, Feng Yifei, is the one who joked about eating the rich man's food. He's a local from Beijing and is now the captain of the criminal investigation team of the Beijing Public Security Bureau.
The one who exclaimed that the Xiben Military Region had gone to great lengths to provide a dowry was named Duan Baiyan, the head of the logistics section of the Beijing Guard Command.
There are two others. One is Wan Hong, a battalion commander in a combat-ready regiment of the Northeast Military Region.
The most refined one is Qi Yizhou, a secretary in the Secretariat of the Beijing Municipal Committee.
Each and every one of them can be described as a young talent, a dragon among men.
After the introductions, Xu Ningyan asked Jiang Zhiyuan to entertain them while she went back to her room to change clothes and pack her things.
Back in his room, he realized that since they were married, Jiang Zhiyuan's room had been decorated as a bridal chamber.
Most of her things were moved out of her room yesterday, but thankfully there were still two ordinary cotton-padded jackets in the closet.
Jiang Zhiyuan was also afraid that Xu Ningyan would feel uncomfortable, so he took her to the west wing. The room had been prepared in advance, and although there was no stove, a brazier had been lit.
Plus, being a strong man, he didn't feel cold at all.
Tea, candy, and melon seeds were served, and everyone sat together by the fire chatting.
After seeing off the other relatives, Jiang Yuan settled the bill with the cafeteria and returned with the remaining food.
Feng Yifei and the others were all raised by Jiang Yuan. When they saw Jiang Yuan return, they all came out to greet her.
Jiang Yuan waved her hand, telling them to continue playing, and went back to her room to change her clothes.
Then go to the main house to find Xu Ningyan.
Xu Ningyan changed her clothes and removed her makeup, and was sorting through the things sent by the Northwest Military Region.
Except for the whole frozen sheep that was still lying in the snowdrift in the corner of the yard, everything else was moved inside.
Seeing Jiang Yuan come in, Xu Ningyan quickly pulled her to look at it together.
He stuffed the sheepskin rug into Jiang Yuan's hands: "Mom, take this. You live in the dormitory, and it's not as warm as home at night. This rug will keep you warm on the bed."
Jiang Yuan happily accepted it, thinking to herself, "My daughter is so considerate."
They helped Jiang Yuan pack all her things and put them in the room she used to live in.
The two then opened the two large wooden crates.
The box wasn't locked, but it was secured with a brass latch.
Upon opening the box, one finds a brand-new women's military cotton-padded jacket and trousers, a pair of wool socks, and a pair of military fur shoes.
Two felt blankets and a small dressing box, handmade and polished to a smooth, glossy finish.
Inside was a set of comb, mirror, and sieve.
There is also a pair of bowls.
No wonder it's so heavy.
Jiang Yuan understood at a glance. She had traveled all over the country with the army and knew the customs of different places: "This is a custom in the Northwest. When a girl gets married, her family gives her a dowry, which includes a pair of trunks, a set of brand-new clothes, shoes and socks, a felt quilt, and a set of dressing tools."
Pointing to the pair of porcelain bowls, she said, "These are called food and clothing bowls, which will ensure you have a continuous supply of food and clothing when you go to your husband's family."
Xu Ningyan touched the pair of bowls and carefully put them back.
Jiang Yuancai added, "This portion is probably prepared according to the local standards for a daughter's wedding. The others are likely gifts from the military region. Keep them safe; they are all tokens of their goodwill!"
Xu Ningyan nodded solemnly.
After tidying up everything, the mother-in-law and daughter-in-law came out into the main room and sat by the fire to drink tea.
Jiang Yuan then instructed her, "Those people at home are all Zhiyuan's brothers over the years. They haven't had a get-together like this since Zhiyuan went to the countryside. It's a rare opportunity for them to get together on your wedding day. I bet they'll have a wedding night prank tonight."
Xu Ningyan blinked. "Wedding night pranks? What kind of pranks? Is it putting an apple between them and making them kiss? Or is it taking a cookie and making them each bite off one side and gnaw on it? Or is it eavesdropping?"
Jiang Yuan was still trying to comfort them: "Don't worry, they know what they're doing, they definitely won't cause too much trouble! Otherwise, I wouldn't let them off the hook either! It's just this dinner—"
Xu Ningyan tentatively suggested, "How about we eat at home? I'll take care of it."
Jiang Yuan patted Xu Ningyan on the shoulder: "You're the bride today, you're the boss! There's no reason for you to cook! I mean, for dinner, how about we ask Aunt Wang from next door to come over and help? Anyway, I brought back all the leftover meat and vegetables from the lunch banquet. We're all family, we can just make do with this!"
On the other hand, he instructed Xu Ningyan: "You child, why are you so honest? No wonder Zhiyuan said you're a sincere child! That brat knows how to cherish his wife, don't I know how to cherish my daughter-in-law? Just rest well, getting your energy back is more important than anything else! Otherwise—"
Realizing he had misspoke, he blushed and quickly made up an excuse to ask his neighbor, Aunt Wang, for help before leaving.
After leaving the house, he spat at himself. Although he and his daughter-in-law got along like best friends, she was still young, so he had to be more careful in the future.
After Jiang Yuan left, Xu Ningyan realized what she meant by telling him to take care of his mental health.
It was quite unexpected!
My mother-in-law almost drove right in front of me, so I was a little embarrassed!
Although Jiang Zhiyuan was chatting with his brothers, he was half-concerned about Xu Ningyan.
Seeing Jiang Yuan go into the main room for a while and then come out, I guessed that Xu Ningyan should have finished tidying up.
He glanced at his watch and gestured for an excuse to leave in a moment.
He got up and went to the main room, where he found Xu Ningyan in a daze.
He couldn't resist leaning over, pulling her into his arms, kissing her on the cheek, and softly asking, "What's wrong?"
Xu Ningyan snapped out of her daze, snuggled against Jiang Zhiyuan, and didn't say anything.
Jiang Zhiyuan felt a warm glow in his heart and longed to hold the little girl in his arms, ignoring everyone else outside.
Reason prevailed in the end: "Don't stay cooped up in the room, listen to them talk and get to know them! If anything happens in the future, it will be easier to find someone and make sure you know who they are."
After saying that, he pulled Xu Ningyan to the west wing.
After Jiang Zhiyuan excused himself and went to the main room, everyone started exchanging knowing glances.
Feng Yifei casually put his arm around Jiang Zhixing's neck: "Little Jiang, is this how your brother always acts at home in front of your sister-in-law?"
Jiang Zhixing struggled to break free from Feng Yifei's arm: "Don't call me Little Jiang! My brother and sister-in-law have a great relationship, what, are you jealous? Too bad you don't have a wife! Now my brother has a wife, and you still don't, you're just an old bachelor—"
Feng Yifei laughed in anger: "You little Jiang, you used to follow us around like a puppy, always calling us Brother Feng. Now that your brother's back, you're all a bachelor? You little ingrate!"
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