Chapter 147 The First Concubine's Family Arrives
The second day of the Lunar New Year.
Early in the morning, all the wives were busy getting ready.
According to tradition, today is the day when married daughters return to their parents' home.
The second and third concubines' families are both in Haicheng, and they had already prepared New Year's gifts, so they were going back to their parents' homes today.
The eldest concubine, who usually visits her parents' home the most frequently, showed no sign of going out.
Xia Xiaoxiang had no family of her own; ever since she was sold as a child bride, she had long lost contact with her biological parents. After getting up, she saw the second and third concubines leave one after the other, and looking back, she saw the first concubine and the first wife still sitting there, which puzzled her.
Let's not even talk about the first wife.
Before the Lunar New Year, her nephew was arrested while visiting her; he was imprisoned as a spy. It's estimated that her relationship with her family has also soured.
Why isn't the First Madam going back?
It seems that the first wife doesn't usually interact much with her family.
The first wife smiled and said, "My hometown is too far from Haicheng. It takes several days to get there by train, so we can only keep in touch by letter and rarely meet. Besides, my parents have already passed away."
The first wife recalled, "So, it's been several years since I've been back. The last time I went was for my mother's funeral."
Xia Xiaoxiang was immediately at a loss: "This, I..."
The first wife smiled and comforted her, saying, "It's alright. I arrived in time and saw her one last time. I have no regrets."
Xia Xiaoxiang immediately breathed a sigh of relief.
As for Mao Mao, after getting up, she let her hair down and wanted to find Fourth Aunt to braid her hair into pretty braids. She ran around the house with her short legs, but after searching around, she couldn't find Third Aunt.
"Mother, where is Fourth Mother?"
"She's gone out." Xia Xiaoxiang helped her sit in her lap and took a comb to brush her hair: "What hairstyle do you want? Mother will do it for you."
Mao Mao obediently said, "Mao Mao wants the pretty flowery hairstyle that Fourth Auntie styled before."
She gestured with her little hands: "It's like having lots of braids... like this and that..."
Xia Xiaoxiang: "..." Oh no, I really don't know how to do this.
Her hands weren't as skillful as the third concubine's.
But how could she say she couldn't in front of her daughter? Xia Xiaoxiang gritted her teeth, recalled the way her third aunt combed her hair last time, and imitated her in a very professional manner.
Ten minutes later.
Mao Mao held the mirror, looking at herself from left to right. She pursed her lips, tilted her little head up, and looked at her mother with her bright black eyes.
Xia Xiaoxiang forced a smile and said, "...Isn't it quite similar?"
Mao Mao comforted her instead, saying, "Mom, it's okay."
Xia Xiaoxiang: "..."
The older woman, who was watching the mother and daughter combing their hair, chuckled and said, "How about I give it a try?"
Xia Xiaoxiang felt as if she had been granted a pardon and handed her daughter over.
Mao Mao sat in her aunt's lap. Her aunt took off her braids, combed them neatly again, and started braiding them.
Her hands weren't as nimble as the third concubine's, but she learned better than Xia Xiaoxiang. When her hair was combed, she looked quite professional. Then she tied a ribbon and a bow on the little girl's braids.
And just like that, an adorable Mao Mao appeared!
Mao Mao looked at herself in the mirror with a happy smile, "Thank you, Second Auntie!"
"You're welcome." The first wife patted her braid and said with a smile, "Alright, go and have fun."
Mao Mao happily ran off to play with her older brothers.
During the New Year, all the older brothers had a holiday, so there were many people to play with Mao Mao every day. Soon, the little girl's cheerful laughter could be heard from the courtyard.
Through the French windows, I saw the siblings running past outside. Seeing the smile on my little girl's round face, my mood improved as well.
The first wife was flipping through a book, glancing up at the yard every now and then.
Around noon, a rickshaw stopped in front of the Lou family's house.
Mao Mao happened to be running past the door when she saw a guest arrive. She stopped and looked at the new guest with curiosity.
Who are you looking for?
Mao Mao volunteered and raised her little hand, saying, "Mao Mao knows them all."
Mr. Zhao looked at the little girl in front of him with hesitation.
The child was fair-skinned and delicate, dressed in fine clothes, like a young lady from a wealthy family. But the Lou family only had four sons, so where would they find a young lady?
"Mao Mao."
Lou Heming called out from not far away, "Come here."
Mao Mao obediently ran over.
She hugged her brother's neck and was lifted up: "Brother, we have a guest."
Lou Heming glanced around and saw the Zhao family members in the distance bowing respectfully and flustered when they saw him.
"I don't know him."
Lou Heming withdrew his gaze and looked at his younger sister, his eyes behind his gold-rimmed glasses still gentle. He hefted his sister in his arms, "You've been playing all morning, are you hungry?"
Mao Mao touched her tummy: "Just a little bit."
"Second brother will take you to the kitchen to eat something delicious."
Okay~
Mao Mao perched on her second brother's shoulder, looking at the guests at the door.
She also saw the first wife hurriedly come out to greet the guests and lead them into the house.
Oh, so it's Second Aunt's guest.
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