After returning home, Jiang Yue didn't rush to count how much money she had earned that day. Instead, she asked Da Niu and Er Gou to divide the ten pounds of pork into three portions of two pounds each.
She found a basket, took out the pastries she had bought, took out the ones from her own farm, divided the rest into three portions, and paired each portion with two pounds of pork, stacking them layer by layer.
Then, she placed the two pairs of cloth shoes with multi-layered soles that she had bought for her parents-in-law on top. After distributing the items, she instructed Da Niu:
“Da Niu, you are the eldest son. Your mother has prepared three gifts for the Dragon Boat Festival. The first one is for your grandparents, and the shoes are also for your grandparents. You take Er Gou and Cao'er to deliver them.”
The second one is for your in-laws; you should deliver it yourself.
The third portion is for your Grandma Qin's family; I'll deliver it to them myself.
"After we finish giving the gifts, let's cook lunch and count the money we made today."
The three siblings nodded. The two brothers carried the things, while Cao'er followed behind them. The three siblings went to the old house first...
Jiang Yue, carrying a basket and with a smile on her face, arrived at the village chief's house.
It just so happened that Aunt Qin was home, so she handed the things to the old lady, thanking her profusely for acting as matchmaker for Da Niu, and then mentioned wanting to change the names of Da Niu and his two siblings.
"Sanlang's wife, have you discussed this with your parents-in-law?"
When Old Qing saw that the festival gifts were quite generous, she felt comforted but also a little embarrassed. When she heard Jiang mention changing her name again, she reminded her.
"Don't worry, Aunt Qin. I already asked my parents-in-law, and they have no objections."
Jiang Yue was aware of this matter and had consulted her elders beforehand before daring to bring it up in front of Aunt Qin.
There's no way around it these days; children's names are chosen by their elders to avoid overlap with the names of other family members on the family genealogy. Therefore, names are chosen according to seniority.
After much thought, I've decided to trouble the village chief to do this huge project.
"Okay, I'll tell your uncle when he gets home that I'll tell you when I'm all set up."
Hearing this, Old Madam Qin felt somewhat relieved.
He immediately agreed and didn't refuse anymore.
"My family will be making dumplings in a couple of days. After they're done, I'll have Youyin send some to your family so you can try them."
"Oh, thank you so much, Aunt Qin. You've really helped me a lot. My cooking skills aren't great, so I won't embarrass myself by showing off."
"Hehehe, look at what you're saying. You can come and learn from me when you have time. This stuff is easy to make."
"Okay, thank you, Auntie. I'll go home and cook now."
"Wait, the watermelons in the backyard are ripe. I'll pick one for you!"
...
After negotiating for a while, Jiang Yue took a watermelon home.
Meanwhile, Old Zhou had already received the holiday gifts that Jiang had sent through her children. Although she complained, she was secretly delighted.
To avenge her previous humiliation, she was determined to make a big fuss and let everyone know how filial her third daughter-in-law was!
"Your mother spends money so extravagantly, don't you even stop her?"
"These shoes aren't cheap; they have multi-layered soles, they must be really expensive."
"Ugh, they send meat every few days, what a waste of money!"
"Why are there still so many snacks? They really don't know how to manage money!"
........
At the entrance of the old house, thanks to Old Zhou's loud voice, not only the neighbors but also passing villagers saw a basket of festival gifts...
Envy, jealousy...
The Dragon Boat Festival hasn't even arrived yet, and the wife has already sent a gift—such a generous one!
It's true what they say, comparisons are the thief of joy!
Da Niu, Er Gou, and Cao Er listened obediently to Grandma's complaints, knowing perfectly well why she said such things.
In the past, their family hadn't given any gifts, and my mother was somewhat...
It caused the grandparents to lose face and be ridiculed by the villagers.
Now it's all good; Grandma has finally redeemed herself, and her goal is for their own good...
Old Zhou stopped talking and showing off when she was tired.
"Have your mother come to the old house tomorrow and bring some rice dumplings home to cook for you."
Old Mrs. Zhou was finally able to hold her head high, her eyes beaming with joy.
Anyone who saw it could see her joy.
"Okay, Grandma~"
The three siblings obediently said in unison, then bid farewell to their grandmother and accompanied their eldest brother to his future sister-in-law's house...
The Liu family naturally welcomed the three siblings warmly, especially their son-in-law, whom they found pleasing to the eye.
Da Xue didn't go too close, but at her mother's prompting, she picked a basket of ripe peaches from the tree in the backyard and handed it to her fiancé...
After seeing the three siblings off, Widow Liu closed the door, opened the gifts, and her smile deepened.
Seeing this, Wu Damao and Granny Li felt comforted by Jiang's skillful and thorough handling of the matter.
"Young lady, your mother-in-law is really good. You must be filial to her in the future."
"Yes, Grandpa, don't worry, your granddaughter will take good care of her mother-in-law."
Da Xue nodded. Her mother-in-law treated her with respect, and she was grateful and deeply thankful.
"Da Xue, your mother, grandparents, and I have discussed it. Half of the betrothal money your husband's family gives will stay at home, and the other half will be your dowry. You and Da Niu will need to have some savings after you get married."
Widow Liu revealed her plans; her family was poor, that was an indisputable fact.
She discussed it with her parents-in-law, and they decided that no matter how poor they were, they couldn't keep all of Da Xue's dowry to subsidize their son!
"Mother~"
Da Xue looked at her mother and grandparents in surprise. She had prepared herself to marry without taking a single penny with her.
Unexpectedly, my mother and grandparents...
"Silly child, a girl without a dowry will be looked down upon by her husband's family. Maybe your mother-in-law won't say it, but we can't gamble with this. It's about your lifelong happiness, whether you can hold your head high in your husband's family..."
Widow Liu spoke earnestly, explaining that this was a lesson her mother had taught her. Unfortunately, after her mother died, her father remarried, and her stepmother was sharp-tongued and mean; she had lost her home...
After her husband died, her stepmother forced her to remarry, but she refused, so her father severed ties with her.
Ultimately, it all comes down to poverty...
Da Xue knelt down and kowtowed, saying:
"Thank you, Mom. Thank you, Grandpa and Grandma, for thinking of your granddaughter."
"Get up, child. Stay home and embroider your wedding dress. Don't use the fabric your in-laws sent to make clothes for Xiaoxue. Use it to make some nice clothes for yourself."
Granny Li helped her eldest granddaughter up, her heart aching.
Her son died young, which not only caused suffering for his wife but also for her eldest granddaughter. Now that her granddaughter has finally found a good family, how could she bear to keep all of her granddaughter's dowry to subsidize her grandson's education?
Xiaoxue is still young, and has always been protected by her older sister. Hearing her grandmother say this, she hugged her sister and said:
"Sister, Xiaoxue doesn't want new clothes. You can make new clothes for yourself."
"Xiaoxue~ my dear sister."
Da Xue wiped away the tears from the corners of her eyes, silently vowing to herself that she and Da Niu would live a good life together, and when they were able, she would discuss with Da Niu about helping out at home...
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