With that, Jiang Yuwei turned around and went back to her room. She left the rest to the two of them to talk about. After all, she had kept it all bottled up for most of her life, and she needed to say it all today so that she could feel at peace.
The next day,
As soon as Jiang Yuwei got up, she heard people in the yard busy starting a fire and cooking. When she came out of the house, she saw Aunt Lin cooking millet porridge, while Miaoshou Zhu was helping to stoke the fire. The two looked very happy and warm.
Jiang Yuwei looked at Aunt Lin and said:
"I'm so glad I got to be here with my master today, and I got to try Aunt Lin's cooking too."
When Aunt Lin saw that it was Jiang Yuwei who came out, she smiled and said:
"I can only cook some simple farm-style dishes. How can I compare to your skills? Your master told me that your cooking skills are much better than those of chefs in big restaurants. I'll have to learn from you later. You've spoiled your master's palate these past few days. I wonder if he can still eat my cooking now."
Upon hearing this, the skilled healer Zhu hurriedly said:
"I can eat it, I can eat it. I have a few problems, though. I get an upset stomach all the time when I eat too well, but I'm fine with your cooking. Isn't that strange?"
Jiang Yuwei couldn't help but laugh at the obsequious manner of the skilled healer, Zhu.
"Haha, Master, did you two agree on the wedding date last night?"
Upon hearing this, Zhu, the skilled healer, timidly glanced up at Aunt Lin, who was smiling as she stirred the millet porridge in the pot with a spoon without saying a word.
Seeing this, Jiang Yuwei spoke up directly:
"If you ask me, since you two are in love, there's no need to wait any longer, lest things get complicated. After breakfast this morning, let's go to the government office together to get the marriage certificate. That way, it will be proper. What do you say, Master?"
Hearing Jiang Yuwei's words, Zhu, the skilled healer, nodded repeatedly. Jiang Yuwei then looked at Aunt Lin and asked:
"Aunt Lin, what do you think?"
Aunt Lin looked up at Jiang Yuwei with some difficulty and said:
"I'm fine with it, I'm just worried about my son..."
Upon hearing this, Jiang Yuwei immediately waved her hand to interrupt Aunt Lin, saying:
"If you think it's okay, then it's fine. This is your marriage, not your son's. It's no use if he disagrees. If anyone dares to say no, then you can make them come and talk to me!"
Aunt Lin seemed relieved after hearing Jiang Yuwei's words, and then smiled and said:
"Since everything is settled, let's do it your way. I'm just a little embarrassed that we're getting on in years and we're getting married again. I'm really sorry to trouble you, Yuwei, to help us with all this."
As Jiang Yuwei went to help Aunt Lin serve the millet porridge, she smiled and said:
"Master's wife, please don't stand on ceremony with me. I'm changing my address now, you can't be angry with me, can you?"
Aunt Lin was even happier to hear Jiang Yuwei call her "teacher's wife," but she smiled and said:
"You silly child, hurry up and eat!"
Jiang Yuwei smiled as she sat down at the table, raised an eyebrow at the beaming, skillful Zhu, and whispered:
"See? I told you I could handle it for you."
The skilled healer, Zhu, patted Jiang Yuwei on the shoulder and smiled:
"Well done, you truly are my good student!"
Hearing this, Jiang Yuwei pouted and rolled her eyes at the skilled healer, Zhu. She never knew this old man was so good at flattering himself…
Soon everyone had finished breakfast. When Tie Zhu, who had come to see Daya, heard that Miao Shou Zhu was going to the government office with Aunt Lin to get their marriage certificate, he immediately became anxious and looked at Jiang Yuwei, saying:
"Sister Yuwei, you mean me and Daya, the two of us..."
Jiang Yuwei patted Tie Zhu on the shoulder and smiled:
"Why are you in such a hurry to get a marriage certificate? I haven't had time to discuss your marriage with your mother yet. Don't worry, I'll go talk to Aunt Zhou when I get back from the government office. If we time it right, maybe your marriage with Daya can be arranged to be on the same day as my master and mistress's wedding!"
Upon hearing this, Tie Zhu scratched his head happily and said:
"Okay, Sister Yuwei, I'll do whatever you say. How about I drive the oxcart for you?"
Jiang Yuwei patted Tie Zhu on the shoulder and smiled:
"I can drive the oxcart myself. You go inside and take care of Daya."
After saying that, Jiang Yuwei drove the oxcart with Aunt Lin and the skilled healer Zhu to the government office to obtain the marriage certificate, and also took the oxcart to buy a new set of bedding.
Jiang Yuwei chose a new wedding dress for Aunt Lin and the skilled healer Zhu. Jiang Yuwei had originally wanted a red wedding dress, but Aunt Lin was reluctant to wear it, saying that she was too old and that a dark purple one would be fine. So Jiang Yuwei didn't insist, since weddings should be done according to one's own wishes.
After buying clothes, the three of them went to the market to buy some grain and meat before driving the oxcart back home.
Just as I reached the entrance of Zhu Lane, I saw Cuiya coming out of the lane, carrying a sickle and cursing.
"Where did that old hag go? There's no one to look after the kids at home, and I still have to do all the work in the fields. I'm really going to be worked to death! That old hag and that little brat, they're definitely up to no good!"
She was only halfway through her tirade when she saw Jiang Yuwei driving an oxcart, pulling Miaoshou Zhu and her mother-in-law towards Zhu Lane. Her anger flared even more, and she raised her sickle, yelling at Aunt Lin:
"My mother was absolutely right when she said you were an old vixen. I woke up this morning and you were nowhere to be seen. I didn't expect that even with all the watchful eyes I had, you still managed to sneak out and fool around with this old geezer. All the neighbors, come out and see!"
As she spoke, Cuiya excitedly rushed to Jiang Yuwei's oxcart, blocking their way and continuing to curse:
“You all come out and take a look at these two shameless old women. They insist on getting together, and I can’t stop them. Look at my clueless old woman. She doesn’t help with any of the housework at home, but she runs around to this Master Zhu’s house all day long to help with cooking, washing clothes, and sweeping. I’ve never seen you so diligent at home.”
It was noon, and everyone was cooking at home. Hearing the commotion outside, they all ran out to see what was happening, and soon the entrance to Zhu Lane was crowded with people watching the show.
Aunt Lin was easily embarrassed and couldn't stand Cuiya scolding her like that, so she angrily pointed at Cuiya and retorted:
"You, are you still my daughter-in-law? How can you speak ill of your mother-in-law like this? How can you lie through your teeth? I'm the one who takes care of Xiaobao when I'm home, and you don't do any housework. I've tolerated all of that, but how can you slander me in front of so many people!"
As she spoke, Aunt Lin became so excited that she could hardly breathe. Seeing this, the skilled healer Zhu quickly reached out to support her, afraid that she would fall off the oxcart.
Seeing this, Cuiya became even more outrageous:
"Did everyone see that? You're not even carrying anyone in your private parts! What are you doing in broad daylight? You two old geezers have no shame, but we younger generation still have our dignity!"
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