Chapter 1337: Chapter 1315: Filial Piety

“But it’s no problem,” Junior Ms. Qian said. “This year, I’ll have your eldest brother and the others save more, and when your Fourth Brother goes to the capital, I’ll have him transport two jars for you. Aunt Rong knows how to make meat sauce too—not just with lamb, the pork version is also quite good. But the best should still be beef, although beef isn’t common. The last time I used beef was because County Magistrate Yang wanted it—he sent over a piece of beef himself…”

The aunt and niece chatted idly, and gradually, the topic shifted to Daya, Zhou Lixin. Junior Ms. Qian said, “Early this morning, someone from the Chief’s house came to invite Dad over. They must be discussing the wedding date. In just a few days, Daya might be getting married.”

Manbao was surprised, “So soon?”

Junior Ms. Qian chuckled, “You’ve just returned, so it feels rushed to you. But actually, this marriage has been in the works for nearly half a year now.”

She explained, “It was decided in October, and initially set for the eighth of this month, which is a good day. But the family was thinking you’d likely return for the New Year. Since Daya is the first one among her generation to get married, it’s better for everyone to be here. So, they postponed it until now.”

In the countryside, marriage arrangements aren’t as complicated as in the city. As long as it’s not during the peak farming season, the bride’s side generally won’t have major objections.

Now, both the Zhou Family and the Chief’s family aren’t short of money. If they want to hold a festive event, they can do it anytime.

Junior Ms. Qian lowered her voice, “If we don’t do it before the New Year, then after the New Year, it won’t be long before the busy farming season starts. We definitely wouldn’t bear to have Daya marry during that time. If we miss the New Year period, we’d have to wait until after Tomb-Sweeping Day, when the fields are seeded. Guan Yong is not young anymore, and his family is eager to get him married early.”

Making things convenient for others makes things convenient for yourself. The two families are going to be in-laws—while they need to ensure dignity for their children, they also have to be considerate of each other. Hence, Zhou Dalang and Junior Ms. Qian agreed to have the wedding before the New Year. Today, Old Zhou and Zhou Dalang went to the Chief’s house to discuss the wedding date.

Manbao finished her bowl of noodles and asked, “Why is it Dad and Eldest Brother going over to their house? Shouldn’t they be coming to ours?”

Junior Ms. Qian laughed, “They already came over the day before yesterday. But since your return date wasn’t confirmed, Dad couldn’t decide on a date. Who knew they’d only just left when you returned that same evening? The family already accepted one heavy gift for asking about the date, and it wouldn’t be appropriate to accept another. Besides, Dad heard there’s someone selling a cow in Dali Village, so he went to check that out and swung by their house on the way.”

Manbao’s eyes lit up, “Is the family buying a cow?”

Junior Ms. Qian nodded, “The family’s savings have grown. Dad said we should raise a cow—it could help with farm work, and it can also give birth to calves. Nowadays your Fourth Brother, Fifth Brother, and Sixth Brother are all away, and your Second Brother often has to juggle the business in Yizhou City and can’t manage the farm work. The family relies on the people remaining at home, and it’s exhausting for them.”

Manbao said, “We should hire someone; otherwise, it’s too tiring for everyone.”

Junior Ms. Qian shook her head, “It’s not that we absolutely need to hire help. Wheat, rice, and beans are planted in staggered seasons. Planting a bit slower is fine.”

Manbao fell into thought upon hearing this.

Convincing her father to spend money on hired help would indeed be challenging.

Manbao’s gaze swept across the courtyard before she asked, “Sister-in-law, can we build on that empty plot over there?”

Junior Ms. Qian followed her gaze and shook her head, “Our family’s residential plot has already been fully allocated. If we want more, we’d have to split the household, or buy land outside. But our family isn’t short on houses right now.”

They weren’t short on living spaces, but there wasn’t a proper place for the cow.

Manbao carried her bowl outside to wash it, then returned to sit opposite Junior Ms. Qian and joined her in shelling beans. “Sister-in-law, what’s the family preparing as Daya’s dowry?”

“Some quilts, new clothes, and a rattan wooden chest. Her savings from the past few years have been kept by her. Mom also said she’d give her two strings of copper coins for setting up her household,” Junior Ms. Qian paused briefly, then lowered her voice. “Your brother and I were thinking of adding another two strings of copper coins for her.”

“Will she stay in the village to farm after getting married?”

Junior Ms. Qian sighed, “Farming is backbreaking, but she’s done it since she was little, so she’s used to it.”

Manbao offered her some advice, “Sister-in-law, let Daya keep working at the restaurant. Pay her monthly wages. And tell the Chief’s family that, when you grow old, you’ll give the shop to her as part of her dowry. I’m sure they’d be happy with that.”

Junior Ms. Qian’s eyes widened and she whispered, “Don’t spout nonsense! She has brothers and a younger sibling too.”

If her father-in-law found out, he’d definitely be upset.

Manbao clearly understood this too and whispered back, “Lichong is doing well in the capital now. Our family already owns a shop in the capital. I think Fourth Brother has gotten hooked on doing business. In the future, Lichong probably wouldn’t care much for your shop. I asked Lixue and the others yesterday, and besides Sanya, Lixue does the best in his studies.”

Manbao spoke in an even lower voice, “I only realized after leaving that there are so many people studying nowadays. If you want to make a name for yourself, farming and running businesses aren’t enough. You also have to read and pass exams. Lixue isn’t stupid. Let him go out and study, his age is just right.”

Junior Ms. Qian froze, “Second Son can pass the exams?”

“Not necessarily, but if he reads enough books, he’ll at least have the skills to support himself,” Manbao replied. “So you don’t have to worry too much about him. Lichong and Lixue will have brighter futures, which means that shop won’t be important to them. You could give it to Daya instead—it would make her life a bit easier.”

Junior Ms. Qian hesitated, “But what about Second Son and the others…”

“It’s your shop. What does it have to do with Second Son and the others?”

Junior Ms. Qian: … She and the Zhou Family don’t think of it that way.

Although the shop was in her name and she had been managing it, with the profits beyond the shared family portion remaining in her hands, she still instinctively regarded it as part of the Zhou family estate.

She was sure her father-in-law and everyone else in the family thought the same.

After all, the shop was purchased with Manbao’s money.

She had already planned to leave it to Datou someday. But now Manbao was saying…

Manbao urged her on, “Lichong and the others have seen so much out there. In the future, Sanya, Second Son, and Fourth Son will undoubtedly venture out too. If you do the math, Daya’s the only one who hasn’t traveled far or had other opportunities to learn new things. Mom often says being fair is important, but you also have to give extra care to the weaker children. Look at how Mom secretly helps out Third Brother—because he’s honest and doesn’t have extra income, she always quietly supports him…”

Junior Ms. Qian: … Why tell her about Mom secretly helping Third Brother?!

Manbao blissfully carried on, “I know it’s hard to treat sons and daughters completely equally. But now that Lichong and Lixue have better prospects, you could quietly support Daya a bit more—it’s perfectly reasonable.”

Junior Ms. Qian started to feel tempted. After hesitating for a while, she said, “But wouldn’t that shop end up belonging to the Guan family? If Dad and the others found out…”

“Look, I already said the shop is a gift I gave to you. So it’s up to you who you give it to,” Manbao leaned against Junior Ms. Qian’s knee, looking up at her. “Sister-in-law, with Lichong away, I want to take Lixue out to study. In the future, the only one left with you and Eldest Brother will be Daya. She’s the one who can take care of you two.”