CHAPTER 176: CHAPTER 176: I’LL TELL YOU TOMORROW

That afternoon, a few aunts came to the house with pots and pans, combined with what the Jiang family had bought yesterday, there were more than enough for ten tables.

This is how banquets are held in the village; tables, chairs, pots, and bowls are pooled together by several families, and once used, they just take them back.

Someone asked Jiang Hu about how many tables, and soon tables were delivered.

Knowing that the Jiang family didn’t have time to prepare pig feed these past two days, someone brought over two baskets of pig feed, even helping them chop it up at the old house.

Except for the cattle shed moved to the new house, all the chickens, ducks, geese, pigs, and rabbits remained at the old house; it’s not far anyway.

The cattle were too expensive, and there were two of them; Jiang Hu dared not be careless.

Oh, by the way, the calf was also bought back early, as agreed by Jiang’s family and Liu Yang’s family; it wasn’t cheap, fourteen taels.

When discussing the price, Liu Yang volunteered that since the Jiang family had fewer people and less land, they should pay less, so the Jiang family only paid six taels, and the Liu family paid eight taels.

As for raising the cattle, it was also based on the people and land; six days for Jiang’s family and eight days for Liu’s family, rotating this way.

Jiang Hu didn’t hesitate much; anyway, he didn’t want to buy one by himself right now. It was fine with the Liu family, since they were all familiar.

So, the village suddenly had nearly four or five new calves; besides the Jiang family and Liu family, the others were bought by groups of six or seven households.

Within a year or two, I’m sure the village will have more cultivated land for crops.

Turning back to the topic, for Jiang’s housewarming banquet, those nearby in the village came to help, even the village head’s wife brought her youngest daughter-in-law along.

It was Li Sheng’s wife, about seven months pregnant, with a big belly, not doing much else, just helping to boil some hot water.

Er Niang was afraid she’d tire herself out, suggesting she rest nearby, but she insisted on finding something to do; Er Niang had no choice but to keep a close watch.

Li Sheng’s wife was called Xiu Niang; these days, girls rarely have formal names, called "girl" at home, and "niang" after marriage.

The same was true for Xiu Niang; she looked delicate, called Xiu Gu at home, meaning a delicate girl, and then Xiu Niang after marrying Li Sheng.

Xiu Niang had been in Fu’an Village for less than a year, a proper young bride, even a year younger than Li Sheng, only sixteen.

With thin skin and embarrassed to come out, plus being pregnant, she stayed at home, helping with cooking, cleaning, or washing clothes while everyone else was busy.

Li Sheng always wanted her to visit the Jiang family, especially to learn cooking from Er Niang, but she was too shy to go out, let alone go to the Jiang family.

This time, there was finally an opportunity; Li Sheng had his mother bring Xiu Niang along. There’s no need to do anything, just showing up and getting to know Er Niang would do.

Er Niang didn’t know about this matter, but seeing Xiu Niang’s big belly, she still took extra care, frequently checking on her, afraid she wasn’t well cared for.

"Er Niang, just mind your own business, I’m here as her mother-in-law, I won’t let anything happen to Xiu Niang."

The village head’s wife signaled to Er Niang not to worry too much; to the old folks, pregnancy wasn’t that delicate, and many worked with children in their bellies.

But since it’s Liu Sheng’s first child, and there are enough people at home working, Xiu Niang could relax, but there’s no need to be overly anxious about just boiling some water.

"There are plenty of people helping out; I’m not very busy either. Let Xiu Niang rest; pregnancy is tiring, and since it’s her first, she’s definitely not used to it."

Er Niang wasn’t in a rush to leave; today, there were many people at home, and Jiang Hu had arranged things well, so she wasn’t that busy.

She thought for a moment and decided to sit nearby, preparing hot water, and washing all the bowls and chopsticks the aunts brought over, cleanly.

The village head’s wife saw this and didn’t say much, just went to busy herself with other things. The village had hosted several housewarming banquets before, so everyone knew what to do.

After her mother-in-law left, Xiu Niang slowly moved to sit beside Er Niang.

"Er Niang, just like what my Li Sheng said, you’re indeed gentle."

Xiu Niang spoke with a voice just like her, soft and gentle, with a hint of shyness.

Er Niang could tell; actually, whether before or now, most young brides who married into the village were like this. After having a few children, their courage grew.

"Li Sheng mentioned me to you, huh? He gets along well with my brother Hu. Your belly isn’t big yet; if you have time, you could have Li Sheng take you to visit more, don’t stay at home all the time."

"Mother, you’re always at home yourself and rarely go to the village, yet you advise little auntie."

Xiaomi happened to hear her mother’s words and pouted.

Er Niang wasn’t annoyed by the disruption; she just pinched Xiaomi’s nose lightly with a smile: "Really, I’m talking with little auntie; what nonsense are you spouting."

Xiaomi made a funny face: "Mother, I’m going to see the ducks with Tiedan; you take your time."

Er Niang watched as Xiaomi called out to Tiedan and jogged off into the distance, shaking her head helplessly: "This child, spoiled, very mischievous."

Xiu Niang sat on a bench, showing a shy smile, a bit envious: "Xiaomi is so well-behaved; everyone in the village says she’s the best."

Er Niang didn’t refute; she had just casually been modest earlier, as she always felt her children were well-behaved and understanding.

But not wanting to discuss the children too much, she turned to ask Xiu Niang about her time in the village, asking if she was adjusting.

The basic ingredients for tonight were ready; Er Niang had someone make simple dishes, and everyone who helped gathered to eat.

During the meal, Jiang Hu specifically invited the village chief and his wife to oversee the main event tomorrow.

He and Er Niang, as hosts, were mainly focused on entertaining guests tomorrow, and other miscellaneous tasks were generally entrusted to a highly respected person.

Jiang Hu had no other relatives in Fu’an Village, so the village chief was the best choice.

Although he was closest to Liu Yang, Liu Yang and Wang Xiang were still young, so it was more convenient for the village head’s wife to supervise the kitchen while the village head managed guest refreshments, etc.

The village chief naturally agreed; they didn’t drink tonight, but by the time everyone had cleaned up and headed home, the moon was already rising.

However, after everyone had left, Er Niang called Xiaomi over.

"Xiaomi, what’s wrong with you these past two days? Are you feeling unwell? Why do I feel something’s off?"

As she spoke, she placed the back of her hand against Xiaomi’s forehead, then touched her own forehead, finding nothing unusual.

At least, she didn’t have a fever.

Jiang Hu had just seen off the last guest, returned to gather the family to sleep in the thatch house, planning to move to the new house tomorrow.

Xiaomi hesitated for a moment, then shook her head: "Mother, I’ll tell you tomorrow."