novelhk Chapter 34 Full Moon Banquet
Chapter 34 Full Moon Banquet
After arriving in the city with Ye Beichen, Su Yuning found a job without any problems. The shop owner, who was recruiting, was an old friend of Ye Beichen, so he took Su Yuning on as a gesture of respect.
Although the boss treated Su Yuning very well, the boss's wife didn't like her. The boss's wife felt that how could a girl from the countryside do a good job? But Su Yuning not only did her best in everything, but she also worked very hard. While others were slacking off, Su Yuning was seriously learning about the quality, workmanship, materials, and so on of the store's products.
Because Su Yuning was always on time, never late or leaving early, and always greeted customers with a smile and was very patient when introducing the products, there was nothing wrong with her. So the proprietress had no choice but to accept this new employee.
Because of the recent hot weather, summer mats are selling well, especially bamboo mats. Su Yuning gently stroked a mat, then secretly marveled at how such an ordinary bamboo mat could fetch such a high price. If she could learn how to make bamboo mats, could she teach the villagers to weave them? Straw mats are also quite common; if the villagers all knew how to weave mats, they could earn money by guarding their homes, eliminating the need for villagers to go out to work and preventing the village children from becoming left-behind children. What could be better?
Seeing Su Yuning spacing out during work hours, the boss's wife came over and asked her in an annoyed tone.
"Su Yuning, what are you thinking about? Trying to slack off? Let me tell you something bluntly, my shop doesn't keep idle people!"
Su Yuning then came to her senses and gave the proprietress an awkward smile, replying, "It's like this, I want to learn how to make mats and then pass on the skills to the villagers, so that everyone can earn a living without leaving home, and the elderly and children in the village can also be taken care of. In this way, it will be beneficial for both the villagers and me."
When the proprietress learned that she wanted to learn how to weave mats, she wasn't angry; she simply responded calmly.
"Things are not as simple as you think. Even if a young and promising person goes to learn, it will take half a year to master the methods and skills of making bamboo. If it is a middle-aged or elderly person, it may take three to five years to learn. Rather than wasting time, it is better to go out and work to earn money."
Su Yuning replied, "If you are willing to teach me how to weave mats, I am willing to make mats with the villagers in the future and then supply your shop with the goods."
The proprietress laughed, "Haha, that's a good idea, but I'm only responsible for collecting money. I don't know how to weave. If you're willing to learn, you can spend your time after get off work making mats with the craftsman. But let me make it clear beforehand, it's voluntary work, no pay!"
Su Yuning readily nodded in agreement, "Okay! Thank you for your guidance, boss lady!"
The proprietress naturally wanted as much free labor as possible.
In Xinghua Village, Zhou Xi and Yang Yuxuan returned, but they couldn't find their father, and they didn't know where their younger brother was either. So they went to Old Master Su's house to inquire about the situation.
"Is my sister-in-law at home? Have you seen my father and my brother?" Zhou Xi asked politely.
Yang Yuyan held the child and comforted him while replying, "I heard a while ago that your father went out to work and your brother went to work in a vegetable garden in the neighboring village. If you don't have anything else to do, why don't you two have lunch at my house? It's almost noon anyway."
At this moment, Yang Yuxuan asked, "Sister, why are you and the child alone at home? Where's my brother-in-law? Where are my aunt and uncle? How are you going to eat lunch?"
Yang Yuyan smiled helplessly and replied with feigned strength, "They've all gone to work in the vegetable garden to earn money. I can put the child in the cradle and watch him do laundry, cook, and do housework."
At this point, Zhou Xi couldn't stand it anymore. "Sister-in-law, you're still in your postpartum period! How can you touch cold water? Although I don't have much experience in taking care of new mothers, I've often heard the old folks in the village say that you can't touch cold water during postpartum confinement, or you'll develop chronic illnesses like backaches. How about this, I'll stay and take care of you, and Yang Yuxuan will take care of the baby."
Yang Yuyan replied with concern, "That won't do. If it goes on for too long, both your parents and my parents will worry. After all, as the old saying goes, 'A mother worries when her son travels a thousand miles.'"
"We'll take care of you and the baby until the full month is over before we leave," Yang Yuxuan replied very seriously.
Seeing that the two were very determined, Yang Yuyan had no choice but to nod and agree to their request.
Immediately afterwards, Zhou Xi went to the kitchen to start a fire and cook, and Yang Yuxuan followed his brother-in-law's example, carrying a basin of diapers to the river to wash them.
Yang Yuyan wanted to go to the kitchen to help with cooking, but Zhou Xi ruthlessly pushed her out.
"Go back and rest. We don't need you to cook."
"Then what should I do?" Yang Yuyan asked, both amused and exasperated.
"Take good care of the child," Zhou Xi replied, then went back to the kitchen to continue cooking.
In no time, scrambled eggs with tomatoes, smashed cucumber, wild vegetable soup, and shepherd's purse wontons were ready!
"Sister-in-law, dinner is ready! Come and eat!" Zhou Xi called out as she carried the dishes to the table.
At this moment, Yang Yuyan did not rush to eat. Instead, she packed food in a food box to deliver to the elderly in her family.
"Sister-in-law, where are you going?" Zhou Xi asked, puzzled.
"Grandma Su hasn't eaten yet, I'll take her a meal first," Yang Yuyan replied as she slung the food box over her shoulder and headed out.
When Grandma Su saw her granddaughter-in-law bring her food again, she was overjoyed.
"I'm so lucky! When I was young, I had my daughter-in-law to take care of me, and now that I'm old, I have my granddaughter-in-law to take care of me. I never have to worry about food or drink, and I live a very comfortable life!"
Yang Yuyan smiled sweetly, "Grandmother, please eat quickly, otherwise the food will get cold and won't taste good."
Grandma Su nodded in agreement and then began to eat.
After the old man finished eating, Zhou Xi cleaned up the dishes and packed them into a food box to take back.
At this moment, Zhou Xi and Yang Yuxuan were already sitting at the table waiting for her. "You're finally back! Come and eat!"
And so, the three young people sat together, chatting and laughing as they began to eat lunch.
"Does Brother Su still sell braised pork offal?" Zhou Xi asked curiously.
Yang Yuyan responded sullenly, "I'm not doing it anymore."
"Why? Didn't you say it was quite profitable?" Zhou Xi asked, puzzled.
"Because my business is doing well, others are jealous and have repeatedly come to my stall to cause trouble, so I'm not going to make braised pork offal anymore," Yang Yuyan replied angrily. "These people are all rude and ill-mannered, and there's no point in arguing with them."
Zhou Xi then remembered that the eldest son of the Su family had indeed been scolded at the market before. It was only thanks to her and her brother's timely help that the crisis was averted.
"Alright, alright, we finally get to see each other, let's talk about something happy. When is my little nephew's one-month celebration?" Yang Yuxuan asked impatiently.
Yang Yuyan answered truthfully, "It'll be in three days."
"With my brother-in-law's lazy attitude, how could he possibly earn enough for the banquet?" Yang Yuxuan asked dismissively.
Yang Yuyan was a little unhappy and quickly reminded him, "That's your brother-in-law, how can you talk like that? Can't you have a little faith in him?"
Zhou Xi also said to him, "That's right, that's right. Elders are superior. You need to know the hierarchy of seniority and etiquette. Don't talk about your brother-in-law like that in public anymore. People who don't respect others won't be respected either. Do you understand?"
"Okay, I understand," Yang Yuxuan replied awkwardly.
At the dinner table, Zhou Xi suddenly brought up the topic of hunting.
"By the way, who's this year's God Hunter? Are there a lot of people hunting lately?"
Yang Yuyan told the truth.
"The title of 'God Hunter' should have been yours, but since you weren't home, the village chief's nephew got it instead. Because wild animals have been appearing recently, the village chief has strictly forbidden everyone from going up the mountain to gather or hunt."
"This is so unfair! How can a family like mine, which relies on hunting for a living, survive if we can't hunt?" Zhou Xi said with a dissatisfied expression.
"Shouldn't the hunters in the village have special privileges? For example, the right to climb mountains and hunt."
Yang Yuyan smiled and replied, "You're overthinking it. Even someone as noble as Princess Wan'er isn't allowed to go up the mountain by the village chief, let alone nobody like us. The village chief is indeed a bit harsh, but his intentions are good; he's thinking about everyone's safety."
At this moment, Yang Yuxuan reminded her,
"Zhou Xi, haven't you already mastered the basics of blacksmithing? From now on, you can make a living by blacksmithing. It'll be a skill you'll have."
Zhou Xi put down his chopsticks and replied with a dissatisfied look, "Hunting and blacksmithing are two different things. Blacksmithing is a personal hobby, while hunting is essential for survival. Actually, I quite like hunting. It's not only fun but also rewarding, and you can also enjoy the scenery and relax."
At this moment, Yang Yuyan kindly reminded her, "There are also mountains in Yangjiaping. Although they are not as rich in resources as here, there are wild rabbits, pheasants, wild boars, and all kinds of mushrooms and fruit trees. You can hunt there from now on, but you must pay attention to safety."
Now, Zhou Xi's face finally brightened, and she happily replied,
"Alright! As long as I can hunt and forge iron, I feel my life is perfectly fulfilling!"
"But you'd better marry me soon, or I won't let you live in my house anymore," Yang Yuxuan joked.
Zhou Xi responded angrily, "Fine, I won't stay. I'll rent my own place."
At this moment, Yang Yuyan raised her hand and slapped her younger brother, "You're not allowed to bully Zhou Xi! If she wants to stay in our house, then she can stay! You're not allowed to make her unhappy!"
Yang Yuxuan quickly agreed, "Okay, okay, I understand. I won't provoke her."
The three-day homecoming ceremony arrived quickly. Princess Wan'er and her husband returned to the palace together with gifts.
"Greetings, Father and Mother!" the two said in unison as they bowed.
At this moment, the Empress took the initiative to ask, "Did you two go back to the village today to visit the elders of the Su family?"
Princess Wan'er and Su Muyang exchanged a glance, then both shook their heads.
"Logically speaking, the three-day homecoming is supposed to be the day when the daughter goes back to visit her parents, right? Why does she have to go to the groom's house as well?" Su Muyang asked, puzzled.
At this moment, the emperor explained with a kind expression, "Because you are the prince consort, you have this privilege. It is really difficult for you to marry Princess Wan'er. From now on, you will spend most of your time in the city and have very little time to reunite with your parents."
"Thank you, Father!" Su Muyang quickly bowed.
"Father, Mother, I've discussed it with the Prince Consort. We'll bring his parents and grandmother to live in the city soon," Princess Wan'er replied with a smile.
Su Muyang felt this was impolite and quickly gestured to Princess Wan'er to stop speaking.
At this moment, the Empress responded, "Your intentions are good, but they may not be appropriate. The older generation cherishes their homes. Even if you can provide them with a life of luxury, they may not come. If you are truly filial, go home and visit your elders often. Not only do they care about you, but the Emperor and I do too, do you understand?"
The newlyweds quickly nodded in response, "Your Majesty, we understand."
Afterwards, they had a simple home-cooked meal with the Emperor and Empress. Princess Wan'er vividly described life in the mountains to them. As for Su Muyang, he listened to his parents' advice and listened more and spoke less outside. This steady and reliable consort pleased the Emperor greatly.