After Zhang Xiaoniu left, Zhang Erniu still came to the Qi family's place before dawn every day, exercising with Qi Zhenzhen and Qi Yi.
After more than a month, Qi Yi could easily run for half an hour. Due to the great physical exertion, his appetite increased, and his complexion improved significantly. At least he no longer looked frail and weak.
Qi Zhenzhen and Zhang Erniu started running with sandbags tied to their legs. Later, under Qi Zhenzhen's guidance, Zhang Erniu had custom-made iron blocks made into leg weights, which he wore all the time except when sleeping.
Zhang Erniu's respect for Qi Zhenzhen grew.
He would never have thought of such a method, and it was indeed effective. Not only did it increase the strength in his legs, but after removing them, his speed also greatly improved compared to before.
Zhang Erniu even thought that if he persisted like this and went to the battlefield again, he wouldn't just be saving his life; he might even achieve great merit.
The Qi family's life was thriving, and there were no troublesome matters. However, Qi Zhenzhen noticed that Madam Yun seemed somewhat dejected.
She, who was usually enthusiastic about embroidery, was now somewhat absent-minded. When Li Shan's wife came to chat, she rarely smiled. Besides that, she even ate less.
This was not good. Her body had finally recovered, and if it continued like this, she might fall ill.
Qi Zhenzhen recalled carefully and finally figured out the reason: it was nearing her maternal grandfather's death anniversary. Every year around this time, her mother's mood would be low.
"Mother, let's set up a memorial tablet for grandfather," Qi Zhenzhen said softly. "This way, it will be convenient for us to pay respects at home and offer sacrifices to grandfather during festivals."
Madam Yun was a little stunned. They said her father was a criminal, and criminals were not qualified to be worshipped.
When she entered the Changping Marquis's mansion, there were many rules, and countless eyes were watching her. She could not and dared not.
Now...
They lived in a remote mountain village and did not attract attention. Setting up a memorial tablet, as long as they were careful, would not be seen by anyone.
Qi Zhenzhen found a good piece of wood in the mountains. Madam Yun personally wrote the names of her father and mother, and Qi Zhenzhen carved them out with a knife, finally painted red by Qi Yi.
The memorial tablet was placed in the inner room of Madam Yun's chamber, which was relatively hidden. As long as no one intruded into the inner room, the existence of the memorial tablet would not be discovered.
Madam Yun, along with her two children, paid their respects and cried for a while. Only then did her mood slowly improve.
The weather grew colder. Qi Zhenzhen had not taken the game she hunted in the mountains to sell recently. Instead, she cleaned it, salted it, and seasoned it, then cured it into preserved meat in the backyard. This way, during the long winter, they could still eat game without going into the mountains.
When the first snow fell, Qi Zhenzhen had already stored over a hundred catties of various cured game. In addition, she also made some cured pork belly. In winter, slicing it thinly and steaming it on rice was incredibly delicious. This was Qi Zhenzhen's favorite meal in winter in her previous life.
There was no farming in winter, and the work for villagers significantly decreased.
Song Mingyue's mother and Li Shan's wife brought their children to visit the Qi family almost every day. The three women gathered to chat and do needlework, while Qi Zhenzhen and Song Mingyue whispered girl talk. Qi Yi acted as a little tutor, teaching Li Hu to recognize characters on a slate. He could now write on Xuan paper. His elder sister had bought him brushes, ink, paper, inkstones, and calligraphy books. He wrote two pages of calligraphy every day.
"Zhenzhen, has your mother arranged any marriage prospects for you?" Song Mingyue asked Qi Zhenzhen in a small voice, her face blushing.
Marriage prospects? Qi Zhenzhen was stunned. She was only eleven, still a child. Thinking about it, in ancient times, this age was when people started looking for potential spouses. Courtship took time, and even after engagement, marriage wasn't immediate. So, it seemed normal.
However, Madam Yun had never mentioned anything like that.
Qi Zhenzhen shook her head, "No, my mother hasn't said anything. Besides, I won't be twelve until next year. What's the rush?"
Song Mingyue cupped her chin with both hands, her face filled with melancholy. "I'm a year older than you, and I'll be thirteen next year. The other day, I heard my mother and grandmother talking about it, saying they need to start looking! I don't know what kind of person I'll marry in the future."
The young girl was worried about her future life. Qi Zhenzhen wanted to laugh but was afraid Song Mingyue would be angry, so she could only comfort her, "Grandma Song and Aunt Song dote on you so much. Don't worry, they will definitely pick a suitable husband for you."
Hearing Qi Zhenzhen's words, Song Mingyue's face turned even redder, and she glared at her, "What suitable husband? I, I don't care about that."
Qi Zhenzhen lowered her head and smiled faintly. What a hypocritical girl. Which woman doesn't long for a suitable husband?
Silence fell between them for a moment. Qi Zhenzhen also cupped her chin and pondered what kind of man would be by her side in the future? Tall or short, thin or plump? As she thought, a figure emerged in her mind—
Tall and refined, with a face like a painting.
Qi Zhenzhen's face instantly turned red. She shook her head vigorously. She had only met him twice, why was she thinking of him?
Indeed, beauty not only attracts men; women are no exception.
Everyone has a love for beauty.
Qi Zhenzhen nodded to herself, that's right. Gu Sinian was indeed the most handsome person she had seen since coming here.
"My mother intends for me to marry my cousin," Song Mingyue said again, her face flushed.
Song Mingyue's cousin?
A few days ago, when Qi Zhenzhen visited the Song family, she happened to meet him. He was a tall and thin adolescent boy, with slightly fair skin, at least fairer than the village boys. He looked quite polite and was said to be studying. From the words of the Song family elders, he was a very diligent young man.
In ancient times, cousins marrying seemed quite common.
Qi Zhenzhen mused, isn't this considered consanguineous marriage? However, many such marriages happened in ancient times, and they had children. She hadn't heard of any children born with abnormalities, so this matter was probably not a problem.
"Do you like your cousin?" Qi Zhenzhen asked.
Song Mingyue's eyes were filled with confusion. After a while, she said, "I don't know if I like him or not. My mother told me that my cousin has a good temper and is good at studying. He might achieve fame in the future. Even if he doesn't, someone who can read can find a good job and doesn't have to toil in the soil with his face to the yellow earth and his back to the sky. Then I can also follow him and enjoy a good life. My aunt watched me grow up, so I don't have to worry about mother-in-law and daughter-in-law relationship problems in the future."
Song Mingyue was straightforward and very simple. Madam Song's plan seemed reasonable.
"Don't think too much about it. Anyway, this matter needs to be taken slowly," Qi Zhenzhen said after thinking. "If you have the chance in the future, you can observe your cousin more. Sister Mingyue, I'm telling you, marriage is a very important matter. Think about it, it's the person who will accompany you until old age. If he's not a good person, life will be so bitter."
Song Mingyue looked dazed. "Mm, my mother said that next spring, my cousin will come to live at my house and study with my elder brother. They can be companions."