The entire horse-drawn cart filled with goods was directly taken to the new house. Amidst the envious gazes of the villagers, one person's regret was so profound it turned their innards green.
This was Xu Da Niu's mother.
Ever since Xu Da Niu got married, she hadn't returned for the customary three-day visit. Xu Liu Shi finally couldn't wait any longer. She handed her younger child to Xu Er Niu and personally journeyed over ten li to Chang Liu Village.
To her surprise, she didn't even get to see her daughter. She was driven back by her drunken son-in-law.
During the wedding, although her son-in-law had carried himself with an air of superiority, she hadn't seen him act so viciously. Xu Da Niu's mother was terrified. Not at ease, she lingered in the village for another round, secretly inquiring. No one was willing to say much. It was an old woman, close to her end, who finally spoke the truth.
It turned out that the son-in-law was a drunkard. He had already had two wives, both of whom he had brutally driven to their deaths. One of them was pregnant, and he had locked her outside the door in the dead of winter, leaving her to freeze to death.
Although Xu Da Niu's mother usually scolded and beat her daughter, it was because the family was poor, and as the eldest daughter, she was expected to do more work. However, she was still her own flesh and blood. If she were beaten to death by someone else, her mother would still feel heartache.
Thus, she ran back and accused Xu Da Fu of selling their daughter. Xu Da Fu, feeling superior to others due to his daughter's grand wedding and having lived comfortably these past few days, became enraged when Xu Liu Shi scolded him. He slapped her and told her not to speak carelessly outside, lest she shame him.
Xu Liu Shi was both angry and afraid. Her youngest son had also been injured by Xu Er Niu, so she proceeded to beat Xu Er Niu soundly.
She had no idea what had happened to Xu Da Niu and couldn't help her. She simply closed her eyes, telling herself she knew nothing, and fantasized that her daughter was living well.
This time, seeing Xiao Shan move into a new house, buy so many new quilts, festive clothes, wedding decorations, and supplies, and even mention to the villagers that he would hold a wedding ceremony the next day,
She was filled with regret!
If he had saved Xu Da Niu back then, and she hadn't disliked him for being poor and without roots, her daughter would be living in that new house now. Those things would also be her daughter's, and she would be living right under their noses, able to help the family.
How could her mind have been so muddled back then!
Xu Liu Shi felt increasingly uneasy. Someone nearby was indeed talking about the matter – it was the gossipy Aunt Gui Xiang.
"Da Niu's mother, you know, when spring came, Xiao Shan saved Da Niu. Why didn't you think of letting Da Niu marry him? Look how capable he is and how good he is to his wife. Alas, Da Niu doesn't have such good fortune!"
Aunt Gui Xiang said with a face full of envy and感慨.
Xu Liu Shi's face turned pale. "My daughter has very good fortune, and her husband treats her well. Who is willing to spend 10 taels of silver to marry a wife? My daughter is the first in the entire village."
"Oh, yes, yes, yes. Look at me, I forgot about that. I must ask Xiao Shan if he can come to receive some good luck tomorrow?"
Aunt Gui Xiang said, pushing forward. "Hunter Xiao, you're getting married tomorrow. Can Auntie come to get some food?"
"Tomorrow I will be scattering wedding candies and fruits at the entrance, and everyone can come to collect them," Xiao Shan shouted loudly.
The villagers cheered.
Hunter Xiao was truly generous.
Xu Da Fu curled his lip, acting as if he were dismissing beggars. He wouldn't come!
Xiao Shan moved the items inside, and the围观 villagers dispersed. Xue Niang surveyed the large kang in the new house. It was too big; several people could lie on it.
"It's cold now. Once it's heated, it's especially comfortable to sleep on. Have you ever slept on one?" Xiao Shan asked Xue Niang as he spread bedding on the kang.
The bright red wedding quilt looked pleasing to the eye. His expression softened, and the corners of his lips turned up, making him look inexplicably a few years younger.
Before, he had only thought of it as a formality, to make Xue Niang stop thinking she was bought and to show his attitude to the village. He had no strong feelings about the wedding. Now, his state of mind was completely different. How could this be just a formality? This was a solemn and sacred matter.
"I haven't slept on one before. In the past, when winter arrived at Feng Que Lou, there was a copper brazier every ten steps. Even wearing many clothes, one would feel warm, and the flowers bloomed as vibrantly as in summer."
Xue Niang said it casually, but Xiao Shan stopped his actions.
He leaned closer, supporting her shoulders, and asked intently, "Then does Princess feel wronged now?"
"Don't call me that. I am the wife of Xiao Shan, a hunter from Bozi Village at the foot of Qingyun Mountain, not some princess."
"If you want your old life back, I can—"
"I don't want it!" Xue Niang said with obvious rejection. "No matter how luxurious a cage is, it is still a cage. Xiao Shan, if possible, I only want to grow old and die here with you."
Xiao Shan's grip tightened, and he suddenly embraced her. "Me too!" httpδ:/m.kuAisugg.nět
The new house was indeed much brighter than before, and the windows were large. Sunlight streamed in during the day, making it warm and comfortable. A stone path was laid in the middle of the courtyard, so one's shoes wouldn't get dirty even when it rained.
Fences were still built along the walls, and a kennel was made for Xiao Hu by the door.
Xue Niang walked around and liked it very much. She was even thinking of buying a few potted plants to decorate it.
Xiao Shan only invited the village chief, Lai Cai, and Zhu Zi, among others who had helped build his house, for drinks. He specifically invited Wang Xiu Lan to help with the cooking.
Zhu Zi hadn't found new work yet. Hearing that Xiao Shan was moving, he came to help.
Yu Tou had just returned from the city and also came to help.
Xue Niang saw that he was wearing new clothes, and with his thick eyebrows and bright eyes, he looked spirited and handsome. She couldn't help but ask, "Yu Tou, you're dressed so nicely today. Where did you go, to look for a wife?"
"Sister Xue, what nonsense are you talking about? I'm only 14!" Yu Tou blushed and got annoyed at her words.
"Didn't you say 14 is already a man?"
"I... I'm not talking to you. Tomorrow you're the bride. Remember to give me a piece of candy. If I get some good luck, I can find a job in the city. Remember?"
"Remember, I'll give you a handful!"
"And me, and me!" Zhu Zi heard this and also came to join the fun. "Sister-in-law, remember to give me seven. I want to get married this year!"
What was this saying again? Xue Niang agreed to all of them.
As it neared dusk, the move was finally complete. Xiao Shan took out some pastries from the pile of food he had bought and let Zhu Zi and Yu Tou take them back.
"You should sleep early tonight. I'll sort out the things. Tomorrow, tomorrow we will get married."
Xiao Shan was a little excited. He guessed he wouldn't be able to sleep tonight, so he might as well organize the things that had been moved.
In fact, how could Xue Niang be any different?
Even if they couldn't be a normal couple in this life, marrying him in name would still make her happy.
She hoped that heaven wouldn't be so cruel as to take away even this small bit of happiness.
"Xiao Shan, is this really okay? Will it affect you?" She wanted a reassuring answer to calm her heart.
"No! A fortune teller said that I, Xiao Shan, have a strong fate and can live to 110!"
Xue Niang was amused. "Why don't you say you can live as long as a turtle?"
"You're asking for a spanking!"
Xiao Shan flicked her forehead.
What was important was not how long one lived, but whether one could live together with her.