Su Sanlang got drunk on this meal.
Chen Hu also got drunk with him.
Madam Cao brought Su Xiaozhi and the three children home after dinner.
Madam Zhao and Madam Qian were also sitting together and talking. The children had also gone to learn how to write. Madam Qian approached Madam Zhao and whispered, “Sister-in-law, Heng hasn’t been home for so many years. Have you ever thought of letting him and Xiaoling get together?”
Zhou Heng had been in the Su family for almost five years and had not returned home for some reason.
Su Xiaoling had reached the age of marriage. She was two years older than Zhou Heng, but this did not affect her much. Besides, Zhou Heng was also an Elementary Scholar now.
He was only twelve years old. This was very impressive. If only he could stay here.
It was mainly because Zhou Heng had lived here for several years and the two of them grew up together. Zhou Heng knew everyone, and they were childhood sweethearts. If they got together, it would be a good fate.
When Madam Qian asked, Madam Zhao hurriedly said, “How can that be? Heng has to go home.”
Madam Zhao lowered her voice. She was really shocked. She had never had such thoughts.
She was afraid that the children would hear Madam Qian if she said too much. Madam Zhao hurriedly lowered her voice and explained to Madam Qian, “Sister-in-law, marriage is a big deal. We don’t know where Heng’s home is either. It seems to be very far away. I actually don’t want Third Sister to go too far away. This way, I won’t be able to see her even if I want to. If she lives nearby, If there’s anything, Chong, Hua, and us can take care of it.”
Madam Zhao revealed this to Madam Qian. Zhou Heng was not bad, but he came from afar after all, and she did not want her daughter to marry far away.
Madam Qian knew what was going on and quickly said, “I understand. Sister-in-law, don’t blame me for spouting nonsense. I won’t say it again.”
In doing so, she had brushed the matter aside and would never mention it again.
Madam Zhao smiled and nodded. “I know. I won’t blame you.”
Thinking of her daughter, Madam Zhao also asked Madam Qian, “Sister-in-law, it’s about time for Daniu and Erniu to get married too. What do you think?”
Chen Daniu was a month younger than Su Xiaoling. She was also 14 years old this year. Chen Erniu would be 13 this winter.
Madam Qian thought about her two daughters and then looked at her youngest son in her arms. Madam Qian’s gaze softened as she said, “I don’t want them to marry too far away either. There’s a matchmaker here. My husband and I have seen a few of them and haven’t chosen them yet. When we’ve chosen them, we’ll let them take a look too. If it works, we’ll decide on the marriage. I’ll keep them for another two or three years before marrying them off. The little guy is too young. It’ll be more than ten years before he grows up. I want to wait until Shi is a little older so that he can make Daniu and Erniu proud.”
The youngest son was too young, and the two daughters had to wait for more than ten years for them to grow up.
Madam Qian wanted to wait a few more years. When Chen Shi grew older, even if Chen Daniu and Chen Erniu got married, their in-laws would still be wary of their brothers.
“Sister-in-law, when the time comes, I’ll have to ask you to take a look.”
Madam Qian looked at Madam Zhao and smiled.
Madam Zhao nodded. “Of course. When my third sister gets married, you’ll have to judge them together.”
The two of them smiled at each other. Everything was unspoken.
Unknowingly, after so many years, the two families had walked over together, supporting each other.
The children were gradually growing up. Although Madam Zhao and Madam Qian did not say it, they also hoped that the children could support each other.
They really hoped so.
The meal ended very late. Madam Chen and Chen Erniu helped Chen Hu back. Madam Qian carried her youngest son and held Chen Shi’s hand.
2
After they left, Su Sanlang also pulled Madam Zhao in a daze and said, “Darling, let’s not clean up today. I’ll help you clean up tomorrow.”
His head was spinning and he was elated.
He didn’t even drink Su Xiaolu’s hangover tea.
Madam Zhao followed him and instructed the children to wash up and rest. Then, Madam Zhao helped Su Sanlang back to the house.
For once, Su Sanlang was drunk. She would let him be today.
Su Xiaolu and Su Xiaoling returned to the house. They also fell asleep quickly.
Su Xiaolu rushed back during the day and was trained by Master without even resting. How tiring.
Su Xiaoling looked at the sleeping Su Xiaolu and gently massaged her hands and legs. Su Xiaoling sighed. “Sigh, I’ve always said that I want to treat you well, but actually, I can’t help you with anything.”
She couldn’t suffer for Su Xiaolu. Su Xiaolu didn’t need her protection either. Instead, she gave her more money than she could spend in her lifetime. Thinking about this, Su Xiaoling felt a little guilty.
She was going to be married in a few years. Time really did fly.
Looking at the sleeping Su Xiaolu, Su Xiaoling kissed Su Xiaolu’s cheek and said gently, “Xiaolu, have a good dream.”
Su Xiaoling fell asleep and gently hugged Su Xiaolu. She gently patted Su Xiaolu’s shoulder. This was already a habit. When Su Xiaolu was very young, she would take care of her when she was weaned. She had patted her shoulder like this for many years.
Su Xiaolu also felt very relieved. She really dreamed.
In her dream, she was so trained by Gui You that she couldn’t get up and lay on the ground.
A familiar old face appeared in the air and smiled at her. “Girl, I’m better to you, right?”
Su Xiaolu hugged the old man’s neck happily and said coquettishly, “Master, you’re back. I miss you so much.”
Su Xiaolu had not seen the old man for several years, so she naturally had a lot to tell him.
When she woke up in the morning, she felt lost. So it was a dream.
But once the old man was gone for more than three years, she really missed him.
She would wait a few more years. When she finished learning martial arts, she would look for the old man.
Peace returned to the days.
Su Chong, Su Hua, and Zhou Heng were still working hard to study for the imperial examination three years later.
Su Xiaolu also began to practice martial arts. She ate, practiced, ate, practiced, ate, and slept every day.
Sun Baoshan and Sun Baoqian no longer needed to take medicine. She could just go to town and visit them.
The scars on Lin Pingsheng’s daughter, Lin Shuangshuang, had all faded.
There was a huge demand for scar removal medicine. They could earn tens of thousands of taels a year.
In the blink of an eye, it was the end of the year again.
Su Xiaolu was already eight years old.
She was about to pass her ninth year in this world.
New Year’s Eve was as sumptuous as ever.
Su Xiaolu and Su Chong were standing on stakes. The siblings were as still as logs.
Gui You sat on the wall, chewing on an apple. If either Su Xiaolu or Su Chong moved, he would throw a stone as punishment.
Su Chong did not move, but Su Xiaolu was beaten several times.
Su Chong said to Su Xiaolu, “Xiaolu, don’t be distracted. Concentrate and circulate your internal energy.”
Su Xiaolu said helplessly, “Brother, I don’t know what’s wrong with me today. I feel uneasy.”
Because she was distracted, she was beaten several times, but she could not help but be distracted.
Su Chong frowned as he watched Gui You throw the apple. He threw it up and caught it, but his eyes were fixed on the siblings. Gui You was very strict. It would be strange if Su Xiaolu wasn’t beaten up.