Chapter 274: Chapter 272: Everyone Celebrates Najiji’s Joy
After Liu Sisi finished speaking, she walked to the side and carefully removed the cylinder covering the chives.
This cylinder was made by Di Yelei with bamboo strips, about one meter high, and directly placed on the edge of the pot where the chives were planted. The chives were placed next to the stove, and even in the current cold weather, they grew exceptionally lush, which caught Little Cui’er’s eye!
“How is it possible that chives grow so lush in the big cold winter? Third Sister-in-law, you are truly resourceful,” Little Cui’er praised sincerely.
Liu Sisi picked up the knife and cut off a large handful of yellow chives in a single stroke, enough for tonight’s meal.
“These are Chinese chives, yellow ones. It’s just something I experimented with when I was bored. Anyway, I grow them for our own consumption, so I am not worried about the limited variety of vegetables in winter. Speaking of which, you haven’t told me your answer yet,” Liu Sisi said.
The light in Little Cui’er’s eyes dimmed again, and she pondered for a moment: “When I was gradually gaining prominence in Yihong Courtyard, I asked myself this question too. But even if I asked countless times, if I were brought back to that time, I think I would still make the same choice…
“Perhaps this is what people often call ‘fate.’ I seem to be destined to go through this hurdle…,” Little Cui’er’s words were faint and carried an indistinct feeling.
“If you have already made countless choices, then what are you regretting?” Liu Sisi said indifferently.
She quickly removed a piece of bacon from the chimney and cut off a small piece, scooping hot water to wash it quickly.
Little Cui’er watched her movements in silence, and suddenly laughed.
“You’re right! Since I made the choice, how can I waver because of others’ influence! Third Sister-in-law, thank you.”
“Don’t thank me, I have my own motives in helping you.”
Liu Sisi took a quick glance at her: “Tell me, how?+”
Little Cui’er sat there silently, her expression unclear in the flickering firelight of the stove.
“Third Sister-in-law! You are really sly, but I like your straightforwardness. People with your kind of temperament don’t backstab others, or perhaps they disdain to backstab others behind their backs,” Little Cui’er, also known as Ms. Xin, sighed and suddenly whispered: “On the third night after I got married to Ah-Bao, my father-in-law suddenly quarreled with my mother-in-law. It seemed that my mother-in-law accidentally let it slip out. The reason why the former mother-in-law had a difficult delivery and died when giving birth to my third brother was that she had an argument with my mother-in-law. Then, my mother-in-law pushed her, causing her to fall and subsequently bleed heavily to death. So…+
Gosh!
Liu Sisi gasped!
“But isn’t it said that they are…cousins?” Liu Sisi couldn’t believe her words so how could she convince others?
“Bah! Even my own sisters can kick me when I’m down, let alone just cousins. Not to mention that she always has her eyes on her cousin,” Ms. Xin retorted dismissively.
“Ah! Third Sister-in-law, I shouldn’t have been nosy about this as a daughter-in-law, but I really…”
“Ahem! Did my sister-in-law just say something? I didn’t hear anything. You want to ask how these chives are planted, right? It’s simple and easy to manage. You might as well plant two pots yourself when you go home,” Liu Sisi raised her head, her face full of faint smiles.
“What a good ‘I didn’t hear anything,’ Third Sister-in-law! In two days, Cui’er will definitely come to disturb you for a meal, I hope you won’t be stingy,” Little Cui’er said with a knowing expression.
“Sisi welcomes sister-in-law to attend Ying’er’s engagement ceremony,” Liu Sisi said with a smile.
For a moment, the kitchen was filled with laughter.
The Winter Solstice came quickly!
It was a rare sunny day, and the pale winter sun sprinkled its light on the ground, casting everything in a bright aura.
A plum blossom outside the courtyard stretched across the wall. The dappled silhouette of the tree painted the ground, and the blooming flowers added a playful red charm to the winter scene. Two magpies flew in from afar, landing on the plum tree outside the courtyard. Chirping and hopping around, they were particularly cheerful and lively.
However, the people in the courtyard had no mood to enjoy the red plum blossoms and singing magpies outside.
Early in the morning, Di Yelei hung out the red cloth. The vibrant red of the cloth seemed to rival the red of the plum tree, giving off a festive atmosphere.
Everyone was bustling about, killing chickens and heating wine, incredibly busy. It seemed like not much time had passed before there was commotion at the end of the path.
A large crowd escorted Zhang Peng and his son towards the Di household.
“Sisi, hurry up! Zhang Peng is at the door! It seems that they invited the famous Granny Xu from the county town to act as a matchmaker for them!” Di Yelei’s face was full of joy.
Liu Sisi was also amazed!
“Which Granny Xu? The one who testified in the court that day?”
“Exactly, her! She really went to great lengths to come to our remote Upper Village in this cold weather and slippery roads! Hurry up! Be quick!”
Di Yelei was extremely excited, and the entire room sprang into action!
“Dad! I’m going to set up the chairs!” Di Xuan ran towards the hall.
“She really went through a lot of trouble for this!”
Liu Sisi hastily tidied herself up, looking carefully at her reflection in the mirror: “How do I look? Do you think I placed my hairpin and hair ornaments correctly? I do not want to be laughed at for any oversight!”
“It’s alright! You’re good! Don’t worry, you’ve already asked me three times! By the way, where’s YingEr?” Di Yelei turned around and hurriedly searched for Di Ying.
“Are you possessed? YingEr is in the room, isn’t she? She can’t show her face today.”
Liu Sisi rolled her eyes at him, pushing him outside: “Hurry up! Let’s go greet them at the courtyard!”
“Third Uncle, Third Auntie, Cheng’er, go set off the firecrackers!”
Di Cheng, who had come to help early in the morning, scurried towards the wall edge.
Turning around, they noticed Elderly Mr. Di standing up from his chair, holding his crutch, and walking unsteadily towards the door.
Seeing this, Di Yelei quickly went forward to help, and together they came to the entrance of the courtyard, opening the yard gate!
As expected, a large group led by Zhang Peng and Zhang Yun were heading towards the Di family residence.
As the crowd approached, firecrackers continued to burst.
Engagement gifts were carried into the Di Residence’s gate, one after another, under the explosion of firecrackers.
The gifts were packed in gift boxes, covered with red cloth, and arranged on the red cloth were: a pair of living wild geese, a whole sheep, a fragrant pig, numerous pieces of jewelry, several pieces of silk fabric, a plate of ceremonial cakes, and several pairs of ritual incense candles… Such a grand display left the onlookers dazzled.
Following the gifts was Granny Xu, who was being supported by someone, walking into the Di family residence alongside Zhang Yun, one of today’s main stars.