Translated by Amaryllideae, edited by Ahzinal
According to the customs of Yuqing Country, during the days after the bride-price is given and their marriage date, the couple should not see each other. Luo Fei felt that this way was also very good, lest he sees Xi Yanqing and thinks of his bird.
That's why, in the past ten days, every time Xi Yanqing went to the Luo house, he would rush to finish things then go back without seeing Luo Fei. In fact, Luo Fei himself also has a lot of things to prepare, such as the tableware to be used for the marriage day, and the tables and chairs for the guests. In this place, there is not much that could be used from their household, so when arranging a marriage ceremony, it was necessary to go around and ask to borrow some things for that day.
The most helpful source to ask about marriage matters for Xi Yanqing,, in addition to the Luo family, is Han Yang. They have grown up together from childhood till now. Although they haven’t met in the past few years, the relationship between friends is still very reliable. Basically, whatever Xi Yanqing doesn't understand now, if he doesn't ask Luo Ji, he would ask Han Yang.
As for Luo Fei, he was now busy at home making wedding clothes for Xi Yanqing and the blankets.
His hands were quick, and his needlework lively, so the wedding clothes for Xi Yanqing were almost complete after 4 days. He just had to add the embroidery on the cuffs and neckline. If it wasn't because the light here was bad, and if he didn't take a small amount of time to make some other embroidery pieces (I presume to sell), he could have finished them even faster. As for the quilt and the quilt cover, he could only make the quilt cover, as the quilt needed to be stuffed with cotton layer by layer. He is not good at that, so it will have to be done by Li Yuehua.
Luo Fei’s quilt cover was made in a modern style called an envelope closure for easy removal and washing. When he did this, he was scolded by Li Yuehua, but he insisted on doing it that way very stubbornly, so Li Yuehua had to bend in the end. Later, Li Yuehua found that it was actually quite easy to remove and wash the cover after it was made in this style. That way they would not have to make one or two additional bed quilts a year now.
[T/N: I think what they used to do in ancient times was actually sew the quilt cover onto or around the quilt so that's why LYH talks about saving having to make one or two of them.]
[Editor: Video on regular vs envelope closure: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fj0nQea2Nck]
“When I get married, I also want to make them like this. Then, I won't have to take out the thread anymore when washing, save time and save the thread.” Han Xu brought his own sewing pouch and came to find Luo Fei. Seeing him make the cover in such a new style amazed him quite a lot.
“Erbao, what are you making now?”
“A pillowcase.”
“Do pillows need cases? Our pillows are all wooden pillows, so we're not afraid of getting them dirty.”
“I want to change to a soft pillow in the future. I always feel that my neck hurts.” The pillow of wood is so firm, he would end up changing it sooner than later! It is estimated that Xi Yanqing should not be opposed to this.
“You are really very creative with your thinking, but your Xi-gege treats you so tenderly. I bet if you wanted to change the house, he would still find a way to satisfy you. Do you know why I came here today?” Han Xu asked with a smile.
“Why?”
“Your Xi-ge said: 'my family’s Erbao is doing needlework every day at home. He certainly feels it boring. Han Xu-ge, if you have time, could I bother you to go over and chat with him to get rid of any boredom?' Ai, you see, you see! This is what a husband that loves you dearly is like!”
“Like I'm listening to your 'ghost talk'.” (lies) Luo Fei apparently did not believe it. Xi Yanqing is quite good for him, but was he good to this degree?!
“Why would I lie to you?! It is what he said, otherwise I would have stayed home to fix a shoe sole today.” Han Xu was telling the truth but saw that Luo Fei still curled his lips (like he wasn't believing him) and immediately stopped, “Aiya you Luo Erbao! You dare not believe what I said?!" Han Xu rolled up his sleeves, "Say it! Do you want a beating?!"
“Right, right, right. Not arguing with you anymore.” Luo Fei pulled Han Xu to the side. “Oh, yes, when are you getting married?” Han Xu was also engaged, and the other party was Chen Huaxuan, also a Huaping villager, a carpenter. On weekdays, this person was doing carpenting work everywhere. Most of the time, he was not in the village, but his impression is not bad.
“There are still about two months.” Han Xu suddenly said, “Aiya, yes, I just remembered this. I have some happy news. Do you want to listen? It's about Zhang Yangfan.”
"What happy news?"
“Haven't Zhang Yangfan and Jiang Baining been married for some time? Still, Jiang Baining hasn't had any good news. Yesterday, I heard my Sao-zi (sister-in-law) say that Zhang Yangfan seemed to be quarreling with Jiang Baining saying that the plum blossoms on Jiang Baining's hands are so fresh and colorful, yet he is no better than anyone else at having children. When my Sao-zi passed from his house, she heard it for sure.” It was already very late, that Zhang Yangfan probably thought no one would be outside. At that time, Han Xu's Sao-zi had something to discuss with her mother, which was why she was out so late.
“Haven't they been married for less than a month?” Luo Fei felt that it was quite normal.
“Stupid you! We are different from girls, this, this!” Han Xu pointed to the plum blossom on his hand. “The color of the flower will change within ten to eight days.”
“It's not like doing it once will guarantee anyone getting pregnant. However, it's true that Zhang Yangfan's appearance is strong. With the way he does it, if he doesn't get a child in this life, I too wouldn't think it's normal!"
Luo Fei's heart cursed at him; it's best to end your family line!
Thinking that the couple is not doing well, Luo Fei finally had a sigh of relief. However, in fact, Zhang Yangfan and Jiang Baining's quarreling was not really because of children.
No one knew that deep down, Zhang Yangfan did not want to have a child with Jiang Baining. This time, the main reason why he quarreled with Jiang Baining was that Jiang Baining's suspicion grew too heavy.
On the day Xi Yanqing went to the Luo family to deliver the bride-price, Zhang Yangfan knew about it, and he conveniently found an excuse to go out. Originally, he really didn’t want to go see Luo Fei that day,but he had two feet that were disobedient. When he walked, he went to Luo Fei’s house. Even worse, he was seen. He didn't know from where Jiang Baining heard about it, but he knew that Zhang Yangfan had gone to the Luo House, so he began to feel uncomfortable in his heart.
In the first two days, Jiang Baining endured, and always comforted himself that Zhang Yangfan might have just passed by. However, he heard someone say that Zhang Yangfan stood at the door of the Luo House for a while, and he didn’t know what he was doing. He suddenly felt like a fishbone was stuck in his throat. When he heard someone say that Luo Fei was extremely beautiful that day, it was settled. He had restrained himself until he was ready to explode!
It was no wonder that the same time Zhang Yangfan's went to Luo family's home was when he started acting so preoccupied; he was thinking of his old lover!
Jiang Baining's family was only himself, and so he was quite pampered. It was not even that long before he became married, and he had to suffer this. How could he endure it? So on another night where Zhang Yangfan just sat stupidly in silence, he suddenly broke out: “Zhang Yangfan! Tell me, are you still thinking about that little vixen Luo Fei?!”
At that time, Zhang Yangfan was really not thinking about Luo Fei. He did not understand a part in his studies, and was currently thinking hard about it. Originally, he thought he had figured it out a little bit. Well, when Jiang Baining shouted like that, all of his thoughts were wiped away.
“I say, when you talk, can you not be so vulgar? A 'vixen'. If he is a little vixen, then what are you?” Zhang Yangfan said it with a look of impatience in his eyes.
“You! You are still defending him!” Jiang Baining was not happy at the moment. “He is a little vixen! You left him and yet are still thinking about him. You have just gotten married for a little, and then he just immediately turned to go with Xi Yanqing. He is just like a fickle woman!”
“I'm done! If you hadn't let my mother notice that the color of the plum blossom on your hand is so fresh and colorful, do you think my mother would have forced me to marry you?! Also, you aren't even that good since you haven't gotten pregnant faster than anyone else!” From that day when he saw Luo Fei smile from the bottom of his heart to Xi Yanqing, Zhang Yangfan felt like he had been suffocated with a bout of air. Now that it had been brought up again, it burst into a blazing flame, "I'm too tired to argue anymore with you!"
“You! Zhang Yangfan!” Jiang Baining looked at Zhang Yangfan’s leaving back then kicked the table ferociously. Zhang Yangfan, who had been reminded about it, really found a quiet place to think about Luo Fei.
Before he had married Jiang Baining, Zhang Yangfan felt that Jiang Baining was also pretty good. Although he was not as good looking as Luo Fei, it was like comparing a rose with a peony. The conditions of Jiang Baining’s family are much better than that of Luo Fei’s family. The four children of the Luo family are not easy to deal with in themselves, and the result was that they all got dragged down by the eldest one, [Remember how Luo Ji's wife got sick, so the family wealth got drained.] while the Jiang Family only has Jiang Baining. With Jiang Baining, he obviously didn’t have to worry about too much. In addition, when he goes to take the civil examination test in the future, he would be helped a lot by the Jiang Family’s situation. Moreover, Luo Fei was too dependent on his heart, and could not suffer any bit of grievances. His mother’s temper is not very good, if she sees Luo Fei, who is used to being pampered, not being treated well, she gets particularly angry. On the contrary, Jiang Baining would take care of such things every time he sees Zhang Yangfan's mother. He is always very polite that he captured the heart of his mother. Every time his mother saw Jiang Baining’s plum blossoms, she saw her future grandson. She would treat his plum blossoms as if they were rare like no other.
Yes, at that time he felt that Jiang Baining was the most suitable for marriage. But now?!
It had only been less than a month, and he already had a feeling of boredom.
Zhang Yangfan thought that he had tens of thousands of things he shouldn't have done. He shouldn’t have rushed forth to follow his mother’s wishes, and he shouldn’t have gone to the Luo House to see Xi Yanqing delivering the bride price. Just a glance, and Luo Fei’s smile was like it had been engraved in his mind. No matter how he tried, he couldn't wipe it away.
Obviously he was the same person, but how come when he smiled, he seemed so different? The previous Luo Fei was bashful and a little stubborn in the middle of a crowd. That day's Luo Fei, his smile was shy but faintly revealed a little confidence and brightness, like a sunflower, so very warm.
Unless, it was really like what Jiang Baining had said; that in such a short period of time, Luo Fei had already become so close with Xi Yanqing. Smiling so beautifully…
The more Zhang Yangfan thought, the more unresigned his heart was, so he tried to drink away his sorrows for a few days. Several times, he wanted to go to Luo Fei to ask if he still had any feelings towards him. However, Luo Fei also did not know what the hell Zhang Yangfan was doing, he had walked by everyday before. But now that it has become more and more warm in recent days, on the contrary that person didn't come out.
On the afternoon of the fifth day, Luo Fei embroidered the last piece to go on the neckline. When he was trying to think of what to embroider, Luo Yi came up with a “swallow (燕).” Luo Fei did not think much and embroidered the swallow, it was only after he finished embroidering that he realized how it was easy to think astray.
Xi Yanqing, Yan (宴)… Yan (燕)…
[T/N: AHhhh this is kind of cute, so basically the bird swallow (燕) in Chinese is pronounced the same way as one of the characters in Xi Yanqing's name; the "yan" part]
“Aiya, it's not like it's embroidered on the crotch. Why do you think so much, second brother?”
[T/N: Another funny, remember how last chapter LF was measuring and came upon Xi Yanqing's "bird" and LF embroidered a bird (an actual tweet tweet bird of course) XDDD this author cracks me up ahahahahahha]
Luo Ru sighed as she brought a bowl of water. “Hurry and take a break. Tomorrow, we will all be very busy.”
“How are the preparations outside?” Luo Fei has been busy with needlework for a few days, and the family did not let him out of the house, saying it was unlucky, so he does not know how much of the wedding preparations were ready outside. He only heard that Xi Yanqing had completely cleaned up the yard and prepared it for use for tomorrow.
“Early this morning, Xi-ge went to town to buy some good food. After eating dinner tonight, eldest brother and Xi-ge will go get the chairs, tables, and whatnot from the people we're borrowing from. We have already discussed it with others. Mother also found people to help with the cooking, the "喜" (xi, meaning happiness) words have been hung up, and your dowry is wrapped up. Anyway, it is almost done. You just have to wait to cross the threshold.”
[T/N: I think I've experienced one country-style Chinese wedding when I was very young in China; I can't quite remember it, but it is fun and noisy and has lots of yummy food! That said, I have also gone to a country-style funeral in China and the preparations are similar, with the borrowed chairs and hired people to cook, just without all the happiness and red colors. The food was still really yummy there too though.]
“Ai, Sanbao, do you not feel any reluctance to give up your second brother?!” She said it so carefreely!
“After the whole ceremony, I can just walk to your place. What reluctance? What's wrong? You can’t bear to leave me?”
“En, I can’t bear the loss of your skills of making braised pork.” If he was going to Xi Yanqing's place, he and Xi Yanqing both don't know how to cook. If he remembers correctly, the last time he went to Xi Yanqing's place, he was eating some ready-made pancake he had bought. Seeing that dry and crusty pancake gave him no appetite. He just now thought about their meal problems.
“That's so easy. If you want to eat the dishes I cook, you can come home at any time. If you have fish and meat, you can bring it here. I will make it. We can all eat together. How fun and noisy it will be!”
“Okay, then it's agreed.” Luo Fei yawned. “Not good. I need to sleep for a little. After two hours, Sanbao, call me.”
“All right, all right, you should sleep first. You need to sleep enough so tomorrow you will look beautiful!” Luo Ru finished and went out to see what else needs help. One turn and the thing about waking Luo Fei up was forgotten just like that
Luo Fei was probably spent and fatigued after a few days of doing needlework. After falling asleep, he didn’t wake up at night. When he heard someone call him, it was already the next morning!
“Second brother, second brother, wake up quickly! Get up! You have to wash and prepare! Xi Ge will come to pick you up today!” Luo Yi opened the quilt and grabbed Luo Fei’s clothes, shaking him back and forth “Hurry and get up!”
“I know, I know!” Luo Fei frowned. “Let me recuperate a little, won't you? You little demon!” It was hard to work on something with his head bent down for so long. He has had a backache for a few days. Now, he really didn't want to get up.
“Then I will go out first. You have to get up. You can’t sleep anymore.” Luo Yi said.
“Yeah.” Luo Fei opened his eyes and gathered his spirits. He habitually went to the outhouse and prepared to go to wash. Unexpectedly, he suddenly heard a bird cry outside. The bird cry also sounded strange. It was a cuckoo, but it still had a rhythm, three low, two high, it was definitely not a normal bird.
This kind of secret code could only be imagined by someone stupid, but it was the secret code that Zhang Yangfan and Luo Fei had made.
This early in the morning! Daring to call on the day he was to get married! What kind of intentions did he have?
Notes: It seems the wedding will happen very soon! Unless that ZYF does something =_=