Chapter 40
There was nothing wrong with her uncle’s words.
Now that she had returned to Xishan Village, she ought to start calling on all her aunts and cousins.
As a junior member of the family, she ought to call on them first.
This was not a special situation.
She went over to invite them to the banquet. The reason they were willing to come was because they wanted to be close to their relatives and call on them. If they didn’t come, that would be equivalent to breaking off their familial ties.
If that happened, then in the future, regardless of whether the other party was rich or poor, they wouldn’t want to visit them.
Since she was going there to invite them, they would also be bringing their brothers.
After some discussion, they decided to only invite the three aunts, who were Father Han’s biological sisters. To avoid gossip, they wouldn’t invite his cousins.
The relatives wouldn’t show up empty-handed. If they brought too much stuff, they would greatly begrudge parting with it all. But to bring too little would be rude.
Some people may not be willing to come, especially considering that the impetus for this gathering was Han Qiao getting a divorce and moving back in with her parents.
A daughter who was married off was like spilt milk–she normally wouldn’t come back. Her uncles and so on all had their differences, but since they all lived in the same village, it would be impossible for them to go about their lives without calling on each other.
“Ask your elder brother to go talk to the three aunts. At most, three or four people from their family will come. We’ll need to prepare a table. Just in case, prepare two tables.”
“Only those who work in the village will come. If their family has any troubles in the future, you’ll have to go and help them.”
Han Qiao nodded.
A few uncles came to help. Her cousins who could work also came. In the future, she would have to start calling on all of them.
She understood the exchange of favors worked!
They calculated that they would need more than twenty tables.
Father Han’s expression was solemn.
They were going to need a ton of food.
After the brothers left, he asked Han Qiao and her two brothers to stay behind. He also asked his daughters-in-law and a few grandchildren to come over.
Father Han took a purse from Han Yuan’s hands, “Here is one tael of silver. Your mother and I made the decision to give it to you on behalf of your three brothers. Even though we’re giving this to you, I don’t want you to worry too much about our family’s financial circ.u.mstances. In addition, we’re giving you five hens that lay eggs, fifty eggs, a rooster, fifty catties of corn, ten catties of sorghum, ten catties of soybeans, thirty pumpkins, two pieces of cured meat and a hundred catties of sweet potatoes.”
Han Qiao’s eyes turned red when she heard this.
Considering the family’s financial situation, it was really hard for her to accept all these things.
Especially when her sisters-in-law didn’t object.
She stood up.
“Thank you, Father and Mother.”
“Thank you, Eldest brother and Sister-in-law. Thank you, Second Brother and Second Sister-in-law.”
“Thank you, Youngest Brother and Third Sister-in-law.”
The three sisters-in-law looked at each other. Then, the oldest said, “In the future, lead a good life. If you need any hard work done, just shout. Our family doesn’t have much money, but there are plenty of people who can work.”
“Alright.” Han Qiao nodded.
What surprised Han Qiao even more was that the uncles each gave her two hens, a piece of bacon, 20 catties of corn, five catties of soybeans, 50 catties of sweet potatoes, 10 pumpkins and 20 eggs.
All these things had already been sent to her new house.
She was told to get everything ready so that she could properly treat her relatives and friends on the 25th.
Han Qiao was also discussing what dishes they would be serving with Han Yuan.
“Braised pork with soybeans, red pork, mushroom chicken soup, stir-fried bean sprouts, fried pumpkin, fried crisp meat, braised egg with minced meat, sweet and sour fish, with rice or steamed buns and some wine. Also, we’ll make two plates of melon seeds and peanuts, and some stewed pig offal.”
Just as Han Qiao finished speaking, Han Yuan patted her twice on the shoulder. “Did you burn through all that money?”
“If you treat us this well, you won’t be able to live any longer.”
Han Qiao laughed.
“Mother, I’ve already talked to Heng Yi about the pork and pheasant. We have eggs at home. We only need to buy fish, flour, rice and wine. Mother, my uncles and cousins have put in a lot of effort to build my new house. This will be the only meal that we can eat well. I can’t be stingy at this time. If I do well, you and Father will also feel proud. It’s also worth considering that the uncles will be bringing stuff, too..”
“Mother, don’t worry. I will definitely get back to leading a good life.”
Han Qiao didn’t mention that Sun Yiming had given her five taels after they divorced.
It wasn’t that she was deliberately hiding it. It was just that the fewer people who knew about that kind of thing, the better.
Han Yuan’s heart ached for the food, but she also knew that Han Qiao’s words were reasonable.
Heng Yi gave the prey to Bai Cha and returned to Ninghe town.
He went to the broker’s office.
The manager there smiled when he saw Heng Yi. “You came at the right time. I wanted to tell you that I may have found a house for you to take a look at.”
Heng Yi wanted to buy a house. It was hard to find a big one, but he also didn’t want a small one.
Too small, and you’d have a hard time getting a carriage to fit in it.
“The house next door to you, the former Sun house, is for sale. It’s 22 taels of silver.”
Heng Yi was silent.
He remembered the handkerchief. He had been rubbing it all the way there.
The manager of the broker’s office said, “The house next door to the Suns is also for sale. It’s 23 taels of silver.”
“If you have the money, you can buy the two courtyards together. Then you could connect the two courtyards and rebuild.”
The location wasn’t bad. A carriage could enter and exit, and further the two courtyards could be merged into one. It would be very comfortable to live in.
“Help me negotiate.” Heng Yi immediately made a decision.
“Then help me find someone who builds houses. I want to tear it all down and rebuild.”
Heng Yi took out a hundred taels of silver. The manager’s eyes widened. Heng Yi said calmly, “Also, help me get a carriage as soon as possible!”
Those days it wasn’t easy to get a horse. The first reason for that was that good horses were hard to find. The second, they were too expensive for most families to afford.
The manager looked at Heng Yi. “Are you planning to get married? Is there a girl you like? Did she propose to you?”
“…” Heng Yi didn’t say anything.
The manager of the broker’s office smiled and took the banknotes. “Do your parents know how rich you are?”
Heng Yi raised his eyebrows.
“Can you just settle the matter, please?”
“Yes, I, Hu Laosan, will handle things. Don’t worry. Though, those two properties are so close to your parent’s house. Are you sure you want them?”
“Moreover, when your family eats meat, your mother might run out crying, saying that she doesn’t have anything to eat. What if she criticizes your wife?”
Heng Yi hesitated when he heard that.
“Are there any other properties for sale?”
“Ninghe Town is only so big, and you’re in such a hurry to buy. Just where are you looking to buy this house, anyway?” Hu Laosan muttered.
“Then I’ll just buy the land and start construction. Go smooth things over with the local officials. But don’t tell them that I’m the buyer.”
“Don’t worry about it…As brothers, I promise to handle things properly for you. By the way, who’s the lucky lady? Is she good-looking?”
“Not even your father is as talkative as you.” Heng Yi got up and left the broker’s office.
Hu Laosan chased him out, then stood at the door, spitting a few times. He turned around and returned to the broker’s office to tell his wife that he wouldn’t be home for dinner that night. After tidying up, he went to the government office and waited for Lord Dian Bo to show up. He was going to treat him to dinner and bring the matter up then.
While Heng Yi was pa.s.sing a restaurant on his way home, he saw that Sun Yiming was treating his scoundrel friends to dinner and drinks.
Even at this time…?
Heng Yi pursed his lips.
He headed toward home.
“Heng Yi, Heng Yi.” Sun Yiming ran out of the restaurant and called out to Heng Yi.
Heng Yi turned around and looked at Sun Yiming.
“Do you want to have a drink together?”
“No thank you!”
Heng Yi responded indifferently and quickly walked away.
Sun Yiming looked at Heng Yi’s back. He took a deep breath before turning around to return to the restaurant.
When he got back, his friend laughed at him. “Brother Sun, why are you still talking to an idiot like that? You’re degrading yourself.”
“…” Sun Yiming silently raised his wine gla.s.s and took a sip.
Then he put it down and said to his friends, “I’m going out to study tomorrow. I don’t know when I’ll be bcak!”
What he meant was that he wouldn’t be returning to Ninghe Town.
When Heng Yi got back home, he entered the house. Granny Heng immediately welcomed him with joy. “Heng Yi, you’re back! Come and take a look. I found a lady for you to marry! Hurry up and have a drink with her. Let’s consummate the marriage tonight!”