novelraw Chapter 180 - 177: You Are My Son! You Are Her Husband!
Chapter 180 - 177: You Are My Son! You Are Her Husband!
"Are you willing? Aren’t you angry? Every time I see her living so well now, I wish day and night that I could chop her up!"
"Think of how she used to be in our Xie Family, obedient to my every command. Even if I pulled her hair and cursed her, she wouldn’t dare make a sound. Now, it’s as if she’s ready to tear us limb from limb!"
"Your sister, your sister wouldn’t have died on the road if it weren’t for her! Would our Qi Mansion have fallen to this state? Think of how glorious it used to be!"
However, no matter how Liu Family cursed with gritted teeth, Qi Nanfeng remained unmoved, his face dark.
Ignoring Liu Family’s words, he entered the house and shut the door.
With a bang, he left Liu Family outside, infuriating her to the point of pounding on the door!
"You are my son! Her husband! She sees you as a cowardly turtle. Have you really become one?!"
Seeing this, Yuanxi hurried forward to support and comfort Liu Family: "Madam, Ruan Mian has already divorced the young master, and young master is no longer her husband, just..."
"What do you know!!"
Liu Family pushed her away but then suddenly remembered that she still needed Yuanxi to serve her, so she changed her attitude and helped her up.
"Xi’er, mother is just extremely angry, it’s not intentional to hurt you, are you okay?"
Little did they know, the silent Qi Nanfeng of course wouldn’t be willing!
If she gets married, happily becomes a bride, leading her family to a good life, then what about himself? What about everything he lost because of her?!
Even if he dies, he’ll drag someone down with him!!
...
Xie Huai’an, following the standards of marrying noble women of the era, brought a betrothal gift and officially came to visit Ruan Mian’s parents.
Mrs. Zhang and the others were already satisfied with Xie Huai’an. Previously, they were concerned about their daughter’s wishes. Now that Ruan Mian had agreed, naturally they accepted wholeheartedly.
Even the eldest aunt had calculated the best auspicious day recently! Which is tomorrow!
Though rushed, compared to tomorrow’s once-in-a-century lucky day, they couldn’t worry about much else.
Everything that needed buying was already prepared by both Ruan Mian and Xie Huai’an without the other’s knowledge, so there’s no need to wait another ten days.
Ruan Mian always addressed matters straightforwardly, never delaying what could be done.
She was the first to firmly express her stance.
"Since tomorrow is a once-in-a-century auspicious day, then tomorrow it shall be."
"Mianmian, have you... thought it through?"
"Mother, we’re already engaged, it’s bound to happen sooner or later, the sooner the better."
Don’t wait until some days later when he suddenly needs to return to Capital City, then there won’t be a chance to proceed.
Seeing that she had spoken, Mrs. Zhang and the others agreed decisively.
That day, they mobilized everyone at home to start working.
Mr. Ruan and Ruan Qingsong, this father and son, were both eager to take charge. Later, one went out to inform the villagers, and the other stayed home to arrange various matters.
Cui Zhu and Shaoxi immediately discussed the menu for tomorrow’s banquet for the villagers.
The ingredients are sufficient, but with just the two of them cooking and the help of Mrs. Hai, there aren’t enough hands; an entire village is coming to eat.
It’s unlike the exile in the past, where anything eaten could suffice.
This is their daughter’s joyous occasion, so they must be diligent.
As they were thinking, gradually many uncles and aunties arrived outside the house.
"Zhu’er, your girl is getting married tomorrow, surely your family lacks enough hands? Here, I brought my husband and child to help you!"
"Miss Shao, Miss Shao, Miss Ruan and Mr. Xie are getting married? Does your family need more help? I’m free anyway, not working today, so I came to help you!"
Before long, many people surrounded them, volunteering to help.
Cui Zhu was inwardly stirred; though initially hesitant, she couldn’t resist the enthusiasm of the villagers.
The small kitchen was crowded with people, several experienced aunties started directing, orderly arranging tasks for everyone, making progress both quick and efficient.
Cui Zhu, having been a maid in the mansion before, was used to everyone doing their duty within limits, never seeing such goodwill united.
For the first time, she truly felt the benefit of neighborly unity.
The emotional touch reddened her eyes.
"Shaoxi, don’t you think if everyone had worked together during the exile, there wouldn’t have been so many deaths then?"
Shaoxi lightly smiled: "Human nature can’t endure tests, so there’s not much if. Now that everyone’s goodwill can unite, let’s cherish and be grateful."
Everyone busied themselves into the late night.
Ruan Mian was pulled into the house by her sister-in-law.
"Mianmian, quickly try on your wedding gown to see if it fits."
Mrs. Hai took out a beautiful wedding dress, simple in style but intricately sewn.
"Sister-in-law, where did this wedding gown come from?"
She initially thought the wedding gown couldn’t be made in time, so she bought a ready-made red dress for herself.
"Mother and I made it together, the time was tight, so it’s not very exquisite, but it allows you to formally become a bride."
"Yesterday?"
Even with two people, rushing to sew such a dress meant not a wink of sleep, right?
Holding this dress, a warmth suddenly surged in Ruan Mian’s heart.
"Sister-in-law, thank you."
Mrs. Chen quickly shook her head: "We’re family, what need is there for thanks? If thanks are due, sister-in-law should be thanking you."
Her eyes reddened, just then Mrs. Zhang came in hastily with a small box.
Afraid her daughter would miss the auspicious time, she hurriedly urged her to change into the wedding gown.
As she dressed her hair with velvet flowers made by Cui Zhu, a red hairpin given by her brother, and jewelry prepared by her father and mother together.
Mrs. Zhang, feeling guilty, even took out her most precious bracelet, placing it on Ruan Mian.
"Mianmian, after our family was raided, your father and I barely have anything left. With guilt, we wish you to keep all those property deeds taken beforehand."
"As for the jewelry, your mother protected it desperately, hoping you won’t disdain it. Your father and I... will add more dowry in the future."
"Mother!"
Seeing those items, Ruan Mian deeply knows how much effort her parents put into them.
During the raid, she protected the family’s property; the jewelry and accessories, only a small part of which Mrs. Zhang used to protect herself, kept close in her clothing to avoid being confiscated.
Another portion was earned in recent days by her brother and father.
Her brother taught, sister-in-law did needlework as a supplement, father treated patients, the Silver Coin wasn’t much, but every cent was earned through her family’s utmost effort.
In Ruan Mian’s eyes, this is worth more than an entire gold mine.
This made her think of her brother who died to protect her in the past life, that little bit of family love unraveling her taut heartstrings.