Chapter 219: Chapter 219: Madam Zhou, Afraid of Women
Wufu and the others entered with heavy baskets on their backs. Upon seeing them return safe and sound, Madam Zhou breathed a huge sigh of relief. After all, it was two children setting out, and they were heading to the county townâworry was inevitable.
Hongyu whispered to Wufu, "Madam couldnât sleep well last night because she was so worried."
Wufu smiled. It was a good thing she had told Liu Jin not to mention the Flower-Picking Thief matter; otherwise, Madam Zhou would have been scared half to death, and they surely wouldnât have been allowed to leave the house again.
"Has anything happened at home these past few days?" Wufu inquired of Hongyu.
"Yes, today Big Uncleâs Wife and the female cousin came, and they mentioned the matter of Mid-Autumn Festival gifts with Madam," said Hongyu.
Mid-Autumn Festival was just a few days away. Married daughters were expected to send festival gifts to their parentsâ home during such holidays.
"Little Ears Reporting to the Gods." Wufu pinched Hongyu and asked, "What did my mother say?"
"Madam said she would send the gifts the day after tomorrow," Hongyu replied.
Upon hearing this, Wufu smiled and said, "I understand."
Although Hongyu felt indignant inside, she kept quiet, considering Liu Jinâs words.
Seeing this, Wufu nodded inwardly, glad that she was beginning to understand restraint. This was a positive change; otherwise, if she continued to act impulsively and based on temper, they wouldnât get far together.
During this trip to the county town, besides buying a bow and arrow, Wufu also purchased quite a few items. Seeing the fabric, Madam Zhou winced at the expense.
"This must have cost quite a bit, right?" she asked.
"Silver is for spending," Wufu said. "We canât skimp on clothing and the necessities of life. Mother, when you have time, make clothes for everyone. I think Liu Jinâs Short Brown is getting a bit tight, not quite fitting."
Indeed, since moving over to Wufuâs, with meat in their diet every day, plus exercise, Liu Jin, the half-grown boy, had grown taller rapidly.
Madam Zhou smiled and said, "Boys grow fast. Iâll let his clothes out a bit, I left some extra fabric just in case."
Not understanding much about making clothes, Wufu said, "You make the decisions on that."
Among the fabrics was an indigo piece. Madam Zhou pursed her lips, looked at Wufu, and said cautiously, "Wufu, Mid-Autumn Festival is in a couple of days, and we havenât sent a festival gift to the Old Zhou family yet this year."
Wufu knew that even though they had faced hardships in the past, Madam Zhou always managed to prepare festival gifts for her parental home each year, no matter how modest.
"Mm, you prepare it yourself," said Wufu, unconcerned about the gesture. After all, Madam Zhou was a daughter of the Old Zhou family.
"Then, shall I take a box of mooncakes and add some fruits?" Madam Zhou suggested, pointing at one of two boxes of mooncakes she had bought and then at the indigo fabric. "I havenât made clothes for your grandmother for many years. Shall I cut a dress for her from this fabric?"
Madam Zhou understood propriety. Sending a whole piece of fabric to her parentsâ house would surely displease Wufu, and she herself was reluctant to part with it, but making a dress for her mother seemed reasonable.
Wufu looked over.
Madam Zhou, thinking Wufu was displeased, quickly said, "Forget it, she might not even like the color."
Watching her walk on eggshells, Wufu frowned and sighed inwardly, trying to appear as warm as possible, "If you want to give it, then give it."
It was, after all, just a dress to honor her mother. Wufu couldnât prevent Madam Zhou from fulfilling her filial duties. In her heart, she believed the worth of such gestures would only be known in time.
Madam Zhouâs eyes brightened, and she said with a smile, "Iâll just cut one dress then."
Seeing her joy, Wufu felt somewhat speechless and touched her face, wondering if she really looked that frightening.