Chapter 18 - 17 Wash Before 3

Chapter 18: Chapter 17 Wash Before 3

This must be his older sister, who only bears a slight resemblance to Mrs. Gu. Mrs. Lv laughed, "Didn’t you say your brother was ugly the other day when you saw him? How come just over a day later you think he’s good-looking?" In just two days, how did her son change so much? When he was first born, he was all red, but now he’s white and tender, with big expressive peach blossom eyes bigger than hers, and that delicate nose and mouth—truly extremely beautiful.

"Maybe he’s grown a bit, you were also ugly when you were born, weren’t you? And haven’t you turned beautiful now?" Gu Wan took off her shoes and climbed onto the kang, cuddling in Mrs. Gu’s arms. Mrs. Lv quickly reminded her.

"Good girl, don’t move around too much. Today, you’re wearing new clothes that cost quite a bit, and those butterflies and flowers took me a lot of effort to embroider!" Gu Wan touched the butterflies on her dress, "The butterflies Mom embroidered for me are so beautiful. If only I could wear new clothes every day. Chunhua was really envious today!"

"My daughter is beautiful; how could Chunhua compare?" Hearing that others were envious, Mrs. Lv raised her chin proudly. No girl in this village looked better than her own daughter.

"Mom, did you call me? What is it?" Before the person even got close, a loud voice was already shouting from outside the door.

Gu Chengyu immediately turned his head, wanting to see who was coming onstage this time. A young woman who would call Mrs. Lv "Mom" could only be He. Once inside, she proved to be a woman slightly younger than Mrs. Fang, with triangular eyes, high cheekbones, and slightly dark skin. If Mrs. Gu Fang looked average, then He didn’t even reach average. Looking at her figure, she was somewhat plump. Gu Chengyu was puzzled, wasn’t this family very poor? How did they have extra weight? Later, when Gu Chengyu learned the reason, he could only sigh, truly a born talent!

"Second son’s wife, today is an important day, don’t be jumping around. If I find out, be careful. Don’t think just because I’ve stayed in the house recently, I don’t know what you’re up to. You better keep your tricks in check, or you’ll have to watch out."

"Oh, Mom, how could you say that? How dare I disturb little brother’s washing on his third day? Not to mention you, even my husband would give me a good scolding if he found out. Mom, please rest assured, I wouldn’t dare be lazy." As she spoke, He sprayed spittle and her mouth full of large yellow teeth was quite a sight.

"Wow! Our little sister’s outfit is really beautiful, like the daughter of a landlord. Let’s see, this must be fine cotton cloth? We haven’t worn such fabric. Mom, you’re so biased; my husband and I haven’t worn new clothes for ages. On such an important day, why not get some fabric for me and him too?" From the moment He entered, she had noticed Gu Wan’s outfit, and upon closer inspection, her eyes nearly popped out.

"There’s embroidery on this too, and it’s very well done. Mom, when will you teach me to embroider?" He was eager to reach out and touch it.

"Mom, look at second sister-in-law’s hands, who knows if they’re clean or not, yet she wants to touch me." Seeing those hands with dirt under the nails, Gu Wan immediately hid in Mrs. Gu’s arms.

Mrs. Lv embraced Gu Wan, her eyes wide with anger, "Why? This was part of my dowry, and there’s just a little left. The rest went as betrothal gifts for you and the eldest’s wife, and you’re still fixated on this? What daughter-in-law covets her mother-in-law’s dowry? I haven’t worn new clothes for years, why don’t you say you should honor your mother first? Teach you to embroider? With your wooden head, can you even make one flower? You can’t even thread a needle. Look at your filthy clothes, you won’t even tidy yourself up when guests come. It’s unlucky for the second son to have married you, you don’t even have decent clothes to wear."

Since He had come near, Gu Chengyu glanced at her outfit; she wore a reddish-brown rough cloth top with a crossover neckline and blue pants. Though the clothes were somewhat faded, at least they were free of patches, just with large stitches. The top was light in color and had faded more, making the stains, and greasy ones at that, quite noticeable. How long had it been since they were washed?

"Mom, aren’t these my only guest clothes? The others are worn and patched. Wearing this must shame you. Why don’t you give me some money, and I’ll buy some fabric to make new clothes?" He licked her lips and smiled, not even getting angry, just continuing to ask for money.

"Does this family only have you who hasn’t worn new clothes in years? If I give it to you, then do the others get it too? Where would our family find so much silver coin?

Everyone wearing new clothes, can life still go on? You wasteful woman. Where’s the second son? Get him to take his wife back, she doesn’t know what’s proper." Mrs. Lv glared at He, breathing heavily, ready to kick her out.

Gu Chengyu felt a bit worried, after all, she hadn’t recovered since giving birth! Life in this rural home was full of such disturbances, even a calm recovery period was impossible.

"What’s going on now? Second son’s wife, the front is busy, why don’t you go help? Do you plan to slack off here?" Mr. Gu entered from outside, holding a bowl and chopsticks like he was delivering breakfast.

Mr. Gu was in his forties, graying at the temples, lines of silver threading through dark hair, with a square face marked by the passing years, clearly someone accustomed to working the fields, with looks only described as proper. However, his large eyes resembled Gu Wan’s and were quite lively, indicating Gu Wan had inherited those large eyes from her father. He wore a short blue rough cloth coat, with matching pants, and a waistband holding a smoking pipe. Mr. Gu strode in with large steps, quite lucky for such an ordinary man to have married a beautiful wife like his was a blessing indeed.

"You’re right, Dad, didn’t mom call me for something? Mom must be hungry, ready for breakfast? This baby does get hungry quickly."

Seeing her father-in-law come in, He dared not linger, but glanced at the bowl in Mr. Gu’s hands, unable to look away. Her mother-in-law was indeed precious, insisting on three meals a day, each with three eggs, unwavering. The stored eggs were consumed by mother-in-law, and just yesterday a chicken that laid eggs was slaughtered, leaving only three hens and one rooster. Eyes on the eggs in the bowl, she secretly drooled, knowing full well those eggs were not for her.

"Dad, Mom, I’m heading out then, there’s still work in the front!" She finished, sneaking another glance at the eggs, and unwillingly exited.

"Dear, are you taking Xiao Bao out? Let me change his clothes and wrap him." Mrs. Lv took the bowl from Mr. Gu and ate hurriedly, occasionally feeding a bit to Gu Wan who was staring at the bowl.

"It’s still early after you’ve eaten; you should have more, need to produce milk, can’t have you hungry. Tomorrow when I go to the market in Dashang Village, I’ll bring back some snacks for you." Mr. Gu thought, three eggs were not enough, rough black bread wouldn’t promote milk production, tomorrow he’d catch some fish and also take care of Da Ya.

"Why waste money on that? Those snacks are expensive!" Mrs. Lv grumbled about the cost, not wanting to buy them, but the upturned corners of her mouth betrayed how pleased she was inside.

"Mom, I also want cakes." hearing there were cakes, Gu Wan could hardly contain herself; Mr. Gu indulged his daughter.

"Alright, I’ll get you Cloud Cake, that’s delicate, easy for a child to digest." Mainly because his wife liked it. Mr. Gu finished speaking with a wide grin.

"Why get Cloud Cake? A jin costs over twenty coins, so expensive, more than pork! Just half of Jujube Cake will do." Gu Wan wanted to protest.

"Behave, or you won’t get any. Jujube Cake is sweet. If you make trouble, there’ll be none left." Seeing her mother’s stern face, Gu Wan had to back down. Cloud Cake was delicious, but her mother couldn’t bear to buy it. Jujube Cake would suffice.

"Let me have a look at my son." Seeing Mrs. Lv had calmed Gu Wan, Mr. Gu went to the edge of the kang to see his youngest son.

"Wow! Dear, how has Xiao Bao grown so handsome? His little look resembles you, truly handsome."

Mrs. Lv felt proud, "Of course, who do you think gave birth to him. I’ll change his clothes, and once done you can take him out!"

Mr. Gu thought the egg and chicken soup his wife had three times a day was responsible, solidifying his resolve to let Mrs. Lv eat well.

The clothes and wraps were prepared earlier since the baby’s skin was tender, he could only wear fine cotton cloth. Before long, Gu Chengyu saw the well-dressed little boy being carried out by Mr. Gu.