Chapter 7

The woman was astonished: “Really?”

“Yeah, it really doesn’t hurt anymore!” Goudan moved his arm back and forth. He seemed fascinated, pinching it to check. Except for some swelling and bruising, the pain was gone!

Woman: “…”

Seeing is believing, and she couldn’t argue that it was a broken bone.

However, the woman asked with a forced smile: “Can you also treat dislocations?”

Jiang Xi nodded: “I learned about it in school. An old doctor taught me a bit because I was eager to learn.”

The woman’s attitude improved: “I see, I—”

People who know a bit about medicine are valuable, as they might help in the future. She looked at her son, who was now jumping around, and then at the two little girls who were still hiding behind Jiang Xi. She felt guilty and wanted to apologize.

But before she could say more, Pei’s mother’s voice rang out: “You’re from Tieniu’s family? What are you doing here?”

When Pei’s parents returned and saw the scene, their hearts skipped a beat. Pei’s mother rushed over and saw the second and third sisters were not injured. She smiled and said, “Did the children have a fight? I’m sorry, I’m sorry…”

Tieniu’s wife laughed awkwardly, “Auntie, it’s not what you think. A fight between two kids is not a big deal. Tiedan fell and dislocated his arm. Your daughter-in-law treated him. He’s cured now.”

“What? Cured?” Pei’s mother was puzzled.

Tieniu’s wife laughed dryly: “Yes! Didn’t you know? Your daughter-in-law is amazing. Just like that, my son’s arm healed, and it doesn’t hurt anymore. I thought it was a fracture, but it was just a dislocation!”

Mother Pei looked at Jiang Xi: “Really?”

Jiang Xi repeated what she had said and smiled, “I know a bit, but I’ve never treated anyone properly.”

Mother Pei was thrilled and wanted to praise Jiang Xi again, but since there were others around, she controlled her excitement: “Not at all, it’s a good thing!”

These days, for headaches or fevers, people often have to bear it themselves. Besides spending money, going to the town clinic costs money!

In the early years, there was a barefoot doctor^[1]is a term for a rural medical worker with basic medical training, often without formal education. in the brigade, but he offended someone and was reported. He fled overnight, leaving everyone without a doctor. The person who reported him was disliked by the brigade and had to be cautious, but they couldn’t bring the doctor back.

Now that Jiang Xi knows a little bit about medicine, Pei’s mother is very happy.

She had no doubts. There weren’t many educated people in the surrounding villages, so it was impressive that Jiang Xi could attend high school!

Tieniu’s wife also felt guilty for causing trouble and quickly said, “Uncle, Auntie, I need to go back now. I still have to cook.”

After she finished speaking, she took her son and left.

Once everyone was gone, Jiang Xi wanted to cook, but Pei’s mother stopped her: “I’ll do it, I’ll do it.”

Jiang Xi, both amused and exasperated, gently stopped her: “Auntie, you can be busy tomorrow. Rest today.”

Mother Pei, unable to convince Jiang Xi to step aside, sat in the main hall to rest. She watched the three Jiang sisters busy in the kitchen and smiled at the old man: “Don’t you think I made the right choice for a daughter-in-law? Xiaoxi is amazing. She healed the dislocation so quickly. Even the old doctor couldn’t do that before!”

The “old doctor” refers to the barefoot doctor in the village.

Father Pei was also pleased. He sipped his tea-like boiled water and said, “She’s quite capable. This girl seems quiet but is actually very smart!”

This was evident from his attitude toward Jiang’s mother, Zhang Xiuyun.

Women like Zhang Xiuyun were not uncommon, but Jiang Xi stood out because she managed the bride price herself.

_

Pei’s parents were reflecting on the situation in the main room.

They admired their daughter-in-law even more. Someone with skills like hers would never go hungry, especially with her medical knowledge.

In the kitchen, Jiang’s younger sisters were also amazed.

“Sister, you were so impressive just now! I didn’t even notice that Tiedan’s arm was healed!” Jiang Sanmei was in awe of her sister.

When Tiedan’s mother came over asking for compensation, both Jiang Sanmei and Jiang Ermei were terrified!

They lived and ate with the Pei family. If they had to pay more money, their uncle and Auntie would be upset, and their mother would be angry. But they didn’t expect their eldest sister to be so capable and cure Tiedan immediately, making everyone quiet.

Jiang Ermei, not good with words, nodded vigorously. The firelight from the stove made her face red, and her eyes shone brightly.

Jiang Xi handed her third sister the dishes to wash and said with a smile: “In the future, if someone bullies you, don’t be afraid. Of course, it’s best to avoid fights. If your clothes get torn, come back and tell me, and I’ll help you find them. Understand?”

The two sisters nodded eagerly and said, “Got it!”

Jiang Xi smiled at them and then clumsily cooked according to the original owner’s memory. The dish turned out well, though the carrots were a bit mushy. Thankfully, no one complained, and everyone finished their meal.

After dinner, Pei’s mother excitedly took out the wedding decorations and said, “Old man, come here and put up this happy couplet^[2]is a traditional decorative text used in weddings and other celebrations to symbolize happiness and good fortune..”

“Let me do it.” Jiang Xi saw there were many things to put up and offered to help.

Mother Pei refused: “The bride should rest well; you’ll be tired tomorrow.”

Jiang Xi had no choice but to go back to rest, while her two sisters were asked to help.

Though it wasn’t a grand event, everything that needed to be done was completed.

The room was decorated with “happy” characters. The two elders cleaned Pei Hejun’s room the night before and put up the decorations today. Two red kettles and a red bowl were placed on the desk, along with a new quilt.

This was something Pei’s mother had prepared for her son a long time ago and was only now being used.

To avoid any mess on the new bed, she had Pei’s father move his son to her room, as vegetative patients might have incontinence.

After finishing all this, night finally fell.

The candlelight illuminated the room. Mother Pei looked at the new house with tears in her eyes, saying, “I didn’t expect… that the third brother’s wedding would be like this.”

No one expected that such a good son would become like this. It was almost like losing him entirely. If they were more heartless, they might have let him go, but they couldn’t bear to do that.

Father Pei’s throat tightened, and he wanted to smoke but refrained because it wasn’t appropriate in his son’s new house. He felt an intense, painful itching in his heart.

Once the emotions calmed, he patted his wife’s hand and said, “Let’s go to bed. The third child is still here.”

“Yes.” Pei’s mother nodded, tears streaming down.

She thought, how wonderful! Her daughter-in-law was beautiful, smart, and capable. If her son, though taciturn, was a good person, he would have a prosperous future with his daughter-in-law’s care.

But she couldn’t believe her son could wake up.

There had been no progress lately.

_

The next day.

Jiang Xi woke up early.

Even though the groom couldn’t move, traditional customs required him to go through the necessary rituals. Some traditions are deeply ingrained, even with modern reforms.

Pei’s parents invited an unmarried cousin to help pick up the bride.

Jiang Xi was also persuaded to wear makeup. She tried to avoid looking overly made-up and managed to avoid looking too flushed. She then changed into the white shirt and pink skirt chosen by Pei’s mother and sat in the back seat of the car, which was driven around the village by Pei Hejun’s cousin.

A group of children followed, excitedly picking up the candies Jiang Xi threw. They eagerly said: “The bride is throwing candies! Throw more!”

When the car stopped in the yard, Jiang Xi got out and scattered all the remaining candy.

The onlookers gathered around, and the children cheered: “Wow! So many candies!”

“I got ten!”

“I have a bag, look…”

Jiang Xi smiled. Her cousin, who had just parked the car, came over and asked, “Cousin, can you lend me your car for a day?”

Jiang Xi smiled and nodded: “Okay, just be careful.”

“Of course, of course!” The cousin nodded and hurried off.

Next, there was usually a wedding night prank, but since the groom was bedridden, this step was skipped. The village elders came to help keep track of the gift expenses, and Jiang Xi joined Pei’s parents to entertain the guests and meet their relatives.

There were many guests, including some from the Pei family and some from the Jiang family, who came for the banquet during lunch.

Everyone, at least for appearances, congratulated Jiang Xi on her marriage with smiles.

Although the Jiang family didn’t approve of Jiang Xi marrying into the Pei family, her grandparents had passed away, her father was gone, and her mother was unreliable. As her uncles and Aunties were only slightly distant relatives, they didn’t say much.

However, it was strange that Zhang Xiuyun and her family hadn’t arrived yet.

Around noon, the Auntie who came to help serve the dishes, Pei Hejun’s cousin and others went to entertain the guests, and Pei Deming and his family arrived, but Zhang Xiuyun and her family were still missing.

Jiang Xi sensed something was wrong until she finally heard someone announce: “The bride’s mother is here!”

“Why did you come just now?”

“I’m afraid you wouldn’t be happy about this marriage.”

“Who can be happy with a son-in-law like this?”

Some people were whispering. Jiang Xi went out to see Zhang Xiuyun, who had red eyes and was accompanied by a group of people. Her uncle, Zhang Hu, was among them. Zhang Hu still had some fat on his belly despite the difficult times.

The faces of Zhang Hu and the others didn’t look friendly. It seemed they weren’t here to enjoy the banquet but to cause trouble.

Seeing them, Jiang Xi felt relieved and stood at the end, waiting for them to approach.

_

The lively atmosphere quieted down. Everyone looked at Jiang Xi and then at Zhang Xiuyun’s group with strange expressions.

As they approached, Zhang Hu looked at Jiang Xi with concern and said angrily: “Everyone, look how dishonest the Pei family is! My elder sister is innocent, but their son is bedridden, and they still persuaded my elder sister to marry him without even giving a betrothal gift. They took her away without her parents’ consent!”

Everyone was shocked: “No betrothal gift?”

Pei’s mother had already heard the commotion and came over. After hearing Zhang Hu’s accusations, she was so angry she almost cursed.

Jiang Xi stopped Pei’s mother and spoke clearly: “Mom, uncle, the betrothal gift was given to me. It’s in my possession. I wasn’t deceived. It’s because of the Pei family that I could study these years. If I didn’t want to study, I would have married into the Pei family three years ago when they offered me the betrothal gift. I wouldn’t be getting married today if I didn’t want to. Don’t you agree?”

Mother Pei’s expression softened. She looked at her daughter-in-law and remained silent.

It was her daughter-in-law’s family; she couldn’t be too harsh.

Zhang Hu didn’t expect Jiang Xi to speak so directly. His face darkened, and he pulled Zhang Xiuyun closer.

Zhang Xiuyun, blushing and crying, said: “Big sister, don’t talk nonsense! If the Pei family really valued you, they wouldn’t have let you live here first. Come back with me, and I’ll find you a good family, okay?”

“I’m not going back.” Jiang Xi shook her head and said firmly, “Mom, since you’re here, just attend the banquet before you leave.”

“Big sister!” Zhang Xiuyun was anxious. She couldn’t bear to let her daughter marry a bedridden man who wouldn’t be able to have children and would be alone all her life. What was the point of living?

Zhang Hu sighed as if he truly felt sorry for his niece: “Sister, since you insist on this marriage, the Pei family should at least give a betrothal gift to your mother. Your mother raised you; she shouldn’t end up with nothing. Besides, you brought your second and third sisters. Won’t this make your mother lonely in the future? It’s better for them to stay with your mother. If they follow you, people will gossip.”

Zhang Xiuyun was surprised by her brother’s quick agreement and asked reluctantly, “Brother, why did you agree?”

Zhang Hu said helplessly: “My eldest sister has been persuaded to this point; what can I do? I just hope the other two girls aren’t so naive.”

The crowd grew more astonished as Zhang Hu and Zhang Xiuyun’s actions continued. They not only didn’t receive a betrothal gift but also took Zhang Xiuyun’s two remaining daughters. What was going on?

Mother Pei’s face turned red with anger, but she realized their arguments had some validity and feared further trouble. She whispered to Jiang Xi, “How about giving them some money and sending them away?”

Jiang Xi shook her head, signaling her not to worry. She looked at Zhang Hu with a bitter smile and said, “Uncle, I kept the betrothal gift to support my two sisters. My father is gone, and my sisters can only rely on me.”

Zhang Hu’s eyes lit up: “Your sister is supported by your mother!” He waved his hand, and his group moved forward aggressively: “If you don’t give the betrothal gift today, there won’t be a wedding! My sister deserves the betrothal gift from her own daughter. Isn’t that fair? Folks, don’t you agree? Whose daughter doesn’t give a betrothal gift to her mother when she gets married?”

This was true. Although some people thought the Zhang family was being unreasonable, no one dared to oppose them: “That’s right. Why don’t you give the betrothal gift to your mother, Third Wife?”

Pei Deming, watching his mother being threatened, hesitated. His younger brother held him back, and he decided not to intervene.

Breaking up the wedding banquet would be beneficial. Without Jiang Xi, the two old fools might honestly hand over the third son’s pension.

Fortunately, Pei family’s male relatives and Pei Hejun’s friends quickly supported Jiang Xi and Pei’s mother, standing firm: “If you have anything to say, discuss it calmly. Don’t cause trouble on such a happy day!”

Zhang Hu felt triumphant with his supporters. “It all depends on whether my niece is filial or not.”

Everyone’s attention turned to Jiang Xi, waiting for her response.

Facing this situation, Jiang Xi smiled sadly and seemed to agree: “Okay, I’ll give the entire 200 betrothal gift that the Pei family gave me to my mother, and my second and third sisters can also take their share.”

Two hundred!

In these times, a hundred yuan for a bride price was considered a lot, and two hundred yuan was indeed substantial.

The onlookers were amazed, and Zhang Hu was thrilled. He eagerly reached out: “Give it to me!”

Jiang Xi smiled and spoke up, “I can give you the betrothal gift, but I have one condition! I originally planned to keep this two hundred yuan to support my younger sisters’ education and marriage. Since mother insists on taking the betrothal gift, you must support my younger sisters properly. They should be fed meat once a week, sent to school, given two new sets of clothes each season, and not married off before they turn eighteen!”

She took out a pen and paper and placed them on a table. “I’ve written the terms down. The captain of the Sixth Brigade^[3]a local community organization or administrative group. is here, so he can witness this. If these conditions are not met, the two hundred yuan must be returned in full. I’ll take care of my sisters myself!”

Zhang Hu, who only wanted the money, was stunned: “Are you out of your mind? I’m supposed to support those two girls? No way!”

Jiang Xi laughed and said, “Uncle, I didn’t ask you to raise me. I told my mother this. Do you think the betrothal gift is meant for you?”