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Aunt Yu collected her thoughts and said seriously, “In that case, I’ll head back and discuss the matter with my aunt further. We’ll take a longer-term approach.”
Tan Xiaomei nodded lightly. “Alright, thank you, Aunt Yu.”
Aunt Yu smiled at her, then sighed, “You’re really such a good girl.”
She then shifted the topic and asked, “Sister, are you really going to build a new house?”
Wan Chunmei nodded in response, “Yes, we have some money at hand, so we’re building another house. That way, our family can live more comfortably.”
Aunt Yu smiled, “That’s good. It’s better than always being crammed into one small room.”
Wan Chunmei approached her politely, “But it’s going to be hard on your husband again.”
Aunt Yu laughed, “You’re giving us money, how could that be hard on us? We’re actually being helped by you.”
“I noticed the three rooms next door are almost done. When are you planning to move in?” Aunt Yu asked.
Wan Chunmei thought for a moment and replied, “Soon. We’ll move once my second son is back.”
“Alright,” Aunt Yu nodded. “I’ll go back and report to my aunt now. I’ll take my leave.”
“Okay, I’ll see you off,” Wan Chunmei said and went to accompany her.
The two of them walked out together, and the house gradually became quiet. Tan Xiaomei let out a deep sigh, looking somewhat downcast.
Little Qiyue tried to stand up with her support but quickly fell again. “Aunt… Aunt…”
Tan Xiaomei immediately picked her up. “Little Qiyue, what’s wrong?”
Little Qiyue smiled, reaching up with her little hand to touch Tan Xiaomei’s face, babbling, “Aunt… Aunt…”
Though it was the same word over and over, Tan Xiaomei didn’t mind. Instead, she gently held her and said softly, “Good, good, Aunt will hold you.”
Little Qiyue rested her head on Tan Xiaomei’s shoulder, pointing outward with her tiny hand, saying, “Aunt… Aunt…”
Tan Xiaomei followed her finger and saw Liu Zhoucheng standing at the door, his expression somewhat grim and clearly displeased.
Tan Xiaomei hurriedly held Little Qiyue, nodded politely to him, and greeted, “Liu Shiye…”
Liu Zhoucheng walked slowly toward her, not mentioning anything about Aunt Yu’s matchmaking, but instead said, “Your embroidery skills are indeed quite good. My mother likes them very much.”
Tan Xiaomei lowered her head and replied, “I’m glad the lady likes them.”
Liu Zhoucheng, with his hands behind his back, looked down at her. After a brief pause, he asked, “I wonder if you’ve ever been to the county?”
Tan Xiaomei nodded, “I’ve been once or twice, but not often.”
Liu Zhoucheng said slowly, “The magistrate’s wife recently married and needs an embroiderer to make some fine needlework for her wedding. She’ll pay twenty wen a day. Would you be interested in going?”
“Twenty wen? Really?” Tan Xiaomei asked, surprised.
Liu Zhoucheng nodded, “The magistrate is usually stingy, but he’s being particularly generous to this new wife.”
Tan Xiaomei thought about it. Earning twenty wen a day was quite good for a woman like her. It would help ease the financial burden at home, especially since she was living with her elder brother’s family, getting free food and shelter.
Seeing her interest, Liu Zhoucheng continued, “It’s only for three days. You just need to take my carriage to the county and return in it each day.”
He had brought his carriage from the county to make it easier to travel back and forth to Tan Xiaomei’s house.
Tan Xiaomei looked down at Little Qiyue, hesitating.
She was worried that if she left, there would be no one to help her sister-in-law, and no one to take care of the children.
Little Qiyue tugged at her hair and smiled, saying, “Aunt… Aunt… go… go…”
Tan Xiaomei was stunned by her words.