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“Second Brother, is something the matter?”
Wan Changsheng smiled lightly. “Elder Brother, I’m getting married tomorrow. I don’t plan to make a big fuss about it; just a couple of tables of food. If you and Sister-in-law have time, please come by.”
“Second Brother, is it true what they say? You’ve found a widow with a child?”
Wan Qin walked over. “Your second uncle and I heard from the villagers that the child is already seven years old. A child that age is not easy to raise. If—”
Wan Changsheng interrupted her, “Sister-in-law, this is my business. If you have time, come by; if you’re busy, then don’t worry about it.”
“Second Brother, your sister-in-law is just concerned for you. How can you speak like that?”
“Elder Brother, the decision is yours. Whether you come or not is up to you.” Wan Changsheng turned to leave; he had more important things to do, like inviting the people who would help with the meal. Most of the ingredients had already been purchased that morning.
Wan Qin felt a surge of anger rising in her chest. “Husband, look at how your second brother speaks! We are the closest people to him in this world. Instead of raising others’ children, he might as well take care of our youngest.”
Wan Changgang felt a headache coming on. “What are you talking about? The second brother is only twenty-six. If he wants children, he can have as many as he likes. Why should he raise our youngest? Besides, we have three sons.”
Wan Qin huffed. “But there are rumors in the village that your second brother is not capable anymore. They say he was injured on the battlefield.”
“Shut your mouth!”
Wan Qin’s eyes reddened. “You, Wan Changgang, why are you being so fierce with me? I’m not the one spreading rumors. Others return after five years; why has he been gone for seven? I heard he was just recovering.”
“Who am I doing this for? Isn’t it for this family? If your second brother can’t have children, shouldn’t his inheritance go to your sons? Our children are his true nephews.”
Wan Changgang sighed deeply. “Shan Tao, don’t say such things in the future. The one who has wronged Second Brother the most is us. It should have been me going to serve, but he went instead. We have used his fields for many years without without him receiving a bit of rent. Our mother even asked us to give him half of the house’s worth after she passed, and you refused.”
Wan Qin’s gaze flickered. “We have four children now, and the burden is heavy. He is their biological uncle; what’s wrong with helping him out a little? Once the children grow up and things get better, they will repay their uncle.”
Wan Changgang took a hoe and walked outside. His wife’s words were unbelievable.
His younger brother had always been smarter and more handsome than him. If their father hadn’t suddenly fallen ill, he would have continued studying and might have even become a scholar by now.
They were brothers, so why had things come to this? They rarely met, and when they did, they only exchanged greetings, feeling more distant than with the villagers.
His wife cared for the family and their children, but she was overly concerned about their younger brother. She didn’t want to part with a single needle’s worth of savings, and if he spoke against her, she would either cry or threaten to take drastic measures.
What could he do?
…
Wan Changsheng had initially planned for just two tables of food. However, early in the morning, many people came to bring gifts—three families together, and two more came as well.
With forty-two households and over three hundred people in Wanjia Village, by mid-morning, more than thirty households had come, and more were expected.
This left Wan Changsheng flustered, as he had only prepared for two tables.
He had to ask a few close friends to help out—some to buy vegetables, others to borrow tables and stools from various families, and even borrow bowls and chopsticks.
The old clan elder arrived at Wan Changsheng’s home around mid-morning to oversee the preparations. This child was pitiful; both his parents had died early, and he had spent his best years in the army. At his age, other children were already capable of working, while he was only just marrying a widow with a child.
Well, a widow was still better than being alone at the foot of the mountain; at least now he would have someone to talk to.
Changgang was truly disappointing for not coming to help out at such a time.
The old clan elder directed the village women to cut auspicious characters from red paper, reminding them that they were about to welcome the bride, yet no preparations had been made.
By mid-morning, Wan Changsheng hurriedly took the donkey cart with a few friends to pick up the bride.
As the cart left the village, Changgang and his family arrived.
Wan Qin’s eyes were still red, and Wan Changgang’s face was somewhat stern. The couple had argued over the wedding gifts.
Wan Changgang wanted Wan Qin to contribute two taels of silver, which felt like a heavy burden on her.
Two taels of silver could buy two hundred jin of rice, and their family couldn’t save five taels in a year. Why should she give that money away?
In the village, for weddings, the usual gift was around fifty wen, with some giving thirty or so. Only more important relatives would give one or two hundred wen.
So, she had prepared to give one hundred wen.
Wan Changgang felt embarrassed. Having taken half the money from their younger brother’s house, he had not given a single cent of rent in seven years. Saying that he was serving in the military was not unreasonable, but taking this small amount of money would just make him lose face in front of the villagers.
After much negotiation, Wan Qin finally agreed to give two hundred wen, but she refused to give any more.
What could he do? The banquet would start soon.
On the He family side, Chang Shun watched the departing donkey cart, where his mother sat, accompanied by the He family members who were sending her off.
In three days, he would go to Wanjia Village, and from then on, he would be known as Wan Ping’an.
“Dashun, come over here!” He Xu, his great-aunt, waved a bowl of meatballs at him. It was painful to see him silently watching his mother remarry.
Which child didn’t want their own biological parents? No matter how good a stepfather is, there’s still a layer of separation.
In a year or so, once he had his own children, the differences would become clear.
“Great-aunt.”
His great-aunt had a strong personality, was tall and robust, yet she had a kind heart.
His third great-aunt was quieter, always smiling, and an excellent cook. She was in charge of the kitchen today. Since Meiniang was remarrying, they didn’t invite the entire village. Instead, just the old friends from three families gathered for a meal to send the bride off.
His great-aunt had three sons and eight grandchildren, while his third great-aunt had one son and one daughter. Her daughter had married early, and her son had only recently had children after years of marriage.
The three families had always maintained a good relationship, helping each other out, but unfortunately, each family was not well-off.
“Dashun, these meatballs are delicious. You should eat more. Wanjia Village is close to us; you can visit often when you have time.”
Chang Shun felt a warmth in his heart. “I understand, Great-aunt.”
Soon, the day for the bride’s return arrived. After breakfast, Wan Changsheng hurriedly took the donkey cart to bring his wife back.
The young couple got off the cart affectionately, and upon seeing this, Old Lady He felt reassured.
It seemed her son-in-law was very fond of her daughter, and with that, Dashun would likely have a much better life.
On the second day, He Zishan took his wife and children back to town for business, as they needed to keep the shop open.
Old Man He took his eldest son and grandson to the fields early in the morning. They had already delayed work for two days due to the wedding, and there were farming tasks to catch up on.
As soon as Wan Changsheng arrived at his in-laws’ home, he exchanged pleasantries and quickly followed Erqiang to the fields. It was still early, and they couldn’t just wait for lunch.
That afternoon, Chang Shun followed the donkey cart to his new home.