At the front gate, Fang Xiu stepped down from the carriage and handed her a package wrapped in brown paper. “Here, take this. Young Master Su asked me to bring it to you.” In her other hand, she also carried a beautifully wrapped gift box.

A deep flush instantly spread across Lin Qingxu’s cheeks. She wanted to act casual, to pretend it was nothing, but the rush of warmth surging to her face betrayed her completely.

Just as she reached out to take the parcels and steady them in her arms, a loud, sharp voice rang out beside her.

“Oh my, is this another gift from Young Master Su for our dear A’Xu? Tsk, tsk! Look at that rosy little face—so lovely! Makes this old woman downright jealous!”

Aunt Fang from next door had appeared, eyes gleaming with excitement as she eagerly joined the fun.

Being broadcasted like a town crier announcement, Lin Qingxu felt utterly embarrassed. Her face instantly flushed, as if bathed in a sunset glow.

Fang Xiu, however, had no patience for others teasing her daughter. She waved dismissively. “A’Xu, go inside. We don’t need you here anymore.”

She shot Aunt Fang a sidelong glance—since there was a busybody willing to lend a hand, why not make good use of her?

Lin Qingxu, quick to read the room, answered with a quick “Oh—right!” and clutched the parcels tighter before scurrying indoors.

Behind her, Aunt Fang’s booming voice carried on unabated. “I must say, Sister Fang, you’re truly blessed to have such a beautiful daughter like A’Xu! Ah, ah, ah—no need to lift a finger, I’ll do it! Farm work’s made me strong—lifting sacks of rice and carrying oil jars is nothing! Let me, let me!”

Inside, Lin Qingxu unwrapped the outermost layer of oiled paper from the pastry box. As she took in the sight of four neatly packed assortments of treats, a fresh wave of warmth surged up her face, and her heart pounded wildly.

She lightly pressed her fingers against her flushed cheeks, feeling as though she were drowning in a jar of honey.

With her wedding to Su Yan fast approaching, it was becoming less appropriate for them to meet in person. Yet, their connection hadn’t faded. Every ten days, Su Yan sent someone to deliver a small package—sometimes just pastries and fruits, but now and then, there would be an additional little gift.

Lin Qingxu carefully placed the remaining gift box on her small dressing table and slowly untied the silk cord securing it.

The deep brown wooden box carried the faint, soothing scent of sandalwood. Inside, nestled neatly, were two vibrant red silk hair ribbons. The fine satin material shimmered under the light, embroidered with delicate white blossoms—elegant yet full of youthful charm. They were absolutely beautiful.

Lin Qingxu held the ribbons in her hands, gently stroking the smooth silk, unable to suppress her joy.

She opened her jewelry box again and glanced inside. Half of its contents—hair ribbons, hairpins, little flower clips, and earrings—had been gifts from Su Yan. The smile on her face spread uncontrollably.

For a fiancé, Su Yan was truly living up to his role!

When July arrived, the stifling heat of summer was accompanied by the rainy season.

By the fifth of the month, it had already rained for four consecutive days.

Lin Qingxu dragged a small wooden stool to sit under the eaves, letting the misty drizzle carried by the breeze lightly touch her face. The cool raindrops left a refreshing chill behind.

She pulled her outer robe tighter but couldn’t resist her playful urge. Stretching a hand out into the rain, she marveled as the droplets quickly soaked her soft, pale palm.

Looking up at the gloomy sky, dense with oppressive clouds, she sighed softly, her curiosity sparked. Speaking to herself, she mused, “If it keeps raining this heavily tomorrow, will the Su family have to use umbrellas for the wedding procession? The road between Lotus Village and town is nothing but dirt—imagine how muddy it’ll get. If they want to avoid missing the auspicious hour, they’ll have to leave extra early. And if something happens on the way…”

Her train of thought was abruptly derailed by a sharp smack to the back of her head.

“Don’t jinx it!”

Lin Qingxu rubbed the back of her head, pouting as she squeezed out a single, pitiful tear. With a look of pure innocence, she gazed at Fang Xiu and whimpered, “That hurt!”

Fang Xiu casually massaged her own palm and gave her daughter a frosty glance. With a deadpan expression, she delivered a line that could make anyone choke:
“Crying about pain now won’t help. Just wait until tomorrow night—you’ll know what real pain is.”

Lin Qingxu’s whole body stiffened, nearly tumbling off her small stool. “…”

Mother, is it really okay to toss out such suggestive remarks without warning?!

As it turned out, Lin Qingxu’s gloomy predictions failed to come true. Before noon, the rain finally stopped.

The sun broke free from the oppressive clouds, its dazzling light blazing down on the earth. Within a matter of hours, the once-soaked ground was completely parched.

Lin Qingxu observed all this in silence. Under the intense scrutiny of Fang Xiu’s stern gaze, she ducked her head and pressed her lips together, not daring to utter another word.

That evening, under the soft glow of a dim candlelight, Lin Qingxu busied herself organizing the clothes and accessories she would need for the big day. Her emotions were a jumble of anticipation and nerves.

Suddenly, there was a knock at the door.

“Mother,” Lin Qingxu quickly stopped what she was doing. When Fang Xiu entered, Lin Qingxu’s eyes were drawn to the small basket in her hands.

The basket wasn’t large—it was the same size Fang Xiu usually used to hold embroidery supplies. However, it was covered with a layer of red cloth. Lin Qingxu couldn’t help but steal a glance, trying to guess what might be inside, though the cover offered no clues.

Lin Qingxu pressed her lips together with an expression of exaggerated sincerity, deliberately averting her gaze.

What if Mother pulls out something unspeakable from that basket? What then?!

Unaware of her daughter’s wild imaginings, Fang Xiu assumed the composed demeanor of a mother seeing her daughter off to marriage. She sat gently by the bedside and asked with warmth in her voice, “How are you feeling, A’xu? Nervous?”

Lin Qingxu shook her head earnestly, still maintaining her upright posture. Truthfully, she was far less concerned about her wedding jitters and far more curious about the contents of the mysterious basket.

Fang Xiu noticed the flicker of curiosity in her daughter’s eyes and smirked knowingly. However, she chose not to indulge her. Instead, she asked casually, “I thought I’d check how your embroidered dudou turned out?”

The mention of this struck a nerve. Lin Qingxu felt a wave of embarrassment crash over her, as if it were seeping straight into her brain.

With an awkward chuckle, she tried to decline. “Mother, maybe we don’t need to do that. You know my embroidery skills already. Let’s not subject your eyes to that, alright?”

Fang Xiu’s smile remained unchanged, but the gleam in her eyes hinted at her amusement.

Lin Qingxu pouted, imagining herself as a piece of weathered, toughened jerky—resilient against the biting cold and harsh winds. “…Alright then.”

When Fang Xiu saw the dudou, even she, with her high tolerance for humor, couldn’t hold it in. She burst out laughing with a soft chuckle.

“A’xu, did you embroider a fat pig? It’s so round!”

Lin Qingxu froze, her expression blank and unmoving.

Well, a fat pig was still a pig. At least it was recognizable as an animal, which could be counted as a slight win. Unfortunately, Fang Xiu’s next words sent her confidence crashing straight into the depths of despair.

“It’s just that it looks a little…ugly, and not quite like a pig either.”

Lin Qingxu sighed dramatically, “…Mother, could you stop discouraging me already? I’m about to cry!” She was half-joking, but also totally not joking at all.

Fang Xiu’s laughter only grew louder.

After a moment, seeing that Lin Qingxu’s face had turned a color nearly indistinguishable from charcoal, Fang Xiu finally calmed down, clearing her throat with a mild chuckle.

Lin Qingxu, feeling deflated, slowly lifted her eyes, waiting for Fang Xiu’s next words.

Cough, Fang Xiu began, her tone softening somewhat as she noticed the slump in Lin Qingxu’s demeanor, “Well, I knew you’d have trouble with embroidery, so I prepared something special for you.”

With a flourish, she revealed a brilliantly embroidered dudou—bright red with exquisite golden mandarins swimming in delicate water, vibrant and stunning. Lin Qingxu’s eyes flickered with warmth as she gazed at it, feeling deeply moved.

Yet, alongside the warmth, a strange pang of disappointment stirred in her chest.

Where’s the indecent little booklet?

Fang Xiu, sensing her daughter’s unexpected shift in mood, raised an eyebrow. “What’s wrong, A’xu? Do you not like my handiwork, or were you expecting something else?”

Lin Qingxu, catching the threatening look in her mother’s eyes, couldn’t help but shiver. In a desperate bid for survival, she quickly tried to please her. “No, no, you’re the best, Mother! I love everything you make, really, you’re the best!”

She then pursed her lips and cast a quick, furtive glance at the small basket, which seemed empty inside.

If Fang Xiu knew she had been hoping to find a little yellow booklet in there, she’d probably scold her so harshly she’d be hearing it in her sleep! It’d be just like her mother to do that!

=^_^=