Chapter 178

On the first day of the Lunar New Year, Wang Yuan’er and her sisters all dressed in matching new clothes and went to the main house to pay their respects to Grandpa and Grandma Wang with a formal bow.

“Grandpa, Grandma, Happy New Year!”

Led by Wang Yuan’er, the five siblings knelt in unison. Even the youngest, who had just learned to toddle, was pressed into bowing by his second sister.

Grandpa and Grandma Wang exchanged a glance. From the moment the sisters walked in, their bright, fresh clothing caught the elders off guard. After all, it had been a year, and this was the first time they’d seen the elder branch of the family dressed so splendidly.

Clothes truly make the person. Seeing the sisters dressed like this, the elders hardly recognized them. They no longer looked like daughters of a humble farming family; they could pass for young ladies from a wealthy household.

Grandpa Wang sighed inwardly while Grandma Wang pursed her lips, her expression complicated.

“Good children, you may rise,” Grandpa Wang said approvingly.

Grandma Wang handed each of them a red envelope and said a few auspicious words. Her gaze paused briefly on Wang Qing’er’s bright red dress.

Noticing this, Wang Yuan’er explained, “It’s the first day of the New Year, so we wore new clothes to greet Grandpa and Grandma. We won’t wear them again tomorrow and will only put them on after the mourning period is properly concluded in a few days.”

During the current dynasty, mourning for the deceased was generally observed for three years, especially for officials who were required to observe the mourning period and filial piety. However, such strict observances weren’t always feasible among the common folk, especially in poorer households. While some indeed adhered to a full three-year mourning period, for most farmers focused on survival, it was uncommon to fully observe it.

Thus, Wang Yuan’er and her family followed the old custom of Changle, observing a year of mourning as a sufficient expression of filial piety.

Madam Liang passed away on the sixth day of last year’s first lunar month, meaning the mourning period would be complete by the sixth day of this year. Wang Yuan’er had specifically consulted with the older generation and confirmed that missing a few days wouldn’t be an issue. So, on the first day of the new year, they changed into new clothes for good fortune and planned to switch back to regular clothes after the sixth day when the mourning period officially ended.

Grandma Wang didn’t mind much. After chatting with the sisters for a while, they paid their respects to their second uncle and aunt and then left.

On the first and second days of the New Year, they stayed home, visiting familiar families to wish them a happy New Year and collect red envelopes, creating a lively atmosphere.

In the main house, Grandma and Grandpa Wang were still immersed in the visual impact of seeing the children from the elder branch dressed so brightly. The couple murmured to each other.

“The first couple passed away early, and the first branch has no head of the household. It falls on us to arrange the marriages for these girls. Yuan’er and Chun’er are already sixteen or seventeen this year, so we should hurry and find matches for them. Otherwise, they might end up as old maids!” Grandpa Wang sighed.

Grandma Wang scoffed lightly, “Yuan’er is strong-willed, don’t you know? Like when she dealt with that Landlord Li matter…”

“What kind of match was that with Landlord Li? He’s almost as old as us! Nobody would agree to that!” Grandpa Wang interrupted her and said, “And his behavior—showing interest in anyone he sees. Fortunately, we found out about his character early. Otherwise, someone would have ended up in a pit of fire!”

Grandma Wang choked on her words and suppressed her anger, saying, “I’m not talking about him specifically, but just in general. Back then, Yuan’er was so firm about it, putting on a show of not needing us to handle her marriage. Did I have to lower my old face just to be ignored?” Thinking of how Wang Yuan’er had even called upon her maternal grandparents for support, Grandma Wang added sourly, “And that girl, she’s closer to her maternal grandparents than to us!”

“Enough, enough. If Landlord Li hadn’t been unreliable, would she have invited her in-laws then?” Grandpa Wang said, feeling a bit uncomfortable. “That matter is long over; let’s not bring it up again. We should focus on finding good matches for the girls. We can’t expect them to find someone on their own!”

It was only today, seeing the daughters from the elder branch dressed up in new clothes, that Grandpa Wang truly felt his granddaughters had grown up. Realizing their marriages were still unarranged, he brought it up—something typically handled by women in the household.

Grandma Wang grumbled a few words but eventually agreed reluctantly.

On the first day of the Lunar New Year, Wang Yuan’er’s shop remained closed, though they did receive some visitors. Among them were Hou Biao, who rented from the Zhao family courtyard, and his daughter, Hou Dan.

“Happy New Year! Dan’er greets Sister Yuan and Sister Chun for the New Year,” the little girl said in her sweet, childlike voice, dressed in a red outfit as she gave her New Year’s greetings to Wang Yuan’er and Wang Chun’er.

“Ah, Happy New Year to you too, Dan’er!” Wang Chun’er, upon seeing her, felt her heart melt completely. She pulled Dan’er closer and handed her a handful of candy.

These two—father and daughter—had been living there for some time, and with frequent visits, they had become familiar with each other. Often, when Hou Biao went hunting in the mountains or did odd jobs, he would leave Dan’er in Wang Chun’er’s care, asking her to look after the child.

Wang Chun’er, accustomed to looking after her own younger brother, found no trouble in watching over Dan’er, who was about three or four years old, well-behaved, and sweet-natured. Whether looking after one or two, it was all the same to her. She agreed without hesitation, and while in their home, Dan’er would play together with Wang Chun’er’s younger brother and Lan’er.

As a result, Wang Chun’er loved Dan’er like her own little sister.

Children have simple minds—they are close to those who are kind to them. As soon as Wang Chun’er gave her the candy, Dan’er obediently nestled into her arms, peeling the candy wrapper.

After chatting briefly with Hou Biao, Wang Yuan’er turned around and saw the scene unfold.

Dan’er, having unwrapped the candy, placed it into Wang Chun’er’s mouth. Overjoyed, Wang Chun’er kissed the little girl on her cheek.

The scene—it almost looked like… A mother and daughter!

Wang Yuan’er’s smile stiffened slightly. She glanced at Hou Biao casually, who was standing to the side, smiling as he watched the two. However, there was a slight unease in her heart.

“Dan’er isn’t shy, is she!” Wang Yuan’er asked with a deliberately cheerful tone. “Is she this close with everyone?”

Hou Biao snapped back to reality and replied with a smile, “Not at all. She lost her mother at a young age and is very sensitive and timid. But she’s especially close to Chun’er.”

Wang Yuan’er frowned slightly and asked, “Her mother…”

It wasn’t really appropriate to bring up such topics on the first day of the New Year. Just as Wang Yuan’er was about to apologize, Hou Biao responded.

“She passed away due to illness when Dan’er was just one year old.” Hou Biao’s smile faded slightly.

“I’m sorry!” Wang Yuan’er felt a twinge of regret. No matter how eager she was, it wasn’t right to ask such questions at this time—it was terribly inauspicious.

Hou Biao let out a laugh. Seeing Wang Yuan’er’s hesitation and slight embarrassment, he seemed to understand something and called Dan’er over to leave.

Dan’er and Wang Chun’er were reluctant to part. Wang Chun’er even said, “Today is the first day of the New Year, and there’s nowhere else to go. Since you’re not from around here, why not let her stay with us to play with my little brother and the others?”

Hou Biao considered it, but after noticing the meaningful look in Wang Yuan’er’s eyes, he politely declined with a smile.

After they left, Wang Yuan’er pulled over a small stool, sat in front of Wang Chun’er, and fixed her with an intense gaze.

“Elder sister, why are you looking at me like that?” Wang Chun’er touched her cheek. “Is something on my face?”

“I noticed that you seem to get along very well with little Dan’er. Do you like her a lot?” Wang Yuan’er asked, watching her closely.

Wang Chun’er laughed. “She’s so adorable and well-behaved. Don’t you also like her, big sister?”

Thinking it was no big deal, Wang Chun’er didn’t understand the fuss. Dan’er had been coming to play at their house for a while, and everyone in the family, young and old, adored her.

“But I noticed she’s particularly attached to you. While we’re aware of this, if outsiders didn’t know, based on how affectionate you two were just now, they might mistake you for mother and daughter!” Wang Yuan’er spoke somewhat anxiously.

Wang Chun’er froze for a moment, and then her face turned beet red. She stood up and, flustered, said, “Elder sister, what are you talking about?”

With that, she hurried off to the east room, her face burning. Elder Sister really went too far—mother and daughter? This…ugh!

Wang Yuan’er chased after her. Seeing how red Wang Chun’er’s face was, almost as if it were about to drip blood, she grew even more anxious. She sat down beside Wang Chun’er, full of thoughts but unsure how to express them. Eventually, she blurted out, “Chun’er, you…you wouldn’t have feelings for Hou Biao, would you?”

She stared intently at Wang Chun’er’s eyes, afraid of missing any flicker of emotion. Her heart was tightly wound.

Wang Chun’er, upon hearing this, was first stunned, then blushed even harder. Embarrassed and annoyed, she replied, “Elder sister, you’re getting more and more outrageous. I would never!”

But her reaction didn’t reassure Wang Yuan’er. Instead, it made her even more worried. She grabbed Chun’er’s sleeve and began to lecture her.

“Chun’er, don’t make a foolish mistake. First of all, we don’t even know what kind of person Hou Biao really is. He’s a widower with a daughter by his side. You…do you plan to become a second wife? No way, absolutely not! I won’t agree!” By the time Wang Yuan’er finished, her tone was utterly serious.

Wang Chun’er couldn’t help but laugh and cry at the same time. She said, “Elder sister, you’re really overthinking this. I don’t have those feelings. I’m just helping him take care of Dan’er. How could it be as you imagine?”

“Don’t try to fool me. You’ve grown up and seen so many people—have you ever mended clothes for anyone else? Chun’er, being a stepmother is no easy job. Now that our family is earning money, with our conditions, it’s entirely possible to find an honorable husband. There’s no need for you to become a stepmother.”

Wang Chun’er, feeling thoroughly flustered and embarrassed by her sister’s words, said, “Elder sister, you’re really… If you keep saying that, I’m going to get angry!”

Wang Yuan’er, sensing her genuine annoyance, quickly backed off, saying, “Alright, alright, I won’t say it anymore. But…fine, fine.”

Only then did Wang Chun’er’s expression improve. Seeing this, Wang Yuan’er continued, “We won’t talk about him, but Chun’er, now that the new year has passed, you’re already sixteen. It’s time to start looking for a match. What kind of husband do you want?”

Wang Chun’er was a little caught off guard. After understanding her sister’s question, she felt a bit at a loss—what kind of husband did she want?

She hadn’t thought about it deeply before, but suddenly, Hou Biao’s hearty and cheerful smile appeared in her mind.

Hurriedly lowering her head to hide her flustered expression, Wang Chun’er said, “Elder sister, I’m not in a rush. You haven’t gotten married yet, either!”

“I already said she wouldn’t get married for the next two years, didn’t you forget? But you’re different. You’re turning sixteen this year. If you don’t hurry, you might become an old maid.” Wang Yuan’er shook her head and added, “After the new year, let’s ask Matchmaker Zhu to keep an eye out, alright?”

“Elder sister…” Wang Chun’er frowned.

“It’s settled then. I’m going out for a walk,” Wang Yuan’er declared, not giving her a chance to refuse, and quickly walked away.

Becoming a second wife isn’t easy. She would need to find a good man for Chun’er.