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When Wan Chunmei heard the voice, she recognized it as her younger sister’s, Old Tan’s second sister, and quickly stood up to open the door. She was greeted by a woman carrying a bundle of luggage. “Second Sister, what brings you here?” she asked.
This second sister was the midwife, Liu Dajie, who had come to deliver a baby in the neighboring county.
Liu Dajie, while glancing around at the new house, smiled and replied, “Brother, Sister-in-law, I heard you’ve built a new house and that the younger sister is remarrying, so I came over to have a look.”
Wan Chunmei nodded, “Yes, yes, we wanted to send someone to tell you, but you’ve been in the neighboring county for so long, so we thought we’d wait until you returned.”
Liu Dajie was an open and cheerful person. Smiling, she said, “It’s okay, it’s okay. Didn’t I come myself? Don’t worry about these things.”
Tan Xiaomei hurriedly got up and called out, “Second Sister!”
Liu Dajie was Old Tan’s biological sister, and Tan Xiaomei’s real sister. Due to her marriage, she took her husband’s surname, so everyone called her Second Aunt Liu.
Recently, she had been busy delivering babies in a family in a neighboring county—one of the wealthiest families, even richer than the county magistrate, because the wife had not yet delivered, and she had been staying there for several days. She hadn’t had time to visit Old Tan’s family.
Liu Dajie looked at Tan Xiaomei, holding her hand with a guilty expression. “Little sister, I’m so sorry. If I had known how awful the Jiang family was, I would never have let you marry into that family.”
Tan Xiaomei smiled and replied, “Second Sister, it’s alright. I’ve already severed ties with the Jiang family. The past is like a nightmare, but now that I’m awake from it, I’m ready to move on.”
Liu Dajie wiped the corner of her eyes, smiled, and asked, “Little sister, who is your fiancé, the one you’re about to marry?”
Tan Xiaomei smiled and answered, “He’s the only son of the Liu family from Yonghe Village.”
Liu Dajie paused for a moment. “You mean Liu Shiye, the one from the County Magistrate’s office?”
Tan Xiaomei nodded. “Yes, that’s him.”
Liu Dajie was instantly overjoyed. “Little sister, this is a perfect match! I’ve met Liu Shiye a few times. He’s handsome, talented, and a good man. The Liu family is extraordinary too.”
Wan Chunmei leaned forward and asked, “Isn’t the Liu family a scholarly family? What do you mean by extraordinary?”
Liu Dajie stood up and laughed, “The Liu family was once known for producing high-ranking officials. Later, they retired to Pingyang County to live in seclusion.”
Wan Chunmei wasn’t surprised. “Yes, we’ve heard about that before.”
Liu Dajie shook her head. “No, no, there are some things you might not know.”
“What is it?” both Wan Chunmei and Tan Xiaomei asked, growing more curious.
Liu Dajie glanced toward the door and said, “I’ve heard that the Liu family’s ancestors had an official who, when he returned home after retirement, brought a large amount of gold and silver. So, even though the Liu family seems modest, their wealth is enormous. You might not be able to count it on all your fingers.”
Wan Chunmei suddenly realized. “No wonder the Liu family gave us one hundred taels of silver as a betrothal gift.”
“One hundred taels is probably a small sum for them,” Liu Dajie chuckled, patting Tan Xiaomei’s shoulder. “Little sister, you’re truly blessed. Liu Shiye is the only son, so if you marry him and have a son or two, you’ll never have to worry about food or clothing for generations.”
Tan Xiaomei was taken aback. After a long pause, she said, “Second Sister, we haven’t even gotten married yet!”
Liu Dajie smiled cheerfully. “It won’t be long now.”
Just as she finished speaking, she turned and saw Little Qiyue.
Little Qiyue stretched her hand toward Liu Dajie with a smile.
Liu Dajie quickly picked her up, holding her in her arms. “Brother, Sister-in-law, this child is really growing so well!”
Wan Chunmei smiled and replied, “Yes, this little one eats and sleeps well, so she’s growing plump and fair.”
Liu Dajie placed Little Qiyue on her shoulder and gently patted her back. “So sweet, so sweet.”
Wan Chunmei walked over and asked, “Second Sister, when will you be going back to Fengtai Village?”
Liu Dajie lowered her head, sighed deeply, and said, “Old Liu has been with that woman recently. I can’t stand it anymore, so I won’t be going back for a while.”
“What’s wrong with Old Liu?” Wan Chunmei quickly asked.
Liu Dajie sighed again and said, “When I married Old Liu, I thought he was honest. Who would have thought that while I was away, he’d be with the widow next door?”
Though she and Tan Xiaomei had the same mother, Liu Dajie was not one to cry or complain. Even about this matter, she spoke in a calm tone.
Old Tan suddenly stood up. “This Old Liu is poor as can be and yet still has these bad habits!”
Liu Dajie, holding Little Qiyue, turned around and smiled. “Aren’t all men like that? As for me, I’m thinking of earning more silver to give my two children a better life.”
Liu Dajie had two children, one boy and one girl, both young, around eleven or twelve years old.
Wan Chunmei furrowed her brows. “Second Sister, you must chase that woman out. Even if Old Liu is a scoundrel, that house is yours. You can’t let her take over.”
Liu Dajie nodded. “You’re right, Sister-in-law. Don’t worry, I won’t let them off easily. I’ll make sure they pay for it when the time is right.”
Tan Xiaomei stood up and said, “Second Sister, why don’t you stay here for a while? You can help Sister-in-law with making pickled vegetables.”
Liu Dajie was more than happy to agree, nodding eagerly. “Of course, I’d love to.”
Wan Chunmei was delighted. Though Liu Dajie made a living by delivering babies, she had a remarkable talent for making little snacks like sesame cakes, sweet potato chips, malt candy, and more.
Tan Yiliang and the others loved them.
Little Qiyue seemed to sense the upcoming good days, grabbing Liu Dajie’s ear and laughing.