Chapter 13: The Tortoise Laughing at the Turtle

Liang Jin was also very gratified to hear that his mother was getting along well with his daughter.

The couple chatted for quite a while before finally resting.

The next day, it was officially time to burn incense and worship the Buddha.

Early in the morning, the sound of neighbors setting off firecrackers could be heard.

The surrounding area was filled with the crackling and popping of firecrackers.

Madam Wu also rose early to set up the offering table and arrange the offerings.

The table was square, piled high with various fried foods and pastries—items meant for the ancestors and the various deities.

Once the offering table was set, Liang Jin also got up.

Old Lady Liang had also changed into bright, clean clothes early in the morning; the whole family looked spirited and refreshed.

At this moment, the entire family offered sticks of incense to the various gods together, sharing a single wish: that Liang Jin would pass the exam to become a Xiucai.

Madam Wu's second wish was for her daughter to grow up healthy and happy.

Old Lady Liang, on the other hand, hoped to hold a grandson in the coming year and to find a good family for her youngest daughter.

The family worked together to fold gold and red paper into small gold ingots, which they would later burn for the deities.

Only after finishing these tasks did the family sit down to eat together.

By the time Ying-jie'er woke up, she was already in Liang Jin's arms.

Because the firecrackers were so loud today, Madam Wu was afraid she might cry in the room without anyone hearing, so she had simply carried her out.

Liang Jin had already eaten his fill, so he swapped with Madam Wu, holding Ying-jie'er while chatting with Old Lady Liang.

Lying in her father's arms, Ying-jie'er lay there lazily, her chubby little hands grabbing his sleeve as she played by herself.

Old Lady Liang was in a good mood today and said to Liang Jin, "It's rare for you to have a holiday. Let's go visit some relatives and socialize a bit."

The Liang clan was neither too large nor too small, and their family circumstances were all relatively similar. Usually, if anyone had something delicious to eat or drink, they would share it with one another.

With such give-and-take among clansmen, they remained quite united and helped each other out in times of need.

Liang Jin nodded in agreement. "It just so happens I haven't seen Great-Uncle and the others for a long time. We'll go visit tomorrow."

In a great mood, Old Lady Liang said to Madam Wu, "In the evening, bring out all the gifts for the festival; we'll take them with us tomorrow."

Madam Wu replied, "Understood."

Festivals in the countryside were very lively, not inferior to the towns at all.

The wealthy would even set off fireworks at night.

Accompanied by the "bang bang bang" sounds, the outside was filled with festive noise.

Many children ran out to play with firecrackers, chasing each other around happily.

Holding Ying-jie'er, Madam Wu stood at the back door watching the children play, feeling very happy herself.

Once a woman becomes a mother, she finds every child adorable.

Holding Ying-jie'er, she said, "When you grow up a bit more next year, you'll be able to play with your older brothers and sisters."

Ying-jie'er's large, round eyes watched the laughing children on the street, and she wanted to play with them too.

She didn't ask to grow up too much; as long as she could run and jump, and ideally, had meat to eat.

As for becoming an adult, she wasn't in a hurry. After all, being an adult didn't offer the same freedom and ease as being a little kid.

As long as a child didn't have to worry about food or clothing, they were happy doing anything; she had no desire to grow up.

The next day arrived.

Liang Jin went out to visit relatives with Old Lady Liang.

Madam Wu stayed home to prepare the visiting gifts.

Tomorrow, her maiden family had also invited them over for a meal.

Since Liang Jin hadn't returned for a long time, he felt he owed her, so he naturally wanted to take her back to see her parents.

Madam Wu was a generous person in the family; she used her private savings to buy new clothes for her parents and bought some gifts for her nephews as well.

After all, her older siblings treated Ying-jie'er very well, so she would naturally be good to their children too.

She also brought along some delicious pastries.

There was a pastry shop in town that was exceptionally delicious; the cakes smelled wonderful. Madam Wu bought four packs, intending to give one pack each to her siblings and her brother.

Seeing how excited her mother was, it was obvious Ying-jie'er really wanted to go back to her maiden home.

Otherwise, when a girl marries and leaves her comfortable environment to go to another's house, there is a certain awkwardness of living under someone else's roof, having to watch the in-laws' expressions—much like a son-in-law marrying into the family.

If she married well, her in-laws would dote on her and life would be harmonious.

But if the in-laws were harsh, every single day would be unbearable.

She was fortunate that her mother had married quite well.

Although Old Lady Liang liked to make a scene, she wasn't too excessive, and her father was a good man who was especially good to her mother, so her mother's marriage was quite worthwhile.

Madam Wu didn't think that much; she was happily packing her things.

On the day of their departure, Madam Wu rose earlier than anyone else, starting her grooming and dressing early in the morning.

She had prepared a brand-new, deep blue robe for Liang Jin and happily helped him change into it.

Then, she changed her daughter into a bright red little padded jacket, even embroidering the swaddle beautifully.

She herself wore a water-red embroidered silk skirt. Her hair ornaments were not many—just one silver hairpin and one gold hairpin.

The gold hairpin was part of her dowry from her maiden home, and the silver hairpin was something Liang Jin had bought for her with his private savings.

She was already beautiful, but with a small yellow flower tucked behind her ear, she looked incredibly radiant.

Liang Jin was stunned, unable to resist the urge to pick up a brush and paint her.

"My lady is truly beautiful~"

She was even more beautiful after having given birth.

Being praised by him, Madam Wu gave him a shy, reproachful glance.

Liang Jin couldn't help being flirtatious and wanted to lead her back to the room.

Madam Wu hurriedly said, "No, no, the carriage has already been called. Let's get going."

Liang Jin cleared his throat, went out to catch some cold air, and then went to pick up the belongings.

Seeing the large and small bundles they were carrying, Old Lady Liang gave them a look of disdain, thinking to herself: *All they know is how to move things to the maiden home; truly, her heart leans toward her own kin.*

Seeing Old Lady Liang's expression, how could Madam Wu not understand?

Calling her out for moving things to her maiden home? Wasn't she herself preparing a huge pile of things for her eldest sister-in-law?

Hmph, the pot calling the kettle black—who was the one being biased!

Old Lady Liang was not to be outdone and retorted with her eyes, *'You're the one!'*

Madam Wu scoffed, *'You're the one, you, you, you!'*

"You!"

Old Lady Liang was nearly driven to death by anger. Just as she was about to explode, Madam Wu swiftly boarded the carriage while holding the child.

Liang Jin was completely oblivious to the battle between mother-in-law and daughter-in-law, boarding the carriage with a silly, happy smile.

"Mother, we'll be heading off then. If Eldest Sister comes to visit you, please host her well. Those things in the room were all prepared by Ning'er for her; remember to give them to her when she leaves."

Old Lady Liang huffed, saying irritably, "I know!"

Her son was only good at studying; he knew nothing at all about the subtleties of women. He was truly a fool.

The carriage swayed all the way until it reached the large Wu family courtyard.

This was Ying-jie'er's first long trip, and her expression was extremely excited, making "yi-ya" sounds continuously.

Madam Wu was also very happy. "In a little while, you'll see your maternal grandmother and grandfather. Are you happy?"

Ying-jie'er gave two "en-en" sounds, indicating she was very happy.

Seeing her "en-en," Madam Wu thought she was about to poop and hurriedly checked her diaper.

Fortunately, she hadn't, and only then did she breathe a sigh of relief.

Ying-jie'er:...

*I was responding to you, not pooping.*

But Madam Wu failed to grasp her meaning and continued to smile as she stepped off the carriage.

When Old Master Wu and Madam Wu saw them arrive, they couldn't be happier.

"You're here? Have you eaten? Quickly, come inside for a bowl of sweet soup."

Madam Wu said with a smile, "We have. We had sweet soup this morning, and we've been thinking about having ham when we got home."

The Wu family sold pigs, so they never had to worry about lacking pork during the New Year.

In particular, the Wu family had a secret recipe for smoked cured meat and smoked ham, which smelled incredibly fragrant.