The days are passing day by day, and the Spring Festival is coming, the coldest time in winter.
Xiangyun was picked up from her sleep by Mrs. Zheng early in the morning, put on a newly sewn jacket and red cotton shoes, and put a cotton hat on her head. Two small white velvet balls fell under her head. Shake it, it's so cute.
The boys at home are not so lucky to be able to wear new clothes. They pick out clean ones and wear them with few patches.
But this did not affect the mood of the naughty boys. Since last night, they have been so excited that they have not fallen asleep, and they can't wait to stay up until dawn.
As soon as the sky cleared, the chickens in the chicken shed crowed. Everyone got up from the bed, tidied up, and stood waiting obediently at the door of Mrs. Lin, with bright eyes.
As soon as the door of the main room opened, they lined up neatly and walked in one by one to pay New Year's greetings to Mrs. Lin.
After each prayer, Mrs. Lin stuffed a red envelope made of paper, which jingled and contained New Year's money.
Each room was also wrapped in red envelopes and stuffed into the hands of the boys. Even Lin Silang prepared them. The amount was not large, for good luck.
The boys who got the red envelope happily gathered together. You looked at my copper plate, and I looked at your red envelope, showing teeth with joy.
Xiangyun nestled in her grandma's arms, laughing when her brothers were happy. She had not experienced such a lively Spring Festival in many years.
Mrs. Lin laughed out loud when she saw her granddaughter staring at the boys: "Abao, don't envy them, you have them too."
As he spoke, he took out an obviously heavy red bag from his arms and put it in Xiangyun's hand. Then Zheng, Zhang and Lin Laoer all stuffed red envelopes into it.
Xiangyun's small palms could no longer hold, and she giggled without any delay. The tips of her newly grown deciduous teeth were white and small, like millet grains. Her pink and round cheeks looked so beautiful against the backdrop of her red clothes. They look like Fuwa dolls in New Year pictures.
For breakfast, the Lin family did not eat the porridge cooked overnight. Instead, they cooked new rice porridge and baked steamed buns and steamed buns.
Xiangyun held a bowl of egg custard and sucked it happily. The chickens at home laid two eggs every day. One of the chickens always provided nutrition to Xiangyun, and the other five boys took turns to come. Today it happened to be Tianrui's turn.
He dug out a spoonful and brought the rest to his brothers: "On the first day of the new year, we all eat egg custard for good luck. Maybe everyone in our family will have egg custard to eat in the new year."
"Thank you brother (third brother)."
Mrs. Lin was very pleased to see that her grandchildren were well-behaved and sensible. They were not at all like other children fighting for clothes or food. They helped each other, were united and friendly, and rarely blushed. She was very pleased.
It is a tradition in Lianhua Village that on the first day of the Lunar New Year, one has to go to the Taoist temple to pray to the God of Heaven and make offerings to the Three Pure Ones to bless the land with good weather and harmonious family harmony in the coming year.
After the Lin family finished cleaning up, the adults and children went out together to pay New Year greetings, and then followed everyone to the Taoist temple to pay homage to the gods.
Along the way, the village was full of joy, and bamboos were burning at the door of every house. From time to time, they exploded, just as loud as the firecrackers Xiangyun heard in his previous life.
In front of the gymnasium, there was already a long queue, all of them were villagers from Lianhua Village waiting to offer incense and pray.
The auspicious words of greeting and congratulations are said to everyone, which is very lively.
Xiangyun hugged each aunt back and forth, and they all rushed to kiss her little face, making her blush.
From time to time, someone with strong hands would pinch her face.
We can't lose our temper on this wonderful day of the Chinese New Year, let alone cry.
In the end, her mouth became deflated and her eyes gradually lost their luster.
It wasn't until he fell into a familiar embrace that Xiangyun's drooping face regained its composure.
"Abao has grown up and gained a lot of weight."
Qing Niang held her in her arms and weighed her.
When the villagers saw her, their expressions were a little unnatural. After a few words of greeting, they started talking among themselves.
"I heard that the first bouquet of incense this year was planted by Ding Maoshan, praying to Master Tianzun to bless him with children after marriage and a harmonious couple."
"He did such a shameless thing. What did the banker think? He even married off his daughter, had a good girl, and stuck him in cow dung."
"Is there anything I can do? Qing Niang's father owed the village chief his life. The marriage between the two families was decided when the elders were still alive. That day, Ding Maoshan knelt at the door of the banker's house and swore to draw a clear line with Widow Qian, and begged Qing Niang to look after him. For dad's sake, forgive him for once. It's raining heavily and everyone in the village is watching. Qing Niang is a young lady with no foundation and no backing. What else can she do except agree?"
"Well, let me tell you, Qing Niang is too beautiful. Which man would be willing to give up this marriage?"
The women's voices were not low, and Qingniang and Xiangyun were not far away, so they could hear more or less.
Xiangyun looked up at the girl, his red eyes filled with mist, obviously he was very concerned about what the villagers were talking about.
She stretched out her chubby hands to cover Qingniang's ears. Beautiful sister, how could she marry a guy like Ding Maoshan? A man can't be loyal before marriage. How can he expect to change his mind after marriage?
Qing Niang felt her movement and kissed her cheek. Her eyes turned redder and she murmured softly.
"Since then, a woman's appearance has been a sin. If it is really because of this face, I would rather be ruined than jump into a pit of fire."
Xiangyun felt distressed when he saw it, and the more he thought about it, the angrier he became, angry at the injustice to women in this era.
Cooking is a man's job, and marriage is a safe haven for men. No matter how big a mistake was made before marriage, it seems that as long as the prodigal son turns back, he can offset the previous mistakes, and in the end, the fault will be attributed to the woman's appearance.
Ms. Zheng stepped forward and saw that her daughter's face was stretched out, as if she was worried: "Who made my A Bao unhappy?"
Xiangyun snorted and pointed at the door of the Taoist temple, showing off to everyone Ding Maoshan who was getting married in half a month.
Zheng sighed and glanced at Qing Niang regretfully, but there was nothing she could do.
In the afternoon, an acquaintance came to the Lin family.
Song Yin came to visit home carrying a piece of bacon and two jars of Tusu wine.
Lin Laosan gave him warm hospitality, and the two stood in the small courtyard talking for a long time, and they did not part ways until the sun set in the west.
While having dinner, Lin Laosan told his family some news.
"Today Song Yamen said that he wants me to work on a certain errand in the Yamen after the new year. An old Yamen under him happens to have retired and there is a shortage of people."
As soon as these words came out, the first person to refuse was Mrs. Lin.
"No, the government officials are in danger. The world is not peaceful now. A few days ago, there were bandits and fugitives. I know your ability. Dealing with one or two evil people is not a problem. It can't stand up to a large number of people. Have you forgotten that you How did I die?"
Lin Laosan lowered his head and made another sound, and his eating movements slowed down.
Mr. Lin was killed when he was wiping out the bandits. His body was sent back by the Yamen. His body was separated and his death was tragic.
The yamen gave him a pension, but it still couldn't dispel the sadness in the hearts of the Lin family. The grief of the tragic death of their loved ones still makes the dinner table silent when I think about it today.
Ms. Zheng rarely interferes with her husband's decisions. Firstly, she has been taught since she was a child that she should obey her husband when she gets married. Secondly, Lin Laosan is a thoughtful person who can handle both big and small matters.
But when she heard that her husband was going to be a government servant, she was equally unhappy.
"Although our family is not rich and powerful, we always have a bowl of food to eat and warm clothes to wear. The life of a government servant is like licking blood on the tip of a knife. If you don't pay attention, you may die. I don't allow you to go."
Lin Laosan opened his mouth: "It's not as scary as you said. Most of the government officials in the town work until they retire."
When Lin Laosan saw him like this, he knew that Lin Laosan wanted to go there. He understood his younger brother's desire to do something great. Which man doesn't have a heroic dream in his heart.
Although the yamen servant is a low-level servant of the government yamen, he is at least half a member of the public family. If the Lin family has a son who works for the county yamen, there will be no one in the village who is short-sighted and dares to cause trouble for the family.
"Mom, it's a good thing that Song Yamen has taken a liking to the third brother. I think he is a good person. He helped a lot when a child was lost in the village last time. He is a rare warm-hearted person. It should be because he sees the third brother's good skills that he started to recruit talents. .”
Lin Silang knew the third brother's thoughts best and quickly helped to speak: "This is a good opportunity. Third brother, you must go. When the time comes, our family will have a government servant. Let's see if Hu Er dares to bully the third sister-in-law!"
Lin Laosan nodded vigorously: "Yes, mother, it's not easy to find a vacant seat in the Yamen. Yamen Song only thought of me for the sake of our friendship."
Mrs. Lin saw her son's eyes sparkling and he looked eager to try. She knew that it was useless to say anything. The third child had more ideas than the others since he was a child. He had a stubborn personality and would not look back until he hit the wall. He only thought about running away. .
He is also capable, has great strength, good kung fu, and is good at archery. He is indeed not suitable to be wasted in the mountains.
But Mrs. Lin's wish has always been to have children and grandchildren around her. She doesn't care whether her family is rich or not, she just wants her family to live in peace.
Now it seems that Lao San is determined to make a career.
"It's up to you. You're married and have a daughter. I can't control you anymore."
Knowing that his mother had agreed, Lin Laosan happily drank two bowls of rice porridge. When he wanted to serve another bowl, Mr. Zheng stopped him.
"Eat, eat, eat. What are you going to have for breakfast tomorrow?"
It's over, my wife is angry.
At night, in the west wing room, Ms. Zheng turned her back to her husband, fuming and not wanting to say a word.
She was still unhappy. She was worried that her husband would be easily injured after becoming a government servant, and she was also afraid that if she stopped him, her husband would regret it later and blame her.
Lin Laosan, as usual, put his thick arms around his wife's waist. The two of them were young and full of life, and their daily tenderness was indispensable.
Zheng, who was usually docile and carefree, lost her temper today and waved his arm away.
"Don't touch me, go find your Song Yamen!"
Although the words were spoken coldly, the grievance and worry in his voice were about to overflow.
Lin Laosan pushed past Zheng's body and found tears on her cheeks, and her hands and feet were all messed up in panic.
"Why are you crying? I'm just going to be a government servant, and I'm not being sent to the army. Head Song said that you can rest for one day in three days. There's nothing to worry about."
As he spoke, he wiped his wife's tears with his sleeve, feeling as if needles were pricking his heart: "Don't cry, my wife, I feel distressed. I can do whatever you ask me to do, just don't cry in front of me."
"Then when you go back to Song Yamen, tell her that you will fulfill your filial piety in front of your mother and not work as a servant."
Lin Laosan made a move and stopped talking.
