21 This is Shanshou Village (Bug Fix)

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Ling Ge'er casually picked up the new shoes from the low table and was startled. "Such big feet, like little boats!"

Ye Xi covered her mouth and laughed softly. "When I first got the size, I even doubted if I was reading it wrong—it’s almost two of my own feet put together!"

Ling Ge'er raised an eyebrow and smiled slyly. "The elders say that big feet mean a big body. Your future husband must be broad-shouldered enough to overshadow you. I reckon you might have a hard time."

Ye Xi blushed at his teasing and scolded him, "Aren’t you ashamed? You’re still an unmarried young man, yet you talk like that. I’ll tell Aunt Liu, and she’ll have a word with you."

Ling Ge'er covered his mouth, laughing. "Alright, alright, I admit I’m wrong."

Outside, the aunts were also gathered, chatting merrily. Ling Ge'er and Ye Xi quietly listened in.

Ling Ge’er’s sharp eyes caught sight of the silver bracelet on Ye Xi’s wrist. He exclaimed, "Hey, Xi Ge, don’t move—let me see what this treasure is."

Ye Xi extended her wrist openly. "Look then, I’m not hiding it."

Since General Lin had made this for her, she wore it proudly, a token of his heartfelt intentions.

Ling Ge'er admired the intricate patterns on the silver bracelet, unable to hide his envy. "This is the first time I’ve ever touched a silver bracelet. My mother has talked about them for years but never dared get one made. After the harvest, when there’s silver in the pocket, it’s quickly saved. I’ve only ever seen the village chief’s wife wear one."

Ye Xi smiled. "He had this in mind; I didn’t expect it."

"That probably cost two or three taels of silver. For farming families like ours, even offering a few taels as a bride price makes the groom’s family feel like they’re cutting flesh. Who would be willing to spend more on a bracelet for you?"

Ye Xi teased, "Your mother must be looking for someone better than my family’s man. She’ll probably make you a pair, so when you go out, you’ll catch everyone’s eye, though your wrist might ache from the weight."

Ling Ge'er grinned, "That would be great. Now that you’re about to marry such a fine man, I’m truly happy for you."

Ye Xi put down her needlework. "There’s another reason to be happy."

Ling Ge'er looked up at her, puzzled.

Ye Xi smiled gently and slowly untied the veil covering her face, revealing the scarred cheek where she had been burned.

Ling Ge'er’s eyes widened in shock as he stared at her face, speechless.

Her once pitted left cheek now bore only a faint reddish mark, like a blush; the scar was peeling off in thin flakes.

"Your face!"

Ye Xi touched it lightly with her fingertip. "I was startled too. He gave me an ointment I’ve been applying faithfully every day. A while ago, he gave me another jar—so I’ve used over two jars in total. Just the other day, I felt my skin peeling and at first thought it was the dry weather, but when I realized the scar was no longer raised and was flattening, I watched for two more days and saw it was actually healing."

Ling Ge'er was so happy he was speechless. "Heavens above, what a blessing! Your face is almost healed, and the wedding is coming soon. Isn’t that everything falling perfectly into place? This ointment must be some kind of miracle."

Ye Xi said, "It’s a secret recipe from Jingzhou, used by nobles and officials. At first, I didn’t expect much, but it really works."

Ling Ge'er smiled and teased, "If your face returns to its original beauty, General Lin will be stunned."

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Ye Xi lowered her gaze and said softly, "He doesn’t care about looks. If he did, why would he have agreed to marry me and brought such a heavy dowry? True affection reveals itself in hardship, showing who is sincere and who is a true man."

Had she not been burned, she might have been married off to the Cao family by now. It was Heaven’s mercy that she endured this, saw their true colors, escaped disaster, and found a genuine husband.

The two spent the afternoon drinking tea and embroidering flowers, lost in conversation.

In the evening, Ling Ge'er left. Liu Xiufeng saw off the aunts and went back to the kitchen to prepare the ingredients again.

"We should get a cat. Now that autumn has come, mice and insects will start stealing grain for winter. A cat would guard the harvest."

Ye Father washed his hands by the well and replied, "Tomorrow I’ll take a pound of salt to Wang Baba’s house. I heard his cat just had a litter. If any are suitable, I’ll bring one home. Cats don’t eat much grain."

Liu Xiufeng instructed, "Make sure it’s a black cat with white markings. Those are best at catching mice."

Ye Father nodded. Liu Xiufeng stirred the bran in the basin, then turned to Ye Xi. "Are your wedding clothes and your groom’s new clothes and shoes ready?"

Ye Xi, setting the tableware, answered, "They’re done. I’ll bring them to him tomorrow."

Ye Shan sat in the yard, using a hammer to repair a hoe. "He’s alone with no helpers. I’ll go to his house tomorrow and help set things up. Maybe I can lend a hand."

Ye Xi said, "Big brother, you still have farm work tomorrow. I’ll go. There’s not much to organize over there. I told him to keep the decorations simple."

Ye Shan thought of the fields that couldn’t be neglected and, as Ye Father’s strength waned, he helped with the heavy work. "Alright, if you need help, let me know."

After dinner, the lights went out, another day in the farming household passed.

The next day, Ye Xi brought the new clothes and shoes to General Lin. He was hanging red cloth under the eaves. Looking down, he saw Ye Xi standing there with sparkling eyes.

Lin smiled, "Here to supervise? Afraid I’m not decorating well enough?"

Ye Xi waved the cloth bag in her hand. "Just bringing your new clothes and shoes, and checking if you’ve been slacking off."

Lin jumped down from the bench. "Don’t worry, I’ll do my best. I have no relatives, so everything has to be simple."

Ye Xi handed him the clothes and shoes. "That saves money. If we made a big deal of it, all the red decorations and candles would cost a lot. Keeping it simple and just putting up red paper is enough. The silver saved can buy us more pork dinners later, isn’t that better?"

Her future husband was so thoughtful and understanding, warming Lin’s heart. He nodded, "Rest assured, marrying me means you’ll have meat every day."

Ye Xi smiled, "Then I’m in luck. Even the landlady doesn’t eat meat daily—I’m better off than her!"

They shared some playful chatter before Lin went inside to change into the new clothes and shoes. His broad shoulders filled the garments well; Ye Xi had sewn dense stitches and cut carefully, making the clothes fit him tall and imposing. There was no finer man in the village.

Ye Xi’s eyes shone as she looked him over again and again. Smiling with narrowed eyes, she said, "These clothes suit you! You look great."

Lin tapped his feet. The new shoes were soft and comfortable, no pinching at all. He was pleased. "Your skills are excellent. Even if I went to the cloth shop, I wouldn’t find better clothes or shoes. I’m lucky to have such a capable and kind husband."

Ye Xi blushed at the compliment and scolded, "You used to be so cold, now your words are all honeyed. You’re not yourself—I’m afraid you’re tricking me."

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Lin laughed, "Back in Shanxiu Village, alone and without family, I had to keep my guard up and keep people at a distance. Now my father-in-law’s family treats me sincerely, and my husband cares for me. I want to repay that with true heart and can’t keep up the old airs."

Ye Xi stepped forward, smoothing the wrinkles on his shoulder, feeling tender for him. "Yes, now you have a home in Shanxiu Village. Let’s live well together."

Lin’s large, rough hand gently clasped Ye Xi’s, fingertips softly stroking his palm. His eyes lowered, full of deep affection. His voice was low and steady. "Yes, we’ll live well as a family."

* * *

Wild chrysanthemums by the roadside in Shanxiu Village wither and bloom again. Before they knew it, the wedding day was nearly upon them—tomorrow would be Ye Xi’s joyful day.

Liu Xiufeng boiled a full pot of hot water in the kitchen. The day before the wedding was for a thorough bath, so as not to appear shabby in the bridal chamber and be mocked by the groom.

Ye Xi, unlike in the coldest winter months, usually bathed almost daily in summer and said, "Mother, that’s not necessary. I’ll only rinse lightly. I’m clean enough as it is."

Liu Xiufeng sent Ye Shan and Ye Father out and closed the kitchen door. She said to Ye Xi, "Everyday is everyday, but tomorrow you marry. You should bathe well today. After marriage, you won’t be using your mother’s water anymore."

Ye Xi’s nose tingled with emotion. Marriage was joyful, but leaving home was sad. Liu’s words nearly made him want to back out of the marriage.

Liu Xiufeng laughed and scolded, "Still a child. How could you not marry? You’re right next door—just a cup of tea away from home."

That comforted Ye Xi; thankfully, his new home was close.

Liu Xiufeng then took out a cloth bundle and unfolded it, revealing several red beads. "These are bath beads your father bought for me. They have herbs inside and smell wonderful. I’ve been saving them for two years and only have these left. Use them tonight and marry off tomorrow smelling sweet."

Ye Xi refused to use them. "Mother, you keep them. I’ll just wash with soap pods."

Liu Xiufeng glared and urged, "You silly child! Don’t you know what tomorrow night means? Don’t waste the good stuff."

Ye Xi’s face flushed. Usually, such talk made him blush, but now, hearing his mother speak so frankly, he was even more embarrassed.

"Mother..."

Liu Xiufeng laughed, "You’re about to marry. What’s there to be shy about? Listen to me—tomorrow night, just let your husband have his way and bear with it."

Ye Xi, cheeks red, nodded quietly.

"Passion is strong in newlyweds, but don’t let him have his way every day or you might hurt yourself. There’ll be some private matters between husband and wife—don’t be too shy."

That night, Liu Xiufeng secretly taught her little brother about the intimacies of marriage in the kitchen.