Chapter 9

Jiang Mingchuan scheduled the feast for noon, originally planning to hold it in the canteen. However, he later realized that it would clash with regular meal times, making the canteen too busy and inconvenient, so he decided to host it at home instead.

Fortunately, the sun was shining brightly today, so eating outdoors wouldn't be cold.

Early in the morning, he and He Yan cleared the snow from their yard and the entrance thoroughly. Then, they fetched the pre-ordered vegetables from the canteen. Neighbors Wu Po and Qian Yufeng arrived early to help, while Wu Erzhu led two others to bring tables, chairs, and tableware—all borrowed items.

Around nine in the morning, the canteen's head chef arrived, bringing a basket of seasonings. He got to work energetically in the kitchen.

After tidying herself and her two children up in the room, Jin Xiuzhu came out to assist as well.

She knew that things were different here compared to The Great Jing Dynasty, with fewer formalities, so she adapted to local customs and joined in.

Wu Po told her that she didn't need to overexert herself today, being the bride. She pulled Jin Xiuzhu aside to help pick vegetables.

In a gentle voice, Wu Po said, "Mingchuan is a good boy. Don't let his age of twenty-eight fool you; he's inexperienced in many ways. No one taught him how to handle things, and he often prefers to sacrifice himself for others."

Jin Xiuzhu turned to look at her.

Wu Po seemed to recall something and sighed. "This child keeps everything inside. Even when wronged, he doesn’t complain. I wonder if he’s ever mentioned to you that both his parents died in the war. His father was from the same village as me. When he was young, his family was poor, and after everyone else starved to death, he left to beg for food and never returned. Later, we found out he had joined the military. His mother came from a wealthy merchant family. They owned an entire street in S Province. In her youth, she studied abroad in Country Y and later worked in a foreign-run hospital, secretly passing intelligence and saving many lives. Both of them were great heroes, but unfortunately, neither survived."

"What happened next?"

"At that time, Mingchuan was probably around the same age as He Yan now. After our liberation, he was adopted by his father's comrade-in-arms."

At this point, Wu Po's expression turned cold. "Some things are hard to explain, but this child has always been good, just like his parents—smart and capable. He knows a lot more than he lets on, but he never speaks up."

Jin Xiuzhu understood that Jiang Mingchuan's adoptive parents might not have treated him well.

Suddenly, Wu Po remembered something. "Oh, right—he has a younger sister."

Jin Xiuzhu turned to look at her. Wu Po's eyes softened. "I've never met the girl. Her mother died shortly after giving birth to her. Her mother must have sensed something and arranged for her to be taken in by another family. She's now living in S Province. Mingchuan visits her once a year. You'll get to know her eventually. I hear she's in college now—a very smart young lady."

Jin Xiuzhu smiled. "That's nice."

Wu Po also smiled. "Yes, things are good now. In a couple of years, when you two have your own child, the house will be even livelier."

Jin Xiuzhu's eyes lit up. Yes, she could have her own child in this life.

She wasn't embarrassed but felt incredibly excited, almost eager to have a child immediately.

Wu Po noticed Jin Xiuzhu's eagerness and couldn't help but laugh, assuming she was deeply fond of Jiang Mingchuan. This was good; a harmonious relationship would lead to a happier life together.

Before noon, guests started arriving. Some came in groups wearing military uniforms, while others brought their families. Soon, the courtyard was filled with people.

Once everyone had arrived, the dishes began to be served. There were no elaborate rituals; everyone simply sat down to eat. As Jiang Mingchuan was about to seat the head chef at the main table, someone started cheering and asked him to say a few words.

He stood up, and seeing this, Jin Xiuzhu quickly stood up as well, causing laughter among the guests.

Even though Jin Xiuzhu had been handling things smoothly, she couldn't help blushing now.

Jiang Mingchuan raised his hand. "Stop laughing. She's not familiar with our customs, so I'll say a few words. Let me introduce Jin Xiuzhu. Starting today, she's my partner, Jiang Mingchuan's. These are our two children, Xiaoyan and Xiaoyan. We're delighted you could join us for our celebration. I'm not good with formal speeches, but I hope everyone enjoys the food and drinks, shares in our happiness, and has good fortune in the future. Here's to all of you. Cheers."

He then raised his teacup and drank it in one go.

"Good!"

Someone cheered loudly, followed by enthusiastic applause from everyone.

Jiang Mingchuan helped Jin Xiuzhu sit back down, and she refilled his teacup.

Colonel Yan, seated at the head table, stood up and said with a smile, "Today is a wonderful day. Allow me to say a few words. First, I'm very happy to see these two come together. Xiao Jiang has been here for three years and is an outstanding young man. Xiaojin is also exceptional. Your union is truly meant to be..."

Seeing that he was going to keep talking, Wang Ling, sitting beside him, tugged at his clothes impatiently.

Colonel Yan unceremoniously pulled his clothes back and whispered to Wang Ling, "I'm not done yet."

Then, he continued, "On behalf of everyone, I wish you both a happy marriage. May you support each other and share a deep bond. May you remember this moment of commitment whenever you face difficulties in the future..."

Wang Ling gave an awkward smile.

Jin Xiuzhu couldn't help but smile.

After Colonel Yan finished speaking, everyone started eating.

After some time, Jiang Mingchuan and Jin Xiuzhu stood up to serve tea to each guest individually. Jin Xiuzhu had prepared what she wanted to say, but she didn't need to speak at all. Jiang Mingchuan answered any questions directed at her, and she only needed to smile politely.

After serving tea, the couple returned to their seats to eat. Although there were only eight dishes, each was served in large portions. Halfway through, the rice was ready, and they added a big bowl of it to everyone's plates.

People started leaving around half past one in the afternoon. Jin Xiuzhu took out the candies and melon seeds she bought yesterday and asked Jiang Mingchuan to distribute them at the courtyard entrance to those departing.

Jiang Mingchuan did as she asked.

Jin Xiuzhu went back to clean up the dishes. Wu Po and Qian Yufeng were still helping, and the head chef was about to leave after cleaning up. Jin Xiuzhu called him back and fetched the Longfeng Cakes she had made especially early that morning. She didn't make many, intending not to give them to too many people.

"I made these cakes myself. I feel bad asking you to come here specially today. Mingchuan told me you usually take good care of him. Please accept this small token of appreciation."

Chef Zhang rubbed his chin and smiled. "What's the big deal? I like Xiao Jiang."

Jin Xiuzhu insisted on placing a plate of cakes into the basket held by his apprentice.

The apprentice looked at his master uncertainly, unsure whether to accept them.

Chef Zhang smiled. "Take them. It's your sister-in-law's kind gesture."

The apprentice accepted them without hesitation, his mouth curling up, knowing his master would share half with him.

Qian Yufeng, who saw this scene from a distance, had bright eyes. Wu Po glared at her and whispered, "Keep your thoughts to yourself."

Qian Yufeng shrank her neck. She hadn't said anything; was it wrong to just think about it?

However, Jin Xiuzhu didn’t disappoint her. When they were leaving, Jin Xiuzhu indeed took out a plate of those so-called Dragon-Phoenix Cakes for her. Qian Yufeng had wanted to be polite, but her son had already reached out and grabbed one, putting it in his mouth. He happily said, "Auntie, it's delicious."

Jin Xiuzhu smiled. "Eat more if you like it. Auntie will make some more for you next time."

Before Wu Xiaojun could be happy, his grandmother interrupted him. "Don't spoil him. This child doesn't know when to stop."

Jin Xiuzhu was amused.

In the afternoon, after tidying up, Jin Xiuzhu sat by the fire in the room, cutting the unfinished cloth. The brazier was something Jiang Mingchuan had brought from outside, filled with charcoal. The two children sat around it, and two sweet potatoes were placed inside. It wasn’t long before the aroma wafted through the air.

Jiang Mingchuan was also at home, setting up another small room. He Yan was no longer small; it wasn’t good for him to continue sleeping in the same bed with them every day. They had originally planned to let their daughter sleep with them for another two years before separating them, but the little girl insisted on sleeping alone as well.

Neither Jin Xiuzhu nor Jiang Mingchuan had raised children before and didn’t understand, so they went along with their wishes.

Jiang Mingchuan moved over the bunk beds from his old dormitory. Worried that the two children climbing up and down might not be safe, he borrowed a saw and cut the bed in half, smoothing it out and placing it in the small room, one on each side, with a curtain deliberately hung in the middle to separate them.

He had someone move everything from the old dormitory that hadn’t been brought over yet, including several old quilts, which fit perfectly on the small beds.

He then remembered what Jin Xiuzhu had said last night about He Yan’s schooling, so he brought over an old desk, cleaned it, and placed it in the small room.

Finally, he looked around, seemingly unsatisfied, and found a pile of newspapers to paste on the walls.

The two children held the roasted sweet potatoes, eating while watching him work. He Yan couldn’t help but keep reaching out to touch his own little bed, asking Fu Yanyan, "Sis, which one do you want?"

Fu Yanyan ignored him. "Whichever."

He Yan wasn’t angry. "Then I’ll take the one by the door. Cold wind comes in when the door opens, so it’s colder."

Fu Yanyan glanced at him without saying a word.

Jin Xiuzhu came over curiously. "Is it okay for the two kids to sleep in the same room?"

Jiang Mingchuan didn’t catch her meaning, thinking she was worried that the children were too young. "It’s fine. I slept alone when I was very young. You get used to it."

He Yan quickly added, "I’ll take care of my sister."

So Jin Xiuzhu didn’t say anything else.

When no one was around, He Yan secretly told Fu Yanyan, "Don’t be afraid, sis. Big brother will protect you. We won’t sleep with mom and dad anymore because mom and dad want to have a baby brother."

He only dared to call them mom and dad when no one was around.

Fu Yanyan: "…"

He knew quite a lot.

Still, the family of four slept in the same bed that night. Jin Xiuzhu felt that the quilt was a bit thin, so they would wait until the new quilt was made before sleeping in separate rooms.

The day before the Lantern Festival, He Yan started school. There was no school in the barracks, so he went to the village school.

He Yan was considered a transfer student, but the whole family attached great importance to it. Jin Xiuzhu even specifically asked the neighbors what preparations needed to be made. In the Great Jing Dynasty, a ceremony to pay respect to the teacher was required.

Qian Yufeng said that all they needed was a schoolbag and a lunch box.

Jin Xiuzhu spent the afternoon sewing a schoolbag. For the lunch box, she used the enamel mug issued by the military. On the first day, the whole family got up early, and Wu Xiaojun even came over to pick him up.

He Yan, wearing his new cotton jacket, walked out energetically.

At the door, Jin Xiuzhu instructed him, "Listen carefully in class and teach me and your sister when you come back."

He Yan nodded vigorously.

That evening, when Jiang Mingchuan returned home, he saw his son really teaching Jin Xiuzhu and his daughter. Jin Xiuzhu was learning very seriously, pointing at the words at the back of the book. He Yan shook his head, saying he didn’t know them yet, as the teacher hadn’t taught them yet.

The textbook was newly issued, but it was old, having been used by previous students.

Jiang Mingchuan asked him how his first day of school was.

He Yan showed a hesitant expression. "I’m half a semester behind them. Some of the knowledge is hard to catch up with."

Jiang Mingchuan asked, "What parts?"

He Yan looked up at him. "Pinyin, and counting. They can count to one hundred and recognize pinyin."

Jiang Mingchuan said, "Let’s eat first. I’ll teach you tonight."

After dinner, Jiang Mingchuan took out paper and pen, writing out pinyin and numbers, teaching them one by one. He Yan sat beside him, reading attentively.

Jin Xiuzhu lowered her head to sew clothes, occasionally looking over, repeating the sounds softly.

Under the warm light, everyone’s faces seemed to glow.

Fu Yanyan lay on the table, one hand supporting her chin, the other holding the small tiger plushie Jin Xiuzhu had made for her. Occasionally, she would glance up, her calm eyes sparkling with a hint of excitement.

Later, after the two children had gone to bed, Jin Xiuzhu and Jiang Mingchuan returned to their room and lay down on the bed. This was the first time they were sharing a bed together.

Both seemed somewhat nervous, unable to hear each other’s breathing.

Jin Xiuzhu pulled the blanket up high, her heart pounding wildly. She couldn’t help but imagine many scenes, and as she thought about them, her entire body grew hot. Her eyes widened as she stared at the dark ceiling, quietly waiting for something.

But after waiting for a long time, there was still no movement from the side. Jin Xiuzhu bit her lip and turned her head to look. She saw the man lying there motionless, like a piece of wood. Thinking about having a child of their own, she hesitated before reaching out and tentatively touched him. As soon as her hand made contact, the man’s body stiffened, tensing up entirely.

Seeing that he still didn’t move, Jin Xiuzhu shifted closer and then straddled him, kissing his burning ear.

Author's note:

Jin Xiuzhu: I want a child.

Jiang Mingchuan: Who could bear this?

He Yan: Little brother and sister, come quickly.

Fu Yanyan: The pressure is immense.

The female lead still harbors some feudal thoughts now, which will change later.