Uncle Xu smiled and nodded, “Ru Yi is right, what’s past is past. From now on, we’ll live well.”
Aunt Bai Maimiao also felt sorry for this niece, “Alright, since the child has returned, let’s not mention past matters anymore.”
Then, remembering her niece’s age this year, she couldn’t help but remind her sister-in-law, “Sister-in-law, don’t think I’m being a meddling aunt who doesn’t want the child back home. Ru Yi is seventeen this year and will be eighteen next year. We need to start looking for a good match for her. If she’s still unmarried at eighteen, the government will assign her a husband arbitrarily. You all need to take this seriously.”
Upon hearing Bai Maimiao’s words, everyone suddenly remembered this rule.
Wang Cuihua also grew anxious, “Sister-in-law, I hadn’t thought of that until you mentioned it. As the child’s aunt, you must help keep an eye out for a good match!!”
Xu Dashu, looking at his daughter who had just returned home and now had to rush to find a husband, felt the smile fade from his face.
Xu Ruyi was completely stunned. How come she didn’t know about this law?
Xu Ruyi felt utterly devastated. My goodness, if you’re not married by eighteen, you get assigned a husband? So I absolutely must get married before I turn eighteen!! I’m still a child! A budding flower of the motherland, about to be plucked just as it blooms!!!
Bai Maimiao saw that her eldest niece was bewildered. Considering that Ru Yi had been a servant girl in a wealthy household all these years and might have her own thoughts, she decided to first ask for her opinion, “Yi-jie, do you have any thoughts on this matter?”
Xu Ruyi was taken aback for a moment. Seeing everyone looking at her, she felt quite grateful that this family was reasonable.
Xu Sigui/Xu Dajiang/Xu Dahe: Heh heh!!!
Xu Ruyi thought carefully. She wasn’t short on money, so marrying a country fellow would be fine, but she absolutely did not want a family with too many complications. “Grandpa, Grandma, Dad, Mom, Uncle, Aunt, since I have to marry, I’d like to marry within the village. I want to stay close to home.”
“Secondly, I want to find a family that isn’t too complicated. It would be best if they’ve already split from the main household and live separately, or someone without parents would work too. Anyway, since it’s close to home, if anything happens, I can call on my family and feel more at ease.”
“As long as the person is reliable, not lazy, and preferably tall and sturdy—since I’m not bad-looking myself—so our future children won’t end up short and ugly. That’s all for now, I don’t have any other requirements!”
Wang Cuihua and Bai Maimiao exchanged glances, both feeling somewhat helpless.
Wang Cuihua’s maternal affection had only lasted a few hours, and after hearing her daughter’s shocking statements, there was even less left. “You silly girl, finding a partner is about building a life together. ‘Without parents’? What, should they have to lose their father and mother to marry you? Let me tell you, don’t go spouting such nonsense outside this door.”
Bai Maimiao, afraid her niece would be upset, tugged at her sister-in-law’s sleeve and smiled to smooth things over, “Yi-jie, your mother is just worried. Aunt will do her best to find you a harmonious family.”
Xu Grandma also patted Xu Ruyi’s hand reassuringly, “Don’t blame your mother for scolding you. Just keep this matter in mind yourself.”
Xu Ruyi nodded obediently, “Grandma, Aunt, Mom, don’t worry. I know you all have my best interests at heart. I was being too idealistic. With you all making arrangements for me, I’ll just wait and see.”
Liu Hong, standing nearby, looked down upon her mother-in-law and grandmother-in-law for making such a fuss over a mere girl. In her opinion, a girl was nothing special—just marry her off to a family offering a high bride price when she came of age. Why be so picky?
However, despite her numerous thoughts, she wasn’t foolish enough to voice them and annoy others. With so many delicious dishes on the table, she figured it was far better to just eat a few extra bites.
While others might not have noticed, Xu Sigui caught the disdainful look in his elder cousin’s wife’s eyes, and it cut deep into his heart.
But today was his sister’s joyous homecoming, so he refrained from saying anything. Still, he resolved to tell his parents and especially his sister about it later—to keep her at a distance from this elder cousin’s wife.
Xu Dajiang and Xu Dahe, after getting a look at their cousin, focused entirely on eating. With so many delicacies on the table—dishes they might not even get to enjoy during the New Year—they couldn’t resist indulging.
Meanwhile, Xu Panpan sat obediently at the far end of the table with her cousin Xu Niannian, quietly eating their meal, paying no mind to the adults’ thoughts.