When it came to making clothes, the women’s natural instincts came to the fore. The sons had no particular opinions, but Li Qiqiao stepped forward to discuss with Feng Shi.
“We’ll start with two shirts, and they should be made larger. Children grow quickly, and if we make them just the right size, they’ll outgrow them in no time,” Feng Shi pondered.
Li Qiqiao, being meticulous, quickly added, “That’s right, Mother. Little Sister has delicate skin, so for the small undergarments worn close to the body, we must buy good fabric—something soft.”
Feng Shi nodded repeatedly. “Yes, and we should make a few extra pairs so there are spares for washing and changing.”
After all, Nuobao was a little girl and needed extra care. Spending on her undergarments was not something to skimp on.
Sun Chunxue, seeing that the silver they had just obtained was about to be spent on her little sister-in-law, couldn’t help but feel a pang of distress. She nervously twisted the corner of her clothes.
“Mother, Nuobao is still young. Actually… there’s no need to spend too much on clothes and accessories,” she mumbled, interjecting timidly.
Feng Shi’s face immediately darkened.
“No matter how much or how little I spend on Nuobao, it won’t delay the family’s meals!”
“Besides, our family has been poor for so many years. It was only after my daughter arrived that we started having such good luck. It’s quite possible that this silver was brought by my daughter’s good fortune. Even if we spent it all on her, it wouldn’t be excessive.”
Jiang Fengnian also felt that the recent events were no coincidence and were likely brought about by his little sister’s good luck!
He frowned and said, “She’s the only sister in the family. Who else should we spend the money on if not her? There’s no need for you to worry about these matters. Don’t speak out of turn again in the future.”
Sun Chunxue didn’t dare argue with her mother-in-law. Blushing, she retreated to the side, feeling a knot of frustration in her heart.
At this moment, Little Nuobao, who had already returned to the kang, heard that her mother was going to make clothes for her.
Her big eyes sparkled as she crawled on all fours to the edge of the kang, leaning half her body out to look at her mother.
Back in the Shen residence, the servants found her troublesome and simply threw her into the woodshed to fend for herself, never providing her with any clothes.
Now, she would finally have clothes to cover herself. Little Nuobao was filled with anticipation. Her plump, pink little face flushed with excitement, and her mind flashed with many fabric patterns she had seen in the Shen residence.
She loved those pink and purple fabrics so much~
Some even had small floral patterns woven into them, looking smooth and silky. Wearing them would surely be beautiful.
Although Little Nuobao was still a tiny baby, she already had a love for beauty. In her excitement, she lifted her little feet over her head, about to sniff them, but when she looked up, she noticed Feng Shi’s faded clothes.
Mother’s clothes are so old.
And so dusty…
Little Nuobao’s face scrunched up, and she immediately felt sorry for Feng Shi.
“Mama, I don’t need so many clothes!” she quickly shook her head like a rattle drum.
“Don’t waste money. Nuobao only needs one, just enough to wear… Mama should make a set for herself too. We can wear new clothes together.” Having drunk her fill, Little Nuobao had more energy, and her little voice sounded much clearer.
Hearing that her daughter, so young, was already thinking of her, Feng Shi was taken aback at first, then felt her heart melt into a puddle of warmth.
“Is Nuobao worried about Mama?” Feng Shi smiled, her eyes crinkling as she picked her up. “What a sweet, lovable child. Don’t worry, my dear. Mama has clothes to wear. When our family’s situation improves, Mama will make herself a new set.”
Little Nuobao raised her big, dark eyes, listening intently.
So, she thought, she would have to work hard to help the family earn more silver. That way, Mama could have new clothes sooner.
"Okay then~ But don't worry, that day will come soon, and I'll help too." Little Nuobao gnawed on her own fair, tender little hand, mumbling and smearing it with drool.
The Jiang family didn't take these words too seriously, but hearing them warmed their hearts, and each of them couldn't help but feel in high spirits.
Jiang Fenghu even leaned over to tease his little sister: "Say what you will, but our sister, despite being so young, looks smarter and more sensible than a three- or four-year-old child."
"Exactly," Jiang Fengjing said, stroking Nuobao's snow-white feet and proudly puffing out his chest. "Second Uncle's Jiang Zhizhi is already four years old, but all she does all day is greedily ask for food. She's also dark and chubby, as if struck by lightning—she can't compare to our sister at all."
Even Sun Chunxue, who disliked Little Nuobao entering the household, couldn't help but recognize the little girl's good qualities at this moment.
The little girl was pretty, clever, and oddly endearing—truly extraordinary.
Just as Sun Chunxue's lips unconsciously curved into a smile, she was startled by her own thoughts. She quickly shook her head and went outside.
Why was her resolve so weak…
No matter how endearing she was, she was still another mouth to feed…
Old Fourth had just mentioned the second branch, which reminded Feng Shi of them.
Her eyes darkened for a moment as she snorted, "By the way, Oldest, last night the Village Chief took your grandmother and the others to the city by oxcart. I wonder if they've died in the clinic yet."
Jiang Fengnian shook his head in disappointment. "Not yet, Mother. Second Uncle only injured his arm. Although Grandmother was badly hurt this time, Uncle Li, who took them to the city, said the doctor saved her. But she's paralyzed now and will probably need someone to take care of her from now on."
Feng Shi pursed her lips, somewhat regretful.
"What a shame. Why didn't that old hag just drop dead on the spot?"
If that old hag had really kicked the bucket, she wouldn't even sell the pork—she'd happily treat the whole village to a feast instead.
A hint of mischief flashed in Jiang Fengjing's eyes. "Mother, actually, it's better if Grandmother comes back. After all, she can't get out of bed now or do any work. She can only lie on the kang eating for free. Both the eldest and second branches are so selfish—let's see who will bother taking care of her in the future."
That old woman's "good fortune" was yet to come…
Hearing this, Feng Shi immediately laughed and patted Old Fourth's head. "You're right. Let her suffer slowly. Hurry up and prepare the wild boar—our lunch is more important."
…
Before noon, the Village Chief's oxcart creaked and groaned its way back to the village.
The villagers chatting under the big willow tree saw that it was Old Lady Jiang and the second branch couple finally returning.
This time, Old Lady Jiang's head injury was severe. Although she barely survived, she was left paralyzed and had spent a considerable amount on medical fees and medicine.
Once they arrived home and saw Old Lady Jiang lying paralyzed on the kang, unable to move, babbling and drooling, Jiang Dahe was furious.
Clutching his still-painful broken arm, he grumbled, "This is so damn frustrating. Now our family has become the village laughingstock, and Mother can't even get out of bed. By the way, where are Big Brother and Sister-in-law? After such a big incident happened to Mother and me, how come they're hiding away!"
Zhuang Shi picked her teeth, trying to soothe the wailing, hungry Jiang Zhizhi, and snorted angrily.
"Your Big Brother and Sister-in-law are just as useless as the third branch. While we were away, they didn't even bother to feed Zhizhi. Look how hungry our daughter is."
Jiang Dahe was already fuming inside, and hearing this only made him angrier. He clenched his fists tightly, ready to vent his frustration by punching the door.
Unexpectedly, a wooden splinter had somehow protruded from the doorframe, and with just one punch, it plunged sharply into the back of Jiang Dahe’s hand!
“Ahhh, it hurts, it hurts!” Jiang Dahe shook his blood-covered hand and slumped to the ground.
“I don’t know what’s wrong with our family these past couple of days, why are we so unlucky!” Jiang Dahe deflated, his face twisted in misery as he spat in frustration.