Han Xiaoxiao was silent for a long moment before lowering her head and saying, “Big Sister, I can’t live with you.”
Han Xiuxiu hadn’t expected her to refuse. “Why? You don’t want to?”
“Big Sister, I can’t stay with you,” Han Xiaoxiao repeated, clutching the sleeve of Han Xiuxiu’s clothes. “I can’t be a burden to you.”
Han Xiuxiu frowned. “Don’t talk nonsense. How would you ever be a burden?”
Although Han Xiaoxiao was still a child, she was far more mature than others her age. Looking up, she gave a small smile.
“Don’t worry about me, Sis. I’m doing fine at home. Father and Mother treat me well too. Washing clothes isn’t tiring at all. Didn’t you used to wash clothes too? Besides, it’s not cold anymore, and I even get to play in the water.”
If her hands hadn’t been full, Han Xiuxiu would have ruffled her little sister’s hair. Someone so young yet so considerate and sensible was impossible not to pity.
The two sisters returned to the Li household and were hanging up the laundry when they caught sight of Madam Li coming out of her room. She was dressed in a brand-new outfit and had even applied a light layer of rouge, making her look younger and more energetic than usual.
Her new clothes were made of fine light-blue cotton. The fabric had been beautifully dyed and carefully pressed, making the outfit look neat and elegant. It was the finest set of clothes she owned.
Today was Li Xianglan’s wedding, and everyone was going to the Li family home. Although Madam Li wasn’t from the same branch of the family, they all shared the surname Li, and, as the saying went, “five hundred years ago they were one family.” Madam Li had always looked down on Li Xianglan’s family, and now she thought even less of them. She intended to dress her best today so no one could look down on her.
Seeing the sisters return, Madam Li simply said, “Hurry and finish hanging the clothes. We’re leaving soon.”
Noticing that Han Xiaoxiao was still wearing old clothes, Han Xiuxiu told her to change first. Han Xiaoxiao ran inside and soon emerged in a cleaner outfit. She also brought out the flower hair ornament she’d received before.
“Sis, help me do my hair.”
After drying her hands, Han Xiuxiu styled her hair into two little buns and decorated them with the red plum blossom ornament. Once she was all dressed up, Han Xiaoxiao even ran into Madam Li’s room to look in the mirror.
“Mother, do I look pretty?”
Madam Li was busy changing Han Dongdong’s clothes. Rarely, she gave the girl a kind look.
“Since you’re ready, let’s go.”
The wedding banquet was scheduled for noon, so leaving now was just right.
Along the way, they met many villagers who were also heading to the Li family’s wedding. Everyone traveled together, chatting as they walked. Han Xiuxiu overheard people discussing just how lavish this wedding was—it could be said to be the grandest their village had ever seen.
When Han Xiuxiu herself had gotten married, everything had been rushed. There had only been a few tables of ordinary food. But Li Xianglan’s wedding feast had been in preparation for days.
The Li family home was covered with red “double happiness” decorations and draped with red silk banners. Li Xianglan’s father wore a brand-new green silk robe, awkwardly greeting guests and making conversation. Her stepmother, Madam Hou, was dressed in a brand-new purple silk gown embroidered with peonies. She stood chatting with the village women in the courtyard, her face powdered and rouged. Since she naturally had a dark complexion, the makeup made her resemble an eggplant dusted with flour.
The couple truly carried the air of newly rich upstarts.
Guests attending the wedding also brought gifts. Those who couldn’t afford much money would instead bring vegetables from their gardens, embroidered handiwork, or practical household items for the newlyweds. The gift registration table was piled high with presents prepared for Li Xianglan’s dowry.
Han Xiuxiu’s gift was a wooden comb she’d bought in town, carved on both sides with twin lotus blossoms—a fitting symbol for a wedding.
Li Xianglan was no longer staying in her old tiny room but had moved into the larger one. It wasn’t particularly crowded inside. The bridal attendant had already performed the traditional facial hair threading, and Li Xianglan’s complexion looked much healthier than before.
Han Xiuxiu greeted her with a broad smile.
“Xianglan, congratulations!”
Li Xianglan was in the middle of having her makeup done. She tilted her head slightly and smiled.
“Xiuxiu, you’ve finally come.”
A gold hairpin adorned her hair alongside several pearl ornaments. Her red wedding gown was embroidered with blooming peonies, making her appear even more graceful and beautiful.
Everything she wore, from her gown to her jewelry, had been sent by the Zhang family. The women and young girls gathered around couldn’t hide their envy. Her bridal dress was made of smooth silk, and the hairpin was solid gold—not merely gold-plated silver.
Soon, festive music, firecrackers, and loud cheering could be heard from outside. The bridal procession was arriving.
Nearly everyone in the room rushed outside to watch the excitement, finally giving Han Xiuxiu a chance to speak privately with Li Xianglan.
Taking Han Xiuxiu’s hand, Li Xianglan’s face glowed with happiness.
“Xiuxiu, these past days have been the happiest of my life. My father and stepmother have never spoken to me so gently before. Whatever I wanted, they bought it for me.”
Han Xiuxiu nodded with a smile.
Someone who had never experienced love could have their heart filled by even the smallest kindness.
Li Xianglan was completely satisfied now. Because of her upcoming marriage, there was no more beating or scolding at home. Her father and stepmother indulged her every wish. Every day she ate well and no longer had to do all the household chores.
She laughed softly.
“Look at me—I’ve even gained weight. Doesn’t it make me look ugly?”
Han Xiuxiu comforted her.
“Of course not. You were far too thin before. Now you look just right.”
When good fortune comes, one’s spirits naturally brighten. Li Xianglan’s heart was full of hope for her future. No matter what lay ahead, surely it would be better than the life she’d lived before.
The commotion outside grew even louder as the bridal procession entered the Li family’s courtyard.
The wedding was extraordinarily lively. The Zhang family was one of the wealthiest families in several nearby villages, and as they arrived, they scattered lucky coins like rain.
The copper coins had all been freshly exchanged at the money house. Adults and children alike crouched down, scrambling to gather them.
Han Xiuxiu didn’t join the crowd. Instead, she looked through the sea of people at the groom surrounded by his attendants.
The groom wasn’t short. His features were regular, and he wore bright red wedding robes. Besides the large red flower pinned to his chest, he also wore a heavy silver lock pendant. The Zhang family had clearly coached him beforehand; his words and behavior while greeting everyone seemed fairly normal.
Just as Han Xiuxiu was thinking the groom seemed perfectly ordinary, he suddenly ignored the people trying to stop him and ran off to pick up an unlit firecracker from the ground.
Li Xianglan’s parents’ smiles stiffened at the sight.
The attendants hurried after him, coaxing him with great effort before finally bringing him back.
Normally, weddings included a “door-blocking” ceremony to test the groom—perhaps matching couplets, solving riddles, competing in strength, or at the very least drinking ceremonial wine before being allowed inside.
The Li family skipped every one of those traditions.
As soon as the bridal procession arrived, the wedding banquet began. The villagers all went to eat, and even the people in the bridal chamber left.
Only Han Xiuxiu stayed behind.
Li Xianglan had heard the laughter outside. She looked nervous, twisting her handkerchief over and over.
Han Xiuxiu took her hand.
“Don’t be afraid.”
Li Xianglan forced a smile.
“I… I’m not afraid.”
Yet her hand was damp with sweat and trembling slightly.
How could she not be afraid? She was only deceiving herself.
“Xiuxiu, you should go eat too. You don’t have to stay with me.”
Seeing that no one had even brought the bride any food, Han Xiuxiu stood up.
“I’ll get you something to eat.”
She returned with some pastries and a bowl of sweet dessert soup—foods that were easy to eat without ruining the bridal makeup.
After the guests had eaten their fill and the auspicious hour approached, the matchmaker entered the room. She placed the bridal veil over Li Xianglan’s head, gave her a few final instructions, and helped her outside to bid farewell to her parents.
The moment the groom saw the bride being led out, he immediately ran over and reached to lift her veil.
Fortunately, the matchmaker reacted quickly and stopped him.
“Groom, don’t be so impatient. The veil is to be lifted after you return home.”
The groom instantly became unhappy. He insisted on lifting it immediately. No matter how the matchmaker and his attendants tried to persuade him, he refused to listen.
His childish behavior made everyone burst into laughter. The more the crowd cheered and egged him on, the more stubborn he became. In the end, he was almost ready to throw himself onto the ground in a tantrum.
Hidden beneath the bridal veil, Li Xianglan heard the laughter all around her.
Her face flushed bright red.
From beneath the veil, she could only see the hem of the groom’s robe and the tips of his shoes. She could also hear his increasingly agitated shouting.
Summoning all her courage, she beckoned to him.
“Come here.”
Then, in a gentle voice, as though soothing a child, she said,
“You can lift it quietly. Just don’t let anyone else see, all right?”