Chapter 701 - 474: To Marry or Not to Marry
On the fifth day after Wei Ziang returned, the Jiang family began to pack up their things, preparing to return to Cheng County.
They traveled light with three hundred imperial guards escorting them, while the remaining two hundred stayed behind to transport all of the Jiang family’s belongings accumulated over the years directly to the Capital City.
Liu Hongcai was transferred from Cheng County two years ago, promoted to an official position in the Capital City. Although the situation there is more complex, an official promotion is what Liu Hongcai truly desires.
As for the accompanying troubles, they can only be described as sweet troubles.
After all, Jiang Yu is still a scholar from Cheng County, and to participate in the provincial exam, he must have an exam permit from Cheng County.
The return to Cheng County was quite smooth; a new County Magistrate had taken over, and they did not linger much in Cheng County before heading straight back to Xiangmu Village.
The large ship coming from the Capital City would take a few more days, and they would take it to Nanyang Prefecture then.
The large ship traveling from outside Cheng County to the Capital City would inevitably pass through Nanyang Prefecture, so this ship was not purely to fetch their family.
Additionally, it’s possible to conduct some small businesses along the way.
The most important thing is that the new large ship, though funded and supported by Aunt Qian—that is, Liu Ze’s mother—actually, Xiaomi’s technical equity share also brought a lot of dividends.
These years, the most profitable person in the family is undoubtedly Xiaomi, who has received dividends everywhere.
Previously, the spicy hot pot business followed Wang Fu, who was by brother Liu Qingfeng’s side, and even until now, every year silver notes continue to be sent.
Moreover, as the spicy hot pot locations multiply, the silver notes sent each year are increasingly hefty.
There’s also Aunt Qian’s side, Liu Ze’s side, one might say that now Xiaomi fully enjoys being a couch potato yet is assured of a life of abundance for several generations.
Upon returning to Xiangmu Village, Xiaomi routinely visited Caocao, her childhood playmate who learned to hunt with her back then and is now the mother of two children.
The eldest is a daughter, cute and clever; Caocao often says her personality is much like her aunt Xiaomi.
The couple moved to town years ago and hired two nannies to help care for the children, cook, and clean the house.
Usually, when Fu Tao goes to the teahouse, Caocao would find time to go hunting. Of course, instead of spending the whole day in the mountains as before, now it’s more like taking a stroll to clear her mind.
With an adorable son and daughter now, the couple is in no rush to have more children. Of course, if it happens, that’s different.
Although the sisters haven’t met in recent years, they have always kept in touch through letters.
Previously, Wei Ziang even suggested letting Fu Tao help Caocao write letters, but between sisterly words, how could a man be allowed to see them? So, this proposal was tacitly dismissed even before it was brought up.
The most significant improvement probably lies in the sisters’ handwriting, which evolved from worm-like scribbles to a remarkable progression, looking much better now.
This time, Xiaomi didn’t bring Wei Ziang with her, choosing to visit Caocao alone.
On the way back, Caocao’s words echoed in Xiaomi’s head.
"Xiaomi, why haven’t you married Xiaoge yet? I thought this time you’d return so we could enjoy your wedding sweets."
Xiaomi was taken aback at the time; marriage? She and Xiaoge?
However, she belatedly recalled that long ago, she forgot how long ago, her older brother seemed to have said something similar.
Even Xiaoge mentioned wanting to marry her.
Although at the time it seemed like a joke, and he never brought it up again afterward.
Yet Xiaomi knew Xiaoge was not one to joke casually.
Could he have been serious?
Xiaomi was even more perplexed.
These years, she hadn’t considered these matters at all.
And over these years, no one in the family urged her to get married.
She herself once thought she could remain unmarried for life, staying with her family, watching other siblings and their descendants flourish, and that seemed good too.
After all, she truly had no thoughts or needs related to these matters.
But this time, returning from Caocao, she was reminded of them, feeling somewhat hesitant.
Not to mention, Xiaoge is two years older and also hasn’t married.
Then she thought of her older brother, who wasn’t married either.
Brother is older than them all, yet he never worried about marriage; he spends his days leisurely reading and writing letters to Uncle Liu and Brother Liu.
More diligently than Zege, this biological son and brother, he writes even more frequently.
Well, after all, brother is pursuing a political career, so staying in touch often seems normal.
I wandered away, Xiaomi quickly gathered her thoughts back.
Thinking about how her mother had asked about her plans several times over the years, she had clearly stated she had no interest in marriage.
Seemingly, it felt like Xiaoge, during his vacation home, might have seen her mother say something to him.
Xiaomi rubbed her chin, feeling as if everyone believed she would marry Xiaoge.
But all these years, she genuinely hadn’t thought about it.
Xiaomi thought further, if she were really to marry...
She considered all the men around her and could only helplessly twitch her cheeks.
Apart from Xiaoge and Zege, she only had her older brother and younger brother, her father, and the acquaintances among the imperial guards, including General Song...
Xiaomi hurriedly demanded herself to discard the scary thoughts out of her mind.
Thinking it over, no matter how she viewed it, if she were truly to marry, Xiaoge was indeed the most suitable choice.
But...
Does she really have to marry?
From the moment she arrived in this world, Xiaomi never contemplated marriage.
Even now, people think she should be with Xiaoge and they should get married.
But deep down, she genuinely has no thoughts about it, nor does she now.
Sighing, Xiaomi let out a long breath, feeling troubled.
What should she do?
"What’s wrong? Did Caocao get bullied? Why do you keep sighing after returning from her place?"
Wei Ziang’s voice suddenly reached her ears, startling Xiaomi: "Xiaoge? When did you get here?"
She realized something was amiss as she spoke, glancing around; when did they arrive home?
Wei Ziang understood and helplessly laughed: "You’ve been here for a long time, just sitting here sighing. Mother was worried and specifically asked me to watch over you."
Xiaomi blinked, wondering why her mother would ask Xiaoge to watch over her instead of doing so herself?
Recalling the various chaotic thoughts in her mind earlier, Xiaomi couldn’t help but ask a question she’d been pondering over for a long time.
"Xiaoge, may I ask you something? Hypothetically, if I never want to marry, then what about you?"
Earnestly asked, this question surprised Wei Ziang, but without much thought, he answered Xiaomi’s inquiry.
"Then I won’t marry either; there’s no rule stating one must marry to live, right?"
The answer was so prompt and certain, it left Xiaomi stunned.
Only after a while did Xiaomi manage a dry chuckle.
"Yeah, Xiaoge, I’m fine now, I’ll go rest for a while."
