The Comeback of the Charming Farmer's Wife

"It’s okay, it’s okay, don’t cry anymore," said Ms. Wang. "We’re still here for you."

"Exactly, the child can still be raised with rice soup," said the Land Officer’s wife, looking at the child who might have been cramped in the womb for too long, his face a bit purple, but she really couldn’t see the change in his face that Ms. Luo mentioned. The baby was still chubby, no wonder the birth was tough. She looked in the basket she had brought and said, "I brought you some brown sugar. Later, you can mix it in the rice soup for the baby to drink."

"Thank you, auntie."

Upon hearing this, the Land Officer’s wife raised an eyebrow. Had Ms. Luo changed her ways? This thank you sounded much more sincere than before.

Ms. Wang then took out a longevity lock from her bosom, threaded with a red string. The lock, made of silver and carved with a blessed baby, was special because the eyes of the baby were inlaid with two gemstones, and tassels hung below; it was obviously not cheap.

"This is from Xiaxia for her little cousin," Ms. Wang said as she put it on the child. "She couldn’t come herself, so she asked me to bring it. I also sewed two sets of clothes, shoes, and socks for the baby."

Ms. Luo, seeing the longevity lock on her child, just glanced at it and thanked her, nothing like her usual self. Normally, her eyes would have lit up.

Ms. Liu hadn’t prepared shoes or socks, but instead brought several dozen eggs, knowing that Ms. Luo’s house was running low on eggs.

After a while, Old Aunt-in-law Gen also arrived, since they were closely related by blood.

Old Aunt-in-law Gen brought a piece of cloth, also considered a substantial gift.

In Yang Xiaochuan’s absence, Ms. Luo had been left to summon the midwife herself, though traditionally, the midwife would have visited on the day of the birth. Since there was no midwife, the Land Officer’s wife had assumed the role.

At noon, Ms. Liu and Ms. Wang cooked a simple meal on the stove for everyone to have a bite, with vegetables Ms. Liu brought from her home. The fourth branch of the family had neither enough rice nor any vegetables.

After eating, everyone sat for a while before preparing to leave, but at that moment, Yang Xiaochuan returned.

Not only did he return, but he also brought along a bride, a young bride, judging by her red attire.

Seeing the Land Officer’s wife, Ms. Wang, and the others there, Yang Xiaochuan was a bit surprised, but after thinking for a moment, he realized it was the baptism of that little girl.

He couldn’t help but angrily say, "Ms. Luo really doesn’t know what’s appropriate. To make such a fuss over a girl’s baptism? And to let the aunties and sisters spend their money, it really is too much."

Ms. Luo, inside the house, was so angry her teeth itched upon hearing this.

"Fourth, you’re wrong to say that. Even if she’s a girl, she’s still your own daughter. The baptism must be done properly, and the same goes for the first-month celebration. Besides, we came today because we heard the news on our own," said the Land Officer’s wife, a senior and relative who could stand up straight and say this to him. She continued, "What have you been up to? We were all waiting at home for the red eggs, and instead, you run off with the money. Where have you run off to, I’d like to know? And about your wife’s family, why haven’t you sent them a message? It’s improper for the baby’s maternal family to miss the baptism."

Unable to retort and without showing any displeasure, Yang Xiaochuan just stood there, grinning as he listened.

Only after the Land Officer’s wife finished speaking did he respond, "Auntie, if you want to scold me, could you pick another day? Today is a happy occasion for me. Auntie, big sister, third sister, don’t go just yet. Today I’m celebrating and we must enjoy a good meal before you all go home."

"What, what did you say?"

Ms. Wang then tugged at the Land Officer’s wife’s sleeve and pointed behind Yang Xiaochuan.