The next morning, the entire Song Village was abuzz, with almost everyone discussing the return of Song Qiming and Song Gaoli the previous evening.
The men envied their ability to study and pass the imperial examinations to become xiucai, while the women's conversation centered entirely on the clothing and appearance of Song Jinzhao and Song Shixue.
When Old Lady Song came to deliver breakfast, the three children were still asleep.
Song Jinzhao took the basket and said, "Grandma, you don't need to make lunch for us. The house is almost tidied up, and we'll make our own lunch."
Looking at her eldest granddaughter, as bright and beautiful as a plum blossom standing proudly in the snow, Old Lady Song's thoughts began sprouting one after another.
Returning to the main house, she pulled Old Man Song into the room. "After the New Year, Jinzhao will be seventeen. I'm thinking of asking a matchmaker about her marriage."
Back then, Jinzhao had promised not to marry until Qiming started a family, but that was to support her three younger siblings.
Now, the third branch of the family has no worries about food or clothing. Even if Jinzhao married, it wouldn't be a big issue.
Qiming has passed the xiucai examination and has the ability to support the third branch. Old Man Song's previous idea of having Song Jinzhao take in a live-in son-in-law had also become unnecessary, greatly expanding the pool of potential candidates.
With her eldest granddaughter's qualities, just putting out the word would surely have a line of suitors encircling the village four or five times. Would they fear not finding a good one?
Old Man Song remained silent for a long time before shaking his head. "We can't meddle in Jinzhao's marriage. With her qualities, she deserves at least a xiucai master. How many unmarried ones are there within dozens of miles?"
"Qiming definitely won't live in the village in the future. I'd say it's best if Jinzhao can marry into the provincial capital."
Old Lady Song's mouth opened and closed. Her husband's words weren't without reason, but...
"They don't have any elder relatives in Anyang Prefecture. We can't possibly let Jinzhao find a matchmaker and meet prospects on her own."
Leaning on the kang, Old Man Song couldn't help but think of Third Song and his wife.
If Third Song were still here, they would be more concerned about Jinzhao's marriage than anyone.
"How about I ask Qiming another day? After the New Year, he'll be thirteen and should understand things."
"The Anyang Academy is full of xiucai masters. We can pick a few good ones to introduce. Later, if they pass the provincial or imperial examinations, Jinzhao would become an official's wife. That would be truly marrying well and rising in status."
Old Lady Song frowned. "Is Qiming reliable? I just don't feel at ease."
Old Man Song pulled the quilt over his legs. "He would just arrange for them to meet. The final decision is still in Jinzhao's own hands. I trust her judgment."
Old Lady Song pressed her lips together, her heart still uneasy.
The most important thing in a woman's life is to marry a good man. If she chooses wrong, her whole life could be ruined.
No matter how capable and competent Jinzhao is, she ultimately hasn't experienced romantic love. She mustn't be deceived by anyone.
It was past 8 a.m. when Song Qiming and the others woke up. After breakfast, Song Jinzhao and Song Qiming brought the things bought from Xining City to the main house.
Returning home for the New Year, one must always bring gifts for the elders, especially since Old Man Song and Old Lady Song had been looking after their house.
Just take the courtyard; if left unswept for a month, it would be overgrown with weeds and shrubs.
Being able to move in directly upon returning home, with everything prepared so well, Song Jinzhao felt she had to show her appreciation.
The first branch family stared at the bundle spread open on the table—a thick stack of new clothes, all ready-made garments that required no sewing.
Old Lady Song's cloudy eyes shone brighter than obsidian. Her rough hands gently stroked the soft fabric, her joy almost overflowing like water.
"Just coming back is enough. Such fine material is wasted on an old woman like me."
Old Man Song opened the wine jar's stopper. The rich aroma of wine rushed into his nostrils, intoxicating him before he even took a sip.
Song Jinzhao smiled in response. "Clothes worn on a person are never wasted. The deep red suits you, Grandma. It looks beautiful."
Song Yongnian and Song Qiaoniang held their new clothes, happily thanking Song Jinzhao. "Thank you, Sister Jinzhao."
Song Yongshi, still in swaddling clothes, received a bolt of new cotton cloth.
"The child grows fast. Yongshi's clothes will have to trouble Elder Aunt Song to make herself."
Although she didn't receive a gift herself, Elder Aunt Song was overjoyed holding the cloth.
"You traveled so far to come back and even brought clothes for the children. I'm delighted, it's no trouble at all."
"Next time you come back, don't buy things for them. These things are very expensive. These kids are tough, coarse cloth is enough for them."
The ready-made clothes Song Jinzhao bought weren't made of overly expensive material either, but for farming families, having new clothes to wear was already a great gift.
Carrying the remaining three pieces of clothing, they went to the second branch. When Second Aunt Song saw the clothes, her eyes instantly lit up.
She reached out to open them, but seeing the size, she asked puzzledly, "Jinzhao, it seems I can't fit into these clothes. Why didn't you buy fabric?"
Standing beside her, Song Qiming's face darkened, remembering the scene from two years ago when they sent steamed buns. He snatched the clothes back and handed them to Song Laidi.
"These are for Laidi and Pandi. Only Yongnian and Qiaoniang in the uncle's family got some. If Second Aunt wants new clothes, you can have Second Song buy them for you."
Second Aunt Song awkwardly withdrew her hand, a slight look of disdain on her face.
"Girls are fine as long as they have clothes to wear. What's the point of buying new ones? It's a waste even if they wear them."
Song Jinzhao pulled the clothes back, her face stern.
"You're a woman too. Since it's a waste, why don't you just go outside naked? If you don't want them, I'll give them to Qiaoniang to wear. Their figures are about the same anyway."
Second Aunt Song hurriedly grabbed the clothes and hugged them to her chest, replying with an ingratiating smile.
"That's not what I meant. I just feel it's a pity if such nice clothes get worn out."
Song Jinzhao didn't want to waste more words. She turned to Song Laidi and Song Pandi and said, "The new clothes were specially bought for you two. Remember to wear them for the New Year. Yongnian and Qiaoniang will also be wearing new clothes for the New Year's Eve dinner."
Song Laidi tightened her grip on Song Pandi's hand, her gaze meeting Song Jinzhao's intently.
She nodded in response. "Thank you, Sister Jinzhao. My sister and I like them very much."
As they were leaving, Song Qiming turned his head and shouted into the room, "Second Uncle, you didn't give me New Year's money last year. Don't forget this year."
Second Song wanted to say something but stopped himself. Your family is so well-off now, do you still lack my bit of New Year's money?
Third Song and his wife have passed away; giving New Year's money to their children is a one-way gift with no return.
Second Aunt Song sat down heavily with a huff, staring at the clothes, her heart aching.
Seeing this, Second Song said, "If you can't wear these clothes, you can give them to Yaozu to wear. If they're too big, just take in the sleeves and pant legs."
Song Yaozu, who was trying on his new clothes, said disdainfully, "I won't wear them. You can tell at a glance these are girls' clothes. I'd be laughed at if I wore them outside."
Second Song looked at the two sets of clothes—one peach red, one light purple—indeed unsuitable.
Second Aunt Song, fuming, threw the two sets of clothes at the sisters. "Jinzhao deliberately picked such bright colors. She obviously prefers girls. The outfit on Shixue is worth more than Qiming's put together."
If Song Jinzhao were there, she would definitely retort.
Girls should be raised with ample resources, with higher standards and broader horizons. Otherwise, when they grow up, they might be fooled by the first man who beckons, and then there would be nowhere to cry.
Song Laidi and Song Pandi suppressed their joy, holding the new clothes carefully, not daring to grip them too hard, worried the thick calluses on their hands might wrinkle or tear the fabric.
Second Song: "If you really like them, after the New Year when Jinzhao and the others leave, you can combine these two sets to make a new one for yourself. Then you can wear it."
The sisters' backs stiffened. They clenched their teeth, their hearts full of grievance.
Second Aunt Song thought for a moment and shook her head. "One red and one purple, the colors don't match. It would look awful pieced together. Jinzhao even suggested they wear them to the old house for the New Year. If people found out I was wearing my daughter's clothes, who knows how much gossip there'd be behind my back."
"If Father and Mother sent a letter to tell Jinzhao, we in the second branch could forget about getting any nice things from now on."
Anyway, he had no silver to buy Second Aunt Song new clothes. With both his suggestions rejected, he felt he'd done his part just by voicing them.
