134, Fine Wine and Delicacies, The Wedding Date

Jing Qingxin looked at the table laden with exquisite dishes, receiving unanimous praise from everyone. A deep sense of accomplishment swelled within her heart, accompanied by boundless comfort and satisfaction.

Suddenly recalling something, she turned and returned to the room she shared with Gao Shen, retrieving a small, earthy yellow porcelain jar, plain and unadorned.

“Today, it’s rare for all of us to gather together. We have the fine food; how could we possibly lack good wine? This is my treasured reserve. Tonight, everyone can have a taste,” Jing Qingxin said with a smile. Good things were naturally meant to be shared with those who deserved them.

Gao Shen quickly took the jar, uncorked it, and began pouring into everyone’s bowls—half a bowl for the women, a full bowl for the men. One round around the table emptied the jar perfectly.

“Qingxin and I would like to toast all of you first, to thank you for your hard work in arranging our marriage!” Gao Shen stood with Jing Qingxin, raising his bowl in a heartfelt toast.

“Come now, we’re all family here, no need for such formalities!” Zhang Liangping laughed, feeling the recent days had been truly pleasant—there was wine to drink and the enchanting aroma wafted through the air.

Everyone nodded in agreement, affirming Zhang Liangping’s sentiment.

“Sister Qingxin, can we drink the wine too?” Jiang Min timidly asked. She had never tasted alcohol before and always thought drinking was something only men did.

Beside Jiang Min, Li Xiaomei blinked her curious eyes at Jing Qingxin, eager to know what the wine tasted like. Aunt Li herself was indifferent; she occasionally sipped a bit with her husband.

The two elder women present also reacted to Jiang Min’s question. They were currently on medication and wondered if drinking might interfere with their treatment, both casting glances toward Jing Qingxin.

Jing Qingxin smiled warmly at the women and reassured them, “Don’t worry, you’re all allowed to drink this. It’s not like ordinary wine. Just try it and you’ll see!”

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“Eh? This wine? It actually smells like peach blossoms,” Zhang Liangping was the first to eagerly taste it, his palate instantly exclaiming in surprise.

At that moment, everyone lifted their bowls and drank, followed by waves of praise and exclamations. It turned out wine could be enjoyed this way. By the end, the women insisted their portions were too small—they wanted more.

The atmosphere at the table was rich, warm, and harmonious. Laughter and conversation flowed freely as they ate and discussed plans for the wedding feast. The dinner lasted a long time until the moon hung high in the sky.

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Early the next morning, Gao Shen went next door and called Liu Gang and Li Dahut up the mountain.

Gao Shen’s home had only two beds—there was no way the whole group could fit. Zhang Liangping and his wife were assigned to Jing Qingxin’s bed, Liu Gang and Li Dahut squeezed together, and Aunt Liu, Jiang Min, and Li Xiaomei shared a room. Though cramped, everyone managed to settle in comfortably.

The three men headed up the mountain to inspect the traps they had set the day before. Sure enough, they had caught something!

The three men were jubilant, each carrying their prey back along the same path.

The previous night, Zhang Liangping had already settled on a good date in the near future—the Labor Day holiday two days away. This nationwide celebration was a perfect occasion, as hardworking people everywhere would enjoy a day off.

Everyone knew time was tight, so no one dared be careless. At dinner, they had divided the tasks: Gao Shen and Liu Gang were responsible for purchasing and running errands; Li Yougen and Li Dahut, familiar with every household in the village, would borrow tables, chairs, and dishes for the wedding feast. Being villagers themselves, they knew exactly where everything belonged.

Meanwhile, Jing Suyun and Aunt Liu, both skilled with embroidery, planned to help Jing Qingxin sew pillowcases and sheets as part of her dowry. Though Jing Suyun had already bought two sets, handmade items were never quite the same, so the two agreed to make six sets—an auspicious number.

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Aunt Li was tasked with visiting a few familiar village women to find helpers for the kitchen on the wedding day. Jing Qingxin would not be cooking then, so Aunt Li took charge, though Jing Qingxin planned to discuss the menu with her beforehand.

In the main hall, Jing Qingxin, Jiang Min, and Xiaomei busied themselves cutting paper flowers to decorate the house. Weddings were joyous occasions, and the home had to be festively adorned.

The three young women were all skilled with their hands, quickly cutting out many celebratory patterns. Jing Qingxin also guided them in cutting out “Double Happiness” characters.

She specially crafted two simple cartoon figures of a boy and a girl, charming and lively, which delighted the two girls so much they wanted to imitate her.

Meanwhile, the highest-ranking figure among them, Teacher Zhang Liangping, took a small gift he and his daughter had prepared to visit the village production team leader. Surely, the wedding needed an officiant!

In the village, the production team leader was undoubtedly the most authoritative figure. It was only fitting for him to preside over Gao Shen and Jing Qingxin’s wedding. Had they been in the army, Gao Shen’s superior officer would have honored them by officiating—a great honor indeed. But now, since they were in the village, they had to follow local customs.

This novel is first published by Xiaoxiang Academy. Please do not repost.