Was this his true feeling?
For some reason, Xue Niang felt a great deal of unease, perhaps due to the fright she'd experienced in the ghost forest from the illusion.
She had not only seen Xiao Shan marrying someone else and having children with them, but she had also seen herself marrying another man. She and that man were very intimate, not by force. That wedding was grand, drawing the attention of everyone, with the masses paying homage.
Yet, in her heart, she clearly liked Xiao Shan. How could she marry someone else? It didn't seem like her, but it was undeniably her likeness.
"Xiao Shan, am I truly your wife?"
"How could you not be?" Xiao Shan's stern eyes widened. "What do you mean by that? We've shared a bed for months, are we still siblings?"
"...But we haven't consummated our marriage."
"Isn't that because your body isn't well? Once you're better, won't we?"
Aside from that final step, hadn't everything else been done? Did she think he slept honestly holding her every night? He had touched her countless times already!
Xue Niang lowered her head, clenching her fists. She felt her body was quite well. If only he were gentler...
"Stop overthinking things every day. In this life, you are my woman!"
Xue Niang blushed. "Stop saying 'my' all the time. Whose 'my' are you!?"
As they were talking, more than ten people arrived at the thatched cottage in a grand procession, led by the village chief.
"Xiao Shan, you saved people, and their families have come to express their gratitude."
The villagers held green vegetables, bags of rice, and a few eggs. One woman, looking embarrassed, held only a piece of embroidered handkerchief, likely intended for Xue Niang.
Xiao Shan glanced at them, and the villagers mumbled their thanks in a disorganized fashion.
Finally, the village chief summarized on their behalf, "These families have been struggling. They don't have much, and they hope you won't mind."
Xiao Shan nodded. He didn't care about the gifts. As long as they didn't turn ungrateful later, that was all that mattered.
"I, Xiao Shan, am now a resident of Bozi Village. But as you know, some foolish people came to bully my woman a while ago. I am not a kind-hearted person, but to foster good relations, I went up the mountain. I ask for nothing else, only that the village look after my woman in the future. This way, everyone will be better off, and all matters can be discussed smoothly. If anyone dares to act wickedly again, do not blame me for being ruthless!"
Everyone's hearts tightened, and they looked at Xue Niang beside them, sincerely agreeing.
The woman handed the handkerchief to Xue Niang and said shyly, "Madam Xiao, I heard some gossip before and believed it. I am truly sorry. This is a handkerchief I embroidered myself. Please make do with it. My family truly has nothing presentable to offer..."
Looking at Xue Niang's attire, made of soft, fine material, and her own rough handkerchief, the woman blushed even more. "If you don't use it, you can just use it as a rag..."
Xue Niang accepted the handkerchief and said softly, "Thank you."
The woman hastily waved her hands, feeling that the gentle voice was like a warm current, comforting and soothing.
Seeing that the matter was settled, the village chief led his people to put down the gifts and left after bidding farewell to Xiao Shan.
Xue Niang looked at the gifts brought by everyone: a few cucumbers, a handful of green vegetables, potatoes, some coarse rice, and dried sweet potato. They were indeed from poor families.
In comparison, Xiao Shan was truly too good to her. He stewed meat for her every two days, varying the recipes. His clothes were also made of soft material. No wonder the village women envied her.
Xiao Shan never paid attention to these trivial matters. He glanced at the gifts, tidied them into the kitchen, and coincidentally boiled the eggs, telling Xue Niang to eat.
Outside, Yu Tou's voice called out, "Brother Xiao, Brother Zhu Zi wants you to come over and see. It's time to put up the roof beam! Pick a good day!"
Under Xue Niang's warning gaze, Xiao Shan packed up the flower rolls and flatbreads made by Xu Da Niu. "I won't eat them. Give them to Yu Tou. That fellow never knows where his next meal is coming from. Don't let him fail to grow up."
Only then did Xue Niang lower her head and start peeling an egg.
Xiao Shan went to deal with the roof beam matter and, while he was at it, inquired about the widowers in the surrounding villages before leaving.
Unbeknownst to him, Xue Niang had made a bold decision at home.
Xu Da Niu was very happy that day. Even after a day of strenuous farm work, she felt no fatigue. At the dinner table, eating cold, hard cornmeal buns, she thought again of the various ingredients in Xiao Shan's kitchen – all fine rice and fine flour. No wonder Xue Niang was so fair-skinned. Eating such good food would naturally make one fair and tender. If she ate like that, she would surely become as beautiful.
Xu Liu Shi brought up the marriage again, saying that the man was capable and willing to offer six taels of silver as betrothal gifts. Her words were interrupted by Xu Da Fu. "Don't rush. Wait a couple more days."
"Wait for what? If we wait any longer, he'll be taken by someone else. Several families are trying to arrange a marriage for him!"
"I said wait, so wait! My daughter is capable; there are plenty of people who will pick her!" Xu Da Fu said impatiently.
Xu Da Niu lowered her head and curved her lips. Fortunately, she had spoken with her father. Otherwise, her mother would have made the decision herself, sending her to be a stepmother, and her life would have been ruined.
She had told her father that Xiao Shan would definitely offer eight taels of silver to marry her, which was two taels more than that man!
If they waited a couple more days, Xiao Shan would surely discover her good qualities. Xue Niang couldn't cook. He, a grown man, had to fetch water, chop wood, and hunt. When he returned home, wouldn't he want a hot meal?
Xue Niang would surely be gone, and the scholar would also be gone. In a few days, she would spread rumors that they had eloped. Xiao Shan would surely give up.
Xu Liu Shi was anxious, but since Xu Da Fu had spoken, she had no say. She could only silently pray that the other party wouldn't finalize their arrangements too quickly.
Xu Da Niu busied herself with farm work for another afternoon. By the time she returned home, it was already dusk. On the road, she vaguely thought she saw a figure ahead. The figure looked like the scholar.
She was startled and quickened her steps, wanting to get a clearer look. Unexpectedly, after turning a corner, the figure disappeared.
Had she seen a ghost?
"Scholar, please don't scare me. It wasn't me who asked you to come in," she muttered, her scalp tingling.
"You wretched girl, who are you talking to? Hurry back and watch your younger brother!"
Ahead, Xu Liu Shi's scolding voice could be heard. For the first time, Xu Da Niu found her mother's voice not so unpleasant.
Darkness, like a gaping maw, slowly swallowed the village.
Starlight began to appear, and the moon climbed above the treetops.
The small thatched cottage at the foot of the mountain flickered with dim, warm candlelight.
Xiao Shan washed himself with Xue Niang's bathwater, feeling as if he had acquired a scent of lotus.
It was refreshing and uplifting.
He then thought of the giant wolf that had obediently guarded Xue Niang and not eaten her. Could it have truly become a spirit? Was it trying to ascend to immortality by borrowing the scent from Xue Niang?
Truly a marvel of the world.