Transmigrated as an Unwanted Ugly Girl

Everyone laughed at that.

Mrs. Yang said with delight, "Our in-laws... honestly! Why did they give so much for the dowry? Their family isn’t that well-off, and young Yungen is growing up and needs to start saving money."

Her maternal grandmother, Mrs. Wang, shot her a look. "Listen to yourself. Compared to you, they might not seem wealthy, but in our village, they’re considered well-off. Their daughter has worked so hard at home all these years; he wouldn’t have felt right if he hadn’t given a generous dowry. Besides, he cares about his reputation and didn’t want the dowry to look too shabby."

As Juhua listened to them laugh and chat, she whispered to Qingmu, "Of all the things in the dowry, I’m most interested in the shoes and clothes that Yunlan made. Brother, how many pairs of shoes do you think she made for you and me?"

Qingmu’s face was flushed, whether from the warmth of the room or the joyous glow of his impending wedding, it was hard to say. Hearing her question, he smiled and said softly, "Probably quite a few. Last time I went to see, there were two whole chests. She’s very fast at making shoes. There aren’t as many clothes, though. I told her not to make too many, and that she could work on new designs with you after she moves in, since you’ve come up with so many. That’s why she stopped."

Juhua nodded happily.

The siblings discussed the arrangements for the next day for a little while longer. Juhua specifically reminded Qingmu to lock the study to prevent the books from being damaged or lost with so many people coming and going.

Qingmu nodded. After sitting for a moment, he went with Zheng Changhe and Yang Defa to clear the snow.

For Qingmu’s wedding, they had invited Village Chief Li Gengtian to officiate the ceremony. That evening, he gathered many of the helpers at the Zheng Family’s home to make proper arrangements for the following day. For this reason, the workshop also announced it would close for a day, freeing up the women and young men to help.

Li Gengtian looked at the Zheng Family’s home, filled with a festive yet simple atmosphere, and nodded to himself in approval. ’The Zheng Family has money now. Qingmu’s wedding is on a scale unlike any previously seen in Qingnan Village, but Zheng Changhe is a practical man and hasn’t bothered with flashy, empty formalities.’

He smiled at Zheng Changhe and said, "Changhe, you don’t have to worry about a thing. Just be ready for your daughter-in-law to arrive and serve you tea. I guarantee I’ll have everything arranged perfectly."

Zheng Changhe scratched his head and chuckled. "My brother-in-law said the same thing! We’re really putting you and everyone else to a lot of trouble, Village Chief. Afterward, everyone must have their fill at the wedding feast."

Shorty Zhou raised his eyebrows. "You even have to say that? On such a happy day, did you really expect us to hold back and help you save money? Besides, we’re not poor anymore. If we don’t eat and drink to our hearts’ content, how could we live with ourselves!"

Everyone roared with laughter. Zhao San asked teasingly, "I say, Brother Changhe, did you prepare enough wine? If we run out halfway through, we’re not going to let it slide."

Grinning from ear to ear, Zheng Changhe promised, "I can’t say about other things, but I guarantee there will be plenty of meat and wine. He’s our only son, after all, and everyone coming is family—aside from a few relatives, it’s all our neighbors from the village."

Meanwhile, the young men were gathered around Qingmu, teasing him. Even Li Changyu had rushed back, saying he had come especially to congratulate Qingmu. He acted composed around Juhua, but his heart was still in turmoil. ’Even now, I can’t quite figure out my feelings for her. Is it curiosity? Adoration? Or a mix of both? But it doesn’t matter anymore. Dwelling on it is not only pointless, it’s just foolish!’

Seeing how boisterous the room was, filled with a clamor of voices, Juhua felt a bit puzzled. ’Isn’t the main event tomorrow?’ she thought. ’Why is everyone celebrating already?’

The next day, the sky was brilliantly clear. The sunlight, reflecting off the deep snow, seemed exceptionally bright, but the air was heavy with a biting chill that pierced through cotton-padded clothes and seeped into one’s bones. Icicles of varying lengths hung from the eaves, silvery-white and translucent, their sharp tips pointing downward as if poised to stab the earth.

In the large courtyard, people bustled about cheerfully, their noses red from the cold, their breath forming white clouds in the air. With one hand on his hip, Li Gengtian calmly directed the various tasks.

Even Black Dog and the gray dog didn’t bother to bark. Many strangers had arrived, but their master had forbidden them from biting anyone, so they wandered the courtyard looking for scraps, sensing the festive mood.

After a burst of CRACKLING firecrackers, smoke lingered in the air and red paper scraps littered the ground. Li Gengtian stood under the eaves of the porch, the icicles above him glittering, and called out in a robust voice to the wedding procession, which stood ready in the courtyard, "Huai Zi, get more people to go with you. The snow is thick and the road will be treacherous. More people means more helping hands. Also, bring shovels, hoes, carrying poles, and ropes. If the cart gets stuck, you’ll have to dig it out. If worse comes to worst, carry the dowry. The point is to bring the bride and her dowry back safely and smoothly. Everyone, hurry up now! The sooner you bring her back, the sooner we can all relax and start the feast."

Zhang Huai agreed readily, his expression so serious you’d think he was embarking on a critical mission. He glanced back at Li Changxing, Liu Sanshun, Big Mouth Zhao, and the others behind him. Just as he was about to speak, he suddenly spotted Zhang Yang and Little Shitou mixed in with the crowd and froze for a second.

"Yangzi, Zhao Yun, what are you two doing here?" he shouted at his younger brother.

Zhang Yang and Little Shitou exchanged a look. Zhang Yang replied with a grin, "Shi Tou and I want to tag along and see what’s happening! We can help, too."

Li Gengtian made a rare joke, saying to the two, "Go on, go on! You’re scholars, after all. If any witty exchanges are required, you can help deal with them. Let the people from Liujiatang see that we have capable men in Qingnan Village!"

This sent everyone into a roar of laughter, and so, Zhang Yang and Little Shitou tagged along.

Juhua stood in the courtyard watching the excitement, holding Laishou’s hand with her left and Little Shitou’s sister, Zhao Qing, with her right. Laicai, Liu Xiaomei, and Meizi stood beside her.

When Laicai saw that Little Shitou was going with the procession, he immediately wanted to join the fun too.

Juhua pulled him back, saying, "They’re going to Liujiatang—that’s your own village. It makes sense for Little Shitou to go see it, since he’s never been. But you already live there, so what’s the point in you tagging along? Aren’t you tired of running back and forth? You’ll get your shoes all soaked in this thick snow."

Only then did Laicai fall silent.