Transmigrated as an Unwanted Ugly Girl

Liu Fugui laughed and said, "I don’t expect him to be as capable as you. I just want him to be a steady, hard worker. To be honest, I’m not a man of great ability myself, so I’m in no position to complain that my son isn’t ambitious enough."

Qingmu didn’t know whether to laugh or cry. "Dad, listen to you. It’s not like anyone here has some grand abilities. We’re all just farmers; our lives aren’t that different from one another. If you have no ability, then how did Yunlan turn out so capable? Yungen is just young, and we never gave him any real responsibilities before. Now that Yunlan is married, he’s lost his pillar of support, so he’ll naturally start applying himself. In a couple of years, he’ll surely make something of himself!"

Liu Fugui was pleased to hear this and nodded repeatedly, once again telling his son he needed to strive to do well.

By the time they ate, the atmosphere had become lively. Liu Yunlan was back to her usual self, just like when she lived at home, talking and laughing. After the meal, Qingmu paid a visit to her two uncles’ homes. When he returned to the Liu Family’s house, he saw Liu Yunlan whispering reluctantly with Mrs. Zhang and her grandmother, and he listened with a smile.

Liu Fugui looked at the sky and urged his daughter, "Yunlan, it’s time to go. If you leave any later, it’ll be dark by the time you get home. It wouldn’t be good to make your in-laws worry. Wife, what’s the point of saying so much? The girl just got married, don’t make her keep worrying about home. Didn’t Qingmu say he’d bring her back to see you often?"

Mrs. Zhang said hurriedly, "Look at me, getting muddle-headed in my old age. You can’t stay too long on your first visit back home anyway. Go on, hurry up and go. Your father and I are doing just fine. For poor folk like us, as long as we don’t get sick, there’s nothing to be afraid of. You just focus on living your life well."

As they spoke, the family walked the young couple to the door. After the ox-cart started moving with a CREAK CREAK, they followed behind it for a long way. Watching the cart recede into the distance, Mrs. Zhang finally couldn’t hold back her tears. ’My daughter belongs to another family now!’

The old grandmother sighed and said softly, "Oh, you. Why can’t you see past this? Wasn’t I the same way when you got married? If you can’t get over this feeling, then you shouldn’t have had a daughter in the first place."

Liu Yungen supported Mrs. Zhang’s arm as they walked back. Hearing this, he made a silent vow: ’I must have many, many sons. And if I do have a daughter, I’ll make sure she marries someone right next door.’

Liu Yunlan watched her family at the village entrance, their figures looking so forlorn, and her tears began to fall again.

After they passed Xiatang Market, Qingmu had her move to the front of the cart and sit beside him. He comforted her softly, "From now on, whenever you miss your mom and dad, just go back for a visit. It’s not far."

Liu Yunlan remembered her mother’s words. ’Once you’re married, you belong to another family.’ If she kept thinking about her maiden home, her parents-in-law would surely be unhappy, even if they didn’t say it out loud. She quickly said, "I’m just newly married and miss them a little. I’ll be fine in a few days."

Seeing her apologetic expression, Qingmu smiled. "Don’t you worry. I have a sister too. When a daughter gets married, her parents are bound to be reluctant to let her go. That’s only natural. My mom and dad won’t say anything about it."

Liu Yunlan looked at him and nodded happily. "I know. Your parents are both kind-hearted people. Still, there’s truth in what the elders teach. Once a daughter is married, she is, after all, someone else’s daughter-in-law. She has to take care of her husband and parents-in-law first before thinking of other things. Otherwise, why would a family take on a new wife? We’re in a small country place, so we’re not so particular. I’ve heard that in those wealthy families in the city, some wives aren’t allowed to visit their maiden homes for a whole year."

Qingmu laughed. "That’s why I think life is better in a small family. There aren’t so many rules. It might be a bit harder and more tiring, but at least you’re at ease."

Liu Yunlan listened and nodded happily.

The ox-cart ambled along at a steady pace. The two of them leaned against each other, talking intimately, looking as relaxed as if they were out for a joyride. Soon, a smile returned to Liu Yunlan’s face. As they arrived home, they could hear laughter coming from the courtyard. Before the cart even came to a stop, two large dogs, one black and one gray, bounded up to them, wagging their tails. In that moment, they both felt a sense of joy that was different from the one at the Liu Family’s home.

From a distance, Mrs. Yang greeted them with a big smile. "You’re back? Your father said it might be a while yet, but I figured you’d be home around now—we were just waiting for you to eat."

Juhua stood under the eaves, holding Laishou’s hand. She said with a grin, "Laishou and I have been waiting so long we’re starving! Sister Yunlan, you couldn’t bear to leave your mom and dad, could you? That’s to be expected. But it’s okay, it’s not far. From now on, whenever you miss them, you can just go back for a visit. Once the courtyard house in Xiatang Market is built, if you live there, you’ll be even closer to your maiden home. You’ll be able to pop over for lunch just by stretching your legs."