Chen Xiaobei no longer felt like drinking much. He drank two glasses symbolically, ate a few bites of food, and then took his leave. Cui Hongyu and Chen Qiao'er had already finished their meal.
Returning to his old house, Chen Qiao'er pulled Cui Hongyu to her room to sleep.
Chen Xiaobei felt helpless about this, but it was clear there were some things he couldn't push too hard.
Fortunately, after a day of activity, Chen Qiao'er fell asleep quickly.
After coaxing Chen Qiao'er to sleep, Cui Hongyu put on her clothes again and walked out of the room.
"Husband, you're not asleep yet."
Xiaobei leaned against the head of the bed. His mind was full of thoughts. He gently patted the edge of the bed, signaling Hongyu to sit with him.
"I'm just a villager with little education and no talent. Marrying Huang Ying has truly wronged her."
Cui Hongyu couldn't help but smile at Chen Xiaobei's words.
"Husband, what's there to be wronged about? Huang Ying and I are like sisters. Wouldn't it be even better if we both served you together?"
As she spoke, she buried her head in Chen Xiaobei's arms, leaving Chen Xiaobei speechless.
Then Cui Hongyu sighed and raised her hand to touch her belly.
"Husband, I've been married for a few months, but there's still no sign of a baby."
It was clear that the scene at Chen Dachun's house had affected Cui Hongyu. However, Chen Xiaobei didn't really care about such matters.
Whether it was a boy or a girl, or when the child would be born, wasn't solely the woman's responsibility. Men also had a role, though people in this era didn't quite realize it yet.
"It's okay. Children are a gift from heaven. Perhaps heaven thinks I haven't done enough yet, so it doesn't want me to have children."
This statement deeply moved Cui Hongyu, and she nestled into Chen Xiaobei's embrace again.
"Husband, I've thought about it. After the wedding, you and Sister Huang Ying will live in the new house, and I'll stay here with Qiao'er."
Chen Xiaobei shook his head like a rattle drum. "No, that won't do. If we live together, we move together."
"But that house only has a few rooms. It will be inconvenient if there are too many people."
As soon as she said this, Cui Hongyu's own face turned red. Chen Xiaobei knew exactly what kind of inconvenience Cui Hongyu was referring to. Looking at Cui Hongyu, whose face was as red as an apple in his arms, Chen Xiaobei's desire was ignited.
He suddenly reached out and unbuttoned Cui Hongyu's collar.
"I don't care anymore. If it's convenient now, let's do it now."
Before he could finish speaking, Cui Hongyu's serpentine body slipped into Chen Xiaobei's arms, and she leaned in to kiss him fiercely.
In the past, Cui Hongyu had been rather passive, but this time she was so active and eager, even guiding Chen Xiaobei's hands as they explored her body.
While Chen Xiaobei was excited, he could also understand Cui Hongyu's feelings. As the elder wife, she was naturally worried about being replaced by the newcomer, especially in their intimate moments.
Cui Hongyu took the initiative to undress Chen Xiaobei, and then she too shed her clothes and nestled into his embrace.
...
The wooden bed creaked softly again.
The two dogs outside stared at the window, not understanding what was happening inside, but knowing that there should be no noise at this time. They just needed to listen quietly.
...
As dawn broke, Cui Hongyu opened her eyes. She was still lying in Chen Xiaobei's arms, while Chen Xiaobei was still letting out soft snores.
Chen Xiaobei was too tired, Cui Hongyu thought with genuine emotion. From the arrival of the government soldiers to their departure from Hetou Village, Chen Xiaobei had had almost no rest, constantly busy with one task after another.
She quietly got up, put on her clothes, and went into the yard to start a fire and cook.
Just then, she heard footsteps outside, and the family's two dogs began to growl lowly at the courtyard gate.
Someone gently knocked on the courtyard gate and called out in a low voice, "Brother Xiaobei, Brother Xiaobei."
It was Chen Xiaowen, a member of the village guard. Cui Hongyu hurried to meet him. "He's not awake yet. What is it?" Su Dan Novel Network
Chen Xiaowen said urgently, "Someone from the county yamen just came. They said the magistrate wants to come this morning."
"Okay, I know. I'll tell him later." Cui Hongyu agreed repeatedly and sent Chen Xiaowen away. Deep down, she hoped Chen Xiaobei could sleep a little longer.
At this moment, Chen Xiaobei was groggily opening his eyes. He didn't hear very clearly, but he did hear that someone was coming.
He quickly got up, put on his clothes, and walked out.
"Was that Xiaowen just now?"
Cui Hongyu nodded. "Yes, Xiaowen just said that the magistrate is coming later."
Chen Xiaobei could roughly guess why Hu Fan was coming, but deep down he still didn't want Hu Fan to come.
After all, they were superior and subordinate. He was now the village head, and Hu Fan was the magistrate. Accepting Hu Fan's congratulatory gift meant he couldn't say certain things easily.
Seeing that he seemed unhappy, Cui Hongyu immediately understood his thoughts and smiled, saying, "Husband, you don't need to worry too much. Perhaps he's just coming to pay a courtesy call. Besides, don't you still need to return his gift?"
Chen Xiaobei thought to himself that such favors were not easily repaid, but there was no point in dwelling on these matters.
"Yes, it's not a big deal. If he comes, he comes. By the way, will Tian Wen be able to make it by noon? We'll have to have a banquet then."
"Miss Liu said yesterday that she asked Tian Wen to come early this morning. I don't know if he'll make it."
"If he can't come, I'll just make something simple to get by," Cui Hongyu said confidently.
Chen Xiaobei smiled and gave Cui Hongyu a gentle hug. "Thank you for handling everything."
As the sun rose higher, Tian Wen arrived, driving a donkey cart laden with many vegetables in large and small baskets, along with two cooks and two helpers.
Seeing Chen Xiaobei, Tian Wen was very cordial. "Brother Xiaobei, I heard it's your big day, so I found cooks and helpers overnight."
Chen Xiaobei quickly smiled and handed over a few pieces of silver. He distributed them to the cooks and helpers, giving them a little reward money first, so they would work with peace of mind.
Seeing this, Tian Wen immediately shouted orders to the cooks and helpers, "Everyone, get to work with spirit and don't delay anything."
Chen Xiaobei chuckled and picked up the conversation. "There is indeed something important. Just this morning, the magistrate sent word that he was coming. It's already this late and he hasn't arrived. I think we'll have a banquet here at noon."
Upon hearing this, Tian Wen immediately slapped his chest. "Leave this to me. I'll go and cook myself."
As they were talking, Chen Xiaowen, the village guard, ran over again in a hurry. "Brother Xiaobei, Brother Xiaobei, someone from the county is here."
Chen Xiaobei looked at Tian Wen, and they exchanged a knowing smile. What they call "speak of the devil" was happening right now.
Long before they reached the village entrance, Hu Fan waved at Chen Xiaobei. Chen Xiaobei quickly walked forward to meet him. "Welcome, Magistrate Hu."