After sitting on the heated kang and listening to Granny Chang's lengthy explanation, Chen Lan and her husband finally understood the whole story and the deep-seated desire in Third Sister's mother's heart. Chen Lan then began to discuss with Granny Chang the specific date for proposing marriage to Third Sister's mother at her home in Pogranichnoye town.
Granny Chang got off the kang and retrieved an old almanac from her home. She opened the somewhat worn, yellowed pages and studied it for a long while before suggesting, "Xiao Lan, Mingxuan, the almanac says that the sixteenth, eighteenth, and twenty-eighth of the twelfth lunar month are all good days for engagement. All are auspicious for engagement. Why don't you two make the decision and choose a date? This way, we'll have time to prepare in advance. Once we're ready, I'll take you both over to the other side. I believe there won't be any issues with Third Sister. A family like yours is a treasure to be found only with a lantern. There's really nothing to be picky about. I'm sure Third Sister will agree wholeheartedly. Besides, it's not easy to make the trip, so I think we might as well combine the proposal and the engagement on this trip. What do you think?" SuDan Novel Network.
How could the couple refuse? Such a good arrangement, of course, they happily agreed to Granny Chang's suggestion.
Chen Lan then asked humbly, "Granny Chang, my husband and I are young and haven't experienced such a big event. When going to the bride's home for an engagement, what kind of betrothal gifts do we need to prepare?"
Granny Chang smiled and said, "We don't need anything extra; we'll follow the old customs of our Northeast. We'll offer four types of gifts: a large piece of 'leaving mother's meat' that is more fatty and substantial, so as not to appear stingy; four large fresh green onions, with thick stems; four bundles of vermicelli tied with red thread; and we'll also give double the amount of granulated sugar, four packets in total. Also, prepare two large red envelopes for the bride's parents. You can put whatever amount you wish in them; it's just for good luck."
Chen Lan and her husband were quite surprised to hear how simple it was. Chen Lan couldn't help but ask, "Granny, is that all? Nothing else? Won't this be too little?"
Granny Chang smiled and nodded, explaining, "That's right, that's all for the proposal. These are our local customs, and there's nothing else! This is how we do things here. When becoming in-laws, we naturally hope our daughters will have a good life in their husband's home. The meaning behind these gifts is as follows: 'leaving mother's meat' is a cut with two ribs, signifying that even though the daughter leaves her maternal home to marry, she is still connected by blood to her mother. The green onions with roots symbolize a prosperous and stable life for the young couple, while the vermicelli and granulated sugar represent a sweet and long-lasting life for them."
Since these were the local customs, Chen Lan no longer dwelled on the matter. She readily agreed and said, "In that case, let's make up for it by providing more support to Third Sister's mother's family in other ways. Granny, today is the twelfth of the twelfth lunar month, and it won't take long to prepare the proposal gifts. Granny, let's agree in advance: if Third Sister's mother asks us, the groom's side, to choose the date, we'll choose a middle date. We'll send the betrothal gifts on the eighteenth of the twelfth lunar month. As for the amount of the betrothal gifts, just tell Third Sister's mother to name her price. Whatever amount she asks for will be reasonable. Just agree to it for us. In the end, we'll send double the amount. As for the wedding date, we'll follow Third Sister's mother's arrangements. After all, she's marrying off the daughter she painstakingly raised, and she's marrying quite far away. It won't be easy to see her in the future, and Third Sister's mother will surely be reluctant to part with her daughter. We don't need to rush her."
Granny Chang nodded in agreement, "That's sensible. Your family is so understanding and thoughtful. You consider everything from the in-laws' perspective. You truly are a family hard to find even with a lantern. Our Yulia is truly fortunate to have found such a good match; marrying into your family will bring her great happiness."
Granny Chang showered them with kind words. Since everything had been settled, Chen Lan and Granny Chang agreed on the date to visit Third Sister's mother in Pogranichnoye town. The couple prepared to leave. Granny Chang insisted they stay for lunch, but they declined, citing prior commitments back home.
Seeing that it was already noon, the couple decided to visit the pond again. With Xiangxi about to get married, the groom's side couldn't host a banquet. They would have to prepare more game and take it to Third Sister's mother's home for the feast. The groom's side's banquet would have to be held later, upon their return to the valley. They hoped Third Sister's mother wouldn't mind.
The couple skillfully navigated their way to the pond and indeed encountered a herd of wild boars foraging there. Needless to say, it was another bountiful harvest.
Chen Lan stored the game in her system's warehouse. The couple found a sheltered spot, built a fire, roasted a Vika sausage, and toasted some slices of big bread. They decided to have a simple lunch.
While eating, Xu Mingxuan discussed future arrangements with Chen Lan. He said, "Lan'er, after we return this time, I'll need to hand over the grain matters. I won't be able to come out with you anymore. This period has caused considerable delay in my work at the camp. As for the proposal for Xiangxi, I think it's best to do it sooner. That way, I can take leave and accompany you to Honghualing Village to ask Uncle Chang for his help."
Chen Lan asked with some disappointment, "Brother Mingxuan, can you really not accompany me on this trip?"
Xu Mingxuan shook his head and explained, "Many things can no longer be delayed. The annual winter training has already begun. Commander Liu is leading the soldiers in their drills, and it's very hard work. I also need to focus on the ideological work of the soldiers and ensure their logistical support, making sure they have enough to eat and are warm, and resolving their worries and concerns. These are all responsibilities of a political commissar!"
Chen Lan knew she couldn't persuade Xu Mingxuan and didn't press the issue. His work was important. So, she changed the subject, "Brother Mingxuan, when will we deliver the grain to Dalingxia Village and Zhang Erguang's village?"
Xu Mingxuan thought for a moment and replied, "Lan'er, this trip will have to be a strenuous one for you again. Tomorrow, let's make the final trip with Er Zhuang. It will be our way of fulfilling our intentions. The remaining matters will depend on whether Little Watermelon has time to lead the villagers in cleaning out that old well. If their villagers are diligent enough and don't want to flee the famine, they should organize people themselves to properly clean that old well."
Chen Lan thought about it and sighed, "Alas! This will depend on them! We can only help this much!"