After finishing, Huang Wenming left in a hurry without even taking a sip of tea. He must have been short on time and heading out to prepare gifts.
Gu Qingcheng, feeling self-conscious about her attire, thought, ...
When have I ever been indecent?
Mi Guo chuckled and said, "Sister, he means you're not old enough to dress so seriously. It would help you command respect."
"Oh, so that's what he meant. Mr. Huang really doesn't know how to talk."
Gu Qingcheng said disdainfully, making her wonder if she was wearing something too revealing, hence the comment about not being solemn.
Hmph!
After finishing her steak, Gu Qingcheng felt a bit full and didn't want to nap. She decided to take a stroll through the village to help with digestion.
She walked to the communal mess hall and saw Mei Xiang and He Hua pickling eggs. She asked them,
"Aunties, do you know what the etiquette is for proposing marriage in the Great Zhou Dynasty?"
Both were married women and naturally knew. After their explanation, Gu Qingcheng realized that getting married involved a lot of intricate rituals.
The first time the groom's family visits the bride's family is called 'xiang kan' (looking at each other), which is the formal proposal by a matchmaker. Once the bride's family agrees, it's engagement, with copious gifts exchanged. Finally, an auspicious date must be chosen before the wedding.
No wonder Huang Wenming was so nervous. With so many rituals, a proper preparation for any single step would keep him busy all night.
Huang Wenming was a scholar and clearly valued Gui Xiang greatly, so he would definitely be meticulous about etiquette. Thus, his preparations at home would likely drag on until midnight.
Thinking of Huang Wenming's eagerness, Gu Qingcheng couldn't help but smile.
She hadn't expected that the usually steady and dignified Scholar Huang would be like a child when it came to matters of the heart, clumsy and unable to contain his emotions.
He Hua then mentioned that the egg production from the chickens had been good lately, yielding two baskets of eggs daily for pickling. She asked Gu Qingcheng if she wanted to sell the salted eggs to the villages below to supplement the communal income.
Gu Qingcheng thought for a moment and said, "There's no need. Everyone didn't have a good Spring Festival this year; they were all fleeing for their lives and had no mood for the New Year.
Now that life has stabilized somewhat, and the beginning of spring is approaching, let's let everyone celebrate the New Year belatedly. We'll distribute the salted eggs, meat, and rice to everyone."
Upon hearing this, He Hua couldn't help but choke up, saying emotionally,
"Young Master Gu, it's fortunate we met you. If I hadn't decided with Uncle Dai to go up the mountain that time, we wouldn't be alive."
Village Chief Dai was highly respected by these refugees, and most people called him Uncle Dai, showing their affection.
"Yes, Aunt He Hua, we should thank you for making the right choice,"
Gu Qingcheng said with a smile.
He Hua: ...
Why does the mood feel a little off?
Seeing that the two aunties were about to get emotional again, Gu Qingcheng quickly found an excuse to leave.
After she left, Mei Xiang and He Hua couldn't help but wonder why Gu Qingcheng had suddenly asked about wedding rituals.
"Huh, could it be that Young Master Gu has taken a liking to a girl from Phoenix Village?" He Hua exclaimed in surprise.
"Oh, whoever Young Master Gu fancies is truly lucky. Young Master Gu is refined and handsome. Apart from being a bit short now, his looks are perfect. He's also wealthy and kind. Anyone who marries him would be incredibly blessed!"
Mei Xiang said enviously.
"Yes, which girl would have such good fortune to catch his eye?
However, since he didn't say anything, let's not spread rumors."
He Hua said seriously.
"Yes, we absolutely cannot spread this,"
Mei Xiang understood the seriousness of the matter and quickly nodded, vowing not to pass on such words.
Gu Qingcheng, of course, was unaware. She was merely curious and wanted to inquire about the wedding process, but these two mistook her for having found a romantic interest.
Gu Qingcheng then went to the breeding farm along the way and immediately spotted Uncle Kang.
Huang Wenming had mentioned that Uncle Kang was a wealthy sorcerer. Gu Qingcheng observed his salt-and-pepper hair, rough hands, and his loud voice when calling out to the livestock, which made him seem less like a diviner and more like an overworked old farmer.
However, one shouldn't judge a book by its cover. The natural disaster had changed everything, and who knew how much suffering Uncle Kang had endured during the catastrophe to become this way.
Gu Qingcheng then politely asked,
"Uncle Kang, how is everything going at the breeding farm recently?"
"Everything is going well. The wolf attack last time was a major incident, but fortunately, it was killed by the hunting team.
The sheep were a bit startled, but otherwise, there's no other issue.
Oh, right, ten mother cows are pregnant, and twenty sheep have also given birth. Liu Yidao says he can handle it. Do you want to send someone to help him?"
Gu Qingcheng immediately took this seriously upon hearing it, forgetting about discussing fortune-telling. She said,
"I'll ask Uncle Liu."
She walked towards the cattle pens and happened to see Liu Yidao carrying an empty bucket out of the breeding farm.
Upon seeing her, Liu Yidao quickly bowed and said,
"Young Master Gu, I just finished salting the feed. These animals are truly fortunate to be in Phoenix Village where they don't lack salt.
Alas, if we were still living in the resettlement areas designated by the government, we wouldn't even have salt to eat now, and might have starved to death."
This thought made Liu Yidao particularly grateful to Gu Qingcheng, which was why he worked there with all his heart.
Gu Qingcheng skipped over the words of gratitude. She heard these from the villagers of Phoenix Village every day. If she dwelled on them, she would have been moved to heaven already.
She said, "Uncle Liu, Uncle Kang mentioned that some sheep and cows are expecting. Do you have confidence in delivering them alone?"
"That's no problem, but it would be great to have someone assist, as the delivery process can be quite long. Someone would be needed to fetch water and tea."
"Alright, I'll speak with Uncle Kang. If you need help, just tell Uncle Kang, and he'll arrange someone to assist you."
"Certainly, thank you, Young Master Gu."
Gu Qingcheng asked if there were specific cows or sheep expecting and if they needed to be separated.
Liu Yidao said there was no need to separate them. The cattle and sheep were well-behaved. Since they had ample feed, there were no fights or competition.
Moreover, he had tied red cloth strips to the horns of all pregnant cows and sheep, and other caretakers would pay special attention to them.
Gu Qingcheng was pleased and relieved to hear of his meticulousness.
After chatting with Liu Yidao, Gu Qingcheng remembered she wanted to find Uncle Kang and ask about his background.
Uncle Kang was preparing to make compost nearby. Upon hearing Gu Qingcheng's question, he burst into laughter and said:
"That was just a way to make a living in the past. I'm not really a diviner; I just fooled people who didn't know me well.
Of course, I have studied books on birth charts and learned some of the I Ching. I only know a little."
Gu Qingcheng found it quite interesting and said,
"Uncle Kang, from now on, after the academy recruits students and opens, you and Uncle Liu can give a few lectures each month. I will pay you separately for teaching."
"Lectures? I can't do that; I'm uncultured," Uncle Kang quickly shook his head. "I'm barely literate. How can I give lectures? I would be holding the children back."