Cui Hongyu, having figured things out, tidied up the room and then called for Qiao'er to return to the old house.
The large compound fell silent, leaving only Chen Xiaobei and Liu Rumei.
They sat opposite each other by the oil lamp, in silence.
It was Liu Rumei who finally broke the quiet. She stood up and walked towards the inner room, "Brother Xiaobei, shall we sleep?"
Chen Xiaobei, sensing Liu Rumei's intentions from her actions, stepped forward and gently took her hand.
"Rumei, I know your feelings, but do you remember what I told you?"
Liu Rumei turned, throwing herself into Chen Xiaobei's arms, hugging him tightly. "Brother Xiaobei, you have to believe me. I told you, I want to stay in this mountain village with you for a lifetime. I am already your wife, I..."
Chen Xiaobei raised his hand, gently stroking Liu Rumei's hair, then lowered his head, pressing their faces together.
"Rumei, I believe your words, but in my heart..."
Before he could finish, Liu Rumei suddenly leaned in and kissed him fiercely.
Chen Xiaobei was momentarily stunned, a faint surge of masculine hormones rising within him.
His response began to grow passionate. Liu Rumei, clearly sensing Chen Xiaobei's change, led him step by step towards the large bed in the inner room.
But clearly, Chen Xiaobei could also sense it. As they reached the bedside, Chen Xiaobei suddenly stopped. He pushed Liu Rumei away and shook his head gently.
"Rumei, I can't do this. My heart still belongs to Huang Ying."
Liu Rumei's expression turned sorrowful. She looked at Chen Xiaobei and let out a soft sigh.
"Brother Xiaobei, I know you still care for Sister Huang Ying, but have you considered if this is what she would want to see? She would definitely want you to live well."
These words made Chen Xiaobei pause. It was true; his longing for Huang Ying was cruel to Liu Rumei, meaning he would have to maintain a brotherly distance from her.
And Liu Rumei was right, Huang Ying would certainly want him to live a good life.
Was his current state what Huang Ying would have wished for?
Perhaps not.
After hesitating, Chen Xiaobei sighed, "Rumei, I know this is unfair to you. How about this, we go see Huang Ying together tomorrow."
Liu Rumei raised her hand and gently caressed Chen Xiaobei's face, nodding slightly. "Alright, then we'll go together, and let you put this matter to rest."
She then turned and tidied the bed. "Let's get to sleep early then, you have a lot to do tomorrow!"
After saying this, Liu Rumei undressed and slipped into the covers. Of course, Liu Rumei had prepared two sets of bedding, leaving the outer one for Chen Xiaobei.
As Chen Xiaobei got into bed, he tossed and turned. Liu Rumei also seemed unable to sleep. "Brother Xiaobei, do you know? Today, at Xiao Family Town, the princess asked me..."
"Oh, the princess? What did the princess ask you?" Chen Xiaobei sounded surprised.
Liu Rumei answered truthfully without hesitation, "The princess said she hopes we have more children, that's why I..."
So that was the reason. No wonder Liu Rumei had seemed so preoccupied when she returned today.
Chen Xiaobei turned over and reached out, gently holding Liu Rumei's neck. "Rumei, I know your feelings. I've made you suffer by marrying me!"
Liu Rumei smiled and also reached out, taking Chen Xiaobei's hand and gently rubbing it on her face. "Brother Xiaobei, there's no suffering. As a person, one must make their own choices in life. I believe I made the right choice!"
Chen Xiaobei fell silent. Right or wrong, who could say for sure now?
He gently patted Liu Rumei's cheek, then withdrew his hand. "Alright, let's sleep. We'll go see Huang Ying together tomorrow."
The night passed without incident. The next day, they were up before dawn.
After a simple preparation, they left the courtyard with their offerings. Not far from the gate, they ran into the Old Ancestor, who greeted them warmly. "Xiaobei, where are you two going so early in the morning!"
"Ah, Old Ancestor, Rumei and I are going to see Huang Ying." Chen Xiaobei gestured forward.
Upon hearing this, the Old Ancestor's expression shifted slightly. "Xiaobei, you're young and might not know, but when you mourn a deceased wife, you must do so after noon!"
A thought flashed through Chen Xiaobei's mind. In his previous life, there was indeed a saying about visiting graves after noon.
But after coming here, no one paid attention to such things. He couldn't recall anyone mentioning it even when the Emperor himself presided over Huang Ying's state funeral. Moreover, Liu Rumei was with him. If such customs existed, Liu Rumei wouldn't have agreed to go in the morning.
Chen Xiaobei looked towards Liu Rumei.
Liu Rumei, however, bowed respectfully to the Old Ancestor. "Thank you for the reminder, elder. We were inconsiderate. We will go back now."
She then gently tugged at Chen Xiaobei's sleeve. Chen Xiaobei understood immediately. He thanked the Old Ancestor, and they walked back.
Watching them leave, a smile of satisfaction spread across the Old Ancestor's face.
Back in the courtyard, they put away the offerings. Chen Xiaobei sat on a chair. "We got up early for nothing. We'll go after lunch then."
Liu Rumei looked at Chen Xiaobei. "Brother Xiaobei, I've never heard of such a custom."
Chen Xiaobei understood her subtext: the Old Ancestor was wrong.
But Chen Xiaobei also knew that when he had looked at Liu Rumei, he had already conveyed the answer: follow the Old Ancestor's advice.
Chen Xiaobei looked at Liu Rumei and said with grave seriousness, "We all call him Old Ancestor. He has the highest seniority in the village, and we must respect him in certain matters."
"Also, be more polite to him in the future."
Liu Rumei nodded. "Then I'll make some food. Sister Hongyu should be here for lunch soon."
As they were busy, Cui Hongyu arrived with Chen Qiao'er. Seeing them working harmoniously together, Cui Hongyu smiled.
Qiao'er ran up and hugged Liu Rumei's leg, calling her "sister" affectionately.
Liu Rumei playfully tapped her head and said with a smile, "Qiao'er, when you go to school, you must study hard."
"Don't worry, sister-in-law. I already know many characters. I'll write them for you to see later." Chen Qiao'er replied with a smile.
Just then, there was a knock at the door. Chen Dayong stood at the entrance. Chen Xiaobei quickly waved him in. They went straight to the inner room.
Once seated, Chen Dayong eagerly said, "Brother Xiaobei, the charcoal furnace is built."