The Lucky Farmgirl
Chapter 210 - 199: Getting Married (Additional update for 175,000 recommendation votes from Yun Qi)

Chapter 210: Chapter 199: Getting Married (Additional update for 175,000 recommendation votes from Yun Qi)

Ms.Qian then smiled and said, "In my opinion, to have a child who is both intelligent and attractive is a great fortune indeed. The purpose of having a ’rolling on the bridal bed’ child is to bring forth sons. If the sons that Silang and the others have in the future are even half as promising as Young Master Bai, I could be awakened from sleep by my own laughter."

Her words were pleasing to the ears, and not just Ms.Zheng’s—even Ms.Liu felt completely at ease.

Ms.Zheng then looked toward her mother-in-law, clearly tempted by the idea.

Although ’rolling on the bridal bed’ children are typically expected to be good-looking and clever, based on the principle of auspiciousness, generally children with any deficiencies would not be chosen.

Ms.Zheng was unaware of this particular detail. In her mind, having Zhou Man, the little girl, become the female ’rolling on the bridal bed’ child was nothing out of the ordinary, as she saw her not only as cute and intelligent but also as a rare child blessed with good fortune.

She thought to herself, how many children are there with both parents alive, surrounded by so many brothers and sisters, even cousins running around everywhere?

By comparison, her own son fell somewhat short in this respect; at least back when they were in Longzhou, no one had ever considered her son for the role of ’rolling on the bridal bed’ child.

The ’rolling on the bridal bed’ child is believed to bring luck to the newlyweds, and likewise, the newlyweds are thought to bestow blessings upon the child. It’s deemed a win-win situation, or so everyone believes.

Ms.Zheng thought, without mentioning anything else, the fact that the Zhou Family had so many sons was a sign of great fortune. If her son could get a piece of that luck...

Ms.Liu similarly felt that the Zhou Family was blessed and was moved by the idea. After a moment of thought, she took Ms.Qian’s hand and said with a smile, "As long as you don’t mind, let Shanbao and Manbao sit together on the new bed."

Ms.Qian was delighted and responded with a laugh, "As long as the old lady doesn’t look down on us country folks, that would be fine."

That settled the matter.

The next day, Bai Shanbao was dressed up and brought to the bridal chamber, with Ms.Zheng tagging along for the rare occasion to join the festivities.

She seldom left home, and when she did, it was usually just to visit Old Master Bai next door. This was her first time visiting a village residence as a guest.

Ms.Qian was also concerned about her feeling uncomfortable, so she had Junior Ms.Qian lead her to sit in the bridal chamber and Manbao’s boudoir. The two rooms were side by side, and under normal circumstances, no one would enter Manbao’s room. If Ms.Zheng grew tired of dealing with people, she could simply turn and retreat to Manbao’s room.

Ms.Zheng appreciated the Zhou Family’s thoughtfulness and told Junior Ms.Qian with a smile, "I’m just fine watching the kids. You go ahead with your work, Sister-in-law."

Although Manbao called Junior Ms.Qian ’Sister-in-law,’ having her refer to Junior Ms.Qian as a younger generation did not sit well with her, so it was decided that each would address the other according to their own station.

Leaving Bai Shanbao out of it, it was Manbao’s first time being a ’rolling on the bridal bed’ child, so she was brimming with curiosity.

Of course, their task wasn’t simply to roll around on the bed—they actually had to lie down and sleep in it. After all, at this moment, the new bed was theirs. The adults said they could do as they pleased, as long as they didn’t dismantle the bed entirely.

Since they had bought new bedding at the end of the previous year when moving into the new room, Ms.Qian provided them with only one additional festive quilt, but the previous ones were covered with new quilt covers.

Two red quilts spread on the bed. Although the weather was not particularly hot, it was definitely not cold either. Manbao and the others started to sweat after playing on the bed for a while.

It just so happened to be naptime at lunchtime; having just finished their meal, they inevitably grew sleepy.

Thus, Manbao kicked off the quilt and lay down on the pillow, yawning with the intent to sleep.

Bai Shanbao was also sleepy but he knew his manners and tried to get up to leave the bed.

Ms.Zheng, aware of the custom for ’rolling on the bridal bed,’ promptly stopped him, saying, "If you feel like sleeping, just sleep on the festal bed."

Bai Shanbao, having been nagged the night before and lacking sufficient sleep, was on the verge of tears and a bit irritable, "But this isn’t my home."

"This is Manbao’s home. Look, Manbao is already asleep. Aren’t you two good friends? She often naps at our place too," Ms.Zheng coaxed him, "It’s fine, go to sleep. If you see the white-bearded grandpa in your dream, make a wish with him for the newlyweds to have a pair of children as smart and lively as you and Manbao."

Bai Shanbao asked curiously, "Will I meet the white-bearded grandpa?"

Ms.Zheng assured firmly, "You will."

Reassured, Bai Shanbao lay down beside Manbao, who was already spread-eagled and asleep, having played late into the previous night and now unavoidably snoring gently.

Bai Shanbao lay next to Manbao, perhaps influenced by her, or maybe because children naturally fall asleep quickly. One moment he was talking with Ms.Zheng, and in the next, his eyes were tightly shut in sleep.

Ms.Zheng saw this, smiled faintly, and neatly folded the quilt they had kicked aside, setting it to one side before taking a palm-leaf fan to gently fan the two children.

The children slept even more soundly.

The local custom was to hold weddings in the late afternoon.

Zhou SiLang and his family had lunch before he led his relatives and friends out to meet his bride. Similarly, the bride’s family would prepare a meal for the relatives and friends who came, and only after the groom arrived to greet the bride and offered a toast could he take the bride away with him.

Basically, as long as they returned to the groom’s home before late afternoon, all was well.

When consulting for an auspicious time, the Taoist priest would specify the lucky moment for the couple between lunchtime and late afternoon, allowing for the completion of customs on both sides while also taking into account the right timing.

Indeed, the people of my area are this adaptable.

The auspicious time for Zhou SiLang and Lady Fang was set for late afternoon, so they just needed to return home before then to perform the wedding rites.

As the sound of drums and gongs welcomed the bride and groom back home, Manbao and Bai Shanbao awakened from their nap. Hearing the commotion, they immediately got up from bed and dashed out the door.

Ms.Zheng no longer held them back and even followed them out to join in the celebration.

Seeing the bride step over the fire basin and bow with Zhou Si to Old Zhou and Ms.Qian, seated in the main hall, Manbao joined in with everyone’s unanimous exclamations. Though she didn’t understand why she was doing it, it felt exciting.

Bai Shanbao, of course, did the same.

The crowd cheered as they watched the bride and groom bow to heaven and earth and then ushered them toward the bridal chamber.

Junior Ms.Qian anxiously ran out of the bridal chamber, and seeing the two children hand in hand rushing toward the front gate, she quickly grabbed them, one by each hand, and said, "Where are you running off to? Hurry back and roll on the bed."

Ms.Zheng finally managed to escape from the enthusiastic villagers and came forward, apologizing, "I can’t control the children once they’re outside..."

Junior Ms.Qian, very much understanding the sentiment, reassured her, "It’s alright, no problem at all. Those two are like little calves, it would be strange if you could hold onto them."

She knew these two mischief-makers all too well.

Junior Ms.Qian hoisted them up, one in each hand, back into the bridal chamber, directing them to climb on the bed and roll from the head to the foot and back again until she was satisfied, and then allowed them to descend.

Actually, according to local tradition, it would be best if the ’rolling on the bridal bed’ children also slept on the wedding bed at night. But...

Taking a glance at the two children and thinking of their usual grand exploits, Ms.Qian decided to let it be.

Thus, she quickly brought out two red envelopes, one for Manbao and another for Young Master Bai, and said with a smile, "Alright, now you can go out and play."

Manbao and Bai Shanbao cheered and hand in hand, they dashed out. Ms.Zheng extended her hand but it merely slid off the edge of Bai Shanbao’s clothes—again, she failed to catch the child.

Junior Ms.Qian comforted her, "It’s fine, Young Master Bai and the village kids are all well-acquainted. They won’t fight, just let them go and play."