RPAGF Chapter 348: Delicious and Affordable
Chapter 348: Delicious and Affordable
Tian Guilan hurried to the kitchen, bent down, opened the lid of the pot, and took a look at the hot black flour paste in the pot.
She couldn't help but murmur to herself, "Only our family is so generous, treating everyone to black flour porridge. In this famine year, not many people can eat black flour porridge."
Tian Guilan picked up a spoon and gently stirred the porridge in the pot, continuing to mutter, "If it were any other time, I wouldn't be so willing to do this. But my son's marriage is a big deal, I can't be so shabby."
Thinking of the families she had invited, Tian Guilan couldn't help but stop what she was doing and sighed silently.
She slowly put down the spoon in her hand and muttered to herself, "A few years ago, when times were good, I would have invited the whole village to come and have some fun. But things are different now."
"If those people start eating and drinking to excess, our family's food reserves won't be able to withstand the torrent, and we'll be at a loss." Tian Guilan frowned and bit her lip lightly, with a look of worry and calculation. It was smart of her to invite elderly people who were eighty years old and almost had all their teeth fallen out.
Tian Guilan was thinking about this when she suddenly heard a noisy sound of footsteps and voices coming from outside.
"Guilan!"
"Hey, is Guilan home?"
The shrill voice of Grandma Zhang, the rough voice of Third Uncle, and the hearty calls of Sixth Uncle came in one after another.
When Tian Guilan heard the voice, she quickly put down the work in her hands, wiped her hands on her apron, and hurried to the yard to greet them.
"Grandma Zhang, Third Uncle, Sixth Auntie, you're here! Come, please take a seat in the main hall!" Tian Guilan said, extending her hand in a gesture of invitation. "Are you tired from the journey?"
Grandma Zhang smiled and waved her hand, saying, "Why are you so tired? We're all from the same village, it's just a short walk!" Then, she carefully handed over a large piece of fat meat wrapped in red cloth, "This is a little gift from Grandma. Just something for the child to eat!"
Third Uncle also quickly responded, "That's right, that's right! We are all from the same village, what's so tiring!" As Third Uncle spoke, he handed a bag of rice tightly in his arms to Tian Guilan, "This rice is newly harvested this year, it's very fragrant, let Guangzong and his wife have a taste!"
The sixth aunt walked forward, took Tian Guilan's hand, and said with emotion: "Guilan, Guangzong has married a wife in a blink of an eye. Time flies!" The sixth aunt's eyes were full of memories and relief, "I have raised this big fat chicken for a long time. It is for Guangzong's wife to nourish her body!" The sixth aunt said as she handed over the big fat chicken in her hand.
Tian Guilan's eyes lit up as she looked at the plump, fat-coated meat, its oil glistening in the sun, the plump, glistening white rice, and the plump, brightly feathered hen. She excitedly opened her arms and took it all in one gulp. Because it was so heavy, she nearly strained her back.
Then, with footsteps as brisk as the wind, she carried the things into the kitchen. After entering the kitchen, she glanced at the stove, thought for a moment, and then shouted towards the main room, "Dagui! Dagui! Come here!"
Tian Guilan's voice was a little anxious, her neck stretched out, and the smile on her face had not yet faded. Today was a good day for her son to get married, so how could she stay in the kitchen?
"Mom, what's the matter?" Dagui walked slowly into the kitchen with some reluctance, thinking that it must be something bad if his mother called him at this time.
He is the youngest in the family, but his parents love his eldest brother the most and put all the blame on him. His brothers also always bully him.
The more Dagui thought about it, the more aggrieved he felt. His eyes reddened slightly. "Why do you always pick on me? Am I so easy to bully?"
Tian Guilan smiled and patted Dagui's head, saying gently, "What are you thinking about, silly son?"
Tian Guilan's eyes were full of kindness, and her fingers gently combed Dagui's messy hair.
"Now that your eldest brother has married, there will be someone to take care of the household affairs. Mother has to go over and take care of things now, so that she can maintain her authority in front of her daughter-in-law."
Tian Guilan said as she straightened the corner of her clothes, "Just watch the fire here and make sure it doesn't go out. There's black flour paste in the pot that mother cooked, just keep it hot."
Tian Guilan reminded him again, worriedly, "Don't mess it up, you hear me?"
Dagui nodded reluctantly, his head hanging down, muttering softly, "It's really unfair to ask me to do these tasks every time."
"The new bride has arrived!"
The matchmaker's loud and joyful voice came from outside the yard, as if she wanted the whole village to hear the good news.
When Tian Guilan heard the voice, she hurriedly walked to the seat next to Zhao Cunliang in the main hall and sat down, looking a little nervous.
Zhao Cunliang glanced at Tian Guilan's hurried appearance. Considering that several respected elders from the village were present, he didn't say anything. He just frowned slightly and asked in a low voice, "Is the food ready?"
Tian Guilan quickly responded: "Don't worry! It's delicious, affordable, and economical. I guarantee you won't lose face." Tian Guilan forced a smile on her face. This damn man talks too much.
The matchmaker walked into the yard with the newlyweds, smiling broadly. Cuihua was wearing a bright red wedding dress and a red veil on her head.
Under everyone's gaze, Cuihua carefully stepped over the brazier.
The matchmaker said loudly, "From now on, the young couple will have a smooth and happy life!"
Guangzong smiled, tightly holding one end of the red ribbon, and gently but firmly led Cuihua into the main hall. Guangzong's eyes were full of joy, as he had married a beautiful woman.
Zhao Cunliang and Tian Guilan straightened their bodies at the sight, their faces brimming with satisfaction and pride. They gazed eagerly at the newlyweds, their hands trembling slightly.
The matchmaker stood aside and shouted at the top of her voice: "Bow to heaven and earth!" Guangzong and Cuihua turned around, faced the sky, and knelt down devoutly.
"Bow to your parents!" The matchmaker's voice sounded again. Guangzong and Cuihua quickly turned around and knelt down respectfully in front of Zhao Cunliang and Tian Guilan.
"Husband and wife, bow to each other!" The matchmaker's voice became increasingly louder. Guangzong and Cuihua stood facing each other, bowed slightly, and bowed softly to each other.
"Send her to the bridal chamber!" With the matchmaker's final shout, Guangzong took Cuihua's hand and walked towards the bridal chamber impatiently.
The simple ceremony was hastily concluded, and Tian Guilan gave the matchmaker twenty cents with a smile on her face as a reward for her hard work.
Zhao Cunliang warmly greeted Grandma Zhang, his third uncle, and his sixth aunt. He clasped his hands together, bowed, and said, "Please! Come with me to have something to eat. Since there are not many people in my family, I've invited you elders."
"Grandma Zhang, please take a seat." Zhao Cunliang said earnestly as he led the way. "Third Uncle, Sixth Uncle, please don't be polite."