Chapter 108 The Bracelet with Butterfly and Flower Patterns
"Men can wear it too!" She made a gesture to take out the butterfly hairpin and put it on Xiyuan's head, and he hastily ran away, holding his head. After they chased around for quite a while, Wu Xiyuan quit and collapsed on the bed.
Su Jiuyue also stopped making fun of him and continued to sort out the gifts sent by Su Zhuang and his daughter beside the table.
One of those gifts included rice which later was cooked by Su Jiuyue in the kitchen and shared together.
The uneasiness in Chen Zhaodi's heart disappeared when she was shared with such wonderful rice.
Having sorted out most of the gifts, Su Jiuyue found, besides grain, herbs and cloth, there was also a box at the bottom.
The box was about the size of two palms. This box in dark red lacquer was a standout on the coarse table.
"What's this?" Su Jiuyue picked up the box and said to herself.
"What do you mean?" Wu Xiyuan got up from the bed and came closer curiously.
Opening the box, Su Jiuyue saw inside it was all the silver in two layers, 10 silver on each layer, totaling 200 tael.
Su Jiuyue was quite shocked by a large amount of money. However, learning from the unique copy event last time, she got better resilience, restraining her from fluster.
However, Wu Xiyuan shouted in a low voice, "Silver!"
Su Jiuyue hurriedly made a silent gesture to him, then covered the box and said in a low voice, "Keep your voice down."
Wu Xiyuan nodded immediately to her, and Su Jiuyue explained, "Our mom told us to hide them well. We must put them away without letting others know. We could keep them for buying books for you in the future!"
Wu Xiyuan made a gesture of zipping his lip, "I won't tell others. Nobody will know!"
Su Jiuyue smiled, stroking his head, "Good boy!"
Wu Xiyuan smiled back, dimples formed on his cheek.
Since they were ordinary people not wearing silks and satins, the cloth sent by Su Zhuang was the ordinary cloth in soft and cozy material.
In total, there were 12 bolts of cloth too much for Su Jiuyue. Then she cut some of the cloth and sent to her another two sisters-in-law.
In the end, she took a bolt of cloth and a golden bracelet to Liu Cuihua's room.
"Mom, may I come in?"
Liu Cuihua sitting on the bed was talking to her husband when she heard Su Jiuyue's voice. She then replied, "Come in!"
Seeing these two women would have a talk, Wu Chuan stood up to walk out and said, "I'm going to add some firewood to warm the bed."
After Wu Chuan walked out and closed the door, Su Jiuyue then walked quickly to Liu Cuihua with the cloth in her hand, and said excitedly, "Mom! Using this bolt of cloth to make clothes for you and dad? May I take your measurements? I'll do it!"
Saw the cloth Su Jiuyue chose looked dignified in dark patterns, Liu Cuihua touched the cloth whose soft texture won her over.
Even so, Liu Cuihua declined, "I'm too old. No need for me to dress in such good cloth. You should keep it for you young people. I find you seem taller these two months. You can use the cloth to make new clothes for you."
Su Jiuyue insisted, "Yi sister sent me a lot of cloth! The new year is coming. I hope I could make a new coat for you, then make other clothes when spring comes."
Liu Cuihua was cheered by Su Jiuyue's filial respect, corners of her eyes wrinkled, "We couldn't be extravagant. Although we are living a better life, we shouldn't be like this."
Su Jiuyue shook her hand, acting cute, "Mom! Just let me take your measurements! Let me make a blouse for you. You can cover it on the coat. When it gets warmer, you can also wear it as outerwear. What do you think?"
Su Jiuyue's sincere touched Liu Cuihua who smiled and nodded, "Fine, it's up to you!"
Next, Su Jiuyue happily took out a bracelet from her sleeve pocket and shove it into Liu Cuihua's hand.
"Mom, take this too."
Liu Cuihua didn't see it clearly as something was rapidly shoved by Su Jiuyue to her against the dim light. What she felt was its hardness that was a bit uncomfortable for her hand.
"What's this?" Liu Cuihua asked and was stunned by a close look.
Liu Cuihua had never seen gold since she was born. But this year, she saw it twice!
"Where did you get it?" Liu Cuihua peered closely at the bracelet to see the intricate patterns of butterfly and flower which were designed for the young girls. Judging by that, Liu Cuihua deduced that the girl Yi should come of a wealthy family.
Liu Cuihua suddenly felt that the things in her hands were very heavy, the heavy weight coming from its preciousness and Su Jiuyue's thoughts.
"One of the presents sent by Yi sister." Su Jiuyue answered honestly.
Liu Cuihua held the bracelet in one hand and pulled Su Jiuyue's wrist in the other hand.
Su Jiuyue's hand seemed a bit rough due to years of work but her wrist was quite soft. Liu Cuihua pinched softly with a tender voice, "Look at your wrists. They're so thin that people can't bear to let you work."
Su Jiuyue didn't move but smiled, "Although I have thin wrists, I do have powerful strength."
Liu Cuihua put the bracelet on Su Jiuyue's wrists and said, "Girls should take the heavy work. Men can do it! The meaning of marriage for women is they can depend on their husbands. It's true. Although Xiyuan is a bit foolish-looking, he is tall and strong. Besides, he treats you well with respect. You will have a happy life."
When seeing Liu Cuihua put the bracelet on her wrist, Su Jiuyue was about to take it off and said, "Mom, what're you doing? It is for you."
Liu Cuihua stopped her and explained, "I'm an old woman now. How could I accept your bracelet? There are butterflies and flowers. If I put it on, everyone will laugh at me."
Su Jiuyue lowered her head, staring at the golden bracelet and lost for words.
The patterns on it were a bit gaudy indeed but it was...gold!
"Mom..." Su Jiuyue tried to persuade her again.
Liu Cuihua patted the back of her hand gently, said kindly, "I know your thoughts. Just keep it for yourself. When you grow up, you will need money for a living! I can't stay with you forever, so you have to learn to manage a household. You should learn when to be generous and when not."
"Men don't care about that. They just know when to work, regardless of whether there is enough money for the family. Women take care of it. Each family lives on the food they grow and heaven's blessing. As such, why do some people barely make ends meet? But why do others still have some money left? The role of women matters."
Su Jiuyue was lost in thought as her mother stubbornly refused to live together in her childhood. Therefore, her grandfather decided to divide up the family to live apart. Since then, her family moved out and lived their own life.
Later, her mother gave birth to four children for four years in a row. Because of that, almost all the farm work fell on her father.