No matter what one looks like, it’s all natural.
But Yang Baihe was not particularly attractive, yet when it came to dressing up, she was anything but shy... She wore a pink dress, tied a teal belt around her waist, and even had a pair of red bows in her hair... The color combination was just too much, almost unbearable to look at.
However, she herself thought she looked absolutely beautiful. She was dressed like the daughters of the wealthy families in town. When she saw Yang Anshi come out, she rushed over with unexpected joy: "Mother, I’ve missed you so much..." Then, seeing old man Yang come out, she also called out to her father.
"It’s such a hot day, aren’t you tired from walking half the day? Why didn’t you hire a carriage to come back?" Yang Anshi touched her daughter’s round face with concern, "Why have you lost weight? Didn’t your aunt give you any meat to eat?"
"I did hire a carriage, but I let it go at the entrance of the village..." Yang Baihe smiled, then took Yang Anshi’s hand and cooed, "Mother, I ate meat at aunt’s house, but I missed the fried pancakes you make, so I lost weight."
"Alright, alright," Yang Anshi was immediately delighted, "I’ll make some for you in a bit, but your fourth sister-in-law has simmered some chicken soup, let me serve you a bowl first..."
Yang Baihe nodded: "Okay." Then she twirled around, "Mother, look at the new dress I made. Isn’t it pretty?"
"It’s beautiful," Yang Anshi said with a smile in her eyes, "My daughter is destined for wealth, she will be adorned with gold and silver in the future, everything looks good on her..."
"Mother, the girls in town are all the rage with those flat, engraved silver bracelets. Buy me one, will you?"
"Those are quite expensive," Yang Anshi hesitated when she heard the request.
"Mother." Yang Baihe was displeased, "You can’t catch a wolf if you don’t venture into the forest. I’m going to marry into a prominent, wealthy family. I can’t be frugal now. If I don’t dress well, how can I catch the eye of those distinguished young masters?"
"That’s right," Yang Anshi agreed, finding the argument convincing, and nodded eagerly, "Then we’ll buy it, when we go to the market in a few days, I’ll buy it for you..."
"I knew you were the best, Mother..."
"Mother, I’ve brought some chicken soup for my younger sister." Working busily in the kitchen, Yang Dongshi had secretly eaten two pieces of chicken breast while stewing the chicken—so delicious. Hearing the conversation outside and knowing her sister-in-law had returned, she quickly ladled out a bowl of chicken soup to bring over.
"Let me see." Yang Anshi hurriedly went to take the soup bowl, "You didn’t steal any, did you? If you get caught, I’ll skin you..."
"Hehe," Yang Dongshi chuckled foolishly, "How could I dare?"
"That’s good then." Yang Anshi gave her a sidelong glance, then took the bowl in one hand and her daughter in the other to enter the house. Of course, she didn’t forget to order another bowl, "Bring one more bowl in."
Yang Dongshi quickly went back to the kitchen to scoop another bowl of chicken soup, but as she reached the doorway, she stopped, spat twice into the bowl, and stirred it with her finger before carrying it out.
Yang Baihe was by then unwrapping her bundle in the room, taking out a bag of sugar and two packets of pastries: "Mother, these are from auntie for you..."
"Good," Yang Anshi nodded happily, "Your auntie is thoughtful. You should quickly have some chicken soup."
Yang Baihe then held the bowl and slurped away.
"How is it?" Yang Anshi asked, eyes wide as she watched Yang Baihe.
"It’s a bit bland," Yang Baihe smacked her lips.