As night fell on Zhou Family Village, the Zhou family was gathered together. Earlier that day, everyone in the family except for Zhou Kun and Mrs. Zhou had gone to send off Zhou Lian.
Mrs. Zhou was worried about Zhou Lian and had even asked Zhou Lan and her family to stay behind so she could ask them for all the details.
Zhou Lan understood her mother's worries and began to explain in detail, "Li Xiu is very competent, and the Li clan's elders are good people, too. As soon as we entered the village, we were greeted by seven strings of firecrackers. All the elderly folks from Shanqian Village were there, along with plenty of relatives. They had more than ten tables set for the banquet. Li Xiu carried Second Sister from the entrance all the way inside. He had prepared padded cushions in advance, so Second Sister stood on the cushions while performing the rites. However, when it came to bowing to the elders, she bowed to the elder Uncle Li and the third Uncle Li at the same time. Grandma Li explained to me that Li Xiu did this on purpose to prevent his parents from being able to hold anything over Second Sister in the future. From the moment they entered, there were people keeping an eye on Li Xiu's parents and younger siblings. Grandma Li also said that his immediate family is too shortsighted. Li Xiu had already arranged everything. With Grandma Li watching over things, they won't be able to cause any trouble. The daughters from the elder and third Uncles' families stayed with her in the bridal room. Li Xiu had someone prepare a table of food for them in advance so they could eat in there."
At this, Zhou Lan smiled and continued, "The banquet outside hadn't even started yet. Li Xiu first made sure the bridal chamber was settled before coming out to make the toasts. Grandma Li says that out of the Li clan's eight grandsons, Li Xiu is the most like his long-departed grandfather—he dotes on his wife the most."
Mrs. Zhou frowned and asked, "But did you notice if Grandma Li seemed unhappy about any of it?"
"Mom, Aunt Li told me that when she got married, Grandma Li told her that only a man who cherishes his wife will have a house full of children and grandchildren and live a good life. Grandpa Li passed away a long time ago. The only reason Grandma Li never remarried is that she still remembers how fiercely he protected and cherished her when he was alive."
The Zhou family's eldest sister-in-law commented that Second Aunt had truly married the right person. Not only did she find a man who cherished her to death, but the Li family elders were also very reasonable. It was only Li Xiu's own parents who were a bit muddled, but Li Xiu was no pushover. His parents couldn't last a single round against him. During the ceremony, anyone with discerning eyes could tell that Li Xiu was backing his wife up. If they didn't receive a bow from her alone, they had no standing to control their daughter-in-law.
"Mom, hearing what Eldest Sister-in-law said must have put your mind at ease, right? Li Xiu knows exactly what he's doing. His own sister wasn't even allowed into the bridal chamber today—Grandma Li forbade it. She didn't let Li Xiu's parents and their family interfere in anything. They just showed up for the banquet. The elder and third Uncles' families were the ones busy entertaining guests. They took the lead on everything that happened today. I heard from the third Uncle Li's wife that Li Xiu is the designated heir of the Li clan. His parents have no say in his affairs," Zhou Lan said, taking a sip of water.
"Dad, Mom, you really don't have to worry," Zhou Xiang said dismissively. "Li Hua—that's the elder Uncle Li's oldest daughter—said that their big brother, our Second Brother-in-law, has a very short temper. Even his own parents don't dare to piss him off. When the marriage was first proposed, his mother was reluctant. Second Brother-in-law shot her down directly, saying, 'I'm the one getting married, not you. I'm spending my own money; you haven't given me any. We've already split the family, so stop worrying about my business and take care of yourself. It's not like I'm living my life with you, so why are you so meddlesome?' I heard he slammed the door and left right after saying that. Then he went over to the elder Uncle Li's house to complain, acting all aggrieved and saying his mother was trying to make him a bachelor for life. Apparently, Grandma Li, the elder Uncle Li, and Aunt Li flew into a rage on the spot. They declared that they'd deal with anyone who dared to interfere with Li Xiu's marriage. And Li Gui, the third Uncle Li's eldest daughter, said that Second Sister's mother-in-law is terrified of Aunt Li. She got put in her place by Aunt Li back when Second Brother-in-law was young. Aunt Li is very reasonable, so you don't have to worry about Second Sister being wronged. But even if she wasn't, it wouldn't matter. Li Hua said that when Second Brother-in-law gets worked up, even Grandma Li can't do anything with him. And he adores Second Sister. Besides, do you really think Second Sister is stupid? Second Brother-in-law is such a sharp guy, but he acts like a complete fool in front of her. My sister has hidden depths; she knows how to handle him. She's not going to suffer any grievances."
Having shared a bed with Second Sister for years, Zhou Xiang knew her true nature. Second Sister might be honest and proper, but when it came to handling a man, even their eldest sister was no match for her. Eldest Sister ran her household because her husband was simple and good-natured. Second Brother-in-law only seemed honest and simple on the surface; he was actually full of schemes. Didn't everyone see how the new bride didn't bow to her parents-in-law alone, and how everyone thought it was normal? That was not the sign of a woman who would let herself be taken advantage of!
Mrs. Zhou looked up at Zhou Kun. The old couple glanced around the room, and seeing the expressions on their children's faces, they knew the matter was more or less settled. Zhou Kun turned to his eldest son and eldest son-in-law. "What do the two of you think?"
The two exchanged a look, and the Zhou family's eldest brother said, "I was watching. Second Brother-in-law is well-liked. Whether it was family, villagers, or relatives, no one had a bad word to say. But he has a strong personality and won't be taken advantage of. Among his peers, everyone looks to him for direction. The elders also hold him in high regard. Dad, stop worrying. He can stand on his own two feet now."
Zhou Kun nodded and looked at his eldest son-in-law. "Dad, our brother-in-law is very filial, but not foolishly so. He's reasonable, knows right from wrong, acts with magnanimity, and has a broad perspective. You can rest assured. His character is excellent. Second Sister won't suffer with him," the eldest son-in-law praised.
'That's good. I'm not afraid of him being shrewd; I'm afraid of him having no principles. Then my daughter would be the one to suffer. As long as his character is good, that's what matters.' Zhou Kun could finally relax. He'd have to wait and see, but if things continued like this, his second daughter would have someone to rely on for the rest of her life.
"Oh, right, Mom, how much waist-pressing money did Second Uncle give this morning?" the eldest sister-in-law asked. She had been curious all day. Mrs. Zhou looked up at her, then at her other children who all wore curious expressions, and chuckled. That morning, after their second daughter had been sent off in marriage, her husband had been curious, too.
She said with a smile, "I didn't see the exact amount, but it should be 99 yuan!"
Zhou Cui laughed too. "It was 99 yuan. When they came to pick up Second Sister, Grandma Li and the others asked. Second Brother-in-law said it symbolized 'long, long-lasting.' Li Hua and the others joked that he was afraid of being too conspicuous, or he would have given 999 yuan!"
Hearing this, Zhou Ying and Zhou Huaiyun burst out laughing. Zhou Huaiyun was the eldest Zhou brother's daughter. She and her aunt, Zhou Ying, were only two years apart and were the best of friends. Seeing the confused looks on the family's faces, she spoke up.
Zhou Huaiyun said, "Li Yuan told me that his big brother made lots of clothes for his big sister-in-law, and he even went into the mountains to find lots of things she likes to eat. He pickled all of them, just waiting for her to arrive after the wedding. He also planted roses and gardenias in the corridor between the main hall and the east wing, because those are her favorites! He said his big brother is definitely going to be a *pa erduo* in the future, the type who's afraid of his wife! Grandma, I know what 'afraid of his wife' means—that's like my Second Uncle being afraid of my Second Aunt—but what's a *pa erduo*?"
Zhou Huaiyun was a little girl of about ten, and the way she shook her head while mimicking others' speech delighted everyone. Mrs. Zhou pulled her into an embrace and said with a laugh, "*Pa erduo* is a term from the Sichuan people. It also means 'afraid of one's wife.'"
"Right?! My young aunt and I both think Second Uncle is very afraid of my Second Aunt. Today, after the bed-rolling boy finished his job, he told Second Uncle to go up and step on the bed to show he's the master of the house, but Second Uncle didn't even dare to! He just put my Second Aunt right in the middle of the bed. And he was the one who took off her shoes! A lot of people were laughing at him!" Zhou Huaiyun said with a pout. 'Her second uncle was so nice. He brought tasty treats every time he visited, but more importantly, he was good to her second aunt. Everyone treated her like a child and didn't censor their words around her. So many people envied her second aunt; they wished they could marry him instead. But Second Uncle belonged to Second Aunt. She'd heard her mom say it: Second Uncle absolutely adored Second Aunt!'
The Zhou family was finally at ease. Judging by how much Li Xiu cherished her, Zhou Lian would not be wronged. Li Xiu was also a capable man; with him, Zhou Lian would not have to suffer.