Hundred-Families Quilt

Su Li sent for Fourth Aunt Chen to help take care of the baby. Wu Caiwei, who had been cooped up inside for a month, finally went out to tend the sheep, cheerfully greeting guests alongside Mrs. Wang.

Everyone saw Wu Caiwei's complexion, outfit, and spirit, and couldn't help but envy her!

Sister Zhu entered the room and grabbed Wu Caiwei's hand, praising, "Caiwei, giving birth to a baby has truly transformed you, you've become even more beautiful! Oh, you really are blessed to have married Zhang Mu, such a capable and loving husband—truly enviable!"

Those nearby echoed Sister Zhu, laughing, "Yes, everyone in the village knows, besides Yuanbao from Ali's family, Zhang Mu is the most doting husband!"

Wu Caiwei smiled graciously and invited everyone to sit down, saying, "For me, marrying Brother Zhang Mu is a blessing earned over several lifetimes! Today, everyone, please feel at ease—don't be polite with us, eat and drink well!"

"Alright! We definitely won't be polite!" Everyone laughed uproariously and gathered around the table.

Before the feast began, the table was already laid with tea snacks, cakes, and melon seeds—all fine goods bought from Qingmiao City. For the villagers, these were rare treats, and everyone ate and chatted happily.

Mrs. Wang was also very happy today, full of energy, looking much younger, and said to Wu Caiwei, "Ah, I’m just waiting for Ali to recover fully and have a few children. Then I’ll be content for life!"

"Godmother, just wait, it’ll happen soon," Wu Caiwei smiled.

Villagers arrived one after another. Though not wealthy, everyone brought gifts. At the entrance, Guyu set up a table. Passing aunts and young wives placed pieces of cloth or small garments on the table.

This was a rural custom: at a full-month banquet, families collected pieces of cloth to sew a "Hundred Families' Garment" for the baby to wear at one hundred days old, symbolizing blessings and lifelong peace.

Wu Caiwei looked at the basket on the table, which already had quite a collection of cloth pieces.

Guyu cheerfully grabbed a handful and said to Wu Caiwei, "Madam Wu, look, so many cloth pieces—enough to sew clothes for little brother!"

Wu Caiwei smiled and patted Guyu's head, pulling out some candy from her bosom and stuffing it into Guyu's hand.

Guyu happily accepted the candy and thanked her quickly. She waved her hand, and Yindou and Lihua came running over.

Guyu divided the candy into three parts, sharing them evenly with everyone. The three little girls each peeled a piece and happily popped it into their mouths.

"So sweet!" Yindou linked arms with Guyu, acting like a little adult as she helped tidy the cloth pieces in the basket.

"Eat less candy, you'll still have to eat the meal!" Wu Caiwei smiled as she patted the heads of the three little girls. Since becoming a mother, she had grown even more fond of children.

Perhaps because she had given birth to a son, Wu Caiwei looked at the three delicate little girls with a hint of dissatisfaction, thinking she must have a daughter next time, to have both sons and daughters.

"We'll eat one more piece and then stop!" Yindou, very sensible, made a funny face at Wu Caiwei, then laughed and went off to play with Lihua.

After finishing with Guyu's side, Wu Caiwei went to the entrance to greet more people. From afar, she saw Qin Sanniang, dressed flamboyantly, swaying her waist as she approached, with Liu Ru beside her holding a baby.

Behind Qin Sanniang and Liu Ru was the smiling Zhang Zhuzi. Behind Zhang Zhuzi, Tang Shi was holding Zhang Zhaocai by the hand, who was shrinking his head and looking around sneakily, as if searching for someone.