As soon as Da Yu spoke, Xia Zhi sensitively noticed that the movements of several people around her had become slightly quieter. Today, the Tian family's people deliberately kept their distance from her, but behind her back, they couldn't help but steal glances at her. What they were looking at was her attire.

  Xia Zhi wore this outfit today that would be very "dazzling" at the Tian's, and in her heart, she wasn't completely without ideas.

  When Da Ya asked this, Xia Zhi smiled. "Sister Da Ya, you said my clothes look good? They do look good, but they weren't bought by my parents. Where would they get the money to make clothes for me?"

  Xia Xiuzai and Tian's family had money, they would first give it to the Tian family. Even if they wanted to buy clothes for their own children, they would have to consider Xia Qiao and Xiao Shu'er first. She hadn't worn new clothes in years.

  In the summer solstice, she still remembered that sometimes when her family had suitable fabric for making clothes, Tian Shi would advise her to give it to Da Ya and Er Ya, saying that the two cousins' lives were more difficult than hers.

  Look at Da Ya and Er Ya, they are both wearing old clothes with patches.

  Daiyu was fourteen years old, about the same height as Xiangyun, but thinner. Xiangyun had gained some weight in recent days and looked lively. Daiyu, on the other hand, was thin and dry, without any of the liveliness that a girl of her age should have.

  It was said that Xia Zhi's clothes were not prepared by Xia Xiuzai and Tian Shi, so Tian Wangshi and Jiang Shi quickly exchanged a glance. However, neither of them spoke, they just slowed down their movements a bit more.

  Er Ya took over and asked Xia Zhi: "That wasn't bought by your aunt and uncle, who bought it for you?"

  "You don't know, do you? I spent some time in the capital city recently." Xia Zhi deliberately spoke with a slightly boastful tone and told them about her experiences during the Dragon Boat Festival in the capital. She talked about the prosperity of the capital, how people there lived comfortable and luxurious lives, and finally, she couldn't help but show off her own clothes and jewelry.

  "These were all bought when I lived in Fucheng."

  "Are these clothes and jewelry all bought for you by your eldest sister-in-law?" Jiang Shi couldn't help but ask.

  Xia Zhi smiled and didn't say yes or no. She ignored Jiang Shi and instead pulled Xiao Shu'er to play in the yard together. Xia Zhi herself left, but her words still lingered in the hearts of the people in the outer room.

  Jiang lowered her head and chopped the vegetables, almost cutting her own fingers. She stopped and said in a low voice to Tian Wang, "Xia Zhi's eldest aunt's family is quite wealthy."

  "Your sister's husband's family is wealthy." Tian Wang quietly picked vegetables, "That family is particularly stingy, and your sister's husband is also holding back, this little money means nothing to them, they can get enough from that family alone."

  Tian Wang said, in her heart deeply resenting Xia Lao Ye for being too nosy, resenting Xia Da Jie for being petty and knowing that her brother needed money but not willing to take it out, at the same time she also resented her own daughter Tian Shi, if only Tian Shi could be more useful.

  "Her elder sister's family is wealthy, but they are particularly stingy. How did they buy so many good things for Xia Zhi?" Tian Wang thought of the key to the problem and couldn't help but furrow her brow.

  "I don't think Xia Zhi is lying. There must be a reason for this. Otherwise, let's ask my sister?" Jiang said tentatively to Tian.

  Just now everyone made a big fuss, and the two hundred taels of silver are probably hard to get. The clothes worn by Xia Zhi on summer solstice caught the eye of Tian Wangshi, which is shining silver.

  Tian Wang thought for a moment, then poked his head out and called out to Lai Di. Tian Shi was in the house chatting with Xia Xiucai and accompanying Tian Lao Tou when she heard Tian Wang calling her, so she hurriedly came out.

  "Mother, what do you want me to do?" Tian Shi asked Tian Wangshi.

  "My aunt, what are you asking me to do?" Tian Wang said.

  Jiang's family member chimed in with a smile: "Sister, just stay and keep Sister-in-law company, these chores will be taken care of by me and your two nieces."

  Tian's wife grunted, ever since she married Xia Xiuhai, every time she came back, not only did she bring back big and small packages of things, but also stuck silver money on the house after returning home. Tian Wangshi didn't let her do any chores again.

  Tian Wang looked out the door and saw Xia Zhi and Xiao Shu chatting and laughing. She withdrew her gaze and looked at Tian again. Tian thought she understood Tian Wang's meaning, so she quickly assured her: "Don't worry, Mother, I won't let Xia Zhi off."

  "Lai Di, I'm asking you, that outfit she wore on the summer solstice, wasn't it bought for her by her eldest sister-in-law from the upper mansion?" asked Tian Wangshi.

  Tian's eyes widened and he nodded immediately. "If it weren't for her aunt buying it, I would have had the spare money to dress her up like this!"

  Tian Wang got the expected answer and drooped his eyelids.

  Jiang's family on one side was a bit surprised: "Sister, I heard that your eldest aunt is very stingy, how can she be so generous and buy so many good clothes for Xia Zhi?"

  "She must have bought it for a reason." Tian Shi said with a smirk, revealing her speculation that Xia Dagu wanted Xia Zhi to be his daughter-in-law. However, she spoke with great certainty, and Tian Wangshi and Jiang Shi listened, thinking it was indeed true, not just Tian Shi's guesswork.

  "It's going to be a blessing when summer arrives." Da Ya said in a low voice as she lit the fire.

  Madam Jiang was right next to Big Sister Yu, and when she heard this sentence, she lowered her head to take a look at her own daughter. After looking at her own daughter, she raised her head again to glance outside at Xia Zhi. Madam Jiang's emotions became complicated.

  Tian Wang's mood wasn't that complicated, she thought more simply. "Your elder sister's family has money, marrying a daughter-in-law depends on how much dowry they give. Lai Di, remember, ask her for a lot of betrothal gifts."

  Then Tian Wang asked Tian, "When will this be settled?" If they could get the betrothal gift for Xia Zhi earlier, it would be used for Da Bao's marriage.

  Tian Shi knew Tian Wang Shi's thoughts, and she was in a dilemma. "Mother, you also know that my elder sister-in-law is very stingy and particular. She won't make a decision so early. The summer solstice is only twelve days away, and it's not yet time to be a daughter-in-law. If she has made up her mind, then during the New Year and festivals, we'll have to give an extra share of gifts."

  Relying on Xia Zhi's dowry to marry a daughter-in-law for Tian Dabao is probably not in time. What Old Man Tian and Madame Tian want is that this year they can let the new daughter-in-law enter the house, and next year they can hold their great-grandchildren, which would be even better.

  "Twelve is not young anymore, and the people in Lao Xia's family have many tricks up their sleeves." Tian Wangshi said fiercely, "To say, they are still snatching our eldest son's wife from us."

  The Tian family didn't dare to make a sound. What was going to happen with Xia Zhi becoming the daughter-in-law of Tian Dabao, that was completely impossible now. Looking at Xia Zhi now, and the whole Xia family in front of and behind the house taking care of Xia Zhi, if she dared to mention this matter again, Old Man Xia would definitely not agree.

  At that time, she was probably unable to stand her ground in the Xia family either.

  At this time, Jiang said: "Our big girl is already fifteen years old, and the age is suitable."

  Tian Wang's family listened, then glared at Jiang's family with a look of disdain, thinking that what she said was nonsense: "Is it just because of her age that someone would want her? That is the young lady from Lao Xia's household, they want Xia Zhi."

  "Mother, I didn't mean anything else, it's just that our Dabao has also grown up." Jiang said very gently.

  Tian Wang looked at Jiang: "How come you're saying this now? In the past, when it came to marrying off Da Niang, you were dead set against it, saying she was too young."

  "Mother, isn't that always the case?" Jiang said softly and smiled at Tian, "If her aunt were to be a matchmaker for Da Yu, even if she didn't marry into a wealthy family, she would still marry someone of similar status. That way, we can also benefit from it later on."

  Tian Wang suddenly stopped talking.

  Xia Zhi and Xiao Shu Er played in the yard for a while, then went out to take a walk. Although the place of Kao Shan Tun is poor, the scenery is really good, with clear mountains and beautiful water. When the sister and brother were playing outside, there were adults and children watching them from afar, but they didn't come close.

  Until Xiaqiao came out and said it was time for dinner, Xiazhi and Xiaoshu'er followed Xiaqiao back together.

  On the kang, two tables were set up. At one table at the head of the kang sat Tian Lao, Tian Dabo and Tian Dashen, accompanying Xia Xiuren, Tian Shi, Xia Qiao and Xiao Shu'er all on this table.

  There was another table in the room, where Tian Wangshi and Jiangshi were eating with Da Ya and Er Ya, and Xia Zhi also had to sit at this table.

  The dishes were quickly served, and Xia Zhi soon discovered something was off.

  The old man's table had a large bowl of braised pork belly with green beans, a stir-fried egg with scallions, and a small dish of bean curd mixed with scallions. There were only three dishes, but the serving size was not small. The bowl of braised pork belly with green beans clearly showed thick slices of pork belly. However, on her table, there was only one dish, braised pork belly with green beans, and all that could be seen were the green beans, without any sign of meat.

  Although Xia Zhi wasn't interested in cutting the pork into such small pieces, it was enough to make her uncomfortable.

  Moreover, apart from this small dish of bean sprouts, there was nothing else on her table. Jiangshi busied herself in the outer room for a while before bringing in a large bowl of fermented soybeans and holding a handful of scallions. Then Tianwangshi also came in, carrying a plate of pickled vegetables which she placed on the table beside Xia Zhi.

  Even if they usually eat two different dishes, but she is a guest today, this is too much. Xia Zhi doesn't care about what to eat, but she cares about being treated like this.

  As soon as the summer solstice arrived, he glanced at the table by the kang and saw Old Tian pick up his chopsticks, seemingly about to start eating. Everyone at the table was watching Old Tian, except for Xiao Shu who turned her head to look at Xia Zhi.

  Xia Zhi winked at Xiao Shu'er. Xiao Shu'er was a clever kid and immediately understood. "Let my sister join us for dinner."

  Without waiting for anyone's response, Xia Zhi smiled and said: "Good, good." She said so, without consulting or being polite to anyone, she walked straight to the table at the head of the bed, and stood between Xia Qiao and Xiao Shu'er.

  Xiaqiao and Xiaoshu of course both shifted to either side, making room for Xiazhi.

  Xia Zhi sat down between the two of them. She also smiled at the people by the table, as if she thought it was a matter of course to do so.

  The old man's chopsticks, which had been raised, stopped in mid-air. He lifted his eyelids and stared at Xia Zhi for a moment, then shifted his gaze to Tian Shi's body.

  Tian's family hurriedly said to Xia Zhi: "This chair is not for you to sit on, go and sit with your maternal grandmother."

  "Why can't I sit here, we're all sitting together as a family?" Xia Zhi smiled and said, "Mom, I don't want to be separated from you, Dad, my brother, and my younger brother."

  "Just separate for a while, how can't it be done. Hurry up and go, do you still understand the rules." Tian's face sank, she also gave Xia Zhi a wink behind Tian Lao's back, meaning to let Xia Zhi hurry up and leave, don't provoke Tian Lao's anger.

  This is already a rare occurrence for the Tian family, and she should also be aware that she can no longer control Xia Zhi.

  But Xia Zhi didn't take the hint, she sat there motionless, and even took the small tree's rice bowl and chopsticks in front of her. She had forgotten to bring her own when she came over from that table, and this table obviously didn't have hers.

  The little tree looked at Xia Zhi with a glance, and he crawled from the kang to the table by the head of the bed, then picked up Xia Zhi's bowl and chopsticks and brought them over, sitting down beside Xia Zhi.

  Seeing them like this, Tian Lao's face turned even darker. Tian Shi was even more anxious, pointing at Xia Zhi: "Xia Zhi, I told you not to move!"

  "Girl, it's a big deal, don't get angry." Xia Zhi still smiled and then turned to Old Man Tian, "Grandpa, I'm used to eating with my family, you won't not let me sit at this table, will you?... When guests come to our backyard, my grandfather and grandmother always let me sit in the seat of honor."

  Tian Lao Tou gave Tian Shi a glance, and Tian Shi lowered her head in shame. At this time, she couldn't possibly force Xia Zhi to get up. Xia Zhi absolutely wouldn't budge, not to mention that if she used force, including Xia Xiu Cai, Da Qiao and Xiao Shu Er would all stand up for Xia Zhi.

  The old man Tian just sneered, but he didn't say anything to Xia Zhi. Xia Zhi also figured it out that Old Man Tian was used to putting on airs, so he would only order the Tian family to control him, and wouldn't directly say anything to her.

  Xia Zhi was right after all.

  He let out a cold laugh and then didn't say anything else, instead picking up his chopsticks to take a bite of food. This was the signal for everyone to start eating.

  A table of three dishes was quickly swept clean. Old Tian ate very little and very slowly, it's unknown if he usually eats like this or if he was upset today. The Xia family eats with good manners, including the Tians, they all eat elegantly. The two people who swept everything clean were: Tian Dabao and Tian Dashu.

  Tian Dabao and Tian Dabo not only ate a lot, but also ate very quickly. By the time Xia Zhi had barely served a few dishes, he found that all the food was gone.

  She looked at the small tree on one side, and the small tree helplessly pursed its lips. She then looked at the big bridge on the other side, but the big bridge didn't eat vegetables, and instead ate the rice in its bowl with a gentle and elegant demeanor.

  The meal was almost finished, and Tian Lao Tou put down his chopsticks first. He didn't seem to think that Tian Da Shu and Tian Da Bao's eating habits were bad at all. During the meal, he even picked up several pieces of meat and put them in Tian Da Bao's bowl, as if he was afraid that his grandson wouldn't eat enough or eat well.

  Old Tian put down his chopsticks, and the Xia family also put down their bowls, indicating that they had finished eating. "Are you all done?" Big Uncle Tian asked with a smile, then said, "If you're all done, I'll just finish off the leftovers."

  As he said that, he really picked up the dish plate, poured all the dishes into his own bowl, and then used rice to wipe the dish plate clean, wiping it until it was spotless.

  "We can't even get a decent meal normally." Old Tian said from the side, as if to explain Da Shu's actions.

  Tian Dabao finished all the dishes and even wiped the plates clean, while Tian Dabo fell behind a step, looking somewhat wronged.

  "Roast chicken, roast chicken." Tian Dabao muttered to himself.

  It wasn't until after Xia Zhi realized that Tian's roasted chicken had never been served.

  The rules of the Zhuang family, when entertaining a maternal uncle, usually use the highest boudoir. Today's situation, the meal prepared by the Tian family was originally rough and not windy, so the roasted chicken should be put on the table. Whether Xia Xiuzi eats or not, the roasted chicken will eventually fall into someone's mouth, which is a courtesy.

  But the Tian family obviously didn't think of this gift. Even if Tian Dabao brought up the topic of roasted chicken, they didn't show any embarrassment at all.

  The old man Tian just took a glance at Tian Dabao and then said to him: "You've eaten enough. If you want roasted chicken, go find your grandma."

  Tian Dabao went to find Tian Wangshi. Tian Wangshi originally ate dinner very late, and at this time, he had not finished a bowl of rice yet. But she immediately put down her rice bowl and took Tian Dabao out.

  It wasn't until quite a while later that Tian Dabao followed Tian Wang back, with a greasy mouth, seemingly having wiped it but not cleaned it thoroughly.

  He should be very satisfied with his meal. Tian Dabao returned to the house, sat on the edge of the kang and chuckled foolishly.

  After putting down the rice bowl, she didn't stay in the house for long and ran to the yard with Xiao Shu again. She was talking to Xiao Shu when she saw Jiang Shi walking over hesitantly.

  "It's summer solstice, why don't you tell your aunt more about things in the city?"