Zheng Wei nodded in agreement. Under normal circumstances, he would agree to whatever Shen Xiaoyan said.
After thinking for a moment, Zheng Wei said, "Invite the village head. And some elders from the clan."
Shen Xiaoyan heard this and slapped her own forehead, regretting, "How could I forget this? Thank goodness for you."
With the guests decided, the next step was to set a date. Finally, the two decided on August 12, which was tomorrow.
It wasn't that they were being hasty, but rather that the days that followed were inconvenient. August 15th was a festival, making it difficult to invite people.
After August 15th, the harvest would begin, and everyone would likely be too busy.
Therefore, Zheng Wei immediately hitched up the cart and went to town. He needed to inform Lu Taobao and buy all the ingredients needed for tomorrow.
Then, he would go to the place where he had previously rented tables and chairs and borrow them again. Finally, he had to find two chefs.
He himself didn't know how to cook, and Shen Xiaoyan couldn't manage everything alone. Although Pan Shi and the others knew how to cook, they couldn't possibly ask their guests to do the cooking when they were invited to a meal. So, they decided to hire two chefs. It would be simple, convenient, and the food would be delicious.
Shen Xiaoyan, on the other hand, went to Baiyun Manor. She needed to inform the families she was inviting. Shen Xiaoming heard this and wanted to go along.
Shen Xiaoyan had to lock all the doors and windows, then sent a message to Luoluo, asking it to come back and guard the house. She then went to Baiyun Manor with Shen Xiaoming.
They first went to the village head's house, then to the homes of the clan elders, and to the homes of some well-respected elderly people in the village who were popular. Afterward, they went to the homes of Liang Shi and others.
Finally, Shen Xiaoyan went to Pan Shi's house. By the time she arrived, it was late afternoon. Pan Shi was in the courtyard chopping vegetables for the chickens and ducks.
Seeing Shen Xiaoyan and Shen Xiaoming arrive, Pan Shi was overjoyed. She greeted them, then called into the house for Wu Dagang to come out and play with Shen Xiaoming. She then stood up, washed her hands, and gestured for Shen Xiaoyan and her brother to come inside for tea.
"Auntie, please don't bother. We came to let you know that we're moving tomorrow and having a party. You and Uncle, along with Dagang, must come," Shen Xiaoyan stopped Pan Shi from bustling around and quickly stated their purpose.
"Everything's ready? That was quick. I was thinking, once things settle down, I'd come over and help you make quilts or something. How did you get everything done already?" Pan Shi knew that Shen Xiaoyan didn't know how to embroider.
Previously, when Xu Shi wouldn't let Shen Xiaoyan learn embroidery, Pan Shi had felt uneasy. A daughter who didn't know how to embroider in the countryside would be at a disadvantage when she married.
After all, as a wife, she would have to make clothes for her husband and children, and sometimes for her father-in-law, mother-in-law, and even her brothers-in-law and sisters-in-law. If Shen Xiaoyan couldn't do it, wouldn't she be at a disadvantage?
She hadn't expected that Shen Xiaoyan would eventually marry Zheng Wei. Although there were no in-laws or siblings-in-law, the workload of the entire family still fell on Shen Xiaoyan.
Hearing that Shen Xiaoyan had prepared everything, Pan Shi was naturally surprised.
Shen Xiaoyan smiled sheepishly, "I ordered them at a ready-made clothing store in town."
Pan Shi then understood and chided, "What are you rushing for? How expensive it is to have them made. Why didn't you come to Auntie? If you were in a hurry, I would have come over sooner."
Shen Xiaoyan said, "It wasn't much more expensive. I buy there often, and the owner knows me, so he gave me a discount."
Pan Shi sighed and then said, "You'll be free from now on. You can also learn to do needlework. You can't buy everything for a lifetime, can you? Come to Auntie in the future, and Auntie will teach you..."
Upon hearing this, Shen Xiaoyan quickly changed the subject, "Auntie, don't forget to come tomorrow. Uncle and Dagang should also come. There are still people to notify, so Xiao Ming and I will leave now."
Pan Shi, hearing that there were still people to notify, urged her to go quickly and promised to be there tomorrow.
Shen Xiaoyan pulled Shen Xiaoming along and walked outside, feeling fortunate. Thankfully, she had left quickly. Heaven knew she had no desire to learn embroidery at all.
As they reached the gate, they saw Xu Shi walking towards them, supporting Xu Xiao'e.
Judging by the time, Xu Shi's belly should be about seven or eight months along. Seeing Xu Shi's big belly, Shen Xiaoyan worried for her. What if it was twins again? How would they manage then?
"Xiaoyan, you're moving to a new home? Why didn't you come to our house to tell us? We could have helped you tidy up," Xu Shi said with a smile.
"No need, everything is already sorted," Shen Xiaoyan replied indifferently.
Xu Shi didn't care about Shen Xiaoyan's attitude and continued smiling, "I heard you're having a party tomorrow. Rest assured, your father, me, and your younger siblings will all be there."
Shen Xiaoyan was surprised and roared inwardly, "If you all come, I won't be able to rest easy!"
"You're so far along, you shouldn't come. What if you get hurt?" Shen Xiaoyan glanced at Xu Shi's swollen belly and advised.
Xu Shi naturally wouldn't listen. It was a rare opportunity to visit Shen Xiaoyan's new house; how could she let it slip away just like that?
Once she arrived at Shen Xiaoyan's house tomorrow, she would complain of a stomachache and be unable to leave. She would then seize the opportunity to stay, and have Xiao'e stay under the pretense of taking care of her. This way, her and Xiao'e's earlier plan would be much easier to carry out.
Thinking this, Xu Shi's smile grew even brighter. Since she was determined to go, she couldn't offend Shen Xiaoyan now. Therefore, Xu Shi said, "You know the situation at home. There's nothing else I can do, but I can come to help warm the house."
Shen Xiaoyan opened her mouth but didn't know what to say. What could she say?
"We don't welcome you, so you shouldn't come."
Fine, she didn't want to say such a thing, nor could she say it. Otherwise, she would be the one in the wrong.
In ancient times, filial piety was highly valued. Parents could be unkind, but children could not be unfilial, or they would be criticized and unable to hold their heads high.
This was also why Shen Xiaoyan proposed separating the family but was still willing to give Xu Shi and Shen Cheng filial money every year.
It meant that she couldn't say it directly, but it didn't mean she had no other way.
Shen Xiaoyan's thoughts raced, and she then smiled at Xu Shi and said, "Alright then."
Upon hearing Shen Xiaoyan agree, Xu Shi's face lit up with joy. Compared to her earlier forced smile, her current smile was genuinely happy.
Xu Xiao'e, who had remained silent, also showed a flicker of joy in her eyes, though her expression remained impassive.
Shen Xiaoyan noticed their reactions but didn't say anything more. She called out to Shen Xiaoming and was about to leave.
Xu Shi and the other didn't try to stop them. Their objective had been achieved, and they didn't want to look at Shen Xiaoyan's increasingly beautiful face.
However, perhaps because they turned around too quickly, or perhaps because something tripped them, Xu Shi stumbled to one side as soon as she took a step, falling heavily onto Xu Xiao'e.
Xu Xiao'e, after all, was a fifteen-year-old girl, slender and with very little strength.