The elders stood there in the wind, with their robes waving at the slight fall wind.
Theirs eyes were turned into half-moons from smiling as they welcomed one of children of their cousin.
Yep, they were so old that they were held by younger generation but knew her grandfather well.
"It's good to be back home. Tomorrow we will have burial ceremony with all members of the Su clan joining in." The oldest among them caughed lightly and spoke ins low voice.
Su Fei found these old people actually quite cute. She could see everyone highly respecting them and pikes this village right away.
Filial piety was in modern tim almost extinct. But here, in world that has no pension money or elder care, families took care of elders.
She didn't mind. If someone tries harming elders whole clan would reprimand him or her.
Of course sometimes things behind closed doors can't be controlled but once truth comes out, the effect would be tenfold.
While still in daze, the elders spoke to their father and finally paid attention to the two girls.
"These are Fei and Yue I guess." The oldest kindly glanced at two quite girls that were respectfully standing there and didn't jump into their conversation.
Su Quan nodded. He pulled the two girls in front of him. "Left is Su Fei. She is this year theiteen. She learned how to embroider when she was six and know double side embroidery. To the right is Su Yue. She learned how to embroider as well with six and knows how to embroider scenes from paintings or scriptures."
Both girls had speciality and the elders were happy that girls had some knowledge.
The oldest of thems poke slowly. "We added one more rule ten years ago. If any of girls doesn't want to marry, or get divorced and refuses to remarry, clan will provide them with basic needs and food until old age."
Wow.
Few women on side literally snorted but quick gaze of bunch of men made them get pale in fright.
They are outsiders. Even if they married into Su clan, they were not Su bloodline.
"There are important three rules you need to know. Su girls never are concubines. Even to royals. Even if whole Su clan gets punished this rule must be kept. Second rule is about marriages. No Su body or girl will marry anyone with Su last name or bloodline. It's ancient rule and we keep it. Even bloodlines that left keep this promise. Their rule is that clan might provide for your life in case of old age or sickness, but as long you can work, you have to earn your own money. Su clan will protect any Su female in outside world with blood. If they die unrightful death, those that caused it will disappear. If a family caused death, whole family will perish."
Su Fei's lips twitched. You don't have to go that far. Right?
But seing their expressions, she somehow knew they took that rule very seriously.
"The five Su girls will be protected even if they are not close. You are only Su clan members that got fisl in last twenty years. And even your daughters give only birth to boys. This is how rare Su girls are. "
One of older men puffed his chest. "My daughter got five sons and finally a granddaughter. You all are jealous, aren't you. Where is MeiMei!"
Suddenly a girl came forward, with bright smile and rushed towards flabbergasted girls. "Finally I have friends!!!"
Everyone started laughing. "You little spiled cat. Ist not like you don't have friends in Quan village."
She pursed her lips. "That's diffent. These two are my real blood. They will get married and I won't ever see them again. Their clan has rule that no girl can ever come back home. How vicious."
Elders heard this thousand times so they just shook rejie heads while the two girls were literally hugged and smothered by the quirky girl.
Su Quan could only heartily laugh as he saw both girls frozen expressions as tehys tood there, not knowing how to react.
The elder with granddaughter smiled happily and waved at the two girls. "Let's go to your new home."
Whole bunch of people, mostly just curious ones, followed overwhelmed group in front and stopped in front of cute courtyard.
The gate was wide open and as expected it was simple. Stone paved yard with simple open house.
It was a long house.
One side had two rooms, the other side had two rooms and middle was large room with kitchen.
"We built it when planting season was over. We didn't let you come until we were not done. Inside everything is aired and dry. We have own carpentry so boys built your simple tables and chairs while beds are made out of stone. The Kang bed is not used in south but here on north it's important. There is small vegetable garden behind house and we built as well chicken scoop. We have families that rear pigs at edge of the village. Pigs are eaten when time comes. You can rear some goats or sheep if you feel like but we usually can afford the bit wool to buy. In two days is monthly market. Many from far away come with various items so be ready early. We go to Cuo town by foot and come back when th carriages. Only older people and pregnant women get to go with carraige."
People slowly walked away as they were not invited inside and everyone had own things to do. The three stood inside the garden with daze and all three realized there was a basket with ten eggs and a piece of meat, and one basket next to it was a basket with bag of rice and some vegetables.
They went inside and Su Fei was stunned. "We got new post and bowls?"
Su Quan sighed. "This house and everything inside has to be paid over one forty teals. But once we pay it, we don't have to worry about the future."
The two girls nodded quickly and placed carefully the three old pots while he looked at the sky outside. "Deity, thank you for watching over our travels and let us come here safely."
A soft breeze swept over him and he thought it was an answer so he smiled while Su Fei knew. Itw as just wind. But letting him feel safe was important.
He could plan everything in advance in fear but the moment she mentioned the deity he relaxed and most of time just took care of them without making big deal out of it.
The two girls started cooking while he went out to go and pay his debts as well wants sto know arrangements for the burial ceremony.