"Mom! Don’t worry, I understand," Miss Song Qian said with tear-filled eyes as she nodded hurriedly.
"Okay, just be careful on the road, it’s really chaotic on the trains during the New Year!" As the saying goes, a mother worries when her child travels a thousand miles. Even though Song Yuanming, a reliable-looking man, was with her, Song Qian’s mother was still very concerned. Moreover, thinking about how her daughter had grown up and would soon belong to another family made it hard for her to let go!
"Fine! Then you should head back, it’s very cold outside, we’ll be leaving now," Song Qian said before turning to walk to Song Yuanming’s side, and the two of them hurried off with their luggage toward Song Family Village.
When Song Yuanming brought Song Qian back to Song Family Village, it was already the evening of the twenty-ninth day of the lunar year. The next day was New Year’s Eve, and the timing was just right for a family reunion on New Year.
"Qianqian, this is my mom, this is my dad, these are my older brother and sister-in-law, and these are my second brother and his wife whom you’ve t before," Song Yuanming introduced the Song Family to Song Qian, who seed a bit tense by his side as they entered the main house.
"Dad, Mom! Elder brother and sister-in-law, second brother and sister-in-law, hello! I am Song Qian," Song Qian greeted them with a smile that was neither too solicitous nor too cold, striking just the right balance.
"Good, good, this girl looks really delicate. Co, sit here, it’s really cold in this poor and remote area, hurry and sit by the fire!" Since Song Yuanming had brought Song Qian ho for the New Year and although Song Yuanming’s parents had not t her before, given that Song Yuanming and Song Qian were in a confird relationship, Mrs. Song, who was not the type to interfere with her children’s love lives, was naturally very happy.
However, when Mrs. Song learned of Song Qian’s na and that both Song Qian and Song Yuanming shared the sa surna, she faced a dilemma and worried terribly.
In Song Family Village, there was a custom that a married couple should not share the sa surna. Clearly, both Song Yuanming and Song Qian had the Song surna, but they were distant relatives without any direct relation, making marriage possible between them. Even so, it was still not entirely proper, and thus, after dinner that evening, Mrs. Song sought out Xu Xiuxiu for a heart-to-heart talk.
"Xiuxiu, I honestly like everything about that girl Qianqian, but in our area, there’s a taboo against spouses having the sa last na, claiming it leads to marital discord and affects future life. So having Qianqian share the Song surna might be problematic. You know, in our neighboring villages, when looking for daughters-in-law, we usually avoid the sa surna. Our family shouldn’t break this rule, and it wouldn’t sound good with all the gossip outside. Yuanming marrying a girl from another place is one thing, but marrying soone with the sa surna, that wouldn’t sound right. So I was thinking of asking Qianqian if she could change her surna. What do you think, would she be willing?" Mrs. Song asked hesitantly.
Mrs. Song knew that asking soone to change their surna might not seem right, yet she felt she had to be the one to broach this difficult request. This was Song Yuanming’s ancestral ho, and although he was usually busy outside, he would eventually return ho. These matters, while not extrely serious, were better resolved if adjustnts could be made.
"Mom, do we still have a taboo against n and won with the sa surna getting married here?" Xiuxiu didn’t really understand this custom. She had always thought that there shouldn’t be too much fuss about it, but to her surprise, there was. However, Miss Song Qian already had an established na and surna, used to it since childhood. Now that she was about to get married, would she be willing to change her na and surna?
Xiuxiu thought that discussing such feudal customs at this critical juncture felt sowhat ridiculous. But the elderly had many thoughts and rules, so Xiuxiu felt it couldn’t be ignored. Otherwise, Mrs. Song would feel uneasy, and the one who would truly be troubled was Song Qian. If she disagreed with changing her surna, Mrs. Song would definitely feel uneasy. But if she agreed to change it, it would also be quite unfair. Why should getting married to a man necessitate changing her surna? Even though historically it was common for won to adopt their husbands’ surnas, it still felt odd and unreasonable because of the local taboo against sharing the sa surna.
"Yes!" nodded Mrs. Song. "I am worried about what Qianqian might be thinking! So I wanted to discuss with you what should be done. Should we make Yuanying take my surna? That wouldn’t follow the rules either!" Mrs. Song said, completely disapproving of the idea. If her own son changed his surna, then her grandchildren would bear the wife’s surna, which completely made no sense!
But if Miss Song Qian was unwilling, it might really have to be Song Yuanming who changed his surna.
"How could we make Yuanying change his surna!" Upon hearing this, Xiuxiu imdiately shook her head to dismiss Mrs. Song’s suggestion.
To be honest, although it was already the 90s, the area around Song Family Village still harbored feudal thoughts to so extent. Even though Mrs. Song ntioned making Song Yuanming change his surna, she was only speaking hypothetically. If they actually decided to change Song Yuanming’s surna, let alone whether Mrs. Song agreed, Father Song would likely be furious. It was unheard of for a son to marry and then change his surna.
"Mom, I’ll talk to Qianqian later. I’m sure she will agree." After all, throughout her relationship with Song Yuanming, he had always been accommodating and tolerant. Although this matter could be considered both significant and trivial, if Song Qian was sensible, she would likely agree to change to her mother’s surna.
"Alright, Xiuxiu, please talk to Qianqian properly. If she isn’t willing, we’ll think of sothing else," said Mrs. Song uneasily, handing the task to Xiuxiu but not making any final decisions in case Xiuxiu found it difficult to handle.
Xiuxiu nodded in agreent, but she also knew in her heart that there really wasn’t much room to consider other options. In truth, there was only one viable solution, which was to have Song Qian change her surna.
"Qianqian, how are you feeling? If there’s anything you lack or need, feel free to tell . Our village store has a good range of items, and even if they don’t have what you need, we can drive to the county to buy it. It’s very convenient since we have a car," Xiuxiu said as she entered Song Qian’s bedroom to check on her and make her feel cared for, given that the young woman was in her future in-laws’ house and might feel uncomfortable expressing any discomfort.
"I’m doing well. The quilt is warm, too; there’s nothing I’m unaccustod to," Song Qian said with a smile, shaking her head.
"That’s good," Xiuxiu responded, reassured. Then she pulled Song Qian to sit down in the room and started to explain the customs of Song Family Village. "Qianqian, actually, I ca here on a mission. Though it’s quite feudal and unreasonable, can you hear out first?" Xiuxiu cautiously began, trying to use a roundabout way of speaking to avoid making Song Qian uncomfortable.
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