Chapter 27

Watching him saunter away, Qingyu asked in a low voice, "Qinghe, who was that?"
Li Qinghe shook her head. "I've never seen him before."
But then Qingyu's mother called from behind, "I know him, that's Wanwan's father."
When Li Qinghe heard the words "Wanwan's father" she first thought of Li Fu, then it dawned on her, was this man Zhao Wanwan's father, Zhao Tianfu?
Madam Qian actually had dealings with him, did Li Fu know?
Qingyu was only puzzled but didn't press further; the village had many surnames, and from one end to the other there were over a hundred households, it was normal not to recognize everyone.
Li Qinghe said goodbye, munching on the coarse grain cake that Qingyu's mother had thrust into her hand, and walked on. Soon she spotted Madam Qian.
Madam Qian happened to turn and saw her. SMrs. Hefted as if to hide but held back, standing where she was until she came closer. "Qinghe, where did you go so early?"
Li Qinghe answered calmly, taking another bite of her cake. "Returning a shoe pattern."
Madam Qian knew about the borrowed pattern. Watching her face, which looked as usual, she probed, "When you came back just now, did you meet anyone?"
"I did." Li Qinghe nodded. Seeing Madam Qian's face go pale in an instant, she added, "Third aunt next door went to town to buy coarse grain."
Madam Qian breathed a sigh of relief. "Hurry back and help with the cleaning, the Hu family should be coming any moment."
Li Qinghe gave no clear answer. Wanting to tease her a little, she asked, "Aunt Qian, what were you doing out so early?"
Madam Qian paused, forcing a smile, and hurried a few steps as if unnaturally quickening her pace. "I dropped something while washing clothes yesterday, I was checking this morning to see if I could find it."
"Did you find it?" Li Qinghe asked, curious.
Madam Qian shook her head. "No, with so many people coming and going here, where would there be?"
As time went on, she grew more and more composed.
When they got home Li Fu was already up, washing, and on seeing them come in he asked, "Where have you two been?"
It was meant as a casual question, but Li Qinghe saw Madam Qian's hand at her side clench instantly.
"I was looking for my shoes." Li Qinghe moved closer and went to fetch water to wash.
Li Fu didn't press it and told them, "Tidy up the yard, it wouldn't do if the Hu family arrives and it's a mess."
Having the in-laws call certainly called for a bit more courtesy than usual guests, but with so many people in the house, the cleaning wasn't Li Qinghe's job, they didn't even have that many brooms.
The sun climbed higher and still no one had come to the gate. Zhao Wanwan sat reservedly at first, then kept slipping out to the yard to peer down the road, and in the end she just stood in the doorway.
Madam Qian, who'd been pleased at the start, began to look doubtful. Li Fu's face darkened. "Did the Hu family say they'd come today?"
"They did," Madam Qian said firmly. "Wanwan and Qinghe both heard it, didn't you?"
Zhao Wanwan hung her head and nodded vaguely.
The least affected was Li Qinghe. She ate breakfast as usual and figured that if the Hu family still didn't arrive she'd go feed the fish first and then find a way to avoid them. She wasn't going to stand out at the pond baking in the sun, after all.
The sunlight shifted into the yard, leaving the eaves in shade. Li Qinghe lost patience and got up to go out. Li Fu paced anxiously inside with his hands behind his back; seeing her leave he asked, "Where are you off to?"
"To feed the fish," Li Qinghe replied casually.
Li Fu followed her out. "I'll come with you."
Madam Qian fretted, "What if they arrive while you're gone..."
Li Fu waved her off. "It's just feeding the fish, it won't dirty your clothes, and it'll be quick. Don't be so nervous."
The two of them opened the yard gate and were about to head west when they saw a group coming from the village entrance. Li Fu's furrowed brow smoothed at once. "They're here."
Madam Qian hurried over at the sound. "You knew? Where are they?"
Zhao Wanwan's face brightened again as she lifted the curtain and went inside.
Li Qinghe stood at the gate. When the Hu matron approached she greeted her with a smile, then used the excuse of feeding the fish to make her way to the pond.
On her way back from feeding the fish she passed the Zhou household and happened upon Zhao Chengkeng threshing wheat, he hadn't been there earlier.
Zhao Chengkeng dropped his tools and came to the gate. "Qinghe, feeding the fish? Want to come in and sit for a bit?"
Mrs. Zhou peeked out smiling from inside. "Qinghe, come in and sit."
Li Qinghe hesitated briefly but went in. In her previous life Zhao Chengkeng had built a wooden shack at her grave and rarely left it; she only knew the Zhou family in passing.
Mrs. Zhou hurriedly urged, "Qinghe, sit inside." Then she called louder, "Little sister, quickly bring tea, your sister Qinghe is here."
Apart from the three of them the house seemed empty. The Zhou family's younger sister was shy, she only called "sister" once while pouring tea and then fell silent, though when she heard Mrs. Zhou and Li Qinghe talking a small smile touched her lips.
Mrs. Zhou produced a bowl of melon seeds and pushed it toward her. "I heard the Hu family is coming today?"
Li Qinghe thanked her and replied, "They are. They arrived just as I was leaving."
"Good, good," Mrs. Zhou said with a smile.
The house was neat enough, if a bit worn. When Li Qinghe glanced around she noticed that the Zhou home had the same layout as her own: two main rooms and a side room. It was a fine layout, enough for the Li family, but for the Zhou family...
Mrs. Zhou said, "I plan to wait until the grain's dry and then sell some. We'll build two more rooms first."
Li Qinghe didn't mind. She had some silver saved and could at worst choose a foundation near the pond on her land and build herself, she'd never thought to rely on anyone. Still, she couldn't reply to Mrs. Zhou; after all, she was still only an unmarried daughter-in-law in name.
After sitting a while, Li Qinghe prepared to take her leave; the Hu family should be leaving soon. She'd come mainly to see the Zhou household for herself, seeing how clean they kept it put her at ease. Poverty could be endured; laziness could not.
Just as she was about to go, the curtain at the door was tossed aside and someone bustled in. "Mother, give me some silver, Haiyao has her eye on a bracelet and she really loves it."
Only then did he notice the extra person in the room. He sized her up and said, "Li Qinghe?"
They weren't close, so addressing her that way wasn't wrong. Li Qinghe nodded.
Mrs. Zhou frowned. "I don't have any silver left."
Zhou Chengcai spoke eagerly and fast, "Mother, Haiyao really likes it, just this once. She says if we buy the bracelet we'll count it as the betrothal gift."
Talking about another daughter-in-law's betrothal gifts in front of Li Qinghe made Mrs. Zhou uneasy. "We'll discuss betrothal gifts later, there's no need to rush. Besides, Qinghe is still here; what are you being so rash for?"
Li Qinghe rose at the right moment. "Aunt, I should be going."
Mrs. Zhou's expression shifted and she pressed her to stay for lunch, but Li Qinghe had already stepped outside, she didn't want to listen to the family's private matters. Zhao Chengkeng stopped his mother. "I'll walk her back."
Mrs. Zhou shot Zhou Chengcai a resentful look and said softly, "You explain it properly to her, don't make her upset."
Zhao Chengkeng smiled. "Don't worry, Mother. Qinghe isn't petty."
Li Qinghe left quickly; she hadn't heard Zhao Chengkeng's words, but he caught up to her after a short while. "Qinghe, I'll see you home."
“What's the point of seeing me off a few steps?” Li Qinghe waved her hand. “It's so busy now, hurry back.”
Zhou Chengkang didn't turn away; he kept walking with her. “That won't do. My mother asked me to see you home and to explain things. My third brother's fiancée is, admittedly, a bit spoiled.”
Li Qinghe raised an eyebrow. “Your family doesn't expect us to give in to her just because she's spoiled, do they?”
That idea was out of the question, she wasn't going to cater to that.
“Of course not,” Zhou Chengkang said with righteous assurance. “The only person in this world who could make me back down is you.”
Li Qinghe snorted with a laugh. “Don't be ridiculous. Go on back.”
When they returned home, the Hu family hadn't left. The main hall felt wrong, awkward and quiet, with none of the cheer a small wedding should bring. Li Qinghe didn't go in; she went straight to her room. The garment she was making for Zhou Chengkang had only a little left to finish.
Li Fu's voice was steady. “Qinghe is my daughter, and Wanwan is my daughter too. Whatever bride price they receive, I'll provide that much dowry. If you prepare more for Wanwan, I'll add for Qinghe as well. I'm the only one working in this household; we barely make ends meet. These dowries… they're hard for me. I can't have both my daughters married off and then be left with nothing.”
They were still arguing about dowries.