Chapter 33

Madam Qian cracked the door open and Mrs. Xu squeezed inside. “Is the girl surnamed Yu in your house?”
The one named Yu?
Looking for Yu Yan, Li Fu’s brow eased a little. His daughter’s marriage was already arranged; he didn’t want any big scandal.
Li Qinghe felt a jolt of surprise and turned to Yu Yan, whose face had gone serious, whispering, “What’s going on?”
Yu Yan smiled faintly and stepped into the yard. “Auntie, come to my house to talk. This is someone else’s place, we shouldn’t make a scene.”
Third Aunt emerged from the house, bewildered by what was happening, but she, too, joined Yu Yan in inviting Mother Xu to speak at Yu Yan’s home.
“What? Afraid people will find out you’re clinging to a man? I won’t have that, I’ll say it right here…” Mother Xu ignored Third Aunt and turned instead to Li Fu and Madam Qian, pointing at Yu Yan. “That girl is shameless, she embroidered a mandarin-duck pouch for our Changjie. You’re saying there’s nothing between you? And she’s from the county, are girls from the county all like this?”
Third Aunt went pale; Yu Yan quickly steadied her and murmured comfort.
Those words were unbearably cruel.
With barely a month until the New Year and villagers already preparing, Mother Xu came to stir up trouble, insisting on settling things with Yu Yan and showing no regard for the Li family.
Li Fu relaxed when he heard she was after Yu Yan, but seeing her carry on, his face soured. “Can’t you take your shouting elsewhere? This has nothing to do with our family…”
“Aren’t you the same?” she snapped, pointing at Li Qinghe with a sneer. “Do you deny that when you saved my son you had other motives?”
She came at them like a mad dog, biting wildly.
Li Qinghe didn’t flare up. Folding her arms, she gave a cold laugh. “Yes, I had motives.”
Mother Xu jumped as if she’d found proof. “See? You admitted it!” she cried, then turned to Li Fu to press the point. “And I’m not the one making it up.”
Li Fu’s face darkened. He glared at Li Qinghe and motioned for her to go inside. When matters of the heart turn into scandal, it’s always the women who lose out.
Li Qinghe shrugged. “The motive was plain: I wanted your family’s thank-you gift.” She pointed west. “See that fallow patch? I bought that land with your ten taels. If I hadn’t saved your son and he’d died, I’d have lost my land, everyone would have suffered, right?”
“Speaking of saving your son…” Li Qinghe seemed to recall something. “Remember how Wanwan and I saved him again later? Your Xu family still hasn’t shown any gratitude, when are you coming to deliver the thank-you gift?”
Hearing that, Zhao Wanwan darted out of the house. "Aunt, have you come to deliver the customary thank-you gift?"
She turned to Li Qinghe. "Sister, everyone present deserves a share, shouldn't you give me half?"
Mother Xu was momentarily taken aback; she hadn't expected them to be so unceremonious. If this went on, she really would have to hand over the gift.
So she looked back at Yu Yan, mainly because Yu Yan was nervously supporting Third Aunt and preparing to go home, already moving toward the gate, in other words, toward Mother Xu.
As she passed Mother Xu she was grabbed by the arm. "Say it clearly, don't pester my son again!"
Yu Yan, still supporting Third Aunt and unable to break free, replied, "Tell him to say that to me himself."
Third Aunt patted Yu Yan's hand and faced Mother Xu. "It takes two to make a sound. There's no way my girl tied that purse onto your son, is there? You profited from the situation and now you blame us, I've never seen anyone so shameless."
Li Qinghe clicked her tongue inwardly. From what Yu Yan was implying, it wasn't just the girl with feelings, Xu Changjie had answered back as well?
Mother Xu, furious, laughed. "My son is just soft-hearted, too embarrassed to refuse you."
At that moment Xu Changjie appeared outside the fenced yard. The wound on his face had healed into a pale pink scar; he must have had good medicine. It was far better than Li Qinghe had expected.
There was suddenly another person at the gate, and everyone in the yard looked out to see him, panting as if he'd run over.
Seeing him, Yu Yan kept her voice fairly calm. "Your mother says her wishes are your wishes, you were too ashamed to refuse me, is that it?"
"That's not it." Xu Changjie opened the gate and came in, reaching to pull his mother. "It's the New Year, what are you doing barging into someone else's house? If you have something to say, say it. Stop dragging people around."
"Do you think I'm meddling?" Mother Xu pointed at her own nose. "If it weren't for you, I wouldn't come and make myself disliked. If you're too embarrassed to refuse, I'll refuse for you!"
Xu Changjie tugged her away, offering an apologetic smile to Li Fu and Madam Qian, and, in a low voice to his mother, "We'll talk about it at home." He cast an apologetic look toward Third Aunt. "Aunt, I'm sorry." Then, quietly to Yu Yan, "I'll come see you later."
Mother Xu was dragged out of the yard but kept nagging. "You can't get mixed up with her. Don't forget you're a man, your reputation matters. If you get entangled it'll ruin your name; then who would be willing..."
Li Qinghe was more curious than anything. "Who is she talking about?"
With the mother and son walking away, Zhao Wanwan glanced at Li Qinghe several times, wanting to speak but hesitating. She couldn't hold back and shouted, "Aunt, don't forget!"
But she didn't say what to remember.
Everyone present, however, understood she was referring to the thank-you gift.
In truth the Xu family really ought to have prepared the gift and come to thank them in person once Xu Changjie returned, just a few polite words would have done. But so much time had passed that, judging by the astonishment in Mrs. Xu's eyes when Li Qinghe had just mentioned it, perhaps she had forgotten about it herself.
After the mother and son had gone, Yu Yan looked back, her face fairly calm. "Second Uncle, Second Aunt, I'm sorry about today." She then turned to Li Qinghe. "I'm sorry you were dragged into this and got scolded because of me."
Third Aunt apologized too, then gave Yu Yan a tug, annoyed. "Set things straight when you get home!"
"What a madwoman," Madam Qian remarked. "Thank goodness Qinghe didn't marry into that family, if my child's mother-in-law were like that..."
"What nonsense is that? When did Qinghe plan to marry into the Xu family? How would I, her father, not know?" Li Fu bristled. Seeing Madam Qian still staring in the direction the mother and son had gone, he scolded, "Aren't you cold? Hurry inside."
Li Qinghe sighed. In her life she'd never once said she intended to marry into the Xu family, yet so many people assumed she had feelings for Xu Changjie.
Once they were each married off, the gossip would die down.
She went back inside and continued her embroidery. After a while Zhao Wanwan ran in holding a shoe sole. "Sister, do you think the Xu family will send the thank-you gift?"
"I don't know." Li Qinghe shook her head. Given Mother Xu's stingy nature, it probably wouldn't happen.
After Mother Xu's visit, Yu Yan hadn't come for several days, but seven or eight days later she resumed her daily visits with needle and thread, sighing, "I really can't get this brazier going. No matter how they teach me to cook the simple dry food, I can't learn, I've never realized I could be so foolish."
Li Qinghe smiled. "You never did this when you were little; you can't be expected to pick it up all at once." Then, curious, she asked, "I haven't heard you say you're going home. After spring, will you go back?"
Yu Yan smiled. "No. I'll support myself by embroidering, this place is fine. Besides, I have no family; my godparents saved my life. I'll stay and care for them in their old age, see them through to the end."
It was the first time Li Qinghe had heard her speak of family or future plans.
Without family, if she could settle into this small place, there really was no need to return.
After a while Yu Yan tested the subject. "Did the Xu family send you the thank-you gift?"
"No," Li Qinghe shook her head. "I never expected them to. Seeing someone bleeding on the roadside early in the morning, I couldn't just stand by and watch them die!"
Yu Yan considered this. "It seems the Xu family really aren't much."
Li Qinghe agreed, not wanting to dwell on the Xus. Smiling, she said, "If you plan to live in the village, you need to know people. In a few days the Zhou family has a celebration, do you want to come help me?"
"Sure," Yu Yan answered at once, then teased, "Fourth Brother Zhou is a decent man. You haven't been going to feed the fish these days, have you?"
Most of the time it had been Zhou Chengkang who went to feed them.
Li Qinghe wasn't shy; she smiled and nodded. "I'll go every few days to check on them."
Now every household was preparing New Year provisions. Li Fu was no exception, he and Madam Qian often went into town to buy supplies, so that was one less thing for her to worry about.
In the blink of an eye it was the twentieth day of the twelfth lunar month. The Zhou family's third son was getting married. With the New Year approaching, the village was full of celebrations, but this one was a little different: the bride was a girl from the town. Though she was a concubine's daughter, she was nonetheless born into a merchant household, not like the peasant girls who spent their days digging the fields and tending house and yard.
They said she had a complexion like porcelain, never ate coarse grains, and even had a maid to attend her…
All hearsay.
On the wedding morning Li Qinghe went early with Yu Yan to help. Li Qinghe chopped vegetables while Yu Yan tidied her up. It was a bit leisurely, but they were helping. In the kitchen she met many villagers; she relaxed, joked with them, and soon fit right in.
By noon, with the food prepared, the bride had arrived.
Everyone in the kitchen crowded out to watch the spectacle; Yu Yan excitedly pulled Li Qinghe along.
Outside the Zhou family gate a bright red sedan chair waited. Zhou Chengcai bowed to the onlookers; cheers rose from the yard and the street.
The matchmaker offered auspicious words, waiting for the bride to step down and for the wedding silk to be pulled. The crowd jeered, urging him to take her hand, which wasn’t unheard of, and Zhou Chengcai reached toward the sedan.
The cheering quieted as he waited. Perhaps the bride was shy; the matchmaker laughed and said, “When the wedding silk is drawn, a single thread ties two fates, bound together until old age…”
She dragged out the last note and the crowd laughed and clamored again.
By now it was the second time; the bride should have stepped down, but they waited and waited, she still didn’t come out.
Everyone realized something was wrong. Refusing to step down at the doorstep, did she not want to marry?
The maid beside the bride cleared her throat. When everyone looked her way she smiled and said, “Our master is from the county town. There the custom is that when the bride descends the groom’s family gives red envelopes. The more red envelopes, the more it shows how fond they are of the new daughter-in-law. Customs differ, of course. Our master often misses his hometown; being so far away, he takes comfort in those hometown customs… Our girl does not insist on the red envelopes, she only wants to offer one last act of filial piety to her father. We ask the new groom to oblige.”
No one understood how red envelopes tied into Mr. Zhang’s homesickness. The maid rambled on and on, but the point was clear: they wanted red envelopes!
And oblige them we must, otherwise she wouldn’t come down.
Mrs. Zhou had been sitting in the main room waiting to receive the couple’s gifts. Her sister-in-law from her natal family, Mrs. He, saw things weren’t right and slipped in to tell her.
Mrs. Zhou’s face changed immediately. Seeing this, Mrs. He tugged her sleeve and said, “So many people are watching, just smooth things over for now.”
She hesitated. “But putting silver straight into the red envelope won’t do…” And that was true: anyone used to handling money would immediately know how much was inside.
If everyone were giving envelopes it wouldn’t matter; if Mrs. Zhou had plenty of money, that would be fine. But with so many eyes on this one packet, too little would be shameful and there was no such thing as too much.
“Why not wrap it in a pouch so it’s not so obvious?” Mrs. He warmed to the idea. “That new girl in your village, Yu Yan, I hear she’s good at embroidery. Ask her for one.”
She rose and pushed through the crowd, found Li Qinghe and the others among the onlookers, and quietly explained.
After hearing her, Yu Yan pulled the embroidered pouch from her waist, took the dried flowers out, and handed the empty pouch to her.
Mrs. He thanked her and smiled at Li Qinghe. “You’re sensible, your aunt likes you.”
Li Qinghe was speechless. Once Mrs. He had gone, she whispered, “You gave the pouch, and she says she likes me?”
Once it was used to hold the red envelope, everyone knew that pouch would not be coming back.
Yu Yan couldn’t help but giggle.
When the pouch was handed over the maid took it with a smile and said, “That counts as one of the three requests!”
What?
The pouch counted as one request? There were two more?
Mrs. He would not have this. “Though we should follow the girl’s customs when marrying her off, so many people are waiting and we might miss the auspicious hour. No matter how important the red envelopes or filial piety, nothing is as important as the girl’s lifelong peace and happiness. Isn’t that right, everyone?”
Her last sentence was aimed at the crowd. When she finished she discreetly tugged Zhou Chengcai and shot him a look.
Zhou Chengcai got the hint. He gave a hard pull; the bride was drawn out and he took her hand. The crowd cheered and closed in around the newlyweds as they moved inside.
The bride was unhappy. Zhou Chengcai whispered, “Yao Yao, that’s enough. So many people are watching. My mother can’t bear to part with money, if you make more trouble, things could get stuck.”
Zhang Haiyao, furious, pretended she couldn’t see the path and stomped hard on his foot.
The crowd saw it but paid it no mind; laughter and clamor resumed. Yu Yan pulled Li Qinghe up to the table and murmured, “You, third sister-in-law, you’re going to have your hands full.”
Her voice dropped lower. “If there really is such a custom, couldn’t they have said so beforehand?”
Li Qinghe agreed. Things like how much the betrothal or the dowry would be could be discussed in advance.
Besides, the Zhang family had moved to Luoyue Town decades ago, who remembers the old customs now?
There was no such custom in Luoyue Town; the Zhangs surely knew that. If they really wanted red envelopes they could have said so earlier. Had they said it, Mrs. Zhou could have properly wrapped one in red paper, instead they brought it up at the gate and left everyone off guard.
The food at the Zhou family feast was neither bad nor excellent, just enough to leave no complaints. After the meal Li Qinghe went to the pond; she had to feed the fish.
After the Zhou family’s celebration, the Little New Year came soon. With a bountiful harvest this year, Li Fu was in good spirits, and besides, this would be the last year Li Qinghe and Zhao Wanwan spent at home.
Even though the wedding dates weren’t fixed, the two would likely set them after the New Year. If they waited until next year, then Li Fu would be left to celebrate the holiday alone.
After eating, when Li Qinghe went to the pond to feed the fish she found Zhou Chengkang already there, scooping fish out to inspect them. One was over three jin, about average in size, and fairly plump. "They can be sold, best before the New Year."
Feeding the fish looked simple, but making this trip every day was tiring. Now that they could turn them into silver, Li Qinghe was quite pleased. "Then let's go the day after tomorrow, and again on the twenty-eighth."
The twenty-sixth day of the twelfth lunar month was the last market before the New Year; the town was usually much livelier than usual. There were also the twenty-eighth and twenty-ninth, which were bustling too. By the thirtieth, however, the streets would be strangely empty.
So, the next day the two of them spent the whole day catching fish.
They hauled up about ten buckets and headed for town around midnight. During the New Year, all kinds of meat fetched higher prices, fish that normally sold for thirteen or fourteen wen could now go for eighteen. Even so, many would buy; people who usually couldn't bear to splurge on fish were willing to be generous at New Year. The crowd pressed so close around the stalls that the uncle across the way who normally sold fish was swamped and couldn't keep up.
By the afternoon Li Qinghe dropped the price a little more, and with a few that had gone a bit pale given away or half-priced, they sold over two hundred fish and earned five taels of small silver and a box of copper coins.
Back on the cart they counted it, more than nine taels of silver. It felt heavy.
They exchanged a look, smiles lighting their faces. "We made a profit!"
Zhou Chengkang cupped his hands. "Congratulations, congratulations."
Li Qinghe was truly pleased and returned the mock salute. "Same to you. Brother, you had a hand in this, how much shall I give you?"
Zhou Chengkang waved his hand. "Everything I have is yours, no need, no need!"
Though flattering, she couldn't leave it all to him. Li Qinghe split it in half and handed him the copper coins. "You take these to change; I'd rather keep the silver."
Zhou Chengkang agreed. "I'll change them and then give you the silver."
Really planning to let her handle the silver? Li Qinghe eyed him doubtfully.
Zhou Chengkang smiled, leaned close and said softly, "I noticed your eyes sparkle when you count silver." His voice was full of amusement; he was so near his breath warmed her cheek.
"You mean I'm money-grubbing?" Li Qinghe's brows lifted and she pushed him. "What do you mean?"
Her hand was caught in a pair of warm, big hands. Zhou Chengkang squeezed it. "Nothing, really. I just like seeing you happy."
Her eyes were bright, so much better than the cold stone face of her last life. Even now, when he sometimes awoke in the night he felt it was unreal; he had to go out to the wasteland and look at the fish pond, watch the fish swim, to believe she was close to him, alive and within reach.
Holding her hand, he suddenly wanted to be closer and pulled her into his arms. "Qinghe, will you marry me?"
His movement was sudden; Li Qinghe's nose bumped his hard chest and she was about to cry out, but when she heard him she couldn't help the smile that tugged at her mouth. "It's so busy right now..."
Zhou Chengkang urged, "We'll set the wedding after the New Year!"
It was already the twenty-sixth of the twelfth month, there was no way it could be before the New Year. Li Qinghe laughed and cried at the thought, wrapped her arms around his waist and solemnly agreed, "All right!"
The cart stank of fish and so did they, but holding each other they didn't care who started laughing first; soon both were roaring with laughter.
Copper coins were easier to spend in small amounts, but this was a lot. Li Qinghe leaned back on the cart for a nap while Zhou Chengkang went to the money shop to exchange them. When she woke again they were already at her doorstep.
Zhou Chengkang touched her forehead. "Go back and rest early."
"You rest early too." With that she jumped down from the cart and reminded him, "Don't forget to go early tomorrow to catch fish, we'll clean them thoroughly, and when spring comes we can release new fry."
Zhou Chengkang nodded. Li Qinghe remembered something. "Take a few fish home to eat."
Zhou Chengkang chuckled and nodded again. "All right, hurry back."
Li Qinghe stood at the gate watching his cart go, then turned to see Zhao Wanwan in the yard peering curiously. "Sister, you're back. How did the fish sell?"
"All sold." Li Qinghe smelled the strong odor on herself and wanted to wash, so she went straight into the kitchen to heat water.
Zhao Wanwan looked her over and, seeing her head for the kitchen, hurried after her. "Sister, are you hungry? I saved you some food."
Li Qinghe waved her hand. "I'm not hungry. I want to wash."
Zhao Wanwan quickly added, "I already heated water for you."
Hearing that, Li Qinghe thanked her, fetched a bucket of hot water, and Zhao Wanwan stepped forward to help. Smiling, she asked, "Sister, you must have sold for quite a bit of silver, right?"
Li Qinghe smiled, she had expected the question. "About five taels."
"Oh, that's a lot." Zhao Wanwan looked surprised.
Li Qinghe reminded her, "I spent five taels just on the fry. And over these months I fed them bran and even added crushed wheat, everything was bought. I haven't even recouped my costs yet."
Zhao Wanwan nodded. "True, but if you sell another five taels tomorrow, you'll start making a profit."
She helped fetch the water, carried it to the washhouse, and poured a steaming bucket on the floor; the room warmed and wouldn't feel so cold.
When Li Qinghe finished washing and came out, Zhao Wanwan followed her indoors. "Sister, I want to discuss something with you..."
"Go ahead." Li Qinghe said, drying her hair at the dressing table. The girl usually liked to work, but she rarely shadowed her like this, she must be asking for something.
Zhao Wanwan looked at her back and ventured, "Sister, could I have two of your fish?"
"For what?" Li Qinghe asked casually.
She'd sent a fish over to Li Kui yesterday and brought back two big ones; they probably hadn't been finished yet.
Zhao Wanwan glanced at her again, her voice growing soft, "I want to take some to the Hu family..."
Remembering the girl had heated water for her, Li Qinghe nodded, "Tomorrow after I finish hauling the fish I'll bring some back for you."
Pleased by her readiness, Zhao Wanwan brightened, stood up and headed out, "I'll go warm your food."
It was just dawn when Li Qinghe rose to haul the fish. Zhou Chengkang met her at the door to go with her, and once it was fully light Li Xingwang came to help as well.
The three of them worked until dark and were finally nearly done. The remaining fish were really hard to catch and there weren't many, so they decided to keep them for themselves.
Seeing the dozen or so buckets of fish, Li Xingwang helped load them onto the cart, pleased, and asked, "When you sold fish yesterday many people said business was good. Should we watch them tonight, what if they get stolen?"