Volume One, Chapter 10: Little Fuwa Struggles to Adjust to the New Home

"Hehe, Mother, didn't Father say that we are just separating the household, not severing our family ties? Besides, we are doing this for the sake of the family. In the best harvest years, our land tax alone costs over ten taels of silver, and even in bad years, it’s seven or eight taels. Now that we’ve separated, we won’t have to pay these taxes for the next three years, and we’ll be exempt from the annual corvée labor. Isn't that wonderful?" The younger Mrs. Wang stepped forward, clinging to her mother-in-law’s arm and acting coquettishly.

The younger Mrs. Wang and Mrs. Wang were from the same clan; she was the daughter of Mrs. Wang’s cousin. They had only ever been distant acquaintances, but when she reached the age for marriage, the Wang family remembered that their distant cousin, Mrs. Wang, had a son who was a scholar. It was said he was a reincarnation of the God of Literature and would one day become a high-ranking official.

The younger Mrs. Wang immediately began fawning over Mrs. Wang in every possible way. She had originally intended to marry Qiao Xun to become a scholar's wife, but she was six or seven years older than him, and Qiao Xun had two older brothers who were not yet married. If marriage were truly to be discussed, it wouldn't be Qiao Xun's turn, so she had to settle for the next best thing and marry the eldest son of the Qiao family, Qiao Fu.

The second daughter-in-law, Mrs. Zhao, had a bit more self-awareness. She had taken the initiative to flirt with Qiao Xi at the market and then urged him to demand that his family propose marriage on his behalf.

Not wanting to be outdone, she rushed forward to grab the mother-in-law's other arm and chimed in, "That’s right, Mother. We may be separating the household, but we aren't separating our affections. In the future, the eldest sister-in-law and I will definitely be even more devoted to filial piety toward you. If you have any aches or pains, just call on us. Even if we have to set aside our own chores, we will come to help you."

The two daughters-in-law were acting sweet now, despite the fact that only that morning they looked ready to tear her apart. Mrs. Wang’s anger only intensified.

She pulled her arm away and rolled her eyes in frustration. "Save your breath. You’ll regret this once the third son passes the scholar’s exam. When that time comes, don't come crawling to me in tears. Just leave, the sight of you two is annoying."

The younger Mrs. Wang and Mrs. Zhao looked sheepish, but both were thick-skinned. They took their respective husbands by the arm and happily returned to their rooms to plan their bright future.

Mrs. Wang couldn't help but feel her eyes well up. Watching her eldest and second sons follow their wives away, she felt a sudden, desolate melancholy. "It’s truly 'marry a wife and forget your mother.' Before, when did the eldest and second ever complain about unfairness? It’s all the work of their wives."

Qiao Xun spoke up abruptly, "That is why, Mother, you should stop worrying about finding me a wife."

Mrs. Wang wiped her tears with her sleeve, visibly agitated. "That won't do! I consulted a master a few days ago, and he said that all your recent misfortunes and bad luck are because you haven't started a family before establishing a career. Now that we have split the household, we have ten taels of silver, a large courtyard with five blue-brick tile-roofed rooms, and plenty of stored grain. With these conditions, we can certainly find you a good wife. Third Son, just wait for your mother’s good news!"

Qiao Xun was both amused and exasperated, but he shook his head firmly. "Really, Mother, don't go to the trouble. I will not marry!"

With that, thinking of the money he had earned that day, Qiao Xun took three and a half taels of broken silver from his robes and handed them to Mrs. Wang. "Mother, this is what I earned today. Please keep it safe. I’m a bit tired and will head back to my room to rest."

Mrs. Wang took the silver, curious and instinctively raising her voice, "Where did you earn this money? Son, you didn't take money from that Miss Jiang, did you?"

She instinctively wanted to stuff the money back into his hand and tell Qiao Xun to return it to Jiang Xian. She was planning to visit a matchmaker in Taoyuan Village tomorrow to propose the marriage for her son. Taking so much silver for a small favor would only ruin his reputation. Besides, it wasn't easy for country folk to save money; one should do good deeds, not take people's money.

Sometimes, Mrs. Wang wanted to crack open her youngest son's head to see how he could be so brilliant at reading and writing, yet so slow in other matters.

Qiao Xun shook his head. "No, this is an advance payment from the bookstore where I used to copy manuscripts. They asked me to write an analytical essay for them, and I will receive the remaining three taels upon completion. In any case, the eldest and second sisters-in-law were right today; ever since I failed the provincial exam three years ago, I’ve been cooped up at home without progress, leaving you all to worry about our livelihood. From now on, I will continue my studies, but I will also do my best to earn money to supplement the household and lighten your burden."

"Oh, that's good!" Mrs. Wang let out a sigh of relief. It was good her son hadn't done anything foolish to ruin his standing; otherwise, she wouldn't have the face to call a matchmaker to Taoyuan Village. Seeing her youngest son now willing to support the family, she was deeply moved. She sighed, "Son, this is not your fault. It’s just the narrow-mindedness of your sisters-in-law. Don't listen to them. If you truly pass the scholar's exam and qualify for the imperial examinations, will you ever lack glory and wealth? From now on, just study at home with peace of mind. Your father and I will handle all the big and small matters; you don't need to worry about earning money."

"Mother, I am nineteen now. I have studied for nearly nineteen years; it is time I use the knowledge I have gained to share the burden of the household. I can earn money while studying—why not?" Qiao Xun insisted.

"Very well, you have always been sensible. As long as it doesn't affect your studies, Mother will support you in whatever you do!" Hearing this, Mrs. Wang didn't insist further. She pushed Qiao Xun gently, urging him, "You’ve been out all day and must be tired. Go back to your room and rest. Mother will heat some water and bring you your meal. After you eat and wash up, get some early sleep."

"Alright, thank you, Mother!"

"You silly child, what are you thanking family for?"

A smile spread across Mrs. Wang's face. The anxiety she felt over the family separation suddenly dissipated. Her eldest and second sons might be disappointing, but her youngest was a bright, sensible, and filial child. She hadn't raised him for nothing.

...

West of Taoyuan Village, at the Jiang household.

Mrs. Qian and Jiang Xian gave Tangtang a hot bath, washing her thoroughly from head to toe with fragrant soap. They changed her into the new clothes Jiang Xian had picked up at the market: a peach-pink jacket with white satin lining, trimmed with white rabbit fur at the slanted collar and cuffs, and a bean-green skirt with pale pink evening primrose flowers embroidered at the hem.

Her round, chubby face glowed like polished jade, and her dark, watery almond eyes fluttered with long, butterfly-like lashes. Beneath her petite, upturned nose, her jelly-like lips made one want to pick her up and shower her with kisses.

Mrs. Qian, who was deft with her hands, dried Tangtang's hair and styled it into two buns tied with light pink silk ribbons. She used sewing scissors to trim Tangtang's bangs neatly to her brows. As Tangtang moved, her silky bangs swayed, making Mrs. Qian sigh, "The Chen family treated Tangtang poorly, yet the girl remains fair and round, with hair as dark and soft as silk. It’s clear she is a blessed child, gifted by heaven with a face destined for good fortune."

If it had been any other child, a year of abuse by the Chen family would have left her looking haggard and malnourished. But Tangtang was completely unaffected. Mrs. Qian suddenly remembered that after waking up from her faint, she felt full of energy, and she gripped Tangtang’s hand, taking a few more appreciative looks at the child.

Dressed beautifully, warm and comfortable, Tangtang laughed, her almond eyes curving into crescents and her dimples filling with sweetness. The little one ran to Mrs. Qian’s side, planted a kiss on her cheek, and began chirping compliments as if they were free: "Thank you, Beautiful Grandma, for styling Tangtang’s hair so prettily. Tangtang loves the hairstyle Grandma made!"

Mrs. Qian felt a warmth spread through her body. Her previously weak and listless form felt suddenly full of strength, and the nagging pain in her shoulders and waist had vanished.

"Good girl, then Grandma will style Tangtang's hair prettily every day, alright?"

"Okay! Grandma is the best!" Tangtang turned to the other side, pursed her little lips, and kissed Mrs. Qian’s cheek again.

Mrs. Qian couldn't help but raise the corners of her lips, a smile spreading from her eyes to her brows. Watching this scene, Jiang Xian felt a great weight lift from her heart, knowing that her mother had fully accepted Tangtang as her adopted daughter.

"Dinner is served!"

Jiang Shunde’s voice called out from the main room. The mother and daughter headed outside.

Jiang Shunde, wearing an apron, placed the final dish—a radish and egg drop soup—on the table. Looking at the four dishes and one soup, all fragrant and appetizing, he stood with his hands on his hips, full of pride. "Come, Mother and daughter, have a taste and see how my cooking is tonight."

Originally, they were supposed to eat leftovers, but since it was the first day his granddaughter had entered their home, he couldn't just brush her off with leftovers. Jiang Shunde had taken down half a strip of cured meat hanging from the eaves, fished a large crucian carp out of the water vat in the corner of the yard, and skillfully cooked two hearty dishes. He added a cold salad of wood ear mushrooms with peanuts, stir-fried pickled cabbage with minced meat, and the radish and egg soup to complete the meal.

The house was filled with the savory aroma of the food. Jiang Xian grinned, "Produced by Father, it must be a masterpiece!"

Jiang Shunde was already accustomed to Jiang Xian’s occasional strange expressions. He gestured for Mrs. Qian to sit and eat with their little granddaughter. Looking at the clean, pretty, and bright little girl, he couldn't help but praise, "Our Tangtang is so beautiful. She is truly worthy of being Jiang Shunde’s granddaughter. To call her a princess or a fairy would not be an exaggeration."

Tangtang tilted her little head and smiled, revealing a row of small, silver-white teeth. "Grandpa is so imposing and heroic! Being Grandpa’s granddaughter is Tangtang’s greatest blessing!"

Mrs. Qian teased, "Look at that sweet mouth! She says she hasn't eaten honey, but I say Tangtang is a child raised on candied fruit; her mouth is cloyingly sweet!"

Tangtang smiled, and as she stood there, the golden glow radiating from her was almost enough to blind Jiang Xian. Goodness, such immense fortune! It was a good thing she had picked her up and brought her home!

"Let’s sit down and eat!" Jiang Xian, fearing Mrs. Qian might tire, sat down holding Tangtang beside her, with Jiang Shunde and Mrs. Qian on either side.

Tangtang stared at the food on the table, her eyes shining. Though she was drooling, the little one didn't dare to be hasty, sitting quietly, waiting for the adults to eat first—she was waiting for the leftovers.

Jiang Shunde served the soup, giving everyone a bowl of rice and a bowl of soup, before finally filling a large bowl for himself. It had to be said, Jiang Shunde was a truly excellent man. At the very least, Jiang Xian felt that this father from ancient times was no less capable than modern men: he could hunt, do chores, earn money, and doted on his wife and daughter, never burdened by chauvinism or outdated, restrictive customs.

Because of this, Jiang Xian sincerely respected and was filial toward the couple, Jiang Shunde and Mrs. Qian.

The temperature of the food and soup was just right. As they prepared to eat, Tangtang merely watched, leaning toward the bowl and sniffing the air like a little bee, but she did not reach out to pick up her rice bowl.

Jiang Xian looked at her, puzzled, and asked gently, "Tangtang, is the food not to your liking? Why aren't you eating?"

Tangtang’s little face froze for a moment, and she tilted her head upward, asking cautiously, "Can Tangtang really eat this delicious food now?"