Chapter 34.2

Song Dingxiang sat on the kang bed, watching Sixth Grandaunt spin thread.

The wool, once stiff and heavy with grease, emerged from the boiling water transformed. Gone was the coarseness. Now, it was a revelation of softness, each white tuft yielding to Sixth Grandaunt's touch.

With practiced ease, her nimble fingers coaxed the wool into even, smooth threads, their transformation as remarkable as a magician's sleight of hand. Song Dingxiang watched in awe, mesmerized by the way the raw material yielded to her grandaunt's skill, becoming something far more delicate.

There was just a little wool left, and it quickly spun into thread. Sixth Grandaunt handed the thread to her and said, "This wool thread is rough and can't be worn close to the body, so what are you going to do with it?"

"I know it can't be worn close to the body, I just want to see if this thing can provide warmth... Sixth Grandaunt, why are there two different types of wool threads?" Song Dingxiang only realized the difference in texture when she held the thread ball in her hand.

Sixth Grandaunt smiled and said, "I sorted the wool and spun both the soft and fine, and the rough and hard threads separately." She gestured towards the piles of neatly organized wool, "You might find them useful."

"Oh, Sixth Grandaunt, you're so kind!" Song Dingxiang hugged her tightly, making her blush with happiness.

"You little girl, always trying to please. Take this back, it's just thread, no need for such a valuable gift." She stuffed the handkerchief that Song Dingxiang had given her back.

Song Dingxiang didn't take it and said with a smile, "This is for Auntie and Sister-in-law to play with, my grandma asked me to bring it over. If I take it back, I'll be scolded by my grandma. This was also given to our family by someone else, both me and Zijin have one."

Sixth Grandaunt still refused, "We are a rural family, wearing this would make it hard to work."

Song Dingxiang smiled, "Auntie must be around ten years old now, right? In a few more years, she'll be a young lady. And Sister-in-law is always busy, she should dress up for the New Year. Sixth Grandaunt, just accept it, if you don't want it, I'll give it to Auntie and Sister-in-law separately."

Sixth Grandaunt couldn't help but smile and said, "You're such a smart girl, I wonder who you take after. Then I'll keep it, such a valuable gift... sigh."

Song Dingxiang said, "It's just a few rings, Sixth Grandaunt, don't take it to heart. The value of a gift doesn't matter, what matters is its usefulness. Besides, can't Sixth Grandaunt afford a few rings? This is just a small token of my appreciation, after all, it's been troublesome for you, and Sixth Grandpa always looks stern when he sees me."

Sixth Grandaunt laughed and said, "Why would he look stern? You've brought so many nice things these days, he's been nothing but happy."

In an act of neighborly kindness, Song Dingxiang's family shared their homemade pickled vegetables with several households. The tangy, savory treats, likely as a gesture of goodwill and appreciation.

Later, Sixth Granduncle even personally bought a few pounds of spicy cabbage from their butcher shop, knowing his wife liked it. There, he carefully selected a few hefty pounds of the prized ingredient, a smile playing on his lips in anticipation of her delight.

Upon returning home, Sixth Granduncle presented his spicy cabbage bounty with a flourish. His wife's face lit up with a radiant joy that warmed his heart.

Eager to dig in, she wasted no time preparing a dish. As they savored the flavorful meal together, he couldn't help but beam with pride. Her love for the spicy cabbage was evident – she devoured her portion with gusto, happily exceeding her usual serving size by half a bowl, making him very happy.

As they were chatting, Fang Shi hurriedly ran in, "Sixth Aunt, is my Second Daughter still here?"

"Yes, I'm here." Song Dingxiang came out of the room and asked, "What's wrong? Why are you sweating so much, Mom?"

Fang Shi said, "We have guests at home, your father asked me to bring you back."

Song Dingxiang's eyes lit up, "Is it surnamed Wang?"

"Hey, how did you know? Yes, it's surnamed Wang." Fang Shi nodded repeatedly. "Hurry back."

"Sister-in-law, why are you here? I was planning to let Dingxiang stay here for dinner." The Second Young Master's family peeked out from behind the curtain, smiling, "We're making steamed cabbage buns at home."

Fang Shi smiled, "Normally, I would let her stay here and eat, but not today. We have guests at home, so we have to go back quickly."

Seeing Fang Shi's sense of urgency, the Second Young Master's family also knew they couldn't keep her, so they said, "Alright, go back. By the way, Sister-in-law, when are you frying pork fat? Don't forget to send us a bowl."

"I won't forget, when my younger brother gets married, remember to come to the wedding banquet." Fang Shi smiled and, after Song Dingxiang packed her things, she pulled her back home.

*

Inside the house, Song Xingyi was having tea and snacks with Wang Quan.

The snacks were fried pastries made at home, half sprinkled with sugar and half with salt and pepper, crispy and fragrant, and they could last for a long time. They made them every year to treat the children.

Last time when Song Dingxiang visited Wang's house, she didn't see Wang Quan. When he saw her this time, he quickly stood up and said, "Is this Miss Song Dingxiang? I'm Wang Quan, please allow me to greet you."

Song Dingxiang quickly helped Wang Quan up and said, "Uncle Wang Quan, please don't call me Miss (gū niang), I'm already married."

Wang Quan then realized and said, "Right, I forgot, I should call you Young Lady (niang zi) Song."

Song Dingxiang smiled and asked, "I wonder why Uncle Wang Quan is looking for me?"

Wang Quan finally said, "A few days ago, Young Lady Song gave a prescription to our Lord. After you left, our Lord realized that you gave the prescription for free, which made him uneasy. He feels that an agreement should be made, otherwise, it would seem like he took the Song family's prescription for free."

Song Dingxiang smiled and said, "Since that's the case, it's appropriate to make an agreement. After all, I gave the prescription to Wang Daren, and I want to reassure him."

Song Xingyi quickly said, "Yes, yes, we need to reassure Wang Daren. Here is paper and pen, please have the steward of Wang write up the agreement."

Wang Quan smiled, "It's not necessary to make it so complicated. My Lord has already prepared the agreement. As long as Young Lady Song is satisfied, she can sign it. We also hope that Song Lao Yezi will sign his name."

With that, he took out a few sheets of paper from his pocket.

Song Dingxiang carefully examined the papers, and the agreement was actually quite simple. It just stated that within five years, Song Dingxiang should not disclose the prescription to anyone else, but after five years, it wouldn't matter.

After some thought, Song Dingxiang understood the implications. The prescription was simple, and Wang Yuanwai could use it within five years to develop different kinds of soap to make a profit.

In Wang Yuanwai's capable hands, this recipe held the potential to be transformed into a multitude of profitable soap varieties within a five-year timeframe. The implications were clear: this was an opportunity not to be missed.

However, because it was simple, it could easily be figured out by others, and over time, it wouldn't be worth much.

Seeing Song Dingxiang deep in thought, Wang Quan asked, "Young Lady Song, do you think this agreement is inappropriate?"

Song Dingxiang shook her head and said, "Wang Daren has thought it through carefully. Since the prescription is given to him, we will naturally not give it to others. It's just that the prescription is simple, and if someone figures it out before five years..."

Wang Quan smiled, "Young Lady Song, you need not worry about that. My Lord has ways to keep it a secret."

Song Dingxiang smiled, "In that case, I have no concerns. As long as I don't speak of it, and Daren and Madam Wang don't speak of it, no one else will know."

Wang Quan looked surprised and glanced at Song Xingyi.

Song Xingyi waved his hand and said, "She came up with this on her own, we didn't have any part in it."

Wang Quan relaxed, took the signed agreement from Song Dingxiang and Song Xingyi, kept a copy for themselves, and then left for the mansion.

——— TNote: 1. 大人 (dà rén); On a basic level, 大人 refers to someone who is physically grown up, an adult. More importantly, 大人 carries a strong connotation of social status and respect. It was used to address:

[a] Officials and authority figures: It showed deference to those in positions of power, like government officials, judges, or elders in the community.

[b] People worthy of respect: It wasn't limited to just official titles. It could be used to address anyone considered wise, learned, or accomplished, regardless of age or position.

2. Both "姑娘" (gū niang) and "娘子" (niang zi) translate to "young lady" or "miss" in English, but they carry nuanced differences within the context of Chinese ancient culture:

姑娘 (gū niang): • Literally translates to "young woman" or "daughter." • Used for unmarried young women. • Age Range Teenager.

娘子 (niang zi): • Literally translates to "lady/young lady" or "wife." • Originally used as a general term for women, but later became specific to married young women. • Age Range Young woman.

3. 老爺子 (Lǎo yézi) is a term in Chinese culture refers to an elderly respected man, often a grandfather or someone in a similar position of authority and experience. And often represented the head of a household, the patriarch who held authority and made decisions for the family.