Chapter 36.1

Li shi was a wise old woman, and every time she spoke, Song Dingxiang felt that this old lady had a kind of forward-thinking mindset, as if she had time-traveled.

But other than that, the old lady was just like the other old ladies in the village, chatting gossip under the big pine tree outside on warm days, and sitting by the kang bed at home on rainy or cold days, either mending shoes or clothes, without the wild desire to go out for a walk like a time traveler.

Song Dingxiang really wanted to go out for a walk, but she also knew that for women of this generation, the courtyard at home was considered a safe zone, and even going to the town was considered a long journey.

*

When Gao shi returned home, her mind constantly thinking about those boxes and chests, feeling restless.

"Hey, old man, did you see that carriage parked in front of Fourth Son's house today? They say it's from the Wang family in town, brought so many things..."

Song Xingren nodded, took a puff of dry tobacco, exhaling a thick smoke that made Gao shi cough.

"Stop just nodding, Fourth Son's wife said Zhou Tiezhu saved a big shot up north, and they asked the Wang family to send gifts. How could Zhou Tiezhu save a big shot while serving in the army?" Gao shi was still unconvinced.

Song Xingren impatiently said, "Saved a big shot? There's a war going on up north, it could just be a coincidence."

"Such an incredible coincidence, with so many things. If only Fourth Son's family would open and let me see, I really want to know what's inside. Do you think there might be a lot of silver? Fourth Son's family seems to be prospering." Gao shi sat cross-legged on the kang bed, looking at the worn clothes she was mending, thinking about how neatly dressed everyone in Fourth Son's family was, feeling resentful.

If only she had married Fourth Son back then, she was about the same age as Fourth Son, but unfortunately, Fourth Son had already set his sights on Li shi, so she had to marry Third Son. Unfortunately, Third Son was honest and simple-minded, not knowing any way to make money, which made her suffer in poverty.

"It doesn't matter what they do at home," Song Xingren leaned against the wall, "Isn't it time to cook? What are we having for dinner?"

"Eat, eat, always asking for food. What else can we eat? Rice cakes, sticky porridge, flatbreads, scallions dipped in sauce and pickles, what else do you want?" Gao shi got off the kang bed, muttering, "Even if we separate, it's still one family... Hey, do you think if Zhou San's family finds out, they'll be furious?"

"You better not gossip outside, let me tell you, no matter what kind of person Fourth Son's wife is, you should know. If she brings shame to our family in front of our son-in-law's family, be careful I'll hit you."

Reluctantly, Gao shi said, "I was just talking casually. But, unless you keep quiet, and I keep quiet, with so many people watching in the village, do you think they won't talk? Can you control my mouth alone, otherwise how can we control the gossip in the whole village?"

"As long as you keep quiet, it's fine. Last time she brought people to cause trouble wasn't embarrassing enough? Fourth Son's family is now managed by his wife... ai, can't stand up." Song Xingren remembered how their youngest brother let his wife take charge of everything, and it really bothered him.

The news of the Wang family's carriage stopping at Song Xingyi's house spread throughout the village within the time it took to eat, and naturally, it also reached Zhou Lao San's ears.

Zhou Lao San's wife was so angry that she couldn't even eat, standing in the courtyard and angrily cursing the White-eyed Wolf for half a day.

Her eyes rolled around and she went straight to find Zhou San, "Hey, head of the household, do you think we made a mistake in exiling Tiezhu from the family back then? We shouldn't have exiled him. Look, ever since he sided with them, he's earning so much silver, even getting a carriage of gifts for serving in the army. How much silver is that? By rights, this silver should all belong to our Zhou family."

Zhou Lao San was also envious and annoyed. Their family was really struggling now, with both sons showing little progress, and they had spent quite a bit of money. But back then, Zhou Tiezhu made sure everyone knew how poorly they treated him, willing to go to jail to bring them down, so exiling Zhou Tiezhu was the best course of action.

But who could have expected that someone who went to be a soldier, seemingly heading to his death, would have such good luck, benefiting the Song family. Now, whenever he went out, someone would ask if he regretted mistreating Zhou Tiezhu, if he felt envious.

Could he not regret it, could he not feel envious?

But even if he regretted it, what good would it do?

Was he supposed to go to the village chief and say he regretted it, wanting to bring Zhou Tiezhu back into the Zhou family?

Not to mention whether Zhou Tiezhu and the Song family would agree, it's likely even the village chief wouldn't agree.

The plump wife continued, "After all, I raised him. Can't I go to the Song family and ask for some things?"

Zhou Lao San angrily said, "If you have no shame, go ahead. But when they ask, you better tell them that you raised Zhou Tiezhu. It wouldn't be a stretch for them to give you some silver. You go, I'm telling you, if you dare go, I'll divorce you!"

The plump wife also got angry, shouting loudly, "Why are you yelling at me? Don't you know our current situation? Doesn't our eldest son need money for his studies? Where is that money supposed to come from? Oh, just relying on your odd jobs and selling grain from the house, what can we afford to do with that? Now, if our eldest son can't pass the imperial examination this year, will he still continue studying next year? What can he do without an education? You don't think about anything, just know how to yell!"

Zhou Lao San let out a heavy sigh.

Previously, when Zhou Tiezhu was at home, he made a lot of money and, after discussing with his wife, they shouted and decided to live separately from the family. Now that the family is facing difficulties, his two brothers are not willing to lend a helping hand.

In the past, with Zhou Tiezhu was at home, the aroma of a hearty meat dish would occasionally grace their home. His resourcefulness often secured them a bounty from the wilds – a plump pheasant, a succulent rabbit.

Even if meat wasn't a daily occurrence, they could at least count on a steaming plate gracing their table every five or six days. But now that Zhou Tiezhu is gone, he has realized that even eating meat has become difficult for the family.

It has been a long time since they had a decent meat dish.

Each and every one of them gave him no peace of mind!

The plump wife was still grumbling, and Zhou San was fed up, angrily saying, "If you keep cursing at me, get out!"

Wang Shi was stunned, immediately bursting into tears, "Why are you cursing at me? What right do you have to curse at me? Did I say something wrong? That guy is a White-eyed Wolf, just like your brothers are White-eyed Wolves. You have the guts to yell at me, but if you really have the guts, all that silver from the Song family would have been yours!"

Fed up with her, Zhou Lao San put on his coat and went to the cellar to check on his vegetables.

*

As the weather turned colder, the tofu shop also opened.

Before, Song Dingxiang bought a few boards of tofu and had Song Zijin help her cut the tofu into small one-inch squares, using straw to wrap the tofu in the stove. Now, it had grown long mold.

"Dingxiang, all this tofu has gone bad!" Fang Shi discovered the molded tofu, causing a headache. Although the tofu boards weren't expensive, they were bought with money.

Would she not feel heartbroken now that it was ruined?

"What do you mean it's gone bad?" Song Dingxiang was learning how to sew conversation with Li shi when her mother's outburst startled her.

"It's grown mold, can we still eat it? Ah, why are you always thinking about things that cost money? Can't you go do something with the land or rocks to make them profitable?" Fang Shi looked at the tofu, reaching out to touch it, "Can we still eat it?"

Seeing the beautiful mold growing on the tofu, Song Dingxiang smiled, "It's tastier with the mold. After I pickle the tofu, there will be an extra dish on the table." She then went to get her pre-prepped pickling jar.

Fang Shi helped her stack the tofu into the jar, saying, "Others eat fresh tofu, good tofu. And while we're here, our good tofu has turned into this, eating moldy, spoiled tofu. Aren't you afraid of getting sick?"

Song Dingxiang quickly changed the subject, "Is my little uncle coming back tomorrow? Have we finished cleaning all the guest rooms yet? Remember, the wedding is just two days away! Have you chosen a chef for the banquet? Any specific dishes you'd like to be served?"

Fang Shi was easily distracted, and with this new topic, forgetting all about the moldy tofu.

A wide smile lit up her face as she chirped in response, "Absolutely everything is set in stone! We'll have a mountain of meatballs and enough braised pork to feed an army. Every room gleams like new, sparkling for the arrival of the in-laws. After all, they are all esteemed scholars – we wouldn't want to show them anything less than impeccable hospitality, would we? Now, I simply must find Mother and double-check the list. We can't have a single detail overlooked, can we?"

Her voice bubbled with nervous excitement, and she practically bounced on the balls of her feet, eager to ensure everything was perfect for the upcoming wedding banquet.

Song Dingxiang shrugs and calls out to Song Zijin. In unison, they maneuver the block of tofu, its smooth surface slick with brine, towards a large earthenware jar. Working together, they meticulously layer the tofu inside.

Next comes the seasoning - a sprinkle of salt, a drizzle of vegetable oil, and a generous dusting of fiery chili powder. Satisfied, they secure the rim of the jar with a thick layer of mud, effectively sealing its contents.

With a final nudge, the jar is relegated to its designated spot beneath the cool darkness of the cupboard, ready to transform under the patient hand of time.

*

Song Zhixuan is now in his early twenties, considered an older unmarried man in his village. In that close-knit community, a man in his early twenties was edging towards "unfashionably" unmarried. But his heart belonged solely to his betrothed, a radiant young woman of eighteen.

For three patient-years, she had been his constant, a steady lighthouse guiding him through the relentless pursuit of scholarly success in the imperial examinations.