Chapter 97:

The biting cold wind was relentless, undeterred by the scorching sunlight, still making people hunch their necks and stomp their feet. Mu Hong watched the carriage disappear into the distance, sighed, and turned back home. The family affairs were becoming increasingly chaotic. His mother had initially wanted to arrange a marriage with the Tang family, but he had refused, putting an end to it. Now, she had turned her attention to his younger brother, truly a foolish move.

For a long time, no one had come to disturb them, and Jicheng and his wife’s life had become increasingly comfortable. With more silver earned and inconvenient to keep, Jicheng exchanged it all for banknotes from the Datong Bank, keeping only small change for daily expenses. Watching their child grow more adorable and occasionally babbling incomprehensible words, his heart was increasingly tied to these two women at home, making him reluctant to leave. Even when he went to the mountains, it was only for a few hours. Regardless of the harvest, he would always return home before sunset to help Chunfu take care of the child. Just watching Nian Nian’s innocent sleeping face filled his heart with contentment, and he became utterly immersed in this life.

Nian Nian might have looked well-behaved lying on the kang, but she was actually quite a handful. When Jicheng wasn’t home, Chunfu dared not relax for a moment. She couldn’t let the child get too warm or too cold, had to feed her when she was hungry, and clean up immediately when she soiled herself. With cloth diapers running short, she had to wash and dry them quickly in the warmest spot. Busy and bustling, it wasn’t until Jicheng returned to help that she could finally catch her breath. She didn’t know how other parents managed, but she treated this daughter as her most precious treasure, unwilling to let any carelessness or mistake bring the slightest hardship to the child.

Then, out of the blue, her sister-in-law, who had become silent and reclusive after her elder brother’s departure, suddenly paid a visit. She had aged considerably, her once bright and piercing eyes now dull, and instead of her usual haughty demeanor, she seemed almost ingratiating.

Nian Nian had just woken up and was playing with Jicheng on the kang when Li Xiu’e entered. Looking at the plump, adorable child, she smiled and said, “You two are so meticulous. This child takes after both of you—she’ll surely grow into a beautiful and charming lady, destined to marry into a respectable family and live a comfortable life as a wealthy wife. You two are truly blessed. I heard your family is planning to move to the capital. Will you return? With so many things in the village, someone needs to look after them, right? I came to ask—if you leave, I can help manage them for you. After all, apart from the little work in the fields, I have plenty of time.”

Chunfu was taken aback at first but quickly understood her sister-in-law’s implication. She chuckled lightly and said, “Sister-in-law, where did you hear such a thing? Our whole family depends on these things here to make a living—how could we abandon them? Even if we go to the capital in the future, we won’t neglect what’s here. We’ll come back to manage them. Why bring this up so suddenly?”

The hope on Li Xiu’e’s face faded, leaving only disappointment. She forced a weak smile and said, “It’s nothing, just asking. Your elder brother entrusted us to your care, and I feel a bit guilty, so I thought I’d help out more. Zhang Tong will be back from school soon, so I’ll head home now.”

Chunfu saw her out and returned, looking at Jicheng. “I feel something’s off. The villagers are so nosy—why do they care so much about whether we leave or not?”

Jicheng stroked their daughter’s soft cheek and shook his head. “Who knows what they’re scheming? Let’s not dwell on it. Winter’s a tough time for work. Even with Liansheng and me gathering herbs in the mountains, it’s time-consuming and yields little. I’m thinking of hiring a few quick-handed helpers, paying them daily wages to make things easier. I’ll have Liansheng oversee them. What do you think?”

Chunfu poured a bowl of tea and handed it to him, smiling. “Aren’t we earning money to live better? That’s why I’ve delegated so much work to others. Earning a bit less doesn’t matter to us now. I’ve been wanting to suggest this for a while, but I was afraid you’d feel restless and blame me later.”

Jicheng grinned broadly. “Before, I couldn’t let go of my pride. No matter how nicely I put it, I couldn’t get past the idea that I should be the one providing for you. I was afraid you’d grow tired of me—that apart from my decent looks, I wasn’t worthy of you. But now we have a child, and my attachment is deeper. I can’t bear to leave you two.”

Chunfu teased him playfully. “Now that you mention it, I do feel a bit shortchanged. Your looks aren’t exactly peerless, yet you’ve got me tied down. You’d better treat me well, or I’ll take our child far away from you.”

Jicheng carefully tucked Nian Nian into the blankets, then pulled Chunfu into his arms, kissing her soft lips. “Enough teasing. If you keep this up, I’ll start feeling bad. Whatever your sister-in-law is plotting, don’t worry about it. I’ll handle everything. You just focus on taking care of yourselves.”

The next day, Jicheng spread the word about hiring helpers for the mountains. Soon, many people came and went, including Qiaoyun and her husband. Though they were no longer relatives, Qiaoyun still addressed Jicheng and Chunfu affectionately. She seemed to be doing well—plumper, fairer, and prettier. Thinking of Jiliang’s stubbornness, Jicheng couldn’t help but sigh. Some things were simply fate.

Qiaoyun pulled a small bundle from her bosom, containing tiny clothes for the baby. She said sheepishly, “I heard Little Sister-in-law is expecting, so I made these at home. Since I was coming today, I brought them along. I’m not trying to cozy up—I just think you two are good people. Though fate didn’t let us be sisters-in-law, I still respect you both.”

Chunfu smiled. “Is he treating you well? I saw what happened between you and Jiliang but couldn’t say much. He came back once before last New Year, looking much thinner, and asked about you. When he heard you’d remarried, he didn’t say a word. I’ll say something you might not want to hear—I think Jiliang still hasn’t let go of you.”

Qiaoyun nodded, sorrow flickering across her face. “I know. But we weren’t meant to grow old together. He treated me well, truly cherished me. But in this life, I’ve never lived so freely—no more fearing my mother-in-law’s temper, no more walking on eggshells. It’s like I’ve escaped a sea of suffering. I’ll live well with Dajun from now on. The past is just a dream. He’s hardworking, always rushing to do chores. I think Big Brother chose a decent man for me. We wanted to give this a try. Our child can cook for himself, so we’re not burdened. I want to work more while I’m still young.”

From Qiaoyun’s demeanor, Chunfu could see her resolve and lack of regret. The love was still there, but it couldn’t withstand more turmoil, so she chose to part ways. Perhaps this was the most helpless thing a woman could experience. They chatted a while longer before parting as it grew late.

Jicheng selected only five or six people, all decent and honest, instructing them to start work the next day and reminding them of precautions. Returning home to prepare dinner, he was surprised to find Li Xiu’e at his door again. She barged in and asked, “Jicheng, why didn’t you call me when you needed help in the mountains? Qiaoyun lives miles away, yet you hired her. I’m right here, and you know I work just as well as anyone. I’ll go tomorrow, and bring Xiuhua too. She’s my closest friend—we’ve always stuck together. If you can lend a hand, why not?”

Jicheng frowned. “Sister-in-law, I didn’t ask you because I didn’t want to interfere with your care for Zhang Tong. Just the other day, he told Chunfu his studies are getting harder. You should focus on him. As for Xiuhua, forget it. I don’t need more people.”

Li Xiu’e had been at home talking to Chunmu when Xiuhua rushed in with the news. Assuming she’d surely be included in this money-making opportunity, she was shocked Jicheng hadn’t even informed her. She exaggeratedly said, “Aren’t you closer to him than Qiaoyun? How could he hire her without telling you? You must confront him! Chunmu entrusted him to care for you two—could it be they’re trying to shirk responsibility? That would mean they really plan to leave for the capital and never return. You must push harder to take control of their assets, or outsiders will benefit instead! Jicheng’s close to Liansheng, who’s stopped looking for work elsewhere, following Jicheng around like a loyal dog. Who’s to say he doesn’t have designs on that mountain?”

Li Xiu’e hesitated, flustered. “That can’t be. Would Jicheng really favor outsiders over family? That makes no sense.”

Xiuhua pulled her inside and urged earnestly, “Who can say for sure what’s in people’s hearts? As a widow with a child, you must fight for what’s yours. I heard Jicheng’s mother owns over a dozen shops—money that’ll never run out. What’s a mountain to them? Just a trifle. Don’t take it lightly. Think of Zhang Tong—would you stand by while Liansheng’s kids live like young masters and mistresses?”

Persuaded, Li Xiu’e hurried over. Hearing Jicheng’s refusal, she grew more convinced of Xiuhua’s words and insisted, “Zhang Tong is sensible and doesn’t need me hovering. Tomorrow, Xiuhua and I will go to the mountains—we’ll work faster than anyone!” Without waiting for a reply, she left hastily.

Jicheng wanted to follow, but Chunfu called from inside, “Let her be. Liansheng’s in charge—he’ll handle it. Li Xiu’e’s too dense to see she’s being manipulated. Only a hard lesson will make her realize not everyone means her harm.”

The next day, Li Xiu’e and Xiuhua went to the mountains. As the group gathered to enter, Liansheng frowned. “What are you two doing here?”

Xiuhua sneered, tugging Xiu’e’s sleeve. “If you can come, why can’t we? Xiu’e is Jicheng and Chunfu’s sister-in-law—since when does she need your permission?”

Xiu’e pulled Xiuhua back and said politely, “I’m free at home and thought I’d help. Don’t worry, Liansheng, we’re not here to cause trouble.”

Liansheng glanced at Xiuhua behind her and chuckled. “Let’s go. Remember to follow the cloth markers on the trees. Head back by sunset, or you’ll be stranded in the dark.”

Jicheng watched from home until Liansheng returned, then rushed out. “Did they cause any trouble?”

Liansheng dusted himself off, smiling. “No, I kept a close eye. That Xiuhua is unbearable—gossipy and greedy. Your sister-in-law’s a fool to stick with her.”

Jicheng sighed. “Chunfu says she’ll only learn through hardship. Though I promised Chunmu to look after her, I won’t tolerate misbehavior.”

Liansheng nodded. “Don’t worry—I’ll keep things in order.”

Under Xiuhua’s prodding, Li Xiu’e tried to slight Liansheng but lacked the nerve. Instead, she frequently harassed Qiaoyun, who remained unflappable, ignoring her barbs. Focused on finding valuable herbs for higher pay, Qiaoyun had no time for petty squabbles. Her husband, Dajun, stayed nearby, reminding her to drink and eat. The couple worked tirelessly. That day, Dajun luckily unearthed wild ginseng. Though thrilled, they kept quiet, planning to settle the payment privately with Liansheng after work.

The bitter cold pierced through layers, making the mountain’s chill unbearable. Xiuhua, unused to winter outings, spent more time stamping her feet for warmth than working. The thick leaf litter made herb-hunting arduous. After half-hearted digging, she stumbled upon a treasure—plump, white ginseng! Knowing its high value, she concealed it in her inner clothes, her mind now far from labor. Since Jicheng paid even for empty baskets, she resolved to sell the ginseng tomorrow and quit, her frostbitten face alight with glee. At sunset, she met Li Xiu’e descending. Xiu’e frowned. “I barely found anything today—how embarrassing. People will think I slacked off relying on Chunfu and Jicheng.”

Xiuhua consoled her. “Even if you sat idle, who’d dare complain? Use your connections! Pity I’ve no such relatives to lean on, or I’d skip this misery. Xiu’e, I won’t come tomorrow—a distant relative’s visiting.”

Li Xiu’e nodded. “Come back after your chores. This mountain’s vast—we’re like ants. We might not cover it all by next year.”

Liansheng waited at the designated spot, inspecting each basket before paying. Spotting Qiaoyun’s haul, he grinned. “Not bad! Tell Jicheng—he’ll handle it. I just do my part, earning an honest living without overstepping.”

Qiaoyun linked arms with Dajun, smiling. “Everyone respects you, Liansheng. It’s late—we’ll head home.”

“Wait, let me settle your pay first. Xiuhua, even an illiterate like me knows ‘he who eats the ruler’s bread serves the ruler.’ Empty baskets for days? How shameless to take wages for nothing!”

Xiuhua feigned distress. “Liansheng, I tried! Just bad luck. I’m desperate—this supplements our income!”

Liansheng paid her, and Xiuhua smugly took Li Xiu’e’s arm, reveling in her perceived advantage. But before they left, Liansheng called sharply, “Hold it.”

She turned, puzzled. “What now?”

Liansheng’s face darkened. “Hand it over. I gave you a chance—you wasted it.”

“Hand what over? My empty basket?” Xiuhua’s voice wavered, eyes darting.

“Everything here belongs to Jicheng’s family. Even Li Xiu’e can’t take freely, let alone you. Spare yourself the disgrace—what’s bulging under your clothes? Must I call someone to search you?”

Xiuhua flushed with rage. “How dare you, you lecher! Xiu’e, tell Jicheng about this pervert!”

Li Xiu’e, chilled and mortified, snapped, “Liansheng, this is too much! We’re villagers—how could you bully her?”

Liansheng scoffed. Li Xiu’e’s naivety was astounding. Cutting to the chase, he said, “You weren’t that ‘bulgy’ climbing up. I saw it. Out with it.”

Xiuhua’s neck reddened. “It’s just a sweat rag! I’ll tell my husband how you harassed me!”

Liansheng snorted. “Truth won’t hide. Li Xiu’e, fetch it.” He turned away, as did the other men. They trusted Liansheng wouldn’t falsely accuse.

Bewildered, Li Xiu’e approached. “Just show him the rag so we can go home. Zhang Tong’s waiting.”

Xiuhua paled, shaking her head.

Li Xiu’e insisted. “What’s the fuss? Show him!”

Xiuhua clutched her clothes, stammering, “Xiu’e, help me—it’s really just a rag.”