The smile on Mi Niang’s face instantly froze. The tone in those words was really annoying. Was it because the person had never seen someone gain weight, or was it because they hadn’t seen someone who, despite gaining weight, looked even better?
“Yeah, Mother, I am Mi Niang. You only have two daughters-in-law; you shouldn’t forget what we look like, right?” Mi Niang forced a fake smile on her face. “Everyone who sees me says I’ve gained weight. Is that what you’re implying too?”
“Yes, you’ve gained weight, but it’s good to enjoy life after marrying my son.” This was what Bahu’s mother truly felt. In her eyes, her son was perfect in every way.
Mi Niang didn’t deny that marrying Bahu was good. Half-covering her face, she asked, “Bahu says I look better with a bit more weight. What do you think, Mother?”
This was truly shameless. Bahu’s mother widened her eyes; it was the first time she had encountered someone openly seeking compliments.
“My son has a good eye.” The woman responded casually.
“I’ll go in first. You two go quickly and come back quickly.” Afraid that Mi Niang would ask something more, Bahu’s mother hurriedly slipped into the house.
Bahu chuckled as he looked at Mi Niang, taking the basket from her hands and walking beside her. He saw her pouting in anger at first, then making a snorting sound and glowering at him.
“Ignore my mother; she talks without thinking. She must have recognized you.” Bahu explained, finding Mi Niang’s current look very attractive. With her curvy figure and full cheeks, coupled with her smooth and fair skin, she appeared to be a happy and prosperous person at first glance. When they got married, her face still had a hint of youthful greenness, like a sour and unripe fruit. Now, she looked like a sweet peach on the branch, enticing birds to linger.
“Moreover, you have a small frame. No matter how much you gain weight, it will still be like this. You definitely won’t end up with excess fat all over your body.” Bahu comforted her attentively. He was afraid that if Mi Niang kept hearing people mentioning her weight gain, she might become unhappy, lose her appetite, and try to lose weight again.
Mi Niang reached out and forcefully pinched her wrist. Although she currently had a small frame, she was still young. If she grew taller and gained weight, would her bones also become thicker?
“Never mind, I won’t listen to what others say. Being able to eat and drink is a blessing.” Mi Niang ran to the riverbank, bent down, and looked into the water from side to side. She looked good from any angle.
Bahu sighed in relief when he heard her say this. He didn’t press her to call him, just walked on his own. When she caught up, he brought up another topic, “Do you want to come with me to meet Magistrate Yu?”
“No need. I won’t have anything to say when we meet, and it will disturb you. I know you two have a relationship; that’s enough.”
“Then you go visit Granny Zhao. If you come out early, wait for me, and we’ll go back together.” Bahu escorted Mi Niang to where Magistrate Yu stayed, watched her go in, and continued walking towards the yamen. He also brought the wolf meat over since Magistrate Yu’s wife, being a woman from the Central Plains and a Buddhist, couldn’t stand the sight of blood.
“When did you come back?” Magistrate Yu heard the message from the yamen and came out. As soon as Bahu spoke, he sensed that Magistrate Yu seemed to have changed his demeanor. His tone was no longer as stern.
“Last night, the night before yesterday, I shot several wolves. Knowing that you like wolf meat, I brought the largest one for you.” Bahu patted the oxhide bag. “Let your people carry the wolf meat away. I still need to take the bag back.”
Magistrate Yu gestured, and immediately someone came over to handle it.
“Before, your father came over and said he heard someone say Mandu Ratu stole half of your cattle and sheep? Is that true?”
“It’s true, but I’ve already recovered the cattle and sheep. Did he come here just to talk to you about this, or did he ask for your help? Like finding out information about Mandu Ratu?” Bahu looked disdainful.
So, it turns out your enemies are the ones who understand you. Magistrate Yu laughed, “It’s truly a father and son. Your father asked me to find out information about Mandu Ratu. He said Mandu Ratu, no matter how cunning, wouldn’t do something as lowly as theft. He’s afraid that Mandu Ratu is being threatened in Dakang.”
Bahu snorted. With a father like his, it wasn’t surprising what kind of son he had.
“When will the army from the capital arrive? Soon, right?” Bahu was not interested in talking about Mandu Ratu’s affairs anymore and asked about another matter he cared about.
“Why do you ask about this? Are you planning to follow the army to Dakang to find your elder brother?”
“Huh, am I bored with nothing to do?” Bahu widened his eyes. Even if he went crazy, he wouldn’t do something so despicable.
“I came back early this year to take Mi Niang to see the hustle and bustle when the army passes through the capital. She missed it when the Grand Residence passed by before.”
“It’s coming soon, either tomorrow or the day after. The army left Guchuan yesterday.” Magistrate Yu knew there was something when he saw his subordinate coming out. “If there’s nothing else, I won’t bother you. I have other matters to attend to.”
“You’re busy, I’ll leave too.” Bahu lifted the oxhide bag and turned back. As he approached Magistrate Yu’s house, he saw Mi Niang waiting there.
“Saw anyone?” Bahu walked over quickly.
“No, Granny Zhao and Wan’er are not at home. I left the wolf legs at their neighbor’s place.” Mi Niang tugged at Bahu’s sleeve and walked with him. In a secluded spot, she grabbed the little finger of the man and softly said, “What’s our home in Guchuan like?”
“A standalone courtyard, blue-brick tiled house, with two sizable livestock sheds. But though it’s said to be in Guchuan, it’s quite far from the capital. You can’t even see the city wall from the rooftop.” Bahu reached back and gripped her hand. His hands were rough and hard, and Mi Niang’s hands had calluses, but when she held onto his hand, it felt soft and comfortable.
“Soon, in less than a month, we’ll be going back.” People were waiting at home, and their steps weren’t slow. When they arrived home, they saw someone sitting cross-legged on the ground, brushing the fur of Bala and Alse wolves. Da Huang sat alert not far away, keeping an eye on things.
“Mom, no hurry to go back? Let’s have lunch at home.” Bahu suggested.
“If I don’t go back, your father will have lunch alone at home. ” Bahu’s mother hesitated a bit.
Mi Niang sensed Bahu’s disappointment. She spoke up, “When we came back, your son hunted a few wolves, intending to stew some wolf meat for you to nourish your body. Let him show his filial piety.”
“Alright, then I’ll have lunch here at noon.” Bahu’s mother immediately smiled, and with this act, she found Mi Niang much more pleasing to the eye. Bahu wasn’t the expressive type, even if he had such thoughts, he wouldn’t say anything about nourishing the body and filial piety.
“I’m going out for a moment.” Mi Niang picked up another basket with wolf legs, creating some space for the mother and son to talk.
As Mi Niang left, the smile on Bahu’s mother’s face turned into a look of sorrow. “Bahu, did your older brother steal your cattle and sheep?”
“Mm,” Bahu just nodded, waiting to see how his mother would react.
The woman had known about this matter but was unwilling to believe it. Now, she sat silently with her head bowed, looking like a person drained of bones.
“How did Mudu Ratu become like this? When he was little, he seemed like a good kid. Now that he’s a father, he’s actually stealing from his own brother.”
Bahu remained silent, just standing and listening to her repetitive mutterings. When she seemed tired, he finally spoke, “He’s grown up. You can’t control him, just pretend you don’t know about this. Live your life peacefully.”
“Make sure you and your wife live a good life. If you encounter difficulties, come and talk to your mother. Don’t take the wrong path.” The woman sighed, realizing she could only talk to Bahu about these matters. Agula was rarely at home, and Sandan grew impatient listening to her. The old man was willing to listen, but she didn’t dare say much in front of him. If she spoke too much, he would become worried, and when he worried, he drank, and when he got drunk…
“You sit down; I’ll go chop the meat and stew the soup.” Wolf meat wasn’t as tender as lamb or as fragrant as beef, but it was nourishing. Every autumn and winter, she would stew a pot of wolf bone soup to alleviate many hardships in winter.
Bahu’s mother had no objection to Bahu’s wife cooking for herself after marriage. She rarely cooked at home, and upon seeing Mi Niang return, she waved for someone to come and keep her company, asking about Bahu’s daily affairs.
“Mi Niang, how is your health? Have you been to see a doctor since you came back?” the woman asked.
“I’m fine. Why would I need to see a doctor? Why does the mother think I need to?” Mi Niang wondered.
“Is your menstrual cycle regular? Has it come this month?”
“It came. Mother, do you think I gained weight because I’m pregnant? No, there’s only beef, lamb, and wolf meat in my belly; no child.” In just half a day, Mi Niang felt exhausted, much more tired than driving and fighting with cattle and sheep on the Summer Pasture.
“Don’t worry; I’m not rushing you. I’m just concerned about you and Bahu. I want to remind you that in a month, you’ll be heading back to Ancient River. Even if you take a bumpy carriage ride, not to mention riding a horse, many women have lost their children on the migration route. You’re not pregnant now, which is good, but when you set off for Ancient River, remember to let Bahu take you to see a doctor. If you’re pregnant, we’ll be careful, and if you’re not, at least it will bring peace of mind.” In the harsh cold of the Northern Wilderness, women’s lives were tough, and it was not easy to give birth and raise children. Some young women miscarried during migration, and poor conditions ruined their health, making it difficult for them to conceive later on.
Mi Niang felt a bit embarrassed after hearing these words and whispered in apology, “Mother, please don’t mind. Several people today commented on my weight gain, and some even speculated that I might be pregnant. I was a bit anxious for a moment. Don’t take it to heart.”
“It’s okay. I’m not one to fuss over such trivial matters,” the woman reassured. Otherwise, she would have been driven to madness by the old man long ago.
The wolf meat was pungent, and its texture was tough. The more you chewed, the more it stuck between your teeth. Bahu, who usually had a hearty appetite, didn’t eat much this time. After the three of them put down their bowls and chopsticks, half a pot of meat was still left, mixed with rice, making a feast for the three dogs.
“Well, I’m leaving.” Bahu’s mother blew a wooden whistle, and the big black horse, grazing behind the felt bag, trotted over. “Bahu, if you hear any news about your eldest brother, let me know. I’m still worried about him.”
“The old man is still waiting for you at home. Hurry back,” Bahu urged, giving his mother a playful whip on the horse’s back.
After she left, Bahu embraced Mi Niang and headed back. “I’m going to sleep; tonight, I have to take a shift. Accompany me for a while.”
“I’m not sleepy, I’m exceptionally energetic. I won’t sleep,” Mi Niang struggled. She wouldn’t go; she knew Bahu’s character very well. Talking during the day was one thing; she wouldn’t indulge him in any improper behavior on the bed during broad daylight.
The man laughed and lifted the struggling woman horizontally. “If you resist like this, I won’t be able to sleep tonight. I’ll be too tired.”
“I won’t feel sleepy. I’m very spirited. I won’t sleep,” Mi Niang insisted, resisting. She even took off her shoes but still clung to her clothes, unwilling to give up.
“In that case, you can sleep during the day,” Bahu teased, carrying her towards the bed.
But the next morning, while Mi Niang was in a deep sleep, Bahu hurriedly returned, pulled her out of bed, and faced her with a hungry look. Unfazed by the threatening gaze, Bahu said, “The army from the capital is here, and the army delivering supplies from Youzhou is also about to reach Lingshan. You wanted to see the excitement, right? Get up quickly, and you can sleep after they all leave.”
“How coincidental? North and South forces meeting like this?” Mi Niang became lively, dressing swiftly. She directed Bahu to bring her water to wash her face.