The army hadn’t arrived yet, but their presence was vaguely visible, with noticeable vibrations on the ground—scattered footsteps and the heavy hooves of cattle. It wasn’t until the leading troops appeared that Mi Niang realized her mistake; people were riding horses, and the scattered footsteps weren’t from humans.
“Move back, don’t block the way,” a yamen official with a drawn sword pushed the onlookers back along the road.
“Is the one in the black official robe from the yamen? Quite young, huh?” Mi Niang tiptoed, having been in the northern wilderness for almost half a year. She had seen County Chief Hu several times, but never the lord of the county yamen.
“Not even thirty, definitely young. They’re coming, don’t talk.” A group of cavalry wearing silver breastplates had entered the activity area of the Lingshan herders. The cavalry leader dismounted and exchanged a few words with the county lord before remounting. Naturally, he nodded to the surrounding herders, and in a moment, they had moved away. Following this, a vast herd of livestock approached, with various chaotic sounds. The horse herd led, followed by cattle, then sheep, and camels at the rear. The soldiers formed a circle around the livestock, ensuring no animals would be left behind.
“When the army returns from Dakang, they will use such formations to help us herd the livestock. With them around, we don’t have to sleep outside at night to guard against wolves or worry about mischief or robbery.” The sounds of cattle and horses trampling on the ground were loud, and Bahu had to lean close to Mi Niang’s ear to be heard clearly.
Mi Niang rubbed her ears, turning her head to avoid the warm breath exhaled, and the itchy feeling in her ear canal interrupted the shock in her heart. This was the army from the capital. If this were in Dakang, civilians wouldn’t have the chance to come into contact with them, let alone help herders herd cattle and sheep.
A spirited black horse passed by Mi Niang and Bahu, letting out a snort, which made Mi Niang meet; our family’s horses can’t compare to them.” Bahu mostly allowed his horses to roam freely, checking on them every three to five days. If he neglected them, domesticated horses could turn into wild ones.
When the sheep approached, the onlookers by the road automatically stepped back without the need for yamen officials to shout. Mi Niang, clutching Bahu’s clothes, sidestepped through the crowd. When she stopped, she heard a familiar voice and, looking over, saw Mu Xiang and the others.
“You’re here too?” Mi Niang smiled and left Bahu behind.
“Yes, it’s rare to see such a spectacle.” Especially the soldiers on horseback. Their silver breastplates made them look majestic, and their tall, upright figures didn’t resemble the older herders with round bellies.
Someone nearby heard this and immediately smiled, then turned to look and said, “Not rare at all. We see it every year. When they return, we can even walk alongside them for part of the journey.”
“Every year or not, it’s still considered rare. Otherwise, Sister-in-law, you wouldn’t have brought your child over so early to see. Haven’t had breakfast yet, right?” Mu Xiang said playfully, having overheard the conversation. My Sister-in-law was just discussing someone’s long legs a moment ago, and her voice was quite loud.
“I’m not missing this meal.” The woman holding the child laughed heartily, just enjoying the sight. The men in her family were always shiny-faced, and she was getting tired of it.
It had been about half an hour since the frontmost cavalry passed by. The camels, walking at the rear, were just now coming into view. With numerous cattle, sheep, and horses, the road they traveled had turned the ankle-high green grass into a mashed mess. After Mi Niang finished her meal and heard the sound of wheels again, she came back out. The endless supply convoy, which couldn’t be seen from end to end, rolled over the trampled grass. As the supply carts passed, they left half-inch-deep imprints of their wheels on the ground.
Pulling a cart with two cattle was laborious, and each supply cart was accompanied by someone carrying a shoulder pole. If a wheel got stuck, they would call for help to lift it. After accompanying Mi Niang for a while, Bahu yawned repeatedly. Mi Niang chased him back to bed, and he brought Da Huang over, tethering it with a rope before leaving. “You two sit here and watch. I’ll go back to sleep.”
“Oh my, your affectionate display is making my teeth ache. In broad daylight, who could possibly lure away your wife?”
Mi Niang glanced at Bahu. Seeing his dazed expression, she knew he didn’t recognize the woman speaking. She gave an embarrassed smile and pushed Bahu, urging him to leave.
“The young couple gets along well. Bahu has become more caring after getting married. Just look at him today; who would have thought he had a fierce and aggressive appearance when he used to shout and fight with his father.”
“Why did he beat his father?” The smile on Mi Niang’s face didn’t reach her eyes. When Bahu beat his father, people often criticized him, but no one praised him for defending his mother. If someone had to be blamed, it should be Bahu’s father for hitting a woman.
“You don’t know? Haven’t you heard about him fighting with his father? Didn’t you inquire about this before marrying into the family?” The woman, waving her foot, approached. The scruffy dog lying down growled at her, and she stopped in time, standing not far away. She continued to narrate how Bahu had used a knife, a whip, and his feet to beat his father mercilessly, making everyone worried and uneasy. It was like raising an enemy instead of a son.
“There must be a reason, right? Bahu isn’t crazy. He wouldn’t just beat his father for no reason.” Mi Niang pretended to be ignorant and asked, “Auntie, do you know why Bahu fought with his father?”
“Well, I heard his father got drunk, went crazy, and started hitting people. His mother probably said something displeasing and ended up getting hit by his father’s fist.” Talking about Bahu’s father, the woman’s words were vague, full of hearsay and speculation, quite different from her accusatory tone when talking about Bahu.
“That’s a reason, isn’t it? Bahu fought with his father to protect his mother, and to vent his anger for his mother. Before he got married, he used to care about people. He wasn’t the fierce and aggressive person you described, right, Auntie? Or did he ever fight with any of you, threatening with a knife and causing trouble?” Mi Niang shifted her posture, locking eyes with the woman, and her tone remained friendly. “Auntie, how many children do you have? How old are they?”
Talking about Bahu’s matters, how did it get tied to her? Yet, the woman hadn’t successfully stirred up Mi Niang’s emotions as she wished. Mi Niang restrained her displeasure and said, “I have three children, and the oldest is thirteen.”
“Has your children’s father ever hit or scolded you?” Noticing that the woman instinctively turned her head away upon hearing this question, hands clasped and fingers interlocked, it was clear she wanted to avoid the topic. Mi Niang’s genuine smile persisted as she continued, “When you were being hit and scolded, did your children defend you, or did they selfishly hide away? After you suffered abuse, did your man calm down, and your children returned as if nothing had happened, just to eat and sleep?”
“My man doesn’t drink and hit people.”
Judging by her response, it seemed as if there were other reasons behind the hitting. “Not drinking and hitting people doesn’t mean there haven’t been other reasons for hitting.”
“I won’t talk to you anymore.” The woman, embarrassed and angered by having her facade exposed, glared, spewing spittle as she accused, “You are a malicious person. I was just chatting with you, and when I mentioned Bahu’s matters, you willingly brought it up. After hearing it, you’re displeased, so why drag me into it? My family is just fine. I won’t raise a son who wants to kill his father.”
Mi Niang remained unruffled. After the woman finished, she shook her head and said, “Talking about malice, you are my mentor. Bahu doesn’t even know who you are, yet whenever you see him, you can’t help but repeatedly claim that he’s vicious and unfilial, completely ignoring his harmonious relationship with his mother. You fear that others might recognize his virtues. If you want to talk about jealousy, you should be jealous of my mother-in-law. After all, she has a son who is wholeheartedly devoted to her, willing to go against his own father to protect her. But in your words and actions, all I see is an attempt to smear Bahu. You can’t stand him, and you might even want to ruin him. Is it because you don’t have a son who wholeheartedly cares for you, so you can’t stand the existence of such a filial son?”
“Nonsense, envy your mother-in-law? A fool who gets beaten every few days, and I envy her?” The woman’s face was full of mockery and disdain. She crossed her arms and said, “Anyone who has seen Bahu beat his own father doesn’t approve of him. It’s not just me; you don’t have to talk nonsense. Today is my bad luck to talk to you. In the future, when I see you, I’ll take a detour.”
“I thought it’s unlikely that you, with the scars on your hands and face, would be someone who can leisurely chat about irrelevant matters. It’s not like you can casually spread baseless stories,” Mi Niang remained unaffected by her words, continuing with her hands resting on her knees. “A group of people holding a longstanding grudge against an inconspicuous person isn’t built over several years without a reason. I suppose Bahu might have threatened your interests at some point. Did he get lucky, expanding his livestock from over a hundred to thousands in five years? Or did your livestock suffer from disaster or disease, while Bahu’s animals miraculously survived, making you envious? Perhaps the cattle and sheep he raises are robust and healthy, making tenants prefer his livestock. I guess these might be the reasons.”
Mi Niang clicked her tongue with disdain, “How malicious! You lack skills, so you resort to these cheap tricks. Unfortunately for you, Bahu is living well, and his livestock is increasing year by year. He got married, started a family, and without the help of his father and brothers, he will have sons and daughters, grandsons and granddaughters in the future.”
“Say whatever you want. Love to talk? Go ahead,” the woman refused to admit but felt uneasy. She had no words left, especially with the passing grain transporters curiously listening to the commotion. Their inquisitive gazes made her uncomfortable.
“Today is my misfortune. From now on, even if I have good intentions, I’ll mind my own business,” Mi Niang retorted before the woman hurriedly walked away.
“If I hear you spreading nonsense about my man again, I won’t just slap you; I’ll punch your dog mouth swollen. Not beating you up would be an insult to Bahu’s fearsome reputation,” she shouted after the retreating woman.
“Damn it, you’re so indignant. Anyone who doesn’t know would think Bahu killed your father.” Mi Niang became angrier as she thought about it. If only Bahu had a strong elder to rely on, could these malicious people have bullied him from fourteen to nineteen?
Mi Niang’s sarcastic remarks left everyone in the vicinity silent. Bahu, being a man of few words, simply walked away with a stern face when he overheard. However, his newly-wed wife was different; her sharp tongue was quite formidable. She hadn’t stopped smiling throughout the confrontation, and her deductions were accurate. This young woman was somewhat intimidating.
The goods on the grain transporters transformed from bags of grain to a cargo of vegetables, hazelnuts, and chestnuts, creating an interesting scene. However, Mi Niang lost interest and returned home with determination, waking up the man sleeping in bed. “Get up, take me to the doctor in Xushui,” she said. The local medical clinic in Lingshan primarily sold and processed medicinal herbs and lacked a resident doctor.
See a doctor? Bahu repeated in his mouth, and upon grasping the meaning, he immediately threw off the blanket and sat up. “Why do you need to see a doctor? What’s wrong with you?”
“I want to check if I’m pregnant,” Mi Niang said confidently.
How did the conversation about children come up all of a sudden? Bahu frowned and looked at Mi Niang’s belly with some nervousness. “Didn’t your monthly cycle stop just half a month ago? I remember you saying that once your period starts, it means you’re not pregnant. Or did I remember it wrong?”
“I just want to go and check. Hurry up, get up and take me there,” Mi Niang said, shaking his arm and bringing his robe and shoes to the bedside. “I just want to go and check. Take me, and it will give me peace of mind.”
With a tense expression, Bahu pulled away from Mi Niang’s hand and quickly dressed. “Get your words straight, and I’ll take you.” He could bring someone to Xushui or even to Guchuan, not to mention Xushui.
