The pungent and bitter aroma of medicine wafted from the bubbling medicine pot. The hot, steaming white vapor blurred Bahu’s features. He kept his head down, silent, only the intermittent poking of the fire with his hands indicated that he was not lost in thought. Mi Niang did not disturb him; the bitterness of the past few years for him was no lighter than the scent of the medicinal residue in the medicine pot.
As the last flicker of flame disappeared from the hearth, Bahu lifted the medicine pot and strained out the medicine. “Pay attention. Once it’s not too hot, drink it all. I’m going inside for a nap.”
“Okay.” Mi Niang didn’t mention that it was already noon; he hadn’t eaten yet. Perhaps he didn’t have much appetite now, and skipping a meal wouldn’t hurt. Sometimes, going hungry for a while could improve one’s mood. Mi Niang had a deep understanding of the usefulness of enduring hardship.
Far away on the grassland, cattle and sheep were mooing intermittently. By the river, the sounds of women pounding clothes and chatting could be heard. Mi Niang lay on the table, waiting for the medicine to cool. Three dogs lay in their straw-filled nests, basking in the sun, their eyes tightly closed but still alert. A gentle breeze rustled through, and cattle and sheep were scattered everywhere, presenting a seemingly tranquil and rustic scene. Who would have thought that beneath this beautiful exterior, there were such sinister thoughts?
Rumors could kill.
After swallowing a bowl of bitter soup, Mi Niang pursed her lips and entered the felt bag. Bahu pulled up the blanket, covering himself from head to toe. Even if someone came and went, he didn’t move at all. Mi Niang couldn’t tell whether he was awake or asleep.
She didn’t disturb him, gently closed the door, and simmered a pot of rice. She soaked the mushrooms and stir-fried them with vegetables, making a large bowl for herself. Additionally, she cooked wolf meat for the three dogs. Bahu said that dogs needed to fatten up in the autumn, so they must be fed meat during the late autumn.
Bahu woke up to find it was already dusk. Lying in bed, he didn’t hear any voices outside the felt bag. Thinking that Mi Niang might have gone out to talk to familiar people, he didn’t rush to get up. With his hands behind his head, he stared blankly at the felt ceiling colored by the setting sun.
A dog’s head squeezed out from the door crack. Bahu blinked, and Da Huang wagged its tail to the bedside. He reached out and patted its head, saying in a dry tone, “It’s indeed a good dog.” He didn’t know how many times it had come in to check on him.
“Awake? No wonder Da Huang suddenly stood up and came into the room.” Mi Niang stood outside the door, not mentioning the events of the morning, as if nothing had happened, and said, “If you’re awake, get up quickly. Aren’t you hungry?”
“You’re at home? I thought you went out to play.” Bahu lifted the blanket, and he regained the spirited look he had before today. Unaware that he had been manipulated by others for several years and unable to do anything about those people, it was quite embarrassing to talk about. He appreciated Mi Niang for not bringing it up, just like how she knew about the father-son conflict but never probed into their troubled past.
“No, I’m trying to make raincoats. Wood fragrance and the others don’t have warm clothes to fend off the cold, so I suggested teaching them to make raincoats.” Mi Niang took the feeling she had been working on for a while and asked Bahu about the details of handling the hat and collar.
Bahu took the felt, demonstrated the details with needle and thread, and occasionally glanced at her. “Do they genuinely care about you?”
“We’ve been through hardships together, so our relationship is closer than usual.” Bahu was emotionally indifferent in social interactions, but Mi Niang was different. She didn’t want Bahu to interfere in this aspect, especially after what happened this morning.
“I have an idea in my heart. Don’t worry about me. I also gave them a helping hand when I was doing well. I won’t be overly kind.”
Bahu responded with a sound, not saying anything more. Mi Niang was much stronger in reading people’s hearts than him.
The next day, Mi Niang brought Felt to the west bank of the river to find Mu Xiang. With scissors and thread in hand, she taught them how to make raincoats while they were at the sheep grazing area.
“Mi Niang, I heard that you had an argument with someone yesterday, Did you force the other person to flee in desperation?” Mu Xiang was curious about what happened to lead to the argument.
“How does everyone know about it?” Mi Niang sat next to Ying Niang and, seeing her struggling with the needle, she took it and helped with the sewing. “It was just a few words with that woman, and I don’t even know who she is. Who told you? Did someone outside speak ill of me?”
“We don’t know where it came from. We heard from neighbors living nearby. Locals are saying that your mouth is sharper than a blade, and you don’t let others have the upper hand. As for why you argued, it’s unclear. But I can tell that the person who argued with you was unjust, or else she would have been gossiping outside if she had a valid point.” Mu Xiang raised her eyebrows. “Am I right?”
“Absolutely right…”
“Mi Niang, come help me see if the stitches here are okay?” Pandi interrupted Mi Niang’s words, steering the conversation toward the return to Guchuan, saying she didn’t know the situation there.
This was a topic no one could pick up. Mi Niang only knew a few words that Bahu mentioned. He lived in a brick-and-tile house, but she needed to find out if others around there lived in similar houses. It was not easy to broach this subject.
“When I went to drink water for the sheep this morning, I saw Bahu pouring medicine dregs. Is it medicine dregs? Is he sick?” Mu Xiang found a topic casually and brought it up.
“I’m the one who’s sick, and it’s me who drank it,” Mi Niang spoke, and then she subconsciously felt that something was wrong. They should know about her going to the clinic for medicine. However, before she could ask, Pandi exclaimed, “Oh no, I ruined it with the scissors.”
Now everyone looked at her. She had cut a big hole in the felt. Even if she sewed it up, it would leak water. The damaged part had to be cut off, and then the edges needed to be resewn.
“What are you thinking? Ruining a good piece of felt.” Lan Niang felt sorry for it. Making felt was quite laborious, and she grumbled that Ying Niang held the scissors more steadily than her.
Pandi didn’t argue back, letting Lan Niang continue her nagging. she hoped Lan Niang would keep on talking for a while. Restless, she looked up at Mi Niang. Before their eyes met, she quickly lowered her head again.
Mi Niang was looking at Mu Xiang, who had glanced at her when Pandi screamed. After that, Mu Xiang minded her own business, sewing with a detached expression. It seemed like there was significant discord between these two, and they hadn’t reconciled.
“Mi Niang, sister, what illness do you have?” Ying Niang still remembered this matter and asked with concern.
Now Mi Niang was genuinely certain that Pandi hadn’t mentioned to others her visit yesterday. She looked at Pandi in confusion and explained, “It’s not a serious illness. It’s just that I was weak from the escape, and my menstrual cycle was irregular. I went to the doctor and got a few doses of medicine. Didn’t Pandi tell you? I went to see you all yesterday.”
“I forgot.” Pandi felt embarrassed, seeing everyone looking at her. She felt like she was being beaten by a heavy drum.
“What’s the matter?” Mu Xiang took a deep look at Pandi and turned to Mi Niang, asking, “What illness do you have, Mi Niang?”
“I went to see a doctor who charged five coins for a pulse reading. Since I was already there, I got some medicine too. When I went to see the doctor yesterday, I thought everyone had suffered and considered that no one should hide any illnesses. So, I came to tell you and see if anyone wanted to get their pulse checked.”
“Yes, Mi Niang came over. At that time, you weren’t around, and I told her that we were all unmarried girls. Going to see a doctor should not spread rumors about being unable to bear children. Mi Niang agreed at that time.” Pandi frowned deeply, continuing to explain, “After that, I thought about mentioning it to you all. But when things got busy, I forgot. If it weren’t for Mu Xiang mentioning the medicine dregs, I wouldn’t have remembered.”
“You remembered, but you didn’t say anything.” Lan Niang grumbled. Regardless of whether they wanted to see a doctor, why keep it a secret from them?
“How long does it take to get to Xushui from here? My menstrual cycle is also not regular, and I want to go for a check-up,” Mu Xiang said without hesitation. However, she decided to go alone, so that only she and the doctor who examined her would know her situation.
“Youzhou’s grain transport carts pass through Xushui. If you follow the wheel tracks, you’ll definitely reach Xushui. Once you get there, just ask for the location of the medical hall,” Mi Niang replied, casting a glance at Pandi, choosing not to dwell on whether she genuinely forgot or intentionally concealed something.
“I’ll go too. Mu Xiang, let’s go together. It’s good to have company on the way,” Lan Niang eagerly joined in. Since the incident with Mi Niang being taken away by him, she became timid and would even drag someone along when fetching water by the river. Going alone to Xushui was out of the question.
“I won’t go with you. Your big mouth can’t keep a secret,” Mu Xiang rejected without mercy.
Bringing up this matter made Lan Niang feel guilty, especially in front of Mi Niang. “I’ve changed a lot,” she spoke softly and weakly, lacking any strength.
“Lan Niang, I’ll go with you,” Bai Mei hesitated for a long time before speaking, glancing around at everyone.
That was just perfect. As long as someone accompanied her, regardless of who it was, Lan Niang was willing.
Throughout the discussion, no one inquired about Pandi’s opinion.
Mi Niang remembered her sheep – the one that was swapped by Bahu for her sheep before she married him. Initially at the bottom of the flock, even the biggest one was bullied by the other three. After she married Bahu, her small flock merged with Bahu’s large flock. The sheep suddenly gained a sense of identity and became the leader of the four. The other three sheep lost their former dominance and spent their days following the leader, enjoying the benefits.
Before, Mu Xiang, Pandi, Lan Niang, Bai Mei, and Ying Niang regarded Pandi as their leader due to her smooth-talking ability and good relationships. Somehow, Mu Xiang and Pandi went their separate ways, and Pandi’s leadership position was challenged and tilted entirely today.
“It’s been strange ever since you got married. Pandi speaks to me with a weird tone, either too harsh or too mocking, and her gaze makes me uncomfortable. I thought I offended her, so I’ve been enduring her. It wasn’t until Bagen came to find me that I understood why she targeted me. I don’t know if she has feelings for Bagen, but she’s been finding faults with me all along.” When Mi Niang left, Mu Xiang also grabbed her things and left with her, explaining the recent odd behavior on the way. “It’s ridiculous; she thinks she’s my mother-in-law, criticizing everything about me – my temper, my tendency to argue, lack of understanding and humility.” Mu Xiang also thanked Bagen; if it weren’t for him, she would have been at Pandi’s beck and call.
“Pandi is quite scheming. Be careful when dealing with her,” Mu Xiang cautioned. She didn’t believe that Pandi had forgotten to inform them yesterday.
“What do you think of Bagen? What did he say when he came to find you?” Mi Niang asked, gossiping eagerly.
“He was taken back by his father the day after he came. His family probably doesn’t want him to marry a refugee girl.” Mu Xiang shook her head, shrugged, and said, “I don’t want in-laws who dislike me from the start; otherwise, I’d be mistreated if I married into that family.” She wasn’t worried about getting married; even if she couldn’t marry into the family of a wealthy herder, she could still marry a man who came from Dakang together with her. She wasn’t afraid of hardship, as long as the man was willing to work hard, she would be willing to build a family with him, raising children and tending to the herd.
Only mentioning Bagen’s parents, not his impression, meant that she had a decent impression of him. Mi Niang touched the pendant hanging from her chest and smiled, saying, “Anyway, you’re still young, no need to rush into marriage. Next year, you can also rent some cattle and sheep, and in a couple of years, you’ll have over a hundred head of cattle and sheep.”
“It’s not that easy,” Mu Xiang shook her head, laughing. As they were about to reach Mi Niang’s house, Mu Xiang stopped and put on a serious expression. “Mi Niang, no matter what others think, I’m truly grateful to you. Thank you for still caring about us. I may not have much to offer, but I’ll keep your kindness in my heart. If you ever need my help in the future, just let me know.” She couldn’t reciprocate much, so all she could offer was a vague promise.
“Then, just sew me a pair of socks,” Mi Niang felt that what she did wasn’t a huge favor. The difficulties faced by Mu Xiang and the others touched her, so extending a helping hand was significant. However, excessive kindness could make people feel overwhelmed, and one-sided goodwill might eventually turn into charity, changing the nature of their relationship over time.
“What I offer you is what I can afford, and it’s something you can use. What you gave me is also something I can afford and use,” Mi Niang replied with a smile.
“Alright,” Mu Xiang felt relieved, and a smile returned to her face.
