As the sky began to brighten, Xi Jil led Ajima to the east. When they arrived at the door, they noticed it was still barred from the inside. He leaned against the door for a while, listening, but there was no sound of anyone walking inside the house.
“You come with me to the sheep pen first,” Xi Jil said, turning to his nephew.
Ajima, being pulled away, looked back anxiously and asked, “Is the master sick? He always wakes up early. Now the sun is out, but his door is still barred.”
Xi Jil smirked. If Ajima hadn’t knocked on the door this morning, he would have overslept too. “You’re still young, you don’t understand.”
Since it wasn’t cold, the cattle and sheep didn’t go into the pen at night. The sheep pen was clean and didn’t need to be cleaned of dung, but the cow dung needed to be cleared to fumigate the insects. The people who had arrived earlier were already busy. Seeing the child behind Xi Jil, one of them raised an eyebrow and chuckled, “The door still isn’t open?”
Xi Jil glanced at him but didn’t respond. He pushed Ajima out and said, “Don’t come in, stay away. Later you’ll have to play with the two little masters, don’t get their smell on you.”
Ajima leaned against the wall to bask in the sun. As soon as he heard the creaking of the door inside, he brushed off the dust on his body and ran towards the door. Just as he emerged, he collided with the dog rushing out. Before he could steady himself, the dog got up and ran past him.
In the courtyard, Bahu was shoveling dog droppings. Seeing Ajima come in, he asked, “Did you sleep at your second sister’s house last night?”
“Yeah, my second brother-in-law took me there. Master, should I move here for the winter or go back on my own?”
“Wherever you want to stay, you can. If you want to move here, stay in the room with a Kang in the backyard.” Bahu shoveled the dog droppings and threw them outside the door, covering them with two shovels of dirt. He had overslept this morning, so the dog had been kept inside and had to relieve itself in the courtyard.
“Then I’ll move here. I’ll open the door for the dog every morning from now on.” Ajima smiled when he saw Bahu had no objections. He glanced at the tightly closed bedroom door and asked, “Are Jiya and Qiqige still sleeping?” As soon as he finished speaking, he heard the soft laughter of the children, clear and crisp like fledgling birds.
The siblings had been awake for a while, playing hide-and-seek on the Kang or in their parents’ arms. Neither Mi Niang nor Bahu wanted to move or get out of bed, so they let the children play under the covers.
The wooden door creaked, and a child sat astride the threshold, while another stood inside helping hold the legs.
“Ajima’s here? You’ve grown quite a bit,” remarked Bahu. He had also darkened a bit, but fortunately, there was a sparkle in his eyes, no longer looked as dispirited as before. Mi Niang lowered her head, seeing the siblings playing on the threshold enthusiastically. She didn’t bother to help and simply passed by them to the kitchen to fetch water for washing her face.
As she stepped in, someone followed her. They squeezed together to wash their faces in the basin, their hands bumping against each other.
Mi Niang glanced sideways at him, with ripples in her eyes. “Don’t bother me, I’m hungry.”
“Boiling sausages and making butter tea?” The man didn’t move, glancing outside quietly as he asked, “Didn’t sleep well?”
She slept well, but not enough. They had been restless until late last night, from the bedroom to the chilly adjacent room. The tension that had been hanging over them since their time at Lingshan had finally eased.
Mi Niang handed him the kitchen knife. “Cut the sausages, and bring four eggs. The kids want egg custard.”
Bahu stared at her incredulously for a moment. He had thought he might get scolded today, but seeing the hint of happiness in her expression, he climbed onto the bandwagon, “At noon, let Ajima take Qiqige and Jiya out to play. Don’t let them nap so they can sleep early tonight.”
Mi Niang didn’t look at him or respond, sitting by the stove to kindle the fire.
“Alright, it’s settled then,” Bahu figured out her meaning, feeling a bit lighter as he stepped out the door.
Breakfast was simple, but with everyone in good spirits, two bowls of egg custard and a few sausages, along with the butter tea, felt like a feast.
“I won’t go into the mountains this year. We’ll rest for a couple of days and then head to the capital. We’ll buy grains and corn early and take Qiqige and Jiya to see the bustling city,” he added.
Mi Niang remembered the astonished looks on the faces of the two children when they saw the brick house yesterday, and she recounted it to Bahu, “You should bring more money this year. If the two little ones see something they like, they might insist on buying the whole stand.” Every month when the caravan came through, Mi Niang would take the children to buy things, but there were rarely items suitable for children among the goods brought by the caravan. With the two children almost three years old now, there were hardly any toys at home. Fortunately, they had many playmates—cats and dogs—who were used to being pulled by their ears, having their paws touched, and having their tails pulled without ever scratching.
Speaking of stands, Mi Niang’s eyes lit up, “What if I set up a honey stand in the capital? I’ll cut down the beehives and collect the honey these days. When you go shopping, I’ll take Ajima and the kids to sell honey.”
Ajima’s eyes sparkled at the idea of setting up a honey stand in the capital. It sounded fun and exciting. “Don’t worry, Boss, I’ll make sure Qiqige and Jiya are well taken care of.”
“No rush to buy grain, I’ll accompany you guys,” Bahu found the idea interesting and asked Mi Niang if she wanted to roam the streets selling honey and how many jars she needed to prepare. If there weren’t enough stone jars, he could make some wooden ones over the next few days.
Mi Niang’s idea was just a sudden whim without a specific plan. Seeing Bahu and Ajima so enthusiastic, she told them about her experience of carrying beehives on her back and selling honey in the countryside.
Laughter filled the kitchen, but outside, the dogs barked aggressively at the sight of unfamiliar faces. Bahu hurriedly went out to see and calmed the dogs when he saw it was Zhong Qi.
“Your bunch of dogs at home is quite scary. I didn’t sleep all night, and when I suddenly heard the dogs barking, I thought I was going to be scared to death.” Zhong Qi walked towards the door, his heart still pounding, and his face not looking good. “Is Mi Niang at home? I came to share some good news. Early this morning, Mu Xiang gave birth.” He reached into his basket and took out the last six red eggs, offering them, “It’s a tradition in my hometown to give red eggs to friends and relatives when a child is born.”
“Come in and have a seat. Let me call Mi Niang,” said Bahu, unsure how to respond to the customs of the Central Plains.
“No need to call her. I just came to inform you, and then I have to go back to take care of Mu Xiang,” Zhong Qi replied.
“Wait a moment. I’m not familiar with the customs of the Central Plains. Should I give something in return for accepting the red eggs?” Bahu shouted into the house, “Mi Niang, Mu Xiang has given birth. Come out and take a look.”
When Mi Niang came out and saw the number of red eggs in Bahu’s hand and the black ink spots on them, she smiled and said, “Congratulations! Did Mu Xiang and the baby boy do well?”
“They’re both fine,” Zhong Qi replied, then looked at Bahu. “There’s no need for a return gift for accepting the red eggs. I won’t come in. I have to go back to take care of Mu Xiang and the baby.”
“I’ll go see Mu Xiang later,” Mi Niang said.
After Zhong Qi left, Bahu carefully examined the red eggs in his hand and asked what they symbolized. “How did you know that Mu Xiang gave birth to a boy?”
“The number of red eggs is even and there are black spots, indicating a son. If it were a daughter, the number of red eggs would be odd, and they would only be dyed red without black spots.”
Mi Niang caught two old hens from the chicken coop, leaving only ten eggs from the ones they had collected at home. She also packed the unused red sugar and red dates that Asyl had brought last year into two packets and put them in the basket. “I’ll go take a look. Keep an eye on the kids,” she told Bahu.
“Alright.”
Mu Xiang and Zhong Qi were still staying in the side courtyard of the Hu family. There was a small gate in the side courtyard, guarded by a gatekeeper. Mi Niang had been here a few times before, and the gatekeeper recognized her. “Are you here to congratulate Master Zhong Qi? He just returned.”
Master Zhong Qi? It was the first time Mi Niang had heard of it. Zhong Qi had an official position now? She nodded vaguely and carried the two flapping-winged hens, making her way to where Mu Xiang was staying. In the courtyard, there was an unfamiliar old woman plucking chicken feathers. Mi Niang hesitated to enter, wondering if she had remembered the location correctly.
Seeing Mi Niang looking up at the doorplate, Grandma Zhao asked, “Mi Niang, why aren’t you going in?”
The people inside heard the conversation and opened the door, instructing the old woman plucking feathers to go and receive Mi Niang’s chickens. “It’s only us Central Plains people who pay attention to drinking chicken soup during the postpartum period. When I saw you bringing hens, I thought of the days when we gave gifts back in our hometown.”
Mi Niang smiled and handed the basket of eggs to the old woman. “Is Mu Xiang awake? If she is, I’ll go see her.”
“She’s asleep. Why don’t you come in with Grandma Zhao and sit for a while? She might wake up soon, and there’s the child too. It would be good for you to see the child as well,” Zhong Qi said, accepting the gift from Grandma Zhao. His gaze swept over the contents of the basket, and he was about to ask when he heard her say, “Miss Hu asked me to make a trip. These things are all gifts from the Hu family.”
A smile spread across Zhong Qi’s face. “Then, please thank Miss Hu on my behalf. It’s heartwarming to know she still cares about us…”
Grandma Zhao didn’t exchange any pleasantries with him. She mumbled a few words, saying she had to go back on duty since Mu Xiang was asleep and shouldn’t be disturbed. She suggested that Mi Niang come back in a few days. Glancing at Mi Niang, she asked, “Are you staying a little longer, or are you leaving now? It’s been a while since we last saw each other.”
“I’ll leave now.”
Once they were outside, the two exchanged glances. Mi Niang rolled her eyes ungracefully. “That bootlicker really disgusts me. He doesn’t even bother hiding his sycophantic behavior. I don’t even want to come for the Washing of the Three and the Full Moon Ceremony.”
Grandma Zhao shook her head. “He’s despicable. I’ve been working with the Hu family for over two years, and I’ve never seen any of the four young masters treat guests like him. He becomes arrogant with little power and lacks sophistication. Earlier, when Wan’er said she wouldn’t go through the rituals with Mu Xiang, I advised her otherwise. Now, I’m glad she didn’t listen to me. Otherwise, she’d end up like you, feeling disgusted.”
After pondering for a moment, Mi Niang asked about Wan’er. “Has she visited since returning home?”
“She came once before her wedding. I reckon she’ll come again once things are settled at home.” Grandma Zhao didn’t mince her words in front of Mi Niang. She smiled and added, “I don’t know if Wan’er is pregnant or not. I’ve already made several sets of clothes for the child.”
“Then you’ll just have to wait for Asyl to bring the good news.”
“Exactly. I’m looking forward to it.”
The two parted ways outside the Hu family gate. Mi Niang walked for a while, then turned down another path towards the relief house, but found it empty. Pandi, Lan Niang, and Ying Niang were not at home. The neighbors said they had gone out to cut grass and hadn’t been gone for long.
It seemed that Zhong Qi hadn’t come to report the good news.
After returning home, Mi Niang changed into her honey-harvesting clothes, put on her hat and sheepskin gloves, and got into the Lele carts to cut honey. It wasn’t until noon when Bahu returned with the children that she called out, “Bahu, bring the lead ox here and pull the Lele carts to a place where no one is around.”
“What’s wrong?”
“As soon as I opened the door, bees flew out. Drive the car farther away so the bees don’t escape and sting someone.”
As the Lele carts moved, the bees inside the carriage became even more agitated, with almost half of them flying out and covering Mi Niang and the honey-filled buckets. Mi Niang asked Bahu to move farther away, then opened the door, placed the bee barrel on the carriage shaft, and squeezed herself out of the car. As soon as the door closed, a large group of bees flew out and surrounded her densely, almost carrying her away like ants carrying food.
The oxen, sensing the buzzing, moved restlessly. Without anyone urging it on, it instinctively moved towards a safe place. Mi Niang followed the oxen in the opposite direction, and as they moved farther away, the bees stopped following. When she turned back, she couldn’t find the bee box. Without the queen bee’s command, the swarm slowly dispersed.
“Did you harvest all sixteen?” Bahu asked.
“Yes, all of them. That’s all we have.” When she packed the honeycomb, she pressed it tightly. Even with five buckets of honeycomb, she could extract at least three buckets of honey.
“Bahu, let me tell you…” Mi Niang recounted her visit to see Mu Xiang this morning. She still couldn’t get past that hurdle in her heart. Just the thought of Zhong Qi made her feel nauseous. “Although Mu Xiang is a decent person, I’ve thought it over and decided it’s best to cut ties in the future. We don’t need to curry favor with him or care about his opinions.”
“Then let’s cut ties. Such low-class behavior, looking down on us and still expecting us to send congratulatory eggs?” Bahu thought they shouldn’t have gone out in the morning and should have just let the dog chase him away.
After some thought, Mi Niang held onto Bahu’s arm and said, “He probably wanted us to give him a big gift. He’s thinking now that he holds an official position, why don’t we hurry up and ingratiate ourselves with him? He probably didn’t expect us to bring him two chickens and a basket of eggs.”
