“Go slaughter a sheep, skin it, and bring it back.” Mi Niang said to ChaoBao, “You haven’t had a decent meal in the mountains these days, have you? Cut half of the sheep and let Uncle Muren stew a pot for you to eat, then go back and rest. Come back to work tomorrow morning.”
“That’s right, we haven’t eaten as much as the mountain martens yet.” ChaoBao carried the last sheepskin bag into the courtyard and leaned it against the wall. “Let’s leave it here for now. When the master comes back, he can move it into the house.”
“Okay, leave it there.” She handed a cow horn comb to Qiqige and Jiya, letting the siblings comb the big and small spots’ fur. After they went into the mountains, their oily fur became tangled, especially the thick fur on their paws, which had become dirty and discolored.
…
“Is anyone home? Is this the right house? It doesn’t quite look like it. Hey, little sister, can I ask if the honey seller lives in this house?”
Hearing the voice, Mi Niang quickly walked out, even before the person had stepped out. “You’re in the right place; it’s this house.”
After stepping out, she realized it was an old customer. She greeted them and beckoned, “Sisters, please come inside. We have a cloth flag hanging in front of our house; next time, look for that to find us easily.”
The visitor was from the same village as Asyl, who had come to buy honey last year. However, there were even more people coming this year, with three Lele carts and about ten people arriving on horseback.
“I only remembered that your house was the easternmost, so I didn’t expect your family to have built so many houses to the east this year, which made me a bit uncertain,” the women carried clay jars into the courtyard. They saw four martens lying comfortably on the ground, with two children squatting and grooming their fur for them. These animals were treated better than people.
“Do you still have honey? Is there enough for us to buy?”
“Yes, we have plenty of honey this year.”
When Big Spot and Little Spot heard the familiar words, their ears perked up, and they quickly got up, shook off the loose fur on their bodies, and followed slowly behind the people into the backyard.
Big Spot and Little Spot also eagerly followed suit.
“Jiya, bring the scale over here,” Mi Niang called from the backyard.
“Okay,” Jiya brushed off the fur on her body and patted Qiqige, “Sis, you go get the money box.”
Big Spot and Little Spot sat in the empty space of the backyard, keeping a close watch on the open door. When they saw the young master coming, they wagged their tails and wanted to slip in behind him.
“Hey hey hey! They don’t bite, do they?” Someone lifted the clay jar, ready to smash it down if things went south.
Mi Niang shouted, taking the scale from Jiya’s hand. She glanced at Qiqige and pointed to the yard, saying, “Take Big Spot and Little Spot to stand in the yard, don’t let them come in, you have fur on you.”
Then she turned around and said, “Don’t worry, they don’t bite. Take a look at which kind of honey you want to buy. In the vat is multiflower honey, in the jar is dryland lotus honey, broom plum honey, da-da fragrant flower honey, and yellow ling flower honey.” Mi Niang deliberately tapped the jar closest to the wall, “Leek flower honey, there’s only this jar, take a look first, later I’ll scoop out a spoonful for you to taste.”
This was the first time in her years of beekeeping that she had discovered leek flower honey. If it weren’t for the strong smell of leeks, she would have mistakenly poured it into the multiflower honey vat.
“Leek flower honey? What does that taste like? Smelling like leeks but tasting sweet?”
Mi Niang first scooped honey into clay jars for those buying multiflower honey, covered the vat with a wooden board, and then opened the jar, asking, “Who wants dryland lotus honey? Bring the jar.”
“Who wants broom plum honey? Da-da fragrant flower honey, only available this year, as well as yellow ling flower honey, all have different floral scents and resulting honey flavors.”
“I’m overwhelmed by all these choices, I want to buy them all to taste at home. This is much better than brown sugar.” The speaker was the young sister-in-law who bought a jar last year as a gift, “Will you have these next year too?”
“Yes, we will. Every year from now on, we’ll have them, and the quantity will only increase.” Mi Niang called out to Jiya, “Bring some chopsticks and also bring the bowls that Da Hu and Xiao Mo drink milk from.”
Jiya had already gone to fetch the chopsticks when she heard Mi Niang mention offering a taste of leek flower honey. “Mom, I’ve brought them,” she stood at the doorway and handed over the chopsticks, “I’ll go get the bowls.”
“Your children are so obedient.”
Jiya’s lips curled up at the compliment, and she skipped joyfully into the front yard, radiating happiness in her every step.
“Leek flower honey has a bit of spiciness to it when tasted. If you like it, you can buy some to take home.” Mi Niang scooped up half a spoonful, scraping the bottom of the jar along the rim, “Try it, it has a rich flavor profile, and the spiciness doesn’t clash with the sweetness.”
In the end, half a jar of leek flower honey was sold, and everyone said they would come back next year if they enjoyed it.
The remaining honey in the spoon was poured into the bowl Jiya brought, and he even washed the bowl clean.
“Pour in half a spoonful of water, mix it up, and take Big Spot and Little Spot to the front yard,” Mi Niang instructed him. She placed the spoon in the bucket, closed the door, and went out to weigh. She smiled at the little girl who had been waiting for a long time, and after weighing the silver coins, she handed them all to her. “Tell your auntie it’s thirty-two copper coins.”
Qiqige rummaged through the money box with a clattering sound, and in a young yet seasoned voice, she said, “Auntie, count it yourself. If you say it’s less after we leave, I won’t admit it.”
The young woman chuckled and bent down, patting the little girl’s head. She said to Mi Niang, “Your maid and son are both delightful, articulate, and diligent. When I see them, I want to take them home with me to raise.” Then, she turned to Qiqige and added, “Auntie trusts you. Even if it’s less, she won’t come after you.”
Though it sounded like trust, Qiqige insisted on a recount.
“Sister-in-law, just count it. We’re family; we settle accounts honestly. If there’s any discrepancy, let’s sort it out face to face to avoid any discomfort,” Mi Niang added, handing a silver coin to Qiqige. “This auntie’s estimation is accurate. It’s exactly right; no need to give change.”
“You’re a capable mother, and your children are all bright. How old is this little girl? Four? And she’s already counting like this without even going to school? Amazing!” The praise flowed continuously, leaving Qiqige beaming with joy, her sweet smile blossoming as she stood under the cloth flag to bid farewell. “Take care on the road, Auntie. When you finish the honey, come back to buy more next year!”
The carriages and horses turned onto the bend, and Mi Niang hugged her as they entered the house. The winter wind was dry and cold, scratching their faces fiercely.
“I wonder where that foolish father of yours has gone off to. He never seems to get tired,” she muttered as she turned back.
In the courtyard, the four martens had just finished eating honey. Little Spot licked its mouth and then licked Da Hu and Xiao Mo. Big Spot lay on the ground, holding a bowl. The coarse black porcelain bowl was licked so clean that it shone brighter than if it had been washed.
“Mi Niang, the sheep has been slaughtered,” ChaoBao brought in half a sheep. “Has the master returned yet? Should I go look for him?”
Mi Niang followed into the kitchen to prepare the meal. “No need to look for him. He knows what he’s doing. Once you’re done, go help Uncle Muren with cooking. He’s getting old; don’t let him do the meat chopping and water carrying.”
Just as she finished cutting the meat, Bahu returned. Seeing the pile of dry cow dung near the stove, he took out a sheepskin bag and went out, then came back with another bag. “He ran fast, probably avoiding people. I couldn’t find him.”
“As long as he’s avoiding people, it’s fine.” Mi Niang told him to wash his face and hands. “Change into clean clothes and comb your hair again. Later, come help me chop up this meat.”
Half of the sheep was boiled in the back pot, and the rest was stir-fried into a large plate of mutton. The lamb leg was put in the fire stove to stew slowly. After half a day, it would be ready to eat in the evening.
Ever since Uncle Muren and the others started cooking separately, at mealtime, the dogs in the house split into two groups, one guarding the front yard and the other the back yard. When it was time to feed them, they stood outside the door calling out like dumplings being dropped into water, rushing in noisily.
“Woof!” Da Huang barked toward the eastern courtyard wall. Just as it was about to go out, seeing the other dogs not moving, it turned back and buried its head in its meal.
Mi Niang and Bahu stood under the eaves, silently watching as five brown-yellow furred martens appeared outside the open gate, each carrying a bloody rabbit in their mouths. Looking at Big Spot and Little Spot, who glanced back before howling and continuing to chew on sheep bones.
“Let’s go in,” Bahu pulled Mi Niang back to the kitchen, closed the door, and opened the window to speak softly. “So they went out to catch rabbits. Why did they take so long?”
Mi Niang leaned against his shoulder and peeked out. “Do you think they’ll come in?”
Bahu wasn’t sure. With about twenty dogs in the courtyard, they probably wouldn’t dare. Twenty dogs and nine martens, he thought of this number and took a frightened breath.
“They’re coming in, they’re coming in!” Mi Niang exclaimed excitedly.
Ajima, Qiqige, and Jiya squeezed in the doorway to look out. The five martens walked slowly past the door, casting a cautious glance at the wooden door, dropping the rabbits outside, and avoiding the dogs crowded around the trough. They cautiously approached the trough where Big Spot and Little Spot were.
“Tsk tsk, they’re really audacious, not afraid even if someone suddenly closes the door.” Mi Niang saw the five wild martens eating the mutton in the trough and suddenly thought of the food issue. “With thirty dogs and martens combined, will we have to sacrifice a sheep for this meal?”
Upon this calculation, she suddenly lost interest in the spectacle, left the window, and sat back in her chair, glaring at Bahu. Seeing him still smiling despite his worried expression, she couldn’t help but smile too. “You’ve sold your life to raise cows and sheep. We’ve got too many mouths to feed at home.”
Bahu chuckled and covered his eyes for a moment. “They wouldn’t eat a whole sheep in one meal. The martens hunt for themselves, they don’t eat much, and they even bring rabbits home, so they can support themselves. As for the dogs, they guard the house at night, they herd sheep, they watch over the children, and they’re loyal. It’s only right to take care of them.”
“That makes sense. So why are you looking so glum?” Mi Niang asked, chin resting on her hand.
Bahu glanced at her and kicked her foot lightly. “You’re really annoying.”
Mi Niang suppressed a smile and didn’t argue with him. “When the martens come into the courtyard, our dogs surprisingly don’t bark or chase them away. Isn’t that strange?”
Bahu nodded heavily, but it wasn’t strange either. Dogs recognize their own kind; they won’t bite each other. Before Mi Niang married him, she and Chaolu went to his house to deliver sheep wool. Bala and Arse wolves saw them in the courtyard but didn’t make a sound, including Da Huang. It was tied outside the felt bag for a month, but Bala and Arse wolves never bit it when they went in and out. Da Huang treated Mi Niang like an old friend from the first time he saw her, allowing her to touch and carry him.
When the Hu family came to their house, the dogs didn’t bark. When the Asyl family came, the dogs barked a couple of times just to alert them. Even Da Huang’s bark just now was a warning that something was approaching outside.
“They’re gone, they’ve left, and Big Spot and Little Spot have gone out too,” Ajima said as she opened the door, with five dead gray rabbits still lying outside the door.
Qiqige and Jiya hurriedly ran out, only to catch a glimpse of a brown-yellow shadow before it disappeared in the blink of an eye.
Once the dogs were full and gone, the courtyard emptied out. Bahu swept the rice grains that had fallen on the ground with a broom and then shoveled them to feed the chickens. Afterwards, he took five rabbits to the riverside to skin them. The rabbit fur they had saved at home would be used to make fur coats for the three children, with some left over.
Just as Mi Niang finished washing the dishes, another customer came to buy honey. It was a new herder from the east, who also asked if they still allowed people to collect cow dung this year.
“You can collect it freely. Feel free to go and collect,” Mi Niang handed the copper coins to Qiqige. After the person left, she asked why Qiqige wasn’t going out to play. “Go find Baoyin to play with. Don’t stay at home all day collecting money. You’re becoming too money-minded.”
“I don’t want to go out to play. I just like helping you with work,” the little girl began coaxing again.
“Well, since no one is coming to buy honey now, come help me harvest the jujube fruits,” Mi Niang took back the money box and took out eight copper coins. Seeing Qiqige running out, she pretended to chase after her, “Where are you running? Don’t you like helping me with work?”
Qiqige laughed loudly and rushed out the door in a flash. “Brother, let’s go play!”
Mi Niang handed the copper coins she had in her hand to Ajima. “You go out and play too. I’ll stay at home with your uncle. When you come back tonight, bring back two blocks of tofu.”
As the sky began to darken, the nine martens returned, but they didn’t enter the house. Instead, they frolicked and played in the grass on the other side of the river. Bahu threw two skinned rabbits over to them. “Next time, don’t bite the rabbits to death. Your saliva is dirty, and we don’t want to eat them.”
The nine martens hadn’t finished eating the two rabbits, they were just picking at the meat, leaving the skeletons intact. Bahu breathed a sigh of relief. It seemed that their wild appetite wasn’t that big. With three rabbits left, they could catch a few more tomorrow, cook them with some rice, and it would be enough for them to eat.
As soon as it got dark, they closed the door. Both the dogs and the martens were kept outside. When it was time for dinner, they carried the feeding trough to the dog house on the east side. Bahu carried half a bundle of hay and spread it on the ground. This was for the martens.
Mi Niang finished cleaning up the kitchen, then carried water to the bedroom to wash the children’s faces and feet. Seeing Bahu locking the door, she asked, “Are they still there?”
“Yeah, as soon as I poured the food into the trough, they squeezed over to eat with Big Spot and Little Spot,” Bahu replied, in a good mood. He even felt like playing a tune on the horse-head fiddle, but he said, “They’ve got some nerve, treating our home like theirs.”
Mi Niang thought the matter was settled and didn’t worry about it anymore. Instead, she asked about their trip to the capital. “Are you planning to slaughter the cattle and sheep first, or go to the capital first?”
“We’ll go to the capital first. We’ll slaughter the cattle and sheep when it snows. Shall we go tomorrow?”
Mi Niang pushed Jiya into his arms, kneaded a lump of face fat and rubbed it on the child’s face. Taking advantage of the opportunity, she pinched him. “You’re still plump enough to pinch. You’re not made of iron, you know you’re tired? Rest for a couple of days before we go.”
Bahu felt warm in his heart, even though he was tired, he still had plenty of energy. “Then I’ll slaughter the rooster tomorrow, so we don’t get disturbed by its crowing early in the morning.”
In the winter of the Mobei, it was still pitch dark outside when the roosters crowed. They kept crowing one after another, not stopping until they woke everyone up.
“Mom, I want to eat egg drop soup tomorrow morning,” Jiya said as soon as he heard about the chickens, thinking of eggs.
Mi Niang glanced at Bahu. “Okay, tomorrow morning, I’ll have your father stew a bowl for you and your sister, with chopped green onions and sesame oil.” In the winter mornings, as long as Bahu was at home, he would get up first to cook. Mi Niang would only get up when the meal was almost ready.
“No, it’s three bowls, including Ajima’s,” Mi Niang corrected herself.
