Afraid of disturbing the visitors from the mountains, Bahu restrained his curiosity and didn’t go to see them for three consecutive days. Besides taking a glance while feeding them, he completely let go and didn’t interfere, letting them decide whether to stay or run. He also instructed Qiqige and Jiya not to approach them. Even if those few from the mountains were there, they were not to touch Big Spot, Little Spot, Da Hu, or Xiao Mo.
Qiqige and Jiya had no objections. When someone came to buy honey, Big Spot would bring Xiao Mo inside to ask for Mi Niang. During that time, they could touch or hold them if they wanted. It wasn’t impossible to have some contact with them.
Every morning and evening, the five martens from the mountains would bring back five bloody dead rabbits. If someone was in the courtyard, they would throw them at the doorstep. If no one was home, they would carry them inside and throw them in the courtyard.
Hu Wen Yin stood by the river and witnessed the five wild martens entering with rabbits in their mouths. In just a few moments, they leisurely walked out again, their bright red tongues licking away the blood from their mouths. When they caught sight of people, they looked disdainful and indifferent, casually shifting their gaze away.
Clearly, on human territory, they behaved like masters of the forest, making people both angry and unable to help but stare at them.
“Senior Brother, did you give them another lesson? You seem to have a knack for training these wild creatures.”
“What lesson? I didn’t train them. I haven’t had any direct interaction with them to this day. They also don’t bother with people. They only show up during mealtime, fill their bellies, and then disappear,” Bahu shook his head. He didn’t even know if the visitors from the mountains were sleeping in the dog house at night. The hay he laid out the night before still showed no signs of being used.
Hu Wen Yin didn’t doubt that he was lying, but he was puzzled by their behavior. “They don’t bother with people, yet they bring rabbits to our house twice a day?”
Bahu smirked a hint of pride in his eyes. “Yes, they’re smart. It might also be because of how well my Big Spot and Little Spot have taught them.”
Hu Wen Yin chuckled. “I praise your son, and you’re not even this proud. Senior Brother, if Little Spot has another litter next year, can you give me two?”
Bahu glanced at him. Such audacity. He didn’t even want to give him one, let alone two. Without responding, he saw Xi Jil bring the account book over. He took it, glanced at it, then handed it to the person next to him.
“Two thousand eight hundred and twenty-nine sheep, one thousand and one cows, sixty-three horses, fifty-seven camels. And that’s not counting the ones rented out. Senior Brother, you have quite a lot of assets,” Hu Wen Yin compared the official records with the previous year. He had increased his livestock by over twelve hundred heads compared to last year. However, the increase from the year before was only around a hundred.
“You must have worked hard this year, huh?”
“It’s a bit tiring, but it’s manageable. We’ve also added five or six more servants, so it’s not too exhausting,” Bahu replied.
“What about next year? Are you planning to continue expanding the population?” Hu Wen Yin inquired.
Bahu waved his hand, explaining that the number of offspring from cattle and sheep varied from year to year, and they needed about a year’s break. “Next year, we won’t keep more than five hundred offspring.”
“That’s understandable. Don’t overwork yourself,” Hu Wen Yin remarked as he recorded the numbers in the account book. “Your son hasn’t grown up yet. If you have too many, you won’t be able to manage them. My sister-in-law also keeps bees, and managing such a large operation can be exhausting.”
Indeed, beekeeping wasn’t as demanding, as one only needed to harvest honey at the end of summer or autumn. However, Bahu kept this thought to himself and continued, “You’re right. However, with so many mouths to feed at home, one sheep per day isn’t enough. Every now and then, we have to slaughter a sheep specifically to feed the dogs. If we keep less than four hundred lambs, we’ll be eating into our savings. With the addition of five more mouths this year and another batch next year, I estimate that I’ll have to slaughter two sheep per day. And by the end of the year, I’ll still have to pay taxes. So, if I do the math, I’ll need to keep at least a thousand lambs.”
Hu Wen Yin squinted at him, noticing his genuine shock and panic. He couldn’t help but say, “Brother, don’t ever mention that my father taught you this. It’s embarrassing. In a couple of years, my eldest nephew will go to school, and maybe you should go with him to learn for another two years. Whose family calculates their assets without including what they’ve rented out? Or is it that once your family rents something out, it’s as good as a way? This spring, you rented out two thousand sheep, and by the following spring, you’ll receive four thousand back. That’s an increase of two thousand, and after paying taxes for two years, you’ll still have over a thousand left.”
Only then did Bahu come to his senses. “You’re right. I overlooked this part.” He was almost tempted to chase away the visitors from the mountains.
“I have nothing more to say to you,” Hu Wen Yin said as he put away the official account book and tossed him another ledger. “I’m leaving. You can continue to figure things out.”
“He took a few steps and then turned back, “On November 18th, I’m getting married. Remember to come and celebrate. My mother said to let Jiya and Qiqige come the day before to prepare the bridal bed.”
“Alright,” Bahu nodded and congratulated him, “You’re growing up.”
Hu Wen Yin gritted his teeth. Growing up? That sounded nauseating. “If you can’t say anything nice, just keep quiet like you did a few years ago.”
Bahu maintained an elder’s demeanor and smiled indulgently.
…
Bahu took his family and four hundred sheep to the capital city. Most of the honey had already been sold, and they didn’t plan to set up another stall to sell honey this year. They went to the government office to pay their taxes and collect salt before turning onto another street. They parked the Lele carts and, along with their family of five, took Ajima to a clothing store.
“The child’s complexion is fair, so he can try various colors like pale yellow, green, or red. Sister-in-law, why don’t you try this watermelon-red robe from our store? You have a dignified appearance, so plain colors won’t suit you.”
Mi Niang touched her cheek. Dignified appearance? It was just because her face was round. “I don’t want red. We’re going to a wedding banquet; let’s not clash with the important relatives.” She looked around and chose a robe with interwoven green and yellow patterns. The color was nice, reminiscent of a springtime grassland dotted with yellow flowers, vibrant and full of life.
“I’ll also try that slate-blue cotton robe. It’s convenient to wear at home.”
Bahu handed Ajima to his wife and helped Qiqige and Jiya try on their crimson robes. “Looks good. Let’s take these two. Later, we’ll buy two gold necklaces and two new hats.” Clothes wear out quickly, especially in winter when woolen coats are needed for warmth. He handed the robes to the shopkeeper and requested the watermelon-red robe embroidered with azalea flowers in Mi Niang’s size. “Is it suitable?”
“Absolutely, winter robes should be loose-fitting. Shall I let madam try it on?”
“No, just wrap it up for me.” Bahu settled the bill first. When Mi Niang came out wearing the new robe, he nodded in approval. “Looks good, let’s take both.”
“Don’t tell mom. Let her find out when we get back.” He whispered to his two children.
Qiqige and Jiya nodded with mischievous smiles.
Men’s robes were easy to buy, as they usually came in the same few colors with similar styles. Bahu provided his measurements and chose a navy blue one. Ajima also got a cotton robe. “My eldest and second sisters made me a wool coat this year, so I only need a cotton robe.”
After leaving the clothing store, they went to a shoe store, where everyone except Ajima bought new boots. Then they went to buy hats and gloves, essential items for the winter in the Mobei.
Qiqige and Jiya each got a gold necklace, and Qiqige added a red agate pendant to hers, smaller than the one the Hu family gave to Mi Niang. It wasn’t as translucent or colorful, but Qiqige was ecstatic when she received it, laughing heartily as they left the silver shop.
“Alright, stop laughing. People will think you’re a crazy girl,” Mi Niang couldn’t help but chuckle as she hugged Qiqige’s shoulder and walked towards the bank. They had finished shopping for everything, leaving money for grain and alkaline, depositing most of it in the bank, and saving the rest for next year’s expenses.
Qiqige grinned again, “I’m so happy.”
“Watch the road, don’t bump into anyone,” Mi Niang pulled her while holding onto Jiya. Passing by the blacksmith’s, she glanced inside, “Do you have any iron pots for sale? I need to take one today… Alright, I’ll pay now, I’ll come to pick it up later.”
“Why suddenly think of buying an iron pot? Is our pot broken?” Bahu, holding Habur, stood outside the shop waiting for her to come out.
“It’s for a gift. Remember Pandi said she’d invite us for a meal? When I visited her place earlier, I noticed she was still using clay pots for cooking.”
Bahu nodded, unconcerned about these social niceties, leaving it all up to Mi Niang.
After loading the fabrics, robes, boots, and iron pots stored in the shop onto the carriage, they went to the dried fruit shop to buy dried and fresh fruits. Finally, they bought some alkaline blocks before heading home.
…
“Huh? Why are there only four of you? Where are the other five?” While feeding the dogs that night, Bahu searched inside and outside the doghouse but couldn’t find the visitors from the mountains.
He informed Mi Niang and went to sit in the doghouse with an oil lamp. After Big Spot and Little Spot finished eating and drinking at the riverbank and lay down to sleep with Da Hu and Xiao Mo, the other five still hadn’t returned.
“Can you sleep in peace?” Bahu nudged Big Spot and Little Spot awake. “Your wife and kid are missing. How can you sleep?”
He suspected someone might have harmed the mountain visitors while he was away, but seeing how carefree Big Spot and Little Spot were, he doubted it.
“Did they go back to the mountains again?”
Bahu couldn’t bear the cold anymore and ran back into the house, shivering in front of the heater. “I don’t know if they’ve gone back to the mountains or if someone caught them.”
Thinking back to how lively Big Spot and Little Spot were when they returned home, Mi Niang shook her head. “It’s impossible for them to be caught. If they were caught, Big Spot and Little Spot wouldn’t be sitting at home waiting for food.”
“Let’s ask ChaoBao and Uncle Muren tomorrow.”
Bahu had a restless night, worrying about the situation. He woke up three or four times, looking out the window at the pitch-black night. Without the rooster crowing, he couldn’t tell the time.
“Bahu, why are you squatting at the door so early? Catching a cold?” Uncle Muren wanted to make some butter tea before the other servants arrived, so he always came first.
Bahu asked about the situation with Big Spot and Little Spot from yesterday. “The five mountain visitors didn’t come back last night, and they’re not here this morning either. Did you see them yesterday?”
“Big Spot and Little Spot were with two small ones. They slept at home for most of yesterday afternoon. I didn’t see the other five.”
After asking around, someone finally said they saw them heading south around noon. “At that time, your Big Spot and Little Spot were also there. When I went to fetch the horses, they all ran south. When I returned with the horses, I only saw your four on the hill to the east.”
“So, they didn’t intend to stay here?” Bahu sat by the stove at home, pondering. He thought they had brought back rabbits for him, but in reality, they just brought back skins for him to handle. He had prepared a straw nest for them to sleep, but they might have run away after eating their fill.
“What does it mean for them to come back? Visiting?”
