Bahu went to the Hu family in the afternoon. When he arrived, both inside and outside the courtyard were bustling with activity. After listening for a while, he learned that the Hu family had invited a troupe of performers from the capital city to perform for three consecutive days.
“What a grand arrangement, Mr. Hu.” He teased everyone he met. “When does the show start? I’ll bring my wife to support it.”
“The troupe has arrived?” Hu Wen Yin rubbed his forehead and leaned back on the large pillow, covering his face with a smile. “It was my mother’s idea. She enjoys watching operas. Taking advantage of my wedding, she invited a group of performers from the capital city, claiming they perform Central Plains operas. Since there are many people from the Central Plains here, my father agreed, saying it would liven things up.”
“Don’t make fun of me. I’m afraid I don’t know as much as your wife.” Bahu replied, feeling like a child mimicking adult speech, not understanding much.
Hearing him, Bahu decided to bring Mi Niang to listen to the performance in the evening. While helping with the stage setup, he would scout out a good spot with a good view and shelter from the wind.
The stage for the performance was set up in the newly built sheep pen, which was spacious and had walls and a roof. There were fire pits built around the walls for heating and cooking at night.
This had been planned since the beginning of the year! Bahu felt somewhat embarrassed. Compared to Hu Wen Yin marrying a new bride, his own marriage felt like picking someone up from the roadside, rushed and chaotic, with only the secret joy being the most real.
Building the stage, hanging curtains, laying felt… Bahu worked tirelessly, not hesitating to lend a hand wherever it was needed.
As it got dark, Mr. Hu returned home from the yamen, exhausted. Passing by, he saw Bahu busy like a servant. He called out to him and, when he came over, ushered him back home. “What’s your status? Have you lost your mind to come do manual labor? My house doesn’t need servants to do odd jobs.”
“I’m Hu Wen Yin’s senior brother, not a stranger. Why bother with formalities? Wherever help is needed, I’ll fill in.” Bahu didn’t mind doing odd jobs, but hearing him say that felt relieving. “And I’ll bring Mi Niang and the kids to watch the show tonight. I just want to scout out a good spot first.”
“You, when I called you, it wasn’t to do this kind of work.” Mr. Hu waved his hand and pointed, “Bring your family here for dinner tonight. Don’t light any fires at home these days.”
The two entered the backyard one after the other. Mrs. Hu and her daughter were checking the list of gifts, and Hu Wen Yin was there too, dressed in a groom’s robe, looking handsome.
“Thank you, Father,”Hu Wen Yin felt delighted, especially as it meant there would be a new generation in the family.
“Did Bahu come too? Why hasn’t Mi Niang and the child come?” Mrs. Hu, busy with etiquette, called for a maid to serve tea.
“He’s been here for half a day, been busy outside all this time,” Mr. Hu gave his son a pat, blaming him for not being efficient, and sent someone to fetch Mi Niang and the child. They didn’t have any real relatives here; they were all officials, closer to Bahu’s family. They could speak freely without formality when seated together.
“There’s no need for someone to go, I’ll go back and bring them,” Bahu said as he headed out.
“Don’t leave, I have something to tell you,” Mr. Hu, now in casual clothes, showed signs of aging. The Han Chinese weren’t as robust as the locals in the harsh cold of the north. He loosened his hairpin and removed his boots, then took a book from the drawer under the table.
“You’re a father now, you’re experienced in this matter, go give Hu Wen Yin some advice.”
Bahu found this request improper. When he glanced at the book, as he suspected—it was indeed a pornographic book!
It was much more detailed than what he bought at the bookstore, with graceful poses and vivid expressions, each depicting a different scene.
He tucked the book into his pocket, lowered his voice, mindful of the presence of a young lady outside, and said, “You act like you’re not experienced. You’ll be a grandfather in a few years.”
The old man chuckled. He couldn’t engage in such frivolous conversation; he still had to uphold the dignity of the elder. “You young folks have things to talk about, go teach him a thing or two.”
“Are you sure he doesn’t understand?”
He wasn’t sure, but he was sure his son hadn’t been with a woman before. He felt more at ease having someone give him some guidance.
As he walked out, he was intercepted by Bahu. Bahu glanced up at him, furrowing his brow. “Why are you acting so awkward, you big man? I didn’t ask you to accompany him to bed.”
“…You really don’t look like a proper Confucian scholar in front of me anymore,” Bahu felt disgusted, but he still insisted on compensation. “Do you still have more pornographic books? Give me one.”
The old man smiled knowingly and handed him a book from the chest, patting his chest. “These are precious items from the Central Plains. Cherish it; it can be a family heirloom.”
Satisfied with what he wanted, Bahu didn’t waste any words and tucked it into his sleeve. Not long after he left, Mi Niang arrived with her three children, all dressed in clean clothes.
“Oh, Qiqige and Jiya have grown taller again,” Mrs. Hu took Habul and was delighted to see his chubby figure, reluctant to let go, even holding him during meals.
“My mother can’t resist walking when she sees a baby. Holding a child makes her happier than eating delicacies,” Miss Hu joked.
“She’s hinting to your brother to hurry up and give her a grandchild,” Mi Niang laughed.
As soon as the drums outside sounded, the lively and festive atmosphere surged up immediately, accompanied by the red lanterns inside and outside the courtyard, bringing joy to all who saw them.
Hu Wen Yin was also happy. Now he wouldn’t say he couldn’t understand the opera. He toasted his parents for their hard work, then toasted his senior brother, thanking him for accompanying him to meet his new bride the day after tomorrow.
Qiqige and Jiya were so distracted by the commotion that they couldn’t focus on eating. Their minds were set on going out to watch the excitement, but they also knew they couldn’t act recklessly since it wasn’t their own home. They squirmed uncomfortably in their seats, unable to taste the meat they put into their mouths.
Seeing the man opposite him set down his wine glass, a spark of inspiration flashed through Jiya’s mind. She stood up with her camel milk in front of her, “Uncle, congratulations on your wedding. I’ll toast you, and my sister and I want to go out and watch the excitement.”
Though her words were disjointed, they were still understandable, and children’s innocent words often pleased people, especially when they hinted at some hidden thoughts.
Everyone laughed, and Hu Wen Yin solemnly refilled his glass, making a toasting gesture, then drank it all in one gulp. “Is this the first time my nephew has made a toast?” He asked Bahu.
Bahu nodded, eyes filled with admiration. “As a new father, I haven’t had this pleasure yet. It’s all yours now.”
He added, “Go out and have fun with your sister, but don’t wander off, and don’t play with fire or snow.”
The siblings happily ran off, and the meal continued at the table.
“So, having children at home makes everything lively,” Mrs. Hu said, her smile never leaving her face during the meal.
Mi Niang smiled, refraining from complaining and spoiling the mood. The hustle and bustle were indeed lively, but it was also truly noisy. To have a peaceful meal, she had to resort to threatening with a chicken feather duster. Like this meal, Qiqige and Jiya only ate a few bites. They would have to cook for the siblings again when they got home in the evening.
After dinner, Mi Niang chatted with Mrs. Hu about life in the Central Plains and then went to the opera with her children.
Bahu left with Hu Wen Yin. His courtyard was quiet yet festive, with all the tables, chairs, and benches newly replaced. There were paintings on the walls and vases in the corners. Walking into the study, there was a row of bookshelves, with books that looked well-read. On the desk were the Four Treasures of the Study, still in the same state as when the owner left.
“I’ll clean up a room for my child when I get back,” Bahu’s only thought as he looked around.
“They’re still young. When they’re older and go to private school, it’s not too late to arrange for one,” Hu Wen Yin thought that Bahu’s son and daughter were just right, clever, lively, and with good temperament. “Children nurtured in ignorance are the most precious, brave and generous.”
“I’m not a father yet, but you speak as if you understand.”
“You don’t have to be a father to be a teacher.” Hu Wen Yin pointed casually. “You’ve read so many books; they weren’t in vain.”
“Then tonight, I’ll be your teacher.” Bahu remembered the main business and took out the warm book from his pocket. “I figured you weren’t an honest man; you’ve probably read it many times.”
There were four very elegant characters on the cover: “Joy in the World.”
Hu Wen Yin smiled knowingly, but didn’t move his hand. “Did my father ask you to come?”
“Besides him, no one else.” Bahu knew from his appearance that there was no need to teach him, but he casually flipped through a page and spread it out in front of him. “Take a look and see if you have any questions. Your father said you’re like a greenhorn; don’t make a fool of yourself on your wedding night.”
“A greenhorn?” He inquired discreetly.
“You’re so nosy.” Hu Wen Yin ignored him, eyes focused on the page before him, his face warming up as he moved his eyes away.
“What’s this? Have you learned your lesson? Should I leave now?” Bahu felt uneasy discussing such matters, especially with another grown man; what business was it of his?
“Sure, I’ll walk you out.”
As they reached the doorway, just as Bahu was about to step over the threshold, a soft remark floated into his ears.
“Now I believe you’re truly inexperienced.” Facing the same puzzle he had encountered when they first met, Bahu turned back and asked, “Have you ever done needlework?”
“What does needlework have to do with anything?” Confused, Hu Wen Yin asked.
“Even if you haven’t done it, you should have seen your mother threading a needle. If the thread won’t go through the eye of the needle, a lick or two will make it pass through. It’s the same principle; think about it.”
The eye of the needle, the thread, threading the needle! Hu Wen Yin understood. But as for licking? He would have to go back and check the book to see if he should lick the needle or the thread.
—
The sheep pen was filled with people, mostly from the Central Plains, deeply engrossed in the performance, clapping and cheering along with the lively music. Among them were locals, mostly admiring the costumes and actions, joining in the applause without fully understanding.
Bahu found Qiqige and Jiya in the crowd and loudly asked them if they were going back to sleep.
“Not going back.” Jiya became excited, her eyes shining brightly and her cheeks flushed. She couldn’t understand the play either, but she loved the atmosphere, enjoying darting around in the crowd, shouting along with the applause and cheering.
Qiqige didn’t even bother to respond to him, instead leaning over to whisper to the girl next to her.
Bahu glanced over at Mi Niang, who was sitting next to Mrs. Hu, also deeply engrossed in the performance. Jiya’s recent behavior was a replica of Mi Niang’s, but with different emotion remembrance, excitement, and nostalgia reflected in her eyes.
He walked over and carried Habul away. It was too noisy here; he needed to sleep!
“I’ll go back first, see if Ajima is coming, and the dogs at home need to be fed too.” He said loudly in Mi Niang’s ear, his lips touching her ear.
Mi Niang waved casually, glanced at him, then returned her gaze to the stage.
Rarely seeing her so happy, Bahu walked behind the curtain. “Boss, how long will the play last? Another hour?” If so, he needed to go back and get Mi Niang and the two little ones’ wolf fur cloaks. The sheep pen had a fire burning, and butter tea was being brewed, but it wasn’t enclosed, just covered with felt overhead, providing no protection from the wind.
On the way back, he saw people carrying stools this way. It was never this lively during the day. At one point, he even overheard someone asking how many sons Hu Wen Yin had. When they found out it was just one, they sighed in disappointment.
“Laughing to death.”
Everyone gathered to the west, leaving the east side houses empty. No lights were visible from any households, nor were there any voices. Only the crunching sound of footsteps on the snow could be heard, rustling like someone following behind. Bahu hugged the children tightly, thinking he should remind the master to arrange for patrols after the play to prevent any incidents with thieves targeting young women.
Crunch, crunch, crunch. Suddenly, Bahu stopped in his tracks, seeing five figures flit past in the snow. Judging from the distance, it should have been his home, but there was no sound of the dogs barking. He hurried back, calling out as he walked, “Da Huang, Bala, Alse Wolves, One Ear, Big Spot, Little Spot…”
“Woof, woof, woof!” The sound of barking came from inside the house, but Big Spot and Little Spot didn’t appear.
Bahu reached the doorstep, and the door was already open from inside. Ajima’s voice came, tinged with joy, “Uncle, you’re back.” He was the only one at home, and he was quite afraid, especially after going to see a dead person during the day. When night fell, he brought all the dogs to the backyard to keep him company and locked the main gate.
As a dog ran towards the doghouse, Bahu handed Habul to Ajima. “You go inside, I’ll go check. I think I saw five wild foxes.”
He hurried over, turning a corner to see the dogs running towards the sheep pen. Checking the doghouse first and finding nothing, he followed them to the pen. Before he even got close, he heard the dogs barking and the snarls of the foxes.
There was a smell of blood in the air, and Bahu had a good idea of what had happened. With dim light in the sheep pen, he watched as the dogs attacked. Big Spot and Little Spot stood on the side, anxiously howling.
“Stop, don’t bite anymore.” He tapped the ground a few times with a stick, and the dogs obediently dispersed, but they still snarled and stared.
“Awoo, awoo, awoo.” Big Spot approached, grumbling, and pulled out three scared cubs. The other two big foxes lay on the ground with the sheep, too scared to get up.
“Serves you right, daring to come and steal my sheep. If it weren’t for Big Spots and Little Spot, I’d make coats out of your skin.” Bahu let the dogs continue guarding as he went back to get some iron chains and tied up the five foxes.
Not even a month had passed, and the five foxes were skin and bones, standing with Big Spot and Little Spot like eagles among sparrows.
The five foxes were each chained to a separate house. Bahu skinned and butchered the two dead sheep, putting the meat in a pot to stew. After washing his hands and putting on thick clothes, he went to greet the guests.
