Ajima nervously approached Bahu’s home. Seeing that Bahu seemed to be absent, he mentally prepared himself to kneel and Mi Niang to let him stay if he was rejected. He had inquired from west to east, and everyone rejected him due to his young age. Only at Bahu’s home, where there was no one to take care of the children, did he find an opportunity.
“Auntie, are the younger siblings awake? I’ve come to play with them.” Afraid of being bitten by the dog, he stood by the river and shouted.
“Come in.” Mi Niang opened the door, and when Ajima approached, she said, “You’re still young and should live with your parents. So, come over before breakfast and return after dinner. But when we move, you need to come with us.”
“Did you agree?” Ajima was excited.
“Yes, you’re young and can’t do much work. The main task is to watch over Qiqige and Jiya and accompany them when they’re awake. We’ll provide you with three meals a day and four sets of clothes each year. If you think it’s acceptable, go back and tell your mother to go to the yamen with Bahu for registration.” Registering would allow Bahu to receive an additional portion of salt from the government starting next year. On the other hand, it was also to prevent any potential disputes or false accusations from Ajima’s parents in the future.
“I’ll go call my mother right away.” Ajima turned around and ran out, shouting without being able to stop. When his mother arrived, Bahu had just finished washing the diapers. Ajima directly led the woman to the yamen, and when he returned, he had a document in his hand.
“Huxian Cheng said that the army going to Dakang for tribute would arrive in two days. Today, I’ll take you to the river for a visit. We’ll ride horses there, and let Ajima stay at home to watch the children.” Bahu was bold, thinking that riding horses would be faster, so he wanted to bring the newly recruited help to catch ducks.
“No, I’ll ride the horse myself, and you stay at home.” Having been pregnant once and with Xushui having just left before returning from the Xia Ranch, Mi Niang could be sure she wasn’t pregnant again, but Bahu was not at ease and insisted on going to see the doctor.
Xushui was to the west, and when Mi Niang rode by, she happened to meet Mu Xiang fetching water by the river. Their eyes met, both stunned. Without giving Mu Xiang a chance to speak, Mi Niang spurred the horse and leaped away.
“No pulse was detected.”
As expected by Mi Niang, she didn’t immediately get up. She lowered her voice and asked, “Has my mother-in-law visited in the past six months?”
“Twice.” Doctor Zhao’s voice was lazy, without the impatience he had at the end of last year. When Mi Niang gave birth this year, he asked Bahu and learned that his mother-in-law insisted on returning, leaving him thoroughly disappointed. During the two visits this year, he treated her as an ordinary patient.
“Twice. Is it fewer than before?” Mi Niang murmured.
“Maybe she’s too old to make the trip.” Doctor Zhao tapped the table. “I have another patient.”
Mi Niang quickly gave way and nodded apologetically to the person behind her. As soon as she left, she immediately rode away, not lingering in Xushui and directly returning to Lingshan.
Bahu and Ajima each held a child outside, standing and enjoying the breeze. When they heard the sound of hoofbeats, their eyes turned immediately. Mi Niang dismounted and washed her hands in the river. She took over the child, Jiya, from Ajima and stood with Bahu to talk.
Ajima looked around, went to the kitchen to fetch a woolen bag, and went out to pick dry cow dung.
“Not pregnant.”
“I figured that out.” She dismounted so swiftly, and the horse hadn’t even stopped when she jumped down. Bahu bumped into her. “You’re showing a female knight’s demeanor.”
Mi Niang smiled, lips pursed. “A female knight with a vegetable knife?”
Qiqige reached out, wanting her to hold him. Mi Niang pretended not to notice the little girl’s intention, bending down to grip her tiny fingers and making a gesture as if she were going to bite. The little girl immediately withdrew her hand, giggling.
“Mu Xiang is coming.” Facing west, Bahu clearly saw someone approaching after Mi Niang had dismounted. Only when the person came closer did he recognize who it was?
The smile on Mi Niang’s face diminished a bit. “You go in first; I’ll hold Jiya.”
“The child is already so big. Is this Qiqige or Jiya?” Mu Xiang approached, smiling and exchanging pleasantries.
“When did you come back?” Mi Niang asked directly.
“A few days ago.” Mu Xiang twisted two fingers. “I didn’t live with Pandi and the others this time.”
Mi Niang didn’t say anything.
“Zhong Qi is working by young Mr. Hu. In mid-August, I…”
“When will you have your wedding banquet?” Mi Niang interrupted her, not wanting to hear these irrelevant details.
Mu Xiang bit her lip. “It should be in the winter of this year or the beginning of next spring.”
“Congratulations.” Mi Niang smiled a bit. “Once you’ve set the date, remember to inform me in advance so I won’t hear the news from others.”
Mu Xiang’s face turned completely red in an instant. She stammered an apology, “I was afraid I would let down your kindness, so I didn’t tell you. Moving out with Zhong Qi was quite risky, and I hesitated in my heart, so I didn’t talk to you.”
“How could it be? The fact proves that you made the right gamble.” Mi Niang didn’t probe any further. If Mu Xiang had come to inform her on the first day back in Lingshan, she might have been willing to sit down and listen. However, with their imminent return to Guchuan, if it weren’t for the chance encounter today, Mu Xiang probably wouldn’t have come at all.
Mu Xiang could sense that Mi Niang’s mood wasn’t right. She rubbed her hands, lowered her head, and spoke softly, “When we were moving to the Xia Ranch, Zhong Qi had already planned to work for Young Mr. Hu. It turned out to be successful. I thought he was quite scheming. After leaving him, I might not find anyone better. Plus, he persuaded me to move with him, promising to marry me once he had enough savings. So, I took a gamble…”
However, by doing so, she had lowered herself, but the fact was already settled. Mu Xiang hadn’t intended to listen to her opinions beforehand, and Mi Niang, being tactful, didn’t bring it up now. She managed to squeeze out a bit of cheerfulness and congratulated her again, “You know him best. Congratulations on making the right choice.”
Mu Xiang opened her mouth but sighed weakly. She knew that what she did wasn’t fair.
However, Mi Niang was considerate and didn’t bring it up. She managed to congratulate her with a bit of cheerfulness, “You know him best. Congratulations on making the right choice.” opened her mouth but sighed weakly. She knew that what she did wasn’t fair. However, Mi Niang was considerate and didn’t bring it up. She managed to congratulate her with a bit of cheerfulness, “You know him best. Congratulations on making the right choice.”
