“Buy it.” Mi Niang also felt that the golden color was pleasing to the eye. In winter, there were no flowers or grass, either a gray house or a snowy white world. Having a golden color hanging in the house would lift people’s spirits a bit.
“Then give me five pounds,” Bahu said to the shop assistant. Only then did he remember to ask about the price. “They say it’s the lowest price. How much is it?”
Forget it, even mosquitoes are meat. The shop assistant took a ladle and scooped a bucket, “Five cents, bring your own basket.”
“Is it five cents per pound?
“Five pounds five cents. It’s really a cheap sale. The labor cost of transporting it from Youzhou is more than this price. I estimate that no one will grow it next year.”
Bahu chuckled and grabbed a handful of crumbs, asking about the price, “If it’s for people to eat, it’s definitely cheap at one cent per pound. After all, this thing can knock out an old lady’s tooth. Whoever buys it will regret it. But if you buy it to feed livestock, even two pounds for one cent is too expensive. What’s abundant in the far north? Grass, wild, and free.”
As soon as he said this, almost half of the onlookers left. The shop assistant’s face turned blue, “Are you buying or not? If you’re not buying, don’t cause trouble. If you speak nonsense again, I’ll have to call the constable.”
“Buy it, why not buy it? I’ll drive a few sheep here tomorrow, sell them, and then buy it with the money.” Bahu handed over a basket, took out five cents, and handed it over. “Wasn’t I speaking the truth? Look at how angry you are.”
He made him angry precisely because it was the truth. If it wasn’t the truth, he wouldn’t care. The shop assistant juggled the five copper coins in his hand. This was the first money he had made today. He shouted at a family of five who were quickly walking away, “Bring the sheep here tomorrow. Our shop accepts sheep in exchange for corn. We’ll match the price outside.”
Bahu waved his hand to indicate that he heard.
“Do you really want to buy it, or are you just tricking him?” Mi Niang asked, handing him a candied haw, “It’s a bit sour, I can’t eat it anymore.”
Bahu wasn’t afraid of sourness. He picked up the last two candied haws and chewed them crisply. “Really buying. The grains that people can eat are expensive. It’s rare to encounter a low price. I’ll buy more to stock up at home. During heavy snow, cattle and sheep only eat dry hay to stay in good condition.” He not only wanted to buy but also wanted to buy more. After the ewes gave birth, if their diet was poor, the milk quality would suffer. Soybean residue was also in high demand, and human food grains were expensive, making it uneconomical to feed them to cattle and sheep.
For anything related to cattle and sheep, Mi Niang always listened to Bahu. If he said he wanted to buy, she wouldn’t ask any more questions. She took out a handkerchief to wipe away Qiqige’s saliva, following Bahu to continue wandering in the market that seemed to have no end. First, they went to the fabric store picked out brightly colored cloth, and bought two sheepskin hats for their two children. Then, they went to the dried fruit store where they bought peanuts, melon seeds, red dates, walnuts, hazelnuts, etc. They didn’t forget Japanese pears and mountain apples, buying more than in previous years.
After weighing the items, Bahu went to pay. Mi Niang first picked up some peanuts that Ajima had been staring at and handed him two handfuls, saying, “Eat, and check if there are any moldy ones.”
Ajima believed it to be true. After leaving the dried fruit store, he earnestly said, “There are no moldy ones; the peanuts are very plump.”
“That’s good then.” Mi Niang smiled and turned to Bahu, saying, “We also need to buy beans. Don’t forget, buy about ten kilograms of red beans, twenty or thirty will do.”
“I’ll buy them tomorrow when I go to buy grains. The grain store sells beans.” Bahu brought a cart for Mi Niang to get on first, “Let’s go buy a block of alkaline first. Think about if there’s anything else you want to buy.”
After buying alkaline, the two carts were already filled. Mi Niang said there was nothing else to buy. They each rode a cart towards the city gate, in accordance with the agreement made earlier with Ajima’s mother to meet at the city gate on the way back.
When they arrived in the morning, the sun was still shining brightly. After half a day, the sky became overcast. On the way back, a cold wind blew, and dark clouds gathered thicker and thicker in the sky.
“It’s going to snow.” Mi Niang spoke while getting hit by the wind. She said to the people in the cart, “Ajima, close the windows tightly, don’t let the wind in.”
“Okay.”
“It looks like it’s going to snow tonight; there’s moisture in the wind.” Bahu rubbed his hands.
“Are you still going to the capital tomorrow?” Mi Niang asked, covering her mouth.
“Yes, I’ll bring a few more people. Stop talking now; we can discuss when we get back.” Bahu glanced backward; the coughing on the cart behind had become more severe than when they arrived, and people’s throats were now hoarse. He flicked the reins towards the horse’s buttocks, thinking of getting back quickly. Just listening to the sounds made him feel an itch in his chest.
Seeing the flags flying outside the yamen from a distance, Bahu said, “Later, you take the children back first. I’ll take the corn to show to the Huxian Cheng.”
“Okay,” Mi Niang squinted in agreement. A lot of dry grass debris swirled in the wind, making it difficult to open their eyes. It was much more comfortable when the wind was blocked by the buildings. The wind subsided, and the surrounding conversations entered her ears. Mi Niang heard her name.
Following the sound, she looked towards the wall behind the yamen. A man and a woman were arguing. Hearing the sound of hooves and cartwheels, they also looked over. It was Mu Xiang and Zhong Qi.
“This is a coincidence. I was just thinking of looking for you.” Zhong Qi let go of Mu Xiang and walked towards Mi Niang. He nodded at the frowning man, “I’m not here to cause trouble, just want to ask something. Don’t worry.”
“Zhong Qi!” Mu Xiang was helpless and anxious, looking at Mi Niang with an apologetic expression.
“What’s the matter?” Mi Niang halted the horse.
“Did you know that those who work for the family can get separate rooms in their guesthouse?” Zhong Qi asked.
“I’ve heard something about it,” Mi Niang nodded.
“But I didn’t get one,” Zhong Qi stared closely at Mi Niang, “I heard you went to the Hu family a few days ago.”
Mi Niang rolled her eyes, “So what? What does it have to do with you where I go? If you didn’t get a room, go talk to your master. If you’re looking for me, can I give you a room?”
Her disdain and anger were very real. Zhong Qi’s eyes were about to pop out of their sockets, but he couldn’t detect any hint of guilt. However, he refused to believe it. After glancing at Bahu, he focused on Mi Niang and directly asked, “Is it really unrelated to you? Did you not instigate trouble?” Based on what he knew, Bahu had a good relationship with the Huxian Cheng Family. If Mi Ninag said something negative to Mrs. Hu’s ears, his image in the eyes of Huxian Cheng and his wife would be severely damaged.
“Do not measure others with your petty mindset. Do you think I’m like you, engaging in underhanded tactics and spreading rumors?” Mi Niang glanced at Mu Xiang, “I don’t want to waste words on you. I’m going back.”
Ajima’s mother’s cart had somehow turned onto another road, and Mi Niang flicked the horsewhip. The cart started moving again. She turned to Bahu and said, “I’ll go back first.”
“Alright.” Bahu glanced at Zhong Qi, urged the horse, and reached the front of the yamen. Carrying a basket, he walked through the side door to find the Huxian Cheng.
Zhong Qi watched helplessly as Bahu and the gatekeeper exchanged a word, and then he entered the yamen. His face revealed a look of panic. Clenching his hands, he looked at Mu Xiang, “Will Bahu speak ill of me in front of the Huxian Cheng?”
“What bad things could he say about you?” Mu Xiang’s eyes were red.
“I, I…” He stuttered, unable to articulate anything. In the end, he dropped his hands, “Indeed, there’s nothing bad he could say.”
The two stood in the cold wind, silent for a while. The disheveled strands of hair whipping across their faces were not as painful as a slap, but there was a sense of humiliation.
“When you questioned Mi Niang just now, did you ever think about how I would face her in the future?” Mu Xiang asked with a hoarse voice.
Zhong Qi remained silent, averted his eyes, and stared at the ground. “I was too agitated. I thought she…”
“Even if it’s not her, suppose it is. She would do it for my sake. She has no grudges against you. Why would she bother with you? Because you tarnished my reputation.” Mu Xiang tilted her head back; she couldn’t raise it in public now.
Zhong Qi lowered his head at her words, “Originally, I planned to marry you once I had a house…”
With a “smack,” accompanied by Zhong Qi’s incredulous eyes, Mu Xiang’s hand trembled, but her face displayed a smile. “I’ve been wanting to slap you for a long time. Finally got rid of that pent-up anger. What’s wrong? Did you just find out today that you don’t have a house? Did you promise to marry me only after you had a house when I didn’t know you didn’t have one? Are you planning to tell me next year or the year after that you’ll marry me once you have a house? Do you really think that because my reputation is damaged, I can only marry you? Even if I become a stepmother, it’s better than marrying a bastard like you.”
Ignoring his response, Mu Xiang shook off his hands and continued walking.
Seeing her heading east, Zhong Qi sighed in relief, realizing she was going to find Mi Niang. He took a breath, propped his knees, and watched. When he couldn’t see her figure anymore, he straightened up and touched his burning cheeks. “She’s quite fierce.” He turned and walked into the yamen.
…
“Sorry for the trouble today. Zhong Qi had a quarrel with me, and when he saw you, he lost his mind. Don’t take it to heart. Consider it stepping on a piece of smelly dog poop. Curse a bit to vent.” Mu Xiang sat on a chair, her face red.
Smelly dog poop? That’s an interesting way to put it. Mi Niang poured the recently purchased dried fruits into a basket and placed it on the table. “Help yourself; don’t be polite.”
Mu Xiang pulled the corners of her mouth, took a peanut in her hand, and watched Mi Niang for her reaction.
“I heard my name during your argument. Was it about the house?” Mi Niang grabbed a handful of melon seeds, breaking the silence in the room.
“No, sigh, I can’t even say it with a straight face.” Mu Xiang’s eyes flickered, and she sighed before continuing, “I was bringing up old matters. He used to disapprove of my association with you. I was a bit confused, thinking he didn’t understand you. I decided to follow his wishes for the time being, thinking that with time, he would come to know your true character.” It was also because Zhong Qi had been whispering to her that Mi Niang might be behind his misfortunes. Angry, she scolded him for being narrow-minded and short-sighted. Without her, Mi Niang wouldn’t even know whether he was a man or a ghost.
“I feel like he has a prejudice against me. Do you know why?” Mi Niang stopped cracking melon seeds, curiously staring at Mu Xiang.
“It’s his biased opinion. Two years ago, weren’t you kidnapped and then killed Suhe? He says there’s blood on your hands…”
“Hahaha—,” Mi Niang burst into laughter before Mu Xiang could finish speaking. “Is he afraid that I’ve killed someone, or is he worried that you might imitate me and use sheep horns to deal with some evil guy? By the way, did you take the sheep horns from my house before, or did he take them from you?”
“From me,” Mu Xiang touched her side. Zhong Qi didn’t know she always carried sharp sheep horns with her.
“I’m cracking up. So, he’s not afraid when you come to me today?” Mi Niang continued to crack melon seeds. “The night I killed Suhe, the local women praised me for being brave and clever. Even five or six-year-old girls weren’t afraid of me. It’s been two years, and it’s the first time I’ve seen disdain on a well-built man. People really can’t judge by appearances.”
Mu Xiang looked embarrassed, rubbing her hands, and said, “Just ignore him…” Zhong Qi had some prejudices typical of a well-educated person from Dakang. He couldn’t stand bold and unrestrained women.
“What are you planning to do afterward? Will you continue with him or marry someone else?” Mi Niang, without beating around the bush, directly asked the most critical question.
“My reputation…”
“You haven’t slept with him. Even if you did, it wouldn’t matter. It’s just people from the Mobei, whispering behind your back about reputation. We’ve been through hardships, sleeping together on the same mat, eating from the same pot, riding the same carriage. When it comes to reputation, who is flawless? Brother dies, and his sister-in-law marries his younger brother; nobody talks about it.”
Mu Xiang blushed but remained silent. Mi Niang didn’t push her, continuing to grab a handful of melon seeds.
“I get along well with him, and he treats me fine. Everyone has some flaws, right? Even Bahu, his reputation used to be terrible.” Mu Xiang stood up. “I’m heading back now. I’ll bring him along when it’s time to get married and invite you to a meal.”
“Alright, I won’t go that day. He might find me ominous because I have taken a life. I’ll avoid causing trouble,” Mi Niang said, tossing the melon seeds back onto the table, looking at the empty shells in a daze.
“I thought you would understand me.”
Mi Niang was startled. She hadn’t left; when did Mu Xiang sneak back in?
“When Bahu had such a bad reputation back then, you still firmly married him. There must be something about him that moved you, allowing you to endure his bad reputation. Zhong Qi has his faults, and my temper isn’t good either. But I like him, and he likes me. We endure each other’s shortcomings. There probably isn’t a perfect person. Isn’t that right for Bahu? And for you?”
“No,” Mi Niang shook her head, forced a smile, and said, “I wish you all the best. Since you’ve made your decision, don’t care about what others think.”
“On the day I get married, will you come?”
“No.”
Mu Xiang turned around and left.
