"What?"
Sitting inside the small green-cloth sedan chair with her mother, perhaps avoiding someone, the sedan swayed slightly, which happened to jolt Lu Runrun into confusion. She wasn’t sure if she had misheard and didn’t react immediately.
This wasn’t her fault. When her mother had newly lost her husband, countless people had come to propose marriage. Her maternal uncle’s family had also repeatedly inquired, but her mother had refused them all. Over the years, anyone who came to propose was promptly shown the door by her mother, without a hint of goodwill.
As a result, when she suddenly heard her mother mention it, she doubted whether she had heard correctly.
Tan Xianniang was accustomed to Lu Runrun’s startled reactions. She wasn’t the kind of mother who would patiently coax or fuss over a child’s every frown. So, she merely paused, her expression calm, and continued explaining.
"He is a Gate-keeping Clerical Secretary in the Bureau of Military Affairs, a ninth-rank official. Though he is a bit poor and fond of good food, at least he holds an official position.
"You know, I’m marrying to find a father for you."
Lu Runrun was baffled—how did this involve her?
Only then did Tan Xianniang look directly at her. "You’ve reached the age for marriage. Having a father with an official position will make your marriage prospects much better."
For me?
Lu Runrun was momentarily lost in thought.
Tan Xianniang glanced at her, discerning her thoughts, and spoke before she could open her mouth. "It’s also for myself. I’ve raised you to adulthood and have been a widow for many years. It’s time for me to make plans for myself."
Her mother’s words sounded somewhat cold, but Lu Runrun was already used to it and didn’t take them to heart. After years of living together, they knew each other well. Lu Runrun was well aware that her mother in this lifetime appeared cold and unyielding, speaking directly without beating around the bush, but in reality, she had a kind heart.
Without hesitation, Lu Runrun took Tan Xianniang’s hand and said sincerely, "Whether Mother remarries or remains a widow, as long as the other person is of good character, treats you well, and brings you happiness, Runrun has no objections. Runrun only wishes for Mother’s health and contentment. That would bring me the greatest joy."
Regarding remarriage, Tan Xianniang had only discussed it with her own mother. After all, selecting a suitable candidate required someone to help manage the arrangements. Once she had settled on a candidate, her mother advised her to broach the topic gently with Runrun and to be even more warm and understanding if Runrun disagreed. Though Tan Xianniang didn’t show it outwardly, she had privately taken note of her mother’s comforting words. Unexpectedly, none of them were needed.
Tan Xianniang fell silent for a moment but didn’t say anything sentimental. She simply replied, "Mm."
Her mother’s calmness was within Lu Runrun’s expectations. She could only awkwardly release her hand, revealing her pearly white teeth in a smile. She fussed with her hair, smoothed her skirt, and busied herself with small movements to mask her embarrassment.
Her mother was sometimes excessively composed, making any attempt at sentimentality feel oddly out of place.
The next moment, Lu Runrun’s busy movements came to a complete halt. Her eyes were fixed on a silver fragment in Tan Xianniang’s hand, unable to look away.
"Your allowance for this month," Tan Xianniang said.
Truly her mother—wealthy and generous, handing over such a silver fragment without batting an eye.
Tan Xianniang usually managed Lu Runrun’s expenses quite strictly, giving her eight hundred Wen each month to spend as she pleased without questioning her. Ordinary tips received when accompanying her mother to banquets were also left for her use. However, more valuable rewards, such as gold or silver, like today’s, were always collected and stored away.
Today, not only were the silver lotus seeds not collected, but silver coins were proactively given. Lu Runrun wondered if she should go back and pay respects to the God of Wealth, Zhao Xuantan.
Meanwhile, Tan Xianniang pursed her lips. By nature, she was not skilled at comforting others. She placed the silver coins in her daughter's hand and said, "He was carefully chosen by me. After the marriage, we will still live at home, and life will go on as usual, just as it always has."
Lu Runrun hadn’t taken the matter to heart in the first place, but only a fool would refuse money. She devoutly accepted the silver coins, habitually weighing them in her hand as she took them. She estimated they were worth about two or three taels, and immediately broke into a bright smile. "Mother, are you giving this much this month?"
Tan Xianniang hummed in acknowledgment. "Aren’t you going to Daxiangguo Temple in a couple of days to fulfill your vow? The extra is for you to buy powder and sugar."
These things were already available at home. Her mother was a professional female chef who often experimented with recipes—how could they possibly lack such items? As a penny-pincher, Lu Runrun would never go out of her way to spend extra money when she could use what was at home. But so what?
She accepted with a beaming smile, loudly praising her mother’s kindness.
Compared to her smooth-talking and sociable daughter, Tan Xianniang appeared much more reserved. She showed no reaction to Lu Runrun’s praise, merely asking as if it were routine, "What kind of pastries do you plan to make?"
"I was thinking of making locust leaf cold noodles. I’ve noticed in previous visits that others usually offer pastries and similar items. The monks at the temple must be tired of them. Since the season is right, why not let the Buddhas and Bodhisattvas try something fresh?"
Whenever the topic of food came up, Tan Xianniang would become solemn and serious.
She shook her head in disapproval. "That’s not suitable. Although summer is approaching, the weather has been fluctuating lately and is still quite cold. Eating locust leaf cold noodles now might be refreshing, but for those with weak stomachs, it could easily cause sudden diarrhea."
This was something Lu Runrun hadn’t considered.
Annoyed at her own oversight, she immediately changed her mind. "Then I’ll think of something else."
And so she thought about it until evening.
She asked Nanny Chen to cover for her, then took Huan'er to meet Wei Yangyang and stroll through the Zhouqiao Night Market. Holding a steaming, freshly fried wonton, she seemed distracted and didn’t even bother to eat it.
What kind of pastries should she offer this time?
As someone who had been reborn into the Song Dynasty after death, Lu Runrun couldn’t help but feel a certain reverence for gods and Buddhas. Moreover, when Tan Xianniang had been seriously ill, Lu Runrun had made a vow at the temple, and her mother had indeed recovered. Although she believed it was mainly due to the doctor’s effective treatment, when fulfilling her vow, she still held onto the idea of "better safe than sorry" and treated the matter with great care, ensuring the pastries she offered were different each time.
Thus, when Wei Yangyang spoke to her, it took her a long moment to turn and look at her friend.
Wei Yangyang, however, thought she was lost in thought over the upcoming stepfather. As soon as they had met, Lu Runrun had recounted everything that had happened that day, so Wei Yangyang already knew that Runrun was about to gain a stepfather.
Wei Yangyang patted Lu Runrun on the shoulder and proactively comforted her, "Oh, I say you shouldn’t worry about it. You’re already this old, and he’s entering your household. Even if it’s not a matrilocal marriage as a ‘step-in husband,’ it’s not much different. There’s no way he could give you a hard time."
"It’s not about that," Lu Runrun said.
"Then what is it? Are you afraid he’ll compete with you for the family property?" Wei Yangyang asked curiously, pressing further.
Lu Runrun shook her head. When she became quiet and serious, she somewhat resembled Tan Xianniang, inexplicably exuding a reliable aura. Her tone was firm as she said, "He cannot seize it.
"The Song Penal Code states: 'A widow without sons inherits her husband's share. If she remarries, the existing retainers, slaves, and property such as fields and houses cannot be used or divided; they should be equally distributed among the entitled heirs.' Moreover, the Household Ordinance records: 'If a widow has no descendants and no cohabiting relatives, and she summons a step-husband, the property of the former husband, after being officially registered, may be temporarily granted, but its value must not exceed five thousand Guan. Only if the woman wishes to return to the latter husband's household or upon her death, shall the property be handled according to the rules for extinct households.'
"If my mother remarries, according to the law, she cannot divide any property beyond her dowry. If she summons a step-husband, the precondition for him to receive a small portion of the property is that my mother has no children and no cohabiting relatives.
"Therefore, he cannot claim any of our family's property. Even if he harbors ill intentions to kill me and divide the property, it would require my mother also being deceased and willing to return to his household. Even in such a case, the property he could claim would only be a small portion. At the very least, he could never take our family's house, as it would revert to the government.
"Furthermore, my mother has a discerning eye for people. It is not easy for others to deceive her. Anyone she agrees to marry should not be a bad person."
As soon as Wei Yangyang asked, Lu Runrun fluently recited such a lengthy passage. It was unclear how many times she had read these legal statutes to become so familiar and articulate.
Wei Yangyang knew Lu Runrun was a thoughtful person but had not realized she was so well-informed. It seemed there was no need to worry about her financial situation. Still, she couldn't help but praise her, "Your memory is truly remarkable. It's a pity women cannot take the child scholar examination nowadays; otherwise, you might have passed."
That would certainly not be possible.
Lu Runrun was well aware of her own limitations.
She could recite so fluently because, after learning she was the sole daughter of a deceased father, she feared being taken advantage of as depicted in novels she had read. As soon as she reached an age where she could access books, she eagerly studied contemporary laws and regulations, especially the Song Penal Code. It was this study that put her mind at ease.
Thanks to her father in this life passing away early, before her marriage, and her father having no brothers, she having no brothers, and the family having no adopted sons, she could inherit all the family's property.
According to the "Extinct Household Assets" provision in the Song Penal Code: "When a person dies and the household becomes extinct, all retainers, tenant women, slaves, shops, houses, and assets shall be transferred or sold by close relatives. After covering funeral expenses and charitable deeds, the remaining assets shall be given to the daughter."
Therefore, even though her father's relatives occasionally came to freeload, always trying to take advantage, she was not intimidated.
Unless her mother inexplicably adopted a son, in which case her share of the property would be significantly reduced. If she were an unmarried daughter living at home, she might receive half; if she were a married daughter, she would receive one-third.
If her mother remarried or had children with a step-husband, they would not be entitled to any property.
Standing in the bustling Zhouqiao Night Market, listening to the calls of passing vendors, Lu Runrun couldn't help but feel grateful to heaven once again for allowing her to be born in this era, in the Eastern Capital Kaifeng Prefecture, the foremost of the five capitals and at the feet of the Son of Heaven.
The property inheritance rights of women in the Song Dynasty were explicitly stipulated by law. Unmarried daughters and widows could inherit property and establish female-headed households. If she had been born earlier, she might not have been so fortunate.
However, if she had been born in a remote and impoverished village, constrained by local clan rules, she might not have been able to fully rely on the law.
But in Bianjing, if any clansmen dared to break into her home and seize her property, she could take them to the Kaifeng Prefecture and would undoubtedly win, without the slightest fear.
Standing beside her, Wei Yangyang felt that Lu Runrun was confident and likely had nothing to worry about, but as her closest friend, she still wanted to help in some way. After a moment of contemplation, Wei Yangyang said, "Even so, it would be better if he were a decent person."
"Gate-keeping Clerical Secretary of the Bureau of Military Affairs…" she murmured softly, repeating the words.
Suddenly, Wei Yangyang’s eyes lit up as she thought of something, and she exclaimed excitedly, "It just so happens that I have an uncle who works as a laborer in the Bureau of Military Affairs. When I return home, I’ll ask my father to make some inquiries."
"That would be wonderful." Lu Runrun turned to face Wei Yangyang, took her hands, and repeatedly expressed her gratitude. "Knowing what kind of person he is would put my mind at ease. I really don’t know how to thank you."
If she had done this to Tan Xianniang, Tan Xianniang would have simply hummed in acknowledgment before quietly withdrawing her hands.
But Wei Yangyang was delighted by the gesture.
Suppressing the corners of her lips that threatened to curl upward, she lifted her chin, her young and lovely face revealing a proud expression. "Between us, there’s no need for thanks. You’re my only close friend. I should do whatever I can for you."
Clearly, Wei Yangyang was someone who needed to be praised and coaxed.
Lu Runrun linked arms with Wei Yangyang and continued walking. After this interruption, her spirits had noticeably lifted. "I received a reward today, and my mother gave me extra spending money this month. The fifteenth is in two days, and I need to go fulfill a vow. It happens to coincide with the monthly market at the Great Xiangguo Temple on the fifth day. Let’s go together then."
"Sure!" Wei Yangyang readily agreed. Her savings jar was nearly empty, but there was no harm in strolling around the Great Xiangguo Temple.
As she spoke, Wei Yangyang tore off a large strip of the crispy tendon jerky in her hand and fed it into Lu Runrun’s mouth.
Crispy tendon jerky was a long, dried meat strip. Wei Yangyang had bought the unmarinated kind, which tasted bland at first. Lu Runrun struggled to chew it—it was tough and hard—but after a few bites, the savory meat flavor emerged, salty and fragrant.
After finally swallowing it, Lu Runrun rubbed her jaw, which felt a bit sore.
The crispy tendon jerky was delicious, but it was too hard on the teeth.
Still, buying some to keep in her pouch and tearing off a few pieces when bored was a great way to pass the time.
Lu Runrun then offered the deep-fried wonton skewered on a large bamboo stick in her hand to Wei Yangyang’s mouth. Without hesitation, Wei Yangyang took a bite. Wontons were the most common street food, which could be boiled in soup or deep-fried, with a variety of fillings.
Lu Runrun had bought the ordinary pork-filled deep-fried wonton. The outermost layer was crispy, followed by the soft texture of fermented dough. Unlike the thick skin of meat buns, it had a slight chewiness, yet it was thicker and softer than dumpling wrappers. Soaked in meat juices, it was flavorful without being greasy, combining the aroma of fried food with the tooth-friendly texture of steamed buns.
However, the meat filling inside wasn’t as enjoyable. Pork in the Song Dynasty, especially from uncastrated pigs, had a somewhat gamey and pungent flavor that even minced ginger couldn’t fully mask. Moreover, such a large filling inevitably contained fatty bits, making it greasy. To balance this, deep-fried wontons were typically sprinkled with salt, which somewhat complemented the richness.
After crossing over, Lu Runrun had no worries about food or clothing, and with a mother who was a professional female chef, she had become somewhat picky about her meals. She found these fried wontons just average, but Wei Yangyang's family rarely had meat dishes, so she particularly loved them.
After finishing one fried wonton, Wei Yangyang couldn't help but praise it.
So, Lu Runrun fed her another one.
The two sisters walked along as they ate, Wei Yangyang's cheeks bulging with food. She covered her mouth with one hand, trying hard to swallow, yet still managed to chat, "If you weren't spacing out earlier because of your stepfather, then what was it about?"
"Oh, it's about making pastries for the vow fulfillment at Daxiangguo Temple in a couple of days. My mother said the weather is still a bit cold lately, so it's not suitable to make cold buckwheat noodles. Suddenly, she asked me to think of another pastry, and I couldn't come up with anything right away. Help me think of something—I've already made Guanghan cake, Peng-cake, as well as snow cake, crispy qiong leaves…"
Lu Runrun listed a whole series of pastry names. For her vow fulfillment, she personally made pastries to deliver to the temple on the first and fifteenth of every lunar month, and she had to continue for a full year. Now that the year was almost up, she had naturally made many pastries, especially the simple and common ones. Otherwise, she wouldn't have been so deep in thought.
She had learned many pastry-making methods from her mother, but those that were too expensive or required spices were out of the question, and overly complicated ones were difficult for her to make in large quantities alone.
Wei Yangyang naturally tried hard to help think of ideas. She rested her chin on her fingers, her tone a bit uncertain, "How about making something seasonal?"
As soon as Wei Yangyang finished speaking, Lu Runrun suddenly stopped, forcing Wei Yangyang, who was holding her arm, to stop as well.
"What's wrong?" Wei Yangyang asked, puzzled.
Lu Runrun smiled as she looked at a stall on the ground covered with a piece of burlap. "I know what to make now."
Wei Yangyang followed Lu Runrun's gaze and saw a very ordinary vendor sitting on the ground, hawking their goods. Inside the Zhouqiao Night Market, there were vendors sitting on the ground calling out their wares, floating stalls pushed on carts or carried on shoulder poles, as well as proper dining houses, tea houses, and food shops. There was everything one could need—food, drinks, daily necessities—and even foreign merchants selling exotic animals.
The stall Lu Runrun was looking at mainly displayed mushrooms and bamboo shoots, all mountain goods.
Wei Yangyang didn't see anything special and asked, confused, "Make what?"
Lu Runrun's gaze was fixed on a small cloth bag, a confident smile on her face. "Pine pollen cakes."
That cloth bag contained freshly picked pine pollen.
Lu Runrun remembered that her family happened to have a jar of honey sent by her maternal grandfather. Combined with the pine pollen, it would be perfect for making pine pollen cakes. The method for making pine pollen cakes was also simple—she could finish them alone, and they tasted good, slightly sweet with a hint of sourness, making them quite suitable as an offering.
However, they were considered a common rural pastry, and it seemed they weren't often sold in Bianjing.
The few times Lu Runrun had eaten them were either made by her maternal grandmother or her mother. She would probably need to adjust the flavor, but compared to other pastries, it wasn't too troublesome.
Lu Runrun decisively bought that bag of pine pollen. Since it was a common mountain product, it didn't cost much.
With the weight off her mind, Lu Runrun seemed much more relaxed.
Wei Yangyang simply suggested stopping by the nearby Wazi entertainment district on the way. She had heard that Zhou Niangzi, who had performed for the emperor, was going to perform at the Lotus Goulan today, and she really wanted to join in the excitement.
Just as Lu Runrun was hesitating whether to go, Wei Yangyang suddenly pointed at someone and said, "Hey, that person looks somewhat familiar."
Lu Runrun also looked over and couldn't help but feel surprised—what a coincidence.
Author's Note:
Huaiye Lengtao: Dough made by mixing pagoda tree leaf juice into flour, shaped into cakes, strips, or threads, boiled, then rinsed with cold water before eating.
Zhao Xuantan: The God of Wealth, Zhao Lang, styled Gongming, is revered in Taoism as the Marshal of the True Unity Xuantan, hence he is also known as Zhao Xuantan in folk tradition. In ancient times, Xuantan temples were built in many places.
Snow Cake: A snow-white steamed cake made from rice, glutinous rice, stir-fried Chinese yam, lotus seeds without cores, fox nuts, and white sugar.
Xun: Mushrooms
Mi: Honey
Fen/Mian: Flour
Wazi, Goulan: Wazi is similar to a large commercial district, containing Goulan, as well as stalls selling food, drinks, and daily necessities, and fortune-tellers. Large Wazi may have many Goulan, while small ones may have only one. Goulan is similar to a large performance venue; some charge an entry fee, akin to a ticket, while others are free to enter but collect donations during the performance.