Li Xuemiao’s home lay in the village directly beside Fang Yao’s. And just as Fang Jiao had said this was the very day Xu Manjiang must accompany his new bride on her return visit to her family.
Much as it had been at Fang Yao’s home, Xu Manjiang too must answer for the bridal chamber’s disastrous mix-up. Long before dawn, Wang Cuilian and Xu Jianshu had risen to prepare gifts. Ashamed and fearful of the neighbours’ scorn, the whole family of four had slipped away while the sky was still dark.
And as Fang Yao well knew, Li Xuemiao was the only daughter of her household cherished and adored by her parents from childhood. When the match had first been proposed between her and Xu Qingzhou, she had been chosen from among countless suitors with the utmost care.
Now, not only had she been wed off to Xu Manjiang a man far inferior in standing but the bride price itself had never reached the Li family’s hands. It was unthinkable that they should accept such an outcome meekly.
Fang Yao found herself wondering with sudden curiosity: What must be unfolding at the Li household this very moment?
By noon, Xu Qingzhou returned from the fields alongside Fang Tong, Fang Zhen, and Fang Bin. Four strong, able-bodied young men had laboured with vigour, hauling a cart piled high with firewood to a height of three metres.
Fang Daguo and Fang Jianye helped unload the timber. Liu Bailan set steaming bowls of food upon the table and called everyone to gather and eat.
Fang Yao and Fang Jiao had drawn water in advance. They waited in the courtyard, handing each person a towel to wash their hands and face.
Xu Qingzhou was always particular about cleanliness. Fang Yao spared him no trouble she had laid aside a fresh towel just for him. When he had finished washing and slipped back into his outer clothes, she gently brushed every speck of dust from his army uniform with the towel. She smoothed the front, then turned him about to brush the back and Xu Qingzhou turned willingly for her. In the sunlight, his handsome face wore a soft, indulgent smile, clearly relishing every moment of his wife’s tender care.
Fang Bin washed last in line. He watched the others toss aside towels black with mud and grime, and wrinkled his nose in disgust. Then he saw Fang Yao tending so carefully to Xu Qingzhou alone and his face fell.
“Marriage changes everything, I see!” he called out. “Your husband is already spotless and what about your own elder brother shivering out here? Hurry up and hand me a towel!”
Fang Yao shot him a sharp look and gestured toward another towel. “Use that one.”
“That filthy thing? It’s dirtier than the rags I use to wipe my feet!” Fang Bin protested, his face twisted in revulsion.
Fang Yao ignored him and placed the fresh towel straight into Xu Qingzhou’s hands. “Wash it yourself if you find it so unacceptable! You managed well enough all morning why grow so particular now?”
With that, she turned and walked calmly into the house.
Fang Bin stood dripping wet, fuming in the courtyard. Xu Qingzhou, seeking to keep the peace between siblings, stepped forward and offered him the towel.
“Second Brother she has already used it. Please take it. I shall wash it afterwards.”
Fang Bin hesitated, then accepted it. As he wiped his face, he shouted toward the house: “Ungrateful little sister! Your new husband treats me better than you ever did!”
Fang Yao heard him clearly but chose not to reply. Soon the entire household gathered in the main hall men and women seated separately at two tables.
Fang Bin had admired the fine liquor Xu Qingzhou had brought. Eager to sample it, he uncorked two bottles at once. He poured first for Old Master Fang, then filled cups in order of age and seniority. When he reached Xu Qingzhou, he grinned and lifted his cup. “Brother-in-law surely you shall join us?”
“I shall take a little,” Xu Qingzhou replied. He saw everyone drinking and did not wish to spoil the mood.
Fang Bin filled his cup to the brim. Old Master Fang offered a toast, and Xu Qingzhou drank his cup dry. The fiery fifty-two-percent liquor burned warm and strong all the way down; by the second cup, a faint flush had risen to his cheeks. Yet he remained alert and composed, answering every question put to him with care and respect.
At the men’s table, conversation flowed freely over cups, ranging across every subject under heaven. Meanwhile at the women’s table, sweet drinks were poured, and talk turned to family and village matters laughter filling the room, warm and bright.
After the meal, the Fang household turned to preparations for the morrow’s return-feast. Wang Hua, having fulfilled her duty in paying respects to the bride’s family, knew she would be shown every courtesy should she stay and so took her leave. Xu Qingzhou, concerned to see her travel alone, rose to walk her home.
Wang Hua looked at his flushed, wine-touched face and shook her head. “You have drunk generously. Rest here awhile and lend a hand with the preparations.”
She knew her son’s tolerance well. He stood upright only through sheer will, determined to make a fine impression before his wife’s family. She said nothing of it, choosing instead to preserve his dignity.
“Fang Yao find him a quiet place to sleep for a while. I shall return home now.”
Once Wang Hua had departed, villagers hired to assist with the feast began arriving one by one. All bustled excitedly about arrangements, including fetching the slaughtered pig from the production team.
Xu Qingzhou moved to join them, but Fang Yao, mindful of her mother-in-law’s words, caught him gently by the sleeve and guided him indoors.
“Rest now. More than enough men are attending to the pig. It will be noisy and crowded and there is nothing you can help with there.”
Xu Qingzhou smiled, yielding to her wishes as he had done all day, determined to please. “Very well. I shall rest awhile.”
He slipped off his shoes and lay down. The moment Fang Yao drew the quilt over him, his eyes closed and he fell fast asleep.
Fang Yao went to the kitchen and brewed a large pot of sobering tea, pouring bowls for all who had drunk wine so they might work steadily through the afternoon.
By late afternoon, the great canopy had been raised across the Fang family’s courtyard. Tables, benches, and stools borrowed door to door had been arranged beneath it. Shortly afterward, Fang Daguo and the others returned with the pig a fine sow raised on pure grain, heavy and fat, weighing over three hundred jin. It took five strong men to carry her into the yard.
“The pig is here!” someone called out. “But where is Old Wang? Why has the butcher not arrived?”
The Old Wang they spoke of was the village’s renowned slaughterman no feast could properly begin without him.
Fang Daguo scanned the courtyard, then turned to Fang Bin. “Did you send word for him early this morning? Where is he?”
“I did as you told me!” Fang Bin spread his hands helplessly. “He said he would come shortly after me!”
“Go fetch him again at once! What takes him so long!”
Fang Bin hurried off. While the household waited, Old Master Fang stepped out with his tobacco pouch, rolling cigarettes for the men as they stood watching.
Fifteen minutes later, Fang Bin came sprinting back breathless, face fallen. “Old Wang cannot come! He has been struck with such severe stomach trouble he cannot even stand upright!”
Fang Daguo shot to his feet, eyes wide with alarm. “The feast begins tomorrow! That pig must be slaughtered today it cannot wait!”
“There is a butcher of the Liu family in the neighbouring village!” Fang Tong declared, rushing for the gate. “I shall go fetch him!”
Minutes dragged by. The pig squealed and struggled in her bindings. The sun began sinking low, and anxiety grew in every heart.
At last Fang Tong returned but alone, his face grim. “The Li family of the neighbouring village is also holding a feast today. They have summoned Butcher Liu for themselves. I pleaded with him I offered more but he will not come! He has already been engaged!”
Dusk was fast approaching. Fang Daguo’s brow furrowed deep with worry. Then Fang Bin spoke the name that turned anxiety to rage: the Li family patriarch was none other than Xu Manjiang’s new father-in-law.
Fang Daguo’s hands trembled with anger and desperation.
“Then we shall do it ourselves!” he shouted. “Are there not enough of us here? Shall we truly be defeated by one pig?”