The bitter struggle between Fang Yao and Xu Manjiang’s household had left Old Madam Xu prostrate with distress and so the matter of the compensation money was quietly dropped.
Wang Hua, though privately critical of her mother’s wavering loyalties, fulfilled her duties as a daughter-in-law faithfully. She tended to the old woman’s daily needs and prepared her meals, thereby silencing much of the village gossip that might otherwise have turned against them.
Each day, once Wang Hua had departed, Fang Yao would close the door and sit with her knitting needles, practicing stitch after stitch in perfect peace and focus. In less than three days, a full sweater began to take shape.
Only the final step remained seaming the sleeves and front panels together. Her new crochet hook was sharp and keen, often slipping or catching the yarn, requiring extra care and patience.
That very evening, her first project was finally complete. She slipped off her cotton-padded coat and tried the bright red garment on.
Truly, as the saying goes a fine teacher makes a fine pupil. Fang Yao stood before the mirror admiring herself. The vivid red wool, tight even stitches, and delicate pattern combined beautifully she looked transformed!
A sweater of such quality would sell for well over ten yuan at the department store nearly an entire month’s wages for an ordinary worker. Fang Yao would never have dreamed of spending so much! Yet she had bought only yarn and needles, invested her time and now possessed a garment of great value for almost nothing. She had effectively earned its worth!
Then an idea took root: if I could knit such sweaters and sell them… I might earn a great deal of money.
Wang Hua returned early that day, before dusk. At the sound of the door, Fang Yao hurried forward with her finished work.
“Finished already?” Wang Hua held the sweater, turning it admiringly in her hands. Smiles crinkled the corners of her eyes. “When you first said you wished to learn, I thought it merely a passing fancy but you have truly mastered it! Excellent work. The stitches are not yet perfectly even but that will come with practice!”
Encouraged by her praise, Fang Yao felt eager to improve further and determined to keep practicing. Seeing Wang Hua heading to the kitchen, she stepped forward to help and asked casually: “By the way, Mother why have you returned so early today?”
At that, Wang Hua’s smile returned, bright and unmistakably amused.
Fang Yao, unable to contain her curiosity any longer, took her arm and coaxed playfully: “Do tell! Whatever has happened let me share in the news!”
Wang Hua could no longer hold back. Having no daughter of her own, having Fang Yao beside her felt as though a daughter had been dropped straight from heaven someone she could speak to freely.
“Your Second Aunt’s brother came today. He brought the money in person and accompanied Manjiang to fetch Li Xuemiao back. And no sooner had he arrived than your grandmother’s illness vanished completely! She is planning a feast this very evening to thank him! Seeing all that, I made up an excuse and left I want no part in their scheming.”
Another woman might have resented such a fickle mother-in-law but Wang Hua simply chose peace and kept her distance.
Fang Yao understood completely, and stood firmly beside her.
“Quite right. Involvement with their affairs brings nothing but trouble. When I first arrived, I thought Grandmother treated me well but now I see clearly: once a heart leans one way, it never rights itself. We shall look to our own life, live it well and expect nothing from them.”
In these past days, Fang Yao had come to realize how much her view of the Xu family had been coloured by her past life. Then, Xu Manjiang and his household had wounded her deeply and whenever conflict arose, she had instinctively defended herself as though facing those same injustices once more.
Now she saw clearly: people are not all alike, and relationships take countless forms. Even Old Madam Xu back then, when Fang Yao had been married to Xu Manjiang had always favoured Xu Jianshu’s branch of the family. Fang Yao, having been on the receiving end of that favour, had seen only kindness; she had never truly stood in Wang Hua and Xu Qingzhou’s place, never felt what it meant to be overlooked.
Now, seeing matters from the other side, she understood the full picture. And all she could do was stand beside Wang Hua, keep her heart steady and let their scheming slide right past them.
Wang Hua listened, gazing at her daughter-in-law in quiet wonder. At last she said simply: “You speak nothing but truth.”
Gratitude? No blessedness.
While Xu Manjiang and Li Xuemiao’s household descended into chaos and strife, Wang Hua sat contentedly with her diligent, thoughtful daughter-in-law, building a quiet, united life together. She must have done great good in a former life to deserve such fortune.
After supper, Wang Hua barred the gate against outside disturbance. Fang Yao returned to her knitting, learning new patterns beside her mother-in-law. By candlelight, the two women sat working side by side warm, peaceful, and united.
Elsewhere.
Li Xuemiao had recovered her dowry, reassured her parents, and returned to the Xu household alongside Xu Manjiang. Old Madam Xu had arranged a feast for Xu Manjiang’s uncle ostensibly to welcome Li Xuemiao home. Over dinner, when Xu Manjiang spoke of the money he had borrowed, Wang Daye waved the matter aside grandly, declaring it need not be repaid.
Then he clapped Xu Manjiang upon the shoulder and promised: whenever a profitable opportunity arose, he would see that Xu Manjiang shared in it.
Old Madam Xu beamed with delight. Her back, which had bowed so low before the Li family, could finally hold itself tall once more!
Li Xuemiao, meanwhile, played the meek and wronged bride obeying her parents, honouring her husband appearing entirely gentle and easily led. To the domineering Wang Cuilian, such docility was pure advantage a prize to be grasped and enjoyed.
“Mother, never fear! My brother’s word is as good as gold! If he promises to make Manjiang rich he shall! And with Xuemiao’s parents having connections in the city why, it is a mighty alliance! Prosperity lies ahead for Manjiang and Xuemiao!”
Wang Cuilian’s heart swelled with pride and satisfaction beneath the table.
Xu Manjiang, for his part, had achieved nothing yet but arrogance and conceit already shone in his eyes. He swore grandly to Li Xuemiao:
“Xuemiao all you have endured shall not be in vain. Wait and see! I shall make a fortune! I shall take you to the city and buy you a grand apartment! You shall live as a wealthy lady, in comfort and ease!”
Li Xuemiao shivered at his boasting yet her heart raced with rising excitement.
Whatever Fang Yao might claim about the bridal chamber had not Li Xuemiao won in the end?
Before long, Xu Qingzhou the respected, promising officer would be reduced to a broken, crippled invalid, unable even to care for himself. And Fang Yao? She would tend his every need, wash his filth, and never dare seek divorce. Nothing would remain for her but to submit and endure.