12
Pocket Money
He Xunzhou noticed how Liu Shuhuai’s eyes remained fixed on the money pouch on the table, even though he had just verbally refused it.
The contradiction between his words and actions was utterly endearing.
Taking the eight coins Liu Shuhuai handed him, He Xunzhou cheerfully said, “Thank you for the pocket money, Xiao Huai.” He then explained what pocket money meant.
He whispered something into Liu Shuhuai’s ear, causing the latter to blush deeply and rush out of the room.
Liu Village was peaceful, with a group of idle women gathered at the entrance chatting about local gossip.
“I heard Liu Yan’s grandson is taking the Tongsheng exam in March,” one woman said, spitting out melon seed shells, her tone dripping with envy.
The speaker was Liu Da Niang, Liu Shuhuai’s neighbor, who had a sharp, mean-looking face and was known for taking advantage of others.
She was the village gossip, privy to every piece of news, though she never hesitated to embellish the details.
“Indeed, the Liu Family must have blessed ancestors. I heard Liu Zhi’s marriage has been settled too.”
“Really? Who is it?” another asked, her face full of curiosity.
“They say he’s a scholar.”
“What luck,” Liu Da Niang remarked, her jealousy evident. “I wonder if Liu Zhi… seduced him into bed…”
Before she could finish, someone interrupted, “Oh, don’t say such things! What about the girl’s reputation?”
Realizing she wasn’t at home, Liu Da Niang backtracked, “It was just a joke, don’t take it so seriously. But I did see Liu Zhi giving eggs to someone in white clothes—I couldn’t see who it was. Could it be him?”
Why would a scholar choose a lowly girl like Liu Zhi over her own daughter, Liu Yaya? And if not her daughter, she still had a Ge’er.
Liu Da Niang favored sons over daughters and Ge’ers. She had three daughters and Ge’ers but only one son, whom she treasured. The daughters and Ge’ers were treated like servants to her son, sometimes even worse.
They were beaten or scolded daily and only allowed one meal a day.
Her eldest daughter had just turned fifteen, with messy, straw-like hair blowing in the wind, a sallow and emaciated face covered in dirt, a bony frame, and rough hands—a pitiful sight that no one would find appealing.
Liu Da Niang wanted to sell her for a good price but refused to treat her well.
Her ten-year-old daughter and twelve-year-old Ge’er were in similar conditions. Only her five-year-old son was plump, fair, and clean.
With such blatant favoritism, marrying into her family would mean a lifetime of entanglement.
It would be less like a marriage and more like a purchase, with endless troubles—no one was willing to take that on.
“Have you heard? The village chief’s precious son fell into the water and was rescued by a Ge’er. Right in front of everyone, the chief’s son even touched his waist,” a woman in dark blue clothes quickly changed the subject.
Another chimed in quietly, “I heard about it too. The Ge’er’s parents came and demanded the chief’s son marry him.”
“Will he marry him?”
“With his high standards, how could he possibly agree?”
“I heard that Ge’er’s family found him dirty and didn’t want him anymore. They said he couldn’t return home unless he married the village chief’s son. That person even went to see the village chief’s son, but the young man thought he wasn’t pretty enough and was just a Ge’er, so he refused to marry him. I heard he hanged himself a few days ago.”
Everyone wore expressions of pity, lamenting how reckless this Ge’er had been.
“Just after the New Year too, how unlucky.”
They continued whispering among themselves. Some gossiped about a certain widow being unfaithful and seducing men, while others complained about someone’s daughter-in-law being unvirtuous and disrespectful to her mother-in-law.
They also mentioned another family’s Ge’er who was too robust and still unmarried at twenty.
Evening.
All members of the Liu family had returned.
Each person beamed with smiles as they carried large and small gifts back to their rooms.
Liu Shuhuai stood silently to the side.
“Liu Shuhuai, go prepare dinner. We’re all hungry.”
“Alright.” Hearing his aunt’s voice, Liu Shuhuai breathed a sigh of relief and went to get the key from grandmother to unlock the kitchen.
After setting out the dishes, Liu Shuhuai left.
As soon as Liu Shuhuai entered his room, He Xunzhou jumped into his arms.
“Brother He, they’re back. We need to be careful and not let them discover you.” Liu Shuhuai carried He Xunzhou to the bed and placed him on the quilt.
He then got onto the bed himself and opened the quilt to let He Xunzhou in.
Noticing Liu Shuhuai’s tense expression since returning, He Xunzhou placed his paw on his forehead to comfort him. He watched as Liu Shuhuai gradually relaxed.
“Brother He, I’m fine. I just find it strange why some people don’t like their own grandchildren and even dislike their own sons.” Liu Shuhuai spoke slowly, pouring out his grievances.
“They all dislike me. Mother loved me dearly, but she left me too. I’ve never met my father, but mother said if my parents knew I existed, they would treasure me like precious jewels. Do you think that’s true?”
“Meow~” Yes, and you still have me. I’ll always be here.
“Why do some people only favor sons? Is it just because sons can carry on the family line? I saw how Liu Da Niang next door hates her daughter and Ge’er so much that she even broke the Ge’er’s leg. It’s truly terrifying.” As he spoke, Liu Shuhuai buried his head and cried.
He Xunzhou remained his listener, occasionally responding, listening as he vented his pent-up sorrows.
“I’ve been beaten too, my back is covered with scars. It hurt so much, Brother He…” Liu Shuhuai spoke intermittently about many things, not even sure what all he said. But when he woke the next morning, he felt the depression in his heart had lifted.
Morning came, and Liu Shuhuai first ate the two meat buns He Xunzhou had given him. He Xunzhou had already left.
After breakfast, when the time was right, he went to the kitchen to prepare the morning meal. Today he had to do all the household chores.
During this period, the women in the family would do needlework. Those with good skills would embroider handkerchiefs to sell – someone in the county would buy them for one or two wen each, which provided a decent income.
The men would go hunting at this time. The village organized hunting trips that were voluntary to join.
This year, the village chief had announced he would lead a hunting party to a mountain relatively far from here. That mountain was less dangerous with no large predatory beasts.
Four villages all hunted there, as no specific village claimed ownership of that mountain.
Liu Yao Zong and Liu Quan focused on studying, since examination time was approaching.
Liu Zhi said she would go do needlework with her girlfriends, as they had already made plans.
However, Liu Shuhuai noticed Liu Zhi secretly hiding an egg with a sweet expression, though he had no idea who it was meant for.
Liu Shuhuai received a small sweet potato and finished it in just two bites. After they finished their meal and cleared the bowls and chopsticks from the table, he wiped it clean before heading out to cut pigweed to feed the pigs.