The old woman and her eldest daughter in law walked along the path. As they passed the stone mill they took the chance to run the second branch of the family down.
“They say no parent is ever truly hard hearted no matter how their children behave. Even though he has turned his back on us I still worry whether his family has enough to eat.”
“And that vain granddaughter of ours. Sent home in disgrace and taking it out on her own people. What a disgrace.”
As she spoke Old Madam Shen pulled out a stale flat cake from her pocket saying she had brought food for them.
When they reached the cottage they saw Tiedan sitting on the threshold drinking water. Old Madam Shen stepped forward and waved the cake before his face.
“Tell me Tiedan are your parents going hungry yet?”
If they are hungry they will come crawling back and do as they are told. That would teach them a lesson.
She expected him to stare at the cake and snatch it eagerly. Instead he gave her a calm glance.
“You are the one going hungry.”
They had wheat. They had plenty to eat. And there was half a chicken simmering in the pot. It was the first time he had ever tasted chicken and it smelled wonderful. Back at the old house chicken was cooked but he was never allowed any. The meat was always eaten by the other boys. The second branch did not deserve such things.
Old Madam Shen was taken aback. “Tiedan you have had too little to eat and now you speak to me like this?” She tucked the cake back inside her clothing. “Then you shall have none of it.”
Tiedan rolled his eyes. “I do not want your cake. I have meat to eat.”
“Meat?” The eldest daughter in law laughed so hard she leaned against the doorframe. “Mother the boy is starving and imagining things. They left with nothing. If they can afford meat I will cut my head off and use it as a stool.”
To them meat was something only seen at New Year. Old Madam Shen frowned. “I always thought this one was a little slow. Now I see he is simple minded.”
Just then a rich scent drifted toward them. The eldest daughter in law sniffed the air. “Mother do you smell that? It smells like chicken stewed with potatoes.”
It smelled delicious. Old Madam Shen caught the scent too. She had not tasted chicken in a very long time. “Who could be cooking chicken?”
They followed the scent and stared at the small humble cottage. Their eyes went wide with disbelief. “In their house?”
The eldest daughter in law felt her face burn as if slapped. Old Madam Shen pushed the door open and marched inside. “Where is your father? He cooks chicken and does not invite his own mother? Do you have no respect?”
Shen Qing was there stirring the pot. Her father was not at home. Old Madam Shen looked disappointed to see her instead. Shen Qing had heard them coming and had chosen to ignore them.
“Qingqing why do you not send for me when you have chicken?”
Shen Qing stood with her arms folded. “We have separated. Why should we invite you?”
“Separated does not mean cut off. You still owe us respect.”
Shen Qing looked at her steadily. “You turned us out with nothing. Why should we show you respect?”
Old Madam Shen’s mouth watered at the aroma. “Did you steal this chicken?” She smirked believing she had found leverage. “I will not report you if you give me one leg.”
The eldest daughter in law stood behind her smiling. If Old Madam Shen got a leg she would surely get a wing. The trip had been worth it.
Shen Qing replaced the lid. “If you think it was stolen go and report me.”
The eldest daughter in law whispered. “She does not look guilty. If we accuse people we will only look cruel.” Old Madam Shen hesitated. Shen Qing appeared too calm to be hiding anything.
“However it was obtained I am your elder. You should give me a leg.” She sat down heavily on a wooden stool. The stool had one leg missing and tipped over. She tumbled to the floor.
“Ouch!” She glared at Shen Qing. “You did that on purpose.”
Shen Qing looked back innocently. “Did I push you?”
Old Madam Shen had no answer.
The eldest daughter in law helped her up and turned on Shen Qing. “Your grandmother is old and frail. She needs nourishment. Is one leg too much to ask?” If the old woman got a leg she would not be left out.
Shen Qing met her gaze calmly. “Return all the grain tickets grain pots pans and utensils you kept from us and I will give her a leg.”
“Never!” Old Madam Shen snapped. She had never intended to give them anything. She had hoped they would struggle and return obediently.
“Then you will get nothing.”
Old Madam Shen looked around. “Where is your father? Send him out.” She was certain her son would give her what she wanted even if his daughter would not.
Shen Qing picked up a stick from the hearth. She called Tiedan inside. “Today I will teach you an idiom. It is called closing the door to beat the dog.”
Tiedan scratched his head. “Where is the dog?”
Shen Qing closed the door. “You will see soon.”
Old Madam Shen and her daughter in law understood. Her hands gripped her cane tightly. “What is the meaning of this?”
Shen Qing hefted the stick. “My father is not here. Why should I show you deference? When I was small you chased me all around the yard just for eating a single piece of meat. Today we settle our accounts.”
She struck the ground beside Old Madam Shen who stumbled back in fright.
“She has lost her mind run!” The eldest daughter in law cried as several blows landed near them. They scrambled out of the door in a panic.
Tiedan watched them go looking delighted. “Should we chase them?”
Shen Qing dropped the stick. “That is enough.”
That evening the family sat together enjoying their meal of chicken and potatoes. It was warm and joyful. Tiedan looked up suddenly. “Sister today is the fifth of the month. Tomorrow is your birthday.”
Shen Qing froze. She remembered something terrible that had happened at this very time in her past life.