12 Tasting
It was just about dinner time; smoke was rising from many of the houses in Dongtou Village, and there was hardly a soul to be seen on the streets. The Li family had also fled here to escape famine in the past, so they lived on the outskirts of the village, which actually brought them closer to the thatched cottage. It didn’t take them long to arrive.
A few paces away, Tao Qinghe watched the smoke rising steadily from the hut and surmised that the Li family hadn’t eaten yet, so she stepped forward and knocked on the door.
“Auntie Li!” Tao Qinghe called out loudly.
“Coming, coming!” someone inside called back just as loudly.
Squeak—
The person inside removed the bolt and opened the door. The three women were greeted by a woman holding a wooden spatula. She was smartly dressed and looked full of vigour. Recognising the face from her memories, Tao Qinghe spoke first: “Auntie, I hope I haven’t disturbed you by coming over in the middle of the day?”
Zhao Liniang chimed in from the side: “We really shouldn’t have come at this hour, but we were in a bit of a rush, so we came over.”
Hearing this, Ding Huiniang’s heart skipped a beat. What on earth had happened to make them so anxious?
She hurriedly led them into the house, replying as she went: “It’s no bother at all. To be out in this blazing sun—has something urgent happened at home?” Having said this, she called out into the house, “Yezi, pour some cold water for Auntie Tao and Sister Qinghe!”
Ding Huiniang was an impatient sort and rattled off a string of orders. Tao Qinghe had no chance to stop them; the three had already entered the room. She could only greet the Li family first.
Inside, the Li family had long since heard Ding Huiniang’s clamour and assumed something urgent had happened. Once the three had entered and taken their seats, they stared intently at Zhao Liniang.
Zhao Liniang had never encountered such a scene before; she was flustered beyond measure. She hurriedly handed the bowl, covered with a cloth, to the Ding woman and whispered, “It’s… it’s Qinghe who made these pastries. Here, try some.”
As soon as she had finished speaking, Tao Qinghe added, “Mother said that Auntie’s family has been so kind to us, even willing to lend us those precious items.” She smiled at Ding Huiniang. “So, I’ve just made some new treats and brought a few over for you to try.”
Upon hearing that she had come to bring food, the Li family members finally breathed a sigh of relief. Thank goodness nothing had gone wrong! Ding Huiniang looked at Tao Qinghe, unable to help but wonder: after all she’d been through, had this child actually lost her fear of people? She took Tao Qinghe’s hand and said, “Why are you being so formal with your aunt? Our two families have always been close—is there really any need to make such a fuss over borrowing something?”
Li Xingwang looked at Tao Dalang’s wife and daughter before him, and thought back on the events of the past few days. In his heart, he gave the rest of the Tao family another scolding, though he gave nothing away on his face. He looked at Tao Qinghe and said, “Qinghe, don’t do anything foolish again in future; it only causes your family grief.”
Tao Qinghe nodded in agreement. Smelling the aroma of food in the air, she guessed the Li family would soon be eating as well; this was hardly the time for small talk. So she took Zhao Liniang by the hand and stood up. “Now that the pastries have been delivered, Mother and I shall be on our way.” She turned to Ding Huiniang with a beaming smile. “I’ll need to borrow the iron griddle for a few more days. I hope you don’t mind the trouble.”
“You’re talking nonsense, you little rascal! Are you having a meal this afternoon? Stay and eat with your mother before you go!” Ding Huiniang grabbed Tao Qinghe’s arm.
Zhao Liniang refused repeatedly, “That simply won’t do; Qingmiao is still at home.”
“Auntie, please don’t worry. We put the rice on to cook before we came. Besides, it wouldn’t be right to bring a gift and then stay for a meal—that would be rather embarrassing.”
Seeing that the two were determined to leave, Ding Huiniang gave up trying to persuade them to stay, merely urging them to drop by again when they had time. Only after seeing them off a good distance did she turn and return home.