Having resolved the matter weighing heavily on her mind, Qian Zhenniang was over the moon; she felt like she could have eaten a whole pig. But then she remembered that the eldest son’s family hadn’t moved out yet, so she suppressed her joy and tentatively suggested, “Eldest Sister-in-Law, now that the household has been divided, why not make the most of the fine weather and have Erlang help you pack your things over there?”
Zhao Liniang was in a daze; she hadn’t a clue what her sister-in-law was saying. She simply kept walking, saying nothing.
Tao Qinghe pondered the matter. Since the household had been divided, there was little point in continuing to live together and entangling themselves in each other’s affairs. It would be better to move out sooner rather than later; it would be a relief for both of them. “There are some large items to move, so it looks like we’ll have to put Uncle Erlang through a bit of a hassle.
How could Tao Erlang possibly object? Upon hearing this, he agreed immediately.
Before long, the group returned to the Tao household. Hearing the commotion, the people inside immediately put down the clothes they were sorting and hurried out.
Seeing Tao Qingmiao’s worried expression and furrowed brow, Tao Qinghe spoke first: “It’s all sorted. Let’s pack our things first, then give the place a good clean before we move out.”
Tao Qingmiao was reassured by her elder sister’s calm demeanour. She picked up the thread: “ “Father’s clothes have already been packed away in the trunks,” she said, glancing at Mrs Zhao. Seeing no reaction from her, she added, “Sister, Mother and I will go and sort out the thatched cottage first.”
Tao Qinghe nodded. “There’s a lot of clutter in the thatched cottage; see if you can get Uncle to come along too.” Tao Qingmiao readily agreed.
……
Tao Qinghe was still tidying up inside when she heard the door creak open. She looked up to see the mother and daughter who had only just left.
“Why have you come back?” she asked, puzzled.
“Uncle said he’d go ahead and asked us to come back to help carry things,” Tao Qingmiao replied, stepping forward to lend a hand.
“All right then. We’ll carry the small items, and Uncle can lift the bed.”
Seeing that Mother Zhao still looked dazed and distracted, even now that the family had split up, Tao Qinghe had no choice but to let her rest inside. She herself hoisted a large bundle onto her back and carried a small stool. Then, noticing that Tao Qingmiao was actually carrying a large chest in her arms and preparing to head out, she hurriedly spoke up: “Why not swap it for a lighter bundle? Leave such a heavy chest for Uncle to carry.”
Tao Qingmiao gave a sly smile. “There are some fine things in here; I won’t feel at ease unless I take them with me myself.” As she spoke, she walked out, looking rather impatient.
Tao Qinghe had no time to ponder what other valuables might be in the house; she could only follow the young girl’s footsteps.
Qian Zhenniang was currently brooding in her room. She’d merely made a polite remark, yet this Tao Erlang had actually rushed off to do it—wasting all that effort when he could have made two more benches instead.
Now, hearing the commotion from the sisters, she could no longer resist stepping out of her room. What a sight it was—the second daughter was carrying a huge chest!
“Qingmiao! What treasures have you been hiding in your room that require such a large wooden chest? Let your auntie have a look!” By the time Qian Zhenniang had finished speaking, she had already reached Tao Qingmiao. Without waiting for a reply, she reached out and flung the lid off the chest.
What met her eyes was no treasure at all—it was paper money for the dead!
Qian Zhenniang let out a startled shriek, then cursed in a fit of rage, “What on earth are you hiding this devilish stuff for!”
Tao Qingmiao hadn’t had time to stop her, and now she too shouted in fury, “These are my father’s things! You’re not allowed to touch them!”
“Well, of course they’re your father’s things! Who else would need this sort of thing?” Qian Zhenniang retorted sarcastically.
Upon hearing this, Tao Qinghe was so exasperated she could have laughed. She shot her a sidelong glance and said coldly, “You’d better watch your tongue, Auntie! Saying things like that will bring a curse upon you!”
Realising she had spoken out of turn, Qian Zhenniang refrained from arguing further. Still, she stubbornly retorted, “If I catch you two stealing anything, you’ll be in for it!”
Not wishing to waste any more breath, the two sisters gathered their belongings and left the small courtyard together, walking towards the thatched cottage under the scorching sun.
After about fifteen minutes, they arrived at their destination. Unlike in her memory, the thatched cottage before her was somewhat larger. Various coarse earthenware flowerpots had been moved to an open space, left to bake in the sun, and the flowers within them were nearly withered. It seemed that since Tao Dalang’s misfortune, no one had come here to tend to these flowers.
Tao Qinghe couldn’t help but sigh. This was to be her home from now on. Summoning her spirits, she set down the things she had brought and addressed Tao Erlang: “Thank you for your trouble, Uncle.”
“We’re family; there’s no need to mention trouble,” he replied, feigning politeness.
“Well, if it’s no trouble, could you please have a look to see if this thatched cottage is sturdy?” Tao Qinghe returned his feigned smile, glanced around, and added, “You wouldn’t want the house to collapse the moment we move in, would you?”
“……”
Tao Erlang, momentarily at a loss for words, had no choice but to nod in agreement.
Seeing this, Tao Qingmiao set down the large chest. She found a shady spot and called her elder sister to sit down with her. The journey had left her utterly exhausted.
Tao Erlang, having been assigned tasks by Tao Qinghe, could not rest. Watching the two sisters sitting together, a wave of irritation washed over him. But upon further reflection, the household had already been divided. Once these tasks were completed, whatever became of the second wife’s household would have little to do with him! With this thought, he felt much more at ease. Tao Erlang stopped letting it distract him and got back to work.
After quite some time, Tao Erlang finally finished inspecting the house. His face was flushed red from the sun, and beads of sweat the size of beans kept streaming down.
“Your father only just had this place refurbished; the house is still quite sturdy. You needn’t worry about it collapsing, Qinghe!” Tao Erlang said, his tone exasperated.
“Tsk, it would be a miracle if the house didn’t collapse! I’m sure if my father knew this from beyond the grave, he’d appear in a dream to thank my uncle properly!” Tao Qinghe retorted.
“You! You’ve got a sharp tongue, that’s for sure. I’d like to see which family dares to marry you in the future!” Tao Erlang was so enraged he began to speak without thinking.
“That’s no need for Uncle to worry about! Or are you perhaps offering to provide my dowry?”
Tao Erlang had never seen Tao Qinghe like this before; he felt she must have knocked her head. Not wishing to engage in further verbal sparring, he gave a cold snort and turned to leave.
Tao Qingmiao, who had been listening with great interest, saw her uncle retreating in defeat. How could she let him off so easily? She quickly called out, “Uncle, don’t forget to bring the bed over—that’s the one my father slept in!”
Upon hearing the voice, Tao Erlang stumbled and nearly fell, then quickened his pace back towards the house.
Having driven him away, the two sisters exchanged a glance and burst into laughter. It had been ages since they’d had such a good laugh! Watching Tao Erlang recede into the distance, they stood up, ready to return and fetch some more things.
Panting heavily, Tao Erlang made his way back to the Tao household. As soon as he stepped through the courtyard gate, he headed straight for the kitchen, scooped up a ladle of cool water, and gulped it down with relish! Qian Zhenniang heard the commotion and came out of the house. Seeing him in such a bedraggled state, she said irritably, “You’re just too kind! Rushing off to work for others in this sweltering heat! ”
Tao Erlang paid her no mind, simply sitting on the doorstep to catch his breath.
The two sisters had just reached the doorway when they overheard this exchange. “In this sweltering heat, is Auntie sunbathing in the courtyard?” Tao Qinghe called out before she’d even set foot inside.
“Only a fool would sunbathe at a time like this…!! ” Qian Zhen’s mother snapped out of it and glared at Tao Qinghe, who had just stepped inside.
“Right, right, aren’t there still beds to move?” Tao Erlang, tired of listening to the two of them bickering, stood up and walked towards Old Man Tao’s room. “I’ll go and fetch your grandfather.”
Tao Qingmiao pulled a face at the woman and hurriedly dragged her sister inside as well.