Inside the house, Zhao Liniang was staring blankly at the bronze mirror when she heard the sound of her two sisters and snapped out of her reverie.”We won’t be living here any longer…” Mrs Zhao murmured, clutching the bronze mirror tightly in her hand. “I wonder if your father will ever come back…”
“He will come back! Father will come to see us at the thatched cottage; that is where our home is!” Tao Qingmiao spoke up.
Tao Qinghe knew that Tao Dalang had given the mirror to Zhao Liniang, and realised she was likely feeling nostalgic upon seeing it. So, echoing Tao Qingmiao’s words, she offered comfort: “He will. Let’s take all our belongings from this room with us, so Father won’t get the wrong place when he returns.”
Hearing this, Zhao Liniang perked up again, gathered the remaining bundles in the room together, and prepared to move them.
“Is there a clay pot of yours in the kitchen? We’ll need to pack some bowls, plates and wooden utensils too, otherwise we won’t be able to eat,” Tao Qinghe reminded her, pulling the bundles closer to herself. “You go and sort out the kitchen; we’ll carry the bundles.”
Zhao Liniang nodded and went to the kitchen to sort through the items.
By the time everything had been packed up, Old Man Tao and Erlang Tao were already carrying the wooden bed out the door. However, the sisters slept on nothing more than a small platform made of planks, which couldn’t be moved, and Tao Qinghe felt rather regretful about this.
Just as the three women were about to step out of the courtyard gate, Qian Zhenniang popped up again. She eyed the contents of the wooden basket—nothing but a few bowls—and realised the only thing of any value was Zhao Liniang’s dowry: a tattered earthenware jar. It was laughable, really. She curled her lip. “Don’t forget to return that wooden basket; it’s worth a fair bit of copper coins!”
“Oh? My uncle’s a carpenter—can’t we even afford a basket at home?” Tao Qinghe feigned bewilderment.
“Of course, of course…” Qian Zhenniang was at a loss for words, grinding her teeth and glaring in fury before turning and slamming the door shut as she stormed back inside.
“Auntie’s been in such a foul mood these past few days,” Tao Qingmiao shook her head, clenching her bundle and hoisting it higher onto her shoulder.
The three of them left the small courtyard with their belongings and set off once more towards the thatched cottage.
Halfway there, the Tao family father and son, carrying the wooden bed, were already drenched in sweat. Beads of sweat streamed down their foreheads, stinging their eyes, forcing them to pause for a breather every now and then. By the time the mother and her two daughters caught up with them, the Tao family had only covered half the distance.
“Grandfather, Uncle, just a little more effort! We’re almost there.” ” Tao Qinghe called out.
The two men, who had been resting, immediately glared at her upon hearing this. Tao Qinghe patted the bundle on her shoulder and gestured, “Grandfather, please don’t think I’m being unfilial, but I really can’t spare a hand to help!”
Seeing this, Tao Qingmiao chimed in: “Grandfather, Uncle, just hold your breath a little longer and we’ll be there.”
Having said this, the pair grabbed Zhao Liniang and walked off without looking back. They left the Tao family father and son fuming with rage, yet forced to continue with their work.
By the time the two Taos had carried the wooden bed into the thatched cottage, they were too exhausted to speak. Tao Qinghe sat on a low stool, watching the pair panting heavily, and said, “ “Grandfather and Second Uncle, you’ve truly worked yourselves to the bone today. It’s getting late, and it’s nearly time for supper…” Hearing this, the Tao family father and son felt a little comforted; they’d been busy all afternoon without a moment’s rest, and the eldest daughter knew to invite them to stay for a meal—she was sensible after all!
Just as the two were thinking this, Tao Qinghe added, “Why not have supper over at Grandfather’s place later? We’ll treat it as a family reunion dinner. What do you think?”
Hearing this, Old Man Tao felt as though he could hardly breathe. He really shouldn’t have expected the eldest daughter to say anything pleasant! Old Man Tao pointed at Tao Qinghe, unable to utter a single word. He could bear it no longer; without even catching his breath, he strode straight out of the thatched hut and headed home.
Tao Erlang was also thoroughly exasperated. Narrowing his eyes, he looked at Zhao Liniang: “My sister-in-law has truly given birth to a fine daughter. Had it been a boy, I dare not imagine how clever he might have been. What a pity, what a pity!”
“That’s no need for you to worry about, Uncle. It’s just that when I went out earlier, Auntie asked me to take the wooden basket back. Surely, with your skills, you wouldn’t really be after that basket, would you?”
Tao Erlang didn’t wish to dwell on the matter and merely waved his hand. “Keep it for now. If you want one in future, you’ll have to buy it!” With that, he turned and left.
After sending the Tao family father and son away in a huff, Tao Qingmiao stood to one side, giggling incessantly. Zhao Liniang, however, spoke with deep concern: “What… what are we to do now?”
Tao Qinghe looked at the woman before her, her expression grave. “You have been so patient and accommodating all these years. Has either Grandfather or Uncle ever shown you any gratitude?” She took hold of Zhao Liniang’s shoulders and turned her to face her. “Come to your senses! We may call this a division of the household, but in reality, haven’t we been driven out? We have no one left to rely on now. Can’t you let go of this?”
“That’s right, Mother!” Tao Qingmiao also stepped over to them, pulling at Zhao Liniang’s sleeve. “Father is gone; you are the only one my sister and I can rely on. Grandfather and the others won’t look after us anymore! ”
Hearing these words, Zhao Liniang could no longer hold back. She embraced the two sisters and wept bitterly, as if trying to cry out all the grievances she had endured in recent days. Tao Qinghe’s heart also grew heavy with sorrow, both for this woman’s fate and for her own.
After a while, the sobbing gradually subsided. Zhao Liniang released her grip, rolled up her sleeve to wipe the tears from Tao Qingmiao’s face, and said, “From today onwards, we have only each other to rely on. Your mother will pull herself together; she won’t let you suffer.”
“Mother, I’ll work hard,” Tao Qingmiao replied.
Hearing Zhao Liniang’s words, Tao Qinghe finally breathed a sigh of relief; she had feared this woman might be unable to let go of the Tao family. Now that the three of them could pull together and carry on with their lives, that was what mattered most.
“Is the paper money still in the box? Since we’ve moved into a new home, we might as well go and burn some paper money for Father first, so he can find his way here. If he really does return, he won’t have any trouble finding the place.” She smiled at the other two. “Besides, we must let him know to keep watching over us. That’s the only way our days ahead will be easier.”
“Yes, yes, Qinghe’s quite right.” Zhao Liniang sprang into action, rummaging through the chests. “We must let your father know. Is it kept here?”
Tao Qingmiao walked over to help open it. “It’s in here, but I’ve brought some other lovely things over as well.” At the thought, her voice grew excited.
Lovely things? Tao Qinghe wondered curiously, lifting her foot to walk over.
The three of them gathered round the chest and rummaged through it carefully. Once they had pushed aside the top layer of paper money, the ‘lovely things’ gradually came into view.