“Bang bang bang—A Chun, why aren’t you up yet?” Her father’s knocking set off chaos, startling chickens and dogs alike.
In the latter half of a spring night, the moon had already set, leaving only the deepest darkness. Everything slept—except for those that roamed at night.
Amid a chain of barking dogs, the door was slapped loudly. The big yellow dog in the yard barked wildly—someone was clearly trying to open the door.
“Damn that whole family of beasts!” Cao Jie cursed, holding his crying daughter. “You go check—what’s going on!”
This time, without the brain interface, Yu Chun still understood exactly what was being said and who it referred to. She took a deep breath, kissed Cao Rong’s pale, frightened face, threw on a coat, and went to open the door, her anger burning hot inside her.
“Father, what are you doing? Everyone’s resting—why are you making such a racket?!”
“What am I doing? How are you living like this? It’s already so late and you’re still not up cooking. The men of the house should already be out looking for work by now!” His voice, even louder than hers, burst out in complaint.
As he spoke, he deliberately glanced inside the house, clearly trying in a crude way to curry favor with those within.
Look how hardworking I am. I’m on your side. Hurry and take me to find work. I’m the only one who’s right—you should all listen to me!
At that moment, Yu Chun deeply regretted not sharing her thoughts with the brain interface.
‘Boot up, boot up, boot up—’
Feng: I have never seen such an idiot!
Everyone fell silent.
Xichun: Why haven’t you driven him out? A father like this will only drag you into hell.
Li Wan: There are no parents in the world who are truly wrong. Endure for now—keep the ugliness contained.
Baoyu: I finally understand my father’s helplessness.
Daiyu: Put him to work. Let someone else deal with that man.
Baochai: You must discuss the money with your brother. Spend what’s needed and settle things first.
If you can’t solve a problem, hand it to someone who can—but you must pay for it. Yu Chun learned something.
“Father, if you wake up this early every day, you won’t have to worry about finding work. You tend the fire while I cook. That way you can leave sooner,” she said, handing him a bundle of firewood.
Her father froze, staring at her for five seconds. He glanced around, surprised, then, seeing no one coming out of the room, sat down in the kitchen to tend the stove.
“I’m telling you, living cramped in this shabby little house like this—your husband earns over a hundred strings of cash a year, doesn’t he? Where’s all the money gone? You should learn from your aunt—be attentive and considerate. Your stubborn temper is just like your mother’s. If you keep this up, your marriage won’t last. You just don’t listen!”
Yu Chun could barely hold it together. Her mind exploded.
Fengjie: I’ve never seen someone so shameless! That makes me want to slap him!
Xiangyun: Is this what a father is like?
Silence fell again.
Baochai: Change the subject quickly. If this continues, you’ll collapse. I never imagined such people existed.
Yingchun: A married daughter is like water poured out—this has always been the norm.
Daiyu: Three hundred and sixty days a year, battered by wind and frost. I once thought purity should return to purity—but you are different, A Chun. In this era, you are different. Even a woman can rise to great heights.
Li Wan: Women may be weak, but mothers are strong. You have two young children—you must hold up the sky for them.
Fengjie: Hmph, sister-in-law is right. Words are just words—use whatever benefits you, whether it comes from a human or a ghost!
Baochai: Use every available resource. In times of upheaval, rise with the wind and soar!
Daiyu: Why should a woman’s ambitions be confined to the home? If you remain trapped here, how can your children ever spread their wings?
A Chun: Thank you, everyone. I’ll work hard. Also—PS: the children aren’t mine.
Yu Chun didn’t respond—or perhaps she didn’t notice the silence that followed that revelation. All her attention was focused on her father in front of her.
She added chopped sweet potatoes into the pot, considering how to deal with him.
This was actually a good opportunity.
The house had already been bought. They had no means to head south—no money, no travel permits. Fleeing blindly would only turn them into slaves waiting to be captured.
In ancient times, fleeing usually meant sticking with one’s clan.
From today on, her maternal family would become true residents of Chang’an, originally from Luoyang.
Though war loomed, the first issue to solve was food.
Her parents were just past forty—still young enough to work. Having a house already put them ahead of many in Chang’an.
Her younger brother still needed status, education—everything came down to money.
Maybe they could use Cao Jie’s connections to buy a few acres of thin farmland—but no, that wouldn’t work. Cao Jin was not easy to deal with. In her view, even Cao Jie’s money might come to nothing. Still, with war approaching, they might have to rely on clan ties—just in case. Better to meet Cao Jin first.
The most important thing was food.
Her thoughts tumbled chaotically, unable to settle.
“Father, if you have the ability, go tell your son-in-law yourself,” Yu Chun said, taking a deep breath, her face flushed as she resisted the urge to argue further.
“Huh?” Her father’s eyes widened. He looked her up and down, his voice lowering. “I won’t say it—you say it! Your household matters are your own. Your mother and I have already raised you this big. Now that you’re married, you’re like water poured out—”
Heh.
Yu Chun endured in silence as she finished cooking. Cao Rong had already come to help, fetching bowls and chopsticks.
She forced a smile, rubbed his slightly crooked little head, sighed, and ladled out a large pot of sweet potato porridge.
With a few steamed buns and fried cakes that Yu Xiao had bought, they finished breakfast. Then Cao Jie led Yu Chun’s parents and Yu Xiao out in a hurry.
While she was washing dishes, Aunt Zhu from next door came in, holding a handful of small cabbages.
“Woof woof—woof woof woof—”
“Is Chun-niang here?”
Yu Chun wiped her hands on her plain cloth apron and went out to greet her. “Aunt Zhu?”
“I grew too many cabbages in my yard, so I brought you some to try,” Aunt Zhu said, sitting down in the courtyard, her round eyes gleaming. “Those people who just left with Da Jie—are they your relatives?”
‘Boot up, boot up, boot up—’
Fengjie: You can’t even handle this level of probing? Disappointing.
A Chun: My parents just arrived. Everyone’s new—I’m afraid of saying something wrong and causing trouble.
Fengjie: Hmph, at least you’ve improved. Ask questions first so she can’t probe you.
Baochai: A close neighbor is better than a distant relative. Respond gently and steer the conversation toward her children—satisfy her desire to talk.
Daiyu: Neither humble nor arrogant. Speak truthfully, casually mention your grandfather’s reputation—but say less about your father.
In just a moment, Yu Chun had her plan.
She picked up a teacup and said to Aunt Zhu, “Yes, they are. My younger brother came to take the military exam. When my family heard we had a house in Chang’an, my parents brought money and came as well. But things have changed so quickly—Da Jie has taken them to look for temporary work first. We still don’t know how we’ll make a living.”
The city gates had only been sealed last night. News that Luoyang had been slaughtered hadn’t yet reached most commoners.
As for war—since ancient times, when had there ever been a year without it?
If people panicked at every mention of war, could they still call themselves people of Chang’an?
This was Chang’an—the center of the world. No matter how big the trouble, it wouldn’t reach here.
And yet, rumors spread quickly in Chang’an. Aunt Zhu had come specifically to gather information—after all, the Yu family’s arrival in the capital was big news.