Chapter 7Despite Second Uncle Feng's repeated delays, in the final few days he was still in a hurry to return and prepare the wedding banquet. Unfortunately, because they were in such a rush, they had little room to bargain—and merchants are always best at reading the situation.For this reason, Old Man Feng, who helped them haul the goods, remarked, "We couldn't even hire a proper chef. We just grabbed some random fellow who knows how to light a fire and cook."Now that the whole family had returned to the countryside, Feng Li spoke openly: "We provided them with three meals a day at our own expense, and not a single word of thanks did we hear. This trip back is purely to collect the gift money from relatives."Old Man Feng felt his son had spoken the truth and simply chuckled.Feng Li picked up a piece of fish for Mrs. Jiang and added, "These days are exactly when the early rice is being planted. I'll go check the fields morning and evening. You all should take a stroll out there when you have nothing else to do.""Don't worry—this is a big matter for our family." Mrs. Jiang smiled.Her husband had told her before that his parents still had a younger son to raise. Moreover, his mother was afraid of hardship, and while his father didn't mind hard work, he was easily fooled by others. She needed to stay alert.Yingniang had never farmed before, and since she was just a child, she asked, "Father, what is early rice?"Feng Li, seeing his daughter ask, didn't brush her off because she was young. Instead, he explained seriously, "Early rice is planted in the third or fourth month after spring begins. Generally, early rice isn't as tasty as late rice—it's mostly indica rice. It's used for making rice noodles, brewing wine, and making pastries."Yingniang nodded with partial understanding. She genuinely hadn't known that rice could be grown twice a year.After the meal, Mrs. Jiang packed up soap and clean clothes, planning to take her to the new public bathhouse in town for a good scrubbing. Feng Li instructed his wife, "When you two come out, make sure you're wrapped up tight. If you catch a chill, you'll suffer for it—these days quacks are everywhere, and one bad needle prick can cripple a person."Mrs. Jiang playfully coaxed, "Then why don't you walk us over, and come pick us up afterward?""Fine then." Feng Li was indeed very doting toward his wife.This was Yingniang's first time in a bathhouse. Men and women were separated, and since it was the off-season, there weren't many people—it was almost their private space.Yingniang was still a small child with delicate skin, so Mrs. Jiang focused on scrubbing the areas where dirt tended to accumulate. She did the same for herself. After both mother and daughter were thoroughly scrubbed clean, they applied fragrant lotion all over, put on thick clothes, and emerged with rosy cheeks and warm bodies.She thought to herself—so this is what family is like. Not lavish feasts or great wealth, just ordinary moments, yet they felt infinitely warm and comforting.When they came out of the bathhouse, Feng Li was already waiting there, holding a box of steaming hot date cakes. He smiled and said, "I figured you two would be hungry, so I bought these from the shop across the street."Mrs. Jiang immediately took it, broke off a small piece for Yingniang, and said with a grin, "Husband, how did you know I was hungry? Are you a tapeworm in my belly?""Any normal person would know. Come on, you two get in the cart—you never stop chattering at me." Feng Li set down the stool and urged Mrs. Jiang to climb up quickly.Whenever the family was going to visit relatives, everyone would take a thorough bath and put on new clothes first. Even though Cloudwater Town wasn't short on water, the usual quick washes at home could never compare to a proper scrubbing at the bathhouse.Feng Li had originally wanted Old Man Feng and Old Woman Feng to come too, but they refused, claiming they might catch some disease and making all sorts of excuses. Feng Li didn't push it.Mrs. Jiang folded clothes and remarked, "If only Hedi could come back—then our whole family would go together.""That won't do. He worked hard to get into Chu Wen Academy, and he's only been there a short while. He has monthly exams to prepare for—no need to take leave for something like this." In Feng Li's view, people might think you value them if you show up in person, but what they really want is a gift several times larger.As the couple discussed matters, Yingniang suddenly realized that her family didn't seem to have any particularly troubling worries. Her father was clear-headed and capable, her mother was meticulous—so how had she ended up being sold?That was the one thing she couldn't figure out no matter how hard she thought.Soon the day of Third Uncle Feng Yu's wedding arrived. Everyone closed up the doors and windows and prepared to walk to the village. The old home wasn't far from town—only nine li—so they all decided to walk.Old Woman Feng wanted to bring the family's donkey and horse along, but Feng Li refused: "Mother, last time it was because you bragged in front of others about how much land your son had bought that Lai Da and his bunch did what they did. It's not really your fault—they were just crooked at heart. But there's no need for us to show off like this. If we ride the cart over, there'll be nowhere to tie the animals, and we'd have to bring our own fodder. Besides, today is Third Brother's wedding—they'll be setting off firecrackers. What if the horse gets spooked?"After he said this, Old Woman Feng didn't dare insist. The family of four set off on foot.Yingniang was held in Feng Li's arms, fascinated by the ponds along the road, then staring at the water buffalo as they passed. Feng Li warned her, "Don't lean in too close—there are all kinds of little bugs behind those cows that might bite you."Villagers who recognized Feng Li put down their hoes and farm tools to greet him: "Feng Dalang."Some who had been from the same village came forward to chat, even complimenting Ying-jie: "How come your Ying-jie's face is so fair and tender, looking so clean and neat? My little girl is always covered in dust."Mrs. Jiang smiled and said, "I wouldn't know about that. I think your child looks just fine."Feng Li seemed to want to say something but held back. Only after they had parted from the villagers did he speak: "I've noticed that children living in the countryside always have two red patches on their cheeks—that's from the strong winds in the fields. Unlike in town, where houses block the wind on all sides, so children are exposed to less wind. That's why our daughter's face is fair and delicate.""I thought as much. Hey, husband, usually people bring back leftover food from banquets in food boxes—why wouldn't you let me bring some?" Mrs. Jiang complained a little.Feng Li said with exasperation: "With those Lai brothers around, there'd be nothing left for you to take anyway. Besides, our family runs an inn—we're not lacking in that regard."Mrs. Jiang still felt it was a pity. Holding Yingniang in her arms along the way, she secretly complained: "See how your father is—he's just too concerned about face."Yingniang kissed Mrs. Jiang's cheek: "Don't mind Father."Mrs. Jiang chuckled secretly, then said, "That won't do—your father treasures you like a precious jewel."Yingniang thought she really didn't want to participate in her parents' playful banter, so she buried her head in Mrs. Jiang's shoulder, and later was passed over to Feng Li.The group soon arrived at Second Uncle Feng's house. The festive awning had already been set up outside. The calligrapher chosen was Mrs. Lai's third brother—the most successful among her brothers, having studied for a few years and now working as a minor bookkeeper at the Yellow Crane Tavern.Feng Li brought a string of a thousand cash—definitely a generous sum. When the bride arrived, they would also need to toss tea money, for which the family had prepared another string of a thousand cash. Together that made two thousand wen.But when Lai San saw the money, he only wrote down five hundred cash. Yingniang, held in Feng Li's arms, noticed immediately and pointed at it. Feng Li, who had been chatting with the villagers, saw it at once and quickly said: "You've made a mistake, haven't you? Why did you only write down half?"Lai San said, "I counted half of yours toward the tea money. Don't worry, I write it this way for everyone.""Nonsense. The tea money is tossed only after the bride is received. We've prepared separate silver for that—write it back." Feng Li urged him to correct it.Only after Feng Li had gone inside did Lai San curl his lips and mutter resentfully: "What's there to be so proud of? Your family may have struck it rich, but you're still refugees by origin. And now you're marrying into a disgraced official's family—you deserve whatever misfortune comes your way."

Yingniang