On the twenty-sixth of the twelfth lunar month, it was Li shi's birthday. In the early morning, candlelight cast a faint glow in the kitchen. Zhan Feiyu fished out the longevity noodles she had cooked from the pot and placed two perfectly fried sunny-side-up eggs into it.
Zhan Feiyu carried the bowl into the main hall, "Mother?"
Li shi, jolted back to reality, hastily tucked away the wooden hairpin in her hand and quickly took the bowl, "Don't burn yourself."
It was obvious who had sent the wooden hairpin. Zhan Feiyu recalled what Doctor Ji had said earlier.
Li shi was fine, but Zhan Laoda had been given a sterilization drug. This was the fundamental reason why the couple had no children for seven or eight years. Fortunately, the drug was not a secret one, and ordinary doctors could not detect it.
"Don't frown, Mother knows what she's doing," Li shi reached out and patted Zhan Feiyu's head, her smile warm and loving, "If he still treats us well in the future, then we'll talk."
Li shi picked up a sunny-side-up egg and placed it in Zhan Feiyu's bowl, her expression softening further. If they hadn't moved out, would they have such peaceful and comfortable days?
In the Zhan family, eggs were either sold for money or occasionally used to make steamed egg custard. Even on birthdays, Li shi couldn't eat eggs while her children watched.
If all the children ate, it would be five eggs. With over ten people in the Zhan family, it was your birthday this month and his next, so the accumulated eggs were far from enough.
Looking at Li shi, who was content with a bowl of longevity noodles and one sunny-side-up egg, Zhan Feiyu concealed the guilt in her eyes, "I'll listen to you, Mother."
After the mother and daughter finished breakfast, Zhan Feiyu began her daily morning studies.
After Li shi finished her chores, she checked the sun and took out thirty taels of silver from the cabinet.
"Xiao Yu, Mother is going to the village head's house," Li shi said to Zhan Feiyu, who was reading in the room, and then went out.
These three rooms were provided by the village. Originally, Zhan Laoda received two taels of silver for managing the clan's fields, which served as rent for the house. However, after Yin Wuyan gave Zhan Feiyu five hundred taels of silver, she and Li shi discussed it and decided to buy the house.
As for Zhan Laoda's two taels of silver, he had been expelled from the clan and likely only had two to three hundred wen left. He wouldn't even be able to afford a meat dish for the New Year. With two taels of silver, he could have a decent year.
Li shi called out from outside the courtyard. Seeing that the courtyard gate was open, she entered, "Fifth Aunt, is the village head at home?"
"Feng Yu is here, come in quickly." Fifth Aunt came out from the kitchen, wiping her hands on her apron, "I knew you were coming and told the old man to wait in the house. Old man, Feng Yu is here."
The village head, referred to as the old man, was only in his early fifties. Seeing Li shi take out three ten-tael silver ingots, he smiled and said, "It's good to buy it, so you and Xiao Yu can live with peace of mind."
Farmers valued land and houses the most. Once they had these two, their hearts would be at ease.
"Yes, Xiao Yu can also copy books next year. She said she can practice her calligraphy and review what the teacher taught. Teacher Lin has also agreed." Even though Li shi had taken out thirty taels, the family still had over four hundred taels of silver. However, she understood the principle of not flaunting wealth. On the surface, Xiao Yu would copy books, and she would also make shoes.
"Xiao Yu understands reading better than us. As long as it doesn't interfere, that's fine." Compared to those who studied without practical knowledge, Zhan Feiyu, who understood livelihoods, was more recognized by the village head. Moreover, since Teacher Lin had agreed, there would surely be no problems.
"It's almost the New Year, so the property deed can only be processed at the yamen after the New Year," the village head added.
"No rush," Li shi nodded. The reason she brought the silver now was to prevent villagers or relatives from her maternal family from borrowing money, giving her a reason not to lend.
Although the property deed could not be processed, the village head still went back to his room to write a receipt for Li shi.
Fifth Aunt glanced at the door and said in a low voice, "Feng Yu, I have something to tell you..."
"What? Arranging a marriage for Xiao Yu?" Li shi was shocked and stunned after hearing it.
Although the Zhu landlord's family had wanted to betroth Zhan Feiyu to Zhu Peng before, Li shi did not plan to consider Zhan Feiyu's marriage so early. It would be fine even when she was twelve or thirteen years old.
Fifth Aunt patted Li shi's arm and earnestly advised, "Teacher Lin is Xiao Yu's teacher, and he only has one son. There will be no conflicts with sisters-in-law in the future."
"Moreover, Teacher Lin's wife personally mentioned this to me. The mother-in-law likes Xiao Yu, so the mother-in-law and daughter-in-law will get along well in the future." In Fifth Aunt's opinion, this was indeed a good marriage.
The Lin family was a well-known family. Teacher Lin's private school had over twenty students, and the annual tuition was over two hundred taels. After deducting expenses, even if forty to fifty taels were left, it was better than many families.
Seeing that Li shi was somewhat moved, Fifth Aunt smiled and continued, "When Xiao Yu has children in the future, she will be a great contributor to the Lin family. Living a comfortable life is the right way."
No matter how talented Zhan Feiyu was in her studies, Li shi had never thought of marrying her into a wealthy family. If their social statuses were not equal, the woman would ultimately suffer.
"I'll go back and talk to Xiao Yu about it," Li shi did not agree immediately.
Although a child's marriage was arranged by parents through a matchmaker, Fifth Aunt knew that Zhan Feiyu was not an ordinary child, so it was normal for her to have a say in the marriage.
"There's no rush. I'll reply to Teacher Lin's wife after the New Year," Fifth Aunt accompanied the village head every year to represent Jinlin Village and the Zhan clan to visit Teacher Lin. The gifts were not very valuable, but the intention of respecting the teacher was there.
After returning from the village head's house, the New Year dishes that needed to be prepared in advance in the kitchen were not yet cooked, but Li shi's mind was on Zhan Feiyu's marriage.
After studying for half an hour, Zhan Feiyu came out to rest, holding a cup and drinking water while warming her hands. Seeing Li shi sitting on a chair in a daze, she couldn't help but ask, "Mother?"
"Xiao Yu." Li shi was startled. Looking at the fair and tender little girl who looked like a bun, she suddenly said, "Your teacher's wife asked the village head's fifth wife to arrange a marriage for you, wanting to betroth you to Xiuyuan."
"What... cough cough..." She spat out a mouthful of water.
Zhan Feiyu stared at Li shi, dumbfounded. She was truly shocked by this news. Her dark eyes widened like a cat's eyes, filled with disbelief.
"You're so old, and you still choke when drinking water." Li shi looked helplessly at Zhan Feiyu, who had water all over her mouth, took out a handkerchief to wipe her, and smiled, "When a family has a daughter, many families seek her. It's normal for your teacher's wife to take a liking to you."
In fact, many people in the village had hinted at it. It was either their own sons or nephews, or male children of relatives. Zhan Feiyu studied well and was also beautiful, so who wouldn't want to marry such a young girl?
"Mother, I'll be so awkward when I see my senior brother tomorrow!" Zhan Feiyu drooped her face, feeling hopeless. For the first time, she realized there was something more terrifying than essay writing, and that was matchmaking! She was only eight years old after the New Year...
Li shi was amused by her childish demeanor, "You are intelligent and sensible. Mother won't hide it from you. Teacher Lin's family is indeed good..."
Li shi thought similarly to Fifth Aunt. If she married into another family, and Xiao Yu was bullied by her in-laws in the future, no one in their own family would be able to support her.
However, Li shi completely trusted Teacher Lin's character. She had met Lin Xiuyuan once, but judging from his appearance, he was a gentle child and would not bully Xiao Yu.
Even if Li shi said something flowery, Zhan Feiyu still shook her head like a rattle drum, "No, absolutely not!"
She had lived two lives. In her eyes, her senior brother was just a twelve-year-old young man. When they interacted daily, Zhan Feiyu treated Lin Xiuyuan as an elder brother, but marriage was absolutely impossible. She was not a perverted aunt who harmed minors!
Seeing the regret on Li shi's face, Zhan Feiyu quickly said, "Mother, actually, Teacher's wife doesn't like me very much."
Although Zhan Feiyu had the most contact with Teacher Lin at the private school, followed by Lin Xiuyuan, and then Teacher's wife Wang shi, she was not a real child. Teacher's wife's attitude had always been cold, even showing a hint of displeasure.
Zhan Feiyu knew in her heart that Teacher's wife was unhappy that she occupied too much of the teacher's time. Moreover, although the private school provided stationery, it was also allocated. However, Teacher Lin gave Zhan Feiyu several times more than others.
Not to mention that Teacher Lin had also given Zhan Feiyu more than twenty books. Although she had copied them neatly and returned them to Teacher Lin, Wang shi still felt that Zhan Feiyu had taken advantage of the Lin family.
"What?" Li shi was startled. If Madam Lin disliked Xiao Yu, why would she arrange a marriage through someone?
Zhan Feiyu was almost patting her chest to guarantee it. She changed her angle to persuade Li shi, "Senior brother is weak, and Teacher's wife dotes on Senior brother the most. And I'm not good at taking care of people, so there will definitely be conflicts in the future."
Moreover, these would be irreconcilable conflicts, unless Zhan Feiyu became a gentle young woman who supported her husband and regarded him as heaven.
She had one more sentence she didn't say: once she achieved fame, it would be a case of a strong woman and a weak man. Not to mention whether Senior brother would feel unbalanced, but Teacher's wife would definitely not be happy if she overshadowed Senior brother.
Li shi only thought about the Lin family's good character and their wealth, but she hadn't considered this aspect.
Although Xiao Yu's temperament seemed gentle, Li shi knew her stubbornness and indifference deep down. Thus, she would definitely not get along with Madam Lin, her mother-in-law.
Seeing Zhan Feiyu staring at her with wide eyes, Li shi chuckled, "Alright, Mother knows. I'll go to the village head's house in a couple of days to refuse it for you. You're still young anyway, and it doesn't hurt to wait a few more years."
She let out a sigh of relief. She, who had been greatly frightened, needed to write an essay to calm herself down. Zhan Feiyu picked up her cup and returned to her room, "Mother, I'm going back to read!"
...
On the twenty-eighth, prepare the dough for leavening; on the twenty-ninth, steam the buns.
To avoid awkwardness, Zhan Feiyu gritted her teeth and took back ten essay topics, saying that she would not bother Teacher Lin during the New Year holidays.
After all, there were many things to do before the New Year, and many students would come to pay their respects after the New Year. Teacher Lin did not have time to guide Zhan Feiyu, so it was better for her to study and write essays at home.
There were many foods to steam for the New Year. It was inconvenient to wash the steamer at home, so Li shi took the bamboo steamer to the riverbank.
The riverbank was very lively. Women washing things chatted and laughed. It was the New Year, and everyone was happy.
"This New Year, it's still better to have more people. A big family, lively and bustling, is the best. Otherwise, even if you cook chicken, duck, fish, and meat, no one will eat them." A sarcastic voice sounded. Xiao Yao shi glanced at Li shi sideways, unable to stand seeing her being praised by the villagers, and had to make a few barbed remarks.
A woman who was not on good terms with Li shi chimed in sharply, "Reunion, reunion. What kind of New Year is it when the round table isn't full? Before and after the New Year, there isn't a single person to be seen at the main entrance."
"Sister Guihua, your family is lively every year. All three younger sisters-in-law come back to pay their respects. After the New Year, you'll be visiting your maternal family. This is a prosperous family." Xiao Yao shi's laughter was particularly piercing.
Li shi didn't even look at the two of them and squatted down to wash the steamer.
"She's just jealous. She quarreled with the third family this morning, and they almost came to blows," Shanwazi's mother whispered to Li shi. Xiao Yao shi and Ma shi quarreled every day, and they quarreled even more fiercely as there were many things to do for the New Year.
"It's all irrelevant to me now." Li shi's expression was indifferent.
Now she lived a peaceful life, and Xiao Yu could study well. As for Zhan Laoda, if he wasn't foolishly filial anymore, they could still be together, as they hadn't divorced.
Seeing Li shi's calm and composed demeanor, Xiao Yao shi felt like she had punched cotton, and her face twisted with anger.
"Aunt Li, there are carriages, several carriages!" Suddenly, several children's voices came from the riverbank, shouting one after another, without clearly explaining what was happening.
Li shi quickly stood up, shook the water droplets from her hands, "I'll go back and see."
Xiao Yao shi's eyes rolled, and she exchanged a glance with Sister Guihua. They put their things into the wooden basin and followed.
At the courtyard entrance, Zhan Feiyu said to the young man driving the carriage, "Please thank the shopkeeper for me. I'll visit after the New Year."
"Young Scholar Zhan, you're too polite. Our shopkeeper said that the snow is not yet melted and the roads are slippery, so there's no need for such formalities." The young man's attitude was respectful. He was delivering New Year's gifts from the fat shopkeeper of Wenxing Bookstore.
"Xiao Yu, I'll take it in for you." Zhan Laoda said cautiously. Seeing that Zhan Feiyu did not object, his eyes lit up, and he quickly took the gifts from the young man.
Besides a set of stationery, there were also four kinds of pastries, and a piece of light yellow and a piece of light blue fabric, all in colors suitable for Zhan Feiyu to wear.
When Li shi arrived, the carriage from Wenxing Bookstore had just left. The young man from the next carriage drove his carriage forward.
"Mother, you're back." Zhan Feiyu turned to look at Li shi and introduced her, "This is Little He from Leshan Residence."
"Thank you, young man." Li shi thanked him warmly.
Little He waved his hand, "Madam, you are too kind. These are New Year's gifts sent by our owner."
Compared to the New Year's gifts from Wenxing Bookstore, the gifts from Doctor Ji were much more valuable: a set of stationery, eight kinds of pastries, and two jars of wine and two packs of tea. Six pieces of fabric were sent, with two darker colors clearly intended for Li shi.
In addition, there were two large bags of medicinal herbs. Little He said, "These are tonic herbs prescribed by the owner. This bag is for Madam, and this one is for Young Scholar Zhan. Just stew it with water. Drink one bag every ten days until the ninth day of the New Year."
The medicine Li shi was drinking was to regulate her body. After Doctor Ji formulated an antidote to resolve the drug in Zhan Laoda's body, the couple could still have a child in the future.
Watching Zhan Laoda and Little He carry the gifts into the courtyard, the surrounding villagers who were watching also started whispering, "Did you see that fabric? I asked at the fabric store before, and it costs five taels of silver per bolt."
A bolt of fabric could be cut into about ten clothes. Excluding labor and silk thread, each piece of clothing would cost five hundred wen. Ordinary farming families' new clothes cost less than one hundred wen.
Fat Aunt nodded, "That piece of fabric alone can make at least two outfits for Xiao Yu."
"So, the six pieces of fabric are worth ten taels of silver?" A greedy woman's eyes widened in shock, staring intently at the wine jars, tea, and pastries still on the carriage, "Then wouldn't these add up to forty to fifty taels of silver?"
Uncle Wang was the village's barefoot doctor, and Aunt Wang also knew some herbs. She chimed in, "The most expensive are the tonic herbs, which usually contain ginseng slices."
A medium-grade ginseng alone would cost at least fifty taels.
Others clicked their tongues in amazement, while Xiao Yao shi clenched her fists in resentment and unwillingness, her fingernails digging into her palm. Her husband had finally saved over a hundred taels of silver in the bank, but the old hag had taken it all!
And Li shi didn't have to do anything at home, yet people brought valuable gifts to her door.
The village head stood outside the crowd. It was just delivering New Year's gifts, so he didn't need to come forward to support Zhan Feiyu. He smiled and chatted with the elders beside him, "Xiao Yu is truly capable now."
The elder was shrewd and whispered, "Look at the New Year's gifts. Besides what Xiao Yu can use, there's also wine and tea."
Zhan Feiyu was still a child, so she couldn't use these two items.
The elder looked at the confused village head and said, "These are for Xiao Yu to give as gifts during the New Year. The owner of Leshan Residence is so thoughtful; they are treating Xiao Yu as their own junior."
Both Leshan Residence and Wenxing Bookstore sent their New Year's gifts through their young men. Finally, a middle-aged man got out of the first carriage.
Wearing a dark blue long gown and a goose feather sword at his waist, the man leaped down from the carriage. His sharp gaze swept around and finally landed on Zhan Feiyu.
"Young Scholar Zhan, I hope you are well. My lord has something for me to deliver to you." The young man turned and carried a large wooden box from the carriage.
The wooden box was heavy and kicked up a cloud of dust when placed on the ground, causing the villagers to crane their necks to look. What was inside such a large box?
The young man took another box from the carriage, but this one was much smaller, square, and about the size of a book. "My lord is busy with official duties. This is the lucky money from my lord."
Uh... Zhan Feiyu took the heavy small box. It was definitely not banknotes. Could it be silver ingots?
"Farewell." Having delivered the items, the young man didn't linger. He cupped his hands, got back into the carriage, flicked the whip, and the carriage sped away.