Chapter 9
The banquet to celebrate the second son of the You family passing the imperial examination was set for the twenty-sixth. The You family invited everyone in the village, intending to throw a grand affair.
In the Jiangnan region, scholars were highly respected and beloved. Even farming households that could barely afford to eat would send their children to private tutors for a couple of years. Many people in Tongzhou were literate.
While studying had become commonplace, those who truly achieved success and obtained academic titles were ultimately the cream of the crop.
The You family was a prominent surname in the village, among the first settlers who cleared the land in Mingxun Village. Their lineage had continued unbroken through generations.
Their ancestors included hunters, butchers, traveling merchants, and craftsmen. When the You clan was united, they enjoyed prosperity for two generations. However, in the last two generations, the clan’s unity had waned, and no outstanding descendants emerged. The position of village head, held by the You family for three generations, was transferred to the Ji family, further diminishing their influence.
It was worth noting that although the Ji family also consisted of farmers who settled in Mingxun Village from the beginning, their previous generations were far less illustrious than the You family’s. However, in recent years, while the You family declined, the Ji family had subtly risen.
Both surnames were top families in Mingxun Village, supporting it throughout. The two families interacted frequently, with intertwined relationships, yet they couldn’t avoid subtle competition and rivalry.
Returning to the You family, despite their decline in the past two generations, they still possessed some ancestral assets. Their land and forest holdings constituted a large portion of the village’s wealth. They might not be immensely rich, but they were certainly well-off.
The You family considered themselves a major clan in the village and maintained high standards for marriage.
The father of You Erlang had six siblings. His father was the fourth eldest. Despite his poor health, the You family still wanted to find a good wife for him.
A marriage was initially arranged with a family of decent standing. However, the young man was somewhat rough in appearance and ordinary-looking. The You family thought he would be suitable to manage the fourth son’s household.
The two families had settled everything amicably. However, before the wedding, the eldest daughter of the Sun family became involved with the You family’s fourth son. They had relations before marriage, and it resulted in an undeniable situation.
The You family looked down on the Sun family, who lived from hand to mouth. However, the eldest daughter of the Sun family threatened suicide, stating that if she couldn’t marry into the You family, she would die in front of their door, causing a scandal.
The You family, out of necessity, begrudgingly accepted her into the family.
The Sun family daughter achieved her goal but caused the You family to lose face in the village. They also had to compensate the initially arranged family for their losses.
The You family harbored deep resentment towards this daughter-in-law, and their mother-in-law and daughter-in-law relationship was extremely strained after marriage.
However, the Sun family daughter had not enjoyed a good life for even a few years before the You family’s fourth son passed away. The You family, still holding a grudge for the Sun family’s coercion, not only failed to support the widowed mother and orphaned son after the fourth son’s death but also accused the Sun family of causing their son’s demise. When the family property was divided, they received very little.
The other branches of the You family, having witnessed the Sun family’s actions over the years, treated her with great indifference, almost neglecting the mother and son’s well-being.
The Sun family endured several years of hardship and poverty. However, she possessed some capabilities and, through sheer determination in poverty, managed to send her son for schooling.
After You Erlang passed the Xiucai exam, the You family’s attitude changed dramatically. The eldest uncle, who wouldn’t even lend a candle before, actively sent money to the fourth branch. The third branch, which always spoke harshly, willingly paid for expensive writing materials. The fifth branch frequently sent them chickens, ducks, and meat.
Even their married aunt and her husband were prompt in sending good things.
The Sun family was a shrewd woman. Although she harbored past grievances, she understood the importance of kinship and did not mock them. She accepted everything gratefully.
To outsiders, it appeared as though the different branches of the family were exceptionally close, as if they had never argued before.
Now, with You Erlang passing the imperial examination, the You clan was filled with joy. The various branches jointly funded firecrackers, ancestral worship, and grand banquets. The fourth branch contributed nothing, yet the other branches showed great respect to the Sun family and consulted them on every matter.
It wasn’t surprising that the You family branches changed their tune so quickly. Not only could a juren obtain an official position, but the most tangible benefit was tax exemption.
The You clan already owned a considerable amount of land and forests. With a juren in the family, they would be protected from paying taxes.
As a result, within two years, the You clan was destined to prosper.
“So you knew why they’ve been celebrating with firecrackers for two days?”
During breakfast, as firecrackers popped outside, Zhao’s mother spoke to Huo Shu about the affairs of the major clans in the village.
Zhao’s mother had a difficult life in recent years. Her husband was bedridden, and her son had gone for corvée labor with no news. Worrying about daily sustenance was one thing.
Without a man to manage the household, villagers, who always bullied the weak and feared the strong, had often taken advantage of her in secret.
Therefore, when she was out, she never spoke about anyone’s affairs, fearing gossip.
When her husband was still alive a couple of years ago, she could still confide in him. In recent years, she had been going in and out alone, with no one to talk to inside or outside the house.
Huo Shu was a man of few words and not one to engage in gossip. She was happy to share village trivialities with him.
She thought Huo Shu might not enjoy listening, but unexpectedly, he occasionally interjected.
For instance, “How many branches are there in the Ji family?”
“The Ji family’s patriarch’s generation had eight siblings, four sons, four branches.”
Huo Shu listened quietly, eating plain congee with pickled vegetables. It was a simple meal, but Zhao’s mother’s pickled vegetables were delicious.
They were made from tender long beans picked in the summer and pickled. They tasted just right now, crisp and refreshingly salty.
“In that case, will the You family’s influence surpass the Ji family’s?”
Zhao’s mother replied, “With the protection of a juren, the You family is bound to rise, and it wouldn’t be an exaggeration to say they will outshine the Ji family. However, since the two surnames are to be allied through marriage, they won’t fight too fiercely. The current generation of the Ji family’s patriarch will also benefit.”
“But it’s deserved by the patriarch’s family. He didn’t spare effort in supporting You Erlang’s studies.”
Huo Shu remained silent for a moment. These matters provided no clues regarding the person he was looking for, but upon hearing that it was related to the Ji family, he couldn’t help but continue listening.
Hearing Zhao’s mother’s words, a sense of inexplicable annoyance arose within him.
Huo Shu, without preamble and as if deliberately changing the subject, said, “The pickled vegetables are very tasty.”
Zhao’s mother smiled. “Chang Sui used to like them too. Your tastes are compatible, no wonder you became sworn brothers.”
“I’m going to the city later to buy some cloth and flour to make dumplings. I’ll make you pickled bean and fresh meat dumplings, how about that?”
Huo Shu did not refuse Zhao’s mother’s kindness and agreed.
Zhao’s mother was delighted to see Huo Shu willing.
She glanced outside at the lingering clouds, the wind feeling chilly. Even if it didn’t rain, it would likely be a cloudy day.
“When the autumn rain comes, the weather will turn cold. Fortunately, the grains are almost dried. Every autumn rain brings more cold. We need to prepare autumn clothes in advance, otherwise, when the weather suddenly turns cold, we’ll be caught off guard.”
Yuan Huiru hadn’t bought cloth to make clothes for two years. In autumn and winter, she endured the cold, often coughing throughout the winter. Now that life was a little better, she didn’t have to be so frugal.
She looked back at Huo Shu. He wore a simple coarse cloth short jacket. Although it had no patches, it was worn and old.
“You always dress so thinly. Auntie will make you a set of warmer clothes.”
Huo Shu flicked the hem of his jacket. “I’m used to it. It’s not cold. Auntie doesn’t need to trouble herself.”
“Temperatures differ between north and south. If you’re not careful, you’ll get sick. And Auntie isn’t troubled at all. Women love to sew clothes, and it’s even happier to make them for family.”
Huo Shu’s chopsticks paused. Hearing Zhao’s mother say this, he no longer refused. He put down his chopsticks and reached for his purse to get money. “Then I’ll trouble Auntie.”
Zhao’s mother blocked his hand from reaching for his money. “Auntie wants to make them for you. Who doesn’t make clothes for their children when autumn arrives? There’s no reason for the child to pay.”
These past few days, she observed that Huo Shu wasn’t a sloppy person, but he only had two sets of clothes to switch between. She assumed he didn’t have much money.
Despite his own circumstances, he hadn’t kept the money Chang Sui had saved. He had traveled a thousand miles to deliver one to two hundred taels of silver. How could her heart not be moved?
Huo Shu said, “I have money.”
Zhao’s mother thought he was being stubborn and pushed his purse back. “If you have money, you should save it well. You’re not married yet, and there will be plenty of opportunities to spend money after marriage. It’s not easy to save money in the army; it should be used for important matters.”
Huo Shu was helpless upon hearing this, sighing softly as he saw the golden beans peeking out from inside.
After the meal, Zhao’s mother took a basket and an oil-paper umbrella and went to the city.
Huo Shu practiced a set of boxing in the courtyard and then chopped two loads of firewood for the kitchen. It was still early.
The dark clouds did not disperse, and in this weather, one dared not dry grain. There was nothing else to do.
The Zhao family had very little land. In the past difficult years, they had even sold some of their land.
Now, they only had three to five mu of land. Zhao’s mother had already managed to handle most of the crops on the land by herself.
After breakfast, the weather became somewhat muggy.
Huo Shu sat in the house for a while. He fiddled with the long hairpin, feeling at a loss, and then put it away.
With nothing else to do, he went out lightly dressed.
Jiangnan was a land of water villages with many canals and rivers. It was said that fish and shrimp were easier to catch when the weather was muggy.
The northern regions were filled with yellow sand and had few such canals and rivers. His swimming skills were average back then, and it was Zhao Changsui who taught him to swim in the lake.
Since there was an opportunity, why not enjoy himself?
As Huo Shu stepped out of the courtyard, he saw a familiar figure looking around outside the gate. His brow furrowed. “Is something wrong?”
Ji Taoyu looked at the person at the door and ran over, handing him a food box with both hands.
Huo Shu’s brows relaxed at the sight.
“You kept your promise. However, sneaking around like this, people might think you’re meeting a lover.”
Taoyu’s face turned red upon hearing this. “I’m not! Now that I’ve delivered the item, I’ll be going back.”
Huo Shu watched him turn to leave, his brow tightening. He held the food box and said, “Wait.”
Taoyu stopped. “Is there anything else?”
“Didn’t you say you’d help me find someone? You’ve come at the right time. I don’t know where to start.”
Huo Shu leaned his back against the door. “Auntie is out. Come in.”
“Go… go in?”
Ji Taoyu’s eyes widened. He knew he was engaged, and with no one else at home, he was invited to be alone with him.
Huo Shu saw the person’s reluctance and furrowed his brow. “What else can I do to you?”
Taoyu knitted his brows. If something were to happen, he wouldn’t be able to match him.
“It’s improper. If someone sees, it won’t be good for you.”
Huo Shu raised his eyes. “Are you afraid it will reach your husband’s ears?”
Ji Taoyu’s brow twitched. Why was this person speaking so sharply today?
He squeezed the hem of his clothes. “It won’t be good no matter whose ears it reaches.”
Huo Shu saw the young man lower his head, his voice becoming much quieter, and his expression changed slightly.
The north and south were ultimately different. The northern regions were ravaged by war, and survival was paramount. Etiquette was not highly regarded.
There was no particular distinction between men and young men. The customs were robust. Not only was being together commonplace, but drinking and playing dice together was also common.
The south was peaceful and a land of etiquette, indeed valuing it more than the north.
Huo Shu knew this in his heart. Although the south was not so harsh as to prevent men and young men from interacting, it was limited to free individuals. Ji Taoyu was already engaged, and his betrothed was a somewhat mediocre scholar. Naturally, he would adhere to propriety even more strictly.
However, the more he acted this way, the stranger his emotions became.
But what was the point of him making things difficult for an unarmed young man?
“Fine. Thank you.”
Huo Shu raised the food box in his hand.
“Go back.”
Huo Shu took a couple of steps but then heard the person behind him hesitate and say,
“Then how about I go back first, and you come to my house, and we can discuss finding the person. My father is the village head, and villagers often come to the house to discuss matters, so no one will gossip. Is that okay?”
