Lin Qingwan and Yang-shi were smart enough; they carefully came up with after a long discussion. Yang-shi didn't even have to mention the next step to her as Lin Qingwan was naturally aware of what to do next.

This time for He-shi to truly intend of sweeping these two children out of the family, she has gone too far. She will surely that He Xiuzhu terribly regret her actions!

Once Yang-shi got the gist of the situation, she dashed out of Yang jia swiftly.

As a matter of fact, there wasn't much of great animosity between Yang-shi and He-shi. It's just that back then, because of certain matters, she had said some words to He-shi a handful of times. He-shi had kept those words in her mind all this while, harboring animosity to this date.

As for, speaking of the grudges between Yang-shi and He-shi, it all began long back ago —

At that time, Yang jia hadn't separated yet, and Yang laoyezi and his younger brother, Yang He, were still living together. During those days, Yang jia's financial situation wasn't faring well. Their mother had departed prematurely, leaving only their father, Yang-shi and her two younger brothers. Due to the lack of women at home, young Yang-shi was busy taking care of her two younger brothers. And this practice of Yang-shi hadn't changed even after she married out.

老爷子 (lǎoyézi): polite appellation for an elderly male

Yang-shi didn't marry far; her matrimonial house was nearby in Luoxia village itself. The groom was a poor refugee from a famine-stricken region. Although he was poor, he was a strong and honest man. At that time, Yang-shi's marriage had already been delayed by the family for quite a long time. She was nearing her 20s, yet she wasn't engaged to anyone.

An old aunt from the neighboring family, who couldn't stand by idly and watch, helped her introduce the man. The two of them didn't even have a matchmaker. After getting Yang laoyezi's consent, the two got married.

Although life after marriage was a little hard, she didn't have a mother-in-law above her to dominate her. Thus Yang-shi's life was not too bad and was relaxed. The couple didn't have any land. But with the virtue of their diligence and hard work, they meticulously cultivated a few mu of desolate land and were able to make a meager living.

亩 (mǔ): classifier for fields/unit of area equal to one-fifteenth of a hectare

Post-marriage, despite being busy managing her household, Yang-shi would, from time to time, go to Yang jia to help with a few things.

This continued till Yang-shi's first younger brother, Yang jia's eldest son, married a wife. Only then Yang-shi was able to take a breather and be a bit relaxed.

There wasn't any elderly woman in Yang jia. Thus, Yang-shi would every now and then drop by her natal home to teach He-shi, this new sister-in-law, how to handle household affairs. After all, it might be a bit hard for a young maiden to become a wife with no mother-in-law to teach her. Lack of guidance could possibly put her into a flurry.

At that time, although He-shi wasn't as outrageous as she is now, nevertheless, she was also not without a few shortcomings. And, it didn't take long for Yang-shi to find them….

For instance, she wasn't quite filial towards Yang laoyezi's father. On the surface, there wasn't much to nit-pick. But behind their back, she used to often cook good food for Yang laoyezi alone. Similarly, all the good things at home were first given to Yang laoyezi, while treating the other two superficially, and wasn't quite good to Yang laoyezi's younger brother, Yang He as well.

Yang-shi was a married woman, and it wouldn't be appropriate to tell her off openly, leaving her with no choice but to strike secretly. For a while, after being told off, He-shi was honest. But not long after, she began reverting to her old self.

Although Yang-shi found her first younger brother's wife to be quite annoying and improper in handling matters, they still had to live through their lives. Marrying into a poor household wasn't easy, and moreover, He-shi had completely beguiled her first younger brother in her favor, forcing Yang-shi to turn a blind eye to her actions. Soon after, Yang-shi's second younger brother also got married.

With the daughters-in-law in the house increasing to two, there would surely be few disputes and frictions among them. The family's situation in itself is not quite good, and over and above that, He-shi, as petty-minded as she was, even engaged in mischief behind the scenes, causing trouble left and right.

It would be hard for three men to say anything to her. Thus, as the eldest sister in the family, Yang-shi stepped in to speak.

In the presence of the entire family, Yang-shi admonished He-shi, the main perpetrator behind the trouble. He-shi, relying on her status as the eldest sao, suppressed her dimei from raising a word and had all the things first go into the eldest branch. At that time, Yang jia wasn't split up, yet she had all the things move into their own room. Moreover, Yang He's wife, Li-shi, was also not a benevolent one. She was the kind of woman who would return multiple folds more if bullied by someone. She would surely stand up and strike back for hoarding all the stuff as the first branch wasn't the only one in the family.

嫂 (sǎo): older brother's wife / sister-in-law

弟妹 (Dìmèi): younger brother's wife

He-shi was criticized by Yang-shi in front of everyone. Although she didn't utter a word, she felt Yang-shi had humiliated her, causing her to lose her face in the family; thereby marking Yang-shi with deep hatred in her heart.

Since young, He-shi was never the person who could be coerced. Yang-shi thought after this episode, He-shi would curb a little restraint. On the surface, He-shi indeed seemed to have exercised some restraint, but her means did lessen even a bit behind their backs. However, Yang He's wife wasn't someone who would suffer a loss. During this time, the family was in chaos every single day, and Yang-shi had to come every time as a peacemaker…..

These sorts of days lasted till Yang-shi's father died from an illness. Not long after, the two families split into two.

After the separation, Yang-shi's second younger brother, Yang He, seldom had any interactions with the eldest branch. Usually, if there aren't any happy occasions among the two families, they would hardly step into one another's family's gates….

Yang-shi had wrung her hands in lament on more than one occasion, sighing that they had made a mistake in choosing her first younger brother's wife.

As the old saying goes, marrying a worthy husband would bring less disaster to a wife. Similarly, marrying a virtuous wife would bring prosperity to the next three generations of the family, while marrying a dishonorable wife would invite disaster for the next three generations.

And this saying was indeed not wrong. Look at what sort of disaster He-shi had brought to Yang jia's second generation!

Yang-shi marched to her second younger brother's house. Although the Second Yang laoyezi seldomly interacted with Yang laoyezi and only shared superficial affection with his elder brother, he, nevertheless, greatly valued his eldest sister.

Their mother had passed away prematurely, leaving behind the three children. At that time, Yang-shi was eleven years old, and Yang laoyezi was eight years old, while Second Yang laoyezi was only six years old. It could be said that the Second Yang laoyezi was single-handedly raised by Yang-shi.

The same was also the case with Yang laoyezi. But he had a wife, He-shi, whom he was deeply afraid of. His wife and eldest sister had too many conflicting views among them. A such, Yang-shi seldomly stepped into Yang jia's gates for the past few years.

This time, if it weren't for Lin Qingwan inviting her, Yang-shi would never have gone three.

Second Yang laoyezi was just about to have lunch along with his entire family. Seeing his elder sister's dashing in, he quickly gave his seat to Yang-shi and asked her to have lunch first, as a discussion could be put off for later.

Scampering from one place to another all around, Yang-shi was also tired. As this just happened to be lunchtime, Yang-shi realized the intense hunger she was feeling; thus, she dug in without further ado.

While eating, she briefed the situation to Second Yang laoyezi. The second laoyezi knew that his eldest sister had fostered for eldest brother's second son and was also well aware of the feelings the two shared.

His eldest sister had a bitter fate. After the birth of a son, with great difficulty, she was able to give birth to a daughter but, unfortunately, was unable to keep the baby for long. As such, she began to treat Yang Tiezhu, who was just a month younger than the baby girl, as her own child….He was acutely aware of the troublesome disputes happening in his eldest brother's place. But back then, both the families had a lot of conflicting views and disputes; thus, they never stepped into one another's houses. The only exception is when there is a big occasion in either of the houses. In such cases, they send juniors to take part in celebrations….

After listening to everything, Second Yang laoyezi, without any further utterances, finished the meal along with Yang-shi and headed to seek Yang jia's Clan Elder and the Village Chief.

(In chapters 42 and 45, I have transliterated Village Chief as Lizheng and have kept it the same as the pinyin because I wasn't what it actually meant.)

Although Yang jia was a minor clan in Luoxia village, they nevertheless had a clan elder. It's just that this clan elder hardly involved himself with the affairs happening in different branches. Only when the dispute escalated into a big matter would he personally appear to mediate.

En route, Yang-shi narrated the incident to the elders.

Clan Elder Yang and Village Chief were well aware of the rumors wildly circulating in the villages for the past few days.

And now, upon directly hearing the He-shi's doings from Yang-shi, Clan Elder Yang couldn't help but repeatedly shake his head with a sigh. This woman, He-shi, was well-known all around Luoxia village as a shrew. When she was young, she used to engage in disputes with fellow female villagers frequently. Now that she had grown older, she seldom stepped out of her house. These days, the people only get to hear her temperament is eccentric and biased. He had thought that she had learned to mend her ways for better, but who knew there was this much going inside the four walls of the house!

At the Yang jia, none of the people in the Yang jia had lunch. Because of the huge strife in the morning, all of them remained in their respective rooms.

Glancing at the arrival of Clan Elder and Village Chief followed by the Second Yang loayezi and Yang-shi, who rarely tread into Yang jia's gates, Yang laoyezi quickly came back to himself from the daze and hastily invited them in.

Once everyone stepped into the main room, Yang laoyezi instructed Wang-shi to get tea. Then he requested Village Chief, Clan Elder, Second Yang laoyezi, and Yang-shi to take seats on the kang. At the same time, he pulled a seat for himself by the kang and sat beside them.

Initially, when He-shi saw many visitors stepping into the room, she intended to room at the back. But after glancing at Yang-shi among the visitors, she promptly halted and remained standing at the side.

After Clan Elder Yang seated down on the kang, he took the lead to exchange the pleasantries with Village Chief. After all, he was Yang clan's affair, and as a Clan Elder, he had the most right to speak at the moment.

"Yang Shuan, oh Yang Shuan, what good can I say about you? If such loud noises and disputes are coming from a family, perhaps by now, the entire village must be aware of it!"

Clan Elder Yang was much older than Yang laoyezi, and was a higher generation than him. That's why he directly addressed Yang laoyezi with his name.

Yang laoyezi sat below with his face flushed red.

In fact, he had already begun regretting not stopping He-shi from going to the second branch's room. But at that time, his mind was in too much chaos, rendering him from reacting. By the time he regained his senses, He-shi had already made a huge racket, attracting all the villagers to gather around and spectate.

Seeing such an appearance of Yang laoyezi, Clan Elder Yang didn't know what to say. He beckoned Yang Tieshuan standing at the side, and asked him to summon everyone here.

The two of them from the eldest branch were already here in the main room; thus, he went to the second branch and third branch's rooms to call them over to the main room. He then walked to the west room to call Yang Xuezhang, who had been locking himself in the room these days without going out. But contrary to expectations, Yang Xuezhang was least bothered by the situation outside and refused to come.

Soon, everyone gathered into the main room and silently stood with their heads drooped. Yang-shi explained the situation to Yang-shi and gave two stools for Yang Tiezhu and Lin Qingwan to sit down.

Clan Elder glanced around before asking He-shi to take the seat as well. Wang-shi swiftly placed a stool right behind Hei-shi with servility. He-shi calmly took her seat.

After everyone was seated, Clan Elder Yang scrutinized He-shi for a good while before shaking his head in lament.

But as an elder demeaning a woman would be unpleasant. Thus, he simply spoke about the matter he was aware of regarding the incident before directing spearhead at Yang laoyezi as he condemningly questioned him if he really wanted to throw Yang Tiezhu and his wife out of the family.

Upon hearing this, Yang laoyezi's face flushed with anger and embarrassment, "I, I didn't mean this, this was entirely my family's vile wife's intention…."

Speaking till here, he didn't have any face to utter a word after.

After all, he did not stop her either, did he?

Clan Elder Yang was an astute person and could decipher what had happened from Yang laoyezi's complexion. However, condemning one's father before the younger generation would be unsightly. After all, this was their family's matter. Although he was no titular Clan Elder, making sure that the clan's prestige would not be ruined was all he could do while avoiding the situation to escalate to the point it becomes a ridiculous joke in others' eyes.

This was precisely why Lin Qingwan and Yang-shi had formulated this plan. It was unlikely for the Clan Elder to control Yang laoyezi and He-shi. The only hope they had pinned on the Clan Elder was to cleanly help them separate from the family without being too harsh on the terms and conditions while doing so.

Truthfully speaking, Lin Qingwan did not desire anything from Yang jia. If they raised too many wishes, it would surely become cacophonous once again, rendering it impossible to extract themselves out of the family cleanly. She was pregnant, and her husband was still recuperating from injury, and right now, it was winter. Where could they possibly go? Mentioning anything else at the moment is highly unrealistic. The priority is to pass this hurdle cleanly. What should be done next could be slowly planned later.

The major issue at the moment, naturally, is to separate from the family.

Patriarch Yang pondered for a while and asked Yang Tiezhu, "Yang Tiezhu, what is your opinion?"

For their clan to be able to such a good young man like Tiezhu, Clan Elder Yang was immensely proud of him. Usually, he did not praise him any less either. Nevertheless, he never expected that such a child would be encumbered by his family and even be kicked out.

Even if Yang-shi had not come to invite him, Clan Elder Yang would have surely not allowed such a thing to happen. If this matter spreads out, outsiders will criticize that Yang jia is dishonest in handling the matters and are harsh on their younger generation.

Farming households are usually honest people, and the thing they dread the most is that other people criticize their family principles and have improper conduct. With these sorts of rumors spreading ablaze, who would dare have dealings with them or send their daughters to their household in the future?

That is why Clan Elder Yang also intended to hear Yang Tiezhu's take on this matter—whether he wished to stay with the family or he intended to separate from the family.

With the virtue of his age, Clan Elder Yang had experienced many things like this. He was clear that not necessarily everyone would be willing to beg and remain at home foolishly.

However, can't this He-shi even wait until the child's injuries are healed before rushing to expel the child. Truly outrageous!

No sooner than He-shi saw Clan Elder Yang ask Yang Tiezhu his opinion, she was unable to sit still anymore.

"What opinion will he even have? Our family's sole intention is to expel him out of this house!"

Never had the Clan Elder Yang been interrupted in such a way, especially when handling family disputes, and even less so by a woman, causing his old face to flush with rage. To begin with, he never had a favorable opinion on vicious women like He-shi and loathed her to the core. As such, how could his complexion be any good in the given situation?

Clan Elder Yang was apoplectic with rage as he pointed his finger at He-shi and Yang laoyezi.

Yang laoyezi was also infuriated beyond words as he pointed his finger to He-shi's nose, unable to squeeze a word out. Yang Tieshuan, finding the situation turn far from good, quickly covered his old mother's mouth.

Today, only because this was a family dispute, He-shi was able to present at the scene. Usually, womenfolk were prohibited from participating in such a major matter, where even the Clan Elder had to step in. Furthermore, because Yang laoyezi had never inhibited her, causing He-shi to run amok. Not even aware of the immensity of the heaven and the earth, even daring to interrupt when Clan Elder is speaking carelessly.

"My opinion is to proceed with separation. A melon forced off its vine won't taste sweet. My mother had already asked me to get out of here. I—" Yang Tiezhu paused, unaware of how to put it in words. However, everyone on the scene could make out what he meant.

Seeing Yang Teizhu's difficulty in expressing his words, Yang-shi patted his hand.

She stood up and apologized first to the Clan Elder and The Village Chief before she began speaking: "The two esteemed elders, Clan Elder and Village Chief, my nephew seemed to feel embarrassed to say it aloud. As such, this old lady will speak in lieu of him. Of course, as his gumu, I certainly cannot speak for Yang jia's matters. But I simply want to explain the situation to everyone here so that you can all make a clear judgment. After all, this is a private matter of this family, and you must not have been clear with the situation—"

姑母 (gūmǔ): father's sister / paternal aunt (Previously the author had addressed her simply as gu, which is inherently same as gumu.)

Yang-shi took a glance at He-shi before she slowly began telling.

"…This child, Tiezhu was not given much love at home. Moreover, He-shi and I have a bit of grudge among us. This much, I believe all the elders are well aware of. After all, at that time, there was such a huge fight. Who was right, and who was not? This, I will not mention at the moment." Yang-shi gave a self-deprecatory smile, her expression complicated, "I just wish to address the grievances of my bitter-fated nephew now that this matter has to come to be…"

"…Yang jia's former and current situation must be clear as a day to the two of you. I will not go as far as to say it was entirely because of my nephew. But at the least, the majority of the credit goes to him…..Besides, who doesn't say that Yang jia's Tiezhu is a simple and honest person with good conduct and is capable of making money….. For Yang jia to be able to live in a roof-tiled house currently and have a dozen mu of fields under them, and still be able to provide education for a scholar, who is at all this because of? I believe I do not have to emphasize this point; everyone in the village must be clearly aware of it….."

亩 (mǔ): classifier for fields/unit of area equal to one-fifteenth of a hectare

Both the Village Chief and Clan Elder Yang kept nodding their heads in acquiescence whilst stroking their beard.

"…Even when the child was already in his early twenties, none of them in the family took the initiative to find a wife for him. In the end, the child couldn't sit anymore and brought a wife all by himself…. Even then, the family did not pay for marriage expenses. With no other way, the child had to go into the mountains to earn some silver… After great difficulties, the two got married. Yet, they encountered a mishap soon after. As for this mishap, I will not go into details….."

The more Yang-shi spoke, the more agitated she seemed to be, overwhelmed with indignance. And tears unwittingly trickled down from her cheeks.

"Fine, you are biased to laosi, in all matters, you consider him first, I can't say anything about it…. However, in order to make money for laosi's exam, this child went into the mountains to hunt and sustained serious injuries in the process. But has anyone of you taken care of him at that time? Did you?" Yang-shi glared at Yang laoyezi and He-shi with reddened eyes. She had been suppressing these words for long in her heart.

老四 (lǎosì): appellation used to address the fourth child in the family

None of these in the family felt distressed for this child! Fine, so be it, but she feels distressed for him! Today she will make sure that he gets the justice he deserves!

"Only the third branch's husband and wife were scampering all round to help them. The child was bedridden in the medical center, waiting for his family to pay for the treatment. Yet, in the end, no one turned up! However, even if you could not pay up for the medical expenses, couldn't you at least have dropped by to see how he was faring…..In the end, Yang Tiezhu's wife, with no other way out, sold all of her jewelry. When even that wasn't sufficient, she came to me. Only then was she able to settle the medical bills…..If the medical fees are not paid, then the doctor would not even treat him. This, isn't this the same as playing the child's life…."

Clan Elder Yang and Village Chief were stunned as they gazed at Yang laoyezi and He-shi as if they didn't dare to believe what was said.

They were only aware that Yang Tiezhu was seriously afflicted with injuries, but they hadn't heard about the rest.

The Second Yang laoyezi was long aware of this matter. Thus astonishment wasn't seen on his face. Nevertheless, while listening to his eldest sister's words, he couldn't help but shake his head.

This eldest brother of his has been led by the nose for all his life by this woman. It wouldn't have mattered much if this woman was virtuous, but the crucial point is that this woman happened to be immoral. Before their separation from the family, he and his wife hadn't suffered any less in this woman's hands. Bullying the other person aside, this woman, He-shi, possessed an innate skill to anger a person to death and make a dead person jump out of the coffin in a fury.

Yang laoyezi's hands shook, causing the few specks of hot tobacco to fall down from the tobacco pipe in his hands. Flustered, he quickly extinguished the tobacco specks that fell on his trousers.

"At that, at that time, it wasn't that I didn't wish to stop her….."

Impatiently interrupting his explanation, He-shi rolled her eyes without a fleck of embarrassment before saying, "At that time, at home, there wasn't any silver. And silver was needed for laosi to take the exam." He-shi said while glaring daggers at Yang-shi.

This person, this Yang Chunhua, has always been set on being against her since the beginning! She found the joy the most in slapping her face in front of her everyone.

"Yes, laosi has an exam to take. Thus, lao'er's life is of no value…." Yang-shi burst into tears as she lamented in a low voice.

laosi: appellation used to address the fourth child in the family

lao'er: appellation used to address the second child in the family

Yang Tiezhu's face also darkened, while Lin Qingwan's eyes reddened even more than before. She was naturally a delicate figure, seemingly appearing as if she would be blown away like a willow by a gust of wind. And now, as she was wiping the tears trickling down her reddened eyes with a kerchief, her appearance exuded poignancy all the more.

Clan Elder Yang and Village Chief shook their heads in lament. From time immemorial, there weren't any less number of parents who were biased to one of their kids, and it wasn't a rare occurrence. However, it was truly a rare occurrence, where the parents ignored one child's life for another one.

Yang-shi sobbed and sniffled as she went on with her accusation, "…Fortunately, the child's fate was strong, and nothing untoward happened to him. After a few days of treatment in the medical center, he returned home, albeit with recuperating injuries. Yet the meals the family provided him every day were nothing but some gruel and coarse grains. With no other choice, his wife had to forcibly squeeze a bit of silver to set up a private kitchen in their room to nourish his health…. Now, even more so, when the child's hand might become disabled in the future, she wants to expel them out of the family….My nephew's wife is so pitiful; it hadn't been even long since she became pregnant…. In such a harsh winter, she wants to throw them out. Is this what a mother should do?"

Saying so, Yang-shi covered her face with her hands and burst into wails. This wasn't an act; she was truly crying. She truly felt her heart break for this child, Tiezhu, who had devoted his mind and soul for his family, yet he was degraded to such an extent after all he had done.

Second Yang loayezi shook his head before saying, "Eldest brother, I am aware that I hold no rights to interfere in your family's affairs, but what you and she have done is not proper!"

The 'she' here is naturally He-shi. Back then, prior to separation too, He-shi had stirred a lot of troubles. As such, Second Yang laoyezi's family never addressed He-shi with her name. The two words' eldest sao' never even came out of the Second Yang laoyezi's lips.

嫂 (sǎo): older brother's wife / sister-in-law

Yang laoyezi's face appeared grey and withered as he remained seated with a hunched back.

Neither did he know how to explain, nor did he have any words for it. The wound that he thought was a matter of the past was ruthlessly torn apart again as blood dripped out of it in gushes.

He didn't know whom he should blame.

Blame himself? Blame He-shi? Blame his eldest sister? …He truly didn't know!

Beside him, He-shi was still clamoring, "You damn Yang Chunhua, shut! This is none of your business! This is this old lady's house! I, this old lady, have a say on how it will be! He is the child I gave birth to. If I asked him to roll out, he must roll out for me…."

Clan Elder Yang stood up, fuming with rage: "He-shi, you better restrain yourself a bit. Else, wait for me to convene a meeting and have you, this vicious wife, divorce out of the house."

No matter how small the places like Luoxia village were, there were, nevertheless, an embodiment of an array of traditions and practices. Suppose any family is to have an immoral and vicious woman who is bringing disgrace to the family traditions and practices. In that case, the Clan Elder of the said family holds the full right to convene a clan meeting and pass a unanimous order to have the woman kicked out of the clan.

Overwhelmed with rage, Yang laoyezi stood up and slapped her fiercely. He-shi initially wanted to stand up and return the blows, but recalling Clan Elder Yang's warning to expel her out, she didn't dare to strike him back.

Perceiving the cowardice of his old wife, Yang laoyezi had Yang Tiezhuan quickly take her away. But before doing so, he threatened her not to make any more trouble if she didn't want to be divorced.

Yang Tieshuan, also finding the situation wrong, quickly hauled his old mother to the east room before the Clan Elder Yang could go ballistic and really expel her out of the clan.

As soon as He-shi left, the room became silent.

Clan Elder Yang and Village Chief exchanged a glance and began discussing in a low voice.

Thereafter, Clan Elder Yang solicited Yang Tiezhu and Lin Qingwan's opinions. Yang Tiezhu's reply was still the same as the previous one—to separate. He then asked Yang laoyezi about the same, who remained wordless with his face covered in his palms.

Clan Elder Yang cleared his throat and began speaking: "Although with father and mother still alive, separation is not allowed. However, sometimes when living together is no longer possible, it's better to separate. However, separation without any asset division is simply not acceptable, and Yang jia would even be criticized by fellow villagers for being unfair in handling the matters. Yang Shuan, how the family assets would be divided would be left up to your decision. However, let me be clear. You know well in what situation Tiezhu and his wife are in, so don't go overboard. If you are unreasonable, we won't sit idly and watch. I will have all the elders in the clan come here and help you in the separation of the family together."

Yang laoyezi could decipher that the timber had already turned into a boat, and even the Clan Elder had spoken up. Laoer and his wife's attitude also appeared to be resolute. Moreover, his wife was also not someone, who could sit still without causing trouble day after day. They might as well have the second branch's husband and wife separate out, and settle this matter thoroughly and peacefully.

木已成舟 (mùyǐ chéng zhōu): lit. the timber has been turned into a boat already (idiom) / fig. what is done cannot be undone

loaer: appellation used to address the second child in the family

With such thoughts, he stood up from his seat and brought the title deeds of the family's assets without any words.

After contemplating for a long time, Yang laoyezi slowly began speaking, "Our family has altogether 12 mu of land, all of which are, more or less, with a good soil. As for the house, it is in front of all you to see. And silver—" with a pause, he took in a deep breath before resuming, his voice dull and hoarse, "All the silver has been given laosi for his exam, this you also know. Totally, there are four sons in the house. It would be reasonable to say that each son should be provided with three mu of land. However, we, the old couple, are still alive, and there is still a son and a daughter yet to be married. Thus, for laoer's share, I can give two mu of land, and as for the house, he can keep the room he is currently staying in. Additionally, he can pick up a few farm tools. These are the only ones I can give you."

亩 (mǔ): classifier for fields/unit of area equal to one-fifteenth of a hectare

laosi: appellation used for the second child in the family

However, Yang laoyezi didn't mention anything about livestock at home. Not only did he not mention the cattle, pigs, and a dozen hens the family has, but he also didn't mention Yang Tiezhu's medical fees that they owe. But Lin Qingwan didn't have any expectations of getting anything from the start. She would be satisfied so long as they cleanly could separate from the family without any hitches.

Upon hearing this, Yang-shi felt something amiss and asked, "What about the grains?"

Grains are the foundation of life for the village folks. Even if he split up fields and the house, cultivating anything is impractical in this cold weather, and the house cannot be eaten. If the grains aren't given, what would the two children eat, drink the northwest wind?

喝西北风 (hē xī běi fēng): lit. drink the northwest wind (idiom); cold and hungry

Although the two had a bit of silver saved, at the moment, Yang Teizhu isn't in any position to move, while Lin Qingwan is also pregnant. Thus, that silver had to be broken up and spent wisely. Yang-shi wanted to consider everything for these two children.

Naturally, Yang-shi had also heard Yang laoyezi deliberately ignore Yang Tiezhu's medical fees 'debt'. But upon seeing Yang Tiezhu and Lin Qingwan not raise a word against it, she, as a creditor, too didn't have the heart to mention it.

"Grains?" Yang laoyezi appeared a bit startled when the topic of grains was raised. Rubbing his old face, he replied in a dull and hoarse voice, "After paying the grain taxes, more than half of the grains were sold to pool over the silver for laosi's exam. There aren't many grains left at home, otherwise…. otherwise, He-shi wouldn't have done…."

Yang laoyezi didn't finish the rest. However, everyone listening could understand what the unspoken words were.

It means that because there wasn't any silver nor food at home, He-shi had thought of expelling the two out. She didn't want to raise two useless people in the family.

Clan Elder and Village Chief were dumfounded upon hearing him, not sure what to say.

Yang-shi still wanted to speak further, but Lin Qingwan tugged her from the side.

"Let it be. This is enough. We don't need grains," said Lin Qingwan; Yang Tiezhu also nodded his head from the side.

Upon seeing that both the involved parties had come to a consensus, Clan Elder Yang and Village Chief soon afterwards had one of them bring the ink, paper, and inkstone to draft a document for separation. It just happened that they also had a scholar in their family; thus, there was no shortage of such things at home.

Wang-shi wanted to speak up a few words, but when she recalled that Clan Elder Yang and Village Chief were presiding over the separation, she figured it would be impossible to simply throw the people in the second branch out.

On second thought, two mu of land aren't much. Their family still had ten mu of land. But what distressed her the most was that second branch's room. She had originally intended for her Dalang and other sons to take over that room once the second branch's people were thrown out.

(In case you have forgotten, Dalang is Wang-shi's eldest son. )

Yang Tieshuan could grasp the situation better than his wife and clearly understood this matter set in stone. The gains won't make up for the losses if they try to separate them and annoy the Clan Elder. Rather, they might as well simply remain silent without a word.

He-shi sneaked to the door of the east room and eavesdropped on the conversation happening here. When she happened to hear that the second branch would be getting two mu of fields, she immediately wanted to go out and object to it. But when she recalled Clan Elder and Yang laoyezi's words, she didn't dare to interrupt them and forcibly suppressed the surging anger in her heart, with no other choice.

The third branch's husband and wife exchanged glances. Yao-shi's pair of eyes were brimming with the appeal, while conflict loomed in Yang Tiegen's pair of eyes.

The gleam in Yao-shi's eyes gradually dimmed out. Yang Tiegen closed his eyes with a stamp of his feet and nodded to Yao-shi before marching forward.

Just as they had finished drafting the document for separation, and both parties were about to sign, Yang jia's third branch's husband and wife unexpectedly dashed into the main room and knelt on the floor with a 'bang'.

Clan Elder Yang was flabbergasted as he promptly stood up to help the two up.

"What's wrong?"

Yang Tiegen's face writhed in anguish. But recalling his wife's skinny and shriveled appearance and his two little kids who were as thin as a rake, he could only cover his face and sob as he sorrowfully spoke to Yang laoyezi, "Father, you, you, please have me separate from the family too! I implore you!"

When Yang laoyezi heard his words, he was significantly shocked beyond words, and only could point a trembling finger at him, unable to believe what he heard, "You, you…you repeat what you have just said…"

Yang Tiegen crouched on the ground as he kept shaking his head, "Father, I also don't want much. Just separate me from the family, just like my second brother. I also don't need grains. Just take me as an unfilial son, I really can't live like this, really can't live…"

Yao-shi wasn't someone who was witty with her words, nor she could lay out a plan step by step like Lin Qingwan. Thus, while Yang Tiegen spoke, she kept kowtowing her head on the floor beside him, begging Yang laoyezi. The number of times she kowtowed weren't any few, and soon her forehead started bleeding.

Lin Qingwan quickly stepped forward to pull her up. The floor was hard and was made up of bricks. If Yao-shi continues to kowtow like this, she will knock herself to death.

But Yao-shi kept kneeling on the ground, adamantly refusing to get up, as she washed her face with tears. Her thin and pale face was entirely drenched with tears and snivels; coupled with the traces of blood on her forehead, she cut an extremely sorry figure, looking pitiful.

"Father, I beg you! I beg you… I beg you, please have pity on us, I beg you…" Yao-shi kept repeating such words as she once again resumed kowtowing.

Lin Qingwan's nose was sore as she tried to restrain the tears in eyes her from dripping down to no avail.

What sort of family can force their sons and daughter-in-law into such a state where they even had to beg to get separated from the family.

Clan Chief Yang and Village Chief stepped forward to help the husband and wife, but the two refused to get up and remained kneeling on the ground.

With no other choice, the two could only stand by and shake their heads with a sigh. They weren't quite clear about the third branch's situation in Yang jia. But, they have nevertheless heard that Yang jia's third daughter-in-law wasn't treated favorably in the house. Now looking at the two, they could tell that life at home wasn't easy for both of them. Several bloody gashes on Yang Tiegen's face and Yao-shi's red and swollen face—Clan Elder Yang and Village Chief weren't blind; naturally, they could see it. But when the person involved hadn't uttered a word about it, it wouldn't be easy for them to speak up about it.

Yang laoyezi slumped on his seat, seemingly appearing quite desolate as if he had received an enormous blow. Never had he expected that his always honest and well-behaved third son would actually do such a thing in front of the Clan Elder.

He-shi, who had been eavesdropping from the east room, was unable to endure anymore. She slammed open the door and marched to Yao-shi before thrashing her.

"To think that you would force my son to separate from the family, how dare you! I will thrash you, a hen who couldn't lay eggs, to the death. You are woman rotten to the core, simply a trash.."

When He-shi dashed over, her momentum was so big that even Lin Qingwan was almost toppled over by her. Fortunately, Yang Tiezhu helped her in time.

Seeing He-shi thrash and curse her daughter-in-law with abusive words, Clan Elder Yang fumed with rage.

But as a grown man, he couldn't bring himself to intervene in the women's dispute. With no other choice, he bellowed at Yang laoyezi, "Yang Shuan, you manage this shrew. How did our Yang jia marriage such a shrew into our clan? Truly embarrassing, ah, truly embarrassing, ah!"

Numerous emotions such as sorrow, resentment, fear, and rage washed over Yang laoyezi as he glanced at the chaotic scene in front of him. His lips trembled, wishing to say something, but no word came out even after a long while.

Yao-shi was pinned underneath by He-shi as she lugged her hair and slapped her face. How would Yao-shi, a weak, skinny, and petite woman, be an opponent of furious He-shi. Yao-shi didn't even have a chance to retaliate as she helplessly let He-shi hit and tug her as she wanted.

When this scene fell into Yang Tiegen's eyes, the string within him that had been stretched taut all this while finally snapped with a 'pop'.

He went over his knees and pushed He-shi to the ground. Embracing Yao-shi in his embrace, he roared with reddened eyes, "No one urged me! I, myself, want to separate from the family. With you being like this every single day, you think anyone can even continue to live this way? We, husband and wife, work ourselves to death every single day without any complaint, without fighting back, without retaliating, without retorting. But in return, why can't even a good word come out of your mouth? If our filial duty could only be returned with unreasonable humiliation and abuses, I might as well be unfilial!"

This was the first time Yang Tiegen, who preferred to be taciturn and transparent at home, had roared thunderously at He-shi in Yang jia in such a manner.

Even a clay bodhisattva has three parts of earthy nature. Let alone humans, especially the ones who had been repressing the emotions for long, and have been bullied to the extent that they were at the end of their tether.

Even a clay bodhisattva has three parts of earthy nature (泥菩萨还有三分土性): It means that even a person with a very good temperament will have a temper and bottom line.

"I want to separate!"

Yang Tiegen's heart-wrenching bellow startled everyone in the room into silence, including Yang laoyezi, He-shi, and the eldest branch's husband and wife….

He-shi slumped onto the ground, unable to come to her senses for half a day.

At the side, Yang-shi was unable to stand watch anymore. She stomped her feet in anger as she pointed a trembling finger at Yang laoyezi.

"Yang Shuan, why aren't you saying anything? Let laosan and his wife go. Just like your wife, do you want to hound them to death too?"

Laosan: appellation used to address the third child in the family

Yao-shi was curled up in Yang Tiegen's arms, with her face blue and purple. Her face was swollen to the extent that her eyes were barely visible. Upon seeing that Yang laoyezi still remained indifferent even after such a chaotic situation without an utterance of a single word, Yao-shi closed her eyes, feeling bitter in her heart, and gave a slight bleak smile.

She then pushed the unguarded Yang Tiegen away, took out a rope she had prepared in advance from her sleeve, and hung it over the roof beam.

She didn't utter a word, nor did she cry; she simply remained silent as she tied a knot.

Her actions frightened everyone. Yang Tiegen quickly stepped forward and hugged her tightly.

"Tiegen's wife, what are you doing? If you have anything to say, say it properly, alright."

"Wife, wife… don't do anything foolish, ah…"

Before he could finish speaking, Yang Tiegen burst into tears.

"Father, haven't I begged enough? Isn't it still enough! Do you want to see our entire family of four hang in front of you, ah?!" Seeing Yang laoyezi still continue to remain unresponsive, Yang Tiegen kneeled in front of Clan Elder Yang, "Grand Uncle, I beg you, please help our family. If there was were other means, I truly wouldn't have done this…"

Clan Elder Yang was beside himself with anger as he stomped his feet, utterly exasperated.

"Yang Shuan, you say something! If you don't have anything to say now, I will help you speak!"

Yang laoyezi collapsed on the chair with his eyes closed as he shook his hand weakly.

"Third daughter-in-law, come down, I will divide your share….just like laoer's…"

Upon hearing this, Yao-shi's hand paused and slowly turned her neck to look at Yang Tiegen to ascertain whether what she had heard wasn't wrong. Yang Tiegen quickly nodded his head. Tears welled up in both of their eyes as their eyes gleamed slightly in surprise….

Hearing Yang laoyezi agree to separate laosan, He-shi wanted to raise a ruckus again.

Discerning that her mother-in-law wanted to create trouble again, Yao-shi made a tight loop knot on the rope and forced it into He-shi's hands.

A bruised face approached He-shi's ear, followed by which came a whisper accompanied by a slight chuckle: "Mother-in-law, come on. Mother-in-law, I know you don't want me to live…you hate me and want me dead…actually, I also hate you. But you are my mother-in-law; no matter how much you beat or scold me, I can't retaliate…."

From all the crying earlier, Yao-shi's voice had become hoarse, just like the sound of sandpaper polishing the wood. And coupled with the smile on her face, she seemed beyond recognition, with her face appearing truly quite strange.

"…Mother-in-law, you want me dead, right? Come… I'll help you… I've looped the rope. You help me put it on…Come on, quickly come… come, ah…"

Yao-shi's voice was extremely low-pitched and slow. Coupled with that, she had a strange smile on her, making her face look eerily creepy.

He-shi stared at the face that was close to her. Her eyes became wider and wider; she quickly pushed Yao-shi's hand away, staring at her with terror in her eyes, making her hair stand on end.

He-shi could see that this Yao-shi had gone crazy. She seemed to have become deranged ever since that incident in the morning.

She looked at Yao-shi's eerie smile and at the rope that was swaying in front of her eyes. And then, when she heard Yao-shi's incessant voice by her ears, asking her to come, she couldn't bear any longer and shrieked, frightened, before turning around and rushing back to the east room.

At the moment, Yang laoyezi had no strength to care about his wife. He felt a pain like a knife being twisted in his heart as he looked at the Yang Tiegen, who seemed to be decisive.

"Lao San, have you thought it through?" Yang laoyezi's voice was inexplicably low and barely audible.

Yang Tiegen nodded resolutely.

Yang laoyezi felt a stabbing sensation in his heart as he replied, "Your third branch doesn't have a son. Think it through once again. Without a descendant, there would be no one to carry your line, ceasing your family with you." The complex feelings in Yang Yang Tiegen's eyes were difficult to hide.

Yang Tiegen felt his heart throb as his face became more desolate.

In the end, his father still tried to suppress him by using his weakness of not having a son. He had thought that only his mother, the eldest brother, and eldest sister-in-law had such thoughts all along. Every day they pester him that there would be no one to carry his family; he should adopt a son from the eldest branch as he would have someone to succeed him and light up an incense stick for him. Unexpectedly his father also had similar thoughts. He merely never said it outright….

"I originally intended to let you adopt a son from the eldest branch. But you and your wife are clamoring to separate from the family. In such a case, laoda might not let you adopt his son. Then, you truly won't have anyone to continue your line…"

Laoda: appellation used to address the eldest child in the family

Yang laoyezi was aware that something was wrong with his words, but these spiteful words full of barbs just kept coming out of his mouth one after the other without a filter.

Perhaps, because he had received too much stimulation this day, or maybe it's because once you mount a tiger, it's hard to get off, or perhaps it's because laosan, who had never once resisted, rebelled today for the first time ever, throwing him off guard….

骑虎难下 (qí hǔn án xià): if you ride a tiger, it's hard to get off (idiom); fig. impossible to stop halfway

A sense of resentment even began sprouting in his heart towards laosan's wife, Yao-shi, feeling this situation was entirely caused by her. Otherwise, why would his obedient third son clamor about wanting to separate from the family…

How foolish! When a problem crops up, people never consider introspecting themselves first to see if they had erred; rather, they tend to take their anger on the other people carelessly. And Yang laoyezi wasn't an exception to this notion….

Yang laoyezi had never thought of separating the third branch. Because, in his heart, he was acutely aware of who was the major workforce in the family and who they were relying upon.

In the past, most of the work was done by Yang Tiezhu and the third branch's husband and wife. But now, Yang Tiezhu has become crippled and wants to get separated from the family. He might possess mixed feelings of sorrow, guilt, remorse, and such towards his second son. But all these feelings wouldn't be able to resist He-shi's resoluteness to create a fuss or those few masked dark thoughts in his heart…

After all, Yang Tiezhu was already crippled. Even if he felt distressed and pained, it is also a fact, which could not be changed. However, the impending plight the family has to face is hovering over their heads….

Now that even the third branch's husband and wife are clamoring to separate, Yang laoyezi truly felt as if the flesh was being dug from his heart.

It wasn't that he treasured the third branch's husband and wife in his heart. Rather, it was due to the plight that the family was about to face—

In the future, who will work at home from here on?

Even though Yang laoyezi's brain was in a mess owing to all the chaotic happenings of the day, this one thought struck in his brain in a split second….

After the loss of lao'er, he can't lose laosan as well.

Thus, he didn't hesitate to employ the pretext of laosan lacking a son, wishing to have such thoughts dispelled from the third branch's husband and wife, even if his words were laced with a trace of threat…. He was well aware that his son's biggest weakness was him not having a son….

Was it selfishness?

Perhaps, it was selfishness, or perhaps it wasn't selfishness, but something else! It wasn't something that could be probed over or definitely remarked on by anyone.

Glancing at his father's flapping lips, Yang Tiegen's brain suddenly became sobered and became clear-headed, like never before.

He wanted to chuckle lightly as a slight indescribable sorrow bubbled up in his heart. Sensing his hand being grasped, his eyes moved to gaze at Yao-shi's deformed face. Her face was severely bruised and swollen, truly a tragic sight. But her eyes shone with reassurance and decisiveness….

Suddenly, the bubbling emotions in his heart calmed down.

"Father, you don't have to mention such things. If without a son, my bloodline would cease to exist in the future, then so be it."

Yang laoyezi was dumbfounded as he looked at his son as if he had never seen him before.

Yang Tiegen wiped away the tears on his face, feeling slightly dejected, and loudly said, "Just give me the property share in the same way as second brother's. I know there aren't many grains left at home, so I don't need them."

Yang laoyezi was stunned; his hands began violently trembling. He wanted to pick the tobacco pipe only to find that his hands were shaking so violently that he could not do even such a simple action.

While in a trance, I heard laosan asking the Village Chief, "Uncle, please help me draft a document."

Yang laoyezi felt torrents of sharp pain and anguish in his heart, accompanied by a tinge of desolateness….

When Yang Tieshuan and his wife saw that their old father and mother were overwhelmed by them, Yang Tieshuan wanted to say a few words but could only shut his mouth resentfully.

Wang-shi was a little unreconciled; thus she interjected, "Separation is fine. But, in the future, who would look after father and mother should still be properly discussed, right?"

Still in a trance, when Yang laoyezi heard these words, he silently nodded. Then, he heard his voice mechanically say, "We, this old couple, still need to live. In the future, whichever son separates would need to support us both. It would be best if this is clearly mentioned in the document."

Regarding this, the second branch and third branch didn't have any objections. Since time immemorial, supporting one's aged parents had been heaven's law and earth's principle.

Yang laoyezi heard his voice once again say, "Each son will give us a dan of grains along with a tael of silver."

石 (dàn): dry measure for grain

The voice that came out seemed to be very unfamiliar, making Yang laoyezi unable to recognize it as his own voice. But, he knew that this was his voice…..

One dan of rice was equivalent to 120 catties. But few taels of silver are a bit excessive. After all, each branch only gets two mu of fields. If they gave a few silver taels on top of dan of grains, they would have nothing much left with them.

Clan Elder Yang and the village Chief glanced at the people from the second branch and third branch.

Lin Qingwan and Yang Tiezhu didn't find it as a huge amount. So long as they could separate from the family, it was fine. Thus, they glanced at the third branch's husband and wife.

Yao-shi pondered over it for a while before determinedly nodding to Yang Tiegen. Yang Tiegen, too, carefully contemplated over it. If worst comes to worst, they would have to endure a bit of hardship in the future. But as long as they were happy, everything would be worth it. Thinking as such, they too nodded their head in consent.

Clan Chief Yang stroked his beard as he said with fairmindedness, "This time when separating, the two branches weren't given any grains. Thus, this rule would be enforced from the next year. Anyways, there are only two months before the new year."

At this point, it would be difficult for Yang laoyezi to take back his words; thus, he could only nod his head woodenly.

Soon the separation document was drafted. Apart from Lin Qingwan, who knew how to read, everyone else was illiterate.

Lin Qingwan picked up the four documents, of which two were original while the other two were duplicates, and gave them a read before nodding at Yang Tiezhu.

He dipped his finger in the ink and put his fingerprint on the document without a word.

Seeing that his second brother had stamped the document with his fingerprint, Yang Tiegen, too, stamped the document with his own, without any hesitation.

No matter how unreconciled Yang laoyezi was at this point, the matter was already concluded. He, too, took the paper and stamped his fingerprint with trembling hands.

After stamping the documents, he flung the papers on the tables and shut his eyes, his complexion pale…..

Good, good, now everything is finished…..

It doesn't matter if they go after they leave there wouldn't be any noises and disputes….

Lin Qingwan took the papers that belonged to them with a delightful smile. The third branch's husband and wife clutched the separation document, feeling sad yet also happy, making them feel a bit complicated.

The episode of this family's separation was one climax after the other, truly stunning them beyond their imaginations.

Seeing that there was nothing much to oversee, Clan Chief Yang and Village Chief stoop up from their seats, intending to leave.

Usually, during such situations, according to norms, the family ought to invite the elders, who had come to resolve the dispute, for meals.

But Yang laoyezi had just received a huge blow and just remained seated, without any words. Yang-shi and Second Yang laoyezi sent the two elders out. Lin Qingwan and the others also followed behind them.

Second Yang laoyezi requested the Village Chief and Clan Elder Yang to stop by his place for dinner, saying that they had been a huge help and were troubled to oversee the dispute for a long time. Thus, he wanted to express his gratitude by offering them a meal instead of these pitiful children.

Village Chief and the Clan Elder Yang had no reason to decline; thus, with no other choice, they agreed.

Glimpsing at the few children standing at the side, with pitiful appearances, Clan Elder Yang recalled shrewish He-shi and said while facing towards the main room, "Yang Shuan, control your woman from hereon. Don't let her make it difficult for these few children. In the future, if she makes trouble again, I will surely convene a clan meeting and have her divorced out."

There wasn't any reply from the main room, but Clan Elder Yang was sure he had heard him.

Reaching out his hand to pat Yang Tiegen's shoulder, he said, "In the future, if your mother makes things difficult for you, you can come and find your grand-uncle, alright." Clan Elder Yang's seniority was higher in the entire clan, and even Yang laoyezi has to address him respectfully as 'uncle'. In that sense, it would be fitting to say, Clan Elder would be a grand-uncle to Yang Tiegen and a few others.

All the youngsters nodded their heads. His words made Lin Qingwan even happier.

Second Yang laoyezi also invited his eldest sister, Yang-shi, to go with them. Yang-shi glanced at the few children and their pitiful appearances before shaking her head, declining his invite, saying that he should accompany Village Chief and Clan Elder Yang.

Second Yang laoyezi understood his eldest sister's intentions and led the two elders to his place.

After the Village Chief and the other two left, Yang-shi turned around to glance at Lin Qingwan and the others.

"Let's go, go eldest gu's place. I will prepare us a nice meal to celebrate."

姑妈 (Gū): Father's older sister

This, indeed, called for celebration for having been able to separate from this so-called family.

Lin Qingwan and Yang Tiezhu's separation matter didn't have many ups and downs as they had planned everything step by step from the outset. But the same could not be said for the third branch's for it was filled with tears of separation and was extremely challenging.

Lin Qingwan felt the third branch's husband and wife had truly braved to take this step. If it weren't for their resoluteness, and if Yang-shi hadn't invited Clan Elder Yang and Village Chief to preside over the second branch's separation, making it impossible for Yang laoyezi to stop the separation, the third branch's separation wouldn't have been any easier.

Lin Qingwan could tell that Yang laoyezi was extremely against the third branch's separation. Perhaps, at this moment, he must be terribly distressed.

But, none of this has anything to do with them.

Lin Qingwan didn't want to produce any sympathy for anyone from that family, even if that person was Yang laoyezi. Truly speaking, it's a bit difficult to say if he is good or bad. While usually, he couldn't be said as bad, but when it came to critical junctures, this old man tends to screw up. Whatever favorable impression Lin Qingwan had on him initially had long ago turned into dust. At that time, he completely ignored Yang Tiezhu, who was bed-ridden in the medical center from being seriously injured, and now, he simply remained seated when He-shi tried to expel them out….

"Eldest gu, with the state we are in currently, I don't think I will be able to come. Just look at how our appearances are—"

Yang-shi also considered this. But she was somewhat worried about their dinner…

Lin Qingwan could guess Yang-shi's worry. With a smile, she said, "It's fine, eldest gu. I do have some rice and vegetables in my room. Later, I will rustle up something simple for dinner. Besides, do you think we could step out like this?"

That was indeed the case. Lin Qingwan aside, Yang Tiezhu could not stand for long, while the third branch's husband and wife were in the poor states too, with their faces full of scratches and bruises. Yao-shi's face was swelled to the extent that she resembled a pig head at the moment.

After saying a few words, Yang-shi bade farewell and left Yang jia's courtyard with no other choice.

After which, all of them gathered in the second branch's room. Yao-shi then recalled the two girls, who were still in the third branch's room, unaware of the situation outside, and quickly fetched them over as well.

The two girls' faces were in a mess from crying. The noises from the main room must have terrified them, but recalling the adults' warning to not step out must have caused them to burst into tears while staying in the room.

Outside, the sky began darkening. Everyone in the room was tired and weak. But they still had to eat something as they hadn't eaten anything even during lunch. All of their stomachs were rumbling with hunger.

Lin Qingwan helped Yang Tiezhu onto the kang before going into the small cubicle to cook dinner. While in the kitchen, Lin Qingwan asked Yao-shi to wash her face with cold water, as the swelling on Yao-shi's face had increased even more at the moment.

Due to the cold weather, everyone huddled up on the kang and had their dinner.

Yang Tiegen, who was normal all this while, suddenly seemed to be depressed while eating. Reckoning what her husband might be thinking over, distress appeared on Yao-shi's face as well.

Understanding their anxieties, Lin Qingwan said with a slight smile: "It's okay, don't fret it over too much. There is no need to be intimidated by minor challenges like this. If your second brother and I consume food sparsely, you and your family won't have to be starved. Besides, once we get past this year, we would surely be able to make do something in the spring of next year."

"But second sao, you don't have much food leftover, and the second brother is still injured," Yao-shi said.

嫂 (Sǎo): older brother's wife

"Don't worry, if we don't have food, we can buy some more. Anyway, we are only a few people, and won't need much to eat. Besides, I recently sold a big embroidery piece and got a good amount of silver in return. That would be enough for us to get past this year."

"But…"

When Yao-shi wanted to speak again, Lin Qingwan interrupted her.

"If you want to recognize us as your second brother and second sao, don't say anything more. I am well aware of both of your conducts. Back then, when your second brother was severely injured, no one in the family dared to go look for him in the mountains, but you went in without the slightest hesitation. I will remember your care for us for a lifetime."

Yang Tiegen hurriedly added, "Second sao, the way you spoke might seem as if we are outsiders. It was given, we all are a family…."

Before he could finish speaking, Lin Qingwan interrupted again, "Since you said we are a family, don't speak as if we are two different families. This is a difficult phase for all of us. Whatever you have to say, say after we get past this year. In case if you still feel apologetic, just treat this as you are borrowing food from us. Next year, when your financial situation eases, you can pay us back, alright?"

The third branch's couple glanced at each other and then at the resolute appearances of Lin Qingwan and Yang Tiezhu. Without any better option, they nodded their heads without saying anything further.

After everyone was done eating, considering that Yang Tiezhu was injured and Lin Qingwan was a pregnant woman, the third branch's husband and wife collected the cutlery and went out to wash them.

After everything was tidied up in the second branch's room, the couple retired to their rooms to treat each other's injuries on the face.

After washing her face, Lin Qingwan too went to lay on the kang. After tossing around all day long, she was tired to death. As soon as she closed her eyes, she fell into slumber.

Anticipating the comfortable days that were waiting for her, where there would be no one to nit-pick and find faults with her, she had a slight smile on her lips, even in her deep slumber…

Everything will get better and better…

After the separation that day, there weren't any big movements from the main room. He-shi also didn't come to their door to cause any further trouble. Lin Qingwan and Yao-shi let out a sigh of relief.

Lin Qingwan had even prepared herself in advance, thinking that He-shi would surely be unhappy and come to cause trouble. But He-shi didn't do anything. Even when they ran across each other in the yard, He-shi regarded them as if they were invisible. Just that her sword like sharp mouth was pursed even tighter, and her eyes were filled with hatred all the more. But she somehow restrained herself from making trouble for the second and third branches….

He-shi seemed to have heard the Clan Elder's words in the courtyard the other day. So, as it turns out, He-shi, too, had something she dreaded – being expelled out of the clan.

Among He-shi's natal family, only her elder brother was left.

Her elder brother's sons were all married, settled, and lived jointly together. The circumstances in their house weren't too good. There were so many people but had only a few rooms to accommodate them, making it impossible for even an additional person to fit in. If He-shi were to be divorced and sent back to her natal house, she would surely be kicked out from there as well. Thus, at the moment, He-shi had no choice but to restrain her temper from going to the second and third branches' room and creating trouble.

The Yang jia seemed to be no different than formerly i.e. of course, if you ignore the desolateness and cheerlessness in the courtyard. Usually, even if they ran across the people from the main room, no words were exchanged. And after two days, two big locks appeared on the kitchen and firewood storage room doors.

Seeing this, the people from the second and third branches could only smile helplessly.

During separation, the firewood wasn't divided by the family. From He-shi's actions, she doesn't seem to entertain any thoughts of giving them any firewood to use, even when all of that firewood sitting in the storage room was chopped back by Yang Tiezhu and Yang Tiegen.

Yang Tiezhu wasn't capable of going outside. Yang Tiegen alone trekked into the mountains to chop firewood with a basket behind his back.

Day by day, the weather was getting colder and colder. If the firewood isn't prepared by even now, death from the severe cold spell would only be awaiting them.

When Yang Tiegen had gone out to chop the firewood, Yao-shi spent her time in the second branch, doing embroidery work with Lin Qingwan.

Because there wasn't much firewood left with them, they only heated the kang in the second branch's room during the daytime for the past few days. The third branch's entire family also stayed in the second branch's room.

Yang Tiezhu was forced to lay on the kang by Lin Qingwan to recuperate his wounds properly, while Lin Qingwan was bored to death by herself in the room. There wasn't anything to do in the pastime as well. But during these past few days, the room was bustling with the addition of more people.

Ever since the separation, Yao-shi had been even more diligent in needlework. During her leisure time, she would try to do a bit of needlework whenever possible.

Lin Qingwan was aware that Yao-shi lacked silver at the moment. Thus she, too, didn't say anything other than reminding her from time to time to give her eyes rest after doing needle for a considerable amount of time.

As for Lin Qingwan, Yang Tiezhu prohibited her from doing embroidery because of her pregnancy. As such, like Yang Tiezhu, she too could only spend her time on the kang, nestled under the quilts, while chitchatting with either Yao-shi or the two little girls. In this manner, the days ticked by soon.

Seeing Yao-shi's diligence in embroidering, Lin Qingwan, with lots of time at her expense and prohibited from touching embroidery, guided Yao-shi from the side.

After a couple of days, Yao-shi's crafts improved gradually. And this time, when she went to hand over her work, she could even bring back a few embroidery purses with blank spaces. In the future, she intended to take over this work once she gained the ability to smoothly embroider designs on these purses, rather than making embroidery purses for low income.

After chopping down firewood sufficient for the two families to get by the frosty winter till next year, without getting frozen, Yang Tiegen packed up and set off to the town to look for odd jobs.

Although Yao-shi felt distressed for her husband, she knew that currently, they were short of both silver and food and had to rely on the second branch till the next year's fall harvest.

Post Yang Tiegen's departure, the rest of the third branch's members stayed with the second branch's couple every day.

On the day of the separation, Yang Tiezhu accidentally tore open his wound. As a result, Lin Qingwan, apart from the times when he had to relieve himself, strictly prohibited him from taking even a step away from the kang. Thus, Yang Tizhu could only amuse himself by watching his snuggled-up wife on the kang chatting with third dimei and the two little girls.

弟妹 (dìmèi): younger sibling / younger brother's wife

Of course, if he was on his best behavior, his wife would give him a good look and, at times, even personally feed him with few snacks.

As easily satisfiable as he was, Yang Tiezhu could be jubilant for the entire morning with just one good look from his wife. Nevertheless, Lin Qingwan still made sure to coax him from time to time.

In such fashion, days flew one after the other, and Lin Qingwan was raised like a pig every day.

Because of Lin Qingwan's pregnancy, Yao-shi seldomly let her do any work. Besides, these days, the only house chores they had to do were cooking and washing laundry. Yao-shi could manage both of these chores quickly and effortlessly. Lin Qingwan, too, didn't fight over these trivial works with her.

As for the people in the main room, they were under the assumption that since both the second and third branches weren't provided with any food, they would soon starve and freeze to death.

But contrary to assumptions, there weren't any indications of suffering from hunger or cold. Within a few days, Yang Tiegen chopped the firewood and brought them. And furthermore, every few days, the aroma of stewed meat would come from the second branch's side. Occasionally, they would even encounter Lin Qingwan, Yao-shi, or the two girls in the yard. From their appearances, Wang-shi could make that they had fattened up considerably, and their complexions are a lot better – a far cry from their former selves. Realizing this, Wang-shi couldn't help but gnash her teeth in rage.

She didn't have to ponder deeply before coming to the conclusion that Yang-shi must be surely assisting the two families!

Currently, Wang-shi's days were quite hard, making her terribly regret inciting He-shi to separate the second branch out of the family that day.

If the second branch wasn't separated, the third branch wouldn't have had the guts to make a ruckus to get separated as well, and her life, too, wouldn't be this hard now.

The food in the Yang jia was also becoming scarce. Furthermore, because of the distribution of the fields to the second and the third branches, the food in the house was even more tightly controlled by He-shi.

Formerly, there used to be at least steamed bread or pancakes along with the thin gruel, but now it was only gruel. Even a bit of pancake wasn't given to cushion the stomach.

All the three daughters-in-law would do house chores on a rotational basis back then. But now that both second and third branches had separated, the entire housework fell on her alone.

He-shi, who had been on edge these days for unable to make trouble for those two families, looked for more and more ways to vent on her with no other choice. Tormented, Wang-shi had a lot to grumble about but didn't have the guts to raise this to He-shi. Because, in the past, when she made a fuss by He-shi, she was severely reprimanded for being sh*t-stirrer and instigating her to separate the second branch out. There was no one to support her. Yang Tiezhuan wasn't at home all day long. Previously, Yang laoyezi would at least speak a few words in her favor, but now he doesn't even bother helping her.

Wang-shi could only reap what she had sown by working like an ox and horse every single day. She didn't dare to utter even a single word of resistance. As a result, it didn't take long for her to lose a significant amount of weight.

Lin Qingwan was well aware of Wang-shi's tragic days. Even with her toe, she could have foreseen such an outcome if it were her. Only a moron like Wang-shi would think that the entire family would be in her control once the people were thrown out.

Wang-shi seemed to have forgotten that there was still a mother tiger sitting above her – He-shi.

Unless the eldest branch also splits up, Wang-shi would be unable to extricate herself from He-shi's dominance for the rest of her lifetime.

However, would the eldest branch would be willing to separate? Obviously unwilling, and also utterly impossible.

Solely based on how lazy the eldest branch's husband and wife were, with just these two and even tagged along by additional four kids, it is highly possible for them to die of starvation soon after they step out. Let alone, being eldest branch means they are the eldest child in the family. Since ancient times, parents have always been with the eldest son even after the separation.

As such, Wang-shi's life was destined to be miserable from here on. And for her, Lin Qingwan didn't even have a shred of sympathy.

This kind of person could only be suppressed by He-shi; just leave it to a dog eat to eat another dog.

Gradually, the temperature outside was decreasing, turning the weather into a frigid cold. Last night, they even had a light snowfall, but it was only for a short duration and stopped soon after.

Early in the morning, Lin Qingwan rose up and pushed open the door to walk out. Every time she exhaled, the warm and moist air from her lungs turned into white fog due to the chilled weather.

However, she didn't feel cold thanks to the new double-layered jacket she had made. Yao-shi had even laughed at her, joking that she was wearing such a thick jacket when the winter had barely started, and what would she do during the deep winters.

In reply, Lin Qingwan, too, joked that at that time, she would just remain nestled in her quilts without stepping down from the kang. Nevertheless, no matter how comfortable it was here, it wouldn't be as good as it was in modern times.

In modern days, so long as you are wealthy, you could just turn on the heater and remain cooped up in the room during the days with snowfall. But here, quite many things are extremely inconvenient. For instance, you would have to use firewood for cooking, and water could only be drawn up from the well.

While standing below the eaves, Lin Qingwan gave her arms a little exercise, stood under the eaves before dazedly staring into the still-dark sky.

The sensation of the frigid chillness on her cheek and the passage of cold, humid air into her lungs unconsciously sent her down memory lane of past life….

Lin Qingwan was a far cry from the children blessed with good fortune in her previous life. As a little girl, she was discarded on the street by her family, turning her into a street urchin.

At that time, she was very young, but she had no recollection of exactly what her age was. Because she had little to no remembrance of the events before that. In the earliest memory she could recall, she was already a little beggar, drifting along with a group of street-urchins, covered in filth from top to bottom, looking for food all around…..

Digging through one trash can to the other or hovering around the food stalls of the late-night markets to get some leftovers….. that's how they spent their days…..Later, when they grew up, for some reason, she was sent to an orphanage by the government officials…

She stayed in the orphanage till she got admitted into a university. She took a student loan for university fees and earned her living expenses by working part-time while studying. Other kids got into university to enjoy life and fall in love. But, she used to work around the clock to earn money for her living expenses and to pay back her student loans….

After graduation, the dread of poverty propelled her to take up two jobs. During the day, she used to work as a planner in a small firm, while at night, she used to work as an art editor for a website. Round the clock, she was busy with a never-ending schedule. As for why she was that busy, she never had an answer…..

She never had any friends or relatives. The only ones she could have a conversation with were with her company co-workers or some strangers on the internet that she got acquainted. Amidst such lackluster and busy life, her only greatest joy was buying some delicious foods for herself in her spare time or mulling over what to cook when she reached home after a busy day. And on the days when she was too busy, she would make do with just a simple meal box of instant noodles.

Few of the orphans went to look for their biological parents after they grew up. Even if it was a futile effort, they would nevertheless try their best. Only Lin Qingwan was different from them, and such a thought never crossed her mind.

She had always thought of herself as an orphan or a child who wasn't needed. Otherwise, how would she have turned herself into a street urchin at such a young age?

In the deepest part of her memory, the memories of the home were a woman's figure, with very vague facial features, cooking with a slight smile on her lips as she fed her meat….

This was her earliest and most profound memory. She could no longer remember how she looked, but the only deep impression she had of this memory was that piece of meat, an unusually delicious piece of meat….

Lin Qingwan couldn't remember the aroma of the dish, but it became her deepest obsession in her previous life. She had never thought of looking for her parents, but she clung to that piece of meat from her deepest memory.

Initially, she wasn't aware of what sort of food that was. It wasn't until a benevolent southerner gifted a dish to their orphanage for the new year that she learned that the meat dish in her memory was called Lap cheong.

Lap cheong (腊肠): Southern flavor of Chinese pork sausages.

That Lap cheong was made using traditional methods.

Later, after she grew up, she came to know that southerners had a tradition of eating this type of Lap Cheong, made by using a traditional technique, during the New Year.

It's just that their orphanage was situated in the north and isn't something you could often have, making her regard it as a rare food.

La cheong…made by using traditional technique…a tradition followed by the southerners during New Year….

Unconsciously it became engraved in her memories, to the point, it became a sort of obsession. When she was a kid, she couldn't eat it. But after she grew up, she was capable of doing so. Every year, she would surely buy some to eat during the new year. But gradually, she came to dislike the La cheong sold outside, finding it unlikable and unauthentic. So, she began to learn how to make it by herself….

She opted for the university in the south, and even after graduation, she continued to live in the south itself….

Towards the new year, she had a sort of aversion, yet also looked forward to it obstinately…disliked it because it was cold and cheerless to celebrate all alone. Yet, she also held conflicting thoughts of wishing to buy lots of food, as if she was telling herself—Yu Ziman, it's New Year… actually, you can also have a good time even without any company….

Right now, the chillness at the tip of her nose and the wintry breeze rekindled the nostalgic feeling of year-end, making her even reminisce the aroma and taste of La chuang…..

Suddenly, she drooled with desire, her heart craving to eat it….

Lin Qingwan swiveled around, trudged back into the room, and asked Yang Tiezhu and Yao-shi. But unexpectedly, both of them had no clue what La cheong was. She tried to describe its appearance with gestures for half a day, but both had no inkling of what she was talking about.

However, Lin Qingwan was craving for it to death.

Yao-shi chuckled at her expression, saying that it is natural for pregnant women to be inexplicably gluttonous. She was also the same when she was pregnant with Sanniu and wished to eat peanuts. But mother-in-law was strict regarding food and firmly denied her request as peanuts cost a lot. Thus, she couldn't eat them. Later, her husband felt distressed for her and went out to work as labor to carry heavy things for a day in exchange for silver and bought her a few to satisfy her cravings.

Lin Qingwan wasn't sure if this sort of gluttony was truly because of pregnancy. She just wished to have it by all means.

Impelled by such thoughts, Lin Qingwan, unable to sit still, and spoke with Yao-shi about her thoughts of going to the town.

Yao-shi adamantly refused her, saying that utmost need to be taken during the first three months. Coincidentally, Yang-shi just happened to come to give them food at that time and said she too had to go the town. Thus, Yang-shi and Yao-shi decided to go together and asked Lin Qingwan what she wanted to buy.

Lin Qingwan listed out a series of ingredients she wanted to buy and gave Yao-shi a few taels of silver. She also particularly emphasized repeatedly that the entire length of the pig's small intestine should be purchased. The more intact it is, the better it would be.

Few people eat pig's large intestines, but the small intestine is often discarded and fed to cats and dogs. Yao-shi was puzzled why Lin Qingwan would want such a thing, but seeing her firm attitude, she remained silent.

When Yao-shi returned, Yang Tiegen also returned home along with her. Upon asking, Lin Qingwan came to know that Yang Tiegen had returned back to take his clothes and had to return to the town again.

Yang Tiegen had taken up a temporary job outside the other day. It also included accommodation; thus, he didn't have to return home every night. Initially, he hadn't taken cotton-padded clothes along with him when going to town. Due to the significant dropping of temperature day after day, he returned to take winter garments.

Yao-shi sent Yang Tiegen with tear-filled eyes. Seeing this, Lin Qingwan was perplexed by Yao-shi's actions, unable to understand the reason for Yao-shi's emotional reaction, as it wasn't a parting of life and death.

But after listening to Yao-shi's woes, she realized Yao-shi was feeling distressed for her husband. And that so-called temporary job was full of hardships.

Villagers usually work in the fields; thus, they could only find labor jobs when they go out. However, finding such jobs isn't easy either. The majority of the labor work comprises carrying or transporting heavy objects from one place to another. And their wages depend upon how many numbers of goods are carried over. Sometimes you might find such works, sometimes there is no work. And many times, you have to wait for such work to come.

Rural folk men usually try to save silver as much as possible when they go out and tend to be highly reluctant to eat or drink. When they are waiting, they simply squat in a corner and make do with a smile mantou for their meals.

馒头 (Mántóu): Chinese steamed buns

No wonder Lin Qingwan found Yang Tiegen thin this time around. She went to Yang Tiezhu and asked if he had done jobs similar to this.

Yang Tiezhu honestly replied that the work was indeed laborious and taxing. However, he used to prefer going out to do temporary jobs rather than being pressured by He-shi to go into the mountains. Lin Qingwan asked why, but Yang Tiezhu couldn't come with a concrete reply. Perhaps it was his way of expressing his rebelliousness…..

Lin Qingwan was silent after listening as she caressed his head, feeling distressed for him.

In an instant, Yang Tiezhu was revitalized and became jubilant, only lacking a sticking out tongue and a wagging tail.

After placating Yang Tiezhu, Lin Qingwan went to wash the small intestines. In her previous life, traditional food markets used to sell sausage casings. But that wasn't the case here, so she had to make it by herself.

Yao-shi had no clue what Lin Qingwan was doing, but when she saw her washing pig's small intestines, she wanted to lend her a hand. But Lin Qingwan declined. She was washing small intestines to not make food of it but rather to make a sausage casing of it. Yao-shi had no idea what sausage casing was, so she preferred doing it herself.

Lin Qingwan asked Yao-shi to find a chopstick to flip the small intestines inside out. Here there wasn't any faucet to facilitate easy washing of the intestines. Thus, she could only wash the outside part clean before flipping it and washing it.

Lin Qingwan carefully flipped it over, fearing that she might accidentally rupture the small intestine.

After flipping it over, she thoroughly scrubbed it with a mixture of salt and a blend of various flours. After carefully scrubbing it for half a day, she took it to the well to wash it clean.

Once she was done washing, she returned to the room and scrapped the mucous membrane and fat layer on it neatly using bamboo chips. She performed this step quite slowly and carefully, lest she damaged the sausage casing accidentally.

When Lin Qingwan prepared homemade sausages, she used to buy the processed sausage casings from food markets in her previous life. Nevertheless, while reviewing how to make sausages at home, she also read many articles about making sausage casings. It's just that many things aren't available here in this era; she could only simplify each step accordingly and do it slowly.

Along with the pig's small intestines, Lin Qingwan had also asked Yao-shi to get lots of pork meat and other condiments. In the meantime, Yao-shi had already washed the pork meat clean. Once Lin Qingwan was done with processing the small intestines, she went to see the pork Yao-shi had washed.

To make Lap cheong, it is best for the pork meat to have the perfect balance of the lean meat and fat, with the best ratio being 7 portions of lean meat and 3 portions of fat. This would regulate the texture of sausage and prevent it from becoming too hard due to excess lean meat. In her previous life, Lin Qingwan's favorite food was Lap Cheong.

Lin Qingwan then guided Yao-shi to help her chop the port meat into small pieces. Thereafter, she whizzed to the outlying room to take out a few of the medicinal ingredients she had bought at the drug store while purchasing Yang Tiezhu's medication.

Thirteen spices – a widely used seasoning by the people of her ear in the previous life. In her previous life, Lin Qingwan often used this seasoning for stewing or curing meat, and while doing so, she had also checked explicitly for its recipe online.

On the internet, one could find a plethora of recipes for Thirteen spices. Though the ingredients used are mostly similar, the blending formula is unique to every recipe.

This Thirteen-spice is made from thirteen different kinds of medicinal herbs and spices. It comprises the blend of Nutmeg, Fructus amomi, Cardamom, Cinnamon, Cloves, Sichuan pepper, Star anise, Fennel seed, Saussurea costus, Angelica dahurica, Sand ginger, Lesser galangal, Dried ginger, and a few other seasonings. The recipe is also relatively simple: 5 parts of each Sichuan pepper and star anise were blended with the two parts of Cinnamon, sand ginger, aged tangerine peel, lesser galangal, and Angelica dahurica and ground into fine powder.

In the Daxi dynasty, these medicinal herbs and spices are usually sold in every herbal medicine store. All of these herbs are typically sun-dried before dispensing them into drugs, except for Sichuan peppers. But Lin Qingwan nevertheless sun-dried it by herself after buying the herb at the store. Even when others saw her doing so, they merely assumed that she was sun-drying some herbal medicine; as such, no one bothered to ask why she was doing so.

While Yang Tiezhu was in the medical center, when Lin Qingwan had nothing to do, she would go to the assistant to ask about the medicinal herbs. Then she found that a few herbs' names differed from what she had known. She took note of all the names and bought a few at the medicine store while on her way back.

Along with the pork and other condiments, Lin Qingwan also had Yao-shi buy a herb grinder. Now that she had all the raw materials, she was ready to give it a try.

Lin Qingwan divided the herbs and spices into required quantities and ground them into powder with the aid of an herb grinder. She tried to grind the medicinal materials into fine powder as much as possible, hoping that it wouldn't be too different from her previous life.

Watching his wife sit on a small stool and grind the medicinal herbs with a medicine grinder, Yang Tiezhu asked what she was doing.

Lin Qingwan replied ambiguously that she was making something good with a smile.

She was indeed making something good. Lin Qingwan hadn't still thought far of how to make use of this. The only thought running in her mind was that she could make delicious things and eat in the future. Besides, preparing Lap cheong requires thirteen-spice seasoning. Anyways, she had too much time for her leisure and was bored to death.

She hoped that the recipe she saw online was genuine and replicable.

Once she was done grinding all the spices and herbs into powder, Lin Qingwan fetched a small spoon and a bowl and began blending the thirteen-spice.

She added smaller portions in the required proportions of each ingredient into the bowl and mixed them evenly.

After blending the spices until they looked homogenous, she grabbed a pair of chopsticks, dipped them in the spices, and lightly tasted them with the tip of her tongue.

Finding not much difference in the taste of the final product from her previous life's one, she licked, again and again, smacking her lips.

In her former life, when Lin Qingwan just started learning how to cook and used the thirteen-spice for the first time, she had no clue if it had salt in it. She tasted it to get a sense of its taste but didn't feel much flavor. Then she came to know that this seasoning doesn't have salt in it.

This time too, she didn't feel much of a difference in its taste. But she wasn't yet quite sure if she got it right. Thus, she wanted to test this seasoning once.

After a moment of contemplation, she walked into the small cubicle and lit the stove. Took a small portion of strips of meat from what Yao-shi was chopping at the moment. First, she fried onion, ginger, and garlic before adding the meat, like she always does. And in the end, seasoned it with a bit of thirteen-spice and salt.

She let it cook for a bit longer before serving it on a plate.

She fetched a pair of chopsticks, picked a piece and fed it Yao-shi, and picked one for herself as well.

Yao-shi was still in the midst of chopping the meat. Seeing Lin Qingwan picking up some food to feed herself, she reflexively opened her mouth.

The moment she bit it, she found it a little unusual. How to say? It tasted delicious, to the point that she even wanted to swallow her tongue. She felt that the meat was quite tasty and savory, unlike the ones she ate usually.

Upon tasting, Lin Qingwan felt pretty satisfied; her efforts didn't go to waste.

Exhilaration filled her heart. In high spirits, she took the plate to Yang Tiezhu and asked how it tasted.

Yang Tiezhu, naturally, remarked it was very awesome. Even if Lin Qingwan fed him a lump of mud, he would still eat it without hesitation and say it was delicious. Not to mention, this meat was truly quite tasty.

Yang Tiezhu's compliments brought even more joy to Lin Qingwan. She quickly handed the plate in her hands to Yang Tiezhu to finish it and enthusiastically resumed grinding the spices.

The earlier blend of spices was something she had just tinkered within a small quantity. Since there was nothing wrong with it, she wanted to grind the rest of the spices and blend them.

Lin Qingwan was elated beyond words. Seeing her happy, Yang Tiezhu and Yao-shi simply thought she was too excited. But only she was clear in her heart, how excited and elated she was feeling at the moment.

The things she knew from her past life were of no use here. And the only way to make money was through the embroidery skills that she got from the original host. But now, because of her interest in learning cooking in her previous life, the things she had learned previously might prove practical for her here. This realization excited her, eager to try it out.

Perhaps, she could even make silver for it?! After all, the use of thirteen-spice is quite extensive – it could be used in marination, to prepare fillings for dumplings, to prepare Lao cheong, and so on.

Although Lin Qingwan had a savings of over a hundred silver taels, the second and third branches were in a precarious situation currently. For now, they were fine, but only because of the silver she got in exchange for that embroidery piece.

In a matter of a few days, the silver would inevitably get used up in one or the other place. She can only sell three pieces of double-sided embroidery per year, and the land they owned was also only two mu. In the future, she also wanted to restrict Yang Tiezhu from going into the mountains. In such a case, what could they do in the future? Furthermore, she was pregnant with a baby too.

亩 (mǔ): classifier for fields / unit of area equal to one fifteenth of a hectare

All these thoughts made Lin Qingwan feel a sense of crisis in her heart. No one desires for oneself to spend days in desolateness and embarrassment, and she was also the same!

She didn't want to let go of any opportunities and wished to seek livelihood for their family.

Reality might be challenging and difficult, but she could make up for it with her wits!

But now, it was too early for her to think about making silver. Most importantly, at the moment, she has to successfully make Lap cheong.

When reminded of Lap cheong, Lin Qingwan's mouth again began to drool with desire….

By now, Yao-shi was done with dicing up the meat. So Lin Qingwan began to marinate the meat to prepare Lap cheong.

First, she took all the meat into a large clean basin and began seasoning it with soy sauce, salt, sugar, ginger juice, thirteen spices, and the likes, along with a bit of wine she had them specially buy. She mixed all the seasonings evenly with chopsticks and let it sit still for about half a cup of tea time.

Once she was completely done with marination, Lin Qingwan began filling sausage casings.

She put a small funnel by the opening of one end of the sausage casings. She had earlier asked Yao-shi to buy a small funnel; the funnels were actually used here to transfer oil. She then tied the other end of the sausage casing tightly and placed it in a clean basin. After that, she began the process of stuffing the meat into the casings while pushing in any blocked meat with the help of chopsticks. And from time to time, she also made sure to squeeze in the casing to push the meat further inside with her hands. Once the casings were filled for about one chi, Yao-shi tightened it with a thread she had prepared in advance.

Lin Qingwan had done this process before; thus, she was rather skilled. In a couple of minutes, the meat was stiffed in, and a few more sausage casing sections were formed in the basin.

Finding this approach quite novel, Yao-shi asked Lin Qingwan what it was, intrigued.

With a smile, Lin Qingwan gave a reply that it was a kind of food called Lap cheong.

Yao-shi smacked his lips, feeling that this sort of food to be too extravagant. A lot of meat and effort went into it.

However, seeing Lin Qingwan in high spirits, she didn't say anything. She knew that second sao was fond of tinkering with food from time to time.

嫂 (sǎo): older brother's wife / sister-in-law

Besides, second sao was pregnant now, and pregnant women tend to be gluttonous, desiring to eat unusual and odd foods.

Yao-shi had bought nearly 20 catties of meat. Thus she made lots of sausages, almost filling up the basin.

When she was done with stuffing, Lin Qingwan took a needle pricked them all over. She then found a suitable place to hang them.

There wasn't anything like sausage hangers here, so Lin Qingwan let Yao-shi find a long bamboo pole. She hung sausages onto the bamboo pole and suspended the bamboo poles through the roof beams.

The preparation of Lap cheong was finished. Nonetheless, Lin Qingwan's heart was still feeling itching with cravings. At the earliest, it at least takes a minimum of 3-5 days for the outer casings of the Lap cheong to dry and be ready to be eaten. Thus, Lin Qingwan could only keep gazing at the Lap cheong hung above with drool dripping from her lips.

When she had nothing to do, she liked to gaze at them. When she was eating, she liked gazing at them, and even before going to bed, she liked to gaze at them.

Lin Qingwan was beset with sorrow and grief. Why couldn't they eat Lap cheong soon after they were made? Why do they have to wait for a few days!

When Yang Tiezhu saw his wife gazing at Lap cheong every single day with a gluttonous gaze, he found her adorable to death.

How could his wife be so adorable? Even the gluttonous attribute of her was cute!

A couple of days after, Lin Qingwan couldn't wait anymore. Seeing that the casings were almost dried, she grabbed a few Lap cheong to cook.

The casings were still mildly soft, but since they had already been air-dried for this long, they would be safe to eat.

For lunch, she steamed the lap cheong.

Once they were done and cooled, Lin Qingwan cut them carefully into thin slices, and to make it visually appealing, she arranged all the slices circularly while plating the dish.

Finally, when it was time to eat the dish, Lin Qingwan enthusiastically put the first slice of meat into her mouth.

En! This was the taste. But, because it wasn't air-dried for long, the taste wasn't quite there yet.

Lin Qingwan suddenly felt her eyes filled with tears of excitement.

Once she came back to her senses, she realized everyone on the table was staring at her with anxious-filled eyes. Even the two little girls were gaping with chopsticks in their mouths, bewildered.

Lin Qingwan gave a smile and requested them to continue eating.

"Hehe—dig in, what are you all looking at me for?" Saying so, she put a few slices of Lap cheong into one of their bowls.

She then watched them as they all put the Lap cheong into their mouth and gradually quickened their chewing motions.

She snorted, proud of her work, "Is it delicious?!" Fetching a small bowl meticulously prepared chill oil she had prepared, "Add a little bit of this to make it even more delicious."

This chili oil was made from the red chilies she had bought long ago. After sun drying them, she had crushed them using the herbs grinder that she had Yao-shi buy not long ago and had deep fried the flakes in oil, sufficient enough to make a big bowl of chili oil.

Lin Qingwan was a sucker for spicy food; however, the food here wasn't much spicy. Thus, this bowl of chili oil was her precious treasure. Yang Tiezhu is still injured, the girls are too young to eat anything spicy, and Yao-shi is not accustomed to eating spicy foods. As such, during every meal, Lin Qingwan would add a little bit of chili oil to her portion of meals.

Yang Tiezhu stretched out his chopsticks, intending to take a little bit, only to get his swatted away by Lin Qingwan.

"I have already said many times, you are injured. You can't eat spicy food." She also cautioned the two little girls," You can taste a bit if you want, but it is very spicy. Kids shouldn't eat too spicy foods."

In a couple of minutes, a big plate of Lap Cheong was wiped cleaned by the few people.

After the meal, Yao-shi smacked her lips, and she said, "It is indeed very delicious, but it takes up too much meat."

Yao-shi was used to be hardworking and frugal. Before separation, He-shi had always been severe with money and meat. Thus Yao-shi had subconsciously developed a notion that eating too much meat is wasting money.

Yang Tiezhu thought that if his wife liked to eat it, he could go into the mountains to hunt a few wild boars later, utterly unaware that Lin Qingwan had already made plans of banning him from going into the mountains from hereon. And him wanting to go to the mountains would be very difficult.

"Yes, it takes up a lot of meat. But after this has been air-dried, it can be stored for a very long time. It could be even eaten next year. Whenever you want to eat it, just steam it, and it will be ready to eat. "Lin Qingwan replied, also feeling distressed for the meat.

Only when she was in charge of expenses did she realize how expensive daily necessities like firewood, rice, oil, and salt were. Lap Cheong was delicious because a lot of meat went into it.

In her previous life, she didn't think much of it. But after coming here, she found rural folk doesn't eat meat in every meal. Even when they buy a catty of meat, a family eats it over a few days.

And if a catty of meat is made into a lap cheong, it's reckoned only a small single piece of lap cheong would be made. But on the bright side, it is delicious, and it not only goes with rice but also with wine.

"Even if you normally store it, it can be stored till next year, and it won't spoil?" Yao-shi remarked, astonished.

The climate in Luoxia village is frigid cold, optimal to store meat for a long period. But after spring, the temperature would increase, and the food would be spoiled if stored for long.

Lin Qingwan nodded her head while quickly churning for ideas in her mind. As a thought flashed through her mind, her eyes gleamed with brightness.

"Husband, third dimei, how about we sell lap cheong in the town? What do you think?"

弟妹 (dìmèi): younger brother's wife

Yao-shi wasn't exposed to these matters; thus, hesitation reflected on Yao-shi's face.

"Would anyone buy this kind of food? For how much could it be sold?" Yao-shi, too began assessing the gains. Approximately, for one piece of sausage filling, nearly one catty of meat would be needed. In such a case, for how much should it be sold to avoid incurring any losses?! If it is too expensive, no one would want to buy it, but they might be at losses if it is too cheap.

Yang Tiezhu thought from a different perspective. He was a regular visitor of the town, either selling his prey or looking for a temporary job. Thus, he had gained a bit of understanding of the town's people's consumption rate. But he wasn't quite sure how the lap cheong made by his wife would fare in the town.

Nonetheless, he still proposed a suggestion, "In my opinion, the market is truly not a good option. Rather, it might be profitable if you sell it in a restaurant. The restaurant patrons usually don't care the cost of the dish."

Lin Qingwan pondered over it and found it reasonable. Perhaps she could look for the restaurants in the town and try it out.

Even if it wasn't sold, it wouldn't matter much; they could just eat lap cheong at home. Selling it would just be an added bonus.

Lin Qingwan was a woman of action and would put her thoughts into action once determined.

She decided to go to town the next day. Yao-shi and Yang Tiezhu tried to dissuade her for half a day, unfruitfully.

After a while, Yao-shi changed her methods and decided to accompany her tomorrow. Before they set off, she took out a thick cotton-padded jacket and had Lin Qingwan dress warmer and thicker to cushion herself from the bumps while traveling on the ox cart. The rural women were usually quite strong. Many even went to work in the fields during their gestation period and hadn't faced any anomalies in their health.

Yang Tiezhu also felt it was fine after giving a thought. Even though Lin Qingwan appeared thin and weak, she has been in fine fettle ever since the beginning of her gestation. Perhaps, this child felt distressed for their mother and didn't trouble her much, easing his worried heart.

The first thing in the following day, Lin Qingwan and Yao-shi set off to the town.

Yao-shi had a basket in her hand; hidden in it was Lin Qingwan's treasured lap cheong concealed underneath Yang Tiezhu's old cotton-padded jacket.

Lap choeng – Chinese sausage

Lin Qingwan was dressed warmly, thickly wrapped like a rice dumpling, as she walked beside Yao-shi.

The two of them ambled towards the area where an ox cart was stationed, waiting for them. Wang-shi shot a few scrutinizing glances at them when they left the house. But, when she didn't find anything unusual, she could only furiously retrieve her gaze back and continue to mix pig feed.

Upon reaching the town, Lin Qingwan and her made their way towards their destination – the town's two large restaurants – as per the information Yang Tiezhu had given them back at home.

The Luoyun town housed two large, famed restaurants: Zui Xui Restaurant and Man Fu House

醉仙居 (Zuì Xiān Jū) – Zu Xian Restaurant – Zuì means drunken or intoxicated; Xiān means Celestial being or immortal; Jū is used in the names of restaurants. So, if I am not wrong, the literal translation of this would be Drunken immortal restaurant.

满福楼 (Mǎn Fú Lóu) – Man Fu house – Mǎn: filled/packed; Fú: good fortune/happiness/blessings; Lóu: storied house, also used in certain names of shops and restaurants. And the translation of this might be probably House of Copious blessings/ House of Abundant happiness.

T/N: Do you prefer transliteration or the English name? Personally, I prefer former one.

Of the two, Zui Xian Restaurant was a bit closer to them, so Lin Qingwan decided to head their first.

As it was still early, Zui Xian Restuarant didn't have any patrons yet.

When Lin Qingwan and Yao-shi walked in, the lobby was silent. Only two young waiters were cleaning the hall.

One of the waiters gave them a fleeting glance before lowering his head and continuing to sweep the floor. While the other waiter straightened up and walked towards them and greeted them.

Lin Qingwan and Yao-shi weren't well dressed. Their dress style was typical of a married woman from rural villages. They were attired in a pleated skirt paired with a small double-layered jacket and another thick cotton-padded jacket above it. Because it was only them, two married women, going alone, there wore a dark-colored dress and had wrapped a cloth handkerchief around their heads, making them appear older for their age.

Having worked in a restaurant for a long while, the young waiter had developed an eye for the type of patrons visiting their restaurant. He could discern that these two people weren't their guests who had dropped by to eat.

"May I ask what business you two have here, elder sister?" The young waiter's attitude was courteous. Nevertheless, his face was full of misgivings, unable to understand why these two married women had come here to their Zui Xian Restaurant this early in the morning.

Lin Qingwan replied, "It's like this, brother," with a polite smile on her face, she asked "Is your manager available at the moment? This little woman had made some unusual food at home and wished to show them to you."

Saying so, she took the basket from Yao-shi's hand, intending it to show them to the young waiter.

"Food?" the young waiter blocked Lin Qingwan's movements. Though he appeared respectful, refusal was written all over his face.

"This eldest sister, I am sorry for inconveniencing you. But our restaurant isn't in need of any unusual foods. Besides, our manager is also not available at the moment, you see—"

Lin Qingwan understood his meaning. With another smile, she withdrew the basket she was about to show, pulled Yao-shi, turned around, and exited the restaurant.

"Second sao, this thing doesn't seem easy to sell. The other person didn't even take a single glance at it." Yao-shi said hesitantly.

嫂 (sǎo): older brother's wife / sister-in-law

Lin Qingwan was also slightly feeling embarrassed, perhaps recommending one's own food might not be accepted by the other people. However, she doesn't have any other way. After all, she wasn't acquainted with any of the restaurant's staff; thus, she could only go door to door of the restaurant and try to sell her product.

She was left a bit disheartened. However, Lin Qingwan didn't show it on the surface, and placated Yao-shi as they walked to Man Fu House.

The lobby of Man fu House was also quiet and cold at this time of day. There was only a waiter wiping the tables.

It cannot be denied that the waiters in reputable restaurants possess good attitudes. As soon as he saw them, he approached and welcomed them.

Just like earlier, Lin Qingwan explained the purpose of her visit. However, the waiter had an awkward expression on his face upon listening to her.

"This eldest sister, our manager, is indeed available. However, here we don't accept food from outside…"

Lin Qingwan could only quickly fish out a few copper coins she had prepared earlier from her sleeves and stuff in his hands with no other choice.

"This younger brother, I might inconvenience you. Can you do me a favor? You see us two women have come here early in the morning from the village, and it wasn't easy to come all the way here. Can you please help me refer this dish to your manager? We will be grateful to you regardless of it goes well or not."

Lin Qingwan had learned this trick from television in her previous life. But she was unsure if she had succeeded or not.

This waiter seemed 16-17 years old. Glancing that the two married women in front of him were courteous, shy, and indeed seemed to be in a difficult situation, he stuffed the coins back to her.

"Let it be, I will just help you ask. But I can't guarantee if our manager will agree to come. As for this money, you can take them back. We all have come from the village and live hand to mouth. I can't possibly take this money from you." After speaking, he turned around and ran in.

This waiter's accent also seemed to be that of rural folk. Fortunately, they happened to meet him.

Sighing a breath of relief, Lin Qingwan waited there with Yao-shi.

Not long after, a middle-aged man, who seemed to be a manager based on his attire, came out along with a waiter, while asking him, "This kid, how much profit did you receive from them for you to strongly insist on dragging me out here."

This restaurant's manager seemed to be over 40 and was petite with a goatee styled beard.

The waiter said with a smile: "Manager, you really have accused me wrongly this time. It's just that upon seeing those two women, I felt they were having a hard time. If not, why would two women drop by here to sell their things."

Upon hearing this, Lin Qingwan's face flushed red. But the thought of getting to meet the manager perked her up. She stepped forward and greeted the manager.

The manager was also friendly to speak with. Although he didn't express any opinion, he decided to have a look at Lin Qingwan's dish.

Lin Qingwan placed the basket she had brought on the table and removed the cloth covering it before taking out a big bowl of extremely thinly sliced lap cheong.

The manager examined the contents of the bowl. The bowl seemed to be a rather coarse porcelain bowl. Those red slices seemed to be edible, but they didn't have any aroma. At once, his face became quite awkward, inwardly contemplating how to decline them.

Naturally, Lin Qingwan could also discern the manager's rejection. Nevertheless, she got a pair of chopsticks from the waiter at the side and presented it to the manager with a wholehearted smile, as she explained: "Manager, this is our own family's craft. Despite its unprepossessing appearance, it tastes good. Not only that, it goes well with wine."

The manager took the chopsticks. After a moment of thought, he picked up a slice and tasted it.

Have to say, although this unknown dish doesn't have any smell, its taste was pretty good. It had the perfect balance of saltiness and sweetness, creating a rich a mellow flavor, and had a long aftertaste. The more you chew it, the tastier it became.

The manager was surnamed Li. This Man Fu house was their Li jia's ancestral business. In the beginning, it was nothing more than a low-grade wine shop. It was in the hands of Manager Li that it turned into one of the biggest restaurants in the Luoyun town, a testament to his excellent skills and vision.

jia: family/house

Thus, as soon as he put it in his mouth, he knew that this woman hadn't lied when she said so. This dish would indeed go well with wine. He fell into deep contemplation for a moment before he asked, "What is the name of this dish?"

Lin Qingwan was slightly taken aback. But after a quick deliberation, she replied, "Replying to the manager, this is called as Laweixian."

腊味鲜 (là wèi xiān): là wèi means cured meat, while xiān is used as an adjective to describe something fresh or delicious.

After replying, Lin Qingwan was filled with admiration on behalf of herself for coming up with a pleasant and suitable name for Lap cheong in a matter of few seconds.

The reason why she hadn't introduced this as Lap cheong, and created another name for it, was to stop people from guessing what it was made up of.

The 'cheong' in Lap cheong not only means sausage but also intestines. That's why Qingwan didn't want to mention that name.

Glancing at the Manager's face, she knew this was a done deal. She was hoping she could make a bit of silver from it.

Manager Li caressed his beard, "Laweixian, a good name! But what exactly is Lawei?"

Slight awkwardness appeared on Lin Qingwan's face. She can't possibly say that she just wants to make silver from 'Lawei', can she? If she told everything, how would they still be able to get along?

But after a brief thought, she nevertheless replied: "Lawei is literally what it means, and it is called Laweixian for its deliciousness. Manager Li didn't you also find it especially delicious when you tasted it?"

Manager Li savored the taste in his mouth and nodded. It indeed is a special delicacy. He asked, "Then I wonder how much this dish costs?"

"The cost of this Laweixian is weight-based – 60 wen per catty."

Ever since Manager Li had arrived, Yao-shi silently remained standing with head lowered. Due to her timid and humble disposition, she didn't dare to speak with a stranger male with her head up. But the moment she heard her second sao quote the price, astonishment filled her drooped face. However, she wasn't knowledgeable about the current market situation; thus, she didn't interrupt.

Contrarily, Lin Qingwan didn't think the price she quoted was high. First, this dish was rare and was unlikely to be reproduced by anyone else. Haven't you heard of the saying that the rare ones are expensive? She had worked herself to death to prepare this, and had to air-dry it for couple of days. Then, by rights, shouldn't the price be certainly high? What's more, her exclusive seasoning, ' Thirteen spice', also went in it.

斤 (jīn):The jin is a traditional unit of weight in China, comparable to the English pound. The jin was then equal to 1 1/3 pounds or 604.79 grams. During the European colonial era, the jin was identified with the catty, a Malay unit widely used in various forms throughout East and Southeast Asia.

Even if the pork only costs 12 wen a jin, however, if the number of spices used, manual work, and the time for air-drying were considered, the price would be more or less reasonable. That's why Lin Qingwan didn't find the selling price expensive at all.

Naturally, she would also be making a lot of profit.

Manager Li frowned. Calculating it based on weight was fine. However, he didn't know how the raw form looked. Furthermore, he also has to calculate how much profit he could make after buying it for such a price.

Lin Qingwan naturally understood Manager Lu's apprehensions. Thus, she removed another layer of cloth, exposing the neatly stacked steamed Lap cheong.

"Manager, this is how Laweixian looks like." She held out a link of Lap cheong carefully with a piece of cloth. "Roughly, this one link would weigh about a jin. This link could be chopped and served into a plate or two. I presume a dish that goes well with wine such as this would be definitely be sold for more than 60 wen."

Upon examining the lap cheong link, he could also roughly estimate the amount. He couldn't help but feel that this woman in front of him had the gift of gab and understood the situation thoroughly. Almost all the solutions for the issues he had been mulling over had been thought out by her.

"Alright, how many do you have now?"

Lin Qingwan replied with a cordial smile, "At the moment, I have about ten jin with me. Would manager wish to take all of them?"

After a moment's consideration, manager Li felt ten jin weren't much and only costed 600 wen. Moreover, he truly found this Laweixian to be a good choice of accompaniment with wine and could try selling in the restaurant. After all, these days, many patrons have been complaining about having very few dishes with wine. After having those regular old dishes for a long, it wouldn't be a bad choice to try a different flavor sometimes….

"That's fine; our Man Fu house would take them all."

A bright smile surfaced on Lin Qingwan's face as she asked the waiter to take the basket in her hand and weigh it. Then she added: "Manager, thank you very much. If manager finds this dish sellable, this little woman can make some more."

Manager Li nodded, "My surname is Li. You can call me Manager Li. If this Laweixian was truly be sold well, how may I contact you?"

Lin Qingwan thought about telling the address of their house, but after thinking about the rest of the members of Yang jia, she dispelled that thought.

After contemplating a bit, she replied, "Manager Li, the little woman's house is too remote. You might not be able to find it. We can do this, after a few days, I will have one of my relatives visit you to inquire. If you still need them, tell him about them. I will have them delivered to you quickly." She then, again, added, "My family's name is Lin, while my husband's is Yang."

Manager Li nodded in consent. Not long after, the waiter returned and signaled at him with a nod. Manager Li had the waiter fetch a bag of copper coins and give it to Lin Qingwan along with her basket.

Without even counting, Lin Qingwan stuffed them in her sleeves before taking the basket, expressed her gratitude, and left the Man fu House along with Yao-shi.

Manager Li felt the woman was young, beautiful, composed, and easy, yet she seemed to be from a peasant household from her attire. No matter how he looked at her, she didn't seem one bit like a rural woman. But then thought of those two women deliberately dressing in that manner to avoid causing trouble flashed in his mind. However, if they truly weren't from a peasant household, why did they, two women, step out to sell their stuff…

Momentarily, he couldn't come up with anything. Only when the waiter called him did he shake his head with a smile while caressing his beard.

He was truly gone insane. Whether she is from a rural area or not, how would it concern him; to even go as far as to ponder over it half a day?!

Once the two left the Man Fu House's doors, Yao-shi excitedly said: "Second sao, I never expected they would be sold for such a high price. When I was in front of the waiter and the manager, I couldn't even bring myself to utter a word."

Lin Qingwan patted her hand with a smile, but soon her she fell into contemplation.

After a few steps of walk, she asked Yao-shi, "Third dimei, do you know where the third younger brother is working?"

弟妹 (dìmèi): younger sibling / younger brother's wife

With Yang Tiegen having been leaving early in the morning and returning late in the nights, Lin Qingwan had seen him very seldomly. Thus, she wasn't aware of Yang Tiegen's present situation.

Yao-shi was momentarily caught off guard, but she nevertheless nodded her head.

"Yes, I heard husband saying that he wasn't able to get any temporary jobs these days and has been waiting by the rental carriage plaza for any work because their patrons would usually require the laborers to transport their goods."

"Then you take me to where third younger brother is waiting. I want him to help me with something."

Yao-shi consented, nodded, and led Lin Qingwan to the north of Luoyun Town.

The rental carriage plaza that Yao-shi said was in actuality spread across one entire street. Since this street usually houses several rental carriage storefronts, people began calling the whole street rental carriage plaza.

It was currently nearing noon; however, there weren't many mule carts in the entire plaza. Lin Qingwan could see few men, seemingly laborers, squatting in the corner, waiting for work.

Both of them were dressed rather rustically, with a cloth wrapped around their heads, and weren't conspicuous. They didn't garner any attention as they walked further into the street. As they walked a bit further in, not long after, they came across Yang Tiegen, squatting by side while waiting for work, like everyone else.

Yao-shi strode towards him while calling his name. Yang Tiegen glanced up, only to find his wife striding towards him. He quickly stood up, speculating something might have happened at home.

"What's the matter? Did something happen at home?"

Yao-shi shook his head before turning around and glancing at Lin Qingwan.

"Second sao wants your help for some matter."

Only then did Yang Tiegen realize that second sao was also standing at the side. He was just about to ask how can he help her when Lin Qingwan interjected, "It's inconvenient to talk here. It now just happens to be lunchtime, should we all look for a place to eat. We can speak slowly after that."

Embarrassment filled Yang Tiegen's face, "Second sao, I am fine, I have dry food with me."

Lin Qingwan was acutely aware that it wasn't that he didn't want to help her; rather, he didn't want to spend money. Lin Qingwan pulled Yao-shi and began walking onward without allowing him to say anything further. Yang Tiegen had no choice but to catch up with them.

Near the rental carriage plaza, there were few food stalls. Many laborers don't usually go back for lunch. If the conditions are optimal, a few of them buy a bowl of noodles for lunch. And those like Yang Tiegen, who want to save, would bring some dry food from home.

Lin Qingwan preferred not to eat dry food in this chilly and windy weather if possible. After this, she also had something she wanted to buy before going home.

The three found a noodle stall and ordered a bowl of noodles each before taking seats.

Lin Qingwan then began briefing the situation to Yang Tiegen in a low voice before requesting him to visit Man Fu House after a few days to inquire.

She then asked him to buy pork when returning, emphasizing that sufficient quantities of pig's small intestines should be bought.

Yes, it is precisely how it seems. Lin Qingwan was intending to make another batch of lap cheong to store at home.

It wasn't much of a deal, even if the manager refused to buy anymore. They could just eat them at home. Unlike other food, lap cheong could be stored safely till the sixth month of the next year. In the event that they could be sold, it's even better. This day she had sold about 10 jin, leaving only about seven to eight jin at home, which would be in no way be sufficient to sell. Moreover, lap cheong is also not something that could be made instantaneously on the spot; it must be air-dried for a couple of days.

Be that as it may, Lin Qingwan strongly believed that preparedness averts peril.

Yang Tiegen asked in what quantities does she want him to buy the pork and small intestines. The pork was easy to buy, but getting a pig's small intestine wasn't easy. Most pork sellers discard these small intestines. Only a few sellers sell small intestines, which people usually buy to feed their dogs or cats.

In case they needed to buy it in large quantities, Yang Tiegen thought, he would have to speak with the pork seller and order it in advance.

After pondering for a while, Lin Qingwan replied she needed fifty jin of pork, and as for the small intestines, the more they are, the better. She was aware that they weren't easy to get hold of. In any case, they aren't worth much. Even if they were bought in excess, they could be stored in water. In this cold weather, they won't go bad.

When Yang Tiegen heard his second sao say 50 jin, he was slightly stunned. Although the second sao had sold ten jin, would it be okay to buy 50 jin at once? Isn't she afraid that they might go to waste?

Looking at Yang Tiegen's hesitation, Lin Qingwan knew what he was thinking about. Thus, she elaborated her intention to him.

After listening, Yang Tiegen felt it was reasonable, but it takes up a lot of silver—

On average, currently, the pork costs somewhere around 12 wen per jin. In that case, 50 jin would cost about more than a tael. What if it all goes to waste?

A string of 1000 wen is equivalent to one silver tael. 50 jin pork costs approximately 600 wen, more than half a tael.

By nature, Yang Tiegen was simple and honest. Though he had difficulty in expressing his concern, he would be inwardly worried. Furthermore, he had kept in mind all the goodwill his second brother and second sao and showed to their family. Although he wasn't good with words, he still expressed his concern whilst stuttering.

With a gentle smile, Lin Qingwan appeased him that it would be alright, for to achieve something, one would have to gamble. And moreover, even if they were unable to sell them, they could eat them.

Seeing that he couldn't persuade her against it, Yang Tiegen wasn't able to say anything.

Once the three of them were done eating the noodles, Lin Qingwan paid the bill. Then she handed Yang Tiegen the bag of copper coins that the manager had given to her. After thinking for a short while, she gave him another piece of a silver tael. That piece of silver tael should be roughly equivalent to half a silver tael. This much would be sufficient to buy enough amount of pork.

After giving the money to silver, Lin Qingwan planned to leave. Yao-shi once again asked her husband to be careful and not overwork himself before leaving.

Lin Qingwan had barely taken a step when she suddenly remembered something. She turned around and asked Yang Tiegen to deliver the pork to Eldest gu Yang-shi's place instead of Yang jia.

姑 (gū): father's oldest sister

After a moment of thought, Yang Tiegen understood what second sao's intention. Taking fifty jin of pork to home would be indeed eye-catching. Although their two families have separated from the main family, it would be better to avoid, considering the temperaments of their mother's, He-shi, and eldest sao, Wang-shi.

Before going back, Lin Qingwan led Yao-shi to the medical center where Yang Tiezhu was treated and bought a few herbs for the thirteen-spice. Yao-shi merely thought she was buying medicine for Yang Tiezhu and didn't delve much into it.

The two took an ox cart and returned to Luoxia village. Lin Qingwan went to Yang-shi's place and let her know to take the pork that Yang Tiegen would be bringing later and briefed the situation.

After coming out of Yang-shi's courtyard, the two walked home.

After they entered the gates, they found a visitor in the house. It was a middle-aged woman; she seemed to be a matchmaker from her dressing. She and He-shi were speaking about something while they stepped into the main room.

Lin Qingwan glanced at the woman's back, feeling slightly puzzled.

Yao-shi whispered to her from the side, "That's matchmaker Ma."

Lin Qingwan let out an oh in understanding as the two walked towards the second branch's room.

Matchmaker? Is anyone from Yang jia getting married? Is it Yang Xuezhang or is it Yang Ermei? Both of them seemed to be of marriageable age.

As soon as they pushed open the door, Yang Tiezhu leaning on the kang and the two girls sitting on the corner of the kang while playing with the cat's cradle came into their sight.

As soon as Yang Tiezhu saw his wife, Yang Tiezhu's eyes gleamed as the string of words flew out of his mouth swiftly.

"Wife, are you tired? Are you feeling uncomfortable anywhere? Did you have lunch? "

Lin Qingwan interrupted him with a smile, "I am not tired and am not feeling uncomfortable anywhere. Third younger brother, third dimei, and I had noodles for lunch. How about you? Did you have lunch?"

Before leaving in the morning, Lin Qngwan had prepared lunch for them and had put it on the stove to keep it warm, fearing that she might not be able to come by noon and starve the adult and two kids.

Yang Tiezhu was all smiles, "I too had my lunch," and asked, "You went to look for the third brother along with third dimei? You could have discussed with him after he returned in the evening."

Lin Qingwan's expression became slightly embarrassed. Could she say that she was beside herself with excitement and had assumed that Yang Tiegen wouldn't come back home anytime soon? Thus, she just gave Yang Tiezhu a smile in response as she removed the thick cotton-padded jacket and the cloth she had wrapped around her head. Yao-shi also went back to the room to tidy up.

Lin Qingwan brushed the dust on her with that kerchief while telling her 'achievements'. After listening to her, Yang Tiezhu showered her with praises and sweet words.

Lin Qingwan sent him an annoyed glare before untying her hair, combing it, and rolling it into a bun. And while doing so, she also told him that she had asked Yang Tiegen to buy more pork to make another batch of lap cheong.

Yang Tiezhu didn't say anything after listening, for he had a complete belief in his wife. Not only was his wife smart, capable, beautiful, and gentle, but any random dish she cooked could be sold for silver.

Dreading that Lin Qingwan might be burdened, he didn't forget to comfort her, "Wife, it doesn't matter even if it wasn't sold. We can eat it at home. Moreover, you see." To validate his words, he even gave an example, "We bought pork for 12 wen per jin, and sold 10 jin for 60 wen per jin, earning around 600 wen approximately. Buying 50 jin of pork would also cost roughly 600 wen. If we calculate it in this way, it didn't cost us any silver at all. "

Lin Qingwan glared at him as a slight smile played on her lips, understanding his intention. She was aware that he was afraid that she might feel worried if all of that had gone to waste and even came up with a vague calculation to fool her into believing that she wouldn't have anything to lose.

However, where did the initial ten jin of pork come from? Did they fall from the sky?

But she didn't point this out since her husband wanted to let go of all her burdens in her heart. And regardless of whether she was feeling truly feeling burden or not, she decided to bear it sweetly.

"Well, originally, I was a bit worried about losing the silver, but when you put it that way, I feel completely relaxed."

A husband and wife should get along by sharing each other's burdens. It wouldn't be good if a woman was overly smart. Sometimes, it is better to pretend to be a bit naïve to satisfy a man's approach of trying to be responsible and mature.

What's more, ever since her husband got injured, he unconsciously seemed to have a feeling that he was burdening her. Although Yang Tiezhu never spelled it out, Lin Qingwan could see it. Particularly, every time she carries water or does heavy work, he would be itching to hop over and help her. If it wasn't for her seriously reprimanding him to properly recuperate, he would have been unable to sit still till now.

This was also why Lin Qingwan didn't lend money to the third branch's husband and wife. In fact, if she had lent the money to them, they would have been able to get through these difficult times by themselves. But, every time she saw her husband look guilty seeing her working alone, Lin Qingwan decided to remain silent. Now, with the two families having meals together, Yao-shi would always be there to help her do some chores, making Yang Teizhu feel better in his heart.

And sure enough, when Lin Qingwan replied in such a manner, Yang Tiezhu's face blossomed like a flower with a delightful smile.

He couldn't help but tug his wife's hands, unable to let them go. Lin Qingwan glared at him before glancing at the two girls playing with the cat's cradle on the corner of the kang.

Suddenly realizing, Yang Tiezhu unwilling let go of her hand. Lin Qingwan pulled her hand back, gave him a sweet smile before walking to the little girls to play with them.

Not long after, Yao-shi came with an embroidery basket.

The two women and little girls sat in the corner of kang while languidly conversing. Lin Qingwan liked to play with these two girls and make them cackle with laughter. Subsequently, seeing them as such, she also began laughing with merriment.

From the side, Yao-shi nagged her to pay attention to her body. Initially, when she first became aware of her pregnancy, she would always be conscious of herself. But ever since the beginning of the gestation period, she was never felt nauseous or had any other difficulties, making her almost forget of her own pregnancy.

Fearing that she would feel uneasy while sitting, Yao-shi took out a quilt from the kang cabinet, spread it on kang, and gave her the bolster pillow that Lin Qingwan had previously made and let her wrap herself in kang.

Lin Qingwan had to nestle under the quilt with a bolster pillow paced behind her as a backrest with no other choice.

Currently, the two bolster pillows she had made were favorites of everyone in the house. One was used by Yang Tiezhu, while another one by her. Seeing this, Yao-shi also intended to use the cotton from her old cotton-padded jackets to make two bolster pillows for herself as well.

Regarding this decision of Yao-shi, Lin Qingwan also raised her hands in approval and also contributed Yang Tiezhu's old cotton-padded jacket, which had become inconvenient to wear because of hardened cotton inside.

From the side, Yang Tiezhu watched with envy as his wife and Yao-shi talked and giggled over there, feeling snubbed.

Just as he was about to be completely enshrouded with depression, Lin Qingwan glanced at him and sent him a sweet smile.

At once, warmth and delight flooded his heart, extinguishing all the depressing feeling.

Lin Qingwan chuckled in her heart. She had used this trick many times, but not only did he not get tired of this, but he even accepted it heartily.