Carefree Farmwife: Training the Husband, Raising the Bun - Chapter 80

Li Yin’s expression grew dazed as he listened to his Second Aunt’s sobbing words. For a brief moment, he felt as though his own family were nothing more than bandits. 

Rising to his feet, he turned to Feng Qiufang and said, “Father, Mother, as for the silver, I’ll find a way. Even if I can’t right now, there will be opportunities later. It will be the same in the end.”

Feng Qiufang’s eyes reddened at once, her voice trembling with emotion, “How can that be the same? You’re already twenty this year, if this drags on, who knows how many years more? At last we have a recommendation from Master Kong, and now… ah, my poor son, your fate is so bitter…”

Though her private aim was to get money out of Madam Li, what she said was true enough. Her Yin-ge’er was bright, and if they’d had money earlier, how could he be nearly twenty without even attaining tongsheng status?

Other young men were already marrying and having children at sixteen or seventeen. But their Yin-ge’er had held himself back for the sake of the exams, refusing even to settle a betrothal.

The real reason was that Feng Qiufang and her husband disdained the village girls. They were waiting for Li Yin to pass the imperial exams so he could marry a wealthy official’s daughter.

“You… all of you don’t want to see Yin-ge’er do well! Eldest Sister-in-law, you have silver to support outsiders, even building a fine brick house for a widow. But when it comes to securing your own nephew’s future, you hesitate and make excuses. What is in your heart! You’ll be the death of me… cough, cough…” Old Master Li’s face turned livid, his finger jabbing toward Madam Li and Wei Ying. He doubled over coughing, unable to catch his breath.

Madam Li frowned. “That brick house wasn’t paid for by me.” But no one believed her words.

Wei Ying was normally meek, but for the sake of her daughter she refused to yield. Li Wei, too, stiffened his neck and stayed silent.

Madam Li turned her head toward her eldest daughter-in-law, Liu Chuncao, who gave a slight nod.

Liu Chuncao was a shrewd woman. Ever since marrying into the family, she had rarely clashed with her mother-in-law. She knew when to read the mood and when to bide her time. 

Major matters were left to Li Dalang, smaller ones to Madam Li, who was a fair woman, courteous when treated with courtesy. Because of this, the two had always gotten along well.

Back when Shen Cuihua had been cast out by Li Dalang, Madam Li had secretly given her aid. Liu Chuncao had always known but pretended ignorance, never speaking of it. Sometimes, feigning ignorance was a form of wisdom.

Madam Li had just opened her mouth when Old Master Li, having caught his breath, cut in, “Eldest Daughter-in-law, isn’t your family running a furniture shop in town? You shouldn’t be short on silver. This time, you should help your third brother’s family!”

Hearing this, Madam Li’s mood soured. What did he mean, that just because they had a shop in town, they weren’t short of silver? Whether she chose to help or not was one thing, but their silver hadn’t blown in on the wind, it had been earned, thanks in large part to Cuihua.

“You’re unwilling?” Old Master Li’s face darkened. Slapping the table, he barked, “You have silver to feed an idle person, but when it comes to your own nephew’s future, you won’t part with a coin? I say, close that shop of yours in town, use the money to support Yin-ge’er! Nothing is more important than Yin-ge’er’s future!”

Righteous indignation radiated from him, as though what he said was utterly natural.

Flames of anger surged in Madam Li’s chest. She swallowed them down and said, “Father, the shop in town doesn’t belong to our Eldest. You can’t just clap your hands together and demand we close it. How is that possible?”

Old Master Li bristled, beard and eyes flaring, “So this is how you speak to me? What shop could be more important than Yin-ge’er? You’ll anger me to death!”

Madam Li’s brows drew into a deep furrow. She dared not incur the charge of being unfilial, so she said carefully, “The shop really isn’t our Eldest’s. And we never said we wouldn’t give silver. But Father, isn’t this too partial? If the shop were closed, what would my family eat? I know you dote on Yin-ge’er, but Eldest is also your grandson. How could you so easily demand he give up his livelihood?”

Before Old Master Li could retort, Feng Qiufang leapt in, “Then Eldest Sister-in-law means you’ll give silver for our Yin-ge’ee?” Her eyes shone brightly as she fixed them on Li-shi.

Madam Li nodded, though unwilling, “It concerns Yin-ge’er’s future. Of course we’ll help where we can.”

At last Feng Qiufang beamed with delight, “Eldest Sister-in-law, when Yin-ge’er passes the exams, and our household prospers, I’ll be sure to repay you!”

Madam Li pressed her lips together, silent, though her heart ached for the white, glittering twenty taels she’d have to part with. A month or two ago, she wouldn’t have agreed to even ten taels, let alone twenty. Only because of Cuihua’s help had they been able to make money at all. Madam Li lifted her gaze toward Shen Cuihua, sighing inwardly, so it was true, good deeds were rewarded.

She could have chosen not to give the money. But the imperial exams were a serious matter. If she refused now, and Yin-ge’er later succeeded, he would surely resent her for life.

With everything said, the birthday feast was truly at an end. What they thought would be a simple meal had turned into a flaying of their wallets and dignity.

Still unwilling, Madam Li raised the issue again of recording Cuihua and her child in the clan genealogy. But Old Master Li flew into a rage, spitting curses, accusing her of “Putting a green hat on the dead Erlang.”

Seething, Madam Li could only withdraw in defeat.

Before she even stepped outside, Feng Qiufang hurried after her, smiling ingratiatingly, “Eldest Sister-in-law, about the silver… when could you give it? I don’t mean to press, but Master Kong keeps urging us…” Her face was painted with helplessness.

“Come with me to fetch it now!” Madam Li snapped, her face dark, still smarting from being scolded and thwarted over Cuihua’s matter.

Feng Qiufang grinned broadly. “Wonderful!”

Just as they were about to leave, a commotion stirred. A large group of people was making its way toward the Li family’s old house. Among them were a few familiar villagers, but more than a dozen were strangers, dressed in fine attire. Several even wore the uniforms of yamen runners. One man sat astride a tall horse, with a carriage following behind.

Feng Qiufang peered at them nervously, muttering under her breath, “Heavens, what noble guests are these? What business could they have in our little village? Why didn’t they go to this house? Could they be kin to someone here? Since when did our village produce such grand people…”

She hadn’t finished when the group turned directly toward them. A villager at the lead pointed to Madam Li and the others and called out, “Master, it’s here at the Li family’s old house. The young lady named Cuihua you’re looking for is right there, standing at the gate!”