Chapter 15

In Shen Qing’s eyes, his wife was gentle, kind, and even knew medicine, probably? Xiao Wanling remembered that oilpaper bundle; she needed to find time to take a look at it.

She gently tugged his sleeve, testing the waters. “Let’s close up for the day.”

Shen Qing replied with a soft “mm” and obediently followed her back to the teahouse. The corners of his mouth slowly lifted. This was the first time he’d seen her get angry, and it had been for his sake. She cares about me!

He reached out and lifted her onto the oxcart. “I’ve got it.”

He loaded the jars, baskets, and everything else onto the cart, then sat up front with a smile spreading across his face. With a flick of the reins, he called out, “Let’s go home!”

Xiao Wanling leaned against the basket behind him, secretly wondering, did he notice anything odd?

Once home, she soaked some barley in preparation to make malt syrup and started drying the yeast cakes she’d cultured.

Shen Qing tied up the ox, washed his hands, then flicked the water off. He gently nudged Xiao Wanling aside with his shoulder, grinning, “Let me do it!” He mimicked her motions, pinching off a bit of dough, rolling it into a ball, flattening it into a cake, and placing it on the bamboo tray to dry.

Xiao Wanling felt a twinge of guilt and could only offer some praise. “Shen Qing, you did great!”

Shen Qing grinned, “I’m thirsty!” trying to hide his joy from her.

Xiao Wanling poured some cold herbal tea into his teapot, then stood on tiptoe to hold the pot to his lips.

Shen Qing bent down and drank straight from her hand. The cool, slightly sweet tea slipped into his mouth as his eyes followed her figure with a goofy smile.

Xiao Wanling went inside and retrieved the oilpaper bundle hidden behind the wooden cabinet. Inside was a small, palm-sized booklet. The paper was yellowed and thick, with delicate illustrations of plants; every detail, from the fuzzy stems to the leaf veins, was vividly drawn.

Fresh ginger: slightly spicy, dispels cold…

Xiao Wanling recognized the properties—ginger treated wind-cold colds. It was consistent with traditional Chinese medicine, where food and medicine shared roots. She also saw familiar herbs like schizonepeta, mulberry leaves, chrysanthemum, honeysuckle… She became absorbed.

Suddenly, the light outside dimmed. Strong winds kicked up, sweeping fallen leaves through the yard and across the newly sprouted vegetables. Rain started to fall. Xiao Wanling quickly shoved the booklet under her pillow and rushed out to gather the drying ingredients.

Shen Qing had already moved the bamboo trays into the new brick house and was now collecting the clothes.

By the time they were done, both of them were soaked, with hair dripping wet.

Shen Qing handed her a dry cloth. He sat on the bamboo bed, toweling his hair, then suddenly stood up. Rain fell like strings of pearls outside; it wasn’t stopping any time soon.

It was getting late. Xiao Wanling had just tidied the mat and was about to lie down when she saw Shen Qing standing beside the bed. She sat up immediately. “What’s wrong?”

Shen Qing looked at her, eyes wide with expectation. “My bed’s soaked.”

They’d been so busy earlier they hadn’t noticed—the rain had blown in, soaking the mat and bamboo bed.

Xiao Wanling took the mat and hung it over the table to dry. Even after wiping it, it was still damp to the touch.

Shen Qing stood by awkwardly. The new brick house didn’t have windows or a door yet, and it was no place to sleep.

Xiao Wanling pulled a new set of bedding from the cabinet. “Use this to lie on for the night.”

Shen Qing protested, “I get hot.” Plus, that was part of her dowry—he didn’t want to dirty it.

Xiao Wanling paused. “So… you want to—?”

Shen Qing thought for a moment. “Can I sleep on the bed? Like we did at the Zhang residence.”

It wasn’t right to let him sleep on the floor, so she agreed.

Shen Qing lay down on the outer side, one leg bent, arms tucked behind his head, looking quite at ease.

The windows and doors were closed, making the room dark. Only the sound of rain falling on the roof and ground could be heard. It was cool and perfect for sleeping. Xiao Wanling, feeling awkward, turned her back to him and quickly fell asleep.

The rain continued through the night.

Xiao Wanling awoke early, heard the storm still raging outside, and decided to lie back down. Shen Qing was still in the same position as before. Since they wouldn’t be selling tea today, she figured it could be a rest day.

In a half-dream state, she suddenly heard someone calling outside. “Shen Qing! Madam Xiao!”

Xiao Wanling opened her eyes and realized she was lying in Shen Qing’s arms. His arms were wrapped around her waist, and his chest pressed firmly against her back. The intimate position made her mind go blank.

No wonder it felt hot, like a furnace on her back. She tried to move but couldn’t break free.

She carefully pried his hands off and nudged him. Shen Qing opened his eyes, confused to find her crouched in front of him saying something. Her voice finally came into focus. “Shen Qing, get up! Uncle Xue is here to help build the house!”

Shen Qing sat up, ruffling his hair, still not quite awake.

Xiao Wanling circled around him. This guy’s all limbs are blocking the whole way. As she put on her shoes, her wrist was suddenly grabbed. Shen Qing’s voice came from behind her, “I’ll open the door. You freshen up.”

Then he strode outside.

Outside, Xue Zhengyang’s voice rang out, “The rain just stopped. I hope I didn’t disturb you.”

He’d been having back pain and hadn’t gone to work in a while, just tending to his own fields. He came early and left late. His three sons were all out working, only helping when free. His daughter-in-law, Cheng Qiao’er, had volunteered to come clean and share some work, especially after seeing the Shen family’s garden full of odd herbs and weeds.

Xiao Wanling couldn’t explain that those “weeds” were actually edible herbs and seasonings. In this era, spices and cooking methods were monopolized by the elite. Most ordinary people were too busy surviving to even recognize such ingredients.

Cheng Qiao’er rinsed the rice and beans, chopped vegetables and radish, and dumped everything into the pot until Xiao Wanling stopped her with a smile, “We’ve got some cured meat and dried veggies that need to be used. Let’s make steamed buns today.”

Cheng Qiao’er rolled up her sleeves. “Great! I’ll help!”

Shen Qing stood at the kitchen door. “Anything I can help with?”

Xiao Wanling pointed at the beam overhead. “Get down those two pieces of cured meat and soak some dried veggies.”

Shen Qing stepped in, easily lifted the meats down, and placed them on the table. Cheng Qiao’er quickly grabbed a handful of dried vegetables to rinse, then smiled as she watched him leave. “I never realized Shen Qing was so tall.”

Xiao Wanling scrubbed the cured meat in hot water. “He eats a lot; that’s why he’s tall!”

Cheng Qiao’er chuckled, “Men do eat more. And they’ve got more strength.”

Xiao Wanling didn’t entirely agree. She pulled out a yeast cake and dissolved it in water, then began kneading the dough. Since all three Xue brothers were helping, she made extra and let the dough rise.

In the wok, she first fried the fatty pork to release the oil, then added diced red lean meat.

Cheng Qiao’er sniffed the air. “Just the filling smells amazing!” Who made buns with real meat? Only Madam Xiao was generous enough. At the Xue house, the most luxurious thing they’d done was bean paste, and they didn’t even wait for the dough to fully rise. As long as it was chewable, it was “done.”

When Cheng Qiao’er bit into Xiao Wanling’s bun, her eyes watered slightly. “This is too delicious!”

Xue Zhengyang looked a bit embarrassed; six of their family members had come, and they hadn’t done much yet were eating like kings. His eldest grandson stuffed a big bite in his mouth, eyes squinting with joy. “Grandpa, let’s make meat buns at home too!”

Cheng Qiao’er glared at her gluttonous son. “Even if we had the meat, we couldn’t make it taste this good.” She’d watched every step; Madam Xiao hadn’t held back at all. And yet, even with similar methods, Madam Xiao’s buns turned out so fluffy and plump.

Shen Qing served everyone a bowl of mung bean soup. Mung beans were rare; even grain shops often ran out.

Xiao Wanling was testing how well people liked mung bean soup. It cleared heat and reduced inflammation—a perfect summer drink. As for the beans being expensive? They could grow their own.

Xue Zhengyang glanced at the few mung beans floating in the tea and asked, “Madam Xiao, is this another one of your new teas?”

Seeing the expressions on their faces, Xiao Wanling had a good idea. “Yes, but it’s limited supply, as the ingredients are pricey!”

Xue Zhengyang nodded approvingly. “Just the right sweetness. It’s very refreshing.” He clearly loved it.

Cheng Qiao’er was quietly stunned; mung beans cost more than rice. She warned her son not to waste it.

After the rain, working became much cooler. Cheng Qiao’er quickly cleaned up after the meal. “Madam Xiao, we should fix up this kitchen too!” It was next to the bamboo bathing room, roofed with straw and open on three sides.

Xiao Wanling replied, “Let’s finish the two main rooms first. Then we’ll work on the kitchen.”

The second brick house was already taller than a person. Shen Qing was crafting the wooden doors, with Xue Defu helping.

Xue Deshou and Xue Dean passed bricks and helped mix mortar. Cheng Qiao’er and Xiao Wanling chopped firewood, brewed tea, and cooked. The Xue family’s eldest grandson herded the ox while riding it.

When Old Lady Liu arrived and saw this scene, it looked like the Xue family had married into the Shen household! Furious, she muttered nonstop, “Where was all this hard work when helping our own house? Always rushing to help outsiders. Shameless people!”

Cheng Qiao’er heard her mother-in-law’s nagging, and her smile faded. Overwhelmed by emotion, she forgot all about filial piety and snapped back, “Because every time I help at home, all I hear is complaints! This isn’t right; that’s wrong! You chase us out and then blame us for not helping.”

Old Lady Liu made the worst meals and insisted on cooking them. She’d make one meal and eat leftovers for the rest of the day. Getting fresh food was a rarity.

Cheng Qiao’er realized too late that she’d gone too far; Old Lady Liu was now standing in front of her, arms akimbo. The three Xue brothers had stopped working. Xue Zhengyang felt his face trampled into the mud. Why air dirty laundry in front of outsiders?

Old Lady Liu suddenly lunged to pull her daughter-in-law’s hair, but Cheng Qiao’er, being younger and quicker, dodged and slapped her hand away. “I’ve worked hard for this family and gave you a fat grandson. How dare you hit me?!”

And in front of so many people! Tears streamed down her face. Her husband had never defended her. The more she thought about it, the more aggrieved she felt, and she launched herself into a full-on fight.

It all happened in seconds. Xiao Wanling saw them wrestling and shouted, “Shen Qing! Separate them!”

Shen Qing hadn’t wanted to interfere, but worried Old Lady Liu might hurt Xiao Wanling in the chaos, he strode over and pulled the two women apart, one in each hand.

“Aaah!” Old Lady Liu shrieked, “This is outrageous! My daughter-in-law just hit her mother-in-law! I’m going to ask the Cheng family how they raised you!”

Shen Qing stood protectively in front of Xiao Wanling, his face dark, wary of another outburst.

“That’s enough!” Xue Zhengyang massaged his temples, feeling a throbbing headache.

Old Lady Liu’s face twisted with disbelief. “You’re siding with that little tramp!”

“Shut up! Look at yourself!” He barked.

Hair disheveled and face twisted with fury, Old Lady Liu still didn’t back down; she wanted to fight more.

Cheng Qiao’er didn’t look much better. She’d said everything in a rush of anger and didn’t know how to face her husband or father-in-law now.

Xiao Wanling tugged Cheng Qiao’er toward the house. “Come inside, let’s clean up. Shen Qing, watch them!”

She didn’t want bloodshed, as it was supposed to be a work crew, after all.

Anything Xiao Wanling said, Shen Qing obeyed without question. He stood there, cold-eyed, staring Old Lady Liu down.