Chapter 10: A Funeral and Wedding Mixed Together

 

After the rain stopped, the snow continued to fall incessantly, and the temperature dropped even further. 

 

Yu Tingwan made daily trips up the mountain. 

 

Unfortunately, one misstep caused her to slip and roll downhill, only stopping when she hit the roots of a tree. The pain left her immobile for quite some time.

 

However, it was at this very spot that she unearthed a yam as thick as her arm.

 

“Remember, the herbs I need look like this. They can stop bleeding and reduce swelling—your son will need them,” came a voice from nearby.

 

Old Man Qian tossed the freshly picked herb to Hui Niang, who quickly caught it with both hands. “Thank you!” she said nervously, careful not to offend him.

 

Ever since her husband had asked for the return of their money, her mother-in-law had made a scene day and night, causing Old Man Qian great distress.

 

Old Madam Wei, an elderly and shameless woman, would sit in front of his house wailing and rolling on the ground, even threatening to end her life by banging on his door. Not even the village chief could drive her away. What could anyone do about such behavior?

 

Seeing Old Man Qian’s face grow darker by the day, Hui Niang feared he might refuse to continue treating her son.

 

Old Man Qian, a widower with no children, lived in a messy, dirty home. Hui Niang had taken it upon herself to tidy his house and cook meals, always including portions for him. Her husband, Wei Shouzhong, helped fetch water and chop firewood. Thanks to their efforts, Old Man Qian had been living quite comfortably these past few days. Every time he thought about driving them away, the words got caught in his throat.

 

“Alright, let’s split up to search,” he said, though they didn’t stray far from each other.

 

Old Man Qian used his stick to prod through the thick snow, hands clasped behind his back as he suppressed his irritation. “Your mother-in-law’s mouth is filthy and foul; just seeing her makes me sick!”

 

Hui Niang’s expression dimmed, and she bit her lip hard.

 

“It’s bad enough she curses you; she even curses me!” he continued.

 

“Want some heartbreak grass?” he suddenly asked.

 

Hui Niang startled, “Is it to fight poison with poison for my son?”

 

“No, for your mother-in-law,” he said with dark humor. “Won’t kill her, just give her a scare!”

 

Yu Tingwan: …

 

She should have left, but the conversation was too intriguing.

 

Clearing her throat, she limped out from behind a tree. “Could I have a stalk of that?”

 

Old Man Qian: ??? How was there someone else here? The dense forest made it impossible to spot her until she spoke.

 

Yu Tingwan added, “My aunt could really use it.”

 

Hui Niang: … What kind of people were these?

 

“This is no joking matter,” Hui Niang warned. “That heartbreak grass is deadly if eaten.”

 

Yu Tingwan replied casually, “I just want to scare her.”

 

After that night, Madam Wang had become more behaved. But people like her never learned their lesson. Yesterday, Yu Tingwan had found three bird eggs, boiled them, and eaten two, saving the last one for breakfast. Yet, Madam Wang had stolen and eaten it.

 

Looking hopefully at Old Man Qian, Yu Tingwan asked, “I have no money though. Can I buy on credit?”

 

Old Man Qian retorted, “Do you even know my surname?”

 

In the end, Yu Tingwan didn’t get the heartbreak grass. She dejectedly prepared to leave with her large yam.

 

The yam had medicinal properties, and Old Man Qian’s sharp eyes noticed this. “Wait,” he called. “Are you selling that yam?”

 

Yu Tingwan desperately needed money. “How much?” she asked.

 

“Ten coins.”

 

Who would accept such a pittance? In town, she could get at least twenty coins. But the roads were still blocked by snow, and she didn’t have a single coin to her name.

 

She was very poor. 

 

The frostbite on her hands had cracked open, both itchy and painful. 

 

The neighbor Aunt Wu’s daughter-in-law had let her use some ointment once, and it had worked wonders. One bottle cost twelve coins, and though it was available in town, she couldn’t get there now.

 

But she could pay Mrs. Wu’s daughter-in-law for half a bottle. Otherwise, her hands would be ruined.

 

After receiving the money, Yu Tingwan gave Old Man Qian the yam and carefully prepared to descend the mountain, walking slowly to avoid another fall.

 

Behind her, Hui Niang sighed, “That girl is quite pretty. Once my son recovers, I’ll find him a beautiful bride. I just hope they can live happily together.”

 

But… she worried.

 

Their family was poor, and with Old Madam Wei’s troublemaking, who would want to be connected to them through marriage?

 

Old Man Qian didn’t laugh at her long-term planning, but his brows furrowed deeply. “Better not,” he muttered. “Your son is wilder than a wolf cub… the new bride might get stabbed as soon as she enters the door.”

 

“Then you’ll have a funeral and wedding rolled into one,” he added grimly.

 

Yu Tingwan: ???

 

Even she, usually calm and detached, was stunned. Clearly, one must be careful in choosing a husband! Wasn’t Wei Shen in the army? How had he become such a savage?

 

Cherishing her life above all, Yu Tingwan felt relieved that the Wei family lived at the village’s end while she stayed near the front. After she married Butcher Wu, their paths wouldn’t cross at all.

 

This brief encounter didn’t weigh heavily on her mind.

 

When the neighbor Wu’s young daughter-in-law learned of her intention, she was initially displeased, but her expression changed to a smile upon seeing Yu Tingwan’s six coins. The ointment had been bought before her marriage last year, and most remained unused. After becoming pregnant, she had set it aside. 

 

Seeing Yu Tingwan wanted to buy it, she was glad to sell. She directly gave the small clay jar along with it.

 

Covering her mouth, she whispered, “Your sister-in-law’s family relatives have come. You might want to stay here a while before heading back.”

 

Yu Tingwan wasn’t surprised. “She’s about to give birth. It’s natural for her family to visit.”

 

Though she said this, she knew better than anyone why the Xu family had come. The recent snowstorms had been fierce, and their poorly built house had lost its roof—how could they stay warm? But a house couldn’t be built in a day, so the whole family had to swallow their pride and seek shelter.

 

In her previous life, they had brought grain and even sacrificed some meat, but Madam Wang had refused them entryand drove them all away instead. With nowhere to go, they cried outside until the villagers gathered to watch. To save face, Madam Wang had finally relented.

 

But this time might be different. After all, the water vat was getting low with no one to fetch water, and there was no one to chop firewood. Madam Wang had no one to order around now.

 

Yu Tingwan’s gaze slowly lowered to rest on Wu’s daughter-in-law’s slightly showing pregnancy. “Going back to your parents’ home the day after tomorrow?”

 

Wu’s daughter-in-law’s was surprised. “Yes, my third brother is getting married soon. I need to go back and help.”

 

“Sister-in-law better not go out,” Yu Tingwan warned.

 

Wu’s daughter-in-law: ??? 

 

Yu Tingwan knew her husband had injured his leg half a month ago and needed rest these days. After thinking for a moment, she added: “If you really need to go back, have Aunt Wu accompany you.”

 

Wu’s daughter-in-law: …

 

She didn’t dare.

 

Her mother-in-law had been quite critical of her wanting to return home, constantly complaining that she only thought about her maiden family.

 

Yu Tingwan said: “Our two families live close, and with the snow making roads slippery, I’m worried you might get knocked down by something.”

 

So that’s what it was.

 

Wu’s daughter-in-law waved dismissively: “You’re overthinking it.”

 

How could she be so unlucky as to have an accident if she was careful on the way?

 

Yu Tingwan was direct: “And then miscarry.”

 

“I wouldn’t joke about something like this.”

 

When it came to the baby, Wu’s daughter-in-law’s face darkened. “Stop talking nonsense! Aren’t you cursing me? The fortune teller said my pregnancy was stable.”

 

Yu Tingwan looked at her earnestly, her tear mole at the corner of her eye somehow appearing bewitching: “Perhaps he’s not as accurate as me.”

 

She couldn’t help but ask: “How much does a fortune telling cost?”

 

“Thirty coins.”

 

How much???

 

She had nearly lost her life just to earn twelve coins, and that was with good luck.

 

Yu Tingwan fell silent.

 

Aunt Wu arrived then and, noticing her daughter-in-law’s troubled expression and Yu Tingwan’s distant look, asked, “What’s wrong?“

 

“I’m thinking…”

 

“About what?”

 

Yu Tingwan said quietly, “I’m thinking about setting up a fortune-telling stall to make money.”