Chapter 65: Eating

Having spent some time together, Xia Xunyan had become quite familiar with this family. With Dong Yun and Fubao present, there was no need to be shy, so they all sat down at the table together. Dagen and his two sons sat at one end, while the five women and one child sat at the other.

Fubao looked at Pear Blossom, who was sitting between Xinghua and Erniu, and said, “I want to sit with Pear Blossom.”

Pear Blossom had no choice but to switch seats with Xinghua and sit next to her. Then came Dong Yun and Xia Xunyan, followed by Xiong couple, along with Daniu, completing the circle.

As the head of the family, Dagen said a few polite words at the beginning, then settled into eating with his two sons without saying much more.

Mrs. Xiong smiled and greeted the two young ladies at the table. Fubao interrupted, saying, “Grandma Xiong, I want to eat four bowls of rice tonight.”

Upon hearing this, Mrs. Xiong nearly burst into laughter, saying, “Little ancestor, if you can finish the bowl in front of you, it will already be a blessing.”

Dagen couldn’t help but joke, “Fubao, eat as much as you want. We have plenty of rice. If you run out, I’ll cook more for you.”

The innocent and childlike chatter, combined with the delicious food and the aroma of rice, instantly brought everyone closer together, and everyone’s faces were bright with smiles.

Mrs. Xiong had just received two thousand taels of silver the day before, making her feel incredibly comfortable. Moreover, today her daughter had done something big, and now the villagers greeted her with smiles and affection, holding hands and being unusually friendly. It was something she had never even dared to dream of before.

The night before, she had planned to cook a big meal after receiving the money, but her daughter hadn’t returned for dinner. She had been so happy, but had nowhere to express it. Tonight, her child was back, and she had invited Dong Yun over, creating a lively atmosphere. While cooking, she made an extra effort to prepare several dishes, filling the table completely.

She had slaughtered a chicken, stewed some small mushrooms, and used the last bit of cured meat that Aunt Qin had given her, steaming it with rice. The fern shoots, tossed with a bit of sauce, were delicious, and she stir-fried winter bamboo shoots with fatty pork. There was also a dish of green vegetables and scrambled eggs with chives.

The wild chives and scrambled eggs were placed a bit farther away, but when Pear Blossom noticed this, she stood up, moved the dishes around, and placed the egg dish closer to Xia Xunyan, so she wouldn’t feel embarrassed reaching for it.

Xia Xunyan felt a warmth in her heart at the sight. Her eyelashes fluttered, and when she looked up, she happened to meet Dong Yun’s gaze. The two exchanged a brief look before quickly looking away.

Fubao said, “Pear Blossom, I also want to eat eggs.”

Xia Xunyan quickly said, “Put it in front of Fubao.”

Dong Yun brought over Fubao’s small bowl, scooped two spoons of egg and piled them on the rice, “Don’t mind her, how much can her tiny stomach eat?”

Mrs. Xiong laughed and said, “But someone just said they wanted to eat four bowls.”

Fubao twisted and turned, leaning against Pear Blossom.

Dong Yun said, “Sit properly and eat, Pear Blossom also needs to eat.”

Seeing so many people staring, Fubao didn’t dare to cause a scene. Pear Blossom helped her move the small stool closer to the table and let her use a small spoon to eat on her own.

The chicken was stewed until tender, and Mrs. Xiong stood up again, took a small bowl, and filled it with a chicken leg, handing it to Pear Blossom. Pear Blossom naturally knew the chicken leg wasn’t for her, so she placed it in front of Fubao.

Fubao tilted her head back and laughed, clearly delighted.

Dong Yun felt a little embarrassed. They were eating at someone else’s house, but her daughter was being served like a little princess. She quickly spoke up, “Auntie, don’t indulge her. She can’t eat much. The chicken leg should go to Erniu and Xinghua.”

At home, the chicken legs were always finished by Erniu and Xinghua. Now, with a smaller child present, the two little ones didn’t feel comfortable eating it. Upon hearing Dong Yun’s words, they quickly shook their heads and said they didn’t want any.

Mrs. Xiong said, “The old hens at home might have laid eggs. There are thirty or forty little chickens in the yard, one nest after another. In a couple of months, we’ll be able to eat them. Pear Blossom goes up the mountain every few days to hunt wild chickens, so they’ll have chicken legs when they want.”

As she spoke, she scooped up another piece, her eyes scanning, unsure who to give it to. Finally, she placed it in Xia Xunyan’s bowl.

“You read and write all day, it’s mentally exhausting. Your little body is thin, you need to replenish.”

Xia Xunyan didn’t expect the chicken leg to end up in her bowl. She quickly said, “Auntie, you don’t have to give it to me. I really like eggs, please give it to Pear Blossom. She runs around all day, it’s exhausting.”

Mrs. Xiong wanted to insist but seeing Xia Xunyan cover her bowl, she had to turn to Dong Yun and say, “Fubao’s mother, then you eat it.”

Dong Yun laughed, “No, Fubao can’t even finish one, I’ll end up with the leftovers. You all eat.”

Pear Blossom also smiled, “Mother, you eat it. You’ve been worrying all day, no one’s more tired than you. I can eat well outside, and besides, it’s all chicken, other parts are just as tasty.”

Mrs. Xiong, being older, didn’t have much appetite for the chicken leg and only intended to serve it to her younger children, but both of them refused. Dagen said, “The children are thoughtful. You eat it.”

Mrs. Xiong gave him a sideways glance, “Want me to give it to you?”

Dagen said, “I’m a big man, what do I need a chicken leg for? Chicken feet would be fine for me as a snack with wine.”

“Wine, wine, always thinking about wine. Looks like Zhang Laowu’s wine habit has passed to you.”

The chicken leg went around and no one took it, so Mrs. Xiong had no choice but to put it in her own bowl. Pear Blossom served each of the younger siblings a chicken wing and said, “You two eat the wings, so you can fly high in the future.”

Dong Yun, hearing this, looked at her. It reminded her of the conversation about phoenixes and hawks a while ago, and she couldn’t help but let her gaze soften.

Pear Blossom turned her head just as Dong Yun looked at her. Seeing her eyes, Pear Blossom noticed what was in her bowl and softly said, “After you finish, give me the bowl. I’ll go get you a second helping.”

It seemed she was still thinking about the earlier talk about how many bowls they should eat.

If it had been before, with all the delicious food in front of her, Dong Yun would have shown little interest. But now, after so many years of hiding and running, having to do household chores and farm work, and raising a child, her body had grown worn out. She couldn’t be as particular as she once was. If she didn’t eat enough, she wouldn’t have the strength to work.

But it was a bit embarrassing to ask for a second helping at someone else’s house. Pear Blossom didn’t care about that. When she saw Dong Yun’s bowl was empty, she directly took it and went to refill it. When she returned, the bowl was piled high, and Dong Yun was startled.

Blushing, she softly said, “Why did you give me so much? I really can’t finish this.”

Pear Blossom replied, “Just eat it. If you can’t finish, give me the leftovers.”

Dong Yun was so tempted to twist her ear, but with so many people around, she couldn’t really argue. She had to lower her head and try to finish her second bowl.

Pear Blossom turned to ask Dagen, “Dad, how’s the school construction going?”

Dagen replied, “The tiles are already on, and all that’s left is to cut wood for the desks and chairs. It should be finished in ten days or so. I just don’t know if we’ll be able to hire a teacher.”

Dong Yun heard this and turned to look at Xia Xunyan. If there was anyone in this world who was truly brilliant and talented, it had to be this woman. Otherwise, she wouldn’t have been chosen to be her companion reader. Unfortunately, the world was dominated by men, and women couldn’t take center stage. Even the most educated and talented women might not be welcomed into a school to teach.

Xia Xunyan, however, appeared focused on the dish of leek and eggs in her hands, as though she hadn’t heard a word they said.

Pear Blossom also glanced at Xia Xunyan, but since it was a village matter, and Xia Xunyan had been pursued by bandits and couldn’t show herself, Pear Blossom said nothing.

Mrs. Xiong said, “Once the roof is done, hurry back to plow the fields. The Qin family is plowing theirs right now. When the school is finished, we’ll borrow their ox.”

Dagen agreed.

Pear Blossom said, “Mom, borrowing an ox from others for the autumn harvest feels a bit embarrassing. How about we buy one ourselves?”

Mrs. Xiong replied impatiently, “Buy one? You just received ten taels of silver, and now you’re worried it won’t be enough. Besides, our little calf will be able to plow next year. No need to buy one.”

Money wasn’t the issue. Pear Blossom’s horse, though claimed to be from the escort agency, came and went, which might attract envy from others. The 2,000 taels should definitely not be mentioned to outsiders. For now, Mrs. Xiong planned to keep a low profile so no one would get any ideas.

Now, the mother was in charge of the household, and Pear Blossom could not argue, so she had no choice but to follow her.

Suddenly, Mrs. Xiong remembered something the women had talked about when they visited the village chief’s house earlier that afternoon. She said, “The authorities say that they’ll collect next year’s taxes in advance. It’s been a month since they announced it. When are you going to take it to the city to pay? By the time the collectors come down, you’ll have to pay extra.”

Hearing this, Pear Blossom thought of the five people she had encountered in Jinyang City a few days ago. They had been trying to get someone to help them pay the taxes, but the middleman had embezzled the grain taxes. She asked, “Who is going to pay the grain for other families?”

In the past, when the Xiang family was still together, the mother and son were busy working and had no time to worry about the tax payment. Pear Blossom had never paid much attention to these matters.

Mrs. Xiong replied, “Most people in the village ask the Liu family to handle it. They are a big household, familiar with the city, and know the tax clerks well. The villagers are illiterate and unfamiliar with the city. They don’t even know where to sign, and they’re afraid the clerks will overcharge them when they collect the grain. So they’d rather pay a little extra for the Liu family to help. But before, when Xiang Laosan studied in the city, the Xiang family didn’t want the Liu family to profit from it. They paid the taxes themselves.”

Dong Yun suddenly asked, “The Liu family has several hundred acres of land. Don’t they have to pay almost a thousand shi of grain tax?”

Mrs. Xiong laughed coldly and said, “If that were the case, we common folk wouldn’t be so resentful. The Liu family has so much land, and they don’t pay a penny in tax!”

The children all stared at her. Dong Yun and Xia Xunyan understood immediately and didn’t react much.

Mrs. Xiong continued, “Do you think these families send their children to school for no reason? They want to earn a degree, and once they pass the scholar exam, they can get tax exemptions. A scholar can get tax exemptions for fifty to eighty acres of land. In other villages, many people try to register their land under a scholar’s name to become their tenant farmers.”

Xinghua didn’t understand. “But Liu Qiming isn’t even part of the Liu family anymore, and he lost his degree. Also, even a scholar can only get exemptions for up to eighty acres. The Liu family has several hundred acres!”

Dong Yun then explained, “The gentry is exempt from taxes. Scholars and officials don’t have to pay grain taxes. It seems the Liu family registered their land under the name of a relative who is an official.”

Mrs. Xiong said, “Fubao is right. The Liu family has four brothers and an older sister who married into the city. Her father-in-law used to be a high-ranking official in the state. Now retired at home, he continues to receive a salary and remains exempt from taxes. The Liu family’s land is registered under his name.”

Hearing this, Xinghua was indignant. “Why is it that their family, with the most land and wealth, doesn’t pay any taxes? Yet we poor families, the poorer we are, the more taxes we have to pay. If things keep going like this, when the common people are starving to death, the officials and scholars won’t pay any taxes, and the government won’t receive a penny. Isn’t that just digging their own graves?”

Dong Yun fell into thought after hearing this.

Mrs. Xiong said, “Silly child, there’s no fairness in this world. Everything in this world belongs to the emperor. These officials and scholars are just helping the emperor manage us common folk. They won’t have to pay taxes. You can say that at home, but don’t say it outside. If someone hears you, they’ll arrest you and throw you in jail!”

She then turned to Dagen and said, “This year, we just separated, so we don’t have to pay the land tax or the counting tax. But next year, we’ll have to get ready. We have six people in the family, and since you’re not a soldier anymore, we’ll have to pay the counting tax, which will amount to over four hundred wen.”

Dagen sighed when he heard this. “What if I register our eight acres of land with the Liu family? Then we won’t have to pay taxes.”

Mrs. Xiong and the others shook their heads, clearly unwilling to have any connection with the Liu family.

Pear Blossom suddenly asked, “Dong sister, how did your family pay the land tax in previous years?”

Dong Yun thought for a moment. “I’ve only been here for two years. It was mostly my mother who took care of things. I didn’t pay much attention. I think we also had the Liu family help, but I heard their fees were high. Every time my mother paid, she would complain about it.”

Mrs. Xiong said, “Of course it’s expensive. They charge two dou of middle fees for every shi of rice they collect. That’s almost as much as the official tax! But we have no choice. Your grandmother is an old woman, her health is poor, and she can’t read. She doesn’t know where to go to pay the tax. Your uncle only cares about his books, and you’re not able to go out, so we had to ask someone for help. We had no other option.”

Hearing this, Pear Blossom felt uneasy. There were probably many other families in the village in the same situation as the Zeng family. Meanwhile, the Liu family profited greatly by exploiting their connections. She quickly turned to Dong Yun and said, “Dong sister, go back and tell Grandma Zeng that your family doesn’t need to pay the Liu family to collect the tax this year. I’ll pay it all together for both my family and Zeng’s family. No middle fees.”

Dong Yun was happy to hear this. “Good, I’ll trouble you then.”

Dagen said, “Daughter, go ask around first. Then I’ll get Laowu, Dashan, and the others to send it over. But you know, I can’t read, so I’ll follow behind you and carry the heavy load. You can order me as you please.”

Pear Blossom had been running around so much these days that she didn’t have time to study. How many characters could she recognize? But she could always ask Murong Jin for help.

As they were talking, dinner was quickly finished. Xinghua and Erniu, the youngest, didn’t need to do the heavy work, so they were left to do the lighter tasks like cleaning up, which they were already used to. When everyone got up, they obediently went to collect the bowls.

As autumn deepened, the weather grew colder. After everyone had eaten their fill, they chatted at the door for a while, and soon it got dark. Dong Yun decided to leave with Fubao while she could still see the road.

Pear Blossom called out to her, “Wait for me a moment. I’ll come with you. I’ve lost my books for several days, and if I don’t study soon, I might forget the few characters I’ve learned.”

In fact, Dong Yun didn’t feel the need to personally teach her. After all, she had someone in her family who could help. But when she thought that Pear Blossom had gone back on her word and was going to learn from someone else, she got angry and decided to take this task on herself.

These past few days, she had also thought it over. Getting angry was one thing, but when it came to teaching and educating, that should be left to those with the talent for it. Although she wasn’t bad herself, she didn’t have the research or patience for it. Besides, now that things had come to this point, what was the use of being so particular?

With that in mind, she agreed to let Pear Blossom come with her and planned to talk to her later about it. She thought it would be better if Pear Blossom and her younger siblings learned with Xia Xunyan, as the pace could be controlled, and it would be more convenient at her own house.

Just as the two were about to leave, a figure appeared in the twilight, panting heavily.

Dong Yun recognized it as Qin Dabao and felt a bit uncomfortable, but still politely held Fubao in her arms and walked a few steps forward to give them space.

Pear Blossom, seeing that the mother and daughter were moving forward without any concern, felt anxious and called out to Qin Dabao, “What’s going on, it’s so late?”

Qin Dabao, finally managing to calm his breathing, asked, “Did—did your mother say that? Was that your idea?”

Pear Blossom remembered what she had said to her mother yesterday, rejecting the Qin family’s proposal, but she hadn’t expected Qin Dabao to come directly to confront her. She felt a bit displeased. After all, her parents had made it clear; asking her directly like this made things awkward for both sides.

Since the two families had a good relationship, and Qin Dabao was a good person, but Pear Blossom had no romantic feelings for him, she tried to be patient and replied, “Yes, I’ve always considered you a good friend, but I don’t have any other feelings for you. You’re not young anymore, and it’s better to clear things up sooner. This way, it won’t hold you back.”

Qin Dabao felt a chill in his heart. He had already been struck once when his mother mentioned it, and not giving up, he came to ask in person. He didn’t expect her to be so direct, and it shattered his heart even more.

He gritted his teeth and asked, “Why? What’s wrong with me? Is it because I don’t make as much money as you? But look around, which man is more capable than you? If you want to focus on the outside, I can handle things at home. You still have to get married, right? You’ll need someone to take care of things at home. Other men might not want to, but I do.”

Pear Blossom sighed, “I really don’t have any feelings for you.”

“What kind of feelings do you need?” Qin Dabao was desperate. “Nowadays, marriages are arranged, and people meet for the first time on their wedding day. Where is there time for feelings? At least our families know each other well, we’re from the same village. You think about your mother, she thinks about you, and you can go home anytime. What’s wrong with that?”

Honestly, with Qin Dabao’s conditions, he was a good match for any girl in the village. But Pear Blossom wasn’t the same. Even if she didn’t like Dong Yun, she wouldn’t be with Qin Dabao. And now that she was obsessively in love with that woman, how could she still have feelings for him?

She shook her head. “Qin Dabao, please go back. We won’t work out. Even if I don’t marry anyone in this life, I still can’t be with you.”

Hearing this, Qin Dabao felt a coldness spread through him. He reached out as if to grab her, but seeing her expression, he couldn’t bring himself to do it. Finally, he stomped his foot, turned, and ran back the way he came, disappearing into the thick dusk in the blink of an eye.

Pear Blossom then hurried after Dong Yun and the others. When she reached the gate, it was slightly ajar. She pushed the door open, turned, and bolted it before heading inside.

The kitchen light was on, and Dong Yun was making a fire to boil water.

Fubao was riding a small stool by the kitchen door, playing with the big black dog. Both seemed to be having a great time.

When Fubao saw Pear Blossom, she happily called her name. Since the two had spent the afternoon together and hadn’t separated for meals, Fubao wasn’t as clingy now and instead was more focused on the big black dog, whom she hadn’t seen all day.

Pear Blossom entered the kitchen, but as she thought about her conversation with Qin Dabao, she felt a bit guilty. She eagerly helped out by adding water to the pot.

Dong Yun didn’t say anything. The fire was already blazing, and the flames illuminated her sharp-featured face and tightly pressed red lips, making it hard to read her expression.

“Is there anything else you need to do? I can do it.”

“You go check on the pigs. Make sure they’ve been fed.”

Pear Blossom was taken aback but didn’t ask any more questions. She took a torch and headed to the pigsty.

When she arrived, the three large pigs were lying in their pen, snoring loudly and occasionally grunting. She checked the trough, and it was spotless.

Returning, she reported honestly, “They’re all lying down and sleeping. They didn’t get up when I arrived, so they’ve probably been fed.”

Dong Yun grunted in acknowledgment. Her mother-in-law had a lot of farm work, and usually, she was the one who fed the pigs. If she wasn’t around, her mother-in-law would grumble but still take care of it. The Zeng family had been a widow and orphans for a long time. Apart from their fields and the pigs in the pen, they had no other sources of income. It was only with these that her mother-in-law had raised two sons and one daughter.

Now that Zeng Guangjin was studying, their family’s expenses were higher, so those pigs were essential. She raised them well and would sell them as the Chinese New Year pigs, never letting them go hungry.

Pear Blossom said, “Since New Year is coming, you should tell Zeng to leave one for me. My family doesn’t have a New Year pig yet.”

Dong Yun responded with another grunt.

Pear Blossom eagerly took the fire tongs from her and said, “I’ll tend to the fire. You take a break.”

Dong Yun gave her a glance, straightened up, and headed inside.

Pear Blossom added two large pieces of wood to the stove, then quickly followed her, seeing her looking for clothes. She asked, “Are you going to give Fubao a bath later?”

Dong Yun shook her head. “It’s getting cold now. She had a bath last night, so she doesn’t need one today. Just wipe her down and clean her up.”

Pear Blossom nodded. “I’ll help her wipe down later.”

She followed closely, and Dong Yun, turning a few times, almost stepped on her. Irritated, she snapped, “Why are you sticking so close? I’m not going to run away.”

“Can’t run? Then you’ll be here forever!”

Pear Blossom suppressed the turmoil in her heart, remaining silent, her eyes fixed on her.

Seeing her clingy demeanor, Dong Yun, recalling the scene outside where Pear Blossom and Qin Dabao were standing together, felt a surge of anger. She turned and kicked Pear Blossom’s foot.

Pear Blossom winced in pain, hissing but not daring to cry out. The sharp pain of the kick further stimulated her restless heart. Just as Dong Yun, feeling a pang of guilt, turned back to ask if she was hurt, Pear Blossom, unable to contain her impulses, threw her arms around the woman in front of her.

Dong Yun, caught off guard by the embrace, let out a low cry. When she realized what was happening, she began to pound Pear Blossom’s shoulders, demanding she let go.

But the other woman seemed not to hear, clinging to her tightly, their bodies pressed together. The force of the embrace was as if she wanted to embed herself into Dong Yun’s body.

The burning heat, the increasingly rapid breathing, and the inescapable pressure all told her that the person in front of her had awakened a desire within her.

Dong Yun’s body trembled slightly. The pressure on her chest, a combination of tightness and pain, sent a hidden thrill coursing through her mind, setting her entire body aflame.

The oil lamp flickered, casting an uncertain light on the two women pressed together. Pear Blossom couldn’t describe the changes happening to her body, her eyes unable to tear themselves away from the face before her, a face so beautiful it took her breath away. Those full lips, reflecting a faint sheen of moisture, reminded her of the candied hawthorn she had bought for Fubao, incredibly tempting, making her want to lick them.

She wanted to lick them, but she dared not. The words Dong Yun had spoken when she gave her the silver note echoed in her ears. Now that she had embraced her again without permission, she didn’t dare to transgress further.

Seeing how the girl stared at her lips but didn’t dare to approach, Dong Yun felt a surge of annoyance. They were already this far, why was she still so hesitant?

She struggled, murmuring, “Let go of me.”

Pear Blossom didn’t want to, but fearing the other woman’s anger, she finally released her arms.

Freed, Dong Yun glared at her, but seeing the girl’s pathetic expression, her heart softened.

“Want to hug me again?” she asked.

Pear Blossom’s eyes lit up at the question, and she nodded vigorously.

Dong Yun leaned against the cabinet, feeling the strange tugging sensation within her body, a tingling numbness. She took a deep breath, trying to calm herself down, and then said to the other woman, “Put out the oil lamp on the cabinet.”

Pear Blossom didn’t understand, but she obeyed.

The room was instantly plunged into darkness.

Pear Blossom suddenly anticipated what might happen, her heart pounding wildly.

Soon, a soft body leaned against her, the intoxicating fragrance filling her nostrils. Dong Yun’s husky voice whispered in her ear, “I’ll teach you something.”

As soon as the words left her lips, Pear Blossom felt a warmth on her lips.

She hadn’t expected this kind of “teaching,” her mind went blank, her heart threatening to leap out of her throat. She couldn’t help but let out a soft moan.

The girl’s pure voice, tinged with desire, was a short, sharp sound that made her body tighten.

Dong Yun’s heart throbbed with excitement. She wrapped her arms around Pear Blossom’s waist, gently licking her lower lip with affection.

The two of them remained intertwined in the darkness for a while, until Fubao’s voice called from outside. Dong Yun pushed Pear Blossom away, whispering, “Don’t ever mention this again.”

Then, she twisted her hips and walked out of the room.

Pear Blossom stood in the darkness, watching her figure disappear behind the door. She touched her lips, then covered her wildly beating heart, and smiled silently.