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Liu Siniang’s situation didn’t deter Su Zhi from continuing her journey. She pressed on towards the direction of the river and soon reached its banks.
This river was the same one they had crossed from the riverside village, now curving eastward. The river appeared wider here than near the village, likely due to fewer visitors. The grass on its banks grew taller, with lush reeds swaying in the breeze, attracting flocks of birds.
On the far side of the river lay a road flanked by fields, currently lush and green, hinting at fertile soil.
Despite encountering pedestrians on the road and a few figures in the fields, it wasn’t a busy season, evident by the tranquil surroundings.
Upon surveying the area, Su Zhi turned back.
Shen Zi’an returned quite early, before midday, having sold all the game he had caught. Laden with purchases, his bamboo basket overflowing, he had more goods in hand as he returned.
Su Zhi observed his purchases: rice, flour, a small jar of oil, a packet of salt, some onions and garlic, a piece of fatty pork, and another of pork belly. Additionally, he had bought fabric—a light blue material with white floral patterns, clearly intended for Su Zhi.
“Wife, look at this fabric I bought for you. You’re skilled with your hands, so why not make yourself a new outfit? You’ll look lovely in this blue,” Shen Zi’an suggested, believing the gentle Su Zhi would suit this particular shade of blue perfectly.
Su Zhi glanced at him and replied, “We’re running low on funds, so we need to be frugal. My clothes are still intact. It’s you who should consider buying some new attire.”
Shen Zi’an chuckled, “As a man, I can wear anything. If clothes tear, I have my wife to mend them for me. I’m content in whatever I wear.”
Su Zhi thought Shen Zi’an had a handsome face, appearing somewhat cold when silent, but his warm smile softened his features. His words always warmed her heart. His comment left her speechless, prompting her to lower her head and focus on the purchased items.
Su Zhi had also asked Shen Zi’an to buy needles and thread. They only bought one needle but plenty of thread, including regular thread and embroidery floss for intricate stitching.
Su Zhi planned not only to sew clothes but also to embroider and create intricate designs to earn money. Although she possessed the Spiritual Spring, winter was approaching, and traditional winter vegetable cultivation wasn’t feasible in this era without greenhouses. She would have to wait until spring to showcase the Spiritual Spring’s abilities. For now, she intended to rely on her handicraft skills to earn a living during the winter.
Su Zhi purchased a limited variety of embroidery threads, just a few different colors, along with several fabric remnants that Shen Zi’an had acquired from the fabric vendor at Su Zhi’s request. She intended to embroider a few patterns first, planning to present them to embroidery shops for approval before taking on any work—a customary practice she was familiar with.
As for creating decorative knots (络子), Su Zhi was adept at it. Before learning embroidery, she had mastered the art of making decorative knots. In modern times, there are numerous knotting techniques, and she had learned quite a few. She estimated that she could create a unique design each day, ensuring no repetition over the year. Many of these techniques were derived from future practices. She doubted all of them existed in this era, and even if they did, they wouldn’t be widespread. Earning money through this skill seemed to be the most viable option currently and faster than embroidery.
Su Zhi had inquired with Shen Zi’an, and she learned that the decorative knots of this era were hollow and could hold small objects, similar to the Chinese decorative knots known as “jiezi.” Sometimes, they were collectively referred to as “luozi.”
Su Zhi’s hands were deft, swiftly crafting a decorative knot that caught Shen Zi’an’s eye and pleased him greatly.
Using bright red thread, the knot looked vibrant.
“Wife, your decorative knot is beautiful. I’ve never seen one like it before,” Shen Zi’an remarked. He had witnessed the women in his family making knots, but none quite like this. It surpassed even the skill of his most dexterous sister-in-law.
“This is called the ‘Hearts Entwined’ knot. See how it resembles two hearts intertwined? It would be perfect as a gift for a loved one,” Su Zhi explained.
Shen Zi’an’s eyes lit up. “Wife, then please give me this knot as a gift. Don’t sell it.”
Blushing slightly, Su Zhi found Shen Zi’an’s directness charming and nodded in agreement. Shen Zi’an was delighted, admiring the knot before tucking it into his pocket.
Seeing Shen Zi’an’s happiness, Su Zhi felt confident that the knot would sell well if she decided to part with it, which pleased her.
After a long day of crafting, it was already noon, and both of them were hungry. Shen Zi’an had bought rice and flour, intending for Su Zhi to cook rice and then stew the meat.
“Wife, I’ll go to Brother Shitou’s house to get a cabbage and some corn flour residue. Keep an eye on the pot, I’ll be back soon,” Shen Zi’an said before heading out.
While Shen Zi’an was away, Su Zhi decided to pluck some wild onions, which she had found near the river, hidden among the overgrown grass. After watering them with spring water, they had thrived. She believed they would add a delicious flavor to their meal.
Upon Shen Zi’an’s quick return with a cabbage, a half bag of corn flour, and a half bag of corn residue, Su Zhi observed him setting the items down before attending to the cabbage. She found the cabbage’s appearance rather lackluster.
Shen Zi’an remarked, “The land in the East River Village isn’t suitable for growing crops. It’s far from the road to the city, so people don’t prefer living here. There are only a few families left—nine, including us, but there used to be eight.”
“Does one of the families have a daughter-in-law named Liu Siniang, with a rather stern mother-in-law? Do they live far from here?” Su Zhi inquired, thinking of Liu Siniang. She suspected Liu Siniang lived on the eastern side of the river, as her mother-in-law didn’t seem like the type to cross the river to cause trouble, appearing rather indolent.
“Today, when I went to check our land, I saw Liu Siniang. She had sprained her foot, and I helped her out. We were from the same village and used to play together as kids. Her mother-in-law seems quite harsh. Do you think she’s not living well? I heard her husband is away. Doesn’t he know the suffering his wife endures at home?” Su Zhi inquired of Shen Zi’an.
“Talking about the Zhao family, everyone refers to that old lady as Granny Zhao, known for being rather severe. They now only have a son, a daughter, and a daughter-in-law. The son, Zhao Daliang, is usually away, and even if he knows his wife is mistreated by his mother, he remains silent. You saw the woman yourself, so you understand the situation. Wife, in the future, it’s best to keep your distance from Liu Siniang when dealing with her, so Granny Zhao doesn’t get involved. She has a sharp tongue, and we wouldn’t want you to get upset,” Shen Zi’an advised.
Listening to Shen Zi’an’s words, Su Zhi nodded, realizing it was wise to steer clear of Granny Zhao. She felt even more grateful for meeting Shen Zi’an, knowing that if she were in Liu Siniang’s situation, she would certainly seek a divorce.
As they conversed, enjoying the aroma of their meal, they both felt content in the simple joys of life.
Note: Chinese decorative knots evolved from decorative cords. To clarify, the terms “luozi” and “jiezi” have been distinguished. Please refrain from criticism.
You can search Chinese knot if your curious as to how it looks 😊