Chapter 24

Curious, Xu Wanchun decided to go take a look.

She untied her apron, put the clean dishes away, and grabbed the thick jacket hanging on the rack. “Yulan-jie, I’m heading to my master’s for a bit. Wait for me.”

Li Yulan was busy cuddling Fu Ling the cat and didn’t even look up. “Go ahead, I’m not in a rush.”

Yulan-jie was a full-on cat lover. Every time she visited, she turned into a cat-struck fool. Xu Wanchun was already used to it and pushed open the kitchen door with a smile.

The temperature difference between indoors and out was brutal. Even bundled up, she shivered hard.

She stepped out onto the hard-packed snow, squinting against the wind and snowflakes caught on her lashes as she headed for the gate.

Just then, a horse pulling a sled dashed past, startling her into stepping back.

“Taohua? Up so early today?” Cao Xiu was speaking excitedly with someone but paused when she saw her young apprentice. She waved her over, then turned to the elderly woman beside her. “Wu Auntie, this is my little apprentice, Taohua—full name Xu Wanchun. I picked that name for her.”

A relative of Master’s? Xu Wanchun hurried over, eyes full of curiosity. She greeted politely, “Hello, Granny Wu.”

Wu Yuzhen’s weather-worn eyes were gentle. Though her brows and lashes were frosted, they couldn’t hide her warmth. “Hello, little Taohua. I’ve seen your photo at the Young Master’s place. You’re even prettier in person.”

Young Master? Who the heck was that? Her mind spun with questions, but she kept smiling. “Thank you, Granny Wu.”

She bent down to help with the luggage and said to her obviously thrilled Master, “Let’s go inside, it’s freezing.”

“Yes, yes, look at me. Wu Auntie, please come in and warm up. Big Brother should’ve sent word ahead—I could’ve arranged to pick you up…”

It was rare to see her usually composed Master so emotional and chatty. Though she had many questions, Xu Wanchun dutifully brought the luggage in. Seeing her Master’s wife coming out in a coat, she sensibly left them space to catch up.

=

Xu Wanchun didn’t know what northern winters were like in the future.

But at this time, due to the climate, winter break was especially long—starting at 40 days minimum.

And in winter, with no farming work to do, idle kids went wild. Ice skating was just one of many games.

Xu Wanchun loved skating. After a few years of practice, she felt pretty confident in her skills.

Plus, her Master had even gotten someone to make her a little boat-shaped ice sled from birch wood. Sitting on it, she could glide fast using two sticks to push, working up a light sweat in no time.

Just as she was regretting not bringing along Danggui the dog to pull her around in style, Xu Xiaohu—now a strapping teen—came barreling over on his makeshift ice board, his face red from the cold. “Taohua, let’s race!”

Xu Wanchun wasn’t in the mood to race the boys and was about to decline, when the girls nearby jumped in.

“Xu Xiaohu, quit it! Taohua doesn’t play as much as you—don’t bully her!”

“Exactly! She’s so pretty—what if she falls?”

“Pick on someone your own size! I’ll race you!”

That last line came from Hu Lingling, the hunter’s daughter. She was also 15 but tall and sturdy, thanks to plenty of meat and some Mongolian blood. Standing next to Xu Wanchun’s petite frame, she looked like a protective big sister.

Xu Xiaohu didn’t actually mean to bully anyone—he just missed playing with his old friend. Besides, his grandfather would’ve skinned him if he did. And all these girls were already fiercely protective of Taohua.

But he was a teenager. Getting called out in front of everyone stung, and when others started egging him on, he stubbornly accepted the challenge.

So, before she could say a word, Xu Wanchun was surrounded by cheering girls, cheering for someone else.

…

The “battle of the sexes” ended halfway through when a few younger kids ran into the path, and both racers crashed into a tree stump, sending snow cascading over their heads.

The crowd burst into laughter.

Just as the embarrassed duo were about to restart the match, someone yelled—the pig feast was ready!

Nothing trumped meat—not even pride. Everyone scattered instantly, including Xu Wanchun.

=

Since the land was collectivized and labor-based distribution introduced, this was Xu Wanchun’s third time attending a village pig slaughter feast.

Fire crackled in the stove. Holding the big bowl her adoptive mother brought early, she squeezed in with the other girls, happily devouring steaming hot blood sausage, noodles, sauerkraut, and pork belly.

Across from her, Liu Dahong kept sneaking glances.

No helping it—among all these girls, Taohua stood out like a pearl.

Her delicate, bright features were soft and sweet—impossible to ignore.

Liu Dahong, built broad and sturdy herself, had a soft spot for girls like this.

If she wasn’t self-aware, she’d really want to take her home as a daughter-in-law. She couldn’t help but wonder who’d be lucky enough to marry her one day.

With that thought, Liu Dahong blurted out to her mom not far away, “Accountant Xu, what kind of man does your Taohua want to marry in the future?”

The unexpected question stunned not only Xu Hehua, but everyone nearby.

It was Xu Lancao who reacted fastest. She scolded, “Hey, Liu Dahong! Taohua’s still a kid—what nonsense are you spouting with all these little ones around?!”

Xu Hehua snapped out of her daze. She wasn’t angry—Liu Dahong was a bit dense, not worth getting mad at. She simply said with a cold face, “Lancao-jie is right. Taohua’s still young. We’re not thinking about that yet.”

Realizing she’d said something wrong, Liu Dahong wilted. “Right… she’s still young…”

Others who might have had similar thoughts gave up instantly. After all—this was no longer “Widow Xu.”

This was Accountant Xu.

The villagers’ wages were all counted by her hand—who’d be dumb enough to offend her?

Though the topic was cut short, Xu Wanchun didn’t think much of it at all.

But on the way home, Xu Hehua sighed, sounding nostalgic. “In a few days, our Taohua will be fifteen. A real young lady now. No wonder everyone’s watching her.”

The icy path was dangerously slippery, and Xu Wanchun was walking carefully. This sudden comment from her mom made her nearly fall on her butt.

Thankfully her mom caught her in time.

Once steady, she rolled her eyes skyward. “Even if I’m turning fifteen, I’m still a kid. You should be worrying about yourself. For all I know, I might get a stepdad soon, what with everyone trying to set you up all the time.”

Xu Hehua…

It was true that matchmakers kept visiting, but hadn’t she rejected them all?

Feeling wronged, she gently bopped her daughter on the head.

“Ow! I’m telling Grandma and Grandpa you hit me!” Xu Wanchun clutched her hat-covered head dramatically.

Xu Hehua raised a hand. “Want me to hit you a few more times for real?”

Xu Wanchun dropped her hands and pouted. “I’ve figured it out—your motherly love only lasts half a day. I’m only your precious girl the first afternoon I get home.”

“Pfft… Alright, enough nonsense. Since we mentioned your grandparents, let’s take a detour and drop off half a pound of pork.”

Not that she was stingy—but after the feast, they’d only gotten a little over a pound. Giving away half was already a generous share.

Seeing that her adoptive mother was in a better mood, Xu Wanchun stopped clowning around and followed her on the difficult journey to her maternal grandparents’ house.

As expected, her once-judgmental uncle and aunt, who had always disapproved of her adoptive mother’s divorce, greeted them with overly enthusiastic smiles and insisted they stay for lunch.

At times like this, as the younger generation, Xu Wanchun didn’t need to say much. All she had to do was charm her grandparents a little. As for declining the invitation, that was up to her adoptive mother.

Sure enough, after a few polite exchanges, Xu Hehua explained that she had many accounts to sort out and needed to hurry back.

Now that her daughter had become the deputy accountant of the village, old man Xu Chunsheng couldn’t have been prouder. Hearing this, he quickly urged, “Then head back, the ledger is important. Your mother and I will come stay with you for a couple of days soon. We want to spend some good time with our little Peach Blossom.”

Ever since she became an accountant, Xu Hehua’s parents no longer thought that staying at their daughter’s house would bring shame to their sons. They even started visiting from time to time. Though Xu Hehua felt a little bitter about it, she didn’t show it and only replied with a smile, “That’s wonderful. Peach Blossom has been hoping you’d visit. When you come, I’ll have her give you both a massage to help you relax.”

At those words, the elderly couple on the heated brick bed lit up with joy, calling their granddaughter sweet names and praising her as the most filial and considerate among all their grandchildren.

—

After saying goodbye to her parents and brothers, Xu Hehua was leading her daughter home when she suddenly felt a gloved hand clasp hers.

She turned to look at her daughter and saw that the little girl’s eyes were filled with heartache.

Xu Hehua’s nose stung, but she still smiled and said, “Mama’s fine. Let’s go home.”

—

The pig-slaughtering banquet had served as lunch.

So once they got home and her adoptive mother got busy with the accounts, Xu Wanchun headed straight next door.

She didn’t see Grandma Wu. Her master and mistress were having dinner, but their expressions were grim.

Xu Wanchun’s heart sank. She walked over quickly and asked anxiously, “Master, did something happen?”

Lost in thought and barely eating, Cao Xiu looked up. “Peach Blossom? Have you eaten? If not, come eat with us.”

“I had pork from the pig banquet,” she replied, then looked to Madam Su and asked, “What happened… Is it about Senior Brother?”

“No, no, don’t jump to conclusions,” Su Nan quickly interrupted, then explained, “You saw Aunt Wu, right?”

“I did.”

Su Nan continued, “Aunt Wu is a servant of the Cao family—used to be called a ‘family-born servant,’ though we don’t use that term anymore. She used to help out at your Grandmaster’s place. But recently, due to the changing tides, the military no longer allows people to hire help… Aunt Wu never married and has nowhere else to go, so your Grandmaster had her come to us. Outwardly, we say she’s your master’s aunt. Peach Blossom, make sure not to let that slip.”

With her knowledge of history, Xu Wanchun instantly understood. “Then… what happened just now with Master and Madam?”

At that, Cao Xiu’s brow furrowed deeply. “Your Grandmaster had Aunt Wu bring us a message. Starting a couple of years ago, some people have been submitting reports accusing Traditional Chinese Medicine of being a remnant of feudalism.”

That soon? So there were already warning signs in the early ’50s? Xu Wanchun’s expression tensed unconsciously.

Seeing his young disciple’s reaction, Cao Xiu let out a long sigh. “Although the higher-ups eventually criticized and disciplined the person who led the charge… who knows what the future holds.”