Chapter 32: Frying Lard

At the small Zeng family courtyard, Dong Yun was chopping pig fodder. Pear Blossom watched the scene before her and couldn’t help but recall her mother’s words from the previous day.

When Dong Yun had first come to Daliushu Village, she didn’t know how to do anything—not even how to feed pigs. Yet now, seeing how clean and efficient she was, Pear Blossom couldn’t help but find it remarkable.

When Dong Yun saw Pear Blossom arrive, she looked up and smiled at her. “What brings you over today?”

“I went to the city with my father this morning. I wanted to ask if you needed anything, but we left in such a hurry that I didn’t get a chance to. I brought two candies for Fubao,”

Pear Blossom said, opening her palm to reveal two candies wrapped in grass leaves.

As she handed them over, she felt a bit uneasy, worried that the small gesture might not be appreciated.

Dong Yun glanced at the young girl in front of her, her face flushed red from the sun, her skin tanned, but her eyes bright and clear.

Her lips curved slightly into a smile. She set down the kitchen knife and extended her pale fingers to take the candies. “I’ll thank you on Fubao’s behalf.” When Pear Blossom saw her accept them, her tightly pressed lips relaxed into a smile, and she shook her head. “Where’s Fubao?” she asked.

“She’s with her grandmother,” Dong Yun replied as she carefully put away the candies and bent down to continue chopping pig fodder. “Is Mrs. Zeng back?”

“She came back early this morning from Fubao’s aunt’s house. She said she hadn’t seen Fubao in a while and carried her off. ”Pear Blossom let out an “ oh.”

“What? Now that she’s back, you’re scared to come play at my house?” Dong Yun teased with a smile. Pear Blossom chuckled. “I’m brave—I’m not afraid of her!” Just as she finished speaking, the sound of little footsteps came from the gate.

She looked up to see a tiny figure wobbling toward them from the small southern gate, panting lightly. The child grabbed the gate with her small hands and was about to call out, “Mom!” when she spotted Pear Blossom.

Her eyes instantly lit up. “Pear Blossom~ Pear Blossom~ Piggyback!” Pear Blossom adored the little chubby girl. She waved her over. “Come, Pear Blossom will give you a piggyback!”

The little one was about to run over when she suddenly tripped. A rough hand grabbed her from behind and gave her a pat on the bottom.

Mrs. Zeng’s sharp voice rang out, “Didn’t I tell you not to run? You just had to run! You’re like that bull from the Gou family—see a red cloth, and you charge without thinking. How many heads do you think you have to spare?” With that, she gave the little girl’s bottom a few more pats.

Fubao’s mouth quivered, and two teardrops appeared in the corners of her eyes, ready to spill over. Pear Blossom’s heart ached. She wanted to step forward and take Fubao into her arms.

But Mrs. Zeng didn’t even glance at her. She held onto her granddaughter and began coaxing her. Fubao struggled, unwilling to stay in her grandmother’s arms, but the old woman wouldn’t let go.

Left with no choice, Fubao cried loudly in protest. Squatting on the ground, Dong Yun continued chopping fodder as if none of this was happening. She turned to Pear Blossom and said, “Pear Blossom, hand me that bundle of fodder.”

Pear Blossom silently complied. Only then did Mrs. Zeng shift her attention to Pear Blossom, giving her a once-over before turning her gaze to her daughter-in-law.

Her tone was full of mockery. “I heard that last time, when Mrs. Xiang wanted to sell this silly girl, you were the one who paid to buy her back. I didn’t realize you came to this family with so much silver on you.

Normally, the house is so poor we can’t even keep the pot going, and you can’t spare a penny for Second Brother’s school fees. But for this worthless girl, who has nothing to do with us, you managed to come up with 30 taels. Should I say you’re generous, or just a fool?”

In the past, whenever the villagers talked about the Zeng family’s mother-in-law and daughter-in-law, they would say that Mrs. Zeng would scold while Dong Yun would never retort. Pear Blossom hadn’t believed it.

After all, the day Mrs. Zhou climbed the Zeng family’s wall, Dong Yun had ordered the family dog to drag her down, exuding a commanding presence. She didn’t seem like someone who would back down easily.

But now, hearing Mrs. Zeng’s tirade, Dong Yun paused her chopping. She placed the knife on the ground, wiped her hands, and went straight into the house. When she came back out, she was holding three silver ingots and a bracelet, which she handed to Mrs. Zeng.

“When I arrived early last year, I had 50 taels. Over the year, I’ve spent a few taels. I’ve kept 10 taels for emergencies.

The remaining 30 taels were used to redeem Pear Blossom, and now I’m returning them to you.
As for this bracelet, it was left to me by my mother. If the household needs it, you can pawn it.” Mrs. Zeng hadn’t expected her daughter-in-law to hand over the silver so readily, nor did she think that Dagen would ever repay the money.

She’d assumed that the 30 taels were as good as gone. After all, with Pear Blossom’s family in such a state, they could never afford to repay it. The thought had made her seethe with anger, and she’d cursed her daughter-in-law countless times.

But now, with the silver right in front of her, she forgot why she had come in the first place. Without hesitation, she snatched it up. “You young folks are so reckless with money. I’ll hold onto this for safekeeping.” She glanced at Pear Blossom and added, “Didn’t they say that Dagen’s three-tael annual military stipend was handed over to Mrs. Xiang? Where did the money to repay this debt come from? Did your grandfather give it to you? If you had enough for 30 taels, why not repay the remaining 5 owed to Xinghua?”

Pear Blossom was unhappy to hear her claim the money came from the Liu family. She wanted to argue, but Dong Yun beat her to it. “I didn’t pay the 5 taels for Xinghua. I just made a show of keeping her safe. Uncle Qin and his family know about it. Now that the silver has been repaid and you’ve taken it, there’s no need to worry about where it came from. Let’s not say anything that might sour the harmony.”

Mrs. Zeng heard that the Qin family knew about the situation, and at least she didn’t keep nagging about it.

However, she still said crossly, “If it weren’t for their family’s matter, our family’s wealth wouldn’t have been exposed.

Now look, the whole village knows you’re doing well, and they’ll probably be coming to borrow money from you every few days.” Dong Yun saw that she didn’t take the bracelet, so she put it away again and said, “Didn’t you say we’re tight on money at home? If it runs out, we just won’t borrow any.”

“You make it sound so simple.” Mrs. Zeng gave her a glare, but since she had just received silver from her daughter-in-law, she didn’t want to bring it up again.

So, she turned her attention to Pear Blossom, saying, “Since our Old Zeng family helped you two sisters, go back and tell your parents that when the autumn harvest comes, they, along with you and Daniu, should come help us harvest the rice.” The implication was that Pear Blossom’s family owed the Dong family a favor, which had now turned into an obligation to the entire Zeng family. Dong Yun’s thirty taels of silver also now belonged to Old Zeng’s family.

Pear Blossom felt uneasy. Helping to harvest rice wasn’t a big deal, and her parents would surely agree. But she couldn’t help but feel guilty about the thirty taels of silver that Dong Yun gave to Mrs. Zeng.

If it hadn’t been for saving herself, no one would have known about Dong Yun’s silver, and her mother-in-law wouldn’t have taken it. Mrs. Zeng didn’t care about her thoughts. She had gotten the silver and solved the problem of the autumn harvest. Pleased with herself, she took Fubao and left.

Pear Blossom squatted nearby, her eyes fixed on Dong Yun’s hands as she chopped pig fodder, quietly saying nothing. Dong Yun stopped and said, “Not happy?” Pear Blossom leaned on her knees and muttered, “If it weren’t for me, your silver wouldn’t have been taken.”

Dong Yun chuckled, “You’re not young anymore, but you’re still thinking a lot. We’re family, it’s just that the silver changed hands, what’s the big deal?”
“It matters. If she hadn’t taken it, that silver would’ve been yours. You could’ve bought whatever you wanted, but since she took it, she’ll use it to help Fubao’s second uncle with his schooling. Back when we were with the Xiang family, all the money went to support the third uncle and Erlang to study in the city. My father earned military pay, but our big house never saw a single coin.”

Dong Yun chopped a few more times and then said, “That’s because your father wasn’t their biological son.”At this, her hands paused suddenly, almost chopping her own hand.

Pear Blossom was so frightened she almost had her heart in her throat and exclaimed, “Sister Dong, how can you be so careless? Let me help you chop.”Dong Yun’s gaze flickered slightly as she replied, “It’s fine, there’s just a little left, don’t worry, I’m not doing this for the first time.” But under Pear Blossom’s insistence, she still put the knife down.

Pear Blossom’s hands were strong, and in a few strokes, she chopped up the remaining pig fodder.

After putting the knife down, she took a dustpan and put the chopped fodder into it, cleaning up the area before saying, “Sister Dong, when I earn money in the future, I’ll pay you back the thirty taels.”

Dong Yun laughed and cried at the same time. “You’ve already paid me back, there’s nothing left to owe. I’ve never seen someone so determined to take the blame for everything.” “It’s because of my and Xinghua’s matter that you lost the silver,”

Pear Blossom mumbled. “This has nothing to do with you.”Pear Blossom didn’t say anything more. Dong Yun sighed, “I used to think you were simple and obedient. Whatever I asked you to do, you just did it without asking any questions, never disobeying me.

But now, you’re more thoughtful and not as obedient.” When Pear Blossom heard this, she hurriedly said, “I haven’t! I—I just don’t want anyone to bully you. ”Dong Yun squinted slightly, then smiled, “No one bullies me. The silver thing is just me willingly giving it to the family, don’t think too much about it, okay?”

Pear Blossom wanted to say something, but when she remembered Dong Yun had just said she wasn’t obedient, she held back. She still hadn’t earned any silver, so saying more wouldn’t help.

When she had earned it, she would just give it to her directly, without needing all this talk.Seeing that Pear Blossom wasn’t arguing, Dong Yun softened her gaze and said, “But Pear Blossom, this time you earned a hundred taels. Next time, you’ll earn even more.”

Pear Blossom smiled with confidence upon hearing this.Sister Dong was so good. She was the only one who believed that Pear Blossom could earn silver, the only one who didn’t treat her like a fool. Otherwise, she wouldn’t have lent such an important token to her last time.

Looking at the gentle and beautiful Dong Yun, Pear Blossom’s heart skipped a beat.For some reason, whenever Dong Yun’s beautiful eyes looked at her, Pear Blossom couldn’t help but feel a little awkward, worried that there might be something on her face.

She had never cared about her tattered clothes before, but recently, whenever she stood in front of Dong Yun, she felt uncomfortable. She didn’t want to leave just yet, but since the candy had been given and Fubao had already been taken away by Mrs. Zeng, she had no other reason to stay and had to reluctantly say goodbye to Dong Yun before heading home.

When she arrived home, the newly built stove was not yet ready, so Xiong had made a simple stove outside with three stones to start rendering oil. From far away, the scent of pig fat reached her nose.

Luckily, they lived at the foot of the mountain, far from other families. If they had lived closer to the neighbors, everyone would have been peeking out, wondering who had guests or who was cooking meat. Erniu and Xinghua were standing by, eagerly watching. Dagen had finished setting up two stoves and was now attaching handles to the newly bought knives and axes.

Daniu was diligently reinforcing the three sheds and added another layer of straw to prevent the rain from leaking into the house.

The lard was quickly rendered, and the cracklings were scooped out of the pot. Mrs. Xiong filled a large bowl with them, sprinkled a thin layer of salt on top, and handed it to her eagerly waiting young son and daughter.

The two little ones, too impatient to wait for it to cool, grabbed some and stuffed it into their mouths, exclaiming in delight as they ate, thoroughly enjoying the treat. After savoring the first bite, they brought the bowl to the others.

Dagen took a piece but refrained from eating more, while Pear Blossom picked up two pieces.

When she placed one in her mouth, it was still slightly warm. As she bit down, the rich, crispy flavor mixed with the hint of fried fat burst out, bringing immense satisfaction.“Big sister, isn’t it delicious?” Xinghua asked, squinting her eyes in delight and revealing two sharp little tiger teeth.

This was Pear Blossom’s first time eating cracklings, and she couldn’t help but marvel at the taste. She nodded. “Delicious, just like eating meat.” “Big sister, it feels like a dream.” Pear Blossom chuckled and playfully tugged at the small tuft of hair on Xinghua’s head, making her yelp in pain and run off clutching the bowl.

“Ow, ow, ow! It’s not a dream—it’s real!” While the siblings played and teased each other, the elderly Qin couple arrived. “I could smell the lard from a distance. Are you rendering oil?” Mrs. Qin said cheerfully as she entered the shed.

Mrs. Xiong turned to see her and smiled. “Auntie, you’re here! We just finished. Once it cools, we’ll store it in jars. Xinghua, bring some cracklings for Grandma Qin to try.” Mrs. Qin quickly declined, “That’s a treat for the children. Let them enjoy it.”

“It’s nothing fancy. We’ll all have some fun eating it.”As she spoke, Xinghua was already carrying the bowl over. Unable to refuse, Mrs. Qin picked a small piece, popped it into her mouth, and chewed. “So fragrant! Alright, take it back and let the kids have it.”

Meanwhile, Qin Laohan and Dagen had gone to inspect the foundation, with Pear Blossom following curiously behind them. Madam Qin, on the other hand, stayed to chat with Xiong.“You’ve moved to the foot of the mountain for some peace, but you missed quite the drama in the village,” Madam Qin said, her face lighting up with gossip.

Without hesitation, Xiong asked directly, “Is it about the Xiang family?”

“Who else but them could stir up such trouble in the village?”

“It must be about the conscription. Have they decided who’s going?” Xiong asked, her curiosity piqued. Mrs. Qin shook her head. “The second and third sons of the Xiang family both want Xiang Youcai to go, but he refuses.

He says the eldest branch already fulfilled their obligation when Dagen served, so it’s the turn of the second and third branches. The second and third branches tried to bring up the old family rules set by Xiang Laohan, claiming it’s the eldest branch’s duty to serve. But guess what happened?”

Mrs. Xiong, whose curiosity was fully aroused, eagerly asked, “What?” “Xiang Youcai threatened to split the family if they insisted on those nonsense rules. He said that with the current mess and his connections, the court officials would support him. He also threatened to accuse the second and third branches of forging family rules to bully the eldest branch.

The second and third branches panicked because the so-called rules were fake. Besides, if they really split the family, each household would have to send someone for conscription. It’s better for all three households to stay together and take turns.”

Hearing this, Mrs. Xiong felt a pang of regret. If she and Dagen had been as bold back then, they wouldn’t have been bullied for so many years. Sensing her thoughts, Mrs. Qin held her hand and said, “You and Dagen are too kind-hearted. In these times, kind people suffer, but heaven has eyes. See? You’ve finally moved out.”

Mrs. Xiong felt comforted but still couldn’t resist asking, “Since the second and third branches don’t want the eldest to leave, has anyone been decided?”

Mrs. Qin shook her head. “The third branch tried to use education as an excuse, but the second branch’s Xiang Dalang revealed he saw the third son squandering money in the city.

He’s not studying at all, and the family wasted so much silver on him. So, the second branch argued it’s the third branch’s turn to send someone.” “With no resolution, the argument went on and on.” Xiong’s eyes gleamed coldly, and she said bitterly, “Watching them tear into each other is quite satisfying.”

Lowering her voice, Mrs. Qin whispered mysteriously, “This afternoon, Dashan told me he saw the third son sneaking around behind their house, doing something to his leg. Dashan thinks he might be planning to cripple himself to avoid conscription.”

Mrs. Xiong gasped. “These people are ruthless, even to themselves. Thankfully, we escaped that toxic family.”

Mrs. Qin agreed, clicking her tongue. “Even if the third son cripples himself, his son, Xiang Erlang, is already seventeen and eligible for conscription. If the third branch has to go, the father would essentially be pushing his own son to the battlefield.”

“Xiang Laosan is cold-hearted enough to do something like that. It’s terrifying,” Mrs. Xiong said.

Mrs. Qin nodded. “In the next couple of days, they’ll have to submit the conscription list. Let’s see if he dares to cripple himself. Oh, by the way, this morning Dagen went with the three brothers to the yamen for some land transfer paperwork.

Afterward, the three of them visited their parents in prison to ask about the twenty taels of silver Mrs. Xiang and Xiang Youcai took. Xiang Youcai claimed the money was his, but the second and third brothers argued it was family money and should be shared equally.”

Xiong sneered, “The second and third branches never act without profit in sight. Looks like another good show is about to unfold.”

“Indeed, a fine show. You don’t know this, but Xiang Laohan didn’t want to hand over the money. The magistrate said the old couple was too aged to do any meaningful work and only wasted food. They wanted the family to pay silver to take them back—ten taels per person, twenty taels for both,” Mrs. Qin said with brightened eyes, clearly entertained. “The father wanted to ransom them, but the sons wanted to split the silver instead. The Xiang couple didn’t have the money on them and didn’t trust their sons.

I heard all three went this morning, but still couldn’t figure out where the money went.”The two gossiped for a while. Thinking how all this trouble belonged to someone else’s family, Mrs. Xiong felt her mood improve.

She said, “It’s truly satisfying to hear about this. I’ll start boiling water and preparing chicken. Pear Blossom hunted two pheasants in the mountains yesterday, but one was injured and can’t be kept alive for long. We’d better eat it soon.

Auntie, you and Uncle should stay and have dinner at my place before leaving.” Mrs. Qin waved her hands hurriedly. “No need for dinner. I only came by to chat with you. My husband will be leaving soon too, so don’t bother making anything for us.”

“That won’t do. You’ve been running around helping with our affairs these past few days. Before, even if I wanted to invite you for a meal, we didn’t have a proper kitchen or rice to cook. Now that we’re living separately, I can cook whatever I want.”

Mrs. Qin refused. “Don’t stand on ceremony with me. I’ll leave once we finish talking. I still have pig feed to gather this evening. If I delay any longer, there’ll be nothing to feed them tonight.

By the way, how’s the preparation for building the house tomorrow?” Mrs. Xiong replied, “Dagen and I were just thinking about it. Over the years, we haven’t really helped out much in the village. If we ask for help now, people might not want to come, and it’d be hard to refuse them.

We figured we’d just let it go. My elder and second brothers will come to help tomorrow morning, and with our own family, we’ll build as much as we can manage.” Mrs. Qin disagreed. “To be honest, ever since that incident with Xiaobao, I’ve also been reluctant to ask others for help.

But now that you’ve just started living separately, this is a good chance to connect with the villagers. Whether or not they come is their decision, but inviting them is your responsibility.

If you don’t ask, they might later say, ‘It’s not that we didn’t want to help; it’s that they looked down on us and didn’t invite us.’ Then you won’t be able to explain yourselves.” Hearing this, Mrs. Xiong realized she and Dagen had been too simplistic in their thinking.

She said quickly, “We hadn’t thought it through that deeply. It’s a good thing you reminded me, or else we’d have given others something to gossip about again.”

Mrs. Qin remarked, “In times like these, who isn’t the subject of gossip? In a village, people pass their time by wagging their tongues. You shouldn’t take it too seriously. After all, you’re the ones living your lives.”

Mrs. Xiong nodded. “I understand. Tonight, while everyone is home, Dagen and I will visit each family to invite them.”