Chapter 13: The Main Branch

The third branch’s Wu-shi was in a great mood, her face full of smiles as she spoke to her husband, Xia Youxi:

“Oh my, you should’ve seen it! Second sister-in-law’s face—green one moment, white the next, then purple, then blue—like a whole dye shop exploded on her!”

Xia Youxi stared at his glowing wife’s face, grinning:

“Second brother didn’t look too good either. Thought no one would notice? Funny thing is, the most petty people in this family are Second Brother and Second Sister-in-law, yet they’re always pretending to be generous!”

“That’s right. Those two love to compare themselves to Eldest Brother and Sister-in-law, but when it comes to going head-to-head, they don’t dare. All they do every day is show off in front of the rest of us, especially us two! I won’t put up with their nonsense!”

“I know. Don’t spoil them. Yell if you need to, curse if it helps. Just don’t get yourself too worked up.”

As he spoke, Xia Youxi reached out, pulled his wife into his arms, and hugged her tightly.

“Lan Hua and Ju Hua are already grown… Wife, give me a son, will you?”

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On the 28th day of the twelfth lunar month, the market in Beiguan Town only stayed open until sunset. It would then remain closed until the fifth day of the new year, reopening on the sixth.

Old Master Xia and his wife took several grandchildren to the town market, joining some other families from the village for the last market of the year.

They brought many of the kids along on this trip: Fourth Branch’s Si Lang and Mei Hua, Third Branch’s Lan Hua, Fourth Branch’s Li Hua and Dao Hua, and Fifth Branch’s Liu Lang and Zao Hua.

Li Hua was brought along to help—they chose her because she was older and quick with her hands. As for Dao Hua, she had been unusually quiet ever since her injury and memory loss.

The elderly couple often saw her staring blankly into space and thought she looked rather pitiful. So they decided to take her along to stroll around, enjoy the buzz, and lift her spirits.

Lan Hua from the third branch had a sweet personality, was soft-spoken and pretty. The old couple had always been fond of her.

Liu Lang and Zao Hua were still little. Since they were the only two kids from the fifth branch and had begged sweetly to come along, the old couple couldn’t refuse them either.

This big group entered Beiguan Town together. The gatekeeper collected a two-wen entry fee for the adults—kids entered free, but the elderly couple still had to pay.

Dao Hua found the market in Beiguan Town quite lively. Though it couldn’t compare to the modern world, there were still many things that intrigued her.

For example—acrobats and monkey performances. She had only ever seen acrobats on TV or online before. As for monkey shows, she had seen one or two as a small child, but not since.

Watching that little monkey do more than ten flips in the air, then perform a stick-fighting routine before flipping its hat over to ask the audience for tips—it made Xia Daohua smile, her eyes narrowing with joy. Her heart practically melted.

What amazed her most was that the monkey wasn’t tied up or wearing a collar. After collecting the money, it obediently climbed onto its master’s shoulder, prompting cheers from the crowd.

The elderly couple bought a lot during this trip—candied melon seeds, dried persimmons, frozen pears, crabapples. They also picked up an almanac and a huge string of bright red firecrackers.

Every child who came along got a big meat bun.

Each bun cost three wen. The dough was a blend of different flours, so the skin was a bit thick—but the filling was pure meatballs, mixed with just a little green onion for flavor. Nicely seasoned, not too salty or bland.

The kids all ate until their mouths were greasy, and even after finishing, they still wanted more. All the way home from the market, Liu Lang and Zao Hua kept thinking about those buns.

Back in the village, every household was busy preparing for the new year. The air was filled with the mouthwatering aromas of blood sausage, cured meats, and sizzling lard. The festive atmosphere was growing stronger by the day.

Although the Xia family had been split into branches, on major holidays like New Year’s, everyone still gathered together.

Even the main branch, who lived in town, returned with large packages in tow.

It was then that Xia Daohua finally saw the so-called “bookish talent” Second Aunt-in-law Sun-shi had often mentioned—Xia Dalang—and his “plump wife.”

To be fair, Xia Dalang’s wife wasn’t exactly fat. She just had a round, full face and a naturally plumper figure, likely because she was pregnant.

Her belly was so large, it looked like she was in her seventh or eighth month already.

As for Eldest Uncle Xia Youcai and Eldest Aunt Liu-shi, they were both noticeably heavier than people their age.

Xia Youcai worked as the manager of a restaurant in town. They said he was well-educated, smooth-talking, good at networking, and well-liked by his boss.

He wore a sapphire-colored silk long robe, his hair neatly tied with a matching blue square scarf. His chubby figure, fair skin, and always-smiling expression made him look very pleasant—no wonder he could manage a restaurant.

Eldest Aunt Liu-shi wore a moderately used black padded jacket with “Fu” (blessing) character patterns. She had a copper-gilt hairpin in her hair, and her entire figure was plump and sturdy—like a prosperous matron from a wealthy family.

Her frame wasn’t just fat—it was wide. No matter which sister-in-law she stood beside, she always looked bigger. Even if you tied two of Sun-shi together, they still wouldn’t be as wide as Liu-shi.

Xia Youcai stood proudly at the front, with Xia Dalang by his side. Liu-shi followed, supporting her pregnant daughter-in-law. Jin Hua and Yin Hua trailed closely behind.

Upon closer inspection, it was clear that this whole family’s clothes were in a different class compared to the villagers’.

Well—maybe that’s not quite right.

In the village, the landlord Master Feng’s household all wore silk and satin, adorned with gold and silver. Even his concubines dressed extravagantly with high-stacked wigs and jeweled hairpieces.

Still, the Xia family was no small household either. With many members and able-bodied men, a literate patriarch and a sharp-witted matriarch, they were well-off—at least when not compared to someone like Feng the Landlord.

Most of the Xia family wore sturdy, warm clothes for winter, but made of coarse cotton or linen, with visible patches here and there.

In contrast, every member of the main branch wore clean, finely made garments. Even if not brand-new, none had patches.

Even Liu-shi’s cotton robe was more expensive than Zhou-shi’s blue homespun dress.

They even hired a horse-drawn carriage to bring them back to the village, loaded with large bags and boxes.

These were, apparently, New Year gifts from the main branch couple to the old patriarch and matriarch, Xia and Zhou.