Chapter 120: Setting Out for Bianjing

Early in the morning, the three Ji brothers cleaned up their homes before heading over to Uncle Ji’s house with their families, bringing extra tables and chairs.

Every year during the holidays, the Ji brothers spent the festivities with their parents. However, with the Xiang family joining this year, the furniture they had was not nearly enough.

By the hour of You, twelve dishes were laid out, with three square tables pushed together to form one long banquet table. While twelve dishes might not seem extravagant for wealthy families, in Dawai Village, this was the most lavish spread one could imagine.

As the food was set on the table, Xiang Yanzhuo went outside to light firecrackers, delighting the children, who clapped and cheered. The old scholar poured wine for everyone, and Xiang Xinyao, noticing the children didn’t have much to drink, had an idea. She quickly went to the kitchen and made a pot of sweet water by mixing spirit spring water with a bit of sugar.

Carrying the pot, she poured sweet drinks for the children. Together, everyone raised their cups, wishing for favorable weather and good fortune in the coming year.

The Xiang Taifu and his wife lifted their wine cups to toast Uncle Ji and his wife.

“Brother and Sister-in-law, thank you for taking Yao’er in and giving her a home. The Xiang family is deeply grateful, and we have no words to express our thanks,” the Xiang Taifu said, drinking his cup in one go.

Uncle Ji quickly shook his head. “No, no, we should be thanking Yao’er. Without her, so many villagers would still be hungry and cold, let alone able to send their children to school.”

The old scholar chimed in, “That’s right! Yao’er is a benefactor to our entire village!”

Xiang Xinyao grinned and said playfully, “Alright, alright! It’s New Year’s. The main thing is to eat, drink, and be merry. Cheers to everyone! May our days grow brighter and our lives grow richer!”

“Cheers!”

Amidst the lively atmosphere and delicious food, everyone’s faces were lit with contentment. The children, thrilled to be eating such a festive meal for the first time, stuffed themselves until their little bellies were round and full.

After dinner, the ground outside was blanketed in snow, which had now dwindled to flurries but hadn’t stopped.

Aunt Ji set up two fire pits in the main hall. Xiang Xinyao brought out peanuts, melon seeds, and candy, and everyone gathered around the table, chatting and snacking on sunflower seeds. The Xiang Taifu handed out lucky money to the children, giving each one, except for Xiang Xinyao, a whole tael of silver—a massive sum, as they usually only received two copper coins at most in previous years.

Xiang Xinyao received separate red envelopes from her parents, her siblings, and even Mo Jinnan. She also took out the clothes she’d bought for the children and distributed them. For Ji Chunhua’s two daughters, she gave them the clothes that Xiang Xinyu had made for her but were too small to wear.

After nightfall, Uncle Ji lit two pine oil lamps, and everyone huddled around the fire, chatting and staying up to usher in the New Year. Compared to the Ji family’s festive gathering, the other villagers went to bed early—there simply wasn’t much to do, and although everyone was well-fed, most families were still too poor to keep the lamps burning for an entire night.

…

Three days of New Year festivities quickly passed, and most of the snow had melted away. Xiang Xinyao and the Xiang family prepared to set off back to Bianjing. Mo Jinnan’s guard, Rufeng, arrived with the soldiers, waiting outside the Ji residence.

Before departing, Xiang Xinyao handed Uncle Ji a banknote for five hundred taels.

“Uncle, please keep this money. Use it to pay the villagers, buy building materials, and get some chicks and piglets. Spend as needed; don’t just focus on saving.”

Uncle Ji waved his hands, saying, “Yao’er, we don’t need so much. Many villagers still owe you money; how could we spend so much?”

“Please, take it,” Xiang Xinyao insisted. “I don’t know when I’ll be able to come back after this trip. If I’m delayed, you might need to hire help to plant the land we cleared in the Little Pine Forest. There’ll be plenty of expenses.”

The Xiang Taifu chimed in, “Brother Ji, just keep it. After all, this isn’t meant for you; it’s for Yao’er’s sake. We’re just leaving you more to prepare for any unexpected situations.”

Uncle Ji nodded, “Alright, I’ll hold onto it, then.”

Xiang Xinyao continued, “If something urgent comes up and the funds run out before I return, go to Fulou Inn and find my Brother Han. You can borrow from him, and I’ll pay him back when I come back.”

“Understood,” he replied.

After giving all her instructions, Xiang Xinyao went inside to load up the spices she’d prepared for Han Dongsheng onto the cart. Aunt Ji and Ji Chunhua made several trips, piling smoked meats and sausages onto the cart as well.

Xiang Xinyao quickly stopped them. “Auntie, this is more than enough. If you give us any more, you’ll have nothing left to eat.”

“This silly girl, that boar was huge. We can’t possibly finish it all ourselves. Take a little more with you,” Aunt Ji urged.

“Auntie, there’s already plenty. This wild boar meat is special—share some with Brother Ji and Sister Chunlan too.”

“Alright, but at least take two more sausages.”

Xiang Xinyao shook her head, exasperated yet smiling. “Really, it’s enough. If you load any more, we’ll have to walk back to Bianjing!”

With a warm smile, Aunt Ji nodded. “Alright, alright, no more loading. Yao’er, now that your real parents have finally found you, spend as much time with them as you can. Don’t worry about the house and land at Little Pine Forest; we’ll handle everything. Your uncle, your brother, and I will make sure everything’s in order.”

“Thank you, Auntie. Take care of yourselves too.”

“Don’t worry! Since you joined the Ji family, life has improved, and your uncle and I have felt healthier than ever.”

“Good, then I’ll be off. Auntie, when I come back and the house is ready, we’ll all move to Little Pine Forest together.”

“Alright, we’ll do as you say. Take care on the road.”

With that, Aunt Ji locked the door to the main hall and got ready to walk Xiang Xinyao’s family to the edge of the village.

As the soldiers reappeared, the villagers knew that Xiang Xinyao was about to leave Dawai Village. Except for a few families, nearly everyone came out to see her off.

The cart moved slowly, flanked by the Ji family members and other villagers who had come to bid farewell. Hearing the villagers’ well-wishes, Xiang Xinyao’s eyes grew misty.

“Everyone, go back! It’s cold out. I’ll be back in a while—I promised Uncle Ji that I’d help lead us all to a better life. Please, head back inside. I’ll do my best to return before the Grain in Ear season…”

The villagers, reluctant to see her go, were already teary-eyed.

“Xinyao, take care on the road, and come back soon!” 

“We’ll be waiting for you, Xinyao…”

The Madam Xiang and Xiang Xinyu were already in tears.

With red eyes, Xiang Xinyao waved repeatedly, shouting, “Everyone, go back! I’ll be back soon, I promise…”

But the villagers persisted, escorting Xiang Xinyao and her family all the way to the village entrance.

Only at the final farewell did a few villagers pull out the boiled eggs and flatbreads they’d kept close to their bodies to keep warm and pressed them into Xiang Xinyao’s hands.