Chapter 28: The Aroma of Meat Keeps Them Awake 

The grandson was still in the mountains harvesting bamboo shoots. When he returned, he would heat up a few cornbread buns before heading back into the mountains to search for more shoots. While there was money to be made, they had to seize the opportunity—perhaps by winter, they could afford to add a cotton-padded coat for the grandson. 

By the time Liu Shunzi arrived home, Zhao Zhenyu had already prepared lunch. Her mood was particularly good today—the tavern had increased their orders. What did that mean? It meant their family’s daily income had just doubled! 

The only regret was that there were no particularly good dishes today. She had originally wanted to buy a chicken from Aunt Liu to cook, but the woman had stubbornly refused, insisting that her chickens were kept for laying eggs and weren’t for sale. 

Madam Zheng also had a terrible headache. This father and daughter pair didn’t seem like the type who knew how to manage a household—their fingers were too loose, letting everything slip through. What could be done? 

Both she and her husband hoped that the two of them would earn as much as possible now, save up to build a house, and ideally buy a few acres of land. Then, once her sister-in-law regained her health, she could bear a son. Wouldn’t that set the whole family on the path to prosperity?

Time flew by in the blink of an eye. 

Before they knew it, over a month had passed since they began harvesting bamboo shoots, and the season was nearly over. 

On this day, the Zhao family’s eldest son, returned home with his family after being away for more than a month—riding back on a mule cart. 

By the end of the month, he would be heading to the prefectural city for his exams. The main reason for his return now was to collect more silver. Traveling far from home, across treacherous mountains and long roads—what if something happened if he didn’t bring enough funds? 

His homecoming caused a huge stir in the Zhao household. One could say the entire family turned out to welcome him.

“Second Zhao’s wife, go clean up your Big Brother’s room right away! Second Zhao, fetch hot water for your elder brother—he must be parched from the journey!” 

The old woman gazed at her tall, handsome son with deep satisfaction. ‘This was her capable, outstanding boy—the one hope of her life!’ 

“Are you tired? Rest a while. Once your sister-in-law tidies up, you can go lie down.” 

Eldest Zhao nodded and took a seat beside Old Master Zhao. His wife, son, and daughters lined up beside him—not a single one budged to help with the cleaning. 

“Father, Mother, how have you been lately?” he asked.

Old Madam Sun grinned until her aged face scrunched up entirely—nothing but slits for eyes amid a sea of wrinkled skin. Eldest Zhao silently averted his gaze. 

“Good, good! Your father and I are just fine!” 

Eldest Zhao’s wife covered her mouth with a chuckle. “Back in the county town, my husband worried day and night about your health. He barely ate or slept from the stress! Now that he sees you both in good spirits, he can finally set his mind at ease.” 

The old woman’s heart ached. “We know you’re filial, but don’t fret over us too much—we’re doing well. Studying is hard enough—you must take care of your own health first.” 

“I know, I know,” Eldest Zhao replied. “But after all the years you’ve spent raising me, worrying over you and showing filial piety is the least I can do.” 

Tears welled up in the old woman’s eyes as she wiped them away—moved to weeping by her son’s devotion.

“Big Brother, here’s some water.” 

“Thank you, Second Brother.” 

Old Master Zhao watched his eldest son—refined, courteous, and scholarly—and nodded in satisfaction once more. ‘Just look at him, then look at Second Zhao and thought of Third Zhao. No wonder I favor him—the difference is like clouds and mud!’ 

Once Madam Li finished tidying the room, the family took their luggage and retreated to rest. Meanwhile, Madam Li and her daughter Laidi headed to the kitchen to prepare the meal. Since Big Brother’s return had been sudden, there was no time to buy meat, so the old woman had wrung a chicken’s neck—they’d feast on poultry tonight. 

“Mother,” Laidi whispered, “why does Ruxin get to wear such pretty clothes and never has to work?”

Zhao Ruxin was dressed today in a goose-yellow cotton skirt embroidered with pink blossoms, its colors as vivid and lovely as wildflowers in spring. Laidi noticed the delicate white florets stitched along the collar, scattered like tiny stars. 

As Ruxin walked from the mule cart to the main hall, her skirt swayed gently, lending her an air of serene grace. 

Her skin, nurtured by years of careful upbringing, was fair and smooth. Laidi glanced at her own hands, roughened by recent labor, then touched her face—she had darkened noticeably. 

Madam Li paused her work, looking at her daughter with a mix of helplessness and tenderness. She sighed softly. “I know things have been hard lately, but no matter how upset you are, don’t pick fights or throw tantrums with your cousin. 

Your uncle will soon take the imperial exams. If he passes, he’ll become an official. Once he’s an official, you’ll be the Second Young Lady of the Zhao family. You won’t have to lift a finger—we’ll buy a maidservant to wait on you, and your uncle will arrange a good marriage. Then, for the rest of your life, you’ll live in comfort, with every need handed to you.”

Zhao Laidi’s small eyes sparkled with excitement. ‘The life Mother just described—that’s exactly what I want.’ 

“Mother, if Uncle becomes an official, will we really get to share in the good life?” She couldn’t help but feel that Uncle’s family had always kept them at arm’s length—especially her cousins, who always held their chins high, looking down on her family with obvious disdain. 

“Of course!” Madam Li said firmly. “After all these years of supporting your uncle, how could he possibly abandon us once he succeeds? But remember—you must never quarrel with them. No matter how upset you are, hold it in.” 

“I understand.” 

Madam Li looked at her eldest daughter with satisfaction. ‘One day, I’ll marry her into a wealthy family. Then, even if we can’t rely on Big Brother, we’ll still live well—all thanks to her.’

“Dawen, come here—have a drumstick!” Both chicken legs landed squarely in Eldest Zhao’s bowl. 

Madam Li’s hand, holding her own bowl, stiffened for a moment—but she swallowed her resentment. 

The wings, of course, went to the elderly couple, and each person at the table received two pieces of meat. 

“Mother, where’s Third Brother?” Eldest Zhao asked, puzzled. ‘Strange—I haven’t seen him or his family since I got back. Back when we ate chicken, he used to make the biggest fuss over every scrap of meat.’ 

“Him? He’s moved out—living next to Liu Shunzi now,” the old woman replied indifferently. ‘That ungrateful wretch. Even though he’s just next door, he hasn’t bothered to visit us once since the split.’

“Division of the family? When did this happen? Why would you split?” Eldest Zhao was stunned. ‘Why divide the household? Wasn’t it better to keep Third Brother’s family here to work?’ 

Old Madam Sun launched into an animated account of the events leading up to the split—and everything that had happened since. In her agitation, flecks of spittle flew, making Eldest Zhao recoil slightly. His wife, Madam Wang, lowered her eyes to conceal her disgust, while Zhao Ruxin set down her chopsticks, her appetite gone. 

“Mother, is all this true?” 

“Of course! If you don’t believe me, ask your father—ask Second Brother. That Third has grown too big for his boots now, clinging to someone else’s coattails. Heartless, I tell you! Since the split, he’s been living the high life right next door.” The thought made her grind her teeth. The proximity meant she often caught whiffs of meat cooking from their kitchen—so tantalizing that it kept her awake at night. 

Eldest Zhao’s eyes darted shrewdly. “He agreed to divide the family without demanding any land or property?”

“Exactly!” 

“After the split, he started harvesting bamboo shoots with that Liu Shunzi next door—and got rich?” 

“Yes!” 

‘Whether he’s truly wealthy or not, who knows?’ she thought bitterly. ‘Most likely, he’s just a hired hand. But one thing’s certain—he’s living well, feasting on meat and fine meals right under our noses.’