Chapter 129: Mother Zhao

Shaoyuan reached out and ruffled Jiaoyan’s hair. "You, such a tiny little thing, yet you worry about so much. Why should you have to trouble yourself with all this? Don’t think about it anymore. By this time next year, the Gu family will certainly have divided the household. For now, let’s just focus on what’s in front of us. Let’s pick apricot pits and leave the rest for next year."

Jiaoyan thought this over and agreed. There was no point in worrying about those things for now; gathering more apricot pits was the priority. "Brother Shaoyuan, would you be willing to come with me to pick pits for the next few days? Apricot kernels aren't just for medicine; they can be pressed for oil. Apricot kernel oil is incredibly useful, and I’ll show you when the time comes." Jiaoyan smiled with a hint of pride.

Watching her expression, Shaoyuan couldn't help but beam. The little girl in front of him looked absolutely radiant when she smiled, especially with that proud, sparkling look in her eyes. "Alright then, I’ll leave it to your skills. I’m looking forward to it."

With that, the two fell silent and focused on picking the fallen apricots from the ground, peeling away the flesh to retrieve the pits inside. They worked quickly, and in less than an hour, their basket was full.

"Let’s head home for now and come back later. If you want to press oil, we’ll need quite a lot. I don’t have much to do lately anyway, so I’ll just help you gather them," Shaoyuan said, hoisting the basket onto his back. It was heavy enough to make him hunch slightly.

He reached out, took Jiaoyan’s hand as he always did, and the two walked out of the woods and back to the Miao residence.

When Miao Suwen saw her son and apprentice return with such a large quantity of pits, she was surprised. "Are there really that many wild apricots in the mountains?"

"Yes, Master. I want to collect more; besides medicinal use, I can do other things with them. I’ll need Brother Shaoyuan to accompany me into the mountains a few more times these next few days." Jiaoyan helped Shaoyuan dump the pits onto a worn mat on the ground, spreading them out so they would dry faster.

"Do as you please, Shaoyuan has nothing else to do at home anyway. But keep in mind, these northern apricot kernels are bitter and are not for eating. You must be careful not to use them in food, or you’ll risk poisoning," Miao Suwen warned, concerned that the reckless child might accidentally consume them.

"Don't worry, Master, I understand that," Jiaoyan replied with a smile. She was well aware that bitter apricot kernels were toxic if ingested.

Shaoyuan looked at the sky; it was still a while until midday, and there was enough time for one more trip. "Yan'er, let’s go one more time before we head back for lunch."

Jiaoyan nodded and found a smaller basket. "I can carry this one. Let’s go get some more." With that, they set off once again.

"Auntie, perhaps we should go with them? I’m always anxious when those two go into the mountains alone," Ruyun said as she stepped out of the room, watching the children’s retreating figures with concern.

"There’s no need. Shaoyuan will take good care of Jiaoniang. You two rely on your hands to earn a living; if you go into the mountains and get your hands roughened, you’ll snag the satin when you do embroidery," Miao Suwen replied, shaking her head.

Ruyun looked at her hands—they were indeed delicate, white, and soft, which was essential for fine embroidery. Otherwise, not only would the silk be damaged, but the thread itself would fray. "Very well, I’ll go back to my work." She turned and went back inside.

***

After their second trip into the mountains, Jiaoyan and Shaoyuan returned to the Miao residence. Miao Suwen had already prepared lunch and invited Jiaoyan to stay, but the girl was concerned about her two brothers at home and hurried back instead.

When she reached the Gu residence, the east courtyard was eerily quiet, as if no one were home. At this hour, those who had gone to work in the fields had likely not yet returned. Jiaoyan made her way to the west courtyard and heard voices. As she passed Third Aunt’s house, she saw Zhao-shi, her mother, an older woman, and two young wives sitting in the courtyard chatting.

Seeing Jiaoyan, Wenfei hurried over and pulled her toward the older woman. "Grandmother, this is little sister Jiaoyan from Second Uncle’s house. She’s been so kind to us; we just went to pick apricots for my mother to eat." She then turned to Jiaoyan and said, "Jiaoniang, this is my grandmother and my two aunts."

Jiaoyan quickly offered a polite greeting. "Grandmother, Aunts." In these situations, it was customary to follow the titles used by the Wenfei sisters, as it was the most appropriate way to address them.

The old Mrs. Zhao smiled the moment she saw Jiaoyan. "Oh my, just look at this girl! She’s so lovely, with such a fair face and bright, watery eyes. How beautiful." Elderly people generally loved children, and Jiaoyan’s sweet and cute appearance made her immediately popular. Mrs. Zhao looked at her with great affection and showered her with praise.

The two wives from the Zhao family followed suit. When Zhao-shi had visited her parental home previously, she had spoken highly of the Gu Chengyong family, especially how Feng-shi had helped look after her and her daughters. The Zhao family felt a deep sense of gratitude toward them, so they were naturally warm toward Jiaoyan.

"Grandmother, Aunts, please continue your chat. I need to go back and cook; my mother isn't home today, and my brothers will be hungry," Jiaoyan said. It was getting late, and if she didn't start cooking, her brothers would be complaining of hunger the moment they returned.

Only then did Zhao-shi realize it was nearly noon. "Oh dear, you’re right. Wenfang, go light the fire and steam some rice. Wenfei, go to town and buy some meat. Since Grandmother and your aunts are here, we’ll eat on our own today instead of joining the rest of the household." She sent Wenfei off to make the purchases.

Under normal circumstances, the Zhao and Gu families were in-laws, and guests should be hosted properly by the Gu family. However, with Li-shi away in the county seat and the Old Master of the Gu family being an inconvenient host for his daughter-in-law's relatives, Zhao-shi decided it was easier to host her mother and sisters-in-law in her own quarters.

Zhao-shi had some silver left over from her eldest sister-in-law and Feng-shi, so buying a bit of meat was not a problem. Furthermore, with her mother-in-law away, she didn't dare use the Gu family’s provisions to host her own kin. Cooking for themselves was simpler and saved her from any potential scolding from Li-shi later.

Wenfang went to cook, and Wenfei hurried off to town. Although the town was several miles away, it was no hardship for those accustomed to walking through hills and mountains. Wenfei moved with agility, reaching the town in less than twenty minutes. She bought pork and two types of prepared deli meats. By the time she returned, the rice was just coming off the fire.

Wenfang sliced the meat, stir-fried a few side dishes, and plated the deli meats. The meal was ready.

"Wenfang’s mother, take some of this deli meat and send it over to your father-in-law’s side. Since we aren't eating with them, it wouldn't be proper to keep the best food for ourselves. Sending some over is a gesture of courtesy," Mrs. Zhao advised.

"Wenfei, go call the children from Second Uncle’s house to come eat with us. There are only three of them; how much could they possibly eat? Don't make it seem like we’re hiding our food," the old lady added.

The sisters followed their grandmother’s instructions. Respecting elders and caring for younger siblings was the right thing to do. Wenfei went to fetch Jiaoniang, Wenxiu, and Wenqi, while Wenfang carried a plate of deli meats toward the east courtyard.

***

"Wait, I’ll go with you, and your aunts will come too. Regardless, it’s a matter of etiquette. Since we are visiting, we should pay our respects to the elders of the house." Mrs. Zhao stood up, took the gifts specially prepared for the Gu family, and led her daughters-in-law toward the east courtyard.

When Wenfang arrived at the main house of the east courtyard with her grandmother and aunts, the Old Master of the Gu family had already returned from the fields with his sons and grandsons. Xu-shi was nowhere to be seen, and the kitchen was quiet. "Grandfather, my grandmother and aunts are here to see you," Wenfei announced loudly from the outer room.

"Oh, the in-laws are here? Please, come in!" the Old Master replied from the inner room.

"Mother, why are you here? Please, come in," Gu Chengyi said, coming out to assist his mother-in-law into the room.

"Is the old brother in good health? I heard the youngest daughter is expecting, so I wanted to come have a look. We were busy in the fields for the past few days, but today I finally found the time," Mrs. Zhao said with a smile as she took a seat on the edge of the kang to chat with the Old Master.

The two Zhao wives placed the gifts—eggs and duck eggs—before the Old Master. "Uncle Gu, we came in a rush and didn't prepare anything fancy, just some eggs for you to enjoy."

"Oh, you shouldn't have! You are honored guests, how could I let you bring gifts?" the Old Master protested politely.

"It’s nothing, just things from home. Please, have a taste," Mrs. Zhao said with a warm smile. "I heard the hostess is away in the county seat? We won't intrude any further; we’ll be eating with my daughter today."

Wenfang chimed in, "Grandfather, my mother said that since Grandmother is away, it’s inconvenient to cook here, so we’re preparing our own meal on our side. My mother sent this for you to try." She then turned to her father, Gu Chengyi, and urged him to go keep the guests company.