Chapter (15): The Hunter's Feast (Part 2)
Du Shi, the wife of the Village Head, was different from Mo Shi (Mother Bai). As the leading lady of the village, she was strict and held a high standard of discipline. While she wasn't cruel to her daughters-in-law, she certainly didn't coddle them. She would never allow them to take advantage of the family the way Mo Shi allowed Zhou Shi and Su Shi to do.
They were farmers, not wealthy gentry who could afford to eat without lifting a finger. Every farmer's wife had experienced pregnancy; once the first trimester passed, life returned to the fields and the hearth. Yet the Bai family's daughters-in-law not only shirked their duties during the busy season but didn't even want to cook at home. Now, they expected to simply show up when it was time to eat.
Even if they had only shown their faces for a moment, it wouldn't have looked so bad. No one would force a pregnant woman to do heavy labor; they would only have been asked to help with light tasks. But what did they do? They didn't even bother to appear.
Mother Bai thought Du Shi's suggestion was sensible and prepared to send some food over to the main house. She was also privately worried that Zhou Shi's sharp tongue might ruin the pleasant atmosphere of the gathering.
However, as Bai Mei watched her mother packing the dishes, she interjected,
"Mother, maybe we shouldn't include the offal dishes. We don't know if they're good for pregnant women, and the sisters-in-law have never eaten them before, right?"
Bai Mei had already tasted her brother's cooking. Whether it was the novelty or the skill, she found the offal even more delicious than regular meat—and there wasn't a hint of a foul odor. Normally, she wouldn't be so calculating, but Zhou Shi's blatant lack of loyalty to the Bai household today had filled her with loathing. You live in the Bai house, eat the Bai family's food, and yet you betray us? Then this is all you deserve.
Mother Bai, ever kind-hearted and a bit gullible, took both Du Shi's and Bai Mei's words at face value. She became genuinely concerned.
"You're right. I wonder if offal is safe for them?"
Because they weren't dining here, there were certain dishes that simply couldn't be sent. There was only one bowl of the rare fish roe soup, and the braised fish couldn't be easily divided among two families without making a mess. If they had come, they could have shared; since they hadn't, they missed out. The pork bone broth had already been served to the children by Bai Li.
In the end, if the offal was excluded, only the stir-fried pork with green onions and the two vegetable dishes remained.
Seeing her mother hesitate, Bai Mei added,
"Mother, the pork with green onions is plenty of meat. Don't you remember? When the sisters-in-law first got pregnant and you made fish soup, they couldn't stop vomiting from the smell. Even if you send the fish now, they probably won't be able to eat it. At least there's pork."
Back then, the fish soup had been simple and fishy-smelling—standard for morning sickness. But today's fish had been fried and braised; there was no fishiness left. Mother Bai, however, was convinced.
"Oh, that's true. I nearly forgot. I'll just send the pork and the vegetables then."
Mother Bai packed the containers and sent Bai San to deliver them. Du Shi watched Bai Mei with a knowing, appreciative look and gave the girl's cheek a playful pinch.
"You're a clever little thing," Du Shi whispered.
Du Shi was no fool; she had seen through Zhou Shi's little performance earlier that afternoon. She felt a twinge of pity for the Bai family for having such troublesome daughters-in-law.
Bai Mei gave Du Shi a bright smile. Xiao Han was nearby, but as usual, he said nothing. He lived as if he had ears but no mouth—taking everything in but never interfering.
Back at the main house, the two daughters-in-law were satisfied enough to see meat. They knew nothing of the offal feast or the fish. As they ate the food sent from Bai Li's house, they spent their time happily gossiping and bad-mouthing him.
At Bai Li's house, the atmosphere was serene. The two families were close, and since the only unmarried youths were Bai Wu, Bai Mei, and Jiang Qing, they dispensed with the tradition of separating the men from the women and Ge'ers. They pushed two tables together, and everyone sat in a large, merry circle.
Under the early night sky, they ate heartily, discussing the year's crop yields, Bai Li's adventures selling wild boars at the port city, and his new buffalo. There were no pretenses among them. Mother Bai beamed with happiness, and even Du Shi's opinion of Bai Li began to shift toward the positive. A cool breeze brushed past, but no one felt the chill as laughter echoed under the moonlight.
Bai Li watched Xiao Han, who was carefully feeding the little Ge'ers. Seeing this, a profound sense of contentment washed over him. He liked this life.
Since it was harvest season, they couldn't afford a hangover. Only five jars of spirits were consumed. Before leaving, the Village Head looked at Bai Li with a serious expression.
"Second Boy of the Bai family, this change in you is a wonderful thing. Look at your family—see how happy they are? Don't go back to your old ways."
Bai Li, only slightly tipsy, smiled back.
"I will follow your advice, Uncle."
Elderly leaders always appreciate an obedient youth, and the Village Head nodded in satisfaction.
Father Bai then spoke up.
"Second Son, what are your plans? A thousand silver taels is a lot, but only if used wisely. It can vanish in an instant if squandered. Your mother and I don't want you doing dangerous hunting work forever. In the village, a rice field costs thirty silver taels, and a vegetable plot is twenty. With what you have, you could buy enough land to live comfortably off the rent alone."
The mountains were home to fierce beasts. Bai Li had been lucky with the two boars, but no one could guarantee his luck would hold.
Bai Li knew the dangers, but his heart belonged to the hunt.
"Father, I don't know much about farming. I'll buy some land as an investment, but I think the life of a hunter suits me better. Tomorrow, I'm going to the port city to buy a proper bow. I hope the Village Head can provide a letter of recommendation."
In this region, a letter from the local authority was required to purchase weapons, and a high-quality bow fell into that category.
Though his parents were worried, they didn't press him. At least he wanted to work. The Village Head waved his hand dismissively.
"Of course. Come by early tomorrow; I'll have it ready."
After the Village Head's family departed, it was time for the Bais to leave as well. Bai Li handed five jars of spirits to Bai San.
"For Father to enjoy later; I still have five more inside."
Then, Bai Li pulled out a hundred-tael note from the stack Mother Bai had returned to him and handed it to her.
"Second Son, what is this for?" she asked, startled.
Bai Li glanced at the slightly dazed Bai Wu.
"Mother, that's for Wu'er's schooling. He's still young; he can go back to his studies. Now that I have the money, why shouldn't I pay back what I cost him?"
Mother Bai wanted to refuse, but thinking of Bai Wu's future, she couldn't. They wouldn't be able to save that much for tuition anytime soon. Her heart swelled with pride at Bai Li's maturity.
Father Bai was more focused on the logistics.
"You're going to the port city tomorrow?"
"Yes, Father. I need a good bow and supplies for the winter. Is there anything you or Mother need? Tell me, and I'll bring it back. I'll be stopping by to pick up Mei'er in the morning."
Mother Bai was about to say they needed nothing, but she froze at the mention of her daughter.
"You're taking Mei'er with you?"
"Yes. Xiao Han and the children are coming too. Let Mei'er see the city; she's never been to the port, has she?"
Hearing this, a drunken Bai Wu piped up,
"Second Brother, you're playing favorites! You take Bai Mei but not me!"
Bai Li laughed and patted his brother's head.
"You can come next time. There's too much work at home for both of you to leave at once."
Bai Wu pouted but conceded. Xiao Han, who had been carrying the sleeping children inside, was stunned. Bai Li wants to take us to the city?
No one was happier than Bai Mei. She hopped around with joy, clinging to her mother until she received permission. Knowing how much Bai Li doted on his sister, Mother Bai wasn't worried. If he had only taken Xiao Han and the children, she might have feared he was going to sell them, but with Bai Mei along, her heart was at ease.
After the family left, Bai Li went to bed. Early the next morning, he and Xiao Han prepared some food for the road. With the children in tow, the journey would be slow—likely six to seven hours.
Bai Li loaded the remaining parboiled offal onto the cart. When they arrived at the main house, he found Bai Mei pacing by the gate, her excitement palpable. As he entered the yard, he was met with the envious glares of Zhou Shi and Su Shi.
Zhou Shi couldn't help herself.
"Second Brother-in-law, I've never been to the port city either. Can't I come along?"
Bai Li was floored by her audacity.
"Eldest Sister-in-law, you are heavily pregnant. The cart ride is long and bumpy; it wouldn't be good for the baby."
Mother Bai and the others frowned. Even if she weren't pregnant, a daughter-in-law shouldn't be traveling overnight with her brother-in-law. It was highly improper.
Su Shi was more cunning.
"I heard Second Brother-in-law paid back Bai Wu's tuition last night. Since you're going to the city, I suppose we can expect some gifts when you return?"
Bai Li couldn't even force a smile. Why would I buy you a gift? To give Bai San the wrong idea?
The rest of the family was equally aghast. What had gotten into these two? Why were they so shamelessly trying to squeeze Bai Li? Bai Jiang and Bai San were the most shocked of all. When had their wives become such irrational, greedy bloodsuckers? Or had they always been this way, only hiding it because there was nothing worth stealing until now?
Standing there with their husbands right beside them, one was asking to go on an overnight trip with her brother-in-law, and the other was demanding gifts.
Bai Li beat a hasty retreat from the house, leaving behind a very tense atmosphere. Even Father Bai, who rarely interfered with the daughters-in-law, felt it was time for a stern talk. Mother Bai's forehead pulsed with anger. If word of these comments got out, Bai Li's old reputation for womanizing would flare up again, and people would say he was having an affair with his sisters-in-law now that he had money. The shame would be unbearable.
Bai Jiang and Bai San both realized they needed to remind their wives of a simple truth: Bai Li's money belonged to him and his wife, Xiao Han—and it had absolutely nothing to do with them.