When Zhenniang arrived at the Li village, it was just before the end of the Chen hour(7 AM-9 AM). Entering the courtyard, she saw several village women gathered around the mill making tofu, chatting and laughing as they worked.
Tofu was an essential dish at any celebratory feast, used in making meatballs, dumplings, and various other dishes.
Zhenniang exchanged cheerful greetings with the women.
“Young Miss Zhen has arrived!” several women responded warmly.
“Here’s a bowl of freshly made tofu pudding, still steaming hot,” one woman offered, bringing over a bowl.
Since today wasn’t the actual wedding day, most people present were here to help. According to local custom, helpers were always served a bowl of tofu pudding upon arrival.
Of course, tomorrow, on the actual wedding day, guests would be served noodles with shredded meat upon arrival instead.
“Thank you!” Following custom, Zhenniang accepted without hesitation and sat down on a stone bench to eat.
As she ate, Hua’er came out looking anxious. She asked everyone she saw, “Have you seen Sixth Granduncle?” She was stamping her feet with worry.
“Oh, I saw him early this morning while I was frying meatballs. He ate a few of them, but I haven’t seen him since,” said the woman who had served Zhenniang the tofu pudding.
The others all shook their heads.
“Oh dear, could the old master be having another episode of confusion? We better find him quickly. He might wander off when he gets confused like that,” one woman worried aloud.
Just then, Li Jinhua came out looking equally worried, obviously already aware that Sixth Uncle Li was missing. She began directing people to search for him.
“Let’s go look too,” Zhenniang put down her bowl and pulled Hua’er along as they headed out.
They searched the entire village but found no trace of him before returning home. Still no news.
“What should we do? Aunt Jinhua asked me to watch over my Sixth Granduncle. How can I face her if we can’t find him?” Hua’er was nearly in tears.
“Don’t worry, Hua’er. Let’s ask Aunt Jinhua where Sixth Granduncle usually likes to go,” Zhenniang suggested after some thought.
Hua’er ran inside and came back shortly, telling Zhenniang, “Aunt Jinhua says Sixth Granduncle usually likes to fish by the lotus pond when he has nothing else to do.”
“Then let’s go check the lotus pond,” Zhenniang said. Though Sixth Granduncle was confused, it was precisely because of his confusion that he would likely follow his habits without conscious thought.
“Alright,” Hua’er nodded, having run out of ideas herself and willing to follow Zhenniang’s lead.
They headed toward the lotus pond together.
The lotus pond lay in a mountain hollow. The path followed the raised edges between rice paddies. It was spring plowing season, and there were some crooked footprints in the soft soil along the paddy edges.
Zhenniang grew excited when she saw the footprints: “This must be Sixth Granduncle. These are all his family’s fields, and since today is Changren and Aunt Jinhua’s wedding preparation day, all the farmhands have been given the day off. No one else should be here.”
“Mm,” Hua’er felt slightly relieved.
They quickened their pace and soon reached the lotus pond. However, after circling the pond, they saw no one.
Hua’er’s spirits fell again.
“There’s a small path over there, let’s check it out,” Zhenniang pointed to a trail along the mountainside.
Hua’er nodded.
Following the path into the mountain hollow, they came upon a mud and thatch house around a bend.
“Ah, someone lives there! Let’s ask them,” Hua’er said, walking faster.
Zhenniang nodded, but as they reached the outer courtyard, they saw Sixth Uncle Li through the bamboo fence, sitting in the enclosed yard holding a bowl of tea.
“Sixth Granduncle, why did you come here? You scared me to death!” Hua’er cried out upon seeing him, pushing through the gate without hesitation.
Sixth Uncle Li was still confused, sitting there only drinking water, paying no attention to Zhenniang and Hua’er, just giggling.
Just then, apparently hearing the commotion in the yard, a woman in simple clothes came out of the house, coming face to face with Zhenniang and Hua’er.
“Sister Qiu…” Hua’er called out in surprise.
Zhenniang also started, raising her eyebrows – she hadn’t expected to encounter Ge Qiu in such an unexpected way. It had been over two years since they’d last met.
Ge Qiu was also startled by Zhenniang and Hua’er’s appearance, though she quickly recovered. After all, meeting the Li family after coming to Huizhou was something she had anticipated.
“Oh, it’s Zhenniang and Hua’er,” Ge Qiu greeted them.
“Why is my Sixth Granduncle here?” Hua’er asked, raising her eyebrows.
“I saw the old master standing by the pond this morning while I was washing clothes. He seemed confused, so I worried he might have an accident and invited him over. So he’s your Sixth Granduncle?” Ge Qiu explained calmly.
“Sister Qiu, thank you,” Zhenniang expressed her gratitude. Honestly, if Ge Qiu hadn’t brought Sixth Granduncle inside, who knows what might have happened if he’d been left wandering by the pond. The thanks were necessary.
“It’s nothing. I live in the village now, we’re neighbors. It’s only right to look out for each other,” Ge Qiu said with a faint smile.
Hearing that Ge Qiu lived in the village, Zhenniang couldn’t help but ask curiously, “Sister Qiu, when did you arrive? Has San’er finished his sentence?”
“He still had a few months left, but some of my father’s friends collected some money and ransomed him out. We were planning to return to Nanjing, but Old Man Hu’s hometown is here in Huizhou. He didn’t want to continue his night soil collection work in Nanjing, so San’er and I accompanied him back to Huizhou,” Ge Qiu explained. The “Old Man Hu” she mentioned was Old Hu who had taken her in years ago.
Ge Qiu paused before continuing with a smile, “Huizhou isn’t bad. We rent some fields to farm, and during tea and wild goods seasons, we trade a bit. I still have some connections in Nanjing, so making two trips each year helps us save some money. We’re hoping to find a wife for my brother eventually.”
As she spoke, San’er came out supporting Old Hu.
San’er, being somewhat simple-minded, didn’t greet Zhenniang and Hua’er. But Old Hu had San’er bring out some stools.
Zhenniang sat down without ceremony, and Ge Qiu poured water for her and Hua’er before sitting down across from them.
“What about you, Sister Qiu? Do you have any plans?” Zhenniang couldn’t help but ask.
Beside her, Hua’er listened intently, watching Ge Qiu. Her older brother still couldn’t forget Ge Qiu.
Looking at them both, Ge Qiu laughed frankly: “I’m waiting for Zhengping. If he marries someone else, I’ll marry another. If he doesn’t marry, I won’t marry either. This is what I owe him.”
Zhenniang hadn’t expected such directness from Ge Qiu, though it was typical of her character. She couldn’t help but smile. Both women shared a look of mutual understanding.
Beside them, Hua’er blurted out, “My brother hasn’t married yet, which means I can’t marry either.”
“Ha, you little girl, sounds like you’re eager to get married,” Ge Qiu teased her.
Hua’er’s forthright words had embarrassed herself: “Pah! You’re just teasing me. I’m taking Sixth Granduncle back now, Aunt Jinhua must be worried sick.”
With that, Hua’er went to support Sixth Granduncle and headed out. She was feeling somewhat angry from embarrassment. Zhenniang also stood to follow, and Ge Qiu accompanied them to the door.
“Where there’s a will, there’s a way,” Zhenniang turned back to say before leaving. She understood now – Brother Zhengping had been waiting for Ge Qiu all along.
It was just that getting past Aunt’s opposition wouldn’t be easy.
Ge Qiu stood at the door, watching the three figures disappear into the distance.
After Zhenniang and Hua’er brought Sixth Granduncle back, everyone in the house finally relaxed and resumed their preparations.
They stayed busy until evening.
That night, after Aunt Jinhua had put Sixth Granduncle and Runeger to bed, she chatted with Zhenniang outside for a while.
Zhenniang then remembered the message Madam Su had asked her to deliver at the city gate that morning.
Originally, Zhenniang thought Madam Su’s words were quite inappropriate, but her aunt, having been through so much, was no longer the person who didn’t know how to handle situations. She figured her aunt would have her take on Madam Su’s words, so she related the message.
After hearing the message, Li Jinhua gave a light snort: “She has a point, but we’re not the same kind of people. Different paths cannot work together.”
Zhenniang smiled at this – indeed, her aunt clearly understood. Experience had taught her well.
So she said nothing more, and the night passed quietly. The next day would be the actual wedding.
Zhenniang got up early the next morning and helped other women prepare her aunt’s hair and makeup. At the auspicious hour, the wedding ceremony began.
Afterward came the continuous feast, with Aunt Jinhua and Uncle Changren toasting each table of guests.
Many Li family relatives had come, though, of course, someone of Old Madam Li’s status wouldn’t attend. After the wedding ceremonies were complete, the couple would go pay their respects to the Old Madam.
The feast ran from noon until dusk. After most guests had finished their meals and left, Zhenniang and other Li family members, along with some helpers, gathered to drink together.
“Mother, I saw Sister Qiu today. She’s still waiting for Big Brother. If he doesn’t marry her, she won’t marry at all,” Hua’er, her face flushed from drinking, told her mother.
Aunt Jingming glared at her: “She can wait all she wants. As soon as your brother returns to Huizhou, I’ll find him a wife. Whether he wants to marry or not, he will.”
“Mother, that’s not fair,” Hua’er pouted.
“Parents’ orders and matchmakers’ words – that’s what’s fair,” Aunt Jingming glared at her again, and Hua’er pursed her lips, saying nothing more.
“By the way, is Zhengping still in Nanjing?” a Li clan member asked.
“No, he’s been overseas since last year. He sent a letter at the end of the year saying he should be back this month,” Aunt Jingming replied.
“Oh, overseas? I hear it’s quite dangerous these days, the wokou pirates are causing trouble again,” the clan member said.
“Indeed, that’s why when he returns this time, I’m making him marry immediately. No more going overseas,” Aunt Jingming said worriedly.
“Aunt Jingming, whose ships did Zhengping sail with overseas?” a woman from the next table asked.
“He sailed with Huiyuan Bank’s ships,” Aunt Jingming answered. Due to Zhenniang’s connection with Wang Cuiqu, Li Zhengping had always sailed with Huiyuan Bank’s ships.
“Oh no, this is terrible! You better check quickly when you get home. When I arrived at noon, I heard that Huiyuan Bank’s ships were attacked by wokou pirates off the coast of Ningbo…” the woman said.
“Really?” Aunt Jingming’s face instantly changed color.