CH 17

Chapter 17 – Stand out in a crowd

Feng said, “An educated man can work in an accounts office or be a teacher. If he is clever, he might even sit for the imperial exams. But what’s the use of females studying?

“When she is old enough, she’ll be married off. She needs to work in the fields and do the housework. So, it’s not important whether women are educated or illiterate.”

Man Bao was speechless, but she felt her second sister-in-law was wrong.

She thought about it and finally found an opinion to refute Feng, “Mr Zhuang said studying will make one knowledgeable and able to discern truth and falsehood.”

Feng, “Well, that’s just common sense. It’s quite easy to learn. Little sister-in-law, don’t worry.

“I’ll tell Er Ya, look at us, we’re illiterate, but we can discern truth from falsehood. After all, girls learn the truth from their mothers. “

Man Bao just couldn’t win. She slouched and asked, “Does that mean if Er Ya can make money by being literate, you’ll agree to let her study?”

Feng, “She can’t work in an accounts office or be a teacher. Neither can she sit for imperial exams. How can she make money by studying?”

“I don’t care. Second sister-in-law, you must first agree. If she can make money by studying, you must promise to allow her to study with me.”

“Fine, fine, fine, ” Feng replied perfunctorily:

“I agree. Alright, I’m going to start a fire, and there’ll be a lot of smoke in the kitchen. Leave the kitchen please.”

Man Bao didn’t care if Feng was sincere or otherwise. Since she agreed, Man Bao ran off in search of Er Ya.

Er Tou took the manuscript out and found his little aunt missing. He immediately left the manuscript and went in search of her. He was responsible for taking care of her. How could he lose her?

Man Bao ran to the riverside to find Er Ya.

A group of people were washing clothes by the riverside. As soon as Man Bao ran over, everyone greeted her, and an auntie said in a loud voice, “Oh, Man Bao is here. She came to do laundry. There so many girls in the Zhou family, why would they need the little sister-in-law to wash the clothes?”

Er Ya also saw Man Bao. She quickly prevented her from getting too close to the riverside, “Little aunt, why are you here? Grandma forbids you from coming to the riverside.”

Man Bao, “I’m here to look for you.”

“I still need to wash the clothes. Go home first.”

The auntie who spoke earlier interrupted, “Man Bao, you should help your niece. After all, you are a big girl now. Your family is going through hard times. You can’t just live a life of ease and comfort as before.”

Man Bao felt her words was reasonable, and nodded repeatedly, “You’re right, niece. I’ll help Er Ya.”

This was great! Man Bao really wanted to experience what it felt like to wash clothes. After all, she has grown up but had yet to do any laundry.

Man Bao looked at the riverside, her eyes lit up, and she forgot all about her purpose of looking for Er Ya.

How would Er Ya be brave enough to allow Man Bao wash clothes?

She stared at the auntie, “Third aunt, there’re so many children in my family. How does it concern you who’s doing the laundry?”

“Wow, Er Ya, this lass is so strong-willed. Did you learn this from your fourth uncle? If you’re so strong-willed, you shouldn’t have borrowed money from my family.”

Man Bao was taken aback. She hurriedly went to comfort her niece (aka the auntie talking) when it dawned on her that, “Is your family short of money? Don’t worry, when my family makes money, we’ll repay your family first.”

As she was upbeat that she would make money in town tomorrow, she patted her chest confidently and said, “I’ll go to town to make money tomorrow. I’ll repay your family once I’m home.””

Man Bao was but slightly more than four years old and spoke in a baby-like voice. The crowd initially roared with laughter when they heard her imitate the way an adult spoke.

However, when they heard the last sentence, they stopped dead.

One of the aunties couldn’t help asking, “Er Ya, your family wouldn’t really want to sell your little aunt?”

In a shrill voice, Er Ya rebuked her, “What kind of nonsense are you talking about? How can our family sell little aunt?

Man Bao also solemnly said, “Our family doesn’t sell children.”

“How would you make money in such a short time?” San Zhu’s wife (aka Man Bao’s niece from her clan uncle’s family) couldn’t help saying, “The busy farming season is over, and there’s no work in the fields. Even if there is work in town, it’s not likely that your family would be hired.”

Man Bao proudly announced, “We’re going to sell flowers. Just wait and see, we’ll definitely make money.”

San Zhu’s wife asked, “What flowers are you talking about?”

Man Bao explained, “Various types of flowers.”

Er Ya tugged at Man Bao’s clothes and said, “Little aunt, go home first. I’ll take you out to play once I’m done with the laundry.”

Man Bao shook her head and looked at the clear river with piercing eyes, “No. Er Ya, I’m an adult, let me help you wash the clothes.”

“This can’t work.”

“Why not?” Man Bao solemnly asked. “I am your aunt, you have to listen to me.”

When the crowd saw this, they helped Er Ya to stop Man Bao.

Who didn’t know the Zhou family treasured and cherished her? Moreover, she was in poor health since young. If she fell sick due to the cold river water, Mrs Zhou and her daughters-in-law would rip into them.

San Zhu’s wife didn’t think so. Everyone did laundry when they were children. When she was at Man Bao’s age, she could even cook.  What was so astonishing about just washing clothes?

She rolled her eyes, made way, let Man Bao squat beside her, and handed her family’s clothes to Man Bao. “Come, Man Bao. I’ll teach you how to wash clothes.”

Man Bao was not stupid. She could differentiate her own family’s clothes from others.

So, she happily asked San Zhu’s wife, “Do I get paid for washing your clothes? You don’t have to pay me. Just offset the debt directly.”

When San Zhu’s wife heard those words, she immediately snatched her clothes back and uttered shrilly, “Amazing, you can really make money! I’ve never heard you need to pay someone just for washing a piece of clothing.”

“If you’re my aunt or my elder, I certainly don’t want any money. I’ll be respectful, but aren’t you my nephew’s wife? Then, I’m an elder and I’m working for you.  Of course, I’ll ask for money.”

Man Bao grew up by her father’s side, and she understood this principle very well. She still wanted to wash clothes for San Zhu’s wife, “Don’t worry, I don’t want too much. I just want one wen as a token of your appreciation.”

The onlookers couldn’t understand San Zhu’s wife. They smiled and said, “Yes, yes, San Zhu’s wife, Man Bao is your aunt. If you let your aunt wash your clothes, then, you’ll have to give her some money to show your respect for her.”

A few of the slightly older women said, “Although Man Bao is young, she has high seniority. San Zhu’s wife, don’t bully your elders.”

San Zhu’s wife was so angry that she simply rinsed her clothes, twisted them, and stormed off.

As she left, Man Bao waved her off light-heartedly, “Nephew’s wife, next time, if you don’t want to wash your clothes, let me know. I’ll do it for you for a song.”

Er Ya was elated, and shouted after her, “Third sister-in-law, I can also help you wash clothes. I’ll charge an even lower price!”

“Okay, okay, don’t make fun of her. Er Ya, your family still owes the village chief, money,” someone admonished.

Er Ya felt a sense of loss when she was reminded of the debt.

Man Bao didn’t feel pressured. In her opinion, she would be able to make a lot of money in town tomorrow. Naturally, she could pay off the debts.

Moreover, “The village chief big brother is different from his daughter-in-law. He is generous. Nephew’s wife should learn from him.”

When everyone heard Man Bao’s words, they laughed, “This kid speaks like an adult. Do you know what bighearted means?”

Man Bao puffed up her cheeks and replied, “I’m not stupid, my nephew’s wife doesn’t like me. But it doesn’t matter, I’m an elder, and I wouldn’t be calculative.

Children were very sensitive. She knew perfectly well who liked her and who disliked her.

However, it didn’t matter. After all, San Zhu was her nephew and San Zhu’s wife was her nephew’s wife. As an elder, she wasn’t calculative.