CH 94

T

Posted by:Chaitali Das (Chaitali’s Musings)6-8 minutes 11.06.2023

Boss Zhou coughed, and Li shi shut up, but she couldn’t hold back her complacency. Hmph Zhao shi, don’t think that having a son will give you the confidence to take her place in the family!

Boss Zhou stopped looking at the wretched daughter-in-law, and said, “Father, we went to my father-in-law’s house in the afternoon, bought some pork and fish, and we gave this year’s New Year gift as well.”

Zhou Shuren nodded to show that he understood, “Okay, you go back and rest too!”

Zhulan stood up and said to Li Shi: “Let’s make dinner. We will make hand-pulled noodles tonight.”

Li shi asked, “Mother, are we making noodles soup or fried noodles?”

It has been a long time since Zhulan last had fried sauce noodles, and she was starting to crave them. She said, “Later, bring out some meat. We’ll make half of it into non-spicy meat sauce and the other half into spicy meat sauce.”

Li Shi was greedy, “Mom, I’ll go back and change my clothes first, and go to the kitchen later”.

“Go, I’ll get the flour and meat out.”

“Okay, Mother.”

Li Shi made the bean sauce in the Zhou family. While Zhulan didn’t enjoy eating sauces in modern times, she developed a liking for bean sauce in ancient times. The combination of fried sauce with pancakes was particularly fragrant, and Zhu Lan would indulge in it every few days.

Every year, the Zhou family made a limited amount of sauce, but with Zhulan’s increased fondness for sauce, it was running out even faster. They would only have enough until the beginning of spring if they ate it sparingly. Zhulan was considering buying some beans to make the sauce at home.

Soybeans originated in China and there were early records of their cultivation in ancient times. However, their cultivation was not widespread. Zhulan’s family did not grow soybeans, so they had to buy the beans for making soybean sauce from the Zhang family, who sold tofu.

There weren’t enough noodles for dinner, even with two large pots cooked. Even Zhu Lan’s one-year-old granddaughter, Yulu, finished a bowl of noodles. Although they were worried about overeating, they let her have a little more. Fortunately, she inherited her looks from Zhulan and didn’t look anything like her father or mother. She was a beautiful doll. Since Zhu Lan came to this time period, the family’s meals had improved, and the little girl had gained enough nutrition, resulting in the growth of several new baby teeth. She happily clapped her hands while eating.

Feeling full, Zhulan looked at the other people in the house. Their stomachs seemed bottomless, especially the eldest and second sons, who could have eaten two more bowls if there were any left. Zhulan couldn’t help but feel grateful that Zhou Shuren was capable, and that the Zhou family had a solid financial foundation. Otherwise, they would struggle to afford even the basic meals.

The next morning, after Zhulan finished her breakfast, she prepared the gifts to bring to the Patriarch’s house. She had a piece of silk fabric and a pound of pastries. She didn’t bring anything else because the copied test papers by Zhou Shuren held enough value. By reintegrating into the clan and benefiting the entire lineage, Zhou Shuren would be able to establish his position within the clan and create indebtedness from other members. It was a win-win situation.

Zhulan also added a fan in preparation for the Patriarch’s little girl who was getting married next year.

Zhou Shuren, Zhulan, and their eldest son and grandson packed up and went to the Patriarch’s house together.

The Patriarch of the Zhou family was always busy even in the winter. Unlike other private schools in various villages, the Zhou family’s clan school was unique. It didn’t close for winter when the roads became impassable. Most of the students attending the clan school were from the same village with the same surname, so even during snowy days, it wouldn’t cause much delay. The Patriarch would visit the clan school every day, taking a round before returning home.

Zhou Shuren and Zhulan arrived punctually, just as the patriarch returned home. The Patriarch’s eyes sparkled with anticipation, as he had been waiting for Zhou Shuren to visit. Unfortunately, the wait had been several months, and it was hard for him not to feel disappointed. He thought Zhou Shuren had changed, but it turned out he hadn’t. The Patriarch had given up hope, but now Zhou Shuren showed up at his door, bringing his eldest son and eldest grandson. It indicated his willingness to reconnect with the clan and resume interactions within the family.

Patriarch Zhou drank tea slowly without saying a word, and Zhou Shuren was not in a hurry.

The wife of Patriarch Zhou, Wang shi smiled and said to Zhulan, “What brought you here today, what’s the matter?”

According to past experience, gifts were always for business.

Zhulan put the basket into Zhou Wang shi’s arms, “Look at what my aunt said, we are all relatives with the same surname, and shouldn’t we visit the elders since the Chinese New Year is coming soon.”

Zhou Wang shi was momentarily taken aback, realizing that this visit wasn’t solely for business matters. She was unsure of how to react and turned to look at the old Patriarch for guidance.

Patriarch Zhou signaled, “It’s rare for Shuren and his wife to come here. You prepare some good dishes, and they will have dinner here at noon.”

Zhou Wang shi felt that this was a rare thing, and said with a smile: “OK, then I will accept it without hesitation. Let the men talk here, Yang shi, let’s go back to the inner rooms to talk?”

Zhulan silently lamented the frustrating realities of ancient times, where the status of women was indeed low. She couldn’t even be present as an observer or participate in the conversation. “I have long wanted to have a close relationship with Aunt,” Zhulan expressed her desire quietly.

Zhou Wang shi paused for a moment, thinking to herself that she hadn’t expected Yang Shi to be so sharp and eloquent. She realized that she had underestimated her.