Chapter 37: A Cozy Gathering ◇

◎Revised and polished version ◎

In the kitchen, Yu Lian could hear the lively chatter from outside. Peeking her head out, she smiled at the auntie washing vegetables, who said, "Go on, join them. Just two or three more dishes to go, and most of the veggies are already cleaned. Besides, you're from the capital and might not be familiar with our countryside dining customs. If you're late, you'll miss the feast, not even getting a taste of the broth. This pot is simmering with succulent pork that will make their mouths water!"

Yu Lian shook her head, chuckling. "Auntie, no need to rush. As the host, would I be craving such food? Our family is new here and clueless about rural life. It's good for me to learn by observing while you all work so hard."

The auntie nodded appreciatively, and even Ma Auntie, the eldest daughter-in-law of the second uncle who was in charge of cooking, called out with a smile, "She's a clever one. It's great that you think this way. In life, whether we live in prosperity or poverty, there's one truth we should always remember: learning more can never be wrong. Keep a calm mindset, and days won't seem as difficult."

Yu Lian stepped in, and the air was filled with the aroma of scrambled eggs. Auntie Ma looked up but still tried to dissuade her, "The kitchen is full of oil and salt, it's not good for your complexion. You shouldn't come in here."

Yu Lian continued walking while responding, "Auntie, you just said it's beneficial to learn more. Now you're stopping me? What's the logic behind that?"

Auntie Ma laughed so hard that she almost burned the eggs. She quickly flipped them over, scooped them into a large basin, then divided them into three portions. Yu Lian approached the stove and saw that despite being a simple peasant-style scrambled egg dish, it was made extra special with freshly minced mustard greens. The green bits mixed with the yellow eggs created a visually appealing contrast.

"You really know how to talk! Haha, my second grandmother always praises you, saying that it's no wonder you're a precious lady from a prominent family. Your perspective and understanding are different from ours, and the fact that you're willing to interact with us is remarkable."

Yu Lian helped to distribute the dishes, asking how many more were left to prepare. She had only been responsible for buying the ingredients, not for deciding what dishes to cook or how many. None of her family members had a knack for this; during the day, they were either Ladies or Elder Noblewomen, all requiring servants and worrying about men's political affairs and marriage matters. Who cared about the kitchen?

The arrangements were being taken care of by Aunt Ma, a robust countrywoman with a face marked by freckles. Despite her appearance, she was meticulous and, under her mother-in-law's instruction, had taken charge of the matter, ensuring everything was in order.

She explained to Yu Lian, "Next up is a dish of mushrooms cooked with tofu. These mushrooms sprouted after the spring rains. They grow everywhere, and the village children would often collect them in baskets when they have nothing to do. My mischievous grandchildren also joined in. If we can't finish eating them all, we dry them for later use or sell some in the town. But since many people sell mushrooms, the prices are low, so we don't earn much. We save the rest for home consumption. Whenever we crave something flavorful, we rehydrate them and either fry or cook them in soup."

"I appreciate your thoughtfulness. Just listening to you makes me hungry."

Aunt Ma loved it when people praised her cooking skills – who didn't? She promptly offered to serve Yu Lian a special portion to taste first.

Yu Lian was an adult, and there were two eager children watching. How could she eat alone? Aunt Ma scooped half a bowl of scrambled eggs and Yu Lian passed them to Little Guo'er for her to enjoy.

The other child was Aunt Ma's beloved grandson, Little Doudou. He had been sitting on a small stool, peering at the stove, almost drooling. Little Guo'er, with her kind nature, noticed his desire and called him over. The two children sat side by side on the stove bench, sharing the bowl of fried eggs, taking turns to eat.

Yu Lian watched for a moment before smiling and looking away. Meanwhile, Aunt Ma was already preparing the next dish. She washed the iron wok thoroughly, wiped it clean, and then placed it back on the fire to heat. Once it was dry and hot, she added two spoonfuls of lard, coating the entire wok to economize oil.

As she cooked, she explained the techniques and reasons behind each step to Yu Lian. For example, the tofu couldn't be simply boiled; it needed to be pan-fried in oil first to maintain its shape. She shared many cooking tips, and Yu Lian listened attentively, occasionally asking questions that Aunt Ma answered with enthusiasm.

The more time she spent with Yu Lian, the more Aunt Ma realized that this young woman was extraordinary. Her mother-in-law had mentioned that the family matriarch held Yu Lian in high esteem, and it was this young granddaughter-in-law who largely managed the household, leading the family through challenges despite their infirmities. What determination and resilience must she possess? Since arriving in the village, Aunt Ma had observed that Yu Lian spoke and acted with composure, never showing arrogance or disdain, neither towards people nor the simplest farm chores. This humility won her respect.

She used to visit the town frequently for shopping or selling goods. Occasionally, she would encounter the local landowner's family. The landowner had an unmarried, plump daughter who lived at home and was married into the family. Whenever she went out, she required an eight-person sedan chair to carry her. If any commoner accidentally bumped into her, her entourage would assault them.

Regardless of whether they actually hit anyone, her attitude made it clear how little she esteemed ordinary folk. This was just a village landowner's daughter; imagine how wealthy and influential the daughters from noble families in the capital must be? Yet, someone from such a background didn't look down on others but was humble and eager to learn. That was truly remarkable.

Thus, even though Yu Lian didn't speak much and only occasionally asked a question or two, she watched intently with great interest. In response, the woman explained enthusiastically. After describing how to cook, she discussed the local customs.

"Soul-Warming Feast is neither grand nor insignificant; its essence lies in the joyous gathering. In our Upper Village, there's a tradition to present an auspicious number of dishes on the table, like four, symbolizing the four corners of a house, indicating 'four corners complete, blessings abound.' Or six, representing 'sixty-six smooth sailing,' or eight, signifying prosperity. Considering today's hurried move, I settled for four dishes since we're not many, and it's enough as long as everyone can enjoy the meal."

Smiling, she continued, "Yu Lian, you seem resourceful. Even if you don't rebuild a larger house later, you'll certainly renovate. When that time comes, invite the villagers for another lively feast."

Yu Lian smiled and nodded. "Auntie Ma, your eyes are sharp. Indeed, I have such plans, but I'm still discussing it with my parents and grandmother; nothing is set in stone yet. Perhaps I'll need to seek advice from Second Uncle as well, since we're unfamiliar with the ways here and are grateful for your help."

Auntie Ma replied, "Not at all, it's no trouble. Right now, we're in the midst of the harvest season, but once we're done with this busy period, our whole family will be more than happy to lend a hand."

It was said that the head of a household influenced the younger generation, and this was evident in the family of Second Uncle. As the patriarch, he had shown great kindness and support to Yu Lian's family, and his descendants followed suit, being as warm and welcoming as Auntie Ma. Yu Lian couldn't help but feel touched by their hospitality.

Then there were the village chief and the elders.

Perhaps due to the heads of those families, not a single one had attended the housewarming feast despite being invited. Yu Lian didn't particularly mind, as she had only intended to follow Second Uncle's suggestion as a gesture. She had done her part, and whether they chose to come or not was their decision.

By the time the conversation ended, the fermented tofu with chili had been added to the pot. To enhance the flavor, Auntie Ma also threw in some cornel berries. In no time, the pungent spiciness wafted through the wooden lid, initially overwhelming but soon becoming addictive to Yu Lian, reminiscent of her past life's spicy mapo tofu.

The two children had already finished their eggs. Little Guo'er came over with an empty bowl, cleaner than if it had just been washed. She intended to place it on the stove but thought of something and dashed out, heading to the water basin in the outdoor shed to wash it herself.

Yu Lian watched the child's departing figure and listened to the sound of running water outside. She could picture the child diligently washing the bowl and felt a sense of comfort. Putting aside other matters, in her eyes, Little Guo'er was the most adaptable to sudden changes in life. She was innocent, eager to learn, and although a bit timid and lacking confidence, she had many good qualities.

As the first and second dishes were served, the atmosphere in the courtyard became lively.

Three tables were set up: one for the women and children, one for the men, and a third for the elders. Most of the men were family members of the women, either those who helped the day before or were assisting today, all bringing along their families.

The last table was reserved for the elders, who ate at a leisurely pace and enjoyed chatting. They couldn't keep up with the younger generation, so they were allowed to enjoy their meal without rush.

The women and children's table was bustling with activity as they fought over the dishes, while the men's table was engaged in a friendly drinking session, with Hua Zhan being summoned by his uncle. The few countrymen around the circle also playfully called him "Wooden Head."

Hua Zhan himself was immune to the nickname. With a wooden expression, he sat down. His uncle's eldest son, Hua Qiushou, led the charge in toasting him. One toast was to celebrate their settling in the village, marking them as new neighbors and future kin. The other was to introduce him to the others.

Among men, as long as their interests weren't threatened, socializing was straightforward. There were no hidden agendas. Today, with food and drink abundant, every bite and sip brought contentment.

After one round, Hua Zhan was almost half-drunk. If not for the men complaining that a liter of alcohol wasn't enough, they might have continued pouring more.

Hua Zhan was a man of few words, but he had once been part of the military. Despite his imposing presence, he proved to be approachable after a few rounds of drinks, and soon they were all addressing each other as brothers, affectionately calling each other "Brother Wood" and "Little Brother Wood."

Hua Zhan remained silent, his expression conveying a sense of indifference.

However, the atmosphere at the women's table was less harmonious. The absence of the hostess was the main issue. The elder matriarch was seated with the senior members at another table, engaged in her own social circle, leaving this table without a female host.

It was understandable that Yu Lian was occupied in the kitchen, attending to the preparations.

But the women present couldn't comprehend why Mrs. Chen wasn't present.

"One would think that as the wife of the elder son and the mother of the children, she should be the lady of the house, regardless if we're in the countryside or the city, right? Today is her family's feast, yet she hides in her room and doesn't come out to meet us. Does she look down on us, or is there something wrong with her mind?"

Aunt Tofu tried to mediate, "Let's not speak so harshly. I saw her earlier at the butcher's with her daughter-in-law. Maybe she's just tired from the trip there and back."

The woman who had raised the issue rolled her eyes. "I heard the young miss has quite an impressive background, from a Marquis's household. Wouldn't she be more delicate than someone her age? It's quite rare to see someone of her age acting so overly sensitive. I think she simply looks down on us!"

"You all saw her by the river while doing laundry, didn't you? She stood apart and didn't even bother to greet us. It's rather off-putting."

The two granddaughters-in-law from Second Uncle's family, who were also dining nearby with their children, chimed in with their opinions. However, Mrs. Chen's continued absence was indeed improper. Her behavior by the river had already left a sour taste in some of the women's mouths, and now, their discomfort was exacerbated.

With no other option, the granddaughter-in-law of Second Master was forced to fetch Yu Lian from the kitchen, hoping she could devise a solution. In the countryside, news spread like wildfire, and if Mrs. Chen's reputation wasn't salvaged today, the entire village would know by tomorrow that she looked down on country folk and held them in contempt.

(Revised from previous chapter due to dissatisfaction.)