Chapter 64

Ding Xiang was reluctant to sleep with strangers on the same bed, mainly fearing that her unique scent might be discovered.

Pouting, she said, "It's dark, and Xiang Xiang is scared. I want to sleep with my second brother."

She pursed her lips as she spoke.

Ding Li Ren also said, "My mother specifically mentioned that my sister is easily frightened, so she asked me to stay with her at night."

Old man Zhang, who always liked his sweet-talking and smart grandson, and knowing how precious Ding Xiang was to the Ding family, naturally didn’t want to go against their wishes.

He said, "Jinshan, Jinshi, and Xiaobao can squeeze in together. Let the cousins have the southern room. Eldest daughter-in-law, please go and tidy up."

Ding Xiang noticed a flicker of impatience in Yu's eyes. She probably thought the little girl was too delicate, making a fuss while being a guest in someone else's home.

Dingxiang went to the south room and watched as Yu Shi and Zhang Jinshi packed away her brothers' belongings, even arranging a special cabinet under the kang for them.

Dingxiang placed her and her elder brother's belongings into the cabinet, reaching into a shoe to feel around.

The papers were still there.

After tidying up, Dingxiang lay on the kang, eyes closed, thinking about Feifei.

Her elder brother was playing with Zhang Jinshi in the courtyard.

Zhang Jinshi shared amusing stories about adults hunting and fishing, bringing a slight smile to the otherwise sullen young boy's face.

Inside Zhang Da Bao's house, Yu Shi was talking to the men.

"The Ding family has been ruined by that little girl. She could have been sold for eighty-plus silver taels. Why didn't the Ding family sell her instead of chopping off his own finger? Now, they've lost their money, house, and finger, and in the future, the girl will still belong to someone else. What a loss."

Zhang Da Bao frowned and said, "Ding is a real man, choosing to sever his own finger rather than sell his children. I'm telling you, Zhi Niang and my brother-in-law have helped us a lot. Now that they're in trouble, we must not mistreat those two kids. Especially Xiangxiang, she is the treasure of the Ding family. Don’t refer to her disrespectfully as 'that little girl.'"

Yu Shi opened her mouth to speak, then said, "Yes, what you say is right, husband. Ah, I'm just worried about my brother-in-law. He's taken out so much savings, I don’t know when he will be able to marry. Only after he marries can we start saving for Jinshan's marriage."

Dingxiang's room and Zhang Da Bao's room were connected, one with a window and one without. Dingxiang's room had the window and was the outer room. Though the door was closed, she could still faintly hear their conversation. They thought she was a child and asleep, so they dared to speak openly.

Dingxiang snorted to herself, upset that Yu Shi blamed her for the Ding family's troubles instead of Ding Chi.

Their minds must be muddled.

Her maternal grandfather and uncle also favored sons over daughters, but not as severely as Yu Shi. Yu Shi always spoke kindly to her son, but her attitude towards her daughters was harsher, calling them "dead girl" or "little girl" in a demeaning way.

From what she said, if Zhang Yu and Zhang Qian could be sold for a good price, she would not hesitate to sell them.

Dingxiang had to admit, in ancient times where selling children was legal and boys were preferred over girls, most poor families would make the same choice as Yu Shi.

People like Grandpa Ding Zhuang, who would rather sever his own finger than sell his granddaughter, were exceptions in this world. Also, her father Ding Zhao and mother Zhang Shi, who knew she was not their biological child but still treated her as their own daughter, were rare.

"My brothers touched me deeply; they'd rather sell themselves than let their sister be sold…"

Ding Xiang's thoughts drifted back to her previous home, wondering how they were doing.

"Autumn arrives earlier in the mountains than outside. As soon as the sun dips behind the mountaintops, the chill intensifies and the wind grows stronger."

She took out a half-sleeve garment for herself and fetched a shoulder cape for her little brother.

Her little brother was teaching Zhang Jin Shi to read, using a book.

"Zhang Jin Shi is a keen learner, joining the Ding brothers in their studies whenever he visits Bei Quan Village."

"In Liu Wa Village, no one knows how to read. They rely on oral messages; writing letters is a rare and paid service sought from outsiders."

"When the local official needs to communicate government decrees, he memorizes simpler ones and returns from the office to relay them. For more important matters, the office dispatches clerks to deliver them directly."

"Seeing his grandson reading fluently, Old Zhang's eyes crinkled with a proud smile."

"Ding Qiao once promised to find a job for Zhang Jin Shi outside the mountains. Being literate, even just a little, would make job hunting easier."

"Zhang Xiao Bao and Zhang Jin Shan have returned."

"Zhang Xiao Bao, who visits the Ding family most frequently, is cheerful and familiar to Ding Xiang."

"Tall, lean, and dark-skinned, his smile reveals two small tiger teeth, making him the most handsome among all of Ding Xiang's male relatives. He's also the most astute."

"He sets down a large bundle of firewood and lifts Ding Xiang with a laugh, 'Ding Xiang's here, what a rare visitor!'"

"Zhang Jin Shan embraces Ding Li Ren warmly."

"Old Zhang inquires, 'Did you find any good stuff?'"

"With a smile, Zhang Jin Shan sets down his large basket, 'Indeed, we found some treasures.'"

"He pulls out various wild vegetables, a handful of mushrooms, some wild fruits, and finally a wild chicken."

"Caught by the second uncle."

The whole family bursts into laughter.

"Old Zhang suggests, 'Let’s stew the meat tomorrow. Cook the chicken liver and gizzard in noodles tonight for Li Ren and Ding Xiang, and the rest can be used for soup.'"

"For dinner, the Zhang family has white vegetable chicken offal soup with steamed buns and boiled sweet potatoes, but Ding Li Ren and Ding Xiang get a special treat of two bowls of noodles, enriched with chicken liver, gizzard, and some pork fat."

"The aroma makes Zhang Jin Shi and Zhang Qian sniff hungrily."

"Though tempted, Ding Xiang and Ding Li Ren insist on sharing. After some persuasion from Old Zhang, they divide half of their noodles between Zhang Jin Shi and Old Zhang."

"Old Zhang shares half of his portion with his lean granddaughter, a contrast to the well-dressed and plump Ding Xiang."

"For the first time, Zhang Qian is included, leaving Zhang Jin Shan without, her eyes brimming with emotion."

"Ding Li Ren reassures, 'Grandpa, Uncle, there’s no need for such courtesy. If we keep receiving special treatment, we’d feel awkward staying longer.'"

"Their words bring laughter to everyone."

"Zhang Da Bao humbly says, 'We’re poor, hope you don’t mind.'"

"The Zhang family doesn’t have the habit of brushing teeth and washing feet daily. The siblings, having brushed their teeth and noticing no one preparing foot-washing water, decide not to stand out and retire to their room."

"Ding Li Ren, having seen their mother embrace his sister in sleep, does the same with Ding Xiang."

"‘Don’t be afraid, sister, your brother is here.’"

"Nestled in her brother's arms, she feels an extraordinary warmth."

"‘Brother, will grandpa really not die?’"

"Ding Xiang knows she’s speaking nonsense but craves reassurance, even from a little boy."

"Ding Li Ren confidently replies, ‘Dad said grandpa will be fine, so he will be. You know how smart Dad is.'"

"‘Yeah, I feel the same way.'"

"Ding Li Ren sniffs curiously, ‘Hey, why do you smell nice, sister?’"

"Ding Xiang cuddles closer, playfully diverting, ‘In brother's eyes, everything about me is good, even my scent is sweeter than others.'"

"The little boy ponders, seemingly agreeing."

"He quickly falls asleep, but Ding Xiang lies awake."

"Thanks to Xue under the Maple Tree for 1000 coins, and thanks to Jian He Mei Gui, Anita.In, Mo Mo, and Jing Jing Jing*Jing Jing Liang for their rewards... Today is the last day of May, asking for monthly votes..."