Chapter 271: Dispute

Chapter 271: Dispute

After a night of revelry, the guest house located in the wilderness was exceptionally quiet on the morning of the first day of the Lunar New Year, with hardly any people in sight, as everyone was still asleep inside.

The wooden door creaked open, and the birds foraging in the snow flew away with a whoosh, quickly turning into a line of black dots against the clear sky.

The first day of the new year was a fine day, with the sunlight especially bright, reflecting off the snow on the ground. The wind picked up snowflakes, which sparkled in the air.

Sui Yu, with her arms crossed, looked at the row of snowmen outside the wall and said, "With today's good weather, if it stays sunny for two more days, these five snowmen will melt and be unrecognizable."

"It's okay, we can build them again when it snows," Zhao Xiping said.

The little boy walked up to the small snowman, looking puzzled, and said, "Dad, Mom, this one wasn't made by us."

Sui Yu glanced at the man with a smile.

Zhao Xiping chuckled and said, "I made it."

"Who is the little snowman? Is it Aning?" the little boy asked.

Zhao Xiping didn't answer. He took the little boy's hand and headed to the kitchen courtyard. Although the traveling merchants and escorts might not necessarily get up to eat, the female kitchen staff had already prepared the meals.

"Sister, the money box is here," Sui Liang waited at the door. "I strung them up last night, the big strings of coins are twenty coins, and the small strings are ten coins."

Sui Yu went in with him. The siblings, one carrying the box and the other handing out the coin strings, gave each kitchen slave twenty coins as a reward, while Aqiang, Huaniu, A’shui, and Da Zhuang each received ten coins.

"A new year brings new beginnings. You've worked hard all last year, and our family has seen it. This money is a reward for you," Sui Yu said.

"Thank you, sister-in-law," A’shui said, holding the string of coins with a wide smile, feeling it was worth getting up early to help in the kitchen.

"This year's money is more than last year's," Da Zhuang said bluntly.

"Surely the lady has made money in the Guanzhong region," Huaniu said, taking Dream Mom's string of coins and hanging it on her arm, cleverly adding, "I hope the lady makes a lot of money this year, so that next New Year's Day we can also get twenty coins as a reward."

"Liang Ge, give Huaniu another string of coins," Sui Yu said.

A’shui exclaimed, "Wow!" and quickly added, "Sister-in-law will make a fortune this year, and the journey out of the Guanzhong region will be smooth, with noble people helping along the way."

Without Sui Yu needing to say more, Sui Liang immediately offered another string of twenty coins, which was originally prepared for the helpers.

A’shui was thrilled, grabbing the money and exclaiming loudly, "Thank you, Owner Jade, thank you, Second Owner. Owner Jade and Second Owner will surely make a fortune."

Cui Sao nudged Aqiang, who took a couple of steps forward, met Sui Yu's smiling eyes, and moved her lips without speaking.

Da Zhuang laughed foolishly as if watching a show, not knowing what to say, so Sui Liang didn't give him any more rewards.

When the hosts took breakfast to the storage room next door, Cui Sao poked the girl tending the fire and scolded, "What’s wrong with you, girl? Can’t you speak up?"

Aqiang smiled faintly and whispered, "I don’t feel comfortable with that. The idea of asking for auspicious words wasn't mine, and I'm not A’shui. If I shamelessly copied her, I feel like I'm forcing the hosts to give rewards, which isn't pleasing."

"The hosts can spare a few coins," Cui Sao scoffed.

"Someone's coming," Yin Po reminded.

It was Huang Ancheng and his son. Zhao Xiping went out to greet them and asked, "Haven't eaten yet? Have some at our place."

"We've already eaten, we woke up early and ate early," Huang Ancheng said, stomping the snow off his feet. "Did Lvya'er and her mother come over last night?"

Zhao Xiping wasn't sure and said, "I’ll check for you."

Sui Yu quickly stepped in front of him and asked with concern, "What happened? Why did you come looking for us so early in the morning? Did Elder Sister Song and Lvya'er not return home last night?"

"No, after having the New Year's Eve dinner last night, my mother took Lvya'er out," Song Congzu replied. "My father and I thought they would come here, so we went to bed early last night. When we woke up this morning and didn't see them, we came to ask."

"You really slept soundly, didn’t even send servants to pick them up? Aren't you afraid they might encounter bad people on their way back in the middle of the night?" Zhao Xiping said disdainfully. "We came back late last night and went to bed as soon as we got back, so we didn't see them. Besides our place, where else could they have gone? You should go and ask around."

"Could they have gone to my aunt's house?" Song Congzu panicked a bit.

"No, your aunt and uncle stayed at the guest house last night, and Xiaomi's family of three is also here with us," Sui Yu shook her head. "Does your mother have any other relatives?"

"There's still..."

"They must be here," Huang Ancheng interrupted his son, saying, "If Song Xian and Lvya'er aren't here, Sui Yu, you wouldn't be sitting still now, you'd already be organizing a search for them."

Sui Yu glared at him, then turned and entered the storage room, saying, "You, as her husband, aren't as concerned about her as I am, her half-sister. No wonder she’s got a grudge against you."

Huang Ancheng fell silent, standing quietly under the eaves.

Zhao Xiping quickly finished the porridge in his bowl and handed the bowl and chopsticks to Song Congzu, asking him to take them to the kitchen.

"What's going on? Did you two have a fight?" Zhao Xiping asked.

Huang Ancheng didn't want to talk about it and had no intention of letting outsiders meddle in family matters, so he politely declined, "It’s not something I can explain quickly."

Hearing this, Zhao Xiping didn't press further, as he also disliked interfering in others' family affairs.

Huang Ancheng, now certain that Song Xian was staying at the guest house, decided to leave. But as he stepped out, he ran into his brother and sister-in-law leading Aning over, so he went to greet them.

"I heard from my niece that you had a fight with her mother?" Huang's father asked. "At the beginning of winter, I heard from Xiaomi that there seemed to be discord in your family, and it's been going on until now?"

"That's not the case," Huang Ancheng denied. "You're busy, I'll head back."

"I'm not busy, and don't rush to leave," Huang's father grabbed his arm. Last night, Song Xian had quietly approached him, hoping he could mediate with Huang Ancheng. Their family had received many favors from Song Xian, so he couldn't refuse this request.

"Come inside with me, and when your sister-in-law wakes up later, you two can hash things out in front of us," Huang's father said. "You're a grown man, don’t act like a timid child. If you don't comfort your own wife, are you waiting for another man to do it?"

Perhaps persuaded by one of these remarks, Huang Ancheng followed him back into the kitchen courtyard.

Zhao Xiping passed by him, taking his child into the city to pay New Year's respects to Commander Qu and Officer Hu. After wandering around the city and returning, Huang Ancheng's entire family was still there, Song Xian hadn't gotten up yet, and no one had gone to call her.

Sui Yu was busy preparing lunch, and it seemed that the whole family wouldn't be leaving at noon and would be eating at her place.

The child ran into the house, carrying a bag of osmanthus glutinous rice cakes, and first offered a large piece to his mother.

"Where's my uncle?" he asked.

"He went to feed his chestnut horse. Wait for him to come back, don't go looking for him. The camels have turned the snow into slush, and you'll get your shoes wet if you go over there," Sui Yu said. "Who gave you the osmanthus glutinous rice cakes?"

"Officer Hu."

"Can I have a piece?" Cui Sao teased him. "If you give me a piece, I'll steam a big pot for you in a few days."

The child looked at her suspiciously.

"Dream Mom knows how to make them; I’ll get her to teach me," Cui Sao added.

Dream Mom nodded with a smile.

The child happily handed her a piece.

"Song the Head of the Household is here," Yin Po said as she brought in some rice, eager to share the news.

Sui Yu glanced outside and saw Zhao Xiping striding in.

"Let's not get involved; let their family sort it out themselves," Zhao Xiping said.

Sui Yu nodded, "It's not our place to interfere."

"What's going on?" Zhao Xiping couldn't help but ask, curiosity getting the better of him.

Sui Yu explained the situation to him. Upon hearing it, Cui Sao remarked, "Song the Head of the Household is remarkable. She's found a way out for her son and still worries about her daughter. It's a blessing to be her daughter. Many families raise their daughters just to marry them off, without caring whether they're happy or not."

At that moment, Zhao Xiaomi came in holding Aning's hand. She brought the child over and rolled up her sleeves, ready to help her aunt in the argument.

"Auntie, my uncle doesn't appreciate what he has, and my cousin can't tell good from bad. They've gotten used to a comfortable life and don't understand the value of money. If you don't mind, I'll be your daughter, and let my cousin go work the fields. I'll take care of you in your old age," Zhao Xiaomi declared loudly. "I'll be your daughter, and you'll have a grandchild right away. I'll leave your grandchild at home, and we'll go trading together."

Song Xian nodded, "Alright, I could use a daughter like you. If you weren't several years older than Congzu, I'd have snatched you up to be my daughter-in-law and handed over my business to you."

Both Song Congzu and his sister Lvya'er blushed—Song Congzu out of embarrassment, and Lvya'er out of anger.

"That's not something to joke about," Huang's mother quickly interjected, trying to mediate. "Second brother, didn't you choose to marry into the Song family because you liked your wife's personality? She's efficient and caring. You've lived comfortably all these years and look younger than your wife. Instead of being grateful, you're complaining. That's ungrateful. Lvya'er is her own daughter; she wouldn't harm her."

"Our family is well-off; there's no need for Lvya'er to suffer the hardships of a nomadic life. We only have one daughter; why not let her live a normal life like other girls?"

"Why can't she earn her own living? What's a normal life for a girl? Marrying into a husband's family and enduring his temper? Relying on the meager allowance he gives her?" Song Xian retorted.

"Aren't we here for her? We can provide her with financial security," Huang Ancheng said, looking at her sincerely. "Don't you think life outside is hard? Aren't you worried when you sleep outside?"

Song Xian was momentarily speechless. After a pause, she stiffened her neck and said, "Even if I'm worried, I'm happy. I make my own money and spend it how I want. I won't be bullied."

"So I'm the one being bullied."

"Exactly, those who don't earn money deserve to be bullied," Song Xian nodded. "If she marries out, her life will definitely be harder than yours. With her current temperament, even if I give her a fortune, she won't be able to hold onto it."

"I'm not a fool," Lvya'er said, on the verge of tears.

Song Xian glanced at her but said nothing, her meaning clear.

Zhao Xiaomi wanted to laugh. In her eyes, her cousin was indeed a fool—naive and short-sighted, rejecting a fortune handed to her, thinking herself clever.

"I'll take you beyond the pass. Will you go? Give me your answer today," Song Xian asked Lvya'er. "If you nod, I'll take you no matter what it takes."

"Last night, I heard merchants say there are Xiongnu beyond the pass. They eat people," Lvya'er stammered. "There are also wolves, and ghost fires in the desert at night..."

Song Xian closed her eyes in disappointment. She stood up and walked out, saying, "Fine, I'm not scared of the Xiongnu. I'll go face the wolves. You three can stay here and live comfortably."

After she left, Lvya'er covered her face and cried. Zhao Xiaomi rolled her eyes and followed her out.

"Yu, when are we heading beyond the pass this year?" Song Xian asked, standing outside the kitchen. "This year, we're going to Ferghana. Shouldn't we set off early?"

Sui Yu wiped her hands and came out, asking, "What do you think?"

"Let's leave in February. The desert doesn't accumulate snow, so we can prepare more dry rations, fodder, and bedding. We'll take our time on the road, eating and sleeping as needed," Song Xian said, eager to leave home.

Sui Yu was reluctant. She preferred to hurry on the road to spend more time at home with her child. However, for the past three years, Song Xian had accommodated her schedule, never complaining when Sui Yu went to the grasslands to visit graves or into the mountains to buy honey. Now that Song Xian was making a rare request, Sui Yu couldn't refuse.

"Alright," Sui Yu nodded. "After the fifth day of the new year, I'll have the servants begin preparations. We'll meet at the West City Gate on the second day of February."

Song Xian thanked her and walked away.

"Hey, have lunch at my place, the meat is already stewed," Sui Yu called out.

Song Xian waved her hand and didn't stop, disappearing through the gate in a few steps.

"We're heading back too, sorry for disturbing you today," Huang Ancheng said as he led his two children out.

"The meal is almost ready, have lunch here," Sui Yu offered again.

Huang Ancheng shook his head and walked straight out from under the eaves without looking back.

Sui Yu then looked at Zhao Xiaomi's family. Before she could speak, Zhao Xiaomi said, "Third sister-in-law, we'll stay for lunch."

"Alright, then let's tidy up and serve the dishes," Sui Yu said, turning back into the kitchen. She nudged Zhao Xiping and said, "Bring out the mulberry wine, let's have some to warm up."

The iron pot was stewing lamb ribs and leg of lamb. The little one and Aning were already eating from their bowls. By the time the lamb stew was served, the two cousins had already eaten their fill. It happened to be the time when the merchants got up to eat, and they were outside collecting meal money with their cash boxes. If they met generous merchants, they might even get some extra coins.

"This is what your nephew left for you," Sui Yu said, handing the last piece of osmanthus glutinous rice cake to Sui Liang. She added, "I'll be leaving on the second day of next month. I'm entrusting you with the guest house and the little one, but don't neglect your studies. If you're too busy, ask A’shui, Huaniu, and Aqiang to help you."

"Why are you leaving so early?" Sui Liang's face fell.

"Because she's upset. My aunt is so angry with her family that she wants to leave home," Zhao Xiaomi chimed in. "It's true that sometimes the simple-minded are the luckiest. I wish I had a mother like that."

Zhao's mother glared at her and said sarcastically, "Oh, so I'm an embarrassment to you."

"No, no," Zhao Xiaomi quickly appeased, forgetting her mother was still at the table. "Mom, I'm really grateful to you for giving me a good brain."

Zhao's mother wanted to say that Huang Ancheng's thoughts weren't wrong, but her daughter and daughter-in-law were both strong-willed. Speaking up now would offend both, so she wisely kept quiet and focused on eating the meat.

The departure date was set, and Sui Yu was busy early on. She traded silk fabrics with the caravan that entered the pass last winter for sheepskins. All the servants were provided with two new sheepskins each, and she also outfitted them with warm, lightweight woolen jackets and pants made from coarse cloth. Meanwhile, everyone in the household got two sets of clothes.

While packing, Sui Yu also arranged with two caravans. After some persuasion, both caravans advanced their departure dates, planning to leave the pass with her.

"Jade Merchant, does your caravan need more people?" Huasui Chun approached Sui Yu. "My clansmen are planning to head east to the coast, but I don't plan to go with them. Does your caravan need more people? I'm familiar with the route to Ferghana; I can guide you."

"Are you joining as an escort or what?" Sui Yu asked. "My caravan can definitely use more people, but what about the money?"

"I'll pay you, a thousand coins a year, and I'll bring my own goods to travel with you," Huasui Chun explained.

Oh, Sui Yu understood. He meant that he alone was a small caravan, and the thousand coins were his joining fee. He wanted to join her caravan, using her influence to go out of the pass for business.

"Alright," Sui Yu agreed readily. "Do you have goods?"

"I emptied my savings to buy a batch of goods from the merchants staying at the guest house, enough for one trip," Huasui Chun said with a bitter smile. "No choice, starting over from scratch."

"I thought you'd go to the coast; seaweed is cheap and profitable," Sui Yu said.

"My children can go to school here, and my wife prefers living in Dunhuang over Chang'an. I'll earn less, but I won't go with my clansmen," Huasui Chun said.

"Then get ready, we'll leave in a few days."

Huasui Chun nodded. He was already prepared; even if Sui Yu didn't agree, he would find another caravan.

On the first day of the second month, Sui Yu took the seaweed tax work from Chen Lao and handed it to Hua Xiangrong. After checking the goods and camels, they set off early the next morning.

"Come on, high five," Sui Yu raised her hand. "You stay home with your dad and uncle. I'll bring you a young horse from Ferghana this time."

The little one raised his hand and pressed it against Sui Yu's. Tears welling up, he said, "Mom, come back when the wheat is ripe."

Sui Yu promised.

"Let's go," Zhao Xiping said. "Take care on your journey."