Chapter 29: Si Quan Alley Overflows with Human Warmth, Three Strokes Turn “Biao” into a Tiger

Chapter Twenty-Nine: Si Quan Alley Brims with Human Warmth, Three Strokes Shape the Character 'Tiger'

When Ru Yi rushed in, her momentum was so great that she nearly knocked Mother Ru Yi onto the heated bed. Mother Ru Yi leaned back, barely managing to steady herself.

Ru Yi snuggled into her mother's arms, whining, "Mom, mom, I missed you. I thought of you while eating, while sleeping. I was too shy to tell others I missed you, so I kept it bottled up, and the more I held it in, the more I missed you."

Mother Ru Yi hugged Ru Yi tightly, then stared at her, reaching out to touch her daughter from head to toe. "It's been less than a month, yet you seem taller. Oh, your face, it's so thin! How did you get this way? I'll cook for you right away, to fatten you up properly."

Seeing Mother Ru Yi about to cook, Ru Yi took her mother's hand. "I'm not hungry yet. Let's sit close on the heated bed; it's so warm."

Watching the mother and daughter reunite, Ji Xiang laughed. "No rush to eat. You two chat first. I'll go pick up the others, and we'll have a gathering at noon."

Ru Yi and Mother Ru Yi chatted intimately on the heated bed, while Ji Xiang drove the carriage to fetch others.

First, he went to the west gate to pick up his father, Brother E. Brother E stepped down from the carriage and greeted Ru Yi at the door. "Ru Yi is back. Oh, you've grown taller and prettier."

Ru Yi sat cross-legged on the heated bed, smiling, and extended her arms. Brother E lifted her as he used to when she was little, weighing her. "Oh, my arms are tired. By next year, I might not be able to carry you."

Then, the diligent Brother E took the two chickens Ji Xiang and Ru Yi had just bought, went to the well shed, and quickly slaughtered, bled, and plucked them, getting ready to cook a hearty meal.

Ji Xiang drove the carriage to the west gate's second entrance, giving the gatekeeper, Granny Cai, two packs of freshly bought pastries. "Please, Granny Cai, help me pass on a message to my mother, saying Ru Yi is back and asking her to come home."

Granny Cai took the gift and went to Hua Yiniang's courtyard to deliver the message. Soon, Sister E came running, out of breath!

Sister E had recently started gaining weight. She was already sturdy, but now she was even plumper. Wearing heavy winter clothes, she looked like a tumbling snowball as she ran.

The "snowball" Sister E grabbed Ji Xiang's collar. "What happened to Ru Yi? Did she make a mistake and get kicked out of the garden? Didn't they say just yesterday that Nanny Wang values her highly?"

Ji Xiang stood on tiptoe, covering his neck. "Mom, calm down! Ru Yi is fine. She went out of Yi Garden with Nanny Wang on business and got half a day off. She has to return before Yi Garden locks up."

Hearing this, Sister E let go, patting her heaving chest. "You scared me. I thought Ru Yi had made a mistake and was kicked out—that Granny Cai can't even deliver a message clearly, so vague."

Ji Xiang laughed. "Probably ate the osmanthus cake I sent too quickly and got her mouth stuck with sugar powder—Mom, get in the carriage, let's go home."

When Sister E arrived at Si Quan Alley, Ru Yi pulled her onto the heated bed, hugging and cooing, twisting like a piece of malt candy, as close as a mother and daughter, inseparable like melted sugar.

Mother Ru Yi watched them with a smile, her kitchen knife deftly carving the meat off the bones of the freshly plucked chicken—Ru Yi didn't like meat with bones, so Mother Ru Yi would carve it out separately.

Brother E had just finished slaughtering the chicken and went to kill the fish.

Ji Xiang sat by the stove, splitting wood and keeping the fire going.

After meeting with Sister E, Ru Yi sat on a small stool, picking vegetables. Ordinary families had few vegetables to eat in winter, mostly stored cabbage, radishes, and green onions.

After picking the vegetables, Sister E kneaded the dough, and Ru Yi chopped the meat filling, making the chopping board clatter like a galloping horse.

Without waiting for Sister E and Mother Ru Yi to ask, Ru Yi, while chopping meat, chattered endlessly about Yi Garden—of course, only the good parts.

"Three meals a day, each with meat."

"Although Cheng'en Pavilion is quiet, it's peaceful and free. Thankfully, I didn't go to Songhe Hall. Sister Hua Jiao is being ostracized there, having to pay for extra meals at the canteen several times."

"I already have a companion now, Chan Mama from the east mansion. She's so kind. Like today, if I return late, she will surely help me heat the foot bath and warm the kang..."

As for Mi Fei's rice market, Zhou Er, the demolition of Jiqing Street causing families to be ruined, the huge corruption scandal involving large and small contracts, Ru Yi didn't mention a word. She knew some things had to be borne alone.

While chatting and laughing, Mother Ru Yi's skillful hands prepared all the dishes for today's family feast.

A steamed shad fish.

A pot of preserved duck and radish soup, made from ducks that were cured and air-dried in the winter month, now tasted just right—dry yet tender, with a hint of cured aroma.

A pot of chicken tenderloin soup, where the "chicken tip" refers not to the wingtip but to the tenderloin of the chicken, which tapers to a point, hence the name. Mother Ru Yi's knife skills were exceptional, slicing the chicken tenderloin into thin strips, stir-fried with sour bamboo shoots and cilantro, then stewed. Pepper ground in a mortar was sprinkled in, warming the body when consumed in winter.

Since Ru Yi disliked eating meat with bones, Mother Ru Yi deboned the chicken, diced it, and stir-fried it with scallions, ginger, and bean paste over high heat, creating a rich, flavorful dish that perfectly complemented rice.

The remaining chicken bones were used to make chicken broth. While Mother Ru Yi was busy with these dishes, Ru Yi and Sister E had already wrapped three trays of dumplings (made with sorghum stalks woven into flat, round covers), which were then cooked in the flavorful chicken broth.

Finally, Mother Ru Yi stir-fried some cabbage. With two soups, three dishes, and chicken broth dumplings on the table, everyone gathered warmly around the table to eat, just like a family.

When eating at home, there was no need for alcohol or formalities. They talked and ate, keeping everything in a copper warming pot so the food wouldn’t cool down.

Mother Ru Yi sipped the chicken tenderloin soup, her eyes never leaving Ru Yi. "Why not have Ji Xiang bring back your laundry?"

Ji Xiang nodded vigorously. "Exactly! Every time I come back, the first thing your mother asks is this. You’d better answer."

Ru Yi scooped a spoonful of the preserved duck soup and poured it over her rice. "The water’s too cold in winter, but the coal at Yi Garden is plentiful. I just warm the water before washing, then rinse the soap out in the lake. Why bother bringing it back? Your hands would get frostbitten."

Mother Ru Yi replied, "I draw water from the well. Our well in Si Quan Alley is deep, and the well cover is padded with felt. It never freezes in winter, and the water still steams when drawn. I’ve been washing vegetables and cooking in Si Quan Alley for years and never had frostbite. If there’s anything tough to wash, Ji Xiang should still bring it to me."

Ru Yi gave a vague "hmm," neither refusing nor agreeing, to avoid a mother-daughter argument over such a small matter.

Ji Xiang, sensing Ru Yi’s thoughts, changed the subject. "When I went to buy groceries today, I noticed pork prices are skyrocketing. After dinner, I’ll drive to sell a basket of pork belly. With so many people around today, let’s prepare some sausages for the New Year."

Mother Ru Yi, always meticulous with her finances, was indeed interested. "Buy some spare ribs, pork hocks, and legs too. I’ll cure them to prepare for the New Year."

"And don’t forget Uncle Ninefingers’ share. His wife passed away this year, and Yan Zhi is now working at Yi Garden. Only Chang Sheng, who’s mentally challenged, is left at home. They can’t manage to make cured meats…"

Sister E had already finished a bowl of rice with the rich, savory stir-fried chicken. Seeing her mother’s bowl empty, Ji Xiang hurried to serve more rice.

"Don’t serve more, one bowl is enough. I’ve been gaining too much weight lately and need to slim down," Sister E stopped her son. "I’ll just have some chicken broth."

Ji Xiang ladled broth for his mother, and on the second scoop, Sister E said, "Add a few dumplings to it."

In good spirits, her eyes were hungrier than her stomach, and she couldn’t stop eating.

Meanwhile, Brother E silently picked out the bones from the steamed shad fish, placing the fish meat into Ji Xiang and Ru Yi’s bowls. The three adults didn’t touch their food.

Among the dishes, the shad was the most expensive.

They were accustomed to giving the best to their children. Even in their poorer days, their clothes were mended, but the children’s clothes had no patches.

Even now, with better lives and no shortage of good food, the habit remained—the best was always for the children, even though they had grown up.

Ru Yi ate the boneless shad, bathed in happiness. In that moment, all the betrayal, danger, grievances, shock, and exhaustion she had experienced at Yi Garden vanished. She silently reminded herself to cherish life, fulfill her responsibilities, and not let her family grieve.

After dinner, Brother E went to the well pavilion to wash the dishes. Ji Xiang drove to buy meat and prepare cured meats. Ru Yi, Mother Ru Yi, and Sister E sat on the heated brick bed, drinking tea and chatting about family matters.

When the conversation turned to her new friend Hong Xia, Ru Yi smiled. "Her cousin is Zhao Tiezhu, the biggest eater on the construction site. Do you remember him, Mom?"

Mother Ru Yi replied, "Of course I remember him. He once fought with Ji Xiang and could eat up to ten buns in one meal."

Sister E, well-informed, even knew some of the grudges among the servants of the East Mansion. "Hong Xia’s uncle is Second Steward Lai Lu from the East Mansion, so Lai Lu’s wife was Hong Xia’s aunt. But Lai Lu’s wife passed away a few years ago. Many tried to set him up with a new wife, but he never remarried."

Ru Yi said, "Hong Xia originally wanted to enter Song He Hall but was somehow pushed to Mei Garden. Auntie E, could it have been Hua Jiao?"

Sister E thought for a moment and shook her head. "Hua Jiao wouldn’t do that. Hua Jiao got her position through Hua Yiniang’s connections. Hua Yiniang used to be a maid serving the Old Ancestor, who arranged for her to become the Marquis’s concubine. Hua Yiniang had a son and a daughter, expanding the Zhang family. The Old Ancestor, recognizing Hua Yiniang’s contributions, arranged for Hua Jiao to serve in Song He Hall, giving the Hua family some respect."

Ru Yi asked, "If it's not Hua Jiao, then who could have the upper hand over Hong Xia's uncle?"

Sister E replied, "In my opinion, it's Mrs. Lai Fu, the Steward's wife from the East Mansion. I heard that Mrs. Lai Fu had the idea of marrying her widowed daughter to Lai Lu as his second wife. Lai Lu politely declined, and Mrs. Lai Fu, feeling slighted, secretly caused trouble and had her niece, Hong Xia, dismissed."

Mother Ru Yi, being a widow herself, couldn't help but comment when she heard about another widow: "Fu, Lu, Shou, and Xi are the Zhang family's four stewards, all of the same rank. If Lai Lu married Mrs. Lai Fu's widowed daughter, he would be lowering his status. They were equals, but if he became a junior, his words would carry less weight. That's probably why, even if Mrs. Lai Fu's daughter were a goddess, she couldn't be married."

Ru Yi suddenly understood, "Oh, so that's why. Why didn't Hong Xia say anything? Yan Zhi and I always thought it was Hua Jiao who ousted her and didn't dare mention Hua Jiao in front of her."

Sister E said, "From what you've said, Hong Xia has a fiery and explosive personality, like a firecracker. Her uncle Lai Lu probably figured out why she was ousted from Songhe Hall but wouldn't tell Hong Xia to prevent her from making a scene and causing trouble. After all, Mrs. Lai Fu is the Steward's wife from the East Mansion and also the head steward of Yi Garden."

It's true that those involved are blind, while bystanders see clearly. Ru Yi clapped her hands together and said, "That makes sense! But Hong Xia actually benefited from this misfortune by avoiding the intrigues of Songhe Hall. That place isn't for the faint of heart. Thankfully, we heeded Mrs. Lai Shou's advice and went to Chengen Pavilion. If we had really tried to force our way into Songhe Hall, I wouldn't have been as patient as Hua Jiao and would have packed up and left long ago, wasting the opportunities Auntie E secured for me with money."

Mother Ru Yi said, "Exactly, if you can do it, do it; if you can't, just come back. Don't suffer in silence; the world won't end."

Sister E sighed, "Having a mother like you, who always puts her daughter first, is Ru Yi's blessing. The Hua family still hopes that Hua Jiao will follow in Hua Yiniang's footsteps and bring glory to the family again!"

Ru Yi said, "What do you mean by bringing glory? It seems to me that Hua Jiao has been suffering, not even able to eat a hot meal."

Sister E saw that Ru Yi didn't grasp her meaning and realized that some things can't be understood until one reaches a certain age. Sister E meant that the Hua family hoped to produce another Hua Yiniang-like figure. The Zhang family has several grandsons.

For a maid to take the path of becoming a concubine, suffering is inevitable.

But such words shouldn't be said in front of Ru Yi, so Sister E steered the conversation elsewhere, "This widowed daughter of Mrs. Lai Fu is now also working in Yi Garden, mainly overseeing the matriarch's outings and gift-giving. Her name is La Mei."

Ru Yi, upon hearing this, asked, "Lai Fu's daughter, why isn't she named Lai something, but instead called La Mei?"

Sister E laughed, "You haven't experienced much and aren't familiar with many of the old customs of the marquis's household. The matriarch loves flowers, so the maids who served her in the past were all given flower names. For example, Mrs. Lai Shou was once called Xun Mei, and Hua Yiniang was once called Qiu Ju."

"Qiu Ju became the marquis's concubine and was elevated to Yiniang after giving birth to our eldest young lady. Calling her Qiu Ju Yiniang didn't sound right, as it clearly indicated she was of maid origin and lacked dignity. So the matriarch said, since she was originally a flower, she might as well take the surname Hua and be called Hua Yiniang."

Ru Yi clapped her hands, "So that's how it is! The Hua family benefited from Hua Yiniang's status. Originally, they didn't have a surname, but later they all adopted the surname Hua. This La Mei was originally named Lai something, but to please the matriarch, she changed her name to La Mei—yes, that's right. Mrs. Lai Shou once said that the old lady loves plum blossoms the most. In Yi Garden, there are hundreds of flowers, but only one Plum Garden. It's all about catering to her preferences."

So, even the naming of servants can be so particular, changing names according to the master's preferences. The name isn't important; climbing the social ladder is.

"Exactly," Sister E praised, "My Ru Yi is so smart, able to infer other things from one example and understand immediately. But the names you and Ji Xiang have are the best. Who in the world wouldn't want good fortune and happiness? No matter who you serve in the future, I doubt they'll ask you to change your names..."

The three women on the kang chatted about everyone they knew in Yi Garden, the conversation lively and heated.

The virtuous Brother E was in the well pavilion washing casings for the sausages. Even a little dirt could ruin the flavor, so he had to wash them several times.

Ji Xiang returned with the meat, driving the carriage, and on the carriage shaft sat the dazed Chang Sheng.

After Yan Zhi went to Yi Garden, there was no one at home. When Jiu Zhi went on duty to guard and patrol, he would take Chang Sheng with him. Today, father and son happened to meet Ji Xiang returning from selling meat, and Ji Xiang brought Chang Sheng back to Si Quan Lane.

"Chang Sheng!" Ru Yi greeted Chang Sheng.

Chang Sheng still recognized people and smiled dazedly, "Ru Yi."

But that was as far as it went. No matter how Ru Yi tried to engage him in conversation, Chang Sheng either remained silent or smiled dazedly as if they had just met, replying, "Ru Yi."

"Ru Yi, take a break," Ji Xiang gave Chang Sheng some roasted chestnuts he had just bought from the street, "Eat."

Chang Sheng ate the chestnuts. He peeled out the golden chestnut meat, not only eating it himself but also sharing it with others. Ru Yi took a chestnut from Chang Sheng's hand, ate it, and smiled, patting Chang Sheng's head, "You've improved since last month; you know how to share food now."

Ji Xiang's family cut the meat, while Ru Yi's family prepared the ingredients for curing the meat and stuffing the sausages. In one afternoon, they prepared the cured goods for the New Year for three families, including Jiu Zhi's. The house was filled with the aroma of meat.

For dinner, Mother Ru Yi made her specialty, braised pig's head. The pig's head was stewed until the bones and skin fell off, dipped in garlic vinegar sauce, and a few slices were enough to fill one up.

Mother Ru Yi finished eating first and started busy again, putting the food prepared for Zhao Tiezhu and other gatekeepers into food boxes one by one.

She sliced a braised pig's tongue and tossed it with garlic vinegar sauce and shredded scallions, then sliced some braised pig's ears and tails. She also prepared a clay pot of old duck and radish soup reserved from lunch and a clay pot of chicken soup. Then, she wrapped two trays of frozen wontons with oiled paper.

As she packed the food box, Mother Ru Yi gave Ji Xiang instructions on how to prepare the meal: "First, heat the two clay pots of soup, then cook the wontons in boiling water. The frozen wontons tend to stick to the bottom and tear, so you must keep stirring until they all float to the surface. Once the wontons are cooked, let them choose between the duck soup or chicken soup. If the braised dishes aren’t finished tonight, reheat them in the marinade tomorrow. Make sure no one gets an upset stomach in this cold weather—the marinade is in this black pot. If there’s any leftover marinade, you can pour it over noodles, and it’ll still be delicious..."

"Don’t worry, Zhao Tiezhu and the others are big eaters. They’ll finish everything, even licking the pots clean," Ji Xiang said, noticing the sky outside was darkening. He urged Ru Yi, "Hurry up and finish eating. The Garden is about to lock up."

Ru Yi reluctantly shoveled rice into her mouth. The day had passed too quickly.

Sister E remarked, "I heard Nanny Wang is strict with her subordinates. There will definitely be women checking the rooms at night, so don’t be late."

Mother Ru Yi was torn between keeping her daughter close and ensuring she wouldn’t be late and punished. Not knowing what to say, she silently refilled the hand warmer with fresh charcoal so Ru Yi would stay warm on the way.

Brother E loaded the heavy food box onto the carriage. Just then, Uncle Ninefingers rushed back, panting, "Good, Ji Xiang and Ru Yi are still here."

He handed three packages to Ru Yi, "I bought three packs of twisted candy. Yan Zhi loves it. One pack for you, one for Ji Xiang, and the other for Yan Zhi to take to the Garden."

Chang Sheng pointed at the packages and mumbled, "Sugar, sweet, mom."

At this, Uncle Ninefingers’ eyes welled up. "When the child’s mother was healthier, she used to make this for the kids herself."

Ji Xiang gave his share to Chang Sheng, "This one’s for Chang Sheng. I went to the street twice today and bought a lot of twisted candy. I’ll snack on it when I’m tired during my shift, but I can’t finish it all."

Uncle Ninefingers didn’t protest as Chang Sheng clutched the candy tightly.

When it was time to part, Ru Yi, surrounded by Sister E and Mother Ru Yi, got into the carriage and said, "Don’t bother seeing me off. It’s cold outside."

Even so, the adults stood outside and watched until the carriage disappeared at the end of the alley before turning back.

Mother Ru Yi said, "Uncle Ninefingers, you haven’t eaten yet, have you? Come in and eat. We braised a big pig’s head today, and there’s plenty left."

The adults went back to eating and chatting. Chang Sheng, already full, sat on the kang holding the sugar and poured the chestnuts onto the kang to play with stones.

Reluctant to leave home, Ru Yi quietly cried in the carriage. Ji Xiang, oblivious to her crying, cracked the whip and said, "I wanted to tell you something this morning, but Nanny Wang was there, so I couldn’t. This afternoon was too busy, and I forgot. It’s about that axe with the character ‘Biao’ carved on it. When Uncle Ninefingers helped me fit a new handle, he told me an old story. This axe might have a significant history..."

Uncle Ninefingers was multi-talented. Besides martial arts, he had some craftsmanship skills. He could replace horseshoes, trim donkey hooves, and even had some knowledge of acupuncture, cupping, and massage, which he learned on his own due to his wife’s chronic illness. He also did some carpentry work, fixing chairs and stools for anyone who needed it. Fitting a handle on an axe was no problem for him.

Having guarded the gate for many years, Uncle Ninefingers had seen many name cards, invitations, and letters, so he recognized some characters. When he saw the character ‘Biao’ carved on the axe and felt its weight, he knew it was forged from fine steel, not an ordinary axe. Curious, he asked Ji Xiang where he got it.

Uncle Ninefingers was like a close uncle, so Ji Xiang didn’t hide the truth. He said Ru Yi had dug it out from the ashes in the Cheng'en Pavilion’s floor furnace.

Being older and having worked as a gatekeeper for wealthy families, Uncle Ninefingers had seen and heard a lot. He immediately speculated, "From the Garden... The former owner of the Garden was the Shi family, who were once very prominent, with two dukes in the family—Duke Zhongguo Shi Heng and Marquis Dingyuan Shi Biao. It’s said that Shi Biao was brave and skilled in battle, making great contributions to the peace of the northwest during the Ming Dynasty. His weapon was an axe with the character ‘Biao’ carved on it. Could this be Shi Biao’s axe?"

Ji Xiang was stunned. "This... this... could be. What should we do now? Return it?"

"The Shi family has been wiped out. Who would we return it to? We can’t ask Ru Yi to stuff it back into the floor furnace," Uncle Ninefingers said, hammering the wooden handle into the axe and handing it to Ji Xiang. "Such a fine axe shouldn’t be buried. Try swinging it a few times."

Ji Xiang performed a set of martial arts moves with the axe. It was so sharp it felt like it could cut through the north wind. He was instantly enamored with it.

Uncle Ninefingers nodded in satisfaction. "A sword is gifted to a hero, and a fine axe to a young man. This is yours now. I’ll use a file to remove the three strokes next to the character ‘Biao’ and change it to the character ‘Hu’ (tiger). No one will ever guess this axe is connected to the Shi family..."

Ji Xiang said, "...Now the axe stays at Uncle Ninefingers’ house. The fine steel is hard to grind, so Uncle Ninefingers works on it bit by bit when he has time. It’ll probably take a month. Only you, me, and Uncle Ninefingers know about this. Don’t tell anyone else."