Chapter 51 Returning Home

Chapter 51: Returning Home

"Why did you bring Huang Zheng back?" Chang Jinhua was drying the small quilt she had bought in town in the yard when she looked up and saw Song Tingzhou actually bringing Huang Zheng back, carrying a bundle.

"Auntie Song." Huang Zheng's expression was also awkward. He covered his face and entered the house with Song Tingzhou.

That evening, Huang Zheng also ate in Song Tingzhou's room. After all, he was a male outsider, and with Meng Wan present, they needed to maintain propriety.

Song Tingzhou brought over a bowl that had been licked clean. Meng Wan said, "Just set it by the pot's edge. I'll wash it together with ours later."

But Song Tingzhou said, "Is there any more food? He doesn't seem full yet."

"Huh?" Knowing how much Song Tingzhou could eat, Chang Jinhua had already given him most of the pot, leaving only one bowl for herself and Meng Wan. Even that wasn't enough?

Meng Wan said, dazed, "There are still two meat buns left from yesterday. I'll heat them up in the pot."

"No need to heat them. The weather isn't cold." Song Tingzhou went straight to the cupboard to find them, then brought them to Huang Zheng.

By the time Meng Wan bent over to wash the dishes, Song Tingzhou was back again.

Meng Wan asked incredulously, "He finished them already?"

Three seconds to finish a big meat bun???

Song Tingzhou saw his stunned, wide-eyed expression and found it adorable. He raised his lips in a smile. "No, I think he might want some time alone, so I came out."

When he had gone to find Huang Zheng, the other man was already in bad shape.

Baojin Studio was a famous bookshop in Changping Prefecture. It was said that this was only a branch, with the main store in the capital, backed by a big shot in the capital—someone even the Changping Prefect dared not offend.

Baojin Studio had four floors, but the back courtyard was enormous, housing many precious books and its own printing press. Many small bookshops in the region came to Baojin Studio to stock up.

Shopkeeper Huang had gotten to know Baojin Studio's steward through this connection. Calling him "manager" was just a small-town way of saying it; in truth, he was merely a steward, one of many minor stewards.

Huang Zheng only learned this after he arrived. At first, he was secretly proud of being a connection hire, but being from a small place with little experience, he was nervous and stiff, not daring to show his smugness too openly. But on the second day when he was assigned work, he sensed something was off.

Steward Li handled the menial tasks. He had neither the authority of the stewards running the press nor the prestige of those working the front desk.

All the dirty, tiring work fell to Steward Li's team, and the guys under him got the hardest work. On top of that, there was constant infighting and backstabbing. How could a straightforward, clueless kid like Huang Zheng compete with them? He was constantly scolded by the steward and even beaten with a whip to assert authority.

Steward Li put on a nice act, saying that Huang Zheng was the son of an old acquaintance and that he was being strict out of care for him, because he was so fond of him.

At first, Huang Zheng bought it and worked even harder out of gratitude. But the other lads in his quarters not only framed him behind his back but also saw he was easy to push around and wouldn't fight back. With Steward Li ignoring him, it got worse until they were ganging up on him, making him do all the heavy work while they took the easy stuff.

They even called him dumb to his face, saying Steward Li was just leading him on—they'd brought him to work without even a contract.

Only then did Huang Zheng realize that the guys at Baojin Studio were either the master's bonded servants or hired workers on fixed-term contracts.

He didn't have any contract, so he wasn't even considered a real employee. The stewards could fire him anytime without a cent, and he'd have no recourse.

The more he thought about it, the madder Huang Zheng got. He went straight to Steward Li to confront him, but got two slaps and a "Get lost."

If Song Tingzhou hadn't come for him, he'd have had nowhere else to go. After all that exhausting, thankless work, he not only hadn't earned any money but had even lost most of the money his parents gave him being tricked out of it.

Huang Zheng bit into the meat bun, tears streaming down his face.

He crashed in Song Tingzhou's room for the night. The next day, he said to Song Tingzhou, "Brother Song, can I travel back with you? I don't have enough money left. When I get home, I'll ask my dad to pay you back."

"That's fine. Since you've decided, come with us." It worked out since he'd ridden up on Huang Zheng's cart—now he could return the favor.

Unfortunately, by departure day, they still hadn't heard from Jin Rong at the Zhu estate. Before setting out, Song Tingzhou shared a carriage rental with Feng Jinzhang and his wife, plus a few of Feng's classmates.

Everyone was short on money—few were well-off—so they all squeezed into a single ride to split the cost. Song Tingzhou, Feng Jinzhang, and Huang Zheng were in one cart; Lu Chunfang, Meng Wan, and Chang Jinhua shared another.

Safety in numbers. The trip back was smoother and much faster than the way there. Near the fork between Guyang County and Guwen County, Feng Jinzhang and the others said goodbye to Song Tingzhou.

Feng Jinzhang was quite talented in literary matters, but he was rather opportunistic. Not that he was evil at heart—just thin-skinned, selfish, and full of pride.

Chang Jinhua genuinely liked Lu Chunfang, a down-to-earth girl. After they left, she sighed to Meng Wan, "Now that Feng Scholar's passed the Xiucai exam, he's bound to think Chunfang's beneath him."

Meng Wan disagreed: "Feng Jinzhang cares more about face than anything, and he's read so many classics. It shouldn't be that he'd mistreat his wife just because he's a Xiucai." Besides, being a Xiucai sounds impressive, but it's not a paying job—he'd still be broke. Only by passing the Juren exam could he really climb out of poverty.

It was almost dark when they reached Quanshui Town. They dropped Huang Zheng off at home. Shopkeeper Huang was surprised to see his son, then seemed to get it. He patted his shoulder and said, "Good, you're back."

After saying goodbye to Shopkeeper Huang, the driver continued to take them to Sanquan Village. Back at the home they'd missed so much—though only a month or two had passed—Chang Jinhua felt like it had been a year.

Song Tingzhou paid up and thanked the driver, offering to put him up for the night. The driver declined, saying he was used to being on the road at night and wanted to see if he could snag a fare in town the next morning.

Dead tired, no one had the energy to unpack. Their pots and pans were all at Auntie Song's. Song Tingzhou took an oil lamp and went to her door to fetch them.

"Tingzhou? You're back for real! Auntie said she heard a carriage, but I wasn't sure. Come in and sit."

Sixth Uncle Song came to open the door. Seeing Song Tingzhou, he was both surprised and delighted. It was just after dark, and the couple hadn't gone to bed yet.

Song Tingzhou called out, "Sixth Uncle, I won't come in. We need to heat water for washing at home. I'm just here to grab the pots."

"The pots are over at Dali's place. I'll get them for you." Hearing that Song Tingzhou needed them urgently, Sixth Uncle Song hurried to his son's room to fetch them.

Afraid that Song Tingzhou couldn't carry them all, he even delivered them to Song Tingzhou's yard.

Before leaving, Sixth Uncle Song casually asked, "Tingzhou, how did you do this time?"

Chang Jinhua came out to get some bowls and basins, and laughed, interjecting, "Da Lang passed, not just that—he got first place, the Top Scholar!"

Sixth Uncle was shocked. He didn't know what "Top Scholar" meant, but he knew passing meant becoming a Xiucai.

"Wow, that's amazing! Our Song family actually produced a Xiucai! Sister-in-law, your hard work these years paid off."

After a brief chat, Sixth Uncle Song left. Song Tingzhou then set up two stoves, scrubbed the pots clean, filled them with water for the three of them to wash.

It was a chaotic evening. The bedding taken out of the cupboard still had a musty smell.

Next morning, Meng Wan put on some old clothes that Song Tingzhou had outgrown years ago.

Chang Jinhua made congee. There were pickled vegetables in a jar in the cellar. She cut them into shreds and they ate them with the congee. After breakfast, they all got busy again.

They hung the quilts out to air, sorted their luggage, put things away, did the laundry, and cleaned the house. Song Tingzhou also had to inform the Song clan chief that he'd passed the exam and become a Xiucai.

"Auntie, you're here," said Meng Wan, who was doing laundry in the yard. The chimney had been smoking since morning, and they had already boiled three pots of water.

Sixth Aunt Song came in with a joyful smile on her face. "I guessed you'd be busy today. Are you the only one home?"

Since they were family, Meng Wan didn't stand up to greet her. "Cousin went to the clan chief's. My aunt's inside scrubbing."

Sixth Aunt Song saw a basin of steaming hot water beside him and laughed, "At this time of year, why are you still using hot water to wash clothes?"

Chang Jinhua came out with a basin of dirty water and a rag. Hearing this, she poured the water into the yard and retorted, "Us old folks can handle it, but Wan's still a boy. Even though the weather is warmer, well water is still cold. Mixing it with hot water is better, to avoid catching a chill."

Sixth Aunt Song quickly agreed, "Sister-in-law is right. I'll remind Man Geer when he comes back too."

She was outspoken. Let alone Song Tingzhou passing the imperial exam to become a xiucai, bringing honor to the family, just Meng Wan teaching Man Geer how to make fried dough and even letting them use the shop to run their business—these were all acts of kindness that Sixth Uncle Song and his wife kept in their hearts.

Though the house had been empty for nearly two months, the yard was free of weeds. It seemed Sixth Uncle Song and his wife had been tending to it.

Sixth Aunt Song came over to help Chang Jinhua clean the house, bringing along twenty eggs and two jin of pork.

Chang Jinhua scolded her, "Why bring such expensive things? Your family has only just started to get by in recent years. Keep them for the kids to get some strength back."

Sixth Aunt Song was genuinely giving the gifts and wouldn’t let Chang Jinhua refuse. "It’s not like these are just some random thing. With Tingzhou becoming a xiucai, not only our family, but others in the Song clan will be coming to visit. It just so happens you’ve just returned, and there’s no meat or vegetables in the house. Besides, aren’t you about to throw a party? You’re not gonna complain it’s too little, are you?"

Her last words hit home with Chang Jinhua, and a smile crept onto her face. "If you’re free in a couple of days, come with me to town. I need to buy candy and other snacks. I’ve already prepared the cloth, but I need to make a new quilt, and I don’t have enough cotton."

Sixth Aunt Song readily agreed. Her son and daughter-in-law also lived in town, so she could stop by and see them while they were there.

Even with Sixth Aunt Song’s help, the house took a whole day to clean. At noon, the clan head’s family made sure he stayed for lunch, so he didn’t come back.

In fact, farming families usually only ate two meals a day, and adding a noon meal was a sign of special respect for a guest. It showed how highly they valued him.

At noon he ate at the clan head’s, then in the evening at the village head’s. Back home, only Meng Wan and Chang Jinhua were left. They finished their chores, asked Sixth Aunt Song to stay for a meal, and the three of them ate noodles with poached eggs.

After Sixth Aunt Song left, the sun slipped behind the hills, veiling the sky in twilight colors, but Song Tingzhou still hadn’t returned.

Meng Wan tugged at Chang Jinhua’s sleeve. "Auntie, it’s already dark. The road is hard to walk. The village head must have kept him for a drink. Why don’t we go check on him?"

Chang Jinhua laughed to herself. "It’s just a few steps away. How could he get lost? If you want to go, go by yourself. I’m tired and I want to sleep."

With Meng Wan around, she was becoming less and less worried. She truly washed her feet and lay down on the kang. Meng Wan had no choice but to run to the gate and look out.

Perhaps afraid that his family would worry after being out all day, within moments, Song Tingzhou actually showed up. He smelled slightly of alcohol but walked steadily.

"I should have been back earlier, but Second Uncle had too much to drink, so I had to see him home first," he quickly explained when he saw Meng Wan waiting at the gate.

Such social obligations were necessary; otherwise, people would say that Song Tingzhou had forgotten his ancestors and clansmen now that he had become a xiucai.

Meng Wan handed him a bowl of warm water that had been cooling on the stove. "Drink some warm water first. Foot-washing water’s heating on the stove. Wash up and go to bed early."

Seeing him back safely, Meng Wan felt relieved. He stretched and was about to go inside to sleep.

"Wan'er."

Just as he straightened up, a sturdy body pressed against his back. Song Tingzhou tipped his head back and chugged the water, then tossed the bowl aside. His hot, slightly damp breath fell on Meng Wan’s nape, making Meng Wan jump.

"What are you doing?"

Song Tingzhou’s hand hesitantly found Meng Wan’s waist. Meng Wan pursed his lips and didn’t move, his ears turning red.

Him not saying no emboldened Song Tingzhou. He slowly tightened his arms around Meng Wan’s supple waist, yanking him tight against himself.

Their hearts pounded against each other through the fabric. Meng Wan rested his head on Song Tingzhou’s shoulder. If he looked up, he would meet Song Tingzhou’s slightly hazy, boozy, hungry eyes.

But he didn’t look up. Instead, he closed his eyes and let out a satisfied sigh. Song Tingzhou’s embrace was warm and broad, truly reassuring.

"Wan'er..." His warm breath traveled from Meng Wan’s ear across his face. Song Tingzhou murmured Wan'er’s name, as if in a dream or a sigh.

Meng Wan’s heart raced. Man, he was really drunk. We haven’t even shut the front door, and this...

"Da Lang, is that you back?"

Chang Jinhua’s voice suddenly came from the inner room, snapping the two of them out of it. Meng Wan sprang out of Song Tingzhou’s arms and waved his hand like a maniac in front of his face.

Song Tingzhou withdrew his arms and cleared his throat to answer Chang Jinhua. "Cough... yes, Mother. I just made it back. The clan head said we need to head up the mountain to pay respects to the ancestors tomorrow morning."

Chang Jinhua reminded him, "Since you have to get up early tomorrow, wash up and go to bed early. You’ve been run ragged these past few days."

"Yes, Mother," Song Tingzhou replied to his mother, but his eyes were stuck on Meng Wan, unable to look away.

Meng Wan didn’t look at him either. He picked up the bowl he’d tossed and felt it—yep, there was a crack.

He placed the bowl on the cupboard and shot Song Tingzhou a dirty look, which earned him a low laugh. Song Tingzhou’s voice, after drinking, was low and husky.

Meng Wan thought to himself: This is killing me. Why does he get so flirty when he’s drunk?