Chapter 6: Trifles

Second Sister-in-law Li looked at the furniture made of such fine wood, then took Luzhu’er, who was spinning around, and walked toward Third Sister-in-law Li. As she walked, she said, "Look, whose mother has come back?"

"Mother, Mother." Luzhu’er noticed Third Sister-in-law Li’s return, ran over, and threw herself against her legs, opening her little hands to be picked up.

"I’ve troubled you, Second Sister-in-law, having to look after this little treasure."

Complying with the child’s wish, Third Sister-in-law Li picked up Luzhu’er, took a deep breath of the little treasure’s scent from the top of her head, and said with a smile to Second Sister-in-law Li.

It must be said that at this age, children—regardless of gender—did not grow their hair out. Either the back of the head was shaved with bangs left in the front, or the middle was shaved, leaving two tufts on the sides that could be tied into little buns; it could be said to be quite ugly.

Luzhu’er’s hair had been styled by Mother Li that morning, tied with two red strings. Of course, one’s own child always comes with a filter; she still looked soft, cute, and adorable, making one want to take a big sniff!

"Second Sister-in-law, do you think Luzhu’er can start growing her hair out now?"

"Luzhu’er is only a few years old. It’ll be fine to wait until after her third birthday to grow it out." Mother Li, who had been helping Eldest Brother Li direct people to move the furniture and items into the vacant west wing, heard Third Sister-in-law Li’s question. She hurried over, took her little darling from Third Sister-in-law Li’s arms, and patted Luzhu’er’s little buns before saying, "Grandma’s little darling, whether you grow your hair or not, you’re still Grandma’s little darling. Our Luzhu’er is beautiful regardless. Isn’t that right?"

Moving from her mother’s arms to her grandmother’s, Luzhu’er adapted well and even mimicked her, sounding like a little adult: "Beautiful, Zhuer is beautiful."

Second Sister-in-law Li, who was watching the scene, was greatly amused by Luzhu’er’s mimicry and burst into laughter. She rubbed her own belly, looked at Luzhu’er, and said to Third Sister-in-law Li, "Sanniang, I actually hope this child is a little girl. Looking at Luzhu’er, both your Second Brother and I want a little girl to spoil."

"Haha, Second Lang’s wife says it well. Our family is just short of a little girl, and she could keep Luzhu’er company." At the thought of having Luzhu’er on her left and another delicate little girl on her right, Mother Li was overjoyed and couldn't help but laugh out loud.

"Is Second Sister-in-law due to give birth soon?"

"Yes, I expect it will be within the next ten to fifteen days. By then, we’ll know if it’s a little boy or a little girl."

"The days when Second Lang’s wife is about to give birth, I won’t go out. I’ll stay home and wait for our second little lady to be born." Mother Li also estimated that Second Sister-in-law Li’s third child was coming soon and had already decided to stay home during those days. She had even sterilized the tools, ready to help deliver the baby when the time came.

The three of them hadn't chatted for long when Eldest Sister-in-law Li came over to ask Mother Li if they should have dinner earlier. After all, those who had gone out for Third Sister-in-law Li’s affairs today had missed lunch and hadn't had a proper meal, only buying some street-side flatbreads to stave off hunger.

Furthermore, for Third Sister-in-law Li and Luzhu’er, today was a day of rebirth—a good day to have cast off a heartless, scummy man and head toward a new life. Shouldn't they add a couple of meat dishes to celebrate?

Eldest Brother Li, who had just finished working, also came over to join the fun and quickly said, "Today is a good day, it ought to be celebrated. A foreign merchant recently arrived at the West Market with a new type of wine. My colleagues all say it’s very refreshing and flavorful. Before the curfew, I’ll go buy a jug, and we can all taste it tonight."

Third Sister-in-law Li thought Eldest Brother Li made sense and quickly said, "Eldest Brother is right. This is a good day for me and Luzhu’er, so we should celebrate. I’ll pay; go to Jun You Lai and order two tables of food, buy the two jugs of foreign wine Eldest Brother mentioned, and go to the street corner to buy two roasted geese to satisfy the children’s cravings."

Eldest Brother Li looked at Third Sister-in-law Li in surprise, then turned to look at Mother Li to see if she agreed.

Eldest Sister-in-law Li patted Eldest Brother Li on the back, gave him a playful, reproachful look, and said, "Why should Sanniang pay? We’ll just use the family’s common funds."

Third Sister-in-law Li would not agree. She was a married-out daughter; although she was deeply loved by her parents, and her Eldest Brother and Sister-in-law were willing, things couldn't be done that way. Just as she was about to argue, Mother Li spoke up: "Eldest Lang’s wife, listen to Sanniang. This is a good day for the mother and daughter. Even among close siblings, there must be give and take. The whole family has been busy for Sanniang, so it’s only right that they eat a meal on her."

Hearing this, Eldest Sister-in-law Li said no more. She took Third Sister-in-law Li’s purse, took out the largest silver ingot, weighing about five taels, gave it to Eldest Brother Li, and punched him lightly, telling him to hurry to the West Market to buy the wine.

The medical hall closed early today. As soon as the "four little ones" returned, Eldest Brother Li, who had just come back with the wine, went out to help put up the door panels and hang the sign indicating they were closed.

The four little ones returned even later than yesterday, but no one paid it any mind; they didn't always return at a fixed time.

After all, to save money and exercise, they walked back and forth between the academy and home twice a day. Sometimes they would meet classmates and go somewhere to play for a while before returning, so their late arrival today didn't attract any attention.

Eldest Brother Li did notice that Eldest Lang and Second Lang’s hair buns were a bit loose, and Third Lang and Fourth Lang’s scholar robes weren't very neat, but he didn't say anything, only nodding at the four little ones as they came over to pay their respects.

A moment later, the waiter from Jun You Lai delivered the meal, placing it dish by dish on the two bamboo tables in the courtyard. It was truly a dazzling array, making one’s eyes spin, not knowing which dish to start with.

After Father Li sat in the main seat, Third Sister-in-law Li poured a small cup of foreign wine for Eldest Lang and every adult. Second Lang and Third Lang felt they were adults too and strongly requested a cup, but were refused by Third Sister-in-law Li with a smile.

Nearly fifteen-year-old Eldest Lang was approaching the modern standard for full civil capacity, and having inherited Eldest Brother Li’s tall and sturdy build, he looked a head taller than his peers. Therefore, Third Sister-in-law Li poured a cup for her eldest nephew—though it was actually just a tiny cup.

But Eldest Lang was still very happy, as if he had been recognized. The others could only watch as Eldest Lang looked smug.

Standing before her seat, holding up the cup of wine that wasn't quite clear in color, Third Sister-in-law Li glanced at Luzhu’er sitting beside her, then looked around at everyone in the family, starting from Father Li and including the four little ones. She raised her glass to signal Father Li and the others, her heart feeling full as she slowly said, "Today is a good day for me and Luzhu’er. That I could have the confidence to leave the Wang family and divorce was all thanks to the support given by Father, Mother, Eldest Brother and Sister-in-law, Second Brother and Sister-in-law, and my nephews. I won’t say any more; I thank my family for their help. This wine is for everyone present!"

As she spoke, Third Sister-in-law Li downed the small cup of wine in one gulp. It was indeed refreshing on the palate; it felt like it might have been infused with mint, with only a hint of alcohol—probably only a few degrees. In fact, it was such a small cup that drinking it all at once was nothing compared to the fifty or sixty-degree spirits of the modern era.

Although the Martial Emperor attached great importance to agriculture and had introduced sweet potatoes, grain was still quite precious, especially the staple grains used for brewing.

Therefore, alcohol was strictly controlled, and the quantity was fixed; it could not be exceeded, as it would affect grain production. Only wine merchants who held a permit issued by the government could hang a sign to operate the business.

The wine with the refreshing taste—likely mint—sold by the foreign merchant in the West Market was probably produced in one of the many small countries in the Western Regions. By the time it was transported to Chang'an, a tiny jug cost two taels of silver. It was truly expensive, a luxury item through and through.

After Third Sister-in-law Li finished speaking, Father Li picked up his chopsticks and took a piece of the already-torn roasted goose in front of him, and everyone began to eat.

Luzhu’er used her little baby teeth to earnestly gnaw on a goose leg. The layer of oily skin on the surface looked incredibly appetizing, and biting into it must have been an explosion of juices.

There were two roasted geese, totaling four legs. Two were given to Father and Mother Li, one to Luzhu’er, and the other to the pregnant Second Sister-in-law Li.

All four of them ate until their mouths were full of flavor.

When the plates were cleared at the end, the two roasted geese were the cleanest, with everyone even crunching the bones to suck out the marrow.

Because the meal was ordered from a restaurant, the leftovers had to be transferred to their own bowls and plates, as the waiter from Jun You Lai would come to collect the serving dishes the next day.

After washing Luzhu’er’s hands and face, brushing her teeth with green salt, washing her feet, and combing her hair, Third Sister-in-law Li lay on the bed and coaxed Luzhu’er to sleep. With a trembling heart and shaking hands, she summoned the virtual light screen as if by instinct, clicked on the "Tasks" menu, and found that the gray "Incomplete" button had turned into a green "Completed" one.

She tapped it lightly, and it instantly jumped to the "Lucky Draw" menu interface.

The interface was the kind of turntable commonly seen in modern games, with a line of small text at the bottom: "Available draws: 1". The turntable was divided into six equal, golden sections with no markings.

Third Sister-in-law Li silently prayed a few times, "Sanqing above, let me draw like a lucky winner!"

Everyone must take good care of their teeth. I went to the dentist this afternoon and it cost me more than a month’s salary; my heart aches.

After seeing the dentist, I went back to my parents’ house to eat together. Today’s chapter is a bit short, sorry.

Thanks to Huai Xun 1 for the 5 recommendation votes. Thank you for your third time voting.

(End of chapter)