Chapter Eighteen: The Elder Sister-in-law Arrives

To someone like Gan Sui, who had once tasted the finest dishes of the grand Huaxia, the county yamen’s meals were nothing extraordinary. Yet, in Magistrate Lin’s eyes, Gan Sui was the epitome of courtesy and composure, his table manners the very picture of refinement. When he glanced at his own son, who looked as if he might swallow the table whole, the sight was almost unbearable.

He decided to move on, skipping directly to, “Scholar Gan, do you plan to sit the examination next year?”

“I intend to make a diligent attempt,” Gan Sui replied.

“And will you be enrolling at Qingshan Academy or Wen Zhong Academy?”

“I’ve inquired about Qingshan Academy, but I hear the tuition is steep. My family is poor—I fear I cannot afford it…”

“Ah, but Scholar Gan, do not underestimate the value of academy teaching. Both institutions employ renowned scholars from the imperial court. While self-study is possible, the guidance of a great master can yield twice the result for half the effort. As for money, worry not. This afternoon I shall report the dragon-bone waterwheel to the prefecture. Such a benefit to the state and the people will certainly bring a reward. Failing that, I can lend you the money myself. You can repay me when you pass the exam.”

“Your Excellency’s kindness is more than I deserve. I should not refuse. It’s just that at home I have only my humble wife, a frail woman all alone…”

At that, Lin You sprayed out a mouthful of soup with a splutter.

“You troublemaker! Look at the mess you’ve made…” Magistrate Lin smacked his son. So embarrassing—so grown, yet still choking on soup.

“It’s all right; everyone’s finished eating anyway,” said Mr. Wu, smoothing things over.

“I was just surprised, that’s all. With Brother Gan’s wife being such a tigress, to call her a frail woman—”

“Mind your tongue.”

“Father, you don’t know—last time, the girl who helped me in the alley was none other than Brother Gan’s wife. She was formidable—took on three burly men herself, and didn’t even break a sweat…”

Magistrate Lin sized up Gan Sui’s slender frame. How could such a delicate man cope with a veritable tigress at home?

“So Scholar Gan’s wife is skilled in martial arts?” Magistrate Lin, now a few cups in, let his words drift.

“My wife is a gentle soul. She rarely resorts to force.”

But the magistrate seemed to have found a kindred spirit. “I understand, I understand. They rarely act, but when they do, it’s truly something to behold.”

It seemed the magistrate had suffered much at home—he looked as if he might weep at the thought.

“Father… Father, stop drinking. You’re still on duty this afternoon.” Lin You couldn’t let his father make a fool of himself. He handed him a cup of tea, and Magistrate Lin sobered up a little.

“Think it over, Scholar Gan. If you wish, I’ll write you a recommendation letter.”

“Thank you, Your Excellency.”

Meanwhile, Banxia watched the two farmers planting rice. She observed closely, asking questions as she watched—there was always more to learn. By midmorning, she pulled Hui Niang home to make lunch.

“One person can cook; there’s no need for both of us to go back. If we both leave, who knows if they’ll slack off?” Hui Niang whispered to Banxia.

“I think they’re honest and hardworking. There’s nothing to worry about. Besides, if you get too much sun and go home with a tan, and your husband comes after me, I couldn’t afford the compensation.”

Hui Niang’s face flushed bright red. “I never thought you’d be so quick-witted, Banxia.”

“…Ah, I probably shouldn’t speak so bluntly to someone from this era. I’m guilty…”

Banxia returned home and took the chilled meat from the well. Luckily, there was still some left from yesterday. She rummaged in the cupboard and found a few potatoes, planning to make braised pork with potatoes.

Hui Niang quickly stopped her. “You’re not going to use the meat, are you? They’re coming for lunch.”

“I know. That’s exactly why I’m making meat. Think how tiring rice planting is—out in the sun, with leeches in the fields, bent over all morning. They need something hearty to eat.”

“But you don’t need to use so much meat. Just make some bone broth and boil a couple of eggs…”

“You’re right; you reminded me. I was undecided about the soup. How about an egg-drop dumpling soup?”

Hui Niang was speechless—oh well, let her be. “My husband’s waiting for me to cook lunch at home, so I’ll head back now.”

“Don’t go—it’s just starting.”

“No, no, my mother-in-law is still there. She’ll be upset if I’m late. I have to go.”

With that, Hui Niang hurried away.

Banxia deftly peeled the potatoes, cut them into rolling chunks, and soaked them in water to remove the starch. She took out the ginger and garlic purchased yesterday, sliced them, and cut the meat into small cubes. She soaked the meat to draw out the blood.

While waiting, she lit the fire and put large pieces of wood in the stove. Firewood was running low, so she decided to gather more in the woods that afternoon. The batch Gan Sui brought back that morning was damp from last night’s rain and was set outside to dry. Without a gas or charcoal stove, firewood was the only option, and she had to stock up.

Soon, the fire crackled to life. Banxia quickly added a ladle of water to the pot; the fire was strong and the water soon boiled. She put in the meat to blanch it, then scooped it out. She skimmed the foam from the boiling water, saving it for soup.

In the now blazing pot, she poured oil, added ginger and garlic to release their fragrance, then a piece of rock sugar to caramelize. She tossed in the meat, stirring until it took on a golden hue, then added a dash of soy sauce for umami. She poured in boiling water to cover the meat, and when the water boiled, she added the potatoes and let everything simmer. The house soon filled with the rich aroma of braised meat.

Banxia took a large piece of firewood for the other stove, placed a small pot on top, and fried two eggs on the side. Then she took the kneaded dough to make dumplings for soup. When everything was ready, the meat was almost done. She ladled out most of it into a big bowl, packed it in a basket, and filled a large kettle with water to take to the fields.

When Banxia arrived, the rice planting was almost finished. She called the two men over for lunch.

Opening the bowl, the two were clearly not expecting such a sumptuous meal.

“There isn’t much rice at home, so I made dumplings instead. I hope you don’t mind.”

The older man, not much of a talker, blushed deeply before saying, “This is already wonderful. Thank you, mistress.”

“In the afternoon, the sun will be strong. You should rest, but as a woman, it isn’t proper for me to invite you into the house. There’s a big tree at the village entrance, with a clean stone beneath it—you can nap there.”

“We’re country folk; we don’t mind such things. Besides, the early spring sun is bearable. There’s just a bit more rice to plant, and Scholar Gan said he wanted to sow soybeans in another field. We’ll get to that after lunch.”

“I hope it’s not too much trouble.”

“Not at all. Master Lin paid for three days’ work. If we finish in two, we earn an extra day’s wages.”

Banxia let them be, merely reminding them to drink plenty of water before returning home.

After last night’s rain, the seeds behind the house had started to sprout. Banxia, new to all this, was fascinated and crouched down to inspect them one by one. After a while, her head spun, and she decided to lie down for a bit. She had just drifted off when the courtyard gate was knocked on, loud and insistent.

Annoyed, Banxia threw back her quilt and went to the door.

“Who is it?” She opened the door to find a stranger.

“Sister, save your brother!”

So, it was her dear sister-in-law.

“Don’t pull on my sleeve—you’ll tear it,” Banxia said, shaking her off.

“Out with it. What do you want?” Banxia had no time for her nonsense. She had heard from Aunt Gan that her brother and his wife were not kind people. Ever since their parents died, they had treated Banxia like a servant, making her work all day, and sometimes even beating and scolding her. Later, when the original Banxia fell for the scholar, her brother refused to let her marry because he couldn’t get a bride price. It was only when Banxia handed over her hard-earned savings that she gained her freedom. Yet even after her wedding, her brother had tried to force her to remarry the very next day. With siblings like these, Banxia saw no reason to maintain any ties.

Sister-in-law Su looked Banxia up and down. How had she changed so much in just a few days of marriage? She forced a laugh. “Yesterday was supposed to be the day you returned home after your wedding, but you didn’t come or send word. I was worried, so I came to check on you.”

“Worried? I don’t believe it. My brother told me just two days ago that from now on, we’re strangers, and he no longer has a sister.”

“He said that because he cares about you! What bride has trouble the very first day after her wedding? He was just upset and said it in anger…”

“So you came just to see me? Well, you’ve seen me now. If there’s nothing else, I’ll be going back inside.” Banxia turned to leave, but her sister-in-law grabbed her arm.

“Wait, sister, I actually came to ask a favor.”

Of course. Banxia sighed inwardly and indicated for her to go on.

“A while ago, your brother tried to match you with Master Huang…”

“I remember refusing outright.”

“I know, but… well, the other day, little Bao was unwell. We couldn’t just watch our child suffer, so I borrowed some silver to pay the doctor. Now, Master Huang is demanding repayment. We spent nearly everything on little Bao’s treatment—there’s nothing left. Master Huang insists: either you marry him, or we repay the silver. If neither, he says he’ll break your brother’s legs.”

“Then… let him break my brother’s legs.”

“What?!”

“You can see for yourself—I’m penniless. There’s no silver here. Besides, I’m already married. A woman cannot serve two husbands; remarriage is out of the question. So, I suppose there’s no choice but to let him break my brother’s legs.” Banxia even sounded regretful.

“But he’s your brother… If he’s crippled, what will happen to me and little Bao?”

“Now you worry about your future? Why didn’t you consider that when you spent the silver?”

“There was no other way…”

“And now, neither do I. A married daughter is like water poured out; you must understand, sister-in-law, I belong to the Gan family now. I can do nothing for the Su family.”

“But he’s your own brother… You heartless wretch!”

With a crack, Banxia split a piece of firewood with her bare hands. “What did you just call me, sister-in-law?”

“I—I—I’ll be going now…” With that, she fled, not daring to look back, as if Banxia might split her in two like the firewood.

Watching her retreat, Banxia shook her hand. Playing the tough guy is satisfying in the moment, but afterward comes the pain—oh, her hand hurt so much!