Chapter 63

Chapter 63: Gossip

Zhang Da Zhu went still. “Auntie Tao Hua,” he said slowly, “is what you said true?”

Li Tao Hua shook out a quilt and hung it in the sun. “I don’t know if it’s true. I just happened to be weeding in the garden and overheard Granny Zhang and Madam Wang talking while they were picking vegetables in the plot next door.”

Granny Zhang was known throughout the village as a busybody with a sharp tongue and loose lips. Her news traveled fast—but it wasn’t always reliable.

Tang Da Fu said, “Whether it’s true or not, Er Zhu isn’t here. You and your wife should keep an eye on things. If there’s any risk, lock down the marriage early.”

Zhang Da Zhu’s shoulders sagged. “Even if we notify Er Zhu now, he can’t come back. No one knows how long the dam worksite will take. If it drags on for years, that young lady won’t wait for him for nothing.” He swallowed hard. “Still, thank you, Auntie Tao Hua. True or not, at least it warned me. If it really is happening and I’m completely in the dark, I won’t even know how to face Er Zhu when he comes back.”

His voice tightened with remembered frustration. “No wonder Grandmother insisted we send someone. I volunteered, but she said my craft was better than Er Zhu’s—that I should stay home doing carpentry because it earns more. She insisted Er Zhu go.”

Zhang Da Zhu left Tang Da Fu’s house with a heavy heart. He had barely stepped out the gate when Madam Wang came down the lane with a vegetable basket and blocked him, eyebrows wiggling as if the whole world were a joke.

“Did they come to buy on credit again?” she asked.

Zhang Da Zhu waved a hand. “No.”

Madam Wang snorted. “You’re too honest. Your family’s a small business too, and you keep letting those shameless people buy on credit. No wonder you can’t even scrape together two liang.”

Zhang Da Zhu had opened his mouth to explain. Then he remembered Li Tao Hua’s words—she had overheard Granny Zhang and Madam Wang. Which meant Madam Wang knew far more than she was pretending.

He looked straight at her. “Auntie, I want to ask you something. If you tell me the truth, I’ll make you a new stool.”

Madam Wang’s eyes practically shone. “Speak. As long as Auntie knows it, I’ll tell you everything.”

Zhang Da Zhu didn’t blink. “Did my uncle take a liking to the Xiao Family’s young lady—Xiao Chun Ni—from the neighboring village?”

Madam Wang’s smile faltered.

She forced a laugh. “How would I know something like that?”

Zhang Da Zhu’s voice went cold. “Think it through. If you lie, there’s no new stool. If I’m asking, it’s because I’ve already heard something. I just want you to confirm it.”

“Ah—no, I’m not trying to lie. It’s just…” Madam Wang’s words tumbled into a new shape. “I only heard it too! I heard that when your brother Er Zhu went to meet the Xiao Family’s young lady, your uncle happened to come back to get something. He took one look at Chun Ni and liked her.”

Zhang Da Zhu’s jaw clenched. “Then what?”

Madam Wang lowered her voice, thrilled by the weight of her own gossip. “Your uncle pestered your grandmother to swap—have him meet Chun Ni instead. Your grandmother had no choice, so she sent Er Zhu to the dam worksite first. She already contacted the Xiao Family in secret and said she’d add two liang of silver on top of the bride price so they’d marry the young lady to your uncle.” Madam Wang lifted a hand quickly, as if warding off blame. “Of course, I only heard it. I don’t know if it’s really true.”

Zhang Da Zhu’s face darkened like the bottom of a pot.

Madam Wang edged toward her doorway, suddenly nervous. “You promised me a stool. Don’t you dare go back on it, or I’ll go tell your grandma.”

“Thank you, Auntie,” Zhang Da Zhu said through clenched teeth. “And don’t tell anyone I asked you about this. If I hear this matter brought up outside, the stool is off.”

He stormed away.

Madam Wang shouted after him, “Hey! Then when are you giving me the stool? Should I come pick it up, or will you deliver it?”

Li Tao Hua had heard enough from the courtyard. She beat the quilt with a wooden stick, each thud sharp with disdain. “Da Zhu’s grandmother really has lard smeared over her heart,” she said. “She lives well only because the eldest son’s family serves her, and yet she spoils that useless younger son who only knows how to eat, drink, and play. Just wait—she’ll regret it one day.”

Qin Hui Yin wiped her hands and turned as if flipping the mood with a single motion. “Mom, too much has happened these last two days. We should rest properly. Tonight let’s eat grilled fish! Elder brother, aren’t you good at catching fish? Go catch two big ones later. Tonight I’ll make a new dish.”

Tang Yi Chen gave her a look. “How do you have so many wild ideas at your age? One moment you’re saying you want to see the legendary Capital City. You only learned a little from watching, yet you already have such skill. Wouldn’t the Capital City’s famous chefs be like cooking gods come down to earth?”

A flicker of guilt passed through Qin Hui Yin, and then she lifted her chin as if it didn’t matter. With time, even the most careful lie could fade into accepted truth. All they needed was the result.

Besides, even with knowledge that didn’t belong to this era, she might not be better than the ancient master chefs. They were professionals. She was simply someone who liked to tinker with daily life.

Before long, Tang Yi Chen came back with two fat fish.

Tang Yi Xiao’s eyes lit up. “Elder brother caught four at first! He picked the two biggest and let the other two go.”

Qin Hui Yin nodded, pleased. “Is Third Grandpa at home? If he is, invite him to eat with us tonight.”

Yesterday they’d invited him, but the trouble on the road had ruined what should’ve been a pleasant meal. If they invited him again today, surely no one would dare stir up chaos so soon after what had happened.

Tang Da Fu went in person.

Third Master Tang arrived quickly, as if he’d been waiting for an excuse to come.

By then, Tang Yi Chen and the others had carried the dining table into the yard. Tang Lu Wu and Li Tao Hua set the washed and chopped vegetables on the low table beside it.

The grill rack was the one they used for business. The charcoal burned hot and steady, waiting.

Qin Hui Yin carried out the grilled fish.

The large square platter had been custom-made at the blacksmith shop. This was the first time they were using it, and Qin Hui Yin set it down with a flourish, offering a dish she’d never made before. The way everyone leaned forward made it clear they were eager.

She turned to Tang Da Fu. “Uncle Tang, there’s half a jar of wine in the corner of the main hall. Please go fetch it. Grilled fish with wine is perfect. Anyone who likes to drink is in for a treat. Your leg injury has recovered well—if you’re craving wine, have a few cups with Third Grandpa.”

Joy flickered in Tang Da Fu’s eyes. Then, as if remembering himself, he glanced at Li Tao Hua cautiously.

Li Tao Hua snapped, “If your daughter is telling you to drink, then drink. Why are you looking at me?”