Chapter 5 (It really is Lu San Niang)
Before Wang Yu married into the Lu family, others reminded her: Lu family's third daughter, whose childhood name was Fei Fei, lost her mother at a young age and was raised by her grandfather, the old Duke of Yan. The old Duke of Yan had been a soldier for many years, how could he know how to raise a child? The third daughter was already spoiled and unruly at a young age.
Sure enough, on the day of the betrothal, the Wang family greeted them at the gate. From afar, they saw a little girl of about four or five years old in the Lu family's marriage proposal procession. She had white teeth and red lips, a fair face and beautiful eyes. She wore a coral hairpin inlaid with red gold and jewels, a seven-panel skirt with peony patterns and painted gold, and rode a chestnut horse. She followed her older brother at the front of the procession with a lively and spirited air. The bird, animal, flower and branch tassels hanging from the hairpin swayed and swayed, overflowing with color and light.
The little girl arrived at the Lu family's gate, nimbly dismounted from her horse, and the flower branches and tassels swayed with her movements. She followed the messenger who delivered the marriage certificate into the Wang family's house, acting like a little adult, quite proper and poised. She was also very confident and lively in front of the Wang family elders.
The elders of the Wang family were secretly surprised and amused. Wang Yu's brother stepped forward and tried to take her away: "Third sister, come on, brother will take you to eat some fragrant and sweet glutinous rice cakes."
Little Lu Huaying pushed away Wang Yu's brother without hesitation and walked towards the elder with the longest beard in the Wang family: "Please accept my family's marriage certificate first, so as not to delay the auspicious time! After my brother and I receive your family's reply certificate, we will eat the ghee cake."
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On the day of the wedding procession from the Lu family, Wang's mother instructed Wang Yu: "Lu San Niang has no mother and has been raised too wildly. She fears no one and is difficult to discipline. Judging from her behavior, she is like a boy. It's not a big deal when she's young; it's just a joke among relatives. But if she's still like this when she grows up, then she'll be ill-mannered. You are the eldest daughter-in-law of the Lu family. After you marry into the family, you must teach her to be gentle and quiet. Teach her to read Empress Zhangsun Wende's 'Rules for Women,' so that she won't be so unruly when she grows up and disgrace the dignity of a noblewoman."
Wang Yu was sixteen when she got married. At home, she was a little sister who would act spoiled towards her older brothers and sisters. But when she got to her husband's family, she had to take on the responsibilities of a matriarch and raise her younger brother and sister-in-law. She was extremely anxious and apprehensive.
At dusk, Wang Yu covered her face with a round fan, boarded the wedding carriage, and went with her husband Lu Yujin to the Yan State Duke's Mansion in Chongrenfang.
A green hut was set up in the southwest corner of the courtyard. Wang Yu held up a fan, and could only see the felt mat at her feet. She was helped in by a maid and sat down on the bed.
The women of the Lu family were busy outside the green pavilion, their footsteps, voices, and laughter filling the air.
Wang Yu dared not raise her head, feeling as if she were sitting on pins and needles. Just as she was lost in thought, her stomach suddenly rumbled. She had gotten up at dawn this morning to do her makeup, and to avoid smudging it, she had only eaten a bowl of millet porridge.
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Wang Yu blushed with embarrassment when she discovered that there were other people in the bridal chamber besides herself.
A small figure popped out from under the tall wooden table, and a delicate white hand reached out and shook Wang Yu's arm: "Sister-in-law, your stomach is growling loudly, are you hungry?"
Wang Yu peeked through the gap in the fan and saw a chubby little girl standing beside her, with delicate features and a beautiful appearance.
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One of the Lu family's ancestors once traveled to the Governor's Mansion in Guangzhou to follow the immortal Ge Hong in cultivating the way of longevity, learning fasting and breathing exercises, and studying the alchemy of the golden elixir. It is said that this ancestor left behind half a scroll of the "Alchemy Classic" before he went into seclusion on Mount Luofu. The Lu family has passed it down through generations, using the immortal formula to maintain their health. Therefore, the Lu family members are able to prolong their lives, have the art of preserving their youth, and their descendants are all as beautiful as orchids and jade trees, with clear minds and elegant figures.
The old Duke of Yan and his son were both handsome men. Wang Yu's eldest son, Lu Yujin, whom she was to marry, was also very handsome and was once considered a candidate for the position of imperial son-in-law. The second son, Lu Hongbi, also had a face as smooth as jade. Wang Yu had met both of them. The little girl's features resembled her brothers'.
"Feifei, what brings you here?" Wang Yu asked in a deep voice, trying to appear more authoritative.
Little Feifei patted the corner of her clothes, smiled, and raised her little face: "Grandpa and Grandfather wouldn't let me come, and my older brother scolded me too, so I sneaked in by myself! Everyone else can come, so why can't I?"
Wang Yu said softly, "They are worried about you, Feifei. There are many people in the manor today, so you can't run around."
She grabbed Xiao Feifei, intending to call a maid to come in and take Xiao Feifei back to her room, but Xiao Feifei twisted and turned, broke free, and ran out of the bridal chamber.
Wang Yu regretted scaring Fei Fei as soon as she met her sister-in-law, and felt uneasy.
After a moment, the curtain suddenly rustled, and Xiao Feifei darted back into the green hut, ran to Wang Yu, and held up a tall plate hidden in her bosom: "Sister-in-law, you eat!"
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Little Feifei picked up a piece of red silk pie from the plate and handed it to her: "Sister-in-law, you eat it, I won't tell anyone."
Wang Yu felt a warmth in her heart, took the red silk pie, took a small bite, and found it very sweet.
A series of sharp gusts of wind howled past the window, causing the curtains to sway wildly. A large patch of dry grass covering the mud roof of the earthen house was blown up by the wind and fell into the yard with a thud.
The figure sleeping soundly on the opposite bed got up, walked out of the room, picked up the fallen hay, piled it up, tied it up, and carried it back into the house.
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Lu Huaying went inside and put down the last bundle of hay. She then picked up the mortar and pestle in the dark and went outside. Soon after, the sound of pounding medicine filled the yard.
Wang Yu touched her withered arm. Her health was deteriorating and showing no signs of improvement. She was afraid that she would be buried in the yellow earth of Xizhou for the rest of her life. Sometimes she thought that she was a burden and it would be better to leave sooner, but she couldn't bear to leave Feifei behind.
As dawn broke, Lu Huaying put away her mortar and pestle, lit the stove to boil the medicine, went to the river to fetch water, filled the water vat, and cooked a large pot of bean porridge.
"Sister-in-law, I'm going to find the neighborhood official. The porridge is ready, remember to eat it. I've separated my second brother's medicine; I'll feed him it once at noon and once in the evening. If Zhou Wei comes to cause trouble at home, just shout loudly, and the people in the alley will inform me."
Wang Yu agreed, took the medicine, and sat by Lu Hongbi's bedside to do needlework.
She used to live a life of luxury, wearing new clothes all year round, in fine silks and satins. Now, her clothes are patched and mended, and she can't bear to throw away even a tattered piece of cloth. She washes the tattered cloth clean and puts it away, so she can sew a pair of socks for Feifei later. The weather is getting colder, and the winters in Xizhou are extremely cold. Feifei goes out often and can't be dressed too lightly.
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Fang Zheng hadn't gotten up yet, and after leaving her waiting for half an hour, he finally came out of the house. Standing at the door picking his teeth, he glanced at her and frowned, saying, "Third Sister, I was just about to come find you. Your brother is so badly injured that he can't serve in the army, but the government is pressing hard. Every male member of every household in Liucheng has to go to repair the city wall. They can contribute money instead of men. What do you plan to do? Can you afford it?"
Lu Huaying shook her head.
Lu Huaying unloaded her load, rubbed her aching shoulders, and walked back as dusk settled in.
The laughter behind me grew fainter and then stopped abruptly.
The ward official found four men to serve, and together with Lu Huaying, led the five men to the city gate.
Carrying loads of stones to the city wall, as the sun began to set, the captain of the garrison signaled to Lu Huaying that she could go home.
Seven or eight tall, burly young men in brocade robes surrounded the exhausted Lu Huaying, their faces full of mockery: "Lu Sanniang, you've finally met your match!"
Lu Huaying remained expressionless: "Fangzheng, lead the way."
Lu Huaying glanced around, dodged the soldiers, walked to a load that had just been filled with stones, and put a few more stones on top.
The official in charge of the neighborhood widened his eyes and looked at her: "You are a young lady, how can a woman be required to serve in the army?"
Lu Huaying didn't walk very fast, but her steps were steady, and the basket didn't wobble.
Lu Huaying took out a pestle and said, "I used this to injure Zhou Wei yesterday, and there was blood all over the ground."
Fang Zheng looked troubled, pondered for a moment, then suddenly put on a smiling face: "Third Sister, let me give you an idea. Go and ask Young Master Zhou for help."
"The problem is solved! Young Master Zhou is a great philanthropist; if you ask him to help you pay, he will definitely agree!"
"Third Sister, I sincerely want to help you. If you don't appreciate it, then don't blame me for being official. Think it over. Don't back out after you get to the city wall. I won't be able to explain it to you."
The four were speechless.
Some people were curious and came over to talk to her, but she ignored them.
The other four men looked Lu Huaying up and down, exchanged smiles, and the strongest man laughed loudly, "What, you're a woman? Don't you have any men at home? Little lady, you may have an ugly face, but you have a nice figure, with that small waist, those slender legs, and that little mouth. Do you want your brother to find you a man?"
Lu Huaying calmly said, "Back then, when the Tang army went on a campaign, the battle was fierce. There was a small town called Zhiti that was besieged by the enemy. The able-bodied men in the town were almost all dead. The strong women in the town volunteered to climb the city walls and carry stones for the Tang army that stayed behind. They repelled the enemy. After the battle, the court issued an edict to commend those strong women. These are all recorded in military books. If Pu Fangzheng doesn't believe it, he can ask you, Magistrate."
Fang Zheng and she exchanged a glance, and Fang Zheng was so frightened that he took a step back.
Lu Huaying met his gaze, her voice hoarse: "Me."
After delivering the load of stones, she returned to the city gate. The captain of the garrison glanced at her empty basket, remained silent, and drew a line under Lu Hongbi's name.
She didn't respond. The magistrate sneered, his face changed, and he said sternly, "Third Sister, let me make this clear. I'm going to take people to your house after I finish eating. Whether you provide men or money, you must give me an explanation. Your brother died in the fall, and your family won't escape either!"
It is true that strong women were conscripted for military service. When Liucheng was digging its moat, some strong women were recruited.
She looked around.
"Who would have thought that the arrogant Lu San Niang would end up in such a miserable state!"
"Where did this madman come from?"
A figure approached from behind.
Lu Huaying's heart sank.
The magistrate was taken aback for a moment, then asked, "Your family can provide people? Who?"
Lu Huaying brandished the pestle and asked, "Do you know Zhou Wei?"
Several figures jumped down from the low earthen wall and blocked her way.
The four dared not utter a sound. Who didn't know the bully of Liucheng?
Lu Huaying bent down, propped up the carrying pole, stood up, steadied her steps, and walked step by step up the city wall.
As they approached the alley entrance, a murmur arose overhead, and someone exclaimed, "Pei Wu wasn't mistaken, it really is Lu San Niang!"
Several soldiers from Xizhou Prefecture came over, preparing to drag Lu Huaying away.
The people around burst into laughter.
Fang Zheng hesitated for a moment, thinking, "How can Lu Huaying, a woman, do hard labor? She's so thin, even carrying an empty load would break her. I might as well agree to her request and send her to do the hardest work, let her suffer more. Young Master Zhou was beaten yesterday, so I'll avenge him!"
Lu Huaying said calmly, "Pu Fangzheng, my family may not have the money, but we can provide manpower."
Lu Huaying raised her face, her forehead, cheeks, and nose all flushed red, looking just like Yama, the King of Hell.
Lu Huaying stopped in her tracks.
The neighborhood ward manager was in charge of managing the neighborhood. Lu Huaying came to him, hoping he would make an exception for a few days because Lu Hongbi was seriously injured, so she could raise enough money. Little did she know that the neighborhood ward manager had already been bribed by Zhou Wei.
The magistrate was skeptical. He dared not ask the prefect about such a trivial matter. Besides, the prefect was busy currying favor with the prince from the capital and was not seeing anyone.
Upon reaching the city gate, Lu Huaying announced Lu Hongbi's name. A captain of the garrison looked up and saw her standing in the ranks. He slammed his fist on the table and roared, "This is no place for playing around! You'll delay the construction work. Can you afford to be punished for that?!"
At noon, each laborer received a bowl of thin porridge so thin it reflected their image. Lu Huaying avoided the other laborers and found a secluded corner to rest. In the afternoon, she continued carrying her load.
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