Chapter 8 Infanticide + Fighting
After her afternoon nap, I fed Luzhu some warm water, coaxed her to talk, let her suckle for a while, then took her to the yard to see the herbs drying in the sun before letting Luzhu wander around the house.
In the kitchen, Sister-in-law Li was checking the rice, flour, and other ingredients in the house, as well as oil, salt, soy sauce, and vinegar to see if anything was missing. In a couple of days, it would be the fifth day of the month, and the market would be allowed to open once in the morning on the street outside the neighborhood. She had to go early, otherwise the neighborhood gate would open on time, and if she went late, she wouldn't be able to buy anything cheap and good.
Li San Niang watched Li Da Sao count the grain and thought that she would go to the rice shop to buy a bag of flour later. It would be a bit extravagant to buy all white flour, but half a bag of white flour and most of the mixed flour would be fine.
After all, they've been letting Dewdrop eat and drink for free at home for over ten days. Even if their family doesn't seem to care, they should still be careful so they can continue their relationship in the future.
Not wanting to delay Li Dasao's business, Li Sanniang said a few words and then took Luzhu'er to Li Ersao's place.
Li Ersao was making clothes with a thimble, and it was immediately clear that they were small clothes for the baby in her belly.
After Lu Zhu'er greeted them, Li San Niang sat down with her in her arms and started chatting with Li Er Sao.
One of the essential skills for women in ancient times was needlework. Even if they didn't know how to embroider, they at least had to know how to sew, and the skilled ones could even cut.
Without the Industrial Revolution and the development of the textile industry, there would be no cheap cloth and clothing available for the general public.
Not to mention, even if you can buy ready-made clothes from a clothing store, people still have to make their own underwear, such as undershirts and trousers.
Once again, we are grateful to Emperor Wu for leading the way in making people wear trousers with a crotch to prevent drafts.
Besides underwear, there are more personal items, such as the menstrual belts that Li San Niang complained about a few days ago, which need to be reused and have to be sewn by herself.
Thinking about it this way, Li San Niang's desire to work and earn money became even stronger. Buying a small house would cost at least five or six hundred taels of silver. Raising Lu Zhu'er, saving up for Lu Zhu'er's dowry, and the daily expenses for the mother and daughter—it really would be quite a lot.
Li San Niang has the original owner's memories and knows this craft, but she is also resistant to doing it.
If you don't want to do it yourself, then you'll have to pay someone else to do it.
So, now that I have some free time, I should really think about how I'll live in the future.
While I was talking to Li Ersao, Li Dasao came in carrying a tea tray.
"I knew you two were here. Here, I made some red bean sweet soup. Have a bowl each. It's good for clearing heat, detoxifying, and quenching your thirst."
"Sister-in-law's cooking skills are superb, this tastes really good." Li San Niang took a sip. It wasn't too sweet, but had a hint of sweetness and the soft, glutinous texture of red beans. The consistency was just right, it was really delicious.
The little dewdrop held the small bowl and drank with gusto, her mouth covered with red bean skin crumbs. She gulped down the whole bowl in no time.
Actually, the bowl that Sister-in-law Li gave to Luzhu was the smallest size, about the size of a child's palm. An adult could finish it in five or six sips. She made the portion so small because she was afraid that the child would choke if she drank too fast.
"Is your aunt's red bean sweet soup delicious?"
"Aunt, it's delicious, Zhu'er loves it."
Hearing Lu Zhu'er's childlike answer, Sister-in-law Li was overjoyed. She immediately hugged Lu Zhu'er and asked with a smile, "How delicious is it? How much does Lu Zhu'er love it?"
Little Dewdrop looked at Li San Niang, then shook her little head, making the red strings on her two little pigtails move along with her. Then, she put her two little hands together and opened them again, spreading her arms as wide as possible, and said to Li Da Sao, "Auntie, there are so many delicious drinks! Dewdrop loves to drink so many of them."
Haha, the three women were so amused by Dewdrop's adorable performance that they couldn't stop laughing.
"Third Sister, I understand why your Second Sister-in-law wants a little wife now. I even want a little wife to raise myself. Our Dewdrop is just too adorable. Isn't that right, Dewdrop?"
Guess what Dewdrop said?
Dewdrop nodded like a little adult and said, "Yes, yes, Dewdrop is the most lovable. Dewdrop is Grandma's little darling."
After laughing and teasing Lu Zhu'er for a while, Li San Niang and Li Da Sao went to the kitchen to prepare dinner.
It was just finished, and hadn't even been set on the table yet, when the four little ones came back. After exchanging greetings, they went to see the dewdrops, while the three older ones went to fetch water.
Shortly after, Li's mother returned with her basket.
Li San Niang took the basket from Li's mother and saw that it contained about ten red eggs and a small packet of flour.
"Oh, Mother, whose family is this? They're quite generous, even giving away flour."
While Li's mother was busy washing her hands, the four little ones and Little Dewdrop came over to greet her and make their presence known, so she really didn't have time to answer Li San Niang's questions.
Sister-in-law Li looked at it and said, "It must be the Wang family from Sweetwater Lane. One of their daughters has become the second wife of the young master of a rice shop in the West Market. This white flour must have been given to her family by that daughter."
"Yes, Dalang's mother is right, this is the family. This time they finally gave birth to a son. Not only did the Wang family's wife cry, but even the old man and woman of the Wang family were crying there."
"Mother, they've already given birth to a son, why are they crying? Are they like the Zhou family, only wanting a daughter?"
"The Wang family and the Zhou family are completely different. They are happy. The old woman of the Wang family has six daughters and one son. The first three daughters were sold to a broker. It was said that a prince was going to be granted a fiefdom, and the children the broker took in that year all went with the prince to his fiefdom. The remaining fourth, fifth, and sixth daughters were said to have been given as concubines in order to get a higher dowry, all for the sake of this only son. Only the sixth daughter's marriage was not bad. Although she was a concubine, she was much older than the first wife, but the first wife did not leave behind a son, so she only had a young wife. It was not bad."
Seeing that everyone seemed to enjoy listening, Li's mother brought over a bowl of red bean sweet soup. After sitting down, Li's mother took a sip of the soup and praised, "My son's mother's cooking skills are getting better and better. She could easily sell it."
"Mother, please continue. What happened to the Wang family afterward?"
Li San Niang's gossipy nature prompted her to urge her mother to continue telling her the interesting story that followed.
Even the four little ones and Little Dewdrop were gathered around Li's mother, waiting to hear what would happen next.
Looking at everyone's bright eyes, Li's mother smiled and said, "The Wang family spent a lot of money to marry this only son of theirs, because I heard it was because Wang's eldest and second eldest sisters were both very good at bearing sons. As a result, I delivered four babies for Wang's sister, and they were all girls. This time, they finally got a son, and they were so happy that they cried."
After saying this, Li's mother urged her four little ones and Little Dewdrop to go to the front yard to help Li's father and second brother put up the door planks before turning back to Li's third sister and the others, saying, "Wang's wife suffered terribly to give birth to this young man. I only learned the art of midwifery after I married your father. Over the years, although I can't diagnose or prescribe medicine, I can still diagnose some minor ailments in women and write a few folk remedies. Wang's wife has given birth continuously over the years, and her qi and blood are deficient. It's hard to say whether she will even be able to see this newborn young man get married."
Wang Xiaolang was born looking like a kitten, but he wasn't ugly; his features resembled those of Wang Niangzi.
Actually, besides these four daughters, Madam Wang also had two other daughters born, both of whom I delivered. One of them was given away less than three days after birth, but actually sold to an elderly couple in Yanchunfang who ran a wonton business and had no children. This daughter must be four or five years old by now, which is considered good.
Another story says it was given to a clansman in the countryside who wanted a young woman, but I don't know if that's true. That year, they were fighting the Turks, and who would have another girl to raise? I think she might have drowned. Alas, what a tragedy.”
Hearing this, Li San Niang was somewhat shocked and her worldview was shattered.
Although I knew long ago that the living conditions for women in ancient times were very harsh, it is still hard to accept that a newborn drowned. After all, it was a vibrant life, killed by its own family members just because of its gender. It is simply too terrible.
"If you ask me, it's better that the sage ascended the throne. The sage said that infants should not be drowned. Life is much better now than in the past. Such things are probably less common in our Chang'an now."
As Sister-in-law Li distributed the chopsticks, she sighed and said.
Mr. Li sat down and had just picked up his chopsticks when everyone heard a loud banging on the front door and someone shouting. They couldn't hear what was being said from a distance, so Mr. Li told Li Dalang to go open the door and see what was going on.
Li Dalang's face stiffened, then he put down his bowl and chopsticks and walked to the front yard.
Brother Li looked at his eldest son's expression and the three little ones' furtive winks and smirks, but said nothing, his face full of smiles.
Li Erxiong was worried, so he followed him to the front yard.
Just as Li San Niang was wondering what could have happened, Li Er Xiong and Li Da Lang led the furious Wang Da Lang in.
Yes, it's Wang Dalang, the elder brother of Li San Niang's ex-husband.
Although Wang Dalang was in a menacing mood, he still greeted Li's father and mother according to etiquette, and then greeted Li's elder brother, sister-in-law, second sister-in-law, and third sister-in-law. After being offered a seat, and with a cup of tea from Li's third sister-in-law, he slowly explained why he had come to the Li family in such a fit of anger.
Li San Niang was still thinking, could it be that the Wang family has gone back on their word again? But it's no use going back on their word, the contract has already been filed with the Ministry of Revenue.
So, guess what happened?
It turns out it was the four little ones causing trouble.
The matter was simple. The four little boys were furious that their aunt had been bullied by the Wang family, so they thought of calling out the three young men from the Wang family to teach them a lesson. As a result, the first time, the seven young men stopped at the right time and started a group fight. After all, Brother Li was a member of the Imperial Guard, and the four little boys all had some family traditions. Not to mention that Brother Li had a talent for martial arts. They also spent several years soaking in medicinal soups to strengthen their bodies. The reason they stopped at the right time was because the four young men from the Li family held back their strength, only intending to teach the three young men from the Wang family a lesson.
The three young men of the Wang family were also quite principled. After their first fight, they cleaned themselves up without telling their family.
But which young person could tolerate this?
But if it really came down to a real fight, the three young men of the Wang family knew they definitely couldn't beat the four young men of the Li family.
So, the eldest of the three young men in the Wang family came up with a plan.
They went to the street and found three or four thugs, gave each of them an unknown amount of money, and then blocked the four little ones' path after school today.
When Li Dalang saw that the third son of the Wang family had found help, how could he tolerate it?
So he didn't hold back. The three little ones all listened to Li Dalang. Li Dalang only said to take it easy and not break their arms or legs, but to beat them until they hurt.
Then the black eyes of the three young men of the Wang family could no longer be hidden.
So, the parents of the four little ones were called in.
The reason why no one noticed anything unusual about the four little ones when they came home from school today is that Brother Li came home late today and helped put the door panel up. It wasn't that bright yet, so Brother Li didn't pay close attention to the four little ones' behavior.
Secondly, when they returned from the last fight, they were in such a hurry that they forgot to tidy up their hair and robes. This time, having learned from their experience, Li Erlang reminded everyone to find a secluded alley before going home and help each other tidy up their hair and robes before returning.
Having learned the whole story, Li San Niang felt a pang of sadness and unease. She beckoned her four little ones to come closer, wishing she could tear open their robes to see if her nephews were injured.
Seeing her nephews blushing with shame, Li San Niang almost blurted out "Well done!"
But in reality, Li San Niang knew rationally that the four little ones were wrong. After all, it was a matter between her and Wang Erlang, and had no direct relation to the three young men of the Wang family. They were all underage children, so they shouldn't be held responsible.
The nephews' initial intention was to protect their aunt, but they acted without considering the consequences and were somewhat arbitrary.
Today, the three young men of the Wang family found a local ruffian. What if they found a skilled swordsman or a villain with knives and clubs?
That's the gist of the matter. After Wang Dalang finished speaking, his face darkened, and he stopped talking.
The situation suddenly became awkward.
Just as Li San Niang was about to apologize, Li Da Xiong spoke up first, saying, "Wang Da Lang, this is a matter between children, and adults shouldn't interfere. Since you've come seeking an explanation, I'll be direct. When Da Lang and the others first went to find Wang Xiao Lang and his friends, they held back. Otherwise, do you think Wang Xiao Lang wouldn't have told you the day before? Later, Wang Xiao Lang, unable to contain their anger, hired some thugs, and those were really unscrupulous. They even found some lowlifes to help them, and they still lost. And you have the nerve to come to my Li family seeking an explanation? Ha."
Every time Li Da Xiong made a disdainful "heh" sound at someone, even with her sister's idealized perspective, Li San Niang felt that Li Da Xiong was really quite annoying.
Not to mention, Wang Dalang was so angry at Li Daxiong's nonsensical explanation that he was about to smash his teacup. Li Erxiong quickly chimed in, "Wang Dalang, what my elder brother means is that Dalang and the others were in the wrong at the beginning, and they should apologize to Wang Xiaolang and the others."
Brother Li called over the four little ones standing next to Sister Li and gave Brother Li a flick on the forehead.
"You should go apologize to Wang Xiaolang and his gang tomorrow. They're all a handful."
"Haha, Wang Dalang, you see I've scolded them. I'll have the four of them take gifts to visit Wang Xiaolang and apologize later. Calm down. It's not even the hottest time of summer yet, and it's already unbearably hot. Sanlang, go to the kitchen and bring me a bowl of red bean soup."
Upon hearing his father's words, Li Sanlang hurried to the kitchen.
Looking at Li Erxiong's nonchalant reprimand, and considering that his sons were indeed no match for the bully and had gone after the local thugs, Wang Dalang really didn't want to swallow his anger, but he had no choice but to nod silently.
When Li Sanlang brought over the red bean soup, Li Erxiong said a few kind words to Wang Dalang and saw him off. The four little ones dared not go back to the table to eat.
Standing in rows by the table, their hearts filled with unease, Li Erlang glanced up at Li Sanniang.
Li San Niang was about to plead for mercy, wanting to say that it was all for her sake that her nephews had taken action, and that although their methods were wrong, their intentions were good.
After seeing Wang Dalang off, Li Erxiong returned and came to the four little ones, looking at them with a smile.
Do you know where you went wrong?
The four children looked up at Li Erxiong, and the youngest, Li Silang, said indignantly, "It was all agreed at the beginning that it was just a contest between the few of us. It was that brat Wang Zhiyi who went back on his word and actually hired some thugs. Big brother was afraid that we would suffer a loss, so he beat them up badly and drove them away."
Upon hearing his words, Li Erlang's face was filled with despair. He thought to himself, "I knew this kid was unreliable."
Li Dalang didn't look down on his younger brother's naive indignation. He calmly said, "Actually, I shouldn't have led the brothers to find the Wang family. That day, I overheard the three of them saying in the academy's chess room that Lu Zhu'er was a worthless piece of trash. I couldn't stand it, so I led the brothers to cause trouble for the three young masters of the Wang family. Originally, I just wanted to teach them a lesson, but later they brought in some thugs. I felt they were irresponsible, so I couldn't hold back and used excessive force."
Upon hearing this, Li San Niang's sense of justice and reason tipped back towards the four little ones. She guessed that Granny Wang had said something to Wang's three sons about how she usually disliked Lu Zhu'er for being a girl.
Li San Niang suddenly felt that she really couldn't let the treacherous Wang family off so easily.
Upon hearing her name, Dewdrop reacted somewhat. She begged Sister-in-law Li to lift her down from her seat, ran to Li Silang's side, and said with a serious little face, "Dewdrop is not a money-loser, Dewdrop is my precious darling."
The somewhat solemn atmosphere was broken by Dewdrop's childish words, and Li's mother immediately spoke up: "Yes, yes, yes, Dewdrop is Grandma's little darling!"
Brother Li smiled wryly, but still gestured for Li Erlang to speak.
Li Erlang spoke helplessly, his face full of despair: "Our mistake was slapping the Wang brothers in the face, giving them black eyes, and getting discovered by the adults who came knocking on our door."
After listening, Li Dalang and Li Sanlang thought about it and nodded in agreement.
Only Li Silang was still confused, his mouth agape, wondering in surprise, "Is that the reason?"
Brother Li Er gestured for the four little ones to return to the table for dinner. As soon as the four little ones sat down, Brother Li Da said, "Tomorrow, go to the Wang family to apologize first. After two days, you can take a break. Spend one day training at the eldest son's maternal grandfather's house and the other day helping to gather herbs at the third son's maternal grandfather's house."
"Add ten large-character pieces for each of them, and hand them in to me by the end of the month." After adding this sentence, Father Li saw the four children's faces full of bitterness.
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