Chapter 32: Loving Mother Witnesses the Alliance, Sworn Brothers
As the morning light crept over the courtyard wall, Little Swallow, like a sparrow announcing good news, hopped into the yard, carrying a food box. She was wearing a lilac-colored skirt with an intricately embroidered pattern of twined branches at the neckline, a dress her mother had chosen especially for her. The red silk ribbon at the end of her braid was even brighter than usual. As she entered, she called out, "Brother Liu Qing! Sister Liu Hong! I'm here!"
Liu Qing was standing on a ladder reinforcing the swing frame. When he heard the sound, he stuck his head out, nails still in his hand: "It's early! It's only the morning of the 11th, why are you so energetic?" He changed into a half-worn blue cloth shirt today, with the cuffs carefully rolled up, revealing his strong arms, and a smile on his dark face.
Liu Hong came out of the house, holding a piece of freshly ironed green cloth in her hand. Seeing Xiaoyanzi, her eyes lit up. "Come in and sit down. I just boiled some water." She was dressed up today, her hair combed sleekly and tied with a new silver hairpin, and her moon-white skirt was washed clean. "Is your mother really coming?"
"Of course!" Xiaoyanzi placed the food box on the stone table and opened the lid. Inside was steaming hot plum blossom cake, dotted with red spots on the pink and white cake, and emitting sweet steam. "My mother said that sworn brotherhood is a big deal and should be treated with respect. She specially asked the kitchen to make plum blossom cake as a wedding cake and said she would personally be our witness!"
As they were talking, Xiao Jian arrived, followed by two servants, carrying a small square table and a few benches. He was wearing a moon-white gown that made him look even more upright. He walked over to Xiao Yanzi and naturally helped her smooth down her wind-twisted hair. "Mother, you'll be here later. Let's set the table and chairs first."
Liu Qing hurried down the ladder and set the table with the servants. Liu Hong went to boil water for tea. Xiaoyanzi directed the children to clear the gravel from the yard. The courtyard was bustling with activity and a festive atmosphere. The leaves of the old locust tree gleamed in the morning light. Under the newly built grape trellis, a few sparrows hopped and pecked at the grains on the ground.
"Sister Xiaoyanzi, this plum blossom cake is so sweet!" Xiaodouzi secretly took a piece of plum blossom cake and ate it until his mouth was full of sugar. Liu Hong smiled and patted the back of his hand, "Eat slowly. Your Aunt Fang will come later. You have to say hello, okay?"
"I know!" Xiaodouzi nodded vigorously, stuffed the last bite of cake into his mouth, and said incoherently, "Just say...just say thank you, auntie!" Making everyone laugh.
Around 9:00 a.m., the sound of a carriage was heard at the gate of the courtyard. Xiaoyanzi's eyes lit up, and she ran out pulling Liuhong: "My mother is here!" Mrs. Fang, wearing a simple lake blue jacket, was helped out of the carriage by a maid. She had a gentle smile on her face, and when she saw Xiaoyanzi, her eyes were full of love.
"Mom!" Xiaoyanzi rushed over and took Mrs. Fang's arm. "You're finally here! This is Brother Liu Qing, and this is Sister Liu Hong." She introduced them one by one. "Brother Liu Qing, Sister Liu Hong, and this is my mom."
Liu Qing and Liu Hong hurried forward to pay their respects, and called out a little awkwardly, "Hello, Aunt Fang." Liu Hong's cheeks flushed slightly, and her hands nervously twisted the corners of her clothes. Liu Qing bent his waist low, and the tips of his dark ears turned red.
"Good children, get up quickly." Madam Fang helped them up and looked at them gently. Seeing that although they were dressed simply, they were clean and tidy, and their eyes were sincere, she was very fond of them. "I often hear Ci'er mention you, saying that you two siblings are sensible and capable. Seeing you today, I can see that you are indeed good children." She took the two brocade bags from the maids and handed them to Liu Qing and Liu Hong. "It's just a small gift, not a respect."
There were two pieces of fine silk in the brocade bag. Liu Qing and Liu Hong hurriedly refused, but Mrs. Fang held their hands and said, "Take it, and consider it a gift from your aunt. You are sworn brothers today, and you will be a family in the future. Don't be polite." Her voice was gentle but powerful, which warmed people's hearts.
Xiao Jian directed the setting of the incense table. A red cloth covered the small square table, upon which stood an incense burner and three coarse porcelain bowls filled with water. Madam Fang personally lit three incense sticks and inserted them into the burner. Curls of sandalwood rose, drawing faint arcs in the morning light.
"It's almost time, let's begin." Madam Fang stood beside the incense table, her eyes fixed on the four young people. "Sworn brotherhood requires mutual understanding and sharing of hardships. Have you made up your mind?"
"We've made up our minds!" the four answered in unison, their voices loud and resolute. Little Swallow looked at her brothers and her newfound sister and brother, her eyes sparkling. All the regrets of her past life seemed to be filled in that moment.
As the eldest brother, Xiao Jian spoke first: "I, Xiao Jian, today become brothers and sisters with Liu Qing, Liu Hong, and Fang Ci (Xiao Yanzi). From now on, we will share joys and sorrows, life and death together. If we break this oath, we will be punished by heaven and earth." He spoke in a steady tone, looked at the other three with a firm gaze, and drank the water in the bowl.
Liu Qing took a deep breath, his dark face full of solemnity: "I, Liu Qing, become brothers and sisters with Xiao Jian, Liu Hong, and Fang Ci today. We will share hardships and happiness in the future. If I let my brothers down, I will not die a good death." After he finished speaking, he raised his head and drank the water, with the bottom of the bowl facing up to the sky, his eyes extremely sincere.
Liu Hong's voice was trembling a little, but every word was clear: "I, Liu Hong, today become brothers and sisters with Xiao Jian, Liu Qing, and Fang Ci. We will stay together for the rest of our lives and never abandon each other. If I break this oath, I will accept the punishment of heaven." When she drank the water, a tear fell on the edge of the bowl, but she wiped it with a smile, her eyes shining.
Xiaoyanzi raised the bowl and said in a clear and loud voice: "I am Fangci, nicknamed Xiaoyanzi. Today, Xiao Jian, Liu Qing and Liu Hong and I have become brothers and sisters of different surnames. From now on, you are my real brothers and sisters. I will protect you with my life. If you break this oath, then... you will punish me by not being able to eat plum cakes anymore!" The last sentence made everyone laugh, but no one thought she was not serious. Instead, they felt that her sincerity was particularly touching.
Madam Fang watched them finish their water, placing their empty bowls on the table. She nodded with satisfaction, "Alright, I'll bear witness today. Since you've become brothers and sisters, you must respect and love each other, and support each other." She took four identical jade pendants from the maid's hand. The jade was smooth and mellow, with the word "righteousness" engraved on each. "These are jade pendants I had specially made. Each of you holds one. Seeing the jade is like seeing the person."
The four of them took the jade pendants and carefully tied them around their waists. The jade pendants clashed together, making a crisp sound. Xiaoyanzi touched the jade pendant at her waist, looked at Xiao Jian, Liu Qing, and Liu Hong, and suddenly rushed over to hug Liu Hong: "Great! I finally have a sister!"
Liu Hong also hugged her excitedly, her eyes red: "I have a younger sister too." Liu Qing stood aside, looking at the two people hugging each other, then looked at Xiao Jian, a simple and satisfied smile appeared on his dark face, and he quietly tightened the jade pendant around his waist.
Mrs. Fang looked at this heartwarming scene, and her eyes became moist. She signaled the maid to open the food box: "Come, try the plum blossom cake made in the kitchen and share in the joy." The sweet plum blossom cake was distributed to everyone, even the old people and children in the courtyard had some, and the yard was filled with laughter.
Sunlight filtered through the leaves of the old locust tree, casting dappled shadows on the ground. The sandalwood in the incense burner still curled and mingled with the sweet fragrance of plum blossom cake, creating a particularly pleasant atmosphere. Xiao Jian looked at his sister's satisfied smile, the warmth in Liu Qing and Liu Hong's eyes, and then at his smiling mother. He suddenly felt at ease. No matter how cold the wind and frost in this capital city, with such family and brothers and sisters, he was not afraid of anything.
Before leaving, Mrs. Fang secretly handed Liu Hong a purse and said, "Take it and buy some cloth to make new clothes. Let Ci'er take you home often in the future." Liu Hong couldn't refuse, so she accepted it with red eyes. She and Liu Qing sent Mrs. Fang to the gate of the courtyard, watched the carriage go away, and then returned reluctantly.
Xiaoyanzi was playing shuttlecock with the children. When she saw them come back, she smiled and waved, "Brother Liu Qing! Sister Liu Hong! Come and play!" The sunlight shone on her face, and her smile was sweeter than plum cake. The jade pendant around her waist swayed gently with her movements, flashing a warm light.
Liu Qing and Liu Hong smiled at each other and quickly walked over to join them. In the courtyard, the shuttlecocks drew beautiful arcs in the sunlight. The laughter of children, the chatter of young people, and the conversation of the elderly intertwined, accompanied by the faint fragrance of sandalwood and flowers, brewing a most heartwarming urban ballad.
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