Chapter 47: A Happy New Year
It was almost the end of the year, but Wanliu City had little festive atmosphere. It was understandable. In a year of great disaster, it was difficult for the common folk to even get a taste of meat, and outside the gates, refugees were eyeing the city, waiting to get in.
Setting off a couple of firecrackers and eating a meal of dumplings was considered celebrating the New Year. How could they hang lanterns and decorations and have lion dances like before? Everyone just closed their gates and secretly improved their meals at home.
Muchun and Liu Yunhe were preparing New Year’s gifts for Feng Qing’s family. Because Feng Qing’s wife, Yuanniang, loved lively gatherings, Muchun had arranged to bring a few friends to her house for a hot pot meal. She would prepare the food; Feng Qing only needed to provide the copper hot pot for cooking sliced meat.
“Muchun, what should we bring?” Liu Yunhe was very excited. She had been up since early morning, dressing and grooming, and was now waiting by the side with her pouch.
“I bought four jin of mutton yesterday and froze it outside. You take out two pieces of pork belly, ten eggs, a head of cabbage, four potatoes, two sweet potatoes, half a duck, two blocks of frozen tofu, a handful of sweet potato noodles, ten jin of fine rice, and two jin of pastries. The food is for everyone to eat. The fine rice and pastries are New Year’s gifts for Sister Qing’s family,” she said. Feng Qing had helped the two of them with many important matters during this time. It was only right for her to send some festive gifts at the end of the year.
“Oh, oh!” Liu Yunhe nodded like a garlic-pounding pestle, carefully taking out each item and handing it to Muchun to be packed.
“I also want to bring some persimmons for Master. She’ll definitely love them, they’re so sweet,” Liu Yunhe said, taking out ten persimmons and placing them in the basket.
Muchun moved closer to her, looked into her eyes, and said, “I like sweet things too.”
“Then I’ll give you one too?” Liu Yunhe said nonchalantly, not realizing Muchun’s hidden meaning at all.
“Right here,” Muchun said, her face following Liu Yunhe’s movements.
“Aiya, get away,” Liu Yunhe said, pushing her face away, annoyed at her for causing trouble.
“Here, here,” Muchun said, pointing to her own mouth with her finger.
Only then did Liu Yunhe realize what she was waiting for. Her body leaned forward as if to press against her. She took an icy persimmon and pressed it against Muchun’s lips.
“Is it sweet?”
“Sweet. But I want something sweeter.”
“There’s no more.”
“Then I’ll take it myself?”
Hearing this, Liu Yunhe quickly gave her two kisses, which finally made her stop. The two continued to pack their things. They couldn’t be too high-profile in the East Courtyard, but it was fine at Feng Qing’s house. So Muchun planned to bring Guan Yue, Huang Caiying, and Zhao Xing’er to Feng Qing’s house for the New Year, so that everyone could have a good meal.
Yesterday, Guan Yue had secretly gone to the city gate to ask for news. The city guards would not let people from inside the city go out. If they asked others to transport things out, there was no guarantee that the things would reach their families’ hands. Thinking that their family’s grain and pork could last for another two months, Muchun and Guan Yue gave up the idea and decided to celebrate the New Year in the city in peace.
“Are you two ready?” Guan Yue and the others asked, knocking on the door with a jar of wine.
“We’re ready. Let’s call Ah Xing and go,” she said. Liu Yunhe and Muchun had both changed into the new clothes that Sister Caiying had sent over, finally taking off the cotton clothes they had been wearing for a long time.
A ginger-yellow, embroidered, cross-collared small jacket, with a matching gold-threaded vest, a mist-blue, hundred-pleated cotton skirt, and a red Chinese knot hanging at her waist. She looked bright and festive.
Liu Yunhe had deliberately combed her hair into a high topknot, fastened with a white jade hairpin, and wore a pair of pearl earrings. The freckles on her face had faded considerably, and she hadn’t reapplied them. She had lightly touched her lips with rouge—a gift from Muchun a few days ago. It was an orange-red that was very fitting for the occasion.
The girl, already stunning, needed only a little adornment to outshine everyone. If not for her proper hairstyle and the new scarf that covered the lower half of her face, who knows how many souls she would have captivated.
Muchun’s clothes, on the other hand, were less fancy. The patched satin floral jacket was made by Huang Caiying from leftover satin pieces from the embroidery workshop. The black jacket face with a subtle red pattern, paired with dark blue sleeves with a small floral wheel design, looked a little flamboyant but had its own unique beauty.
She wore a dark blue cotton skirt with a printed hem, which complemented the top and reduced the cluttered feeling. The overall look was a bit more prosperous, but because it was made of patched fabric, it wasn’t overly conspicuous.
She had taken down her usual Daoist-style topknot and had Liu Yunhe comb her hair into a style that would relax her scalp. Liu Yunhe had simply let her long hair down, gathering a small strand at the top with two braids and tying it with a red agate string. It looked much more relaxed than a ponytail and highlighted her neat eyebrows and eyes.
“Let’s go,” she said, putting everything in a basket, covering it with a cotton pad, and carrying it in one hand, the other holding Liu Yunhe’s as they went out.
Zhao Xing’er from next door also ran over excitedly and gathered with everyone at the door, waiting to set off. She was wearing a floral cotton jacket issued by the back kitchen of the song and dance hall. Seeing that the others’ clothes were prettier than hers, she clutched the hem of her clothes with a little envy.
“Is everyone here? Then let’s go,” Muchun said, and led the few of them to Feng Qing’s house to pay a New Year’s visit.
“By the way, Ah Xing, how are you doing over there? That place is full of people looking for entertainment. Although you’re in the back kitchen, you have to be careful. In a while, I’ll find a way to see if I can get you a different post,” Muchun said. She hadn’t seen Zhao Xing’er in a long time and had just remembered that she had gone to the song and dance hall. Fortunately, she was in the back kitchen. If someone could replace her, there should be some hope of getting out.
They had been desperate to get into the city and hadn’t thought much about it. Now, they were at the mercy of others, and their every move was ordered. It was fine if it was just work, but she was afraid of being casually assigned to a brothel, with no control over her own fate.
Before long, the few of them arrived at Feng Qing’s door and saw her standing there to welcome them.
“Sister Qing, why are you standing here? It’s so cold,” Muchun greeted.
“Hah, what’s the big deal? It’s the first time you friends have come to my place. I have to show some respect. If it were just the two of you, I’d be too lazy to come out,” Feng Qing was already familiar with her and no longer stood on ceremony when she spoke.
“It seems we’re basking in their light. Let’s go in,” Muchun said with a smile. The atmosphere was instantly lively. It had been a long time since it had been so lively and relaxed.
Yuanniang was cooking a rich broth in the room. Seeing that everyone had arrived, she immediately went to greet Liu Yunhe. Although Liu Yunhe was a little delicate, she was the first little apprentice Yuanniang had taken on. She was also easy on the eyes. Even as a vase, she was pleasing to look at.
Besides, the two of them didn’t have much work to do. It was all old-fashioned work. Sometimes they were squeezed together, and sometimes there was no work for ten days or half a month. They just fiddled with all sorts of exquisite small objects. Liu Yunhe was quite happy with it. The two of them would chat when they had nothing to do.
She seriously suspected that Little He had been found by Feng Qing to relieve her boredom. Although the two of them had been here for a long time, they didn’t have many friends to talk to.
They had never fit in with the original residents of Wanliu City, and because they were two women, they were not very close to the people who had settled here later. In the end, it was fate that they had met Muchun and the others and had hit it off so well.
“Master, I brought you something delicious,” Liu Yunhe said, holding the persimmons in the cloth bag and handing them to Yuanniang. It was almost impossible to eat fruit at this time of year, so these persimmons were a rare thing.
“You shouldn’t have,” Yuanniang said politely, but she carefully put away the things Liu Yunhe had sent. These persimmons were delicate things and easily crushed.
“Aiyo, why did you bring so much? This must have cost you a month’s silver,” Feng Qing said, seeing that Muchun’s basket was filled with meat and eggs, and even fine rice.
“It’s a rare occasion for everyone to get together, and it’s the New Year. It’s only right for us to bring a little more,” Muchun said with a smile, and then introduced her new friends to Feng Qing. After a few pleasantries, they began to cook.
Feng Qing, knowing that Muchun and the others were coming today, had specially bought a large goose, planning to stew a goose hot pot.
Now, prices were rising rapidly. In the past, one tael of silver could last for two or three months. Now, the price of food and clothing had doubled, and everyone was tightening their belts.
Although it had been agreed that Muchun would bring her own food, she hadn’t expected her to bring so much.
Muchun was just looking for a place for everyone to have a big meal. In the East Courtyard, it was fine for her and Liu Yunhe to cook for themselves, but to cook in a grand manner would definitely be discovered.
Fortunately, the pot that Feng Qing had found was a mandarin duck pot that could be cooked separately. She had stewed the goose in advance, cooked a bone broth, and even prepared some dipping sauces. Although there were not many types of things, the portions were large, and it was clear that she had put her heart into it.
The charcoal had long been burned and was moved to the tray at the bottom of the copper hot pot. In a short while, the thick soup in the pot began to bubble with heat.
The fragrant aroma spread everywhere, filling the room with a misty cloud. The few of them were all busy with their own tasks.
Muchun cut the frozen mutton and pork belly thinly and arranged them on a plate, one slice overlapping the other. Huang Caiying and Zhao Xing’er prepared the vegetables, washing and plating the cabbage, potatoes, sweet potatoes, and tofu.
Guan Yue moved a table to the kang. Yuanniang and Liu Yunhe were setting the bowls and chopsticks. The earthen kang was very hot. In the blink of an eye, the copper hot pot, meat, and vegetables were all on the table. The small rectangular wooden table was filled to the brim.
The few of them gathered around the table. Feng Qing said happily, “My house has never been so lively.”
“That’s right. Usually, it’s just the two of us, and it’s quite lonely. When Ah Qing goes to the shop, it’s just me. It’s thanks to Little He’s company that the recent days have been much more lively,” Yuanniang also said with a smile.
Perhaps it was the cold weather that made people feel dry and desolate from the bottom of their hearts. To finally get together for a hearty New Year’s meal, it looked lively and full of vigor.
“If we have a large courtyard in the future, we’ll also invite you all to come and have fun,” Muchun said, filling Feng Qing’s wine cup with the wine that Guan Yue had brought.
“You’re so capable. A large courtyard is just a matter of time,” Feng Qing said. She felt that Muchun was more capable than her. Although she couldn’t say where she was stronger, she just felt that this girl would be successful sooner or later. She had a fortunate face.
“Everyone, hurry up and eat. The meat is already cooked,” Yuanniang said, greeting the three new friends who had come for the first time, always considerately finding some topics to talk about so that they wouldn’t feel constrained.
As they chatted, they found that they got along very well with Huang Caiying, and slowly, everyone opened up.
The copper pot was steaming. The vegetables in it were fresh after being nourished by the rich broth. In winter, when there were no green vegetables, the ordinary cabbage and tofu, after being boiled in the bone broth, were also fragrant and appetizing.
Muchun used a clean pair of chopsticks to pick up two slices of cooked pork belly and put them in Liu Yunhe’s bowl, then poured some of the dipping sauce from a distance on top.
Outside, a light snow began to fall. The dry branches seemed to be covered in a new white coat, which had a new artistic conception.
The various ingredients were tumbling in the pot. The fresh, tender, and smooth meat rolls, the tofu that had absorbed the rich soup, the still-fragrant cabbage, the just-right cooked vermicelli, and the soft, savory, large pieces of goose meat. In short, it was a day of eating and drinking to their heart’s content.
Feng Qing became more talkative after drinking. Muchun just had a few sips with her. Gradually, after everyone had eaten and drunk their fill, Yuanniang took out some leaf cards, and the few of them retreated to the head of the kang, took out the persimmons that Liu Yunhe had brought, and the already-roasted peanuts and melon seeds, and played while eating.
There was still some wine left in Feng Qing’s cup. Muchun sat with her, a round behind the others. She listened to her talk about her situation when she had just arrived in Wanliu City and the difficulty of slowly establishing a foothold. Muchun found it quite interesting.
“Chun-zi, you’re a lucky one. Your wife is so beautiful, you have to protect her well. My wife wasn’t bad back then either. After we got married, there were quite a few who were red-eyed with envy,” Feng Qing said with a proud smile.
Hearing her words, Muchun also began to wonder how she had gotten so lucky. It was probably what she deserved. She felt like someone who had won the lottery, and she couldn’t stop smiling, marveling at the wonder of fate.
“However, although our wives are good-looking, they’re a bit weak. They don’t have much stamina in that department and can’t take much roughhousing,” Feng Qing said, a little drunk, and began to talk nonsense. Fortunately, she still knew that this couldn’t be shouted out loud and specially whispered to Muchun.
“What department?” Muchun was bewildered. What department required her to roughhouse her delicate little wife?
“Aiya, what do you think? Why are you still pretending? Don’t you get intimate with your wife at home?” Feng Qing glanced at Yuanniang in the distance and then moved closer to whisper to Muchun.
Hearing this, Muchun understood what she was talking about. But even if they were intimate, she hadn’t tired out her wife. Thinking of Liu Yunhe’s skin, which was smoother and more delicate than satin, her hands began to itch.
The skin under her clothes was even more milky-white. A little force would make it turn red, as eye-catching as a half-opened peach blossom. Her thoughts drifted, and she seemed to remember the extreme pleasure of her rough fingers pressing against that soft and smooth skin.
“You look like a newlywed who doesn’t know any tricks,” Feng Qing said with a disgusted look, seeing her dazed expression.
“Ah?” Muchun didn’t notice what she was saying.
“Have you finished eating? Hurry up and come and play cards,” Yuanniang called from the other side.
“Coming, coming,” Feng Qing said, swaying as she took two steps, then fell onto the kang and fell asleep.
Muchun found it amusing to see her fall asleep in a second.
Outside, the snow was still slowly falling. It was still early, just past noon. After a few rounds of leaf cards, the few of them sat on the warm kang, unwilling to get up.
Yuanniang took out two clean small quilts and invited everyone to take a nap and go back in the afternoon.
And so, six or seven people were lying crookedly on the spacious hot kang. It wasn’t that Muchun and the others were lazy, but the charm of the hot kang was too great. No one wanted to leave the warm nest, thinking that they should be comfortable for as long as they could.
The room was filled with the smell of dried orange peels. Under the kitchen stove, the firewood was still crackling and burning.
