Chapter 27: Heading Home

The next morning, Zhang Shuisheng set out with excitement bubbling in his chest.

For safety’s sake, he had called on Zhang Cheng to come along. The return trip meant traversing a long stretch of mountain road, and two men traveling together could look out for each other.

Meanwhile, a tense air hung over the entire Zhang household. Things had been manageable in the west room with Wu Wei there to steady everyone’s nerves, but Old Lady Zhang kept popping in every few moments to ask if Zhang Shuisheng was back yet. Her anxiety was contagious. First, Second Lady Liu couldn’t sit still and kept rushing to the courtyard gate to peer out. Soon, even the Embroider Maiden grew restless, glancing repeatedly at Wu Wei as if her presence offered some spiritual comfort.

On her third trip back inside, Second Lady Liu plopped down beside Wu Wei and asked, “Weiwei, do you think the Spring Festival couplets will sell? I’ve never seen anyone hawking them at the market before. What if no one buys them?”

“Don’t worry, Second Sister,” Wu Wei replied. “Spring Festival couplets are something every household needs, but only once a year. We’ve analyzed this before—people who can write don’t stoop to peddling wares, and those who want the money lack the skill. That’s why the market’s been wide open until now. I’m sure folks sell them elsewhere too. Since no one’s doing it around here yet, we can work hard this year, make a tidy profit, and have a merry New Year.”

Second Lady Liu didn’t catch every word—some of Wu Wei’s phrasing went over her head—but she grasped the gist. Zhang Shuisheng had said something similar, though not nearly as eloquently.

Second Lady Liu smoothed her chest with one hand and murmured, “I trust you, Weiwei. It’s just that my mother-in-law’s fretting this morning has me all worked up too. You don’t know the half of it—this family looks like it has two able-bodied men, but really, your second brother-in-law is the only real breadwinner. Father-in-law’s leg ailment from years back means he can’t handle heavy labor anymore, especially at his age. Your second brother-in-law’s slaved away all year, every year. We have to shell out for medicine at the apothecary several times a year, or that leg flares up and the pain… tsk tsk tsk. After all that hustle, we barely scrape together a few coins by year’s end. Don’t take this the wrong way—I think of you and the Embroider Maiden as my own little sisters. But this trading capital? It’s the nest egg from those old folks in the east room, saved for their coffins. No wonder my mother-in-law’s on edge. My heart’s been in knots too.”

Wu Wei thought to herself: No wonder Second Brother-in-law was tempted to risk his life gathering herbs in the mountains. Every family has its own troubles.

She comforted Second Lady Liu gently. “Second Sister, you’ve been married to Second Brother-in-law for years. You know what kind of man he is. If this deal was truly doomed, he wouldn’t take such a big risk. At worst, we make less than hoped, but the old folks’ principal won’t be lost. Don’t worry.”

“Mm, you’re right. Your second brother-in-law’s steady as they come. Hearing you say it eases my mind. It’s nearly noon—I’ll go make lunch.”

…

After a “long” day of waiting, just as Old Man Liu was grumbling about going out to search, the sound of Zhang Shuisheng and Zhang Cheng’s laughter drifted in through the night. Their voices arrived before they did: “Second Niang, we’re back! Is dinner ready? We’re starving!” The robust, joyful tone chased away the household’s unease.

Everyone except Old Man Liu rushed out to greet them. Second Lady Liu even lit half a stub of red candle—a rare extravagance—to brighten a corner of the courtyard.

“You’re back! How’d it go?” she asked.

Zhang Shuisheng and Zhang Cheng entered the yard. The two bamboo baskets that had bulged with couplets on the way out were now empty and slung together over Zhang Shuisheng’s shoulder. Zhang Cheng cradled a jar he’d somehow acquired.

“Where are the couplets? All sold?”

Zhang Shuisheng nodded with a grin. Zhang Cheng handed the jar to Second Lady Liu, who nearly dropped it. “What’s in here? It’s so heavy!”

“Sister-in-law Madam, keep it down,” Zhang Cheng cautioned. “Wealth shouldn’t be flaunted. The fewer who know about this enormously profitable venture, the better. Mum’s the word.”

Wu Wei shot Zhang Cheng a glance. She hadn’t expected him to be so quick on the uptake.

“Mom, what are you doing out here? It’s cold—head back inside. I’ll come tell you and Dad all about it after I eat. Zhang Cheng and I are famished.”

“Alright, alright. Eat up. Second Niang… stew some white rice.”

“Got it, Mom.”

Old Lady Zhang retreated indoors, and the rest gathered in the west room.

Second Lady Liu set the jar on the kang table, still incredulous as she eyed her husband. “Are these really full of copper coins?”

“Just pour ’em out and see,” Zhang Shuisheng said, his smile never fading.

Second Lady Liu swallowed hard, tipped the jar onto the kang, and with a clattering rush like a waterfall, copper coins spilled forth. The air filled with their metallic tang.

“My lord above!” Second Lady Liu swayed, then half-flopped onto the pile. The coins tinkled under her hands as she cried out in excitement, “How much is it? How much?”

“Never mind that for now—you can count later. Zhang Cheng and I are starving. Whip up some food.”

“Right away! There’s stewed cabbage in the pot. I’ll fry some eggs and steam white rice. Be ready in a flash!”

“Second Sister, let me help.” With Zhang Cheng there, the Embroider Maiden felt a touch awkward and offered to assist before heading out.

That left three in the room: Zhang Shuisheng sitting cross-legged in the prime spot inside the kang, Zhang Cheng perched sideways on the edge with one foot dangling and the other on the floor, and Wu Wei cross-legged opposite Zhang Cheng, the heap of coins right beside her.

“Sister, why don’t you and the Embroider Maiden spend New Year here this year? More people means more fun,” Zhang Shuisheng suggested.

“That wouldn’t be right.”

“What’s not right about it? You two have no marital homes, and this place is like your family home. Besides, that old shack of yours sits next to the pauper’s graveyard—too bleak out in the wilds. Our village has its own big fair and lantern festival for the New Year. I can take you both.”

“Thanks for the kind offer, Second Brother-in-law, but I need to talk it over with the Embroider Maiden first.”

“Sure thing. You’re a real lucky star, sister. Sales were slow at the market at first, but Zhang Cheng and I figured we’d go door-to-door instead. Sold every last one! I’d say we cleared at least a string of cash today!”

Wu Wei’s heart leaped at the figure. That meant she and the Embroider Maiden would split two hundred copper coins—and that was just day one!

Zhang Cheng picked up the thread. “Today’s our first go, so neither Shui Sheng nor I had much experience. The market was closing by the time we sold out, so we couldn’t buy supplies. Starting tomorrow, we’ll head out of the village, sell couplets door-to-door along the way toward the market, stock up on what we need before it shuts down, and save ourselves extra trips.”

Wu Wei pondered. “If we can count on steady business, best to buy extra red paper and ink upfront. Once we’re familiar with the route, the Embroider Maiden and I can write couplets at home while you and Second Sister sell door-to-door. Don’t stay out late—head back by afternoon, sold or not. You two men are safer on the road, sure, but if someone targets you… numbers or not, you might not handle it. Safest is avoiding night travel altogether—no shortcuts, stick to main roads even if longer. And going house-to-house isn’t ideal. Say the man of the house isn’t home—they won’t even open the door.”

Zhang Shuisheng nodded. “True, several houses today had no men around. Wouldn’t let us in. You’ve got a point, sister.”

“New Year’s only twenty-odd days off—every day’s precious,” Wu Wei continued. “Your original plan means half the time wasted alternating sales and writing, or we could take shifts and burn the midnight oil.”

“No can do, sister. Candles cost a fortune.”

“The Embroider Maiden has some at home—we can use those. Days are shortening; it’s dark by the hour of the rabbit, but that’s not late. Zhang Cheng and I can knock out a hundred couplets in two hours. We could do seventy in one at night, finish the stock sooner, get home earlier. Or rotate: the Embroider Maiden and I could take turns selling with you, or all three go, split the couplets three ways on different routes, meet at a set time, head home together. Better than one sales day every two. I just have a feeling…” Midway through, Wu Wei decided she was overthinking and trailed off.

To her surprise, Zhang Shuisheng and Zhang Cheng asked in unison, “What?”

Wu Wei pondered for a moment before voicing her inner worries. “I just feel like this money isn’t earned on solid ground. It’s not that it’s ill-gotten gains or anything like that, but… it came too easily, too fast. We should wrap things up quickly and quit while we’re ahead. If we drag it out, I’m afraid it’ll draw the attention of people with bad intentions. Then you won’t be able to do this business next year. Besides, you’re men, and with the New Year almost here, running into bandits would bring disaster out of nowhere. Trekking through the mountains trip after trip, carrying thousands of copper coins each time—it’s just not that safe. After you two left today, Old Madam worried the whole day. Poor woman, at her age like that. Let’s set a target number and call it quits when we hit it.”

“Dinner’s ready!” Second Lady Liu and Embroider Maiden came in carrying the food. They saw Zhang Shuisheng frowning lost in thought, while Zhang Cheng stared pensively at Wu Wei.

Second Lady Liu set the bowls and chopsticks on the table, positioning her body to block Zhang Cheng’s view. Embroider Maiden hurried forward to put down the dishes, then grabbed Wu Wei’s hand. “Weiwei, come with me. I need to talk to you.” She pulled Wu Wei outside.

The two of them stepped into the courtyard. Wu Wei turned to Embroider Maiden. “What’s the matter?”

Embroider Maiden merely shook her head, clinging tightly to Wu Wei’s hand without letting go.

Wu Wei waited a little longer. When Embroider Maiden still said nothing, she grew concerned about her getting too cold. “It’s dark and chilly out here. Let’s head back inside?”

“…Let’s split the money and go home.” Embroider Maiden finally mustered her courage and spoke the words aloud.

Wu Wei’s brows furrowed as she asked in a low voice, “What’s wrong? Did someone give you a dirty look, or…?” Wu Wei suspected Old Madam Liu might have gotten upset over the eggs again and taken it out on Embroider Maiden.

“No!” Embroider Maiden denied it at once.

“Then what is it? Second Brother-in-law was just inviting us to stay for the New Year a moment ago. If we leave suddenly, we’ll need a good reason. Tell me—I’ll figure something out.”

Another long silence stretched between them. At last, Embroider Maiden replied in a voice so faint it was barely audible. “That Zhang Cheng… he keeps staring at you. I, I… let’s go home!”