Chapter 66 - Returning to the Mother-in-law’s Home (1/2)
Chapter 66: Returning to the Mother-in-law’s Home
In the thatched cottage, three whale-oil lamps were lit, making the little room all the more bright.
They ate their dumplings and Xue Dongting was made to drink several cups of plum wine by Song Yuming. Now she was leaning against the piled up quilts, fiddling with Song Yuming’s new clothes.
Song Yuming lay to the side, his head propped on his hands like a pillow, watching his wife, a piece of straw in his mouth.
She kicked him lightly. “Get the tongs and smother some of the coals, it’s too hot in here.”
Song Yuming got out of bed and poked at the coals and ash with the tongs, turning over the blazing hot coals to reduce the heat.
“If you want to sleep, go ahead. I’m going to stay up to ring in the new year.”
She shook her head. “I’m not tired.”
He said nothing. There was nothing much left that needed to be said between them.
On the third day of the new year, they took some gifts and crossed the river into town and went to Cloudgem Lodge.
It was still Yuansheng who opened the courtyard gates when they arrived, but when the girl saw Song Yuming she gave him a hostile look, glaring daggers at him. She pulled Dongting to the side and asked, “Sis, has that guy been bullying you?”
Xue Dongting looked at Song Yuming and smiled but said nothing. Yuansheng frowned and whispered, “Sis, don’t be afraid of that guy, me and Mama Qiao have your back.”
Xue Dongting had still not said anything when she heard Mama Qiao scolding, “Yuansheng, what are you blabbering about over there? Hurry up and boil water for tea!” She smiled at Song Yuming and said, “You’re here, and you brought something!”
Song Yuming presented the return gift. “As it should be. Mother-in-law, Happy New Year.”
Mama Qiao was all smiles. She had once been a star in the pleasure quarters of the capital, so even though she was getting on in years, she still had a flirtatious streak and her smile seemed all the more intimate. She quickly said, “Come on inside and chat.”
She led Dongting and Song Yuming inside and ordered Yuansheng to pour tea. Yuansheng grudgingly poured Song Yuming a cup of tea, still giving him that same angry look.
Song Yuming smiled helplessly, and cupped his hand over his fist to Yuansheng. “Some days ago I offended you, Third Sister, please don’t take it to heart.”
Mama Qiao quickly added, “That girl, Yuansheng, has always been undisciplined and out of control, I ought to ask you not to take things to heart on her account.”
Xue Dongting, off to the side, pouted, “Mama Qiao, obviously he’s been bullying me, yet you take his side!”
Song Yuming chuckled and bowed to Xue Dongting with his hands folded in front of him. “It was my fault. Madame, please forgive me and give me a little face in front of Mother-in-law.”
Xue Dongting stuck her tongue out, looking all proud of herself.
Mama Qiao was delighted to see the two of the getting along, but she still glared at Xue Dongting, scolding her through her smile, “Thank goodness you don’t bully your husband, and when would you let anyone bully you?”
Xue Dongting felt hurt. “Mama Qiao, they say a daughter married off is like spilled water in that it can’t be retrieved. Do you really take me as spilled water? Do you have my back or not?”
Mama Qiao gave her a look. “You’re so clever and glib, you’re already as stable as Mt. Tai, what do you need my backing for?”
Xue Dongting was thoroughly defeated. She might be clever and glib, but she was no match for Mama Qiao. So she turned to Yuansheng and laughed. “Hurry up and get married so you don’t have to be run roughshod over every day by Mama Qiao.”
Song Yuming always knew his wife had a clever tongue, but he never expected her to meet her match in Mama Qiao. He was gloating a bit to himself, though he kept a serious look on his face.
Mama Qiao had the two of them seated and they chatted for a while. She herself ran to the kitchen to cook and Xue Dongting went to help her, leaving Song Yuming alone in the room with Yuansheng.