Chapter 10 “Now I’m the Eldest in the Family”

 

The Li family’s front gate was tightly shut, and snow had piled up knee-high outside. With every step, the snow crunched loudly underfoot, and by the time they reached the door, their shoes were covered in thick layers of ice. Qi Qingfeng stomped his feet, grumbling, “The snow stopped yesterday. Why hasn’t Brother Zhuzi cleared it yet?”

“What does it matter to you? Just knock!” Madam Wei huffed, her breath visible in the cold air. She prided herself on cleanliness and couldn’t help but frown at the Li family’s laziness.

Qi Qingfeng clicked his tongue but caught sight of Xu Shuyue shivering beside his mother. With a dark expression, he rapped loudly on the door. It took a while before an irritated voice came from inside.

“All right, all right! Stop pounding like a spirit summoner, I heard you! Who’s there?”

A woman, disheveled and wrapped in a hastily thrown-on jacket, opened the door. It was Madam Zou, who had just woken up and was in no mood for visitors. She was about to scold the intruders when she saw Qi Qingfeng. Surprised, her tone softened, “Qingfeng? What brings you here in this freezing weather?”

She stepped aside to let them in but froze when her eyes landed on Xu Shuyue. Her face twisted in shock as she pointed an accusing finger, exclaiming, “Wait a minute! You’re that cursed widow, aren’t you?”

Madam Wei’s expression darkened. She had expected some gossip or murmurs about her daughter-in-law, but for an elder like Madam Zou to blatantly insult Xu Shuyue in front of her was infuriating.

Still, they had come to ask for help, so Madam Wei bit her tongue, suppressing her anger. Forcing a polite tone, she said, “Sister Zou, is Zhuzi home?”

Madam Zou couldn’t take her eyes off Xu Shuyue, her expression full of disdain. When Madam Wei spoke, she waved her off distractedly, muttering, “What do you need Zhuzi for on such a cold day?”

She didn’t step aside to let them in, clearly making her stance known.

Madam Wei’s face turned even darker as she supported the trembling Xu Shuyue. She hadn’t realized Madam Zou harbored such deep prejudice. Caught off guard, she struggled to find the words to borrow a cotton jacket.

Qi Qingfeng, equally frustrated, decided to cut to the chase. “My brother’s body was never recovered, so my parents want to set up a memorial. We’re here to see if Zhuzi can help.”

Li Tiezhu (Zhuzi) had been one of Qi Siming’s closest friends. It was only natural to ask him for help.

But Madam Zou frowned. “You’re asking Zhuzi to help with such an unlucky task? You know he’s always been spiritually sensitive since he was a child. I can’t let him go to the burial grounds in winter. What if something happens to him?”

She was clearly making excuses, and Qi Qingfeng was left speechless. Madam Zou’s words made it sound like they’d be endangering Zhuzi’s life by asking for help.

Xu Shuyue, who had been quietly observing, finally spoke. Her tone was calm but firm. “Aunt Zou, is Brother Zhuzi truly unwilling to help?”

Madam Zou’s face twisted in anger. “You, a cursed widow, dare call my son ‘Brother Zhuzi’? I feel dirty just having you stand on my doorstep. Go home, all of you, and don’t bring your bad luck here!”

Madam Wei trembled with rage. “How dare you talk to her like that?!”

Madam Zou ignored her, ready to slam the door shut.

Li Tiezhu, hearing the commotion, peeked out from the courtyard. “Mother, who’s at the door?”

“It’s Qingfeng,” Qi Qingfeng quickly called out before Madam Zou could shut the door completely. “Zhuzi, I need to talk to you!”

“What’s this about?” Li Tiezhu shouted back from a distance, not bothering to come closer.

Madam Zou snorted, her voice loud enough for everyone to hear. “It’s nothing good. Qingfeng’s brother is dead, and they want you to help with the burial. It’s freezing out, and they think of you only when there’s dirty work to be done. Stay put and don’t go!”

Madam Wei’s face flushed with anger, and she couldn’t help but retort, “Zhuzi, is this what you told your mother? That my eldest son forced you into dangerous situations? It was you who begged Siming to take you fishing in the winter. And when you fell into the river, it was my son who risked his life to save you. Is this how you repay him?”

Li Tiezhu looked uncomfortable, glancing away. “Mother, stop bringing up the past.”

Madam Zou, caught in her lie, coughed awkwardly. “Oh, I must’ve remembered wrong.”

That was all she said, with no apology or further explanation.

Xu Shuyue was left speechless. A mere “I remembered wrong” was all it took for this mother and son duo to dismiss the misunderstanding, without even an apology. How shameless could they be?

A faint resentment welled up in her heart toward her deceased husband. What kind of friends did you surround yourself with? You left this world so easily, but now Mother Wei, at her age, has to endure the nonsense from these absurd people.

As the saying goes, “When the beam is crooked, so will the rafters be.” Xu Shuyue wasn’t one to bottle up her frustrations, so she sneered coldly, “Aunt Zou, since you’re so wary of my unlucky fate, have you forgotten? The battlefield is a place of great bloodshed. The dead there are most likely to turn into spirits. For all you know, my husband might be standing behind you right now, listening to your insults.”

Madam Zou’s face twisted in anger, though her bravado was weak. “Don’t try to scare me! Once someone dies, their soul should go to the underworld. How could they linger in the mortal realm?”

Xu Shuyue said nothing, her black and white eyes staring intently behind Madam Zou. Then, her lips curled into a faint smile.

“Whatever you say.”

At that moment, both Madam Zou and her son, Tiezhu, felt a sudden chill rise from the soles of their feet to the backs of their necks, as if a cold breath had blown across them.

A short while later, as the group left, a piercing scream echoed from behind them.

Qi Qingfeng, walking in silence, couldn’t help but glance at Xu Shuyue. After a long moment of hesitation, he finally asked, “Did… did you actually see my brother just now?”

By now, the rush of anger that had kept Xu Shuyue warm had faded. The chill from the biting wind began to seep back into her body. She clung tightly to Madam Wei for warmth, her expression turning slightly odd as she responded to Qi Qingfeng’s question.

Does he really believe in this kind of thing? A scholar believing in ghosts?

Qi Qingfeng noticed her strange expression and grew defensive. “It’s not like you weren’t staring at Aunt Zou’s back and saying strange things…”

“I was scaring them on purpose,” Xu Shuyue replied matter-of-factly, unrepentant. “Who told them to insult my husband and upset Mother?”

Madam Wei’s face softened with emotion, while Qi Qingfeng was left speechless. He opened his mouth, seemingly with much to say, but eventually turned his head away, silently stewing in his thoughts.

Xu Shuyue was slightly puzzled by his reaction.

What surprised her even more was that, despite hearing Madam Zou call her a “curse-bringer,” Qi Qingfeng hadn’t shown any hostility toward her.

Was it because he hadn’t thought too deeply about it, or was he, like Madam Wei and Qi Ansheng, simply indifferent to such rumors?

Xu Shuyue had no way of knowing.

Tiezhu’s refusal to help was unexpected. Madam Wei feared that the liang brothers might also decline, so she urged the group to hurry. “If they refuse too, we’ll need to find others before it’s too late,” she said, her anxiety evident.

Patting Xu Shuyue’s hand, Madam Wei hesitated before speaking. Xu Shuyue, understanding her meaning, smiled gently and said, “Mother, walking has warmed me up a bit. I’m not as cold now. Let’s hurry and find someone—Father should already be on East Mountain with Uncle.”

Madam Wei’s eyes reddened, and she choked out, “Good child, I don’t regret marrying you to our eldest.”

Xu Shuyue smiled but said nothing.

Qi Qingfeng walked ahead of the group, quietly positioning himself to shield them from the brunt of the wind.

Feeling his unspoken kindness, Xu Shuyue remained silent, mustering her strength to make it to Eldest BrothSecond Brother Liang’s house.

When Madam Wei explained their request, Eldest BrothSecond Brother Liang immediately agreed. “Siming was a close friend to us brothers for so many years. This is something we should do.”

Second BrothSecond Brother Liang, who wasn’t much of a talker, quietly went to the neighboring house to borrow shovels and spades. He handed them to his brother and Qi Qingfeng, asking bluntly, “When are we leaving?”

Xu Shuyue, now warmed from a cup of tea, glanced at the sky. Though the sunlight had grown stronger, it offered no warmth. Judging by the time, it was already past midday.

Madam Wei nodded, and Xu Shuyue added gently, “If you two brothers are free, let’s head out now.”

Eldest BrothSecond Brother Liang and Second BrothSecond Brother Liang, having seen Xu Shuyue at the wedding ceremony, were aware of the rumors surrounding her. However, neither paid them any mind.

To them, whoever Madam Wei chose to marry Qi Siming was a family matter, and it wasn’t their place to meddle. All they needed to know was that Xu Shuyue was Qi Siming’s wife—and their sister-in-law.

The two brothers nodded and, together with Qi Qingfeng, carried the tools toward East Mountain.

As they neared the site, Xu Shuyue saw Qi Ansheng digging the first shovelful of earth. Eldest BrothSecond Brother Liang, Second BrothSecond Brother Liang, and Qi Qingfeng quickly joined in. The mountain was eerily quiet, with only the dull sound of shovels striking soil breaking the silence.

The memorial didn’t need to be deep. After half an hour of digging, a rectangular pit of moderate depth appeared before them. They carefully placed Qi Siming’s clothing and a few personal items inside before covering them with soil.

When the mound was complete, a black stone marker was erected at its head. As Madam Wei wept bitterly beside the grave, Xu Shuyue narrowed her eyes slightly. In her heart, she silently prayed, Qi Siming, if your spirit watches over us, please protect this family.

By dusk, Eldest BrothSecond Brother Liang and Second BrothSecond Brother Liang helped carry the fainted Madam Wei back home.

The task of preparing dinner fell to Xu Shuyue. Having been chilled by the wind all afternoon, she was made to drink a bowl of ginger tea by Qi Qingfeng before she was even allowed near the kitchen. He also handed her extra layers of clothing to wear.

Only after following his instructions did she begin preparing the evening meal.

The stove was clean and well-maintained. Once the ingredients were prepped, Xu Shuyue had a moment to think. She selected a small plate of dried fruit, peanuts, and walnuts and carried it to the main room.

With Madam Wei resting and Qi Ansheng at her side, Xu Shuyue, as the eldest in the house at the moment, felt it was her duty to represent the family.