Chapter Forty: Frosted Sugar

Along the way, Zhang Yue greeted uncles, aunts, gentlemen, and ladies, and even distributed some dried fruits he had brought from the mountains to the children.

“Thank you, Third Young Master!”
“Third Young Master is so kind!”
“Hurry up and thank Third Young Master!”

Amid laughter and conversation, Zhang Yue returned home, passing by a vendor selling sugarcane syrup and frost. This vendor was rarely seen except during festivals, and though many gathered around the stall, few actually bought any. Children gazed longingly at the goods, crying and pleading with their parents to buy them sweets. Yet most parents, hardened by necessity, dragged their children away. The lucky few who managed to get sweets proudly licked them, occasionally flaunting their prize.

Witnessing this scene, Zhang Yue clenched his teeth, slipped aside to an empty spot, loosened his waistband, and took out some money to purchase a bit of sugar frost to take home.

His house was much as it had always been—a simple wicker gate, piles of firewood and miscellaneous items, and a large jar collecting water dripping from the eaves.

Seeing the jar reminded Zhang Yue of Sima Guang. The tale of Sima Guang breaking a vat was well known, but in truth, Song Dynasty vats were never taller than half a meter; how could anyone drown in one? Upon closer inspection of Song history, it was indeed written as a jar, not a vat.

A jar narrows at the mouth, while a vat is open and wide. Leaning closer, Zhang Yue saw the jar was filled with water and contained several large grass carp—his favorite to eat.

Unfortunately, in his previous life, all his skill points had gone into indulgence and laziness. Otherwise, wouldn't a dish of boiled live fish or pickled fish be delicious? If only he could cook such things in the Song Dynasty, he could even make a fortune.

Zhang Yue shook his head, vowing to someday write a book to properly warn future travelers. Don’t be fooled by those who sit at home as keyboard warriors, pretending to know everything about heaven and earth; when pressed, they probably couldn't even recite the formula for gunpowder. Unless you could bring Baidu with you when you travel through time—then I take it all back.

He knocked at the door. “Brother, Sister-in-law, Xi’er, I’m home!”

Bang bang!

The knocking echoed, drawing the neighbors to peek out—Zhang family's third son had returned! In the past, he was known only for eating and drinking; had half a year of studying in the mountains changed him?

The way he spoke with Officer Zhao earlier showed some decorum. The boy might not be as promising in his studies as his second brother, but he was worldly-wise. Surely his path in life would be broader than his brother’s.

The Zhang family, once thriving, had nearly been ruined by his second brother’s misadventures. The whole household suffered poverty—it was no easy matter.

Zhang Yue knocked for a good while before his sister-in-law finally came out to open the door.

He noticed her hair was disheveled and was surprised. Even in the hardest times, his sister-in-law, though dressed in coarse cloth and simple hairpins, always maintained the appearance befitting a daughter from a good family. How had she become so haggard in less than half a year?

“Sister-in-law, what’s the matter?”

She answered apologetically, “Uncle, you hardly ever come home, and I’m sorry I haven’t looked after things properly... I truly apologize.”

“Sister-in-law, we’re family. Don’t talk like strangers. What happened at home?”

She lowered her head and replied, “Uncle, come inside first, then we’ll talk.”

Once inside, Zhang Yue found the house less tidy than usual; dust had gathered on the table—his sister-in-law had always been so clean, it was never like this before.

Pretending not to notice, Zhang Yue unpacked his bag. “Sister-in-law, look at what I brought from the mountains. The harvest wasn’t good this year, so the villagers were eager to sell cheap—I bought quite a lot.”

“I’m also copying books for others now. I earn some money each day, and Scholar Guo gives a stipend... Where’s my brother? Not home? And Xi’er?”

Hearing Zhang Yue call out “Xi’er,” a wail burst from upstairs.

“Xi’er?”

Zhang Yue glanced at his sister-in-law and hurried upstairs.

He found little Zhang Qiu standing with his pants half off, red stripes across his thighs and buttocks.

Zhang Yue’s heart ached and anger flared. He quickly scooped Zhang Qiu into his arms. “Xi’er, who hit you? Tell Third Uncle, and I’ll teach them a lesson!”

“Third Uncle, no... don’t punish her,” Zhang Qiu sobbed.

“Why not?”

“It was Mother who hit me... wuwuwu!”

Zhang Yue was taken aback, glanced at the willow switch nearby, and asked softly, “Xi’er, don’t cry. Does it still hurt?”

“It hurts,” Zhang Qiu sniffled.

“Don’t cry, don’t cry. Third Uncle bought you something delicious. How about I carry you downstairs?”

“Okay, Third Uncle, carry me.”

So, Zhang Yue wiped away his tears and carried him downstairs.

He saw Lady Yu sitting at the table, wiping her own tears. Zhang Yue didn’t know what to say.

The atmosphere was heavy. Zhang Yue deliberately smiled. “Xi’er, tell Third Uncle—what do you want to eat for New Year?”

Xi’er, afraid of Lady Yu, just shook his head. Zhang Yue smiled, “If you won’t say, I’ll guess. Do you want candy?”

Xi’er nodded, glanced fearfully at Lady Yu, and shook his head again. “Xi’er doesn’t like candy?”

“Xi’er, that’s not right. You mustn’t tell lies!”

“I’m not lying. If I eat candy, Mother won’t be happy,” Zhang Qiu replied, his tears falling again.

Zhang Yue quickly comforted him, “Xi’er, don’t cry, don’t cry. Third Uncle promised you something nice—how could I lie?”

He took out a small package wrapped in oil paper. “Look, Xi’er, what’s this?”

“It’s sugar frost!” Xi’er’s eyes lit up instantly, but as he reached out, he hesitated and drew back.

“Go on, Xi’er, eat it! Third Uncle bought it for you.”

Lady Yu said, “Third Uncle, why waste money? Xi’er was just causing trouble about this. He’s been spoiled all these years.”

Zhang Yue thought, so that’s how it is. He replied, “Sister-in-law, you can’t blame Xi’er. Every year, we buy candy for him during New Year. This year shouldn’t be any different.”

“You spoil him just like your brother, spending money carelessly. I don’t know what to say about you.” Lady Yu spoke through her tears.

Zhang Yue said, “Sister-in-law, didn’t I tell you I copy books for others in Wuxi? Three coins and a half per page, a hundred or two a day…”

“So much for copying books? More than your brother earns.” Lady Yu was amazed.

“It’s only for now. Scholar Guo’s stipend will last until mid-year. On my way home, I saw the vendor and wasn’t planning to buy, but he had only a little left and sold it cheap, so I bought it.”

He placed the sugar frost in Zhang Qiu’s hands and put the leftover money on the table. “Sister-in-law, this is what I earned. Use it for the household.”

Lady Yu looked at it, unsure what to say. “Uncle, keep some for yourself.”

“What would I need money for in the mountains?” Zhang Yue smiled at Xi’er. “What are you waiting for? Eat.”

Xi’er looked anxiously at Lady Yu, who remained silent, so he dared not eat.

Finally, he took the candy and brought it to Lady Yu. “Mother, eat some first. When Xi’er grows up and makes money, I’ll buy candy for you.”

Lady Yu hugged him, weeping bitterly. “Third Uncle, Xi’er, it’s not that I’m heartless, but in poverty, where’s the virtuous wife? Your brother spends freely—if I hadn’t saved here and there, this household would have collapsed long ago.”

“Mother, eat, don’t cry,” Zhang Qiu said, crying.

Lady Yu pinched a little, tasted it, then told Xi’er, “Third Uncle bought this for you. You must take good care of your Third Uncle in the future, understand?”

“I understand,” Xi’er answered crisply.

“It’s just sugar frost—no need for all this talk. Xi’er, eat... Third Uncle won’t eat, I’ve already had some,” Zhang Yue said.

Xi’er nodded, stuck out his tongue and licked the sugar frost, closing his eyes, the corners of his eyes curling up in bliss.

“Mother, Third Uncle, this year’s sugar frost is really sweet!” Xi’er exclaimed, hopping in delight.

Hearing his childish joy, Zhang Yue and Lady Yu couldn’t help but smile.

“Next year—no, every year—Third Uncle will buy you some!” Zhang Yue promised solemnly.

“Thank you, Third Uncle!” Xi’er said again, “Can I finish it all?”

“Of course!”

Watching Xi’er lick the sugar frost bit by bit, the heavy atmosphere of the home finally began to lift.

Zhang Yue continued to place the goods he’d brought from the mountains on the table, while Lady Yu started to talk about family matters.

Just then, the door was pushed open, and Zhang Shi’s voice sounded from outside. “Wife, Xi’er, I’m home! Come see what Father bought!”

Lady Yu frowned. “Don’t tell me it’s sugar frost?”

Zhang Shi entered and paused in surprise. “Wife, how did you know?”

Ps: Today’s first update. Once again, asking everyone for recommendation votes!