Chapter 14: Discussions (Part 2)

Qi Younian saw Ye Xinyan bringing over the dumplings and hurriedly got off the kang, "Your mother-in-law is truly courteous. Your own days are not easy, yet you still send over dumplings."

While he said this, he did not refuse with his hands, taking the dumplings and pouring them into his own plate, but he did not give the empty bowl back to Ye Xinyan. Instead, he shared half of the braised pork he had just served onto the table, "It's New Year's, after all. We ought to make some festive food to celebrate. Eating together, everyone can enjoy the taste. You and your mother-in-law should also try Old Uncle Qi's cooking skills."

Ye Xinyan, feeling embarrassed, accepted the bowl, "You see, we thought since we've been troubling you these days, we would make something tasty for you to enjoy, but in exchange, you give us a big bowl of braised pork. We're only taking advantage of you, and not losing out at all."

Qi Younian chuckled and said, "We're neighbors, how can we keep such precise accounts? These past months my clothes have been washed, starched, and mended by your family. If we really start counting, it's me who owes more. Hurry back to eat. Your mother-in-law must be waiting."

Qi Younian saw Ye Xinyan out, then returned inside. Looking at the steaming dumplings on the plate, he thought that Lady Ye and daughter-in-law seemed to understand the warmth of human relations quite well; with them, things could be managed and negotiated. The matter of returning to their hometown, he could discuss in detail with Ye Zi after the New Year's lull.

Lady Ye and daughter-in-law were like Qi Younian in Miyi County, having no relatives to visit. Although Qi Younian had a few workmates whom he knew well enough to have some rapport with, due to his deliberate distancing, the relationships weren't very deep, so naturally, he wouldn't disturb them by visiting during the New Year.

The New Year, a festival for family reunions, then left the two households and three individuals at loose ends.

Ye Xinyan was still worried about their future direction when Qi Younian approached her for a talk.

It was the morning of the second day of the New Year. In the courtyard, two young couples with children had gone to the women's parents' houses. Another long-term resident had two married daughters who had come over, and they were all bustling with idle chatter in their rooms.

In the courtyard, only two warmly dressed children were playing, quieter than usual.

Ye Xinyan, seeing that Qi Younian, although with a gentle demeanor, seemed to have something serious to say, quickly went over and asked, "Old Uncle Qi, did you want to talk to me?"

Qi Younian nodded, "I have something to discuss with you." He considered his words carefully before speaking, "I see in your house you're the official in charge, so I'll speak with you first. If you think it's feasible, then you can go back and discuss it with your mother-in-law. If you think it's not suitable, just pretend I didn't say anything, and you needn't mention it to your mother-in-law."

"All right, we might as well talk in your room," Ye Xinyan agreed, puzzled.

Old Uncle Qi was regarded as a trustworthy person, and Ye Xinyan found it odd. What sort of matter could Old Uncle Qi have that he would consult with them, a widowed mother and daughter, without avoiding the topic that she was in charge of her household?

In ancient times, segregation of men and women was mostly required in big mansions. Where the poor lived together, it was considered good fortune just to have a place to shelter from the wind and rain; who would have the luxury to care about such niceties?

Qi Younian led Ye Xinyan straight into the room. Even though the poor didn't have many scruples, he still spoke with the door half open, despite the winter cold.

Qi Younian's residence had only one room, just like the one rented by Ye Xinyan. As soon as one entered the door, one could see all the household possessions. Further inside was a small kang with a simple kang table on it, and beside it a stove able to heat the kang and cook. The rest of the assorted furnishings and belongings were placed against the wall.

Ye Xinyan did not sit on the edge of the kang but moved a stool and sat on it.

Qi Younian poured her some tea and set it beside her.

After Old Uncle Qi sat down on the kang bed, Ye Xinyan finally spoke up and asked, "What is it that you wanted to discuss, Uncle? You seem very serious—is it something urgent?"

Old Uncle Qi nodded somberly, seemingly having trouble finding the words, "Sigh, it's rather difficult to say, but this old man has come to seek your help. To put it gravely, it's somewhat like taking advantage of someone's misfortune."

Ye Xinyan quickly set down the cup she was holding and said, "Uncle, what are you talking about? Just like you said before, we're just going to talk it over, and whether it's feasible or not, we can discuss further. Please speak your mind. If we can help, we surely won't shirk our duty. If it's beyond our capabilities, even with all the willingness in the world, I'm afraid we simply may not have the means."

It seemed as though the elder truly had a matter of concern, yet he had said in the courtyard that he only wished to speak with her, and if she found it unsuitable, not even to mention it to Nanny Jin, treating it as if it never happened. With the conversation having reached this point and the old uncle still so troubled, it must be something quite serious.

"Let me first tell you about my own affairs..." Old Uncle Qi, in order to reassure Ye Xinyan, began to explain his past to her.

The more Ye Xinyan listened, the more she felt that Old Uncle Qi's experiences were like a thrilling play, full of ups and downs, vast and formidable. This elderly man, now in his twilight years, had once been a dominant figure in a certain trade and had fought on battlefields.

Could he be any more formidable? Ye Xinyan marveled inwardly.

Seeing the astonishment on Ye Xinyan's face, Qi Younian tentatively asked, "I've done time in prison. If that makes you uneasy, you can go back and think it over more. My matters can wait to be dealt with later."

Ye Xinyan quickly waved her hand, "No need, no need. Having served prison time also depends on the reasons for it. Besides, even if someone truly violated the law, it matters whether they have the genuine intention to reform or not. You've said so much, but I still haven't grasped your point."

According to what Old Uncle Qi said, he had come to terms with the events of the past. If so, what matter was there left to resolve? Moreover, the affairs Old Uncle Qi spoke of seemed significant, and she and her mother-in-law were but two weak women; even if they wished to help, they might not be able to.

From what she had observed over the past few months, the old man seemed to be very open-minded. He had been a longtime resident of this compound, and according to the neighbors, although Old Uncle Qi did not have deep relations with them, he had always been a decent man. Therefore, Ye Xinyan did not take the fact that Qi Younian had been to prison very seriously.

Seeing that Ye Xinyan's expression did not seem deceptive, Qi Younian continued, "May I ask something presumptuous? Did you and your mother-in-law escape from your family home?"

Ye Xinyan's expression stiffened for a moment—neither confirming nor denying—simply giving Old Uncle Qi a faint smile and waiting for him to continue.

Qi Younian also smiled, "It seems I guessed right. Ye Zi is so young, yet remarkably composed. From the look of it, you have no plans to return, correct?"

Ye Xinyan still did not speak.

"Here's the thing. You and your mother-in-law don't quite seem like mother and daughter-in-law; more like a pair of master and servant. And these days, you have indeed been troubled by the household registration issue," Old Uncle Qi's smile faded and a seriousness crept into his demeanor, "I'm getting old, and these past one or two years, I've been long for home. especially this year, I have an especially strong yearning for my homeland, for my parents and siblings back there. What if you and your mother-in-law accompany me back to my hometown in Eastern Yu? I could recognize you as my granddaughter, and afterward, you and your mother-in-law would have a proper and official household registration to settle down with. What do you think?"

Ye Xinyan looked at Old Uncle Qi for a long while, her heart stirred by his proposal. An old man returning to his hometown after decades, bringing along his granddaughter—it seems likely that with Old Uncle Qi's introduction and guarantee, the village administration would be able to accommodate the three of them without issues.

If that were the case, the problems plaguing them—the household registration and a place to settle—would all be resolved. Given Old Uncle Qi's status as a commoner from a remote rural village, she and the Duke's Mansion would likely have no further intersections.