Chapter 29: Private Pocket Money for Sun Shan

"Second Brother," Aunt Sun said to her second younger brother, "after the New Year, I will write you a letter, and then you can send Dingming down to me."

Sun Village was in the north, while the prefecture capital was in the south; traveling to the prefecture capital was generally referred to as "going down" or "dropping into" the city.

Uncle Sun and Aunt Sun-Er nodded hurriedly. Since the New Year was almost upon them, it was impossible to travel with their eldest sister now; it would be better to wait until the coming year. As for how to get there, they would figure it out when the time came. If all else failed, they would have the boy's father take Ming-ge; after all, Uncle Sun had been to the prefecture capital before and knew the way.

After a busy bustle, dusk began to fall, and the Sun household was cooking with great energy. Aunt Sun-Er’s smile never faded, a sight that filled Aunt Sun-San with envy, jealousy, and resentment. As for Su, while she felt envious, she was not jealous; Shan-zi was still young, and the time for him to go to the prefecture capital for work was still a long way off.

Soon, the meal was ready. It was a sumptuous dinner: steamed grass carp, braised goose with taro, chicken stewed with red dates and mushrooms, braised duck with perilla, and a hearty bone broth. Only after Madam Huang picked up a piece of taro did everyone else begin to eat.

Madam Huang reminded them, "Brother-in-law, Chunlan, remember to take the soft-shelled turtle the village chief gave you home." This was the most valuable among the many return gifts, and it had to be taken along.

Yu-ge happily ate a piece of braised duck and said loudly, "Grandmother, don't worry, I will remember to bring it back." Everyone laughed when they heard him. Yu-ge said he wanted to take it back to make soup to nourish his older brother, so that he would have more energy for his studies.

Sun Shan gnawed on a chicken leg; it was stewed until tender, perfect for a young child. Beside him, De-ge had one as well; since they were young, the adults always made sure they were well-fed. After some ravenous gobbling, the Sun family quickly finished the food on the table.

Uncle Sun-San said with a sour tone, "Second Brother, when Ming-ge goes to the prefecture capital to work, make sure he doesn't pick up bad habits or start looking down on people in the village." The tone made it clear he had many opinions, and though he addressed Dingming, he was really speaking to Aunt Sun.

Aunt Sun ignored him completely. No matter what, her third brother could not escape her reach; no matter how he acted, in the end, he would still have to obey her.

Aunt Sun-San, who shared a blanket with Uncle Sun-San, echoed with bitter words toward Aunt Sun-Er: "That's right, Second Sister-in-law. Ming-ge is truly blessed, unlike our Dingguang, who has no one to care for him."

Uncle Sun and Aunt Sun-Er were honest people, but they were not fools. If the third brother and his wife wanted to be sour, they would just let them be, as long as they didn't chime in. The couple continued to talk to themselves, while everyone else ignored them.

As for the young boys of the Sun family, it was a lie to say they weren't envious. The reason was simple: they wanted to go to the prefecture capital. Who wouldn't want to go out and see the world, and then return to the village with a bit of prestige?

The girls of the Sun family had it different; as women, apart from getting married, who wasn't expected to stay home while they were maidens?

Sun Shan watched his third uncle and aunt jumping around, then looked at the three boys of the third branch—Dingguang, Dingyong, and Dingde—who were mindlessly cracking melon seeds and eating snacks. Fortunately, the three cousins were nothing like their parents.

Aunt Sun waved her hand and said, "Enough. I know what you’re trying to say before you even start. Don't look at how old Dingguang is—are you expecting me to raise your child for you? You two are dreaming."

Uncle Sun-San and his wife fell silent. Aunt Sun continued, "Go back, all of you. It’s late, and we have to get an early start on the road tomorrow." This was a dismissal; she really didn't want to hear the third brother and his wife chattering anymore.

Uncle Sun-San said sheepishly, "Eldest Sister, you know me; I’m just worried about the children's future."

Aunt Sun rolled her eyes. "My Dingguang, Dingyong, and Dingde are good boys; it’s fortunate they aren't like you." She glanced at Aunt Sun-San, thinking it was even more fortunate they weren't like her. "If you are honest and hardworking, I will naturally not forget you." Aunt Sun pursed her lips; her third brother hadn't been like this before, he must have been corrupted by the Zheng woman. In the future, when the third branch took on wives, she would have to make sure her mother kept a close eye on the selection.

When Uncle Sun-San heard his sister say she wouldn't forget him, he assumed she meant his three sons. He chuckled, "Eldest Sister, don't worry. Times are different now; no one in Sun Village is as diligent as I am." He patted his chest, projecting an air of "you can trust me."

Aunt Sun couldn't bear to look and laughingly scolded, "Fine, I know. Disperse, I’m going to sleep."

Uncle Sun, standing nearby, asked, "Eldest Sister, what time are you leaving? We’ll come to see you off."

Aunt Sun waved her hand. "No need, we’ll just head back on our own."

Madam Huang looked outside at the cold, dark night and said quickly, "Your sister is right; it's time to sleep. We have to be on the road early tomorrow."

Since their mother had spoken, Uncle Sun-San, Uncle Sun, and the others reluctantly walked out of the old house, looking back every few steps.

Su helped Sun Shan wash up and put him into his small bed, instructing, "Sleep well, and don't disturb your aunt." She greeted Aunt Sun and her mother-in-law, then stepped out.

Aunt Sun took two silver ingots from an exquisite little cloth bag and said to Madam Huang, "Mother, here is ten taels for your retirement. Keep it."

Madam Huang pushed it back. "You’ve given me plenty over the years; there’s no need for more." As a village old lady who stayed in the village all day, she hardly spent any money. The most she spent was the occasional purchase of meat for her grandchildren. She was in good health year-round and rarely got sick, so she had little need for cash.

Aunt Sun said generously, "Take it if I give it to you, and spend it slowly."

Madam Huang had no choice but to take it, put the silver into the wooden box on her nightstand, and said to her eldest daughter, "Everything you’ve given me over the years is here. It adds up to several dozen taels."

Aunt Sun suddenly thought of something and chuckled. "Mother, then you’ve become a wealthy woman in the village." Throughout the year, most people in Sun Village would be lucky to save three or four taels; with several dozen taels, Madam Huang was approaching the status of the village's wealthiest resident.

Aunt Sun took out another small coin purse and walked over to Sun Shan’s small bed. Seeing his eyes bright, she smiled and said, "Oh my, our Shan-zi isn't asleep yet."

Sun Shan had been concentrating on eavesdropping on the conversation between the mother and daughter. When he was caught by his aunt, he quickly pulled the quilt up to cover his head.

Aunt Sun pulled back the quilt and handed Sun Shan a small pouch, saying lovingly, "This is from your aunt. It’s just for you, so don't tell anyone."

Sun Shan shook his head and said, "I don't want it, Aunt. I have money." He reached under his pillow, pulled out his wooden box, took the key from around his neck, and opened it to show his aunt. "I have money, I don't need yours. You keep it to buy some candy."

Aunt Sun said in surprise, "Oh my, Shan-zi is truly capable; you already know how to save money!"

Madam Huang, who was tidying the bed, responded, "In this whole family, he’s the best at hiding money. He’s the richest child in the entire village."

Aunt Sun stroked Sun Shan’s head and said gently, "When an elder gives, one must not refuse. Take it, Shan-zi."

Sun Shan studied his aunt carefully. She had an oval face and wasn't a beauty, but she possessed a serene quality that made people feel comfortable in her presence. He took the pouch and said seriously, "Aunt, when I grow up, I will provide for you and Uncle-in-law."

Sun Shan wasn't just trying to be clever or ingratiating; he was sincere. Everything in the family relied on Aunt Sun's help, and as for his uncle-in-law, he was even more admirable for not minding that the Sun family was a burden and for genuinely helping them. He knew that even if his aunt proposed letting Ming-ge work in the city, if his uncle-in-law hadn't agreed, it never would have happened.