Chapter 26: As Long As We Break Even

The next day, everyone rose early. After washing up, Wen Ye shouldered the basket woven by Madam Lin and prepared to head out. The last of the family's grain had been finished the previous day, leaving only a single egg.

Madam Lin boiled the egg and pressed it into Old Third Wen’s hand. "You have to start working the moment you reach the city. Eat this before you begin so you’ll have the strength for the labor."

She then took out the remaining fourteen wen and handed them to him. "Master of the house, you must take an ox cart to the city; you cannot walk. It’s safer to at least ride as far as the town to save your strength. Ye and the others, you go with him and see your father off."

"Six wen is for your fares. Keep the eight wen for yourself; buy food if you’re hungry, and don’t be stingy. Above all, be careful."

Old Third Wen nodded, his eyes brimming with tears, and departed with Wen Ye and Wen Lan. He was heading to the city to haul heavy sacks, while the sisters were going to town to sell their embroidery.

The three of them arrived at the village entrance to wait for the ox cart.

"Ye!" Wen Yu’er was already there, basket in hand.

Wen Shengli had also arrived, carrying a bundle of his own, and nodded in greeting to Old Third Wen. Shengli had sold his two pigs the day before yesterday for five taels and two hundred wen—just enough to cover the five-tael betrothal gift. However, holding the wedding banquet was a major expense requiring over ten taels, so he had to go out and find work. If that proved insufficient, he would have to find another way.

Soon, several other villagers arrived to wait for the cart.

"Oh, isn't this the third brother?" Madam Luo approached, carrying a basket of eggs.

Since the family split, Old Mother Wen had squeezed eight taels of silver out of the second branch, temporarily resolving the tuition fees for her two grandsons. However, the second branch had lost their work in town and could no longer bring home seven hundred wen every month, causing the Wen family much anxiety. After the split, Old Mother Wen had bought two hens, which had produced a full basket of eggs in over half a month, and she had sent Madam Luo to sell them in town today.

"Where are you going with those bundles? Following Shengli? Don't tell me you're going to haul heavy sacks?" Madam Luo sneered with disdain. "This is the consequence of splitting the family! Reduced to hauling heavy sacks."

At these words, the other villagers waiting for the cart cast looks of pity.

"Third brother, it’s not too late to regret your decision. If you just return home and admit your mistakes, Mother will surely forgive you."

Madam Luo missed the third branch terribly. Since the split, Old Mother Wen had taken her frustration out on the second branch, forcing them to do all the dirty and exhausting chores. But this only lasted five or six days before Old Mother Wen was once again charmed by Madam Fang, leaving the first branch to bear the brunt of the burden. Thus, Madam Luo dreamed of the third branch's return.

"Return for what?" Wen Ye retorted with a cold laugh. "To be your pack animals or your servants? Even if we have no money now, at least we eat as much as we want. We are happy even in our poverty."

"It’s nothing like before the split, when we worked ourselves to the bone, serving a nest of vampires like servants, and having to watch your expressions even to take a sip of water. And in the end, you were going to sell us off!"

"Besides, poverty is only temporary. We will live better and better."

Madam Luo’s face turned livid, and she wanted to strike out, but seeing the two men, Old Third Wen and Shengli, standing there, she didn't dare. She merely curled her lip in a mocking sneer. "Without even your own land, you'll live better and better? What an eye-opener! Don't come crawling back as beggars when you're half-starved."

Wen Ye couldn't be bothered to engage further; what was the point of arguing with such wretched people? Wen Lan felt disheartened, yet her will remained firm—no matter how poor or bitter life was, it was still freer than before the split. Old Third Wen, however, sighed softly, his heart heavy.

Soon, the ox cart arrived, and after paying their fares, everyone boarded. Madam Luo sat as far away as possible, looking disgusted. Two quarters of an hour later, they arrived at Dahe Town.

As the others disembarked and went their separate ways, Old Fu, the cart driver, spoke up: "Old Third, Shengli, are you heading into the city to haul sacks? I’ll give you a lift."

Old Third Wen looked embarrassed. "No need, we'll walk!" The town was not particularly close to the county seat; it was a half-hour walk.

"It costs nothing," Old Fu said, lifting his chin. "I'm idle anyway, and it's boring sitting here waiting. Hop on."

Old Third Wen, filled with gratitude, glanced at Wen Ye and her sister before nodding. "Thank you, Uncle Fu." Wen Shengli patted Wen Yu’er’s head before climbing onto the cart with Old Third Wen.

Watching the cart vanish into the crowd, Wen Lan and Yu’er felt their eyes grow red.

"Let's go. Let's sell our embroidery quickly. Once we earn good money, Father won't have to haul heavy sacks anymore," Wen Ye said, shouldering her basket and turning to walk forward. The other two girls regained their spirits and followed behind her.

...

Before long, they arrived at the Qiuyue Embroidery Shop they had visited before. Wen Lan and Yu’er gulped nervously. Had the bunny handkerchiefs truly become a trend? Could they really sell them for the high price of thirty wen like last time? No, they couldn't be too greedy. As long as they could sell them for ten wen apiece without losing money, it would be enough.

"Oh my, aren't these the three young ladies from last time? I have been waiting for you for so long, hurry in!" A voice filled with excitement rang out. Lady Liu, the shopkeeper, hurried out to meet them.

Wen Lan and Yu’er were startled. Waiting for them?

"Those bunny handkerchiefs were made by you, right?" Lady Liu was a fast talker, her red lips moving rapidly. "Yesterday was the birthday of the county magistrate’s daughter. She was holding a handkerchief embroidered with a very cute rabbit hugging a radish. All her friends were envious."

"Everyone asked where she learned it, but Miss Yao said she didn't embroider it herself; she had bought them from three farm girls on the street. Later, as return gifts for those noble young ladies, she included a bunny handkerchief for each of them. Those young ladies were absolutely delighted."

"Now, there isn't a young lady in the entire Shengan County who doesn't want a bunny handkerchief."

"When I heard this, I suddenly remembered the three farm girls I had met. I recalled you saying you had sold dozens of those bunny handkerchiefs."

As she spoke, Lady Liu led them into the shop and sat behind the counter. Wen Lan and Yu’er’s faces turned bright red with joy; their bunny handkerchiefs were truly popular! Wen Ye felt a sense of relief wash over her. While she had always been confident in the designs, she had feared that perhaps only Miss Yao appreciated the cartoon style. Now, the stone in her heart finally dropped. And to think, that Miss Yao was the daughter of the county magistrate!

"Ye," Wen Yu’er tugged at her sleeve anxiously.

Wen Ye snapped back to reality. "Shopkeeper, we are the ones who sold the handkerchiefs to Miss Yao. We have embroidered many more this time, please take a look."

She took two stacks of handkerchiefs from her basket, and Wen Yu’er produced her own as well. "We have twenty-five, and Yu’er has twenty, making forty-five in total," Wen Ye said.

Lady Liu flipped through them and clapped her hands in excitement. "Yes, yes, this is exactly it! I wonder... how much would you like for them?"