Chapter 34: Buying a Sheep to Eat

Chapter 34: Buying a Sheep to Eat

Time passed in the blink of an eye, and before they knew it, Yan Fengan's birthday had arrived.

In previous years, Yan Fengan had been away at the academy during this time, so the family never had a chance to celebrate with him.

This year was special, and since it happened to be his twentieth birthday, they couldn't let it pass without a proper celebration.

That evening, Chen Lanfang and Yan Shichang lay in their warm quilts, talking in low voices: "Sanlang's birthday is in two days. Shouldn't we celebrate it properly?"

Yan Shichang thought for a moment and said, "What do you say we buy a sheep and eat it?"

Chen Lanfang replied, "Sheep aren't cheap."

The last time they'd bought a ewe was when He Jin had given birth, to get milk for Tao'er. That sheep wasn't big, but it still cost more than a tael of silver.

"What's the point of earning money if not to spend it? If we want to celebrate our son's birthday right, we shouldn't be cheap about it. We barely get to eat mutton once a year—this time, for Sanlang's birthday, let's have ourselves a feast. Besides, Tiezhu and Tao'er keep asking for mutton buns. Let's buy a sheep and make it all ourselves—mutton soup, mutton buns, we'll eat till we're stuffed."

His words got Chen Lanfang's mouth watering. Since Sanlang got better, the family hadn't had any big expenses. Making clothes for Wen Xi had cost a bit, but that money had actually come from Yan Fengan.

Chen Lanfang had managed to put aside some silver again, and after mulling it over, she said, "Alright, let's do as you say and buy a sheep."

When word got around that they were buying a sheep, everyone in the family, young and old, was grinning with excitement.

Wen Xi tugged at Yan Fengan's sleeve and asked, "Our village doesn't seem to sell sheep. Do we have to go somewhere else to buy one?"

Yan Fengan replied, "We'll probably need to head to Taipinggang."

"I don't remember any village by that name around here. What sort of place is that?"

Hearing Wen Xi mumble, Yan Fengan said, "I've only heard of it myself. Why don't we tag along with Eldest Brother and Second Brother and see for ourselves?"

Before Wen Xi could answer, Chen Lanfang spoke up: "It wouldn't hurt to go take a look. When a man has a kid, the family always heads to Taipinggang to buy goat's milk for the baby. You two don't have anything else to do anyway—might as well go along and see the place."

With that settled, Wen Xi and Yan Fengan joined the two elder brothers on the trip to Taipinggang to buy a sheep.

Taipinggang was several villages away from Daoxiang Village, and you had to cross two mountain ridges to get there. The whole village was tucked away in a narrow valley, with rough terrain and poor soil that wasn't good for farming. To get by, most of the locals made a living herding livestock.

After walking for almost an hour and crossing the last ridge, the four of them finally reached the edge of Taipinggang.

Unlike the crisp, clean air outside, the village was thick with a strong mutton smell that was a bit sickening at first.

Going by memory, Yan Fuqiu led Wen Xi and the others to Du Dahong's place.

When He Jin had given birth, this was where he'd bought the ewe for nursing the baby. From past dealings, he knew Du Dahong was an honest man, unlike some folks who passed off bad goods or deliberately watered their sheep to add weight.

In the pen, a bunch of sheep with bells around their necks were bleating. Besides the grown ones ready to sell, there were also a few lambs still nursing.

Wen Xi gave them a quick look and figured there were a few dozen.

When he heard they wanted to buy a live sheep, Du Dahong asked, "Are you buying it for meat or for milk?"

Yan Wangchun said, "For meat, not milk. Pick us out a big fat one."

Before they left, Yan Shichang had told them that with so many mouths to feed, they should buy a big one. Don't be like those cheapskates who end up with not enough meat and money wasted.

Du Dahong pointed to a white sheep and asked, "How about that one?"

Yan Wangchun pretended to know what he was doing, giving the sheep a serious look, then turned to Yan Fuqiu: "Second Brother, what do you think of this one?"

Yan Fuqiu stroked his chin, looking thoughtful, then turned to Yan Fengan: "Third Brother, what's your take?"

Yan Fengan didn't know a thing about sheep—none of the three brothers had a clue how to pick one, and getting caught would be embarrassing.

Not wanting to look clueless, he said, "Let's bring it out and take a look first."

Du Dahong went into the pen and brought the sheep out in a few quick moves. Yan Fengan gave it a look, then made a show of feeling its fur.

"This sheep is quick on its feet, has smooth fur, and a loud bleat. It's a real good one."

Both brothers and Wen Xi looked at him with admiration, not knowing he was judging it the same way you'd pick a piglet.

Yan Wangchun said, "Good, good, good—we'll take this one."

This sheep was much larger than the ewe Yan Fuqiu had bought before, and the price was higher too. Even after Du Dahong waived the odd change, it still cost two taels of silver.

Luckily, they'd come prepared with enough silver.

Yan Wangchun took out a rope he'd brought and looped it around the sheep's neck. Just as they were about to leave, Du Dahong, grateful for the business, threw in a jar of goat's milk for Wen Xi.

Goat's milk was nourishing, just right for someone as skinny as him.

With Yan Fengan and the two brothers nodding, Wen Xi accepted the kind gesture.

In the Great Zhou Dynasty, goat's milk was meant for shuang'er nursing babies. Its nutritional value was higher than rice water or rice paste, yet the price wasn't steep.

To accommodate poor families struggling to raise children, the authorities had regulated the price of goat's milk—a jar cost only a few coppers.

The four headed back the way they came, with Yan Wangchun and Yan Fuqiu leading the sheep in front, while Yan Fengan and Wen Xi followed at a leisurely pace behind. Wen Xi cradled the jar of goat's milk in his arms, careful not to spill a drop the whole way.

On the road home, the sheep bleated now and then, and even after entering the village it didn't quiet down, drawing many neighbors out of their doors to see what the commotion was about. They asked what the sheep was for—had one of their shuang'er gotten pregnant again?

As they asked, they'd sneak a glance at Wen Xi's belly, though with the thick winter clothes, nothing could be discerned.

In most families, it was considered impressive if a shuang'er conceived within a year of marriage. Wen Xi had been wed to Xiucai Yan for less than six months—surely he couldn't already be with child?

Amid all the speculation, Yan Dalang explained that the sheep was for celebrating their third son's birthday.

The neighbors chuckled and offered their well-wishes, and once the Yan family had walked off, they clustered together to gossip about other things.

"That old Yan couple really dotes on their youngest. For us farming folk, a bowl of longevity noodles on our birthday is plenty, but they go and buy a whole sheep to eat."

"Oh, they've got money, and their son's a scholar. Eating a sheep's nothing—maybe next time they'll buy a cow to eat."

Sun Jiafu said, "A scholar without any official rank isn't so impressive. He's the only one in our village, sure, but the town's full of them."

"A scholar might not be impressive, but your son's been studying for years too—how come he hasn't brought one back for you?"

Li Jiafu's face fell, and he snorted, "What do you know? My son will definitely pass next year."

The sour remarks weren't worth listening to, and someone else chimed in, "That sheep must've cost a few taels of silver. The Yan family really doesn't hold back."

Chen Furlang, who always had the widest network of gossip, said, "A few taels is nothing? Do you know how much Yan Shichang and his two sons earned working for folks in town recently?"

"How much?" A crowd's curiosity was piqued by Chen Furlang.

Chen Furlang relished the attention. To be honest, he didn't know exactly how much the Yan family had earned, but that didn't matter—if he didn't know, he could just make it up.

He held up three fingers and said smugly, "A full thirty taels."

Upon hearing this number, everyone present drew in a sharp breath.

Damn, that's no joke—thirty taels was enough to feed families like theirs for ages, yet Yan Shichang's household had earned that much in under a month. No wonder they'd shelled out such a hefty betrothal gift to the Wen family back then.

After enjoying the show of everyone's stunned faces, Chen Furlang spoke up again: "We hear this and just get a sour feeling in our hearts, but some people are probably regretting so much they'd want to bang their heads against a wall."

Though he said "some people," it was as good as naming names.

Another furlang chimed in: "Fate's a funny thing. Everyone knows that young lad from the Wen family—back home, his days were pure misery, and his folks never treated him like a human being. Now look at him—dressed all nice, even wearing a silver hairpin."

He couldn't actually tell what material the hairpin was made of, but he just felt it looked real pretty on Wen Xi.

"I also heard that after marrying into the Yan family, he picked up a skill and can do embroidery to make some money on the side. That Yan scholar treats him well too, but his brother..." The speaker clicked his tongue and shook his head before continuing, "A gē'er who thinks he's all that just because he's better looking than most, daydreaming about a crow turning into a phoenix. He doesn't stop to think if he's got that kind of luck in him."

The Yan family's good fortune left these folks feeling sour inside, and they were desperate to find someone worse off to make themselves feel better. Hearing this, they all nodded in agreement: "When he was engaged to Scholar Yan, they treated him so well! The betrothal gifts were the most generous in the whole village, but he, of all people, refused to marry because he thought the man was crazy. Not only did he refuse, but he wouldn't even give the gifts back. He knew damn well it was a trap, yet he still pushed Xi Geer into it. Good thing Xi Geer had luck on his side, or else..." The speaker clicked his tongue twice. "I'd like to see him find someone better than Scholar Yan."

Everyone wants to climb higher, just like water flows downhill. It was understandable that Wen Liu, counting on his good looks, wanted to marry well. But the whole family had behaved so shamelessly. Thank goodness the Yan family was decent and Scholar Yan had a good heart—if it'd been any other household, that stand-in groom would've suffered way worse.

"I heard the matchmaker got run off several times when she went to their place. He's not young anymore—come the new year, he'll be turning nineteen. If he keeps being picky and ends up left on the shelf, that'll be a laughingstock."

Wen Xi had no idea what folks were saying. Ever since he'd gone with Yan Fengan to raise a ruckus at his old home, he'd stopped paying attention to anything going on over there.

As long as it didn't affect his own little life, Wen Liu could marry an emperor or a beggar for all he cared.

After getting home, Yan Wangchun hitched the sheep in the backyard. Tiezhu and Tao'er had hardly ever seen a live sheep, and since they'd heard sheep love eating grass, the two ran out to yank some grass to bring back.

Tao'er reached out tentatively and stroked the sheep's back. Seeing that the sheep didn't shy away or try to butt her, she relaxed and patted it a few more times.

Children always love such animals. Fearing the two little ones would be heartbroken, the Yan family quickly butchered the sheep the next morning while they were still asleep.

By the time Tiezhu and Tao'er got up, all that remained in the backyard was a rope that had been used to tie the sheep and a patch of bloodstains that hadn't been scrubbed clean.

Wen Xi was scrubbing the bloodstains in the backyard, worried the kids might get upset if they saw them. Just as he was fumbling for something comforting to say, Tiezhu said, "Uncle Xiao Xi, when will the mutton buns be ready? I'm so hungry, I really want to eat."

Tao'er rubbed her eyes. "Papa said last night he'd make me a little hat out of the sheep's wool. Has he finished it?"

Sure enough, nobody knows a kid better than their own folks. Fearing the two would cry and make a fuss, Li Wan and the others had already calmed them down the night before.

Wen Xi's eyes crinkled with a smile as he patted Tao'er's cute, round cheek. "Your papa said he'll make it for you once today's work is done. If you're hungry, go to the kitchen—there's warm goat's milk in there, and it smells real good."

When boiling the goat's milk, Li Wan had thrown in two slices of dried tangerine peel, which got rid of most of the goaty smell after boiling and skimming. Wen Xi had also drunk a small bowl earlier, and the creamy, sweet flavor still lingered in his mouth.

Tiezhu yawned, took Tao'er's hand, and led her to the front yard.

There was soup to stew and mutton buns to make—lots to do today. Once he'd cleaned up the bloodstains in the backyard, Wen Xi headed to the kitchen to lend a hand.

Yesterday, when they went to Taipinggang to buy the sheep, Chen Lanfang had also sent He Jin and Li Wan into town to pick up spices and fruit wine.

Adding ginger slices and baizhi (a fragrant herb) when stewing the mutton really kills the gamey smell and makes it taste even better.

Winter's the best time for building up the body. There's an old saying: "Winter solstice radish beats ginseng." At this time of year, stewing mutton with white radish is just the thing.

The iron pot on the left was bubbling away, steam rising, the smell of mutton sneaking out through the cracks in the lid and filling the whole kitchen.

Once Li Wan had chopped the filling and He Jin had kneaded the dough, Wen Xi joined them at the counter to shape the buns.

Last time, the buns they'd bought in town with Yan Fengan were so small the whole family could only split one, and nobody got their fill.

Now that they had bought a sheep of their own, they wanted to eat their fill for once. The white radishes from their own garden didn't cost a thing, and chopped up and mixed into the mutton filling, they were delicious.

After the first batch of buns was done steaming, Li Wan fished out a plateful with her chopsticks and set it aside. Once they'd cooled down a bit, she hollered for everyone to come try one.

Wen Xi held a bun in both hands, blew on the steam rising from it, and took a small bite. After confirming it wasn't too hot, he took another bite.

The homemade buns were not only big but packed with meat. After finishing one, Wen Xi's mouth was still full of flavor, and his heart was filled with a joy he couldn't put into words.

In the past, he'd never have had a seat at a table like this. Now, not only could he help make them, he could eat right along with everyone else—he couldn't have dreamed of days this good.

When the second batch was done, Li Wan picked out some more and had Yan Wangchun take some over to the Shen family to try.

After the buns were done, Wen Xi rolled the leftover dough into thin noodles, boiled them, ladled the simmered mutton soup over the top, and added a few slices of mutton and some chopped scallions. A fragrant bowl of longevity noodles was ready.

Today was the winter solstice—a holiday and Yan Fengan's birthday rolled into one. In the afternoon, the whole family sat down at the table early.

Wen Xi carefully carried the bowl of longevity noodles over to Yan Fengan, set it down steady, then quickly pulled back his burning hands and touched his earlobes.

Yan Fengan pulled him to sit beside him, looked at Wen Xi's reddened fingertips, and gently blew on them with concern.

Yan Wangchun poured plum wine for all the grown-ups. Once poured, Yan Shichang, the head of the family, spoke first: "Third son, your father wishes you a happy birthday. Once you turn twenty, you're a grown man. From now on, try to give your mother and me less to worry about."

Chen Lanfang smiled warmly. "I don't mind worrying about you, son—I just want you to do well. Sanlang, may everything go smooth for you from here on."

Yan Fengan was moved by their words and nodded. "Thank you, Father and Mother. I will."

After the two elders had spoken, Yan Wangchun raised his cup toward Yan Fengan. "Happy birthday, Third Brother. Your eldest brother wishes you good health and nothing but success." He downed his wine in one gulp.

"Thank you, Eldest Brother." Yan Fengan's eyes shone with a smile, and he drained his cup too.

Yan Fuqiu had practiced his speech ahead of time. As soon as Yan Fengan finished drinking, he jumped up and announced: "Your second brother wishes you piles of money, a smooth official career, blessings and fortune, steady promotions, a good wife and obedient kids, sons and grandsons galore..."

"You illiterate idiot," He Jin cut in, half amused, half annoyed. "You think this is Spring Festival couplet time? Just slapping on every lucky phrase you can think of."

Yan Fuqiu let out a sheepish laugh. "As long as the meaning gets across, that's what counts. Third Brother will get it. Happy birthday, Third Brother. Your second brother wishes you smooth sailing from here on."

Then he glanced at He Jin. "I didn't get it wrong this time, did I?"

The whole family cracked up. Yan Fengan raised his cup. "Thanks, Second Brother."

"Don't mention it. Eat your noodles first, before they get all soggy and waste Xiao Xi's hard work."

Yan Fengan nodded. "You all eat too."

The noodles Wen Xi made were smooth and tasty. After a couple of bites, Yan Fengan smiled at Wen Xi's expectant look. "Delicious."

A light blush spread across Wen Xi's cheeks, and the corners of his mouth turned up. "Next year on your birthday, I'll make them for you again."

In perfect harmony, all was peaceful and still. Yan Fengan's heart felt warm. If it weren't for everyone else being there, he really would've pulled Wen Xi into a hug.

There was plenty of food that night, and the whole family ate with gusto. Second Brother said something that made He Jin giggle and give him a playful punch. Eldest Brother didn't say much, just kept picking food into his own bowl and his wife's.

Father and Mother ate and nodded, already planning to buy another sheep next year once they'd saved up a bit more.

Somehow, the steam from the noodles drifted into Yan Fengan's eyes, making them sting slightly, and his throat tightened.

The past three years had been like a nightmare. Now that the nightmare had ended—his father here, his mother here, his brothers and sisters-in-law here, and a sweet, pretty, adorable little husband by his side—he figured the heavens hadn't been too cruel to him after all.

After the storm, to still be able to sit peacefully together as a family—wasn't that another kind of happiness?

Author's note:

I know what you're thinking, but hold that thought—the young couple still has one issue to resolve.