Embroidered Phoenix Chronicle

As usual, the Buddha's Birthday celebration was a chaotic affair. Although the women were generally very traditional, they seized every opportunity to go out. Liu Lian didn't really want to go out and squeeze into the crowds, but Aunt Liu earnestly advised her, "You escaped with your life thanks to the Bodhisattva! Shouldn't you properly express your gratitude? Shouldn't you donate those pairs of shoes you made especially for charity to the temple?" She continued, "Honestly, those shoes were clearly too ugly for anyone to wear. How did they become charity? Is it really okay to play such petty tricks on the Bodhisattva?"

"In short, sincerity is the most important thing. You've just learned to make shoes, so make some for the Bodhisattva first. The Bodhisattva will understand your sincerity!" Liu Ye'er was speechless! She had no choice but to sincerely squeeze in once more. This time it was even more lively than last time, with more rituals and a larger scene. The monks were on high alert, and the devout men and women were pushing and shoving with all their might. Liu Lian barely managed to hold onto Liu Ma so she wouldn't get lost in the crowd. As for Jiang Ma and Xiao He'er, they had disappeared without a trace. Liu Lian stood in a corner where she wouldn't get in the way, watching the throng of people, lost in thought. Liu Ma whispered in her ear, "Third brother went to help Widow Yang set up her tea stall." Liu Lian almost didn't react, "What?" Liu Ma nodded, "Xiao He'er said so. Yesterday afternoon he drove the cart to bring Widow Yang here. Today he parked the cart, saying he was going to offer incense, but actually he went to Widow Yang!" Liu Lian wondered, "Mother, is she regretting it?"

"What are you talking about! You can't just listen to what men say in the future. Sweet words are worthless! You have to see what they do."

"Mom, what kind of person is your husband?" Seeing Liu Ma's dejected look, Liu Lian couldn't bear it and changed the subject.

Although she was over forty, Liu Ma rarely showed any signs of optimism when talking about her husband. She proudly said, "He's nothing special, just average, but he's quite a man!" She sighed, "It's all fate!" Then she laughed and said, "I'd rather taste a fresh peach than eat half a basket of rotten apricots. I don't care for someone like Lao San. He can't take it or leave it. He's not a real man!"

After resting for a while, the two of them bravely plunged back into the crowd.

A cargo ship docked at the town's pier, and a burly man jumped off. He strolled over to a tea stall, sat down, ordered a bowl of tea and a plate of crispy crackers, and chatted with the owner. As he was about to pay, he casually asked, "Do you have any people here who fled from Laoheyan?" The owner shook his head indifferently, "Never heard of them." But the owner's wife chimed in, "Of course you do! Wasn't Aunt Liu from the Huo family one of those who fled from Laoheyan? She used to always ask around on the ships."

"How old are you? What's your name?" the man asked eagerly.

"I think she's forty-two or forty-three, surnamed Liu, I don't know her given name. What, are you looking for her?" The proprietress's curiosity was piqued.

"I only heard from people that my sister might have escaped with her life. I've been asking around everywhere, hoping to find her. I'm her only family now..."

The proprietress didn't believe his nonsense, but she had a good relationship with Aunt Liu and admired her character. Since business was slow that day, she told him about Aunt Liu in detail. The man listened intently, his eyes fixed on the winding road, his eyes almost spitting fire with impatience.

As the Huo family's car came into view, the setting sun was large and red, set against the backdrop of dark green mountains. Aunt Liu casually brushed aside the swaying willow branches, chatting and laughing enthusiastically with the people beside her. The car lurched off the stone bridge, and the landlady smiled, "Sister Liu, someone's looking for you!"

Liu Ma retorted without backing down, "Sure thing, if we find it, I'll treat you to a good meat pie first!" The "meat pie" was a euphemism for a slap. It turned out that Liu Ma used to always go aboard any passing boat to inquire, and she'd been fooled several times, getting free food and drink. Gradually, she gave up hope, no longer taking offense at jokes from others, and even daring to mock them a few times.

The man's vision blurred, and he called out with trembling lips, "Sister Ling, Sister Ling..." He almost choked up.

Aunt Liu was stunned. Was this the man she had been longing for day and night? She couldn't believe her eyes. It was a dream, she must be dreaming! Even seeing him in a dream would be enough. Aunt Liu reached out her hand, wanting to touch him. Just to touch him, she would die happy!

The man grabbed Liu Ma's hand and lifted her out of the car. Liu Ma frantically touched the man's face, shoulders, and arms, and the man hugged her tightly. The two embraced and wept bitterly! Those around them also shed a few tears.

Mr. Huo instructed his third son to drive the car back first, while he stayed behind. He watched the two holding hands and looking at each other with tears in their eyes, unable to get a word in edgewise.

Dinner was sumptuous, but Liu Ma and her husband were too preoccupied to eat. Her only remaining son, Shuisheng, barely remembered her; it was hard to imagine how a man could raise a three- or four-year-old child. Everyone was happy for Liu Ma: finally, their long wait had come to an end.

Afterwards, the old lady said to the old man: No wonder Liu Ma couldn't stand the third son. Look at that man, his appearance, his demeanor. If it were me, I wouldn't like the third son either!

The old man gave a sour snort and said a few sarcastic remarks, while the old woman turned away in a huff and gave him a hard back.

Lying alone in bed, I found myself missing Liu Ma's constant chatter. Liu Ma's husband insisted on not staying at the Huo family's house, so the old lady let Liu Ma go with him to stay at an inn, leaving Shui Sheng and Xiao He'er to sleep on the same kang (heated brick bed).

After a day of scorching sun, it started to rain at night. The rain drizzled on and on, and a cool breeze and dampness seeped in through the newly changed cold cloth screen window. Mr. and Mrs. Liu huddled together, completely oblivious to the sweat covering their bodies.

What a wonderful rain!

Liu Ma's husband stopped traveling with the ship. They bought a house on the street and instead of opening the noodle shop that Liu Ma had imagined, they opened a warehouse. Liu Ma's husband was a shrewd and capable man. Over the years, he had traveled around with the ship and accumulated a lot of connections, so the business was naturally not bad.

With Liu Ma's departure, some trivial matters fell to Liu Lian. The newly hired maid, surnamed Li, was far less capable than Liu Ma, and all matters, big and small, required the Madam's instructions. The Madam was impatient and preoccupied with raising her two children, Sixth Sister, and had no energy left to deal with these mundane affairs. Gradually, these matters were taken over by Liu Lian.