Embroidered Phoenix Chronicle

Fengxian brought in a large plate of noodles, interrupting the lively conversation of the Huo family mother and daughters. The daughters glared at the tactless woman before them. They remembered her all too well; this was the woman who would curse them whenever she saw them, and push them over when no one was around. Their mother had tried so many times to get her way, yet she still had the nerve to show her face. She must have come here to make a fool of herself.

"Oh, eldest sister, what did you put in the rice? Why does it taste like this?" The second girl coldly squeezed out her words through clenched teeth, sharp as a knife, slashing at the newcomer.

Fengxian calmly put down the wooden plate, held a bowl in both hands, and placed it in front of the Huo family matriarch. "Auntie, please try it."

"Heh! That's really something, thank you for your trouble!" The tone was still sarcastic. "You haven't sent a letter yet, have you? Today is a great opportunity to catch us both in one fell swoop, it would be a shame to miss it!"

"Shut up!" Old Mrs. Huo snapped.

Liu Lian followed in carrying a tray of dishes. "Third Sister is the most witty. She has to say a few jokes to everyone she meets. Godmother has to keep an eye on her. She always bullies me." As she spoke, she placed the dishes on the table, and the other girls hurriedly helped to set out the chopsticks and dishes.

"Fengxian, stop busy and eat quickly, it'll get cold soon," the old lady of the Huo family called out. Cold noodles and cold dishes, are you afraid of them getting cold? Fengxian and Liu Ye'er sat sideways on the edge of the kang, lingering and trying their best to liven up the atmosphere. Sixth Sister echoed her, and everyone reluctantly stuffed food into their mouths.

"This bean sprout noodle soup is delicious, I could eat a whole bowl of it." Old Mrs. Huo made conversation. "Thank you for your hard work, young lady, picking each bean sprout one by one."

"Godmother, I've also chosen one, why don't you praise me?" Everyone laughed at her praise, but it was just a dry laugh. Their expressions were indifferent, the atmosphere was subtle, and they sighed inwardly. The grudges between the two sides had been brewing for a long time and were difficult to resolve. They could only try to maintain a facade of politeness.

When Old Man Huo came in, he was slightly surprised to see Fengxian accompanying him. He then exclaimed with delight, "The noodles in your house look better than those outside! Xiao Qi, did you hit me on the wrong side?"

The girls teased him, and Fengxian mustered up her courage and said, "Dad, why don't you add some more?" Old Man Huo nodded blankly, and Liu hurriedly rushed out to get a bowl and chopsticks. Fengxian filled another half bowl and presented it to Old Man Huo with both hands.

Old Man Huo sat on the ground, took the bowl, and began to slurp his food. The people on the kang (heated brick bed) also quickly put their food into their mouths.

After the meal, Fengxian brought over a pot of plum juice. Grandma Huo quickly told her to rest, and Fengxian complied and left. The other girls also dispersed. The old couple, one on the kang (heated brick bed) and the other on the floor, looked at each other, speechless. After a long silence, Grandpa Huo spoke with difficulty, "Back then she was young, and with her uncles' instigation, it's understandable that she made a foolish mistake. Since she's willing to humble herself, she must know she was wrong. Let's not dwell on it; it's all in the past."

"Hmph!" Old Mrs. Huo lay down angrily, muttering, "If it weren't for... hmph! Marrying you is the worst thing that could have happened to me in eight lifetimes!" Old Mr. Huo lay down behind her, laughing, "Perhaps you didn't do any good deeds in your past life?" Old Mrs. Huo turned around and punched the old man a few times, saying resentfully, "I don't care, I want wontons, tell her to make them for me. Speaking of which, a stepmother is still a mother, shouldn't she be treated well?"

"Yes, yes, if she dares to disobey, break her legs!" It was rare for Old Man Huo to be so bold, and his words were very firm.

That evening, the old lady passed away peacefully. After eating the wonton soup served by Fengxian, the old lady, covered in sweat, leaned against the windowsill, happily watching her daughters scrambling to serve her husband food and rice. When she felt tired, she lay down, and then, nothing more needed to be said.

Mr. Huo broke down in tears. He hadn't been this distraught in years. The passing of his wife was like a knife to his heart. Such a kind and virtuous old lady was gone. She had only been bedridden for five or six days. The girls hadn't even had a chance to properly care for her or show her any filial piety before she cruelly took her own life.

The girls burst into tears, and Liu Ye'er and Feng Xian also had tears in their eyes.

The funeral was grand; the daughters, each holding their breath, wanted to bring honor to their mother, especially since their family was well-off. The old man could only offer his wife this kind of respect. For years, she had endured immense pressure for not bearing a son. He had said countless times he didn't care, but she always felt guilty, remaining submissive and never contradicting him. Only after she passed away did the old man realize that she was truly the pillar of the family, his safe haven.

These past few days, the old man has been constantly hunched over, his hands outstretched, bustling about. He doesn't understand what he's doing; it seems like everyone needs him, yet no one needs him at all. He has to do something for his wife; only by keeping busy can he stop the pain in his heart from devouring him. He doesn't have many more moments to do his best for his wife; he's rushing around like a headless fly, a sight that breaks everyone's heart.

The coffin was carried out the door, and the old man collapsed to the ground, tears streaming down his face. Where had everyone gone from the courtyard that had once been filled with them? The old man looked blankly into the main room, bewildered. His wife was gone, body and soul alike.

The sky was overcast and the air was stifling. The old man, breaking with tradition, lit incense at the altar where his wife worshipped the Buddha, praying that it wouldn't rain. Although it's said that rain on the grave brings wealth to future generations, he preferred his wife to pass away peacefully; as for whether their descendants would prosper, he let that be.

After the funeral procession had eaten tofu and finished tidying up, it wasn't dark yet. Everyone sat on the porch. The old man's mind was in turmoil. Every day at this time, his wife would brew him a pot of tea and prepare some snacks, letting him stretch his muscles and sit in the shade or in the sun—a habit she'd maintained for over thirty years. Among all his children and sons-in-law in the courtyard, not a single one remembered he should have tea. These heartless people only turn to their mother when they have problems; who remembers to share the burden with their husband?

Liu Lian instructed Li Ma to boil water and make tea.

Look at him, he's not even as good as an outsider!

Suddenly, he felt a bit of hatred for everyone in the courtyard. If it weren't for the repeated births and breastfeeding that had taken a toll on his wife's energy, she would have lived a few more years, and might even have outlived him. He could have just closed his eyes and kicked the bucket, instead of suffering like this!

Forget it, let her go first. My wife has always been kind and gentle. If I die, she'll be devastated. How can someone so frail bear such a tragedy? I'll suffer this pain myself!

Suddenly, without any warning, without even a clap of thunder, the rain poured down, creating a vast, unbroken curtain of water that continued all night. The courtyard was flooded, with water about a foot deep, splashing everywhere.

Old Man Huo has fallen ill.