Embroidered Phoenix Chronicle

After the grave was completed and the seventh-day memorial service was held, the girls all went home—they'd been at their parents' homes for almost a month, and it was time to go back and visit. Sixth Sister's father-in-law had his birthday, so the couple took their child back to wish him a happy birthday. Only Old Master Huo and Fengxian Liuye'er remained at home.

Fengxian sat silently beside her father. Liulian brought over a pot of double-flowered bamboo leaf tea, not wanting to disturb the precious time the father and daughter had alone. Old Master Huo called her back, suddenly short of breath and coughing incessantly. Liu Ye'er hurriedly went to the kang (a heated brick bed) to massage the old man's back. Fengxian hesitated for a moment, then reached out and massaged her father as well.

Liu Lian helped the old man up, and Fengxian quickly tucked the blankets and pillows behind her father. Old Man Huo leaned against her and let out a long sigh, wiping away the tears that had welled up in his eyes. Fengxian quickly poured a cup of tea and held it to her father's lips. The old man took a sip from her hand and said with satisfaction, "Little Qi's skills are getting better and better. The tea you brewed is excellent, delicious!"

After a moment of silence, Old Mr. Huo finally spoke: "Fengxian, when you were a little over four months old, your grandfather and your eldest uncle were unjustly accused in court. Your mother, your grandmother, your aunt, and I were banished from the capital and sent back home. Your aunt was pregnant at the time, and due to illness and stress, she couldn't endure the journey and died en route. When we finally returned, our branch of the family was expelled from the clan, and all our property and land were confiscated as public property! Haha! Our family property in the capital was seized by the government, and we had to sell your grandmother's..." Your aunt and your mother barely managed to bring their dowry home; they were practically penniless by then. Your grandmother couldn't bear it and fell seriously ill. Your older cousin was still young, and your mother was exhausted raising you. They couldn't even afford a place to stay—first, they had no money, and second, no place would take you. I was afraid you and your mother wouldn't be able to cope, so I sent you two to your maternal grandparents' house. At least you'd have a warm house and a hot meal. We were really hoping your in-laws could lend a helping hand. Ah, never mind. Your grandmother, Li Ge'er, and I squeezed into the carriage, but then Li Ge'er fell ill. We had no choice but to sell the horse and the carriage. The horse, without proper fodder, had become very thin. Those unscrupulous brokers drove the price down drastically. I couldn't bear to sell it, so I had to bring it back. At dusk, snow began to fall. In Fengxian, we were completely desperate, with nowhere to turn, and we truly wanted to end it all. Your grandmother held Li Ge'er and wept. I couldn't cry. I loaded the luggage onto the carriage, preparing to go to the city gate. "Get out of here." Just then, Xiaoqi's grandfather passed by, couldn't bear to watch, and asked me what was going on. "Xiaoqi," he said, "your grandfather, though a cart driver, is a very public-spirited and chivalrous man. You take after him." He cursed at his servant a few times and asked if I would like to go to the countryside with him. He could lend me a small house to live in; it was a mud-brick house, but it would keep out the wind and snow. He advised me to settle down first, otherwise, if the old and the young caught a cold, life would be unbearable."

Seeing his agitated state, Liu Lian quickly urged him to rest. Old Mr. Huo waved his hand, took a handkerchief to cover his face, calmed himself, and then pulled it off, continuing, "Little Qi, your grandfather is shrewd. He said my horse had been on a long journey; although it's a good horse, it just didn't look good. He said if I fed it good fodder and cleaned the cart properly, the price would more than double. That's how we followed your grandfather until it was completely dark when we arrived at Shiqiao. Little Qi, your family's brick courtyard wasn't finished yet, and your father hadn't married your mother!" A few fine lines appeared at the corners of Old Mr. Huo's mouth, and his eyes brightened. "Your grandfather told your grandmother to hurry and serve the guests..." "Make something to eat. Your grandpa told your grandma we were guests! Your grandma is a good cook, quick and efficient; in no time she made a pot of dumpling soup, with cabbage leaves in it, and a plate of shredded salted radish, mixed with scallions and sesame oil. She even stir-fried a plate of scallion eggs for us. Your grandma stir-fried the eggs first, then scooped them out and added water to make the dumpling soup. You do the same thing as your grandma; I don't know how you learned this method?" Old Mr. Huo chuckled. "That meal was the best I've ever eaten, the most delicious meal ever." Old Mr. Huo lowered his head and murmured.

"The next day, the weather cleared up, and it hadn't snowed much. Your grandfather gathered a few close friends and they renovated your old house, building two kang beds, pasting up the windows, and hanging curtains so we could settle in comfortably. They also brought us a bag of flour, a peck of rice, a small jar of salted radishes, and a basket of eggs—your grandmother loves eggs and raises chickens, so your family has plenty. Some villagers brought a basket of cabbage, some a few radishes, some a liter of rice, and some a bowl of salt, ensuring we didn't go hungry. Your grandfather vouched for me and found me a job as an accountant, but I didn't go. Accountants don't earn much, and they come too slowly." "I'll go to the docks to carry bags; the wages will be paid in cash." Old Mr. Huo chuckled, "You know, when things get tough, you have to push yourself. Who would believe that the second young master of the Huo family, such a handsome young man, could carry such heavy bags! Your grandmother later came to terms with it and started cooking too. Li Ge'er also got better; I sent him to school, and after school he would go to gather grass and firewood. He's very sensible!" Old Mr. Huo lowered his head and said sadly, "After things settled down, I went to pick you and your mother up, but your uncles wouldn't let me go. They forced me to write a divorce agreement. I was young and impetuous at the time, so I wrote it. I didn't even think of finding a way to see your mother and ask her in person." Fengxian could no longer bear it. He stopped crying and burst into tears. Old Mr. Huo lowered his eyelids and examined his hands. After a long while, he said softly, "Later, the villagers discovered that I had some medical skills and persuaded me to practice medicine. My medical skills were passed down in my family. Although I couldn't compare to my father and elder brother, I was much better than those quack doctors who swindled people. I cured several difficult cases in a row, and my reputation quickly grew. Shiqiao was conveniently located, so people from afar came to see me. I didn't want to go back to the city anymore, so I simply settled down. Two years later, your grandfather's case was overturned. Not only did he return his family's wealth, but the court also bestowed gold as a consolation prize. Your grandfather wanted to retire and return to his hometown, but that was impossible. He had no choice but to stay in Tai..." "At the hospital, I became the head of the department. Your mother has been remarried to a wealthy merchant as his second wife. Seeing our family's current state, how could that young man dare to marry her? He didn't even dare to ask for the bride price back, leaving your mother with a bad reputation. The Jiang family came to mediate, but I refused. I said many hurtful things, but the Jiang family wouldn't let us lose this marriage. They put aside your mother and wanted to marry your aunt to me, not for any other reason than to disgust the Jiang family and your mother. I agreed to the marriage, and your mother had no way to live. On the day of the bride price, she hanged herself!" Old Mr. Huo lowered his head and remained silent for a long time. Fengxian sobbed softly, and large tears dripped from Old Mr. Huo's chest.

"Fengxian, I'm so sorry to your mother, I'm so sorry to you!"