Embroidered Phoenix Chronicle

The atmosphere in the room was heavy. Fengxian was sobbing softly, while Old Master Huo stared intently at the ceiling, his head tilted back. Liu Lian had always thought Old Master Huo was just a pushover—easygoing, generous, and forgiving. He never pursued patients who owed him money for medicine; he would accept whatever they brought, and if they couldn't afford it, he'd send a small amount to settle the debt, and it didn't matter if they didn't pay. It turned out that in his youth he was a hot-blooded, tough man; being a nice guy wasn't something he was born.

After a long silence, Mr. Huo said in a hoarse voice, “Back then I was young and didn’t understand the hardships of life. I only knew how to hate your mother for her greed for wealth and vanity. I never thought about her suffering. It was your uncle who forced me to write the divorce papers and then forced your mother to remarry. If I hadn’t divorced your mother, she could have resisted. But now that we’re divorced, your mother… Later, your aunt told me about your mother’s suffering, and I realized that I had acted foolishly. I shouldn’t have listened to a few nonsense words from your uncle and divorced your mother without understanding the situation. She was a weak woman, raising a child alone, enduring so much humiliation and contempt. What else could she do but take that step? I shouldn’t have hated her. Your aunt, at least, was willing to say a few fair words. It was your aunt who advocated moving your mother’s grave back. I don’t know how your uncles raised you. You can’t even afford decent clothes, yet you’re so devoted to them and refuse to come back. There was no other way.” "I begged the eldest master of the Jiang family to take you in and raise you under his wing. I taught you to read and write, and to do needlework. I gave you ten taels of silver every year for your food and clothing. Of course, your eldest master didn't raise you for that reason; it was mainly because you were so lovable, and he couldn't bear to see you go astray in your uncle's family. After you grew up, your uncle treated you like a cash cow, only talking about money when arranging your marriage. The eldest master of the Jiang family couldn't interfere, so he asked me to come up with a solution. Your eldest master and I could only choose from among those less-than-ideal men. Although the eldest son of the Liu family was not very good at studying, probably not even passing the imperial examinations, he was kind and honest, good-looking, and of similar age. So your eldest master strongly advocated for the marriage between the Liu family and the Liu family. Fengxian, marrying into a merchant family is a disservice to you, but none of the men your uncle found were suitable except for him. Besides, the Liu family spent ten thousand taels of silver as a dowry, so they should think highly of you."

Fengxian had no memory of her childhood, only what others told her. Her uncle's version differed significantly from her father's, even drastically. However, she understood everything about the marriage arrangement: the Liu family hadn't sought her hand in marriage, but rather her uncle's daughter. Her uncle had rejected her because he disliked the Liu family as merchants. Those who came to propose to her, on the other hand, were from wealthy and powerful families, and included a group of mentally challenged, elderly, and disabled individuals. Her aunt complained earnestly, "I don't know how your birth chart was formed, how could it be all like this?" At that moment, Fengxian coldly thought that if she were to marry such people, she would commit suicide. The Liu family's dowry was divided between her two uncles, and her two aunts lamented to her for a long time, without giving her even a single piece of pure gold jewelry—which was already included in the dowry. They only spent twenty or thirty taels of silver on her dowry, buying some everyday items like basins, buckets, chests, and dressing tables—things they had discarded from the dowry. The jewelry they did buy was all silk flowers, velvet flowers, and pith paper, along with a few of her mother's belongings. Her dowry was a long-standing joke. The Jiang family wasn't ashamed; it was only she who was. Her mother-in-law had repeatedly brought up how so-and-so from her uncle's family wore something and how much money they spent on it. Fengxian's heart grew colder and colder; she hated herself for being so foolish. Fortunately, after the Liu family became involved with the Huo family, they profited greatly, and she managed the household affairs quite well, which allowed her to slowly gain a foothold.

After the passing of the Jiang family's patriarch and aunt, Fengxian almost completely severed ties with the Jiang family. Her two aunts and cousins, however, visited frequently, unfazed by her cold treatment, still sitting in the main room begging for money, then berating her for being stingy and forgetting all the kindness her uncle had shown her. Fengxian's heart gradually leaned towards her father.

Old Mr. Huo took Liulian and Fengxian's hands together. "I don't know why, but you two hit it off. From now on, you two should be like sisters. You're both lonely and pitiful people, having a sister is always better than being alone. Xiaoqi, how about we get a couple of dishes for the three of us to have a drink?"

Liu Lian quickly slipped off the kang (a heated brick bed), knowing that Mr. Huo probably had something to say to Fengxian alone.

After a long silence, Mr. Huo released Fengxian's hand. "Fengxian, after I die, please take care of Liuye'er. If I fail to arrange a marriage for her, please help her find a good man. I don't need him to be rich or noble, just honest and kind, and a harmonious marriage."

Fengxian was shocked and exclaimed, "Father, you..."

Old Mr. Huo raised his hand to stop her. "Child, I know my own body. I might survive the winter, but I probably won't make it to spring. This marriage with the Gong family is most likely off, which is a pity. After I'm gone, it won't be so convenient for Xiao Qi to live here. First, Widow Yang is always eyeing her and trying to harm her. Second, Xue Wen is young, and gossip could kill her. She's not really close to the other sisters. The Liu family has done our Huo family a great favor, and we must repay it. I'll find a chance to talk to your father-in-law so you won't be in a difficult position."

"Father... thank you, Father!" Fengxian was in a state of utter confusion.

Old Huo smiled reassuringly, "I'll lie down for a while, you should go and rest too!"

Fengxian stepped out of the door, stumbled, and almost fell. Regaining her composure, she went into the west wing. Seeing this, Liulian put down the dumpling wrappers she was making and started to leave. But Li Ma reached out and grabbed her, saying, "Don't go over there, silly child. Let your older sister have some peace and quiet." Liulian obediently sat down and continued making dumplings.

"Seventh Miss, I'm not trying to flatter you, but these dumplings you made are the most beautiful I've ever seen. You're so skillful." Li Ma, trying to make conversation, lingered without replying, thinking to herself, "You haven't seen many like this. This is nothing! I'm a top-tier chef! A novice would be proud if I tasted their food, and a seasoned chef would be proud if I criticized one of their dishes. Now I've been reduced to this! Waaaaah, a hero with no place to use his talents!"

Li's mother continued, "It's strange, the wontons you two made the other day, even though the filling was smaller than dumplings, tasted pretty good. Do you know how to make them?"

"That's my older sister's cooking, I can't do it. Besides, that kind of thing is for rich people to eat to relieve boredom, nothing beats dumplings."

"That's true!" Aunt Li nodded approvingly. "Dumplings are still the most filling. A bowl of wontons only has half a bowl of soup, it's not substantial at all!"