Let’s not mention how Old Lady Zhou and her party arrived at the Yamen to receive the disheveled Zhou Xuennian and the torrent of tears that followed. When Zhou Xuennian learned that it was Wufu who had called in favors for his release, he insisted on seeing her. He was scolded fiercely by Old Lady Zhou, who even threatened him with death. It was only after threats and beatings that Zhou Xuennian calmed down and obediently returned to the Zhou family to recuperate and plan his next moves.
As for Madam Zhou, she sank into a gloom for several days. Fortunately, she had a sensible girl by her side to comfort her. With the estate’s harvest approaching, her attention was diverted, and she focused entirely on handling the crops.
Life quietly settled down.
Wufu spent her days and nights carving, and occasionally she would go to Ah Jiu’s residence’s Martial Arts Training Ground to exercise.
Ah Jiu and his people had disappeared without a trace. Wufu hadn’t received any news from them, but it seemed that the guards of the Martial Arts Training Ground had been ordered to let her come and go freely, maybe even before they left.
Days grew shorter and nights longer as time went by. By the end of November, Huayang saw its first snowfall, covering the world in a blanket of white.
With only a few days left until the competition, Wufu finally completed her entry piece, needing only the final polishing.
Hongyu and Liu Jin were amazed at the work. It was incredibly lifelike and had a strong sense of three-dimensionality. Even without polishing, it already drew endless praise.
Hearing that Wufu was finishing her work, Madam Zhou came to look. Although she was no connoisseur, she still found the carving remarkably lifelike.
"You must be tired, your face has gotten so thin," Madam Zhou said with a pained expression, pointing at her chin. "I’ve had the kitchen stew some bird’s nest. Have Hongyu serve it to you later!"
Wufu nodded with a smile.
Over the past couple of months, Madam Zhou’s stature as the Matriarch had grown ever more imposing, thanks to her own subliminal training and the guidance of Qiu Xiang and the others.
Now that her days were more satisfactory and the estate had delivered a very substantial harvest in October, Madam Zhou was living comfortably. Her demeanor had become significantly more cheerful and relaxed, a considerable change.
"Wufu, seeing as we’re approaching the end of the year, do you have any places where you need to send New Year’s gifts? Compile a list and let me help you prepare," Madam Zhou asked with a smile.
"Sure," Wufu replied after a moment’s thought. "I’ll put together a list and send it to you, mother."
In truth, she didn’t know many people. Her acquaintances were limited to Ah Jiu, Wen Congrui, Shopkeeper Lin, and the like. Such gestures were expected, so she would have to do as the locals do.
"Mother, are you planning to send gifts to Madam Ping and Merchant Ma’s family too?" Wufu asked with a smile.
In the past two months, Madam Zhou had made two new friends, both neighbors in Fourth Happiness Alley. One family’s surname was Ma, and they had lived there for many years, dealing in the grain business. It was thanks to Merchant Ma’s family that they had sold this year’s harvest from their estate at a good price.
Because her family was in business, Madam Ma was a forthright woman who often visited Madam Zhou. Madam Ma had two sons and a daughter, as well as a concubine-born daughter.
The other family had moved in during November. Surnamed Ping, the head of the household, Madam Ping, was a widow who had returned to bury her husband. Her old estate had long been sold, and she had purchased a new one next to Wufu’s home.
Madam Ping’s late husband had been a magistrate in Taiyuan and passed away due to illness. She had a son and a daughter. Her daughter, Ping Caier, was of marriageable age and engaged to a colleague’s son of her father’s, awaiting only the end of the mourning period to wed. Her son Ping An was twelve years old and currently studying.
That’s why Wufu had asked Madam Zhou this question, deliberately omitting mention of the Zhou family.
Madam Zhou was about to respond when Liu Jin came in beaming with joy to report that Ah Jiu had arrived!