The next day was the twenty-third of the twelfth lunar month, and it was time for Little New Year. Every household was busy with a major cleanup and preparing for the New Year, with a stronger scent of festivity in the air.
After breakfast, a steady stream of people began arriving at the house. The New Year hadn’t even arrived yet, but there were so many visitors.
"Scholar Yang, help our family write another pair this year!"
"Scholar Yang, we raised a pig this year, help us write one for the pigsty!"
"Scholar Yang, write mine first!"
These were people looking for Yang Ming to write couplets. It turned out that every year, Yang Ming wrote couplets for the villagers, who would bring their own red paper, and he charged five copper coins for each pair.
Hmm, this was a way to make some money.
After Yang Ming had written for a while, he saw Xiaoxiao looking bored beside him, so he said, "Do you want to try writing?"
Xiaoxiao immediately waved her hands and hurriedly shook her head. She was actually quite lazy and would avoid work if she could, "No, I won’t compete with you for your job."
While the writing was in full swing, suddenly a luxurious carriage stopped at their front door. Xiaoxiao, hearing the sound, wondered who it could be. She only knew two wealthy people, and neither had ever visited their home.
A man dressed lavishly alighted from the carriage, entered the courtyard, walked into the house, and before even approaching, he said, "Brother Yang, still earning Silver by writing, eh? No more cleaning latrines? Hahaha!"
What was happening? The visitor was looking for Yang Ming, but why did he mock as soon as he entered? Could it be that he was looking for trouble?
Yang Ming was concentrating on his writing when the arrogant voice interrupted him, prompting him to look up.
By now, the onlooking villagers had also heard the derogatory remark about cleaning latrines, which was embarrassing for Yang Ming.
"So it’s Brother Li. What brings you to my humble abode today?"
Seeing the interaction, Xiaoxiao quickly stepped forward, "My fellow villagers, we have a guest at home. I’ll help you write the couplets another day. Please, everyone, go back home for today!"
The villagers could tell that the visitor might be up to no good, so they all headed home.
With the villagers gone, Yang Ming, although he found the man distasteful, knew he had to be a host now that the man had come to his house, "Brother Li, it’s simple here, please have a seat!"
The man glanced around the house with a look of disdain, "Brother Yang, didn’t you make Silver selling spicy pickled cabbage? Why is this house still so shabby? Is this even fit for humans to live in?"
Xiaoxiao could barely stand to listen anymore; she had decorated it herself, so how could it be unfit for humans? Just as she was about to step forward, Yang Ming held her back, "You, go fetch some water for our guest."
"Alright!" Xiaoxiao answered, and as she was about to step out, the man spouted more nonsense, "No need for that, your water probably isn’t fit for humans to drink! I’ll pass!"
Hey, Xiaoxiao’s quick temper flared completely, "If you dislike it here, then scram! Who do you think you are, acting like a lord? Speak if you have business, and cut out the sarcasm!"
"You... you... you..." the man spluttered, pointing his finger at Xiaoxiao, "How utterly vulgar!" It was the first time someone had dared to speak to him like that, and a woman at that. She really didn’t know what was good for her!
"I might be vulgar, but that’s better than spouting filth like you."
"You... you..." The man continued pointing at Xiaoxiao, then at Yang Ming, "This is the infamous wife you married!"
"Brother Li, if you have no business here, please leave my humble home!"
"Brother Yang, you..."
"Also, my wife is not an infamous person! Please, make yourself at home!"
Yang Ming then opened the door, waiting for the man to leave.