Chapter 33

Grandmother Jiang was old, and once she fell ill she looked especially frail, her eye sockets sunken.

The smell of boiled medicine was strong and bitter. Lu Qing saw the empty medicine bowl on the bedside table and asked: “Grandmother, does this medicine work? Where did you get it?”

Grandmother Jiang replied: “I’ve only taken it for two days, it won’t show results so quickly. But I already feel better, not coughing as much. Your aunt got it from Young Doctor Liu on Front Street.”

Young Doctor Liu’s family was the only one practicing medicine in Shangxi Village. His father was Doctor Liu, and the son inherited the trade, so everyone called him Young Doctor Liu.

He was known for treating wind‑cold illnesses, so medicine from him should be effective.

Lu Qing tucked in her quilt and noticed it was thinner than the one he and his husband used. He frowned: “Didn’t Aunt give you a thicker quilt? This is too thin. The night air is cold, it will make recovery harder.”

Since Grandfather had passed, Grandmother Jiang slept alone. Her health was poor, and in winter it took a long time for her bed to warm.

She said: “Your aunt is busy, and we don’t have extra thick quilts. Yesterday your father bought cloth and fur, he’s making one now.”

Lu Qing knew she was excusing his aunt. As a younger generation, he couldn’t criticize her directly. Fortunately, his father was at home and could watch over things.

Grandmother Jiang asked: “Qing, why did you come today? Did your husband come with you?”

Lu Qing answered obediently: “No, I came alone.”

Grandmother Jiang grew worried: “What? Alone? Did you two quarrel?”

Lu Qing quickly reassured her: “No, Grandmother, don’t think that. My husband and I are fine. I came back to bring some charcoal. It’s the charcoal my husband figured out how to make. It wasn’t much the first time, but Great‑Grandmother told me to bring some for you.”

Grandmother Jiang had heard from Lu Xun that the Song family was experimenting with charcoal. Wang had dismissed it as nonsense, saying Song Sheng was wasting the hundred taels of silver instead of saving it. Grandmother Jiang and Lu Xun hadn’t said much, but they also doubted it—charcoal wasn’t something easily made. Still, it was the Song family’s matter, not their money, so they didn’t interfere.

Now hearing Lu Qing’s words, Grandmother Jiang was delighted: “Really? Your husband truly made charcoal?”

Lu Qing nodded: “Yes, Grandmother. He made charcoal, not only stove charcoal but also dozens of jin of gray‑flower charcoal. I brought five jin of stove charcoal and two jin of gray‑flower charcoal for you to use.”

Grandmother Jiang said happily: “Good, good! Your husband is capable. Live well with him, Grandmother is at ease.”

Though she had looked pale from illness, hearing this good news lifted her spirits.

Lu Qing added: “Don’t worry, Grandmother. My husband and I live well, and the Song family treats me kindly. Everyone looks after me.”

Grandmother Jiang nodded, glanced at Lu Qing’s belly, and said: “You must also pay attention to children. But I see your husband is noble in character, not the type to care too much about that. Just let things happen naturally. Don’t take strange medicines just to have a child sooner, understand?”

Lu Qing nodded, saying he would remember. He had always been weak in constitution and not easy to conceive, so Grandmother Jiang’s concern was reasonable. Yet she urged him not to rush, fearing he might harm his health—her words showed her deep care.

The room Grandmother Jiang lived in was not the main house, which was given to the eldest uncle and aunt. Her room was on the north side, and in winter it was bitterly cold. Since Lu Qing had carried the basket of charcoal home, he wore fewer clothes to avoid sweating too much, but now sitting there he quickly felt chilled.

He thought of the charcoal he had brought and said: “Grandmother, I remember we had a stove before. Is it still here?”

Grandmother Jiang, sensing his cold hands, clasped them warmly in her rough palms and replied: “Yes, it’s here. Just these past two days your aunt used it to boil medicine for me.”

Lu Qing said: “I brought two jin of gray‑flower charcoal today. I’ll light the stove for you. Once it’s burning, the room will be much warmer.”

Gray‑flower charcoal produced smoke, but not much. Since Grandmother Jiang’s room wasn’t tightly sealed, placing the stove near the window would let the smoke disperse quickly while still warming the bed area.

But Grandmother Jiang said: “No need. This good charcoal should be left for your father and aunt. I’m old, who knows how many years I have left. Using it on me is a waste. And there isn’t much charcoal, so don’t spend it here.”

Lu Qing leaned against her and said: “Grandmother, don’t say that. What do you mean you don’t know how many years you have left? You’re still young. Don’t speak such discouraging words. It’s only two jin of gray‑flower charcoal. My husband is skilled now, he’ll surely make more next time. I’ll bring you more then. You must take care of yourself, understand?”

Grandmother Jiang knew this was her grandson’s filial devotion, so she sighed and answered: “Alright, alright, Grandmother understands.”

Lunch was cooked by Wang’s eldest daughter‑in‑law. Because Lu Qing had brought several jin of charcoal, the Wang family was delighted and prepared two meat dishes, making the meal quite rich.

His younger uncle Lu Ming wasn’t home, having gone to town for short‑term work. Lu Qing had wanted to ask him about Miss Gao, since his husband had mentioned she once brought him clothes while he was doing corvée labor. But since Lu Ming wasn’t there, Lu Qing decided to ask another day.

After lunch, Lu Qing didn’t hurry back. He moved the stove used for boiling medicine into Grandmother Jiang’s room. Originally it burned firewood and was kept in the courtyard, but now with charcoal available, Lu Qing thought to use it indoors so the room could be warmer.

Just as Lu Qing moved the stove into the room, Wang stopped him, smiling: “Qing, why are you putting the stove inside? The medicine pot leaves such a strong smell, it’s not good to move the stove in. Don’t let it choke your grandmother.”

Lu Qing pressed his lips together: “Aunt, I brought two jin of gray‑flower charcoal today. Grandmother’s room is too cold, so I thought to try burning charcoal inside. We haven’t used this charcoal yet, so it’s a good chance to test it.”

Wang’s face darkened, though she couldn’t show it too openly. She said: “Qing, burning charcoal indoors makes too much smoke, not suitable for your grandmother while she’s ill. Better move the stove to our room. Sanwa is just starting school, and in winter his hands freeze when writing. The stove would warm him nicely.”

Lu Qing grew unhappy. Was her son’s cold hands more important than Grandmother’s health?

In the past, he wouldn’t have dared to argue, soft‑spoken as he was. He would have obeyed quietly, then at night secretly warmed Grandmother’s bed.

But now he was married, unable to care for her daily. His father still lived here, and it wasn’t good to clash openly with Aunt. His younger uncle was unreliable, often away. Thinking of this, Lu Qing’s temper hardened.

He said: “Aunt, Grandmother’s room is too cold, and she’s caught wind‑cold these days. The stove belongs here. If Sanwa’s hands freeze, he can write in Grandmother’s room. It makes no difference.”

Wang hadn’t expected Lu Qing, once soft and pliant, to grow bold after marriage and dare to talk back.

Since he spoke so firmly, she couldn’t oppose further and left angrily, planning to move the stove back after he left.

Grandmother Jiang knew her daughter‑in‑law often treated her harshly, but to avoid family conflict she usually endured silently.

Seeing her grandson defend her against Wang, she was deeply moved. People say grandchildren are closest, and she had always loved Lu Qing even more than her own son Lu Xun. Her eyes grew moist, whether from illness or age making her sentimental.

Lu Qing ignored everything else, took pieces of gray‑flower charcoal, and placed them in the stove.

Since the stove had just been used for cooking, embers still glowed inside. The charcoal caught quickly.

He closed the stove door, and soon the charcoal was burning.

Lu Qing filled a kettle with water and set it on top. The stove was small, holding only one kettle, but in the small room it was enough to warm Grandmother.

Wang was furious at being contradicted, but she didn’t dare speak harshly.

Now that Lu Qing was married into the Song family, things were different. If the Song family had no standing, she would have shown him no respect. But Song Sheng had been praised by the county magistrate and had even succeeded in making charcoal. Wang had to curry favor, not risk offense.

If they offended Lu Qing and he refused to send charcoal to his mother’s family, then how would they keep warm? Why not take advantage of free benefits?

Thinking this through, Wang immediately changed her attitude. She treated Grandmother Jiang much better, saying: “Mother, if you felt cold you should have told me earlier. I’ll add another quilt for you. No wonder you caught wind‑cold. Qing is right, the stove should stay here to warm you. Get well quickly so our Qing won’t worry. Isn’t that so?”

Lu Qing felt even more upset hearing this. His aunt was too calculating. Grandmother’s life with his uncle’s family must have been hard, and his father had suffered grievances too. But as a married son, Lu Qing couldn’t change much.

When he left, his father Lu Xun packed a bag of mushrooms for him: “We don’t have much, but take these. Put some in soup, they taste good.”

Lu Qing was about to refuse, but his father added: “You’ve been giving so much to your mother’s family. If you do it too often, your husband’s family might mind. We should give and receive. These mushrooms aren’t rare, but they show our goodwill. Your great‑grandmother and sisters‑in‑law will be pleased to see them.”

Lu Qing understood his father’s concern. The Song family lived together as one household, so such worries were natural.

“Quickly put them in your basket before your aunt sees.”

His father was a widower living with his natal family, which already carried a poor reputation. Wang often complained. If she saw him giving mushrooms to Lu Qing, she would surely cause trouble.

“Alright, Father, I’ll take them.”

Lu Qing sighed and left the Lu household, carrying the basket back to the Song family.

It was his turn to cook, and he arrived just in time.

He took out the dried mushrooms, likely gathered in autumn. He washed some and set them aside in a bowl. Then he pulled two cabbages from the garden to stew later.

There was leftover meat from yesterday, already boiled. He cut a piece into strips to add to the soup, making mushroom‑cabbage‑meat soup.

Though the household was large, meals were cooked in big pots, so it was quick.

At that time, most of the family was away visiting relatives. The aunts and sisters‑in‑law had gone to their natal homes. Even Zhang Xinghua had gone out, eager to share the good news of charcoal with her married granddaughters. She brought charcoal to Song Ying’s household, while Song Sheng’s father delivered some to his daughter Song Dong.

Soon the aunts returned, and Song Sheng’s father came back later, delayed because his in‑laws warmly praised him for bringing charcoal.

The family ate dinner early, but since Song Sheng came home late, his meal was always prepared separately.

That evening, they waited and waited, but Zhang Xinghua didn’t return.

The two uncles went to the village entrance to look, but saw no sign of her.

They said: “Let’s eat first. Don’t wait for Grandma. Maybe she thought it was too dark to walk back and stayed at Ying’s house. She’ll return tomorrow morning.”

In winter, when Zhang Xinghua visited Song Ying, if the weather was bad she often stayed overnight. This was common, so the family wasn’t worried.

Song Sheng had spent the whole day at school. That evening, the teacher kept him behind to test his lessons, since he had missed two days. Fortunately, his memory was strong, and he answered everything correctly, leaving the teacher satisfied.

The essay assignment on military policy still wasn’t finished. Song Sheng had been too busy these past few days. He had wanted to visit the county magistrate to ask about the court’s military system, but never found the time.

Besides, as county magistrate, Magistrate Lu was busy with official duties and might not even have time to meet him.

But the essay was due in two days. Song Sheng thought of his classmate Liang Youming, who sat behind him. Liang was distantly related to the prestigious Cui family of Qinghe, so perhaps he knew something.

At lunch, Song Sheng asked him, and indeed Liang Youming knew quite a bit. Song Sheng then borrowed some historical records from the teacher to read, planning to write the essay that evening.

Meanwhile, Lu Qing returned from his grandmother’s house in low spirits. At least her room now had a warm stove, and he planned to visit again in a few days to check on her health.

That evening, Song Sheng noticed his mood and asked: “What’s wrong? Who upset my Qing?”

While serving him rice, Lu Qing said: “I went to Grandmother’s today and found she was ill. Her room was freezing, and Aunt hadn’t given her a thicker quilt. She looked so thin, her eye sockets sunken.”

Song Sheng stroked his head, realizing the cause.

He said: “In a few days I’ll go with you to visit Grandmother again. We’ll buy some supplements and bring them. Will you make sure she eats them?”

Lu Qing knew that whatever he brought usually didn’t reach Grandmother, since Aunt took most of it. Still, he nodded, lifting his face: “Husband, you’re so good.”

After dinner, Song Sheng held Lu Qing’s cold hands as they entered the room. Seeing no stove lit, he asked: “We have charcoal now. Why isn’t the stove burning?”

It was already late November, bitterly cold. With no cotton quilts or padded clothes, and houses built of mud mixed with straw, warmth was hard to keep.

Lu Qing said: “The stoves at home aren’t enough. The eldest and second uncle’s rooms don’t have stoves. Altogether we only have three. One is in Grandmother’s room, and the other two are in the rooms of the eldest and second sisters‑in‑law, since they have children and can’t let them freeze. The other rooms don’t have any.”

Song Sheng thought for a moment and said: “If there aren’t enough, then buy more. I remember Uncle Wu in the village makes them. Tomorrow, if you have time, go check. If they’re good, buy several.”

The stoves were made of yellow clay, not widely used. Some households didn’t even own one, borrowing from neighbors when they needed to boil medicine.

So buying ready‑made stoves wasn’t likely; they had to be custom‑made by a bricklayer.

Lu Qing replied: “Alright, I’ll go after lunch tomorrow.”

The money for stoves didn’t need to come from the family’s communal funds. Of the eighty taels of silver, much remained. Song Sheng could decide himself, since it was his money.

Lu Qing added: “Actually, this morning when stoves were divided, Grandmother said to give one to our room, so you wouldn’t freeze while reading and writing at night. But I refused. Second Sister‑in‑law hasn’t had her monthly cycle for two months, so she may be pregnant. It’s not yet three months, so they haven’t announced it. I thought the stove should go to her first.”

Song Sheng agreed. Women needed warmth more, especially with pregnancy. He was glad for his brother and sister‑in‑law.

He said: “Qing, you did right. The stove should go to Second Sister‑in‑law. I heard this winter will be colder than usual. With her pregnancy, she must be cared for. I can endure the cold while writing. But you’ll have to suffer with me.”

Lu Qing quickly shook his head: “Husband, what are you saying? I don’t feel wronged at all. Marrying you is my blessing.”

That night, Song Sheng stayed up to finish his policy essay. He recalled an essay he had studied in his previous life, On the Six States, which analyzed armies and strategies. Combining that with Liang Youming’s information about the Jing dynasty’s military, he completed his essay.

By the time Song Sheng finished writing, the oil lamp was nearly burned out. His hands were red from the cold and slightly stiff.

Lu Qing felt sorry for him. He had boiled some hot water earlier, and now, seeing him finished, quickly brought it from the kitchen so Song Sheng could soak his hands and warm them.

Song Sheng soaked his hands, then, feeling his eyes tired, dipped a cloth in hot water, folded it, and placed it over his eyes.

Since there were no eyeglasses in this era, he had to protect his eyesight carefully, making sure he didn’t become short‑sighted.

After warming his hands, he also soaked his feet in the basin. Writing at night under the lamp strained his eyes, while his hands and feet were icy cold. He had thought that with charcoal, the stove would be lit, but there weren’t enough stoves, so they had to wait a few days.

After soaking his feet, the two blew out the lamp and went to bed. Lu Qing hugged Song Sheng and whispered: “Husband, aren’t you tired today?”

Song Sheng tightened his embrace, his breath warm on Lu Qing’s hair: “Qing, do you want it?”

“Mm…” In truth, Lu Qing was anxious after hearing Second Sister‑in‑law might be pregnant. He felt they should try harder too.

He had quietly asked her if there were any tricks to conceiving. Embarrassed, she admitted that both women and gē ér were expected to bear children, and said simply: try more often. She and Song Feng spent their evenings after dinner focused on “making a child.”

Lu Qing blushed at the thought. His husband was rough and intense when intimate, but since he had to rise early for school, they didn’t do it often.

Song Sheng looked at the time, guessing it was already past ten. If they started now, it might take too long. So he coaxed: “Then let me help you. Afterwards we’ll sleep, alright?”

Thinking his husband was tired, Lu Qing shook his head, face red: “No, Husband. I don’t really want it. You have to wake early tomorrow. Let’s just sleep.”

But Song Sheng ignored him. In a moment his hand had already moved.

“It’s fine, it’ll be quick.”

Soon Lu Qing couldn’t resist anymore. Afterwards, Song Sheng took the cloth nearby and wiped him clean. Then they embraced and slept.