TLHRP 🍁 Chapter 2: Family

Eldest Sister-in-law Qin nodded. "The Wang family has indeed acted improperly in this matter. We ought to seek an explanation on Li ge'er's behalf."

Mother Qin turned to Qin Li. "Li ge'er, rest well at home. Your mother and your sister-in-law will be back shortly.”

"All right."

The two women left one after the other, and the room fell suddenly silent. Only the faint, distant sounds of barking dogs and crowing roosters could be heard occasionally.

Lying in bed, Qin Li pulled the thin quilt over himself. Gazing at the dilapidated room, he could not help but feel a surge of grief and indignation.

In my modern life, I was an orphan. Through sheer determination, I studied my way out of hardship, struggled and fought every step of the way, until I finally built a career and a world of my own.

And what happened in the end? I just dropped dead and wound up in this strange world, in this unfamiliar dynasty. I'm so poor I might as well be naked, and there isn't even a single coin jingling in my pocket. Everything has to start all over again. Why is my fate so miserable?

After sighing and lamenting for a while, Qin Li consoled himself: If someone else had been in that accident, they surely would have died. At least I was given another identity. My parents are still alive, and I can finally experience what it is like to be cherished by one's father and mother. I might as well live the life of an ancient person for a while. Being poor is not the end of the world. At least my family is harmonious, the brothers respect one another, and my parents love each other. Besides, I'm still a highly educated man. With all the modern knowledge I have, surely, I won't starve to death here in ancient times. Since I've come, I might as well make the best of it.

While Qin Li was comforting and reasoning with himself, Mother Qin and Eldest Sister-in-law had arrived at the Wang family's gate. Eldest Sister-in-law stepped forward to knock, and both stood straight, waiting for someone to answer.

"Oh, the Qin family's mother. What brings you both here today?" Aunt Wang asked with a smile as she opened the door.

"Aunt Wang, is your grandson Ergouzi at home?" Mother Qin inquired.

Aunt Wang, who had assumed they had come to see her, blinked in surprise. "He is. Is something the matter? Come, come in and we'll talk inside. "

Mother Qin and Eldest Sister-in-law exchanged a glance before stepping into the Wang family courtyard.

"Have your Ergouzi come out. I have a couple of questions for him," Mother Qin said.

Ergouzi, who had been peeking his head out from inside and secretly watching the three women talk, came out and went to his grandmother's side. "Grandmother."

Sensing that something was amiss, Aunt Wang turned to her grandson. "Your Aunt Qin has some questions for you. Answer honestly, no lying."

Ergouzi blinked.

Mother Qin looked at the boy. "Two days ago, did you not fall into the water while playing?"

Ergouzi tilted his head, glanced at his grandmother, then at Eldest Sister-in-law, and finally nodded.

"And was it not my Li ge'er who saved you?"

"Mm." Ergouzi lowered his head and mumbled the reply.

"Then why did you not say a word when you returned home? These past two days, the whole village has been saying that my Li ge'er fell into the water and has been unconscious. They only knew that he had gone fishing because he was greedy for fish. Why did you not say a word about what happened?” Mother Qin asked.

“What? Something like that actually happened?” Aunt Wang cried out in alarm. She squatted down and looked at her grandson. “You came home and didn't say a word? That day, when I asked why your clothes were soaked through, you even said you had gone shrimp-catching with Qiangzi next door. How have you learned to lie, you child?”

Growing angrier by the moment, Aunt Wang gave her most beloved grandson two sharp smacks on the bottom.

Ergouzi burst into loud sobs. "I was afraid Father and Grandmother would scold me! I won't dare do it again! "

"You dare cry? You have the audacity to cry! You do not even understand where you went wrong!" Aunt Wang seized Ergouzi by the hand and began dragging him toward the Qin residence. "Do you have any idea how you have made your Third Brother Li suffer? Come, you will apologize to him!"

"Now, now." Eldest Sister-in-law Qin stepped between them, stopping the pair. "Our Li ge'er only woke today. Physician Li has just seen him, and he is resting. If you go now, you would only disturb his rest."

Hearing this, Aunt Wang halted her steps and bowed repeatedly to the two women, apologizing profusely. "I am so sorry, Aunt Qin, Sister Qin. This old woman has failed to discipline this mischievous grandson of mine. Li ge'er saved his life and ended up falling into the water and losing consciousness, yet he said nothing. It is this old woman who has not raised him properly. I am truly sorry to your Qin family!"

Watching Aunt Wang's stream of apologies, Mother Qin felt a pang in her heart. Ergouzi's mother had died in childbirth when he was born; the poor boy had never known a mother's love from the day he entered this world.

"Enough, enough. Ergouzi now knows his mistake. Aunt Wang, let this matter be considered settled. Li ge'er is home alone, waiting for us to return." Mother Qin waved her hand dismissively.

"In a day or two, I shall bring Ergouzi and his father to visit Li ge'er. We are truly sorry to your family. This debt of gratitude, our Wang family shall remember it always. This single grandson of our generation, he owes his life to your Li ge'er," Aunt Wang said repeatedly.

"This grandson is your only male heir of this generation. Watch him over carefully in the future. What will you do if something happens to him again? " Mother Qin remninder her.

" Yes, yes, yes. I'll certainly keep an eye on this mischievous grandson of mine! "

Having received their answer, Mother Qin and Eldest Sister-in-law returned home. Qin Luo had already fetched the medicine and was boiling it in the kitchen.

''It is nearly midday. I had better hurry and cook lunch for Feng'er and our father and take it to them in the fields,'' Eldest Sister-in-law said, glancing at the sun.

“All right. Since you're cooking, I'll take the sachets I embroidered a few days ago to Second Young Master Feng and ask him to sell them for us and bring back a few coins.”

The Second Young Master Feng of whom Mother Qin spoke was the village peddler. Every day he would carry small goods to the town to sell, and the village women would often entrust him with their embroidery to take to the town shops.

Qin Li, lying in the inner room, overheard their conversation and understood. The Qin family's remaining silver was running low. Only two days ago they had paid Qin Luo's tuition, and after Qin Li had fallen into the water, they had summoned the physician and purchased medicine. They still needed to set aside money for Qin Luo's brushes and ink, for a scholar; such supplies were a considerable expense.

Before long, Qin Luo entered the room carrying the decocted medicine. "Third Brother, drink your medicine. Only then will you get better quickly."

Looking at the young child gazing at him with hopeful eyes, Qin Li felt amused. This boy was truly honest and sincere.

"Set it on the table, little brother. Let it cool a little before I drink it.

"Mm." Carefully placing the medicine bowl on the table, Qin Luo pulled a chair to the bedside, propped his chin in his hands, and stared at his third brother.

Qin Li looked at Qin Luo, and his heart softened completely. In his previous life, what he had regretted most was having no siblings, growing up alone in an orphanage. In this life, he had been given an older brother, an older sister, and a younger brother.

"Where are Father, Eldest Brother, and Second Sister? Why have I not seen them since I woke up? Qin Li asked.

Qin Luo thought for a moment. "Father and Eldest Brother are transplanting rice seedlings in the fields. They do not come home for lunch when transplanting. Second Sister seems to be at Aunt Chun's house, doing embroidery with Sister Ting. These past two days, Second Sister has been working on her embroidery very quickly."

"Then why are you not at school? I recall Master Zhang's school has already begun."

Though called a school, it was in truth just a single room in Master Zhang's house at the village entrance.

Master Zhang's father had also fled here from elsewhere and had taught his son to read a few texts. Over these past several decades, though life in Jinghe Village had been poor, not every family refused to send their children to learn to read. Besides the Qin family, several other households also hoped their children might at least recognize a few characters.

Though Master Zhang held no official scholarly rank, in a place like Jinghe Village he was considered a learned man.

Because they were all from the same village, the tuition Master Zhang charged was nothing like that in the town. A few copper coins, some meat and vegetables, and a child could go to his room to learn characters, though brushes and ink had to be provided by the family.

Including Qin Luo, there were only four children learning to read in that room, one of whom was Master Zhang's own son.

"I asked Master Zhang for leave to stay home and take care of Third Brother."

"Third Brother has already woken up and can look after himself. Tomorrow you must return to school. Do not waste precious time," Qin Li said.

"Mm." Qin Luo nodded. "Then Third Brother must get well soon, so you can come sit in on Master Zhang's lessons with me."

"All right." Qin Li replied with a smile.

Eldest Sister-in-law, having finished cooking, came into the room to call Qin Luo for dinner, and at the same time brought a bowl of easily digestible white congee for Qin Li. "I am going to take food to your Eldest Brother and Father. Li ge'er, rest well at home."

"I understand, Sister-in-law." Qin Li nodded.

And so, the day passed until evening. QIn Fu returned home with her unfinished embroidery and continued working alongside Mother Qin.

Eldest Sister-in-law prepared supper while Qin Luo stayed in the room chatting with Qin Li. Before long, Father Qin and Qin Feng returned from the fields.

Father Qin set down his hoe, and his loud, booming voice rang out. "I heard from Feng'er's wife that Li ge'er has woken! Is he well?"

"We have already summoned Physician Li. He says there is no serious harm. After a few doses of medicine and a few more days' rest, he shall recover," Mother Qin replied.

"That is good. That is good." Father Qin breathed a sigh of relief and pushed open the door to enter. "Ah, Li ge'er has suffered these past two days."

"Father, your son is fine." Looking at the simple, honest man before him and hearing his words of concern, Qin Li felt a warmth spread through his heart.

These are my family in this life. What a wonderful family they are! At this moment, the fear and anxiety that had accompanied his arrival in this strange land finally settled. No matter where he was, he had a home now, a father, a mother, brothers, and a sister.

Father Qin patted Qin Li's head. "I heard from your sister-in-law that you fell into the water saving that little rascal from the Wang family. Li ge'er, saving others is a good thing, but you must also look after yourself. When you had your accident, your mother and I did not sleep a wink for two whole nights. Your elder brother, your sister-in-law, and your second sister, they all worked day and night to earn money for your medicine. Even little Luo took leave from school to care for you. You must remember that you have so many family members who care for you and worry about you. You have to think of that before you do something next time.”

Listening to these words, Qin Li's eyes reddened. His heart had already found a sense of belonging in this world, in this family.

Sniffling, Qin Li said, "Your son has caused Father, Mother, Eldest Brother, Sister-in-law, Second Sister, and younger brother to worry. I understand now. I will never do such a thing again."

"Enough, enough. Li ge'er has only just woken up, and you're already talking his ears off. Hurry and come out to eat, " Mother Qin said. Father Qin tugged at his clothes and left the room.

"I'll come too!" Qin Li said, rising from the bed.

“Third Brother! You should lie down. I'll bring your food in to you,” Qin Luo said.

“I've been lying down for so many days that my back aches from it. If I keep lying here, I'll fall apart. It's only a few steps to the kitchen. I'll be fine.” Qin Li smiled, still wanting to go to the kitchen.

“All right, then. I'll help Third Brother.” Looking at Qin Luo's outstretched hands, Qin Li smiled and placed his his hand in his younger brother's.