The Beautiful Brother of the Orion’s Family (Wearing Book) - 69

 

| TBBOTOF | 69

Tang Xu couldn't help but show a tiny bit of concern. After Wei Dong tied up Li Xiu like a zongzi (traditional Chinese rice dumpling) and loaded her onto the cart, Tang Xu took a blanket and covered her from head to toe.

"Let's go," he said coldly, standing to the side.

The entire Tang Sanhu family had mobilized, searching everywhere.

Early in the morning, just as the rooster crowed, Tang Xiaohua pulled Tang Xiaocao along the village road. They dared not shout loudly, afraid of being noticed.

Tang Qi had gone up the mountain to where his mother had buried things before.

After seeing all three children leave, Tang Sanhu furrowed his brow. He had a suspicion in his heart, but it seemed impossible.

How could Li Xiu have walked so far?

As he hesitated about whether to go to Tang Xu's place to bring Li Xiu back, a mule cart stopped at his doorstep.

Tang Sanhu was taken aback, recognizing it as Wei Dong's large mule. He quickly walked out.

Tang Xu hadn't even stepped off the cart; he just lifted the blanket covering Li Xiu.

Facing those eyes full of resentment, Tang Xu felt both angry and amused.

Wei Dong turned to look at him, glancing at Li Xiu in the process.

Li Xiu stared at Tang Xu intently, not blinking for a long time.

Wei Dong frowned, "Why is she like this?"

"She made her child die herself, she was afraid of being criticized by her family, so she found a scapegoat," Tang Xu snorted, then turned his head to look at Tang Sanhu, who was quickly walking out of the yard.

"Uncle San, I brought Aunt San back to you."

Tang Sanhu saw Li Xiu, tied up like a pig, pouting, and furrowed his brows deeply. "No matter what, she's still your Aunt San. You can't tie her up like this," he complained as he untied her.

Tang Xu sneered, "She ran through half the village to smash my door. If anyone saw her in such a sorry state, I wouldn't be able to explain it even if I had eight hundred mouths. 

Uncle San, do you know what she was yelling? She said it was because I wouldn't let her earn money that she lost her child. Am I wronged or not? I made it clear to you that this deal couldn't be done this year, so I told you to wait next year. It's because you're my uncle that I'm being honest with you. I didn't say she couldn't do it. Just because I'm your nephew, does that mean people can bully me? Can't they stand to see me doing well?"

Tang Sanhu was left speechless by Tang Xu's retort.

Li Xiu had been untied, but she didn't even remove the cloth from her mouth. 

Instead, she leaned against Tang Sanhu and lifted her leg to kick Tang Xu. Tang Sanhu quickly backed away, holding her.

"Xu Ge'er, don't be angry with your Aunt San. She's just too sad. Forgive her this time," Tang Sanhu apologized with a lowered face, feeling guilty for his wife's behavior.

Tang Xu waved his hand, "Don't bother. I'm just telling the truth. Uncle San, if it weren't for your sake, would I even call her Aunt San? How many times have I even seen her my whole life? When I fell ill and was bedridden, Aunt San didn't come to visit me. I didn't complain about that. 

But she talked behind my back to others. I heard it loud and clear. Now that she sees me helping Auntie earn money, she turned green with envy. If I hadn't died from illness, I wouldn't have been a waste of money. And now, she has the audacity to come begging for help to learn how to earn money. Where was she all this time?"

"I'll leave these words here. The business is mine, and it's my business who I let earn money. Don't think that threatening to die can control me. I remember both kindness and grudges, especially the latter. Auntie San laughed and said I was a waste of money, that I wouldn't be missed if I died. I remembered those words for the rest of my life."

When Xu Ge'er was burning with fever and desperately thirsty, Liu Xiangxiang refused to give him water, and ignored him. He had to staggeringly fetch water himself. 

Then he overheard Li Xiu gossiping with the neighbor, a woman who loved to eavesdrop, while munching on melon seeds she said, "He's a waste of money, not worth worrying about even if he drowns. They have sons and daughters anyway, so it doesn't matter if they lose a child. It seems like Liu Xiangxiang doesn't intend to save him."

After hearing this, Xu Ge'er had another high fever that night, and then Tang Xu transmigrated over.

Tang Xu glanced at Tang Sanhu and said coldly, "Uncle San, keep an eye on her. If she goes out and causes trouble in that crazy state, I won't be so kind as to bring her back."

With that, he patted Wei Dong on the back. "Let's go, let's go back and make dinner." 

Wei Dong also gave Tang Sanhu a warning glance. Next time, it wouldn't be so simple.

As they headed back, Tang Xu thought he should inform Tang Erhu. "Go to my father's place," he said.

Wei Dong made a sound of acknowledgment, "Are you feeling upset?"

"No," Tang Xu shifted forward, leaning against his back, "Not exactly upset, just feeling pretty bored. Why are there so many money-minded people around?"

"Who doesn't love money?" Wei Dong chuckled, reaching back to pull him into an embrace and kissed his forehead, "But the way people love money differs; some are rotten to the core."

Tang Xu nodded in agreement, sighed, "I hope it gets cold soon. When it's cold, everyone stays indoors, and there won't be as much trouble."

Wei Dong patted his shoulder, "Let's go to the mountains tomorrow, before it gets too cold. It'll be dangerous once the weather turns cold." 

"Yeah, got it," Tang Xu responded.

Just as Tang Erhu came out of the house, he saw the mule cart parked at the door, with his child slouched against Wei Dong, looking half-asleep.

"Why didn't you knock?" Tang Erhu held a hoe, "Wait, why did you come running over so early?" 

Tang Xu kept coughing continuously, tears streaming down his face.

"Have you eaten, Dad?"

"I have. Haven't you two eaten? Ah Li made some porridge. Go inside and eat," Tang Erhu was truly puzzled, "You still haven't said why you came so early."

"Yesterday, after Third Uncle went back home, I don't know what he told Aunt San. Aunt San ended up losing the baby, which caused a lot of chaos. Auntie came over to borrow the cart, but you were drunk at that time, so Wei Dong rushed over with the mule cart to take her there," Tang Xu said expressionlessly, then sighed again, "I originally felt quite sympathetic towards her; the baby she lost was a boy."

Tang Erhu frowned, his face darkening.

Although he wasn't close to Li Xiu, he knew she had a difficult personality. So even though Tang Xu didn't explain in detail, he could guess the reason.

"And then?"

Tang Xu shrugged and spread his hands, "And then she went crazy. She ran to the gate of our house before dawn, shouting that it was because I didn't let her earn money that she lost her child. She cursed and tried to hit me. I just tied her up and sent her back home. I also told Uncle San to keep an eye on her."

Tang Erhu's expression turned even uglier.

"Dad, I don't intend to have any contact with Uncle San's side. We didn't see each other much before, and I'd rather not see them in the future. So I'm telling you, you don't have to be caught in the middle," Tang Xu sighed again, waved his hand, "Anyway, I'm really tired. Dad, I'm going back."

Tang Erhu nodded solemnly, "Go back and get some more sleep. Don't come over when you're busy lately. Come over when you're free." 

Tang Xu smiled at him, "Busy with what? Don't worry, Dad, I won't wander around."

 Tang Erhu nodded.

As he watched the mule cart leave, Tang Erhu shouldered the hoe and headed straight to the old house. He told his mother, Wu Guizhi, about Li Xiu's troublemaking visit to Tang Xu, and the old lady exploded.

"She dares to? How shameless can she be!" Wu Guizhi fumed as she got up from the kang and put on her shoes, "I need to go and confront her!" 

Tang Erhu didn't stop her. After giving a nod to his eldest sister-in-law, who had come over upon hearing the commotion, he silently carried the hoe and went out.

Wu Guizhi finished her rant and then scolded Tang Sanhu like a bereaved dog, "You unfilial child! I raised you up, but you can't tell right from wrong!"

Tang Sanhu, with a bright red palm print on his face, hung his head in silence. Li Xiu lay on the kang, her eyes lifeless as she stared at the ceiling beam, also silent. 

Wu Guizhi spat at her, "Troublemaker!"

After spitting, she left.

As soon as she stepped outside, she saw Tang Qi and Tang Xiaohua standing at the door. She snorted, "Don't learn from your mother, staring at other people's pockets, or you'll end up just like her!"

With that, she walked away in a huff.

Luo Pingping stood outside the gate without going in, waiting for her mother to come out. She quickly reached out to support her, "Mother, don't be angry. Getting too angry will make you sick."

"Our family has been having a rough time this year. Eldest daughter-in-law, tomorrow you accompany me to the temple to pray," Wu Guizhi panted heavily, her face flushed.

It could also be from the exertion of hitting someone.

Luo Pingping nodded in agreement, acknowledging her words. It was indeed necessary to go and pray. 

…

Time flew by, more than a month passed, and it was nearing the end of September.

The autumn harvest had begun vigorously, and every family was busy harvesting the crops from both dry land and paddy fields. Tang Erhu was so busy that he hardly had time to rest, but fortunately, the old yellow cow helped, or he would have been worn out.

Tang Li also improved her skills. She had been cooking meat every day recently to help her father strengthen his body.

Tang Yang also helped in the fields, but being young, his capabilities were limited, and he was equally exhausted, with barely any soft flesh left on his body.

Tang Li felt heartbroken. Not only did she cook meat for him every day, but she also bought big bones to make soup, which he drank three times a day.

"Big sister, can I stop drinking this?" Tang Yang looked at the bowl of bone soup in front of him. Although it smelled delicious, he felt bitter inside.

It wasn't that he was picky, but after drinking it for five days straight, three times a day, his tongue had gone numb.

Tang Li glared at him. "Some people can't even get a sip, and here you are, not appreciating it."

Tang Erhu held the bowl, drinking the soup and eating the radishes. He glanced at his daughter upon hearing her words.

"I'll go catch some fish later. We'll have fish soup tonight." Truth be told, he was also a bit tired of the soup.

Tang Li nodded. "Alright, I'll go buy some tofu later."

"What tofu are you buying?" Tang Xu poked his head in, smiling, "Is Ah Li planning to stew tofu?"

"Big brother!" Tang Li was pleasantly surprised. "Why are you here? Have you eaten?"

Tang Xu handed her the basket on his back and entered the house. "I have," he said, glancing at Tang Erhu holding the bowl, greeting him with a smile. "Dad, did you miss me?"

During this period, busy with household chores and occasional hunting trips with Wei Dong, Tang Xu hadn't been around. 

Tang Erhu nodded. "Indeed, I missed you. What have you been busy with? Ah Yang has gone to your place twice and hasn't seen you."

Tang Yang already understood that he was becoming a little man and couldn't cling to his big brother anymore, but he still leaned against Tang Xu affectionately, saying, "Big brother, I miss you. Xiao Xi said you went to the mountains with brother-in-law, and I haven't seen you for a long time."

Tang Xu nodded and pulled up a small wooden stool to sit down. "I've come to bring you some snacks and some rabbits and wild chickens. There have been quite a few rabbit births at home, so we slaughtered the older ones for meat."

Rabbits are prolific breeders and grow fast. Tang Xu told Wei Dong to slaughter four of the older ones, keeping one for themselves to eat, and giving one each to his father, grandparents, and his eldest aunt's family.

"The wild chickens were caught by Wei Dong this morning," Tang Xu patted Tang Yang who was leaning against him, then turned to Tang Erhu and said, "I've already found an old scholar for Xiao Xi to teach him. Dad, whenever you're done with your work, let Ah Yang go over to learn."

Tang Erhu pondered for a moment, took a sip of soup, and said, "Another three or four days should do it." 

Tang Yang's face lit up with joy. "Big brother, should I go buy brushes, paper, and books?"

"No need to buy. We have them over at home," Tang Xu said, patting his head. "Hurry up and eat. I'm going to the old house." 

Tang Yang stuck to him. "I want to go too."

"What are you going for? Just eat your meal," Tang Li took out a rabbit from the basket and handed it to Tang Xu. She said to him, "Big brother, come back later."

Tang Xu raised an eyebrow. "Okay." He took the rabbit, holding its long ears, and waved to the three of them. "I'll be back in a bit."

At the Tang family's old house, Sun Ning'er and Wang Lanhua were washing dishes in the kitchen, while Luo Pingping was counting copper coins in the house. Since yesterday, the noodle shop had stopped selling cold noodles. She was calculating how much she had earned in the next two months.

After counting three or four times, she became happier with each count.

Tang Dahu lay on his side on the kang, staring at the handful of copper coins in her hand, and asked her, "Are all these earned from selling cold noodles?"

Luo Pingping nodded at him, gleefully saying, "After deducting the cost and giving Xu Ge'er his share, this is all pure profit for us."

"...Is it a hundred taels?" Tang Dahu swallowed and sat up from the kang. "Is it a hundred taels?" 

Luo Pingping gave him a sideways glance. "You must be dreaming. It's only thirty-three taels."

"Just thirty-three taels." Tang Dahu lay back down.

Luo Pingping kicked him with her foot. "You men work in the fields all year round, including both dry and paddy fields, and you only earn this much. I've been working for three months and earned thirty-three taels. What do you think? Is it little?"

Tang Dahuo chuckled. "Not little at all. My wife is really capable!"

"It's still Xu Ge'er who's amazing." Luo Pingping thought to herself that he didn't have to wake up early to work and could still hold silver in his hand.

"Is Auntie inside?" Tang Xu, who she had been thinking about it, heard his voice. 

Luo Pingping was taken aback, then turned her head to look outside the window and vaguely saw a figure. She joyfully replied, "Yes, I'm over here!"

Tang Xu came in from outside the courtyard and saw Tang Dahu there as well. 

"Uncle!" 

Tang Dahu greeted him with a smile and a wave. "Xu Ge'er is here! Haven't seen much of you lately."

Tang Xu smiled. "I just came to deliver the rabbit." He handed the plump rabbit he was carrying to Luo Pingping. "Auntie can stew it for dinner."

"You raised this? It's really fat," Luo Pingping didn't mince words, taking the rabbit from him. She then asked, "What have you been busy with lately?"

Tang Xu laughed. "Just been going to the mountains with Wei Dong. We've tidied up the vegetables in my family's fields and stored quite a bit for later when it gets cold." 

After saying this, he asked, "Are Grandpa and Grandma asleep? I called out but got no response."

"Yes, they're getting older and sleep less. Your grandma has been complaining of leg pain lately and can't sleep well at night, so she relies on this afternoon nap to make up for it." Luo Pingping glanced at Tang Dahu, then reached out to pull Tang Xu. "Let's go outside and talk. Your uncle needs to rest for a while."

"Yeah," Tang Xu nodded and waved to Tang Dahuo with a smile. "Uncle, I'm leaving. Rest well."

Tang Dahu waved back at him.

Luo Pingping placed the dead rabbit she was carrying in the kitchen, then picked several large eggplants and put them in the basket for Tang Xu. "These eggplants may look big, but they're tender with few seeds. Take them back and cook them."

"Auntie, did you save any seeds from these eggplants? Give me some. I'll plant them after spring comes," Tang Xu said as he carried the basket, a look of cunning on his face. "The eggplants I grow are never big and always look strange."

"After they grow, just bend the forked ones. I'll give you some seeds. I just finished drying them recently." Luo Pingping went back to the kitchen to get the seeds and also packed some seeds for other vegetables.

"Have your radishes sprouted yet?" She handed him small packets of seeds. "These are for yellow radish, celery, cilantro, and chili. The chili I grow here is spicier and smaller than yours."

"Yes, the chili seeds you gave me last time grew differently from the ones Wei Dong bought." Tang Xu packed away the small paper packets. "If they're too spicy, I'll use fewer. Otherwise, it's torture when using the restroom."

Luo Pingping chuckled and patted him on the shoulder. "Don't talk nonsense."

"I'm not talking nonsense. Auntie, I'll see you later. I'll come back in a while," Tang Xu said with a smile as he turned around, only to be stopped by her grabbing his arm again.

Luo Pingping pulled him outside the courtyard and then lowered her voice to ask him, "Has anyone from the third household been causing trouble for you lately?" Tang Xu shook his head. "No, just that one time. Didn't grandmother scold her and put her in her place? I reckon she's come to terms with it."

Luo Pingping shrugged. "Alright then. If she does come looking for you, just ignore her. She caused a ruckus here a while back and argued with your grandparents. Thankfully, she didn't make mother angry to death, but your uncle gave your third uncle a good beating."

Tang Xu looked surprised. Oh wow, that's quite dramatic!

"Why didn't you tell me?" He couldn't believe he missed out on such excitement!

Luo Pingping noticed his curiosity and gave him another pat on the shoulder. "Why would I bother telling you about this? Now go on, hurry back home." 

Tang Xu grinned at her. "Auntie, I'm off!"

Luo Pingping watched him turn the corner before heading back into the courtyard to prepare the plump rabbit.

"Mom," Sun Ning'er greeted her mother-in-law with a smile as she entered. "Mom, did Xu Ge'er send this rabbit?"

Luo Pingping nodded. "This rabbit fur is valuable, don't cut it."

Wang Lanhua had originally intended to pluck the fur, but upon hearing this, she quickly turned to ask, "How should we handle it? Mother, I don't know how to." 

Luo Pingping sighed and stepped forward. "I'll do it. You two watch and learn." 

The two sisters-in-law nodded and chatted as they watched her prepare the rabbit.

The conversation mostly revolved around Tang Xu.

Sun Ning'er had long known that her mother-in-law had learned the skill of making cold noodles from Tang Xu. 

Over the past two or three months, she had seen her mother-in-law earn quite a bit of silver.

As a daughter-in-law, everyone wished to have their own little treasure chest in their small home. So Sun Ning'er was particularly envious of her mother-in-law's skill in making cold noodles. 

However, she knew very well that such good fortune wouldn't fall into her lap; her mother-in-law could handle it on her own.

"Mom, did Xu Ge'er raise this rabbit himself? It's so fat," Sun Ning'er remarked.

Luo Pingping nodded. "He has a large yard over there and raises quite a few livestock and poultry. They're all well cared for." 

"He's really capable," Wang Lanhua praised.

Luo Pingping loved hearing praise for Tang Xu, and upon hearing the compliments, she smiled brightly. "Indeed, he's capable. He earns money, he's filial, and he manages such a large house without any chaos. I really envy Wei Dong for being able to marry our Xu Ge'er."

Sun Ning'er's smile froze slightly.

What does she mean? Does she regret marrying them into the family?

Wang Lanhua didn't read into it too much. She simply echoed her mother-in-law's words, knowing that agreeing with her wouldn't go wrong.

So she chimed in, "Yes, if I ever have a son who could marry someone like Xu Ge'er, I'd be happy too."

"But gers are not suitable. My mother says it's difficult for gers to have children, even conceiving is difficult," Sun Ning'er shook her head.

Luo Pingping glanced at her. "Your mother has only seen a few gers. Our Xu Ge'er went to see a senior doctor at the pharmacy, and the doctor said he's good for childbirth. After his health improves, we'll be able to hug a big chubby grandson next year!"

Sun Ning'er secretly rolled her eyes, feeling a hint of disdain in her heart.

Even if they have a chubby grandson, he would bear the surname Wei, not Tang! 

Tang Xu, sitting on the kang and cracking melon seeds, sneezed suddenly. He rubbed his nose and frowned.

Is he getting sick?

"Brother, your birthday is coming soon, so I embroidered a little money pouch for you." Tang Li handed him the emerald green pouch she was holding. "Take a look and see if you like it."

The young girl's cheeks turned red with shyness. Tang Xu took the money pouch and examined it, sniffing it as well. He smiled, "It smells nice!"

"I put a lot of dried flowers in it. It can also be used as a sachet," Tang Li said with a smile, nodding. "But I think it's more practical as a money pouch."

Tang Xu nodded in agreement. "You're right." He took off the old hemp money pouch from his waist and emptied the silver and copper coins onto the kang, transferring them into the new money pouch.

Tang Yang, lying on the edge of the kang, looked up at him. “Brother, I also have a gift for you,“ he said, grinning.

Tang Xu raised an eyebrow. “Oh, really? Did you make something for me?”

Tang Yang chuckled, propping his chin up with his hands. “Nope!”

“Then what are you going to give me?” Tang Xu asked curiously.

“I treated a bunch of friends to some skewers and asked them to help me catch small fish, shrimp, and crabs. I'll save up and give them to you later,” Tang Yang explained, wiggling his legs excitedly. “Then with those ducks and geese you're raising, we'll have plenty to eat. They'll grow big, and you'll get to eat lots of meat!”

Tang Xu couldn't help but smile at his brother's cuteness. He gently cupped Tang Yang's face in his hands and said softly, “My Ah Yang is so thoughtful! And he even knows how to ask for help!”

“Of course!”Tang Yang said proudly. 'It's getting cold, and the river water is chilly. I'm not going in the water!”

Tang Xu pinched his cheek. “You little clever rascal.”

Tang Erhu lay on the kang, watching the three of them bonding closely, and drifted off to sleep.

Hearing his snores, Tang Xu turned his head and then gathered the melon seed shells from the kang table. He raised his chin slightly toward his siblings and whispered, “Let's go out and let Dad sleep.”

The three of them stepped out of the main house, and Tang Xu glanced at the sky. It was time for him to go back.

"I'm heading back. You two should rest for a while. It's been getting colder recently, especially in the mornings and evenings. Make sure to use thick blankets when sleeping," Tang Xu advised. 

He thought about the old quilt he used to have, where the cotton had clumped together, and Liu Xiangxiang had been reluctant to buy new cotton. So he asked, "Do you have money to buy new cotton?"

"We do, Brother. Don't worry, we have enough money at home," Tang Li replied, holding a handful of silver coins. She planned to buy new cotton soon to make new quilts for Dad and her younger brother. 

As for herself, she would wash and sun the old cotton and remake the quilt, making it as good as new.

Tang Xu didn't inquire further. He waved to the two of them and said, "I'm off. If there's anything, let me know, don't hide it from me!"

With the basket on his back, Tang Xu turned his head to take a look. Besides the large eggplants given by their aunt, there was also a big bag of bright red dried dates inside.

"Did you buy these dried dates?" Tang Xu asked Tang Li.

Tang Li shook her head and pointed to Tang Yang. "Ah Yang picked them from the mountain. These dates are sun-dried and taste sour-sweet. You can soak them in water to drink, Brother."  

Tang Xu nodded and waved to the two of them, "I'm heading off." He strolled along the village road, sweating profusely all the way back.

In the yard, Wei Dong was sharpening a knife.

The sound of sharpening made people's scalps tingle.

"What are you doing?"

Wei Dong turned around and saw Tang Xu had returned, then smiled and said, "I made an appointment with third brother Pan to go hunting in the mountains tomorrow." 

Even though he could already proficiently use drugs to tranquilize prey, Wei Dong still pursued the thrill of doing it himself.

Third brother Pan was similar to him, enjoying shooting prey with a bow and arrow.

Tang Xu nodded, "Going to Dayou Mountain again?"

"Not this time, we're going to Xiaoyun Mountain. Fourth brother Pan said there's a herd of wild buffalo over there!" Wei Dong's eyes sparkled, it was rare to see him so interested in something.

Wild buffalo... Tang Xu swallowed hard. He decided he didn't want to join in the excitement with such a violent group.

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