I Am A Husband Curser, And You Are A Wife Curser. - Chapter 7

Chapter 7: Yang Tongchuan is a Real Piece of Work

At the Yang Family Home

Yang Tongchuan was actually dissatisfied with the betrothal gifts for Xiangxi. Compared to what his sister-in-law had received years ago, the items were less than half in quantity.

However, Mother Yang had laid down the law:

“Back then, your sister-in-law’s dowry filled an entire flatbed cart. And the Xiang family? If they can provide two quilts as a dowry for Xiangxi, I’ll thank the heavens. If I prepared a betrothal gift for Xiangxi that matched your sister-in-law’s share, how do you think she would feel?”

Yang Tongchuan thought about it and realized she had a point. The Yang family had not split their household yet; all major expenditures were managed centrally by Mother Yang. Every month, both he and his elder brother had to hand over half of their wages to the family pot.

Still, he felt uneasy in his heart. He decided to take some of his own money to add a solid silver bracelet to Xiangxi’s gifts. This bracelet cost nearly a full month’s salary. As a constable at the yamen, Yang Tongchuan had extra income beyond his official salary, but he told no one about this money and saved it all himself. By now, it had grown into a substantial sum.

Back in his room that night, Yang Tongchuan lay on his bed, thinking of that “quail” who had peeked at him. He mused to himself: I need to be sharper this time. I should drop by the Xiang house more often to make sure everything is in order, so I don’t end up a laughingstock like last time.

Included in the Yang family’s gifts was a length of red cloth for a wedding robe. Xiangxi took the cloth out, but he didn’t know how to cut or sew garments; no one had ever taught him. His sister-in-law found a tailor shop and paid them to do the work. Being a sensible boy, Xiangxi gave all the leftover fabric to his sister-in-law. There was enough left to make several outfits for the baby she was carrying. She didn’t stand on ceremony and accepted it; after all, it was high-quality material.

Xiangxi didn’t feel the typical joy of a groom-to-be. He went about his daily chores and childcare as usual. One evening, his brother approached him.

“It’s been a cold year. We’ll work until the Little New Year and then rest. For these few days before the holiday, go to the stall and help out in place of your sister-in-law. Let her stay home and rest for the baby.”

“Alright,” Xiangxi agreed without a second thought.

The truth was that Xiang Qiang had noticed Yang Tongchuan coming by the stall more and more frequently lately. Sometimes he wasn’t even there to eat; he’d just take a look, say hello, and leave. Now everyone at the docks knew the Xiang family was marrying into a constable’s family, and people treated Xiang Qiang with more respect. But Xiang Qiang knew his brother-in-law wasn’t there to give him “face”—he was there to see Xiangxi.

The next morning, Xiangxi hoisted his back-basket and went to the stall with his brother. With the New Year approaching, the docks were as busy as ever; everyone wanted to earn a little extra for a good holiday. At noon, Xiangxi was busy cooking noodle soup and selling wheat cakes. His face was flushed from the steam of the pot, making him feel warm, though his ears were a bit itchy from the cold.

Suddenly, a dark shadow fell over him. Xiangxi looked up to see Yang Tongchuan.

“Brother-in-law, you’re here! Sit, sit. Xiangxi, make a bowl of minced meat noodle soup for Tongchuan.”

Xiangxi’s face turned beet red. Shyness aside, his hands didn’t stop moving. He prepared the noodle soup as fast as he could, specifically adding an extra spoonful of minced meat and poaching an egg inside. When he brought it over, Yang Tongchuan stared at Xiangxi’s wrist.

“Don’t you like the bracelet? Why aren’t you wearing it?” Yang Tongchuan remembered that since he didn’t know Xiangxi’s size, he had specifically chosen an adjustable open-ended bracelet. It should have fit perfectly.

“I like it… I’m just afraid of hitting it while I’m working. I can’t bear to wear it out,” Xiangxi said in a low voice, appearing even more timid than before they were engaged.

Yang Tongchuan said nothing and lowered his head to eat. Xiangxi hurried over to brew a cup of hot tea and served it to him. Yang Tongchuan drank it with satisfaction, feeling he had made a good “deal” this time—finding a husband who was observant and knew how to serve. Even if they split the household later, he would always have a hot meal waiting for him at home.

When he finished, Yang Tongchuan put down money to pay, but Xiang Qiang adamantly refused to take it.

“We’re family now. Taking money would be treating you like a stranger,” Xiang Qiang said sincerely. Yang Tongchuan didn’t push it; he thanked him and left.

Xiangxi watched the man’s retreating back. At the thought that he would soon be sleeping in the same bed as this man, he felt a wave of fear. He felt as though if Yang Tongchuan just rolled over, he could crush him to death.

Once the lunch rush was over, Xiangxi packed up to head home early to help his sister-in-law with dinner. She was heavily pregnant and looking after a child; it was too much to ask her to cook as well. The doctor had said her pregnancy was stable this time and there was a good chance for a healthy birth.

“Brother, I’m going home to cook. Come back early,” Xiangxi said, hoisting the large basket and walking away from the pier.

On the road, he bumped into Yang Tongchuan, who had just finished his patrol and was heading back to the yamen. Without a word, Yang Tongchuan pulled out a newly bought rabbit-fur hat—a trendy style with earflaps. Without saying anything, he jammed it onto Xiangxi’s head. He used so much force that Xiangxi stumbled and had to be steadied by Yang Tongchuan.

After adjusting the hat and tucking in the earflaps, Yang Tongchuan inspected his work, satisfied with his taste. Xiangxi actually looked quite good in it.

“Is this… for me?” Xiangxi had never worn a rabbit-fur hat before. The sudden warmth made his head feel as though spring had arrived.

“It’s not for you, it’s for your head. You’re freezing yourself stupid,” Yang Tongchuan said, lifting the heavy basket off Xiangxi’s shoulders. The basket that Xiangxi struggled with felt like a small bundle in Yang Tongchuan’s hand.

“I’ll walk you home.” Yang Tongchuan escorted him all the way to the front gate.

“Do you want to come in for a cup of water?” Xiangxi asked nervously, being alone with him for the first time.

“No, I have to get back to the yamen. Go on inside.” Yang Tongchuan set the basket down and left.

As Xiangxi carried the basket inside, he noticed a small box resting on top. He opened it; it appeared to be ointment for frostbite. He wasn’t sure when Yang Tongchuan had put it there. He held it to his nose; it smelled wonderful. After a moment of internal struggle, Xiangxi tucked the small box into his shirt, deciding not to hand this one over to his sister-in-law.

As soon as he walked in, his sister-in-law spotted the new hat.

“When did you buy that hat?” It was rabbit fur. She had seen one like it before and wanted to buy a small one for the baby, but even the smallest size cost 200 wen. She couldn’t justify the expense. An adult version would be much more expensive. The peddler had told her the style was the latest fashion from the capital, worn by the nobility.

“Yang Tongchuan bought it on the way back,” Xiangxi said, his face flushing again.

Hearing it was from Yang Tongchuan, she didn’t say anything more. “It’s nice. Wear it well.” Seeing he was back, she handed the baby to him so she could lie down and rest.

Xiangxi took the baby back to the west room, carefully put away his hat to keep it clean, and then went to the kitchen with the baby to prepare dinner. From the pork sent with the betrothal gifts, the fat had been rendered into lard, leaving some crispy lard dregs behind. His sister-in-law had mentioned wanting cabbage and lard-dreg buns. While minding the baby, Xiangxi kneaded the dough, chopped the cabbage, mixed the filling, and steamed the buns.

By the time his brother closed the stall and got home, the first batch of hot buns was ready.