WSMTATMC C66

Chapter 66

The funeral concluded by the thirteenth of the first lunar month—just two days before the Lantern Festival (Shangyuan).

Uncle Li wanted them to stay through the fifteenth, but Qingsong needed to attend the child student exam (童试). The journey from Tianyang County home required five days; from home to Longquan County for the main prefectural exam (县试) was another three days. They really couldn’t delay.

Seeing they had serious matters to attend, big uncle did not insist. He prepared half a cart of New Year goods for them, and, just before leaving, for the first time took Chen Qingyan’s hand—full of words he couldn’t say, finally just managing, “Take care of your mother, come visit more often.”

“Yes.”

On the way back it began to snow again. By the fifteenth, they reached Qingyang Town, decided to stay the night to rest and simply celebrate the Lantern Festival together as a family.

The inn in town was much cleaner than the roadside posthouses, with a stove glowing inside. Gathering around the fire drinking tea, the chill retreated from the bones.

“This weather is strange—not a flake before New Year, but now it snows without stop.” Chen Bo brushed snow from his coat as he returned from outside.

“Come warm yourself.” Chen Qingyan beckoned him.

Besides their party, there was a group of traveling merchants. Since it was the festival and meeting by chance, everyone started talking.

“You all don’t sound local.”

The head merchant said, “We’re from Longxi. Had things gone smoothly, we would’ve made it to Bianzhou before the fifteenth—except we got caught in a big snow on the road, delayed seven or eight days before getting here.”

Wang Ying asked, “Was the snow heavy in Longxi?”

“Oh, it was huge! In thirty years I’ve never seen such.”

“You all here in Jizhou have snow, but that’s nothing compared to the west. Lots of roofs collapsed, and many froze to death on the way.”

In this era, less than half the people were warm and fed; for the rest, winter meant risking freezing in houses without proper clothes. When homes collapsed, people simply froze.

Everyone sighed. Wang Ying, once again, counted himself lucky—had he not arrived at the Chen family, he couldn’t imagine how he would have survived.

After a night at the inn, they set out again at dawn, finally reaching home on the twentieth.

Third Aunt had long been anxiously waiting at home—so many days, and not a letter. With all the snowfall, she’d feared some misfortune on the road.

The mule cart arrived; Linzi opened the gates, Chen Bo guided them in.

Chen Rong heard and came out: “Finally, you’re home! Why so long?”

Madam Li replied: “Father passed away our very first day there.”

“Oh…”

She sighed: “We didn’t head back until the funeral was done. Then, caught in snow an extra day—only now got back.”

Everyone came inside, stripping off heavy coats at last to move comfortably.

Chen Rong asked Wang Ying with concern: “The journey must have been hard—how’s the child in your belly? Still being naughty?”

By now, Wang Ying was over eight months pregnant—his belly much bigger than when they left.

“During the day, it’s quiet; at night, always kicking.”

“A night owl in the making! You’ll be busy once it’s born.”

Madam Li asked about home. Chen Rong said, “No guests while you were gone. Sui and I sewed daily, Qinghuai studied in the library.”

They chatted a bit, all exhausted, so after eating they each went to rest.

Wang Ying found time to slip into the experimental field—much of the produce now overripe or even rotting in the ground, having been left for so long. The fallen cherries he picked up and ate, making do for his cravings.

The field’s experience was now at 90%—just ten left to the next upgrade. He had a feeling the baby would be the catalyst. This time, the upgrade might be revolutionary.

On the twentieth of the month, Master Liang Boqing returned from Changting with plans for the boys’ exams in town.

The county-level main exam was held every other year; the child exam yearly. By chance, both were this year: Qingsong and Qinghuai would go together.

Exams started the tenth and ran to the fifteenth of the next lunar month. Usually, this time of year should be early spring—still cold, but manageable.

But this year remained harsh; no sign of warming. If they sat all three rounds outside in such cold, they’d probably fall ill.

Drawing on experience, Master Liang advised: “Better to wait a year. This weather is too hard—risking health isn’t worth it.”

Qingsong agreed—being only ten, there was no rush.

But Qinghuai, after some thought, said: “Teacher, I want to try this year.”

He felt great pressure from his father’s side, plus homesickness; he hoped to finish the exam, then return to Shanzhou.

Master Liang agreed, “Then be ready. We’ll set off the day after tomorrow.”

Along with Qinghuai and Master Liang, Third Aunt (Chen Rong) and Lin Sui went too. Lin Qiu was pregnant and worried; it was a chance to go home for a while and help her until after the birth.

Chen Qingyan originally wanted to go as well—he had experience with exams. But Wang Ying was about to give birth—at such a crucial time, he could not leave.

Wang Ying’s stomach grew daily—by now like a giant watermelon.

Madam Li forbade him from leaving the house; the roads were still slick with alternating snow and thaw. A fall could be disastrous.

Wang Ying didn’t think much—he busied himself quietly in the test field anyway.

The vegetable shop reopened—business was even better than last year, with most having run out of last year’s cabbage and turnips. Those with money bought fresh greens now, since it was unclear when spring produce would appear.

Chen Qingyan now took his younger siblings to the shop every day. Through recent years, he had grown far more outgoing.

Before, he’d never sell vegetables in public. Now, he welcomed guests heartily and, when asked about the cheating scandal, calmly replied, “I was framed.” Whether they believed him or not, his conscience was clear.

Midway through the month, the snow finally stopped, the weather hinted at spring. It was just in time for county exams.

Chen Qingyan joked: “Qinghuai’s luck is good—this weather is perfect for exams!”

Madam Li said, “Yes! And now, pull those baby clothes out—have the servants wash and air them. Soon it’ll be warm enough to wear.”

Most of the baby clothes were made by Third Aunt—fine, bright-stitching, soft cloth.

“I’ll make a trip up the mountain for a protection charm—pray for a safe birth,” she added.

That morning, the sun shone bright, but by afternoon, a strange wind kicked up—sending the baby clothes, hung outside to dry, flying through the courtyard. As Wang Ying rushed out to gather them, he slipped and landed hard.

Struggling to rise, he felt water gush from below, soaking his trousers.

He blushed, but realized—this must be the water breaking.

“Someone, quick!”

Steward Chen Bo rushed to help him into the bedroom. He raced for Madam Li—but she was at the temple and wouldn’t return until late.

Panicking, he asked Linzi, the porter, to fetch the young master.

Linzi dashed to the store: “Young master! Young master, come home! The young lord is giving birth!”

Chen Qingyan didn’t even bother with his coat—he ran the whole way, directing Linzi to fetch the doctor.

When he got home, Madam Li had just returned. She hurried to gather the midwives.

Wang Ying had already changed into birthing clothes, spread ox hide and old quilts to protect the bed. Chen Bo had water boiling in the kitchen.

Chen Qingyan’s voice arrived before he did: “Ah Ying—how do you feel? Is it very painful?”

“Not yet—” But just then a sharp pain ripped through his lower back, making him shudder.

Madam Li and two midwives arrived. The baby wasn’t due for ten days, but now it was coming.

Li, holding Wang Ying’s hand, was wracked with guilt. “It’s my fault—for going to the temple today! If anything happens to you, I won’t forgive myself.”

“It’s not you—I just slipped…”

“No time for that now—the baby must come safely!” The midwife checked: “Don’t worry, by dusk it’ll be over.”

Wang Ying worried, “So much water came out—is that all right?”

The midwife pressed his belly, “There’s still plenty—don’t worry.”

Li soothed, “Don’t be afraid—they’ve delivered many babies. Listen and you’ll be fine.”

“Mm.”

Soon, Qingsong and Qingyun returned, faces flushed as they rushed in: “Has the baby come?”

“No.” Chen Qingyan paced, nerves fraying.

The doctor waited in a side room in case of problems.

From inside sometimes came Wang Ying’s groans—the pain was indescribable, like he was being torn apart. Sweat poured off him as he gripped the bed hard.

No one ever said a gē’er having a child was this much hell!

The midwife urged, “Breathe deep, don’t use brute force!”

Footnotes

• 童试 (tongshi): child student entrance exam, first step in historical civil service tracks. 
• 县试 (xianshi): county-level competitive exam for scholars. 
• Palace birthing customs: Using oxhide/older bedding was traditional to protect from birth fluids in homes without waterproof beds.