Chapter 37: Bing Wengu’s Outing – A Reluctant Departure

Before they knew it, the day for the newlyweds’ homecoming visit arrived.

Bing Wengu and Nan Jinping got up early and took the village donkey cart to town.

Bing Wengu, mindful of the modest betrothal gifts during the wedding—which had all been exchanged for silver and brought back by his spouse—decided to make the return gifts more generous.

He bought three *jin* of pork, one *jin* of mutton, a bag of brown sugar, one *jin* of red dates, and a bolt of homespun fabric.

When Bing Wengu wanted to buy more, Nan Jinping stopped him, "This is already generous enough. No need to buy more, or Mother won’t accept it."

"Alright." There would be plenty of time in the future, now that Nan Jinping was his spouse. There would be no shortage of opportunities to honor his in-laws.

Bing Wengu also took the chance to buy some more grain and vegetables for the household.

The villagers were keenly watching the gifts Bing Dalang brought for the return visit, hoping to gauge his attitude toward the Nan family marriage—or how satisfied he was with Nan Jinping—to see if their own daughters or Shuang Er might still be in the running.

In the villagers' eyes, the Bing family had now become wealthy, and Nan Jinping, just a *Xiao Geer*, was no longer a suitable match.

When they saw Bing Wengu and Nan Jinping carrying piles of gifts to the Nan household, the villagers understood just how pleased Bing Wengu was with Nan Jinping.

Wang Shi clicked her tongue, "Well, well, well—seems the Bing family is quite satisfied with Nan Jia *Xiao Geer*. Did you see that huge piece of mutton and the whole bolt of homespun fabric? Fancy that, the Bings have truly prospered, splurging like this on the return gifts."

Li Shi’s face twisted with envy, "Just a *Xiao Geer*, and one who can’t even bear children. Flaunting it like this—how embarrassing."

"Whether it’s embarrassing or not, who knows? But bet your family’s kicking themselves now," Li Shi gloated. "If you’d known the Bings would rise like this, your second daughter probably wouldn’t have broken off the engagement, saving her from marrying that old man."

Wang Shi’s words were like the sharpest dagger, stabbing deep into Li Shi’s heart, making her vision darken with pain.

Li Shi clenched her teeth to keep from fainting and stubbornly retorted, "How can the Bings compare to Old Zhao in wealth? Old Zhao’s pinky toe is wealthier than the whole Bing clan!"

Wang Shi said, "Bing Dalang is young, roughly the same age as your second daughter. That Old Zhao must be older than your husband, right?"

Li Shi swayed slightly. She pinched her thigh hard and forced herself to reply, "At our age, we know what matters most. Age, love—those are secondary. Only silver is truly important. My second daughter lives in luxury, dressed in silks in the Zhao household—far better than being a farmer’s wife in the village!"

Wang Cuihua scoffed, "Farmer? Ha! Didn’t Bing Dalang say he’ll sit for the exams next year? If he passes, he’ll be a scholar. How could Old Zhao compare?"

Wang Shi wasn’t particularly close to the Bings and didn’t actually hope Bing Wengu would pass. Privately, she even believed he would surely fail. She only said this to needle Li Shi.

Though these women often mingled, they were frenemies at best—none wished the others well.

Li Shi snorted, "With Bing Dalang’s track record, it’d be a miracle if he passed."

Wang Shi said, "If he does, your family better not regret it. But judging by how fancy these homecoming gifts are, Nan Jia *Xiao Geer* has truly got Bing Dalang wrapped around his finger. Even if your second daughter wanted to come back, Bing Wengu probably wouldn’t take her."

"As if! My second daughter would never look back, and Bing Dalang will never pass!"

Some villagers, their thoughts unsettled by the conversation, chimed in, "Fancy homecoming gifts don’t necessarily mean Bing Dalang is satisfied with Nan Jia *Xiao Geer*. It might just be for appearances—after all, Bing Dalang is worried about appearances."

Some people only hear what they want to hear.

The Nan family took this return visit very seriously, with everyone waiting at home.

It wasn’t that they thought Bing Wengu was particularly remarkable, but their child was a *Xiao Geer*, already looked down on. Now that the Bings had prospered, they feared Bing Wengu might mistreat Nan Jinping in the future.

The Nan family was tense, unsure of Bing Wengu’s attitude.

Only when Bing Wengu and Nan Jinping arrived with such lavish gifts did they breathe half a sigh of relief—the other half would depend on how the two got along in the future.

Miao Shi grinned from ear to ear as she and Gu Shi accepted the gifts. "Just coming back is enough. We're family—no need to go all out with gifts."

Miao Shi wasn't the type to be swayed by money. What she truly cared about was Bing Wengu's attitude. The size of the return gifts showed how satisfied Bing Wengu and the Bing family were with her Jin Geer.

Father Nan laughed. "Stay for lunch. Have your sister-in-law whip up some good dishes, and we men can have a few drinks."

Gu Shi, eyeing the pile of lavish gifts, grinned until her eyes crinkled. "Of course! I’ll pull out all the stops."

Soon, Miao Shi seized a moment to pull Nan Jinping aside into another room.

"Level with me—how’s Da Lang treating you?" Miao Shi asked anxiously.

"Mother, Da Lang treats me very well." Even though Bing Wengu told Nan Jinping to call him Wengu, in front of family and outsiders, it still felt too intimate to say aloud. So, he stuck to the village’s customary way of addressing him.

"Really?" Miao Shi pressed, afraid he was hiding the truth. "The Bings have come up in the world now. Liang Shi might not be pleased with you. If she says anything harsh, just ignore it. Focus on keeping Da Lang’s heart. From what I see, he does seem to care for you."

"Care for him"? More like Bing Wengu was stuck to him like glue.

Nan Jinping’s face flushed as he recalled the past few nights since their wedding, when Bing Wengu seemed unwilling to let him go for even a moment.

"Mother, you really don’t need to worry. Life with the Bings is great." In truth, life there was even better than at his parents’ home, but he phrased it tactfully. "Da Lang won’t let me lift a finger. Once, when I got hungry in the middle of the night, he even cooked for me."

Miao Shi blinked in surprise. "Da Lang can cook? But everyone in the village says he’s all talk, never lifts a finger around the house, just burying himself in books."

"It’s true he doesn’t do chores—but only because I don’t have to either. If it’s just us, he does everything."

Miao Shi paused for a long time. "And your mother-in-law? Has she never complained or picked on you?"

Nan Jinping shook his head. "No, Bing’s mother has never said a word against me."

Miao Shi couldn’t believe it. If not for knowing her son’s honest nature, she might have suspected him of lying.

What kind of family was this, marrying a husband who didn’t have to lift a finger, treating him like royalty?

"You should still do your share. No one likes a lazy husband. Maybe it’s just because you’re newly married that Bing’s mother hasn’t said anything yet," Miao Shi advised.

Nan Jinping didn’t mention that Bing Wengu also forbade him from working. Instead, he pulled out the three taels of broken silver and two hundred copper coins Miao Shi had given him on his wedding day.

"Mother, here’s the dowry and your savings. Take them back."

Miao Shi refused. "Hold onto them—just in case."

Nan Jinping insisted. "Mother, I’m not short on money. Da Lang gave me all his silver on our wedding day—over three taels!"

"Three taels? That much!" Miao Shi, unaware that Bing Wengu had squandered most of his money and this was all that remained, assumed it was his private stash like other village youths kept. Had she known the truth, she’d have been furious. "He gave it all to you?"

"Yes. And he said I could spend it however I like."

Miao Shi paused for a long time before murmuring, "If only Da Lang could treat you this well forever..."

She took back the two hundred copper coins but pushed the three taels of broken silver back to Nan Jinping. "Save this for a rainy day. The Bings are doing well now, and our family can’t offer much. Maybe this’ll help you keep your pride."

Gu Shi went all out, preparing a table full of dishes—meat and vegetables alike—a feast by village standards.

In the past, Nan Jinping would have found it delicious. But after days of Bing Wengu’s stir-fried dishes, he struggled to enjoy the home-style stewed meals.

He hid his dislike and nibbled politely.

Bing Wengu had no strong preferences when it came to food. After two centuries of tasteless military rations, cooking now was merely to please Nan Jinping.

Bing Wengu barely touched the dishes at the table, focusing mainly on drinking.

Originally, today was the son-in-law's homecoming banquet, and they couldn't actually get him drunk—just buzzed would suffice.

But as Nan's father and the Nan brothers kept pouring him drink after drink, Bing Wengu remained cool as a cucumber. This only egged them on.

In the end, Bing Wengu ended up outdrinking Nan's father and all the Nan brothers, leaving them flat on their backs.

Nan's father, flushed and bull-necked, a grown man sobbing, clung to Bing Wengu and said, "My Jin Geer has had a hard life, born different, never enjoying much happiness since birth. You must treat him well."

Nan Dalang, drunk to the point of blurred vision, forehead pressed against the table, pointed at the ground and slurred, "If you dare bully Jin Geer, you'll have me to answer to!"

As if Nan Dalang, in no shape, could do anything to anyone! Miao Shi covered her face in embarrassment.

Nan Erlang, equally drunk and disoriented, suddenly stood up and yelled like a tough guy, "If it comes to it, we'll get a divorce! Jin Geer, I’ll take care of you!"

After roaring this, Nan Erlang face-planted onto the table, completely passed out, leaving Miao Shi horrified.

Miao Shi stole a glance at her son-in-law’s expression and, sure enough, Bing Wengu’s face was stormy.

She quickly stood and said to Bing Wengu, "Son-in-law, don’t listen to their nonsense. The men are all drunk and talking crazy. Gu Shi, Xiao Niang, hurry and help your brothers back to their rooms."

Miao Shi was secretly glad that Nan Sanlang was already too drunk to speak, or else he might have said something even more shocking and thoroughly offended their son-in-law.

She knew her family, aware of Jin Geer being different, felt inferior in front of Bing Wengu. These words would never have been spoken if they were sober.

Bing Wengu wasn’t bothered by his brothers-in-law's tough talk. What angered him was Nan Erlang’s mention of divorce. He and Jin Geer were in it for the long haul, till old age. Divorce? What terrible luck.

Miao Shi politely saw her son-in-law and Nan Jinping off. Returning inside, she found her husband sprawled on the kang, dead drunk. Furious, she pinched his thigh hard.

Then, she smiled to herself and murmured, "Jin Geer must truly be living well now. Did you see how he barely touched such good food today? He wasn’t even tempted. Before marriage, he’d have devoured it all, tongue and all."

Back home, Nan Jinping took out the loose silver and placed it back in the cabinet. Bing Wengu noticed and asked, "Why didn’t you give it to Mom?"

Nan Jinping replied, "Mom wouldn’t take it. She said the family is poor, couldn’t prepare a dowry for me, and can’t help me much. She wanted me to bring the silver back so our household could have some breathing room."

Bing Wengu understood—Miao Shi feared Nan Jinping might suffer and hoped that by returning the full bride price, Jin Geer would be treated well.

A good mother who truly cared for her child. Perhaps he could support his in-laws more in the future.

Bing Wengu put the book aside and said carefully, "Husband, I plan to go to Yaocheng tomorrow."

Nan Jinping froze. "Why?"

"Our region is poor, lagging behind others in resources, including books," Bing Wengu explained. "You know I plan to sit for the exams next February, but the books at home are far from enough. I hope to find more books and past exam papers from other regions."

Having married into the Bing family only three days ago, Nan Jinping still saw the others as strangers yet familiar. In this household, only Bing Wengu was his pillar.

Now that Bing Wengu was suddenly leaving, Nan Jinping felt empty inside and reluctant to let him go.

Bing Wengu’s reasoning was sound. Nan Jinping opened his mouth but couldn’t bring himself to ask him to stay.

"How long?" Nan Jinping asked hoarsely.

"One to two months." Bing Wengu already hated to part with Nan Jinping, and seeing his reluctance, he nearly blurted out that he wouldn’t go. But thinking of their light purse, he had no choice.

"Alright," Nan Jinping said glumly.

That night, filled with the sorrow of impending separation, Bing Wengu channeled all his yearning into Nan Jinping, thoroughly exhausting him until dawn finally brought relief.

Early in the morning, Bing Wengu slipped out of bed quietly, careful not to wake the sleeping figure.

But the moment he opened the door, Nan Jinping still woke up.

Rubbing his bleary eyes, Nan Jinping crawled out from under the covers. "Are you leaving now? Let me make you some travel food."

Bing Wengu’s heart swelled with sadness, knowing Nan Jinping was reluctant to let him go.

In the past few days, he had moved just as quietly, never disturbing Nan Jinping's sleep. But today, the moment he was about to leave, Nan Jinping woke up—likely because he had been thinking of him all night, barely sleeping at all.

"No need, I can make them myself. Stay in bed a bit longer. I’ll make a couple more pancakes and bring them to you," Bing Wengu coaxed gently.

But Nan Jinping wouldn’t have it, stubbornly climbing out of bed and following Bing Wengu into the kitchen.

Bing Wengu wouldn’t let him cook, but Nan Jinping wouldn’t leave either, sitting instead on a small stool to keep him company.

Bing Wengu prepared some coarse grain cakes for himself to eat on the road, then mixed eggs and white flour to fry a few rich, buttery egg pancakes.

The mouthwatering aroma filled the air, and soon Liang Shi appeared in the kitchen. "Da Lang, what’s that delicious smell?"

Bing Wengu handed her two of the pancakes. "Mother, I made these. One for you and one for Dad. Try them and see if you like them. If you do, we can make them again next time."

Liang Shi didn’t know how to make them and was too thrifty to use much oil.

She took a bite—it tasted even better than it smelled.

"Mother, I’m going to Yaocheng to buy some books for the imperial exams. I’ll probably be back in one or two months. Please look after Jin Geer while I’m gone," Bing Wengu said, worried sick about leaving Nan Jinping behind, afraid he might suffer in his absence.

"Mother, Jin Geer is still young, and his health has been weak these past years. Keep him out of the autumn harvest—have him stay home and rest. I’ve already bought enough food for the household. If you need anything else or extra expenses, just tell Jin Geer, and he’ll give you the money."

Liang Shi listened, hearing nothing but his endless fretting over Nan Jinping.

Bitter and annoyed, she replied, "Go on, then. He’ll be just fine."

With that, Liang Shi took the pancakes back to her husband. Like she didn’t have her own man—pfft!

After breakfast and washing the dishes, Bing Wengu hoisted his pack and left. Nan Jinping, unwilling to part, accompanied him all the way to the village gate, eyes glistening.

"I’ll return as quickly as I can," Bing Wengu said, wishing he could take Nan Jinping with him—but he couldn’t.

This wasn’t just a book-buying trip. If it were that simple, he would have brought Nan Jinping along for a leisurely outing to broaden his horizons.

But Bing Wengu had something dangerous planned.

They lingered at the village gate, reluctant to part, until the donkey cart driver called for him to hurry. Only then did they finally separate.

Sitting on the cart, Bing Wengu gazed until the cart disappeared, unable to stop watching until he could no longer see Nan Jinping.

The cart driver, a fellow villager familiar with Bing Wengu, teased, "Ah, youth is wonderful. Newlyweds can’t bear to be apart. Reminds me of when my wife and I first married."

Meanwhile, Nan Jinping didn’t turn back until the cart was completely out of sight. Returning home, the Bing household was quiet—everyone had left for the autumn harvest.

Back in his room, lying on the kang, Nan Jinping found himself unable to sleep. Despite how thoroughly the man had exhausted him the night before—he should have been knocked out cold—sleep eluded him now.

Tossing and turning only made him more restless, so he got up and went back to the Nan household.

But the Nan house was empty too—everyone was out harvesting. So Nan Jinping headed straight for the Nan family fields.

Liang Shi, spotting him, exclaimed in surprise, "What brings you back here now?"

"I came to help with the autumn harvest," Nan Jinping said, diving straight into work.

Mother Bing was startled. "You don’t need to help here. Go help the Bing family with their harvest."

Nan Jinping muttered, "The Bings don’t want me."

Mother Bing asked urgently, "How could they not? Did they scold you?"

"They don’t. Bing Dalang already spoke to Mother Bing. He said I don’t need to help with the harvest, and she agreed. I was bored staying alone, so I thought I’d come help at home," Nan Jinping explained.

Mother Bing fumed, "Are you out of your mind? If your in-laws won’t even let you work, why would you come back to your own family to labor? If your in-laws find out, they’ll be furious!"

Nan Jinping’s mind, numb from Bing Wengu’s departure, finally cleared, and she realized how inappropriate her actions were.

Mother Bing continued persuading, "Don’t listen to Bing Dalang. He never understood how to get along with people. It’s bad enough he slacks off himself—now he’s encouraging you not to, too. That won’t do. Listen to me, I won’t steer you wrong. Go help in the Bing family’s fields. Don’t just sit around, or your mother-in-law will resent you."

Nan Jinping left the Nan family’s fields, but she didn’t heed Miao Shi’s advice to work in the Bing family’s fields either.

It wasn’t that Nan Jinping was lazy—she didn’t mind the hard work.

But these allowances had been hard-won by Bing Wengu, who had likely faced immense pressure and made many concessions to spare her from labor. She couldn’t throw that away—it would be ungrateful and a betrayal of his efforts. If Bing Wengu found out, how hurt he’d be!

Would he ever go to bat for her again?

Nan Jinping returned to the Bing household and glanced at the sky, thinking she could at least help prepare lunch.

Folks around here usually ate two meals a day, even during the busy harvest season—the Bings used to as well. It was only after Bing Wengu insisted that the family switched to three meals, arguing that harvest work was too taxing otherwise.

The Bings and Nan Jinping were already the talk of the town. Little did she know, the slightest movement on her part would prompt gossip to reach Mother Bing’s ears.

"Well, I’ll be," Li Shi began, "I just saw your Bing Dalang leave. He and Nan Jia Xiao Geer were so reluctant to part at the village entrance! They’ve only been married four days—what’s so all-fired important? Did his loan come due, and he fled because he couldn’t repay it?" This was Li Shi, who couldn’t stand Bing Wengu getting ahead and always assumed the worst of him.

Li Shi’s leg injury had never fully healed, leaving her with a limp. Yet she still dragged herself around to keep tabs on Bing Wengu—talk about dedication.

Mother Bing glared at her. "Hate to burst your bubble, but my Da Lang didn’t flee. He’s going to the prefectural city to buy books for the imperial exams in February."

"What books require such a long trip? Bet you he’s skipped town," Li Shi scoffed. "And where’s your new husband? Why isn’t he helping in the fields? You rushed the wedding before the harvest just so he could pitch in, didn’t you? So where is he?"

Just then, Wang Shi, one arm in a sling, hurried over and called from a distance, "Aunt Bing, guess who I just saw in the Nan family’s fields? Your new husband—Nan Jia Xiao Geer!"

Li Shi sneered, "Still sticking to that story? If he hadn’t fled, why would Nan Jia Xiao Geer run back to her family to help with their harvest? If that’s true, Aunt Bing, how could you tolerate it? Wouldn’t you send her back to the Nans in disgrace?"

"What? Bing Dalang ran away?" Wang Shi shrieked. "Oh, I knew it! Things like this don’t just happen by chance. Since when do nobles just appear out of nowhere?"

Wang Shi’s eyes darted around before she scurried off. In no time, the whole village buzzed with rumors that Bing Dalang had fled to escape loan sharks.

Mother Bing’s blood boiled. How did these people find time to gossip when the harvest kept everyone so busy?

At noon, just as Mother Bing was about to head home to cook, Nan Jinping arrived carrying a food basket.

Mother Bing’s face lit up. Though they’d agreed Nan Jinping didn’t need to do housework, if she hadn’t even helped with meals while the family toiled in the fields, Mother Bing would’ve felt slighted.

During the meal, Mother Bing subtly probed whether Nan Jinping had helped with the Nan family’s harvest, startling her into a cold sweat. Nan Jinping quickly made up an excuse to brush it off.

In the afternoon, Nan Jinping returned home with time on her hands. Third Sister was minding the kids—though she was still in confinement and couldn’t go outside, watching a few kids was no trouble.

The Bings had been too poor before to raise poultry, but now that times were better, Mother Bing had bought some chicks and ducklings. Even those didn’t need Nan Jinping’s attention—seven-year-old Wulang and Third Sister could manage them and even keep the yard clean.

With nothing else to occupy her, Nan Jinping spent the afternoon copying Bing Wengu’s calligraphy in her room. This just made her miss him more. They’d only just parted, yet she already ached for his return.