Chapter 37: Fulfilling Filial Duty

Lady Chu also selected a few feet of gray linen, intending to sew a new set of clothes for Liang Mingxue. Li Pinghua had not initially intended to make any purchases, but considering that both her sons had long gone without new garments, and with Liang Youyong pleading beside her, she too chose a few feet of dark brown linen. Liang Yunqing also placed an order for one mattress and two cotton quilts, which would not be ready for collection for seven days; this set of bedding alone cost nearly 500 wen. The moment she paid the 980 wen, she felt keenly how easy it was to spend money and how hard it was to earn. Li Pinghua, feeling the pinch, haggled for a long time before finally producing her purse; the ten feet of linen she bought cost her a full 100 wen. Her original one tael of silver was now reduced to just 900 wen. Fortunately, the set of clothes she held in her arms had not cost her anything—the only thing that brought Li Pinghua any joy.

As they exited the shop laden with bundles of fabric, with Lady Chu and Liang Yunqing already wearing their new clothes, they passed by the neighboring fabric shop. The middle-aged man inside was furious; he had never expected that a group looking so ragged could actually afford to buy clothing. He stomped his feet in frustration.

The group, now satisfied, prepared to leave, but after walking only a few steps, they were drawn to a reflective object. It was the only accessory shop in town, selling nothing but rouge, scented balms, and a few simple silver hairpins. Li Pinghua had no interest in such things, as she had never bothered with finery; even when she married Liang Zhiyan, she had only applied a bit of lip tint. Liang Yunqing, however, was intrigued and stepped inside.

On the counter sat a few scattered small boxes. The shop was tended by a shy young girl who awkwardly opened a few of them to display their contents. "Customer, p-please see if there is anything you like."

Liang Yunqing looked at the contents; they were solid, like lard, but tinted with color—mostly shades of red and purple.

"Where are these applied?"

"These... these are for the lips."

So, it was lipstick. But the colors were ghastly, Liang Yunqing thought with a click of her tongue. She closed the boxes, and a sudden spark of inspiration flashed in her mind. A new path to earning money emerged.

"How much for a box of these?" Liang Yunqing asked, picking up a box at random.

The girl glanced at her and then flipped through her ledger. "Customer, these are 50 wen per box."

Li Pinghua had gained a fresh understanding of the town's prices; 50 wen was enough to feed a family in the village for a month, yet here, it only bought a box of garish goop.

"Alright, thank you."

Knowing the price, Liang Yunqing led the others away. They boarded the carriage and headed home, arriving at their courtyard by dusk. Liang Mingxue had already placed the steamed wild vegetable buns on the table. Seeing them return with bags and packages, he set down his chair and walked over.

"You bought new clothes?" He looked at Lady Chu, who looked refreshed, and then at his daughter’s attire.

"Yunqing didn't just buy clothes for herself; she bought them for the old lady and for you as well," Li Pinghua said with a smile.

Hearing there was something for her, the grandmother, who had been lazing in her room, immediately opened the door and walked out. She took the garments and inspected them, smiling broadly at Liang Yunqing. "My eldest granddaughter is truly capable."

She hadn't worn new clothes in three or four years, and Grandmother Wang's words were sincere. She slipped back into her room to take off her short, tattered clothes and put on the new ones. Instantly, her former air of importance returned to her face. She no longer needed her cane; she walked with a steady gait out of the room and sat at the table. The feeling of wearing new clothes was wonderful—it felt as if she had returned to her former life. As if struck by a thought, a flash of sadness crossed her face.

Liang Yunqing keenly caught this emotion, but she kept it to herself; this grandmother had always been strange.

The buns were placed on the table, and everyone was in high spirits, sitting together to eat and drink their wild vegetable porridge. Liang Yunqing took the opportunity to tell her father about the new bed she had ordered. Liang Mingxue said nothing; after all, his daughter had earned the money, and he was already content to have a new bed without having spent a penny himself. Grandmother Wang, hearing of the new bed, could not sit still. Her clouded eyes darted around, and after weighing her words, she sighed, "I wonder when this old woman will ever get to sleep on a new bed."

Liang Mingxue had been a filial son since childhood, and hearing Wang say this made him uneasy. He calculated his wages and said, "Then, Mother, how about I have a new bed made for you as well?"

A smile blossomed on Wang's face. She patted Liang Mingxue's shoulder affectionately. "My son is still the most filial."

Liang Yunqing silently swallowed her porridge and spoke up calmly, "Indeed, very filial. But why does this act of filial piety not include my second uncle?"

"This... your second uncle doesn't earn much. A bed only costs a few hundred wen; an old woman like me can sleep on something simple." Grandmother Wang felt somewhat guilty.

"What are you saying, Grandmother? As the younger generation, it is our duty to be filial. How about this: our family will contribute 350 wen, and Second Uncle's family will contribute the same, and together we can afford a new bed for you."

As soon as she finished speaking, Liang Zhiyan became displeased. Why should he have to pay? Li Pinghua also slyly gauged Grandmother Wang's expression; 350 wen was no small sum, and she had no intention of paying it. Grandmother Wang was also somewhat reluctant. She set down her bun and said, "My eldest son already said he would pay for it; there's no need to call upon the second son."

"I will pay for it myself," Liang Mingxue said, not wanting his mother to argue over him.

Liang Yunqing did not continue to stop him, but she glanced at her mother and said, "Father wants to fulfill his filial duty, Mother, you shouldn't interfere. How much money Father is willing to spend is his business; your money should only be used for what you need." Since their wages were the same—750 wen each—she would let her father be filial if he wished. He could squander his 750 wen as he pleased, but her mother's money was off-limits.

Although Lady Chu felt it wasn't quite right, she also felt in her heart that filial piety shouldn't fall on just one son while the other did nothing. "I understand," Lady Chu replied.

Liang Mingxue's expression darkened. He had intended for Lady Chu to contribute some money for the bed, but now that his daughter had drawn such a clear line, he could not bring himself to ask. Lady Chu clutched her purse; she still hadn't repaid the 200 wen she owed her maiden family, and now that she finally had money, she wanted to pay that back first. Liang Yunqing knew her intentions, but since it was her mother’s money, she would not pry.

Liang Zhiyan, having escaped a disaster, happily picked up his bowl and continued drinking his porridge; as long as he didn't have to pay, he didn't care. The only person in the courtyard with a bitter expression was Liang Mingxue, who was weighing whether he could afford the new bed, thinking he would ask his daughter for some of his wages in a few days. With that added in, he would have 800 wen, which should be enough.

After the meal, Li Pinghua began making *shaomai*, pulling Liang Zhiyan over to help, while the others returned to their rooms to rest. Just after Liang Yunqing had washed her face, she heard voices coming from the room. She poured out the water and, holding the wooden basin, walked softly to the doorway. The people speaking inside were her parents.

"Mother of my children, give me 200 wen first. I'll order a new bed for Mother and pay you back once I've earned more."