Chapter 4: Old Pan

Wen Yao watched the laundry women washing clothes at a leisurely pace, their hands submerged in the icy cold river water. She couldn’t help but feel uneasy and asked, “Shopkeeper, why are they washing clothes by the river in the freezing winter? Why don’t they boil some hot water at home and wash them slowly?”

Di Jiang glanced at her and said indifferently, “Do you think firewood for boiling water is free?”

Wen Yao stuck out her tongue and muttered resentfully, “Mortals are so pitiful…”

“You can’t say that. You can’t bear the icy river water in winter, so you think they’re pitiful. But from their perspective, this isn’t anything. Perhaps they experience more joy than you.”

“How is that possible!” Wen Yao grimaced, stubbornly arguing, “I eat well, drink well, and sleep well every day. They probably can’t even afford the sugar lotus root from Lao Dong’s shop!”

Di Jiang chuckled, unable to decide whether to laugh or cry at her antics.

“What? Am I wrong? That sugar lotus root is one of the best in Taiping Prefecture. Have they ever tasted it?” Wen Yao gestured wildly, causing Di Jiang and Shuxiang to shake their heads repeatedly.

“How do you know there isn’t better sugar lotus root here than at that shop?” Di Jiang smiled and stopped debating these trivial matters with her. She didn’t expect Wen Yao to achieve enlightenment or transcendence at her age.

Thinking about Sister Mei, who was born here and later went to Taiping Prefecture—she had tasted the sugar lotus root from Lao Dong’s shop on South Street, the dried meat from Li Family’s shop, the osmanthus wine from Heyuan, and even the delicacies from the royal palace. But what was the outcome?

Her body was reduced to ashes, and even her burial was handled by unrelated outsiders.

Who knows who would be happier in the end.

“How did you tear my clothes again? Can’t you even handle such a simple task? Useless!”

As Di Jiang was lost in thought while observing the laundry women, she suddenly heard a woman’s scream from across the river. Looking up, she saw a beautiful woman scolding a lame man by pulling his ear. She was clearly furious, and her words were shockingly venomous.

But the lame man didn’t retaliate, letting her berate him.

Di Jiang looked closely and noticed that the man’s hands were covered in frostbite from soaking in the river water. However, the woman only cared about checking where her clothes were torn or dirty, completely ignoring his wounds.

After inspecting, the woman pulled his ear again and scolded, “What are you still standing here for? Aren’t you ashamed? Let’s go home!”

“I’m coming!” The lame man didn’t get angry despite being bullied; instead, he kept smiling and obediently followed her with his cane, his body awkwardly angled because she was pulling his ear. It looked extremely painful.

“Old Pan really has it tough. Sister Li always finds excuses to scold him. For over a decade, not a single day has been peaceful!”

“Who’s saying otherwise? That’s why you shouldn’t marry a beautiful wife. Once you do, it’s like worshipping a goddess.”

“Yeah, and not an easy-going goddess either.”

“Exactly. All the money Old Pan earns goes to his wife, who dresses up extravagantly every day. Who knows who she’s showing off for!”

The onlookers laughed as they talked, all feeling sorry for the lame man.

Listening to the laundry women’s conversation, Di Jiang felt that the man had reached a point beyond embarrassment—it was pitiful. She deeply sympathized with him.

“She’s so beautiful, yet her mouth is so vicious,” Shuxiang sighed and shook her head. Di Jiang also felt regretful.

Wen Yao had already rolled up her sleeves, indignant and shouting, “How dare such a shrew exist! Let me teach her a lesson!”

Seeing this, Di Jiang quickly stopped her, “Don’t interfere in other people’s family affairs.”

“But he’s almost being scolded to death!”

“People don’t die from being scolded,” Di Jiang smiled. “Didn’t you hear what the villagers said? They’ve been fighting for over a decade. If they could separate, they would have done so long ago. After all these years, they must be used to it. If he were to die, it wouldn’t be because of Sister Li’s insults. He’s used to it. What right do you have to be angry?”

“So I’m not allowed to stand up for justice and help those in need?!”

“Oh, are you planning to stay here forever and protect him for life?”

“I… “

“Couples, whether they argue or respect each other, have their own way of living. They are content. Do you, as an outsider, need to comment on their lives? Have you been in the mortal world too long and become one of those nosy neighbors?”

“Fine, fine, fine, I won’t meddle anymore. I predict Old Pan will eventually be tortured to death by that venomous woman. When that happens, Shopkeeper, you’ll regret it yourself!”

“Life and death are predestined; wealth and fortune are in heaven’s hands. Everything is fate. Don’t worry too much.”

“Hmph, everything the Shopkeeper says is reasonable. I can’t argue with you!” Wen Yao angrily turned her head away and ignored Di Jiang.

At this moment, the usually quiet Shuxiang tugged at Di Jiang’s sleeve and asked, “Shopkeeper, what should we do with this basket of eggs?”

“Just deliver them to the Pan family.”

“The Pan family… might be the Old Pan we just saw?” Shuxiang asked nonchalantly.

“How could I have forgotten!” Di Jiang slapped her forehead, suddenly realizing, “Pan Yuelang’s father is a lame man!”

“So he’s Pan Xingui… No wonder Pan Yuelang didn’t want to return home. With such a shrewish mother, who would dare come back!” Wen Yao couldn’t bear it anymore and pulled Di Jiang and Shuxiang along to chase after them.

At this moment, a thin layer of mist began to rise in the mountains, creating a dreamy and ancient atmosphere in the small village. Looking at the ancient town from the arch bridge on the river, everything was enveloped in fog—no dust, no filth, just an ethereal landscape of flowing water and fairy-tale mountains.

However, Li Jie and Pan Xingui were nowhere to be seen.

“Shopkeeper, quickly calculate where they went!”

Wen Yao was extremely anxious. Di Jiang hurriedly said, “Just ask someone for directions. Why bother with calculations?”

“Oh, I’ll go ask!” Wen Yao quickly ran off and returned shortly after. She said, “I found out! Pan Xingui lives under the apricot tree at the end of the village. The most dilapidated house there is his!”

Di Jiang nodded, “Let’s go there.”

Wen Yao led Di Jiang and Shuxiang down the mountain path, chattering non-stop along the way, mostly complaining, “Pan Xingui is really well-known. People cover their mouths and laugh when they hear his name. I don’t know what kind of karma he has to marry such a shrewish wife, making the whole village look down on him…”

“As the saying goes, ‘An ordinary man is innocent, but owning a treasure becomes a crime,’“ Di Jiang said, “Pan Xingui looks ordinary and is lame in one leg, yet he married a beautiful wife. How could this not provoke jealousy? Moreover, this beautiful woman doesn’t seem very faithful…”

“So people envy and hate him because of that?”

“Exactly. Women are jealous of Sister Li’s beauty, and men envy his good fortune. Over time, Old Pan became everyone’s punching bag. Otherwise, where would they vent all their envy, jealousy, and resentment?”

“I don’t see what’s so great about Sister Li. She’s nothing but a venomous woman! Old Pan is pitiful…” Wen Yao pouted and complained all the way.

As the three chatted casually, they arrived under the apricot tree at the end of the village.

The apricot flowers painted half the sky red, carpeting the ground with crimson petals.

Under the apricot tree stood a low thatched cottage. Outside the house, the yard was filled with various flowers and plants, though most were still buds due to the season. Only the full bloom of apricot flowers above caught the eye, lighting up the only scenery here.

“Sister Li must be a flower lover.”

Wen Yao sneered and nodded, “She does seem to have some taste, but it’s quite ironic. Isn’t it like the old saying: ‘The whole garden’s spring colors cannot be contained; a single red apricot branch reaches over the wall’?”

“Enough, stop talking,” Di Jiang interrupted, signaling her not to spread rumors or cause trouble. “We don’t even know if it’s true. If we keep spreading falsehoods, wouldn’t Old Pan be pitiable?”

Moreover, because of this flower garden, Di Jiang’s impression of Sister Li had changed somewhat. Her first impression of Sister Li was that she was shrewish, thinking she was just a pretty village woman. But her second impression was of someone who knew how to enjoy life. In such a small village, despite hunger and cold, she still had such aesthetics and taste, which was surprising.

As the three approached the thatched cottage, they heard a clattering sound from inside, as if pots and pans had fallen to the ground.

At the same time, Sister Li’s sharp scolding voice filled the air: “It’s all your fault! If you weren’t useless, how could they have harassed me!”

“Yes, yes, it’s all my fault. Please, my lady, calm down. It’s not worth getting upset over me.” Old Pan’s voice was timid, sounding as if he hadn’t eaten for days.

Peering through the fence, Di Jiang saw Old Pan kneeling beside Sister Li, cleaning up the mess on the floor.

“Why are you so useless?” Sister Li looked disgusted, as if she wanted to devour him.

But Pan Xingui showed no temper, still smiling and saying, “It’s cold today, my lady. Whether you want to hit me or scold me, please wait a bit. Let me boil some hot water for your feet first.”

“You know I’m cold, and you’re still wasting words. Hurry up!”

“Yes, yes, I’ll go right away!” Pan Xingui bowed repeatedly and quickly limped out with the iron kettle.

Sister Li sat by the bed, sighing deeply.

Di Jiang observed her delicate profile. Though slightly tarnished, her features were exquisite, and her demeanor was unlike that of an ordinary farmer’s wife. Di Jiang thought strangely, “There’s something unusual about Sister Li. Her aura is different from others…”

While pondering what this aura might be, she heard Wen Yao sarcastically mutter beside her, “Of course it’s different—it’s the aura of a loose woman!”

“How do you know?”

“Anyone with eyes can see it!”

Di Jiang waved her hands repeatedly and shook her head, “To truly understand someone, you need to use your heart. Eyes aren’t reliable.”

Without waiting for Wen Yao to respond, Di Jiang cleared her throat and called out, “Is anyone home?”

“Who is it?” Sister Li shouted, “Old Pan, go see who’s here.”

“I’m going!” Pan Xingui responded and quickly came out from behind the house. He opened the fence and asked, “Who are you?”

Di Jiang smiled slightly and nodded in greeting, “I’m Di Jiang. Someone entrusted me with something for you, Wen Yao.” She gestured for Wen Yao to hand over the basket of eggs to Pan Xingui.

Pan Xingui took the basket, opened the cloth covering it, and immediately exclaimed, “May I ask who entrusted you? I can’t possibly accept so many eggs—we don’t have any relatives or friends!”

Di Jiang felt a pang in her heart, wondering how hard their lives must be if a basket of eggs could shock him like this.

Di Jiang continued, “We passed through the nearby village and met Pan Yuelang there. He entrusted me with these eggs.”

“My son sent you?” Pan Xingui was shocked again.

Di Jiang nodded, “He asked me to tell you to eat more and take care of your health.”

“My son, my son…” Pan Xingui trembled, his eyes slightly red.

“He misses you very much!” Seeing his reaction, Wen Yao quickly consoled him.

“I miss Yue’er too. How is he doing?” After speaking, Pan Xingui immediately stepped aside, excitedly saying, “Look at me, I was so excited I forgot to invite you in for tea. Forgive my poor hospitality. Please come in.”

“Thank you for your hospitality.” Di Jiang didn’t refuse and entered the yard sideways. She also wanted to take a closer look at the garden filled with flowers and plants.

The yard didn’t disappoint. Everything was neatly arranged, and the flowerpots were rarely dusty, clearly tended to with great care.

“These flowers are beautiful,” Di Jiang praised.

“Yes, my wife likes to tinker with these things,” Pan Xingui said, then carried the eggs into the house.

“Wife, Yue’er sent us something!” Pan Xingui placed the eggs on the table as if presenting a treasure.

Sister Li glanced at them, about to say something, but suddenly noticed Di Jiang and the others behind him. Her expression darkened, and she snapped, “Who are they?”

“They are Yue’er’s friends.”

“They don’t look like locals,” Sister Li’s face grew even darker as she turned to Di Jiang, “Where are you from?”

Di Jiang nodded slightly and greeted politely with a smile, “We are from Taiping Prefecture, traveling here. We apologize for the disturbance, and hope…” Before Di Jiang finished, Sister Li flicked her hand, sending the entire basket flying toward them. Di Jiang dodged to the side, and the basket fell to the ground, scattering egg yolks and whites everywhere, causing Di Jiang immense pain.

“What are you doing!” Wen Yao pointed at Sister Li’s nose and scolded her.

Enraged, Sister Li stood up and pushed the three out, shouting, “Get out! All of you get out! I don’t need his eggs. If they really cared, they’d come back themselves! What’s the meaning of sending these lowlifes to deliver things! Get out!”

Di Jiang was shoved a couple of times, dirtying her shoes, socks, and skirt. Wen Yao wanted to retaliate, but Di Jiang stopped her.

“This is Sister Li’s house. We are outsiders. If the owner wants us to leave, we have no reason to stay.” Not wanting to argue, Di Jiang left with Wen Yao and Shuxiang.

Sister Li slammed the door shut in anger. From their entry to departure, Pan Xingui didn’t say another word.

“I don’t want Yue’er associating with outsiders!” Before leaving, Di Jiang heard Sister Li shout inside the house. She could almost picture Old Pan kneeling by her feet, bowing his head and flattering her, “Yes, yes, whatever you say, my lady.”

“What kind of person is this! If I had such a mother, I wouldn’t go home either! Pfft!” Wen Yao stomped outside the house. Even Di Jiang couldn’t help but shake her head and sigh, “This family is truly strange…” Di Jiang sighed deeply and left Pan’s house with Wen Yao and Shuxiang, covered in dirt.