Chapter 77: Disciplining the Sons on New Year’s
Cradling his wife as he listened to the unceasing pop of firecrackers outside, Li Xiu was overcome with emotion. Their devotion, even unto death in a past life, had earned them this one, a chance to grow old together. Fate, it seemed, had been kind to him after all, granting him his heart’s truest desire.
Li Xiu rose quietly at the crack of dawn. After tucking his wife and daughter securely under the covers, he felt his way to the kitchen in the dark before lighting a lamp to boil the dumplings. Once he’d washed up, the water was ready. He dropped the dumplings into the pot and set the leftovers from the New Year’s Eve feast on the stove to heat. It was tradition here not to cook fresh food on the first day of the New Year; eating only dumplings and leftovers symbolized having a surplus in the coming year.
Once the dumplings were cooked, he dished out the morning’s portion into bowls. The rest were arranged on a steamer rack, alongside tofu, date buns, fish-shaped steamed buns, red bean buns, sugar buns, and a peach wood branch. This rack was then placed inside the pot in a ritual known as "pressing the pot." Nothing could be removed until the fourth day of the New Year, when the entire family would finish all the food together. The peach wood was meant to ward off evil, while the food symbolized a continuous rise in status, a surplus year after year, and a life as sweet as honey.
After an early breakfast, Li Xiu had to head out. His first stop was Grandma Li’s to pay his New Year’s respects, after which he would lead his younger siblings and cousins to do the same for the other clan elders in the village. It was an annual tradition, and this year was no different. Once he made sure his wife and daughter were settled, he departed.
Arriving at Uncle Li’s house, he waited until the other two branches of the family had gathered. Li Xiu then led his younger siblings and cousins to kowtow and pay their New Year’s respects to Grandma Li. After a quick greeting to Uncle Li, Third Brother Li, and his own father, he led the large group of youngsters away.
Looking at the three sons and daughters-in-law before her, Grandma Li spoke gravely. "I shouldn’t be saying this during the New Year, but it’s not often the three of you brothers are together like this. Since you’re all here today... I’m getting old. I don’t know when I’ll be joining your father. You all have children of your own, sons and daughters both, so I can finally say I’ve fulfilled my duty to him."
Seeing the varied expressions on their faces, Grandma Li continued, "The one I worry about most is Li Xiu. It’s not that I’m playing favorites; it’s that he drew the short straw with his parents. In the days to come, when I’m no longer here to keep a lid on things, Eldest Li and his wife won’t be enough to control you. So I’m making myself perfectly clear right now: none of you are to interfere in Li Xiu’s affairs. He is a man with a plan."
Grandma Li fixed her gaze on Second Brother Li and Ge Er Ya. "Second Brother, I gave birth to you. I know exactly what’s in your heart. And you," she said, turning to his wife, "you’ve been married into the Li family for more than twenty years. I’ve seen through your petty little schemes from the start. If you dare bring harm to the Li family’s principal grandson, I won’t let you off, not even in death."
Seeing the ugly expressions on the couple’s faces, Grandma Li went on. "Li Xiu promised me he would provide for you in your old age. He once said, ’You raised me when I was small, and I will support you when you are old.’ He is a man of his word, so you needn’t worry he’ll go back on it. You have four other sons, so the responsibility for your elder care will be split equally. Whether it’s money or effort, it will be divided five ways. Same sons, same duties. Besides, you two never invested anything in Li Xiu beyond the act of giving birth to him. So I’m making the executive decision: this is how he will repay you for the gift of life."
"Mother, why are you bringing this up? It’s the New Year!" Second Brother Li said, his expression wavering.
"Why am I bringing this up? You know perfectly well," Grandma Li said, looking at them with disdain. "I cannot allow you to destroy the Li family’s principal grandson. You still don’t truly understand Li Xiu’s temperament. Let me tell you, Li Xiu is an expert at catching snakes, and as you know, you catch a snake by grabbing its weak point. He knows where your weak points are better than you know yourselves. If things go that far, his reputation will certainly take a hit, but are you truly prepared to pay the price?"
"Since he was a child, Li Xiu has been ruthless, black-handed, yet sharp-witted. He simply can’t be bothered to stoop to your level. Now, you’ve forced him to the point of disowning his younger siblings. What’s next? Have you even considered that? When the family property was divided, Li Xiu said that the bonds between siblings are for this life, not the next. He said he would give double the customary gifts when his younger siblings married to settle the familial ties of this lifetime. A pity none of you saw through it. Now, as for your other four sons and your daughter, Li Xiu can no longer look after them."
Grandma Li lowered her head, took a sip of water, and continued speaking. "Now, only you two are left. Think hard. Back then, Li Xiu spoke of the debt to a father for raising him and the debt to a mother for birthing him. You still don’t understand what he meant by that. No matter what, he will provide for you in your old age. But if you continue to cause trouble, that will be the day he severs all ties with you for good."
Ignoring Second Brother Li and Ge Er Ya, Grandma Li addressed the families of her eldest and third sons. "Li Xiu is a man who deeply values loyalty and relationships, as you have all seen. Li Hua is married, and you all know what he did for her. Her life with her in-laws is comfortable, and as long as Li Xiu is around, her good days will continue. Li Gui is set to marry this year, to someone here in the village. Even if you gave that boy, Ge, a shot of courage, he wouldn’t dare cause Li Gui the slightest grievance. Li Yun’s engagement has also been settled, and that young man won’t be able to escape the palm of Li Xiu’s hand either."
"Not to mention Li Bao’s engagement. Marrying a good wife can ensure three generations of peace for a family, and Li Xiu investigated Li Bao’s future in-laws from top to bottom. As for the younger ones, with their older siblings as examples, their matches can only be for the better. It seems things are taking shape for Li Fen’s engagement, too. Li Xiu said they’ll wait a bit longer, and if it seems suitable, they’ll arrange a formal meeting after the wheat harvest. He also has his eye on someone for Li He and plans to observe a while longer."
"As for Li Cui, Li Yuan, and Li Miao, they are attending school along with Li Guo and Li Bo. They’re still young; perhaps they can make something of themselves through their studies. He, their big brother—a cousin, no less—puts more thought and effort into these younger ones than even you, their own parents. Li Xiu does this for two reasons. First, to repay the kindness and protection you’ve all shown him over the years. And second, because these children genuinely respect him as their big brother. Li Xiu is incredibly shrewd when it comes to reading people, even more so than I am."
"And Li Xiu’s wife—she’s another one with a sharp and perceptive mind. She doesn’t say much around the elders, always acting according to Li Xiu’s lead. But when it comes to her younger brothers- and sisters-in-law... well, from what she said on Li Hua’s wedding day, you should know those words came from her own heart, not from Li Xiu. She said that as the wife of the principal heir, brought into the Li family, if the younger ones call her ’Eldest Sister-in-Law,’ she must live up to that title. She handles matters with grace and sees the bigger picture. As long as you all act from a place of sincerity, that couple will keep things pointed in the right direction and help all the younger ones find their footing."
Seeing her sons and daughters-in-law lost in thought, Grandma Li shook her head. ’They’ve never had an education. Their perspectives are too small, their horizons too narrow.’
"Mother, don’t you worry. Just watch them," Aunt Li said nonchalantly. "Our eldest nephew is a man of great loyalty who distinguishes clearly between kindness and grudges. Our niece-in-law is graceful and sensible. I may be illiterate and unworldly, but I know that no matter where life takes them, that couple will never be selfish or petty. Anyway, with my five children having an eldest brother and sister-in-law like them, I can rest easy." Why overthink things? Her nephew was a man of integrity, and as his aunt, she would naturally repay kindness with kindness.
Watching Third Brother Li nodding vigorously beside his wife, Grandma Li couldn’t help but smile. This youngest son of hers was the most honest and kindhearted. Among the three brothers, he was also the most fortunate. He was protected by his wife and his children. Even Li Xiu paid special attention to this third uncle, constantly worried that his honest nature would lead to him being bullied.
"Mother, I understand what you’re saying," Eldest Li said after a moment of silence. "My wife and I won’t throw our weight around as elders to try and control our nephew. It wasn’t easy for him to get to where he is today; he practically traded his life for it. I won’t let anyone ruin the good life he fought so hard to build!" ’This nephew of mine,’ he thought, ’puts more care into my own children than I, their father, ever do.’