Ch 29: Reborn to Raise My Husband

Xiao Yuanbao was walking with Jiang Fulang toward the Zhou family’s home.

One tall and one small figure moved down the village path, both silent, heads down, walking as if they were rushing somewhere urgently.

Xiao Yuanbao stole a glance at Jiang Fulang and noticed his eyebrows slightly furrowed.

He quietly drew in a breath, quickly looking away, and began carefully cracking the two boiled eggs he held.

Qi Beinan had cooked them in a hurry—they were still soft and slightly underdone, clinging to the shell and hard to peel.

Xiao Yuanbao picked at them gently with his fingers, but bits of egg stuck stubbornly to the shell.

Jiang Fulang was deep in thought and hadn’t spoken a word. Then suddenly the little boy beside him softly called, “Master Jiang.”

Snapping back to himself, Jiang Fulang looked down and saw the short, timid child stretching up his arm, offering him a pale, misshapen boiled egg.

The egg had been peeled poorly, full of gouges and craters. Xiao Yuanbao, a bit embarrassed, tried to cover some of the flaws with his fingers.

Jiang Fulang was momentarily stunned. Looking into those eyes—nervous, a little scared, yet still bravely trying to be kind—his heart softened.

“I already had breakfast. You go ahead and eat.”

Disheartened, Xiao Yuanbao slowly withdrew his arm.

He had thought maybe Jiang Fulang had skipped breakfast and was upset from hunger—that’s why he looked so stern.

But just as his mind wandered, Jiang Fulang unexpectedly took the other egg from his hand and began peeling it himself.

“Your brother really knows how to cook eggs. He boiled them soft, just so you wouldn’t choke on the road.”

The egg peeled cleanly this time, with only a bit of damage to the surface. Jiang Fulang handed it over, resting it lightly in his fingers.

Xiao Yuanbao blinked.

“Go on and eat. There’s work to do soon—you won’t make it to noon on an empty stomach.”

At once, Xiao Yuanbao was delighted again. He quickly took the egg and stuffed it into his mouth in one big bite.

Jiang Fulang watched his puffed-out cheeks as the boy chewed determinedly, like a little calf.

He couldn’t help but laugh a little and reached out to hold Xiao Yuanbao’s soft little hand.

Together, the two of them headed toward the Zhou family.

Though it was still early, the Zhou household was already lively.

The banquet wouldn’t be served until the evening, but even preparing three to five tables of food meant starting early in the morning.

Friends of the family and close relatives had already arrived—six or seven folks altogether—to lend a hand.

Two capable women and their husbands, who often helped out at events, were frequent collaborators of Jiang Fulang’s. They were familiar faces.

Today, when they saw Jiang Fulang arrive alone but with a fair, delicate child in tow, they were quite surprised.

“Whose child is this?”

Xiao Yuanbao, who lived at the foot of the mountain, rarely came out before due to Qin Niazi keeping him indoors. Many of the village women and husbands didn’t recognize him.

Jiang Fulang greeted the familiar helpers and said, “He’s Bao Ge’er from the Xiao household.”

“The hunter’s family at the foot of the hill?”

Jiang Fulang nodded.

“My, he’s gotten so tall already. After Sun Yuan passed, I barely saw this child again.”

“I thought he was a relative from your mother’s side. When I first saw him, he looked so unfamiliar I didn’t recognize him at all.”

Jiang Fulang answered simply, “Now that you’ve seen him, you’ll know him from here on out.”

He then introduced each person in the courtyard to Xiao Yuanbao one by one—the women and husbands, their names and faces.

That’s Aunt Jiao, and that’s Huang Fulang…

Since the boy would likely be helping more in the future, it was good to get him familiar with everyone early. Jiang Fulang knew Xiao Yuanbao was shy and didn’t want him to be so afraid all the time.

Though nervous at first to meet so many new people, Xiao Yuanbao had at least gained some courage from the days he’d helped Qi Beinan sell goods in the city. Strangers no longer scared him quite as much.

When Jiang Fulang introduced someone, he’d look up at the person and follow suit, addressing them politely.

Most of the folks in the courtyard had children of their own, and seeing how cautious yet well-mannered and sweet he was, they all softened toward him.

They kept calling him over to ask if he’d eaten and such.

The Zhou family hosts came out to greet Jiang Fulang and were just as warm toward Xiao Yuanbao when they realized the boy had come with him.

They even brought out some of the preserved fruits and pastries set aside for the banquet and offered them to him.

One of the hosts, curious, pulled Jiang Fulang aside. “I didn’t know you were close with the Xiao family—how come you brought one of their kids with you?”

Jiang Fulang’s expression remained unchanged, but seeing how well everyone took to Xiao Yuanbao, he felt quite pleased inside.

He said, “He’s my little apprentice. The family asked me to teach him a trade, so I brought him along to get a feel for things. Won’t interfere with cooking.”

The host laughed lightly. “With your skills, how could anyone interfere?”

“My, this child is lucky to have you as a master.”

From nearby, Aunt Jiao—who was peeling garlic—chimed in with a slightly sour tone, “Didn’t you say you weren’t taking any apprentices? How come today you suddenly changed your mind?”

Then she nudged Jiang Fulang’s shoulder and lowered her voice: “That Hunter Xiao is separated now, right? Something going on there~?”

The group of women and husbands burst out laughing.

But Jiang Fulang didn’t react much—he’d heard all kinds of teasing before. Being single for so many years, he was used to the village’s gossip and playful jabs.

If he took offense every time, he’d never be done being upset.

“Don’t be spouting nonsense. That Hunter Xiao is a fierce one. Joking like this in front of me is one thing, but if it reaches his ears, see if you don’t regret it.”

At the mention of Xiao Hu’s temper, everyone quickly reined in their laughter.

“We’re just teasing. We won’t talk about it again. But tell us, why did you take in his kid as a disciple?”

Jiang Fulang replied, “It was my cousin’s idea. How could I turn him down? Besides, it’s not like I’ve formally accepted him. I still need to observe him properly.”

Many people had tried to bring gifts and persuade Jiang Fulang in the past, only to be refused. He’d made it clear he wasn’t accepting apprentices. Now that he suddenly had, it was bound to raise suspicion.

So, he brought up his cousin as an excuse.

Those who had previously pleaded with him, upon hearing that it was the village head’s doing, though not pleased, didn’t dare say much.

After all, in the village, no one’s face carried more weight than the headman’s. And when it came to kinship, Jiang Fulang’s only real family in the village was indeed the headman’s.

“Why would the headman make such a request of you?”

Someone remained skeptical. “I don’t recall your families ever being close.”

Naturally, Jiang Fulang wasn’t about to expose Zhao Guangzong’s private matters. He said, “I don’t know either. He just called me over and asked me to take in Bao Ge’er.”

“We never had dealings with the Xiao family before, but since that new young man arrived, my nephew’s been quite close to him. My cousin and his wife are very fond of the boy.”

Everyone suddenly understood. “That young man’s surname is Qi, right? I’ve seen him once or twice. He’s really handsome, always standing straight, and very courteous.”

Jiang Fulang knew how villagers were—if you didn’t tell them anything, they’d just go dig it up on their own. And if they couldn’t find anything, they’d start making things up.

So, he said, “That’s him. He’s a scholar too—his father was a xiucai. My nephew says he’s very talented.”

Everyone was impressed. There were barely any scholars in the village; the headman’s son was one of the few. Now another promising young scholar had arrived and was close to the village head’s son—of course they were getting along.

Now that they understood, the curiosity died down.

Soon the chatter returned to the Zhou family’s celebration.

Xiao Yuanbao was off to the side, nibbling on some pastries. The host had given him a bowl of rice soup too, which helped after the dry eggs he’d eaten on the way.

He sipped quietly, but kept one eye on Jiang Fulang, worried he might wander off and leave him behind. It was his first time at the Zhou home, and his sense of unease ran deep.

He hadn’t even finished his pastry when he saw an adult bring out a bundle of cloth.

Curious, he peered closer and discovered it was a swaddled infant.

The baby’s face was no bigger than a rice bowl and was blowing spit bubbles while staring straight at him.

Xiao Yuanbao glanced down at his pastry, tore off a little piece, and slid off the bench. He scurried over.

The woman carrying the baby had a cloth tied across her forehead. She looked down to see Xiao Yuanbao tugging at her sleeve.

“What is it?”

“For the baby.”

Xiao Yuanbao held up the bit of pastry, anxious. “The baby’s blowing bubbles—he’s hungry!”

The courtyard burst into laughter at the scene.

“This little guy has such a kind heart.”

The woman laughed as she patted his head. “The baby hasn’t grown teeth yet. He can’t eat food this hard. You eat it, Bao’er.”

“He’s not hungry—just playing. That’s why he’s blowing bubbles.”

Still concerned, Xiao Yuanbao gave the baby another look. The little one smacked its lips and suddenly broke into a smile.

Xiao Yuanbao’s eyes widened, then he stretched his mouth into a fake grin before finally pulling back his hand.

“These kids, they’re just too cute.”

After a round of amused talk, everyone went back to work.

With Jiang Fulang’s arrival, the courtyard shook off its earlier leisure and quickly got busy.

Peeling vegetables, washing greens, chopping…

The live chickens and ducks were soon to be butchered, pork had to be prepared for stir-frying and plating—all of it needed prepping in advance.

Jiang Fulang didn’t do the prep himself. He simply instructed what dishes and ingredients were needed.

Then he went around checking on those assisting, making sure everything was properly arranged.

He took Xiao Yuanbao along with him, using the rounds as a chance to teach him how to identify vegetables: water shield, radish, scallions…

Most rural kids could recognize produce, but not all of them could tell meat apart.

Each family’s financial situation varied, and those that couldn’t afford meat wouldn’t necessarily recognize different cuts.

So Jiang Fulang patiently taught him: front hock, hind leg, shoulder cut, belly…

And which cuts were best suited to which dishes.

“Jiang Fulang said he’d just be observing, not officially taking him on. But look how carefully he’s teaching—clearly the kid’s won his favor.”

One man whispered to his wife while slicing pork. “I’ve seen him go cook at others’ homes. He never talks this much.”

“Exactly. It must be the headman’s influence.”

That afternoon, Jiang Fulang began cooking in earnest.

The big dishes like bone soup had already been seasoned and were simmering over a newly built clay stove in the courtyard, tended by someone else.

Inside, the main kitchen stove was now at temperature. Jiang Fulang took his place at the helm, preparing to bring out the dishes one by one.

The Zhou family’s stove was a bit tall—Xiao Yuanbao could only peek over with just his eyes showing.

He went and found himself a small wooden stool, stood on tiptoe at one corner of the stove, and watched Jiang Fulang cook.

Afraid of dirtying the stool, he even picked up a piece of banana leaf used for holding meat and laid it on top.

The man stoking the fire below the stove chuckled, “Jiang Fulang’s cooking must be extra good today. Madam Zhou even brought in a little supervisor to keep an eye on him.”

Jiang Fulang glanced at Xiao Yuanbao. He didn’t say anything, but there was a barely noticeable smile in his eyes.

The Zhou family had requested ten dishes for the banquet.

Chicken, duck, fish, and pork were all available.

Jiang Fulang planned to make six meat dishes and four vegetarian ones.

The meat dishes were: duck braised with tender bamboo shoots, oven-roasted chicken, sliced pork in raw sauce, steamed preserved meat medley, sour pickled fish soup, and pork trotter with wind-dried radish soup.

The vegetarian dishes were: chilled tofu with scallions and sesame oil, stir-fried seasonal greens, pickled melon in soy paste, and water celery with glass noodle soup.

In addition, there was a plate of pastries and a plate of red-dyed boiled eggs, a traditional treat for a baby’s full-month banquet.

Xiao Yuanbao stood on the stool watching Jiang Fulang’s impressive skills, the spatula spinning like a blur in his hands.

He stood there for over an hour without getting bored, watching dish after fragrant dish come out of the wok, feeling more and more admiration.

That evening, he sat beside Jiang Fulang during the banquet, listening to people praise the aroma and flavor of each dish, all complimenting Jiang Fulang’s skills.

His excitement soared again—being good at cooking was truly amazing!

When everything finally settled down, stars had already appeared in the sky.

Once the cooking was done, Jiang Fulang didn’t need to help clean up—he could take his leave.

The dishes had turned out beautifully, and the Zhou family had earned face among their peers.

When he went to say goodbye, the host handed him a pouch of copper coins—no less than a hundred—and half a braised chicken left over from the feast.

Hiring an experienced chef usually cost at least 80 copper coins, more if the reputation was strong.

Those just starting out went for around 40 to 60.

Jiang Fulang typically charged 80 coins, but if the hiring family was struggling, he’d lower the price a little. Generous families celebrating joyous occasions often gave more.

The Zhou family was relatively well-off, and this celebration marked the birth of a chubby baby boy, so they were especially generous.

Xiao Yuanbao, walking behind Jiang Fulang, had wide eyes after witnessing the payment. He’d known cooking was a valuable skill, but hadn’t realized it could earn so much money.

After parting with the Zhou family, Jiang Fulang walked Xiao Yuanbao home.

Seeing the boy looking dazed, he asked, “Tired?”

He’d been running around all day and never once slacked off, earnestly following along. Though he hadn’t done any hands-on tasks, he’d spent the day learning ingredients. For a child, it was already impressive stamina.

Xiao Yuanbao was indeed tired—his legs felt like they weighed ten extra pounds—but his older brother had told him that learning a craft meant you couldn’t complain about being tired. Studying was the same.

So he shook his head. “No.”

Jiang Fulang didn’t press him further and smiled without a word.

Then Xiao Yuanbao reached out and took his hand, looking up with sparkling eyes: “Cooking is amazing! Not only do people praise you, you can earn money too!”

Jiang Fulang looked down at the bright expression and softened: “That’s right. You can earn money.”

“Xiao Bao wants to earn money too!”

Jiang Fulang raised his brows slightly. “And what will you do with that money?”

Xiao Yuanbao thought hard: “I’ll buy paper and brushes for my brother, and a big bow for my father.”

He paused, then added, “And… a big long spoon for Master Jiang!”

Jiang Fulang let out a low laugh. “I get a gift too? Why a long spoon?”

“Brother likes to write, so paper and brushes. Father likes the mountains, so a big bow. Master Jiang likes to cook, so I’ll buy a big spoon for cooking!”

Jiang Fulang patted his head, a strange warmth stirring in his chest, eyes soft without him even noticing.

“From now on, you can just call me ‘teacher.’”

—

At home, Qi Beinan had been waiting restlessly, reheating the water in the pot twice already.

Finally, he heard a little voice call “gege” from outside the courtyard gate.

He quickly opened the door, and the little one, gone all day, flew into his arms as soon as it opened.

Xiao Yuanbao was grinning ear to ear, his eyes crescent-shaped with joy.

Jiang Fulang said nothing more, quietly making sure the boy was home safe, then turned and left.

Only after Jiang Fulang was out of sight did Xiao Yuanbao tug Qi Beinan’s hand and skip happily into the house.

Qi Beinan followed behind slowly, smiling. “You’re this happy after just one day of learning to cook?”

“Today teacher taught Xiao Bao a lot! I learned to recognize pig trotters—they’re for soup. Pork belly—for stir-fry. Pig lungs—for stew… and lots of seasonings!”

Xiao Yuanbao chattered away, “The bitter leaf-looking one is bay leaf, the one with eight points is star anise, and the red little seeds are zhuyu…”

Qi Beinan chuckled. “You’ve got a good memory.”

Xiao Yuanbao went into the house and brought out an oiled paper packet Jiang Fulang had given him. “Teacher gave this to Xiao Bao and said to bring it home to eat with brother.”

“He can’t eat that much on his own at home.”

Qi Beinan unwrapped the parcel and saw it was half a braised chicken.

He said, “Jiang Fulang treats you quite well.”

Xiao Yuanbao was clearly pleased to hear this, lifting his face and nodding with a bright smile.

Qi Beinan told him to sit quietly and rest while he went to fetch water to wash his feet.

Less than a quarter of an hour later, when he returned with the water, Xiao Yuanbao’s eyes were already drooping.

As soon as the warm water touched his feet—like a soft hand kneading away the fatigue of the day—sleepiness overtook him instantly.

Qi Beinan looked at the little guy who had just been chatting excitedly, now nodding off like a pecking chick.

He pulled him over into his lap to keep him from toppling into the basin.

“Gege, I’m not sleepy~”

Xiao Yuanbao mumbled, but before he could finish, he had already fallen fast asleep against Qi Beinan’s leg.

Qi Beinan gently rubbed his back, then carefully washed his feet and calves with the warm water, wiping them dry.

Even through all that, the boy didn’t wake—he was truly exhausted.

Qi Beinan carried him into the room, tucked him into bed, and covered him with the quilt.

Only then did he return to pour the wash water into the drainage channel under the eaves.

…

The next morning, Qi Beinan got up early and prepared breakfast, but Xiao Yuanbao still hadn’t woken.

Usually by now, the little guy would have been up reciting from one to a hundred three times over by the stove.

Qi Beinan went to check and found him still fast asleep, lying in exactly the same position as the night before.

He gently pinched the boy’s cheek but didn’t wake him. Letting down the curtain, he left the room again and kept the food warm in the pot.

He planned to head to the fields to pull a couple of scallions to mix with radish.

“Oi, Xiao Qi! What a coincidence running into you this early. I was just thinking to come find you for a chat~”

Qi Beinan had just reached the village’s main road when he ran into a familiar face.

“Where is Madam Qiao off to so early?”

He noticed that Madam Qiao, the matchmaker, was dressed in a bright red overcoat and a long skirt—tidy and festive.

She glanced around and pulled Qi Beinan to the side.

“Let me tell you something—it’s big news!”

Qi Beinan furrowed his brow slightly. “What could it be that has you so worked up?”

“I was invited to a banquet by that Steward Zhu from the manor. They’re hosting a feast today.”

“You’re really well-connected, even the new steward from the manor knows you.”

Madam Qiao waved it off. “That’s nothing. Do you know why they’re hosting the banquet?”

Qi Beinan figured she was teasing him, as usual.

“I don’t even know most folks in the village, much less the manor.”

Madam Qiao slapped her thigh. “Your former aunt—Qin Niazi—was carried to the manor in a little bridal sedan to become Steward Zhu’s concubine!”

“What?”

Qi Beinan asked again in disbelief.

“I’m not lying! That Steward Zhu even asked me to find him someone. Just yesterday I brought him a response, and he told me he already had someone.”

Madam Qiao continued, “I wondered which matchmaker had gotten ahead of me. After asking around, turns out it was your former aunt. Today they’re holding a small, low-key wedding banquet—nothing extravagant. But mark my words, you’ll be seeing her around the village again.”

She shook her head. “What a thing. She just left your household and already found someone else. Sure, she’s free to do what she wants, but it’s still rare to see someone move on that fast—especially coming right back to the same village.”

Qi Beinan quickly recovered his composure. He immediately thought of how that Steward Zhu had specifically rejected their mountain goods before.

It all made sense now.

Back then, Qin Niazi had resisted the divorce and made a huge fuss, then suddenly agreed out of nowhere. He’d found it odd—now it was clear.

“My aunt really knows how to move on.”

Madam Qiao said, “I’m afraid now that she’s latched onto someone, she might cause your family trouble in the future.”

Qi Beinan sneered.

He hadn’t feared her even under the same roof—why would he be afraid of her now that she was under someone else’s roof?

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