Chapter 35: The dog is hungry and has come back looking for food again!

The former father-in-law used to be a man who treated his elder brother like a father and displayed a blind, foolish piety toward his own mother, almost always doing whatever they demanded. Whenever his elder brother spoke, any good thing in the house had to be handed over obediently.

When the imperial court conscripted men to fight the barbarians, the family only needed to provide one person, yet what happened? They ended up sending two men in place of the elder brother and the fourth uncle, leaving both young women as widows before they had even spent a night in their bridal chambers. Even then, they received no comfort; instead, after their husbands died, the family continued to make mocking remarks behind their backs.

Today, however, the father-in-law’s words brought tears to both women’s eyes.

"Why are you crying again?"

"I am just happy," Yang Zhaodi replied.

"I am happy, too," Zhang Xiaoe sobbed.

Zhao Zheng could not fathom their inner thoughts. He walked to the cellar, pulled out a string of coins, and handed it to Yang Zhaodi. "Take this money. You are responsible for the daily expenses."

"So much money?" Yang Zhaodi was stunned, never having handled such a sum. "Father, you are the head of the household; it should be you."

"I handle the affairs outside, you handle the affairs inside. Whatever you decide for the house is final." Zhao Zheng chuckled and pressed the copper coins into her palm. "If you run out, ask me for more. Buy what you need, don't skimp, but keep it low-key. Don't let others know."

Holding the money, Yang Zhaodi felt an indescribable joy. This string of coins was both an acceptance and an affirmation, signifying that she had truly become a member of this household and its "mistress." Zhang Xiaoe was secretly happy for her as well.

Following this, Zhao Zheng took out another string of coins and handed it to Yang Zhaodi again, laughing, "This is pocket money for the two of you. Spend it however you like. You will get this every month—don't you dare save it for me."

"Father, how... how do you have so much money?" Yang Zhaodi could not help but ask.

"I won't lie to you. A few days ago, when I went to Golden Chicken Mountain to cut firewood, I ran into an injured bear. I sold some of it for silver," Zhao Zheng lied. "Otherwise, how would I have the money to buy you meat and cloth?"

Hearing that Zhao Zheng had encountered an injured bear, both women were startled. It finally explained why their father-in-law was being so generous.

"Father, you are truly amazing." Zhang Xiaoe was both delighted and filled with admiration. Honestly, who wouldn't be afraid of a bear? They had seen how the hunter Ma’s family had suffered a great loss from one; their father-in-law was clearly superior. Even an injured bear was not something a single person could easily handle.

Yang Zhaodi, while happy, could not help but worry. "Father, please don't take such risks in the future."

Zhao Zheng nodded. "Food is scarce on the mountain now, and those bears have started killing each other. I was just lucky enough to find one that was nearly dead. If I really had to fight a live one, I wouldn't have the skill."

As he spoke, he went into the cellar again and brought out the bear paws, bones, gall, and hide from the storage. Watching Zhao Zheng produce these treasures as if by magic, both women were left dazed.

"That furry paw... it wouldn't be a... bear paw, would it?" Zhang Xiaoe asked with difficulty.

"Indeed, it is a bear paw," Zhao Zheng said with a smile. "And this bear hide—I didn't sell it. Zhaodi, use it to make two fur coats, one for you and one for Xiaoe, so you won't be afraid of the cold anymore."

Yang Zhaodi insisted, "This bear hide is so intact, we should make a fur coat and trousers for you, Father. With the rest, we can make a pair of boots so you won't be cold when you go out."

Zhao Zheng waved his hands repeatedly. "No, leather boots would be too conspicuous. If others saw them, wouldn't they be green with envy?"

"Then we shall make three coats, one for each of us?"

"You manage the household; you decide," Zhao Zheng said with a laugh.

After receiving his approval, Yang Zhaodi felt a secret thrill. Zhang Xiaoe was also overjoyed. "I have never worn clothes made of bear fur before."

Zhao Zheng smiled and told the two women to process the bear paws; since it was cold, they wouldn't spoil in the short term. Yang Zhaodi hid everything back in the cellar, planning to handle it in the evening. Since her father-in-law hadn't sold these things, it meant they were meant for the family to enjoy. While other families were still eating millet porridge and wild vegetable cakes, and some had even started eating tree bark powder and edible clay, their household was having rice with every meal, eggs every day, and now, they were about to eat bear paw. It was something she wouldn't have dared to dream of.

Zhang Xiaoe whispered into her ear, "Sister-in-law, what does bear paw taste like? Is it better than stewed meat?"

The best thing she had ever eaten in her life was stewed meat, followed by rice with gravy. She couldn't imagine anything tasting better than those.

"Of course it is. This is a delicacy that only high-ranking officials can enjoy; it must be better than stewed meat." Although Yang Zhaodi hadn't tasted it either, she was certain.

After dinner, Zhao Zheng prepared a packet of spices. "We will stew two bear paws tonight for a taste!"

Having not eaten meat for two days, his mouth felt bland. The chicken leg from last night didn't count; that was merely a snack. By dusk, the two women had cleaned the paws, added the seasonings, and placed them in a clay pot to simmer for over an hour.

Just as Zhao Zheng was lying on the bed humming a tune, Zheng Chunmei knocked on the door. "Uncle Zhao, I’ve come to massage your feet."

Hearing this, Zhang Xiaoe's face in the kitchen fell. "Why has this widow Zheng come again?"

Yang Zhaodi nudged her gently. "Don't just stand there, go ask Father if he wants to open the door."

Zhang Xiaoe didn't want to open the door, but she was afraid of angering her father-in-law, so she walked to the earthen bed with reluctance. "Father, should I open the door?"

Zhao Zheng smiled; it seemed the dog was hungry and had come begging for food again. "Open it. It’s not easy for her to leave her elderly family behind in the middle of the night," Zhao Zheng said.

"Oh!"

Zhang Xiaoe replied, pushed the door open, and went to unlatch the courtyard gate. She didn't even greet Zheng Chunmei, just turned back with a stony face.

Zheng Chunmei closed the gate and, as soon as she entered the courtyard, caught the scent of something indescribable.

"The smell of meat! It’s definitely the smell of meat!"

Zheng Chunmei shuddered. She had never imagined that old man Zhao would be hiding at home eating meat in the middle of the night. She secretly regretted acting coy over the past two days. She had intended to play hard to get, thinking she could rely on Ma Dazhu to support her—though she couldn't eat her fill, at least she had wild vegetable cakes and half a bowl of thin porridge, enough to keep her from starvation.

But as it turned out, not only had Ma Dazhu failed to provide for her these past two days, but today he had even snuck over to ask her to borrow grain. He had patted his chest, promising to let her eat meat, but in the end, she got no meat and had to subsidize him instead. Where was the logic in that? It made her chest ache with rage.

It was all Ma Dazhu's fault; because of him, she had only had a bowl of rice husk porridge these past two days. She was starving, dizzy, and still had to nurse her child and do housework. She was so hungry she could only drink water to fill her stomach. Her chest was shriveling day by day. If this continued, she wouldn't be able to raise the child, and she would starve to death herself.

Therefore, she had no choice but to place her final hope on Zhao Zheng. She didn't ask for meat or egg pancakes; even half a bowl of rice crust would satisfy her. But now, she was thrilled. "What is rice crust? Tonight, I might actually get to eat meat!"