Chapter Fifteen: Joy in Harmony

In the past, whenever a hen died of illness at home, Mother would never bear to throw it away. She would soak the chicken meat in cold water for several hours, then cook it for the family to eat. Sometimes, even the small animal carcasses picked up from the wild would be cleaned and boiled for a meal. When Mother and Sister cooked meat, they never used scallions, garlic, or any other seasonings, let alone wine. Watching Zhou Zhi toss all sorts of things into the pot so recklessly left them astonished and deeply worried, afraid that the rare wild goose they had obtained would end up inedible.

But the rich aroma now filling their nostrils was far stronger than anything they’d ever smelled while cooking meat before. Gazing at the dark-red chunks of meat simmering in the pot, they couldn’t help swallowing their saliva again and again.

The last time anyone in the household had tasted meat was more than a year ago. For over a year, no one in the family had even caught the scent of meat. Now, excitement shone on every face.

Little brother Zhou Shaocheng could hardly wait. He cared nothing for etiquette. Once his elder brother Zhou Zhi announced the goose was ready, he didn’t wait for Mother or Sister to fish the meat from the pot. A long chopstick had already reached in, spearing a piece of meat, which he quickly brought to his mouth and began to gnaw.

The meat was still scalding, but the boy managed to bite off a small piece, chewing noisily. The meat was tender, falling apart easily, and the flavor filled his mouth. Swallowing the goose, he smacked his lips and exclaimed, “Delicious! It’s so delicious!”

Sister Zhou Luyun hurriedly asked, “Does it taste gamey?”

Little brother shook his head vehemently. “No, not at all, there’s not a hint of gaminess.”

She glanced at Zhou Zhi, whose handsome face was lit with a smile. Sister said softly, “Zhi, you’re amazing!”

Basking in her gentle gaze, Zhou Zhi was overwhelmed with happiness.

Mother, of course, was determined to serve Father first. Father Zhou Tie was able to sit up on the kang bed but still could not walk about. Zhou Zhi carefully carried the bowl of meat Mother had just filled and brought it into the inner room.

“Father, time for meat. It’s wild goose!” Zhou Zhi said respectfully in a low voice.

Father Zhou Tie already knew about the wild goose Zhou Zhi had gotten; he’d heard everything as Zhou He and the others chatted while cooking in the kitchen. He was excited too. The family hadn’t tasted meat in over a year—finally, with this goose, they could feast and satisfy their cravings.

“My, what a big bowl!” Father Zhou Tie looked at the generous helping of fragrant, tender meat and broke into a long-lost smile.

“Eat your fill, Father. There’s plenty left in the pot,” Zhou Zhi said, handing over the bowl.

“Good, good!” Father Zhou Tie took the bowl, nodding eagerly.

Zhou Zhi meant to stand by and watch his father eat, but Father Zhou Tie said, “Go on, Zhi, eat with the others. Don’t mind me. I can manage.”

He couldn’t recall his father ever speaking to him so kindly before, with such warmth and consideration. Zhou Zhi was deeply moved.

“Eat plenty, Father. The goose broth should be good too—fresh and light. It’ll help your back heal faster,” Zhou Zhi said softly.

He’d wanted to tell his father the broth was nutritious, but worried he wouldn’t understand the word “nutritious,” he left it unsaid.

“Good! Good!” Father Zhou Tie repeated, his eyes unmistakably moist.

This was his own son—his son had grown up, learned to be thoughtful, to be filial. How could a hardworking farmer like Zhou Tie not be moved?

Seeing his father like this, Zhou Zhi hurried out of the inner room.

A big basin of goose meat was already placed on their low, battered square table. Little brother Zhou Shaocheng was already seated, both small hands working together to tear at the goose, his face full of delight.

Watching him eat so happily, Mother smiled and said, “Cheng, slow down, there’s plenty to go around.”

“Zhi, come and eat!” Sister Zhou Luyun pulled Zhou Zhi to sit beside her.

Mother and Sister sat down as well, each taking a piece of goose meat. The clear-braised goose was pure in flavor, devoid of any gaminess, and tasted better than words could describe. Zhou Zhi took a big bite, savoring the meat, its fragrance lingering in his mouth. He sighed inwardly—even though the seasoning was incomplete, such succulent goose meat was something he’d never tasted even in his later life. Truly, he ought to thank that youth in white.

No, it should be that lady in white.

In his mind, her exquisite, peerless face appeared again, especially her slender, snow-white hand, as delicate as a jade shoot, with long, slender fingers as white as scallion stalks—truly a beautiful sight. That woman had disguised herself as a man; if she revealed her true self, who knows how breathtaking she would be—enough to stir anyone’s heart.

Most remarkable of all, those elegant hands were the ones that shot the goose—a true archer.

He recalled how, when she rebuked him in anger, her willow brows arched and her star-like eyes flashed with ire—a unique charm all her own. She’d called him rude. Was he really? Ming etiquette taught one not to look upon what was improper, but if she hadn’t dressed as a man, how would he have seen her—let alone her delicate hands?

Her accent suggested she was local. What family, then, in this area, had such a beautiful daughter?

Lost in thought, Zhou Zhi forgot to eat, his gaze growing distant.

Though his body was only fifteen, it was already grown. With his experience from a later era, his mind was all the more mature. It was only natural for him to think of such a lovely girl.

“Zhi, what are you thinking? Eat up,” Sister Zhou Luyun said softly.

Startled, Zhou Zhi returned to his senses and reached with his chopsticks to the basin, picking up a large piece of goose meat. Just as he was about to put it in his own bowl, he noticed Mother and Sister were eating only flatbread, not touching the meat.

There was actually plenty of goose meat—enough for all five of them to have their fill. Yet Mother and Sister were holding back, and Zhou Zhi was deeply moved.

They were reluctant to eat more, wanting to leave it for him and his brother.

How could that be allowed? They were a family—meat should be shared together. Without hesitation, Zhou Zhi placed the chunk he’d picked up into Mother’s bowl, then took another large piece and placed it in Sister’s.

“Zhi, what are you doing? I don’t care for meat,” Mother protested.

“How can you not like meat, Mother? You work so hard for this family—you should eat more. And you too, Sister—you work tirelessly every day. Why leave the meat for just me and little brother? Sister, you must think of yourself more from now on,” Zhou Zhi said solemnly.

He really had grown up.

Mother and Sister sighed silently, their eyes growing hot.

Little brother Zhou Shaocheng, his mouth slick with grease, quickly added pieces of meat to Mother and Sister’s bowls too, declaring, “Big brother is right. Mother and Sister should eat more. If you don’t, I won’t eat either. Hmph!”

He even put on a mock-angry face, making the others burst out laughing.

“I’ll go check if Father is eating,” Zhou Shaocheng said, getting up and heading into the inner room.

At that moment, Father Zhou Tie, like Zhou He and Zhou Luyun, had eaten only a small portion of goose meat before stopping. The children were still young—if there was meat, it should be left for them.

But he did as Zhou Zhi advised and drank a few sips of the goose broth. It was just as Zhou Zhi had said: fresh, light, without a trace of gaminess, and truly delicious.

Father Zhou Tie felt content. Zhi had really grown—he could even cook now. The boy would go far.

For thousands of years, men had been held above women, and in these times, bound by the strictures of feudal etiquette, men rarely entered the kitchen. But in a poor farming family, such rules were much less rigid.

Listening to the voices of Zhou Zhi and Zhou He outside, and hearing Zhou Shaocheng coming in, Father Zhou Tie hurriedly picked up another piece of meat to eat.

Ah, the boundless love of parents.

This family, united in love and harmony, was truly a beautiful sight.