Chapter 12 I Am the Law

It was the middle of the month, a time when every household tightened their belts. Even if they wanted to buy something, there was no money to spare. So on the ox cart, apart from the village chief, there was only that batch of wild hares.

On the cart, the village chief drove the ox slowly, carefully calculating in his mind what he should buy for Bai Xi’s family with the money and ration tickets he would get after selling the hares to the meat factory.

Meanwhile, Bai Xi sat cross-legged on the kang, resting her head on her hand, glancing first at the door, then at the still-unconscious wild goose, waiting for someone to come and prepare a delicious meal for her.

Apart from Chen Zhaodi, nobody else knew why they’d been called to Bai Xi’s home. Only upon arrival did they realize it was to slaughter the wild goose and make a stew.

Where had the goose come from?

Bai Xi noticed their astonishment and, waving her small arm with the air of an adult, declared proudly, “I caught it myself—impressive, right?”

Chen Zhaodi, Ma Lian’er, and the others were even more surprised, exchanging glances before nodding to save face. But Bai Xi could easily see their reluctant acceptance.

She pouted, deciding not to quibble with these ordinary folks.

Chen Rui, who did know the truth, quietly lowered her head, a satisfied smile playing at her lips as she echoed Bai Xi’s pride in her heart—of course, it was the young mistress; the young mistress was amazing.

She had gone out to gather pigweed for so long but had never come across a wild hare, much less a wild goose. Even Bai An’an’s brother, who often went up the mountain to chop firewood, had never encountered one. According to him, wild geese flew high in the sky and weren’t easily caught, and wild hares were clever and quick—it was no easy feat.

Yet when their young mistress climbed the mountain, she caught one. No one else had been up there except her and the young mistress. Who else could it have been? Chen Rui couldn’t think of anyone. The young mistress was just that remarkable—otherwise, why would she be the young mistress? There’s even an old saying: the ancestors bless us. Perhaps it was their ancestors’ protection!

Noticing the pride and shining admiration in Chen Rui’s eyes, Bai Xi, though unaware of what was in the girl’s mind, felt her spirits lift from their earlier gloom. She waved her over, asking her to pour some water, then turned to order Chen Zhaodi and the others about with little ceremony.

“Don’t just stand there—get moving. Lunchtime’s coming soon. Each of you can take a bowl of meat home and treat your family.”

Though they knew they’d get a bowl of meat, the three women were too embarrassed and all insisted they were only there to help Bai Xi, not to take anything for themselves.

Ignoring them, Bai Xi had Chen Rui shell peanuts for her. These peanuts had just been brought by Chen Zhaodi—a small handful, but a rare treat in times like these. She had received a small bag from her family when she returned home after they’d just harvested peanuts. She’d worked all day in the fields, and her family had given her a little as a reward. She’d saved them, only bringing some for Bai Xi now, knowing Bai Xi needed nourishment after falling into the water.

With three adults present, Chen Rui wasn’t really needed, so she perched on a little stool by the kang, dutifully shelling the peanuts for Bai Xi. Even though her own stomach rumbled, she didn’t eat a single one. Bai Xi watched, secretly satisfied—her little admirer was indeed sensible and well-mannered.

In truth, if Chen Rui had snuck a few, Bai Xi wouldn’t have minded. But she didn’t. Each time, she’d carefully shell a peanut, present the kernel to Bai Xi, then pick up another and begin again.

Today, Bai Xi wore a pale blue blouse and black trousers. Sitting on the kang, bored yet expectant, she swung her chubby feet back and forth, looking especially adorable. Several times, Chen Rui wanted to reach out and touch them—the young mistress didn’t just smell sweet; even her little feet were round and soft, like tender shoots.

Bai Xi had no idea that her little admirer found her so cute, longing to squeeze and cuddle her, but held back out of respect for her elders.

Under Chen Zhaodi’s direction, the three women stoked the fire, plucked feathers, and gutted the birds, working up a lively bustle. At one point, Ma Lian’er left for a while, and Chen Rui was also sent home for a few items—since Bai Xi had none of the spices needed for stewing wild goose, like star anise and bay leaves, the families had to pool what they had.

After all the effort, the aroma soon drifted through the treehouse.

When a large basin of stewed wild goose was set on the table, not only did Chen Zhaodi and the other three gulp in anticipation—even Bai Xi herself swallowed hard.

It smelled heavenly!

Though Bai Xi had told them each to take a bowl home, no one moved. If Bai Xi hadn’t insisted that both wild geese be cooked together, there wouldn’t have been so much to share.

Seeing their hesitation, Bai Xi glanced at Chen Rui, who immediately understood, hesitated a moment, then obediently brought out a large soup bowl and placed it on the table.

Seeing this, Chen Zhaodi hurried to stop her. “Young Mistress, you mustn’t—”

Although she’d received the village chief’s message, she hadn’t thought to bring a bowl, never intending to take food from Bai Xi’s home.

Ma Lian’er was even more flustered, waving her hands. “Young Mistress, it isn’t proper.”

The young mistress was still so small, and after all the effort to get something good, they were just going to take it home? Only someone truly shameless would do such a thing.

But Bai Xi paid their protests no mind—she picked up the big ladle and, despite her limited strength in this newly acquired body, managed to dish out three heaping portions into the bowls Chen Rui had set out.

“All right, each of you take one home,” she said. In this sweltering summer, she couldn’t use her magical storage pouch; there was too much meat for her to finish or keep, and if she didn’t share it, it would surely spoil.

In fact, Bai Xi had thought of having the village chief bring one goose to sell for money. But upon reflection, since she had already eaten at several households since arriving, it was only right to repay their hospitality, so she’d kept two geese here.

“Young Mistress, it just isn’t right—how could we...” If the villagers found out, wouldn’t they accuse them of tricking food from the young mistress?

Before the words were even finished, Bai Xi cut her off impatiently.

“I make the rules,” she declared, her round eyes flashing. “I’m the young mistress—my word is final. Enough with the fuss.”

Honestly, to be so reluctant over eating meat—her head must not be screwed on right.

She’d realized that, despite her seniority, her youth meant the adults in the village indulged her but still liked to push back in moments like this. So Bai Xi had to put on a show of temper.

Sure enough, as soon as she showed annoyance, the three women fell silent.

“Chen Rui, be careful not to spill it on your way home,” Bai Xi instructed.

Startled to be singled out, Chen Rui looked up at Bai Xi, who was standing on a chair, then at the other three women. After a moment’s hesitation, she stepped forward and carefully picked up a large bowl.

“Thank you, Young Mistress, for your generosity.”