Full-Moon Banquet Gossip

Liu Ru and Qin Sanniang, both from the brothel, had no qualms or shame about matters of men and women, and immediately began whispering to each other, saying things not fit for public ears.

Qin Sanniang sighed and said, "My husband treats me well, but when it comes to that aspect, he's really disappointing. Alas, I fear there's no hope for the rest of my life. A woman is like a flower, needing a man's nurturing rain, but he's like dry tree bark, with hardly any moisture. Tsk, he's just like a bean sprout, what can I expect? Sigh..."

Liu Ru also sighed, "You're better off at least, your husband cherishes you. But look at me, I married that useless weak scholar who can't even lift a hand or shoulder—completely useless. When we... you know, I just close my eyes and silently count 'one, two, three, four, five, going up the mountain to fight a tiger.' Guess what happened?"

"What happened?" Qin Sanniang asked.

Liu Ru frowned, "I hadn't even finished counting 'one, two, three, four, five' when Su Shimao was done! Tell me, what's the difference between having a man and having none?"

Speaking of Su Shimao, Qin Sanniang recalled something and said to Liu Ru, "Ru sister, is your man not working again? When I was at the brothel, I heard from the courtesan Su Shimao favored that he’s just not up to it! You know earthworms, soft and thin, right? He’s no different! No matter what you do, there’s no change—he really might be useless. Ru sister, by that standard, I’m better off. Although Zhang Zhuzi isn’t great, at least he’s somewhat usable. But your man? He’s not even usable."

Liu Ru widened her eyes in disbelief, "That can’t be. Su Shimao has some ability, otherwise how would we have our child?"

Qin Sanniang thought about it and was puzzled too, "Yeah, according to the courtesan, Su Shimao couldn’t possibly have children like that."

Liu Ru found it strange but figured it didn’t matter since she was planning to run away anyway; Su Shimao’s condition was none of her concern.

The villagers gradually all arrived. Mrs. Chen carried little Chouchou out, and as usual, walked among the guests so they could see the baby.

A newborn just a month old doesn’t show much in terms of looks, but to the parents, the baby is the most beautiful.

Wu Caiwei carried the baby around with Mrs. Chen, and the villagers kept praising how well the baby was born and how lucky he looked. Wu Caiwei was overjoyed.

When they reached Liu Ru and Qin Sanniang's table, Qin Sanniang smiled brightly at little Chouchou and said, "I think this baby looks like his mother; he'll definitely grow up to be a handsome young man!"

Wu Caiwei was thrilled to hear the auspicious words, while nearby Mrs. Tang muttered sourly, "The baby is still so small and hasn't even fully grown, looking more like a monkey; what can you really tell?"

"Mom, can't you say something nice?" Zhang Zhaocai tugged at Mrs. Tang's sleeve, whispering a reminder so she wouldn't say anything embarrassing again.

Liu Ru, holding her child, also leaned over to look and praised Wu Caiwei's son.

Wu Caiwei, seeing Liu Ru holding the baby, smiled warmly and said, "Your son is well-behaved and easygoing, sleeps soundly without crying—really easy to take care of."

Liu Ru’s eyes fixed intently on Wu Caiwei’s son, admiring how beautiful and soft the baby's swaddling cloth was. In contrast, her own son was wrapped in a shabby little mat and wore baby clothes patched together from the family’s tattered garments—truly a world of difference.

Liu Ru sat down holding her child, lowering her head with a flash of determination in her eyes.