Chapter 5: Mutual Support in Adversity

However, tonight her mood was the happiest it had been since their marriage. Not only had her husband returned from the dead, but he also seemed to have recovered from his illness. It appeared that with some time for recuperation, he would fully regain his health. Life was once again filled with hope and anticipation, and she felt an immense joy.

At this moment, Han Youniang's body shrank slightly, as if she had curled up. Yang Ling felt a warmth on his face. She was not asleep yet? With a flushed face, he whispered, "Youniang, are you still awake?"

Yang Ling suppressed a laugh and said: "I am reminded of Liu Xia Hui. If this 'gentleman' does not have any faults of his own, then his situation is quite similar to mine now. In the dead of winter, standing under the city gate tower, holding a young girl in his arms yet remaining composed, I could do that too, because... it is simply too cold, and all bad thoughts have been frozen away."

Yang Ling saw her eyes filled with admiration and pride when she mentioned her identity, and he couldn't help but smile bitterly in his heart. In his current state, he truly felt incapable of carrying a burden or lifting anything; he had merely relied on writing nonsensical essays to achieve the status of a scholar. In her eyes, he had somehow become a true man. If this were in his own time, even if you were a graduate of Tsinghua or Peking University, being this pathetic would likely have led to being kicked out by your wife, and would she still look at you with such admiration?

Han Yoniang poked her head out and asked, "My husband, where are you going?"

Yang Ling is her rightful husband. The education she received since childhood emphasized the three obediences and four virtues, with the husband as heaven and the wife as earth. The sages have said: 'A woman is one who submits to others.' If her husband desires her, there is truly nothing inappropriate about it. However, just thinking about what might happen makes her feel anxious, even more so than when she accompanied her father on a hunt and was frightened the first time she saw a tiger.

Han Yoniang felt so embarrassed that she hid under the covers, too afraid to come out. Her body curled up like a drawn bow, with her small fists clenched tightly against her chest. She did not even understand why she felt so tense and fearful.

Han Youniang blushed and shook her head, timidly withdrawing her hand and saying, "My husband, don't catch a cold, please rest soon." After this exchange, both of them became less reserved, and an inexplicable feeling quietly grew in their hearts. Once they were under the covers, they were no longer so restrained.

Yang Ling's heart skipped a beat, and he quickly averted his gaze, not daring to look again. Han You-niang noticed his gaze and felt a bit shy. Hesitantly, she helped Yang Ling back to the room. When Yang Ling took the oil lamp from Han You-niang's hand, he felt that her palm was very rough. Under the light of the lamp, he noticed that her palm had some calluses, and the back of her hand and skin felt quite coarse, with many fine cracks. Although they had only just met today, Yang Ling couldn't help but feel a pang of sympathy.

Yang Ling said, "It's nothing serious; I am much better now. It's just that I haven't been active much, and my body feels a bit weak." He reached out to help Han Youniang with the grain bag, but Han Youniang couldn't bear to let him work any longer. She quickly supported him as they walked back, saying, "Husband, you should go back and lie down. It's too cold at night. Tomorrow at noon, when the weather warms up, I will help you out to bask in the sun."

Han Youniang's body was light, soft, and warm, making it very comfortable to hold in his arms. He cherished her and suppressed the desires in his heart. A wave of drowsiness washed over him, and Yang Ling yawned, soon falling into a deep sleep.

Yang Ling let the fire burn slowly, then clapped his hands and turned around with a smile, saying: "Now it's good, we can sleep a bit warmer tonight"

Gently reaching out his hand, he touched the cold surface of the kang beside Han Youniang. It was icy. In the mountain village, it should be quite easy to chop some firewood, so why wasn't more wood being burned on such a cold day? Just now, when he inspected the house, it seemed he hadn't noticed how much firewood was placed next to the stove. Reflecting on his own situation, Yang Ling couldn't help but feel relieved: he had probably been on the brink of death for some time, as if he could die at any moment. Han Youniang, all alone and helpless, had to take care of him; how could she possibly find the time to go up the mountain to chop firewood? Reflecting on his own situation, Yang Ling couldn't help but feel relieved: he had probably been on the brink of death for some time, as if he could die at any moment. Han Youniang, all alone and helpless, had to take care of him; how could she possibly find the time to go up the mountain to chop firewood.

Han Youniang felt her face flush at his words. Upon hearing this, she was unsure what her scholar husband was about to say and could not help but ask out of curiosity: "Husband, which ancient person have you remembered?"

It is no wonder that she places such importance on this matter. In today's era, there is a strong emphasis on agriculture over commerce; even if a merchant is wealthy, their social status does not compare to that of a small landowner with just three to five acres. Therefore, the path to wealth and officialdom largely relies on holding a government position, and the primary means of entering the officialdom is through the imperial examination. Although Yang Ling is currently just a scholar, in this era, the status of a scholar is quite significant, whether in the city or the countryside. Some scholars, even at the age of seventy or eighty, may not have the opportunity to pass the examination and become a scholar.

Yang Ling touched the thick quilt he had covered himself with, feeling a warmth in his heart. Suddenly, he sat up and reached to pull the mattress from under Han Youniang. The kang surface was very smooth, and he forcefully yanked the mattress over.

Her fingers brushed against the blanket, and Yang Ling couldn't help but be taken aback. This blanket... why is it so thin? She pinched it with her fingers, and compared to the one she usually covered herself with, this one was indeed far too thin. How had she managed to endure the cold of this winter night night after night?

Yang Ling merely allowed her to draw closer, almost imperceptibly pressing against him, to prevent the warmth from escaping. He self-deprecatingly said to Han Youngniang, "Youngniang, I suppose this can be considered mutual support, can't it?" He gently caressed Youngniang's small hand and tenderly remarked, "Your hand has cracked; it must be from washing clothes and chopping firewood, right? Does it hurt?"

Since their marriage, although Han Yoniang and her husband have shared the same bed, she has taken care of him daily without ever removing her clothes. They have not performed the formal rites of marriage, and have only slept beside his bedding. Tonight, her husband is no longer in that drowsy state, which makes her feel extremely embarrassed. After extinguishing the lamp, he cannot see her, yet Han Yoniang still feels a flush all over her body. As soon as she burrows into the quilt, she buries her head in it and dares not show herself again. Tonight, her husband is no longer in that drowsy state, which makes her feel extremely embarrassed. After extinguishing the lamp, he cannot see her, yet Han Yoniang still feels a flush all over her body. As soon as she burrows into the quilt, she buries her head in it and dares not show herself again.

After much idle thinking, he still could not find a solution. At this moment, the warmth of the kang gradually cooled down; not only was his face, exposed outside the quilt, freezing cold, but the bedding inside also began to chill. He tightened the quilt around himself and suddenly thought about how he was sleeping on the kang while Han Youniang was sleeping even more soundly. He wondered if she could endure the cold.

Yang Ling had only taken two steps forward when he heard a whoosh, and a wooden stick, as thick as two fingers, had already been pointed at his chest, startling him. He quickly said, "Don't..." His throat felt a bit choked, and after swallowing a mouthful of saliva, he spoke in a softer tone, "Young lady, it's me, I am Yang Ling."

Four acres of farmland? Yang Ling felt a stir in his heart. He had no thoughts of ancestral property that should not be recklessly disturbed, nor was he concerned about being criticized for squandering wealth. He only thought about how much money he could get from selling the four acres, hoping to become wealthy at once, allowing himself to live comfortably for a couple of years, and ensuring that this woman would have no worries about food and clothing for the rest of her life when he passed away

Han Yoniang pulled the quilt over to let him lean against it, and then brought a basin of hot water. Despite Yang Ling's repeated refusals, she gently began to wash his feet. This Yang Ling had never experienced such treatment before, but after a round of pushing her away, seeing Han Yoniang's face filled with anxiety and unease, he could only smile wryly and allow her to serve him.

Han Youniang placed the grain sack on the stove, supporting him as they walked into the inner room. She softly murmured and gently said: "The Tartars have come in autumn. I could only carry you and flee to the mountains, and all the stored grain at home... has been taken by the Tartars. Therefore... I had no choice but to pawn some of the furniture and belongings."

Yang Ling shook his head and said, "No, I will add some more firewood to the stove"

Han Youniang chuckled softly, feeling a sense of relief. Before her marriage, she had worried that her husband would be a dull and boring scholar, but unexpectedly, he was so interesting. A peculiar feeling arose in Han Youniang's heart, "This is the husband I will accompany for a lifetime, the closest family member I will have in the future." Her small heart sighed gently, and the warmth and admiration made her unconsciously lean closer to Yang Ling, her tense body relaxing.

During the Ming Dynasty, the regulation of the common people was extremely strict. Even when leaving their hometowns to visit relatives and friends, they were required to obtain travel permits from local authorities, with stamps affixed at checkpoints, and any negligence was unacceptable. However, scholars and those with official titles, such as licentiates, were treated differently. They had the right to carry swords and wear blue silk robes, allowing them to travel freely without interference from local officials. When encountering county magistrates, whom ordinary farmers might never meet in their lifetime, they were not required to kneel and were even afforded seats. Naturally, such individuals were regarded as people of high status in the eyes of the common folk.

Han Yoniang felt a bit flustered and said in a trembling voice: "My husband... what... what are you doing?"

Yang Ling could not help but tighten her grip on her hand, feeling that although this reincarnation was the most arduous one in the past nine, it brought a warmth and happiness to her heart. After a while, noticing that Han You Niang's breathing did not seem to indicate she was asleep, Yang Ling could not help but ask: "What are you thinking about?"

At night, lying in bed, Yang Ling rested her head on her arm, silently contemplating her thoughts. She could hear Han Youniang's faint breathing nearby, suggesting that she had fallen into a deep sleep.

She could not help but draw closer to Yang Ling, whispering softly in his ear: "My husband, I am willing to be close to you like this, regardless of life, old age, illness, death, wealth, or poverty. I am willing to accompany you without complaint or regret, until forever"

Yang Ling, feeling helpless, had no choice but to let her support him as they walked back. Once they entered the house, he couldn't help but say: "Young lady, in order to treat my illness, have we spent all the money in our household? I see there is hardly anything left in the house"

Han Yoniang held up the oil lamp and followed him to the outer hall. Under the stove lay a small bundle of split firewood. Yang Ling glanced at it, walked to the corner, and brought over the mourning banners, joss paper, and gold and silver offerings, stuffing them all into the bottom of the stove. These were made of sorghum stalks and paper, highly flammable, and the nearly extinguished fire in the stove blazed back to life.

Hearing Han Yoniang speak her heart under the cover of night, Yang Ling's heart involuntarily trembled slightly. Is it not true that everyone in this world is striving to find that other half who is willing to say "I do" to them? Impulsively, he almost blurted out that he too was willing to accompany her like this for a lifetime, but the words that were on the tip of his tongue were swallowed back. Two years of life, he sighed deeply in his heart.

With a turn of the head, illuminated by the firelight from the stove, I could clearly see Han Youniang dressed in a simple white coarse cloth garment. Although it had several patches, it could not conceal her graceful and alluring figure. The neckline revealed a hint of skin, which appeared particularly enticing under the interplay of firelight and lamplight.

Yang Ling couldn't help but chuckle softly and said, "Silly girl... your blanket is too thin. Look at you freezing over there, how can I possibly sleep? Come, let's sleep together"

However, this way, the little warmth left in the bed has completely dissipated. Although the quilt is thick, it still does not provide any warmth. After lying down for a moment, Yang Ling got up again and groped to put on his shoes

Han Yoniang let out a gentle sigh and said, "My husband, I am thinking about your provincial examination next year. Our family... no longer has any money. My maternal family has two older brothers and a younger brother, and my father has a heavy burden as well, so they cannot help us. Our family has four acres of mountain fields that have been passed down from our ancestors, which cannot be sold. The provincial examination is a significant matter for your entire life; what shall we do about this?"

Although Yang Ling and she are in a marital relationship, in his heart, despite the girl's captivating beauty, the misfortunes and strength she has displayed since the moment she opened her eyes evoke deep compassion in him. Knowing that he has only two years left to live, he cannot bring himself to harbor any ill intentions towards such a lovely woman.

The cold air seeping through the gap in the quilt was quite uncomfortable. Yang Ling, feeling helpless, could not resist moving closer. Han Youniang shivered slightly, her body becoming somewhat stiff, yet she remained docile and did not utter a word

Han Youniang became even more flustered, but there was really nothing wrong with what her husband said. She could only stammer, "But... but how is your health? Let's not... let's not..."

Yang Ling also sensed her nervousness. To be honest, he did not dare to get too close to the young woman. If the two of them were to be too close, he could not guarantee that he would not be moved. At the very least, he was in good health, and being near such a young girl, even if he did not want to, he would inevitably have a physiological reaction. Therefore, there was a distance of two fists between them, and he did not dare to approach any closer.

Two blankets were placed together. Yang Ling lifted her quilt and covered her with her own quilt, then placed a thin blanket over the thick quilt, saying: "Look, this is much better."

Yang Ling asked, "How do you light the oil lamp? No, where is the oil lamp?"

Yang Ling found it quite amusing to see her so frightened, so he deliberately teased her, saying: "We are husband and wife, so what's wrong with sleeping together?"

Oh no! The stick clattered to the ground. Han Yoniang hurriedly stepped forward and supported him, anxiously saying: "My husband, you have just recovered from your illness. Why are you out? It is cold outside. If anything happens to you again, what should I... what should I do?"

He glanced at Han Youniang's sleeping position; the room was pitch dark, and nothing was visible. He could only hear her delicate breathing, like that of a small cat. Sighing softly, he thought that now this girl, bearing the identity of his wife, meant that he not only had to find a way to survive but also had to take on the responsibility of caring for her. However, in such a destitute home, how could he possibly ensure that she would be free from worries about food and clothing?

Han Yoniang hurriedly got up and struck a firestone to light the oil lamp. Under the lamp's glow, her face was flushed, though it was hard to tell whether it was from embarrassment or the reflection of the light, which only added to her charm. She looked at Yang Ling with a puzzled expression and said, "My lord, do you need to relieve yourself? The chamber pot is in the outer hall."

Um..." Han You-niang said softly, "My lord, you are seriously ill. I truly cannot think of a way to invite a doctor, so I can only... I can only... I am sorry...

He pondered aimlessly for a while, and a sense of fatigue gradually overcame him, feeling that the space under the kang was getting warmer. Although Han Yoniang allowed him to pull her shoulder closer, her petite body remained curled up, tense and rigid. Yang Ling found it amusing; he yawned and, in a vague manner, chuckled, "Yoniang, relax a bit. It’s warmer when we’re close together. It’s so cold outside, what are you afraid of? Hmm... I suddenly thought of an ancient person."

Han Youniang responded vaguely, her timid voice seeming to tremble slightly. Yang Ling sighed and said, "Why is your quilt so thin? How can you endure such a cold winter night? Does your home not have any thick cotton blankets?"

Han You-niang let out a soft sigh, shook her head, and realizing he could not see her, said again: "It doesn't hurt, my husband. As long as you recover, You-niang will endure any suffering without complaint or regret."

She helped Yang Ling sit down on the kang, while assisting him in taking off his shoes. She raised her head, smiled at him, and said: "Husband, do not worry. When our family has a harvest next year, life will improve. You are a scholar, so you need not concern yourself with these trivial matters. Once you feel better, just focus on your studies. Next year will be the provincial examination held every three years."

Yang Ling stacked the bundle of firewood one piece at a time. Han Yoniang opened her mouth, wanting to say something but hesitating. She thought to herself: "If it burns, then let it burn. After all, my husband is recovering well, and I don't need to be by his side all the time. I will just wake up early tomorrow and go up the mountain to chop some more firewood."