Chapter 3, Fucha

How could the gossiping Xiao Tao possibly miss such a strange event? Originally, the person in the East Chamber was an excellent topic of conversation, but due to the mistress's order forbidding any discussion, Xiao Tao had been feeling quite stifled. When this incident occurred, she seized the opportunity to engage people in conversation every few days, and she would also seek out her friend and fellow enthusiast, Xiang Er, under the pretext of buying scallions or garlic, to gather information outside. Thanks to her efforts, even the little Liu Xixi, who is only one year and two months old, is now fully aware of the matter. In fact, even the young son of the rich family, who had previously loved garlic, has changed his taste and refuses to eat it after waking up.

After about ten days, Liu Xixi had become accustomed to her current identity, and the young gentleman had also recovered, bringing great joy to the entire family. One afternoon, while taking a nap, she overheard Xiao Tao quietly telling Er Mo that the person in the east wing had been punished at the yamen a few days ago and died that very night. That evening, Tong Shi summoned the family and instructed them not to mention that person again

It is said that the street where this family resides is mostly home to minor officials and clerks working in the government offices. At the eastern end of the street, there is a household whose male head is named Fu Cha, although he does not belong to the Fu Cha clan. He is actually a illegitimate son of Prince Zheng, a prince of the Iron Hat from Fengtian City. His mother was merely a lowly maid, and the old Prince Zheng, after getting drunk before his marriage, forcibly took her to bed, neglecting her afterward. As a result, both mother and son were never well-regarded and were driven out by the old Prince Zheng's wife over twenty years ago, enduring considerable hardship. Later, Fu Cha found a job in the government office, which allowed him to settle down on this street. After a few years, he remarried and had children, and now he has two sons, the elder being thirteen and the younger eleven, both very mischievous, causing trouble everywhere with the other children living on the same street.

As the winter clothing was nearing completion, Xiao Tao was reluctant to see Liu Pozi leave. Just as she was sighing in sorrow, suddenly, explosive news broke out. The young man from the Fu Cha family had stirred up a truly significant event.

When Liu Xixi heard about this matter, a strange thought crossed her mind: could this little boy have traveled through time? However, she soon dismissed the idea, realizing that there couldn't possibly be so many instances of time travel in the world.

Liu Xixi, upon her recent arrival in this world, was struck by the formidable methods of the Tong family, which made her even more cautious and vigilant. Erma, who had raised the two siblings since childhood, was very close to both children. However, Tong felt uneasy and had always regarded Erma with some disfavor. Liu Xixi believed that Erma genuinely cared for her and could not bear to see her suffer. Therefore, although she did not distance herself from Erma, whenever Tong appeared, she would feign a clingy demeanor to get closer to Tong. As expected, Tong was very pleased, feeling that they were indeed blood relatives and that Liu Xixi was closer to her than to her biological mother. Liu Xixi felt that Erma genuinely cared for her and could not bear to see her suffer. Therefore, although she did not distance herself from Erma, whenever Tong appeared, she would feign a clingy demeanor to get closer to Tong. As expected, Tong was very pleased, feeling that they were indeed blood relatives and that Liu Xixi was closer to her than to her biological mother. With her mind set at ease and having recently enjoyed a harmonious relationship with her husband, Tong began to view everyone more favorably and gradually became much kinder to Erma.

Fu Cha was so frightened that he broke out in a cold sweat, feeling that this young man had nearly brought disaster upon the family, so he restricted his movements. He also spent a long time persuading his elderly mother not to indulge her grandson any further. On the other hand, Fu Cha's eldest son, who was generally more sensible than his younger brother, felt somewhat displeased due to the sudden attention his brother had garnered recently. When he saw his brother being reprimanded, he took pleasure in mocking him among his friends, and soon this matter became known throughout the entire street.

In the following two months, the Fu family did not produce any new gossip, and Xiao Tao shifted her attention to the rumors surrounding the fourth son of the old Ma family at the end of the street and the new widow from the Wang family, who had come with the returnees from Tunqi. Since both Xiao Tao and Xiao Mei were unmarried young ladies, discussing such idle talk could be detrimental to their reputation, prompting Er Ma to adopt a stern expression and lecture Xiao Tao. However, this matter was akin to Yu the Great managing the floods; blocking it would not work. Although Xiao Mei was usually serious and obedient, ignoring such matters, Xiao Tao still found a new conversation partner: Liu Pozi, the seamstress who came to make new winter clothes. Sometimes, when Er Ma was not in the girls' room, Xiao Tao would seize Liu Pozi, using the excuse that the door of this room faced the front courtyard, which was just right for light to work, and the two would chatter away, allowing the bored Liu Xixi to overhear, marveling at women's gossiping abilities, which were equally impressive in both ancient and modern times.

Fu Chagang had spent two peaceful days in the yamen when he suddenly noticed that his colleagues looked at him with sympathy. After questioning two close friends, he learned that the disgraceful incident involving his young son had spread throughout the city, which instantly infuriated him. He had always been strong-willed; even as a child in the Wang residence, he was unwilling to bow low, which made him unpopular. After leaving the Wang residence, he was determined to make a name for himself to show those at the Wang residence what he was capable of. His abilities were not particularly outstanding, and after many years of hard work, he had only achieved a modest level of success, earning a degree of respect among his colleagues. However, the recent scandal involving his son had completely tarnished the good reputation he had built over the years. The thought that perhaps the Wang residence had already heard about it and was secretly mocking him was unbearable. Unable to endure it, he decided to take leave from his superiors and return home. In a fit of anger, he punished his son and selected a reliable maid from the household to accompany his son daily, forbidding him from causing any more trouble.

A few days ago, the youngest son of his family fell from a tree while climbing and lost consciousness. He remained unresponsive for several days, and despite calling a doctor, there was nothing that could be done. The family was in tears, preparing for the worst. Unexpectedly, two days ago, the child suddenly woke up, albeit with no memory of the past events. The family was simply relieved that he was alive, filled with joy. However, this was indeed a remarkable event; not only did the entire street hear about it, but also a large portion of the city of Fengtian became aware. Even the governor of Fengtian heard of it and remarked to Fu Cha that his son, having survived such a calamity, would surely have good fortune in the future.

From the various bits of gossip, she gathered that it was now autumn in the 20th year of the Kangxi reign. This family belonged to the Hehelar clan, part of the Zhenghong Banner, with generations serving in the military. Her grandfather held the title of a first-class earl, and her father had three brothers, all born of the legitimate wife. Her father was the third son, and due to being a premature birth, he had poor health as a child and could not join the military, so he turned to studying instead. He was a successful candidate in the imperial examination and originally held a minor position in the Ministry of Revenue. A few years ago, the young and talented, notably handsome (as described by Xiaotao), Minister Chen Liangben submitted a memorial to the emperor, suggesting that the capital's banners return to the frontier. The governor of Fengtian was ordered to oversee this matter and enlisted the help of two noble Eight Banner officials to lend support, resulting in a chaotic scene as a group of banner people was driven to the frontier, causing quite a commotion. Her father and several colleagues were dispatched to Fengtian to assist with the affairs, and to demonstrate their determination, they all brought their families along upon taking office. This body was born in Fengtian.

Although she did not think so, as more and more rumors about Xiao Tao circulated, the signs that Fu Cha's younger son was from another world became increasingly clear. Not only did his tastes change dramatically, but even his personality and hobbies transformed. He no longer enjoyed climbing trees; instead, he became fascinated with small inventions, wanting to use sand to make glass, nearly burning down his house in the process, until he heard from his family that glass was already available for sale in shops outside (Liu Xixi said: Has glass become popular by this time?). Later, he wanted to brew wine, but what he produced was more sour than vinegar, and he abandoned that as well. One day, he suddenly developed a passion for poetry and literature, declaring his ambition to become a talented scholar of his generation. However, due to his poor calligraphy and frequent mistakes (Liu Xixi interjected: Is that simplified characters?), he soon lost interest. A few days later, upon hearing that there was a firearms camp outside the city, he insisted on going to see it, boasting among a group of boys that he would definitely create a new type of firearm that had never been seen before. But that firearms camp was a restricted area; how could they possibly allow a boy like him to enter? After a few days, hearing about the firearms camp again, he insisted on going to see it, still boasting among the boys that he would definitely create a new type of firearm that had never been seen before. But that firearms camp was a restricted area; how could they possibly allow a boy like him to enter? His father, Fu Cha, scolded him severely, which finally quieted him down, but he remained undeterred, continuing to tinker with various items he had found, even obtaining some gunpowder from Old Zhang, who sold firecrackers, and experimenting with it. As a result, he caused two explosions, blowing out the windows, yet miraculously, he was unharmed, while his family was terrified half to death. His grandmother personally pleaded with him in tears, and only then did he agree to stop playing with gunpowder.

Tong informed her husband of her grievances and graciously interceded for the concubine. However, Zhang Bao insisted on sending the former beloved to face the authorities, and eventually, that woman was beaten to death. Although Zhang Bao felt some reluctance, his resentment ultimately prevailed, leading him to sigh for two days before letting go. On that day, after his wife's heartfelt lament, he realized that he had indeed wronged his first wife in recent years. He recalled how she had suffered under her mother-in-law's scorn while in the capital, and how she had forsaken the splendor of the city to endure the harsh conditions of Fengtian alongside her husband. She had borne children with great difficulty, fallen ill, and even accepted his taking of a concubine without uttering a word of complaint. Even when their child was harmed, she still defended the concubine responsible. Where could one find such a virtuous wife? It was only right to treat her well. Consequently, he became increasingly gentle and considerate towards his wife, and their feelings for each other quickly rekindled. In their daily lives, they discussed both major and minor matters together, truly respecting each other as if they were guests.

He ran out to the street to look for big merchants, but in Fengtian City, the notable businesses all had powerful backers, so how could they pay attention to a mere son of a discarded prince? When he saw that he was unsuccessful, he ran outside the city to the mountains to dig for ginseng and medicinal herbs to sell. He did not return for a night, which alarmed his father, who personally came with people to bring him back home. Only after being scolded did the young man realize that banner people were not allowed to engage in commerce, and that digging for ginseng outside the borders was strictly prohibited by imperial decree. Moreover, that small mountain was frequently visited by people, being a place for spring outings; how could there possibly be ginseng?

Although she can only gather this superficial information for the time being, Liu Xixi is already very satisfied. She believes that with Xiao Tao around, her understanding of this world will continue to grow.

The days of a one-year-old girl are truly quite dull, so Xiao Tao's gossip has become a delightful pastime, along with gathering information, which Liu Xixi listens to attentively every day

Two days later, Xiao Tao had new gossip again. It turned out that the young son of the Fu Cha family, seeing that his family was only moderately well-off, decided to go into business to make money. His words were as sweet as if they had been soaked in honey, charming the old lady to the point where she couldn't close her mouth and, in a daze, agreed.

Currently, Fu Cha is disinterested in his duties at the yamen, preoccupied with worries that his youngest son has caused some trouble again, making repeated mistakes, which has drawn the attention of the magistrate. When Zhang Bao returns home for dinner, he often brings up the amusing incidents that Fu Cha has caused at the yamen, which keeps Tong laughing incessantly