Chapter 010: Listening to the Two People in the Room

Qiao Niang took the opportunity to bring over a small bowl of rice porridge, asking Aunt Zhang to help feed the young lady. Aunt Zhang readily accepted, telling Qiao Niang to just focus on her work, as she would take care of it.

Several daughters-in-law laughed and said: "Although she cannot understand, this month has already learned to imitate the sound of sighs. But be careful that suddenly there might be some sounds that do not match later on." They continued to talk and laugh along the way

"The young lady is only a little over five months old, what does she know?" Aunt Zhang, who has a good relationship with the Zheng family, noticed that Zheng Pozi and Qiaoniang had been so busy these past few days that they hardly had a moment to spare. At this time, with so much work to be done, they certainly could not find the leisure to entertain the young lady. It was inevitable that she would help them keep the young lady occupied. Considering that the young lady was still small, holding her while listening to the room would not be a problem. She cheerfully said, "As long as the young lady does not cry or fuss, it is fine to take her along; could it be that she can understand anything?"

Your sister knows that Yun Niang and Fang Niang are the best at making jokes, with sharp ears. It is said that every time they listen in on a room, these two can mimic the language and actions of a newlywed couple inside based on the slightest sounds, making one feel as if they are right there. Therefore, with the two of them leading this time, the other wives are merely waiting to enjoy the spectacle.

Wow, I can actually go and listen to the room! The young lady is excited, obediently resting on Aunt Zhang's shoulder without moving around. You must know that having lived for five months, eating, sleeping, and occasionally following my mother around, I have hardly participated in any other activities. The entertainment life in ancient times is extremely lacking; sometimes, when village women share gossip or tell risqué jokes, it can entertain people for half a day. Being fortunate enough to accompany them to listen to the room tonight is truly the pinnacle of entertainment.

When I woke up again, it was completely dark outside. My parents had not yet come to bed, and I could hear a few muffled laughs and voices from outside, all familiar sounds of the neighbors. Most of the guests seemed to have left. The young lady listened intently to the conversation outside, and when she heard them discussing the matter of listening to the room, she couldn't help but cry out loudly. You all went to listen to the room, leaving me, a few months old infant, lying bored on the big bed, not even afraid that I might roll over and fall to the floor. What heartless adults!

At last, Yun Niang assumed the posture of doing a push-up, and Fang Niang squinted her eyes, pretending to moan in pain. Upon witnessing this, the young lady noticed that the baby was truly fatigued; its head tilted and it fell asleep on Aunt Zhang's shoulder.

Sister Gui listened to Aunt Zhang's murmurs, feeling a sudden shock in her heart. She restrained herself a bit, feigning drowsiness, and leaned on Aunt Zhang's shoulder to continue watching the performance. Aunt Zhang, not taking it to heart, freed one hand to gesture to another daughter-in-law nearby, indicating her not to block the view.

After the exquisite performances of Yun Niang and Fang Niang, every move of the newlyweds in the bridal chamber seemed to be unfolding in real time. The young lady watched with bright eyes, mentally broadcasting an extremely inappropriate scenario for children.

A pair of newlyweds embraced, and Zheng Mingye called out, "Wife!" Zhang Heitao responded with a soft, "Mm," her heart racing. Seeing Zheng Mingye staggering from drunkenness, she feared that without some assistance, they would both collapse to the ground. Thus, she discreetly moved to the bedside and slowly sat down. As Zhang Heitao sat, Zheng Mingye lost the support she provided and fell onto her, collapsing onto the bed. At this point in the performance, Yun Niang opened her mouth to mime, "Undress, undress!" The audience was invigorated, their faces flushed as they waved their hands, urging Yun Niang and Fang Niang not to miss the key scenes, insisting that they perform each detail meticulously. As Zhang Heitao sat, Zheng Mingye lost the support she provided and fell onto her, collapsing onto the bed. At this point in the performance, Yun Niang opened her mouth to mime, "Undress, undress!" The audience was invigorated, their faces flushed as they waved their hands, urging Yun Niang and Fang Niang not to miss the key scenes, insisting that they perform each detail meticulously

Aunt Zhang watched while also fearing that Guijie would cry and make a fuss. Seeing Guijie, with her face flushed like the adults, peering in, she was momentarily astonished. She glanced at Guijie, then at the performers Yun Niang and Fang Niang, and quietly murmured: "It seems she is also a little one who loves excitement. Fortunately, you don't know what this is all about. If you did, it would be a sin for me to hold you here watching."

The esteemed elder sister secretly praised the good position they had chosen, as the new large bed was placed right by the window, wasn't it? This spot is indeed the best location for listening, which indicates that these wives are all seasoned individuals who have heard countless tales from the foot of the bed.

Yun Niang and Fang Niang also joined in the fun and exchanged a few words, then looked at the moonlight, estimated the time, and laughed, saying: "Now is just the right time to go in, but be quiet."

Once the young lady's belly was full, drowsiness set in. After being patted on the back by Aunt Zhang, she yawned and soon fell asleep amidst the chatter of the aunts and neighbors.

Aunt Zhang was exceptionally skilled at feeding. While talking, she fed at a leisurely pace, always waiting for the young lady to swallow before bringing another spoonful to her lips. Her gestures were practiced, and in the end, she even scraped the tiny bit of thick rice porridge that had stuck to the corner of the young lady's mouth into her mouth with the spoon. After feeding a small half bowl of rice porridge, the baby was spotless, and the bottom of the bowl was also clean.

Hearing the cries, Aunt Zhang lifted the curtain and entered, picking up the precious girl and patting her back to soothe her, saying, "Your mother is still busy tidying up the tables, chairs, and dishes, so she has no time to hold you, little darling." As she swayed the precious girl, her intention was to lull her back to sleep. Unfortunately, the precious girl had already slept too much today, so there was no way she could fall asleep again. Aunt Zhang looked at the precious girl, who showed no signs of sleepiness, and had no choice but to carry her out of the room, murmuring, "Since you can't sleep, we might as well go listen to the house. Just make sure, when we reach the crucial part, that you, little brat, don't suddenly start crying." Unfortunately, the precious girl had already slept too much today, so there was no way she could fall asleep again. Aunt Zhang looked at the precious girl, who showed no signs of sleepiness, and had no choice but to carry her out of the room, murmuring, "Since you can't sleep, we might as well go listen to the house. Just make sure, when we reach the crucial part, that you, little brat, don't suddenly start crying."

Yun Niang and Fang Niang leaned by the window and listened for a while. Seeing that the other daughters-in-law, who could not hear anything, were looking at them, they suppressed their laughter and gestured, indicating that they had heard something. Yun Niang first imitated Zheng Mingye's dazed demeanor and nudged Fang Niang's shoulder. Fang Niang then mimicked the daughter of Zhang Heitao, pretending to be shy, wanting to respond but hesitating, and slightly moved aside. Since Zheng Mingye had a few drinks tonight and was somewhat tipsy, Yun Niang imitated Zheng Mingye's staggering appearance and swayed to the side. Fang Niang quickly imitated Zhang Heitao's quick reflexes and supported her. Thus, Yun Niang took the opportunity to embrace her, and the two of them pretended to be newlyweds, entangled together. The other daughters-in-law stifled their laughter as they watched their performance, with one even gesturing strongly for them to add sound. Yun Niang gestured in response, opened her mouth, and made a shape as if she would coordinate with sound.

Upon arriving in the courtyard, a dozen or so women were whispering to each other, speaking softly and laughing loudly. Among them were two younger women, known as Yun Niang and Fang Niang, who, upon seeing Aunt Zhang carrying Guijie out, covered their mouths and laughed, saying: "We just sent a few children home, not allowing them to follow and listen in on the house; we didn't expect you to carry out an even smaller one."

A group of people quietly lurked outside the window of the new house, each taking up a good position, with the sides of the window being the most advantageous for listening. Everyone made way for Yun Niang and Fang Niang to stand there. Aunt Zhang, holding the precious girl, naturally could not push too far forward and stood slightly to the side, only peeking in to listen for any sounds

The rice paste was enhanced with gravy, emitting a delightful aroma, and at this moment, the young lady also felt hungry. She slightly parted her lips, eagerly awaiting nourishment