Chapter 12: Returning to the Village in Glory

Misfortune began when his elder brother was injured in the labor fields and lost sight in one eye.

His eldest sister-in-law, Wu, was diligent and fiercely proud, unwilling for the eldest branch to become a burden on the Wang family. She worked in the fields even when nearing childbirth. One day, a cursed tiger sprang out of nowhere; Wu, unable to outrun it, was caught, its jaws clamped around her ankle.

Wang Erlang acted without thought, brandishing his iron shovel and charging at the beast. The villagers joined in, and together they managed to rescue Wu. Yet, as she was dragged by the tiger, she gave birth to a baby girl. Alas, such a beautiful child, and she perished before her first breath.

Years later, Wu conceived again, only to suffer during labor; both mother and child were lost. His brother grieved so deeply that blood streamed from his eyes. Their parents, overwhelmed with sorrow, fell ill and frail. The family, unable to till so much land, became tenants under the Jia landlord.

After a brief period of uneasy calm, his daughter, Wang Shu, was deceived by a relative of the landlord. She toiled for their family, cooking and working for years, only for their scholar son to become engaged to another girl. Unable to bear the heartbreak, Shu threw herself into the river. His pitiable daughter—when her body was recovered, fish had gnawed her features beyond recognition!

Afterwards, life grew even more desolate. His parents died one after another. His wife, Jia, hid at her mother's house day after day. His sister-in-law, Yao, foolishly invited calamity, leading to his eldest brother being falsely accused and hanged. After burying his brother, exhausted in body and spirit, Wang Erlang ended his life in a dilapidated hut.

But, astonishingly, he lived again!

He returned to the moment when Wu was being dragged by the tiger!

The situation was dire. As in his second lifetime, he cared for nothing but chasing off the tiger and saving his sister-in-law.

The sound of a newborn's cry pierced the chaos! Wu once more gave birth to a girl during the tiger's attack. But this time, the child lived! Her cries were robust and strong!

Wang Erlang awoke from his nightmare, drenched in sweat, the chill of rain forced from his body. He had been lost in memories of his past lives and had drifted into sleep without realizing.

The child was alive! Her name was Wang Ge, nicknamed Tiger Treasure.

Not only that, his elder brother’s youngest son survived as well, named Wang Xing, nicknamed Tiger Head.

Wang Erlang had lived three lifetimes, each different from the last. No one knew how full of anxiety he was in this one.

Now, the Wang family had two little tigers. Could they escape misfortune?

Having been drenched by cold rain, Wang Ge’s sleep was restless.

Boom, boom, boom!

Mist shrouded her dreams, but she heard the sound of drums.

“Who’s beating the drum?” No matter how hard she shouted, her voice stuck in her throat, unable to emerge.

Boom, boom, boom!

The mist grew heavy, pressing on her brow, trapping her heart, making her uneasy and irritable. She fumbled forward, continuing to call, “Is anyone there? Who’s beating the drum?”

She wandered for who knew how long, finally seeing a high platform. Wasn’t that the big drum used in the artisans’ competition? Could it be that such a minor contest left her with a psychological shadow?

The drumbeat persisted.

She climbed the platform; no one was on either side of the drum, yet it continued to sound. Suddenly, she felt a gust of wind by her ear. Turning sharply, she met a ferocious face!

Wang Ge shuddered and woke up.

There really was wind by her ear—her younger brother was nestled beside her pillow, worried she’d catch cold after the rain, sneaking over to watch her through the night. Even in sleep, he held her hand tightly.

The village’s industrious rooster began to crow. She donned her short jacket, carried Wang Xing back inside, and heard her father’s gentle voice: “Tiger Treasure, your mother said you don’t need to make breakfast today.”

Her father was wide awake, showing not a hint of drowsiness—either he hadn’t slept all night or had risen early. Wang Ge felt warmth in her heart. She settled Wang Xing, reassuring her father softly, “I’m fine, Father, don’t worry.”

Wang Dalang listened as his daughter left, feeling an indescribable emotion. Tiger Treasure was hardworking and proud, so much like her mother.

When Wang Ge stoked the fire, young Jia was pushed out by Wang Erlang. She pouted, aggrieved, and upon entering the kitchen, realized the eldest branch had some sense, after all.

Still, Jia dared not return to her room immediately and asked Wang Ge, “Why did your second uncle take you to the township?”

“Second uncle didn’t tell you?” Wang Ge stirred the bean porridge in the pot, replying coldly.

“He was so exhausted, I haven’t had a chance to ask.”

“Then go ask him now.”

“How can you speak like that? I am your elder!”

“That’s true.”

Jia grew alert.

As expected, Wang Ge continued, “Elders are indeed divided into good and bad. There are no outsiders here; you don’t need to pretend to be the good kind.”

“You—”

“Even your act is unconvincing.”

“You! Hmph, Wang Ge, don’t try to provoke me into scolding you, so you can complain to your parents! Do you really think your parents will always side with you? Eventually, you’ll marry out, and then the eldest branch will have to rely on our second and third branches.”

Wang Ge said no more. Jia’s words weren’t wrong—if she hadn’t found the path to become an artisan, after her engagement and as her parents aged, her father and Wang Xing would truly have to depend on the second and third branches.

Fortunately, this new Jin dynasty, diverged from history, offered her hope to break free from poverty’s shackles. She would seize it with all her might!

Jia returned to her room with a look of pride. But her triumph lasted only until breakfast.

That wretched girl, Wang Ge, had accomplished something extraordinary in the township! A mere girl had passed some artisan competition? In two months, she’d go to the county to take the apprentice exam? If she passed, the family would benefit, with reduced taxes and labor?

Was this a dream? That annoying girl, Wang Ge, would soon be untouchable, even more stubborn and irritating!

It was not a dream. Since dawn, Old Wang couldn’t stop smiling. His granddaughter was remarkable—no preparation, yet selected as an artisan! Only twenty spots in the whole township!

The family went to work in the fields, brimming with energy unlike before. When neighbors met them, someone asked, “Erlang, you went to the township the other day?”

Wang Erlang replied, “Yes, I took my niece Ge to the exam.”

“An exam? What kind of test for a girl?”

“Tsk tsk, listen to me—”

Old Wang and his wife could barely listen, embarrassed. How could Erlang boast so shamelessly? Ge was accomplished, but this was excessive!

Erlang boasted: Hundreds of artisans competed, and Ge ranked second!

Erlang boasted again: After the exam, the examiner spoke only to Ge, telling her she didn’t need to pay her own way to the county exam!

Erlang continued: When Ge left the exam hall, dozens of villagers chased after her, escorting her all the way to the inn, begging her to weave things for them.

“Such a pity!” Wang Erlang’s tone suddenly shifted. “We’re so out of touch—only now do we know there’s a path to become an artisan! If we’d known a year earlier, Ge might have been first!” He finished with a sigh and hurried after his father.

“Oh, right,” Wang Erlang remembered to call back, “Anyone who wants to learn a craft, Ge will teach you. If you want to weave rush mats, bring rush grass. If you want to weave bamboo mats, go to the wild hills for bamboo.”

Old Wang scolded, “How can you exaggerate Ge like this? What if someone goes to the township to check?”

“I’m telling the truth. Let them check if they want.” Inwardly, Wang Erlang tsked twice, embarrassed to admit these were actually the tall tales spun by his thick-skinned granddaughter.

“Nonsense! Was the examiner cross-eyed or crooked-mouthed? Not speaking to the top candidate, only to Ge?”

“When the examiner finished explaining the county rules, he asked everyone if they had questions—only our Ge raised her hand! So, naturally, he spoke only to her.”

“Haha!” Wang He laughed.

Wang Erlang retorted, “Feeling itchy again?”

Wang He quickly darted to cousin Wang Zhu’s side.

Old Wang pressed, “Even so, you shouldn’t claim that if Ge had taken the exam a year earlier, she’d be the top artisan.”

“I mean, a year earlier, maybe she’d have been third or fourth.”

Old Wang was speechless. Granny Jia laughed and grumbled, hitting Erlang’s back twice.

Wang Shu covered her mouth, giggling, tugged at her father’s sleeve, and whispered, “Can I learn from Sister?”

Wang Erlang replied kindly, “Of course! Your sister said even if you don’t become an artisan, learning a craft is no harm!”

Wang He sniffed disdainfully. He’d rather farm all his life than submit to Wang Ge!

Wang Zhu, on the other hand, was eager, but Yao dragged him away. He looked at his mother’s angry profile, then at his father’s timid expression, and could only suppress his enthusiasm.