With money in hand, Song Jinzhao planned to take Song Qiming and Song Shixue shopping in Xining City the next day. They had talked about going after the autumn harvest, but the house collapse and subsequent rebuilding had delayed the trip for half a month.
Early in the morning, she fed Song Anhao and packed a water bottle filled with boiled goat's milk to bring along.
Song Shixue found her prettiest pale yellow embroidered dress to wear, twirling around happily in the main room.
"Big sister, do I look pretty?"
Song Jinzhao smiled, rarely seeing her so lively. "Very pretty, like a little fairy."
The four of them stepped out of the courtyard and ran into Old Lady Song and Elder Aunt Song, who were bringing Song Yongnian and Song Qiaoniang over.
Seeing the three of them wearing newly made clothes, Old Lady Song asked, "Are you going out?"
Noticing the baskets they carried, clearly also ready for an outing, Song Jinzhao replied, "I'm taking Qiming and Shixue to the city for a stroll."
Old Lady Song's face lit up, and she reached out to take Song Anhao.
"There's a temple fair at the foot of Fa'an Temple today. Perfect timing, we can all go together to offer incense and pray for Buddha's blessings for you."
Song Jinzhao blinked; she had never been to a temple fair before.
She looked down and asked the two children, "Do you want to go?"
Song Qiming and Song Shixue nodded eagerly and repeatedly, like little chicks pecking at rice. The candied hawthorns sold at last year's temple fair were especially delicious, but there weren't enough to satisfy them.
They also wanted to go out to play with their cousins.
"Then it's settled, we'll go to the temple fair."
Song Qiming and Song Shixue immediately joined Song Yongnian and the others, chattering and laughing with sheer delight.
Passing by the second branch of the family's house, Second Aunt Song hurriedly pushed Song Yaozu out of the courtyard. "There's cheap fabric at the temple fair. I need to buy more this time."
Oldest Song had sold mushrooms and made new clothes for both Song Yongnian and Song Qiaoniang.
Seeing that all four children from the third branch were also wearing new clothes, Second Aunt Song had been somewhat displeased since the Mid-Autumn Festival dinner.
Song Jinzhao noticed Song Laidi and Song Pandi standing in the courtyard, not coming out. It was clear Second Aunt Song didn't plan to bring her two daughters, only her son.
"Second Aunt, aren't Laidi and Pandi coming?" Song Shixue, seeing her cousins weren't coming out, looked questioningly at Second Aunt Song.
Second Aunt Song said dismissively, "They have work to do at home, no time to go."
Elder Aunt Song quietly glanced into the courtyard. Those two girls were unlucky to have such a mother, working all day for the family yet never receiving a kind look.
Inside the courtyard, Song Pandi, hearing this, sadly hid behind Song Laidi. In this family, only her older sister was truly good to her.
Qiaoniang and Shixue were both going to the temple fair. She really wanted to go too.
Song Jinzhao glanced at the basin of dirty clothes and spoke up, "The clothes can be washed anytime. It's more fun with more people, take them along."
"Shixue, go call your two cousins out."
Song Shixue immediately let go of Song Qiaoniang's hand and rushed into the courtyard. "Laidi, Pandi, let's go to the temple fair!"
Seeing Song Jinzhao smiling at the three girls, Second Aunt Song's mouth moved. She wanted to say what business did girls have at a temple fair; they should stay home and work.
But remembering that Song Jinzhao herself was a girl and treated Song Shixue so well, she swallowed the words in her throat.
Song Laidi eagerly pulled Song Pandi out.
Song Pandi fearfully stole a glance at Second Aunt Song. She was afraid her mother wouldn't allow it, and even more afraid of going without permission and getting scolded later.
Song Laidi gave her sister's hand a subtle tug.
So what if we get scolded? That'll be after we get back anyway.
Seeing they had already come out, Second Aunt Song said with a strained voice, "I'm just worried there are too many children to look after."
Song Jinzhao waved Song Qiming over. "That's simple."
"Qiming, you're the older brother, you need to protect your sisters. Don't let them run off."
Song Qiming's small chin dropped like a hammer, swearing to the heavens, "Big sister, don't worry, I won't let them leave my sight for a second."
Song Jinzhao couldn't help but chuckle. That line sounded a bit like something a modern-day domineering CEO would say.
The seven children walked ahead, chattering noisily the whole way.
Fa'an Temple was nestled against An Mountain outside Xining City. It had thriving incense fires, and it was said prayers for marriage here were especially effective.
Reaching the foot of the mountain, Song Jinzhao was somewhat stunned by the seemingly endless rows of stalls before her eyes. Vendors' shouts rose and fell, and the place was bustling and crowded.
Unlike the commercialized stalls at modern tourist spots, this place was brimming with the lively, earthy atmosphere of the marketplace.
Seeing the crowd, Song Jinzhao followed closely behind the children and reminded them, "The temple fair is crowded. Don't run off. Hold hands, all of you."
Even though people here generally weren't keen on raising others' children, one couldn't rule out the possibility of child traffickers snatching kids to sell them into dark places for profit.
Up ahead, Second Aunt Song was already dazzled by the goods at the stalls, having even foisted Song Yaozu off on Song Laidi.
Old Lady Song, seeing her looking around without moving forward, grabbed her sleeve and pulled her back. "We go to offer incense first. You can buy things on the way down."
An Mountain wasn't high; climbing to the top took only half an hour.
The scent of sandalwood incense drifted everywhere at the mountaintop, enveloping the entire temple, adding to its solemn and merciful aura.
Entering the temple, the noise outside and the dignified, solemn quiet before the Buddha formed a stark contrast.
Song Jinzhao knelt on a prayer mat, looking up at the Buddha seated cross-legged on a lotus.
She clasped her hands together, raising the incense sticks above her forehead as she bowed, silently praying: "I beseech Buddha to protect my family's health, keep them free from illness and disaster, grant them a smooth life, and eternal happiness and joy."
Song Qiming and Song Shixue followed Song Jinzhao in kowtowing, mumbling under their breath about their own wishes.
After saying her piece, Old Lady Song also placed Song Anhao on a prayer mat and knocked her head three times.
"Buddha, Bodhisattva, I beg you to protect this child, let her grow up safe and sound, never fall ill, and be as strong as an ox."
After offering incense, everyone's steps became much lighter on the descent, as if all their aches and pains had vanished.
Back at the temple fair, Song Shixue gazed longingly at the candied hawthorns stuck on a straw pole at a vendor's stall.
The bright red hawthorns were enticing, the crystallized sugar coating them glistening like rubies.
"Big sister, I want candied hawthorn."
Song Jinzhao walked over and asked, "How much for one stick?"
The vendor, seeing several children gather at once, smiled happily and replied, "Three coins per stick."
Song Yaozu, who had been holding Second Aunt Song's hand and swallowing his saliva in front of a pastry stall, immediately let go and squeezed his way toward Song Jinzhao.
"Where are you going?" Second Aunt Song, feeling her hand empty, immediately turned her head to follow him with her eyes.
She only relaxed when she saw him run to Song Jinzhao's side.
Seeing Song Yaozu arrive, Song Jinzhao counted heads and said to the vendor, "We'll take eight sticks of candied hawthorn."
Old Lady Song, who had walked over carrying Song Anhao, heard this and quickly intervened. "Why buy so many? One stick is enough for everyone to have a taste."
The vendor's smile froze.
"One piece is nowhere near enough. We don't come to the temple fair often. They can buy what they want to eat." Song Jinzhao took out twenty-four coins and handed them over.
Old Lady Song shot her a look. "You're too free with your money. Even if you don't buy one each, one stick for two people would be plenty."
Song Jinzhao distributed the candied hawthorns to the seven children, keeping the last stick for herself. "It's fine. If they can't finish, they can take them home."
Seeing this, Elder Aunt Song immediately reached for her money to pay Song Jinzhao back.
"No need, consider it my treat as the eldest sister."
Elder Aunt Song saw that Song Jinzhao truly had no intention of accepting the money and finally took it back.
Second Aunt Song, standing not far away, was secretly delighted.
Good thing she had brought her two daughters; the eldest branch got two sticks, while her own family got three.
She walked over to Song Pandi's side. "Let your mother have a bite."
Song Pandi's fingers stiffened. Once given, she wouldn't get to eat a single berry herself.
Song Laidi signaled with her eyes for her younger sister to hand it over, then in the next moment, took her hand and led her around to Song Jinzhao's left side.
She brought her own candied hawthorn stick to Song Pandi's lips. "Quick, take a bite."
They had to finish their own treats before their mother finished hers, otherwise the remaining stick would be taken too.
Song Jinzhao watched this but did not stop Second Aunt Song.
They were Second Aunt's daughters. If they repeatedly displeased her, they would surely face trouble when they got home.
This way, they neither offended anyone nor went without—it was actually for the best.
Seeing the satisfied expressions on the two little girls' faces made it clear they weren't too upset about it.
