Chapter 64: Back to the Zhang Family

The next morning, Embroider Maiden and Wu Wei dressed neatly, finished their breakfast, tucked the gold leaves into their pockets, and headed out.

Embroider Maiden had originally wanted to steam a few mantou buns to take along as their lunch, but Wu Wei insisted on treating her to a meal at a restaurant instead. Embroider Maiden had no choice but to give in.

As for the question from the night before, Wu Wei merely forced a smile and said she hadn’t decided yet. Embroider Maiden didn’t press further. Though a trace of unease lingered in her heart, she refused to push Wu Wei into making a choice.

Embroider Maiden figured that Wu Wei’s hesitation stemmed from her lingering attachment to her hometown, making it hard for her to commit to staying in Qinglu County. It made sense, really—if it were her in the same situation, Embroider Maiden probably couldn’t have made up her mind right away either.

But it didn’t worry Embroider Maiden too much. Now that they had enough silver to settle down, if Wu Wei wanted to return to her hometown, Embroider Maiden was willing to go with her. Wu Wei had mentioned that she had no family left there—how could they leave a home with no one to watch over it? It would be all too easy for someone to take advantage or bully them.

Embroider Maiden had thought this through long ago. As long as Wu Wei didn’t mind, she was ready to follow her anywhere.

Besides, Embroider Maiden had no real ties left in Qinglu County. Once Second Sister’s child was born, that would wrap up one major milestone for her and Second Brother-in-law.

As for Mother… even if Embroider Maiden wanted to show her filial piety, she feared it might not be possible.

Wu Wei felt deeply grateful for Embroider Maiden’s understanding and for not probing further.

…

This trip to the market was unburdened, making the journey far more pleasant.

Wu Wei and Embroider Maiden even had the leisure to enjoy the scenery along the way: green shoots poking up from the roadside grass, fresh life budding on the tree branches, and a faint fragrance lingering in the air. Whenever they spotted something particularly beautiful, Wu Wei would recite a line or two of poetry. Embroider Maiden, ever eager to learn, would repeat after her. Seeing this, Wu Wei simply recited an entire poem from start to finish, patiently explaining each character, its form, and its meaning. Both of them were in high spirits.

When they reached the market, the lively bustle lifted their moods, and Embroider Maiden and Wu Wei exchanged a smile.

Their home was so quiet by comparison—occasional visits to the market were just the thing to brighten their spirits.

“Embroider Maiden, look,” Wu Wei said, giving her hand a squeeze.

Embroider Maiden turned her head and smiled behind pursed lips.

What Wu Wei had pointed out was just an ordinary stall—the very spot where they had once sold their cured meat. It was Embroider Maiden’s first time hawking wares, and the memory was still vivid.

Wu Wei glanced around. She and Embroider Maiden had grown so familiar with this market. They had shopped at several stores and street stalls alike… In the blink of an eye, they had created so many memories here together.

Outside the Money House, Wu Wei said, “Embroider Maiden, give me the gold leaves and step back a bit. Wait for me over there.”

Embroider Maiden nodded, took out her coin purse, and handed it over. “I’ll wait for you up ahead, under the archway.”

The word “archway” made Wu Wei’s heart skip a beat. The question that had long troubled her resurfaced: Was the portal she’d been seeking the lake… or the archway?

A commemorative archway stood at one end of the market, erected a century ago to honor the great benefactor who had funded the street. Legend had it that it marked the spot.

Wu Wei clutched the coin purse, her feet rooted to the ground as she watched Embroider Maiden’s retreating figure until it vanished into the crowd.

She pressed a hand to her chest and let out a slow breath.

In that moment, Wu Wei felt deeply uneasy. She had pondered this before: perhaps the true portal wasn’t the lake at all, but an archway. Shortly after her arrival, she had scoured every local archway she could find, yet none matched her memories. Crucially, she recalled the inscription reading “Yuhong County,” while this place was Qinglu County. She had even asked around about Yuhong County, but the Liang Dynasty was vast… No one she spoke to had ever heard of it.

Only later did Wu Wei gradually abandon the search for the archway, devoting all her efforts to that secluded lake instead.

Forcing down her discomfort, Wu Wei stepped into the Money House.

She exchanged the three gold leaves for thirty taels of silver. She had brought along a sturdy length of coarse cloth; she pocketed five taels separately, wrapped the rest securely, and asked a clerk to tie it tightly behind her back, safeguarding the silver against her chest.

But instead of heading straight out, Wu Wei went in the opposite direction after leaving the Money House. She wove through the crowds toward busier areas, stopped in at several shops, and eventually slipped out the back door of Returning Spring Hall onto a neighboring street. She took a long detour before arriving at the archway from the other side.

Embroider Maiden stood there with a bamboo basket on her back, facing away from Wu Wei. Wu Wei crept up quietly and tapped her left shoulder, then swiftly ducked low to the right. Embroider Maiden turned and saw no one, so Wu Wei tapped her right shoulder next. Embroider Maiden took a couple of quick steps forward, whirled around, and spotted Wu Wei grinning ear to ear.

“Weiwei! You’re teasing me again!” Embroider Maiden said, stamping her foot twice.

Wu Wei waved her arms and hopped in front of her, laughing. “Did I scare you?”

“…No. How did you get behind me? The Money House is the other way.” Embroider Maiden had been watching that direction the whole time—if Wu Wei hadn’t shown up soon, she would have gone looking.

Wu Wei blinked and took her hand, leading her away. After a short distance, she explained, “The Money House was packed today. A couple of people stared at me a bit too long while I was exchanging the silver. I took a big detour after leaving—came through the back of Returning Spring Hall to the next street over. Didn’t you say that steamed bass last time was delicious? Let’s treat ourselves at Hundred Flavors Building, then pick up some nourishing things for Second Sister.”

“Sure.”

At Hundred Flavors Building, Wu Wei ordered steamed bass, sweet bamboo shoots stir-fried with wild mushrooms, and poached chicken.

They enjoyed a hearty, satisfying meal. When settling the bill, Wu Wei slipped the waiter an extra three taels of silver. He understood at once, tucking it deftly into his elaborately wrapped waistband, and saw them out with a beaming smile.

After just a few steps, the waiter bowed and said, “Miss Wu, if you ever need someone to run errands in the future, just say the word.”

“Don’t worry, little brother. We’ll be off now.”

The waiter called out cheerfully, “Take care! Come back soon!”

…

Back at the market, Wu Wei bought a large slab of pork belly, two pairs of pig trotters, two lamb legs, and two old hens, packing all the ingredients into the bamboo basket and slinging it over her own back.

Embroider Maiden said, “The weather’s warming up—fresh meat won’t keep long. Should we buy some cured meat too?”

Wu Wei laughed. “Would Second Brother-in-law’s house ever run short on cured meat? I know two soups that are perfect for a woman in postpartum recovery. This time, I’ll pass the recipes to Old Madam and ask her to make them for Second Sister.”

“Thank you,” Embroider Maiden said.

“What for? Second Sister and Second Brother-in-law are good people all around. They helped us so much back when times were tough. Giving birth is like walking through the gates of hell—not just during labor, but for a long time after. She needs proper care and nourishment. If she develops any lingering ailments, she’ll suffer for years. I know a thing or two about this—hopefully Old Lady Zhang will listen, and Second Sister will take good care of herself instead of jumping right back into work after the baby comes.”

Embroider Maiden nodded. “By the dates, the baby should arrive right around harvest time, when the fields are at their busiest.”

“Exactly. Come on, let’s grab some more ingredients.”

Wu Wei and Embroider Maiden picked up dangshen, red dates, goji berries, fresh white radishes, plump high-quality yellow soybeans, and more until the bamboo basket was stuffed to the brim. They even took out the two old hens for Embroider Maiden to carry by hand.

When Wu Wei and Embroider Maiden arrived at the Zhang Family home, only Old Lady Zhang and Second Lady Liu were there—the men had gone to work the fields.

The moment the Big Fortune Stars appeared, Old Madam called out joyfully and hurried over to greet them. Even Second Lady Liu, who had been resting in the west room, came out.

Wu Wei smiled sweetly. “Greetings, Aunt. Embroider Maiden and I came to visit and brought a little something…”

Tears welled up in Old Madam’s eyes. She wiped them away, gently patted Wu Wei’s arm, and said excitedly, “You child—we should be the ones bringing gifts to thank you properly. And you came all this way carrying things besides! Now that you’re here, don’t leave. Stay with us for a few days. Second Lady, Second Lady…”

Second Lady Liu was making her way over, supporting her waist. Embroider Maiden hurried forward to steady her. “Second Sister, take it slow.”

Second Lady Liu’s eyes reddened instantly. “Third Sister, Weiwei—our family can never repay your great kindness.”

Old Madam helped Wu Wei unload the bamboo basket. “Weiwei, Third Sister—you two must be tired. Go rest in the west room first. I’ll head to the fields and fetch the menfolk.” With that, she hurried off.

At first, Wu Wei and Embroider Maiden were a bit puzzled, but Wu Wei quickly caught on. Old Madam and Second Lady Liu were so emotional probably because of the reward silver from Old Yan Prince. After all, even Gao Ningxue had said her grandfather was generous—Zhang Shuisheng must have received a handsome sum.

The three of them stepped into the house, and Second Lady Liu clutched Wu Wei’s hand, wiping away fresh tears. Even after all these days, she couldn’t hide her lingering excitement. “Weiwei,” she said, “Father-in-law and your second brother-in-law both told me that the job you lined up for him… well, you could’ve handled it yourself! It was clearly just an excuse to hand our family a pile of silver for nothing. You’re too good-hearted, girl—what am I supposed to say to that?”

“Second Sister,” Wu Wei replied, “you’re pregnant. Don’t get too worked up. We’re all family—no need for such formalities between us.”

Embroider Maiden nodded in agreement. “That’s right, Second Sister. Wipe those tears away quick, before you harm the baby.”

Only then did Second Lady Liu break into laughter through her tears. Yet her gazes toward the two women brimmed with gratitude all the same, especially the look she gave Wu Wei—one mingled with outright admiration that threatened to spill over.

A straightforward soul who could never hold her tongue, Second Lady Liu sniffled and continued, “We absolutely can’t take all that silver. The whole family talked it over and decided to keep only half. You and Embroider Maiden, take the rest back. Your second brother-in-law originally wanted to bring it over himself. First off, he was worried about showing up unannounced and interrupting your important business, Weiwei. And second, Father-in-law pointed out that two young women guarding so much silver isn’t safe. It works out perfectly, though, since you mentioned wanting to settle down in Zhang Family Village. Once you’ve got your house built, he’ll quietly bring it over. He’ll even build you a secret compartment in the cellar with his own hands, stash the silver inside, and not breathe a word to anyone. No outsiders will ever catch wind of it.”