Second Lady Liu glanced around the room. Seeing that her husband hadn’t spoken up to stop her, her younger sister looked curious, and Wu Wei seemed lost in thought, she grew excited and continued, “Sun Family Second Aunt’s cousin’s brother-in-law works as a kitchen hand in Prince Yan’s residence. I heard from Sun Family Second Aunt that seven pearls as big as goose eggs have appeared in Prince Yan’s fief—like fruits hanging there, poking out from the stone walls. Guess what happened next?”
By the time Second Lady Liu reached this point, Wu Wei already wanted to laugh. First off, pearls were supposed to come from the sea, not mountains. Second, pearls that size were incredibly rare; even one would be a freak occurrence. Seven at once, all emerging from stone walls? It sounded like a plot from some hot-blooded anime. Wu Wei figured this so-called “auspicious portent” was probably fake—either exaggerated in the retelling or deliberately fabricated for some scheme.
Wu Wei stayed silent. Growing impatient, Zhang Shuisheng said, “Quit beating around the bush.” With two out of her three listeners failing to play along, Second Lady Liu felt a bit embarrassed, though Embroider Maiden’s reaction pleased her somewhat. Embroider Maiden stared at her expectantly, clearly eager to hear what came next.
Second Lady Liu cleared her throat and went on, “The place where they found the pearls is called Incense Furnace Mountain—a real feng shui treasure spot! Legend has it that’s where immortals refined their pills. Prince Yan had a palace built on the mountain, where he’s firing up the furnaces to refine immortal pills to offer to His Majesty!”
After finishing, Second Lady Liu drained the bowl of water in front of her. Embroider Maiden, hanging on every word, asked, “And then what?”
“And then… well, take a look at that rag your brother-in-law has—it’s copied from the notice board at the County Yamen. One stalk for a hundred cash. If you could find ten or twenty before the heavy snow blocks the roads, you’d have a lavish New Year this year.”
Zhang Shuisheng sighed regretfully. “Alas, too bad Eldest Brother-in-Law hurt his back. I don’t have any brothers at home, and my cousins aren’t in Qinglu County. By the time I track them down, the snow will have sealed the mountains. It’ll be too late.”
“Couldn’t you go yourself, Second Brother-in-Law? Or team up with folks from the village and head up together?”
Zhang Shuisheng shot Second Lady Liu a glance, and she caught on quick, explaining, “Silly girl, for tough jobs like war, you rely on close brothers; for the battlefield, it’s father and son. Our father-in-law’s legs haven’t been good these past few years—that’s why we had to call on Eldest Brother-in-Law. Two of them going together at least have each other’s backs, and it takes a good month or so for a trip like that. With family, the reward splits easy—who gets more or less is just a word. Going with outsiders? It’s never quite the same.”
Embroider Maiden listened, half understanding. Wu Wei got the picture, though. The real fear wasn’t coming back empty-handed; it was uneven shares leading to trouble. Out in those wild mountains, who knew if someone might get greedy? That could turn deadly.
Zhang Shuisheng glanced at Wu Wei and suddenly said, “If only Miss Wu were a man—I’d invite you to come along for sure.”
“Your mouth really has no filter, spouting nonsense again,” Second Lady Liu scolded him.
Zhang Shuisheng chuckled sheepishly and explained, “I didn’t mean anything by it. We’ve only just met, but I trust Miss Wu’s character. She isn’t mad, so why are you?”
Second Lady Liu shot Zhang Shuisheng a glare, then turned to Wu Wei. “Miss Wu, he’s just a big oaf. Don’t mind him.”
“It’s fine, Second Sister. I know Brother-in-Law meant no harm. Second Sister, Brother-in-Law… about this matter, I’d like to share my thoughts. I’ve been under Embroider Maiden’s care these days, and you two are genuinely kind people. If I say anything off-base, please bear with me.”
Second Lady Liu and her husband exchanged a look, surprised by Wu Wei’s formality. Second Lady Liu straightened up and said, “Go ahead, Miss Wu.”
“Well, I think gathering herbs on the mountain is best avoided. Sure, a hundred cash per stalk is above market price, but nothing’s worth more than your life. As Brother-in-Law said, once you’re in those mountains, it’s a full month—who knows what could happen? This time of year, some beasts haven’t hibernated yet. What if you run into one? How do you survive a month up there? Food? Shelter? And if a big snow traps you and you can’t get down?”
Zhang Shuisheng frowned, pondering for a long while before saying, “Some of those herbs grow right here in Qinglu County. With luck, you could pick dozens…”
Wu Wei did a quick calculation. Dozens would fetch a nice sum—enough to build a few rooms.
She smiled politely but didn’t press further. Some things you could only hint at; the choice was theirs.
On the other hand, Second Lady Liu took Wu Wei’s words to heart. “Maybe we shouldn’t go. You can’t even find a helper anyway. Perhaps it’s the heavens’ will.”
…
The Liu couple left, inviting Wu Wei and Embroider Maiden to visit when they had time. Embroider Maiden and Wu Wei cleared the dishes together. Embroider Maiden washed while Wu Wei wiped them dry with a clean cloth. As she worked, Embroider Maiden asked Wu Wei, “Do you think Second Brother-in-Law will go?”
“No idea. But this doesn’t sound like a good opportunity. I have my doubts about that so-called auspicious sign.” Now that it was just the two of them at home, Wu Wei voiced her true feelings.
“Auspicious signs can be fake?” Embroider Maiden paused mid-scrub, staring at Wu Wei in shock.
Wu Wei leaned close to her ear and whispered, “Keep it down—this isn’t something to spread around. Just between us, got it?”
Embroider Maiden nodded vigorously. Wu Wei continued, “In this world, absolute truth or falsehood is rare. You verify it through investigation and practice. Doubting keeps your mind clear to spot overlooked details.” She paused, stunned. Those words were from her father, back when she was little. Why had they just slipped out?
Embroider Maiden gazed at her with those clear eyes, unwavering. Wu Wei felt something stir in her heart. Smiling, she asked, “Didn’t get it?”
Embroider Maiden nodded.
“It means, when big decisions come up, don’t blindly trust others. Quietly ask yourself ‘why’ now and then. That way, you stay sharp and don’t get fooled. Clear now?”
Embroider Maiden nodded, then blurted out without thinking, “Then I…”
“Hm?”
“Nothing, never mind.” Embroider Maiden ducked her head, spinning the plate in her hands so fast that her fingers squeaked against its surface.
Sharp as she was, Wu Wei guessed what Embroider Maiden had almost said. But after a moment’s thought, she decided not to pursue it. She didn’t belong to this era. Since she’d crossed over once, there must be a way back. Unable to stay as Embroider Maiden’s support, why give her false hope?
Surviving alone as a woman in this time was no easy feat. Wu Wei figured the most she could do was build Embroider Maiden’s independence and skills before she left.
Though only three years apart, to Wu Wei, Embroider Maiden sometimes seemed as innocent as a child. Years of being treated like a money-making machine at home had left her naive, hardworking, and unquestioning. But now she’d split off on her own and had to shoulder everything. She needed to grow up fast—life’s storms waited for no one.
With the dishes done, the sun dipping low in the west, Wu Wei grabbed a bamboo basket and her axe, heading out to split wood by the lake and haul it back.
The stove fire blazed warmly, the bedroom cozy and quiet with a touch of leisure. Yet Embroider Maiden felt at a loss. She thought to fetch water, but the jar was nearly full. The main room’s food stores were neatly arranged, every windowsill, kang, and surface she’d cleaned that morning. She’d swept the house and yard too—no needlework waited either.
Back in the old days at this hour, she’d be boiling pig slop, mucking the cowshed, or minding Liu Dahu. There was always work.
With nothing to do, Embroider Maiden felt a hole in her chest. Wu Wei had barely left, and already she missed her, counting the moments till her return.
Suddenly, a sharp cramp twisted in her belly, followed by that familiar sensation. Embroider Maiden dashed to the main room, grabbing a rag and scooping wood ash from the bucket…
Wu Wei made one trip back with a full basket of firewood, stacking it in the yard before heading out again. By her second return, basket brimming with split logs, the sun had nearly set.
“Embroider Maiden, I’m back.”
“Mm! I’ll get dinner going…”
“No need, I can handle it.” Entering the house, Wu Wei saw Embroider Maiden perched on a stool in the main room. Puzzled, she asked, “It’s freezing out—why aren’t you on the kang? What’s got you sitting here?” She ladled hot water from the pot to wash her face and hands.
After hesitating, Embroider Maiden murmured, “I-I’m not clean right now. I won’t go in.”
Wu Wei wiped her face with the cloth and replied offhand, “Oh, going to boil water for a bath? Use the room then—the main room’s cold; you’ll catch your death.”
“You go rest inside.”
“Don’t worry, I won’t peek.” Wu Wei went into the bedroom and flopped onto the kang. A crackle sounded from her body—today’s exertions had pushed her limits. Unwittingly, she drifted off. When she woke, night had fallen thick outside, the room pitch black.
“Embroider Maiden?” Wu Wei called.
“…I’m in the main room.”
Only then did Wu Wei finally realize something was wrong. She hurried into the main room, where the faint glow from the stove revealed the Embroider Maiden still sitting there, curled up tightly in obvious pain.
“Embroider Maiden, what’s wrong?!” Wu Wei dropped to a crouch in front of her and seized the Embroider Maiden’s hand. It was ice-cold.
“Why are your hands so cold? Are you sick? Come on, let me help you back inside!”
“No, I…” The Embroider Maiden wrenched her hand free and murmured in a voice so faint it was barely audible. “My period came. I’m unclean right now. I won’t go inside.”
The moment Wu Wei understood what the Embroider Maiden meant by “unclean,” a wave of heat rushed straight to her head. For the first time since arriving in this era, Wu Wei lost her temper. “What kind of talk is that?” she snapped.
Startled by Wu Wei, the Embroider Maiden stammered “I…” several times but couldn’t get another word out.
Wu Wei knit her brows and said sternly, “Back to the room!”
A few breaths later, muffled sobs rose from the Embroider Maiden. Wu Wei felt a sudden surge of helplessness. She crouched down again, took the woman’s hand to offer some comfort, but before she could speak, the Embroider Maiden said, “Weiwei, don’t be angry… I-I’m in so much pain, I can’t even move.”
Wu Wei fell silent. One arm slipped beneath the Embroider Maiden’s knees, the other under her armpits. She scooped the woman up and carried her toward the bedroom.
