Chapter 28: Planning for You

A silent smile bloomed on Wu Wei’s face. She felt as if a chubby little child’s hand had reached out from somewhere and given her a gentle poke—utterly endearing.

Unfortunately, it was too dark outside to make out the Embroider Maiden’s expression clearly.

Wu Wei took hold of the Embroider Maiden’s hands and swung them gently back and forth. “Embroider Maiden~?” she called softly.

“Mm!” The Embroider Maiden’s eyes brimmed with anticipation, waiting for Wu Wei to say, “All right, let’s head home.”

“Are you worried I’ll get bullied, Embroider Maiden?” Wu Wei asked.

The Embroider Maiden nodded, then worried that Wu Wei couldn’t see in the dark and whispered, “Second Sister said that man’s no good… I’ve seen him a few times, staring at you with those beady eyes. Let’s go home—we don’t need to stay here.” Her beautiful face twisted in concern, but Wu Wei fell silent for a moment before saying softly, “Embroider Maiden~ thank you.”

“W-What’s wrong?”

“Thank you for caring about me like this, for looking out for me.”

“No, I just…”

“Do you want to hear what I’m really thinking, Embroider Maiden?”

“Yes.”

“Embroider Maiden, other people’s eyes and mouths are on their own bodies—you can’t control what they say or where they look. We live in this world seeking only a clear conscience. As long as our hearts are pure and our actions upright, free of dirty thoughts or shady deeds, what do we care about others? I know you’re looking out for me with good intentions, but let’s think about it another way. Isn’t it possible that what I said caught his attention, and he’s just staring because he’s mulling it over?”

“Really?” the Embroider Maiden asked.

“I’m not in his head—how should I know? While we protect ourselves, we should view the world around us with the utmost goodwill. That way, we won’t wear ourselves out living. We’re already exhausted from working hard to make money and improve our lives. This deal won’t work without Zhang Cheng. On my own… I couldn’t earn much.”

“We could…” The Embroider Maiden started to say they could save up slowly, but the words caught in her throat as she realized she had no talent for making money. The thirty-five cash coins saved at home had all come from Wu Wei’s hard labor. Thinking of the spots where the bamboo basket had worn through Wu Wei’s clothes, and the way her shoes had deformed from so much walking, the Embroider Maiden couldn’t say another word. And Wu Wei needed travel money for the capital—how long would it take if they just kept carrying firewood to the market?

“Embroider Maiden~, I want to build you a new house. Not a thatched hut, but a sturdy wooden one, spacious and solid. The roof tiled with fine shingles, brick walls around it, a little granary in the yard, and a cellar dug out. Then we can raise some chickens and get a big wolfhound to guard the place! That old house of yours… it’s barely livable in winter. Come summer rains, I’m really afraid it’ll collapse. And it’s so remote—if someone meant you harm, you’d have nowhere to call for help. None of this can happen just from selling firewood. The things I know… they have limited value here, you know? Today, Second Brother-in-Law and the others earned a whole string of cash. By our cut, that’s two hundred cash coins for us! Embroider Maiden~.”

Wu Wei’s plans sounded like a dream in the Embroider Maiden’s ears. She wanted to ask what about Wu Wei’s own plans—the money for heading to the capital? The Embroider Maiden didn’t even know where the capital was or how far away it lay, but she didn’t dare voice her doubts, as if asking would somehow delay Wu Wei’s departure.

“Mm, I’ll listen to you,” the Embroider Maiden said softly.

“Let’s head back then. If we stay out too long, Second Sister and Second Brother-in-Law will worry.”

“Okay.”

“Oh, right—what do you think of Second Brother-in-Law’s invitation for us to stay for the New Year?”

“I’d love to spend it with Second Sister. We haven’t all gathered for New Year’s Eve since she got married. But what about Old Madam…?”

“Don’t worry. Leave it to me.”

…

When the two returned to the house, Zhang Shuisheng and Zhang Cheng had already finished a small basin of white rice and were munching on the leftover flatbreads from dinner.

Wu Wei spoke up first. “Second Sister, Second Brother-in-Law, the Embroider Maiden just told me she’s thrilled to spend the New Year here, but she’s worried about the food stored at home. No cellar there—the hall room might spoil it. How about I go back tomorrow and bring over the stuff that doesn’t keep well: the meat, fish, and a basket of eggs?”

Second Lady Liu said, “Rest up, you two. Keep those things for yourselves—you’ve got it hard enough as it is.”

“Second Sister, the village head gave us a big hunk of fresh meat before. Afraid it’d go bad, I cut it up and hung it in the yard. The fish is out there too. If we don’t fetch it, by the time we get back, the rats will have eaten it all.”

“Oh dear, we can’t have that. Tomorrow, I’ll go with you. Come spring, I’ll have your brother-in-law bring men to dig you a cellar.”

“Second Sister, the Embroider Maiden and I should go,” said the Embroider Maiden.

Wu Wei’s heart stirred—this was the perfect chance to dig for the truth. “No, Second Sister and I will go. It’s getting colder these days. Your cotton jacket’s too thin—you’ll catch a chill.”

“Exactly. I’ve been meaning to say, in a few days at market, we should buy some cotton to pad it. Feel how thin this layer is—it’s not enough.”

Zhang Shuisheng said, “We’re out of red paper at home. Tomorrow I have to head to market early. Mother’s heard Third Sister’s needlework is top-notch. Have her come to the west room tomorrow—you can teach her.”

Hearing this, the Embroider Maiden finally nodded in reluctant agreement. Wu Wei thought it over and understood: the Embroider Maiden truly placed great stock in propriety between men and women.

…

The night passed uneventfully. The next morning, after breakfast, the three set out together and parted at the village entrance. Wu Wei and Second Lady Liu each shouldered a bamboo basket and headed toward the Embroider Maiden’s old house. Wu Wei wore a sheepskin jacket borrowed from Old Man Liu. He was slight of build, so it was a bit large on her, but it kept the chill winds at bay. Both women wrapped their heads in scarves—the winter mountain gusts were fierce. Without protection, they’d return with ruddy, windburned faces by spring.

With Second Lady Liu leading the way, they made better time than on the trip out. At the Embroider Maiden’s old house, Second Lady Liu pointed to one corner of the yard and sighed. “There used to be a shed over there—that’s where us sisters bathed. I used to wash the Embroider Maiden when she was little. When we built the new place, we tore it down and used the wood for kindling.”

Second Lady Liu opened up on her own, which suited Wu Wei perfectly. Wu Wei gathered an armful of firewood. “Second Sister, come inside, warm up, and have a bite before we go. It’s still early.”

“Sure. It’s brutally cold today—my legs are numb.”

Before entering, Second Lady Liu took down the meat hanging from the eaves and added it to the basket holding the fish. She poked through the fish and laughed. “No worries. In this deep winter, even the rats are hibernating—no one’s stealing bites.”

They lit a fire in the house. After half a watch, the room finally warmed. Second Lady Liu placed their scarves on the kang to dry, while Wu Wei boiled water and brought in two bowls.

The two sat across from each other at the low kang table. Second Lady Liu gazed around the old house, lost in memories.

A bowl of hot water down, their bodies warmed too. Wu Wei called out, “Second Sister.”

“Yes?”

“I’ve had a question on my mind. Couldn’t ask in front of the Embroider Maiden, but now it’s just us sisters. I hope you can clear it up for me.” Wu Wei laced her fingers together on the table, eyes fixed on Second Lady Liu.

Meeting Wu Wei’s gaze, Second Lady Liu’s heart skipped, and she grew tense. “Go ahead and ask.”

“I want to know: in the Liu family, is Second Sister the only one who’s good to the Embroider Maiden?”

Hearing the question, Second Lady Liu relaxed. “Of course not. Father and Mother both dote on Third Sister! Otherwise, why keep her at home all these years, never willing to let her go?”

Wu Wei didn’t fully buy the latter half, but she let it pass. From the Embroider Maiden’s occasional mentions these days, Wu Wei sensed the Liu family’s eldest daughter bore ill will toward her. And Old Lady Liu hadn’t visited once since the Embroider Maiden split off to live alone! Without Second Lady Liu’s staunch protection, Wu Wei might have suspected the Embroider Maiden wasn’t their blood daughter.

Of course, without a blood test, who could say? Physical traits were heavily shaped by environment and living conditions, especially in this era. Second Lady Liu looked at least twenty years older than the Embroider Maiden—not at all like sisters.

Wu Wei had her reasons for pursuing this. The longer she spent with the Embroider Maiden, the less at ease she felt. The thought of what the Embroider Maiden might face alone after Wu Wei returned to her own world kept her awake nights.

The Embroider Maiden was too innocent, too kind and soft. She wouldn’t even argue back or bicker when needed.

Judging from the Liu family’s refusal to return the betrothal gifts, Wu Wei suspected they might not let Embroider Maiden go so easily. For instance, once a few years had passed and the scandal died down, they could shamelessly come to take her back. Or they might demand an exorbitant bride price and marry her off to some man with defects or a flawed character. Who would protect her then? Who would stand up and speak fairly on her behalf?

Even if someone tried, the Liu family could always dismiss it with a curt “family matter.”

After much deliberation, Wu Wei resolved to investigate the Liu family thoroughly. Before she departed, she would do everything in her power to build a stronghold around Embroider Maiden.

Wu Wei’s silence took on a different meaning in Second Lady Liu’s eyes. The woman hesitated for a moment before sighing. “Third Sister… she endured some hardships. Every family has its own cross to bear… There was just no helping it…”

“My parents had no son. Once they passed forty, the gossip started flying, and there were relatives just waiting to prey on a childless household. My parents were honest people, bullied their whole lives until they were terrified of it. Third Sister suffered some wrongs, but actually, Eldest Sister had it the worst… She could handle the work of a grown laborer. The moment she was taller than the fence, she was out in the fields. She was always seeing our father get bullied, so her temper grew fierce—she’d grab a carrying pole and fight back. Later, all three sisters were born, and I could help in the fields too. For those few years, we three sisters were quite close… until what came later…”