Chapter 85: Embracing in Slumber

Embroider Maiden froze, listening to Wu Wei’s explanation. Her mind involuntarily flashed back to the gaze Wu Wei had fixed on her earlier that day. At the time, Embroider Maiden had sensed a thousand unspoken words in those eyes. Now, her heart felt like a dam bursting, unleashing a torrent of powerful, inexpressible emotions. Even the usually steadfast Embroider Maiden couldn’t hold back the tears welling in her reddened eyes; a heat burned at the back of them, and her chest tightened with ache.

Fortunately, the room was pitch black, so Wu Wei didn’t notice. Embroider Maiden steadied her breathing, a touch embarrassed at the thought of Wu Wei discovering her vulnerability.

Who in this world didn’t yearn for someone who truly cared for them from the heart?

After speaking her piece, Wu Wei let out a soft sigh on her own behalf. She hadn’t noticed Embroider Maiden’s reaction at all. Those words had come straight from her heart—sincere and heartfelt. Once said, she didn’t feel any particular regret.

Seeing that Embroider Maiden had fallen silent, Wu Wei lay back flat as well. She still pillowed her head on her arm, staring up at the ceiling. The air was filled with a pleasant woody fragrance. Wu Wei knew she was just a fluke intruder in this unrecorded slice of time on Blue Star—a tiny mayfly adrift in the cosmos, a single grain of sand in the ocean. She wasn’t that narcissistic; she’d never fancied herself capable of altering history or bearing some grand destiny. Her arrival was likely just a glitch in the spacetime machinery, an undiscovered bug that might get patched any day now. She could wake up back home, the whole thing revealed as nothing more than a dream.

Wu Wei couldn’t help curving her lips in a faint smile, but suddenly, an unease stirred in her heart, gradually turning into outright rejection.

She knew exactly where that feeling came from. She didn’t want this crossing to be just a dream. She couldn’t bear the thought of a wonderful woman like Embroider Maiden existing only in some fleeting illusion—even though she’d secretly wished, in quieter moments, to awaken back on Blue Star.

No matter how conflicted Wu Wei’s heart felt, one thing remained crystal clear: she lacked the power to change an entire era. Blending in—when in Rome—was her best defense.

Sure, when she’d first crossed over, she’d used a bit of cleverness and nerve to trick the village head of Little Locust Village out of enough grain to survive the winter. But if she had to do it over, Wu Wei might choose differently.

She’d realized how insignificant she was in this spacetime. Even a single punch from Li Tieniu could send her straight to the afterlife. She didn’t want her “uniqueness” to bring trouble or suffering to Embroider Maiden or those around her.

Wu Wei felt a pang of homesickness—for a homeland with sound laws, where citizens’ education far outstripped this place; for her parents; for a society where bullies couldn’t harass her at will, where police could rush to her side in three minutes flat.

As memories of Blue Star’s comforts flooded her mind, a sharp pain stabbed at a corner of her heart. She knew she couldn’t let go of Embroider Maiden. Returning to Blue Star would mean an eternal farewell.

Wu Wei’s thoughts churned in chaos, shuttling back and forth between Blue Star and Qinglu County.

Suddenly, she felt the quilt lift as Embroider Maiden slipped inside. Without thinking, Wu Wei opened her arms, and Embroider Maiden nestled right into the crook of her elbow.

The room’s heavy silence inexplicably made Embroider Maiden’s heart race. As if compelled by some unseen force, she had burrowed into Wu Wei’s bedding.

It had been some time since they’d shared a quilt. Once their household fortunes improved and they each had their own bedding, they’d stopped sleeping together. Now, with the new house built, the thought of Wu Wei moving to the west room—each in her separate space—filled Embroider Maiden with unexpected panic.

Like a weary bird returning to its nest, Embroider Maiden curled obediently in Wu Wei’s embrace without a word. Wu Wei smiled warmly, her hand stroking Embroider Maiden’s back in lazy, soothing motions. In a gentle voice, she murmured, “It’s all in the past. Things will only get better from here.”

Embroider Maiden rubbed her face against Wu Wei’s clothes, quietly drying her damp eyes. In a low voice, she said, “My parents were always quiet, honest folk. Back when Father was alive, Eldest Sister and Eldest Brother-in-Law were at least somewhat respectful. But after Liu Dahu was born, Eldest Sister grew fiercely partial, always scheming to claim more for the child. Father would pinch portions from his own rations—one or two mouthfuls at a time—and slip them into my bowl. Eldest Sister might scowl, but she wouldn’t say a word. She’s always been sharp-tongued, and Mother never dared speak up against her. Father would just look at me and sigh… I knew he felt sorry for me. In his final days, he gazed at me with that same deep, heavy look. I was too stunned to realize it then, but much later, it hit me—he couldn’t bear to leave me behind. I don’t blame Mother. She has to rely on Eldest Sister and Eldest Brother-in-Law from now on. If Father were still alive to back her up, she probably wouldn’t have gone along with Eldest Sister to pressure me like that. I thought… no one would ever truly care for me or cherish me again. Not until Second Sister defied the family split and came rushing over, travel-worn, with supplies to help. Not until Second Brother-in-Law kept pitching in, time after time. And… Weiwei.”

Wu Wei turned onto her side, pulling Embroider Maiden close into her arms, her chin resting atop Embroider Maiden’s head.

“Weiwei, thank you.” Embroider Maiden didn’t know how else to express the surge in her heart; a simple “thank you” would have to suffice.

Wu Wei patted Embroider Maiden’s back and said softly, “It’ll be okay. It’s late… We have to rise early tomorrow. A brand-new day awaits.”

…

The next day, Zhang Shuisheng arrived with three burly young men. The four of them set to work building the woodshed. The others were curious about Wu Wei’s unusual setup, but after her explanation, they nodded in understanding and praised her. “Miss Wu, what a clever idea! Tomorrow, I’ll have someone build one like this in our yard. Come summer, my mom and sister can cool off too.”

The others chimed in with agreement. Wu Wei then explained how to make a simple shower: hang a big bucket of sun-warmed water, and it could serve two or three washes.

She cautioned them not to skimp on effort by making the bucket too large—lest the frame collapse under the weight and injure someone. Best to keep it offset from directly overhead. They all nodded, committing it to memory.

All four were skilled laborers. By noon, they’d finished both the frame and the woodshed. Zhang Shuisheng gripped the supporting posts and shook hard; they didn’t budge an inch. He turned to Wu Wei. “All set. Put the bucket right overhead—it’ll only make the frame more stable. No wind’ll topple it, and it won’t wobble when you climb up or down. What do you think, little sister?”

“Thanks, Second Brother-in-Law. Everyone’s worked hard today—plenty of braised pork to go around, plus Aunt Zhang’s handmade steamed buns from white flour.”

The four headed off cheerfully to eat. After lunch and a short rest, they used the leftover materials to fence in Wu Wei’s vegetable garden, add trellises for the plants to climb, and build a chicken coop in the corner.

With everything done, they thanked Wu Wei for the dinner invitation but declined. The three visitors headed down the mountain together, telling Wu Wei and Embroider Maiden to call on them anytime they needed help.

Zhang Shuisheng hitched up the ox cart, settling Old Lady Zhang and Second Lady Liu aboard, carefully packing the little quilts and clothes they’d made for the unborn child these past few days. He said to Wu Wei, “Little sister, meet me at the marketplace entrance at dawn tomorrow. I’ve lined up a few tenant families— we’ll go check them out together.”

“Got it. Second Brother-in-Law, don’t forget to fetch the old gentleman from Returning Spring Hall four days from now, bright and early. Prep a good feast—he’s a real foodie!”

“Don’t worry.”

Second Lady Liu gazed fondly at her youngest sister, holding her hand and offering a few more words of advice. Seeing the reluctance in Embroider Maiden’s eyes as she clung to her hand, calling “Second Sister” over and over, Second Lady Liu’s own heart ached. Forcing a smile, she said, “Don’t be silly! You’ve got such a spacious new house now—you should be thrilled. Back when you lived in the old place so far away, it never stopped us sisters from visiting. Now we’re in the same village; whenever you miss me, just head down the mountain. I’ll whip up something tasty for you!”

“Mm!” Embroider Maiden brightened at last and nodded.

Second Lady Liu patted her hand with satisfaction. “Take good care of Weiwei. Cherish a sister like her—nurture that bond with care.”

“I know, Second Sister. We’ve still got some fabric left at home. In a few days, once I’ve sewn the clothes, I’ll come visit. I’ll save up some Yunying eggs for you to nourish yourself during your confinement.”

…

Zhang Shuisheng drove the ox cart away. Since it was downhill, the passengers had to sit facing backward for stability, so they shouted their goodbyes until the cart vanished into the trees.

At the base of the mountain, where the road leveled out, Second Lady Liu was wiping away tears when Zhang Shuisheng let out a surprised “Eh?” She and Old Lady Zhang turned around, puzzled as well.

There stood Zhang Cheng, whom they hadn’t seen in days. Spotting Zhang Shuisheng, he approached with a cupped-fist salute. “Shuisheng.”

Zhang Shuisheng released the reins and returned the gesture. “Zhang Cheng? What brings you out this way?”

His home was several li away…

Zhang Cheng replied, “I’m here looking for Miss Wu. I heard by chance she’d moved here and wanted to say goodbye.”

“Goodbye?”

“Indeed, tomorrow I set off for the prefectural seat to sit the Autumn Provincial Exam. If things go smoothly… I can head straight to the Capital afterward, rent a little courtyard on the outskirts ahead of time, and prepare for next year’s Spring Metropolitan Exam.”

Zhang Shuisheng asked, “Isn’t leaving a bit early? The Spring Metropolitan Exam… that’s February or March next year, right?”

Zhang Cheng smiled and replied, “The prefectural seat is different from the countryside, after all. I need to arrive early to acclimate to the new environment and avoid getting sick. I’ve heard from my classmates that in the Capital around the Spring Metropolitan Exam, the inns near the exam halls and the suburban courtyards are all in high demand, with prices skyrocketing. It’s better for me to go sooner: first, to get accustomed to the place, and second, to visit the academies and exam halls in the Capital, deliver some calling cards. If I catch a famous teacher’s eye, I might even get some pointers.”

Zhang Shuisheng caught the implication in Zhang Cheng’s words. It seemed this exam was a sure success for him. At the same time, a weight settled in Zhang Shuisheng’s heart. Even with Zhang Cheng’s family being so well-off, they had to head to the Capital early to economize on travel expenses. With his own modest savings… could he really manage it?