Header Background Image
    The world's first crowdsourcing-driven asian bl novel translation community
    Chapter Index

    Chapter 305: Tong Sui & Xiao Zhen (Part 1)

    "If we had met before the engagement."

    After six consecutive years of warfare, the conflict between the imperial court and the two false emperors in the south finally came to an end. The imperial court was unable to reclaim the southeastern and southwestern territories occupied by the false emperors, and the false emperors could no longer advance northward. The financial resources of all three sides were exhausted, forcing them to cease hostilities.

    Xiao Shouyi, having fought in a region relatively closer, returned to Lingshui Village first. Xiao Zhen, Xiao Yan, and Xiao Ye, who were farther away, rescued Lin Ningfang and her servant under the scorching sun and then traveled for over a month, finally arriving home on the day of the Mid-Autumn Festival.

    Whether the imperial court won or lost mattered little to the common people, but this war caused the Xiao Family to lose the eldest son and grandson of the main branch.

    Once someone's gone, they're gone, and after two or three years had passed, Xiao Mu led the entire family to pay their respects at the ancestral graves before continuing to live their lives diligently.

    First, they sold the two warhorses issued by the imperial court as military pay, exchanging them for two large black mules and some extra silver. Then came the backbreaking yet rewarding autumn harvest. Once the grain was brought home, considering that Xiao Zhen and his three brothers were all of marriageable age, the patriarch decided to build three new adjacent courtyards. The middle one would be for him, the eastern courtyard for the main branch, and the West Court for the second branch.

    At this time in Lingshui Village, the Xiao Family was a prominent household on par with the Village Headman Sun Xinghai's family. With money and strong laborers, they hired over thirty young men from the same village to help. They worked tirelessly and completed the three new courtyards with side rooms by mid-October, standing tall and impressive, the envy of many.

    After resting for two days to regain their strength, Xiao Zhen and his four brothers began hunting in the mountains. With the houses built, they still needed money for wedding dowries. Using their skills, they hunted wild game to sell both fur and meat, ensuring they could hold respectable weddings.

    One day, while selling game in the city, Xiao Zhen heard that a wealthy man was craving wild goat meat and was willing to pay a high price for it.

    The Xiao Family didn't necessarily need the money, but if they managed to bag a wild goat, it would be a real treat.

    When Xiao Zhen mentioned this, Xiao Yan, Xiao Ye, and Xiao She were all eager to try, and even Xiao Shouyi wanted to venture into the mountains for a chance.

    Xiao Mu said, "Stay home and help me manage things. Let the four brothers go and handle this."

    With the large courtyard at home, there were already Liu'er, Mianmian, Yu Chan, Yao Ge Er, and A Fu to take care of, and now with the addition of the third brother's wife and Ah Zhen, it was best to have two men stay home to prevent any bold scoundrels from climbing the walls.

    Xiao Shouyi gave up on the idea of hunting.

    The four brothers spent several days in the mountains and managed to hunt a deer, but they didn't see a single wild goat.

    Xiao Zhen said, "Let's split up. Third Younger Brother and Fourth Younger Brother continue hunting nearby. I'll take Fifth Younger Brother to Taohuagou. The mountains there are deeper, so we might find something."

    Xiao Ye asked, "Why Fifth Younger Brother?" He was the actual younger brother.

    Xiao Zhen replied, "I'm done babysitting you all. I need some peace and quiet."

    Xiao She proudly puffed out his chest.

    Xiao Yan and Xiao Ye: "..."

    The Xiao Family only had two mules, with four saddles prepared—two single saddles and two double saddles, as the four brothers usually rode in pairs when hunting.

    After fitting the saddles, Xiao Zhen and Xiao She set off.

    Lingshui Village was twenty miles from Taohuagou. Taking care of the mules, the brothers rested a few times along the way and soon arrived at Taohuagou.

    Perhaps because Taohuagou rarely saw unfamiliar faces, the villagers sitting together at the village entrance, basking in the sun, looked at the two burly brothers with both curiosity and wariness.

    Xiao Zhen glanced at the large mountain to the north, which stood like a protective barrier, and dismounted with Xiao She. He cupped his hands in greeting to the villagers and said, "Respected elders, I am Xiao Zhen, and this is my younger brother Xiao She. We are from Lingshui Village to the south. We heard that a wealthy man in the city is looking to buy wild goat meat, so we came here to try our luck. Does your village have any hunters? We would like to ask about the conditions in the mountains."

    The terrain of the mountains varied from place to place, and before venturing in, Xiao Zhen wanted to inquire about any dangerous areas or taboos in these mountains.

    "Lingshui Village? Are you related to Xiao Qianhu?"

    "That is our grandfather."

    "No wonder, Xiao Zhen is a well-known righteous man in our area. You two young brothers also look like brave men."

    "We know a bit about martial arts with swords and spears, but you all are too kind."

    Taohuagou is poor, with nothing of value to outsiders except for its local produce. Seeing his polite speech and clear, reliable background, the villagers enthusiastically pointed the way: "Over there, Tong Youyu and his nephew Tong Gui from our village are both hunters. You can go and ask them."

    "Thank you."

    The village is not big. Xiao Zhen led the mule, and he and Xiao She went to find them.

    The villagers build their homes to fit the landscape. The Tong family is on a small street with only three households.

    Xiao Zhen and Xiao She came around from the east. The first household's wooden door was closed, while the second household's door was open. Inside, the small courtyard was tidy, with a few rabbit skins drying.

    Xiao Zhen called out: "Is Uncle Tong at home?"

    The main door faced the main room. A woman in her thirties peeked out from the backyard, with fair skin and beautiful features, somewhat out of place in this small mountain village. Either she had just moved into the mountains, or like the second aunt in the family, she did little farm work exposed to wind and sun.

    Zhou Qing was also looking at Xiao Zhen and Xiao She outside the south gate and asked in confusion: "Who are you?"

    Xiao Zhen then introduced himself again.

    Zhou Qing slightly let down her guard and explained: "He went to check the traps in the mountains after breakfast and should be back by now..."

    Before she could finish, Tong Youyu had already appeared at the back door of the Tong family, wearing coarse cloth short clothes and holding a brown-haired rabbit.

    Tong Youyu lost an eye in the war, making it unsafe for him to venture deep into the mountains, so he left the hunting to his nephew and daughter, and he was responsible for setting traps outside the mountains.

    After hearing about the Xiao brothers' background, Tong Youyu invited them into the main room, and the three sat by the low table to talk.

    Xiao Zhen listened attentively, noticing that Zhou Qing was about to add firewood to the brazier under the copper pot hanging from the roof beam. He asked: "Auntie, what are you boiling water for?"

    Zhou Qing smiled: "To make tea for you."

    Xiao Zhen guessed as much and repeatedly said it was not necessary.

    Zhou Qing: "This is good tea, and it will spoil if not drunk soon. We rarely have distinguished guests, so I’m taking the opportunity to be elegant."

    Xiao She: "Auntie, really no need. I don't like tea; it's bitter and not tasty at all."

    Zhou Qing: "..."

    Xiao Zhen: "...I like tea. Since auntie has already boiled the water, I will shamelessly ask for a bowl."

    Zhou Qing laughed again.

    After making the tea and waiting for it to cool, Xiao Zhen slowly finished a bowl, and Tong Youyu also finished explaining what needed to be said.

    Xiao Zhen stood up to say goodbye: "If we are lucky enough to hunt some wild game, we will come back to thank Uncle Tong and Auntie."

    Zhou Qing: "You're too polite. My Ah Gui and Aman are also in the mountains. If you meet them, you can ask them to guide you."

    ——

    Since Taohuagou is close to the mountains and mules can't be ridden there, Xiao Zhen left the mules at the Tong family, and the two brothers walked into the mountains.

    Xiao She: "We are two brothers, and the Tong family also has two sons. If we really meet, let's compete with them to see who has better hunting skills."

    Xiao Zhen wanted to ask about the mountains, so Tong Youyu only discussed the mountains and did not introduce his own children. Therefore, Xiao She directly assumed that "Aman," who went into the mountains to hunt, was a boy, as many men have "Man" in their names.

    Xiao Zhen thought the same and said, "We are guests; it wouldn't be right to compete with the locals."

    Wild goats roam in the deep mountains, so Xiao Zhen led Xiao She directly into the mountains. They brought enough provisions and water for three days, and at night, they would find a sheltered place to warm themselves by a campfire.

    On the third day, Xiao Zhen found some wild goat droppings and clear hoof prints. Unfortunately, they only had one meal's worth of provisions left, and Xiao Zhen wouldn't risk it for just one or two wild goats.

    "Let's go," he said to Xiao She, who was lingering by the droppings.

    Xiao She: "But..."

    Xiao Zhen: "Let's go back first. Next time, we'll bring more provisions and come in again."

    Xiao She finally agreed and stuck a branch by the droppings as a marker!

    They walked slowly into the mountains, but they made quicker progress on the way back. Before sunset, the two brothers finally emerged from the mountains.

    Once they emerged from the mountains, they could see a winding river. The deepest part of the river only reached about knee height, so it couldn't support large fish, but it was convenient for the villagers to wash clothes.

    Some women preferred to wash in the morning, while others preferred to wash at dusk after changing out of their dirty clothes. At this time, five or six women or girls gathered by the river to wash clothes.

    Xiao Zhen didn't linger and walked to the other side, putting down the two pheasants and one wild rabbit they had caught during the three days. He squatted by the river to wash his arms and face.

    Just as he was about to finish, he heard a woman ask, "Aman, are you done washing?"

    The name he had recently heard made Xiao Zhen look up.

    Sure enough, someone stood up on the eastern bank, wearing a light green short shirt and carrying a bamboo basket specifically for clothes.

    When she stood up, she was still turned slightly away from Xiao Zhen, revealing only a fair and delicate profile, giving off a gentle and quiet impression.

    Xiao Zhen, who had seen the chaos of war and faced death several times, was unlikely to be fazed by any great danger now. But at this moment, in this small mountain village, squatting by the river reflecting the shimmering sunset, catching a glimpse of such a quiet and gentle girl, he felt an unfamiliar softness touch his heart unexpectedly.

    "Aunt Wang, I'll head home first," Tong Sui said, easing her sore back and turning to the woman squatting to her left.

    "Go ahead, go ahead," Aunt Wang replied.

    Tong Sui turned around completely and noticed a man who had just come out of the mountains appeared to be looking at her. She glanced up and saw the two men were both washing their faces. Her gaze swept over the pheasants and wild rabbit they had placed on the shore, and she headed home without further ado.

    Only when her back was to the river did Xiao Zhen look over again.

    Xiao She wiped his face with the back of his hand and said with a grin, "I'm done washing."

    Xiao Zhen looked over and saw his younger brother's face was refreshed, but his clothes were dusty, and his hair was a bit messy. Xiao Zhen glanced at his own reflection in the water and pursed his lips slightly.

    After wiping his face with a cloth, the two brothers went to the Tong family.

    Tong Sui had already informed her parents in advance. Upon hearing that the brothers had returned safely, Tong Youyu and Zhou Qing, who had been worried for three days, finally relaxed. They had been afraid that something might happen to the young men in the mountains, which would also implicate their family.

    When the brothers arrived, Tong Sui went to the west room to avoid any impropriety. Tong Youyu and his wife entertained the brothers and even wanted to invite them to stay for dinner.

    Xiao Zhen: "No, we haven't been back for so long, the elders at home must have been worried."

    After saying that, he asked Xiao She to untie the mule, and pointing to the wild game placed under the eaves, he said to the couple: "It's all thanks to Uncle Tong's guidance that we brothers have avoided many unnecessary detours. These wild game are a token of our gratitude."

    "We can't accept that..."

    "We will come again tomorrow. If you refuse to accept them, we will have to find another family to board the mule."

    The big black mule couldn't be satisfied just on grass; for the past three days, it had been fed with grain from the Tong family. How could Xiao Zhen not show any gratitude?

    Following the principle of reciprocity, Zhou Qing kept one rabbit and one pheasant, asking the brothers to take the rest back, otherwise after three days of work, returning empty-handed would surely disappoint their family.

    "Alright, we won't be formal with you, Auntie."

    ——

    The brothers returned to the Xiao Family, and the whole family was delighted to hear that they had found traces of wild goats.

    Xiao Yan, Xiao Ye: "We want to go too!"

    Xiao Zhen: "It's just some goat droppings, not a goat's lair. You continue hunting in these mountains, lest all four of us go to one place, fail to catch any goats, and also miss out on other game."

    Xiao Mu: "Second Brother is right. If we make too much of a spectacle, the villagers of Taohuagou might think wild goats are easy to catch and follow us. If something happens, who will be responsible?"

    After dinner, Xiao Zhen said to the old man: "I will go to the Sun family to borrow a mule. The road is long, and it's inconvenient for Fifth Younger Brother and me to ride one mule."

    Xiao Mu nodded.

    Xiao Zhen went to the Sun family to borrow a mule. Because of Liu Chu's matter, Sun Dian wanted to make things difficult with a few words, but was scolded by Village Headman Sun Xinghai, who ordered his second son Sun Wei to lend a mule to Xiao Zhen without hesitation: "Use it as you need, return it whenever you can."

    Xiao Zhen: "Thank you, Uncle Sun."

    The next day, Xiao Zhen and Xiao She, carrying enough dry food for ten days, rode off on separate mules.

    Xiao Ye, leading the mule out of the north gate, saw them and said with envy: "I wish I could ride one myself, that would be truly impressive."

    Xiao Yan's heart stirred: "Then you go into the mountains alone, I'll stay home."

    Xiao Ye: "...Third Sister-in-law already doesn't care for you, and you're too lazy to earn money. If you could hunt a deer like Second Brother, maybe Third Sister-in-law would look at you differently."

    Xiao Yan: "...Let's go."

    ——

    Lingshui Village.

    The mules were fast, and today Xiao Zhen and Xiao She arrived in just over a quarter of an hour. Plus, they had set off early enough that the Tong family had just finished breakfast.

    The brothers dismounted outside the Tong family's gate. Through the open wooden door, Xiao Zhen saw a handsome scholar with a boy of about ten years old just stepping out of the main room. Inside, Zhou Qing and her daughter were clearing the table and dishes, but the girl named Aman, upon catching sight of him, wiped her hands and went to the west room.

    Tong Youyu quickly came out to greet them, and while still in the yard, introduced Song Zhishi and Tong Shan: "This is Second Master Xiao and Fifth Master Xiao from Lingshui Village."

    Tong Shan was a bit shy and greeted them timidly. Song Zhishi glanced at the brothers, his gaze settling on Xiao Zhen's face.

    Tong Youyu then said to Xiao Zhen: "This is Mr. Song Zhishi. His father, Mr. Song, is a Jinshi scholar who moved here a few years ago to avoid the chaos. He lives next door to us and now teaches at the private school."

    Xiao Zhen cupped his hands towards Song Zhishi: "Pleased to meet you."

    Song Zhishi returned the greeting and asked, "Are you two going hunting in the mountains today?"

    Xiao Zhen replied, "Indeed."

    At that moment, Tong Gui excitedly ran over and said, "Second Master Xiao, can you take me with you? I also want to see the deep mountains. Before, it was just us siblings, and my uncle and aunt never allowed us to go."

    Xiao Zhen smiled and said, "I'll defer to Uncle and Aunt Tong's decision."

    Zhou Qing, while washing dishes, called over, "As long as Second Master Xiao and Fifth Master Xiao don't mind the trouble, you can go this time."

    Tong Gui was overjoyed.

    Song Zhishi glanced at Xiao Zhen's face again and tentatively asked, "Is Aman going too?"

    Tong Gui looked towards the main room but didn't see his sister, so he called out loudly, "Aman, do you want to go?"

    What hunter wouldn't want to bag a prize like a wild goat?

    But Tong Sui wasn't familiar with the Xiao brothers, and both were more robust and burly than her second brother. If she went and they harbored ill intentions, even with her brother's help, they wouldn't be able to stop them.

    She stood at the west room door, shaking her head at her mother.

    Zhou Qing thought the same and answered for her daughter.

    Upon learning that the Xiao brothers had packed ten days' worth of dry rations, Zhou Qing hastily packed flatbreads, dried sweet potatoes, and water for her nephew, and even stuffed an old cotton-padded jacket into the bundle.

    "Be careful with everything. Whether you get the goats or not, make sure you come back safely!"

    The three sturdy young men left, and the Tong family's small courtyard now housed two black mules, one notably well-groomed with glossy black fur.

    From then on, Tong Sui had the additional task of feeding the mules.

    Song Zhishi still found various excuses to approach her as before, but Tong Sui was already seventeen, and in a little over two months, she would be eighteen. Mr. Song still showed no intention of proposing to her family. Guessing that Mr. Song looked down on her, Tong Sui, though still fond of Song Zhishi, no longer wanted to have more than neighborly interactions with him. Even the task of delivering meals to the father and son was now handled by her younger brother, Tong Shan.

    On the eighth day of her second brother's mountain trip, Tong Sui returned from gathering firewood in the mountains and found a crowd gathered in the south courtyard, with more people rushing over.

    Tong Sui went around to the back door and saw four wild goats tied up by the wall, her heart leapt with joy.

    But this joy quickly sank when she heard someone in the front yard shout, "Make way, Old Guo is coming!"

    Uncle Guo was the only person in the village with some medical knowledge. Although her maternal grandfather and uncle were famous doctors in the city, her mother, Zhou Qing, had not learned medicine and could only identify herbs at most.

    Someone was injured. Was it her second brother?

    Tong Sui quickly put down the basket of firewood and ran inside, pushing through the crowd of villagers gathered at the east room door, finally entering the room.

    Her parents and second brother were all standing safely on the ground, but Second Master Xiao was leaning against the west kang, his narrow eyes met hers with a hint of surprise, as if he was surprised that she seemed to care about him?

    Tong Sui felt her face flush and looked at Tong Gui, saying, "I was worried something had happened to Second Brother."

    Tong Gui explained, "I'm fine. Just as we were about to leave the mountains, Second Master Xiao accidentally fell and twisted his leg."

    Tong Sui instinctively looked at Second Master Xiao's leg.

    Xiao Zhen addressed the villagers crowded at the door, "I apologize for causing a scene."

    The villagers didn't laugh; instead, they admired and envied Second Master Xiao for returning with four wild goats alongside Tong Gui.

    Xiao She stood by his second brother's side, looking sullen. If Second Master Xiao hadn't taken the wooden sled loaded with two wild goats from him, he might not have fallen.

    At this moment, Uncle Guo from the village came in to help Xiao Zhen with a bone examination. As soon as he touched Xiao Zhen, his whole body stiffened.

    Uncle Guo: "Does it hurt?"

    Xiao Zhen nodded.

    Uncle Guo dared not move further. His basic medical skills were only good enough for poor villagers who couldn't afford proper care. He didn't dare to act as a physician in front of Second Master Xiao.

    Zhou Qing made the decision: "Fifth Younger Brother, head to town first and get a doctor. If the town's doctor is also unsure, Ah Gui will go to the city tomorrow to bring your grandfather over. Second Master, stay at our place for now and rest your leg."

    Xiao Zhen: "How can I trouble you..."

    Tong Gui: "It's fine. I'll stay in the side room, and Second Master can share the room with me. It's just a matter of a few meals. Second Master, don't be polite with us."

    Unable to decline their kindness, Xiao Zhen had to agree.

    Zhou Qing persuaded the onlookers to leave. Xiao She, who couldn't walk, carried Xiao Zhen to the side room and then set off on one of the black mules, leading the other.

    Back at the Xiao Family, when they heard Xiao Zhen had taken a bad fall, Xiao Ye was the first to freak out and wanted to check on his brother.

    Xiao Shouyi and Xiao Yan also wanted to go. Although Liu Chu, her daughter, Madam He, and Xiao Yuchan were anxious, the distance was too far for them to follow.

    Xiao Mu: "I'll go with Fourth Son and Fifth Brother. You all carry on with your tasks, no need to panic."

    He went to his room to grab a money bag, and the three of them drove to the town first.

    While the brothers went to fetch the doctor, Xiao Mu visited several shops and bought wine, meat, grain, and flour.

    On the way, Xiao She drove the mule cart so fast that the doctor was thrown around. Xiao Mu and Xiao Ye immediately supported him with their shoulders on either side. The doctor glanced at the nearly seventy-year-old Xiao elder and, thinking of himself being just over fifty, felt too embarrassed to ask Xiao She to slow down.

    Finally arriving at Taohuagou, the doctor swayed habitually as he got off the cart.

    Xiao Qianhu was a big name in the northern parts of Wei County. Out of respect and courtesy, Tong Sui followed her parents to greet them. Xiao Mu, worried about his grandson, paused his gaze on Tong Sui's face for a moment before following Tong Youyu and his wife inside.

    The doctor checked Xiao Zhen's leg and foot bones and was certain that there was no fracture. The pain could be from a tendon injury or a small crack in the bone. In any case, after applying the bruise powder, rest was essential. The former would heal quickly, while the latter might take ten days, half a month, or even two to three months.

    Zhou Qing and her husband exchanged a look, but Xiao She impatiently blurted out her thoughts: "It's all 'could' and 'maybe,' nothing definite. I think your medical skills are just not up to par. Auntie, tomorrow you should invite Doctor Zhou from the city who runs the clinic."

    The town's doctor: "...Even if you bring an imperial physician from the palace, unless he has divine vision to see inside the bones, he would still treat it the same way I do!"

    Xiao Zhen: "You're right. Fifth Younger Brother is being rude. Please don't take offense."

    Xiao Mu also comforted him.

    The doctor, being broad-minded, quickly calmed down.

    With the leg injury explained, Xiao She said: "Second Brother, we came by cart. Should I carry you to the cart and take you home to recover?"

    Zhou Qing: "Fifth Younger Brother, hold on. The doctor said Second Master needs to stay in bed and rest. The mule cart is too bumpy, and we fear it might worsen his injury."

    Xiao Ye: "It's fine. I'll hold Second Brother's legs so he won't feel any bumps."

    Tong Gui: "Fourth Master, are you worried that our family is poor and cannot take good care of Second Master?"

    While they were talking, Xiao Mu kept his eyes on his second grandson and guessed something. He said: "Alright, recovery is the priority. Let your Second Brother stay and trouble them for a few days."

    He then instructed Xiao She to bring in the gifts of thanks from the cart.

    After another round of polite exchanges, Xiao Mu prepared to take his fourth and fifth grandsons and bid farewell. Before leaving, he spent a moment alone with Xiao Zhen, asking in a low voice, "Did you really fall by accident?"

    Xiao Zhen answered evasively, "It's not particularly painful, don't worry."

    Xiao Mu gave his grandson's uninjured leg a slap, "Are you trying to emulate your third brother?"

    Xiao Zhen, neither startled nor flustered, replied to the old man, "What are you thinking? I'm just afraid that if I propose directly, she might refuse. I wanted to spend some time together first."

    Otherwise, she would avoid him as soon as he arrived, and he wouldn't know what she really thought.

    Xiao Mu sternly said, "You better behave properly. If you dare to mess around, don't call me grandfather anymore."

    Xiao Zhen laughed, "Don't worry, I'm not that kind of person."

    When the three generations left, they took four nearly dead wild goats with them. The next day, Xiao Shouyi and Xiao Ye would take the goats to the city to sell and then bring the proceeds back to the Tong family.

    ——

    Thus, Xiao Zhen stayed at the Tong family's house.

    Tong Youyu still went to the mountains in the morning to check the traps, and Tong Shan still went to the village school to study. Tong Gui had initially planned to stay by Xiao Zhen's side to care for him, but someone in the village, envious of the wild goats, sneaked into the mountains. Afraid that something might happen to them, Tong Gui spent two days bringing them back and then stayed with Tong Youyu at two spots at the foot of the mountain to prevent other villagers from going to their deaths.

    At such times, Tong Sui couldn't go hunting in the mountains either, to avoid giving the villagers the impression that her family was monopolizing the game.

    Staying at home, she couldn't stay idle either, either helping her mother with cooking and laundry or processing the animal hides from before.

    At noon that day, Zhou Qing went out with two lunch boxes, first delivering meals to the Song family father and son and Tong Shan at the village school, then to the uncle and nephew watching the mountains, taking a long and winding route.

    Before leaving, Zhou Qing instructed her daughter, "Stay in the main hall and keep an ear out; if Second Master gets thirsty or needs anything, you can fetch water for him."

    Tong Sui replied, "Understood."

    She sat by the south door of the main hall, altering one of her second brother's old shirts for her younger brother, all the while keeping an eye on the side chamber.

    She hoped that the Second Master inside would be fine.

    The courtyard was quiet. As Tong Sui sewed, a figure suddenly appeared in her peripheral vision. Her heart tightened, and she looked up to see the Second Master, who had been leaning on the door frame, now sitting on the threshold of the side chamber. Their eyes met, and he smiled at her, explaining, "I've been cooped up in the room for a few days, just came out for some fresh air."

    His smile was gentle and courteous, devoid of any hint of impropriety.

    Tong Sui, however, was not accustomed to interacting with men outside her family. She lowered her head and softly acknowledged him, then after a few more stitches, politely asked, "Second Master, would you like some water? I can pour you some."

    Xiao Zhen replied, "I'm not thirsty. Are you sewing clothes for your second brother?"

    Tong Sui somewhat awkwardly told the truth.

    Xiao Zhen said, "Hmm, when I was young, my fourth younger brother also always wore my old clothes."

    Tong Sui thought to herself, so even the Xiao family, reputed to be well-off, lived quite frugally.

    0 Comments

    Enter your details or log in with:
    Heads up! Your comment will be invisible to other guests and subscribers (except for replies), including you after a grace period. But if you submit an email address and toggle the bell icon, you will be sent replies until you cancel.
    Note