Chapter 48: Heart-to-Heart

Chapter 48: Heart-to-Heart

When Jiu Jiu returned from the Song residence, it was almost dark. Due to the hot weather, Qiu Huanian made a pot of water rice, a northeastern staple of cooled boiled grains.

Water rice is prepared by boiling grains like porridge, then scooping them out with a large strainer and cooling them in cold water. When served, a large basin is placed on the table, and everyone helps themselves to the cooled rice from the water.

Water rice has the softness of porridge but without the stickiness. It has the substance of dry rice but is much more moist and refreshing.

The cool and refreshing water rice was paired with tender steamed eggplant strips, finely shredded green peppers, boiled eggs cooled in cold water, and just the right amount of red fermented tofu. This simple and delicious rural summer meal was complete.

Halfway through the meal, the courtyard gate suddenly knocked. Du Yunse opened the door and found a county messenger delivering a letter.

"Magistrate Wang invites you to the county office tomorrow for a discussion? What's the matter? Why is the message being delivered so late?" After the messenger left, Qiu Huanian came over to take a look.

Du Yunse handed the letter to Qiu Huanian, "Magistrate Wang's letter was unclear about the details. We'll have to wait until tomorrow to find out more."

"Ah, peaceful days are always too short," Qiu Huanian sighed and went back to continue eating.

In the past two days, he had readjusted his mindset. No matter what happened next, he would face it head-on. The most important thing was to take each step firmly.

Early the next morning, Du Yunse headed to the county town. With nothing else to do, Qiu Huanian took advantage of the cooler morning sun to stroll around the fields.

The three acres of cotton had grown robustly. After the red flowers fell, the branches were laden with heavy cotton bolls. A few of the bolls' skins had already begun to dry, indicating that the time for cracking and releasing cotton fibers was not far off.

The field workers saw Qiu Huanian and greeted him with smiles.

In Du Village, some families had many mouths to feed but little land. A few acres of dry land were not enough to sustain them, so the able-bodied men had to work outside to support their families. After Qiu Huanian started hiring laborers, these workers could earn money right at their doorstep, sparing them the hardship of working elsewhere. They were deeply grateful to Qiu Huanian, praying his family thrived so they could keep working.

Among the three laborers Qiu Huanian hired, two were brothers named Yun Ting and Yun Lei. Their family had not yet divided the household, and they had six brothers in total. The first four brothers were already married with children, making a large family of nearly twenty people with only four acres of dry land. The two younger brothers had to work outside to make ends meet.

Yun Ting, in his twenties, had a square, ruddy face and was a sturdy, honest man. He could effortlessly haul a hundred-pound bag of vinegar residue.

As Qiu Huanian watched Yun Ting fertilize the fields, he smiled and said, "I heard from Auntie Qiuyan the other day that you're getting married, Yun Ting?"

Yun Ting's face flushed crimson, and he stumbled over his words. His younger brother, Yun Lei, shouted from the other side of the cotton field, teasing his brother, "He's already met the matchmaker. It's a young lad from Shangliang Village, a distant relative of yours, Brother Hua. The wedding feast will be held after the autumn harvest."

"Brother Hua, you don't know this, but when my fifth brother saw the young lad, he stood up and thumped his chest, promising to give him a good life. He looked like a towering ogre, nearly frightening his future brother-in-law to tears."

Qiu Huanian was hearing this juicy tidbit for the first time. He imagined the scene and barely held back his laughter. If he laughed any more, Yun Ting might bury his face in the ground.

Though Yun Ting was embarrassed, he was also beaming with joy. By ancient standards, he was already quite old. Due to his family's poverty, he had never married. This time, he finally saved six taels of silver as a betrothal gift by working for Qiu Huanian's family and, through a matchmaker, secured a marriage.

Thinking of his fiancé, Yun Ting grinned foolishly. Although the young lad was nearly scared to tears by his clumsy behavior, he later gave Yun Ting a handkerchief he had embroidered himself and softly reminded him not to overwork, saying he could spin and weave, and together they would build a good life.

Yun Ting kept the handkerchief close to his chest, unwilling to use it. It warmed his chest, pulsing with his heartbeat, filling him with boundless energy as he worked.

After the harvest, he could finally marry and start a family...

...

With Du Yunse gone, the children took to their studies in the study room. After finishing her calligraphy, Jiu Jiu saw Qiu Huanian picking half a basket of pears. Summer pears didn't last long, so they had to be given away. Jiu Jiu offered to help deliver the pears, and Chi Qinghe, curious about the village, decided to tag along.

In the end, Chi Qinghe, accompanied by her chief maid Qiaoyin and the coachman, went out with Jiu Jiu. The four strolled down the village path, drawing curious stares from onlookers.

After they left, the villagers began to whisper.

"Is that the daughter of Song Juren? She looks like she stepped out of a painting, so delicate she might blow away in the wind."

"A true noblewoman, traveling with two servants. Tsk tsk, we'll never achieve that in a hundred lifetimes."

"Jiu Jiu was chatting and laughing with her, and she held her own..."

"I see that the young lady from the Song Juren's family has a good nature herself, looking like she stepped out of a painting. They say Zirong brought back a jade bracelet, but how can there be such a big difference between young ladies?"

...

Chi Qinghe couldn't help but notice the villagers' gazes and whispers, feeling slightly uncomfortable, but soon she was captivated by the roadside grass, sparrows on the branches, small puddles on the ground, and the unfamiliar earthen walls and mud tiles. With Jiu Jiu's helpful commentary, she gradually began to ask questions.

Between the blue sky, white clouds, mud walls, and green willows, Chi Qinghe's heartfelt tension eased a little.

The group arrived at the clan leader's house, where Ye Taohong was picking fruits in the garden and came out to greet them.

"Jiu Jiu, here to deliver pears again? Oh, this must be Miss Chi, a real vision, like she stepped out of a painting."

Chi Qinghe shyly covered her mouth with a handkerchief and softly said, "Good day, Auntie."

Ye Taohong smiled even more, "My maiden family is from Peach Blossom Town, so we're distant relatives. Come in and sit, I'll call Cun Lan."

She raised the basket in her hand, "I just picked some crisp dates from home. These not fully red dates are crisp and sweet, only available this season. Jiu Jiu, take some back for your family when you leave."

The group entered the courtyard. Most people were working in the fields during the day, leaving only a handful of children at home. Ye Taohong introduced them to Chi Qinghe and then shooed them off to play elsewhere.

Cun Lan came out from the back, dusting grass off her clothes, and stood silently behind her mother. Ye Taohong continued chatting and laughing with the guests, not noticing her daughter's odd demeanor, but Jiu Jiu frowned with concern.

"Cun Lan, what were you doing just now?" Jiu Jiu asked, looking elsewhere.

Cun Lan stared at her shoes, "Replacing the hay in the duck pen. The previous batch was sold, and my mother plans to raise a new group of ducklings."

Jiu Jiu coughed lightly, "I happen to have nothing to do today, want me to lend a hand?"

Cun Lan shook her head repeatedly, "No, no, I couldn't ask that of you."

Ye Taohong also laughed, "Exactly, we can't ask guests to work. The duck pen isn't urgent, Cun Lan, why don't you go play with Jiu Jiu for now."

Cun Lan remained silent, and Jiu Jiu didn't know what to say. Both girls looked down at the ground.

Chi Qinghe observed them, her gaze flickering, and then softly said, "Is the duck pen at the back? May I take a look?"

"Well... it's not exactly clean back there..." Ye Taohong hesitated, worried about Chi Qinghe's fine silk dress getting dirty or torn.

Qiaoyin, Chi Qinghe's maid, smiled, "Auntie, don't worry. My young lady grew up in a mansion and finds everything outside fascinating. What you find ordinary, she might love."

Ye Taohong had to say, "Then Cun Lan, take Miss Chi to have a look, but be careful not to knock into anything."

Cun Lan and Jiu Jiu both sighed in relief, finally having a task to focus on, and walked together towards the back.

The duck pen was located in a corner by the wall, surrounded by a two-foot-high willow fence with a small gate nearby for releasing the ducks.

Cun Lan had already cleaned the pen and spread some straw, making it look tidy. Seven or eight ducklings were kept in a narrow basket, not yet released.

Chi Qinghe curiously leaned in to look at the ducklings. The ducklings flapped and quacked, startling her into stepping back. Cun Lan quickly shifted the basket aside.

Chi Qinghe blushed slightly and asked Cun Lan, "Don't ducks live in water? They're so small, how long until they lay eggs?"

Cun Lan answered skillfully, "Ducklings are fragile, so they need to be kept in for a few days. When they're a bit bigger, we drive them to the small river at the back every day. After four or five months, they grow up and can lay eggs. Ducks don't lay as many eggs as chickens, but duck eggs sell for more, and duck meat is more expensive than chicken."

"Driving ducks? That must be fun."

Cun Lan said quietly, "It's just using a whip to drive them out to swim in the river and then driving them back before dark."

Chi Qinghe imagined the scene and softly sighed, "At dawn, herding white-feathered ducks, and at dusk, bringing them home. It really feels like something out of Mr. Wu Liu's poetry."

Cun Lan didn't understand and had no idea who Mr. Wu Liu was, but she roughly grasped that Chi Qinghe was complimenting her, and she felt a bit lighter for no clear reason.

She pointed at the ducks and said, "My mother's salted duck eggs and smoked duck racks are really delicious. We'll give you some when they're ready."

"And... and Jiu Jiu said that duck down can be used to make clothes. I've saved some duck down and might give it a try."

Jiu Jiu, hearing Cun Lan finally call her name, blinked her eyes rapidly, "Let me know when you try it."

"...Okay."

The girls looked away again, neither wanting to speak first.

Chi Qinghe pursed her lips and smiled, "I always thought I was quite good among my peers, but after meeting you two, I realize I've been living in a bubble."

Cun Lan had heard the phrase "frog in a well" from Jiu Jiu and was startled by Chi Qinghe's words. Jiu Jiu was one thing, but she, a small village girl who couldn't read a single character, how could she deserve such praise?

"Miss Chi, please don't joke like that."

"I'm serious, I mean it," Chi Qinghe lowered her eyes, "I'm five or six years your senior, yet I've never been able to share the family's burdens. Instead, I've only added to my parents' worries and burdens."

"Looking at you, so young but so capable, compared to you, aren't I just the lazy, clueless person the books talk about?"

"No wonder my aunt told me to look closely at the people around me, to learn from Jiu Jiu..."

"Only now do I see that while poetry is beautiful, it's not everything."

Chi Qinghe had only meant to speak casually, but gradually became genuinely emotional, tears brimming in her eyes.

Standing on unfamiliar land thousands of miles away, recalling parents and a hometown she might never see again, Chi Qinghe finally felt a new kind of pain, unlike anything she'd felt before.

It was the pain of growing up, of realizing that moving on doesn't mean leaving everything behind without sorrow.

"Miss Chi?"

"It's fine. You're Jiu Jiu's cousin, so just call me Sister Qinghe, like she does."

"Sister Qinghe, let me show you the jujube trees in the garden." Cun Lan didn't know what had happened to Chi Qinghe, nor how to comfort her, and could only awkwardly suggest.

Thinking of Chi Qinghe's heartbroken appearance earlier, Cun Lan was confused but also had a vague sense of understanding.

She'd always thought someone like Chi Qinghe, a well-read lady with maids, must live a perfect life.

But now she realized that even a lady's life isn't always perfect, and there are times when she might envy someone like her.

Then Jiu Jiu... does she now have worries that Cun Lan can't even begin to understand?

Cun Lan took Jiu Jiu and Chi Qinghe to the garden to pick green jujubes. The clan leader's garden had four or five jujube trees, all short trees, barely taller than a person, with clusters of green and red crisp jujubes hanging from the branches, a delight to look at.

After hesitating for a moment, Chi Qinghe eagerly picked up a basket and started picking jujubes herself, even though her fingers got pricked by the thorns a few times, she loved every minute of it.

When it was time to leave, both Jiu Jiu and Chi Qinghe had half baskets of green jujubes. Chi Qinghe took a silk flower with pearl tassels from her hair and wanted to give it to Cun Lan, but Cun Lan declined.

"I've eaten your jujubes, you should take my flower. It's not about the cost, but the thought behind it. Friends should give and take like this."

Cun Lan still pushed the silk flower back, hesitatingly glanced at Jiu Jiu, and with her head down, rubbing the hem of her clothes, she said, "Then... could I trade it for a beginner's book?"

"Cun Lan wants to learn to read?"

"If it's too expensive, borrowing is fine, or just forget it—"

"How could it be? A thin primer isn't worth much compared to my silk flower. Besides, as I said earlier, this isn't about the price."

"I'll bring it for you next time I come. I often come to Du Village. If there's anything you don't understand, besides asking Jiu Jiu, you can also ask me. Jiu Jiu said you're her closest sister in the village, so don't be shy with us."

Cun Lan's nose suddenly tingled with emotion, "This is really too much trouble for you."

"As the sages say, teaching never tires. I love teaching people to read. Don't believe me? Just ask Qiaoyin."

Qiaoyin chuckled in agreement, "My lady is like this. She's happier when others love books than when she loves them herself. If I weren't so dull, she would have tried to turn me into a scholar official."

"Qiaoyin..." Chi Qinghe lowered her head, embarrassed.

Cun Lan finally relaxed completely and joined in the laughter.

...

In the afternoon, the Song family's carriage came to fetch Chi Qinghe. Cun Lan watched the carriage leave the village and slowly headed to Jiu Jiu's house.

Halfway there, she saw Jiu Jiu coming towards her. The two girls' faces lit up when they saw each other, but then they looked away, avoiding each other's gaze.

"Shall we go talk by the river?"

"Sure, I need to cut more grass anyway."

"Me too. Chun Sheng has been slacking off these past few days."

They both chuckled, then went home to fetch their sickles and baskets before heading to the river behind the village.

When they reached a secluded spot, Cun Lan scuffed her feet on the ground and whispered, "I was wrong before. I want to apologize."

Jiu Jiu spoke almost simultaneously, "I know you must have had your reasons. I shouldn't have gotten angry at you."

...

After a moment of silence, Jiu Jiu asked while cutting grass, "Why did you change your mind about learning to read?"

"It's not about reading. I just want to learn to read a few characters so I don't get fooled by contracts or letters in the future."

Cun Lan deftly cut the grass, her bangs covering her eyes, "I'm not like you, and I'm serious. It's not out of spite. Your family is small, and your two brothers are capable. Your eldest brother is practically a Literary Star Descended from Heaven. You can study with Chun Sheng."

"But in my family, my grandfather had three sons and two daughters. Among this big family, my uncle's family is the eldest, and my eldest brother Yun Cheng is successful, so they hold the highest status. My third uncle's family has three sons in a row, and my grandfather favors them the most. Only our second branch is stuck in the middle, with not many sons and no outstanding abilities. We're just a burden."

"If I were to study like you, the gossip would drown me."

"Our family can only afford to send my eldest brother Yun Cheng to school. There's no way it would be my turn."

Jiu Jiu frowned slightly, "How about you come study with me every day? You can use my old papers. You wouldn't need to spend money on books or writing materials. Wouldn't that work?"

Cun Lan's voice choked up, and after a pause, she whispered, "I have so much to do every day. Even if I finish early, they don't like seeing me idle."

"I... I just don't deserve it..."

Jiu Jiu angrily set her basket full of grass on the ground, "You didn't use to think like this. When I asked if you wanted to study, you were so happy. What happened? Can't you even tell me?"

"Jiu Jiu, just don't ask, okay? What good would it do if you knew?" Cun Lan sniffled quietly.

Jiu Jiu took a deep breath, her voice also trembling, "No, I insist on asking. At least for my own peace of mind."

"My mother never liked mingling with the villagers, so I never had any friends in the village. I was shy and scared to talk to anyone. You were the first one to invite me to play, and we are from the same clan. I always thought of you as my own sister, but now you treat me like an outsider."

"You've been ignoring and avoiding me these past few days. Do you know how much it hurts me? It hurts even more than when you gave back the books and said you'd never study again."

After all, Jiu Jiu is just a kid, and Cun Lan has been her companion growing up. The more she talked, the sadder and more upset she felt, trying hard not to cry.

"Brother Hua noticed something was off, but I didn't tell him. I was waiting for you to make up with me and explain. This is our secret; we don't need adults to get involved."

"I, I..." Hearing Jiu Jiu's words and remembering Chi Qinghe's comment that "Jiu Jiu says you are her best friend in the village," Cun Lan felt like her heart was burning, and tears streamed down her face.

The two girls stood by the bubbling creek under the setting sun, crying as they looked at each other, surrounded by the strong smell of freshly cut grass. After crying for what felt like forever, one of them suddenly laughed, and the other quickly followed.

"My brother stopped crying like this when he was three; it's so embarrassing," Cun Lan muttered softly.

"Only Chun Sheng cries in my family; I never cry," Jiu Jiu said while wiping her tears with a handkerchief.

Cun Lan tidied up the grass she had messed up earlier and let out a long sigh, "After crying, I feel much better, like a weight has been lifted off my chest..."

"So just tell me already."

Cun Lan sat down, picked up a long blade of grass, and started weaving a grasshopper, "I always knew that some people in my family wouldn't like me studying. I impulsively begged you to teach me in secret, hiding from everyone at home, but Yun Zhe still caught on."

"Your third uncle's oldest son? He's a few days older than you, isn't he?"

Cun Lan nodded, "Back then, my third aunt and my mom were pregnant at the same time. Yun Zhe was born just a few days before me. Brother Yun Cheng passed the scholar's exam, and grandpa thinks the grandchildren have a shot at passing the imperial exams, so he plans to send Yun Zhe to school soon. But my mother isn't too happy about it, so it hasn't happened yet."

"Why isn't your aunt happy?" Jiu Jiu remembered Ye Taohong as always being very enthusiastic and eager.

"Yun Zhe and I were born around the same time, but Yun Zhe is a boy and I'm a girl. So at that time, many things in the family were prioritized for my third aunt and Yun Zhe. My third aunt had goat milk to drink every day, but my mother didn't even get to eat many eggs during her postpartum period. She's always held a grudge about that."

"Besides, studying is very expensive. Yun Zhe going to study would also cost money that my parents earn. Even if each branch of the family supports one child, my brother is only three this year, who knows when it will be his turn."

"My mother said privately that my eldest aunt has been very caring towards her, and Yun Cheng is also promising. She's happy to spend money on Yun Cheng, but she doesn't see any signs of intelligence in Yun Zhe, so she doesn't want to waste money on him."

"Although grandpa is pressuring, my mother doesn't dare to openly oppose. But the most important thing in a family is harmony. Grandpa noticed my mother's resentment and didn't force sending Yun Zhe to study, so the matter is at a standstill."

Jiu Jiu nodded as she listened, "Yun Zhe must know about this, so seeing you studying, even if it doesn't cost the family a penny, he definitely wouldn't be happy."

"If he's not happy, then he's not happy. He's not your real brother, and isn't there still your mother?"

Cun Lan shook her head. Yun Zhe had said many harsh things to her, and although they were harsh, they weren't entirely untrue.

She really couldn't compare to Jiu Jiu. Jiu Jiu would eventually go to the city with her brothers to become a lady, but in a few years, Cun Lan would have to marry someone nearby. What's the use of forcing herself to study and learn things she shouldn't have?

"What right does a girl who spends her days cutting grass and shoveling manure have to flip through books? Aren't you afraid your dirty hands will defile the words of the sages?" Although Yun Zhe hasn't started school yet, he's heard some phrases from Yun Cheng and likes to play around with these words.

"Brother Yun Se passed the academy exam and was the top candidate. Jiu Jiu is already a virtuous lady from the books. You play with her every day and shamelessly ask her for books to read. It's a disgrace to our family!"

...

Cun Lan slowly stood up, hoisting the basket full of green grass onto her shoulder, and said earnestly, "I still want to learn to read, to learn things that will be useful in the future. But Jiu Jiu, I won't read those books you have."

"..." Jiu Jiu bit her lip, "Just learn to read first."

Cun Lan asked cautiously, "I've told you everything, so you're not mad at me anymore, right?"

Jiu Jiu stamped her foot, "Who's really mad? I'm just frustrated by your stupidity! Frustrated!"

Cun Lan laughed. Many people in the village, including her mother, said that Jiu Jiu was becoming more like an adult, but in her eyes, her friend was still the same.

"By the way, what's going on with that new girl next door, Bai Yuchuan? Did she do anything to you?" Cun Lan asked Jiu Jiu anxiously, remembering the previous incident.

...

Qiu Huanian waited for most of the day, and finally, Du Yunse returned home at sunset. Hearing the door open, Qiu Huanian quickly went up to ask, "What did Magistrate Wang say?"

Knowing Qiu Huanian was anxious to know the result, Du Yunse said succinctly, "The imperial inspector for border patrol has arrived at Xiangping Prefecture, and it's said he has close ties with the second prince; the court is going to conscript labor from Zhang County and several nearby counties, one person per household, with no delays allowed."