Would she end up like Sixth Miss?
The woman shuddered.
No.
The woman thought things were fine as they were.
Her younger brother was getting better.
She and the woodcutter were helping him solve his problems.
Her younger brother would go on to place at the top of the imperial examinations.
Their family would keep getting better and better.
The days passed, and the agreed-upon deadline between the Young Scholar and the woodcutter drew closer.
"Careful."
The woodcutter reached out and caught the bowl as it slipped from the woman's hands.
"What's wrong?"
The woodcutter looked at the woman with concern.
"Are you feeling unwell?"
The woman started in alarm.
Her mouth opened.
The words caught in her throat.
When she saw that the woodcutter had caught the bowl, she breathed a sigh of relief.
She shook her head.
"No."
"I'm not feeling unwell."
"Then why couldn't you hold on to the bowl?"
The woodcutter didn't believe her. "Don't lie to me."
"If you're unwell, go see a doctor."
"I'll take you."
As he spoke, the woodcutter grabbed the woman's wrist and started to lead her out.
"Wait—"
Before the woman could finish, she noticed that the woodcutter had stopped and stared at him in confusion.
Then she realized...
The woodcutter let go of the woman's wrist.
He bent down, intending to pick her up.
She couldn't even hold on to a bowl.
How could she have the strength to walk all the way to the doctor?
He would carry her there.
"Wait!"
The woman was both amused and exasperated.
"I'm really fine."
"I was just thinking..."
The woman pressed her lips together.
"Thinking about what?"
The woodcutter asked, puzzled.
"Thinking..."
The woman let out a slow breath. "Thinking that the