The conversation with Zhang Cuihua unfolded on a bare hillside. Near the fiercely burning kilns of Wayao Town, patches of bright green were rare.
In May, the hillside might have been bare, but it was still bearable. A breeze came now and then, bringing a welcome freshness.
"Your child's name is Chu Yao?" Jiang Wang asked.
"That's right. My sister-in-law and my younger brother's wife both had their babies before me. When the child was born, my husband said, 'Yao'er is a fine name. The emperor favors his eldest son, but ordinary folk favor their youngest.' Something like that." Zhang Cuihua smiled. "He's a learned man."
"Uh..." Jiang Wang forced himself to agree. "My Brother Haoxue really does seem like a learned man."
Zhang Cuihua didn't hear the strain in his voice at all. She looked rather pleased. "Isn't he? I used to be called Zhang Cuihua. My husband said the 'hua' sounded vulgar, so he told me to use 'hua' as in 'green and resplendent.' I don't know what the difference is, but it sounds nice! It makes me happy just to hear it!"
In Jiang Wang's opinion, Zhang Cuihua didn't sound much better than Zhang Cuihua.
But in Zhang Cuihua's eyes, and in her voice, there was nothing but satisfaction... and joy.
Those things, those precious little joys, were probably what gave her the strength to carry on.
Whatever Chu Mi's reputation outside, whatever people thought of him, at least here in Wayao Town, there was someone who admired him, believed in him, and loved him with all her heart.
"It really is a lovely name." Jiang Wang thought for a moment, then asked, "Sister Hua, you don't look very well. I know a little medicine. Would you mind if I took your pulse?"
After turning it over