While Zhao Ya and the others struggled through the mountains, Zui'er was doing embroidery by lamplight in Dancing Elephant City, having just finished a day's training.
She was making a pair of cloth shoes.
With fine, tight stitches, she slowly sewed the uppers to the soles, taking the utmost care.
At last, the shoes were finished.
Zui'er examined them under the lamplight. Once she was sure there were no problems, she carefully put them away, planning to give them to Zhao Ya when he returned.
Then she stared absently at the almanac hanging on the wall.
"It's been nearly ten days since he left. I wonder where Brother Ya is now. He should be almost home, shouldn't he?" Zui'er murmured.
These past few days, Zui'er had been waiting with bated breath, hoping every day that Zhao Ya would return soon.
As she sat lost in thought, a sudden knock came from outside.
Zui'er froze.
Who could it be so late?
Could Brother Ya have come back?
Puzzled, Zui'er picked up the long saber Zhao Ya had left for her and went out into the courtyard.
"Zui'er, are you home? It's your Aunt Liu!"
A woman's call came from beyond the door.
Zui'er froze.
One of the neighbors did have a husband with the surname Liu, but they hardly ever spoke. What was she doing here so late?
Zui'er quietly set the long saber beside the door, where she could grab it easily, and only then opened the door a crack.
Sure enough, Aunt Liu stood outside. She wore a broad smile and held a bamboo basket covered with red cloth.
"Aunt Liu, is something the matter?" Zui'er asked.
"Oh, it's nothing much. My daughter-in-law gave birth to a strapping baby boy today, so I'm going door to door with celebratory