Going back tomorrow

Yongqin was perfectly composed, her earlier anger gone. "Normally, yes. But you've already drawn a clear line between you and her, given her ten taels of silver, and had Lanxin pass along a message. Do you think she'll settle down with the sons of disgraced officials I so carefully chose?"

"Impossible, impossible! I had Lanxin tell her I was only leaving for a while, not..."

"Yes, Lanxin did pass along a message." Yongqin walked over to the window and stopped. "Lanxin sent word a while ago that the orphan girl from the countryside was living quite well with those three. She certainly knows how to cherish a delicate beauty. With only a few taels in her pocket altogether, she was willing to spend several on medicinal plasters for her husband."

Xubai stared fixedly at the hem of his sister's clothes. He had asked Lanxin to deliver the money because he was afraid she would starve.

She was such a small, skinny thing. She couldn't even tell weeds from crops and didn't know how to farm. Apart from copying books, she had no way to support herself. Without some money, he feared she would starve to death.

Ten taels of silver was neither too much nor too little for her. It would let her eat reasonably well without giving her enough to go out drinking and carousing.

Every one of his intentions had been twisted and exploited.

Two trails of clear tears slipped down his porcelain-white cheeks. Yongqin patted Xubai's shoulder and consoled him. "She isn't the only woman in the world. My little brother deserves the very best. Once we're back in the capital, I'll introduce you to my classmates. Every last one of them is outstanding."

He looked at his sister, suppressed the anger within him, and asked calmly, "Did you do this because you wanted me to help you win people over?"

Yongqin's eyes widened in disbelief. She pointed at him with a trembling finger. "You... how could you think that of me?"

Xubai wiped away his tears with one hand and lifted his head, his lips curling as he spoke mockingly. "Isn't that what you're doing? Then why would you tear us apart like this?"

"How could she possibly be worthy of you!" She was beside herself with anger, her voice suddenly rising to a shrill pitch. "What sort of gu has she bewitched you with? Back in the capital, not a single young lady from those illustrious clans and scholarly families caught your eye. How could you come here and fall for a good-for-nothing who can neither farm nor study!"

He knocked aside the hand pointing at him and turned his back, refusing to look at her wounded eyes. "Not even Mother Empress and Father Consort can dictate my marriage. You have even less say, Sister."

"Fine, fine, fine. So that's what you think of me. You think I'm using you. Fine, fine, fine. I won't meddle in your affairs again."

"All the better. I'm going back tomorrow."

Yongqin strode toward the door. When her hand touched it, she couldn't help saying, "Don't say I didn't warn you. Those three beside that orphan girl from the countryside were all once renowned young gentlemen. You've been away for half a month, and they've become wife and husbands. What position do you intend to claim when you go back now?"

"That's none of your concern, Sister. Go attend to your own affairs."

The door slammed shut. All the strength drained from Xubai's body, his limbs going limp. Only by bracing himself against the windowsill could he barely stay on his feet.

I'll go back tomorrow. Tomorrow I'll find her and ask her everything.

She isn't someone whose affections shift at the sight of someone new. I have to trust her. I have to trust her...

Su Yuhe had had trouble sleeping the night before. Though she shared a quilt with Meng Zhixian, she had dreamed of Xubai grabbing her collar and demanding to know why her heart had changed.

In the dream, before she could speak, he plunged a dagger into her heart. She was the one who died, yet Xubai wept so bitterly, as though his heart had been gouged out.

She raised a hand to wipe away his tears, and glaring sunlight fell across her eyelids. From the courtyard came the sound of Li Yun and Lu Mingxi chatting and laughing.

Su Yuhe climbed out of bed, changed, and headed outside. Bamboo sieves of all sizes had been set out in the sunniest parts of the courtyard.

The table and chairs had been moved out of the kitchen into the courtyard. Li Yun was cutting sweet potatoes, while Lu Mingxi spread the sliced sweet potato strips over the bamboo sieves.

"What are you doing?"

"Drying sweet potatoes. If we don't dry them now, they'll sprout." Li Yun said irritably, "We've been waiting for you all morning. Breakfast has turned into lunch."

She looked at Lu Mingxi. "You haven't had breakfast yet?"

Lu Mingxi nodded. Li Yun swiftly sliced the sweet potato in his hand into strips. "If you don't get up, they won't eat."

"I'll go cook. We're having hand-rolled noodles today. I've already rolled them out. I was just waiting for you to get up."

He put down the knife and headed inside. Su Yuhe followed him, laying on the flattery. "It's so nice having you here. I get hand-rolled noodles as soon as I get up, with lots and lots of minced meat, too."

She put particular emphasis on "lots and lots." Seeing through her little scheme, Li Yun gave her a faint, knowing smile. "Yes, lots and lots of meat. You have your Mingxi to thank for that. He got up early to cut grass. He needs a good nourishing meal."

"Then I really must thank Mingxi. Otherwise, I wouldn't get to eat the very best hand-rolled noodles in the world."

He kept a straight face and said nothing, deftly lighting the fire, boiling the noodles, and stir-frying the minced meat while Su Yuhe stood nearby providing enthusiastic encouragement.

Before long, a bowl of hand-rolled noodles tossed with minced meat was ready. Li Yun headed outside with a bowl in each hand. Su Yuhe went to pick up the filled bowl on the stove, only to be stopped the next instant by a sharp voice.

"Don't touch it. I'll do it."

She looked in confusion at Li Yun, who had reached the doorway. "It's just carrying a bowl. Are you afraid I'll drop it?"

He repeated firmly, "Leave it. I'll do it. It's hot."