“Very well. Today it falls to Second Brother’s household to prepare meals—so tomorrow shall be Third Brother’s turn. Muyan, your Third Sister-in-law has but just arrived and is yet unfamiliar with our ways; go and assist her tomorrow.”
“Certainly, Mother! Leave it all to me—mission guaranteed accomplished!” Gu Muyan nodded cheerfully, then stepped over and took Lu Qiqi by the arm. “Third Sister-in-law… did I hear rightly that you are actually a whole year younger than me?”
Lu Qiqi smiled and nodded. “I believe so. I am eighteen this year.”
“What?” Gu Muyan’s expression turned comically perplexed. “I am nineteen! That means I must address someone younger than myself as ‘Sister-in-law’? Poor Third Brother—he really drew the short straw! You have no idea, Third Sister-in-law… my brother is already twenty-eight! That makes him a good ten years older than you! A proper old man, honestly—”
Gu Mufeng’s face darkened by the word. “Gu Muyan… no one is holding your mouth shut. You are perfectly free to remain silent.”
Far from being intimidated, Gu Muyan stuck her tongue out mischievously right at him. “Ohhh—look everyone! The old man is getting grumpy!” With that, she darted away before he could react.
By now the rest of the family had scattered; after a long day’s labor, everyone had retired to their rooms. Even Lu Chuan had been drawn off to play with Gu Zhiqiang, Gu Zhigang, and the other children.
Gu Mufeng turned to Lu Qiqi, looking utterly crestfallen. “Wife… tell me I am not old. Surely I am not old at all. Truly—your husband is strong, vigorous, and more than capable in every respect. I shall make you happy, I swear it. Promise you will not come to think of me as old and undesirable?”
Lu Qiqi just stared silently, momentarily speechless. What on earth… is he driving at just now? Even someone as forward-thinking as she nearly failed to keep pace with that suggestive turn of phrase! Still… he did appear to be speaking the truth. Though she had no personal experience by which to judge—and as the saying went, one ought not pronounce judgment without due investigation. Some matters simply could not be known until put fully, properly to the test!
Meeting his woebegone expression, Lu Qiqi could not help but burst out laughing. She reached up, gave his cheek a gentle pinch, and said warmly: “Silly man. Who ever said you are old? You do not look it in the least. And you carry yourself so finely—there is strength and character in you. I for one find it entirely appealing.”
Gu Mufeng beamed with delight at her words. He squeezed her hand firmly, his eyes shining with happiness. “Hearing you say that… sets my heart completely at ease. I shall strive every day, and do all in my power, to give you a life of happiness.”
They stood gazing at one another, and in that moment it felt as though the rest of the world had fallen away, leaving only the two of them.
That evening, Lu Qiqi shared the room with Lu Chuan as before.
At dawn the next day, Lu Qiqi rose early. Lu Chuan, knowing his sister must prepare the morning meal for the whole household, woke up just as promptly.
Seeing him out of bed, Lu Qiqi said softly: “Xiao Chuan, it is still early. Go back to sleep a little longer.”
Lu Chuan shook his head. “I am wide awake, Sister. Back in the Sun household I rose far earlier than this—it has long been my habit.”
Her heart ached hearing those words. Whatever hardships he had endured had not been of her making—but now Lu Chuan was her brother, and the duty to cherish and protect him fell to her.
“Xiao Chuan… I am sorry. It breaks my heart to think of all you have suffered. Be at ease—from now on, I shall look after you properly. You are still young and growing; you must get enough rest, or it will stunt your height.”
Lu Chuan leaned against her arm affectionately. “Sister, I do not mind hardship at all. Just being here with you makes me happier than I have ever been.”
Lu Qiqi wrapped him in a gentle embrace. “Such a good boy.”
In the end, Lu Chuan insisted on staying up, and the two of them set about their morning together.
No sooner had they stepped out of their room than Gu Mufeng emerged from his own quarters. “Wife, Xiao Chuan… go back and rest awhile longer. Let me prepare breakfast this morning.”
His thoughtfulness warmed her heart, yet Lu Qiqi would not hear of it. Living together beneath her in-laws’ roof, she knew full well what was expected of a new daughter-in-law. In a home shared only with him, she might happily let him step in and cook. Here, however—as a newcomer still finding her footing—it would be utterly improper to return to bed and leave her husband to labor alone. That would show a woeful lack of judgment.
Lu Qiqi shook her head firmly. “It warms my heart that you would come and stand beside me—but I shall not have you bear it all alone. Come—let us see what needs preparing.”
As the three of them stepped into the kitchen, they found Gu Muyan already there, yawning and rubbing her eyes. “Third Brother? Third Sister-in-law? Xiao Chuan? Up and about already?”
“Good morning, little Sister!” Lu Qiqi was finding herself very well disposed toward Gu Muyan—young enough to be her peer, warm and easy to get along with.
After a quick wash and tidy, they set to work. Country breakfasts were simple fare at heart: soup with hand-torn noodles, steamed mixed-grain buns, and pickled vegetables from the household larder.
Meanwhile, back in the Second Branch’s quarters, Xu Zhenzhu lay abed glowering. The sound of cheerful bustle drifting from the kitchen drew a sour remark. “Hmph! City folk truly are pampered! Must the whole household turn out just to help her boil water? Did anyone ever rally round me when it was my turn to cook? I should think not!”
Beside her, Gu Muzheng threw on his tunic and cast her a sharp look. “She is new here and knows nothing of our ways. How many years have you lived beneath this roof? And yet you complain that cooking a single meal requires help? Truth be told, you grow more unreasonable by the day.”
“Oh—so now you dare look down on me?” Xu Zhenzhu sprang up, shoved him back onto the mattress, and set about tickling him mercilessly. “Gu Muzheng—let me remind you: I am the woman who bore you two sons! If you dare hold me in contempt, I shall… well, I shall see to it you never stray!”
Gu Muzheng groaned and struggled free of her antics. “Enough, Xu Zhenzhu! Enough! I spoke merely plain fact! She has only just come through our gates—of course we ought to lend a helping hand. And cease going on and on about ‘bearing sons’! Boys or girls—all are equally our children!”
Pushed aside, Xu Zhenzhu sat huffily on the edge of the bed, though plainly far from finished.
“Easy for you to say!” she retorted. “She is a guest in this house—of course we ought to help her settle in! But look at our circumstances! Zhiqiang and Zhigang are growing lads with appetites that eat the roof off! You know as well as I do how much those two consume! And your mother speaks so casually of dividing the household! Once that happens—we feed them, we clothe them, we school them… exactly where do we turn for such coin? And whatever Third Brother sends home from henceforth? Not a copper of it shall come our way anymore!”
Gu Muzheng fell silent, weighed down by helplessness.