A man of no attachment? Zhang Chunmei had waited with brimming hope, certain Gu Mufeng would shield and cherish her just as he had in childhood. Instead he had rejected her—coldly, plainly.
She could not bring herself to accept it. She stood rooted, face ashen, lips trembling.
“Tch… such a show of poor-me,” Wang Cuihua scoffed. She had never cared for her sister-in-law’s ways. Watching Zhang Chunmei wilt, she felt exasperation rise. “There you have it. That is the man you’ve set your heart on—and he does not so much as look at you! Put this foolishness right out of your mind. I have already found a suitable match for you. Once you are wed and settled, you will learn to live properly as a good wife! Look at you—carrying on as though some wealthy man will come along and take you! Have you stopped to ask yourself: why on earth would he choose you?”
Zhang Chunmei burned with shame and resentment. “Sister-in-law, please—say no more. I am going home!” She turned and fled.
Wang Cuihua glowered after her. “Useless, muddleheaded girl!” She turned, still muttering, and caught Gu Mufeng and Lu Qiqi watching her—both wearing faint, knowing smiles. She coughed, suddenly awkward. “Ahem… Third Brother Gu, Sister-in-law… are you two heading back?”
Gu Mufeng nodded. “We are. It is nearly time to prepare the midday meal. Are you returning as well? Shall we walk together?”
Wang Cuihua waved hurriedly. “No—no need. You go on ahead. I have other matters to attend to.” She turned and hurried off, afraid that if she stayed longer she would blurt out yet more of Zhang Chunmei’s secrets.
Lu Qiqi watched her go, then turned to Gu Mufeng, amused. “It seems you have quite the romantic past, husband.”
Gu Mufeng looked at his wife, helpless and fond. “Wife, truly—there was never anything between us. We were merely neighbors. It is true she once held affection for me—but I never felt the same. And it is also true she became involved with the city youth sent down to the village. Word reached me that once he returned to the city, he never wrote nor sent word. That is why she remains unwed to this day. Wife—you are the only one in my heart. Once I thought it mattered little whom I married; that one might make do, settle for what was at hand. But then I met you… and I find myself endlessly grateful I did not settle. Grateful that Grandfather arranged this match. And most of all—grateful that your family sent you in another’s place to marry me.”
Lu Qiqi nodded softly. “I understand. And I believe you.”
Gu Mufeng met her gaze—warm, trusting—and his heart swelled. “Thank you, for trusting me.”
They spoke a while longer, then turned for home with their baskets slung over their shoulders.
Lu Qiqi prepared the midday meal. In her former life, despite long hours at work, she had been an excellent cook. And with the seasonings she had brought from her private space, the dishes turned out fragrant, savory, and delicious.
After the meal, Lu Qiqi took the length of cloth Gu Mufeng had bought and walked to the eldest brother’s quarters.
“Eldest Sister-in-law…”
Niu Chunyan, the eldest brother’s wife, came quickly to the door. “Third Sister-in-law—come in, come in.” She paused, surprised by the visit, and stepped aside to welcome her.
Lu Qiqi held out the cloth, looking hesitant. “I have heard your needlework is beautifully done. Might I trouble you to make a set of clothes for little Chuan? Would you have the time?”
She felt awkward—newly arrived, barely acquainted, and already asking for a favor.
Niu Chunyan smiled and accepted the cloth. “Of course I will. We are family—this is no trouble at all.”
Relief softened Lu Qiqi’s face. “Thank you so much. I lost my mother when I was ten, and no one ever taught me needlework properly. Truly—my sewing is clumsy and uneven.” She handed over a second piece of cloth, in soft, pale hues. “And this—this will not fit me. Please take it; make something for Dongxue and Qiuyue.”
She had chosen this cloth specifically with the girls in mind—intending it as a gift of thanks, should she need help with her own sewing.
Niu Chunyan tried to decline. “No—this is too generous. I cannot accept it.”
“Please, do not refuse,” Lu Qiqi insisted. “It is meant for the girls. I am already beholden to you for your help—this is but a small token, from their Third Aunt.”
Niu Chunyan saw that she would not be swayed, and accepted with a grateful smile. “Very well. Then I will accept it on behalf of Dongxue and Qiuyue—thank you.”
Lu Qiqi shook her head warmly. “You are too kind. We are family now—helping one another is only right.”
Niu Chunyan felt heartened by her words. “Do not worry, Third Sister-in-law. I shall have Chuan’s clothes ready as soon as I can.”
“I look forward to seeing them—thank you,” Lu Qiqi said, smiling playfully. After a little more conversation, she took her leave.
Back in the courtyard, she found Gu Mufeng chopping firewood. At the sight of her he set down his axe and stepped forward quickly. “Wife—how did it go? Did she give you any trouble?”
Lu Qiqi’s heart softened at his concern. “None at all. She is very kind. I gave her the cloth and asked her to make clothes for Chuan.”
Gu Mufeng nodded, reassured. “Her needlework is indeed excellent. Even Mother often praises her skill—you could not have asked a better person for the task.”
Lu Qiqi knelt beside him, passing logs from the pile as he worked. They talked quietly as the wood split and stacked.
Presently, Huang Jinfeng, Second Sister-in-law Xu Zhenzhu, Fourth Sister-in-law Chen Xiang, and Gu Muyan walked through the gate. At once Gu Muyan hurried over and tugged at Lu Qiqi’s arm, brimming with gossip.
“Third Sister-in-law—we all went to see the excitement just now! We missed you; otherwise we would have fetched you!”
Lu Qiqi turned to her, curious. “What excitement? What was it about?”
“Something quite extraordinary! There is a girl in the village next door—lazy and greedy, they say. This morning her mother-in-law beat her, and in despair she threw herself into the river. They pulled her out alive—but it seems… something else has taken hold of her…”
“Muyan!” Huang Jinfeng called sharply.
Gu Muyan bit her tongue and fell quiet—speaking of possession or evil influences was superstitious, and such talk could be reported and punished. She leaned in and lowered her voice to a whisper.
“Third Sister-in-law… she claims she comes from another world entirely. She says she knows many things—ways to help and bless all people…”
Lu Qiqi fell silent.