The snow had stopped in the early hours of the morning, leaving a thick layer piled on the eaves with no sign of melting.
Though the winter air was cold, it left one’s mind exceptionally clear.
As soon as Song Jin pushed open the door, she took a deep breath of the crisp air, the dimples on her cheeks deepening as if they could hold a cup of wine.
The snow in the yard was dazzling, but Song Jin’s heart was filled with joy.
She returned to the room to change into a padded jacket, then carefully opened the door again, careful not to wake Xie Qiao inside.
The residents of Chunliu Lane were all common folk, and even in heavy snow, they had to leave early to make a living.
Though it was still early, people in Chunliu Lane were already heading out.
Song Jin’s stall opened a bit later than usual today, and the steamed buns were snatched up as soon as they came out of the steamer.
Despite the cold after the snow, Song Jin was so busy at her stall that sweat beaded on her forehead.
Her sleeves were tied up with a slightly worn apron strap, revealing half of her slender, fair wrists.
Song Jin was in an especially good mood today.
As she kneaded the dough, she thought to herself: Her husband hadn’t slept all night, and he had been exhausted from copying books lately. Should she go to the pharmacy later and ask for some tonic medicine for him?
She thought that once she wasn’t too busy, she would make some fresh pastries to send to her sisters. If she could learn something new while she was at it…
“Jin girl!”
Just as Song Jin was thinking, she looked up and saw Aunt Xiao standing in front of her stall.
Aunt Xiao wore a blue coarse-cloth padded jacket that had faded from washing, and her vegetable basket held only greens and radishes, with no sign of meat.
Song Jin paused her work: “Aunt Xiao, the vegetables look so fresh today. I’ll go buy some later too!”
“What would be left by the time you go?” Aunt Xiao said, placing two bunches of fresh greens beside the stall. “I already brought some for you!”
Song Jin smiled, her eyes curving like crescent moons: “Thank you, Aunt Xiao!”
As she spoke, she deftly wrapped a few steamed buns and placed them in Aunt Xiao’s vegetable basket: “Auntie, try today’s steamed buns and see how I did.”
“Alright, alright,” Aunt Xiao replied, but her face lacked its usual kindly smile, instead showing worry.
She hesitated for a moment, then, seeing no one around, lowered her voice and said: “Jin girl, when I went to the morning market earlier, I saw that Master Fan has returned.”
Song Jin had been all smiles, but at the mention of “Master Fan,” her small face instantly tensed.
The dimples on her cheeks vanished in an instant.
Master Fan was a local gentry in Chongzhou. It was said that his ancestors had once held high office in the capital. Although the Fan family had not produced any scholars since then, they remained wealthy, and the county magistrate of Chongzhou still showed them great respect.
Half a year ago, Master Fan’s first wife passed away. Having long coveted Song Jin’s beauty, he wanted to take her as his second wife, but Song Jin adamantly refused.
Master Fan had initially intended to force the matter, but as his first wife’s funeral had not yet concluded and he had some urgent business outside the city, he temporarily let Song Jin off the hook.
Unexpectedly, Master Fan had returned today.
Seeing Song Jin’s tension, Aunt Xiao comforted her: “Don’t be afraid, Jin girl. You’re married now. The Fan family cares about their reputation, so this matter will likely be dropped.”
Song Jin nodded slightly, forcing a smile to reassure Aunt Xiao: “You’re right, Aunt Xiao. I’m married now, so of course I’m not afraid.”
But Song Jin knew that Master Fan would not let this go so easily.
She had heard before about how Master Fan's eldest son had driven commoners to their deaths, and the Fan family had suppressed the matter. After the uproar died down, that entire family had vanished without a trace.
Now, even if Master Fan couldn't marry her, he would surely come to cause trouble.
Of course, she had been a little afraid before.
But Aunt Xiao was right—she was married now, and she had a husband!
As noon approached, Song Jin's stall still had a few steamed buns left. She packed them into a bag to take home for dinner, then delivered Xie Qiao's newly copied books to the bookstore before stopping by the pharmacy to pick up some tonic herbs.
By the time she finished all this and returned home, the sun was nearly setting.
In winter, darkness fell early, and it felt as though the day had passed without accomplishing much.
Song Jin first started brewing the medicine in the kitchen. Out of habit, she headed toward the room but stopped just as she stepped out, remembering that she now shared the room with her husband!
She sat by the kitchen door, resting her head in her hands as she gazed toward the room.
She couldn't see anything, but she knew Xie Qiao was inside.
He was likely sitting at the square table, draped in an old coat, holding a brush in his fair hand as he diligently copied books.
To his right would be a cup of half-cooled tea, which he would take a sip from after finishing a volume.
The sky gradually darkened, the sunlight turning orange on the snow. In just a few moments, it would be completely dark.
Before sunset, a candle was lit in the room.
The flame grew from a faint spark to a bright glow, and soon his silhouette was cast upon the window.
Song Jin tilted her head, her eyes following the shadow—
So handsome.
Meanwhile, Xie Qiao, who was copying books inside the room, had no idea that a young woman in the kitchen was practically drooling over him.
Upon closer inspection, faint dark circles were visible under Xie Qiao's eyes.
Today, lying on a bed filled with the sweet fragrance of a young woman, he hadn't slept soundly.
The scent lingered faintly around him, and rather than disliking it, he found himself somewhat captivated.
The more he felt this way, the more he wanted to stay alert, so he eventually got up to copy books.
He spent the entire day copying until Song Jin entered with a bowl of medicine.
"Husband, it's time for your medicine," Song Jin said, holding a tray.
On it was not only a steaming bowl of medicine but also a plate of toasted steamed bun slices.
Xie Qiao frowned slightly as he watched Song Jin enter without knocking.
He was about to remind her, but then he remembered that she had slept in this room the previous night.
Besides, this room was originally hers.
Not knocking didn't seem entirely inappropriate.
Song Jin nodded and placed the tray on the square table, standing obediently in place. She said softly, "Husband, this is a new prescription from the doctor today. It's said to strengthen your foundation and replenish your vitality. Please try it."
She then pushed the plate of toasted bun slices toward him. "The doctor said taking medicine on an empty stomach isn't good for the stomach and spleen. Please eat something first. These are toasted steamed buns I made, coated with egg—they're delicious."
Xie Qiao glanced at the bun slices on the plate.
The originally pale, tender buns were coated in egg and pan-fried, looking golden, fragrant, and soft.
Not eating after noon had become a habit for him, but now he felt a pang of hunger.
Taking medicine on an empty stomach wasn't good—he shouldn't harm his stomach and spleen.
"Thank you," Xie Qiao said, reaching out with chopsticks to pick up a bun slice and slowly bring it to his mouth.
Instantly, his mouth was filled with sweetness.
He had never been one to indulge in food, but perhaps Song Jin's cooking was truly delicious.
His previously indifferent expression softened as he looked up at Song Jin standing beside him.
She looked at herself, as if waiting to be praised.
He set down his chopsticks and said sincerely, "It's delicious."
Song Jin was momentarily stunned by the praise, even lowering her head in embarrassment.
"As long as my husband finds it tasty, I’ll make more for you in the future."
As she spoke, Song Jin was still secretly glancing at Xie Qiao’s fingers.
She had been staring at them in a daze earlier.
She never expected her husband’s fingers to be so long and fair—not only did they look elegant holding a brush, but even using chopsticks carried an indescribable grace.
Such beautiful fingers must be suited for anything, right?
Xie Qiao finished the medicine in his bowl. In the past, he hadn’t been well-versed in medicine, but he was familiar with these particular herbs.
Back when he was injured, these were the herbs used in his household to nourish him.
These herbs must have cost a considerable amount of money.
Just a few doses alone might have exceeded what he earned from copying books.
This young girl was truly sincere toward him.
Xie Qiao silently took note, thinking that when he took her back to Jingdu in the future, he would ensure she received all the protection and honor of Xie Manor. Even if she were to marry, no one would dare mistreat her.
Just as Xie Qiao was lost in thought, Song Jin had already finished her dinner, washed up, changed into her sleeping clothes, and returned to the room.
Xie Qiao was still seated at the square table.
Song Jin pursed her lips, then climbed onto the bed with practiced ease. Hugging the quilt, she watched him copying texts with intense focus and couldn’t help but remind him, "Husband, copying too much is bad for your eyes. We don’t lack that money."
Xie Qiao didn’t respond directly. Instead, he asked, "When will the workers come to repair the wall? Since you’re not home during the day, I can oversee the work."
Song Jin was caught off guard by the question.
However, since Xie Qiao had his back to her, he didn’t see her momentary hesitation.
Soon after, Song Jin replied, "It can’t be repaired for now."
Xie Qiao looked up. "Hmm?"
Song Jin fiddled with the corner of the quilt, her voice soft. "Today, when I went to find craftsmen, they said walls can’t be repaired in winter—it wouldn’t be stable, and they were afraid it would ruin their craftsmanship and reputation. So, we’ll have to wait until spring to fix it."
Xie Qiao remained silent.
The room suddenly felt colder.
Song Jin swore she wasn’t lying!
Winter really wasn’t suitable for construction!
It was just that she hadn’t actually gone to find craftsmen today—the rest of it wasn’t made up!
Xie Qiao still didn’t speak.
Afraid he might kick her out, Song Jin quickly burrowed under the covers, pulled the bed curtains tightly shut, and tossed out a final remark, "Husband, I’m going to sleep now. Good night, husband."
Whether they shared the bed or not didn’t matter!
Not getting kicked out was the most important thing!
She had worked so hard to get in here!
Meanwhile, Xie Qiao, still seated upright at the square table, set down his brush.
Not until spring for repairs?
Did that mean he’d have to sit here all winter?
As he thought this, he glanced back at the small lump hidden behind the curtains and sighed silently, helplessly.
He couldn’t just kick her out.
It was freezing outside, and this was her home after all.
In the end, he was the one taking up space.
He pressed his fingers to his temples to clear his mind, then picked up the brush and copied a few more volumes.
It wasn’t until nearly dawn that Xie Qiao rested his head on his hand and drifted into a light sleep.
Song Jin didn’t sleep well that night—in fact, she even had a nightmare.
In the dream, Master Fan was forcing her back to his manor. With a fierce expression, he not only grabbed her by the neck but also snarled at her, "If you won’t come as a second wife, then you’ll be a concubine!"
Help!
She absolutely refused!
Before daybreak, Song Jin was jolted awake by the nightmare.
She sat up in bed, clutching the quilt. The candles in the room had already gone out, and by the moonlight, she could see Xie Qiao dozing off at the table.
Song Jin was actually a little afraid. She wondered whether she should tell Xie Qiao about Master Fan.
But seeing that Xie Qiao would rather sleep at the table than share the bed with her, the words on the tip of her tongue were swallowed back down.
If she said it, it would probably cause trouble, wouldn’t it?
Besides, it was just a nightmare. Perhaps Master Fan had long since forgotten about her.
The moment Song Jin got up, Xie Qiao was already awake.
He remained silent for a while, afraid of startling her.
Only when he heard the sound of her putting on her shoes did he ask softly, "You’re up so early today?"
Dawn was about to break. Xie Qiao’s voice was usually clear and bright, but now it carried a rare hint of laziness and weariness.
His voice intertwined with the dimness of the room. Song Jin couldn’t make out his expression, but just hearing his voice made her ears grow warm.
He, he, he—why did he have to speak like that?
It was really too alluring.
How could his usually upright voice turn out like this!
As Song Jin thought this, her gaze involuntarily drifted downward.
She had heard that men tend to have certain reactions when they wake up in the morning. With his voice like that, could it be that he already…
Song Jin pursed her lips, feeling that it would be too much to think any further!
She quickly climbed down from the bed, hiding her face. "I was late setting up the stall yesterday, and many people didn’t get to eat. Today I need to start earlier. You rest, husband!"
With that, Song Jin wrapped herself in her padded jacket and pushed the door open to leave.
But Xie Qiao watched her retreating figure, his expression darkening.
She had clearly been sleeping restlessly earlier, and waking up early wasn’t really about starting the stall sooner. Had something happened to her?
Could it be that people from Jingdu had their eyes on her?