The sunlight slanted, casting shadows of dimness and brightness. Her face turned toward the sun, half her body bathed in a brilliant orange glow. Her naturally bright almond eyes reflected the morning light, pupils ignited like two tiny flames, dazzling.
She curved her eyes, raised her brows at Xie Ci, and teased: “Well? Are you overjoyed?”
Indeed, Xie Ci was stunned at first: “You… want to go?”
Previously, Xie Ci had refused to let anyone accompany him. The family had argued back and forth for a long time.
Gu Wan had leaned toward opening a tavern, selling wine — in other words, living a stable life. Xie Ci not only had no objection; he fully supported her. He was deeply grateful to Gu Wan, wishing he could throw all his strength behind whatever she wanted. Failing to help her already left him feeling guilty; he had never imagined dragging her into his troubles. He also refused to let Second Sister‑in‑law go with him — she had two young children who needed their mother.
Xie Ci’s opposition was fierce. No one could sway him. Silent and stubborn, he insisted on going alone.
But did he truly feel no hesitation inside? Not entirely. Spring had passed; summer was ending. He was only sixteen. His family had collapsed; calamity struck like a crushing boulder, leaving him desolate, with the road ahead uncertain. He was utterly alone.
So when Gu Wan suddenly declared she would go with him, after his initial shock, he felt as if that suspended boulder had finally been set down. He hadn’t even realized it was hanging above him until it dropped. The emptiness at his side was suddenly filled with companionship.
It was a comfort to the soul. He and Gu Wan had traveled thousands of li together, pulling each other along. This feeling was something no one else could give.
“Really? But didn’t you say you wanted to open a tavern?” He was incredulous. Even after Gu Wan nodded to confirm, he was still a little at a loss.
Gu Wan couldn’t help laughing: “A tavern? Now that I think about it — you have to buy stock, taste the wine, store it properly. If the wine doesn’t taste good, it won’t sell. I don’t want to do it anymore!”
She drew out her tone, half playful, half troubled, shaking her head dramatically. Then she grabbed Xie Ci’s hand: “Come on, let’s go — help me onto the cart!”
Her smile was free and natural, without the slightest trace of reluctance. Xie Ci quickly accepted that she truly wanted to go, and he grew happy.
The two ran together down the narrow corridor, bursting into the sunlight. Their faces, damp with a sheen of sweat, and their tousled hair instantly felt the blazing heat. Xie Ci hurriedly said: “Don’t worry about the divorce papers. I’ve already discussed it with Mother — they can be written soon!”
It was the only thing he could do for her, and he wished he could do it immediately.
…
But in the end, the divorce was never finalized.
Madam Xun, gentle and soft‑hearted by nature, regarded Xie Ci as her son and Gu Wan as a child she had raised as her own. Flesh of the palm, flesh of the back of the hand — both were dear. When she realized that the two of them shared the same intention, though saddened, she still nodded her consent. Yet the divorce papers were never written, because Second Sister‑in‑law stopped him.
By now, Xie Mingming’s injuries had greatly improved. The old physician said his help was no longer needed.
The Xie family also did not plan to linger and burden others further. Before Xie Ci and Gu Wan set out north to Qu County, the family had already discussed their future. On the return journey, the two followed the Fen River downstream and eventually found a suitable medium‑sized fishing boat with cabins. They bought it.
Coinciding with the upstream dike collapse, many water families along the Fen River were scattering to seek new homes. This arrangement was ideal — mobile, inconspicuous when moored among others. The Xie family decided to live as boat‑dwellers for a year or two, or three, until they found a prefecture suitable for resettlement, then return to land.
When Xie Ci and Gu Wan departed, Second Sister‑in‑law had already tidied up matters in the town. The goateed man, too timid and pressed hard by the old physician, had packed up and fled, leaving her speechless. She tracked them for a while, realizing they were cowardly and malicious but not bold enough to return for revenge. So she let them go and turned back.
As for the old physician, he had relatives in the county office to look after him. He said frankly: in this line of work, running a clinic, he had been forced to treat more than one bandit. Since they had cleaned up the loose ends, they could leave with peace of mind.
Everything that needed handling was done. The Xie family had little luggage — daily necessities packed into one chest, plus some supplies for the boat. When Xie Ci and Gu Wan returned, everyone bundled up their clothes and shoes, then bid farewell to the physician’s household.
They left in several groups. With five children, all unfamiliar faces, they would draw too much attention otherwise. So Gu Wan led Madam Xun, First Sister‑in‑law, Third Sister‑in‑law, and little Niuniu out first. Xie Ci and Second Sister‑in‑law followed later with the three older children. Xie Mingming disguised himself with a pasted‑on mustache, messy hair and clothes, looking like a small man — unrecognizable from a distance.
Xie Ci and Second Sister‑in‑law lifted the large chests onto the cart, wrapping them round and round with hemp rope. Xie Ci explained:
“Second Sister‑in‑law, she doesn’t like me.”
Because of those two matters, the family had quarreled endlessly. Second Sister‑in‑law had been the first to support his going to the frontier. After a brief silence, she had stood up to back him, but insisted someone must accompany him. Now that Gu Wan had changed her mind, everyone was finally pleased. But as for the divorce, Second Sister‑in‑law still refused.
Madam Xun knew her own weakness of heart, and also knew her second daughter‑in‑law was clever, capable, able to hold up the household. She trusted that Xie Ci and Gu Wan bore no ill will. So when persuaded, she hesitated again, and turned to persuade Xie Ci instead. Thus Xie Ci came to explain himself clearly to his second sister‑in‑law.
Indeed, as a grown son, he could have insisted and written the divorce papers by force of will. But Xie Ci did not want that. At this point, every family member was precious to one another. He hoped to resolve the matter under the gentle faces of his mother and sisters‑in‑law.
In the bright afternoon sun, Xie Ci half‑knelt on the ground, holding the tightened ropes Second Sister‑in‑law had pulled, binding them to the cart’s base. The boy’s face had shed its former youthful softness; his dark sword‑like brows already showed the beginnings of strength, his Adam’s apple clearly visible. His features were still beautiful, but no longer ambiguous — already bearing the look of iron‑boned manhood.
Second Sister‑in‑law felt deeply moved. She was more than ten years older than Xie Ci. When she married into the Xie family, he had still been a child with hair bound in a topknot. She and First Sister‑in‑law had managed the household together, watching this boy grow step by step into a man.
Hearing him speak thus, she only smiled faintly, cutting him off: “Listen to your sister‑in‑law. Otherwise, you’ll regret it.”
She thought of that girl who had stood with sword in hand, smiling, and said with a touch of sadness: “In this life, to meet a partner who shares storms and sunshine, who truly matches you — it is not easy.”
She thought of Second Brother — that gentle young man in a red cloak, riding with the wind, whose smile had once dazzled time itself — and her eyes grew faintly hot.
In Great Wei, customs were open; remarriage was common. But for Second Sister‑in‑law, there would never be another. In her lifetime, she would never meet another like Second Brother. She would remain in the Xie family forever. She would not remarry.
“Give yourself a year’s time.” Second Sister‑in‑law looked at the boy, still with traces of youthful innocence, still ignorant of love, and gave him an excuse: “Your parents have passed; you must observe mourning. Twenty‑seven months of deep mourning cannot be left incomplete, lest you and her fall into impropriety.”
The traditional three years of mourning was in fact twenty‑seven months. Now it was already the second year. In most families with older children or marriage plans, the final months were when matches would be considered.
So she told him: give yourself another year. If by then you still wish to divorce, it will not be too late. After all, both of you are young.
Xie Ci suddenly understood. *So that’s how it is.* He nodded at once, ashamed: “It was my mistake.”
Too many upheavals had made him desperate to do something for Gu Wan. In his eagerness, he had overlooked this. It was his fault.
Xie Ci sat restlessly, wishing he could immediately offer incense to his father to confess his mistake and then go to Gu Wan to apologize.
Second Sister‑in‑law patted his shoulder: “Foolish child, none of them will blame you.”
*You are a good child — truly, truly good!*
Second Sister‑in‑law then turned to explain this to Gu Wan.
Only then did Gu Wan recall, and quickly said: “It’s all right, it’s all right.” She understood the custom of following local traditions. Since there was no rush, she added: “Waiting until the full three years is fine.”
She made a show of penitence — after all, Xie Xinzhong had raised the original heroine for more than ten years, practically half a father.
Second Sister‑in‑law let out a long breath. Unknowingly, nine months had already passed. She said: “There’s no need to be overly concerned. If they have spirits in heaven, they surely wouldn’t want us to be hindered at every turn, harming ourselves instead.”
“Mother said: be flexible, be lenient.”
At this stage, many things could no longer be managed. Peace and stability were already lost. As long as the major rites were upheld and no one could find fault, that was enough.
Madam Xun, though gentle by nature, was not foolish.
Gu Wan felt that Second Sister‑in‑law suited her perfectly: “Second Sister‑in‑law, you’re amazing!”
Second Sister‑in‑law couldn’t help but laugh softly.
The boat cut through the water, the endless river current streaming past both sides of the hull. The afternoon sun shone brightly, glinting on the worn straw hat atop Gu Wan’s head.
The young girl crouched on the deck, glancing back at the tiny speck of the town’s pier in the distance, then lowered her head again, hammer in hand, tapping steadily away.
The family was tidying up the fishing boat that had sat unused for some time. The two of them were tasked with hammering back the slightly raised joints of the deck, bit by bit.
Sunlight shimmered on the rippling water, reflecting onto Gu Wan’s cheek. After all she had been through, the young girl seemed transformed — as if reborn, suddenly grown up.
Second Sister‑in‑law watched her with a smile for a while, then leaned closer and said: “Little Fourth is really quite good. Don’t you want to give it a try?”
“His looks are fine, he’s handsome, and he’ll grow taller. With years of martial training, his body will surely be strong. And Xie family men are never fickle. Don’t let someone else snatch him up.” She winked at Gu Wan.
What the hell! Second Sister‑in‑law, I never expected this from you. What kind of bold words are these?
Gu Wan: “Is that what I think it means? Damn, is ancient society really this open?”
Though Second Sister‑in‑law had just teased her with a touch of boldness, she was still utterly reliable. Since Xie Ci was preparing to head west, she didn’t let him or Gu Wan handle much of the follow‑up. She took charge of familiarizing herself with the boat, learning to steer and cast nets, and managing affairs above and below deck. In just a short time, she had everything arranged neatly and in order.
The Xie family gradually grew accustomed to life on the boat. In the end, they decided to settle at a suitable port near Huangzhou, paying the local fees to secure a place. Xie Mingming’s injuries had completely healed.
Finally, on the second day after Mid‑Autumn Festival, Xie Ci and Gu Wan set out.
They kowtowed to Madam Xun, whose eyes brimmed with tears. Countless instructions and reminders need not be repeated here. They embraced each member of the Xie family one by one. At last, Second Sister‑in‑law escorted them, walking a stretch along the pier before they boarded the small boat.
“This parting — we must meet again someday!” She fixed her gaze on Xie Ci, her tone a little stern. But when she turned to Gu Wan, her expression softened into a tender, affectionate smile. Stroking the girl’s hair, she said — Gu Wan was sixteen this year, only a month older than Xie Ci.
Two children, bidding farewell to their family today, embarking on a journey far away.
She hugged Gu Wan tightly, patting her back before releasing her: “Remember this — we are one family. Even if you and Xie Ci do not end up together, you will always be our younger sister. We are one family!”
“If, when you return, you still decide the same, then I will personally oversee the divorce for you.”
She patted Gu Wan’s shoulder, then finally drew out a long sword she had taken when leaving the convict ranks. It had been altered so no trace of its military origin remained. Second Sister‑in‑law had carried it with her ever since. That day, she presented the sword to Gu Wan: “Flowers for a beauty, a sword for a hero!”
To the Xie family, Gu Wan was their hero. She must cherish herself.
Second Sister‑in‑law once had a treasured sword she had used for over twenty years. She regretted deeply that it was not by her side today. Now she could only give this one.
“You are the hero of our Xie family! For our family to have you is a blessing beyond measure!!” She placed the sword into Gu Wan’s hands, and the two embraced tightly. “Remember what I told you — both of you must come back safely to me!”
This journey, its return date unknown. All her thousand words condensed into one: Take care of yourselves!
Second Sister‑in‑law stepped back, holding back her tears, smiling at the pair. Before her stood a young man and woman, tall and slender, handsome and beautiful, standing against the wind like a matched pair of jade. She couldn’t help but laugh again.
Gu Wan was the first to jump down into the small boat. Xie Ci was about to follow when Second Sister‑in‑law suddenly grabbed him. He turned back, and she whispered in his ear: “People say, if the girl is a year older, she brings golden fortune; if she’s the same age, everything is harmonious.”
“Yuan‑niang is a good girl. Wake up quickly — don’t let your wife slip away!”
Xie Ci: “???”
Flustered, he glanced back at Gu Wan, lowering his voice: “Second Sister‑in‑law!! What are you talking about?!”
Second Sister‑in‑law glared at him, pulling him a step forward: “You must remember — the past is already past. From prison to now, it’s been nearly a year. People cannot remain mired in the past forever. I will not teach the children to live with hearts full of hatred.” She continued: “After today, I will make sure they live happily. And you two as well — you must ease your hearts!”
“If you meet someone you like, you mustn’t let them slip away.” Her last words carried a pointed meaning. She winked at the two of them and slipped a pair of small notes, already written, into their hands.
The sky was filled with slanting sunlight. She stepped back crisply onto the pier, waved her hand: “All right, off you go!”