By evening, Cheng Su’e and Zheng Yulan returned with Aunt Zhang and the others.
“Qiuniang, we’re back!” they called out.
Hearing the voices, Han Qiuniang came out of the house and stepped forward to take the baskets off their backs. “You’ve worked hard. Go wash your hands quickly.”
“Alright,” Zheng Yulan nodded. “Has Husband not come back yet?” Cheng Su’e asked, noticing Lu Qing wasn’t around. Logically, he shouldn’t have taken this long to return from Luliang County.
“He came back,” Han Qiuniang replied.
“What did he buy to eat? I picked quite a lot of wild greens today. Since it’s our wedding day, we should at least have a good meal tonight,” Zheng Yulan said, smiling. But she quickly noticed the gloomy look on Han Qiuniang’s face.
“Qiuniang, what’s wrong?”
“He didn’t buy any food. He bought a bunch of strange-looking things and went up the mountain, saying he was going to dig for wild herbs.”
“What?” Zheng Yulan slumped straight to the ground. “Qiuniang, our lives are too bitter.” That 35 copper coins was all their dowry, and Lu Qing had blown it on odd contraptions. How were they supposed to live now?
“Qiuniang…” Cheng Su’e called softly.
“It’s fine, it’s fine. At worst, I’ll go back to my mother’s house in a few days and ask her to help us think of a way,” Han Qiuniang said to reassure them, though her heart was full of dread. Going back to her family… that was easier said than done.
Time passed slowly, and as the sky darkened, the three grew more anxious. Night had fallen, and Lu Qing still wasn’t back.
“Qiuniang, what do we do now?”
“It’s already dark. What if something happened to him? He’s a scholar—what if he ran into danger in the mountains?”
“Should we ask the village chief to help send someone to search for him?” Zheng Yulan was filled with a sense of foreboding. Was it possible that… their husband had died on their wedding night?
“Let’s wait a little longer,” Han Qiuniang said, equally worried.
She silently prayed that Lu Qing would be safe. People had called her cursed, someone who brought misfortune to her husband. If something really happened to Lu Qing, then… she truly would be.
Night deepened.
Lu Qing still hadn’t returned.
By midnight, none of the three women could sleep. They sat in silence, their faces full of worry, and just like that, the night passed.
The next morning, at daybreak, Lu Qing still hadn’t come back.
“Qiuniang, Yulan, Su’e, are you up? Are we going to dig for wild greens today?” Aunt Zhang came by to check in. Yesterday, Zheng Yulan had asked her to help guide them.
“Coming,” Han Qiuniang answered, stepping out of the room.
One look at the three women’s tired, pale faces, and Aunt Zhang smiled slyly. “Lu Qing may look weak, but I didn’t expect him to be so impressive. You three look exhausted.”
“It’s not that,” Han Qiuniang shook her head. “You misunderstood, Aunt Zhang. Lu Qing went into the mountains yesterday and hasn’t come back all night. The three of us waited up and didn’t sleep a wink.”
Knowing she couldn’t hide it, Han Qiuniang told Aunt Zhang everything.
“What?” Aunt Zhang’s expression changed dramatically. “He went into the mountains and never came back?”
“He’s a scholar—what was he doing going into the mountains? I’ll get your Uncle Facai to gather some people to go look for him!” she said and hurried off to gather help.
Soon, the news spread through Manglong Village—Lu Qing had gone into the mountains and hadn’t returned.
“I told you Han Qiuniang brings misfortune to her husband. She shouldn’t be married. Lu Qing didn’t listen and even married her cousins. Isn’t that just asking for death?”
“Exactly.”
“This is what he gets for ignoring the warnings.”
“Han Qiuniang is really ominous. We have to talk to the village chief about sending her out of Manglong Village. She can’t stay here anymore.”
Rumors and gossip spread through the village.
“What’s going on? Did bandits show up?” Lu Qing asked, walking down the mountain and spotting a large crowd heading toward the woods.
“He’s been gone all night. Who knows where he is now? Maybe a wild beast already got him,” Sun Magan said gloatingly. “Han Qiuniang and her cousins look pretty enough. Since Lu Qing’s dead, maybe they won’t curse the next man.”
“Wait, isn’t that Lu Qing?” Wu Hai suddenly pointed.
Everyone turned and saw Lu Qing walking down the mountain path.
“It really is Lu Qing!”
“Lu Qing!”
“Lu Qing!”
The crowd rushed toward him.
“What’s going on?” Lu Qing asked curiously.
“Lu Qing, everyone heard you went into the mountains and didn’t return last night. We thought something happened to you and came looking,” Wu He explained.
“Sorry for the trouble. I just got lost in the mountains. I didn’t find the way back until dawn,” Lu Qing said calmly.
“As long as you’re alright!” Wu Facai let out a relieved sigh. “Now that Lu Qing’s safe, everyone, back to your own work.”
This was early spring, and everyone had work to do. The fact that so many people dropped everything to look for him spoke volumes about how kind, warm, and united the people of Manglong Village were.
Lu Qing realized something: even though people were hungry, relationships were good. Whenever trouble arose, someone would always lend a hand.
“Sorry to trouble you all,” Lu Qing apologized again.
“It’s alright.”
“As long as you’re safe.”
Everyone gradually dispersed.
“Lu Qing!” a voice called.
“Uncle Youde!” Lu Qing turned to see Zhao Youde standing beside Wu Facai.
“Thank heavens it was just a false alarm. But it’s too dangerous. Let me say something, and don’t think I’m being naggy,” Zhao Youde said.
“Please go ahead,” Lu Qing said with a smile.
“You were lucky this time, but who knows about next time? I think your wife is bringing misfortune to you. You should just send them away and marry someone else,” Zhao Youde advised. In his eyes, Lu Qing getting lost in the forest overnight was solid proof that Han Qiuniang was cursing him.
This time was lucky. Who could guarantee next time?
“Uncle Youde’s right,” Wu Facai added with a serious look. “Your Aunt Zhang said the same thing. She thinks they should be sent away.”
Wu Facai was Aunt Zhang’s husband.
In his younger days, he had been a soldier, even fought against the Xiongnu at Niangzi Pass. He lost a leg and returned to Manglong Village to retire.
With Liu Xicai’s matchmaking, he married Aunt Zhang from Shanghe Village. Their relationship was excellent. Aunt Zhang had tried multiple times to get him to take a concubine, but Wu Facai had always refused.
“Thank you for the advice,” Lu Qing replied with a smile and returned to Manglong Village.
“Husband!” Han Qiuniang, Zheng Yulan, and Cheng Su’e were waiting anxiously at home. When they saw Lu Qing return, they rushed forward.
“Husband, you’re alright! I thought you…” Zheng Yulan was so overwhelmed she couldn’t finish her sentence.
“I’m glad you’re back. Please don’t go into the mountains again. We’ll dig the wild herbs ourselves,” Cheng Su’e said nervously. If something had happened to him, what would they do?
“I’m fine. I just got lost. It’s not a big deal.” Lu Qing wiped the tears from the corner of Han Qiuniang’s eyes. He suddenly realized—it felt wonderful to have someone worried about you.
“Have you eaten?” he asked.
All three shook their heads.
Lu Qing had been gone all night—how could they have had the appetite to eat?
“Are you hungry?”
“We’re not,” Han Qiuniang replied.
“Alright, then we’re going to Luliang County,” Lu Qing said, not explaining further. He motioned for Han Qiuniang and Zheng Yulan to come with him.