After three days of hunger, Gu Xiao truly longed for meat. The meat flatbread she had eaten hadn’t satisfied her craving—braised pork was far more fragrant. She split a bun in half, tucked the meat inside, added two chopsticks’ worth of cabbage, and ate it like a meat sandwich, utterly content.
Madam Zhou, having eaten meat herself, now found Gu Xiao pleasing in every way. “If it’s given to you, then you eat it. That’s the rule in this household.”
After speaking, Madam Zhou glanced at Madam Li and Madam Chen. Madam Chen had divided her two pieces of meat, willing to go without herself. But Madam Li kept staring at Gu Xiao, her expression betraying her thoughts. Madam Zhou knew exactly what was on her mind.
Old Master Shen never concerned himself with such matters. One bite of meat and it was gone, delicious indeed. “If only there were wine, it would be perfect.”
Shen Xihe lowered his head and bit into a piece. The flavor was rich and savory. He had seen his classmates eat neat little squares of meat like this before. He had once thought: as long as he earned his degree, he would eventually eat such things. He hadn’t expected his first taste to come because of Gu Xiao.
Whatever Shen Xihe thought, Gu Xiao had eaten her first truly filling meal here. Even the buns at lunch were larger than usual. Afterward, Madam Li returned to her room, and Gu Xiao helped Madam Chen wash dishes.
It was mid‑March, and the well water was still icy cold. Madam Chen washed once, then told Gu Xiao to wash again. With everyone else napping, Madam Chen lowered her voice. “Xiao Xiao, where did you get the money to buy meat?”
Gu Xiao lifted her head, flicking water from her hands. Cricket cages weren’t unique to her, and she had already told Madam Zhou. Telling Madam Chen was no harm. “I weave cricket cages from grass stems and sell them.”
Madam Chen gave an embarrassed smile. “I ask not for any other reason…” She spoke sincerely: “Third Brother will sit for the provincial exam next autumn, in the capital. It’s thousands of miles away; just the journey will take more than ten days. As his sister‑in‑law, I want to show some care too.”
Listening to Madam Chen, Gu Xiao felt a strange sense of familiarity.
Madam Chen had two sons. The elder was sixteen, already of marriageable age. Without money, how could he wed? Gu Xiao understood—she understood all too well.
Gu Xiao thought for a moment, then spoke with the concern of a young wife: “Then let me thank Sister‑in‑law on husband’s behalf first.”
Madam Chen’s face lit up with joy. “Then Xiao Xiao, you teach me. That way I can sell more, and save more for Third Brother.”
Madam Chen thought: her eldest son would marry next year, her daughter was thirteen and needed a dowry prepared. If she earned some silver, she could hand over a small portion and keep the rest—her mother‑in‑law wouldn’t object. Her husband’s carpentry earnings were all handed in. Since the family hadn’t split yet, weddings were funded collectively. Still, Madam Chen wanted to secretly add a little extra.
So the matter was settled. Grateful for Gu Xiao’s help, Madam Chen didn’t even let her wash dishes. In the afternoon, while the Shen family worked in the fields, Madam Chen quickly finished the laundry, then gathered grass stems for Gu Xiao to teach her weaving.
Weaving cricket cages wasn’t difficult—it required patience and care. One had to adjust the shape as they went, and tuck in the ends neatly.
Gu Xiao demonstrated: “It’s actually like weaving a bamboo basket. Just build it layer by layer.”
Madam Chen watched Gu Xiao weave and thought it looked easy. But once she tried, it was different. Her clumsy hands couldn’t even form the base. After much effort, she managed a bottom, but one side was wide, the other narrow, crooked all around.
Madam Chen compared hers to Gu Xiao’s. “Xiao Xiao, why doesn’t mine look the same?”
Gu Xiao’s first attempt had been better than this. She comforted her: “…The first time is always like this. With practice, it’ll get better.”
Madam Chen sighed. Practice—who knew how long that would take.
Gu Xiao placed the cricket cage into the basket. “Sister‑in‑law, earning money isn’t only about weaving cricket cages. There are many ways to earn.”
Madam Chen was illiterate. After marrying into the Shen family, she bore children, managed household chores with Madam Zhou, farmed, washed clothes, and mended garments. She had once tried embroidery, but her work was poor, and she gave it up.
Madam Chen sighed. “Making money isn’t so easy.”
Shen Dalang built cabinets, yet earned only a few dozen coins.
Gu Xiao thought of the young master in the blue robe she had seen the other day. “Sister‑in‑law, you could make decorative knots.”
In terms of skill, Madam Chen wasn’t as deft as Gu Xiao, nor as capable as Shen Dalang with woodwork. But knot‑tying wasn’t difficult—she could surely manage.
Madam Chen’s brows furrowed. “Decorative knots?”
Gu Xiao nodded. “Yes—tying cords into patterns. There are double‑heart knots, flower knots, auspicious knots… Add tassels and they can hang from folding fans or round fans. They look especially pretty.”
The Shen family only had large palm fans. Madam Chen asked, “Can these really sell?”
Gu Xiao replied, “If you don’t make them, of course they won’t sell. You have to try.”
Madam Chen bit her lip. “Then teach me!”
Knot‑tying was simpler than weaving cages. At first Madam Chen practiced with hemp rope. Though thicker and dull in color, the knots she made weren’t bad at all.
“This looks quite nice,” Madam Chen said with a smile. “It’ll definitely sell. Xiao Xiao, I really don’t know how to thank you.”
Gu Xiao waved her hand. “We’re family. If you truly want to thank me, then help me with a small favor. Could I have the leftover wood scraps from eldest brother’s carpentry? And if there’s an unused carving knife, may I borrow it?”
Madam Chen said, “Why not? Those scraps are useless anyway, just firewood.” She brought over strips and blocks of wood, even pulling some from the woodshed.
“The knife is rusty, but you can make do.”
Gu Xiao smiled sweetly. “Thank you, Sister‑in‑law.”
Madam Chen replied, “No need for thanks—we’re all family. Aren’t we doing this for Third Brother?”
For Shen Xihe? Gu Xiao reminded herself constantly not to forget her purpose. “Exactly! It’s all for husband. As long as he can study hard and earn his degree, I’ll do anything.”
Madam Chen said, “All your thoughts are on Third Brother.”
Gu Xiao gave an embarrassed smile.
The Shen family’s front gate creaked open. The sun was already sinking in the west.
The two women had busied themselves all afternoon. In March, the days were still short, and dusk had already fallen as the Shen family returned from the fields. Altogether they had eleven acres of land, nearly all turned over after several days’ work.
Shen Xihe carried a hoe, dressed in coarse short clothes, sleeves rolled up, his forehead shining with sweat.
Old Master Shen coughed. Shen Dalang and Shen Erlang exchanged glances, teasing smiles written on their faces.
Shen Xihe tightened his grip slightly, frowned, and walked toward Gu Xiao. “Come inside with me.”
Gu Xiao’s face burned like fire. She hadn’t expected him to say it aloud for everyone to hear. Wasn’t it just a polite phrase? Even Madam Chen had said it—how could she not?
Gu Xiao followed Shen Xihe into the room. He closed the door behind them.
Outside was dark, inside darker still. Shen Xihe clasped his hands behind his back. “What did you just say?”
Gu Xiao, resigned, answered bluntly: “The truth.”
What else could it be? Polite words, empty words—did he really think it was her heartfelt confession?
Shen Xihe felt a surge of anger, but more than that, helplessness. After a long pause, he said, “Have you no shame?”
To say she would do anything, just so he could study?
His voice hardened. “Mind your words and actions. From now on, you must never say such things again. Do you hear?”
Gu Xiao lifted her head. Shen Xihe’s eyes were bright, his young face stern, pretending at maturity, hands clasped behind his back as he scolded her with solemn seriousness.
Gu Xiao replied, “I understand.”
Shen Xihe added, “You mustn’t even think it in your heart.”
Gu Xiao: “Mm, I understand.”
The two left the room. Shen Xihe went to the front yard to chop wood. He returned home only once every five days, and when he did, he took on all the household chores—splitting firewood, carrying water, working the fields, tending the fire. He was far from the sort of scholar who could neither lift nor carry.
Dinner was prepared by Madam Zhou. She steamed an egg especially for Shen Xihe, and the evening porridge was thicker than usual. As she cooked, she nagged, “At the academy, don’t scrimp. And stop copying books—focus on your lessons.”
Shen Xihe added a handful of firewood to the stove. “Mother, I know what I’m doing. Copying books helps me remember better. It doesn’t interfere.”
This time he had brought back pastries, which Madam Zhou found most thoughtful. “And don’t keep bringing things home.”
“It’s just a packet of pastries, not expensive.” Shen Xihe lifted his head, speaking softly. “Mother… from now on, let Da Wa deliver my meals.”
Madam Zhou set down the spatula. “Why can’t Xiao Xiao deliver them anymore?”
Shen Xihe couldn’t explain. “I…” He simply didn’t like it.
Madam Zhou, ever tender toward her son, relented. “Fine. Once this busy spell is over, I won’t let Xiao Xiao go.”
Yet seeing how happy Gu Xiao was just to deliver a meal, Madam Zhou felt reluctant to deny her. So at dinner she ladled an extra spoonful for Gu Xiao.
The Shen family had no strict rules at meals. They spoke as they ate. Old Master Shen only asked about Shen Xihe’s academy life, nothing more. After dinner, Shen Xihe filled the household water jars, cleaned the chicken coop, and turned the vegetable patch in the back yard.
Gu Xiao too was exhausted. She hadn’t done much heavy work, but she hadn’t rested either. She carried the basket of wood scraps into her room and began testing the carving knife against them.
In early spring, the grass was still soft. After a few more days, the stems would harden, and cricket cages could no longer be sold. Since Gu Xiao needed to save money, she had to think of other ways.
That day, she had seen the young master in the blue robe holding a folding fan. Gu Xiao thought of making folding fans to sell.
Fan paper often carried calligraphy or paintings of plum, orchid, bamboo, and chrysanthemum—favorites of scholars. To add flair, one could carve or hollow out designs on the fan handles, inscribe words, or decorate them.
Tassels could also be made in different styles: auspicious knots, double‑heart knots—whatever looked pleasing.
Xuan paper was too soft for fan leaves. She would need to make her own, or layer several sheets together.
Having made up her mind, Gu Xiao planned to try once Shen Xihe left the next day. She was tired after a long day, so she sat on the bed to rest for a while.
The door creaked open, startlingly loud in the quiet room. Shen Xihe entered, freshly washed, damp hair falling across his forehead. He closed the door, his gaze deepening as he saw Gu Xiao sitting on the bed.
Gu Xiao shivered. Why was Shen Xihe looking at her like that? He had already scolded her that afternoon—she hadn’t provoked him again.
His voice was low and stern. “Gu Xiao, what exactly are you trying to do?”
Normally Gu Xiao slept on the couch. Why was she sitting on the bed today?
Only then did Gu Xiao realize what he meant.
When she had arrived, Shen Xihe was still at the academy, not yet home. The west room had only one bed, so she had naturally slept there. One person fit perfectly on the bed. No wonder there was also a couch—it was his. She beat her chest inwardly in regret. Of course, it was his bed.
She sprang up, bent over to smooth the creases where she had sat. “I was just testing if the bed was comfortable. It’s fine. You sit, you sit.”