This time Shen Xihe ate more slowly than usual. It was food he had never tasted before—his first bite brought both surprise and reluctance to finish. The flatbreads were still warm, having sat in the basket for half an hour. Though not as crisp as fresh from the pan, they were fragrant and soft.
The pig’s foot stewed with soybeans filled a small bowl, releasing a faint aroma. In the past, Shen Xihe had only smelled the meals of other households. But today…
Shen Xihe said, “This time, with the rest day, we’re also given leave for farm work. Heavy tasks can wait until I return.”
Gu Xiao nodded, wondering why he didn’t eat faster—she hadn’t eaten yet herself.
Shen Xihe added, “You…”
Gu Xiao asked, “What is it?”
For a moment, Shen Xihe was distracted. Gu Xiao’s beauty was striking; staring at her was only natural. Yet he despised himself for it. He turned his gaze away. “Why don’t I see your meal today? You haven’t eaten?”
Gu Xiao nodded. He knew she hadn’t eaten—so why not hurry?
Lowering his head, Shen Xihe quickly finished his food. Halfway through, a classmate approached. “Xihe, is it your younger sister bringing meals again today?”
Gu Xiao, worried he might feel awkward, quickly said, “These days I’ve been the one delivering meals to Third Brother.”
The classmate was Chen Ningyuan, a native of Guangning. He had studied alongside Shen Xihe for seven years, their friendship always steady.
Chen Ningyuan admired Shen Xihe’s character and learning. Moreover, theirs was a gentleman’s friendship—plain and sincere, without regard for family wealth.
Chen Ningyuan said, “Xihe’s younger sister is my younger sister as well. I am Chen Ningyuan, Xihe’s classmate.”
Gu Xiao nodded politely. “Brother Ningyuan.”
Shen Xihe quickly finished the flatbreads, placed the bowl and chopsticks back in the basket, and said to Gu Xiao, “You should head home early.”
Gu Xiao hadn’t planned to linger anyway. As his child bride, Shen Xihe likely disliked her enough—how could he want her speaking with his friends?
Without looking back, Gu Xiao left. Shen Xihe turned and went back into the academy.
Chen Ningyuan was still watching Gu Xiao’s departing figure. In the blink of an eye, Shen Xihe had disappeared. He hurried after him. “Xihe, wait for me!”
Shen Xihe felt a restless irritation inside, though he couldn’t say why.
Chen Ningyuan said, “Three days from now we’ll have leave for farm work. Xihe, you’ll be going home to help with planting, won’t you?”
Shen Xihe replied, “Why do you ask?”
Chen Ningyuan said, “My family lives in the county—we have no land. Now that spring is bright, it’s the perfect time for an outing. I’ll go home with you.”
Shen Xihe clenched his hand. “Our house is small; there’s no room. It wouldn’t be convenient.”
Chen Ningyuan said, “I could share a room with you, couldn’t I?”
But the west room wasn’t only his—it was also Gu Xiao’s.
Suddenly Shen Xihe realized: even if he told others Gu Xiao was his younger sister, she wasn’t the same as a sister. What sister slept in the same room as her elder brother? What sister secretly called him husband? What sister worked to earn money to support his studies?
Shen Xihe couldn’t explain what he felt—it was simply different from before. Toward Gu Xiao, he no longer felt so much dislike.
“My room has only one bed. It wouldn’t fit,” Shen Xihe said, tugging at his sleeve. “Besides, you’ve never done farm work—you wouldn’t be used to it.”
Chen Ningyuan wanted to argue that he couldn’t know until he tried, but since Shen Xihe was returning to plant crops, he didn’t want to be a burden. He let it go.
Meanwhile, Gu Xiao left the academy and went straight to the cloth shop. The decorative knots Madam Chen had given her still hadn’t sold. Making them was quick—the only effort was in twisting the threads. Luckily, the cloth shop accepted them. Seventeen knots at one coin each—seventeen coins in total. These knots, when hung on belts or jade pendants, could fetch an even higher price.
Gu Xiao herself still had ten coins, though she owed Madam Chen one knot. After paying that, she had nine left. She had earned quite a bit these days, but spent much too. In a few days, Shen Xihe would return home for three days. She had to make two more folding fans before then.
Saving money couldn’t be rushed. For now, the most important thing was to go home for lunch. On the way back, Gu Xiao was so hungry her chest nearly touched her back.
The trip took an hour. At noon, the sun was blazing, and sweat beaded on her forehead.
Madam Zhou looked at her with some pity. “Hungry, aren’t you? The food’s in the pot—go eat.”
Once spring planting was over, she would have the eldest son deliver meals to Third Brother. Gu Xiao wouldn’t need to go anymore, and that would be fine.
There were still coals buried in the stove. The flatbreads and pig’s feet were still warm. Gu Xiao lifted the lid: inside were two neatly placed flatbreads and a large bowl of pig’s foot stewed with soybeans.
Madam Zhou’s voice came from behind. “Hurry up, don’t dawdle. After eating, you still have to go back to the fields.”
Gu Xiao’s heart warmed. When she left someday, the person she would miss most would surely be Madam Zhou.
Gu Xiao was skillful, but not suited for farm work. She was slow, though with Madam Chen and Madam Li helping, she managed to endure the afternoon.
Madam Chen, having earned money, was overjoyed. As long as Gu Xiao could help her sell the knots in town, she was willing to do any amount of work.
Madam Li, supporting her waist, thought about embroidering more handkerchiefs. Er Ya’s embroidery had improved—she could take on larger commissions.
After finishing the day’s work and supper, Gu Xiao returned to her room to make fans. She glued together three layers—xuan paper, lian shi paper, and leather paper—then attached the ribs, pressing them down with heavy books. This fan was different from the last; it could sell for more.
When the last light outside faded, Gu Xiao rubbed her eyes. She had one completed fan and seven polished ribs. By the time Shen Xihe returned, she could make at least three fans.
When Shen Xihe returned, she certainly wouldn’t be able to keep making fans. Three fans could sell for more than a hundred coins. Spend a little on meat, and she could still save a hundred.
Gu Xiao gazed out the window. The moon was bright, stars sparse. It wouldn’t be long before she could leave this place.
Meanwhile, Shen Xihe studied late into the night. Chen Ningyuan was already exhausted, yawning constantly. “Xihe, let’s go back to sleep.”
Shen Xihe said, “You go first. I’ll read a while longer.” He had eaten well today, so he wasn’t tired. He ought to study more.
Chen Ningyuan said, “Your health matters. It’s already very late.”
“I know health matters. Xiao Xiao often says so.” Shen Xihe’s hand froze on the book, annoyed at himself for mentioning Gu Xiao.
“Xiao Xiao—is she your younger sister?” Chen Ningyuan remembered her: lively, innocent, and charming. From Shangyang Village to the academy was no short distance. For a young girl to walk it was hard work.
Shen Xihe cast him a cold glance. “Don’t set your sights on her.”
Chen Ningyuan said, “Rest assured, Brother Xihe. I consider you my closest friend. Your sister is naturally my sister too…”
But Gu Xiao was not his sister. Would he have to tell Chen Ningyuan that Gu Xiao wasn’t his sister, but the child bride his mother had arranged years ago?
With a sharp snap, Shen Xihe closed his book. “It’s late. Time to go back.”
A cool breeze swept outside, clearing his mind a little. Chen Ningyuan was puzzled. Shen Xihe had always been steady, self‑controlled, courteous. Why was he like this tonight? Unable to find an answer, Chen Ningyuan assumed it was simply brotherly protectiveness.
The night passed quickly. After breakfast, Old Master Shen led his sons and grandsons to the fields. The Shen family had no oxen—renting one cost money. Fortunately, there were many sons, and plenty of strength.
At noon, it was still Madam Zhou and Gu Xiao cooking. Without meat, the meal was much simpler. There was still a large bone left. They split it with a knife, boiled off the blood, and tossed it into the pot to stew with vegetables—at least it gave a hint of meat flavor.
A few soybeans remained. Madam Zhou served a portion to Shen Xihe, then, after some thought, left the rest entirely for Gu Xiao.
Gu Xiao took a moment to nail the fan ribs together. This fan was indeed much better than the last, though she wasn’t sure how much it could sell for. She knew the most expensive fan at the bookshop had only been fifty coins.
Madam Zhou packed the food into a basket. “Go early, come back early. Don’t waste time on the road. When you return, the food will still be warm in the pot.”
Gu Xiao answered cheerfully, “Then Mother, wait for me to come back!”
Madam Zhou nodded. Xiao Xiao was so happy—yet she hadn’t figured out how to tell her. If she forbade her from delivering meals, Gu Xiao would surely ask why.
To say outright that Third Brother didn’t want her to go… that wouldn’t do. Madam Zhou thought there were still several days left. She would delay for now.
Meanwhile, Gu Xiao carried her fan and went to the county she longed for. Delivering the meal took only a short while. Shen Xihe, as usual, spoke little, quietly finished eating, and helped put the bowl and chopsticks back into the basket.
Gu Xiao said, “Third Brother, I’ll head back now.”
“Mm. Gu Xiao…” Shen Xihe exhaled softly. He called her name, but the second sentence never came.
People bustled around them. Gu Xiao waited quietly for him to speak.
Shen Xihe glanced about. Seeing Chen Ningyuan approaching, he quickly said, “Be careful on the road.”
Gu Xiao thought, *How rare—after all these trips, this is the first time Shen Xihe has told me to be careful on the road.* “Third Brother, you study so diligently. Take care of your health. I’ll head back now.”
Chen Ningyuan came over as well. After Gu Xiao had gone far enough, he asked Shen Xihe, “Your younger sister’s name is Gu Xiao—Shen Guxiao?”
Shen Xihe replied, “No. If you’ve finished eating, then go back.”
Chen Ningyuan: “Alright.”
Leaving the academy, Gu Xiao went straight to the bookshop. There were quite a few people inside. The sharp‑eyed clerk spotted her immediately.
“You’ve come again, miss. Do you want to see our manager?” He squinted with a smile. “The manager is upstairs. I’ll take you.”
Gu Xiao, with her fan in hand, felt secure. “Much obliged.”
Manager Zhang was indeed waiting for her. That fan had doubled in value—the paper wasn’t the issue; it was the bamboo pattern on the ribs, so exquisitely carved. If the ribs were bamboo and the paper fine, the fan could be sent to the capital and fetch dozens, even hundreds of times more.
“You’ve come, miss. Have you made a new fan?” Manager Zhang greeted her warmly.
Gu Xiao took out the fan. “Yes. Please take a look.”
Manager Zhang immediately saw the difference. The paper was good—clear yet sturdy. The ribs were smooth and slender. On two of the larger ribs was carved plum blossom, one branch slanting across—but only half of it.
“And the other half?”
Gu Xiao said, “The rest is on the fan face.”
But the fan face was empty, nothing at all. The manager grew anxious. “Miss, since this fan is your work, if someone else paints the face, the artistic conception will be lost!”
Gu Xiao said calmly, “Do you want me to paint it? If I do, it won’t be the same price.”