Night fell and the air grew cool. The choice before them was agonizing.
Shen Qing’s father puffed slowly on his pipe. His face half-hidden in smoke looked heavy with worry. Liu Cuihua twisted her hands nervously.
Her eldest brother stood up. “When you and Qingqing were exchanged neither of you was at fault. You were only children.” “But you have lived in comfort for sixteen years. All the good fortune that should have been hers was yours. We owe Qingqing that. You owe her that. You cannot ask us to choose between you.”
“Exactly.” Her elder sister Shen Ru spoke firmly. “Our family has fallen on hard times. Life here is hard work.” “You have had your share of ease. Why should Qingqing now take your place and suffer in your stead?”
Their words were plain and true. Liu Cuihua understood. She took Li Mengyao’s hand. “Mengyao I will come and help you work. I will bring you warm bedding and clothes. I will bring you food. You will not go hungry.” Her voice was steady. “But we cannot send Qingqing away. You cannot take her place here.”
Shen Qing’s father finished his pipe. “They are right.” “Qingqing stays. That is our decision.”
Li Mengyao had known this moment was coming. Before leaving the city she had spoken with her father. Shen Qing’s father’s troubles would affect all his children. Schooling work opportunities military service all would be restricted. And most importantly the family of the young man she hoped to marry would never accept a daughter labeled as coming from a disgraced family. She needed a clean status even if it meant living simply. She had never imagined they would choose Shen Qing over her.
Tears welled in her eyes. “How can you do this?” “I am your daughter.” “You turn me away for her?”
Shen Ru met her gaze. “You enjoyed the good years. Now you must face the hard ones.” “I would bear it in your place if I could. But we will not ask Qingqing to bear what is yours.” Since leaving the family home Shen Ru had grown stronger. She would not see her sister hurt again.
Shen Qing was not surprised by their choice nor by Shen Ru’s fierce protectiveness. What moved her was seeing how much bolder her sister had become than in her past life. In those days Shen Qing had stepped forward to spare them the pain. She would not do that this time.
Li Mengyao turned to her voice trembling. “Will you not speak up?” “Do you not want to go back to your real parents?” “The chance is there. Why do you not take it?” She stepped closer her tone sharp with accusation. “Or is it that you only cared for comfort? That you fled the moment their fortunes turned?”
Shen Qing smiled calmly. “You speak of yourself not me.” She stood up and went to her brother’s room having said all that needed saying.
She measured the medicine meant to repair damaged nerves into a bowl of water and carried it to him. “Brother drink this for me.”
Shen Chang’an took the bowl and sipped. He looked at her quietly. “You have added something.”
She met his gaze honestly. “It is medicine from Doctor Wang. He believes it may help your legs.” “I know you have lost hope. But will you try once more for me?”
He smiled gently. “For you yes.” In his heart he knew he would never walk again. But he would not break her heart by refusing. “I heard what was said.” “I stand with them. You belong here.” “I will always stand behind you.”
Shen Qing’s eyes filled. She remembered how he had quietly protected her through every hardship in her past life. “Brother.”
He patted her hand. “Do not cry. You are too pretty to cry.” From beneath his pillow he brought something out and unfolded it in his palm a delicate paper crane folded from the translucent wrapper of a sorghum candy. “Tiedan found the wrappers. I made this for you. Do not be sad.”
The thin paper still carried a faint sweet scent. It was simple and handmade and perfect. Shen Qing held it gently to her face. “It is beautiful. Thank you.”
“Have you ever tasted such candy?” she asked. He shook his head. “I imagine it must be wonderful. Sweet and warm. Perhaps even better than dumplings at New Year.”
Shen Qing had tasted sorghum candy before and the memory was not happy. But seeing the light in his eyes it felt less bitter now. “Brother I promise you will taste it.”
“I want some too!” Tiedan pushed the door open his eyes bright and curious.
Shen Qing showed him the paper crane. “For now only the wrapper.” “Tiedan do you believe I will bring you the real candy one day?”
He nodded without a moment’s doubt. “I believe you Sister.”
To keep that promise Shen Qing returned to her private space. Her heart was calm now. She gathered more herbs fine specimens that only a well-stocked laboratory could preserve. She brought them to Doctor Wang. He examined them closely then stepped to the door peered outside and closed it again. His voice dropped to a whisper. “These are extraordinary. Where did you find them?”
“Deep in the Nameless Mountain,” she answered as she had planned.
He frowned. “That place is dangerous. You must not go there again.”
“I will be careful.”
“What do you wish to trade this time?”
“Two pounds of pork and one pound of candy.”
“Sugar candy?”
“Sorghum candy.”
Doctor Wang looked troubled. “That will be very hard to find.”
While Doctor Wang searched for the candy Li Mengyao pulled two pieces from her pocket. She had brought them from the city before leaving. She called Tiedan to the shade of the earthen wall. Smiling sweetly she asked: “Tiedan would you like a piece of sorghum candy?”