The Qiao siblings tossed and turned all night, barely sleeping due to worry over Qiao Fugeng, and rose early.
When Qiao Wan opened the door to toss out wash water, she saw Qiao Dahe returning from outside.
“Big brother, where have you been?”
“I went out again to wait for father, afraid he might have gotten tired on the road and taken shelter somewhere to sleep.”
Qiao Dahe fetched a basin of water and wiped the sweat from his body.
He hadn’t slept at all last night, leaving at first light, yet he’d walked nearly halfway to town without seeing any sign of his father.
“If father left the city gates, he would definitely come home,” Qiao Qing analyzed, peeking out from the kitchen.
Qiao Dahe nodded: “That’s what I thought too, so I came back. I plan to ask the village chief later to send someone to check in the county town.”
In this era, traveling anywhere required money for travel permits. Among the Qiao siblings, only Qiao Wan had one – the family’s money had all been taken by Qiao Fugeng yesterday.
Now only Qiao Wan could go to the county town.
“I’ll go. I’ll look for father.”
“No! You can’t go alone.” Qiao Erchuan limped out from his room: “It takes over two hours to walk from the village to the county town. It’s too dangerous for a young woman alone. Besides, the county town is so big – how would you know where to look for father?”
Qiao Wan:…
The original owner’s knowledge of the county town was limited to the route from the city gate to Huo Yaoxian’s academy – she knew nothing beyond that.
Having her search the county town for an ordinary farmer would indeed be difficult.
“Then what do you suggest?”
“We should ask Brother Guai. He transports people to the county town daily, he must know more people than the village chief.”
The “Guai” Qiao Erchuan referred to was named Zhao Chuntian. Having injured his leg as a child, villagers called him Guai (Lame).
Qiao Erchuan often took his ox-cart when he previously worked at the county academy, and the two had become familiar over time.
“I’ll go find him now.” Qiao Erchuan found a walking stick and prepared to leave.
“Second brother, I’ll go with you.” Qiao Qing supported Qiao Erchuan as they went to find Guai.
Qiao Dahe stayed home to watch Qiao Wan closely, afraid she might impulsively sneak off to the county town.
Seeing the situation, Qiao Wan had no choice but to stay home and sort through the herbs gathered yesterday.
Soon Qiao Qing and Qiao Erchuan returned. When Qiao Wan wanted to check the mountains, Qiao Qing stopped her.
“Tomorrow is your wedding day. I altered the wedding dress last night – come try it on with me.”
Qiao Qing pulled Qiao Wan into the room and brought out the modified red wedding dress.
“Sister, wasn’t this meant for you to keep?” Qiao Wan didn’t take it. Given the Qiao family’s current situation where they could barely afford food, saving a wedding dress was out of the question.
“I’ve already altered it for you. Just wear it when I tell you to.”
As Qiao Wan stubbornly refused and the sisters tussled over the dress, Qiao Dahe’s voice called from outside: “Father…”
Hearing this, Qiao Wan and Qiao Qing immediately dropped the wedding dress and rushed out.
Qiao Wan froze at the sight of Qiao Fugeng.
Qiao Fugeng staggered through the courtyard gate carrying numerous packages, looking as if all strength had been drained from him, more haggard than yesterday.
His coarse cloth clothes were covered in dust, with a large hole worn through at the shoulder revealing red, swollen, and broken skin underneath.
His face was sunburned dark red, lips chapped, eyes sunken deep in their sockets – each step appearing exceptionally heavy.
“Father!”
Qiao Wan and Qiao Qing exclaimed simultaneously, rushing forward to support him on either side.
Qiao Dahe had already brought water. Qiao Fugeng took it, but his hand trembled so violently that most of the water spilled from the bowl.
He gulped it down in one go, let out a long sigh, and seemed to finally catch his breath.
“It’s nothing, it’s nothing,” he said, forcing a weary smile as he looked at his children gathered around him. “I just finished work late yesterday when it was already dark, so I rough-slept by the city wall and rushed back first thing this morning.”
Qiao Qing’s eyes instantly reddened. She tugged at the fabric on Qiao Fugeng’s shoulder and complained, “Dad, how old are you still carrying heavy loads with them!”
“It’s no trouble. I happened to catch a merchant caravan unloading, so I just helped out.”
Qiao Wan guessed why Qiao Fugeng had taken on such heavy labor. Suppressing the ache in her nose, she feigned calm and said, “Dad, I’ll fetch water to wipe your face and check the injury on your shoulder.”
“Not urgent.” Qiao Fugeng pulled a forearm-length piece of streaky pork from his bundle and handed it to Qiao Qing. “Cook this for lunch. Our family will have a good meal today.”
“Don’t worry, Dad, I’ll cook it all. You should go with Little Sister to tend to your wounds. Little Sister is really capable now!”
Urging him with concern, Qiao Qing unhesitatingly helped Qiao Wan support Qiao Fugeng into the house.
Qiao Dahe helped carry the bamboo basket and bundle inside, then turned to assist in the kitchen.
When Qiao Wan returned with water, intending to treat Qiao Fugeng’s wounds first, he stopped her.
“Wanwan, Dad’s fine. Sit down first.”
Qiao Fugeng retrieved a bundle from the bottom of the bamboo basket and pushed it toward Qiao Wan. “Dad didn’t know what to buy for you. See if these suit your taste.”
Qiao Wan opened the bundle to find a pair of silver earrings, two sets of new clothes—one red, one pink—and a cotton quilt.
She picked up the small silver earrings, holding them carefully in her palm and rubbing them thoughtfully. Her heart ached even more—how many heavy loads had her father carried to afford these?
“Dad,” her voice choked slightly, “this is too extravagant. I… I don’t need these things.”
Rubbing his hands together, Qiao Fugeng wore an awkward yet affectionate smile. “You must have them. How can my daughter get married without a proper dowry? Though it can’t compare to wealthy families, it shouldn’t be too shabby and become a laughingstock.”
He pointed to the thick new cotton quilt. “I’ve seen the courtyard where Huo Yan lives. It’s backed against a mountain with no shelter front or back. It must get cold in winter. With this quilt, you won’t suffer from the cold.”
Qiao Wan stroked the soft new quilt, then looked at the two brightly colored new outfits with their fine stitching, her heart filled with mixed emotions.
The original host’s father was a man of few words, yet he had channeled all his love into these tangible items.
“Thank you, Dad.” Qiao Wan lowered her head, not letting her father see her reddened eyes. “I really like them. I truly do.”
Qiao Fugeng nodded with relief, then pulled a small cloth pouch from his chest. Unwrapping it layer by layer, he revealed several pieces of broken silver and a half-string of copper coins.
“This is what’s left. It’s not much, but keep it for emergencies.” He insistently pressed the money into Qiao Wan’s hand. “When you go to the Huo family, having some money on hand will help you stand taller.”
“Dad, I can’t take this!” Qiao Wan quickly refused. “The family still has debts outside, and Big Brother’s wedding will need money too. I can earn my own—”
“Take it!” Qiao Fugeng’s tone was uncharacteristically firm, his calloused hand gripping Qiao Wan’s tightly.
“Father is useless, unable to give you more. That child Huo Yan… I know you feel wronged in your heart, but life must go on. Having some money for security is never wrong.”
Seeing the deep-seated worry in her father’s eyes, Qiao Wan ultimately accepted the heavy cloth bundle.
“Father, don’t worry,” Qiao Wan raised her head, her gaze firm. “I will live well, won’t let others bully me, and in the future I’ll make sure our whole family lives a good life.”
Qiao Fugeng looked at his daughter who seemed to have grown up overnight, his eyes growing moist as he repeatedly nodded: “Good, good, Father believes in you.”
Qiao Fugeng ultimately didn’t let Qiao Wan help treat his wounds. But during the meal, when Qiao Wan saw his hand trembling so much he couldn’t even pick up food with his chopsticks, her eyes reddened once more.
That night, Qiao Wan hugged her quilt and squeezed together with Qiao Qing. Tomorrow she would be married, and her heart was very nervous. Though she had never eaten pork, she had seen pigs run. The moment she thought of Huo Yan’s mountain-like physique, Qiao Wan’s body couldn’t help but tremble.
Qiao Qing, unaware of Qiao Wan’s thoughts, thought she was having a nightmare. She turned over and embraced her, patting Qiao Wan gently like when they were children, murmuring:
“Little sister, don’t be afraid, don’t be afraid. Your sister is here.”