Chapter Fifty-One: Ankang Succeeds in the Imperial Examination

Returning from the city, Anyi explained the situation to Dr. Lu and temporarily reduced her study hours. In the mornings, she went to gather herbs she hadn't told the Xinliu sisters about, and in the afternoons, she dug for snow grass, dandelion, and strong grass with them.

The front and back yards of the An family home were filled with herbs drying in the sun. Besides selling them, Anyi kept some roots to plant in the backyard next year. She also reserved a few ounces of herbs like windbreak grass, wild mugwort, wild chrysanthemum, and dragon bud grass for treating colds, so that if they fell ill in winter, they wouldn't have to spend money at the pharmacy.

Life flowed peacefully and repetitively. On the ninth day of the eighth month, the first session of the imperial exam began—it was also Anjian's eleventh birthday. Mrs. Luo cooked two eggs for him, and Anyi gave him a pair of new shoes as a gift.

Anjian delightedly put on the new shoes, walking a few steps with a broad smile. "Sister, these are great, they fit perfectly and are comfortable. Thank you."

"No need to thank me, it's what I should do," Anyi replied sweetly.

By the fifteenth day of the eighth month, the Mid-Autumn Festival, Anqing was far away, and it had been over a year without any news. Mrs. Luo dared not think the worst, nor tell the children, but only prayed silently, hoping he would return safely.

Ankang had just finished his final exam and was still in Changsha, unable to make it home to reunite with the family. The three sat in the yard for a while, gazed at the moon, chatted idly, lost interest, and went to bed.

Ten days after Mid-Autumn was Luo Xiamei's seventeenth birthday, also her wedding day. Here, girls were usually betrothed at eleven or twelve and married at fifteen or sixteen, never later than eighteen, or else they'd be ridiculed. Mrs. Luo herself married at sixteen and gave birth to Ankang at seventeen.

Early in the morning, Mrs. Luo dressed Anjian and Anyi in new clothes and took them to Luo Guangzong's house.

Luo Xiamei's room was newly decorated, the cabinet piled high with her dowry. She hadn't changed into her bridal gown yet, wearing a half-old jujube-red cross-collared narrow-sleeved jacket and a light blue long skirt, sitting on the bed with a shy smile on her blushing cheeks, clutching a pink handkerchief embroidered with mandarin ducks. Seeing Mrs. Luo enter, she stood up and called, "Elder Sister."

"Second Sister, congratulations," Mrs. Luo smiled, handing the package to Mrs. Zhou, and then pulled out a small bundle for Luo Xiamei.

Mrs. Zhou opened it—a pair of fine cotton cloths—and smiled. Luo Xiamei opened hers—a pair of silver-plated engraved brass bracelets. People in the countryside weren't wealthy; gifts were usually small coins, fine cloth, or handkerchiefs. These silver-plated brass bracelets were relatively precious.

Mrs. Zhou grinned, "Qiumei, this is too generous."

"Sister's getting married, I have to show some sincerity," Mrs. Luo laughed.

Mrs. Zhou grabbed a handful of peanuts and gave them to Anyi, "Xier, eat some."

After some casual conversation, Anyi, Luo Xiaoxia, and Luo Hongmei stayed with Luo Xiamei, while Mrs. Luo and Mrs. Yang went to help in the kitchen.

In the afternoon, Luo Xiamei bathed and changed into new wedding attire from inside out. Mrs. Zhou invited Lady Li, the wife of the village head, to do her hair and face.

Anyi watched Lady Li twist threads across Luo Xiamei's face, making her grimace and cry.

At dusk, the sound of firecrackers echoed at the village entrance—the bridal party had arrived. Luo Dequan and his brothers blocked the door as custom dictated, making things difficult for the wedding party and demanding red envelopes. Someone urged that the auspicious hour was near, so after collecting several red envelopes, they opened the courtyard gate.

The groom, surnamed Fang, was third in his family, known as Fang Sanlang. He wore a red wedding robe, was sturdy and well-built, and under the guidance of the wedding matron, entered to fetch the bride. Mrs. Luo and others brought red date tea and eggs for the bridal party.

Luo Xiaoxia and others didn't trouble him much; after taking a red envelope, they let him pass. Back in the main hall, Luo Guangzong and his wife sat before the altar, and Fang Sanlang and Luo Xiamei came forward to bid farewell. Mrs. Zhou, who had been smiling all along, suddenly felt a pang of sorrow, her eyes reddening, but she couldn't shed tears in public and gave her daughter a few words of advice.

After eating the red date tea and eggs, Luo Xiamei's eldest brother Luo Xiaochuan carried her out the door. Mrs. Zhou hurried after, splashing a basin of water on the ground—married daughters are like spilled water, not to belittle them, but hoping their lives in their husband's home would be good, never to return in disgrace.

The bridal party included Luo Xiamei's second brother Luo Xiahe, his wife Mrs. Zhou, Luo Donglin and his wife, Luo Xiaoxia, and Luo Chunli. As the bridal and escort parties faded away, the wedding banquet began at the bride's family.

Golden autumn brought pleasant weather, ideal for weddings. Four days later, Dr. Lu told Anyi he would be away for five or six days to attend a wedding, leaving her to study on her own.

Anyi was delighted—finally, she had been waiting for his departure.

The next morning, she watched Dr. Lu and Mrs. Zhang leave the village. Soon after, Mrs. Liu sent word of a happy event: Zhang Lian's wife had given birth to a girl last night. Mrs. Luo went to the grocer for brown sugar and two pieces of fine cloth, planning to visit the mother and child the next day.

"Mother, I won't go. Big brother will be back soon, but his shoes aren't finished yet. If he sees second brother with new shoes and himself without, he'll say I'm biased," Anyi excused herself.

Mrs. Luo suspected nothing, smiling, "You can stay home and watch the house. If you don't want to cook lunch, eat at your great-uncle's."

That afternoon brought another unexpected joy: Congliu, while digging herbs, tripped over roots and sprained her ankle, so she couldn't go out tomorrow. This spared Anyi the trouble of finding a way to get rid of her.

Everything was falling into place.

Anyi gazed at the box full of cocklebur seeds, smiling wickedly. She refused to believe that this wouldn't rid her of Xinliu.

The next day, after Mrs. Luo left, Anyi locked the door, hid in the kitchen, made six sorghum cakes, then mixed all the cocklebur seeds into flour and fried six pancakes. After cleaning the dishes, she wrapped the cakes and pancakes separately, placed them in a bamboo basket, and went to find Xinliu. "Xinliu, let's go up the mountain together."

Xinliu, unaware of danger, carried her basket, chatting and laughing as she walked with Anyi.

Xinliu's family was poor, with many siblings, and she was nearly always half-hungry. It wasn't hard for Anyi to coax her into eating the cocklebur pancakes. After gathering half a basket of wild vegetables and herbs, Anyi called out, "Xinliu, let's rest and eat something before digging more."

Xinliu, hearing there was food, instinctively swallowed and walked over.

Anyi took out the cocklebur pancakes and sorghum cakes, "All these pancakes are for you. I eat them every day and I'm sick of them."

Xinliu took the pancakes and ate four in one go. "I'm full now. I'll take these last two back for Congliu and the others."

"There are only two left—not enough to share. If they start fighting over them, it'll be troublesome. Better to eat them all and take these three cakes for them," Anyi said. She only wanted Xinliu dead, not to harm her siblings—a life for a life, and that would settle things.

Xinliu knew her siblings better than anyone and still wasn't full, so she ate the other two pancakes, took the cakes, wrapped them, and put them in her basket.

After eating, the two continued gathering wild vegetables and herbs. Once their baskets were full, they descended the mountain, and at the village entrance, met someone. Seeing Anyi, the person smiled, "Xier, hurry home. Someone from the city came to deliver good news—your big brother passed the exam."

Xinliu rushed toward the An family, as eager as if it was her own brother's achievement. Anyi's eyes flickered, following behind, and from afar saw a crowd gathered at her gate.

Xinliu tried to squeeze in, but couldn't. Anyi stood behind the crowd and called out loudly, "Make way, let me through, I need to go home."

Hearing her, the villagers exclaimed, "Aiya, Xier is back, quick, let her through." A path opened; Xinliu again rushed in first, making Anyi secretly sneer.

Only a few people were in the yard: village head Luo Shikai and Luo Fugui, with two men in black robes seated on small stools.

"Great-uncle," Anyi called.

"Xier is back, that's wonderful," Luo Fugui laughed.

"Gentlemen, this is An Xiaolian's sister, Miss Xier," Luo Shikai introduced.

"Greetings, Miss Xier," the two men rose, cupped their hands in greeting, showing courtesy even to a little girl.

Anyi curtsied, "Greetings to you both."

"Can Miss Xier receive the congratulatory notice?" the taller man asked, hesitating at her young age.

After exams, results were posted on the third day. Ankang already knew he had passed, but returning from Changsha took time. The local authorities, having received notification that a fourteen-year-old from their district had passed, sent messengers first.

"I can receive it," Anyi stepped forward, took the notice with both hands, "Please wait a moment."

She entered the house, then returned with a silk pouch, handing it to the gentlemen, "Thank you for your trouble. My mother isn't home, and we have little to offer, so please accept this for tea."

The shorter man weighed the pouch, smiling in satisfaction—no wonder she was the scholar's sister, so sensible at a young age. "Thank you, Miss Xier. We'll take our leave now and come back to offer congratulations when Xiaolian returns."

"Safe travels," Anyi smiled.

"All right, everyone, stop blocking the gate, disperse now," Luo Shikai waved.

With Mrs. Luo absent, the villagers laughed and left.

Anyi tugged at Luo Fugui's sleeve, slipped him a pouch, whispering, "Great-uncle, please take the village head for a drink."

Luo Fugui refused the pouch, smiling, "No need, I'll bring him home for a drink."

The two left together, and after about half an hour, Luo Chunli, who had gone to fetch Mrs. Luo, returned with her.

"Mother, big brother passed," Anyi handed the bright red notice to Mrs. Luo.

Her hands trembled as she took it, rubbing them on her clothes, and opened the notice. Skipping the formal language, she went straight to the last line: nineteenth place, Anjian, from Lingling County, Hunan.

Eighty-five people passed the provincial exam; Anjian ranked nineteenth—a high position. Mrs. Luo wept for joy, murmuring, "Ancestors bless, Buddha bless."

In the afternoon, villagers came to congratulate and get close, some hinting they wanted to marry their daughters to Ankang. Anyi watched their ingratiating smiles and listened to their flattery, suddenly recalling modern times, when people approached her for the An family's wealth, feeling disgusted. She grabbed her basket and went out to dig herbs.

After filling most of her basket, she saw the sky darken and hurried home, meeting Aunt Liu, who looked pleased. Anyi's eyes flickered, "Aunt Liu."

Aunt Liu stared at her, smiled, nodded, and left.

Entering, Anyi found Mrs. Luo sitting in a chair, troubled. Curious, she asked, "Mother, what's happened?"

Mrs. Luo forced a smile, "Nothing."

"Mother, don't hide it from me. I know Aunt Liu's purpose," Anyi tried to bluff her.

Mrs. Luo stared in shock, "How did you know?"

"Mother, you didn't agree to her, did you?" Anyi didn't answer but pressed further.

"Your big brother is now a scholar. I never thought of marrying him to a noble's daughter, but he should marry an educated girl. Xinliu is nice, but I don't think she's a good match. I don't want to agree," Mrs. Luo stroked Anyi's face, sighing with resignation, "Aunt Liu saved you; we owe her a debt."

A debt, again!

Anyi clenched her fists in anger, grateful she had already poisoned Xinliu. If Aunt Liu had forced the engagement, and she killed Xinliu, Ankang would bear a bad reputation.

Now Xinliu was poisoned, Aunt Liu's marriage plans would fail. Of course, Anyi could not say this, so she feigned helplessness, bowing her head, "I've burdened big brother."

"Silly child, there's no such thing as burden between family. Your safety is a blessing," Mrs. Luo looked at the sky, "Rain's coming, let's bring in the herbs."

Just as the mother and daughter finished bringing the trays of herbs indoors, rain poured down.

The gate banged open; Anjian ran in, complaining, "The rain started so suddenly—why couldn't it wait until I got home?"

"Enough, go change clothes," Mrs. Luo tossed him a dry towel and found clean clothes.

Anyi brewed a bowl of warming medicine for him.

"Mother, having a sister who studies medicine is great—we don't need to pay for a doctor," Anjian laughed.

Anyi tapped him playfully.

Mrs. Luo forced a smile and went to cook dinner.

"Sister, what's wrong with mother?" Anjian noticed Mrs. Luo's mood and quietly asked Anyi.

Anyi told him about Ankang's success and Aunt Liu wanting Ankang to marry Xinliu.

Anjian thought for a moment and went to find Mrs. Luo in the kitchen. "Mother, let me marry Xinliu."

Mrs. Luo was surprised, "You want to marry Xinliu?"

"Mother, big brother will be an official. Xinliu can't read, is rough, can't help him, and would only drag him down. I don't study as well as big brother and will stay to farm. Xinliu is good at farm work, so it's fine if I marry her," Anjian analyzed calmly.

Mrs. Luo's lips trembled, "Child, that's too much to ask of you."

"Mother, it's not too much. If big brother is well, our family is well," Anjian smiled.

Standing at the door, Anyi watched them, smiling through tears. This was family—bound by blood, willing to sacrifice personal happiness for each other.

Mrs. Luo agreed to Anjian's request, planning to speak to Aunt Liu the next day. To her, her sons were equal, unaware Aunt Liu's sights were set on the scholar, not her son.

Of course, Anjian wouldn't need to sacrifice. That night, at the beginning of the hour of the pig, Aunt Liu knocked on the An family's door. Xinliu suddenly fell ill, dangerously so; Aunt Liu, unable to wait, thought to find Dr. Lu, but he was away, leaving only Anyi as the village's sole healer.

Hearing the commotion, Anyi curled her lips and closed her eyes, pretending to sleep.

"Xier, wake up, wake up," Mrs. Luo patted her shoulder.

Anyi mumbled and rolled over, pulling the quilt over her head.

"Xier, wake up," Mrs. Luo pulled off the quilt, forced her upright.

"I want to sleep, I don't want to get up," Anyi protested, falling back. As a little girl, it was natural to be sleepy.

"Good girl, Xinliu is sick, just go check, then you can sleep again," Mrs. Luo coaxed, helping her dress.

Anyi opened her eyes, yawning, "Xinliu is sick, find my teacher. I've only studied two months—can't diagnose patients."

"Dr. Lu is away," Mrs. Luo pulled Anyi from the bed, dressed her, and led her out with Aunt Liu to the Zhu house.

Xinliu's family couldn't afford lamp oil; their light was a hemp strip soaked in pine resin, barely illuminating the room. Anyi paused at the door until her eyes adjusted, vaguely seeing a bed made of bricks and wood, with someone lying on it.

She took two steps forward, then remembered her age and shouldn't appear so calm. She stopped, shrank back, "Mother, it's dark, I'm scared, I don't want to go in."

"Don't be afraid, I'll go with you," Mrs. Luo took her hand, and the three approached the bed.

Anyi gently touched Xinliu's hand—cold. She checked her pulse—none. Her lips curled, then she dropped the hand and screamed, stumbling back.

"Xier!" Mrs. Luo cried, grabbing Anyi, "What's wrong?"

"Dead, dead, she's dead," Anyi buried her head in Mrs. Luo's arms, unable to control her body to feign fear, so she clutched Mrs. Luo's clothes, shaking.

Aunt Liu didn't believe her, checked Xinliu's nose—no breath. She collapsed on her, wailing, "Xinliu, my child, you can't die! If you die, what will I do? Xinliu, wake up..."

Anyi listened coldly to Aunt Liu's cries—she knew pain and sorrow at losing her daughter, but when she and Xinliu plotted against Xier, did she consider how Mrs. Luo would feel losing her own daughter?

Though Mrs. Luo sympathized with Aunt Liu, she cared more for her own daughter. Anyi kept shaking Mrs. Luo's clothes, making her think Anyi was terrified, and she hurriedly carried her out, regretting bringing her, gently patting her back, "Xier, don't be scared, it's okay, mother is here."

"Mother," Anyi hugged Mrs. Luo's neck, burying her head in her shoulder, sobbing.

Mrs. Luo carried Anyi home, placed her on the bed, fetched some paper money, burned it at the door, muttered prayers, returned, and soothed Anyi to sleep.

Xinliu, only ten, died young. By custom, no altar or coffin could be set up for her; she had to be buried within three days. The Zhu family was too poor to afford even a small coffin, so they wrapped her stiff body in a reed mat.

The next afternoon, Xinliu was buried on the hill; Aunt Liu, unable to afford a tombstone, planted a small willow tree at the grave.

Anyi persuaded Mrs. Luo to attend the burial. Watching the mound, her eyes calm, she felt relief after months of endurance—this malignant tumor finally excised.

Anyi thought all was settled, but Aunt Liu had not given up. Three days later, having recovered from her grief, Aunt Liu returned.

In front of Anyi, Aunt Liu declared, "Xinliu lacked luck, but the engagement shouldn't just end. Let Zhuzhu marry Congliu instead."

Mrs. Luo was stunned, unsure how to respond. Xinliu died young—Mrs. Luo felt sad, but relieved her son wouldn't marry her.

Anyi burned with anger, but knew the so-called debt prevented outright rejection. Thinking quickly, she recalled finding a copy of the Book of Changes recently, smiled, picked up a book, and pretended to read aloud, "The sages say, those who pass the imperial exam are incarnations of the Literary Star, destined for glory and high office. Their match must have a strong fate, blessed and prosperous. If one with a weak fate covets a dragon, marrying such a scholar brings disaster and early death. All is fate, not man's will."

Aunt Liu turned, her face fearful; "early death" struck a chord. Xinliu had shown no signs before dying—Aunt Liu felt Anyi's words were true. Her eldest daughter was gone; would she risk her second?

Seeing her reaction, Anyi secretly smiled and continued, "The sages also say, three feet above your head are spirits; never do evil in secret, for heaven knows."

"Qiumei, let's pretend I never said this," Aunt Liu, recalling her plot with Xinliu, felt a chill, and hurried away without waiting for Mrs. Luo's reply.

Mrs. Luo quickly got up to see her out.

Anyi had successfully scared Aunt Liu off, smiling silently. If Aunt Liu was not afraid and insisted on marrying Congliu in, Anyi wouldn't hesitate to find a way to kill her too. To protect her family, she was willing to be a villain.

After sending Aunt Liu away, Mrs. Luo asked, "Is that really written in the book?"

Anyi nodded.

"Let me see," Mrs. Luo reached for the book.

"Not this one—I saw it at my teacher's house," Anyi lied.

"Eight Characters are crucial; at marriage, people always compare them. If they don't match, the marriage can't go ahead," Mrs. Luo believed her, as people here were superstitious about fate.

"Mother, when will big brother be back? I miss him," Anyi changed the subject.

Mrs. Luo counted on her fingers, "He should arrive in two or three days."

"Mother, shouldn't we go to the city to sell herbs and buy things?" Anyi asked.

Mrs. Luo nodded, "Yes, we need to buy things. When your big brother returns, we'll set up a few tables and invite villagers."

The next day, Mrs. Luo took Anjian to the city to sell herbs. Anyi stayed home, making shoes.

Mrs. Luo returned with new cotton and cloth. The next day, with good weather, she aired the cotton, called the village cotton beaters, and made three new quilts. The old quilts were dismantled, aired, and re-fluffed into two bedding quilts.

With a new mattress, Anyi finally felt the bed wasn't so hard, rolling around and laughing, "Mother, it's so comfortable."

Seeing her happy, Mrs. Luo smiled, feeling the expense was worth it.

On the evening of the Double Ninth Festival, Ankang returned after over a month away. He was not arrogant about passing the exam, but solemnly told Mrs. Luo, "Mother, I'll work harder for the spring exam next year."

"I believe in you," Mrs. Luo smiled.

"Big brother, I've made new shoes for you. Try them on," Anyi handed over the shoes she'd hurriedly finished.

"Thank you, sister," Ankang smiled, but couldn't fit them—his feet had grown.

"Not only that, you've grown taller. Look, your clothes are short too," Mrs. Luo laughed, taking out a longer robe. "Try this one."

Ankang tried it on—it fit perfectly. "Tomorrow I'll wear this to see my teacher."

The next morning, Ankang went to the city to thank his teacher, visit classmates, and collect his stipend. On his fourth and fifth days back, he visited Shangtang and Jingtang villages. On the sixth day, the An family hosted a banquet, spending six taels of silver for over ten tables.

After all this, Ankang shut the door to guests and focused on studying—the spring exam was crucial.

The An family's prosperity was near; lively villagers brought their daughters, not to arrange marriages, as commoners couldn't match a scholar, but to serve Mrs. Luo and Anyi.

Once a scholar, three generations are noble.

Mrs. Luo, by virtue of her son, was now Lady An.

Anjian was called Second Master An.

Anyi was rightly addressed as Miss An.

Mrs. Luo politely declined; the family wasn't rich enough to hire servants.

By late August, the private school closed. After Ankang returned, Anjian studied with him every morning to prepare for the children's exam, and in the afternoon helped Anyi gather herbs.

Anyi didn't intend to rely solely on Ankang's stipend. Though it was substantial, and the court provided travel expenses for scholars, there would be many future expenses. Earning more was always good.

She was satisfied with two things: after Xinliu's death, Congliu no longer went out to gather herbs; and Aunt Liu disappeared, no longer acting as a benefactor to the An family.

After the Double Ninth Festival, temperatures dropped. Villagers harvested rice before the frost and planted winter vegetables.

A few days after storing the autumn grain, the village head brought city tax officials to collect taxes.

Ankang's scholarship exempted him from taxes, but An Younian's family, benefiting greatly, still wouldn't share even a pound of extra grain with Mrs. Luo. She didn't want to quarrel over it, lest it affect the brothers' reputations.

Now that Ankang had passed, An Younian, despite Mrs. Zhu's protests, sent thirty pounds of white rice and five pounds of glutinous rice.

Ankang accepted calmly; Anjian scoffed; Anyi disregarded it. Mrs. Luo was pleased, bought cakes, and brewed all the glutinous rice into wine.

The tax official visited Ankang, and on the county magistrate's orders, reduced taxes for Luo Fugui's three families by half. Truly, when one succeeds, all benefit.

Luo Fugui was thrilled, cooked two tables of dishes, and hosted the village head and tax official. Ankang deferred, letting them sit at the head, while he took the last seat.

The tax official admired Ankang for his composure despite his young success.

After several rounds of wine, the official, tipsy, asked, "Has Master An settled on a marriage?"

Ankang guessed his intention and replied, "I haven't decided yet. First, I'm still young; second, the spring exam is approaching. I can't be distracted by romance."

The tax official, slick, understood Ankang was deflecting, but knew that as a young scholar with a bright future, it was reasonable not to settle down early. He wasn't offended, raising his glass, "You speak wisely. I offer my best wishes for your great achievements both in career and family."

"Thank you, sir," Ankang toasted him.

After the meal, guests left happily.

Time passed; Zhang Lian's baby daughter turned one month old, and the An family attended the celebration. Ankang, as her young cousin, named her Zhang Wei.

Ten days after the first frost, winter began. The seasons turned: spring planting, summer growth, autumn harvest, winter storage. Grain was stored, vegetables buried, and the villagers prepared for winter.

After breakfast, Mrs. Luo and Anyi went to Luo Fugui's house to pickle sauerkraut. The men went into the mountains to chop firewood—after winter came snow and cold, making mountain trips difficult. Preparing firewood before snow was essential.

Anyi wasn't interested in pickling sauerkraut—it had little nutrition, and while a bit could improve appetite, too much was unhealthy.

She sighed, wishing for fresh vegetables in winter. Seeing the cabbage in her hand, she thought of modern greenhouse vegetables and her grandfather's flowers. If only she could build a greenhouse for vegetables and herbs—but how to build one?

"Xier, why have you torn all the leaves off?" Lady Li, washing beans, looked up to see Anyi had mangled a cabbage.

Mrs. Luo hurried over, "Child, you've wasted a cabbage..."

"It's not wasted; if it can't be pickled, we'll cook it," Mrs. Yang interrupted, defending Anyi. "Xier, ignore your mother—play as you like."

"Big aunt, hard-grown vegetables shouldn't be played with," Mrs. Luo moved Anyi's basket away, "Child, stop making trouble here—go play with Qiao'er."

Anyi smiled and left. Lady Fang grabbed some roasted beans and chased after her, stuffing them into her bag, "Share with Qiao'er."

Anyi munched beans as she wandered to Qiao'er's house, when someone called behind her, "Little An girl, little An girl."

Hearing the nickname, she thought of Cheng Zhiling. Sure enough, it was the chubby Cheng Zhiling and his smiling cousin, Young Master Han Songyan. She wondered why they'd come.

"Little An girl, we're here for your big brother. Is he home?" Cheng asked.

"He's not home; he's chopping firewood in the mountains," Anyi replied.

"Chopping firewood? He passed the exam, and still chops firewood?"

"Passing the exam doesn't mean he doesn't need to eat," Anyi countered.

Cheng blinked, "He still needs to eat."

Anyi raised her brows, "So what's wrong with chopping firewood?"

"What's eating got to do with firewood?" Cheng asked.

"Food must be cooked to eat. Without firewood, how can you cook?" Anyi replied innocently.

"Without firewood, you can't cook," Cheng said, laughing.

Han Songyan chuckled at how easily Anyi had sidetracked Cheng.

Anyi looked at him, "My big brother will be back in the evening."

"No matter, we can stay overnight and return to the city tomorrow," Han Songyan said, ignoring her hint to leave. He instructed their servants, "Go back to the city; return tomorrow to fetch us."

"Yes, young master," they bowed and left.

Anyi couldn't force them out and brought them home, then called Mrs. Luo, "Mother, brother's classmates Cheng Zhiling and his cousin are here."

Hearing that important guests had arrived, Mrs. Luo hurried home. With the brothers away and the guests being men, neither she nor Anyi could entertain them, so Mrs. Luo sent Anyi to fetch the village head.

The village head was an expert at entertaining city officials. He poured wine, "Please, Young Masters Han and Cheng."

Mrs. Luo served them homemade sweet glutinous rice wine—sweet as honey and fragrant. Han Songyan, self-controlled, only sipped; Cheng Zhiling, trusting his tolerance, drank too much and passed out, unable to return to the city.

Mrs. Luo tidied the brothers' room for them, brought hot water and clean towels to wash up.

Anyi found licorice, kudzu flower, and root from her medicine box, ground them, boiled and strained, and brought two bowls.

Han Songyan smelled it—detox medicine—gave one to Cheng Zhiling and drank the other himself. "Thank you, Miss An."

Anyi smiled thinly, took the empty bowls, washed them, and went for a nap.

After half an hour, she got up to sort herbs in the backyard. Han Songyan came over; Anyi ignored him.

He watched for a while and asked, "What's that on your hand?"

"Five-fingered gloves."

He recalled her hands—white and delicate, unlike other herb gatherers, whose hands were rough and callused. He asked, "Can I see the gloves?"

Anyi looked at him, took off her left glove, and handed it over.

Han Songyan examined it—simple design, the fingers separated, perfect for work. "Miss An, may I have someone copy these?"

Anyi nodded—the design was so basic, anyone handy could make them. She hadn't intended to profit from them.

Han Songyan returned the glove, smiling—this seemingly shrewd girl was actually quite naive.

At dusk, the brothers returned, carrying firewood, mountain chickens, and wild fruit.

Ankang set down the wood, surprised to see Han Songyan and Cheng Zhiling, "Songyan, Zhiling, why are you here?"

"You never come to the city, so I wanted to see what fun there is here. I dragged my cousin along," Cheng replied. He hadn't passed the provincial exam, so his father had scolded him, keeping him home. He finally found an excuse—to seek advice from Ankang—and got permission to go out.

"There's nothing fun in the countryside," Ankang laughed.

"Sure there is—hunting in the mountains is fun," Cheng retorted, picking up a chicken.

He was playful and determined; Han Songyan and Ankang tried to dissuade him for half an hour without success.

"Big brother, I want to go too," Anyi seized the chance. If Ankang could take those two, an extra person wouldn't matter.

"You can't go; the mountain paths are hard. If you can't walk, are we supposed to carry you or the firewood?" Anjian objected.

"I won't ask you to carry me; I can walk," Anyi insisted.

"The city road is easy and you can't manage it. The mountain is rough—you won't make it," Anjian exposed her.

Ankang, seeing Anyi pout, smiled, "If you want wild fruit, I can pick it for you. Don't go to the mountain."

"No, I want to go," Anyi tugged at his sleeve, ignoring the guests, pleading, "Big brother, take me. I promise not to ask you to carry me."

Mrs. Luo signaled Ankang, "If she's promised, take her. The mountain is cold; dress warmly."

Ankang understood, smiled, "All right, tomorrow, you can join us. It's cold—dress warmly."

Anyi, facing away from Mrs. Luo, missed her signal to Ankang. Seeing him agree, she beamed brightly.

Han Songyan narrowed his eyes, watching Anyi—the family’s cherished girl. If she discovered the trick tomorrow and couldn’t go, she might cry.

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