Chapter 32

Xiao Wanling said, “No, they won’t spoil!” With cooler mornings and evenings, vegetables could be sun-dried or pickled for preservation.

There was only a thin layer of coarse salt left in the main kitchen. The three supervisors were asked to think of a solution. The tea supervisor took two men and drove an oxcart to the city.

Jiang Ting blanched purslane in boiling water and hung it on tree branches to dry.

Dinner was a porridge made with wild amaranth—finely chopped greens and a pinch of coarse salt. For women who had gone hungry for days, it was a precious feast.

Sitting together, the women finally smiled again. For once, they weren’t worried about the next meal. Xiao Wanling had become the pillar of their hopes.

Sister Shi asked excitedly, “What vegetables are we going to look for tomorrow?” I’ll come earlier!”
She was from Dayan Village and had been assigned to patrol with Xiao Wanling. They often worked together.

There were still many women and children in Dayan Village. Xiao Wanling asked Sister Shi to bring a few capable women to search for bamboo shoots in the mountains the next day.

As night approached, Xiao Wanling, Sister-in-law Lu, and two women who lived near the back of the mountain left the village together to head home.

Ding—dong—

The school bell rang. Older children ran out of the schoolhouse and headed home. Toddlers were picked up by their parents.

Sister-in-law Lu took a deep breath, her heart aching as she remembered the child she’d lost.
“When will the men come back?”

The two women both shook their heads and walked hand-in-hand toward the back of the mountain.

Xiao Wanling asked Sister-in-law Lu to help keep an eye on the potato patch. The potatoes were only the size of quail eggs, and raw ones could be poisonous. She was worried someone might try to dig them up out of desperation. On the way back, she saw the Xue family by the stone bridge chopping banana plants to eat the hearts.

When she got home, she first checked the bamboo fence and patched up any gaps. She shut all the windows and doors tightly. Her legs ached after a full day’s labor, so she soaked herself in a bath. Sitting on the bed, she massaged her sore calves.

Suddenly, she heard the Grey Wolf barking, followed by the sound of footsteps outside.

Startled, she grabbed the knife hidden under her pillow and crept to the door. Through the crack, she saw the Grey Wolf circling a tall figure, its tail wagging in a blur.

Xiao Wanling opened the door and stared carefully at the figure in front of her, half-afraid it was all a dream.

Shen Qing stood there in his red uniform. His sleeves and trouser cuffs were tied with cloth strips, and he wore black boots. A wide black belt emphasized his broad shoulders and narrow waist. He had lost weight, and the silly softness on his face was gone. He strode up and pulled Xiao Wanling into his arms.

She could hear his heart pounding in his chest. Her face pressed against it, her hands slowly wrapped around his waist. If this was a dream, she hoped it wouldn’t end too soon.

Her nose stung, and tears silently fell. So much had happened since he left.

A tender, restrained kiss landed on her forehead.

Shen Qing said softly, “Don’t cry. Wanling, if you want to leave, I’ll take you right now!”

Xiao Wanling blurted out, “No!” The Prince of Jin was known for his strict enforcement of the law. The women had discussed it many times—if their men fled, at best they’d be executed and hung at the city gates as a warning. At worst, their entire unit would be punished.

After living here for half a year, Xiao Wanling had grown attached to the villagers. Aside from a few troublemakers, most were kind and simple folk. She couldn’t leave them now.

Shen Qing kissed her black hair. “Then we won’t go.” They hugged tightly, casting aside all worries, if only for a moment.

Suddenly remembering something terrible, Xiao Wanling looked up at him. “Did you leave camp under orders?”

Seeing how worried she looked, Shen Qing kissed her again. “Yes. I volunteered to escort the grain supplies.”
He hadn’t felt at ease leaving her behind. In just a few months, she had grown noticeably thinner—her waist even smaller.

He lifted her up and spun her in a circle. She was indeed lighter than before. She struggled in his arms, and he set her down, only to sweep her up again and carry her into the house.

Wrapped around his neck, she whispered, “I can walk on my own…”

The door closed behind them. The Grey Wolf, who had been watching the whole scene, lay down with its head turned toward the door.

Shen Qing gently laid her on the bed, removed the hairpin from her head, and let her hair fall like a waterfall. He leaned in, brushing soft kisses on her cheeks as their hair mingled together.

Clothes loosened—but just before the final moment, Shen Qing suddenly stopped. His forehead was dripping with sweat, and he was panting heavily. He pulled her into his arms, letting the passion go away.

“Sorry… for your health.” The doctor had said she still needed time to recover.

He pressed his forehead against hers and whispered again, “I’m sorry.” He could feel she no longer resisted his touch. That was enough to know her heart was with him.

Xiao Wanling felt dizzy, weak, and hot all over. His scent filled her breath—his clothes still smelled like the chrysanthemum soap she had made. She realized he’d brought with him the soap and clothes she had given him.

Leaning against him, she finally felt at peace. “Did you eat?” I’ll cook something for you.”
She had stashed away some meat and eggs from the meals she made for Madam Ji.

She got up to cook, but he pulled her back down.

“I’ve eaten. Let me hold you a bit longer.” He had to leave at dawn with the grain convoy. Any delay could disrupt the logistics. No matter how reluctant he was, he had to return to the city.

Just reunited, and already they had to part again. Xiao Wanling held back her tears.

The door creaked open. The Grey Wolf stood up and jumped into the vegetable patch.

Xiao Wanling rushed into the kitchen and unwrapped the tightly packed meat and eggs. Her skirt swayed like rippling water as she walked out.

Shen Qing stared, entranced. Grabbing her hand, he pleaded, “Walk me down the mountain.”

Hand in hand, they walked slowly down toward the foot of the mountain. Time passed all too quickly.

Shen Qing shouldered his bundle—it was filled with the clothes and socks Xiao Wanling had made for him.

She wore the wooden hairpin he had gifted her. They waved their reluctant goodbyes.

Mounting his horse, Shen Qing disappeared down the winding mountain path.

At the foot of Shen’s mountain, a group of patrolling women saw her and whispered, “Isn’t that Madam Xiao? Maybe Madam Ji called her in the middle of the night to cook again. Some people really do live different lives.”

Aunt Wu rolled her eyes. “Don’t be jealous. How many Madam Ji’s do you think there are in this world?”

Old Lady Liu pursed her lips, secretly unconvinced. Even if Aunt Wu was right, who wouldn’t want to be that one-in-a-million woman? Thinking of how bold Cheng Qiao’er had gotten recently, she tested the waters: “I hear Madam Xiao has access to grain. What’s her real backing?”

No one answered. When it was time to forage, Old Lady Liu shirked work with excuses about sore legs. And now she dared gossip?

Aunt Wu snapped, “Her backing? Obviously it’s Madam Ji!”

—

Inside the Prince of Jin Manor, Madam Ji admired herself in the bronze mirror. Lifting her skirt and spinning, she felt noticeably lighter. Her skin looked smoother, and she touched her face with a pleased smile.

Seeing her in a good mood, Nanny Peng reported, “Madam, the eighteen chests for the trip have been packed. All your seasonal clothes, bedding, jewelry, everything is ready!”

Madam Ji nodded. “Look at me—do you see any changes?”

Nanny Peng feigned surprise. “You were already slim, but now your face looks like you’re eighteen again—absolutely stunning!”

It was exactly what Madam Ji wanted to hear. Sitting on the bed, she smiled, “Think of a way to bring Madam Xiao with us. I’m growing more fond of her by the day.”

Nanny Peng bowed. “Yes, Madam.” But her eyes darkened. She held a grudge against Madam Xiao—how dare she continue rising?

She ordered the guards, “If she dares disobey the Madam, kill her on the spot!”
The guard, thinking this was Madam Ji’s command, promised to carry it out. “Please, Nanny, put in a good word for me!”

The supervisor happened to witness this and reported it to Nanny Xun.
Nanny Xun realized Nanny Peng was trying to eliminate a rival and had likely misspoken in front of Madam Ji.

When Madam Ji heard, her expression darkened. Nanny Peng, unaware of her mistake, had accepted gifts from the Han family and planned to place their cook in the household.

At that moment, Han Shuyi proudly reported to her father, “Father, I’ve dealt with Madam Xiao, the helper from Ruyi Pavilion. Once our cook gets placed by Madam Ji’s side, the Han family’s rise is guaranteed!”

Suddenly, a servant burst in. “Bad news! Madam Ji is furious. Nanny Peng is dead!”

Master Han collapsed into his chair. Nanny Peng had been Madam Ji’s wet nurse. A chill swept through him—what if she traced it all back to the Han family?
“Quick! Call Master Jin!”

—

A palace guard came to summon Xiao Wanling. “Madam Ji wants you to prepare tea—come with me!”

Something felt wrong. The usual long-faced guard wasn’t there. Calmly, she replied, “Please wait. I’ll prepare it now for you to take back.”

The guard suddenly drew his sword. “How dare you defy Madam Ji’s orders!”

Madam Ji’s trip to the capital was imminent. The capital was a place of power struggles. Today’s marquis could be tomorrow’s emperor. Besides Madam Ji, there were other consorts—Xuan, Yi, Yu…

Xiao Wanling didn’t want to be caught in that web.

Her hand slid to her waist pouch—it held lime and sulfur powder used to ward off bugs and snakes while foraging.

The women around her screamed and ran. A patrol team rushed over.

The Tea Supervisor drew his sword, deflecting the guard’s blade. “Attacking someone without cause? Don’t blame me for what happens next!”

The guard sneered, “You dare defy an order from the Prince of Jin’s household?”

He didn’t take a lowly supervisor seriously. “Out of my way!”

The tea supervisor’s expression darkened. “Any recruitment must go through proper reporting and approval. You need official paperwork to take any woman. No exceptions!”

Standing behind him, Xiao Wanling added loudly, “How can anyone walk in and take people like this? What if they’re bandits or spies from the East?”

The supervisor caught on. “Show us your identity token. We’ll verify it.”

The guard reached for his token, only to see two properly dressed guards from Prince of Jin’s manor arrive on horseback.

He was overjoyed. Reinforcements!

But the two guards dismounted and, without hesitation, tied him up like a bundle and tossed him onto their horse before riding away.

Everyone watched, dumbfounded.

Xiao Wanling finally let out a breath.

The tea supervisor furrowed his brows. “Has Madam Ji… fallen from favor?”