The next morning at daybreak, Xia Zhiliao was awakened by a clattering sound outside. She stretched and realized that both her parents were already up.
After getting dressed and heading outside, she saw her Fourth Uncle chopping wood with great effort in the courtyard.
"Zhiliao, you're awake? Stand back, don't let the splinters hit you."
Xia Zhiliao obediently took two steps back, curious to see what her Fourth Uncle was doing.
"Goodness, Fourth Brother, it’s so early! Why are you making such a racket and disturbing everyone?"
Xia Jinxiu yawned, then habitually reached out to touch Xia Zhiliao’s little face with her warm, scented hands. It felt cozy.
"I’m just trying to think of something to sell for a bit of extra money. I haven't decided yet, so I thought I’d chop some wood first."
"You don't even know how to cook, and you want to sell food?" Xia Jinxiu found that hard to believe.
As Xia Zhiliao caught the sweet, pleasant scent of her little aunt, and coupled with the rhythmic thudding of the axe and the visible steam from their breath in the cold air, she was suddenly reminded of the popcorn vendors that rang out through the sky in the northern winters.
[Right! Fourth Uncle could make popcorn! It’s simple, doesn’t require culinary skills, and all he needs is an iron popcorn popper. I haven't seen anyone selling it on the streets yet. If Fourth Uncle sells it, he’ll definitely make a fortune.]
Xia Jinheng had been waiting for just such a suggestion. Though he didn't quite follow all of it, he knew that whatever his little niece suggested couldn't be wrong.
He would make this thing.
But how exactly to make it would depend on his little niece.
"Zhiliao, what do you think Fourth Uncle should sell?" Xia Jinheng asked on purpose.
Xia Zhiliao, being very clever, gave him a smile and turned back into the house to fetch paper and a brush.
"Fourth Brother, you really are something, asking a child for advice." Xia Jinxiu thought he surely couldn't hear the child's thoughts; otherwise, why would he ask?
"What’s wrong with that? Zhiliao is a bright girl. I’ve always felt she’s different from other children. Whatever she says to sell, I’m sure it’ll work out. This girl is our family’s lucky star!"
Xia Jinxiu smiled, thinking to herself that her Fourth Brother was quite lucky to have made that gamble.
Before her Fourth Uncle and Aunt, Xia Zhiliao sketched the prototype of a popcorn popper and drew the operating method. She then mimicked a "bang" sound with her hands, quickly covered her ears, and looked at Xia Jinheng with expectation.
Seeing his plan succeed, Xia Jinheng happily ruffled his niece’s hair. "Sister, look! I told you, didn't I? Only our Zhiliao could come up with something like this. I’ve never even seen it before. It looks rare and wonderful. I’m going to rely on this to become the richest man in Jianglin City!"
[Fourth Uncle, you’re thinking too small! You won’t just be the richest man in Jianglin City. Broaden your horizons! In the future, you’ll have so much money you won't even be able to count it!]
Xia Jinxiu cleared her throat. It seemed this brother of hers wasn't so simple after all.
Xia Jinheng was already overjoyed, pinching Xia Zhiliao’s nose. "Once Fourth Uncle makes some money, I’ll buy you whatever you want."
Xia Jinxiu was happy for him too. "Fourth Brother, what about me? You can't play favorites and only think about Zhiliao while ignoring your sister."
"How could I? When the time comes, the gold and silver jewelry, the fine silks and satins—your dowry is on me."
"It's a deal!" Xia Jinxiu laughed. Though, she probably wouldn't need a dowry later on—after all, would a woman of the Emperor ever be short of money?
"Alright, I’m off to the blacksmith’s. The sooner it’s made, the better."
"Wait!" Xia Jinxiu suddenly called out.
"What is it?" Xia Jinheng paused.
"Don't you need money to go to the blacksmith?"
Xia Jinheng scratched his head. "Look at me, I was so excited I forgot all about that. I’ll go ask Mother for some."
"Forget it. The money Mother has is all saved for Zhiliao and Second Brother; no one else is allowed to touch it. Since you aren't even sure if this thing will make money, she definitely won't give it to you."
"Then... what should I do? I’ll go think of a way."
"What way is there to think of? Money doesn't just appear out of thin air!" Xia Jinxiu chided him, then took off the two small silver earrings she was wearing. "This is all I have. I don't know if it's enough, but take it and see."
"Sister, this is..."
"Don't 'this' and 'that' me. Just remember what you promised—don't forget it once you’ve made your fortune."
Xia Jinheng’s eyes grew red. "Never. From now on, your expenses are covered by Fourth Brother."
Xia Jinxiu smiled. "Hurry up and go!"
Watching the harmonious and moving scene between the aunt and uncle, Xia Zhiliao couldn't help but think of their tragic endings, feeling a sharp pain in her heart. She imagined that perhaps the reason Fourth Uncle became so ruthless in making money later on was to curry favor for her little aunt.
But for now, the family’s bond was truly enviable.
Xia Jinxiu bent down and pinched Xia Zhiliao’s cheeks. "Little one, where did you see that thing? I’ve never even seen it before."
Xia Zhiliao gave a guilty smile and gestured that it was in a book.
Xia Jinxiu didn't dig any deeper; it didn't matter where she saw it, as long as it could make money.
What she cared about now was that her little niece had said she would marry the Emperor. But the Emperor was in the Capital, and she was stuck in this godforsaken little village.
When would she ever get to see the Emperor? And if she didn't meet him, how would he fall in love with her?
Even if she rushed to the Capital, she feared she wouldn't even be able to get an audience with him. So, she would have to dig for more information from her little niece.
"Let’s go. Your mother is busy embroidering to earn money, so today, little aunt will make you something delicious."
[Did I hear that right? My aunt, who doesn't even lift a finger, is going to cook? Has the sun risen in the west?]
Xia Zhiliao actually looked up at the clear blue sky and found the sun was still in the east, glowing red like a sauce-smeared scallion pancake—very tempting.
At that moment, her stomach let out a hungry growl.
[How embarrassing. But I really want to eat a scallion pancake.]
Xia Jinxiu, standing with her back to her, paused slightly. What was a scallion pancake? She had never even heard of it.
Although the family had received five taels of silver, Old Lady Xia kept a tight grip on it and wouldn't let it be touched, so the meals were very poor. No one dared to bring it up, as that money was saved for treating Xia Zhiliao’s illness.
Wasn't treating the illness more important than eating?
It must be said that Xia Jinxiu’s cooking was truly subpar; she boiled the potatoes twice before they were even soft.
She looked at the little girl with guilt. "Zhiliao, Auntie doesn't cook often, just make do with this, will you?"
Xia Zhiliao smiled, but she really didn't want to "make do."
Xia Jinxiu looked awkward. She had genuinely wanted to impress her little niece, but why did the stir-fried potatoes turn into boiled ones? And because she was afraid of cutting herself, the slices were way too thick!
Xia Zhiliao smiled again.
[Auntie, I know you want to feed me, but this... it really doesn't taste good!]
Suddenly, she saw a large head of cabbage in the corner of the kitchen, then looked at the cooked potatoes and the farm-style soybean paste. Her eyes lit up.
[Deliciousness, isn't it coming right now?]
***
"Zhiliao, is... is that... good?"
Xia Jinxiu watched as Xia Zhiliao plucked off cabbage leaves, mashed the potatoes into a paste, mixed it with rice, smeared some bean paste on it, and wrapped it all up in the cabbage leaf.
Xia Zhiliao smiled and took a bite of her simplified rice wrap. To be honest, it was far from perfect—it would be better with egg-based paste, some scallions, and a few peanuts. But given the current conditions, there was no hope for egg-based paste, and she hadn't even seen a peanut.
Still, it was better than Auntie’s boiled potatoes.
Seeing her aunt’s expectant look, Xia Zhiliao smiled and nodded, signaling for her to try some too.
Xia Jinxiu, already tempted by seeing the little girl eating so heartily, realized the method was simple. She made one for herself, and though she was clumsy with the wrapping, she took a bite and found the taste was truly excellent.
"Delicious! Really delicious! Zhiliao, you’re quite clever!"
"Delicious? What’s delicious? Good heavens! My little daughter is cooking? I’d be content if she didn't burn the house down, let alone it being delicious!"
Old Lady Xia was able to walk about that morning. Although there was still some pain, she was afraid she would truly become bedridden if she didn't move. She had just shuffled to the doorway when she heard her daughter’s joyful voice from the kitchen.
Xia Jinxiu ran out. "Mother, it’s really delicious. If you don't believe me, try it."
Old Lady Xia had no choice but to take a bite of the wrap fed to her. Her eyes lit up. "Well, I’ll be, it is quite good. How did you make it?"
Xia Jinxiu laughed awkwardly and explained what happened. "It’s all thanks to Zhiliao; this little brain of hers is so smart."
Old Lady Xia looked proud. That went without saying; her little granddaughter was simply extraordinary.
"By the way, Mother, why are you walking on your own? Isn't your foot hurting? Go back and rest."
"Moving around helps me heal faster. Before, the marriage arrangements for your Second Brother were almost settled, and I need to lead the matchmakers to propose. We can't wait."
If she missed this, who knew how long it would take!
"Mother, you haven't even inquired about what kind of person she is. Third Brother is such an honest man; don't let him marry a tigress, or someone like Madam Zhang. Did you ask clearly?"
"Hiss!" Old Lady Xia gasped and quickly sat down, leaning against the wall.
She had been so focused on finding a wife for her son, thinking that with their family conditions, it was good enough that he could marry at all. Her son wasn't young anymore—twenty-five or twenty-six—and she had indeed forgotten about that.
[Little Aunt, Third Aunt is a very, very good person. You don't have to worry, and she and Third Uncle have a good relationship. It’s just... sigh...]
Thinking of Third Aunt’s fate in the novel, Xia Zhiliao couldn't help but sigh.
Xia Jinxiu was about to speak—marrying a wife was a lifelong matter for her brothers and shouldn't be decided so hastily. Although she hadn't heard the second half of Zhiliao’s thought, she guessed it must not be anything good.
[But, with me here, don't worry! Everything will be fine!]
Xia Jinxiu swallowed the words that were about to come out. "But our family doesn't have any grand expectations. If they liked you for your character, then it must be a good match."
Old Lady Xia nodded. "I think so too. Let them get married sooner so they can live a stable life."
Old Lady Xia remembered her little granddaughter saying her third son would become a general, but looking at him now, there was no sign of that at all. It was a distant dream; the most pressing task was for him to get married and have children!
"Jinxiu, you aren't young anymore either..."
Xia Jinxiu had been anxious before, as a girl only had a few good years, and if she missed them, she would be an old maid. But now, she wasn't worried.
"Mother, don't worry about my affairs. I have my own plans."
Old Lady Xia pulled her little granddaughter into her arms so the cold wouldn't reach her. Xia Zhiliao was slowly getting used to this warmth.
"You’re already seventeen!"
"Seventeen so what? I’ll tell you this: I don't look up to any of the men around here. The one I’m going to marry... is no ordinary person."
[Yes, yes, Little Aunt is right!]
Her little aunt was destined to become a noble consort, her reach extending all the way to the royal court.
What else could Old Lady Xia say?
With her leg injured, Old Lady Xia couldn't go to propose marriage, and she was so anxious she had two blisters on her lips. She was terrified that the Cheng family would think the Xia family lacked sincerity. But she didn't feel comfortable leaving it to others, and it wouldn't look good anyway.
Madam Xia Chen was quick with her hands; she could embroider one handkerchief a day. In truth, she didn't neglect the household chores either, but now there were more hands to help. Xia Jinjuan used to only care about his books, but now, wanting to impress his wife and daughter, he was ready to appear whenever needed.
Xia Zhiliao was happy to see her parents’ growing affection, but she was also worried. If this continued, what if her father truly had a change of heart? Her mother would surely go insane!
At night, there were only the three of them in the room. Xia Zhiliao wanted to move out to sleep, but her parents wouldn't allow it, and there weren't enough rooms anyway.
Fortunately, once her body hit the bed at night, she didn't suffer from insomnia at all. She slept soundly and heard nothing she wasn't supposed to, which avoided a lot of awkwardness.
"It’s getting late. Go to sleep. Aren't you going to the town tomorrow?"
Madam Xia Chen yawned and stretched her limbs. "I’ve been thinking, maybe I shouldn't go. If I spent the morning at home, I could have embroidered half a handkerchief!"
[Mother, that won't do! This is your own career; you need to manage it yourself. A woman should be self-reliant and not depend on Father for everything.]
Xia Jinjuan initially thought it wouldn't be a problem if his wife didn't go, but after hearing his daughter’s words, he changed his mind. "You should go. If they have any requirements, they can tell you directly."
"I was thinking..."
"It won't be such a coincidence. It’s impossible to run into that woman again. Even if we did, we can just avoid her." Xia Jinjuan misunderstood, thinking his wife didn't want to see Bai Huiru.
But Madam Xia Chen hadn't even thought of that layer. Still, seeing her husband’s attitude, she was very satisfied.
Xia Zhiliao didn't want to go, but she was afraid her bookish father would mess things up. However, after going, she was glad she hadn't stayed behind—though she was also a little bit frightened.
Because she saw someone!
When they arrived in Shijin Town, the Su family’s shop hadn't opened yet. Mostly it was because Xia Jinjuan was too excited and had left too early. Xia Zhiliao had been so sleepy she had napped on his back.
The moment she opened her eyes, they were already there.
Perhaps the porridge from the morning had been too thin; Xia Zhiliao was now in a desperate rush to pee.
"Since there’s no one around, just find a corner to relieve yourself," Madam Xia Chen said dismissively. Country children weren't so particular.
Xia Jinjuan felt it shouldn't be done that way, but he was afraid his daughter couldn't hold it.
Xia Zhiliao shook her head frantically. She didn't want to suffer a "social death" by peeing on the street.
She clutched her little stomach and ran forward, clamping her short legs together.
"Zhiliao, don't run! It’s fine, you’re just a little child, no one will laugh at you!"
[Mother, I care about my dignity!]
***
Under the care of the Xia family, Xia Zhiliao’s health had recovered quite well over the past few days, and she could run fast. Madam Xia Chen simply couldn't catch up.
She could only follow behind, smiling bitterly. "Zhiliao, this girl, she’s so young yet she already knows how to be shy."
Xia Zhiliao didn't hear her at all; she was already looking for a latrine. She figured that even if she couldn't find a proper one, she had to find a secluded spot. She couldn't just relieve herself on the main street and wait to be watched by onlookers!
In this era, there were no public toilets, but how come she couldn't find a latrine in any of the houses? Did they only eat and never relieve themselves? Were they mythical beasts?
Xia Zhiliao really couldn't hold it anymore. If she waited any longer, she’d wet her pants, which would be an even bigger social death.
Fortunately, she saw a haystack not far away. She didn't know whose it was, but she had to apologize to them in her heart.
Because she ran so fast, Madam Xia Chen hadn't caught up yet. After she relieved herself, feeling refreshed and ready to be a "tough girl" again, she heard movement outside.
She was startled, thinking to herself that she shouldn't have been discovered hiding there.
She was just a little child—surely... she wouldn't be in trouble, right?
"Master, what you were looking for..."
Xia Zhiliao felt something was off. Was she about to hear something she shouldn't? But the sound vanished the next instant. Just as she was wondering what was happening, a cold, gleaming sword was held to her neck.
Fortunately, it hadn't been a minute ago, or she would have truly wet her pants.
"Master, it’s just a child!"
Held at knifepoint, Xia Zhiliao frantically gestured that she hadn't heard anything. She was a mute, please don't kill her!
Was the fate of a cannon-fodder character inescapable? Was everything before just an illusion? She was going to die in such a baffling way!
"She seems to be a mute!" The man’s face was grim, looking icy—just like the cold-blooded, heartless killers in novels.
[I am a mute, and I didn't hear anything! I’m only three years old, big brother!]
"A mute?" A young man’s deep voice came. "Then who was speaking?"
The young man’s question left both the man and Xia Zhiliao staring at each other in confusion. Both shook their heads in unison.
"Master, only I was speaking!"
"Are you joking with me?" The young man walked over. He had clearly heard the little girl’s milky, childish voice. "I’d like to see what kind of little girl makes you soften your heart and lie to me."
"This subordinate did not!"
As they spoke, the young man flashed over. He frowned as he looked at the shivering Xia Zhiliao. "Speak, or I’ll kill you!"
[Speak your head! I’m a mute, a mute! I can’t speak!]
The young man stared coldly at Xia Zhiliao, as if he had seen something truly unbelievable.
[Are you stunned by my innocent, beautiful, invincible face? In honor of how pretty I am, don't kill me! I didn't hear anything, really.]
The young man stared at Xia Zhiliao without moving.
Xia Zhiliao was horrified. She would be the most miserable cannon fodder, dying because of a single pee break!
[Don't think just because you’re handsome you can get away with it. I’m telling you, killing me is against the law!]
The young man sneered. "What the hell!"
"Master, her... what should we do?"
[Obviously, let me go! If you kill me, I’ll become a ghost and follow you every day, crouching on your shoulders to make you unlucky for the rest of your lives! The point is, I’m dying unfairly! I wouldn't mind if I actually heard something.]
The young man looked at Xia Zhiliao’s face. "Forget it. She didn't hear anything."
[Yes, yes, that’s right! You can't just be a pretty vase; you have to use your brain. You didn't say anything, so what could I possibly have heard?]
Seeing the sword pulled away from her neck, Xia Zhiliao braced her weak legs, ready to run. But at that moment, Madam Xia Chen found her. "Zhiliao, why did you run here? You scared Mother to death! And these two are..."
The man had just sheathed his sword, so Madam Xia Chen didn't notice it.
The cold, stern young man changed his face instantly. The handsome features that had seemed so intimidating were now harmless, as if he were just a neighbor’s son.
"Madam, we just saw this little sister. Seeing her alone, we thought she was lost and were just thinking of sending her back."
Madam Xia Chen didn't doubt it for a second. "Thank you, young master. You truly are a good person."
[Heh! What a quick change of face! Just now... uh, don't look at me like that.]
The young man looked at Xia Zhiliao with interest. He was very curious why she didn't open her mouth, yet he could hear her voice in his head.
"Little sister... she can't speak?" the young man asked again.
Madam Xia Chen looked helpless, having completely accepted them as good people. "Yes, our Zhiliao has been unable to speak since she was born."
"That is truly a pity," the young man said.