Crimson evening glow shone upon the somewhat mottled city walls. Having just stepped outside the city gates, the three of them still felt a lingering fear over what had just happened—it had been utterly insane!
After Steward Lei left, the surrounding crowd had swarmed them, frantically probing for information. Their demeanor made it seem as though they intended to uncover every last detail about the family's lineage. Jian Wei had originally figured they could make it back before dark, but now, just as they cleared the gates, the sun was already dipping below the mountain peaks. At this rate, they would likely get home very late, and they would be exhausted to boot. Yet, at the thought of the letter resting quietly inside his tunic, Jian Wei felt that no matter how late they returned, it was worth it. No matter how tired they were today, it was entirely worth it—Qiupo Academy! The finest academy in the entire region! A grin that he simply couldn't contain remained plastered across his face.
"Dad, why are you so happy? Aren't you tired?" Jian Xin suddenly turned her head. She had originally wanted to check if anyone was still following them, only to catch sight of the smile on Jian Wei's face, which instantly filled her with curiosity. They had been walking for so long—wasn't her dad tired at all?
"Your dad's gone simple-minded, don't pay any attention to him." Chen Jian knew perfectly well why Jian Wei was so happy. She was happy too, but not quite as much as Jian Wei, because she was still worried about their daughter. As for why her attitude toward Jian Wei wasn't all that warm, it was because he had arrived far too late! He hadn't even been around for that kind of standoff earlier—she had nearly scared out of her wits!
"Why is that?"
"Come on, I'm perfectly normal."
Chen Jian shot him a sidelong glance and retorted, "If you're normal, why were you moving like a turtle? And you dare call yourself normal?"
"..." Jian Wei had no defense; he really had been much too slow this time.
Gradually, the sky grew dim, and even the last streak of red light dissolved across the earth. Fortunately, the weather was fine tonight, and the moonlight cast a clear, pale glow over the travelers on the road. The family of three walked home bathed in moonlight. "Xiner, what are your thoughts?" Jian Wei asked, laboring under the heavy load of purchases at the very rear of the group. Although getting into Qiupo Academy to study was an unalloyed blessing, he wanted to know his daughter's true feelings. If she still disliked the idea, then no matter how prestigious the academy was, he would respect Jian Xin's choice.
"What thoughts about what?" Jian Xin nibbled on a sesame seed cake she had bought along the way, asking with a puzzled look. At the same time, she waved the half-eaten cake at Chen Jian, who was walking ahead of her, and said, "Mom, Mom, this still isn't as good as the ones you make."
"Is that so? It seems I've spoiled your palate. Looks like we'll have to change up your menu starting soon," Chen Jian teased. "We need to walk faster. It's getting dark, and we've wasted too much time today. And A-Wei, you bought way too much stuff! What on earth did you buy?" Chen Jian chatted on about this and that, feeling that it made the time pass a little more quickly.
Though she was complaining on the surface, she felt this kind of life was quite wonderful. Spending every day well with her most cherished family—this was the life she yearned for. Precisely because of that, when she learned that Jian Xin could go to Qiupo Academy, she had only been excited for a brief moment. Deep down, she actually felt a slight reluctance to let Jian Xin go to that academy; selfishly, she hoped her daughter would stay by her side. But she also knew that everything depended on Jian Xin's own wishes, so she wouldn't force her into any choice. As long as everything followed Jian Xin's heart, that would be enough.
"Nothing much!" Jian Wei lacked a bit of conviction when he said this, his voice dropping slightly. After all, he *had* bought quite a lot... besides the items they actually needed, he had picked up a few extras, and these weren't even things they would use anytime soon. Chen Jian assumed Jian Wei's voice sounded so faint because he was completely exhausted, and she didn't give a second thought to the real reason—his guilty conscience.
Jian Xin turned back to look at Jian Wei, who was staggering under a heavy load. He carried a large sack on his back and held packages in both hands. Chen Jian was relatively unburdened with fewer items, but she was still having a hard time. Coupled with a full day of rushing around without eating, both of them looked utterly exhausted.
"Mom, if you don't believe me, taste it. It really isn't very good." Jian Xin ran over to Chen Jian, raised the sesame seed cake in her hand, and brought it right up to Chen Jian's mouth.
"Mhm, it really isn't as good as the ones I make. Eat up quickly, this cake is getting cold." Chen Jian nodded. "And it cost me 5 copper coins! What a rip-off! The next time I run into those people, I'm going to demand an explanation!"
"Dad, give me one of the bags, I'll carry it for you!" In front of Chen Jian, Jian Xin finished off the rest of the cake in one bite, dusted off her hands, and reached out toward Jian Wei.
Chen Jian panicked the moment she heard that: "Enough, enough! Just be a good girl and lead the way up front. Don't go tripping and falling again. Off you go, move!"
Seizing the opportunity, Jian Xin snatched one of the bags right out of Chen Jian's hands. "Hey!"
"You child..."
"Forget it, forget it, Ajian. Since Xiner has the heart for it, just let her carry it."
...
Jian Xin clutched the "stolen" bag tightly to her chest. "Dad, what is that Qiupo Academy thing anyway?"
"That? That is an academy in our country, and also the finest academy we have. Students who enter this academy receive guidance from erudite masters who teach them all sorts of knowledge—astronomy, geography, statecraft, how to conduct oneself in the world, and so on. Would you like to go, Xiner?"
"What... what are all those things?"
"Well... never mind, you'll understand when you're older." Jian Wei felt a bit helpless, but he didn't blame Jian Xin. After all, she was still young and didn't understand much yet, especially given what had happened before...
...
Unable to bear the sudden, heavy silence, Chen Jian spoke up, "A-Wei, how much did this trip cost us?"
"Seems like quite a bit... seems like we spent it all... but the things I bought will last us a really long time, you don't need to—"
"What did you say?!" Hearing this, Chen Jian flew into a rage, turning her head to stare at Jian Wei in sheer disbelief, her gaze fierce enough to flay him alive.
"Dad, can you make money by going to the academy?"
"Yes, you can! As long as you successfully graduate from that academy, once you come out, you can—"
"You'd better explain yourself right now! No, let's take a proper inventory right here and now. I want to see what on earth you bought!"
Jian Wei completely caved. "Wouldn't it be better to count it when we get home? It's getting so late, and look, Xiner is getting a bit sleepy, right...?"
"No way! We're settling this right now!"
Just as Chen Jian reached to untie the bag she was holding, Jian Xin suddenly blurted out, "Mhm! I've decided, I'm going to study so I can make money to help you guys!" A confident gleam flashed in her eyes, and she clenched her fists to show her determination.
"...All right, Dad will wait for you. But you'll need to prepare yourself."
"...Don't push yourself too hard, Xiner. Your dad and I can give the family a decent life. You must never do anything that forces you past your limits, you hear me?"
Hearing Jian Xin's words, both of them stopped what they were doing and stared at her in unison. The air seemed to freeze for a moment before they both spoke at the exact same time. Chen Jian no longer cared about sorting out Jian Wei's "good deeds" here on the street; right now, she just wanted to ask her daughter what her true feelings really were.
...
"Hey, watch out, don't walk so fast!" Chen Jian said helplessly as she watched Jian Xin dart off like a startled rabbit.
Jian Xin pushed open the bedroom door, tossed the things she was carrying onto the table, and threw herself onto her bed. "We're finally home! My bed!"
Following her inside, Chen Jian took one look at her and said, "Xiner! Get off the bed. I'll have your dad boil some water so you can take a bath first. Then I'll go cook some congee for you. You have to finish eating it before you go to sleep, understand?"
"Mhm!"
...
"Huh? Why does what that old man told me differ from what Dad taught me about cultivation at first?" Jian Xin sat in her room out of boredom, deciding to take out the book Jian Wei had given her earlier. She felt thoroughly puzzled as she compared the two entirely different sets of contents. Just then, she sensed something drifting past outside. "Who's there?!"