With the arrival of the new tea, Gu Lanyin had to return to his hometown. This trip would take at least half a month. Concerned about Wan Niang's health, he left her in Xunyang, and because he was worried that her blockish mind might be led astray, Gu Lanyin also left Bai Long behind. Having been lectured by him, Bai Long was much more restrained than others. Gu Lanyin ordered her to take care of the young mistress; even if she was unwilling, she dared not fail the task the young master had entrusted. Before the young master had even left, she moved into Tongqi Pavilion.
Wan Niang gained an extra helper and handed over most of her tasks to her. Among them, the most time-consuming was embroidery—embroidering children's clothes. The slow, meticulous work drained most of Bai Long's energy. Every day, looking at the piles of cloth, she felt listless. The young master and young mistress had only just consummated their marriage, yet the young mistress was already planning so far ahead, cutting out clothes for children for all four seasons, one color for boys and another for girls. Added to her hands, it was double the work. Bai Long was on the verge of tears, embroidering from morning till night with barely any chance to go out. Bao Niang was pleased to see this.
*
It had been raining for the past few days. Bao Niang went out early and returned late. She had scoured all the brothels and pleasure quarters in Xunyang. Disguised as a wealthy woman, she went out wearing a conical hat, but her opulent appearance still gave her away. A young man's burning gaze followed her persistently. Even Bao Niang, as dull as she was, noticed. She turned and came out from an alley of brothels. Not far away, under a loquat tree, a youth sat on a pinkish-white wall. This time he sat high up, his grayish-blue bamboo hat covered in leaves. She studied his face closely and suddenly remembered—wasn't he the one who had been peeping at the young mistress from under the tea house that day?! She looked up, stepped closer, and couldn't help laughing: "What are you looking at here? Aren't you afraid of being struck by lightning under a tree?" Unexpectedly, the youth replied, "Little fatty, where is your mistress?" "You insolent!" Jiang Cha jumped down, opened an umbrella, and looked her up and down, smiling: "I've been following you for days. Why do you keep sneaking into these disreputable places?" Bao Niang glanced at him and crooked her finger at him. Jiang Cha didn't understand and stared at her hand, blurting out, "Your fingers are so fair and tender, like..." "Like what?" "Like the boneless chicken feet I ate yesterday." "You want to die!" Bao Niang yelled at him angrily and turned to leave. "Stop!" Jiang Cha circled back in front of her. Bao Niang rolled her eyes and pushed him to go, but he looked thin, and her push didn't budge him. Jiang Cha said, "Tell me honestly, what are you up to?" Bao Niang saw his coarse clothes and didn't take him seriously. She spat at him, but the next moment, a dagger was at her neck. Jiang Cha smiled, patted her chubby cheek with his palm, leaned close, and threatened, "You'd better tell the truth." Bao Niang swallowed, looked left and right. This place was remote; it might be a while before anyone came. She looked down at the dagger and forced a smile: "Seeking a child at a high price." Jiang Cha frowned: "Are you very rich?" Seeing that he looked like trouble, she didn't dare mention anything about selling now. Instead, she tearfully complained that her mistress was ill-fated, married for a long time without a child, mistreated by her mother-in-law at home, and had no choice but to offer a high price to seek a child. Jiang Cha thought for a moment, took out a ten-tael silver ingot from his pocket, and handed it to her: "Then tell your mistress to come find me. This is a deposit." "You... what?" Seeing her silly expression, he put the dagger back against her. "Tell your mistress to come see me!" Bao Niang: "Where?" "Tomorrow, at the small tea house by the lake," Jiang Cha added, "the very shabby one." Bao Niang nodded. As she left, Jiang Cha said, "I remember where you live. If you dare play tricks on me, I'll climb over the wall and stab you to death at night." Seeing her silent, he pulled off her conical hat. Bao Niang was startled. "If you want to die, I can grant you that. Don't look for other men anymore. If I find out, I'll strip you naked and hang you at the vegetable market." Bao Niang nodded fearfully, and the conical hat was put back on her head. After walking two li, she spat viciously, stepped on it a few times angrily. How could she have run into such a little beast? But he didn't seem to be from a wealthy background—just a peasant.
Back at Tongqi Pavilion, Bao Niang looked terrible. Bai Long was doing needlework with Wan Niang. Seeing her, she casually said, "Who's upset our Second Miss Bao this time?" Wan Niang smiled and handed her a cup of osmanthus and green bean tea: "Calm down. It must be because the rain outside is heavy and you fell, right? Go inside and change your clothes." Bao Niang snorted, drank the tea, and still sat there, criticizing Bai Long's work. Bai Long, already holding a bellyful of anger and at odds with her, couldn't help but say, "You're the most clever and skilled, no one can match you. I'm clumsy and slow, how dare I show off in front of you?" With that, she grabbed back her embroidery, cut a few times with scissors, and destroyed it all. Wan Niang looked regretfully at the pieces and acted as a peacemaker. "She's always been like this. I apologize on her behalf. You've been troubled these days. Here, take this silver." Bai Long said helplessly, "You spoil her too much. If she's dissatisfied with a few words, she throws a tantrum. Who gives her the nerve? Be careful she doesn't climb over your head." Wan Niang looked inside at Bao Niang changing clothes and told her to keep her voice down. "We grew up together. She doesn't have a bad heart, just a bit of a temper. She's devoted to me, and I can't let her down." Bai Long found it laughable and warned kindly, "You are the young mistress. Don't let her teach you what to do. I think she's confused too." Wan Niang nodded. After she left, Bao Niang changed clothes and came out, closing the windows and doors. Now that it was just the two of them, Bao Niang reported the day's results. "I went through a lot of trouble, but it's done." "What's the man like?" "Sturdy build, handsome face, two or three years younger than you, unmarried, clean—you can rest assured." Wan Niang felt relieved.
The next day, the weather cleared slightly. Bai Long sulked and didn't come out. Bao Niang locked her door, then took the young mistress out. Without the young master at home, she felt strangely much more at ease, and her injured knee had completely healed. The two mistresses and servants arrived at the small tea house they had visited before. There were hardly any customers that day. The room was dark and filled with the fragrance of tea. The female owner seemed to recognize them and quietly pointed to the back. It was Wan Niang's first time doing such a thing, and she was scared. "Come in with me." "That would be too embarrassing." Seeing that she wouldn't go in, Wan Niang hesitated. Bao Niang couldn't stand it and gave in. "I'll go with you!" The two entered, and Jiang Cha had been waiting. Seeing that the fatty had also come, he frowned instinctively: "Are you going to watch while we do this?" Bao Niang pouted: "Who wants to see your little thing?" The moment she finished, Jiang Cha kicked her out the door and slammed it shut. Wan Niang was shocked and regretted it. How could he be so hot-tempered? Looking at his dark eyes, she felt like she was being watched by a wild beast and instinctively wanted to open the door and run. But—Bao Niang locked the door. "Open the door!! Mmm..." She pressed her ear to the door, listening carefully. Inside seemed chaotic. Wan Niang dared not shout loudly for fear of being discovered, but unexpectedly, this amused him. The day was utterly absurd. Wan Niang left with red eyes, her legs so weak she could barely stand, but the youth behind her threatened her to come again tomorrow. "If you don't come, I'll tell that bastard mother-in-law of yours." Wan Niang's heart tightened, she clutched her stomach, and couldn't help crying. In the carriage, Bao Niang hugged and comforted her. "It's already done. Why be afraid? Isn't it all for a child? He took our money; he won't do such a thing. He's just scaring you." Wan Niang looked at the scenery outside and sighed slightly.
In the next two days, she came again. Prepared. With some kind of determination, she actually tormented the freshly-experienced youth thoroughly. Jiang Cha lay on the bed; this time it was his turn to be unsteady, watching her leave mercilessly. He rested in bed for half a day, still swollen. When his elder brother Jiang Yan came to find him and saw him like this, he kicked him out of bed: "We're about to break the prison, and you're playing around like this!" Jiang Cha gasped and put on his clothes: "It's nothing..." Jiang Yan kicked him again: "Be careful you don't die on a woman!" Jiang Cha spat blood. Seeing this, his elder brother kicked him again in pain: "In just three days, your body is drained... Bastard! I'll kill that bitch! Where is she?" Jiang Cha hugged his elder brother's leg weakly: "It was mutual. Why be like this?" Jiang Yan slapped him twice: "How did our family produce such a playboy? If I find you this dissolute again, I'll teach you a lesson on behalf of our parents!" Jiang Cha spat blood and laughed. He had eaten the woman he wanted; it was mutual. If something happened during the prison break, he would be satisfied. His elder brother carried him back to the boat. At night, the two brothers' small boat drifted on the lake as they cooked. A large boat slowly floated past. The large boat sat deep in the water, and the two were soon attracted. Jiang Cha looked up. On the boat, someone was also admiring the lake view. When he lowered his head, their eyes met. A youth at the prow of the boat leaned on the railing, dressed in dark clothes, with a high crown and wide belt, refined and scholarly, with an exceptionally handsome face. Jiang Cha was stunned. The youth on the large boat smiled at him. Jiang Cha frowned, as if feeling inferior, and shrank back into the cabin. How could such a person exist... "What's wrong?" His elder brother asked him. Jiang Cha shook his head, puzzled: "Seeing him makes me uncomfortable all over." His elder brother handed him the meal, understanding: "I feel the same way about rich people. Someday we'll rob him and let him show off." Jiang Cha laughed. That night, the small boat drifted gently. The southern wind stirred the lake's mist. By morning, the greenery was deeper, the spring scenery richer.
Inside the city. Wan Niang had been wanton for a few days, returned home to bathe, and slept soundly. When she woke up, she looked at the half-open window and was surprised to see the plum tree outside had bloomed. A patch of white, lovely. She touched her belly, clasped her hands, and prayed to the Bodhisattva to grant her wish this time. After bowing to the four directions, she opened her eyes. There was a person at the window. For a moment, she thought she was hallucinating. Gu Lanyin leaned on the window frame, not knowing how long he had been watching her. His temples still held white petals, like snow. "You... why are you back?" Gu Lanyin said nothing. Under the eaves, the night wind blew the rain chain, the sound noisy. He closed his eyes and sighed slightly. Behind him stood Bai Long. It was she who had sent word that Bao Niang was bullying. Gu Lanyin felt uneasy and turned back, but unexpectedly saw familiar faces on the lake. Those two brothers had come to the city edge. Since they were river bandits, how could they leave behind their old trade of killing and looting? Sure enough, a few days later, news came that a death row prisoner had been rescued, and several vicious criminals had escaped. Upon hearing this, Sixth Uncle Gu ordered the walls to be heightened, added more patrols at night, and advised his nephew not to go out at night. "You don't know, this gang of river bandits is entrenched in Xunyang, and they're extremely ruthless. I suffered a loss in my early years. If your father hadn't helped me, I wouldn't be able to stand firm here. Nephew, don't go out at night. You brought two boats this time; you must have been targeted." Gu Lanyin thanked his sixth uncle and told him not to worry. Compared to these river bandits, the affairs at home were what disappointed him most.
*
As the weather grew warmer, the plants inside and outside the courtyard flourished. Insects crawled in from the corners and window cracks. The maids busied themselves changing to light curtains and bedding, complaining endlessly. Wan Niang, usually good-natured, was sitting by the window embroidering. When she heard them, she couldn't help scolding them all. The maids fell silent but gossiped behind her back: "What's wrong with her?" "What else? She's been unwell these days, can't eat, always vomiting, and taking it out on us. Even Bao Niang can't please her." Bao Niang returned from the kitchen, overheard, and flew into a rage: "Who allowed you to gossip about the young mistress behind her back!" Each maid received a slap. The sound was crisp and carried into the room. Wan Niang sneered: "Who told you to hit them?" She lifted the curtain and came out: "Do you need to discipline them?" The two locked eyes, and Bao Niang backed down first. "Go back to work. I apologize." After the maids left, she darkened her face and burst into the room. "What do you mean?" Wan Niang gritted her teeth, thinking of what Gu Lang had said when he came to see her last night. Gu Lang had been busy with important matters and rarely came to see her. When he did, he saw she had no appetite and kept vomiting, so he joked if she was pregnant. Wan Niang was about to tell him that she had called a doctor and it showed signs of pregnancy, but his next sentence plunged her into the abyss. "Gu Lang said that after the consummation, the medicine he fed me was an abortifacient..." Tears poured down like rain. She smashed the tea set on the table and pointed at Bao Niang: "What were you thinking?! You lied to me! How could you lie to me!" Hearing this, Bao Niang's originally flustered face regained calm. "What the young master brewed was abortifacient. What I brewed for you was a miscarriage-prevention decoction. The medicine passed through my hands. If you want to safely give birth to this child, shouldn't you discuss it with me properly? Crying at every turn—what can tears solve? Don't drag me to die with you when things fall apart." She took Wan Niang's hand and comforted, "We're in the same boat. Venting your anger on me does you no good." Wan Niang wanted to hit her, but Bao Niang grabbed her wrist and angrily said, "You fool! After all I've said, don't you understand yet?" Wan Niang panted heavily and shook her head: "I don't understand why you treat me like this. We grew up together. I treat you like a sister. In food, clothing, and expenses, where have I fallen short? Why do you want to harm me?" Bao Niang said, "It's because you have no brains. I became your maid just for the monthly allowance. If I weren't a family-born servant, I'd have left long ago. Every day I clean up your messes. You're the young mistress and I'm the maid—do you think I enjoy it?" In her anger, she actually slapped her. "You deserve it!" Wan Niang's face stung. Sobbed, she was about to go find Gu Lang. Bao Niang was startled. "What are you doing? Aren't you afraid of death?" Wan Niang was utterly disheartened: "Gu Lang won't kill me. As for you... that's another matter." "If he didn't like you, do you think you'd still be the young mistress?" "Then let him beat me to death! Even if I die, I'll die in this house. Gu Lang is a man of decency; he will never let anyone know about the wrong I've done." Now her mind was full of death. Her despair made Bao Niang helpless. She had to coax her: "Things haven't reached that desperate point yet. You're just afraid that the child in your belly won't have a legitimate status, right? Fine, let them blame me." Wan Niang looked at her, still sobbing, but her eyes were red and her voice had lowered a lot. "What do you want?" "I want to be the master of this house too." Wan Niang suddenly looked as if she had seen a joke, a joke she couldn't understand. She twisted her lips, her expression strange. After thinking for a long time, she said, "You're so fat. Gu Lang doesn't like fat women." "I've already lost weight." Wan Niang remembered what her mother had said. She touched her belly, looked at the broken monochrome glaze on the floor, and suddenly felt a pang of regret. She sighed pitifully: "Then... I'll tell him. As for the result, I don't know. I don't have money for a dowry either. You'll have to prepare everything yourself." Bao Niang agreed. Wan Niang breathed a sigh of relief and braced herself to go find Gu Lanyin.
By then, a heavy rain was falling. The sky was gloomy, dark clouds gathered, as if they were pressing down onto the roof, making one breathless all the way. Wan Niang was as if in a dream. After saying all this, she looked timidly at her husband. Gu Lanyin looked at the rain outside and thought of the first time he saw her. It was like this. A few years apart, he was still willing to offer her an umbrella again. Let this clay Bodhisattva take shelter from the rain properly.