Lady Wu cried for a while, then scolded for a while, and again took her son's hand, lecturing him, "…Manjiang, you must come back. If anything happens to you, your mother won't want to live either. Wuu wuu wuu…"
Qian Manjiang patted her hand, comforting her, "Mother, rest assured, your son will take good care of himself. When placed in a desperate situation, one can only fight to survive. With no way out, it may even inspire boundless fighting spirit. I have some martial skills, and I'll find a way to build a good relationship with my superiors. I'm sure I can earn some rank and come back. Then, I'll get an imperial decree for Mother, and even take Father, Sister, and Grandpa and Grandma on a fancy carriage to the Capital City for a stroll, maybe even catch a glimpse of the Palace gates."
A glint of uncontainable excitement and longing again shone in his eyes.
It finally dawned on Qian Yixiu where that gleam of excitement and longing reminded her of: Shang Qingyun. Her young master wasn't just handsome, he also had great aspirations.
For such people, it would be an injustice to spend their lives as farmers—impossible even. If not this time, he would find another chance to leave. They would rather die striving than live comfortably within the confines of the earth.
Qian Manxia ran to nestle in her brother's arms, "Sister Die says going to the border to fight is a death sentence, and I won't let Brother go to his death, nor do I want to stroll around the Capital City." After saying this, she burst into tears.
Qian Manjiang, ten years older than Qian Manxia, doted on his little sister greatly. He picked up his sister, coaxing her, "Xiaxia, don't be afraid, your brother won't die. Brother learned martial arts with Father and is quite skilled." Seeing Manxia purse her lips and nod, he continued, "I heard that the floral headscarves in the North are very beautiful. Your brother will buy you one. When Brother is not at home, Sister must behave, and help out Father and Mother…"
Qian Manxia's crying gradually quieted down, and with tear stains on her cheeks, she fell asleep in her brother's arms. Qian Manjiang then placed her on the little bed in the corner of the main room. There, a long wooden plank propped up by stones served as Qian Manxia's makeshift bed.
Lady Wu wept into the night until she had no strength to continue. Only then did Qian Manjiang assist her to lay down on the bed. He went to the kitchen to draw water, washing his parents' and sister's hands and faces.
After taking care of the three of them, he went out to the yard to wash his face and feet before retiring to the side room for rest.
Qian Yixiu gave Qian Manjiang a high appraisal: a good son, a good brother. From this she concluded, in the future, he would also make a good father, provided of course he could return alive.
The backyard fell silent, and Qian Xiu toured the courtyard. Four thatch-roofed rooms were centered around two main rooms—one bright and one dark—representing the living room and Qian Sangui's couple's bedroom. On each side was an annex room, with Qian Manjiang occupying the one on the left and the other, no doubt, meant for Qian Manxia. But for now, with Qian Manxia being young, she stayed in the main room under Lady Wu's care.
The three dilapidated rooms were in disrepair and unfit for habitation, serving as storage for sundries and firewood. Two small side rooms were the kitchen and the outhouse.
After making her rounds, Qian Xiu returned to the main room, huddling by the window, watching the moon slowly slide westward. Life was hard without any dramas to watch. She thought of her parents from her past life; fortunately, she still had a brother, so her parents wouldn't be left alone in their old age. But she thought most of Shang Qingyun—the heartless man for whom she had foolishly waited for so many years. She really was a fool to the extreme.
The moon slid from its zenith down towards the hills, and the sky to the east gradually brightened. Roosters in the chicken coop began to crow, and the birds started their chirping and chattering.
A new day began. Qian Xiu also revived her spirits, floating to a corner of the wall to hide, ready to watch the big show that would unfold today. According to Ma Mian, Qian Manjiang would be finding a wife today.
Lady Wu was the first to get up, her appearance devoid of yesterday's despair and listlessness. Though her eyes still held sadness and helplessness, they were overwhelmed by strength. Indeed, with Qian Manjiang's departure, the house would be left with only the sick and the children; if she fell, the home would be finished.
Qian Manjiang also got up, helping Lady Wu to light the fire. Qian Xiu held a good impression of this young master, who not only harbored grand ambitions but was also willing to stoop to do the sorts of chores many men would disdain.
Lady Wu cooked a pot of coarse rice porridge, made a few corn cakes, and also stewed a pot of fine rice porridge in a small clay pot. Afterwards, Qian Manxia got out of bed as well.
They set out the meal on the table in the main room's bedroom. Lady Wu first served Qian Sangui his bowl of fine rice congee before they all began to eat. Qian Manjiang was thinking of going to weed the paddy fields, but was dissuaded by Lady Wu.
"You're leaving in half a month; leave the field work be."
Qian Sangui added, "Listen to your mother. Don't concern yourself with other things and start preparing what you need to take with you." Then, turning to Lady Wu, he said, "Although the Imperial Court will provide the army's attire, it's still better if Manjiang has more shoes made at home—they fit better. Starting today, you should put aside other tasks and just make shoes. Also ask the old woman and your fourth sibling to help make a pair."
As they were discussing this, a sound came from the courtyard gate. Qian Manxia ran to open it and called out loudly, "Father, Mother, Granny and Grandpa, Uncle, and Fourth Uncle are here."
Old man Qian and Old woman Qian looked particularly haggard, Old woman Qian especially, with her eyes swollen from crying. Qian Sangui was their favorite son, capable and having secured a considerable property for the family, yet he lived such a life. Qian Manjiang was their most beloved grandson, the best scholar, good-looking, sweet-talking, and filial, but now he was being sent to the frontiers to fight.
As soon as Old woman Qian arrived, she embraced Qian Manjiang and started crying again, with Lady Wu and Manxia joining in.
Old man Qian said, "What's the use of crying? Since it can no longer be changed, we must quickly think of how to let Manjiang leave with peace of mind, and make the most of the time left to ensure a future for his branch of the family."
Qian Sangui, still somewhat taken aback, asked in astonishment, "Ensure a future? What do you mean, Father?"
Lady Wu also lifted her head in surprise, her face still wet with tears.
Qian Sigui spoke up, "That's to say, we should quickly find a wife for Manjiang. Time is of the essence. If we marry him off before he leaves, he might even be able to give you a grandson."
Hearing these words, Lady Wu deflated. With a pained expression, she said, "Considering our family's situation, we can barely afford a bride price. Even if Manjiang weren't going to war, no family's daughter would be willing to marry in. Now that he's being rushed off to battle, and we have to rush to get him married within these few days, who would marry their daughter to us?"
Qian Sigui said, "My father-in-law told me that a neighboring county just suffered a pest infestation, and many refugees have poured into Xishan County. Those refugees are not only selling their children but are also willing to sell themselves, much cheaper than before. The healthy and good-looking girls cost a bit more, maybe five or six diao of money each. But the older, uglier ones are cheaper; it's said that you can get one for only two or three diao. You don't need to worry about the money; we'll pool what we have and borrow some from Sister, and that should be enough to buy a wife."
The idea revived the spirits of Qian Sangui and Lady Wu, as they too feared for their son's safety and the continuity of his lineage. They were very willing to consider the suggestion.
But Old woman Qian objected, "How can my handsome grandson end up with an old and ugly bride?"
Hearing his spouse speak like this, Old man Qian disagreed. He gave her a stern look and said, "What does it matter if she's a bit old or not as pretty? As long as she is a woman, it's all the same when the lamp is blown out and it's pitch-black."
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Thank you, Qian Yi Yi Ren Yan, for the purse and sachet, thank you Xiao P Youyou for the purse, and thank you to all for the recommendations, comments, and well-wishes. Wishing you all the best, and may your beauty remain forever!
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