The door opened with a creak, letting in the dusk's darkening light. A teenage boy entered, carrying the muggy warmth of the evening with him.
It was Mia's older brother, Felix. He carried a large bamboo basket. Mia couldn't resist craning her neck, hoping there was something interesting inside.
Felix looked very much like their mother, Lila—a younger, male version of her, with thick eyebrows, big eyes, and a round, trustworthy face. He set down the bamboo basket and started to push aside the top layer of grass. As he dug deeper, he pulled out a long-tailed pheasant.
Mia's eyes lit up, her tiny face bright with curiosity.
"Mom, Dad, I caught a pheasant! It's very nutritious. I brought it home for you, Mom."
The pheasant's tail feathers were stunning, almost like those of a miniature peacock, vibrant with every imaginable color. Mia leaned in, transfixed by its beauty. Ethan adjusted Mia in his arms so she could have a better view, then began to scold Felix.
"Felix, I've told you not to hunt in the Zhao family's forest. Master Zhao is ruthless. If he catches you hunting in his woods, he'll beat you within an inch of your life," Ethan said sternly.
Mia's heart raced, realizing how precarious their lives were—hunting a single pheasant could lead to serious trouble.
"Dad, don't worry. I went with the village headman's son and the young master from the Liu family. Liu's family even had someone pass the imperial exams. If we're caught, they'll bear the brunt of the punishment," Felix replied, maintaining his usual guileless expression.
Mia was shocked. Her seemingly honest and simple brother had a strategic mind, after all.
Felix quickly made his escape, carrying the pheasant with him, likely to avoid further scolding. Mia continued to gaze at the beautiful tail feathers, her little eyes shimmering with fascination.
Ethan noticed and repositioned her so she could keep watching. Felix was making quick work of plucking and preparing the bird.
While Felix was busy, Mia's older sister, Yara, arrived home, completing the family gathering. Yara looked much like their mother—a round-faced young girl. Mia couldn't help but worry a little about her own future looks, given the strong family resemblance.
Yara bounced into the room, pulling out a bundle she had tucked away in her clothes, unwrapping it with excitement to reveal a small pile of crumbs, fragrant and inviting.
"Look, Mom!" Yara said, offering the bundle to Lila.
Mia sniffed the air, wondering if her sense of smell had developed yet. She wasn't entirely sure, but the aroma seemed nice.
"Mom, I was helping in the kitchen at the Liu family's estate, and the housekeeper said I was quick and efficient. He rewarded me with some Osmanthus cakes, so I brought them all back," Yara explained proudly.
Osmanthus cakes? Mia blinked, expecting something else. She had even thought they might be some sort of sleeping powder. Her mind must have been influenced by all the intrigue around her.
As Yara handed over the Osmanthus cakes, Mia could tell by the way Yara swallowed that she was tempted to eat them herself, but she held back.
This is someone with strong self-restraint!
"It's usually Ah Cui who goes there. How did it happen that you went instead today?" Lila asked curiously.
Yara leaned in, whispering, "Everyone says that the guard at the Liu household is having an affair with Ah Cui. Ah Cui's fiancé confronted them, and the housekeeper heard about it. Now she's not allowed to work there anymore."
Mia's ears pricked up, intrigued by this juicy gossip. Even in a small village, there seemed to be no shortage of scandals.
In response, Lila reached out and tapped Yara lightly on the forehead.
"Was this gossip spread by you? You can't go around ruining people's reputations with tales like this," she chided.
Yara, looking somewhat aggrieved, protested, "But it's true! Ah Cui was bragging about the silver hairpin the guard gave her, and she's already engaged. She shouldn't have been showing it off."
Mia was speechless, wondering at the ruthless side of her sister. She was willing to gossip for a small piece of cake, yet here she was, holding back for the sake of the family.
Then, with a generous spirit, Yara handed Mia a crumb from the cakes. Mia tasted it, a sweet crumble that quickly disappeared down her tiny throat. She opened her mouth for more.
"Gossiping like that can bring trouble. If you're serious about wanting to help in the kitchen, find another way to get the spot. Maybe figure out a way to keep her busy at home, but don't spread rumors," Lila said, looking thoughtful.
Mia, munching on the crumb of cake, gazed up at her mother, her mind racing. Her mother's serene exterior hid a shrewd and calculating side.
In that moment, Mia felt she had much to learn from this family.