The Exiled Life of the Noble Girl

The sweltering summer day was hot and muggy. Wang Chunhua wiped the beads of sweat from her forehead and looked distressingly at the wilted greens in the field. She would have to water them once the sun set.

She took shelter under a tree, seizing the brief moment when the clouds obscured the sun before hurrying home. The fields radiated heat all around, and staying any longer risked succumbing to heatstroke.

As she approached the town, she saw a few women walking hand in hand, carrying baskets and whispering about some "golden body."

"What are you talking about?" Wang Chunhua rushed to catch up with an acquaintance. "Out and about in this dreadful heat?"

"Nothing much. We heard someone donated a golden body to Master Yuqing at the Yuqing Temple. We're going to take a look and pray for some rain. It's too dry - we won't harvest a single grain at this rate."

"A golden body?" Wang Chunhua exclaimed. "That must cost a fortune!"

"How would we know? They say it was donated by some young lady from the Capital City. The County Magistrate himself sent people to oversee the work. It's supposed to be marvelous. You should go see for yourself."

Wang Chunhua froze. The Capital City...could it be her sister-in-law? She did mention she was from the Capital before leaving. Besides her, Wang Chunhua couldn't think of anyone else with connections there.

She would have to go take a look when she had the chance.

Dong Shan had returned from inspecting another field. Seeing Wang Chunhua's delay, he couldn't help but peer outside, prompting her to usher him back in.

"What are you doing out there? This sun will kill you!"

"Why are you back so late?" Dong Shan asked as he handed her a bowl of water. "Was that field in bad shape?"

Wang Chunhua gulped down the water, went to the courtyard to draw well water and splash her face, finally feeling refreshed. They retreated into the house together.

"It wasn't great. I don't know why it's so hot this year. How was yours?"

Dong Shan shook his head, his face etched with worry.

Wang Chunhua glanced anxiously into the courtyard. The intense sunlight stoked the flames of vexation within her. Just last year, others had bountiful harvests. Why were they so unlucky this time?

"It has nothing to do with the land. It's just the will of Heaven," Dong Shan consoled. "It's not this hot every year. If not this year, we'll try again next."

"I know." Wang Chunhua nodded reluctantly. Back home, they had experienced it all - droughts, floods, gales. It was always up to the Heavens.

But watching their crops deteriorate day by day, knowing their meager harvest was a foregone conclusion while helpless to change it - it was too much to bear. They had toiled so hard when sowing in spring.

After brooding a while, she mentioned the golden body to Dong Shan.

He nodded. "Go if you want. Just come back early."

"Mm." Wang Chunhua propped her chin, a tinge of melancholy in her voice. "I wonder how my sister-in-law is doing now."

"Didn't a letter come saying she's doing well? Her husband's an official now, and their family is wealthy enough to donate a golden body. Who would dare bully her?"

"You're right."

Her grandfather had been a teacher, so she knew of the respect the locals had for Li Yi. With her status, Li Mingwei was unlikely to face any trouble.

Remembering this, Wang Chunhua turned hesitantly to Dong Shan. "Remember I told you my sister-in-law said we could send Dong Lei to study in the Capital City for free? Have you thought it over?"

Dong Shan knew of the books Li Mingwei had sent back through Yang Jing'yuan and Hu Jin. They said those books were very difficult, unavailable even in the county town, much less their humble village.

The prospect of their son receiving an education in the Capital City was tempting. But...

"Have you thought this through? Once he's gone, we might only see him once every year or two. Can you bear that?"

Wang Chunhua could barely stand the thought, but she also yearned for her son's success.

Gritting her teeth, she replied, "It'll be fine. As long as he's doing well, I'll have to bear it. When your brother-in-law studied in the county, didn't he only come home once a month? It's about the same. If Dong Lei can't come back, we'll visit him after the autumn harvest, using the money saved on tuition fees."

Seeing her resolve, Dong Shan nodded silently. They were still strong and able-bodied; a bit of hardship was nothing.

"Tonight, let's go see Mr. Li and write to your sister-in-law about the Capital's schools. I can tell you miss her too, so you can see her while you're at it."

Wang Chunhua smiled bashfully. She had grown accustomed to chatting and laughing with her sister-in-law. Now that Li Mingwei had left, she did miss her, as well as her two children whom she hadn't seen growing up.

Li Mingwei soon received Wang Chunhua's letter inquiring about the Capital City's schools. After some thought, she decided to consult her grandfather.

"Grandfather hasn't returned yet?"

Ah Xiu shook her head. Glancing at the sky, she said, "He's later than usual. Maybe something held him up. Should I send someone to check?"

"No need, I'm back." Li Yi strode in carrying some books. He took a seat beside Li Mingwei. "How are you feeling today?"

"Fine."

Ever since learning of Li Mingwei's pregnancy, Li Yi had moved into the Residence of the Liu family. He had missed her previous childbirths and refused to miss this one.

Originally, with Liu Yizhu away, Li Yi had wanted Li Mingwei to move back home. But she didn't want to live with her mother-in-law, so he had to relocate instead.

Li Mingwei patted her belly, drawing Li Yi's disapproving gaze before stopping. "Why are you back so late today, Grandfather?"

Li Yi placed the books on the table. "Not that late. I just went home to grab some things."

With so many books in his study, he couldn't possibly move them all. And he disliked others entering his study, so whenever he needed something, he had to fetch it himself. Since moving in, he had to return every couple of days.

"Grabbing things again?" Li Mingwei frowned. "So troublesome. I should've just moved back."

Her gaze fell on the leisurely figure of Li Langyue lounging in the pavilion, more relaxed than she was. There was no point in not returning home.

Li Yi laughed heartily. "It's not too late to change your mind."

"No!" Li Mingwei defied resolutely. How could she concede so easily? At least by residing here, she was the lady of the house. Though still under scrutiny, her heart felt freer.

"Suit yourself." Li Yi's eyes landed on the letter in her hand. "A letter from Yizhu?"

"No, it's from Sister Wang Chunhua, asking about the schools here."

"Oh, she wants to send Dong Lei to study in the Capital City?"

Li Mingwei nodded.

But Li Yi shook his head. "Isn't the boy only around ten? It's a bit early for him to enter the academy. He should first attend a regular school for a few more years."

"I know."

Most academy students were thirteen or fourteen and older. Dong Lei was indeed too young. But the Capital's schools were superior to those in the villages. Sending him early would prevent him from falling behind once he entered the academy.

Li Mingwei wrote a reply and had Ah Xiu send it out. Just then, Zhang Dezhi entered from outside.

"Father, you're here too?"

Zhang Dezhi sighed. "With no one at home, what's the point of going back?"

Li Mingwei wrinkled her nose. Moving or not, it made no difference now.