The Exiled Life of the Noble Girl

After three rounds of drinking, Li Mingwei's cheeks were also flushed. She propped up her somewhat dizzy head and pinched Dong Lei's round little face as he ate the meat voraciously without stopping.

"Eat slower, no one is going to snatch it from you."

With his mouth full, Dong Lei didn't speak, just looked up at her with a smile on his little face.

Wang Chunhua cooked some meat slices and put them in her bowl, "What are you dazing off for? Eat some more, the night is still long. Later this naughty kid will eat everything up and there won't be any left."

Dong Shan smiled as he picked up a slice of meat and brought it to his little daughter's mouth, "Our little Yan'er should eat too."

"Cut smaller pieces for her. The slices Sister Li cut are too big, how can she fit them in her mouth?"

"Alright."

There was no tradition of staying up all night in Qingshi Town, because it was already cold, and even chillier at night. How could anyone endure staying up the whole night? Everyone waited until midnight when the firecrackers welcoming the new year were set off, then they could go to sleep.

As soon as the time came, crackling sounds rang out from all directions. Dong Shan had already prepared and lit the firecrackers in the yard, then rushed back into the house.

The deafening sounds exploded in her ears. Li Mingwei didn't have time to react before covering Dong Lei's ears. Wang Chunhua also hurried to shield her little daughter. Dong Shan ran back in and closed the door. They reopened it after the sounds outside subsided.

"Alright, alright, let's clean up and then we can sleep."

"Okay, you go boil some hot water. I'll pick up the bowls and chopsticks."

Wang Chunhua declined Li Mingwei's offer to help, because she really didn't look sober at the moment.

Li Mingwei leaned against the door and slid down to sit on the threshold. She was still a little dizzy. She was used to fruit wine, so the wine here was still too strong for her. But tonight she was indeed a little happy, so she had drank a few more cups.

She knocked her head, "Ah, headache."

Hearing her voice, Wang Chunhua poured her a cup of hot water from the kitchen and sat down beside her, "Drink some water. You shouldn't have drank so much if you can't handle it."

"But I was happy."

"I don't see you looking very happy."

Li Mingwei smiled awkwardly, her gaze falling onto the glaring red paper debris left on the ground after the firecrackers exploded, contrasting sharply against the white snow. Her eyes hurt a little.

Wang Chunhua gently stroked her back, seeing her slightly reddened eyes, she couldn't help sighing softly.

"Feeling upset?"

"No, just missing home a bit."

"Where is your home?"

"My home is in the capital, very very far from here."

"That's quite far."

Having assumed she was homeless and fallen into misfortune, which was why she had wandered here, Wang Chunhua was a bit puzzled, "If you have a home, why did you leave with Liu Yizhu instead of going back?"

Li Mingwei's eyes misted over. She lowered her head and buried it in her knees. After a long while, she choked out, "Because I did something wrong."

She recounted the whole story, "Ever since I was little, I was quite an obedient child, willing to go along with whatever my mother arranged, except for him. No one in the family agreed to me marrying him, but I insisted on it anyway."

Even knowing he was ambitious, even knowing his feelings were mixed with other things, but marriages were all like that in a place like the capital, at least she felt he truly cared for her in his heart.

But she had overestimated herself.

"That was the only time I made my own choice. I married him so resolutely, but he betrayed me behind my back and had a child with another woman. The most absurd thing is, it was my mother who found out and told me about it."

The first thing her mother said was, I told you not to marry him, but you insisted on it anyway. Go take a look yourself what kind of person you chose.

"I really don't know how to face them when I go back."

Especially her grandfather. He could have used that imperial edict for more meaningful things, yet he wasted it on her childish love. She truly had no face to see him.

Wang Chunhua hugged her and stroked her head sympathetically. She understood those feelings to some extent.

When she first met Dong Shan years ago, his father had already passed away. Their land had all been sold. He was left alone, living in this old house, still working as a risky hunter.

Although the Wang family was not wealthy in the village, they still had a few acres of land. They were adamantly against marrying their daughter into the Dong family, afraid she would starve to death since the Dongs didn't even have land left.

Fortunately, Dong Shan did not disappoint her. He had always treated her well. Although life after marriage was poorer, supporting each other, they had slowly arrived where they were today.

She understood Li Mingwei's resolute devotion. Just thinking about it, she could feel her helplessness. She pulled out a handkerchief and dabbed at her eyes, hugging the crying girl tightly in her arms.

On this cold yet lively winter night, she gave her as much warmth as she could.

Liu Yizhu settled the drunk Mr. Jin and leaned against a pillar outside the room. Lifting his head to look at the endless dark night sky, a feeling of melancholy rose in his heart for some reason.

He touched his chest and murmured, "What's this about?"

Old Woman Wang finished washing the bowls and lit up a lantern. She came to his side, "Has Mr. Jin fallen asleep?"

"Yes, he's asleep."

"Then let's go back."

"Alright."

Liu Yizhu took the lantern from her and supported her arm. Guided by the dim light, he slowly walked along, assisting her.

Li Mingwei did not sleep all night. There was a tradition of staying up in her family, so she didn't want to sleep, nor could she sleep. Wrapped in her quilt with eyes wide open until dawn.

In the half year since she ran away, it seemed she had done so many things, yet also nothing. Her heart was lost in confusion, not knowing which direction her future should take.

Perhaps because she had slept too late last night, when she got up, there was still no movement from Wang Chunhua and Dong Shan's room. She swept the snow in the yard, took the New Year's gift prepared for Mr. Jin, and headed to the academy.

Mr. Jin was old with poor sleep. He must be awake by now.

But she miscalculated again. Mr. Jin, who had gotten dead drunk last night, was still lying in bed snoring. Only Liu Yizhu, who was worried about Mr. Jin and had come early to check on him, met her gaze to gaze.

"Mr. Jin?"

"Still sleeping."

Oh, Li Mingwei took the gift upstairs, planning to leave it on his desk.

Liu Yizhu didn't sweep the snow either. He put down the broom and followed behind her, "What happened to your eyes?"

"My eyes?" Without a bronze mirror, Li Mingwei couldn't see. She could only touch them, seeming to feel some slight swelling, "Maybe I didn't sleep well last night."

Liu Yizhu reached out and stroked the corners of her eyes, completely incredulous, "This is from not sleeping well? They're so red and swollen."

It looked clearly like she had been crying.

"I just didn't sleep well."

Li Mingwei avoided his hand and turned around, putting down the gift and changing the subject, "How has your qin practice been these days?"

"Not bad. The sheet music you gave me is quite simple."

They were all songs suitable for beginners like him, not too complicated at all. After practicing them repeatedly, they were easy to master.

"That's good then."

"The qin isn't hard. But last time you said my calligraphy lacked a bit of flair, so I went back to the academy to ask some teachers for advice and practiced. Take another look?"

Seeing her nod, Liu Yizhu immediately went to the desk, spread out paper and ink, ground some ink, and wielded the brush.

He blew on the ink and smiled, eyes full of anticipation, "What do you think, does it have some flair now?"

May I be like the stars, and you the moon, flowing light illuminating each other every night.

Li Mingwei was speechless. She had thought he was serious about letting her look at his calligraphy, but instead he came up with this.

She said angrily, "None at all!"