This marked the forty-seventh year since Madam Lu had arrived in Yongchao.
Having lived in this world for so long, Madam Lu could no longer distinguish whether the twenty-odd years she had spent in the modern era were real experiences or merely a fleeting dream of prosperity.
She couldn’t tell, nor was there anyone who could resolve her doubts. She no longer had the strength to ponder such things. The repeated blows of losing her loved ones had long left her indifferent to everything.
That day, when she casually saved a young girl being bullied by a local ruffian, it had been no more than a spur-of-the-moment act.
It wasn’t until early the next morning, when the girl came to pay her respects, that Madam Lu felt a flicker of interest.
The young girl slightly lifted the hem of her skirt, moving with delicate steps like a floating warm cloud, gracefully approaching Madam Lu and performing a fluid gesture of gratitude.
Her every movement was utterly different from the crying girl who had blocked her carriage just days ago.
With a single glance, Madam Lu could tell that this girl before her had undoubtedly been replaced by another soul.
Perhaps she had encountered a fellow countryman. Madam Lu was mildly startled but did not feel much joy at meeting an old acquaintance in a foreign land.
After all these years, she had spent far more time in this world than in the modern era. Even if there were others who had also transmigrated here, could they still truly be considered her compatriots?
To adapt to this environment, Madam Lu had long turned herself into a “person living in a shell.”
However, the phenomenon of soul exchange was fearsome in any era. Out of a preference for avoiding trouble, Madam Lu instructed Lu Huaihai not to let the young girl see her family.
After all, if even a mere acquaintance like her could notice the change, how much more so would her family, who had lived with her day and night? A period of estrangement was necessary—let the memories fade a little before offering an explanation.
In the deep, secluded courtyards of the aristocratic family, it wasn’t unusual for concubines to rarely see their relatives.
Madam Lu yawned. Noticing this, Mo Qing, who stood by her side, said, “Madam, you’re tired. Let this servant assist you to rest.”
Mo Qing and the other maids below her could not be said to lack sincerity in their care for Madam Lu. Yet, as the saying goes, even a filial child grows weary of tending to a long-ailing parent—what more could one expect from servants? They merely wished for her to sleep more and have fewer bouts of madness.
Madam Lu hadn’t been tired initially, but when she thought about these matters, her eyelids suddenly grew heavy and began to flutter shut.
Madam…
She used to have her own name.
Qiu Suxin.
Qiu Suxin thought that next time, she must probe carefully to find out where that young girl had come from.
—
Yue Chuang was a clever girl. As soon as Xie Miao’er finished explaining the address and the person to contact, she immediately set off.
Meanwhile, her younger sister, Yue Lian, sat weaving a net while chatting with Xie Miao’er.
According to Yue Lian, they had an elder sister more than ten years their senior who had married early. In reality, the one who had been taking care of the younger siblings at home all this time was Yue Chuang, the second sister. She managed all matters inside and out and never faltered in dealing with others.
Xie Miao’er indeed found Yue Chuang very capable—she didn’t talk much and handled matters swiftly.
Sure enough, Yue Chuang soon returned, bustling with energy.
She said, “Mistress, this servant has explained everything clearly to that Nanny. I asked her to deliver the silver to Wen Erjie1 at Alley Six on West Street, and for Wen Erjie to then pass on a message to your family. Nanny Liu agreed. Knowing that it was for you, she didn’t ask me for any travel expenses. I think she’s trying to win your favor.”
Lu Huaihai was the only son of this generation in the Lu family. The daughters of the first, second, and third branches—Lu Hong, Lu Tanzhu, and Lu Baozhu—were all girls.
Others didn’t know about the situation between Lu Huaihai and Xie Miao’er. What they could see was that ever since Mistress Xie entered the mansion, the young master had stayed with her for two whole days.
During those two days, with Yue Chuang’s assistance, Xie Miao’er had already gained a clear understanding of the general situation in the Lu family. As such, she wasn’t surprised by the nanny’s attempt to curry favor.
Xie Miao’er nodded and asked, “Did you ask her how long it would take to deliver the money?”
Yue Chuang replied, “Nanny Liu said she could have her son deliver the money to West Street as early as tomorrow. But if it’s to be sent to the countryside, it might take a few more days. Besides…”
Yue Chuang lowered her voice, “It’s said that there’ve been many Japanese pirates lately. They’re carrying broadswords and have already attacked other garrison areas! It’s terrifying.”
Yue Lian, still young, immediately became frightened upon hearing this. Yue Chuang hurried to comfort her. After a few words of reassurance, she noticed Xie Miao’er deep in thought and quickly turned to console her as well.
“Japanese pirates come every year. Our Yongchao has a strong army and mighty horses. They’ll probably be like before—at most, robbing the fishermen along the coast. Mistress, don’t worry. In any case, they won’t reach the Lu Manor. Third Master Lu is a fourth-rank official, after all.”
If only it were truly as she said. Xie Miao’er gave a bitter smile.
In the twenty-second year of Changping, a prolonged war erupted in that tiny island nation across the sea, dividing their country into two dynasties, the Northern and Southern Courts. Prince Huailiang of the Southern Court turned to plundering for profit, rejecting Yongchao’s peace talks and even beheading Yong’s envoys.
By the twenty-third year, the flames of war had finally reached the coastal areas of Yongchao. With no way to survive at home, the Japanese pirates came to raid for sustenance.
It was also in this year that Lu Huaihai first rose to prominence.
He went incognito, enlisting in the army under an assumed name. After years of preparation, he struck decisively in battle, earning the title of General Lu, a name that would instill fear in the Japanese pirates.
When Xie Miao’er later studied the historical records, she couldn’t understand why he had to conceal his identity to join the military. After all, he came from a military family, and inheriting his father’s role as a soldier seemed like a perfectly natural path.
Most later commentators believed it was because General Lu didn’t want to rely on his ancestors’ reputation or receive special treatment in the military.
But now, seeing the seventeen-year-old Lu Huaihai and understanding the tense and confrontational dynamics within his family, Xie Miao’er suddenly realized why he had made that choice.
It was because his parents would never allow him to continue risking his life, potentially leaving the Lu family without an heir.
It was after this battle that Lu Huaihai’s outstanding achievements finally earned the recognition of his family.
Lost in her thoughts, Xie Miao’er eventually said, “We must still be cautious. Yue Chuang, Yue Lian, you should also send a letter home and tell your family to stay put and avoid unnecessary travel.”
Although Yue Chuang didn’t think much of it, she still agreed.
Xie Miao’er gazed at the sky beyond the courtyard wall, unable to shake her unease.
She knew the outcome of this battle would be a good one.
The group of Japanese pirates that came this time was unorganized and suffered a crushing defeat. Apart from a few who managed to escape, the rest were thrown into the sea to feed the fish.
But during the clash of swords and spears, how many innocent people would be caught in the crossfire?
What about her family outside the manor? Would they remain unharmed?
Xie Miao’er let out a long sigh, like a little old woman burdened with worries.
About ten days later, the long-awaited reply from her family finally arrived.
When Xie Miao’er opened the letter and began reading it intently, Yue Chuang looked on with some admiration. “Mistress, you’re amazing. You don’t even need someone to read the letter for you.”
In her memories, the original body was literate, which gave Xie Miao’er the confidence to read the letter herself.
She smiled without saying a word, but as she read, her brows knitted tighter and tighter.
The letter was likely written by a villager hired by her stepmother. The phrasing was stiff, but the general meaning was clear: she and her children were living a hard life in the countryside, without land to farm and relying on her natal family for food and shelter, where they were treated with disdain. A few days ago, her younger brother had fallen ill, and she hoped Xie Miao’er could send more money.
Unfamiliar with the hardships of the world, Xie Miao’er didn’t think much about it.
Her younger brother was ill, so sending more money was only right. However, her funds were limited. The five taels of silver she had set aside for her family had left her with very little for herself.
But if she waited another half a month, would it delay her younger brother’s illness?
No one understood the suffering of being ill better than Xie Miao’er. She couldn’t bear it and finally forced herself to come up with a solution.
That night, the sky was pitch black, with neither stars nor the moon in sight.
As usual, Lu Huaihai came under the cover of night.
Lately, his relationship with his family had eased somewhat. Madam Su even hinted to him that his father’s temper had calmed down and that he should return to his own quarters.
Lu Huaihai outwardly agreed, but when night fell, he still unconsciously made his way to this tiny courtyard.
He couldn’t quite explain why—surely it wasn’t because the floor bedding here was more comfortable?
Lu Huaihai could only attribute it to the fact that in the east wing, he and his father were bound to see each other constantly, and after too many encounters, they were sure to argue again.
He just wanted a bit of peace and quiet, he thought.
In truth, Xie Miao’er’s courtyard was indeed quiet. Her little dwelling was built separately and didn’t intersect with any other part of the estate.
At night, he practiced sword techniques, performed routines, or threw a few punches, while Xie Miao’er sat by the window lattice. There was a small table with four sturdy legs placed there. Sometimes, she wove nets; other times, she wrote or sketched. When she was tired, she would secretly lift her eyes to watch him.
Though no words were exchanged between them, the stillness between them was so dense it felt as if not even a needle could pierce through.
Lu Huaihai didn’t like crowded places. He preferred… this kind of tranquility.
Tonight was no exception.
He swung his sword through the air one last time, the blade pointed toward the sky. Then, with a swift motion, he tossed the scabbard into the air—
The scabbard landed perfectly, swallowing the blade in one seamless motion.
After the flashy maneuver of sheathing his sword, Lu Huaihai cast a casual glance toward the window.
Xie Miao’er didn’t lift her head. She was tugging at her earlobe, lost in thought.
Disappointed that his impressive moves weren’t seen by their intended audience, Lu Huaihai threw the sword casually against the wall with a loud clang.
Hearing the noise, Xie Miao’er finally looked up, but Lu Huaihai had already turned and walked off to wash up, not lingering by the window.
Xie Miao’er lowered her head again, rubbing her reddened ears in self-defeat, kneading them until they turned as red as watermelon flesh.
She felt so embarrassed. She wanted to borrow money from Lu Huaihai…
Just thinking about it made her feel like she couldn’t get the words out.
But her younger brother was ill, and she had no silver on hand. While she could embroider or weave nets to sell for money, selling them would take time, and she didn’t dare show skills that exceeded the original body’s abilities.
Before she could hesitate any longer, Lu Huaihai returned.
His expression seemed even colder than usual.
Seeing the slight press of his lips, the courage Xie Miao’er had painstakingly gathered disappeared in an instant.
She bit her lip and called out to him, “Shaoye!”
Lu Huaihai stopped and looked down.
He noticed her reddened earlobes and her fingers twirling a handkerchief beneath her sleeves. Thinking she had something important to say, he steadied himself, cleared his thoughts of distractions, and prepared to listen attentively.
She was so embarrassed that she didn’t even dare look at him. “I… I want to borrow some silver from you.”
—
Footnotes:
- Erjie(二姐): Literally “second elder sister,” often used as a polite or affectionate form of address in Chinese culture, even for non-blood relatives.