At a farmhouse at the edge of the village, a family of eight was having dinner when suddenly, the urgent sound of approaching horses echoed. The distinct quality of the horses made the family jump.
They were terrified when they saw a troop of soldiers halt in front of their home in unison, uttering a sharp "Hoo!"
The youngest child, still unsteady on his feet, was being fed thin gruel by his sister while clinging to the table.
Upon seeing so many people suddenly appear at their doorstep, their faces obscured by the darkness, he immediately burst into tears.
Although the sky had completely darkened, the firelight illuminated the fearful expressions on the faces of the adults and children.
They watched, trembling, as the elderly couple, a middle-aged couple, and their four children stared at the soldiers.
Old Jin knew that at this late hour, they must have frightened the family, so he quickly spoke to appease them. "Good people, have no fear. We are soldiers from the Northern Frontier on our way to the capital. It is late, and we seek a place to rest for the night before continuing our journey at dawn. Also, we would like to ask for your help to cook a pot of rice gruel."
Seeing the family's expressions turn even more uneasy, Old Jin continued with a smile, "We have brought our own millet. For cooking the gruel, we will offer half a jin of millet as payment."
The mother and daughter-in-law's eyes lit up at the mention of half a jin of millet, and they hurriedly nodded in agreement.
"We can help cook the rice gruel."
"Good," Old Jin said, and then he brought down a sack of millet from his horse.
Without another thought of their meal, the mother and daughter-in-law immediately got to work. One busied herself washing the pot, while the other went to fetch firewood.
When the old woman, dressed in coarse homespun cloth, approached with a wooden basin, her eyes widened in disbelief as she saw the bright yellow millet Old Jin poured from the sack.
"Officer, are all these grains for cooking gruel?"
"Yes, everyone here should have at least one bowl."
"Don't worry, sir, we'll get started on the gruel right away. It will be ready soon."
The old woman took the wooden basin to the kitchen, while the old man sent their eldest grandson to find the village chief.
Before long, a small old man with white hair and a stooped posture trotted in behind the eldest grandson.
Upon seeing Old Jin's age and military attire, he recognized him as an official and immediately approached respectfully to greet him. "Officer."
Old Jin disliked putting on airs, so he briefly explained their passage through the village, making it clear they were only seeking a place to rest after dinner.
The village chief, being shrewd, immediately suggested they stay at his brother's house.
His brother's house had a large courtyard. His nephew, a capable young man, had earned some money last year and moved his parents to town to enjoy their retirement, leaving the old house empty.
"The weather is quite warm; we don't need bedding. Just clean it up."
"Alright, thank you, elder brother," Old Jin replied.
"You are too kind, too kind."
The village chief's worried heart finally settled when Old Jin agreed.
It was rare to meet such an amiable officer; the village chief felt somewhat flattered.
As the pure aroma of millet began to waft from the kitchen, the little boy, still holding onto the low table, pointed towards the kitchen with a hungry "Ah, ah, ah."
It was evident to everyone that the child was craving the food.
Thinking of his own two sons, Old Jin couldn't bear to see it. He said to the old woman in the kitchen, "Sister-in-law, when the gruel is ready, give the child a bowl too."
"Officer, that really won't do."
"If I say it will, then it will."
Before the old woman could protest further, the old man interjected, "Ah, we all thank you, officer."
The thought of his grandson being able to enjoy pure millet gruel made the old man's face crinkle into a smile, his wrinkles forming deep ravines.
The five or six-year-old girl, who was looking after her younger brother, joyfully urged him to bow to the officer.
The little boy seemed to understand his sister's words. With clear liquid dripping from his mouth, forming long strands, he clasped his dirty little hands together and bowed to the officer opposite him.
"Well done, young man. You know how to behave."
The little boy actually seemed to understand that he was being praised. He continuously clasped his hands in a gesture of kowtow, which made Old Jin laugh heartily. He then tossed a string of large coins to the boy, telling him to buy candy.
Old Jin's gesture brought wide smiles to the faces of the entire family of eight, who collectively said, "Thank you, officer."
Under the summer night sky, even the breeze felt warm. Qi He, unable to sleep, sat in the courtyard, lost in thought.
"Why aren't you asleep yet?" Old Jin, having just doused himself from head to toe with cool well water, was preparing to get some good sleep while the coolness lasted. He saw Qi He sitting there, lost in a daze.
"It's too hot; I can't sleep."
"Even if you can't sleep, you still need to rest a bit. We have to travel again at dawn."
"Mm." Qi He was receptive to advice. Heeding Uncle Jin's words, he went inside.
The next day, the weather turned uncooperative. As soon as Fu Xinci opened her eyes, she heard the pitter-patter of rain outside, falling from the eaves like pearls from a broken string.
Her heart sank with it. Where were Qi He and Uncle Jin now? Were they able to find shelter from the rain?
The houses where her friends were were still not roofed. She wondered how her friends were faring.
Fu Xinci's mind was preoccupied with worries. She ate only a few bites of breakfast and put down her chopsticks.
Fang Shi noticed her daughter's troubled mind and wanted to comfort her, but Fu Xinci provided a perfect excuse.
"Mother, let's have pan-fried fish for lunch. Sorghum rice porridge with pan-fried sea fish; I reckon I can eat a whole big bowl."
"I can eat a big bowl too."
Hearing her sister suggest pan-fried fish, Ning'er quickly chimed in to agree.
"Yes, at this season, sorghum rice and pan-fried fish are the most appetizing," Grandpa Meng thought the same.
"Alright, then we'll have sorghum rice and pan-fried fish for lunch," Fang Shi also felt it was a good idea. Otherwise, it was quite a mental strain for her to figure out what to eat every day by herself.
Returning to her room, Fu Xinci stood by the north window, gazing at the northern mountains through the misty rain.
"Alas."
Though her sigh was light, Chunyu heard it.
"Miss, what's wrong?"
"Nothing. I was just wondering when this rain will stop so we can go out and pick mushrooms."
See, excuses came so easily; she could find one anytime.
"Miss, perhaps we shouldn't go."
"...?"
"Have you forgotten? You said you wouldn't compete for profit with the poor."
"Did I say that?"
"You said it last year."
"I forgot." Fu Xinci wasn't being dismissive; she genuinely had forgotten.
"You also said back then that you felt sorry for those young girls who relied on picking mushrooms and mountain goods to sell for money to supplement their households."