"Is that pouch for me? Last time, didn’t you say you weren’t going to make me a pouch and would make me a custom scent instead?" 𝕗𝚛𝚎𝚎𝐰𝗲𝗯𝗻𝚘𝚟𝚎𝗹.𝕔𝐨𝕞

"You said that, not me."

Zhao Jing chuckled softly. His clear, youthful voice was laced with deep amusement, and the sound washed over Chen Wanqing, making it hard for her to maintain a serious expression.

"Did my miserable crying make you take pity on me and decide to make me a pouch after all? I want the pouch, but I want the custom scent too. Qing’er, you promised. You can’t go back on your word."

Chen Wanqing couldn’t resist turning to give him a light glare. "Don’t be so greedy. You need to know when to stop."

"Am I asking for too much? I don’t think so. It’s still not as much as you give De’an."

Who knows how long Chen De’an had been eavesdropping inside, but he chose that moment to pipe up sourly, "How dare you compare yourself to me! I’ve been her brother for years. How long have you been engaged to my sister? And you already want to surpass me? Jing, you’re going too far!"

Xu Suying and Chen Song walked in from the backyard just in time to hear this, and she started scolding him without a second thought.

"Why are you always chiming in! If you’ve got nothing better to do, come here and stoke the fire and pluck chicken feathers. Shouting at the top of your lungs all day, are you trying to deafen your own mother?!"

Chen De’an turned and threw his arms around Yao’an, sobbing theatrically. "I can’t live in this house anymore! Let’s you and I run away and roam the world."

Yao’an shoved him away and went to find his sister and future brother-in-law. "You can go if you want, but I’m not going. I’ve got it good here. I don’t want to be homeless and sleeping on the streets with you."

Never mind how De’an cursed Yao’an for being an ungrateful little brat. Zhao Jing, on the other hand, was truly observant. The moment he saw Xu Suying and Chen Song walk out from the backyard, he stopped nestling so close to Chen Wanqing.

One moment he’d go to help stoke the fire, the next he’d get ready to pluck chicken feathers with Xu Suying.

But Xu Suying was looking at him through a thick filter of affection; to her, this future son-in-law was perfect in every way. She couldn’t very well put him up on a pedestal, but she couldn’t bear to let him do such dirty work either. "You don’t have to," she told Zhao Jing. "We have De’an for this. Why don’t you go home and tell your mother not to make lunch for you? And bring Xiang’er over to play, too."

In truth, she could have invited Mrs. Zhao to eat as well, but Mrs. Zhao was meticulous and shy by nature. She wouldn’t come even if asked, so Xu Suying decided against it.

As for Xiang’er... ’A young lady who gets shy meeting new people and hides behind others just to say a word? That just won’t do.’

’A girl like that is bound to be taken advantage of when she marries.’

’I don’t expect a girl to be as wild and brazen as a boy, but she must have a mind of her own. Otherwise, she’ll be like a ball of dough, letting anyone knead her into any shape they please without a word of protest. And in the future, wouldn’t my own daughter be the one to bear the burden?’

Xu Suying resolved to invite Xiang’er over to play more often.

’I’ll have Qing’er spend time with her, and I’ll do some more teaching myself. The girl is still young; surely her temperament can be changed.’

Zhao Jing was quick to return, bringing Xiang’er with him, along with a fresh batch of flatbreads made by Mrs. Zhao.

Mrs. Zhao had a real knack for making flatbreads. These were filled with chopped scallions and were incredibly fragrant.

It had been Mr. Zhao’s favorite food when he was still alive. The flatbreads were very satisfying; he could eat two and teach for an entire morning without his legs growing weak from hunger.

Xu Suying accepted the flatbreads with a word of praise. "Your mother’s flatbreads are really one of a kind. I tried to learn from her, but I just couldn’t master the craft. Mine are nowhere near as good as hers."

After these pleasantries, she placed Xiang’er’s hand in Chen Wanqing’s.

"From now on, this is your sister-in-law, so get to know her well, Xiang’er. Your sister Qing’er can’t go out much now that she’s engaged, so you should visit her here often."

With that, Xu Suying bustled off to the kitchen.

Xiang’er sat quietly beside Chen Wanqing, watching her sew.

It was a piece of white cotton, upon which the outlines of osmanthus flowers and a moon palace had already been embroidered.

Xiang’er asked softly, "Sister, are you embroidering the scene of winning the top prize? That’s a good omen. Is this pouch for Brother De’an or for my brother?"

Chen Wanqing looked up and gently patted Xiang’er’s head.

’The girl was only a year or so younger than Yuzhu, but she seemed younger by three or four years. It wasn’t just her petite frame; her words, actions, and expressions all made her seem like a much more naive child.’

’She was naive and quiet, a far cry from Yuzhu. Yuzhu was a lively, fearlessly bold sprite, brimming with life just to look at her.’

’Xiang’er, by contrast, seemed to live under a glass dome. She had been raised to be bright and lovely, yes, but she lacked a certain vitality, and even more, the ability to withstand the wind and rain of the world.’