Ruan Mingzi hadn't been making excuses when she turned down Niu San's offer of a ride.

The mountain path between Niu Village and Yuyuan Slope was genuinely rough. A person could navigate it with a little care, but for a donkey cart, the winding trail and uneven terrain made the journey far more troublesome.

As she walked, she adjusted the bundle on her back and unwound the strip of floral cloth wrapped around her arm. 

Beneath it was the crossbow she had kept strapped there the entire time. She hadn't dared carry it openly. A crossbow was too conspicuous, too likely to attract unwanted attention. So she had wrapped it in cloth before leaving. 

From a distance, it looked no more threatening than a child's toy.

But now, trudging through the mountains in the dark, having a weapon within reach was reassuring.

Fortunately, heaven wasn't entirely against her. Aside from the occasional wolf howl drifting through the night, she encountered no real danger and reached Yuyuan Slope without incident.

Yet before she entered the village, she spotted a tiny figure crouched beneath the hollow old locust tree standing at the entrance.

Her heart skipped a beat.

Quickening her pace, she hurried closer.

Sure enough, it was Ruan Mingyan.

The little girl had no idea how long she'd been waiting there. When Ruan Mingzi pulled her to her feet, her limbs were stiff from sitting too long. 

But the moment she recognized who had arrived, her face lit up. Even the darkness couldn't conceal the joy shining in those bright black eyes.

" Ah... Ah… " Mingyan made a couple of excited sounds and immediately wrapped her arms around Ruan Mingzi's waist.

Ruan Mingzi felt both touched and exasperated.

She was exhausted, but this was a lesson that needed to be taught. Gently prying the girl's hands away, she adopted a serious expression.

" Yanyan, if you're waiting for me in the future, stay at home and wait. " She crouched slightly so they were eye level.

" There are bad people outside. And it's already dark. What if something happened to you? What if a wild beast wandered down from the mountains? " Her voice softened.

" What would I do then? " Though young, Ruan Mingyan was both intelligent and sensible.

Seeing her sister's serious expression, she lowered her head guiltily. Ruan Mingzi's heart immediately softened.

She rubbed the little girl's head.

" I know you were worried about me. " Her voice grew gentle.

" But I'm worried about you too. Don't do this again, alright?"

As she spoke, she reached into her sleeve and pulled out a small wrapped package. Peeling away the outer paper, she popped the contents directly into Mingyan's mouth.

The little girl blinked in confusion and chewed twice.

Then her eyes widened.

Candy.

She carefully held the sweet in her mouth as though afraid it might disappear, staring up at her sister with pure delight.

Ruan Mingzi couldn't help laughing.

" Come on. Let's go home. " Hand in hand, the sisters headed back.

The moment they entered the house, Ruan Mingzi proudly pulled something from her bundle. 

An oil lamp. It was only a simple lamp.

Yet Mingyan's excitement was immediate. " Ah! Ah! "

She practically bounced in place.

Their home had lived in darkness for far too long.

Every night, they relied solely on moonlight. Recently, they have been fortunate. Aside from the storm on the night they first arrived, the skies had remained clear and the moon bright enough to illuminate the house.

But once autumn rains arrived, they'd be lucky to see their own hands in front of their faces.

An oil lamp changed everything.

Seeing her sister's reaction, Ruan Mingzi smiled.

" This was bought with the compensation money too. Once we have more time, I'll get a few more. "

Soon it was time to prepare dinner. Mingyan hurried to light the stove while Ruan Mingzi went into the kitchen.

She took the rendered pork fat she'd made earlier and smeared a thin layer across the bottom of the pan. Then she brought out the yellow corn cakes she'd purchased in the county town.

Slicing them into thin pieces, she laid them flat in the pan. The moment the cakes hit the hot oil, a rich aroma burst forth.

The golden slices sizzled beautifully, filling the entire kitchen with their fragrance.

Once they were crisp and browned, Ruan Mingzi transferred them to a plate she had bought earlier that day.

The plate was spotless. Mingyan had spent half the afternoon standing on a little stool, carefully scrubbing it clean.

Without washing the pan, Ruan Mingzi used the remaining oil to stir-fry a plate of dandelion greens. 

That became their meal. 

The two sisters shared the simple dishes together, eating happily.

After dinner, Mingyan eagerly volunteered to wash the dishes.

Ruan Mingzi leaned against the doorway, watching the little girl sit atop a weathered tree stump, diligently scrubbing bowls with all the seriousness of someone handling important business.

A smile tugged at her lips.

Life would get better.

One day at a time.

— — —

The next morning, Ruan Mingzi took the half-bolt of cloth she'd purchased and headed for the Lu family's house. Madam Gao was in the courtyard washing clothes.

Like many households in the village, the Lu family had their own well, so she didn't need to haul laundry all the way to the river.

Seeing Ruan Mingzi arrive, she immediately brightened.

Wiping her hands on her apron, she greeted her warmly.

" Mingzi! What brings you here? "

Ruan Mingzi hugged the bundle of fabric and smiled sweetly.

" Aunt Gao, I'd like to ask for your help. Do you know any women in the village who are good with needlework? I want to pay someone to make two sets of clothes for me and Yanyan. "

Madam Gao slapped her thigh.

" Then you've come to the right person! " 

She pointed toward the neighboring house.

" Lihua's mother. Her needlework is excellent. She even takes sewing jobs from embroidery shops in the county. Everyone praises her work. "

She grinned.

" I'll take you over. "

Ruan Mingzi quickly thanked her. Madam Gao waved her off.

" Why are you always so polite with me? "

Then she remembered something and added happily,

" Your Uncle Lu happened to have work in the county a few days ago. He took those drawings of yours with him. "

Ruan Mingzi's eyes brightened.

" We'll see how much those military officers are willing to pay once he shows them. "

That was excellent news. Ruan Mingzi thanked her again.

Madam Gao immediately put on an exaggerated look of annoyance.

" Oh, enough already! Didn't I tell you to stop treating me like an outsider? Keep thanking me like this and I'm going to get angry. "

Knowing the older woman genuinely cared for her, Ruan Mingzi felt a little embarrassed. Silently, she tucked away the kindness shown by the Lu family in her heart.

She would remember it.

The two women headed next door.

Madam Gao didn't even bother removing her apron as she led the way.

" My sewing is hopeless. " she admitted with a laugh. 

" Otherwise I'd make the clothes for you myself. "

Then she lowered her voice conspiratorially.

" But Lihua's mother really is skilled. And she charges fairly too. The outfit your Uncle Lu wears when meeting important people? I paid her fifteen copper coins to make it. "

She nodded approvingly.

" Every stitch is neat and tight. Your Uncle Lu could wear that outfit in front of county officials and nobody would say he looked improper. "

As they spoke, they arrived outside the neighboring house.

Lihua's mother was hardworking and talented.

Unfortunately, she'd married the wrong man. Life had been difficult for her ever since.

Whenever neighbors could spare a little help, they tried to lend a hand.

Before either woman could knock, angry shouting erupted from inside.

" Where did you hide the money?! " A woman's hoarse voice cried back.

" That's the last of our savings! It's for Lihua's dowry! "

" Bah! "

A man spat. " She's just a useless girl! What does she need a dowry for? "

His voice turned vicious.

" In a couple of days I'll head into the county and see if some rich master wants a concubine. At least then she'll fetch a decent price! "

The sound of objects crashing followed.

Madam Gao's expression darkened. In a low voice, she explained,

" That bastard Feng Gousheng always runs around with the same crowd as your Third Uncle. He spends his days gambling, stealing, and loafing about without a proper job. " Disgust flashed across her face.

" The whole family survives on the embroidery work Lihua's mother does. " She sighed.

" He probably gambled away all his money again. "

Then she looked at Ruan Mingzi.

" If he starts spewing nonsense later, don't pay any attention to him. " Ruan Mingzi nodded.

Madam Gao raised her hand and pounded heavily on the door.

" Lihua's mother! Are you home? We've come to see you! "

Inside, a woman's panicked voice answered.

" I-I'm here! Just a moment! "

The shouting stopped. After a flurry of hurried footsteps, the wooden door cracked open.

A woman appeared. There were fresh bruises blooming across her forehead.

Forcing a smile, she asked nervously, " Sister Gao... What is it? "

Ruan Mingzi noticed that the woman called Madam Gao "Sister Gao," suggesting she was actually younger. Yet looking at her weather-beaten face and exhausted appearance, she seemed seven or eight years older.

Madam Gao's expression immediately darkened.

" That bastard Feng Gousheng hit you again?! "

Lihua's mother forced another smile.

Her gaze shifted away.

" No... I wasn't paying attention and bumped into the corner of a cabinet. "

The excuse was weak enough to fool no one. Then she looked at Madam Gao pleadingly.

" Sister Gao… "

" Please don't get involved. "