RMCF: Chapter 21

Chapter 21

The second day of the second lunar month, the day the Dragon Raises its Head, is a major solar term for spring plowing and farming, also called the Flower Morning Festival.

The weather was warm, with fruit trees and flowers blooming in the countryside fields. Spring was in the air, full of vibrant new life. The city folk loved to go on outings together to enjoy the spring scenery, making this day exceptionally lively. Although village life wasn't as leisurely as in the city, on this festival, people would gather flowers to make wreaths and floral ornaments to sell, or set up small stalls in areas bustling with tourists to earn a little extra money.

On this day, young people would also arrange to meet the one they admired.

When Xu He got up early in the morning, he saw his sister had surprisingly also risen early. She was sitting in her room, looking in the mirror as she adorned herself, comparing several sets of clothes.

Even though Fei Lian had returned to the academy and the two couldn't meet today, his second sister would meticulously dress up every year on the Flower Festival to outshine everyone else. Every year on this day, she would receive many gifts. Presumably, this year's Flower Festival would be the last time his second sister accepted gifts from others. After all, once married, she could no longer accept such presents, so she naturally had to make herself up properly this time.

Xu He sat by the stove heating water. He rubbed his face. He had also washed up thoroughly last night. This morning, while fetching something from his second sister's room, he had seized the chance to glance in the mirror. No matter how much he washed, his face was still dark. He felt a bit discouraged.

“He Ger, remember to feed the chickens and ducks today. I'm going out, might be back late.” Liu Xianglan came to instruct him. His father had gone to work in another village and hadn't returned for many days. Perhaps his mother was going to deliver something to him because of the festival, or maybe she was going to her sister's house in town.

He didn't ask, just nodded his head, preparing to open the door to let the ducks out into the fields.

“You should also tidy up a bit and go out for the Flower Festival. All the young people from in and outside the village will be out today.” Other families used the Flower Festival to admonish their sons and daughters not to always run outside, fearing they might do something improper with peers of the opposite sex.

Liu Xianglan, on the other hand, wished fervently that Xu He would go out and find a man willing to marry him. It would save her the trouble of having no matchmaker come to their door to propose a match for him, and having to bring gifts and beg a matchmaker herself. Too troublesome.

Xu He didn't speak. A call came out of Xu Shaochun’s room, “Mother, come quickly and see if this dress looks good on me!”

“Coming!”

When Xu He went out, the village was as lively as during the New Year. Everyone was cheerful, dressed in bright clothes, and many wore flowers in their hair. The fields were full of people wherever you looked. Whether planting melons or sowing beans, everyone had dressed up nicely to farm, putting much more care into their appearance than on ordinary, head and face filthy with grime days. The work was just a cover; the real purpose was to go out to see and be seen.

He scanned the area but didn't see that person's figure. He didn't even know if the man was in the village.

“Let's go quickly. It's been days since we've left the village. If we don't hurry, the good spots along the main road will be taken.”

Xu Shaochun, a basket of fresh flowers in hand, urged Xu He, who was carrying a bamboo basket on his back.. The siblings rarely went out together. From afar, the villagers could see Xu Shaochun in her light yellow dress, wearing pearl earrings, made even more radiant and beautiful next to Xu He in his plain hemp clothes.

People came up to ask along the way, “Shaochun, are you and your brother going to sell flower wreaths on the official road?”

“Yes, made some flower wreaths to help with household expenses a bit.”

“You're so sensible and virtuous…”

Xu He kept his head down and walked quickly ahead. His second sister said they needed to hurry to the official road, but she ended up chatting happily with village men all the way. A journey that should take a quarter of an hour took them the time it takes for a stick of incense to burn.*

*time it takes for a stick of incense to burn — about half an hour

The two had come to sell floral decorations in previous years as well. Xu He was dexterous; the wreaths he wove were beautiful and sturdy, liked by the young ladies and gentlemen from the city. Some would even get down from their carriages to choose personally.

Today, the official road was much more crowded than on regular market days. One could see many luxurious carriages and horses from the city. The young masters and ladies from wealthy families were too numerous to take in all at once.

Xu He put down his basket and immediately began hawking his wares. Xu Shaochun felt that shouting like this was somewhat inelegant; she usually stood gracefully to the side, waiting for Xu He to call out. When people approached, she would then attend to them. She had once dreamed of being noticed by a young nobleman coming to choose flowers. It was a pity that city folk only looked favorably on those with good conditions, emphasizing matching social status far more than their rustic village folk did.

Even if someone had inquired about her name, it was always a young master who was already married. Getting involved with such a person could only bring trouble, as she could never be his proper wife. In that case, it was better to find a good match in the village.

Even her aunt, Liu Xiangmei, who lived in town and knew some wealthy families, had never once proposed a city match for her. She knew that well-off city families either had sons already married, or if seeking a second wife, there were plenty of city girls available. There was no reason to look in the countryside.

Illiterate, and never having learned household management, city magnates might be willing to take a beautiful girl as a concubine, but for a proper wife, they wouldn't even look her way.

Over time, she stopped entertaining those ideas.

Xu Shaochun was feeling a bit flushed from the walk. She fanned herself gently with her hand, watching Xu He, who was usually so quiet at home, hawking his wares with such vigor, feeling somewhat puzzled.

The dusty, rustic ger appeared even more ordinary and plain against the backdrop of fine horses and fragrant carriages. But his hair… “He Ger, when did you buy such a hair ribbon? Why haven't I seen you use it before?”

Xu He was quite a bit taller than Xu Shaochun. She usually didn't pay him much attention, but now, as he bent his head to arrange the wreaths, she suddenly noticed the silk hair ribbon in his hair and couldn't help but ask.

“First time wearing it.”

Xu He answered briefly, not wanting to explain the origin of his hair ribbon to Xu Shaochun.

Xu Shaochun, however, felt somewhat uncomfortable. She had seen many nice things and naturally knew the price of a silk hair piece. She had once seen a white silk ribbon in town’s shop that cost over eighty wen. She hadn't been willing to buy it. The one in Xu He's hair had a pattern; even tied in his hair, you could tell it was exquisite. It definitely cost no less than a hundred wen.

She didn't believe Xu He could have that much money. Even if he did, he wouldn't be willing to spend it on a hair ribbon.

“Where did you get it? It must be over a hundred wen.”

Xu He was slightly taken aback. He instinctively reached up and touched the ribbon in his hair. He had known it wasn't cheap, but hadn't expected it to be that expensive. Zhang Fangyuan was too free with his money. Why was he so generous?

“Hmm?”

Seeing Xu He silent, Xu Shaochun tilted her head and pressed further.

“Someone gave it to me.”

Xu Shaochun's slender eyebrows moved. Just as she was about to speak, two young ladies came to buy flower wreaths, interrupting her. She felt very displeased but had to bear it and attend to these young ladies and gentlemen.

The two were busy for a good while. The wreaths sold particularly well today, but neither of them seemed particularly happy about it. Once everything had sold out, Xu Shaochun couldn't hold back any longer. “Did you intercept something meant for me?”

Xu He's brows furrowed. He hoisted the empty basket onto his back, his tone sharp, “I have never taken anything meant for you for myself!”

“Second Sister is just concerned about you, afraid you've gone astray. Why are you so fierce?” Xu Shaochun looked wronged, but still didn't forget to press. “Then who gave it to you?”

Xu He didn't answer her. Carrying his basket, he walked ahead alone. Xu Shaochun caught up. “If you keep being like this, don't blame me for telling Mother.”

“Say whatever you want.”

Xu Shaochun was furious. She wanted to stamp her foot and vent her anger, but someone came up to greet her, so she had to swallow her anger.

Xu He seized the chance to slip away.

In the evening, after Xu He had eaten his meal, his mother still hadn't returned. Seeing his second sister glaring at him like an angry hen, he retorted sharply, “Why does Second Sister keep pressing? You have a mountain of gifts anyway, all sorts of good things. You couldn't possibly want my one hair ribbon.”

Hearing this, Xu Shaochun's cheeks flushed red with anger, “I have plenty of hair ribbons! Why would I want yours?!”

After hearing this, Xu He shoveled two large mouthfuls of rice into his mouth, his meaning clear: then that settles it. Xu Shaochun was furious with Xu He. She knew her younger brother had always been blunt with his words, but without their mother at home to speak up for her, it was truly even more infuriating. Seething with anger, she threw down her chopsticks, left the table without finishing her meal, and stormed off.

Xu He didn't even bat an eyelid. He didn't know if she had run to her room to cry. At worst, his mother would come back, he'd get reported, and receive a beating. He couldn't be bothered with her. After all, it was an item for a ger; his mother and second sister wouldn't take it for themselves.

By the time he finished cleaning the bowls and chopsticks, it was already dark.

Xu He felt unsettled, unsure whether he should keep his appointment with Zhang Fangyuan.

He knew many people would be sneaking out to meet tonight, but he didn't know what those people did when they met. In previous years on the Flower Festival, he had always been busy working outside. He had seen men, women, and ger, meeting on the road, but he never looked up to scrutinize them and disturb their private moments.

If he had known that one day someone would invite himself, he would have secretly observed to see what they did.

His mind was a mess. He lit a small lantern in the yard so his mother could see the path when she returned, then called out towards Xu Shaochun's lit room. “I'm going to herd the ducks back.”

Zhang Fangyuan had been squatting on the slope at Haitang Bay for over half a shichen.* He couldn't contain his excitement and had come even earlier than the agreed time. Haitang Bay, which was usually seldom visited, was more bustling tonight than the main road during the day, filled with people meeting in secret.

*shichen — two hours

Everyone maintained a tacit understanding not to disturb each other. In the pitch dark, it was hard to see who was who anyway. They walked quietly, keeping their distance from each other, so no one could recognize anyone else. Even if they did recognize someone, they had to pretend they didn't. No one would go around gossiping about it later; otherwise, the other person could just turn around and ask how they themselves knew about it.

The weather was warmer now, still spring, but he could already feel mosquitoes buzzing. Xu He was nowhere to be seen, making him even more agitated.

He didn't know if Xu He would come at all. Thinking about it carefully, Xu He indeed hadn't promised he would. The thought made him gloomy. He wondered if he had been too harsh the other day and annoyed him. Xu He had said he was domineering.

Zhang Fangyuan was just about to stand up and go back to check outside the Xu household when he turned around and saw the silent figure standing behind him.

“When did you get here?!”

“Just now.”

The sudden surprise left Zhang Fangyuan flustered. “I thought you weren't coming.”

“I was herding the ducks and came by on the way.”

Whether he came herding ducks or herding pigs, the important thing was that he had come. Zhang Fangyuan was so happy he felt almost embarrassed.

“Have you eaten dinner?”

“Mm.”

“Then… what did you eat for dinner?”

Xu He looked up at the person standing so close. The moonlight was good tonight; he could vaguely make out the contours of the man's face up close. “Did you call me here just to talk about this?”

Zhang Fangyuan scratched his head and ears, restless. “No, I…”

“Let's go over here.”

Seeing they were standing near the paths’ intersection, which could be bothersome if disturbed, Zhang Fangyuan led Xu He to a more secluded spot.

The last time he came to the grassy slope at Haitang Bay, all the plants were withered, the old grass grey and yellow. After the start of spring, new grass had grown here. Even in the darkness, he could smell the scent of wild grass and flowers in the spring breeze.

They walked side by side. Zhang Fangyuan was a head taller than Xu He. Walking close, their shoulders occasionally brushed lightly. The brief contact was like a feather floating in the wind—wanting to grasp it but couldn't, making one's heart itch.

Zhang Fangyuan kept glancing sideways, his gaze sweeping down.

Xu He felt the person beside him acting a bit strange. Although it was hard to see clearly in the dark, he could sense the man's gaze.

He felt this person seemed rather restless today. Wondering if he was uncomfortable from waiting so long, he asked, “Why do you keep looking over here?”

Zhang Fangyuan, feeling guilty like a thief, averted his gaze.

Then Xu He heard—

“I want to hold your hand.” Zhang Fangyuan voiced his thoughts, foolishly and honestly, then belatedly added, “Is that alright?”

The tips of Xu He's ears turned red again. This person, how could he… how could he… If he wants to hold it, then just hold it! Why say it out loud!

The wind seemed to sense the unusual atmosphere too, falling silent, as if they could hear each other's breathing.

The two of them awkwardly and sheepishly avoided each other's gaze at the same time.

 

***

 

T/N

 omagawd (∩ꈍᴗꈍ∩) they so cute

also, I've decided to keep posting the stuff on my site, so I'm releasing extra chapters this time~

 ( ˃ᴗ˂ )♡  

 

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