Chapter 21

Before long, Madam Gao returned home, followed by several other women from the neighboring households. Yu Shenwei explained the matter of collecting embroidery, saying, “I know someone who has a connection in this business and asked me to help. I immediately thought of you, aunties.” As for the details, she mixed truth and fiction, keeping the source and destination vague—success comes from secrecy.

She continued, “If you trust me, aunties, you can bring your best embroidery to me. I’ll help take them to market, and I assure you, you won’t be shortchanged. If I couldn’t get you a fair price, I wouldn’t dare make the trip myself.”

The Yu siblings had lived in the village for several years, and these women had watched them grow up, well aware of their character. At first, they had simply fed the siblings a meal, and in the years since, the Yu children had repaid their kindness time and again. Only last year, when it came to writing couplets for the New Year, these families had all reaped the benefits.

They trusted the Yu siblings.

Aunt Wang’s son had studied with Yu Shenyan for two years, so she spoke first. “Of course I trust you. I’ve brought my embroidery right over.” With that, she spread out several pieces before Yu Shenwei for inspection.

Another aunt chimed in. She had always thought the Yu siblings were good children and had even felt regret when they were adopted by the Yu family.

Soon, each household brought out their embroidery. Yu Shenwei examined every piece and accepted those that met her standards—a total of seventy-one items, large and small. Yu Shenyan recorded the details of each family’s contributions to ensure everyone would be paid accordingly.

Still, seventy-some pieces were not enough. Yu Shenwei thought of Aunt Lin from the neighboring village, who, like Aunt Gui, acted as a middlewoman selling embroidery. She surely had some on hand. From Aunt Gui’s earlier words, it was clear that Aunt Lin also profited from this arrangement.

The greatest danger is having a handle for others to hold over you—then you become their pawn.

That night, the Yu siblings stayed at Aunt Wang’s house. The next day, they went to the neighboring village to find Aunt Lin.

Aunt Lin, feeling guilty and not wanting her involvement exposed—lest she lose her earnings and her reputation in the village—was compelled to help Yu Shenwei. Yu Shenwei did not expose her, and paid the usual price. With Madam Ge’s endorsement, the villagers trusted her as well and agreed to settle accounts afterward.

That afternoon, Yu Shenwei took one hundred thirty-four pieces of embroidery into town. Most were small items—pouches, handkerchiefs, pillowcases, belts, forehead bands—with a few larger pieces like screens, hanging scrolls, and shawls.

Arriving in the county seat, Yu Lun and his wife had just arrived as well. Together, their collection totaled more than three hundred pieces, filling several boxes.

Yu Shenwei went to Changlong Cloth Shop to see Shi Changsheng, and also met Manager Wang.

Manager Wang, a longtime shopkeeper, did not deal in embroidery but knew something of the craft. From his comments on the various stitches, Yu Shenwei could tell that while he had some knowledge—enough to speak at length about silk and cotton embroidery, running stitch, backstitch, and double needle—he was vague and reserved about other techniques, merely saying, “The rest are passable.”

Yu Shenwei smiled and said, “You are truly an expert, Manager Wang. Nothing escapes your discerning eye. These two hanging scrolls use the silk from your shop, embroidered with mulberry silk thread. The surface is smooth, the colors vibrant yet harmonious, the stitching fine with no visible marks—such skill is the equal of the best embroiderers in Ningzhou Prefecture.”

Manager Wang leaned in to examine the scrolls closely, saying nothing, but it was clear he agreed.

Yu Shenwei continued, “And this double-sided embroidered screen—the needlework is precise and even on both sides, the colors elegant, the pattern exquisite. It’s sure to be favored by ladies of the boudoir.”

She introduced several more pieces, watching Manager Wang, who now appeared deep in thought. She smiled and said, “Manager Wang, as someone who knows the trade, you can see these are in a league of their own. Your offer is too low—you’ll need to come up a bit.”

Manager Wang eyed the seven or eight pieces before him, hunting for an excuse to lower the price, but found no fault. He knew that in town, after simple mounting, such embroidery could fetch several times the price, yielding a handsome profit. If sent north, the price would be even higher.

Seeing his hesitation, Yu Shenwei pressed gently, “These embroideries are the painstaking work of the embroiderers—every stitch made through sleepless nights, hoping only to earn some hard-won money for their households. They never get this price when selling to embroidery shops. With your offer, Manager Wang, I can’t in good conscience sell on their behalf.”

Madam Lu also chimed in, urging a higher price.

After a moment’s thought, Manager Wang stroked his goatee and relented. “I’ll add another ten percent for these pieces, but no more.”

The original offer was already a bit higher than Zhang’s Embroidery Shop. The extra ten percent was pure profit. Content, Yu Shenwei praised him and said, “When I return, I’ll be sure to tell the embroiderers that Manager Wang is generous and fair, and that they should buy their materials from Changlong Cloth Shop in the future.”

—

The women from Gaojia Village and the neighboring village received more for their embroidery than Zhang’s shop ever offered. All expressed their gratitude to Yu Shenwei: “If you ever have this business again, please tell us first.”

“I certainly will. As long as you trust me, I’ll always think of you when such good opportunities arise.”

A neighbor of Aunt Gui, on her way home, deliberately passed by Aunt Gui’s door. Seeing her sitting in the front room, she loudly declared to a companion, “That Nuannuan girl is honest and reliable, quick to pay and even gives more than Zhang’s shop. She’s the one to trust—never cheats anyone.”

Aunt Gui, overhearing this, was so angry her hands trembled; her needle pricked her finger, and she winced in pain.

Watching this, the neighbor snickered and walked away in high spirits.

Before leaving Shitou Township, Yu Shenwei gave both Madam Ge and Aunt Lin a share of the proceeds. Madam Ge happily announced to her family, “Nuannuan is a good, honest girl.” Aunt Lin, having been resentful at first for being coerced, now found herself content, since Yu Shenwei had not exposed her and had given her a fair share.

A few days later, Yu Shenwei collected another batch of embroidery, with help again from Madam Ge and Aunt Lin.

In two rounds, they earned nearly ten taels of silver.

The ten taels were timely; Yu Wen’s betrothal gifts were covered, with some left over. Come autumn, they could earn more from tailoring, and there would be enough for Yu Shenyan’s provincial exam. There was still half a year left, and perhaps more ways to make quick money would appear—who could say?

For now, the family had no worries about food. Where once they’d made do with plain fare, now every meal included rice and vegetables.

Yu Shensi clamored for eggplant braised with pork. For farming folk, meat was reserved for festivals, but with the family flush from weeks of hard work, Madam Lu went to the market and bought two and a half jin of pork, half lean half fat. The rendered lard was used to cook the dried eggplant with pork bits and cracklings, and the aroma wafted through the whole village.

Someone, drawn by the smell, poked their head in and asked, “Auntie, are you having pork today?”

—

Madam Lu smiled, “The little one was craving it, so I made it for him just this once.”

With this meal, word spread through the village that the family’s fortunes had turned for the better. Yu Wen had just gotten engaged last month, and now they were eating meat. People whispered among themselves, “Since Dalun’s family adopted those children, their days have become lively and prosperous.”

“Indeed. I heard from the matchmaker that Da Wen is preparing a generous dowry for the Shi family. That’s no small sum.”

Villagers who once looked down on them now greeted them warmly whenever they passed by.

In early March, when they went to town, Yu Shenwei made a box of pastries for her brother to take along.

Shi Changsheng, having tasted her handmade pastries, beamed with delight. “Even better than what we ate on Niushan Mountain.”

Yu Shensi teased, “No way. Back then you were so hungry, anything would have tasted like a delicacy. You’ll never find anything tastier for the rest of your life.”

Shi Changsheng tapped him on the head. “Why are you so literal?” Then stuffed a pastry into his mouth.

After their playful banter, Yu Shenyan said, “Thank you for your help last time. My sister asked me to give you this.” He pulled a small pouch from his breast.

Shi Changsheng, curious, took it, felt it was silver, and quickly tried to give it back.

“Is it too little?”

“What would I want this for? If I cared for money, I wouldn’t have told your sister anything.”

“But it’s yours by right. You live in the county town—everything costs money.” Yu Shenyan held out the pouch, but Shi Changsheng pushed it away again. “I don’t need money for food, clothing, or lodging. Your sister saved my life—she’s family now. There’s no need to be so formal. Besides, she made me pastries—that’s thanks enough between family.”

Yu Shenyan didn’t insist and put the pouch away. “Sister said that if you really won’t accept it, she’ll keep it for you until you marry, to help buy you things for your new household.”

Shi Changsheng laughed, “Keep it, keep it,” tapping the pouch enthusiastically.

The brothers couldn’t help but laugh at his antics.

—

In early April, Yu Wen officially brought betrothal gifts to the Shi family, fulfilling every item on the list. Shi’s father was overjoyed, his words slurred with drink as he praised his future son-in-law endlessly. With both families and the matchmaker present, they discussed the date for the wedding.

Yu Lun explained that their son would be taking the provincial exam in the autumn, so the wedding would have to wait until after. Only then did Shi’s father realize that his future son-in-law’s family had such a studious nephew—passing the exam would make him a scholar. With a scholar in the family, their future was assured. “The exam comes first. A few months’ delay in the marriage is nothing. We’ll set the date after the exam.”

On a farm, spring means busy months. In May, there’s twice as much work.

The Yu family was small, with little land. The three adopted siblings had yet to be allotted fields, so even during the busy season, their household wasn’t as pressed as others in the village.

In previous years, Madam Lu’s brothers would come to help, but this year, with Yu Lun’s health improved and three more hands at home, they managed without asking her brothers.

In June, the hottest days began, and Mr. Su’s private school closed for a month’s summer holiday. The day before break, Yu Shenyan visited Mr. Su.

After reviewing Yu Shenyan’s essay, Mr. Su said, “I’ll be spending some time at Mount Paiyun to escape the heat, and I need someone to help with my papers. If you’re willing, you may accompany me.”

Mr. Su never kept a servant boy for such tasks—it was merely an excuse to give Yu Shenyan an opportunity.

Yu Shenyan understood and bowed. “It is a student’s duty to serve his teacher. Of course I am willing. Thank you for your kindness.”

“Very well, come in two days.”

Yu Shensi, meanwhile, sat at the window, holding a slip of paper he’d found tucked in his books. On it were the characters, “Peeping Tom,” followed by a large turtle with exaggerated bulging eyes.

Yu Shensi: “…”

Was this a deliberate insult?

He took up a brush, licked the tip, and wrote “Cursing the peeping Tom: a turtle!” adding punctuation learned from his previous life. Satisfied, he folded the slip and slipped it back, placing it differently so the other person would notice it had been disturbed.

Just as he finished, Mr. Su called him over.

He had already thoroughly studied the complete “Collected Annotations on the Analects,” and could recite the Analects by heart. He noticed that Mr. Su’s questions were growing progressively more difficult, as if trying to probe the limits of his learning.

This time he did not conceal his uncertainty and answered only adequately. Mr. Su seemed unbothered, simply saying, “Not bad,” and nothing more.

Mr. Su was always patient and gentle with Yu Shenyan, but with him, he was stern and a bit distant, leaving Yu Shensi unsure of where he stood.

If Mr. Su didn’t like him, why did he spend so much time answering his questions and testing his knowledge? Yet if he did, why hadn’t he accepted him as a student after all these months? Surely, with his experience, he could judge a pupil’s worth by now.

This time, Mr. Su did not lend him any more books. Over the past months, Yu Shenyan had bought several volumes, enough for a while.

On the way home, Yu Shensi asked Yu Shenyan to use the opportunity of accompanying Mr. Su to sound out whether he would formally accept him as a pupil. If Mr. Su was truly unwilling, or thought him unworthy, it was time to seek another teacher rather than let things drag on.

—

Yu Shenyan nodded and reassured him, “From what I know of Mr. Su, he must be satisfied with you. It’s just that with other students facing the exam, he’s preoccupied and hasn’t found the time to make it official.”

Satisfied, Yu Shensi felt at ease.

Over the past months, he had witnessed Mr. Su’s deep learning and talent, from the way he explained essays and answered questions. The Gao, Zhong, and Zong families—all major scholarly clans in Linshui County—sent their sons to Mr. Su’s school. His teaching ability was beyond question.

Zhong Yi and the Zong family’s eldest grandson had both passed the county exam in their teens and were now studying at the prefectural academy, further proof of Mr. Su’s ability.

To study under Mr. Su was clearly the best outcome.

—

The heat of July blazes, and by September, new clothes are needed. The Ningzhou prefecture exam was set for September 15, so the Yu household was busy by August.

They had to find a licentiate to act as guarantor, gather other students as witnesses, ask the neighbors to vouch for them, and have their teacher confirm everything, among other tasks. For the first time, Yu Shensi saw firsthand how arduous the ancient examination system was.

Asking for guarantors was not free; it required money. Even buying blank exam papers cost money. No wonder they said poor scholars abounded. The family’s savings from the past half year were nearly halved by the expenses of Yu Shenyan’s exam, not counting travel and lodging in the prefecture city.

At the end of August, Yu Shenyan went to town. First, he arranged for someone to help secure lodging in Ningzhou, for if he waited too long, he’d end up far from the exam site, risking his performance. Next, he took his sister’s recent embroidery to sell.

Leaving the embroidery shop, he ran into Zhong Yi.

Zhong Yi had just come from Mr. Su’s, a scroll in hand. When he saw Yu Shenyan, he smiled and greeted him. “I heard you and Xiaoxi are sitting the exam this year, so I reserved an inn near the exam site for you both. I was about to ask Xiaoxi to tell you, but here you are.”

Yu Shenyan knew how Zhong Yi felt about his sister, and that she, too, had never completely let go of him. He had witnessed their feelings over the years. But now the betrothal was void, and after the incident with Gao Mingjin, his sister had grown cautious and withdrawn from the relationship.

She wanted to avoid entanglements, and he respected her wishes.

Zhong Yi, sensing his thoughts, spoke before Yu Shenyan could refuse. Smiling, he said, “As your senior, it’s only right I do this for my junior brothers. If you refuse, the teacher and others will think I neglect my peers. Besides, the teacher asked me to look after you and Xiaoxi in the city—I dare not disobey. So it’s settled.”

With Zhong Yi invoking both seniority and their teacher’s wishes, Yu Shenyan couldn’t refuse.

“Thank you, Brother Zhong,” he said, bowing.

Zhong Yi pressed his hand down. “The teacher says you’ve made great progress in your essays. It’s been a while since we discussed literature. Let’s go to a teahouse and talk.” Without waiting for a reply, he led Yu Shenyan toward the street.

The teahouse was quiet at this hour. The two sat by a window, talking all the while about the upcoming exams. Zhong Yi shared his experiences, the conversation easy and collegial.

As afternoon drew on, Yu Shenyan prepared to take his leave. Suddenly, someone outside waved and called, “Yi, Xiao Zhao!” and dashed across the street into the teahouse.

The young man, red-faced and out of breath as if he’d just run a long way, hurried to the table, poured himself a cup of tea, and drained it in one gulp, then, smiling brightly, hugged both Yu Shenyan and Zhong Yi before sitting down.

“What’s got you so out of breath—been up to mischief?” Zhong Yi teased.

This was Zong Chengliang, eldest son of the Zong family’s second branch. He had studied under Mr. Su for a few years, but due to being “unmanageable,” Mr. Su had sent him home. In Mr. Su’s words: “Clever, but too mischievous.” Not that he was a troublemaker or disrespectful—he just had no heart for study, always distracting his classmates, and never mended his ways. It was said he was just like his father had been as a boy. His younger brother was also mischievous, but more obedient.

Zong Chengliang sighed, “Chased by my little sister.”

“What did you do to upset her?”

“I just teased her a bit, and she got mad, sent her maid to chase me out of the house.” He shook his head, “With that temper, I worry how she’ll ever marry.”

Zhong Yi snorted, “No wonder your sister sends people after you. What brother talks about his own sister like that?”

Zong Chengliang laughed, “You’re not outsiders. Besides, you both know her temper. Only Nuannuan can get along with her—the others can’t. Now that Nuannuan is in the country, she has to make do with her own sisters.” Mentioning Yu Shenwei, he glanced at both men. “How is Nuannuan these days?”

“She’s well, and often mentions Sister Yun. Please give her my regards.”

“Of course.” Zong Chengliang nodded, then looked at Zhong Yi.

He knew of Zhong Yi’s broken engagement with Yu Shenwei, and that, after her adoption, the betrothal was annulled. Now, seeing Zhong Yi’s troubled expression at the mention of her name, he guessed his family’s opinion weighed on him.

He smiled, “It’s rare for us three to meet. The chrysanthemums are blooming in the south of the city—shall we go see them tomorrow?”

Yu Shenyan, not in the mood for leisure, declined, citing his studies. Zong Chengliang dragged Zhong Yi along instead.

Later, Yu Shenyan learned that the outing was not just for the two of them—Zong Chengliang had gathered his siblings and friends, men and women, more than a dozen people at two tables, clearly intending to match his sister with Zhong Yi.

Yu Shenyan did not dare tell his sister about this.