Chapter 18

Yu Shenwei tucked away her purse as she left Zhang’s Embroidery Shop, hearing the street vendor at the corner calling out for soup dumplings. She thought her youngest brother had never tried them before, so she took his hand and led him over.

Yu Shensi was becoming increasingly fascinated by this era. For years, he’d been confined to Gaojia Village; the only market he knew was at Shitou Township. But Shitou Township could never compare to Lingshui County—the people and things he’d seen were far too limited. These two trips into town had broadened his horizons, letting him witness much he’d previously only read about in miscellaneous books. There were still many things he longed to see, things he’d only find in the provincial capital or the imperial city. He yearned to witness the most prosperous places of this age.

The steamers at the soup dumpling shop billowed with hot vapor, the fragrance so rich it could be smelled from afar.

“One soup dumpling,” said Yu Shenwei. Then, thinking her elder brother must be hungry by now, she corrected herself, “Make it two.”

“Coming right up!”

Yu Shensi assumed the two dumplings were one for each of them. He joyfully bit through the paper-thin skin, sucking up the savory broth inside. Turning, he saw Yu Shenwei carefully wrap the other dumpling in a kerchief and hold it in her palm, realizing it was meant for Yu Shenyan.

Yu Shenwei was always like this. Whenever there was something tasty, her first thought was him, then Yu Shenyan, always putting herself last. She believed it was only right for the eldest sister to care for her brothers, never considering that, as a young woman, she too deserved care.

“Big sister, try this—does it taste sour?” He lifted the dumpling toward her.

“Sour?” Yu Shenwei wondered if the vendor’s filling had spoiled. She tasted a little, then took a moment to savor, “Not at all!”

“Try again—especially the filling inside. If you take enough, you’ll taste it.”

She tried another bite, used a small bamboo stick to poke at the meat filling, tasted again and again, but found no sourness, only rich, aromatic meat broth. “No sour taste,” she said, puzzled, looking at her youngest brother.

“I’ll try another bite.” Yu Shensi slurped up a mouthful, then grinned, “Now it’s not sour anymore.”

Yu Shenwei paused, finally realizing her little brother wanted her to eat some, but feared she’d refuse, so he’d tricked her. She laughed, tapped him on the head, and scolded, “You clever rascal, trying to fool your big sister!”

The siblings walked to another street corner, where someone called out, “Nuan-meimei!” Instinctively, Yu Shenwei turned toward the crowd.

A youth of sixteen or seventeen approached with a smile, clad in a pale green robe—a young master’s attire—with a small sachet at his waist. Yu Shensi recognized the sachet at once; it was embroidered with a cluster of orchids, crafted and sold by Yu Shenwei last year.

Yu Shenwei hadn’t noticed the sachet. She stood frozen, observing the youth, who was taller and more mature than she remembered, his features losing their childish softness and revealing the clear lines of adulthood. Even his voice had grown steadier.

Someone once so familiar, now separated by only a few years, felt so distant she didn’t know how to begin.

The youth’s gaze was fixed upon the girl opposite, drawing ever closer. The once carefree, smiling girl had grown up; her eyes were less lively, but now carried a resolute strength—a strength that held others at a distance.

“Nuan-meimei, it’s been so long,” the youth said, smiling but visibly nervous, his hands clenched, even a bit shy.

Yu Shenwei was stunned for several moments, then offered a slight curtsy. “Young Master Zhong.”

Hearing this address, Zhong Yi’s heart chilled halfway through.

Yu Shenwei continued calmly, “Young Master Zhong, you’d better call me Shenwei.”

Zhong Yi froze.

So Mother had been right: she was no longer Gao Nuan. The separation between them was not merely three years of time, but a whole new identity.

The words he’d hidden in his heart now felt like an intrusion, stuck in his throat, unable to be spoken.

“Wei... Weier... I’ve heard what happened to you, and we...”

“Young Master Zhong,” Yu Shenwei cut him off. “The past is behind us; best not to bring it up again. You’re now at the Prefectural Academy—focus your mind on the Imperial Examination.”

“How can the past be behind us? We... I’ve already talked with Mother about us; she’s always liked you, and she agrees. Just days ago, I wrote to Father as well—I doubt he’ll object.”

Yu Shenwei remained silent.

Now, the issue between them wasn’t parental approval. She couldn’t gamble on Lord Zhong’s character. She hadn’t even seen through her own biological father; her mother, sharing a bed for over ten years, had never realized the beast beside her. On what basis could she trust someone unfamiliar? Even the youth before her—if he learned the truth, could she be sure he’d stand by her?

This world’s temptations were too great; hearts too easily changed. She couldn’t walk her mother’s path.

She glanced up; the sun was at its zenith. “I have matters to attend to and cannot delay. Forgive me, Young Master Zhong.” She bowed and quickly led her youngest brother away.

“Weier.”

Yu Shenwei didn’t look back, only quickened her pace, vanishing into the bustling crowd.

Yu Shensi felt her grip tighten—an unconscious clenching born of restraint. He looked up at her, saw her grave expression, lips pressed tight, eyes shimmering with unshed tears.

Childhood sweethearts, betrothed from