“My father said Man Ge is about to give birth, and he made a few little clothes for the child in his spare time. He thought you could take them home to him.”
“Alright.”
Du Heng quickly agreed, worried that he hadn’t prepared even two pieces of clothing yet for the baby. Children grew fast—every couple of days they changed—and clothing was never too much.
He hurriedly packed his things and followed Qin Zhifeng out of the academy. Qin’s family doted on their only son, so a carriage was already waiting outside the academy.
There were quite a few carriages at the gate. Most day students came from families who could afford them, so it wasn’t unusual.
Some students preferred leisure and didn’t have their carriages come. With the early dismissal, there was plenty of time to have tea or see a performance with a few classmates.
Du Heng carried his book box and was about to get into the carriage with Qin Zhifeng when a faint, rich scent of perfume wafted over. A little flower-patterned figure suddenly clung to Qin Zhifeng’s arm.
“Cousin, you’re out so early today!”
Only then did Du Heng realize it was a young boy, dressed in a vibrant pomegranate-red tunic, heavily perfumed, looking as pretty as a little girl.
Seeing Qin Zhifeng being clung to so persistently, Du Heng rubbed his nose.
“I had to return home early due to some family matters.”
The boy then noticed another person standing beside Qin Zhifeng. A quick glance revealed that most students at Bai Rong Academy wore the standard uniform, making it hard to distinguish anyone in a hurry. Their differences were mostly in height and build.
But when he looked closely at Du Heng—tall and well-built—he couldn’t help but lift his eyes in surprise.
This wasn’t the face he had seen in the sketches—a truly celestial appearance. He had visited Bai Rong Academy often and seen many talented youths, but never anyone with such looks.
He stared a few more times and tugged at Qin Zhifeng. “Cousin, is this your classmate? Why haven’t I seen him before?”
Qin Zhifeng said, “This is my cousin, Du Heng. He’s also studying here at the academy.”
“Ah, so he’s family too. He looks older than Min’er, so Min’er should address him as elder brother.”
Lin Min immediately bowed politely to Du Heng. “Min’er greets Elder Cousin Du.”
Du Heng returned the greeting courteously.
Then, he and Qin Zhifeng got into the carriage, while Lin Min boarded his own, following closely behind Qin’s carriage.
Du Heng sat by the window, watching the trailing carriage. He asked, “Was this little master specifically waiting for his cousin?”
Qin Zhifeng pursed his lips slightly, expression calm. “He’s a relative on my father’s side. Father likes him a lot.”
He didn’t elaborate, but Du Heng understood—father’s fondness might be directed at a prospective son-in-law, but not necessarily reciprocated by the person himself.
Du Heng didn’t concern himself with other people’s household matters.
When he arrived at the Qin residence, Qin Zhi Yan was still busy at the county office and hadn’t returned yet.
Zhou Wanqing had already prepared the items early, and as soon as Du Heng arrived, she handed them over.
“The baby is in the later months now, so you must take good care. Even though it’s a full-term pregnancy, bumps and knocks are inevitable. Premature birth happens often, so you should arrange a midwife in advance.”
Zhou Wanqing had a strong sense that the child in Xiao Man’s belly was a boy, so she couldn’t help giving extra instructions after handing over the items.
Du Heng listened patiently, but before much was said, the playful Lin Min barged in.
Zhou Wanqing had originally wanted to keep Du Heng for a little while until Qin Zhi Yan returned, but Du Heng, being tactful, thanked her for the clothes and excused himself.
“Good, then keep a close eye on Man Ge. Tomorrow I’ll have someone deliver lunch to Zhifeng at the academy, and you can go along. You won’t need to bring your own food.”
“Thank you, little uncle.”
Du Heng left the Qin residence. Judging the time, it was near the middle of the Shen hour, so he hailed a carriage at the city gate to return. By the time he reached the village, it was nearly the exact moment of You hour.
“You’re back already?!”
Qin Xiao Man was washing clothes in the courtyard. Seeing Du Heng walking up to the gate, she smiled and stood.
“I said I’d wash the clothes, you don’t need to trouble yourself.”
“It’s just a few pieces, not much work. Besides, it’s washing at home, not at the river. You’re already tired from studying—can I really leave this for you?”
Du Heng patted Qin Xiao Man’s hair helplessly, then set down his book box and removed the bundle from his shoulder.
“Look, these are from little uncle today. He said they’re clothes for the baby.”
“Really? Little uncle’s sewing skills are excellent. He’s willing to make clothes for our child?”
Qin Xiao Man eagerly opened the bundle, revealing four complete sets of tiny shirts and trousers.
The fabric was soft, and since the baby was due in summer, the materials were thoughtfully chosen for their cool texture.
Qin Xiao Man liked them immediately, pressing them gently to her cheek before carefully folding them and placing them in the wardrobe.
“You went to little uncle’s house and came back so early… what time did the academy dismiss today? I thought you’d be home after dark.”
Du Heng sighed, pulling out the schedule from his book box for her to see.
Qin Xiao Man glanced at it and widened her eyes. “Morning classes start way too early! It takes at least an hour from our village to the county.”
Du Heng had calculated on the way back. From the village to the county was two hours, plus time to prepare and gather the cattle. To reach class at six on time, they’d have to get up by 3:30 a.m.
During farming seasons, they only needed to rise at four and start work at five.
He gave a wry smile. “The day’s plan is made in the morning, after all.”
“Then maybe you should stay at the academy overnight?”
Du Heng shook his head firmly. “You’re close to giving birth, so that’s impossible.”
Qin Xiao Man clutched her belly, suddenly realizing how delicate this stage of pregnancy was.
“No matter. I usually wake early anyway. As long as I sleep early at night, getting up in the morning won’t be a problem.”
She said no more.
Du Heng added, “I’ll go cook right away.”
Only then did Qin Xiao Man nod.
Du Heng started a fire in the kitchen. Thinking that he wouldn’t need to cook as much tomorrow, he planned to make less rice. Just then, Qin Xiao Man ran in.
“You’re going to the academy so early. You can’t go with Second Uncle, and it’s too early to take the cattle on the road yourself. You’ll have to drive yourself.”
“I was thinking the same.”
“Then here’s an idea: I’ll ask Second Dan Uncle if any children from the tenant farmers would be willing to come help. Once they learn to drive, they can take you to the academy in the morning and return the cart afterward. No need to tie the cattle. And since classes end early, you can ride back yourself in the afternoon.”
Du Heng’s brow twitched slightly. If there were more helping hands at home, it would indeed be convenient—not just for driving, but for helping with chores, easing Qin Xiao Man’s burden.
“Would they really send the children?” he asked.
Qin Xiao Man said, “Why wouldn’t they? They aren’t selling themselves into servitude. It’s like hiring help: they’ll be fed and clothed properly, much better than starving at home. If a tenant family has many mouths to feed, they can’t provide for all. Rather than sending them elsewhere, they’d rather let them stay with our family and work. At least they’ll have food to eat.”
It was a way to secure a livelihood, a guaranteed meal.
“Then you cook, and Second Dan Uncle can be in our fields. I’ll talk to him; you just stay home and cook.”
Qin Xiao Man said this and went out. Not long after, as night approached, Second Dan Uncle arrived with the children, perhaps fearing they might change their mind.
Du Heng expected only one or two children, but to his surprise, Second Dan Uncle brought five—black-haired, thin, and small in stature. Their clothes were oversized, seemingly patched together quickly by the family.
“Du Tongsheng, these children are twelve, but because they usually eat so little, they don’t look their age. See if any catch your eye—they’re small but hardworking.”
Qin Xiao Man left the choice to Du Heng.
He looked over them and selected the tallest boy and one little fellow.
The chosen two weren’t nervous about working in another household; instead, they were clearly happy to be allowed to stay. The three who weren’t selected pouted.
Du Heng felt that even coming all the way here had been no small task. He gave the three unchosen children a steamed bun each, and they brightened up, thanking him repeatedly.
“From now on, listen and behave at Du Tongsheng’s house. Don’t cause trouble or give the master extra worries.”
“Yes, Father.”
Du Heng was slightly surprised to hear the chosen boys call Second Dan Uncle “Father.” Even so, Second Dan Uncle hadn’t mentioned that his own children had come along.
That morning, the selection of the children had been left to chance, and Second Dan Uncle was quite pleased, repeatedly giving instructions about the kids.
“So these boys are from Second Dan Uncle’s family?”
“That scrawny one is called Da Zhuang. The master took a liking to him.”
Du Heng sized up the boy. The name sounded strong, but the boy himself was a thin, lanky beanpole.
“Once you’re done with the morning chores, you can go home if you want. After all, it’s not far—just the same village.”
Hearing this, Da Zhuang hurriedly thanked Du Heng.
It was getting late, and the road home was unsafe in the dark, so Second Dan Uncle didn’t stay long. He took the three children who weren’t selected back with him.
The two remaining boys were: the eldest, Da Zhuang, thirteen years old, and the younger one, only twelve, without a proper name yet, called Shui Qincai at home, or “Qin Ge’er.”
Qin Xiao Man arranged for Qin Ge’er to sleep in the room she had used previously, now filled with miscellaneous goods, while the robust Da Zhuang set up a mat in the firewood shed.
She let the boys get settled, then went with Du Heng to the cupboard to fetch bedding.
“Second Dan Uncle looks quite old, but he actually has a child this young?”
Qin Xiao Man snorted with laughter. “Second Dan Uncle has five children. Da Zhuang is the third, and the youngest is still running around naked under the eaves of their back house.”
“Ah?”
“Second Dan Uncle looks older because of years of hard labor. He’s actually only in his early forties.”
Du Heng pursed his lips. “A household of six or seven—how do they manage the taxes?”
“The younger children pay less tax than adults. When they grow older, families think of sending them to wealthy households as helpers or laborers. At least they’ll have food and earn a bit to pay their own taxes. Daughters marry when they can; if not, they work for others washing and mending to earn a living.”
Du Heng sighed. Compared to many of his classmates at the academy, he might be lacking, but here in the village, life for a tenant’s children was far harder. He really felt it was a situation of “better than some, worse than others.”
“I had intended to keep only one child, but you kept two.”
Du Heng looked at the boy carrying the bedding. He took it from him. “Having a boy at home is good—he can help take care of you, cook some simple meals, and handle chores better than a girl might.”
“Two to serve us?” Qin Xiao Man raised an eyebrow and lightly patted Du Heng on the waist. “Isn’t that a bit luxurious?”
“Even if it means two extra mouths to feed, it’s much less troublesome.”
Du Heng carefully calculated. There were many small chores at home. Even with hired labor in the fields, there were still meals to prepare, clothes to wash, chickens and ducks to feed. They had a pig for the new year, which needed cooking and feeding, and a cow as well.
Each additional animal meant more work for feeding and care. As her pregnancy progressed, even a minor fall or strain could be dangerous. With the opportunity at hand, how could he not seize it?
After handing the bedding to the two new young helpers, everyone ate dinner together. Without being told, Qin Ge’er tidied up the dishes and went to the kitchen.
Qin Xiao Man had him boil some hot water so Du Heng could wash up and sleep early. She then called Da Zhuang to the courtyard to teach him how to drive the ox cart.
“I’ll teach him,” Du Heng offered.
Qin Xiao Man put her hands on her hips. “You learned driving from my second uncle, right? You’re not that practiced yet. I can teach him faster. Don’t worry—our ox, Da Huang, has followed us for so long, it won’t kick me, and it won’t kick your boy either. You stay inside and study.”
Du Heng had no objections. He went inside obediently, but instead of opening his books, he picked up a sewing basket and continued the embroidery he hadn’t finished the previous day for his child.
Qin Xiao Man patiently taught Da Zhuang step by step how to hitch and unhook the cart.
He had learned driving from his second uncle. At home, they said the boy didn’t need these skills, so his second uncle hadn’t taught him. Da Zhuang had cleverly learned about eighty percent on his own.
Once, he had secretly driven his second uncle’s cart along the village path. He mastered it but received a scolding afterward.
Now, for Du Heng’s sake, his usually impulsive temperament allowed him to slowly teach Da Zhuang how to drive.
Farm children often grew up close to animals, and Da Zhuang was unafraid of the ox. He learned quickly.
As long as he wasn’t afraid, courage and willingness to learn were enough. Though he was initially unskilled, after two circuits in the courtyard, he had a handle on the reins.
“You’re smart, learning fast. I only taught the master in the county, and he only got it by the time we reached the village,” Qin Xiao Man praised.
Da Zhuang replied humbly, “I’m just a village boy. It’s proper for me to be skilled in these things. The master is a scholar, an educated man. If he’s not good at these chores, he should have someone to help him.”
“You sure know how to talk sweetly,” Qin Xiao Man said, hands on her hips. “Once you drive well, the ox will be yours to care for. You’ll feed it grass and, most importantly, take the master to the county for his studies every day.”
“Yes, I’ll do it right.”
Qin Xiao Man nodded. “Practice more. Tomorrow morning you’ll take the master to the academy.”
“Yes!”
The boy was energetic and thrilled by the power of driving the ox cart. He didn’t consider it hard labor and was eager to take more turns.
With two young helpers in the household, though small, they were experienced in handling chores, diligent, and quick to learn. Having them made managing the household far easier.
In the mornings, after Da Zhuang delivered Du Heng to the county town, he would drive the ox cart back home himself. Once back, he went straight to work in the fields, while Qin Ge’er stayed at home washing clothes, preparing meals, feeding the animals, and cutting grass—handling all the tasks that Qin Xiao Man had previously managed herself.
When Sun Dongmei came by, she found Qin Xiao Man in the main hall, cracking roasted pumpkin seeds. She nodded enviously:
“Finally, you’ve become the mistress of the house. Now you have help, the fields are tended, it’s almost like living in a landlord’s estate. Just yesterday I told your eldest brother, you should earn a bit more, so one day you can even send the child to school.”
“If only he could achieve something, that would be wonderful.”
Qin Xiao Man said, “Studying is exhausting. It’s no easier than farming. Although Du Heng is in the Bai Rong Academy, his annual tuition alone is ten taels of silver. The chickens haven’t even hatched before we have to rush to the county town.”
She muttered to herself, still warm from bed, waking early or late made no difference since she slept alone.
Sun Dongmei clicked her tongue in disbelief. “That’s a lot of silver—it’s not easy to pay for.”
Qin Xiao Man tapped her clothes. “I’m just waiting to give birth. After the confinement period, I’ll look for ways to earn more, otherwise we really can’t afford it. All that tuition, yet I haven’t even set foot in the academy’s main gate.”
“Didn’t Du Heng say he’d take you to see it?”
“He said I’m too heavy and shouldn’t go.”
Sun Dongmei joked, “Keep a close eye on him. Scholars can be rather flirtatious—don’t let your Du Heng pick up bad habits.”
“How could that happen?”
After a few more words, their conversation shifted to Qin An’s marriage.
“My second brother wants to marry Miss Cui. Mother doesn’t agree. He says if she fears they’ll burden the family, then we’ll separate and live on our own.”
Qin Xiao Man raised an eyebrow. “Wouldn’t Second Uncle fly into a rage?”
Sun Dongmei laughed. “No. In families with many children, it’s common to separate after marriage. There’s nothing unusual about it.”
Qin Xiao Man nodded. A separation was fine; he knew Second Uncle’s household well. Li Wanjü tended to the youngest, while the eldest usually received more attention, leaving the second brother caught in the middle over the years.
As time passed, Du Heng gradually adapted to his new routine of study. The warming weather made waking early for the academy more manageable.
By early April, while having lunch with Qin Zhifeng, Du Heng learned that Master Xiang, who had gone to the prefectural government to lecture, had returned to the academy. Qin Zhifeng mentioned that Du Heng could ask Master Xiang for guidance whenever he had time.
Du Heng gladly agreed. All the students in their classroom humbly sought knowledge from the master, preparing for the academy’s assessment exams.
Hearing of Master Xiang’s return reminded Du Heng of Mu Ti’s earlier promise to recommend him. He wondered if there was any progress.
Still, he received no news. He knew Mu Ti excelled in his studies, and his essays often circulated along the corridors. Being a contemporary, a juren, and director of the Six Arts Hall, Mu Ti was busy and hard to meet.
The next time Du Heng saw Mu Ti was on the third day after Master Xiang returned. Mu Ti smiled and asked if Du Heng had brought pickled vegetables—his mother had again worked hard to cook for him.
They went together to the dining hall. Mu Ti didn’t mention the recommendation but gave Du Heng plenty of materials to prepare for the assessment exam.
Du Heng realized that Mu Ti had already spoken on his behalf. In the end, he would still need to sit the exam himself. Yet he did not feel discouraged; if Master Xiang didn’t favor him, it wasn’t surprising.
“Assessment exams are in May. There isn’t much time—study well. If you pass, everything will be fine.”
Before leaving, Mu Ti patted Du Heng on the shoulder.
Du Heng found it a little odd—Mu Ti’s words made the academy’s assessment seem genuinely difficult. Holding the materials tightly, a thread of concern crept into his mind.
Still, life continued calmly. Their small classroom had few students, all focused on a single goal, leaving little energy to notice anything else. The atmosphere was harmonious.
The only thing that troubled Du Heng was when he sometimes ate with Qin Zhifeng. Qin Zhifeng’s little cousin would bring the meals, initially keeping some distance, but over time—or perhaps due to familiarity—he started calling Du Heng “cousin” persistently.
Du Heng disliked the clingy boy and often avoided him. Yet the boy, full of energy and curiosity, seemed oblivious to the avoidance, following him affectionately at times, which was irritating.
By May, Du Heng informed Qin Xiao Man that he would be taking an important academy exam on the sixth day of the month.
Qin Xiao Man, understanding as ever, advised him not to come home on the fourth day, so he could stay in the academy the night before. Otherwise, waking early and traveling would leave him unfit for the exam.
Du Heng took the exam seriously and agreed. Qin Zhifeng had a spare bed at the academy. Though Du Heng rarely used it, it was convenient for this purpose.
Early on the fourth day, when Qin Xiao Man clumsily got out of bed, Du Heng’s side of the bed was already cold.
He yawned as Qin Ge’er brought breakfast and helped him up.
His belly was now very large, making movement cumbersome. Fortunately, he was near term—every step was a challenge.
Seeing Qin Ge’er, he suddenly asked, “Weren’t you supposed to stay home last night? Why are you here so early?”
“I serve the master—I cannot be negligent. Being allowed to stay home overnight was already a great favor.”
Qin Xiao Man had grown accustomed to the two young helpers’ conscientiousness. Dressing, she noticed a skinny chicken in the yard and asked, “Where did this come from?”
Qin Ge’er smiled and said, “This chicken was caught at my home to help the young master keep his strength up.”
“You’re being far too polite.”
Qin Xiao Man rubbed his belly. Now that the child was so big, she couldn’t just take tonics at will—doing so could make childbirth difficult. Still, she directed Qin Ge’er to slaughter the chicken and stew it, cutting it in half.
In the afternoon, Qin Xiao Man carried the tightly bundled chicken soup and half a chicken on the ox cart, letting Da Zhuang take him to the county town.
Although Du Heng had been studying at Bai Rong Academy for a while, Qin Xiao Man had never once visited. This trip was not only to bring some food but also to see the academy before the child was born, so the little one could become familiar with the place.
Seeing the main gate of Bai Rong Academy for the first time, and hearing Du Heng describe the life inside, Qin Xiao Man felt the otherwise modest gate was somehow special.
Just after the school day ended, a few young scholars in blue robes left the academy. Qin Xiao Man dismounted the cart at a distance, unsure where Du Heng was.
He waved to Da Zhuang: “The young master’s classroom is in the rear hall. Go and deliver the chicken soup to him.”
“But sir, since you came personally, shouldn’t you go in with him? That way you can see the young master and speak a little.”
“I want to bring it to him personally. Besides, if I go in with this big belly, I’d draw attention. He’d worry, and he has exams tomorrow. Later, I’ll swing by my uncle’s house anyway.”
“Yes, sir.”
Da Zhuang was about to enter when Qin Xiao Man suddenly called out: “Wait.”
“Cousin Du Heng, come with me. It’s warm today, feeding the koi at Tuoliu Pond is fun.”
“I don’t have time. The exam’s tomorrow.”
“You’re just trying to refuse me. Qin Zhifeng hasn’t even heard of the exam yet.”
“Cousin, just come with me for a little while. I’ll treat you to a meal, okay?”
“I really don’t have time. Ask your uncle to go.”
“You can refuse me all you want, but let me treat you to a little candy and I’ll leave. Is that fair?”
Qin Xiao Man watched Du Heng come out of the academy, with a petite, delicate-faced boy clinging to him. She had no idea what the boy was whispering.
Before she could react, the boy had wrapped himself around Du Heng’s arm.
Qin Xiao Man froze, her mind in a whirl.
Every idle village tale about charming young men flitted through her head. Had Du Heng really brought someone to the academy to avoid her? It looked almost like the pampered sons of rich households she had heard about… and standing next to Du Heng, the boy did seem rather well-matched in appearance.
Qin Xiao Man took a step back and turned away, flustered. She pressed her lips together, unsure what to say.
“Da Zhuang, go—”
Before she could finish, her mind snapped: what did she mean by “go”? They were husband and wife!
She yanked the chicken soup from Da Zhuang’s hands and strode forward.