The next morning, Bo Xi woke up early.
She felt refreshed.
Sitting in a meditative position, she began cultivating and checked on her space.
To her surprise, the space was constantly absorbing Qi from the surroundings and storing it, making the Qi inside extremely dense. It was like a natural array.
After a while, the sun slowly rose.
Bo Xi stood up and went to the kitchen. She boiled some water and made rice porridge.
She brought two bowls of porridge and a bowl of water into the room, placed them on a chair beside the bed, and gently called out,
"Han Fei, wake up. We need to go to the city today."
Han Fei frowned and slowly opened his eyes.
"Come, drink some porridge," Bo Xi said softly.
Han Fei sat up."You should've woken me earlier," he said, glancing at the thick porridge.
"Eat first," Bo Xi replied, wetting a cloth and gently wiping his face.
They ate quietly, enjoying the peaceful moment.
After washing up, they quickly changed.
"Why don't you wear the hairpin and bracelets?" Bo Xi asked.
"I'm afraid I'll lose them," Han Fei said as he combed his hair.
"Then I'll just buy you new ones," Bo Xi said, holding out the hairpin.
Han Fei stared at it for a moment before putting it on.
"You look so handsome," Bo Xi said, smiling.
Han Fei glanced at the bronze mirror. His cheeks were sunken, his hair dry. He quickly looked away.
"What's wrong?" Bo Xi asked, then leaned forward and kissed him lightly.
"Let's go. Stay inside the carriage—it's dusty outside," she said, taking his hand.
Han Fei nodded, feeling the softness of her hand against his rough, cracked fingers.
Bo Xi helped him inside the carriage and took the driver's seat.
Soon, they arrived in the city.
After registering the carriage, Bo Xi helped Han Fei down and led him inside.
"Let's buy the fabric first," she said.
They entered a fabric shop, and a woman quickly approached.
"Miss Bo Xi, you're here," she said warmly. "What would you like today?"
Bo Xi glanced at Han Fei.
"Oh! This must be your husband," the woman smiled. "Please choose."
"I just need some coarse fabric for one robe," Han Fei said.
"We also need thicker clothes. Autumn is coming. Ready-made would be better," Bo Xi added.
"I can sew myself," Han Fei said.
"But it hurts your eyes, and you should rest," Bo Xi replied, signaling the shopkeeper.
Soon, the staff brought out ready-made clothes.
Han Fei touched the fabric and nodded.
"Two sets in my size, dark colors," Bo Xi said. "And four for him—slightly bigger."
Han Fei tried to protest, but she shook her head.
As a gift, the shop added cloth scraps for shoe soles.
"Then one piece of fabric for you," Han Fei said. "I'll make clothes for you."
Bo Xi's heart warmed, and she smiled.
When she reached for her pouch, Han Fei stopped her.
"I'll pay," he said. "You gave me money, remember?"
Bo Xi hesitated, then nodded.
Next, she took him to the jewelry shop.
"Why are we here?" Han Fei asked.
"I promised I'd buy you something," Bo Xi said.
She bought two hairpins, one bracelet, and one necklace—ignoring his protests.
They then bought four chicks.
"What about a rooster?" Bo Xi asked.
"We can borrow one from the village chief for a copper or two," Han Fei said.
"Alright," Bo Xi smiled. "Let's eat lunch, then buy dinner."
They ate lunch in a restaurant and even bought dinner to take home.By the time they returned, the sun was already setting.
"Go and freshen up. I will bring the things inside," Bo Xi said, carrying the bundles.Han Fei nodded, took the food box, and went inside.
After washing up and changing, Han Fei heated the already cold food.By the time Bo Xi freshened up, the food was already on the table.
"The soup is tasty, and so are the dumplings. Try it," Bo Xi said as she put a dumpling on Han Fei's plate.
"It is good," Han Fei said, biting into the dumpling after serving Bo Xi the soup.
"Eat more. Don't just serve me," Bo Xi said while drinking the soup.
After the meal, they started sorting things since they had to visit Han Fei's parents tomorrow.After arranging everything, tired, they went to bed early.
The next morning, Bo Xi and Han Fei ate breakfast, then changed and went to Han Fei's house.Bo Xi was carrying a bundle.
They walked there. Father Han and Mother Han were outside the house, waiting.
As soon as they saw them, their gazes fell on the bundles. Smiling, they greeted Bo Xi and Han Fei.
"It must be heavy, daughter-in-law. Let me help. Why did you bring so many things?" Mother Han said, taking one bundle.
As Father Han was about to speak, his gaze fell on the hairpin on Han Fei.Even though he had never bought jewelry, he knew its value.His smile stiffened.
After coming back to his senses, he said,"Come inside. Your elder brother has also come to see you."
Han Fei was surprised but happy.
Bo Xi and Han Fei entered the house.
A young man hugged Han Fei as they entered, then carefully looked at him.
"You must be my brother-in-law. I am Han Wei, Han Fei's older brother," he said, looking at Bo Xi with relief.
"Don't stand. Let's sit," Father Han said.Bo Xi put down the bundles after greeting everyone.
They sat on the woven mats,Bo Xi, Mother Han, and Han Fei's sister.
Han Fei went to the kitchen with his father and brothers.
Father Han opened the bundles with satisfaction: fabric, wheat, meat, lard, and a chick.
"You must not anger your wife. She treats you well, but don't forget your family," Father Han said, staring at the hairpin.
"Did sister-in-law buy it for you?" the youngest brother, Han Bei, asked, envy hidden in his eyes.
"Yes. She gave it to me on our wedding day," Han Fei said while kneading the dough.
"How is she treating you?" Han Wei asked.
"She is nice. She doesn't let me do anything," Han Fei said with a sweet smile.