On the other side, Bo Xi felt bored.
"Do you think my daughter is good?" Mother Han sighed. "If she had been born into a better family, she might have studied to become a scholar."
Bo Xi nodded politely, glancing at the naughty yet arrogant girl beside her.
Soon, they were called for food, saving Bo Xi from her misery.
They sat at low wooden tables placed over woven mats.
"Eat some meat, Daughter-in-law," Father Han said, placing a slice of meat onto Bo Xi's rice.
Bo Xi thanked him and ate.
"What about you, Father? We should eat together," Bo Xi said gently.
"We will eat later," Father Han replied firmly.
So Bo Xi, Mother Han, and Han Li began eating. Bo Xi only ate a little, just rice and vegetables. Father Han insisted she eat more, but she smiled and said she was already full.
After the meal, Mother Han returned to her work, and Han Li ran off to play. With nothing to do, Bo Xi sat outside under the warm sunlight.
Without realizing it, she drifted into sleep.
Not long after, Han Fei, Han Wei, Han Bei, and Father Han finished eating and washed the dishes. When they stepped outside, Bo Xi slowly opened her eyes.
"I have some good news," Han Wei said with a bright smile. "I am pregnant."
"Really? May I touch it?" Han Fei asked, both curious and happy.
Han Wei nodded, and Han Fei gently placed his hand on the small bump.
"What are you thinking? It's far too early to feel anything," Father Han laughed.
The four of them talked and laughed, enjoying this rare moment of rest. Bo Xi sat beside Han Fei, still feeling drowsy.
"Daughter-in-law, are you bored?" Father Han teased.
Before Bo Xi could answer, Han Fei said, "She studies or practices martial arts all the time. She never rests." Saving Bo Xi, who didn't know what to say.
"Then let's go to the vegetable garden," Han Wei suggested.
Everyone agreed.
They worked as they talked.
"So when is the exam?" Father Han asked.
"In four months. It will take two weeks to reach the capital. The exam ends just before winter," Bo Xi replied.
"I heard you have an acre of land. Potatoes are good. The village chief will soon arrange group planting," Father Han said. "What will you grow, or will you join the team?"
"I will join," Bo Xi said, washing the mud from her hands.
"Join, but don't overwork. You still need to study," Father Han reminded her.
Bo Xi nodded.
Later, Father Han showed Bo Xi how to weave a simple mat from straw.
"I will go now. It's getting late," Han Wei said.
Father Han packed vegetables for him.
Mother Han soon returned with Han Li, and dinner was ready.
"We will also leave," Bo Xi said, standing.
"Eat first," Father Han insisted.
"No, Father. We will eat at home," Han Fei said.
After some persuasion, Father Han agreed and packed vegetables for them.
Bo Xi carried the bundle as they walked back to their house.
That night, they quickly made dinner and ate. Afterwards, they sat outside beneath the stars.
"Han Fei," Bo Xi said softly, holding his hand, "no matter what you think, I will always be with you."
Han Fei nodded, his eyes red. He loved his parents, but he also carried many unspoken hurts.
"Don't hold back," Bo Xi continued. "Tell me when you feel uncomfortable. I am your family now, just as you are mine."
They sat quietly for a long time before returning to their room.
As the days passed, planting season arrived.
The entire village became busy from dawn until dusk.
Bo Xi helped Father Han and Mother Han after finishing her own chores. Han Fei wanted to join, but she stopped him. Instead, he prepared lunch for everyone.
Even Han Li and Han Bei worked in the fields.
The sun burned brightly. Sweat rolled down Bo Xi's back and fell into the soil.
"It's time to rest," Han Fei said, arriving with food and water. He wiped Bo Xi's face with a cloth.
"Mother, Father, everyone, rest for a while," Bo Xi called.
They washed and sat under a tree.
Bo Xi finally felt cool as she drank water. Han Fei passed out pancakes and eggs.
"I'm starving," Bo Xi said, taking a bite. "It's delicious."
Han Fei smiled.
Han Bei laughed. "Brother, you're lucky to find such a good woman."
"No," Bo Xi replied warmly. "I am lucky to find such a good man."
Han Fei quickly placed another pancake into her hand and gently fanned her.
After resting, they returned to work. Bo Xi looked around, old and young, even pregnant men, all working tirelessly.
She was surprised at how easily she had accepted this life.
As the sun softened, they finished the day's work.
Han Fei's family returned home after thanking her. Bo Xi and Han Fei followed shortly after.
Many men watched Han Fei with envy. Their lives were harsh, farming, childcare, housework, yet Han Fei had someone who protected and cherished him.
Bo Xi continued reading books and practicing martial arts. The exam was near.
Time passed quickly in this warm atmosphere. Bo Xi even taught Han Fei simple self-defense techniques and spoke to him about Qi.
Soon, it was time for her to leave for the exam.
Han Fei carefully packed Bo Xi's luggage, from clothes to dried food.
"Breakfast is ready," Han Fei called, setting down a hot bowl of soup and pancakes.
Before leaving, Bo Xi quietly hid one hundred taels beneath Han Fei's pillow.
"Be careful. Don't stress too much. No matter the result, I will be here for you," Han Fei said, watching her eat. His eyes were red.
"Don't worry. I'll be back soon. Go visit your family. Don't stay cooped up in the house," Bo Xi said seriously.
Han Fei nodded.
After eating, Bo Xi climbed into the carriage. She had hired a driver and a bodyguard.
Bo Xi waved. Han Fei waved back, watching until the carriage disappeared.
Feeling lonely, Han Fei returned inside. The house suddenly felt empty.
He fed the chickens, collected the eggs, and washed clothes. When he started cooking, he accidentally added too much flour. Losing his appetite, he returned to the room.
Opening the closet full of clothes and jewelry Bo Xi had insisted on buying, he felt his chest tighten.
He sat down to sew when he noticed a bulge beneath his pillow.
Inside was a heavy pouch.
Han Fei counted one hundred taels.
She had hidden it.
His heart tightened with worry. Had Bo Xi even kept enough money for herself?
Just then,
"Han Fei!" his father's voice called from outside.