Early in the morning, seeing that Qin Ke was still asleep, Lu Youqing did not wake him. She rose quietly, moving softly, and before leaving the room, she even slowed her movements deliberately as she gently closed the door for him.
He had been leaving early and returning late these past days, so exhausted that after dinner he would fall asleep the moment his head touched the pillow.
Now that this busy stretch was finally over, she thought it best to let him rest properly.
Although outwardly they were husband and wife, Lu Youqing knew that he had never once behaved improperly toward her.
The Qin Ke who had abused her during the first two days after buying her back seemed like a completely different person. More than once, she wondered whether those two days had been nothing more than a nightmare. She simply could not reconcile the man before her now with the one from before.
Even though they were not truly husband and wife, Qin Ke had given her ample respect and care. In return, she was willing to shoulder the responsibilities of a wife.
"Lady Lu, you're up already. I've finished drawing the water."
When Lu Youqing stepped outside, she found Li Daniu already busy in the courtyard. Nearly every day, by the time Lu Youqing and Qin Ke woke up, Li Daniu had already been hard at work at their home—remarkably diligent.
"Yes. Qin Ke is still sleeping. Don't wake him for now—let him rest properly. You should take a break too; there's no rush with these things," Lu Youqing said with a gentle smile.
"It's fine. I don't have much to do lately anyway," Li Daniu replied, continuing to chop firewood as she chatted casually. "Lady Lu, you're truly gentle. You and Master Qin are the most well-matched couple I've ever seen."
"Really?" Lu Youqing was a little surprised. She had never imagined that others viewed her and Qin Ke this way.
"Of course. Master Qin won't even let you go work in the fields. He takes on all the dirty and tiring work himself—that's something you won't find anywhere else in the village. You don't know—so many of the other women are terribly jealous of you."
Lu Youqing lowered her gaze thoughtfully. She had grown up pampered, accustomed to being served in all things, and had never realized that such treatment could provoke envy.
Li Daniu worked quickly and soon had the courtyard tidied up. There wasn't much left to do, but receiving such generous monthly wages made her feel uneasy if she stayed idle.
With nothing else to occupy herself, Li Daniu sat across from Lu Youqing, resting her chin on her hand as she watched her write.
The light inside the house was poor, and Qin Ke worried that copying books late into the night would strain her eyes. So he had ordered a desk and chair from the carpenter and placed them in the shaded area of the courtyard.
Now it was April. The weather was warming—not too cold, not too hot—perfect for reading and writing outdoors.
"By the way, Daniu, how about I teach you how to write your name?" Lu Youqing said suddenly, noticing how intently Li Daniu was staring at the brush in her hand, her eyes full of longing and admiration.
"Really?" Li Daniu's eyes widened in delight.
Lu Youqing nodded with a smile. "Of course. Aren't you envious of scholars who can read and write? Since things are quiet lately, I can teach you."
Li Daniu was so excited she barely knew what to say.
"Come, let's start with your surname." Lu Youqing laid out a sheet of paper between them and slowed her movements, explaining each stroke carefully as she wrote.
Li Daniu treasured this rare opportunity. Her eyes never left Lu Youqing's wrist as it moved, and she traced the strokes with her finger on the tabletop.
"Next is your given name…"
"Lady Lu, I… I have a small wish. Could I ask you for a favor?" Li Daniu suddenly spoke, looking a little embarrassed.
"What is it? Tell me."
"My mother said that before I was born, my family thought I would be a son. My father had several names prepared, but… when those names couldn't be used, he casually gave me the name I have now." As she spoke, her voice gradually fell. "You're the most educated person I've ever met, so I was hoping you could help me choose a name."
Lu Youqing fell silent for a long moment.
Yes—this world was harsh on women. They were never placed with great expectations, and sometimes even their names were chosen casually. After marriage, they lost their names altogether.
They became someone's daughter, then someone's wife, then someone's mother. All their lives, they were attachments to others, never truly themselves.
"There is a fine tree in the south; a gentleman should be like it—tall and steadfast. There is a fine tree in the south; in ten years it grows into a forest. Li Nanqiao—what do you think? May you be resilient, upright, and responsible."
Not merely a virtuous wife or a diligent housekeeper.
Li Daniu did not understand the meaning of the verses, but she understood the words that followed. She immediately beamed, her eyes crinkling with joy. "Nanqiao—what a lovely name! I like it. From now on, I'll be called Li Nanqiao."
Seeing her happiness, Lu Youqing smiled as well. When she smiled, her eyes curved gently, like amber-colored lakes rippling in the light.
Unlike Qin Ke's pitch-black eyes, hers were lighter—a warm amber hue that made her look especially gentle when she smiled.
Qin Ke, still groggy, rubbed his eyes and pushed the door open, only to see this scene before him.
"What are you all talking about? Why are you so happy?"
"You're awake. Eat something first—I kept it warm in the pot. I'll go get it for you," Lu Youqing said, rising to her feet.
"I'll get it!"
But Li Nanqiao—yes, she was Li Nanqiao now—moved even faster, springing up and dashing into the kitchen.
Qin Ke washed his face briefly and sat across from Lu Youqing to eat. As he drank his porridge, he asked again, "What were you laughing about just now?"
"Master Qin, Lady Lu gave me a new name," Li Nanqiao said eagerly. "I have a new name now—Li Nanqiao! She even taught me how to write it. Look!" She proudly held up the name Lu Youqing had written.
"My wife has wonderful literary talent," Qin Ke said after swallowing his porridge, giving Lu Youqing a thumbs-up.
Lu Youqing didn't quite understand the gesture, but she could tell it was praise. She lowered her gaze and smiled faintly—only for Qin Ke to turn the conversation back on her in the next moment.
"But you're biased, my wife. You haven't taught me how to write yet."
Seeing him put on an exaggeratedly aggrieved expression, his dark eyes fixed on her as his lashes fluttered, she felt her ears grow warm for reasons she couldn't explain. Feeling slightly uncomfortable, she turned her head away from his focused gaze, touched her ear, and said softly, "Don't you already know how to write your name?"
"But you've seen how terrible my handwriting is. And I only know how to write my own name. I don't care—I want my wife to teach me how to read and write too."
Lu Youqing had grown accustomed to his occasional childishness and the way he sometimes acted coquettishly with her.
But Li Nanqiao had never witnessed anything like this. Standing there and watching the entire scene, her mouth fell open in astonishment. She never could have imagined that Qin Ke—the man who fought fiercely outside and carried himself with maturity—would be like this at home.
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Currently at chapter 130 for advance chapters
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