Winter in Chenliu: Farewells and Land Deals
Grain harvest was over in Chenliu that winter. All that remained was preparing for the cold months ahead, and I'd already stockpiled plenty of firewood at the academy for it.
"Take good care of things."
"Yes, sir."
The servants dispatched from the Cai family at my request had learned what needed watching at the academy. While I was away in Chenliu, they'd handle the work here and prepare meals for Sima Hui and the rest of the academy folk.
And now, the last thing left was getting permission from one particular person. She'd been shut away in seclusion ever since I told her I had to leave for a bit.
I knocked cautiously on her door.
"Yi."
"......"
No sound came from inside. I knocked again.
"If you don't come out, I'm coming in."
I opened the door. It was rude, sure, but Sima Yi holing up like this wasn't exactly polite either.
"It's just a quick trip. Why the sulk?"
"...I'm not sulking."
Sima Yi sat alone on the bed, bundled in blankets, facing the wall like she couldn't stand the sight of me. I walked over and sat behind her.
"Thinking about it, ever since you came here, we've been together almost every day."
"......"
"Partings follow meetings, that's life. But this one's just a brief goodbye. We can't spend our whole lives holed up here together."
"......"
It was only a short jaunt to Chenliu, but she needed to learn this lesson. She was due back in Henei soon anyway. On her fifteenth birthday, when she came of age, someone would come from Henei to fetch her.
"So look at me. We've spent two years together without a single day apart, but sometimes distance is necessary."
"Master."
Sima Yi's voice trembled as she spoke.
"You'll come back, right? For sure?"
"Of course. I promise. I'll return to you no matter what. Even if something happens to the academy while I'm gone and you go missing, I'll scour every corner of the land to find you."
I hugged her from behind. Awkward with the blankets in the way, but her shaking gradually subsided.
"I'll be back before the year is out. Promise."
"That's your plan. Who knows what they'll think."
Sima Yi turned around. Her eyes were red and puffy as she clung to me tightly.
"They won't try to force you to enlist in Cao Cao's army, right?"
"Naturally not. You think some upstart like Cao Cao's crew could hold me? Ha!"
"They won't intimidate you with their generals?"
"Threaten a bumpkin like me with swords? If they do, spread the word. Tell everyone Cao Mengde starts by holding his blade to the throats of anyone who won't listen. Yeah, that woman's the type to think of everything. She won't stoop that low."
Word was Cao Cao was desperate for talent. But even if she wanted me, she wouldn't resort to threats.
"They won't say you're too good to give away, so if they can't have you, they'll kill you instead?"
"No way. Like I said, Cao Cao's not that kind. She'd be too busy trying to impress me to pull something like that."
"What if they throw a huge feast? Wine, welcome, the works—and when you try to leave, they slap on guest retainment rites and refuse to let you go?"
"Then I just walk out. Goodbyes? A letter's plenty. I'd take cool well water after farming with you over any cup she offers."
I stroked Sima Yi's hair, calming her.
"So relax. It's just a short separation."
Sima Yi had already endured parting from her parents due to troubles back in Henei. I'd been playing surrogate parent in the meantime, so her attachment made perfect sense.
"Sima Hui will be here. If anything, shouldn't you be sad about parting from Xun You? She'll feel slighted."
"......"
"Who knows when or where we'll meet again. You might even end up enlisting with Cao Cao someday. Part on good terms with Xun You today, and you'll reunite properly later, right?"
"......Fine."
Sima Yi wiped her tears with her sleeve.
"But Master... can we stay like this just a little longer? Winter... it's gonna be so cold."
"Sure."
I held her close so she could feel my warmth.
"I'll hurry back before winter bites too hard."
"Quite the passionate scene, Teacher."
"Don't tease over something like that."
To get back at Xun You sitting across from me, I pressed lightly on her waist with my arm.
"Sima Yi's just a child. She came down to Jingzhou alone, separated from her parents. She's mature for her age, but still a kid."
"Mature enough to think seriously about you, no?"
I shrugged at Xun You's sly grin.
"No need to discourage good feelings. What's Sima Yi lacking? Pedigree, looks, brains—not a single flaw."
"Oh? Careful, or she might really sink her teeth in someday."
"If it's Yi, I'd let her."
Xun You's expression hardened.
"Sima Yi's destined for greatness. Grand Commandant of a kingdom, maybe more—with talent and ambition to match. If such a woman takes a shine to me, how could I not be moved?"
"What if she proposes marriage?"
"......"
Xun You's words carried weight.
"It might not end as childish fancy. Could turn into real affection. You okay with that?"
"Teacher, I'm only saying this because it's just us."
I leaned my face against Xun You's shoulder.
"My dream's a capable woman who'll keep me, living easy and carefree."
"......Heh."
"Men chase grand causes while women tend the home? Nah, that's sexist. If she's more capable than me, I'll be the one supporting her at home."
"So materialistic."
Xun You laughed helplessly.
"Servants handle chores, and you just sip honey water?"
"Not just honey water."
"......Good grief."
Xun You shook her head.
"Then hand me the reins. In return, hold me tight."
Xun You took the reins from me. As requested, I hugged her waist from behind, supporting from below.
"...Mm, comfy."
"Comfy?"
"Feels secure, like something heavy's got backup underneath. Though others might think it's odd."
Xun You smiled and leaned back against me slightly.
"We can do this till we reach Chenliu, right?"
"......As long as no one sees."
"Hehe. Husband to a high official."
Xun You glanced back with a playful smile.
"You'll have to work hard under Cao Cao's banner."
"What's that supposed to mean?"
"I'm human too, with dreams. Dreams of being a high official."
Whoosh—
On a day with biting cold winds, a black-haired woman bundled up tightly and stepped outside. Two young men followed behind, loading two chests onto a cart, while she strode ahead with a determined scowl.
"Today's the day we buy."
The woman led her group to a manor. It was well-kept, but an elderly couple on the verge of collapse lived there.
"Elder!"
"...Teacher."
The old man sweeping the yard frowned at the sight of her.
Undeterred by his irritation, the woman grinned and clasped her hands in greeting.
"Today, I will buy this land!"
"...Sorry, but leave. I've refused that offer plenty of times already."
"That's why I'm here to talk more."
"Go home. I've said all there is to say."
"Why not?"
The woman thumped her chest in frustration.
"If the owner shows up, I'll hand it over then. Till that day, let me buy and manage it. Need a guarantee? As for me..."
"I know who you are. But I wish you'd stop coming."
"Elder! Just wait. I know you're staying to tend this land for saving your life. Let me take over that duty. You and your wife can head back to your hometown."
"......Ugh."
The woman pulled a silk letter from her bosom.
"Here—a letter from your children."
"Wha—?! You sent for them?"
"Just told them your situation. Relax. I'm no villain."
"What in the world makes this land worth all this to you?"
"Well..."
The woman scanned the ground.
"...It's right next to where our lord's mother was born. Huh? Didn't you know?"
"I know nothing of your lord. I just promised the owner I'd watch this place till they returned..."
Clop, clop.
A young man rode up slowly on horseback. The old man glanced between the woman and the youth in panic, at a loss.
"Not now of all times...?"
"Ah, no way...!"
"Hey! Nephew!!"
The old man rushed to the mounted man, arms wide.
"Good to see you! No heads-up?"
"...What's with the fuss, Uncle Ong?"
"Uncle Ong?! That's no way to speak to your elder..."
"First visit in years to check the land, and this is what I walk into?"
The old man's desperate act crumbled at the youth's words.
"Ah, so you're the owner?"
"...Yeah."
The youth finally scowled, eyeing them both.
"This has to be..."
"Not my business anymore, Young Gold. Handle it yourself."
The old man bowed and slipped away.
The youth bit his lip, realizing his mistake, but the woman's sturdy escorts blocked him front and back with the chests.
"Hey there, handsome sir."
The woman tapped the box smugly.
"Sell me this land?"
"Who're you?"
"Me?"
The woman propped her chin with a grin.
"Guo Fengxiao. Here to buy land!"