Chapter 14: Heartache
Page 1 of 3
As she stepped into the courtyard, the first thing Su Tang saw was the big black dog basking in the sunlight.
With a cheerful smile, Su Tang approached. “Hei, do you have any wishes?”
The big black dog said nothing.
“Want me to give you a pet? No problem.” Su Tang stroked the dog’s back.
Still, the dog remained silent.
Her skill tree showed no response.
Su Tang shook her head. “So close, and yet—not quite human, after all.”
She went inside.
The big black dog’s tail, thick as a broom, swept a few patches of dust along the ground.
...
“Husband.”
Pushing open the door, Su Tang found her little husband seated at the table, reading.
His thin face, its lines chiseled by the interplay of light and shadow, looked up at the sound of her voice. His bright eyes shone in the dim room.
Although he didn’t speak, Su Tang already heard him.
—What is it?
“Husband, are you reading?” Su Tang asked, uttering the obvious.
The young man regarded her in silence.
Su Tang smiled gently. “It occurred to me just now that you’ll be going to school soon, and I wondered, with you out and about, if there’s anything I could do to help. Husband, is there anything you desire?”
He didn’t answer.
Su Tang’s gaze was encouraging. “You can tell me anything, husband.”
At last, he spoke. “Peace... under... Heaven.”
Su Tang’s smile faltered. “Ah, yes, your great wish is indeed the wish of all under Heaven. Husband, is there anything else you want?”
He pondered, then spoke again. “No injustice beneath Heaven.”
Su Tang nearly choked on her own blood.
He’s so young, yet his thoughts run so deep!
“Haha, yes, husband, you truly are destined for scholarship. Once your studies are complete, you’ll advance through the ranks—scholar, tribute student, graduate, and finally enter court as an official. When you preside over the Three Departments, you’ll surely achieve ‘no injustice beneath Heaven.’ Husband, do your best~”
She clenched her small fist in encouragement.
The young man glanced at her.
Su Tang, suddenly understanding, grew solemn. “What you wish for is grand and vast, far beyond what I could hope to accomplish. It can only rely on you.”
He nodded and returned to his book.
Su Tang carried on. “There’s always something missing at home, but I can’t think of anything to add at the moment. Is there anything you want, husband? If not, does Father have any wishes? You know his heart best—tell me, and I’ll be sure to get it. Or perhaps you want something to eat or play with? Whatever it is, just let me know...”
“Snap.”
Page 2 of 3
The book closed with a crisp sound.
The young man looked at her, then at the window.
Su Tang said, “Don’t worry, husband—there’s nothing urgent outside.”
He looked back at her.
I just find you bothersome.
Su Tang’s smile deepened. “If there’s anything you want, husband, just say the word.”
He let out a breath and squeezed out a single word: “Books.”
Su Tang’s eyes lit up. “I’ll go right away.”
**
Inside the book stall at Ping’an Town, Su Tang reluctantly handed over ten taels of silver, when a familiar, crisp chime sounded in her mind: “Ding-dong.”
“Fulfill three wishes for the person closest to you: 2/3 complete.”
Good.
Though it hurt a little.
Three books for ten taels of silver!!
Yet for the same books, storybooks, travelogues, and miscellany were much cheaper—thin ones for a hundred coins, thick ones for just a tael.
She hesitated and held back.
At this point, she didn’t want to spend even a coin.
Su Tang left the book stall and turned back toward home.
Ping’an Town had just a few streets: one for food and trade, another for books, supplies, and sundries, all extending from a central plane tree as the dividing point.
Even for newcomers, the sight of that plane tree ensured they wouldn’t lose their way.
The street bustled with people, hawkers shouting, buyers haggling, laughter and clamoring everywhere—a true tapestry of life. Amid the raucous din, a sharp call pierced through.
“Fortune-telling, character reading—ancestral skills! One reading reveals Heaven’s secrets, all matters go smoothly!”
“Character reading, solve your troubles! One divination reveals Heaven’s will, ensures peace and safety!”
Not far away, a small stall was set up: a table, a stool, a cloth banner marked with the character for “divination.” The fortune-teller’s hair was streaked with gray, twisted up with a single wooden hairpin. He looked both forty and fifty, yet his eyes were as bright as a youth’s—just like her little husband’s, shining and piercing as he looked at her, nodding with a smile.
Su Tang went over and bowed gracefully.
“Thank you for saving me,” Su Tang said.
“Saving you?” the diviner was surprised. “How do you mean?”
“I’ve never met you before, Master, but I have long heard your name. Just now I noticed how the townsfolk along the road showed you such respect, so I dared to offer my thanks.”
She bowed again.
The diviner stood and gestured for her to rise. “No need, miss.”
“That day, it was simply mutual necessity that led to the wedding to ward off ill luck. Seeing you well today, I am glad indeed.”
“If not for your words, I would not be here today,” Su Tang replied.
Page 3 of 3
So it was indeed this fortune-teller...
“All things are determined by your destiny, miss. I merely nudged the threads a little. But you remind me of another young lady,” the diviner said, his gaze flickering, “Since fate has brought us together, shall I tell you a story about her?”
“I am all ears,” Su Tang replied.
She took a seat opposite him. The diviner sat upright, stroking his beard as he began, “This young lady was born to a noble house...”
Su Tang nodded.
“Her elders were all respected by the Emperor, her grandfather a pillar of the nation...” the diviner continued.
Su Tang: Yes, yes.
“...She only wished for a peaceful, idle life, but nearly met with disaster. Fortunately, Heaven protects the virtuous,” he said.
Su Tang: Isn’t this just my story?
The diviner went on, “With her own strength, courage, and wisdom, she helped her family reverse their decline. Though her elders eventually passed away, her great reputation protected her clan for a hundred years.”
Su Tang offered genuine praise. “What an extraordinary young lady.”
Not me—nothing to do with me.
The diviner watched her, smiling gently. “Do you find her story familiar, miss?”
Su Tang shook her head. “Not at all.” Not even a little.
He smiled, then looked over to where an old woman was standing nearby.
“Madam, would you like a character reading?” he asked.
The old woman nodded eagerly.
Su Tang quickly gave up her seat.
The old woman sat down, offering her thanks, and took a small string of copper coins from her pocket.
Exactly one hundred coins.
The diviner pushed a sheet of yellow paper across the table and handed her a brush already dipped in ink.
With unpracticed fingers, the old woman wrote the character for “three.”
She quickly handed the paper back. The diviner examined it closely, then looked at her.
The old woman watched him, hands gripping her clothes tightly.
“What do you seek?” he asked.
“I’m looking for something I lost,” she replied at once.
He nodded, studying the brushstrokes. “The ink is dispersed, not concentrated; it must have been lost for some time.”
“Yes, yes, it went missing days ago. We thought it might turn up on its own, but it hasn’t. Master, please guide me,” she said, delighted.
Su Tang: Dispersed ink, not concentrated? Isn’t that just poor grinding?