Chapter Twenty: Goat’s Milk

“So that’s how it is…” So, we’re going to be separated, aren’t we? But Gan Sui was always meant for a better life than this. Banxia forced a smile. “Surviving the torment of modern education, now you’re about to be battered by ancient schooling. Master, you’re truly pitiful.”

“I haven’t decided whether to go or not.”

“Go! The county magistrate himself is vouching for you—it’s a huge honor. In modern terms, it’s like the district chief personally recommending you for a top high school. That’s half a step into a prestigious university! What are you still hesitating for?”

“Aren’t you afraid to be alone?”

Banxia paused for a moment. “How could I be? Who am I? I’m the invincible heroine Su Banxia. I’ve lived alone for so many years—how could I possibly be afraid?”

“That’s only because all those years, you hadn’t met me. That’s why you faced everything on your own. But now, we’ve both ended up in this unknown place, and only we are familiar to each other. It’s fate bestowed by heaven, meant for us to support one another. How could I possibly leave you alone?”

Banxia felt her nose sting, turned away and casually wiped her tears, pretending to be lighthearted. “Don’t exaggerate. I’m not a child. I can manage myself. I’m waiting for you to pass the imperial exams and rise to prominence—then I’ll bask in your glory.”

Gan Sui didn’t want to continue this topic. “I’m a bit hungry. Let’s cook.”

Banxia was eager to escape the awkwardness too, so she hurried to the kitchen to prepare a meal.

The meal was a somber affair. Banxia ate only plain rice, chewing absentmindedly, until Gan Sui placed a portion of vegetables in her bowl. Banxia snapped back to reality. “Eat for yourself, don’t worry about me.”

“How can I not worry about you? You’re about to bury your face in the bowl.”

Banxia lifted her head slightly.

“I’ve decided—I won’t go to the academy for now.”

“Ah? Why? I told you…”

“It’s my own reasons. I can’t integrate into this era yet. I’m not sure I can truly commit to studying at the academy. I’m afraid I’ll be treated like some kind of freak. And besides, I’m so weak physically—what if someone bullies me there?”

The moment Gan Sui showed vulnerability, Banxia’s heart softened. She recalled countless stories of young boys being bullied and quickly comforted him. “It’s okay, it’s okay. We’ll just study at home. You’re so smart, it’ll be fine. Here, eat some vegetables. Tomorrow I’ll make milk tea for you with tea leaves and goat milk—drink it every day, and soon you’ll be strong.”

“You won’t force me to go to the academy, right?”

“Of course not. Don’t worry, I’m on your side. We’ll wait until you’re ready.”

Banxia reassured him, serving him more food. Gan Sui smiled, always knowing when to show a hint of weakness.

Banxia only realized the next morning that Gan Sui had tricked her. But seeing his frail body, she couldn’t say anything. Learning is never as important as health—a strong body is the foundation for an energetic mind. Banxia would never admit she couldn’t bear to part with him.

Gan Sui habitually woke early, returning from his morning run, and Banxia gradually adopted the same routine. When he got up, she rose too, joining him in gathering grass in the village to feed the sheep and milk them. Banxia had always loved floral teas, and since arriving here, she’d indulged herself by buying plenty of dried jasmine blossoms. Now, she could brew them with goat milk to mask the gamey flavor.

Madam Wang raised her goats well, with plenty of milk. Banxia filled a large basin and remembered her promise to Madam Gan yesterday, leaving a large pottery bowl for her. Not fond of Madam Gan, Banxia delivered the raw goat milk as it was.

Madam Gan was already up, walking in the yard. When Banxia arrived, she received the bowl with polite words. “You really shouldn’t have brought it over—how embarrassing. Let me find something to transfer it into, and I’ll return the bowl.” With that, she went inside. Seeing the snow-white goat milk, she couldn’t resist tasting it. “Ugh, what is this? It’s disgustingly gamey!” She then went back outside.

“Madam Su, this goat milk is so gamey!”

Banxia hadn’t expected her to just drink it straight, and replied helplessly, “It’s raw—it needs to be boiled before you drink it.”

“Will boiling get rid of the gamey flavor?”

“Not entirely…”

“Take it back, take it back. It’s so unpleasant, and you spent half a tael of silver to buy a goat? I thought it was something good. Now it needs boiling—what a waste of my firewood.”

Banxia was nearly amused by anger. She’d begged for it when she wanted to drink, but now, with the taste not to her liking, she blamed Banxia. Not bothering to argue, Banxia left the courtyard. Thinking the milk was now tainted, she poured it out onto the ground at home.

She entered the kitchen, poured the goat milk into a small pot, added jasmine tea to mask the flavor, and simmered it gently, skimming the tea residue. She poured it into a large ceramic bowl and kept it warm in hot water. Using the same pot, she boiled water and added last night’s cold rice, stirring and simmering until she had a pot of porridge.

Just as the porridge was ready, Gan Sui returned. “You’re back. There’s hot water in the stove—go wash up and come eat breakfast.”

Gan Sui’s face was flushed from his run. He nodded, went inside, fetched water, and washed up.

Afterwards, they began breakfast.

“A bowl of goat milk for each of us. I brewed it with jasmine tea. Do you want some sugar?”

“No, I’ll drink it as it is.”

Banxia added a spoonful of sugar to hers and took a sip. “Fresh goat milk is so fragrant!” Gan Sui found her expression as if she were drinking nectar and ambrosia and chuckled.

He reached for her bowl.

“Why are you grabbing mine? You have your own.”

“I feel like yours tastes better.”

“I told you to add sugar.” Banxia saw his untouched bowl, took it and added a spoonful of sugar, stirring it well. “Now it’s all the same.”

Gan Sui ignored her, changing the subject. “Yesterday you asked me to find out about fish fry—I’ve asked around. It’s at Wang’s Fish Shop on East Main Street.”

“Next time at the market, I’ll go have a look. We’re running low on firewood—I want to check the mountains.”

“No way. Just a couple of days ago, you ran into a wild boar. That wound isn’t healed yet—have you forgotten the pain?”

“But we can’t avoid the mountains forever.”

“It’s not forever. I’ve thought it through. Next autumn, we’ll move to the city. The county magistrate said he’d report the waterwheel project to the imperial court, and there’ll be a reward of dozens or hundreds of taels. After the harvest, we’ll sell our grain for more silver, and together with our savings, we’ll rent a small courtyard in town. I’ve already looked into it—a two-story courtyard costs only one and a half taels per month. We’ll fix up the upper floor to live in, and use the lower for selling small goods. That’ll cover the rent easily.”

“You’ve planned so far ahead?”

“I have. This village isn’t a place to stay long-term. You’ve seen how neighbors gossip behind everyone’s back. I know you’re uncomfortable here. It’s okay—just wait a while longer, and we’ll leave.”

“Master, you’re amazing. Compared to you, I feel like I’m useless.” Banxia poked at her rice, dejected.

“You’re amazing, too. Look at this table full of food—you made it all. Without you, I’d be starving. Remember yesterday? I almost burned down the kitchen cooking. We’re a family—each with our strengths.”

Banxia was thoroughly comforted.

“But we can’t avoid the woods entirely. Firewood is scarce—we can’t keep buying it.”

“That’s true. How about I go to town and report to the county magistrate, ask her to send some people to get rid of the wild boar? Then the woods will be safe.”

“That would be best. The villagers will have less trouble, too.” Banxia thought it a good idea, and after breakfast urged Gan Sui to head to town.

As soon as Gan Sui left, Banxia heard knocking at the gate as she returned to the courtyard. She called out, “Did you forget something?”

There was no answer from outside, and Banxia sensed it wasn’t Gan Sui.

“Gan Sui, is that you outside?”

No reply, only continued knocking. Banxia ignored it, picking up an arm-thick stick in the yard. In broad daylight, it couldn’t be anything serious.

The person outside knocked a few more times, and seeing no response, simply walked away. Banxia relaxed, assuming it wasn’t anything important. She sat in the courtyard, drew water, and prepared to wash Gan Sui’s clothes.

The visitor walked on to the nearby alley, where two others waited—Banxia’s brother and sister-in-law.

“So, did the poor scholar go out?”

“He did, but the young lady closed the gates tight. I knocked for ages, and she never answered.”

“You knock and she ignores you, but we’re different.” Sister-in-law Su shot him a glance.

“Let’s be clear—you hired me for this. If anything happens, I’m not responsible.”

“Of course, of course. We’re just thinking of my little sister-in-law. Such a young lady without a child—when she’s old, she’ll suffer all kinds of hardship.” Sister-in-law Su feigned benevolence. “Don’t worry, my sister-in-law is pretty. You won’t be disappointed.”

“Enough chitchat—let’s get to it.” She produced a packet of medicine. “Here’s the antidote—take it first.” She sprinkled another packet into a bottle.

“What’s this? Medicine? Didn’t you say your sister-in-law was willing?”

Hearing this, the man was about to leave.

“This medicine is for excitement—said to help have a boy. You know, country folk all want a son.”

The man was somewhat convinced.

Sister-in-law Su was disgusted by him. A grown man, yet so indecisive—truly pathetic. If she could have found someone else, she’d never have resorted to such a coward.

It all began yesterday. Sister-in-law Su had tried to get silver from Banxia and failed, and her attempt to arrange a remarriage was unsuccessful, too. She’d been frightened off by that wretched girl.

Their family had thought the matter was settled, and had already accepted ten taels of bride-price from Master Huang, never imagining Banxia would resist so fiercely. With the money in hand, there was no way to return it, so the pair devised a vicious scheme.