“Master, why are you doing this? We can milk the sheep. We’ve brought dried meat, fried rice, and butter. Should we put them in the cabinet?” As they spoke, the curtain lifted, and two women in grassland attire entered, preparing to put things away. Spotting Wei Linxia sitting on the bed, they were stunned and immediately knelt: “We didn’t know the master was here. We apologize for our rudeness.”
Wei Linxia recognized them as the two palace maids she had selected for Xi Linxuan years ago.
After more than a decade, they were no longer young, and the harsh grassland environment made them appear less vibrant than before.
“This isn’t the old home. Why are you kneeling? Get up,” Wei Linxia said, putting on her shoes and observing the items on the carpet that indicated Xi Linxuan’s daily life. “You’ve taken care of Master Qiu all these years. I don’t know how to thank you,” she added.
“We are ashamed. We haven’t taken good care of the master all these years. Please punish us,” they replied, their demeanor contrasting with their grassland robes.
Wei Linxia wondered about special herbs that could treat mosquito bites, regretting not bringing more mosquito-repelling spices from the palace.
Xi Linxuan smiled silently as he put away the milk. He returned with dried grass from Weilin, broke it into pieces, and placed them in the three-stone stove, releasing a smoky aroma of mugwort.
He suggested she go outside to refresh herself, as the night sky on the grasslands appeared pure, with more stars than in the palace.
Weilin feared mosquitoes, tucking her hands into her sleeves. Xi Linxuan laughed, saying, “Don’t believe everything you hear. The mosquitoes haven’t even woken up yet and will only come out when the grass grows lush.”
Weilin had only been outside since noon. The white tent stood out under the night sky, next to a wooden enclosure for livestock, where a cluster of white shapes huddled together. Remembering the palace maids discussing milking sheep, she asked Xi Linxuan, “Are those sheep ours? Do we have horses or dogs to watch the livestock?”
“Of course,” Xi Linxuan replied, leading her closer. An unpleasant smell hit Weilin’s nose, but she didn’t mind; these animals represented their future livelihood.
“Is this enough to eat?” she asked.
