The second man who showed interest in me was no small figure—the third prince of Qi Kingdom, Xia Zhichun. Just as we were developing some feelings, Qi Kingdom fought a battle with Western Liang, ending in a massive defeat. In the peace treaty, Western Liang specifically demanded that the third prince Xia Zhichun go to Western Liang as a hostage. And so—he was gone, never to return.
The last was Yuan Xiang’s previous owner, Zheng Huo. He was the son of a merchant from Western Liang, handsome and outstanding. We met at the Sunshine Moon Study, and he sincerely praised my paintings. We got along wonderfully.
He traveled with several attendants and a few small dogs, including Yuan Xiang. Yuan Xiang was then only three months old, round and tender like a large glutinous rice ball. Seeing I liked her, Zheng Huo gifted Yuan Xiang to me.
However, shortly after, Zheng Huo hurriedly bid me farewell, saying a family emergency required his immediate return. Though reluctant, I could only wish him a smooth journey. Thus, all three romantic prospects were completely extinguished.
After my fifteenth year, I rarely encountered An Jin. My family knew little about these romantic episodes, and he surely knew even less.
Yuan Xiang, seeing I hadn’t responded, grew anxious and tugged at my skirt. I had to bend down and kiss her neck. “Where are you taking me?”
She turned confidently, leading me to the back of the courtyard. I followed helplessly, stopping under a large elm tree. She barked excitedly, circling the tree and then digging at a specific spot.
I squatted down, unsurprised to see several dead rat corpses in the hole she’d dug. Yuan Xiang sat proudly beside the pit, like a soldier awaiting inspection of her enemy casualties.
“Okay—very good,” I said, pulling out a piece of dried meat to reward her. “Very strong.”
Praised and rewarded, Yuan Xiang was filled with happiness, looking at the rat pit and then at me.
The narrative continues with family interactions, describing her return home and a warm family dinner.
After dinner, Father called me into the study and asked earnestly, “A Yao, is there something wrong between you and An Jin?”
Chapter Five: Dogs and Men
