The sky had just begun to lighten. It had rained the night before, and the morning air still held a slight chill. Shallow puddles of rainwater remained on the lane’s bluestone path.
The Xie family’s gate stood wide open. Two carriages were parked side by side at the entrance, and several people were moving things in and out.
Xie Yushu had prepared two carriages: one for the luggage, and one for Su Chi to rest in during the six-hour journey. With Su Chi pregnant, she wanted to make sure the trip was as comfortable as possible.
To reach Tang’an County and settle in early, Xie Yushu chose to leave at first light.
They’d packed their personal belongings the night before. His father had helped organize the rest, saving them a lot of work this morning.
All the large furniture was left behind—only the camphor wood chest that Su Chi loved was taken.
Soft items, clothes, jars and pots, personal effects—all were carefully packed and stacked into baskets, piled high in one of the carriages.
The passenger carriage had been refitted by Xie Yushu. It was lined with several layers of thick, soft cushions, and the backrest pillows were stuffed with cotton batting—fluffy and comfortable. She’d also re-oiled the axles to keep the wheels from creaking and disturbing Su Chi’s rest.
Wang Wen, worried Su Chi might get nauseous on the road, had prepared a jar of plum sour drink and a box of honey-preserved fruit—light, refreshing snacks to keep his appetite up.
Su Chi stood in the yard, watching Xie Yushu, his father, and Ye Youchun carry load after load to the carriages, and his heart was full of mixed emotions.
Looking back at the little home where he and Xie Yushu had lived their daily lives, now slowly emptying—their voices echoed in the rooms, and the main room had been locked up. A sense of loss tugged at his heart.
No matter how reluctant he was, they still had to leave.
When Xie Yushu finished the last trip, Su Chi pulled out a handkerchief to wipe her sweat, his voice tender: “How did you work up such a sweat?”
After he finished, Xie Yushu took his hand and led him to the carriage: “Everything’s loaded—time to go.”
“Alright.” Su Chi nodded, then called back toward the kitchen: “Xiuwei, time to go.”
Xiuwei had come early with Ye Youchun, carrying a small bundle his brother had packed for him. When they parted, Xiu He had told him to work well for the Xie family. He’d nodded gravely, promising to take good care of the fulang.
He’d been sent to the kitchen for breakfast by Su Chi.
“Coming, Fulang.” Xiuwei emerged from the kitchen with his small bundle, standing obediently by the carriage—with traces of congee still at the corner of his mouth.
Su Chi noticed and reached out to wipe it clean. Xiuwei looked up at him, blushing a little with embarrassment.
Watching from the side, Xie Yushu noted how much less timid he seemed than when he’d first arrived—he’d grown a lot over the past months. She was pleased.
As for having his own little attendant—Su Chi hadn’t been used to it at first.
Xie Yushu had told him she wanted to bring Xiuwei to serve as his personal attendant, saying he was young, quick to learn, obedient, and hardworking—and most importantly, he liked Su Chi.
He’d felt it was unnecessary at the time. He didn’t need anyone to wait on him; he was used to doing everything himself.
But over the past few days, he’d come around. As his belly grew, many things would become inconvenient. Apart from the shop, when Xie Yushu wasn’t home, he’d need someone nearby—or she’d worry.
Last time at the base, Xiuwei had quietly stayed close to him, and he’d grown fond of the boy. He was the perfect choice.
The Xie household entrance gradually grew livelier. Several neighbors they were close with had come early to say goodbye.
Sun Wuyou, Guizhi, Hu Yuan, Chen Fulang, and Tailor Tao all came.
“So, Xie Da—you’re moving to the county and didn’t even tell me?” Sun Wuyou feigned anger.
She’d only learned of the move a few days ago and had dragged Guizhi here early, still a little miffed.
Xie Yushu patted her shoulder reassuringly: “Just stay put in town. Who knows—maybe your mother will call you back soon. When you do, come eat at my place.”
“You don’t have to tell me—I’ll come myself.” Sun Wuyou thought it over, and her annoyance faded. She smiled and added, “When you get to the county, go to my second sister at the Sun pharmacy for a check-up, especially for Su Fulang. She’s better with pregnant patients than I am.”
“Of course.” Xie Yushu had planned to do that anyway.
Meanwhile, Su Chi was saying goodbye to Chen Fulang, Tailor Tao, and Hu Yuan—the people he saw most often in his daily life.
Chen Fulang said he’d found another skillful fulang to run the shop with him—someone who could read and write, who’d keep the accounts clearly, and would send someone to collect the profits from time to time.
Tailor Tao had made Su Chi a light quilt for the journey and several tiny pieces of clothing for the baby—exquisite workmanship, soft fabric. Su Chi thanked him and cherished them dearly.
Tailor Tao couldn’t bear the thanks—he was grateful to Su Chi and Xie Yushu for supporting his business and for recommending such a good household as the Sun family for work. Life for him and his daughter had improved so much. Making a few baby clothes was nothing at all.
Hu Yuan, red-eyed, exchanged a few heartfelt words with Su Chi, telling him not to forget him after moving to the county.
Su Chi’s heart felt heavy, but he smiled and agreed to everything. Then Xie Yushu carefully helped him into the carriage.
Once they were settled, Wang Wen didn’t say much—just told them to take care of each other, and that when Su Chi’s belly got bigger, he’d come personally to look after him.
Xie Yushu handed him the keys to the house, telling him he could stay anytime.
He accepted them, then spoke to them through the carriage window: “I’ll come clean the yard every so often and stay a night or two. You should get going—try to arrive before dark, so I can rest easy.”
Su Chi nodded obediently, urging his father to come soon.
Before long, the two carriages disappeared from the lane’s entrance.
·
Ye Youchun and the hired driver each took a carriage. With a pregnant passenger on board, and their boss’s orders to keep the ride smooth and gentle, they were careful not to jostle too much.
They gripped the reins firmly, keeping the carriage as steady as possible over the official road. That meant they arrived later than usual.
The sun set late this time of year, but it was already dark by the time they reached the county.
Guided by the night, the group finally made it to Tang’an County, winding through several streets before turning into Hedong Lane.
The new Xie residence’s plaque hung above the gate, flanked by warm-lit lanterns. The gate stood open, with Xie Jiu already waiting at the entrance.
Su Chi had woken up about a quarter-hour before—they’d entered the county and were heading toward Hedong Lane. He lifted the carriage curtain to peek outside, but everything was dark and hard to make out.
It was his first time in the county—and what’s more, they had a house here. His feelings were different—curious, expectant, looking forward to this new life. He couldn’t help stealing a few more glances.
Once the carriage stopped, Xie Yushu jumped down first and reached up to help Su Chi down. He held her arm and descended slowly.
Xiuwei followed close behind. He’d slept the whole way too, his little face still a bit tense, but now his eyes darted around, taking in everything with wonder.
Xie Yushu, mindful of Su Chi’s condition, took him and Xiuwei straight to their room.
“Xiuwei, take good care of the fulang. I’ll go help them settle in outside,” Xie Yushu said.
Xiuwei nodded: “Yes, don’t worry, Boss. I’ll look after him.”
Once she was gone, Xiuwei whispered in awe: “Fulang, this house is so big!”
He’d been stunned the moment he stepped out—even the gate was impressive.
He didn’t know how to describe it—just that it was huge and beautiful.
Su Chi was also amazed. He’d never even heard of a three-courtyard house costing nearly six hundred strings—and now they were living in one.
When they’d first entered, they’d passed through the heavy gate, wound around a few turns, and walked a while before reaching the rear courtyard where the living quarters were. It was dark now, lit only by a few lanterns hanging under the eaves to show the way. The layout was still unclear.
But that was fine—there was plenty of time. He’d take it all in slowly.
Their room had already been prepared—fresh mats and quilts laid out, a light incense burning. Su Chi was so comfortable he grew drowsy and soon fell asleep.
Seeing the fulang asleep, Xiuwei tucked the covers around him, quietly brought a stool over, and sat nearby.
Outside, Xie Jiu directed the servants carrying boxes.
The servants—signed on long-term contracts—had been hired by Xie Yushu in the county. Their duties were sweeping, washing, and helping in the kitchen at mealtimes.
Xie Yushu knew Su Chi best—he’d never let anyone else make the food; he’d insist on doing it himself. So she’d arranged two helpers to assist with prep work, chopping and washing, to make things easier for him.
The kitchen in this house was a delight.
It was several times larger than the one in their old home, with plenty of room for Su Chi to move around. It was clean and spacious, with a large row of windows that could swing wide open—bright enough during the day without needing candles.
There was also a well-organized layout. To the left of the entrance was the food prep area—a long, wall-mounted table where chopping, mincing, and kneading could all be done with room to spare.
To the right was the stove area, with two large woks side by side and extra space beside them, just right for the small pots they’d brought.
Behind the stove was a full row of wooden shelves, already stocked with jars and bottles for seasonings, wine jugs, teacups, bowls, plates, jars, chopsticks, and spoons—left behind by the previous owner.
At the very back was a good-sized pantry for storing rice, flour, oil, fresh fruit, cured goods, and various dried items. There were even a few wooden buckets for keeping live fish.
There wasn’t much luggage to unload, so it was done quickly. Xie Yushu paid the carriage drivers and sent the servants off to rest.
She told Ye Youchun to stay the night and head back tomorrow.
Everyone was hungry by then—it was late, and most shops in town were closed. Xie Yushu sent Xie Jiu to the largest restaurant in the east part of town to buy some food.
Afraid she couldn’t carry it all alone, Ye Youchun went with her.
When they returned, their hands were full of food containers.
Inside were several of the restaurant’s signature dishes, plus a plate of braised items and some cold side dishes. Everyone ate heartily.
The steamed sea bass and yam and pork rib soup were dishes Xie Yushu had specifically requested. She also scooped up a bowl of rice and carried the food into the bedroom.
Once inside, she said to Xiuwei, who’d been dutifully watching over Su Chi: “Xiuwei, go eat something outside. I’ll look after the fulang.”
Xiuwei acknowledged her and quietly slipped out.
After he left, Xie Yushu gently woke Su Chi and had him eat before going back to sleep.
Fortunately, Su Chi hadn’t been sleeping deeply and was hungry. She fed him half a cup of warm water first, then he polished off a small bowl of rice with tender sea bass and clear rib soup.
She wiped his mouth, held him for a while, and then went out to eat something herself.
Outside, the night was still and quiet. Frogs croaked occasionally from the pond, and the sky was thick with stars. The long-empty house was finally alive again.
The first day in their new home passed in a blink.
·
As dawn broke, the new Xie residence awoke.
In the vast Xie household, the kitchen was the first to stir.
Two servants had risen at first light and were already busy at work—one skilled at kneading dough, the other at lighting fires and simmering soups. They rolled out fine noodles with practiced hands, boiled them, and scooped them out.
Then they fried a plate of golden, crispy fried eggs, blanched a handful of fresh greens, added a few spoonfuls of the meat sauce they’d brought from the old house, and finished with a small dollop of lard for richness. They also smashed some crisp cucumber on the cutting board and tossed it with garlic and vinegar. That was the family’s breakfast.
Su Chi had gone to bed early and woke up early. After a few tender moments with Xie Yushu, he insisted on getting up. He hadn’t expected anyone to be up earlier than him—by the time he arrived, steaming bowls of noodles were already on the table.
The servants greeted him with a respectful “Good morning, Fulang” and withdrew.
Xiuwei arrived shortly after—he’d also woken early and had planned to attend to Su Chi in his room. Finding him already gone, he’d run all the way to the kitchen. Relieved to see him there, he was then called over by Su Chi to join them for breakfast.
A small pot on the stove was bubbling gently with a nourishing tonic. Xie Yushu had arrived at some point and lifted the lid to check on it. She’d ordered it prepared last night—it needed to simmer for a full hour and a half, just in time for Su Chi’s midday meal.
Xie Yushu treated her attendants warmly and called in Xie Jiu, who’d been lurking outside, to eat with them. Xie Jiu grinned and stepped inside, bowing respectfully to Su Chi.
So this was her master’s fulang—her other master. He looked gentle and soft, clearly kind and approachable, with a young attendant around eleven or twelve beside him.
After breakfast, Xie Yushu took Su Chi on a tour of the new house.
The three-courtyard home was enormous—courtyard within courtyard, with large, medium, and small yards nested together. It was unlike any house Su Chi had ever seen. He’d thought their town house was already the finest, but this new home left him dazzled.
Hand in hand with Xie Yushu, he wandered through it, utterly captivated.
This was their new home from now on. Even now, he could hardly believe it.
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