The dish was a little spicy, the duck intestines had a nice chewiness, and combined, they offered a unique flavor. Chen Xuanmo glanced at Ye Qiuling and saw her picking up a piece, putting the celery and duck gizzards into her mouth, a look of satisfaction spreading across her face.
Chen Xuanmo also took the dish, chewing thoughtfully. It was tangy, the duck intestines and gizzards well-seasoned with a hint of sourness, making it perfect with rice. He couldn’t help but shovel in a few more spoonfuls.
Chen Wu nervously picked up a dish, dipping the braised duck intestines into the sauce before tasting it. The unique flavor made him reach for another piece, thinking he might die from sitting at the same table as the master.
Ye Dazhi wanted to propose a toast, but Chen Xuanmo, knowing his limits with alcohol, quickly refused, “There will be plenty of opportunities to celebrate. Today is for moving house, not for drinking. Next time, Uncle.”
Seeing him insist, Ye Dazhi had no choice but to abandon the idea of drinking together.
The meal continued quietly, the only sounds coming from clinking bowls and chopsticks.
After finishing, Chen Wu volunteered to help wash the dishes. Shen Wanru said, “How can we let guests wash the dishes?” reaching to take them from him, but Chen Wu insisted, “Madam Ye, you’d better go handle other things.”
Shen Wanru, seeing his determination, gave up on washing dishes and turned to organizing the clothes.
Ye Qiuling also went to her room to pack, with Chen Xuanmo following and stopping outside her door. A man entering a woman’s room would be improper.
Ye Qiuling opened the door and began tidying up by herself. Chen Xuanmo tried to turn away, but an accidental glance revealed everything: the room was empty except for a bed and a wooden cabinet holding clothes—far too simple.
Chen Xuanmo pondered silently. Ye Qiuling, noticing him staring into her room, walked up and waved her hand. Chen Xuanmo snapped back to attention, smiling slightly, “Qiuling, are you done packing?”
Ye Qiuling smiled back, “I’m done,” holding a large wooden box in her hands.
Chen Xuanmo took it from her, “I’ll carry it, Qiuling.” She tried to sidestep, but his speed was faster, and the box was already in his hands. She had no choice but to let him carry it. Chen Xuanmo placed the box onto the carriage and continued helping with the rest of their belongings—the pots, pans, and dishes.
The main pot, however, was too large to fit in the carriage and had to be left behind. Thinking quickly, they gave it to Second Aunt so it wouldn’t go to waste. Ye Qiuling carried the large pot inside, and Second Aunt, puzzled, pointed at it, “Qiuling, what’s this for?”
Ye Qiuling explained her plan, but Second Aunt refused, “It’s fine, next time you come back it can still be used. I’ll help clean your house; it won’t spoil.”
Seeing her refusal, Ye Qiuling dropped the pot and called over her shoulder as she ran, “Second Aunt, we won’t be coming back from town. There’s a little farmland left—please take care of it as if it’s rented to you. No payment.”
After saying this, she dashed back home. Second Aunt called after her anxiously, “How can that be?” but seeing her vanish inside, hurried after her.
Shen Wanru and the others moved each item carefully, and Second Aunt, not wanting to block the way, anxiously waited to help. She tried to speak with Shen Wanru, but Shen Wanru was too busy moving things to respond.
Because there was so much to transport, they borrowed the village’s donkey cart. Shen Wanru naturally understood Second Aunt’s intentions; they had agreed the day before, trusting her with the deeds and keys since she had helped them so much.
Once everything was moved, Second Aunt approached, “Wanru, I’ll keep the big pot for when you return, and I’ll take care of the farmland.”
Shen Wanru clapped her hands, “Second Aunt, thank you for taking care of everything. The deeds and the house are now in your hands,” tears streaming down her face, full of reluctance.
Second Aunt, moved, also shed tears, no longer refusing, “Rest assured, I will take good care of it.”
Ye Qiuling knew her mother’s attachment was strong, but lingering too long would only deepen it. She called out, “Mother, are you done packing? Let’s go.”
Shen Wanru wiped her tears and smiled, “Yes, Mother is coming.”
Luckily, the carriage was spacious enough to fit the five of them, but Ye Dazhi was worried about the donkey cart and insisted on riding in it himself, and Shen Wanru shared his concern, preferring not to ride with her husband in the cart.
Thus, Ye Qiuling, her siblings, and Chen Xuanmo rode the carriage. Ye Qiuling sincerely said, “Thank you, brother, I’ll treat you to a feast later.”
Chen Xuanmo accepted without hesitation, smiling, “Alright.”
Ye Feng gazed at the receding village scenery, tears welling in his eyes, wanting to savor this home he had lived in for so long.
Mountains connected to mountains, and there was a lake reflecting them like a painting. Birds chirped and circled in the sky, while a few butterflies danced among the flowers.
Ye Qiuling looked out at the view as well. The birdsong acted like a lullaby, making her drowsy. Leaning down to watch the scenery, her eyes slowly closed.
Even breaths signaled sleep. Chen Xuanmo glanced down and saw her asleep, then noticed Ye Feng had also dozed off. Fearing to wake him, he carefully moved closer to support Ye Qiuling’s head on his shoulder.
During the careful movement, Chen Xuanmo held his breath, relieved when Ye Qiuling, still exhausted from the morning disturbance by Ye Qing, didn’t wake.
She rested her head on Chen Xuanmo’s shoulder, and he couldn’t help but smile at her peaceful face, her soft lips. The urge to kiss her flashed in his mind.
Wanting to press his lips to hers, he immediately realized it would be improper and instead kissed her forehead.
It was his first stealthy kiss, and though she was like a wife to him in his heart, he felt a little shy, his ears reddening.
Suppressing further impulses, he closed his eyes, leaning against her, and eventually fell asleep himself.
The uneven, bumpy road jolted the carriage, but they remained asleep until the bustling sounds of the town woke them. Chen Xuanmo had already been awake but lingered close to her for a little longer.
Ye Qiuling, waking up refreshed, rubbed her eyes and realized a head was resting on her shoulder. She was startled—when had he leaned against her? He should have been by the window. Perhaps it was due to the bumpy ride. She was touched that he stayed so close and worried he must be sore, so she gently shifted off his shoulder.
She massaged it with her soft hands, Chen Xuanmo feeling the tender touch, his throat dry. Pretending to awaken, he murmured lazily, “Are we there, Qiuling?”
Ye Qiuling quickly moved her hands away, “Ah, we’ve arrived,” drawing back the curtain. Outside was the house they had purchased—or rather, the house Chen Xuanmo had purchased.
Ye Qiuling had fallen asleep during the ride, and Chen Xuanmo had instructed the carriage to go slowly.
The donkey cart had already arrived, so Shen Wanru and Ye Dazhi had already placed the luggage inside.
The bookshelves and books were gone, leaving the house empty. Ye Qiuling thought she could turn this into a restaurant, maybe a hotpot place that would be popular year-round. The first and second floors would serve as dining areas, and the third floor would be for their residence.
Ye Qiuling discussed it with Ye Dazhi and Shen Wanru. Shen Wanru nodded, pleased with her daughter’s initiative.
Carrying her luggage, Ye Qiuling started upstairs, but Chen Xuanmo called out, “No need, I’ve arranged people.”
Clapping his hands, a group of people streamed in and carried all the luggage to the third floor.
The remaining small pots, pans, and dishes were placed by Ye Qiuling in the kitchen.
Exhausted, she said to everyone, “Today I’ll treat, let’s go have a good meal.”
Ye Feng, excited, exclaimed, “Yay!” while Ye Dazhi and Shen Wanru smiled indulgently.
At the Chain Hotpot Restaurant, Ye Qiuling looked at the menu and ordered a fish dish.
Chen Xuanmo chose a mild radish and pork rib soup. Ye Dazhi and Shen Wanru, seeing the prices, gasped at how expensive it was.
Shen Wanru politely suggested to her daughter, “I don’t feel like eating this. Could we have some wontons instead?”
Wontons were certainly less costly. Having spent some time in this world, she understood her family’s tendencies—they objected only because of the price.
Ye Qiuling replied, “Mother, it’s fine. Isn’t money meant to be spent? Besides, brother helped us so much; we should treat him to a meal.”
Using “brother” as a shield, she knew her mother would otherwise worry about money.
Hearing this, Shen Wanru couldn’t spoil the mood, especially since Chen Xuanmo had indeed helped them greatly.
Ye Dazhi and Shen Wanru each picked the cheapest dish, soft tofu. Ye Feng, concerned about his sister’s money, chose the cheapest option as well, stewed vegetables.
While waiting for the dishes, Xiaoxin spotted Master Qin and said, “I think I saw the owner of the qingtuan you bought last time.”
Master Qin had bought many qingtuan and kept showing off in front of them, teasing, “Just look, you can’t have any,” which irritated them. By the time they wanted to buy some, it was already sold out, leaving them unable to taste it.
Master Qin went straight to their room and opened the door to find Ye Qiuling speaking quietly with a man who was neither handsome nor well-dressed.
She thought it was the delivery person, but turning to look, it was the man falsely accused by Old Zhou for failing to buy peach blossom pastries.