Although they had made their living in the village for many years, once everything was carefully packed up, there turned out to be a lot of odds and ends, but very few items of real value.
The wardrobes and bedsteads prized by villagers looked imposing enough in a mud-brick, thatched-roof house. But once placed inside a proper residence, they truly appeared shabby by comparison.
Qin Xiaoman had originally planned to move them into the county house, but considering that Du Heng was now a juren and needed a certain presence and dignity, he reluctantly decided to leave those so-called “big items” from the village behind.
Clothes and bedding, on the other hand, were bundled up and taken along. Many of them had been purchased in recent years and were still perfectly usable.
They didn’t bring along pots, bowls, or utensils either. When the new house was being cleaned, they had already ordered new ones from the pottery workshop, and they had since been delivered.
The adults made their cuts and decisions, but little Chengyi, though young, turned out to be quite sentimental.
Knowing they were moving into a big new house, while the servants packed up, he gathered together all his toys—from when he was very small to when he wasn’t quite so small anymore—and hugged the cradle he had slept in as a baby, asking Du Heng to take it along to the county seat as well.
Du Heng and Qin Xiaoman both wholeheartedly approved of little Chengyi’s actions. These things could still be used by his younger siblings in the future. They weren’t particularly valuable, but many had been made by Du Heng himself for Chengyi—a father’s enduring love that every child could feel.
The village household didn’t have much, and a few cartloads of belongings were all that had to be moved to the county house. With the servants arranging everything, half a day was enough to settle things comfortably.
“This house is really grand. Not only is it bigger than Yan San’er’s place, it also looks newer. A doctor’s household really does make money—their house is even more impressive than some scholars’ homes. Chengyi’s so lucky, just two or three years old and already living in such a big house!”
Qin Xiong had known that Du Heng and Qin Xiaoman had arranged the purchase, but since the matter had been handled so quickly, he hadn’t had much chance to see the house. He had come once while it was being cleaned to roughly check the orientation and feng shui. Everything seemed fine, so he hadn’t looked more closely.
Now that the house was fully prepared and cleaned, strolling through it was truly pleasant.
He carried the furry little Chengyi on his shoulders, moving from the front hall all the way to the back garden—like a brown bear that had snatched a white rabbit.
Chengyi had once cried at the sight of Qin Xiong’s thick brows and large eyes, but now, having learned to walk, he would quickly hide in Qin Xiaoman’s arms whenever Qin Xiong visited, covering his eyes to avoid looking at him, causing the whole family to laugh and sigh at the same time.
Watching the tiny, delicate, and floppy child, Qin Xiong was utterly charmed. Whenever he returned from business in the county, he would bring little treats for Chengyi. At first, he would hand them to Du Heng to give to the boy, but after a while, Chengyi learned that whenever Qin Xiong came, treats were sure to follow. Gradually, the little one started quietly calling him “uncle.”
It wasn’t just the treats—only this uncle would let him sit up high on his shoulders, so he could see far and wide. Chengyi became even more fond of this tall, robust, and stern-looking uncle.
He buried his head against Qin Xiong’s ear and said softly, “Daddy said there are lots of rooms. Uncle can have one too.”
Qin Xiong laughed at the little one’s teasing. “You want uncle to live with you?”
“Yes! If uncle is here, Chengyi can sit on his shoulders every day.”
“Alright, then uncle will come over often.”
Having moved into the new house, the first priority was to bring some daily life energy into the place. That same day, Du Heng and Qin Xiaoman invited Qin Xiong and his family, who had helped with the move, to a meal. They even called over Qin Xiaozhu, and their cousins from the extended Qin family also joined.
After the family meal and a few days to warm up the house, they would need to set a date for a formal banquet. Since passing the imperial exams, Du Heng had been invited to many social events, but these were usually others hosting him. It was only right that they now hosted in return. Taking advantage of the housewarming, they would hold the feast together.
Du Heng chose the fifteenth as the date, giving themselves enough leisure time. Hosting a banquet in the county for the first time meant attending to all the details carefully, so as not to appear discourteous.
Once settled, Du Heng had the household servants stock the kitchen with chicken, duck, and fish from the market in advance. By the fifteenth, they could hire extra help to run errands, avoiding a last-minute rush.
The night was chilly. The wind rustled the camphor trees in the garden, and even inside, warmed by a charcoal stove, the cold wind seemed to seep in. Those accustomed to hardship and years of exposure to the cold could not help but feel a chill at the sound of the wind—it was a mindset shaped over time, not something easily changed.
Du Heng was drafting invitations for the upcoming banquet under candlelight, his brush gliding neatly across the rice paper in a style befitting a scholarly household in the county.
As he scrutinized the invitations, the room suddenly brightened. He looked up to see Qin Xiaoman holding a lit candle, bending over to relight the previously extinguished lamp.
“You’re lighting a lamp at night? Aren’t you afraid it will strain your eyes? You already use your eyes so much studying at night; you must take care of them,” Du Heng said, setting down his brush and looking at him.
“I’m used to lighting just one lamp per room in the village. It’s a habit I still keep,” Qin Xiaoman replied.
At first, when they had just arrived at the Qin house, he had found the room dim with only a single candle, so unlike modern incandescent lights. Over time, he had gotten used to it. Now, with a few more candles lit, the study felt wonderfully bright.
Qin Xiaoman placed shades on the lamp flames and sighed. “Back then, our home could only afford one lamp, so we endured hardships. Now that we have better conditions, there’s no need to live so frugally. All that study and effort, all that running the household and managing property—wasn’t it just to live better?”
Du Heng reached out and pulled Qin Xiaoman into his embrace. He looked around the spacious study, roughly the same size as their old bedroom in the village. Even after two days in the house, it still felt slightly unfamiliar.
After returning from the academy, he and Qin Xiaoman still instinctively headed toward the city gate before remembering they now had a home in the county.
“I’m glad you think that way,” Du Heng said.
Qin Xiaoman pressed his lips together. Though naturally frugal, he felt that now, with the household in good shape, they should enjoy the good life.
“Have the invitations been finished?”
“Almost. Tomorrow I’ll stop by the academy and invite the fellow students and senior brothers I’ve been in contact with. They never looked down on me before and have treated me kindly. Now that I’m in this position, I should invite them as well.”
Qin Xiaoman nodded. “You decide. In winter, even on a sunny day, the garden isn’t a good place for a banquet—the dishes will get cold quickly. It’s better to eat in the hall.”
“Yes. The reception hall is large enough for several tables.”
Du Heng sighed a little at the thought. The house may be large, but normally only the family eats there, so the tables are sufficient. For a banquet, however, more are needed.
If they bought and stored ten or more tables and benches just for occasional banquets, it would be wasteful. After all, who holds grand feasts every few days?
In the county, social connections were never as close as in the village. In the village, every few steps there were relatives ready to help: someone would come early to pick tea or clean, borrow chairs and tables, or lend cooking utensils. Everything was easy to arrange.
The county was different. Neighbors were more distant. For a banquet, besides the busy household servants, any extra help had to be hired for a fee. Chairs and tables had to be borrowed from familiar restaurants, and of course, money was involved.
Du Heng said, “Even if you manage to piece together all the kitchen and banquet supplies bit by bit, it’s still troublesome. Without connections, it’s even more frustrating.”
Qin Xiaoman nodded. “That’s how it is here. So?”
“So, if there were a place where you could hire the cooks and get everything for a banquet in one go, it would make life much easier.”
“True—but the problem is, there isn’t one.”
Du Heng flicked Qin Xiaoman’s forehead. “If there isn’t one, then make one. Wouldn’t it save trouble in the future?”
Qin Xiaoman blinked. “You mean… open a shop specializing in hosting banquets?”
“If it makes money, it could be a business.”
Qin Xiaoman laughed. “Perfect! Tomorrow I’ll start asking around. I know the merchants in our shop district; I’ll see if they also worry about this when hosting banquets. If many people have the same problem, this business could work.”
Du Heng smiled. He trusted Qin Xiaoman to handle these business matters—after all, he managed the family’s shops.
Qin Xiaoman, excited at the prospect of a new business venture, leaned forward to kiss Du Heng, only to hear a sleepy voice behind them: “Daddy~”
Du Heng nearly jumped out of his skin, the chair tipping and almost straining his back.
“What are Daddy and Uncle doing?”
Du Heng’s face flushed as he turned to the little boy rubbing his eyes. “Uncle’s tooth hurts, Daddy is just checking it.”
Hearing this, Chengyi hurried over, worry written all over his face, and grabbed Qin Xiaoman’s hand. “Does Daddy hurt?”
“No, it’s fine now.” Qin Xiaoman cleared his throat, got up from Du Heng’s lap, and scooped up the little one. “Why aren’t you asleep yet?”
Servant Shui Qingcai rushed after them, looking apologetic. “The young master had fallen asleep but woke up by himself and got out of bed. By the time I finished preparing the foot bath, he was already in the study.”
Qin Xiaoman looked at Chengyi in his fuzzy pajamas. His cheeks were flushed from running around outside. He hugged him a little tighter. “It’s alright. You go rest now.”
“Yes.”
“Want to sleep with Daddy? Did you have a dream about the big-mouthed monster again?”
Chengyi nestled into Qin Xiaoman’s arms, pressing close to him. Being in a new place, it was natural for a young child to be uneasy and afraid at night.
Du Heng stroked Chengyi’s soft hair. “Did you dream of the big-mouthed monster again? Are you getting a new tooth?”
Chengyi furrowed his brows, lifted his head, and lightly licked his baby tooth—sure enough, a tiny new tooth had emerged.
“Let Daddy see.”
Chengyi obediently opened his mouth for Du Heng to check.
By age three, children usually have all twenty baby teeth. Du Heng had checked recently; nineteen were already in place. He had thought the last one might never come, but now a latecomer had finally appeared.
“Good boy, don’t be scared. You just got a new tooth.”
When Chengyi had teething dreams before, he would cry, wetting his thick, curly eyelashes with tears, and only fall asleep again in Du Heng’s arms. Du Heng had always worried, but teething dreams were normal, so he would soothe him and explain that such dreams meant the teeth were growing and needed care.
Chengyi no longer cried from nightmares.
Du Heng then looked at Qin Xiaoman. “There’s room in the house. Let him sleep with us tonight. You take him to bed first; I’ll finish up here and come.”
Qin Xiaoman nodded.
Outside, the wind howled. The bedroom was only a few steps away from the study.
Chengyi buried his head in Qin Xiaoman’s chest and asked curiously, “Does Daddy also hug you?”
“Yes. Chengyi is Daddy’s little treasure, so of course Daddy hugs him. Uncle is Daddy’s husband, so Daddy hugs him too.”
Chengyi bit his lip. “But Daddy hugs me because of the big-mouthed monster. Did Daddy have a dream too?”
“Yes. Uncle dreams of the big-mouthed monster too, so Daddy hugs him sometimes.”
Chengyi blinked, delighted. “Daddy said only when teeth grow do you dream of the big-mouthed monster. Uncle’s getting a new tooth? Open your mouth, I’ll see!”
“Daddy already checked. No new tooth.”
Chengyi pouted, then looked amazed. “Why not? I always dream of the big-mouthed monster when I get a new tooth.”
Qin Xiaoman paused, eyes softening. “Because after Uncle kisses Daddy, no new teeth grow.”
Chengyi’s eyes widened. “Kissing stops teeth from growing? But Daddy said if teeth aren’t fully grown, you can’t gnaw bones. Does that mean I can’t kiss anymore?”
He loved the big marrow bones Uncle brought in soups and porridge. If he couldn’t eat them, he’d be heartbroken. So he quickly warned Qin Xiaoman, “Uncle, don’t kiss me anymore.”
Qin Xiaoman chuckled. “Daddy and Uncle kissing you doesn’t stop your teeth from growing. But if anyone else kisses you, they would. So you mustn’t let others kiss you.”
“Really?”
“Of course. Didn’t Uncle just kiss Chengyi while he was still getting new teeth?”
Chengyi thought about it and nodded seriously, as if it made perfect sense.
Back in the room, Qin Xiaoman placed the little one—now stripped of his outer clothes—on the bed.
The child rarely slept with Du Heng and Qin Xiaoman together. Excited, he wriggled and climbed over the wide, new bed, moving from under the covers to on top of them, delighting in the familiar scent of Daddy and Uncle.
Qin Xiaoman covered his little feet, worried he’d catch cold. Normally energetic, today Chengyi simply couldn’t lie still. Qin Xiaoman stoked the charcoal stove to warm the room, letting the child play freely on the bed.
After a while, Chengyi, feeling tired, hugged a small soft pillow and fell asleep.
On the first day of the fifteenth, the crackling of firecrackers rang out repeatedly. The red banners were hung at the Qin family’s gate, and carriages and sedan chairs arrived at Fuxi Lane.
“Someone’s moving in? The firecrackers are deafening! Who bought this house?”
“I don’t know. I heard the surname is Qin.”
Wang Yikang, exhausted after weeks of scheming, was drawn by the firecrackers. Passing by Fuxi Lane, he peeked at the lively scene. He saw carriages arriving, and the guests stepping down were all people of rank from the county.
He counted off familiar faces: Meng Juzi, Zhou Juzi, Qian Juzi… and several young officials and scholars from the Bai Rong Academy he had long tried to curry favor with.
Besides the familiar, there were many strangers, yet their bearing indicated prominence and education. This only made him more curious about who could occupy such a prestigious home.
Just then, a boy he half-recognized came out smiling and welcoming the guests, clearly acting as the host.
“It’s you? It’s really you!”
Qin Xiaoman had just invited Du Heng’s classmates from the academy into the house. Seeing no new carriages arriving and preparing to return, he heard a rough voice shout.
“Scholar Wang?”
Qin Xiaoman raised an eyebrow. “Oh, you’re no longer a scholar, I see. I didn’t expect to meet you again.”
He had wanted to say, and you’re still alive, but now, as a respectable city resident enjoying good fortune, there was no need for such rustic words.
Wang Yikang fumed, his nostrils flaring. That the house was purchased by this boy was bad enough—it was like being slapped across the face. “You actually bought this house?”
“If I couldn’t, my husband could,” Qin Xiaoman said, smirking with small-town triumph. “Brother Wang, if you’re jealous, perhaps you can find a husband too.”
Humiliated, Wang Yikang’s face turned red and blue. He was about to shout when a handsome young man appeared.
The newcomer glanced at him. “Brother Wang, it seems you’ve settled your affairs. How gracious of you to attend my humble home.”
Wang Yikang froze. Ever slick and opportunistic, he managed a strained smile. “Du… Du Juren?”
This was the new county exam graduate he had never expected to be the master of this household.
Du Heng’s smile was polite but reserved. “I thought you were busy, Brother Wang, so I won’t trouble you to sit. Please, come in.”
And with that, he led Qin Xiaoman and the young guests back inside.
Wang Yikang stood stunned at the gate for a long while. A servant whispered, “Master, didn’t you say the county exam was hard to pass? How…?”
Before he could finish, he received a kick in the rear. “Did you eat dog brains? Idiot! You should’ve been the first sent out when we dismissed the servants!”
…
“Junior Du, I won’t flatter you. Your house is remarkable—spacious, with flourishing trees and flowers. By spring and summer, it will be even more splendid, surely rivaling my city mansion. Remember to invite me to enjoy the flowers and tea.”
Du Heng toured the garden with classmates from the academy, smiling. “Brother You, you’re welcome anytime. You can boast all you like, and I’ll personally cook a fine meal for you. Though unfortunately—”
Brother Mu continued, “Next spring we’ll all be heading to the capital for the exams, so your garden and flower-viewing banquet will be missed.”
Everyone laughed at this realization.
“Junior Du has progressed remarkably, surpassing those of us who began at the same level.”
Du Heng said, “It’s only because all of you are outstanding. I can only keep my head down and work hard.”
“Whatever happens, the important thing is that we can all take the spring exam together.”
“Though I wonder if we’ll all go to the capital together.”
Mu Ti explained his plan: “I’ll return to the city at year-end, then head straight to the capital before the spring exams. I won’t be back here beforehand.”
“I’ll also return to the capital at year-end,” another said.
Hearing this, Du Heng felt a pang. Two years of daily companionship with classmates had forged a bond different from others. After the spring exams, some would pass, some fail, and the classroom would disperse.
The world was vast, travel slow, and mountains and rivers apart. Meetings would be few and far between.
He said, “This year it looks like snow may come early. Since all of you have plans, why not gather once before the first snow? We can drink tea by the stove. I’ll still cook personally.”
“Excellent! That’s a great proposal. We’ll meet again before the first snow,” they agreed.
“Excellent. I’ll bring along the Warm Spring Tea I’ve collected then.”
“These young men are truly exceptional—born into distinguished families, they carry themselves with an uncommon grace. Yet our Du Heng, though from humble beginnings, stands among these sons of officials without losing even a bit of talent,” Qin Zhiyan said with a smile, sitting in the main hall sipping hot tea. Watching the spirited young faces in the garden, chatting and laughing, he felt a genuine pleasure.
As the saying goes, joyful events lift the spirit, and his face glowed with unusual color.
Finally, Qin Zhiyan raised his eyebrows and deliberately asked the person seated beside him, “Father-in-law, wouldn’t you agree?”
Zhou Juren cleared his throat and set down his teacup. “Indeed, they are all fine young men.”
He knew well that Qin Zhiyan’s question was meant to needle him. For years, he had been restrained, and now with two scholars from their own circle emerging as successful examinees, he did benefit, yet it still couldn’t match his standing as a father or paternal uncle.
In the past, he could have freely given Qin Zhiyan advice, but now he had to measure every word. And it wasn’t just him—every gentry in the county had to look on Qin Zhiyan with respect, and the county officials were practically over-congratulating him.
Zhou Juren thought to himself: I suppose Du Heng is from Qiuyang County, a merchant family, not truly impoverished.
Qin Zhiyan caught the implication—he meant to say Du Heng wasn’t of the Qin family, so he shouldn’t be so proud.
“He settled in early. Xiaoman brought him in as a proper son-in-law. Du Heng is gentle and kind, excellent with his husband and children. Truly a devoted and principled young man. That character alone allows him to make friends with such distinguished peers.”
Holding the hand warmer, Qin Zhiyan pointed out the young men to Zhou Juren. “The tallest one is You Huo, son of the Imperial General You from the capital, sent to Bai Rong Academy specifically to study.”
“Next, the darker-skinned one is Mu Ti, son of our Prefectural Vice Magistrate.”
“And that one…”
Zhou Juren’s expression betrayed discomfort. “Since they’re all fine young men, you should ensure Zhifeng befriends them well.”
Qin Zhiyan laughed. “Zhifeng isn’t fond of making acquaintances; young men make friends by their own rules and timing. A forced friendship is meaningless.”
Zhou Juren said, “Still, he’s talented, having passed the county exam young. He should have obeyed my advice to finish the exam before marriage. And the family status of that officer he married… could be considered modest. A higher-status match might not have yielded this harmonious life.”
Qin Zhiyan chuckled. “Zhifeng chose a bride he liked, now with a child on the way and achievements earned, the family is happy and united. Marrying into a higher-status family doesn’t guarantee such a life.”
Zhou Juren closed his mouth in embarrassment. Now, whatever he said, Qin Zhiyan could counter threefold. Though his tea hadn’t been drunk, his stomach was full. Though frustrated, he could no longer scold with the cold authority of the past; he felt stifled, bitter as if he’d tasted bitter gourd juice.