Once Shu Rui’s women’s inn opened, it became widely known in less than two months. And it hadn’t even taken much effort—unlike when the small inn on Shili Street first opened, when he had exhausted himself using all kinds of promotional methods that cost both labor and money.
This ease came, first, because he already had a complete set of promotional methods from running the small inn, which he could directly reuse. Finding people and making arrangements was no trouble at all—they were all long-time partners. Spending a little more money was enough. And during promotion, the women’s inn itself was novel, carrying a strong hook that attracted guests far more easily than ordinary inns.
Traditional inns could only advertise things like how close they were to the city center or how large they were. People had heard that sort of thing countless times, and it no longer felt special. Guests didn’t necessarily choose them. But the women’s inn, which catered exclusively to women and ge’ers, had a feature no other inn in the city could match. Out of sheer curiosity alone, people would go take a look.
And more often than not, once they saw the furnishings inside, unless they were exceptionally picky, they would choose to stay.
Second, once people in the city learned that such an inn existed, it naturally became a topic of casual conversation over tea and meals. Without any need for deliberate pushing, word spread from person to person.
The third form of promotion came from the guests themselves. The excellent service left a deep impression on anyone who had stayed at the women’s inn. When they returned home, they naturally spoke of it as a delightful experience and recommended it widely.
Cui Rui’s keen business sense also played its part. The cosmetics and fragrances placed in the inn sold well, and later, small storybooks, light wines, and fruit wines followed suit…
As a result, after the women’s inn opened, Shu Rui truly never had to worry about business.
At year’s end, as Shu Rui went over the accounts, he said proudly to Lu Ling, “Judging by how things are going, I think it won’t even take one or two years before the women’s inn can open a branch. During the holidays, it’s full every day. There are even people who come and can’t get a room. We have no choice but to send them to the small inn on Shili Street. Since they trust us, even if they can’t stay at the women’s inn, once they hear it’s also my establishment, they’re willing to choose it.”
As he spoke, Shu Rui felt genuinely happy. The women’s inn had indeed helped him build an excellent reputation among women and ge’ers.
Lu Ling also acknowledged that the women’s inn was doing very well. It hadn’t been open long at all, yet even small merchants from out of town who came to store goods at the storage shop had heard that their prefectural city had such an inn, and had even asked whether it was true.
Having a name within the city wasn’t surprising—but for people outside to know of it was truly something.
Still, even though business was good, Lu Ling advised Shu Rui, “Don’t put all your energy into business matters without restraint. When you get busy, you forget everything else. You need to take care of your health.”
“I know.”
Shu Rui said, “At the women’s inn, there are two staff serving guests, and Third Sister handles the kitchen. I mostly just calculate the accounts in the hall, help guests check in, chat a bit, and promote some of the inn’s cosmetics and fragrances. There’s really not much else for me to worry about. It’s nothing like the early days of the small inn, when we were still fumbling about.”
If Lu Ling hadn’t seen that the inn’s staff was sufficient, he would probably have had to follow Shu Rui around every day to supervise.
Shu Rui rubbed his arms, feeling a chill, and craned his neck to see if Lu Ling had left any windows open. Everything was tightly shut, though, so he asked, “Is it snowing again outside?”
Seeing Shu Rui shiver, Lu Ling placed a hand warmer into his palms and sat down beside him. “It’s been falling all along, though smaller than last night—just fine snowflakes.”
He noticed the brazier was still glowing with red coals, so he didn’t understand why Shu Rui still felt cold. This winter, he seemed unusually sensitive to the cold. Perhaps it was the endless snow, the ice and chill making the city uncomfortable, and the countryside even more troublesome.
Reports came in that higher-altitude villages had suffered snow damage, and merchants entering the city all shook their heads, complaining that such weather made business difficult.
Earlier, Lu’s father had gone with the deputy to inspect the disaster relief in the countryside. They had also contributed some money from their own shops. In the city, a bright red public notice listed the merchants and gentry who had donated.
“Maybe it’s because you’ve been sitting inside all day, calculating accounts, hardly moving, yet guarding the brazier—it still feels cold.”
Shu Rui, feeling a bit aggrieved, snuggled into Lu Ling’s embrace. Somehow, Lu Ling was always warm. Lately, if he didn’t hold Shu Rui at night, he felt that even thick bedding wasn’t enough to keep him warm.
“It’s hard to endure the cold in winter.”
Lu Ling pulled him close. “Do you want me to bring in another brazier?”
Shu Rui nuzzled against him lightly. “Even if it’s spoiled luxury, a single room still has three heat sources. Even the wealthy households outside don’t have such treatment.”
“There aren’t three, just the brazier under your feet. Adding another wouldn’t cause anyone to complain.”
Shu Rui playfully pinched Lu Ling’s ear, winking. “Isn’t there already another one here?”
Lu Ling’s lips curved as he kissed Shu Rui’s face. “Then I won’t bother going to the shops today. We’ll stay in the room.”
“How can that be?”
Shu Rui closed his ledger. “The shops were meant to close for the New Year anyway. These few days I’m just standing guard.”
“Then we can check the three shops together later. No need to work at them today.”
Knowing Shu Rui couldn’t let go of business entirely, Lu Ling only nodded in agreement.
After staying inside a while, Lu Ling went to fetch a thick cloak for Shu Rui, helped him put it on, and then they got a carriage to go out together.
Outside, the snow lay thick and white, punctuated only by the bright red lanterns. Occasionally, children ran through the alleys setting off firecrackers, their laughter adding to the festive atmosphere.
“Master, sir, wait! An urgent letter.”
Shu Rui had just peeked out at the snow when one of the household workers caught up with a letter before their carriage had reached the main street.
“Whose letter is it?”
“From our old home in Gan County. It was delivered with a fast horse. I thought it urgent, so I brought it straight to you before you got too far.”
Shu Rui wondered, “From our parents or Second Brother?”
“It’s addressed to you, sir.”
Shu Rui quickly opened the letter while Lu Ling leaned in to see. It could only be from the Bai family, who had reason to send it directly to him. Over the past two years, Shu Rui hadn’t had much contact with the Bais, aside from New Year greetings from Bai Dalao.
As he read, Shu Rui frowned, feeling conflicted. Normally, a holiday letter wouldn’t be so urgent—something must have happened.
The letter said that his cousin, Bai Dalao, had been falsely accused and imprisoned. Even with the New Year approaching, he remained in suffering. The family, desperate, asked Shu Rui, in consideration of past ties, to appeal to Lu’s father to help get him released by any means necessary.
The tone was careful, but the words still reflected the Bai family’s habitual deference and expectation of Shu Rui’s compliance, making the letter feel strangely awkward.
“Falsely accused… without committing a crime, how could someone easily frame him?”
Shu Rui had long known from Lu Ling that his cousin, when in office, had abused his position for personal gain. Even without Lu Ling’s warning, Shu Rui could guess that Bai Dalao’s tenure was hardly upright.
Originally, the Wu family had donated a large sum to support him in office, likely hoping to have someone favorable to their business dealings. Bai Dalao got the position through others’ influence. Even if he were upright and unwilling to misuse his office, it wasn’t truly his choice.
As the saying goes, “soft mouths for those who feed you, short hands for those who give.” His office wasn’t earned through skill—it appeared to be his doing but was actually for others.
Moreover, he had allowed his younger brother to marry a wealthy merchant’s widow to advance his prospects, revealing his true character.
Considering this, the current situation was entirely predictable.
When the Bai family came to give wedding gifts that year, Shu Rui heard from Li Mama that the Wang County magistrate supporting them would soon be transferred. With a new official, the old tricks at the office wouldn’t work, and Bai Dalao, with dirty hands, would likely be taken down by his enemies. Three years of relative stability were about the limit.
Lu Ling asked, “Do you want to try pulling strings for them?”
Shu Rui returned the letter to its envelope, his tone calm:
“At this point, if they still won’t admit wrongdoing and insist they were falsely accused, helping them would only enable further abuses. That would be like aiding the tiger.”
“And it might cause trouble for ourselves. We can’t guarantee a rescue anyway.”
He thought it through carefully. That evening, when Lu’s father returned from the office, Shu Rui mentioned the matter and asked if Bai Dalao’s life was in danger.
Lu’s father said that if no one’s life was involved, the punishment wouldn’t be death. But given Bai Dalao’s previous dealings and current enemies, he would likely be exiled after punishment.
Sure enough, after some inquiries, Shu Rui confirmed that Bai Dalao would be sentenced to exile. Originally bound for Lingnan, a treacherous, disease-ridden coastal region, Shu Rui arranged for him to be sent instead to Yazhou—still harsh, but at least he wouldn’t die on the way.
This saved half a life, repaying the Bai family’s past kindness. Beyond that, Shu Rui could do no more.
Everyone has their fate. Shu Rui had left the Bai household and built his life on his own, not relying on others. The Bais now had to reflect on themselves in hardship.
Later, Bai Dalao’s exile caused collateral damage: the Wu family suffered business losses, the Bai family’s assets were seized, and fines had to be paid, or they risked imprisonment. Madame Jiang had to sell off properties to cover the fines. Their fleeting glory ended, and they returned to the countryside.
Those three years of prosperity had merely borrowed against future security. To pay the fines, even their countryside house and nearly all their fields were sold. Once respected as a former schoolteacher’s wife with local influence, Madame Jiang now lived under scrutiny, bearing the stigma of a disgraced family.
Midnight dreams would recall that, had they not dealt with the Wu family, though not wealthy, they could have led peaceful lives…
Having settled the Bai family’s matter, Shu Rui felt lighter and more at ease.
This year’s New Year was lively. Lu Yu had passed the imperial exam, Lu’s father had prospects at the office, and there were countless social gatherings.
They moved about freely, Shu Rui and Lu Ling meeting familiar acquaintances. Over the years, they had made friends to visit during the New Year.
By the end of the first month, Shu Rui felt he had put on some weight.
Outside, heavy clothing concealed it, but at home in just his sleepwear, he looked a little rounder.
Lu Ling had wanted to tease him about gaining weight, planning to make him do morning exercises with him. But when he went to embrace Shu Rui, he realized the extra softness on his belly.
“Putting on a little weight is good—your body isn’t so thin, you won’t feel the cold as much.”
Shu Rui hummed. “Who wants to get up early for exercises with you? Not everyone has your endless energy.”
He reached out to feel Lu Ling’s abdomen, which was still firm and well-maintained, a contrast to his own newfound softness.
At night, Shu Rui had gotten used to touching Lu Ling a couple of times before sleep.
Lu Ling would tease him, letting Shu Rui’s soft hands graze over him, then suddenly grab Shu Rui’s hands firmly. “If you don’t want to do morning exercises, you can do something else instead,” he said.
Shu Rui gave him a quick wink, already understanding the thoughts running through Lu Ling’s mind. Ordinarily, he might have gone along with it, but it was still cold in the first month of the year. Spring was approaching, yet the weather was little different from late winter.
He removed his outer clothes, wary of the cold. Lu Ling’s movements were usually vigorous; on mild days it was fine, but on too hot or too cold days, he was reluctant to do certain things.
Also, perhaps because of the cold, Shu Rui found himself sleeping more than usual. Nestling into the blanket, he quickly felt drowsy.
“I’m exhausted from all the feasts earlier today. Let’s postpone it until tomorrow,” he told Lu Ling.
“You’ve said that quite a few times already. Next time, you’ll need a new excuse,” Lu Ling murmured, not entirely pleased, resting his chin against Shu Rui’s neck.
“You’re too careless with your excuses,” he teased.
Shu Rui, feeling a little dazed, asked, “Really?”
The words sounded familiar, though he couldn’t remember how many times he had said them to Lu Ling before.
Lu Ling gave a soft hum.
Seeing him acting so adorably tsundere, Shu Rui turned to face him, pressing his lips into a mischievous smile, and reached out his hand.
After a while, just as he thought of letting go, Lu Ling held tight, refusing to release him. Only after a long moment, when his hands tingled from holding on, did Shu Rui finally let go. He furrowed his brows, massaged his arms, and lightly pushed Lu Ling, thinking that nothing about this was ever simple.
By February, the weather cleared. Shu Rui was in the house with Lady Liu, making spring pancakes. Fresh shepherd’s purse from the countryside was fried with eggs—fragrant and appetizing. He ate half a pancake, but suddenly felt his stomach turn violently. He clutched his mouth and ran to the side.
“Ah! What’s wrong?”
Lady Liu quickly soothed his back and called for water. “Was the pancake dirty or spoiled?”
Shu Rui rinsed his mouth, sipped some tea, and gradually felt better. The scent of the pancake, however, now made him nauseous.
He frowned. “Perhaps it was the cold fruit I indulged in yesterday… that upset my stomach.”
Lady Liu, alarmed at the thought of his discomfort, feared he might end up like Lu Yu. She immediately insisted on calling a doctor.
Though Shu Rui didn’t feel it was that serious, he agreed, mostly to ease Lady Liu’s worry. He sent a servant to fetch a physician.
When Lu Ling returned from the shop, he saw a servant leading a doctor with a medical kit toward the house. Concerned, he hurried to meet them.
“Who’s unwell at home?” he asked.
“The master, sir. Madam asked a physician to take a look,” the servant replied.
Upon hearing Shu Rui was unwell, Lu Ling quickened his pace into the courtyard.
“Don’t worry. Shu Rui just feels nauseous from the pancake—nothing serious,” he reassured himself, though he noticed the physician’s serious expression.
The doctor examined Shu Rui’s pulse carefully, then asked, “How long have these symptoms been occurring?”
Shu Rui, noting the physician’s grave face, grew nervous. “There were occasional mild bouts of chest discomfort and nausea earlier in the first month, but today, after the oily pancake, it became more pronounced.”
“Any feeling cold, drowsy?” the doctor inquired.
Shu Rui’s eyes shifted. “There was snow recently… yes, some.”
The doctor’s face relaxed, a faint smile appearing. “Then it’s clear. Master Shu Rui is three months pregnant. That’s why these symptoms are showing now. I asked in detail to be sure.”
Lady Liu, holding her breath, and Lu Ling, with a stern face, both froze. Moments later, they recovered.
“Pregnant! The doctor said our Shu Rui is pregnant!”
The doctor stroked his beard, confirming Lady Liu’s exclamation. He loved reading pulses like this.
With the physician’s affirmation, Lu Ling and Shu Rui both felt overwhelming joy, their hands tightly clasped. Shu Rui’s eyes shone with disbelief at the sudden, wonderful news.
Lady Liu was ecstatic, hands clasped in prayer, then hurriedly prepared a red envelope to give to the doctor in thanks.
“Thank heaven! Finally, our Lu family will have a grandchild!”
That evening, Lady Liu prepared a sumptuous meal. When Lu’s father and Lu Yu returned home, they were surprised by the feast and delighted to learn Shu Rui and Lu Ling were expecting.
Lu’s father was just as joyful, calling to Lu Ling to take good care of Shu Rui. The household shared a happiness akin to a New Year’s reunion.
“Truly expecting a child! We had been waiting so long without a sign, yet here it comes so suddenly.”
That night, Shu Rui lay in bed, gently touching his belly, still basking in the afternoon’s joy.
He looked at Lu Ling, smiling softly. “I suppose there were subtle signs earlier. I felt sleepy, cold, and thought I’d put on weight—turns out we’re having a child. We were careless!”
Lu Ling placed his hand over Shu Rui’s still-flat stomach, his gaze softening with the tenderness of a soon-to-be father. He, too, had been momentarily alarmed, but fortunately, Shu Rui’s sensitivity to cold and need for sleep prevented more serious trouble.
“This being your first child, it’s natural to be unaware and careless. From now on, we’ll have to be extra vigilant.”
Shu Rui tapped Lu Ling’s hand. “It’s the first child—how many do you want?”
“Of course, as many as possible,” Lu Ling replied.
Shu Rui smiled and asked, “Do you hope for a girl or a boy?”
“I don’t mind. Either is fine. Though if it’s a little boy or girl, your mother will fuss over them endlessly.”
Just imagining a little child running around the house made Lu Ling’s heart soften.
Shu Rui’s eyes narrowed with contentment, feeling happiness take a tangible form.
By March, spring was in full bloom. Willows sprouted new branches, elms looked rejuvenated. With lighter clothing, Shu Rui felt agile and free.
The spring breeze was gentle, carrying the fresh scent of new life.
He looked at the handsome man beside him—high cheekbones, straight nose, unchanged from the first time he had seen him years ago.
Sunlight poured over Lu Ling warmly and gently, and Shu Rui, sitting in shade, squinted but felt an unusual warmth.
“Lu Ling,” he said.
“Hmm?”
“The spring light is so beautiful… why aren’t you looking at me?”
Lu Ling turned from his distant gaze to Shu Rui, a smile in his eyes. Before he could answer, the sharp voice of Lu’s father cut through from below.
“Lu Ling! You brat! Taking Rui to such heights—do you want to scare someone to death? Come down immediately!”
Shu Rui, hearing his father’s voice from below the roof, widened his eyes, nearly stepping on the tiles. “Why did Father get off duty so early today?”
Lu Ling held Shu Rui’s hand carefully. “Who knows?”
He leaned over the edge. “Just letting your grandson get some sun! If you shout any louder, you’ll scare him!”
—End of main text