The next day, Shu Rui went to the Lu residence to discuss matters regarding the Bai family.
Lu Ling did not spread rumors or exaggerate. Father’s intention was for him, Lu Ling, and Lu Yu to make the trip. Mrs. Liu would remain at the Chao Xi estate to oversee the household. Once the Bai family matters were settled, she would handle the formalities for the marriage.
“Don’t worry. If discussions go smoothly, all will be well. If not, there are other ways to handle it. Without some chance of success, you wouldn’t be making this trip.”
Shu Rui was grateful to hear this, but also felt a bit guilty. “Because of me, Father must take on extra trouble. His duties are already numerous, and long field leave is hard to come by. Yet he must run about for my sake.”
Mrs. Liu said, “Family helps each other. It is natural for your elders to take some care in your affairs. Shu Rui, your intentions are clear to your family.”
Father spoke plainly. “If this were another family’s son or daughter, parents would still have to work hard to arrange matters. Besides, we are happy to handle it for you.”
“Stay at Chao Xi estate and manage the business. This trip may not even be entirely advantageous for you.”
Shu Rui’s visit would be troublesome. He would have to show himself, but if he stayed too long at the Bai residence, the Lu family could not force him away. Both families held some status locally, and making a scene would be embarrassing.
Hearing the family’s reasoning, Shu Rui agreed to the plan: he would not return immediately. They set the departure date for the third day of the next month, giving them seven or eight days from April 25 to prepare.
Even though he would not go, he could prepare fast horses, carriages, and luggage for the three men—a contribution in itself. Although the field leave lasted fifteen days, the round trip from Chao Xi estate to Gan County would take up a good portion of that, leaving limited time for other matters.
Father also requested an additional three days leave from the officials to cover this, though approval was uncertain.
If granted, it would allow some flexibility; if not, the trip would have to be tightly scheduled. Having prepared horses and carriages would save time and reduce hardship on the road.
While arranging the journey, Shu Rui discussed horse purchases and whether to hire drivers with Lu Ling.
At the inn, Qing’er was in the hall, waiting for the two of them to return from work. The late-April evening wind was still slightly chilly. Qing’er tidied the tables and chairs and moved about when he heard familiar voices outside.
“Madam, rest assured. This inn is excellent. The innkeeper is conscientious. Rooms are clean and tidy. Guests I recommended previously always praised me for suggesting this place. The inn is honest and trustworthy.”
Recognizing the voice, Qing’er hurried out. Indeed, it was their agent Liu, escorting a woman carrying a large trunk.
Qing’er quickly went to greet them.
“Qing’er, you’re right on time. Is there a vacant room? This lady has just disembarked and is tired from the journey. Please show her a comfortable room.”
The woman was in her forties, well-kept, and dressed in fine, though not ostentatious, fabrics.
“I haven’t decided to stay here yet. Didn’t you say I should inspect several inns first?”
“Madam, seeing your heavy trunk, I thought it would be tiring to move around repeatedly,” Liu said smoothly. “Even carrying one trunk myself is a burden.”
“I came from out of town to Chao Xi estate for a funeral, then on the orders of my former employer, came to the city to purchase things unavailable locally to please the old master,” the woman explained. “My trunk is important. I need a safe inn; losing it would make the return impossible.”
Hearing this, Qing’er said, “If you’re worried about loss, you’ve come to the right place. Our inn is the safest in town. The manager also runs a storage shop on South Street. Any guest from our inn will have their belongings safe under the care of trained martial staff.”
The woman’s interest was piqued. “Then show me the room.”
Qing’er went to fetch her trunk and led her upstairs. “Business is good today, only one room is available. The rate is two hundred wen per day, with hot water at all times and breakfast included.”
Entering the room, the woman noticed a faint scent of bamboo. The curtains and bedding had bamboo patterns, and small vases displayed bamboo sprigs. Even a tucked-away inn in a small alley of a bustling city was this elegant.
As she looked around, a familiar feeling arose, difficult to explain. Although this was her first visit to Chao Xi estate, it felt reminiscent of a cultured household’s life, lived in comfort.
Hearing the rate, she hesitated—it would not be reimbursed by her employer. Yet, she reasoned, a brief indulgence was acceptable, and a private room was far better than a crowded dormitory.
“This room looks fine. If the innkeeper gives a small discount, it’s worth it,” she thought.
Qing’er said, “This is the only room left. Because you traveled from afar, I’ll reduce the price by eight wen, but don’t mention it outside.”
“Agreed,” she said. Though a small saving, it was welcome. “I’ll take it.”
Qing’er collected the payment, went downstairs to register the room, while Liu sat in the hall enjoying tea.
“You’ve settled in?”
Qing’er nodded. “Thanks to Liu, she agreed to stay.”
“When a ship arrives, agents scramble for rooms. If I were slower, she’d have missed this inn,” Liu said, tilting his head. “Is your innkeeper around?”
“Out on business, should return later,” Qing’er replied.
Liu said, “Just ask them later. It’s getting late. Once this business at your inn is settled, I’ll collect my earnings.”
Qing’er went to the kitchen and packed a small bundle of roasted duck for Liu. “The innkeeper asked me to give you this. You’ve worked hard today. Have a drink when you get home.”
Liu left happily. He often brought guests to this inn, knowing the manager was more generous than others. Tea and small treats were always offered, a simple gesture showing the inn’s advantage.
After sending Liu off, Qing’er and his third sister brought hot water upstairs to the woman.
Shu Rui and Lu Ling returned shortly after.
“Another guest?”
“Yes, an elderly lady. She’s staying in the Bamboo Room. She came from out of town for a funeral, then to the city to purchase goods for her household. She seems to manage a prominent family’s affairs and values her trunk highly.”
Qing’er relayed the news of the new guest to Shu Rui.
Shu Rui acknowledged him and said to the siblings, “It’s late. You two can head home; I’ll handle things at the inn.”
The brother and sister nodded and left.
Lu Ling said, “I’ll draw some hot water for you and bring it upstairs. You should wash up and rest. You’ve been at it all day, and the matter of horses and carriages can wait a day or two.”
Shu Rui responded, “Then go ahead and bring the water upstairs. I’ll take a bowl of sweet soup to the Bamboo Room and come back.”
A short while later, Shu Rui carried the tray with the sweet soup upstairs. At the door, he knocked lightly.
“It’s here. Anything else?”
Hearing the familiar voice inside, Shu Rui felt it tug at a memory. Before he could place it, the door opened.
Seeing the person standing there, his heart jumped and his breath froze. The tray tilted in his hands, and the bowl clattered to the floor with a muffled thud. The soup spilled everywhere, though thankfully the bowl did not break.
No wonder he was startled—who could have imagined he would encounter Li Mama, who had once served his aunt at the Bai household, in his own inn!
“Brother Rui?”
Li Mama opened the door, recognizing the boy bringing the soup. His face was very familiar, though his previously fair complexion was darker and pockmarked, and she hesitated to be sure.
Her heart skipped a beat as she tentatively addressed him.
Shu Rui, hearing the name he had not heard in over a year, felt a sudden shock. He said nothing, instead crouching quickly to gather the fallen dishes, lowering his head apologetically. “I’m sorry, Madam, the bowl slipped. Did it startle you?”
Footsteps sounded below. Lu Ling, hearing the noise upstairs, quickly set aside the water bucket and ran up.
Arriving, he saw Shu Rui crouched on the floor cleaning up, and the elderly lady in the Bamboo Room leaning in, peering at Shu Rui’s face. “Are you Brother Rui?”
Lu Ling understood immediately. He strode forward, and Shu Rui signaled him with a glance.
Regaining composure, Shu Rui said to Li Mama, “Madam, you must have mistaken me for someone else.”
Seeing the situation, Lu Ling supported Shu Rui’s denial. He scoffed lightly, “Hurry and clean that up. You can’t even carry a bowl steadily.”
“Yes, yes.”
Shu Rui fetched a cloth and wiped the floor clean before retreating downstairs with the tray.
Li Mama wanted to follow, thinking: all that commotion her cousin had caused before, running people all over to find him—yet here she encountered him at Chao Xi estate, no chance of slipping away.
But before she could move, a young man stood in the corridor, blocking her path. His face was stern, his eyes like ice, a large sword at his slender waist. Her heart pounded; this must be the martial-arts-trained innkeeper Qing’er had mentioned.
Having served with the Jiang family, she was used to literati, not fighters, and this startled her. Curiosity, excitement, and anxiety all swallowed down with a gulp.
In unfamiliar territory, she dared not act boldly. Li Mama was certain the man was Shu Rui, but seeing him with such a formidable innkeeper, she dared not confront him.
She murmured, “That boy looks familiar… it must be dark, and I must have been mistaken.”
Lu Ling ignored her. “Later, bring soup again, and let Madam rest early.”
Li Mama, intimidated by Lu Ling, thought: it’s no wonder thieves wouldn’t dare—guests fear this innkeeper. She refused the sweet soup, saying, “Tea in the room will do; no need to trouble you further.”
With a stiff smile, she quickly closed the door.
Seeing this, Lu Ling returned downstairs.
Li Mama collapsed into a chair, clutching her chest, thinking of the young man—surely he was Shu Rui. Despite some changes in appearance, she had watched his expressions for years; she could not be mistaken.
Even if one entertained the rare chance of two identical-looking people existing, the boy spilling the soup clearly showed he dared not confront her.
She regretted not having a chance to question him about how the Bai family had treated him. Worse, she had endured reprimands from the Jiang family.
Fearful, she did not seek Shu Rui again. With the stern innkeeper present, she suspected Shu Rui worked here. If she insisted on claiming him, she might not even leave the inn herself.
Increasingly anxious, she bolted the door tightly and could not sleep, only hoping Shu Rui would not be troubled further.