The Qingbo House closed its outer hall doors that day. Chen Hua led the staff to clear a space in the back courtyard and arranged tables and chairs.
Song Yunqing carried a basin of vegetable washing water from the kitchen. “Is everything ready?”
“Yes.”
Song Yunqing turned to walk inside. “Then pour out the water and come help me watch the fire.”
As Chen Hua dumped the water and shook his hands dry, he walked in saying, “Aren’t we just having hotpot? What else needs cooking?”
Song Yunqing lifted the lid of the pot on the stove. “Yang Wan specifically requested this be prepared before she left.”
Chen Hua peered in for a look. “Ah, beef tendon. Good for the legs – Miss Wan thinks of everything.”
Song Yunqing let out a small laugh.
Chen Hua’s face immediately reddened. “What are you laughing at?”
Song Yunqing pointed to the side of the stove. “I also marinated some meat, it’s over there.”
Hearing this, Chen Hua’s face lit up with joy as he rushed over, lifted the bowl’s lid took a deep breath, then looked up and said, “Thank you.”
“No need.”
Song Yunqing washed her hands. “Your work in the palace is harder than mine. Take good care of yourself.”
“Heh.” Chen Hua waved his hand dismissively. “What am I worth? How could I deserve Miss’s concern?”
Song Yunqing’s hand paused as she was turning the pot, and said softly, “What kind of talk is that?”
Chen Hua hurriedly said, “Nothing, nothing. I’ll watch the fire for you.”
The soup in the pot bubbled and roiled. Neither person spoke. Chen Hua’s eyes grew red from the stove smoke. He simply wiped his eyes and stared into the fire, saying: “It’s good to be able to leave. Living freely with Miss Wan, perhaps in the future…”
“Perhaps what?”
“Perhaps…”
Chen Hua couldn’t finish the sentence.
Song Yunqing lowered her head and said, “I don’t plan to marry anymore.”
Chen Hua jumped up with a “whoosh.” “How can you not marry?”
Song Yunqing looked up at Chen Hua with a smile. “Yang Wan hasn’t married, and neither has the Imperial Dresser. Aren’t they living well?”
Chen Hua couldn’t help but lift the corners of his mouth, but he didn’t dare let Song Yunqing see. He quickly turned away. “Yes… yes, they’re all living well.”
Song Yunqing gently patted his shoulder. “Watch the fire. I’ll go see if Yang Wan and the Superintendent have returned.”
As she spoke, she let down the sleeves tied at her shoulders and walked into the courtyard. She casually counted the tables and chairs, then turned back to call Chen Hua: “Why are we missing a chair?”
“Huh?” Chen Hua hurried out and counted again. “We’re not missing any.”
Then he turned and said softly, “Could it be that Her Highness will sit with us?”
Just then, an attendant leaned in at the crossing door: “The proprietor has returned. Miss Song, is the water boiled?”
Song Yunqing responded, “Yes, you can carry it over.”
This was Deng Ying’s first visit since Yang Wan had taken over the Qingbo House.
Yang Wan hadn’t made many changes to the establishment’s layout. The outer hall served as a display area, with various books arranged by category. Past the outer hall was a corridor with two blue and white porcelain water vats holding lotus flowers. The corridor led to a crossing gate, beyond which lay the inner courtyard.
Yang Wan pushed open a door and bent down to light the oil lamp before it.
She crouched to change into a different pair of shoes, then took out another pair and placed them by Deng Ying’s feet.
“Put these on.”
Deng Ying looked down. They were cloth shoes, somewhat like Wu Chuan shoes, lined with cotton fleece and open at the heel.
“I don’t know what these shoes are called, but they’re very comfortable to wear at home. I’ve noticed your ankle injury is getting worse, and I saw you struggling to walk with me earlier. When you’re not going out, wear these.”
“Alright.”
Yang Wan looked down at Deng Ying’s feet and smiled. “I should mention, this pair wasn’t made by me – I’m not that skilled.”
Deng Ying asked, “Did Miss Song make them?”
Yang Wan shook her head. “No, my sister made them for you.”
Deng Ying was startled. “Her Highness?” He immediately moved to take them off.
“Don’t take them off.”
A woman’s voice came from outside the door. Deng Ying turned to see Yang Ni standing in the doorway with her sleeves tied up, holding a basket of sewing supplies.
“Your Highness.”
Deng Ying knelt and bowed deeply.
Yang Ni handed the sewing supplies to Yang Wan and bent to help Deng Ying up. “Please rise.”
Deng Ying dared not stand.
Yang Wan looked down and said, “If you won’t get up, you’re keeping my sister in an awkward position too.”
“Yes… this servant…”