The next morning, Lin Wu went to the front desk to settle the bill and check out.
Every extra day at the inn meant another day’s payment. When she had signed the lease yesterday, three months’ rent had already poured out of her purse with a clatter. Now it was visibly thinner, with money going out but none coming in, and the thought made her uneasy.
A monthly rent of one guan—one hundred copper coins—was considerably more than she had originally planned. Yet in Huzhou Prefecture, several hundred copper coins would only get them a single room. Not only would there be no room for her and Lin Jing to live comfortably, but it would also be inconvenient to run even a small business. Living so close to the neighbors would mean constantly bumping into one another, with hardly any privacy.
That was how house hunting went. At first, one always hoped to save a little more. But after looking here and comparing there, the bottom line gradually loosened without one even realizing it. And when a suitable place finally appeared, there was no time to think it through carefully—the money was gone before one had a chance to calculate.
For now, the most pressing matter was to find a source of income as soon as possible. The money they had left would not last long.
But the immediate priority was to get the newly rented house in order. Only after they had settled down could they make other plans.
She gathered their modest belongings and loaded the bundles onto herself. Lin Jing carried his own small bundle, and together they left the inn.
They did not go straight to the little courtyard, however. Instead, they first went to the main street and turned into a general store. Since they needed to tidy up the courtyard, they would naturally need cleaning tools.
Lin Wu picked through the goods in the shop. They needed a broom, wooden bucket, wooden basin, brushes, a sleeping mat, and various other household necessities. When she spotted toothbrushes, she took two as well.
In a large town like this, toothbrushes were no longer considered rare. There were even shops devoted specifically to selling them. The handles were usually made of ox horn, animal bone, bamboo, or wood, though wealthy households sometimes used ivory. The bristles were made from horsehair and could be rather stiff. There were several kinds of toothpaste too. Besides the commonly used thick soapberry paste, there were special tooth-cleaning powders and pastes. Some were made by boiling willow, locust, and mulberry branches with ginger juice and other ingredients; others were ground from salt and almonds.
The toothbrushes, however, were truly expensive. One cost twenty-five copper coins. But it was something used every day and could last a long time, so she had to buy them despite the price.
Just before paying, Lin Wu remembered the moss-covered well and added a coil of hemp rope and a wooden pulley.
The odds and ends added up to quite a load. Her purse grew thinner still.
Looking at the pile of goods, Lin Wu felt a headache coming on.
The shopkeeper, however, was clearly used to such things. He took the initiative and spoke kindly. “Madam, have you just rented a house? These things aren’t easy to carry. Our shop’s ox cart is about to deliver a load of goods, and the driver can drop them off for you on the way. If you don’t mind, you can ride along too.”
“That would be a tremendous help,” Lin Wu said gratefully. She loaded their luggage onto the cart as well. Lin Jing was lifted onto the wooden bed of the cart and sat down. It was his first time riding in an open cart with no walls around it, and he widened his eyes as he gazed about in curiosity.
The ox cart swayed slowly toward the eastern part of the city, finally stopping at the end of an alley. The shop assistant helped unload their purchases and luggage at the courtyard gate before driving away.
The alley fell quiet again. Lin Wu took out the key and pushed open the gate. Morning sunlight lay scattered across the courtyard. It was gentler than the glaring noon sun, bathing the yard in a clear, soft light. The wild grass between the stones was damp with dew, making it look even greener.
She made several trips, carrying the luggage and newly purchased goods into the courtyard one by one, then turned and fastened the gate shut.
“A Wu, where should we sweep first?” Lin Jing set his little bundle beside the pile of luggage and looked up at her, his eyes shining brightly. He showed no sign of fatigue; instead, he seemed eager to get started.
Lin Wu surveyed the courtyard and soon had a plan. After all, she had spent ten years as a palace maid responsible for sweeping and cleaning.
“Let’s put everything in the courtyard for now and start by cleaning the rooms. We need to clear out a place where we can rest first.” She crouched down and took out the cleaning tools they had just bought. “And I’ll have to trouble A Jing to open all the doors and windows so we can air the rooms out.”
“All right!” Given his instructions, Lin Jing immediately ran to the main room. The door was rather heavy, and he had to push with both hands just to open a narrow gap. Dust rushed into his face. He wrinkled his little nose, turned sideways, and squeezed inside.
The room was dim. After looking around, he soon scampered to the kitchen and returned not long afterward carrying a small square stool in both hands. He placed it beneath the window, climbed up carefully, rose onto his toes, and stretched out his arms to prop open the window shutters one by one.
Sunlight poured in at once, brightening the room.
“Our A Jing is such a capable boy,” Lin Wu said as she followed him inside, pushing both doors fully open. “But be careful to stand firmly. Don’t fall.”
Lin Jing climbed down from the stool and brushed the dust from his hands. Happily, he ran a little circle around the room, which was now bright and airy. “A Wu, it’s bright inside, and the wind can come in too!”
Lin Wu smiled as well. “Yes. It’s all thanks to A Jing opening the windows. You did the most important work.”
The two of them returned to the courtyard. Lin Wu went first to the well. Its wooden cover was thick and heavy, and she had to exert some effort to move it aside. She leaned over and peered down. The water was deep and shadowy, but fortunately it appeared fairly clear.
She installed the newly purchased wooden pulley, tied the hemp rope to the bucket, and slowly lowered it down. The first bucket of water she drew up was somewhat murky.
Using that water, she scrubbed the area around the well. She repeated the process of drawing water and splashing it over the stones until the water she brought up was clear and sparkling.
Once she had water, she picked up the broom, carried the bucket, and entered the main room.
Lin Jing immediately followed with a small damp cloth. He imitated her, wiping here and rubbing there, busily enjoying himself.
Fortunately, the room was empty and contained very little clutter, so it was not difficult to clean. The water weighed down the dust, while the breeze and sunlight carried away the stale, musty odor. Before long, the room had become fresh and clean.
After roughly cleaning the main room, Lin Wu was sweating all over. When she turned around, she saw that Lin Jing’s bangs were damp with sweat too, with a few strands clinging to his flushed little cheeks.
Lin Wu hurriedly took his hand and led him to sit on a small stool. Then she used a clean, fine cloth to wipe the dust from his face. “Are you tired? Rest for a while.”
“Not tired.” Lin Jing shook his head and tipped up his face to let her wipe it. His eyes were still bright and shining.
Then he suddenly seemed to remember something. “A little while ago, I saw a line of ants by the corner of the courtyard wall. They were carrying tiny white specks and walking in a line. Did we disturb their home by cleaning here?”
Lin Wu could not help smiling. “Perhaps we did. It seems that after we moved in, they’ll have to find a new place to make their home.”
The two of them drank a little water from a gourd. Just as they had caught their breath, a knock came from outside the courtyard gate.
Lin Wu rose, brushed the dust from her skirt, and went to open the gate.
A woman of about forty stood outside. She wore a somewhat worn indigo-blue short jacket, her hair neatly combed and pinned up with a wooden hairpin. Her face was thin, with fine lines at the corners of her eyes, but her expression was gentle.
“Are you the new neighbors?” the woman asked first, her voice soft.
Lin Wu nodded. “Greetings, Sister. We moved in this morning and are in the middle of cleaning. Have we disturbed you?”
“No, no,” the woman said hurriedly, waving her hands. “I live right next door. I heard some noise and thought perhaps a new neighbor had moved in, so I came over to take a look.”
As she spoke, she noticed the household goods piled up in the courtyard. “This place has been empty for some time, so I imagine it’ll take quite a bit of work to get everything in order. I have some spare brooms and wooden basins at home. If you don’t mind, you’re welcome to use them for now. I don’t have anything important to do today, either. I can lend you a hand.”
“Thank you for your kindness, Sister He, and for thinking of us. We’ve already prepared all the things we need for cleaning; we’ll need them for daily use from now on, anyway. The courtyard isn’t large, and my son and I can tidy it up quickly enough.”
At that, the woman nodded, her gaze settling on Lin Jing, who stood behind Lin Wu. “This must be your little one, yes? What a well-behaved child.”
She then looked at Lin Wu. “My surname is He. The neighbors all call me Fourth Sister He. My husband’s surname is Liu. He spends most of the year traveling with merchant caravans, while our son studies at the prefectural school. It’s usually just me at home. If you ever need a hand with anything, or if there’s anything around here you’re unfamiliar with, just call out through the wall.”
“So you’re Fourth Sister He,” Lin Wu said, committing the name to memory. She gently drew Lin Jing a little farther in front of her. “My surname is Lin, and my given name is Wu. This is my son, Lin Jing.”
She paused before continuing, “My husband previously traveled with the Zhi Yun trading company. He passed away from illness in Lingzhou this spring. That’s why I’ve brought my child back to Huzhou, hoping to find a place to settle. We’ll be neighbors from now on, and I’m sure I’ll have to trouble you from time to time. Please look after us.”
Since she and Lin Jing were a widow and an orphaned mother and son, they were bound to attract curiosity. It was better to be open about things and spare themselves needless speculation.
When Fourth Sister He heard this, she was taken aback for a moment, and sympathy appeared in her eyes. “Oh… so that’s how it is. You’re still so young, and it certainly hasn’t been easy for you. But now that you’re back in Huzhou, you’re one of us neighbors. The beginning is always the hardest; things will gradually get better. If you run into any trouble, don’t hesitate to ask.”
Lin Wu replied gently, “Thank you, Sister He. We’ve only just arrived, and there are many things we don’t understand. If I happen to handle anything improperly in the future, I hope you’ll be patient with me.”
“You’re too polite,” Fourth Sister He said hurriedly. “You two get on with your work, then. I won’t disturb you any longer.”
After a pause, she added, “Every afternoon, someone comes through the alley to collect slops and waste earth. Early each morning, a waste collector comes to take away refuse. Just leave it outside your door and pay them a few coins each month for their trouble. They each have their own assigned areas, so they won’t get mixed up.”
The waste collectors were laborers who specialized in clearing the city’s refuse. Each had their own regulated territory, and they were not allowed to cross into another’s area to take work.
Although the former owner of the house had already explained all this the day before, Fourth Sister He was genuinely kindhearted. Lin Wu thanked her sincerely. “Thank you for telling us. We need someone to guide us through these little details. You’ve saved us a great deal of trouble.”
Fourth Sister He went on to briefly describe the households living in the alley, then turned and returned to her own courtyard.
Once the gate was closed, Lin Wu quietly let out a breath of relief. It seemed their next-door neighbor would be easy enough to get along with—gentle, considerate, and with a simple household.
After a simple midday meal of the rice cakes steamed that morning, they continued cleaning.
Although there were not many rooms and the courtyard was not large, by the time everything inside and out had been tidied into a clean and orderly state, the sun had already begun to sink westward.
Lin Wu straightened her aching back and raised a sleeve to wipe the sweat from her forehead. Beside her, Lin Jing imitated her, letting out a long little sigh. His small face was streaked with dust.
Lin Wu could not help smiling at the sight. She took his hand and led him into the courtyard, where she drew fresh water from the well to wipe his face and wash their hands.
“A Jing must be hungry, hmm?” Lin Wu carefully wiped his little face, then removed a piece of grass that had somehow gotten caught in his hair. “Let’s make something to eat. For our evening meal today, we’ll cook the first meal in our own kitchen.”
Lin Jing’s eyes lit up at once, and he nodded vigorously.
Around noon, Lin Wu had happened to hear someone outside calling out as he carried a shoulder pole laden with pork and mutton for sale. She had hurried out and bought a pound of pork.
The kitchen was still missing many utensils, including a wok, so for the moment she could only prepare steamed dishes. She decided to make a steamed pork patty with egg, along with some steamed vegetables.
“A Jing, go outside and rest for a while. We’ve already finished cleaning. Go see whether the ants have moved into their new home yet,” Lin Wu said to Lin Jing, who had been following her around. If she did not find him something to do, the little fellow would surely stay glued to the kitchen.
Sure enough, Lin Jing nodded the moment he heard this, his face solemn with responsibility. “We should go check. They can’t still be in the courtyard. We’re going to plant scallions here in the future.”
Little A Jing was still thinking about his tiny scallion patch.
“Then from now on, I’ll leave the scallions’ home entirely in your care, A Jing.”
Lin Wu smiled as she watched him hurry out. Then she called after him from the doorway, “Be careful, and don’t get too close! An ant bite hurts!”
“Got it!” came the clear voice from the courtyard.
Only then did Lin Wu turn her attention to the stove. She rolled up her sleeves, finely chopped the pork into a paste, and mixed in salt. She added a little rice wine to remove the gamey smell, along with some light soy sauce for flavor.
In this era, wine was an ordinary commodity and not particularly expensive. Rice wine was especially popular. Every prefectural city had government-run breweries, which produced wine in spring and autumn. The wine brewed in autumn was called “small wine,” and sold for between five and thirty copper coins, with twenty-six grades in all. The wine brewed in summer was called “great wine,” priced from eight to forty-eight coins, and likewise divided into twenty-three grades. Of course, there were also fine wines that cost a string of coins per dou, but those were beyond Lin Wu’s considerations.
She spread the seasoned pork evenly across the bottom of a bowl, pressed a shallow hollow into the center with a spoon, and cracked an egg into it before placing the bowl in the steamer. She also washed a few leaves of Chinese cabbage, arranged them in a small dish, and steamed them alongside the pork.
There had originally been a square table with slender legs in the main room. Lin Wu had washed and dried it at noon, and it was still sitting in the courtyard.
She went out to move it into the kitchen. Lin Jing, who was still crouched by the wall watching the ants, immediately dropped the blade of grass in his hand and ran over. He stretched out his little hands, wanting to help lift one corner, but he was only just tall enough to see over the tabletop and had no strength to contribute. All he could do was tilt up his small face and gaze at her hopefully.
“A Jing can just watch the path for me.” The table was not large, and she could carry it by herself.
After setting it up in an open space in the kitchen, she carried the freshly steamed pork patty, Chinese cabbage, and white rice to the table one by one. The three simple dishes sent up clouds of steam as they sat side by side.
“Come on, time to eat.” Lin Wu served the rice and handed Lin Jing his chopsticks.
“Did the ants all move away?” Lin Wu asked as she scooped a spoonful of the pork patty into his bowl.
Lin Jing nodded his little chin. “They moved away! I watched for a long time. They lined up and went through the crack in the wall one after another. One ant was being lazy and couldn’t move for ages, so I found a blade of grass and gently herded it back toward the line.”
Lin Wu was amused by little A Jing’s strict enforcement of the rules. “Our A Jing is certainly responsible. You even keep such a close eye on the ants when they’re moving house.”
Lin Jing swayed his head smugly, then shoveled a mouthful of rice into his mouth. As he chewed, he suddenly looked up, his eyes curving into a smile.
“A Wu, I think today’s meal tastes especially good.”
“Perhaps it’s because we’re eating in our own home,” Lin Wu replied with a smile. “Come to think of it, we haven’t told Sparrow and Tigerhead that we’ve moved yet.”
Lin Jing was startled by her words, his brows drawing together unconsciously. But they soon smoothed out again. “If they go to the inn and see that we aren’t there, they should figure it out.”
“That’s true. Shopkeeper Wang will surely tell them.” Lin Wu nodded. “It’s just a shame they’ll have made the trip twice.”
“Tigerhead isn’t afraid of being tired.”
“Then it’s settled. If they come looking for us again, we’ll formally invite them to visit our new home.” She paused, her tone softening. “Tomorrow, we’ll buy some writing paper while we’re out and keep it ready. Once we’ve written the letter, we’ll have Sparrow and Tigerhead take it back to Old Master Shen and send it on to Young Master Shen.”
Lin Jing paused, then nodded. “Mm. I remember. I also need to thank him.”
Lin Wu ruffled his little head. “Good. If there’s anything A Jing wants to ask, think it over first. You can write it all in the letter then.”
Lin Jing lowered his lashes, gazing at the rice left in his bowl. Slowly, he gave a solemn nod.
After their afternoon meal, Lin Wu carried the dishes to the well to wash them. The cool well water flowed over her fingertips. As she scrubbed, her eyes drifted unconsciously beyond the courtyard wall toward the darkening sky.
She felt somewhat dazed. After that brief meeting in Lingzhou, she had taken Lin Jing and traveled from place to place before finally settling in Huzhou. Meanwhile, the Young Master Shen who perhaps should have been in Huzhou Prefecture, playing with Sparrow and Tigerhead or feeding the koi in his spare time, was now traveling farther and farther away from Huzhou, hurrying along some unknown stretch of road.
Lin Wu knew full well that the peace they had found in this little courtyard was owed in no small part to the Shen family’s aid. The boat they had taken from Chuzhou to Huzhou, as well as the travel document and household registration in their hands, had all been arranged so carefully by Shen Guanting.
She let out a quiet breath, stacked the clean bowls, and set them aside to drain before rising and gazing toward the horizon. The road ahead was long. May everything come to pass as hoped.
