A few days later, at the manor outside Anyang Prefecture, Chunxing gazed at the lush green vegetables in the greenhouse, her face beaming with delight.
“The shop is all set up. When can we harvest the first batch of vegetables?”
In the northern winter, where temperatures dropped to more than ten degrees below zero, the sight of fresh greens would surely stun everyone once the news got out.
Fushun plucked a broad bean and peeled it open. “In three days. According to the Eldest Young Lady’s instructions, it will be just in time for the Little New Year.”
Chunxing nodded and took a deep breath, her heart racing with anticipation for that day to arrive.
Even though Song Jinzhao was away, everything in the Song household was proceeding according to her plan, moving as smoothly as well-oiled gears.
Meanwhile, Old Man Song, wearing two layers of worn-out padded cotton coats, pushed open the door with a head full of snow.
Old Lady Song stood up and took a cloth to brush the snow off him. “Still no sign of them?”
Old Man Song shook his head. “I just went to the Village Head’s house to ask. They said it should be in the next day or two. They should be back soon.”
The letter Song Jinzhao sent three days ago had clearly stated their departure time. Based on the distance, they should be home any moment now.
Oldest Song, who was busy weaving bamboo baskets in the main hall, looked up and said, “The roads are difficult to travel when it snows, so it’s normal to be delayed by a day or two. With Jinzhao there, you can rest easy, Father.”
Old Man Song took off one of his cotton coats and sat by the stove to warm himself.
“It’s been five months. I wonder how the third branch is doing. Have they gained weight or gotten thinner?”
“They don’t have any relatives out there to help them, and they are so young. If they get bullied, they don’t even have an elder to stand up for them.”
Oldest Song pursed his lips helplessly. It was hard to say who would be bullying whom.
With his eldest niece’s skills, she could take on three people at once with energy to spare. Anyone who dared to provoke her would be lucky to escape with their life.
As the surrounding scenery became increasingly familiar, Song Jinzhao, who hadn't spent much time in Song Village, felt a touch of "homesick apprehension" as she neared her destination.
Song Shixue leaned against the carriage window, her eyes sparkling with an excitement brighter than the spring sun.
“Sister, can we go see Father and Mother as soon as we get home? I miss them.”
Song Jinzhao’s hand tightened slightly on the reins. She pressed her lips together and nodded. “We’ll go as soon as we arrive. We’ll stop in the city first to buy some joss paper.”
After a quick sweep through the city, as the sky began to dim, the two carriages headed straight for Song Village.
Song Dazhuang, who was eating dinner, suddenly put down his bowl and chopsticks and pricked up his ears. “I think I hear the sound of horse hooves.”
“Grandpa, Grandma, I’m back!”
A thunderous shout shattered the peace of the Village Head’s house.
The sound reached the neighbors, and curious villagers stepped out to see two carriages parked on the road.
Rubbing their eyes, they realized the person driving the carriage looked like the eldest daughter of the third Song brother?
Village Head Song Mancang was the first to react. He dropped his bowl and rushed to open the door.
Song Gaoli, carrying a bundle and the goods he had just bought from Xining City, dashed into the courtyard. The joy on his face was even more radiant than when he had passed the scholar exams.
“Grandpa!”
Everyone inside the house rushed out, joyfully grabbing Song Gaoli to check on him.
Song Mancang said with a smile, “You’ve gotten thinner, but you’ve grown quite a bit taller. You’re almost as tall as your father.”
Song Gaoli scratched his head sheepishly as he set down his things. “I’m not thinner, just leaner and stronger.”
Song Mancang glanced toward the courtyard gate, where Song Qiming was walking in with the rest of Song Gaoli’s luggage.
He didn't hesitate to praise him. “It’s only been a few months, but Qiming has grown to be even more handsome and dignified.”
Song Qiming gave a gentle nod to everyone in the house. “Village Head, Uncle Dazhuang, Grandma, Auntie.”
Dazhuang's Wife warmly took the items from Song Qiming’s hands. “Where is your sister? It’s just in time for dinner. You must stay and eat with us today.”
Song Mancang immediately chimed in, “Yes, yes! Wife, take Dazhuang's Wife to the kitchen and cook a few more dishes. They must be hungry after traveling all day.”
Song Qiming smiled and shook his head, already stepping back toward the door.
“No need, we bought food in the city. My sister is still waiting for me outside. I’ll come over another day.”
Gaoli's grandma and mother couldn't hold Song Qiming back. They followed him out of the courtyard and saw another carriage parked on the road.
Gaoli's grandma waved and ran over, looking at Song Jinzhao with admiration.
“Jinzhao has grown into such a fine young lady. Thank you for bringing my Gaoli back this time. You must come to my house for dinner tomorrow.”
Song Shixue poked her head out of the carriage and called out politely, “Gaoli's grandma.”
In just a short while, more and more villagers opened their doors to see the commotion.
The only two scholars in the village had returned. Looking at the carriages, they were even more beautiful than those belonging to the wealthy Master Zhao.
Looking at their clothes and appearance, they looked like the young ladies and masters of a great noble family in the city. Life for the third branch of the Song family in the prefectural city must be very prosperous indeed.
“Jinzhao! Qiming! Shixue!”
Old Man Song came running over in his old cotton coat, not even having time to fasten the top two buttons.
Song Jinzhao jumped down from the carriage, and Song Shixue climbed out holding Song Anhao.
Three cries of “Grandpa!” rang out one after another.
Looking at the four siblings gathered together, Old Man Song’s heart completely melted.
