Shen Xuanqing returned with a borrowed chair and sat down. Though they had only been sitting in the cart, the long, bumpy ride had been tiring.
Wei Lanxiang hadn’t ridden in a mule cart for so long in years. She laughed. "Even after getting off, I still feel like I’m swaying, as if I’m still on the cart."
"Me too." Shen Yan chimed in. Excited upon entering Jixing Town, she had found everything novel. Now her cheeks were flushed, her voice bright and lively.
Even Lu Gu felt the same. Sitting beside Shen Xuanqing, he smiled without saying much.
When Shen Yaoqing returned with the water, they all drank to quench their thirst. After resting a while longer, their stomachs growling with hunger, they went to the nearest noodle shop for a meal - a bowl of noodles each, plus one meat and one vegetable dish. Granny Zhao, seeing how neat and clean the family looked, even Zhao’er plump and fair, was delighted and broke off a small piece of glutinous rice and fox nut cake for the child.
They had taken their time on the road, so by the time they finished eating, it was already afternoon. There was an inn on Xixing Street, not far from them. Shen Xuanqing and Shen Yaoqing each led a mule there, with Shen Yaoqing taking Lin Shouyi’s cart through the side gate. A worker, spotting them, immediately came to take over, unhitching the cart and tying up the mule before tossing hay into the trough.
Since they would stay at the inn overnight, Shen Yaoqing led the family into the lobby after leaving the side courtyard and booked two rooms - one for Wei Lanxiang and Shen Yan, the other for himself, Ji Qiuyue, and Zhao’er.
As for Lu Gu, he would stay at the shop with Little Lingjun and Shen Xuanqing.
After securing the inn, they weren’t in a hurry to settle in yet. Shen Xuanqing needed to fetch the chickens, ducks, and rabbits from the Yang family, so the others tagged along to visit and chat. Having come all this way, it would be impolite not to stop by.
The moment they entered the Yang family’s courtyard, Yan Shi was tying up her granddaughter Yang Ni’er’s disheveled hair after play. Ni’er, now eight years old, had noticeably grown taller since Lu Gu last saw her.
Hearing Shen Xuanqing’s call, Yan Shi looked up and was delighted to see the whole family entering. "Sister!"
She urged Ni’er to greet them. Now older and often running around the neighborhood tavern, Ni’er was less shy. She recognized Shen Xuanqing and Shen Yaoqing, the chestnuts and hazelnuts their family enjoyed every year were gifts from Shen Xuanqing. Fond of the treats, she found him endearing, calling him "Uncle" and then addressing Wei Lanxiang as "Grandma," Ji Qiuyue as "Aunt," Lu Gu as "Ahma," and Shen Yan as "Auntie" in quick succession. Wei Lanxiang, charmed by her sweet manners, responded warmly.
Having once lived in Qingxi Village and with Shen Xuanqing later becoming their disciple, Yan Shi and Wei Lanxiang were close. Plus, having so many guests brought lively energy. Yan Shi immediately told Old Man Yang to buy meat and vegetables and bring out good wine.
Wei Lanxiang stopped her, saying they had already eaten, which made Yan Shi playfully scolded her for not visiting their home first, teasing that she must be treating them like outsiders.
"After such a long ride, we were starving. The noodle shop was nearby, so while resting at the shop, so we just ordered from there, and the noodles were ready by the time we got there," Wei Lanxiang explained, patting Yan Shi’s hand.
After chatting for a while, Yan Shi picked up Zhao’er, exclaiming at his weight. "Our little Zhao’er has grown even chubbier! That’s good, he’ll grow up strong, a real man."
Then she spotted Little Lingjun in Lu Gu’s arms and cooed over him.
Little Lingjun was fair and tender. Having cried briefly upon waking, his eyes and lashes were still damp, his large eyes blinking - unbelievably beautiful.
Yan Shi cuddled him joyfully, while Old Man Yang, beside her, took Zhao’er into his arms, equally pleased with the children.
Their first day in Jixing Town was bustling - shopping, dining at Yang Xian’s tavern, and when it was time to leave that night, Yan Shi was reluctant to let them go, insisting they stay. The Shen family was large, whereas the Yang family was modestly well-off with limited space. When only Shen Xuanqing and Lu Gu had visited before, it had been manageable. Hearing Shen Yaoqing say the inn was already booked, Yan Shi didn’t press further.
The next day was an auspicious date, perfect for opening shop.
Early in the morning, Lu Gu woke up disoriented, staring at the unfamiliar bed curtains before remembering where he was.
Shen Xuanqing was also awake, his voice cheerful as he sat up. "Today’s the grand opening."
Lu Gu, pushing himself up to dress, smiled, his voice slightly hoarse. "May business prosper."
Shen Xuanqing grinned even wider.
They had slept at the shop, and soon Wei Lanxiang, Shen Yaoqing, and the others arrived from the inn. By full daylight, Yan Shi, Old Man Yang, and Ni’er - eager to watch the pig slaughter, showed up. Yang Xian and his wife Zhang Shi came later, helping to hang the two sides of pork on the wooden rack once the butchering was done.
Once everything was ready, Shen Yaoqing held a long bamboo pole while Shen Xuanqing lit a fire starter and ignited the string of firecrackers attached to it.
The loud pops filled the air, red paper scattering like blossoms on the ground.
Shen Yan and Ni’er, covering their ears, stood laughing at the entrance. Children from the street ran over at the noise, and early shoppers, hearing the call that pork was selling for just fifteen copper coins per catty, were tempted. Even those not buying came to ask about prices, soon crowding the shop.
Yan Shi had long spread word of the butcher shop’s opening through her three children. The first two days would have discounted meat, and with rabbits, chickens, and ducks also available - all reasonably priced. Old Man Yang had even told his town friends, ensuring a good turnout.
"This is Uncle Wang, from the alley west of us," Old Man Yang introduced a familiar face to Shen Xuanqing, helping him make connections for future business.
"Uncle." Shen Xuanqing greeted warmly, then asked how much meat Lao Wang wanted, deliberately giving him three extra liang, the scale tipping generously.
With many helpers in the shop and customers eyeing the rabbits, Ji Qiuyue and Shen Yan went to the back to fetch some for inspection.
Since Lingjun was awake, Lu Gu stayed in the back with Zhao’er and the baby, away from the entrance.
Watching the lively scene, his heart swelled with joy, his smile unwavering. Truly, an auspicious start.
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