The new courtyard was relatively simple—a small, square compound. The main house, consisting of three rooms facing south, belonged to Dalang and his wife. Lin Fang’s three-room dwelling was adjacent to the main house, sharing the same orientation. There were three rooms on the east side and three on the west, occupied by Lin Wen and Lin Wu, respectively. Each house had side rooms where their personal servants resided.
The kitchen was situated opposite the main house, right next to the courtyard gate.
As Lin Wen and Lin Wu grew older, sharing a courtyard with Lin Cui’e became somewhat inconvenient. Though they were close relatives, the age gap wasn’t significant, and it was better to separate the genders. Thus, during the construction of the courtyards, they were built apart.
Lin Cui’e’s courtyard lay to the west of Dalang’s, with a similar layout, including her own small kitchen. However, she often joined Dalang’s family for meals.
To the east of Dalang’s courtyard was Lin Cuiping’s, also identically arranged. Initially, Dalang and his wife had suggested the two sisters share a courtyard for companionship, but both refused, so they lived separately. Small gates were added to the east and west walls of Dalang’s courtyard, leading to the sisters’ yards, though Lin Cuiping rarely visited.
Guicheng’s courtyard was across the river, not far from the fishery, adjacent to Zhou Yu’s small house.
Behind Dalang’s courtyard were two rows of servants’ quarters. Liu Ma’s family occupied an independent small yard, while other servants, whether married or not, lived together. However, Xiao Qin’s family would allocate rooms based on circumstances to avoid discontent among the servants.
The Zhou Yu family, being servants of the Lin household, shouldn’t have lived separately. But due to their unique situation and Guicheng’s advocacy, Dalang and his wife—who were not harsh masters—built them a separate house next to Guicheng’s. Zhou Yu, adhering to rules, insisted on a smaller, standard-sized yard despite having a larger family.
Two years prior, a peasant woman voluntarily married Zhou Sanxiao, and they now had a son. Zhou Sanxiao served as the manager of a tailor shop in Baishui Town, while Zhou Erxiao remained unmarried, always following Lin Cuiping.
When Manager Dong moved to town, he brought his grandson Dong Hao and his wife, Daya, intending for his grandson to take over his duties. The Lin family purchased the shop next to the grain store at a high price and opened a restaurant, where Daya resumed her former profession.
Oh, and there was another figure—Qi Biao, ever-present. After Dalang’s family settled here, he followed Lin Wen home and bought a thousand acres of wasteland adjacent to the Lin family’s property. The watermelons Lin Yuan enjoyed were gifts from Qi Biao, who also sent someone to teach the Lin family how to grow them. This year marked their first harvest.
“Father, are you willing to let Second Brother join the army?”
“Parents always feel reluctant when their children leave home, but a man’s ambitions lie beyond the four walls.”
“Mother, why does Father always say ‘a man’s ambitions lie beyond the four walls’? Clearly, he favors sons over daughters.”
Li Cuimei chuckled. “Oh, it’s just a common saying. Our Fang’er once said she wanted to travel the world. As long as you can go, your parents won’t stop you.”
Lin Fang nodded vigorously. “Mother treats me better. Father is biased.”
Dalang shook his head with a wry smile. Among his three children, his daughter was the most cherished. Yet she always accused him of favoritism—truly unfair. Whenever he went to town, she begged to accompany him. But the journey was long: riding would expose her delicate skin to the wind, and the bumpy carriage ride would be equally unbearable. So, nine times out of ten, he refused. She held a grudge, constantly accusing him of bias. Sigh.
Moreover, the world was dangerous, and even town wasn’t safe. Though the family wasn’t afraid of certain people, they had to be cautious—especially since their daughter grew more beautiful by the day. If trouble arose, she would suffer the most.
Haha. With Lin Wen’s departure imminent, their parents were naturally distressed. Lin Fang knew her father adored her; she was just teasing him to lighten the mood. She didn’t truly believe he favored sons.
While father and daughter bantered, Lin Cui’e seemed distracted. At eighteen, she wondered about Wang Hongwen, who had studied with Lin Wen. Lin Wen had passed his exams, but what of Wang Hongwen? Her mourning period would end this winter—would he really come to marry her? Their agreement had been verbal, not formal. Would he honor it?
Over the years, Lin Wen had ignored Lin Cuiping, who knew her past actions were despicable. With her nephew leaving soon, she stayed in her courtyard to avoid upsetting him, skipping her usual chores like feeding the sheep.
Qian’er was cooking, while Xian’er accompanied Lin Fang. All other servants were sent out to work, leaving only family members. Guicheng, now like a brother to Dalang, was Lin Wen’s uncle and should have seen him off. But today was his turn to deliver goods to town, so he couldn’t stay. He had already visited earlier.
“Uncle, Aunt, Yi’er is here.”
Since moving next to the hill, Qi Biao had changed how he addressed the Lin family. He called Dalang and Li Cuimei “Uncle” and “Aunt,” referred to the three siblings by name, and occasionally called Lin Fang “Fang’er.” He also asked the couple to call him “Yi’er” and for Lin Wu and Lin Fang to call him “Yi-ge.”
Qi Biao had come to escort Lin Wen to the army, after which he would return to Shengcheng to continue his studies.
“Uncle, Aunt, don’t worry. Lin Wen will only handle paperwork in the army and can bring Xiao Mo along. It won’t be too hard. Zhang Xiangfa’s post isn’t far, so he can look out for him.”
Qi Biao had changed significantly over the past two years. Once the same height as Lin Wen, he now stood half a head taller. His skin remained dark as charcoal, but he had grown sturdier. Though still reserved, he spoke more around the Lin family, occasionally offering comforting words—albeit briefly.
He handed Lin Fang a small basket. “I picked these on the way. Not sure how they taste.”
Wild grapes? Some green, some red, a few nearly purple. Lin Fang sighed inwardly—most weren’t ripe yet. A bit longer, and they’d be delicious. As she reached for them, Qi Biao pulled back. “Are they inedible?”
This guy—how did he notice? Could he read minds?
“Haha, no need to guess. Your thoughts are written all over your face.”
Oh, was it that obvious? Lin Fang touched her cheek and smiled. “They were picked too early. Sour and astringent.”
Without a word, Qi Biao turned to leave. After years of familiarity, Lin Fang knew what he’d do and called out, “Hey, don’t throw the basket away!” It was finely woven and quite charming.
Qi Biao looked back. “Are you calling me? Why not ‘Yi-ge’? Don’t I deserve it?”
Hmph. “Blackie” would roll off her tongue, but “Yi-ge”? She couldn’t bring herself to say it.
Seeing Lin Fang’s shifting expressions, Qi Biao left the courtyard. He tossed the basket into the nearby river, then took the reins from his ever-youthful attendant and waited outside. Xiao Mo, already prepared, stood by with two horses.
Dalang and Li Cuimei didn’t cling or fuss. As usual, they simply reminded Lin Wen not to skip meals—a habit of his when engrossed in study.
As the group rode off, Qi Biao didn’t glance back at Lin Fang. She found it baffling. At eighteen, he was sulking like a child denied candy—over an eight-year-old? Ridiculous.
Lin Wu, precocious and bright, had passed the Shengcheng entrance exams at eleven. The journey was too long for regular visits, so he planned to return during summer break—missing his brother’s farewell.
With Lin Wen gone, who knew when they would meet again? Fifth Brother only visited twice a year. Now, only Lin Fang was left to bring joy to her parents. She thought to herself: Isn’t a daughter her parents’ “little warm jacket”?
As Lin Fang prepared to leave, a middle-aged woman arrived at the gate. Spotting Lin Fang, she wiped her hands on her clothes and hesitantly reached out. Lin Fang offered her hand, and the woman dared to assist. “Aunt Gu, do you need something?”
In her thirties but aged by labor and sun, Aunt Gu had a loud voice. “Oh, class started half an hour ago. Everyone sent me to check if you’re unwell.”
Xian’er had forgotten again! Last night, Lin Fang had told her to inform Teacher Lan about the delay. She really needed a “tightening spell” for that girl.
An idea flashed in Lin Fang’s mind. “Aunt Gu, is learning characters difficult?”
“Oh, at my age? Of course it’s hard! But worth it. Last week, a townswoman liked my eggs and wrote down her address for future deliveries. Now I don’t have to rely on memory! Even if I don’t know all the characters, my son helps. Today, I wanted to ask you, but you were late, so I came myself.”
“My family had matters today. My maid probably forgot to notify the school. Sorry.”
“No need! The Lins are good people—teaching us to read, not treating us like strays. In town, the rich beat and curse us common folk. Last time, I saw a girl your age snatched off the street, accused of being a runaway slave. Her parents wept, but what could they do? I don’t dare bring my son to town now.”
“That’s kidnapping! Doesn’t the government intervene?”
“You’re too kind, Little Teacher. That family wouldn’t dare if they feared the law. A pretty girl like you must never go to town alone. That child was taken because of her looks.”
Kidnapping? Like in dramas? Lin Fang was stunned. She resolved to ask her father later.
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