Chapter 14: Returning Home

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Madam Yu hurried off to the kitchen, while Lin Qiuran had already finished packing. She didn’t have much—just two jars of seasoning, a small bag of dried hawthorn, and a water flask.

It was still early, and since the manor provided meals, Lin Qiuran had initially planned to eat something simple there. But now that she had earned money, she intended to dine out.

Everything was ready; they only awaited Madam Yu and her maids to settle the wages.

Since the manor still had guests to entertain, Lin Qiuran waited patiently, but not for long before Madam Yu arrived with her maidservants.

Madam Yu said, “Madam Lin, don’t be in a hurry to leave. There are still some lucky pouches and blood sausages left. Take these home to enjoy. My mother-in-law said the banquet went well today, but there were too many guests to accommodate you all for a meal. These haven’t been touched, so take them to share in the good fortune.”

When preparing a feast, some dishes were made in extra quantities, especially those with counted servings, in case plates broke, they could serve another portion.

There were over ten lucky pouches and five blood sausages.

Lin Qiuran smiled and said, “Then I’ll gladly accept them.”

Madam Yu looked pleased and handed over a small embroidered pouch. “This is your payment. The dishes were already set, but since you put extra thought into one of them, there’s an additional silver coin for you.”

Lin Qiuran accepted the pouch, expecting some extra pay since she hadn’t embarrassed Madam Yu. “I’m glad the matron liked it. It’s getting late, so we’ll take our leave now. You should hurry back to attend your guests.”

Madam Yu sent her maids to pack the lucky pouches and blood sausages, then personally escorted them out. The three of them left the Wang household before noon.

Madam Sun said, “You must be hungry. Eat something to fill your stomach, then we’ll have a proper meal.”

A flicker of sympathy appeared in Madam Sun’s eyes—today was even more exhausting than the last time at the Yu estate. They had worked all day yesterday and gotten up early today, now over three hours on their feet. Though they managed to sit and drink when free, fatigue was inevitable.

Lin Qiuran unwrapped the oil paper bundles; Madam Yu had brought all the lucky pouches. She ate one and shared with Madam Sun and Xiao Dashi. The soft pastries filled with savory meat sauce were wrapped in oil paper, the character for longevity on top now smudged.

Each of the three ate two, just enough to stave off hunger. Madam Sun couldn’t help but think they were truly delicious—maybe Qiuran should cook for them more often.

After eating, Madam Sun asked Lin Qiuran what she wanted for the next meal.

Lin Qiuran said, “Let’s find a noodle shop and have some noodles.”

She didn’t want to eat at the tavern again—each dish cost a silver coin, and the taste was inferior to her own cooking. She couldn’t afford such extravagance if she wanted to save.

They found a modest noodle shop. Lin Qiuran ordered a bowl of shredded pork noodles with an added egg, plus a plate of cold dishes. Madam Sun and Xiao Dashi requested only large bowls of plain noodles, refusing any extras, and Lin Qiuran chose not to argue.

She was very hungry and wanted to eat quickly.

The noodles came in clear broth, with a generous spoonful of stir-fried pork strips.

Lin Qiuran finished the noodles and drank the soup, then paid fifteen wen.

After the meal, they didn’t rush off but rested a moment inside the shop. Lin Qiuran tallied her earnings—this time she earned half a silver coin, plus what she made selling fish over the past days, totaling more than one tael. She made about two qian daily selling fish, and today was better. At home, she had over two thousand copper coins saved, which amounted to more than two taels in silver.

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Including the savings at home, they had just over thirty taels.

Lin Qiuran said, “Father, Mother, if we’re not in a hurry to return, let’s look at some houses. It’s still early.”

They wouldn’t return to Xiao’s village until the Shen hour by ox cart, and now it was just the Wei hour.

After this birthday banquet at the Wang family, more people would definitely seek her cooking. She felt it would be more convenient to buy a house in the county town, not too large since there were only three of them. Even if a child was born later, the little one could share a room with the adults at first. Three rooms would suffice; when the child grew, they might consider a bigger house.

Buying an excessively large house now might invite envy. They could look around today without deciding immediately. In the coming days, they would surely earn more, and by the time they found a suitable property, they might have enough money.

Xiao Dashi nodded, and Madam Sun also agreed, “Alright, let’s go take a look.”

Madam Sun had mentioned to Xiao Dashi that night when they returned from the county the idea of buying a house in town. At first, Xiao Dashi didn’t understand—why move when the village house was just renovated after Lin Qiuran and Xiao Xun married? Why leave a perfectly good home?

Madam Sun explained, “There are more opportunities for cooking in the town. Returning by ox cart is tiring. Besides, Qiuran is well-fed and rested here, and the baby will be healthy. Maybe the child will study in town and bring honor to the family. We can’t live in the village forever.”

She also told Xiao Dashi about encountering Aunt Li, implying that Aunt Li’s family might bully Lin Qiuran’s child in the village.

Madam Sun said, “With Xiao Xun away, we must take good care of Qiuran.”

Xiao Dashi had no argument; they would buy the house. He wasn’t the decision-maker anyway. Even if he hesitated, what could he do?

Lin Qiuran was somewhat surprised. She expected Madam Sun’s approval but thought Xiao Dashi would ask more questions. Instead, he merely nodded.

Lin Qiuran said, “We’re just looking, not deciding right away.”

Madam Sun replied, “No rush. We’ll compare and choose the one that suits us best.”

After resting fifteen minutes, the three left the noodle shop and hired a broker to view houses.

They looked at several priced around thirty to forty taels. Prices didn’t vary much, but size and location differed.

One large house had many neighbors, mostly tenants, with several people sharing a single dwelling. The yard was cluttered and messy.

Another place was in a decent location, neighbors were friendly, but it was smaller than their current village home. Three rooms cost forty taels. Xiao Dashi couldn’t understand why pay more for a smaller house when a bigger one was available.

Lin Qiuran asked the broker about the smaller house and thought it quite good.

She believed the priority wasn’t size. If they wanted big, they could stay in the village with land to build as large as they wished. Land in town was precious and different.

Location mattered most—better location meant convenience, good neighbors, and safety.

For example, those shared houses were chaotic, with all sorts living together, tenants moving in and out at will. Living next to such neighbors risked theft or trouble with no recourse.

Without a man at home, living there was unsuitable. Even if Madam Sun and Xiao Dashi returned to the village, Lin Qiuran wouldn’t dare stay alone.

The broker said, “Though this house is more expensive, it’s just three streets away from the cheaper one. Not only is the location better, but the well, kitchen stove, walls, and corners inside are all clean. The previous owners took good care. It faces the market square, so buying things is convenient. There are several shops behind. If you had money to rent a shop for a small business, that would be ideal.”

He smiled, “Expensive has its benefits and reasons. The twenty-five tael place was cheap, but you saw it was messy with all kinds of people. Day or night, it’s noisy. Here, the residents are locals and kind.”

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Lin Qiuran nodded inwardly. On the way over, they had passed a drunken man staggering next door, and there was a foul odor.

But she kept a neutral expression before the broker and frowned. “Even if it’s good, fifteen taels more is too much. It’s still old property, after all. Can you try to negotiate for a discount?”

The broker said, “I can ask, but I can’t guarantee anything.”

Lin Qiuran nodded. Forty taels was still too high. Besides the purchase price, they had to pay the broker’s cut. Counting everything at home, they only had about thirty-two taels.

If they could negotiate down to thirty-five taels, they could pool money and maybe manage.

Lin Qiuran said, “I live in Xiao’s village. My parents often come to town to sell vegetables at the south street corner. If you hear anything, please let them know.”

The broker glanced at Madam Sun and Xiao Dashi, who looked honest and simple, guessing Lin Qiuran was the decision-maker, though unsure if she was daughter or daughter-in-law. “Alright.”

After the broker left, Lin Qiuran said, “Mother, if the price can drop by three or four taels and the broker’s cut is less, tell me. If it only goes down by one or two, that’s not sincere; we won’t be foolish.”

Business was like that—if the seller thought it good, someone still had to buy. A price without buyers or buyers without price meant no deal.

Madam Sun didn’t understand such matters; she simply followed Lin Qiuran’s instructions.

On the way back, Xiao Dashi asked, “Qiuran, maybe we should save a bit more and buy a bigger house?”

Lin Qiuran replied, “There are only three of us. Three rooms are enough. Better to buy this one now and save money. When the child grows up, we’ll have more.”

Xiao Dashi thought that reasonable.

Honestly, if there were gold to dig or rare herbs to find, Lin Qiuran wouldn’t consider buying in town. Though she earned nine qian at the Wang household, she had spent much on seasonings and supplies.

She hoped that some well-off guests at the banquet might need her services again, so she could take another order and save more.

Lin Qiuran followed Madam Sun and Xiao Dashi to the ox cart; after a long day, they chose not to walk home. Xiao Dashi wanted to walk back but Madam Sun held his hand to stop him. It was pointless to argue—Qiuran surely wouldn’t let him go alone, and arguing might upset her.

Besides, Xiao Dashi was tired from heavy work—carrying and fetching water was no light task.

The three waited by the ox cart. After four people arrived, they waited a while longer but no one else came. The driver decided not to wait any longer, not wanting to tire the ox. “Old friend, let’s go.”

As they moved away, Madam Sun rubbed her ear. “Qiuran, I think I heard someone calling you.”

Lin Qiuran instinctively looked back. At the city gate, Madam Yu was waving toward them, her maid shouting, “Madam Lin! Wait a moment!”