"With so many people, how are we going to accommodate them?" Jin Qianqian said, looking at the small courtyard they now owned. The escort agency had timed their arrival perfectly, getting here just before the city gates closed.

It was already dark, and there was nowhere to house so many people at once.

Housekeeper Fu said, "Madam, everyone has gotten used to sleeping in the carriages on the journey. Why don’t we have them stay in the carriages tonight, and we can figure something out tomorrow?"

Jin Qianqian replied, "We don’t need everyone to stay in the carriages. We can clear out two or three rooms here and in the shop’s backyard. We’ll leave some people in the carriages but let the elderly and children squeeze into the rooms for now."

As for Gu Lejia and his wife, who had been following them closely, Jin Qianqian casually pointed to a side room. "You two can rest there for now. But there’s nothing in the room, so you’ll have to bring your own bedding down from the carriage."

Gu Lejia scratched his head in surprise as he looked at the cramped little courtyard. This was different from what he had imagined all along. ’To think Seventh Uncle and Aunt Seven live in such a small place.’

Song Xiuyang curled her lip in disdain. ’They put on such airs the whole journey, but it turns out they’re just some down-and-out family.’

"They don’t even provide bedding? What kind of place is this?" Song Xiuyang grumbled, her voice much louder than usual this time.

Jin Qianqian took a deep breath. ’Finally, we’re about to get rid of this pest. I hope she can keep up that attitude in Gaoling Village.’

***

Taking advantage of the time difference in her space, Jin Qianqian and Ancient Wen Heng managed to recover from the fatigue of their journey in just one night.

As for the soap artisans they had brought with them, Jin Qianqian first settled them at the estate she had purchased earlier. Finding a location for the soap workshop, however, would have to be a slow and careful process.

"I didn’t expect Xiao Dongzi to have grown so tall," Jin Qianqian said, a wide smile spreading across her face as she looked at the boy who had once been so small and skinny. He was finally having a growth spurt. ’I guess you could say he’s the first little Shopkeeper I’ve taken on here.’

"Madam, you’re finally back!" Xiao Dongzi was so happy he clutched the account book in his hands tightly. "I can finally turn over the accounts."

Jin Qianqian said, "You don’t have to be in such a hurry, do you? At least let me catch my breath. Come back in a few days. Besides, I see your clothes have gotten a bit short. Didn’t you think to buy a new set or two for yourself?"

’And not only do they look ill-fitting, they also seem a bit too thick for the weather.’

Xiao Dongzi looked down at his clothes. "They’re still fine. I can just add a section to the cuffs and wear them for another year."

Jin Qianqian asked, "Haven’t you been collecting your wages these past few months?"

Xiao Dongzi lowered his head shyly. "Madam, you took me in and taught me so much. I don’t need wages."

Jin Qianqian finally understood. It turned out the boy had only been paying Sister-in-law Xiang and Ping Sao their wages, leaving himself out.

"I distinctly remember telling you before we left that you could collect a Shopkeeper’s wages," Jin Qianqian said, her expression turning serious. "You may be young, but you’ve been watching over the shop for me. You’ve earned this.

Now, go and calculate how many Silver Tael you should have received for the past few months and deduct that amount. 𝒻𝑟ℯℯ𝑤𝑒𝑏𝑛𝘰𝓋𝑒𝓁.𝒸𝑜𝘮

If you don’t know how to spend the silver, go ask Tianbao and the others. Don’t be so hard on yourself at such a young age."

Xiao Dongzi replied, "But I think things are great right now. I have food and a place to live, and I’m learning so much. I never dared to dream of such things before. I’ll just give my wages to you, Madam."

Jin Qianqian chuckled. "You silly boy. In a few more years, you’ll be old enough to get married. You should save this money up slowly. It’s time you started building a home for yourself."

"A home?" Xiao Dongzi’s eyes grew misty, and their rims slowly turned red. The word felt so foreign, yet hearing it made his chest feel tight.

Jin Qianqian couldn’t help but reach out and pat his head. "That’s right. Our Xiao Dongzi can have his own home too. But you need Silver Tael to build it. So, Xiao Dongzi, I know you can do it."

Xiao Dongzi nodded slightly. "I want to have a home. A home of my very own."

Seeing that he had come around, Jin Qianqian sent him back to redo the accounts and began to busy herself with preparations for their return to Gaoling Village.

Their two horse-drawn carriages had been used to take the people from the soap workshop to the estate, so the donkey cart, which had been sitting unused for a long time, was finally being put to use.

When it saw Jin Qianqian, the now fully-grown Little Donkey started braying incessantly, "HEE-HAW—HEE-HAW—HEE-HAW—"

Jin Qianqian placed a pre-prepared carrot in front of it. Seeing the familiar food, the Little Donkey stamped its hooves repeatedly.

"Looks like Xiao Dongzi took good care of you. Look how shiny your coat is," Jin Qianqian said, giving the donkey’s ear a little tug.

"Aunt Seven, when are we heading back?" Gu Lejia couldn’t help but speak up, seeing Jin Qianqian still had the leisure to be playing with a donkey.

Jin Qianqian glanced up at him and stroked the donkey’s head. "Your Seventh Uncle is out on an errand. We’ll leave as soon as he gets back."

Gu Lejia said no more. Instead, he pulled open the courtyard gate and stood in the doorway, gazing out at the unfamiliar county town.

"This place is so small, not nearly as convenient as Sea City. Tell me, what was the point of coming back?" Xiuxiang shot a look full of disdain. "This whole bumpy journey almost rattled my bones apart. Your family lives in the countryside—don’t tell me we’ll have to travel on mountain roads too?"

Gu Lejia shot her a look. "Even if my home is in a mountain gully, it’s still my home. If you’ve got a problem with it, you can get lost."

"You..." Xiuxiang felt a surge of grievance. She had grown up in Sea City, after all. Just because she married Gu Lejia, she was expected to live out her days in some poverty-stricken backwater? And she wasn’t even allowed to complain a little?

Even in Sea City, she had lived in fear of a letter of divorce. Here, in this unfamiliar place, she would truly have no way to survive.

Seeing Xiuxiang fall silent, Gu Lejia felt a sense of triumph. He was increasingly convinced that what Hong Tianbao and the others had said was right—some people just can’t be spoiled. ’See? A little discipline and she behaves.’

His gaze swept over to Song Xiuyang’s stomach with a hint of disgust. She had made such a fuss before, getting his hopes up for nothing. ’Pregnant? She completely imagined it.’

Song Xiuyang lowered her head with a bitter smile. ’It seems fate isn’t on my side. Now that it’s confirmed there’s nothing in my belly, I can’t even use it to save face with my in-laws. Instead, I’ve just made a fool of myself. Look at the way Gu Lejia is looking at me now... he’s already disgusted.’

Ancient Wen Heng went to Leping Academy to report his return. Headmaster Lü Sheng gave them two days off to rest and handle their family affairs before resuming their studies.

"He may have given us two days, but the Headmaster is going to start testing us as soon as we’re back. That’s just cruel," Deng Yuanhang said, pounding his chest the moment he stepped out of the academy. "I’m so screwed now."

Ancient Wen Heng glanced sideways at him. "Which means you need to make the most of these two days. You’d better hurry back and burn the midnight oil. See if you can salvage something."

"How is that even possible?" Deng Yuanhang said with a pained expression. "I’ve spent most of the past few months hanging around the escort agency. I’m really in for it this time."