Moving House

Shen Jingchuan returned to the Zhenyuan Escort Agency and asked after the Lin brothers. When he learned that Lin Yue and Lin Shan were away on an escort job and only Chief Escort Lin was overseeing the residence, he went straight to the main hall.

When Chief Escort Lin saw him enter, he rose with a smile to greet him. "Young Master Shen, you're back. Did you need something?"

"Chief Escort, here's the thing." Shen Jingchuan took a seat, speaking openly. "I had a look around the city today and found a house I liked, so I went ahead and bought it."

The smile vanished from Chief Escort Lin's face, replaced by surprise. "Oh? Has something about your stay here made you uncomfortable? Please, speak freely."

"You're worrying too much, Chief Escort." Shen Jingchuan waved a hand. "I'll remember how well your household has looked after me these past days. But I can't keep imposing on you forever. As it happens, I have some money to spare, and I came across a suitable house, so I bought it. I'll be more at ease there, too."

With that said, Chief Escort Lin could hardly insist that he stay. He could only nod.

"Since you've made your plans, I won't keep you."

"I'll pack my things and move over later today."

"Why such a hurry?" Chief Escort Lin said at once. "Let me prepare a farewell dinner for you tonight. It won't be too late to move tomorrow."

"There's no need to trouble yourself." Shen Jingchuan smiled. "Once I've settled in, I'll personally invite you over for a housewarming. We're in the same city, after all, and it's not far. We can visit whenever we like, so there's no need for a farewell dinner."

Chief Escort Lin thought that made sense and agreed with a smile.

Shen Jingchuan took his leave and returned to the small courtyard where he had been staying. Seeing Qingshu and Qinghua standing by to attend him, he said to Yue'er:

"Yue'er, I'm moving out today. You should go back and attend to your young lady."

Yue'er jerked her head up, and her eyes instantly turned red.

During the days they had spent together, she had found that Young Master Shen put on no airs at all. He often gave her novel treats, and even when she threw a little tantrum, he never took offense. Instead, he coaxed her gently.

Where in the world could she find another master with such a good temper?

"Young Master..." Her voice was muffled. "I can't bear to part with you."

Shen Jingchuan chuckled. "That's easily dealt with. I'll speak to your young lady and ask her to let you come with me."

"That won't do." Yue'er shook her head at once. "I can't bear to part with my young lady either."

Shen Jingchuan reached out and gently flicked her forehead.

"You can't bear to leave either of us. What do you plan to do? I can't stay here forever, can I?"

"Well... that wouldn't be so bad."

Yue'er muttered under her breath, then thought better of it. Lowering her head, she said, "That's true. You can't stay in someone else's home forever. I... I'll go tell the young lady."

With that, she turned and ran, her feet flying.

Lin Qingyao was slowly stretching her limbs in the courtyard. The wounds on her shoulders and back had already scabbed over. Seeing Yue'er come charging in like a whirlwind, she frowned and scolded her.

"What are you rushing about for? You can't be steady for a moment, all day long."

"Young Lady, Young Lady!" Yue'er panted. "Young Master Shen is leaving!"

Lin Qingyao stopped mid-motion. "Leaving? Where is he going? Did you fail to attend him properly and make him angry?"

"Of course not!"

Yue'er hastily waved her hands. "Young Master Shen bought a house outside. He said it wasn't right to keep staying at our home, and he's moving out now. He also told me to come back and serve you, saying Qingshu and Qinghua would be enough. So I came back to let you know, and besides... I can't bear to leave you either."

Lin Qingyao fell silent for a moment, then shook her head.

"Qingshu and Qinghua are young. How would they know how to attend to him? Come, I'll go see him off."

When mistress and maid arrived, Shen Jingchuan was just heading out. Seeing Lin Qingyao, he cupped his hands and smiled.

"Miss Lin, I was just thinking of coming to bid you farewell. Sorry to trouble you to come here first."

Lin Qingyao glanced at his side. Shen Jingchuan had his enormous backpack on his back, while Qingshu and Qinghua each carried a small bundle of clothes. Their belongings were pitifully meager. She said:

"Does your house have all the furnishings you need? If you're short of anything for daily use, just say the word. I'll have it sent over from the residence for you to use."

"No need to trouble yourself," Shen Jingchuan said. "The previous owner left all the furniture and furnishings behind. Everything is there; nothing is lacking."

Hearing this, Lin Qingyao gave Yue'er a gentle push forward.

"That still won't do. Qingshu and Qinghua are young, and there's much they don't know how to do. Let Yue'er go help you for a while. Once those two girls get the hang of things, she can come back. It's close by anyway, so coming and going will be easy."

"How could I possibly accept that?"

Shen Jingchuan hurriedly declined.

"Yue'er is your personal maid. If she comes with me..."

"Why couldn't you?"

Lin Qingyao's eyes curved as she interrupted him with a smile.

"Besides, I think this girl's heart has already flown away. She can't wait to go with you."

Yue'er blushed and pouted.

"Young Lady! That's not true. I can't bear to leave you."

Shen Jingchuan laughed too. "See? She doesn't want to go herself."

"I have the final say."

Lin Qingyao pretended to look stern and said to Yue'er, "Did you hear me? If I tell you to go, you'll go."

Yue'er could no longer hold back her smile, her eyes curving.

"Then I'll go! It's close by anyway, so I'll come back to see you every day!"

As she spoke, she glanced at Shen Jingchuan and deliberately stuck out her lower lip.

"What, Young Master Shen, am I not welcome? Do you think I'm clumsy?"

"How would I dare think that of you?"

Shen Jingchuan chuckled and reached out to rub the top of her head.

"With you around, little one, things will be livelier."

He then bid Lin Qingyao a solemn farewell and said a few words about visiting often in the future before setting out with the three girls.

Under the corridor, Ju'er folded her arms as she watched Yue'er's skipping figure recede. She curled her lip and muttered with a low huff, "Hmph, her heart's already gone wild. Let's see how she ever finds a husband now."

(The rules of this world were strict. A maid from a wealthy household who served only a young lady in the inner quarters could still find an ordinary family to marry into later. But once she had personally attended an adult male master, outsiders would consider her to have lost her chastity and regard her body as unclean. If she later wished to marry, almost no one would take her, and she would struggle to find a home for the rest of her life.)