Meanwhile, in the small courtyard of the Wei Residence outside West Peace Gate.
Qu Niang was boiling water in the kitchen, the fire in the stove casting a rosy glow over her cheeks.
Young Master likes to bathe after leaving work. I wonder whether he'll come home early today.
As she pondered this, a knocking came from the courtyard gate.
Qu Niang set down her work, walked to the gate, and peered out through the crack.
A woman stood outside.
She wore a lotus-root pink beizi beneath a silver-gray cloak, a Pearl Crown on her head, and Gold Clove Earrings dangling from her ears.
Despite all that finery, Qu Niang recognized her at once.
When Uncle Wei had still been alive, he had spoken of the suffering Young Master had endured in the Wei Family.
Every incident remained etched in her heart.
Thus, even after recognizing Cui Shi, Qu Niang merely frowned, turned back to the kitchen, and pretended she had heard nothing.
Cui Shi stood outside for a moment, then raised her hand to knock again.
"Is anyone there? Ni Sheng? Is Ni Sheng home?"
Qu Niang still ignored her, merely stoking the fire a little higher.
Cui Shi knocked for a long while, but no one answered.
At last, she stopped, gathered her cloak around herself, hunched her shoulders, and waited in the cold wind.
About an hour later, the rumble of wheels sounded at the mouth of the alley.
A Blue-Cloth Carriage stopped before the courtyard gate.
Cui Fu jumped down from the driver's seat and lifted the curtain. Wei Nisheng emerged from the carriage.
At the sight of him, Cui Shi's eyes lit up, and she hurried forward.
"Ni Sheng! Little Brother!"
"Older Sister?" Cui Fu started, then froze.
Hearing her voice, Wei Nisheng paused