Wei Nisheng returned home after leaving his office, and his carriage stopped before the courtyard gate.
He had just stepped down when he saw lamplight in the main room. The door curtain lifted, and Fu Niang leaned out.
She wore winter clothes: a moon-white embroidered jacket and a stone-blue cloak, its collar edged with snowy rabbit fur that made her face look all the clearer and brighter.
She held a copper hand warmer, and at the sight of him, her eyes curved into a smile.
"You're home, husband. Come inside quickly. It's cold out."
Wei Nisheng stepped through the doorway, and Fu Niang pressed the hand warmer into his hands. "Warm yourself."
"Your hands are so cold. Keep it for yourself."
Wei Nisheng pushed the warmer back into her hands, then took her hand in his. Sure enough, it was icy.
"Why come out to meet me? It's not as though I don't know the way."
"Because I wanted to." Fu Niang drew her hand back and began undoing his cloak.
"You're home a little late today, husband. Was there business at the office?"
"Mm," Wei Nisheng said. "And you went out for half the day yourself?"
"I certainly did!" Fu Niang hung up his cloak, a touch of pride in her expression.
"Husband, I went to the Yao Residence this afternoon and met Censor Wang's bride-to-be."
"Oh?"
"Dignified and gracious, measured in her speech. She's someone who can manage a household," Fu Niang said earnestly.
"Wang Kan is a fortunate man. She'll marry into his household at year's end, so we must prepare a generous gift."
"You've already started sizing up his bride for him."
"He passed the examinations in the same year as you, so he's practically family to us." As Fu Niang spoke, she remembered something else.