Early on the first morning of the fifth month, Chen Caozhi, Zongzhi, and Run'er bathed in an orchid bath, then changed into brand-new summer clothes of fine kudzu cloth, put on Bixie Jade Pendants, and hung small embroidered sachets of spices at their waists. After breakfast, Lai Fu and his son Lai De waited downstairs with two oxcarts, ready to take Chen Caozhi, his nephew and niece, and the two maids, Xiao Chan and Qingzhi, to the Ding Clan Villa. Ran Sheng could not sit idle and went along too.
The oxcart borrowed from Fourth Uncle Chen Xian was somewhat roomier, so Chen Caozhi, Xiao Chan, and Run'er rode together in it, with Lai Fu driving.
Between the hours of the Hare and the Dragon, the blazing sun had yet to show its strength. The summer breeze carried the fresh scent of wheat coming into ear. In high spirits, Lai Fu flicked his bamboo whip through the air, its tip swishing. "The wheat is growing beautifully this year. It ought to be a good harvest. Our fields at Chen Family Cove yield more every year, and what's even more cheering is that young master Caozhi has become a Sixth Rank gentleman. Once he takes up a ranked post in the commandery next year, he can receive another ten qing of land. Then my family will be a rightful protected household of the Qiantang Chen Clan, and no one can drive me away."
Xiao Chan smiled. "In another two months or so, Uncle Lai Fu, your family will have another child. One happy event after another!"
Lai Fu chuckled, delighted beyond measure. His second son, Lai Zhen, had married before the New Year, and his daughter-in-law Huang Shi now had a very large belly.
Chen Caozhi smiled. Ordinary people asked for