Su Ran drew back the carriage curtain and gazed at the village. A few children squatted by the roadside, playing in the mud. Neat rows of courtyards lined the lanes, their aged appearance lending the place a simple, rustic charm. Trees and grass grew abundantly, and a small bridge arched over a gently flowing stream. No wonder the old doctor said this place was ideal for seclusion, Su Ran thought. If I ever settle down in my later years, this wouldn't be a bad choice.
Soon, the carriage arrived at the village chief's house. The two alighted and found the door ajar, voices murmuring inside. As they stepped in, they spotted two children, no older than four or five, crouched in a corner, stacking pebbles. The moment the little ones noticed the newcomers, they darted into the inner room like startled sparrows, chirping, "Papa—someone's here!"
A man in his forties emerged, followed by another in his fifties. The younger man studied Ji Chun and Su Ran carefully before asking, "Excuse me, might you be Ji Chun and Su Ran?"
Ji Chun nodded. "Indeed. And you are…?"
"I've long admired you both. I am Liang, a distant nephew of Doctor He," he said, then gestured to his companion. "This is Wang Cunzhang[1]."
Doctor Liang turned to the Cunzhang with a chuckle. "See? We were just wondering when they'd arrive, and here they are—as if summoned by our words!"
"Speak of Cao Cao[2]," the Cunzhang agreed amiably. "You must be weary from your journey. Let me show you to your new home straightaway." True to his reputation for efficiency, he wasted no time and led them out, the coachman trailing behind.
As they walked, Wang Cunzhang pointed out landmarks and introduced the rhythms of life in Huhua Village. Whenever they passed a villager, he announced cordially, "These two will be joining us from now on! This is Ji Chun, and this is his wife. Do lend them a hand when you can—oh, and round up a few folks to tidy the empty house behind Old Sai's place!" His words carried weight, and nods of acknowledgment followed.
After a winding path that skirted half the village, they stopped near the foot of a mountain. A cluster of houses stood at a distance, secluded yet peaceful. "Behind your home flows a river," the Cunzhang explained. "Cross it, and you'll find farmland uphill. The eastern slopes are cultivated, but the western woods are dense—only our hunters dare venture there for game."
At the courtyard gate, the chief fished out a key and unlocked it. Inside, the yard was spacious but neglected: an untended plot, a withered pear tree. The kitchen occupied the west wing; the east room stood bare. Dust caked the lock of the central chamber, but the Cunzhang brushed it aside, unsealing the door. The layout was simple—a guest hall, a bedroom to the right, and a storeroom on the left linking to the kitchen—yet the space held promise.
"Here," he said, handing Ji Chun two keys. "It's a bit rough now, but the location is splendid: mountains on one side, water on the other. This house belonged to a wealthy family once—plenty of room. And since your wife is with child," he added, "I've arranged for helpers to clean up. It'll be livable in no time." He paused. "I'm Wang Xiangfu, Cunzhang of Huhua Village. If you need anything, don't hesitate to ask."
Ji Chun listened intently, committing every word to memory. "Wang Cunzhang, we're deeply grateful," he said earnestly.
Su Ran, perched on a low wooden block with arms crossed, stiffened at the mention of "your wife." His face darkened, but he held his tongue.
"No need for formalities!" The Cunzhang waved a hand. "We're all neighbors now. Rest awhile—the helpers will arrive shortly." With that, he took his leave. Ji Chun saw him out, then returned to find Doctor Liang lingering.
"Ji Chun Dashi, Su Gongzi," Doctor Liang said warmly, "my uncle told me of your situation. Think of me as family here. Once you've settled, visit my home. And if Su Gongzi feels unwell, send for me anytime."
"Thank you, Doctor Liang," Ji Chun replied, touched by his kindness. As newcomers, such generosity was a balm to their unease.
Doctor Liang smiled. "No need for thanks." With a final wave, he departed.
"In this village, Ji Chun Dashi, you must avoid speaking like a monk in the future to prevent arousing suspicion. Everyone now believes you and Master Su are husband and wife, so maintain a low profile in your daily interactions. Later, some villagers will come to help clean the house. Once finished, remember to invite them all for dinner this evening—it's an unwritten custom. Since they're lending their efforts, it's only proper to show gratitude."
"Understood. I'll remember," Ji Chun replied with a nod, inwardly chiding himself for forgetting to extend the invitation to the village chief earlier. Such negligence. If time permitted, he would personally visit the chief to make amends.
Noticing Ji Chun's regret over the oversight, Doctor Liang offered, "I'll speak to the village chief later and help arrange tonight's dinner. By the way, there's another matter—what do you plan to do in this village? Farming?"
"Hunting—"
"Farming—"
Su Ran and Ji Chun answered simultaneously, their conflicting responses drawing an amused glance from Doctor Liang. The doctor pressed his lips together to suppress a smile. How odd for these two men to be paired together.
Su Ran shot Ji Chun a sidelong glare, his eyes flashing with irritation at the defiance. Is this damned monk disobeying me again?!
Ji Chun met his gaze calmly, his resolve unwavering. After a tense silence, he conceded, "I'll handle the farming. If you wish to hunt in the mountains, I'll accompany you."
"Good," Su Ran acknowledged, though a flicker of unease crossed his mind. Since when have I become so petty? He'd never cared for trivial matters before—why now? Worse, the monk's indulgence grated on him. No. This pregnancy was an accident. If I start thinking like a woman, I'll be truly pitiful.
Just then, eight or nine villagers arrived, one calling out, "Ji Chun! We're here to help!"
Ji Chun hurried outside to greet them. Seeing brooms and rags in their hands, he bowed deeply. "Thank you for your kindness!"
"Don't mention it—it's nothing!" The men waved him off cheerfully, their eyes snagging on Su Ran as he emerged. Their stares lingered on "her" pronounced belly—clearly Ji Chun's wife—though "her" striking features held a masculine edge. "Her" skin was fairer and more delicate than the village's prettiest maiden. Surely not a man? Perhaps just a bold-faced beauty. Either way, "she" was mesmerizing.
Noticing their dumbstruck gaping, Su Ran's expression darkened. Before he could speak, Ji Chun interjected smoothly, "Please, come inside."
The men filed inside with their tools. Ji Chun gently tugged at Su Ran's sleeve from behind and murmured, "We'll be staying here for quite some time."
Su Ran shot him a frosty glance. "I'm resting in the carriage outside," he snapped impatiently. "Call me when you're finished. Here—take the silver." He yanked the purse from his waist and tossed it to the monk before striding out and climbing into the carriage, leaving without another word.
Ji Chun tucked the purse into his robes, watching as Su Ran walked away—rubbing his lower back with a weariness that made the monk's stern expression soften. For just a moment, something tender flickered in his eyes.
He entered the house to assist with the cleaning, dismantling all the rotten and rusted items while salvaging what could still be used. The unusable debris was piled together in one corner. After tidying the main house, he moved to the east room, where a man stood atop the wooden bed to sweep dust from the walls. Suddenly, a sharp crack rang out—the bed beneath his feet had splintered, its boards riddled with insect damage. Startled, the man leapt down and, with no other choice, carried the ruined bed outside to discard it. Fortunately, the bed in the inner chamber remained sturdy enough for use.
Next, they tackled the long-abandoned yard. The dead pear tree, skeletal and out of place, needed removal. The men took up knives, hacking at the trunk until, with a final thud, it toppled over. Others loosened the soil in the overgrown vegetable patch, while someone fetched water from the river to wash away the grime. Within a Sichen—far quicker than expected for a yard left untended for decades—the work was done.
Ji Chun surveyed the now-tidy house with quiet relief. This would be their home, his and Su Ran's. The villagers, faces glistening with sweat but grinning broadly, struck him as genuinely kind-hearted. Through the shared labor, he'd grown acquainted with several of them—all honest, hardworking folk.
He thanked each one personally, handing out cakes bought from the market and repeating Doctor Liang's invitation for dinner that evening. As the group dispersed, they promised to return later to celebrate the newcomers' arrival to Huhua Village.
Once the villagers had left, Doctor Liang lingered to advise, "For tonight's gathering, remember to buy wild boar meat and wine from Xiao Liehu[3]—the men here expect hearty fare. I've other matters to attend but will join you later. Rest now; there's time to unpack and prepare for dinner."
"Understood. My gratitude—," Ji Chun said, clasping his hands instinctively to bow—only for Doctor Liang to catch his wrist.
"No more of that," the doctor murmured. "You're a layman now. Don't forget Su Ran's situation. If the villagers grow suspicious…"
Ji Chun's face hardened. He nodded, inwardly chastising himself for the near-misstep. A single slip could expose Su Ran. If they learned "his wife" was both male and pregnant…
Doctor Liang gave a parting wave. "Su Gongzi must be exhausted—pregnancy does that. Make up the bed for him; the carriage can't be that comfortable."
[1] Honorific: Village Chief
[2] Chinese Cultural Reference: The phrase refers to the time when you are talking about someone, and they appears immediately. Similar to speak of the devil.
[3] Honorific: Huntsman