Peach Blossom Harbor

"Let's grab something to eat first. If you still feel like sleeping, rest for another night. We'll head to the town tomorrow."

"Better today. I want to go home sooner," Bei said, pushing away the hand still messing with her forehead. She sat up straight, "I'm fine. Just a quick wash, and I'll be ready to leave. You go ahead and eat."

"Alright, I'll go first. Once you're ready, join me for the meal. I'll have Uncle Zhong arrange for your things to be loaded onto the carriage."

Bei swiftly gathered all the items to take and arranged them in a newly woven straw basket. When the servant girl brought water in, Bei rinsed her mouth with saltwater, wiped her face briefly, sat at the table for a moment while they restyled her hair to its previous look. Then, she quickly walked into the dining hall, excited about entering the town.

Despite the variety of dishes on the lunch table, Bei's picky taste and the anticipation of revisiting the life she remembered in the town limited her interest in the steamed dishes. She settled for a bowl of rice with sweet soup-flavored vegetables, filling her stomach and stopping there.

"Master Cheng, I've finished my meal. I'll take a walk outside the estate, and later we can meet at the pier. Take your time."

"Do you always eat so little? No wonder you're so slim," Cheng Mo, hearing her call him Master Cheng in a distant tone, felt displeased. Unable to find fault, his tone became stiff.

"I'm not that small. I'm only fourteen. Forget it, I won't bother telling you. I'm leaving." With the thought of going to the water channel to check on the ducks and geese, Bei didn't want to bother with Cheng Mo's awkward young master personality. She left the dining hall, went to the third courtyard, and fetched a canister of fish glue, two small blackboards with copper corners, and a bundle of hexagonal pine sticks. All neatly split into halves, with straight ink lines in the middle, finely crafted like works of art. Bei turned into the second courtyard and encountered Uncle Zhong leading a group of people, moving her basket toward the pier. Bei packed her things, and together they left the estate. In the distance, she saw over a dozen carriages parked on the embankment, people moving efficiently to load them. In the fields, farmers were busy with spring plowing. Under the peach blossom trees, some girls and women were waiting for the water trough to bring up things on small boats. Seeing this scene, Bei couldn't return the ducks and geese. As they approached, Bei spotted Duǒ'ér, the girl she had met before, holding a small willow basket. She greeted her warmly.

"Miss Duǒ'ér, what are you all watching? It's so lively."

"Oh, it's Miss Tóng. Have you rested well? My mother said you were ill. Are you better now? I was called to help with needlework and didn't get a chance to visit you. Are you leaving? When will you come again?" Duǒ'ér greeted Bei warmly, her smile genuine and friendly. Bei liked this cheerful and warm-hearted girl.

"I'm all better, thank you for your concern. I'll be leaving soon. I won't come to the estate often, but when you go to town, remember to leave a message for me at Fúhǎi Building. We'll set a time, and I'll definitely come to see you."

"Alright, let's make a plan. Next time, we'll go to the town together. I have a basket of duck eggs here; take them. You see, there are many waterways in our estate. When spring comes, these ducks and geese lay eggs and build nests everywhere. Every year around this time, we row boats here to collect eggs."

"That's too kind. You've raised them with effort; keep them for yourself."

"These are all raised naturally here. When there are plenty of eggs, we collect some for the people on the estate as a master's consideration. If the kitchen needs any, they'll instruct us, and we bring some back for cooking without much effort. Now is the time with the most eggs. Here, take them. Don't be polite. I'll have them sent to your carriage, Uncle Zhong, Uncle Zhong, these are duck eggs for Miss Tóng. Help her take them."

"Alright, thank you, Miss Duǒ'ér. Uncle Zhong, you're busy, I'll go with Duǒ'ér to take a look over there."

The two girls happily returned to the water's edge, and Bei watched the lively scene with great satisfaction. Smiles adorned her picturesque face. As Cheng Mo approached, he closely observed the girl surrounded by the colorful falling cherry blossoms. She carried the warmth and enthusiasm of a spring noon, shining straight into his heart, ironing out the cold and desolation that had lingered for ten years. His cheeks began to feel warm.

Not wanting to be exposed, Cheng Mo went straight to the carriage, instructing it to depart.