That evening, Zhu Ping’an bathed twice in water infused with orange peel, grapefruit leaves, and mugwort before finally going to sleep. The next morning he rose early, swiftly settled the affairs of the camp, and, escorted by Liu Dadao and the others, rode back to the residence.
“The master has returned! The master has returned…”
As soon as Zhu Ping’an stepped through the gate, the steward, the maidservants, and the old nursemaids all began chattering like joyful magpies, passing the news deeper into the house.
In less than half a minute, everyone in the entire household, even the tabby cat sunning itself in a corner, knew that Zhu Ping’an was home.
“Young mistress, the… no, the master is back.”
Hua’er was in the middle of changing the little one’s nappy when she heard the news. Her eyes curved into happy crescents.
“He is back, so what? Hmph. I am not speaking to him anyway.” Li Shu gave a little huff of pretended anger, but her large eyes drifted toward the window to see if Zhu Ping’an was outside.
Warm sunlight dappled the treetops beyond the window, yet there was no sign of him.
Before Li Shu could look away, however, the voice she had been waiting for reached her ears. Zhu Ping’an had already entered the room, which explained why she had not seen him outside.
“Who has upset my lady? I shall stand up for you.” Zhu Ping’an came in smiling, his tone coaxing.
“Who else could it be but you? Hmph. Do you think you are the Great Yu, passing the door of your own home three times without entering? You went right past Jiaxing and did not even come home. I am ignoring you.” Li Shu feigned anger, turning her back on him.
“Heh heh, my lady has wronged me.” Zhu Ping’an protested good-naturedly.
“How have I wronged you? Where have I wronged you?” Li Shu spun round and gave him a playful glare.
“I have passed the door only once without entering. Where do you get three times?” Zhu Ping’an stepped forward and wrapped his arms around her.
Li Shu struggled for a moment in his embrace before giving in. Nestled against him, she threatened in a soft, coquettish voice, “If there is a second time, I shall spank your son! If there is a third, I shall take your son and go back to my parents’ home, and never speak to you again!”
“With a lovely wife and beautiful concubine at home, to pass the door three times without entering would be foolish. And I am the zhuangyuan, after all. My intelligence has the emperor’s own seal of approval.”
Zhu Ping’an teased her gently.
“Smooth-talking rogue.” Li Shu scolded fondly, reaching out with slender fingers to pinch his arm. “Since it was only once, I shall forgive you. But if there is a next time, I really will not speak to you.”
The master had said lovely wife and beautiful concubine. Beautiful concubine? Oh, how embarrassing. I am not that beautiful…
Hua’er, who was changing the nappy nearby, blushed scarlet.
The little boy grumbled unhappily. Why had she stopped halfway? His bottom was still wet.
“Sorry, sorry, Young Master Xingwen.” Hearing the baby’s complaint, Hua’er snapped out of her daze and hurriedly removed the soaked nappy, replacing it with a fresh, dry one.
Once comfortably dry again, the little boy wriggled contentedly, gave a big yawn, and went back to sleep.
Beside him lay an even chubbier, fairer baby girl. Perhaps sensing Zhu Ping’an’s arrival, or more likely woken by the noise, she opened her eyes, stretched both arms toward Zhu Ping’an (or perhaps toward Li Shu’s direction), and giggled happily.
“Oh! Little Yiyi knows her father is back. She is reaching for him to pick her up.” Hua’er exclaimed in delight.
“My precious little darling.”
Zhu Ping’an rubbed his hands briskly together to warm them, then stepped forward and carefully lifted the tiny girl.
He held her as gingerly as if she were a fragile explosive.
Li Shu and Hua’er both burst out laughing.
“Hee hee hee. Father, that is not how you hold her. Like this, yes, like this.” Hua’er corrected his posture.
Holding his soft, cuddly daughter, Zhu Ping’an felt an indescribable sensation. This must be the bond of blood. She was fair and tender, giggling at him, even blowing a little bubble. Utterly adorable.
“She smells of milk.” Unable to resist, Zhu Ping’an kissed her plump little cheek. Sweet and fragrant.
“Waa…” The baby, who had been laughing a moment before, began to cry the instant he kissed her.
“Oh no, it must be the master’s stubble that pricked Yiyi.” Hua’er quickly took the baby back, examined her, then noticed the stubble on Zhu Ping’an’s chin and realised the problem.
Zhu Ping’an had shaved the previous night after his bath, but this was the Ming dynasty, not the modern age where razors were readily available. Shaving was far less convenient or effective.
Though he had shaved, a faint shadow remained, and after a night’s sleep the stubble had grown back vigorously.
The baby’s skin was far too delicate to withstand it.
“Look what you did to my precious girl. Go and tidy yourself up at once.” Li Shu took her daughter and soothed her tenderly, shooting Zhu Ping’an a fierce glare and shooing him away.
“Master, let me shave you.” Hua’er volunteered eagerly.
“You can shave?” Zhu Ping’an had always done it himself and had never let Hua’er help.
“Of course. I have practised. First on winter melon, then on pig heads, and later on my own body… I shave very cleanly.” Hua’er pulled him to sit down as she spoke with great confidence.
“On your own body? You do not have a beard.” Zhu Ping’an could not help laughing. The girl had learned to exaggerate.
Hua’er’s face turned crimson. In a tiny voice she muttered, “Anyway, I shave very well. It will not hurt the master.”
“Very well, I leave it to you.” Zhu Ping’an let her guide him to a seat.
Hua’er stepped out briefly and returned with a bundle: a razor, some fragrant ointment, and a few other items.
She had not exaggerated. Her skill was indeed well practised. She gently applied the ointment to his stubble, waited a moment, then took the razor in her delicate hand and smoothly removed both ointment and stubble together.
Her movements were light and deft. Indeed, she shaved very cleanly.
“Master, look in the mirror. How is it?” Once finished, Hua’er proudly held up a mirror.
Zhu Ping’an examined his reflection and stroked his chin. Excellent, perfectly smooth, even better than with a modern razor. Truly, craftsmanship was king. He praised Hua’er generously.
“Hee hee, it is not that good…” Hua’er twirled a lock of hair and giggled foolishly. All that practice had not been in vain.
Sure enough, once Zhu Ping’an had shaved cleanly and washed his face, and Li Shu had inspected and approved, he kissed little Yiyi again. This time she giggled happily and did not cry at all.
