The Chu family's courtyard in the prefectural city was a well-organized three-courtyard house. The layout was similar to Jiang Shuyun's, only slightly smaller, with only three main rooms and side rooms on the left and right.
"My wife, I'm safe and sound, we're home."
Dr. Chu and Jiang Qi, each holding a child, looked at the courtyard in front of them, somewhat excited.
"Master, Madam, the old master and old lady are waiting inside."
The servants who had been sent earlier opened the gate to welcome the master and mistress home.
"Let's go see Master and Mistress."
Dr. Chu carried An Ran in one arm and held Jiang Qi's hand with the other as they went home together.
"Master, Mistress, we're back."
Chu Nansheng put An Ran down and knelt down to pay his respects to his master and mistress.
Jiang Qi, holding An Kang and with An Ran in tow, also knelt down behind them.
"Oh dear, get up, get up..."
The teacher's wife quickly walked over, helped Chu Nansheng up, and then pulled Jiang Qi up as well.
"We're family, there's no need for this. We're just happy you're back."
"Master's wife, I'm sorry, it was me..."
"What's there to apologize for? If you hadn't gone back, where would you have met Jiang Qi, who has such a wonderful wife?"
The teacher's wife interrupted Chu Nansheng, saying that the past was past and should not be mentioned anymore, and that he had not done anything wrong.
"That's true, that's the biggest gain."
Chu Nansheng smiled and sat down next to her master.
“Mother Anran, let me take you to the inner room to wash up. You must be feeling uncomfortable after sitting on the boat for so long.”
"Thank you, Master's wife."
Jiang Qi really wanted to wash up; she felt her body smelled bad.
The mistress was very thoughtful; she had the servants prepare the bathwater well in advance.
Aunt Lin and the wet nurse had already prepared a change of clothes. Jiang Qi took An Ran to wash up. An Kang was asleep. The children had already taken a bath on the boat, so there was no rush.
After Jiang Qi finished washing up and tidied herself up, her master's wife had someone set out the food and told her to eat first.
After the meal, the wet nurse took the child to play in the yard.
"Nansheng, Anran's mother, we'll head back now. You two should get ready for the next few days. Once things are settled at home, let's all get together and get to know each other."
"Understood, Master's wife. You've worked hard these past few days. Once we're settled, we'll go over to pay our respects and also introduce my wife to our fellow disciples."
Chu Nansheng and his master's wife were very casual and not overly formal. His master and mistress were no different from his own parents; they genuinely cared for each other.
"We should introduce each other properly, so we can visit each other more often since we live close by."
Master and Mistress got up and left. Jiang Qi and the others escorted them to the hanging flower gate before returning.
"My lady, go back to your room and lie down for a while. You've been on the boat for so long, you feel dizzy."
There's no rush to pack things; take your time. Besides, there's Aunt Lin and the wet nurse; you can direct them and have them do the work.
Also, now that the house is bigger, do you think we need to buy a few more servants?
Chu Nansheng took Jiang Qi's pulse and found that she was fine, just a little seasick.
"Okay, I understand. I'll go to the inner room first and get all my undergarments ready. Don't worry, I'll take care of things at home. If I feel unwell, I'll lie down for a while."
Jiang Qi was in good health. She was a little unaccustomed to taking a boat ride for the first time, but she didn't feel too uncomfortable.
"Okay, then you go ahead with your work, I'll go to the outer courtyard to arrange things."
When Chu Nansheng returned this time, he was still going to his master's clinic to see patients. He and his fellow disciples each had their own specialties and areas of expertise.
The eldest brother is skilled in pediatrics and currently works at the Imperial Medical Academy in the capital, where he is a rank-holding imperial physician.
The second senior brother is skilled in treating sprains and bruises. His family runs a medicinal herb business, which is managed by his elder brother.
The third senior brother is skilled in internal medicine. Like him, his parents died early, and he was raised by his master.
He himself is skilled in gynecology, acupuncture, and medicinal cuisine.
The master knew many things, and they were not able to learn them all, so each of them specialized in one thing.
Dr. Chu went to the outer courtyard to pack up his medical books and acupuncture supplies, which he needed to organize personally.
Jiang Qi led Sister Lin and her maid Haitang into the inner room to familiarize themselves with their new place.
The room on the east side is a suite, with a bedroom and a small study, and it's quite spacious.
The room was fully furnished and all the furniture was clean.
Jiang Qi, along with Lin's wife and the others, first packed up and put away the clothes, quilts, cloth, and other items they had brought from the county town.
Bai's wife and her daughter Doukou were in charge of the kitchen, and the rest of the things were tidied up one by one.
Jiang Qi was busy tidying up the house. After the housekeeper and the others helped move the things, they returned to the Jiang residence.
"Grandpa, Grandma, Madam, Auntie's family has returned to their home. They've moved all their things. Auntie said she'll settle things at home first before coming over."
"Are the adults and children alright? Is everything alright?"
Jiang's mother was worried that her child might feel uncomfortable after such a long boat ride.
"Replying to the old lady, everything is fine."
After Butler Li left, Mu Yi'an knew that Jiang Qi and the others were doing well, so she was no longer worried.
"Dad, Mom, there's a lot to do moving, Jiang Qi will be able to come over in a few days. We're relieved to know they're both doing well."
"Okay, I'm relieved."
Jiang's father went to the study in the outer courtyard to read, while Jiang's mother went to check on Chuyue and Chuqing.
Mu Yi'an was thinking about the barbecue restaurant. She had already written down the plan, but she was missing some details.
She also needed to talk to her third uncle about some things happening in the north of the city. She just wanted to earn a little money and didn't want to cause any trouble.
Most people in the north of the city are merchants, and the various forces involved are complex and intertwined. She can't just jump in without knowing anything about it, or she might offend someone without even realizing it.
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