The Winter Solstice was a major seasonal celebration, second only to New Year’s Day. Known as the “Minor New Year,” many ceremonies mirrored those of the New Year. The Emperor would perform sacrifices to Heaven at the Round Altar in the southern suburbs, hold grand court assemblies to receive officials and envoys, and host grand feasts. Civilians would also exchange ceremonial greetings.

Having been out of the palace for some time now, knowing more people and doing greater business, Shen Shaoguang could no longer celebrate as simply as last year when just a few people ate dumplings together—though dumplings were still essential. She had prepared gifts in advance—for the Princess and the Shao family, several major suppliers, close neighbors, and of course, the Lin household.

What to give? Mostly tea, wine, and pastries, along with wild game and cured meats prepared by Shen’s establishment. The gifts received from others were similarly conventional—standard items plus something unique to their business. The grain shops added some imperial rice, while fishmongers included soft-shelled turtles and baskets of large crabs.

Princess Fuhui’s return gift was different—a box of cosmetics made in the palace: face cream in white jade containers, lip rouge in carved ivory tubes, and eye pigments and powder in jeweled boxes—essentially a Tang Dynasty luxury cosmetics gift set.

Inside was also a note: “…Rouge the lips, powder the face, admire oneself contentedly before the bright mirror, why need a lover’s gaze…”

“Why need a lover’s gaze…” Shen Shaoguang smiled. As expected of the Princess, a pioneer of independent women who dressed for themselves.

The Shao family’s return gift included regular silk, Su silk, and two bolts of iridescent silk, presumably brought back while transporting grain from the south. The colors were bright and suitable for young women—the Shao family’s thoughtfulness showed in everything they did.

The Lin family’s return gift was the most elegant and valuable but regarding uniqueness… Shen Shaoguang guessed it was prepared by the household manager.

Shen Shaoguang’s guess was correct. When Manager Zhou received Shen’s festival gifts, he presented the gift list to Lin Yan that evening upon his return.

Manager Zhou asked with a smile, “Young Master, how should we return the gifts?” He knew his young master’s feelings well, but since they weren’t formally engaged, they couldn’t return gifts as in-laws; without adults in the Shen household, they couldn’t follow official protocol; treating them as ordinary merchants wouldn’t do either…

“Just prepare a set of premium gifts to send back,” Lin Yan said.

Manager Zhou acknowledged with clasped hands and withdrew.

The Winter Solstice gifts weren’t what concerned Lin Yan—he was thinking about what winter residence gift to give her.

Time flew, and the Winter Solstice arrived. Since taverns were quiet during festivals, Shen Shaoguang discussed with Shao Jie and decided to give all their establishments a three-day holiday, letting everyone relax while she moved house.

Moving was simple for Shen Shaoguang. With many workers and both properties in the same ward, she had few possessions—in modern terms, it wouldn’t even require a moving company, just two taxis.

The tavern’s back courtyard was left to Manager Chen Xing, along with all the furniture, as he had family and would find it convenient. The unmarried apprentices—those assigned to the Chongxian Ward tavern and newly bought ones still in “training”—all moved to the new residence, adding life to its several side courtyards.

With so many people in the household, someone needed to be in charge when she was away, someone who could make decisions. This role naturally fell to the Third Princess—though the Third Princess had a bad temper, she was very reliable. She had already been handling such duties; this was merely making it official.

A few days ago, Shen Shaoguang had asked Shao Jie to help buy several strong guards. Adding these to the apprentices and our Third Princess who could fight with a meat cleaver, they weren’t afraid even if eight or ten thieves came.

Shao Jie also sent her several female servants, saying, “Someone needs to sweep the courtyard. Besides, when you go out, you should have two maids with you—that’s proper etiquette for a noble lady.”

Shen Shaoguang was amused by his words. “Am I not proper now?”

Shao Jie looked troubled.

Shen Shaoguang laughed, “Say no more!”

A Yuan was quite disapproving of the new maids, like a firstborn child in a family expecting a second baby.

Shen Shaoguang hurried to comfort her: “You’re different from the others.”

A Yuan smiled with narrowed eyes, her expression somewhat resembling Shen Shaoguang when succeeding in some scheme. After all, isn’t that what people seek—to feel special in someone’s heart?

Since they had thoroughly cleaned earlier, it took less than half a day to settle and arrange the new home. As for more detailed touches—like placing a narcissus plant on the corner table, hanging a landscape scroll on the right wall, or adding a screen beside the couch—those could be added gradually, slowly accumulating until the home developed its own character.

At noon, everyone in the household—masters, servants, managers, and waiters alike—ate large crescent dumplings together in the new residence—the ancestors of later generations’ jiaozi.

The filling was personally seasoned by the mistress Shen Shaoguang: tender lamb meat mixed with minced ginger, salt, sugar, clear sauce, yellow wine, and sesame oil, stirred in one direction while adding peppercorn-ginger water. This was called “water-beaten filling for lamb dumplings,” making them juicy and tender, bursting with flavor when bitten.

Many of the new servants had never seen Shen Shaoguang cook before. Eating this fragrant lamb and green onion dumplings, they realized their young mistress was also skilled in cooking. Shen Shaoguang felt somewhat dazed while seasoning the filling and wrapping dumplings—it seemed like she hadn’t been in the kitchen for a long time.

Since it was holiday time, Shen Shaoguang didn’t restrict these young men, letting them go play—just not alone, not causing trouble, and they must return before the ward gates closed.

The apprentices cheered—the young mistress had just given them festival money, and they wanted to go explore.

A Yuan and the maids tidied up their things and gathered to play cards. Shen Shaoguang smiled silently—she had worried about A Yuan not fitting in, but like children who fight and then play together, they had already bonded.

The maids invited Shen Shaoguang to join their game, but she shook her head, “I’d win too much and make you cry.”

The maids all laughed, but A Yuan knew it was true—the young mistress was excellent at cards, having won so much during New Year’s that Third Brother’s face turned sour.

Shen Shaoguang stood at the main hall entrance holding a hawthorn drink, lifting the thick felt curtain to look at the sky, seemingly talking to herself or the maids in the hall, “Looks like we’ll have a ‘wet winter, dry year.'”

“What did you say, Young Mistress?” A Yuan asked.

“I’m saying it’s going to snow.” The sky was grey now, though there had been sunshine in the morning.

At this time, the palace feast probably wasn’t over yet. Wonder if Magistrate Lin had drunk too much.

When Lin Yan returned, snow pellets were indeed falling, making a rustling sound on the ground. He sat in his carriage, leaning against the wall, his cheeks and eyes somewhat red. People said capital officials could be illiterate but must know how to drink—it seemed true…

Lin Yan rubbed his brow with his fingertips. A Qi had mentioned she was moving these days—wonder if she had finished moving. He’d been too busy lately to visit her, but fortunately, there was the Winter Solstice holiday…

Passing the ward’s street corner, Lin Yan lifted the carriage curtain. The entrance to what was now Shen’s residence was swept clean, with servants coming and going—seemed she had finished moving. A Qi was indeed efficient. Lin Yan remembered when he first saw her, carrying a bundle, hair in a bun, exuding a neat and capable air while cheerfully “deceiving” several yamen runners.

What had she said when he questioned her? “Left the palace due to illness.” Her seemingly obedient smile carried hints of craftiness, pride, and even challenge as if saying, “You can’t send me back to the palace, can you?”

Lin Yan smiled silently in his carriage.

Returning home, Lin Yan washed up, changed clothes, and first went to see his grandmother. After chatting briefly, he took his leave, saying he’d return for dinner.

Madam Jiang smiled, “It’s fine even if you don’t come back for dinner, I can eat more myself.”

Lin Yan smiled with lowered eyes, bowed to his grandmother, and left.

He didn’t mount his horse but led it while walking to the Shen residence.

One servant took his horse, while another led him inside.

Shen Shaoguang welcomed him under the corridor, squinting as she looked at him, “You drank quite a bit, your face is red.”

“Couldn’t decline,” Lin Yan smiled, then noticed her Hun-style padded jacket, “You’re not wearing an outer robe, quickly go inside.”

With a guest arriving, the maids had already put away the card game and brought tea.

After warming up with tea, Shen Shaoguang asked Lin Yan about the grand court assembly, while Lin Yan asked about her move.

“You settled in very quickly, I thought you’d need another couple of days.”

Shen Shaoguang smiled, “I’m the type who can’t sleep if there’s meat in the pot that I haven’t eaten—the sooner I move, the sooner I can settle down.”

Lin Yan laughed.

Seeing his eyes and brows tinged with charm from the alcohol, Shen Shaoguang sighed inwardly—such tempting meat, she’d been looking at it for so long, who knew when she’d get to taste it…

Lin Yan took out a dagger-like short sword from his sleeve, “This is for you.”

Shen Shaoguang widened her eyes slightly, then smiled.

“It’s not a famous sword like Fish Intestine, but it’s quite sharp. I got it from a Hu merchant—keep it for self-defense.”

Shen Shaoguang first examined the scabbard. It wasn’t inlaid with gold or jade and was somewhat old. The sheath leather was soft yet tough—looking at the pattern, was it crocodile skin? Drawing the short sword to measure it, perhaps it was imagination, but there seemed to be a cold aura about it.

Shen Shaoguang looked at Lin Yan, who smiled at her.

Though he spoke casually, even a glance showed this weapon was extraordinary. Thinking of the property deed lying in her dressing-case that she didn’t know what to do with, Shen Shaoguang smiled helplessly, “Why are you giving me this, my lord? I don’t know martial arts.”

“Better safe than sorry.”

Lin Yan thought for a moment and added, “I’ve also heard that placing it under your pillow can ward off nightmares.”

Shen Shaoguang: “…” What kind of reason was that!

“There’s also a horse, I’ve had it taken to your stable. Whether for riding or pulling a cart, it’s faster and steadier than the mule you usually use.”

Shen Shaoguang suddenly recalled something she’d heard before: when giving gifts, either give what the recipient likes or what you treasure—the former shows observation, the latter shows the giver’s heart. The mountain villa was the former, while the famous horse and sword were the latter. Ah, our Magistrate Lin…

After a moment, Shen Shaoguang said with forced lightness, “They say ‘give rouge to beauties, give swords to heroes.’ With you giving me both a horse and a sword, could it be you’re drunk and mistook me for a hero?”

“My A Qi has always been a hero,” Lin Yan’s slightly red eyes tilted up, his lips curving as he said softly, “A hero among beauties.”

Looking at his peach-blossom-colored face, Shen Shaoguang swallowed and raised an eyebrow, smiling, “Then—is my lord a beauty among heroes?”

Lin Yan frowned.

Shen Shaoguang burst out laughing.

Lin Yan glared at her, then laughed too.

“Whatever you give isn’t as good as—” Shen Shaoguang’s gaze swept over his face and body, and then she coughed and lowered her head to drink some hawthorn juice.

This time Lin Yan truly didn’t know whether to be angry or laugh. After a while, he ended up laughing, “You—”

[Author’s Note:]

Shen Shaoguang: I think what I like is more sensible than what you like!

Lin Yan looks her over meaningfully and smiles: Really?

Shen Shaoguang: …I meant objects, objects! Can’t you think more purely?

Lin Yan, who was just subtly suggested to “offer himself”: …