Chapter 10: Shoes for Visitors

Shumo brought a ceremonial inkstone large enough to crush the general's writing desk.

Two servants carried it between them.

The general watched them edge through the courtyard door.

"Does it come with a stronger table?" he asked.

Shuqiao stood beside the steps, holding the festival chestnuts.

His cousin had returned from a country visit with excellent timing.

Yunting's new court appointment had been announced that morning.

Shumo congratulated him before acknowledging Shuqiao.

"My cousin always did prefer a quiet life," he said.

The servants stopped with the inkstone between them.

Mingzhong cleared a space on a stone bench.

"Then don't put it outside Shuqiao's bedroom," Yunting said.

"He reads there."

Shuqiao set the chestnuts down.

He didn't want his pleasure at being noticed to show in front of Shumo.

The cousin examined the courtyard with fresh attention.

Last time he had described the house as disappointingly modest.

Now he admired its excellent position near the palace road.

He admired the quality of its plain timber.

He admired the stone bench after the servants installed the inkstone on it.

Mingzhong asked whether he wished to admire the tea while it remained hot.

Shumo came inside.

Shuqiao took the chair beside his husband before anyone suggested otherwise.

He resented feeling a need to hurry.

The marriage had been freely chosen.

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