Xu Ping’an looked at the timid Princess.
“His Majesty entrusting you to me is both trust and responsibility. Your nature is pure and kind, and you depend on this place. I ask you, are you willing to stay in this home forever, no longer just as a ‘guest’?”
Although Li Zhi’er was ignorant, she vaguely understood the difference between “staying in the home forever” and being a “guest.” Looking at Xu Ping’an’s gentle gaze and then at Pei Qingxuan and Li Yuer, her heart felt inexplicably settled. She said in a thin but clear voice:
“Zhier… is willing to follow Mister and the older sisters.”
Xiao Jing’er got anxious on the side, looking at Xu Ping’an with wide eyes:
“Mister! Wherever Miss goes, I go! I, I also want to…”
Xu Ping’an laughed and rubbed Xiao Jing’er’s head:
“Naturally, you won’t be left out. You and your Miss are like sisters; it has been hard on you all these years. From now on, this is your home.”
He looked around at the five women and said seriously:
“I, Xu Ping’an, am no Saint, nor am I a powerful noble. But since I have gained your devotion and loyalty, I will never let you down. Once the matters here are settled, we will find a quiet place to start a family, build a career, and live our own lives. The five of you are all people I, Xu Ping’an, want to marry and spend my life with. With Qingxuan as the first, are you willing?”
Pei Qingxuan was the first to take Xu Ping’an’s hand, a smile on the corners of her lips and complete support and love in her eyes.
She had already accepted Li Yuer and Liu Yingying, and she also had a good impression of the pure Li Zhi’er and the loyal Xiao Jing’er.
To be able to stay with her beloved and be accompanied by these amiable people, she felt it was very good.
Li Yuer’s tears rolled down, but they were of joy. She nodded vigorously:
“Yu’er is willing! Thank you, Mister—no, thank you, Husband, for fulfilling this!” She changed her form of address, her cheeks turning even redder.
Li Zhi’er also said in a low voice:
“Zhier is willing.”
Xiao Jing’er broke into a smile through her tears and said happily:
“Xiao Jing’er is willing! I will serve Mister and the Madams forever!”
Inside the Carriage, there was a sense of warmth and relief.
The road ahead seemed clearer and brighter.
A few months later, the Carriage arrived at the tranquil village at the foot of that Mountain.
The Small Courtyard with its bamboo fence remained as it was.
Xu Ping’an pushed open the gate to the Yuanzi, as if he had laid down all his burdens.
“From now on, this is our home.”
He smiled at the five women behind him.
After settling down, the first major task was the wedding.
Xu Ping’an personally wrote six Marriage Letters and exchanged them with the five women.
There were no phoenix crowns or embroidered robes, and no Eight Carriage Procession, only red candles, wedding clothes, and the most sincere affection in each other’s eyes.
That night, the Small Courtyard was decorated with lanterns and streamers, and the sound of laughter and talking traveled far.
Pei Qingxuan was dignified and elegant, Liu Yingying was enchanting with joyful tears, Li Yuer was gentle and beautiful, Li Zhi’er was timid and endearing, and Xiao Jing’er was lively and cute.
Xu Ping’an drank the Nuptial Wine with each of them in turn, making a lifelong promise.
Though the wedding was simple, the sentiment was true.
Under the light of the red candles, Xu Ping’an took turns drawing eyebrows for Pei Qingxuan, pinning hair for Li Yuer, adjusting the clothes for Li Zhi’er, putting a bracelet on Liu Yingying, and patting Xiao Jing’er on the shoulder.
The five women wore new, though not luxurious, wedding clothes, their faces overflowing with the glow of happiness.
That night, the lights of the Small Courtyard were warm and yellow, and the laughter was light.
Post-marriage life was plain yet lively.
Yingying had a straightforward nature and would sometimes “argue” a few words with the equally clever Li Yuer about cooking methods or laugh at Xiao Jing’er for being clumsy, but she would soon turn around and take out the treasured spices she brought from home to share, or teach Li Zhi’er more complex embroidery patterns by hand.
Coming from a noble background, she initially knew nothing about farm work or housework and caused many laughs: she couldn’t distinguish between leeks and wheat seedlings, nearly set the Kitchen on fire while lighting the stove, and would tear the clothes while washing them… But she was willing to learn and refused to give up.
Pei Qingxuan patiently taught her, Li Yuer gave her tips from the side, and Xu Ping’an always looked on with a smile, “remedying” things in time when she messed up and praising her greatly when she made even a little progress.
Gradually, Liu Yingying could decently make a few dishes, keep the Yuanzi clean, and even learned how to water the vegetable garden.
The fine seeds she brought also took root and sprouted in the vegetable beds of the Small Courtyard, growing vigorously.
Xu Ping’an remained the backbone of the family.
During the day, he would either work in the fields, go into the Mountain to gather herbs, or provide free medical consultations for the villagers.
His Medical Arts gradually became famous in the village and the surrounding areas, but he never accepted heavy gifts. The consultation fee was as fate allowed, and he often sent people away with just a few eggs or a handful of green vegetables.
The villagers sincerely respected and loved this “Dr. Xu.” Whenever they had fresh fruits or melons at home, they never forgot to send some to the Small Courtyard.
The evening was the warmest time for the family.
On summer nights, they would move bamboo chairs into the Yuanzi to enjoy the cool air.
Xu Ping’an would wave a cattail fan, and Pei Qingxuan would sit quietly beside him.
Liu Yingying might be brewing some clear tea nearby; she insisted this was an “elegant interest” she brought, though Xu Ping’an didn’t know where the elegance lay.
Li Yuer played the zither, Li Zhi’er listened quietly, and Xiao Jing’er would chirp about the village gossip or chase after fireflies.
On winter nights, they gathered around the warm earthen bed.
Xu Ping’an might be reading his Medical Book notes under the oil lamp, Pei Qingxuan would be regulating her breath or sewing nearby, Liu Yingying and Li Yuer might be playing chess, Li Zhi’er would be doing needlework, and Xiao Jing’er would be responsible for adding tea and water while “watching the battle.”
The charcoal fire crackled, the tea fragrance lingered, and the room was peaceful and warm.
Xu Ping’an treated the five women equally, yet each was different.
For Pei Qingxuan, it was a deep affection of mutual understanding and absolute trust;
For Liu Yingying, it was the tolerance and indulgence of childhood sweethearts, often teasing her until she jumped in frustration but couldn’t help but laugh;
For Li Yuer, it was the pity and respect of sharing life and death;
For Li Zhi’er, it was the protection and guidance like that of an older brother or father;
For Xiao Jing’er, it was the kindness and care of a family member.
Among the five women, they also grew closer by the day.
Pei Qingxuan was the recognized eldest sister, gentle and fair, mediating the large and small affairs of the home.
Liu Yingying and Li Yuer would bicker from time to time, but in truth, they cherished each other, often joining forces to “deal with” Xu Ping’an or figure out new tricks.
Li Zhi’er was the little sister, receiving everyone’s protection and love.
Xiao Jing’er was everyone’s source of joy.
They experienced the rotation of the four seasons together.
In spring, they went for outings by the river together; Liu Yingying picked wild flowers to weave garlands, Li Yuer flew kites, and Li Zhi’er and Xiao Jing’er picked up beautiful stones.
In summer, they set up a melon shed in the Yuanzi, counting stars together at night and listening to Xu Ping’an tell strange and bizarre stories.
Autumn was the busiest harvest season, but also the most fulfilling.
The golden rice fields and heavy fruits all condensed the sweat and laughter of the whole family.
In winter, they talked around the fire at night, sweeping snow and brewing tea.
Occasionally, on a whim, Xu Ping’an would teach the five women Tai Chi Chuan. Liu Yingying was always the least serious student, yet she laughed the happiest.
Xu Ping’an would still occasionally gaze into the distance.
Great Qi’s fortune seemed to be recovering with difficulty but determination; the black lines on the Dragon Qi had almost dissipated.
None of this had anything to do with him anymore.
His World was this tiny Small Courtyard and these five wives who were connected to him by blood and spirit.
It was New Year’s Eve again.
The Small Courtyard was even livelier than in previous years.
The five mistresses plus Xu Ping’an decorated the Small Courtyard until it was bright red and festive.
The New Year’s Eve dinner was the crystallization of collective wisdom: Pei Qingxuan’s specialty stew, a secret family pastry contributed by Liu Yingying, Li Yuer’s “fish every year,” Li Zhi’er’s delicate stir-fry, the date cakes symbolizing reunion steamed by Xiao Jing’er, and of course, the oddly shaped but blessing-filled dumplings wrapped by Xu Ping’an.
The six of them sat together, raising their glasses to drink.
“May the mountains and rivers be safe, and the nation and home be at peace.”
Xu Ping’an looked at the five faces that grew even more beautiful under the candlelight, his heart overflowing with happiness and gratitude.
“May my Husband be healthy and successful.”
Pei Qingxuan said softly.
“May we always be together, lively and bustling!”
Liu Yingying rushed to say, her eyes shining.
“May the household flourish with peace and joy.”
Li Yuer offered a smiling blessing.
“May everyone be happy.”
Li Zhi’er said in a thin voice.
“May there be delicious food every day!”
Xiao Jing’er was always the most practical one.
Outside the window, the auspicious snow heralded a bountiful year.
Inside the window, laughter was loud, and the warmth was like spring.
This was Xu Ping’an’s fulfillment.
One Small Courtyard, a family of six.
There was the soulmate to hold hands with for a lifetime, the attachment of childhood sweethearts, the deep affection of mutual life-and-death reliance, the soft warmth that needed protection, and the vibrant cheerfulness.
The once-shaking clouds and winds, the saving of the World and its people, had all turned into the curls of cooking smoke under the eaves, became the soft whispers by the pillow, and melted into that “good morning” exchanged every single dawn.
He took Pei Qingxuan’s hand and looked at Liu Yingying, Li Yuer, Li Zhi’er, and Xiao Jing’er.
To have these five beauties to accompany him for a lifetime—this life held no regrets.