Courtyard House: Rebirth of a Shopkeeper in 1937

The village had just suffered an air raid this year, and supplies in the market were extremely scarce, leaving every household struggling financially. However, the custom of visiting relatives and friends during the Mid-Autumn Festival did not cease, and the number of villagers traveling to and from the village was no less than in previous years. It was just that the gift baskets carried by everyone seemed meager and simple, lacking the abundant pastries and fruits of previous years. Most people simply carried a couple of mooncakes and some local produce, a few items that represented their Mid-Autumn Festival sentiments, revealing the poverty and hardship of those turbulent years.

Xingbao and Guixiang often accompanied their master on his rounds to treat patients in rural areas, and most of the villagers in the surrounding villages knew them well. As they walked along the street, they constantly bumped into familiar neighbors. Despite their young age, the two were always sensible and polite. When they encountered elders or neighbors, they would stop and politely greet them, leading Weibao in a warm exchange of pleasantries. Their greetings of "Happy Mid-Autumn Festival" and casual conversation were gentle and appropriate, showing no sign of formality.

They walked and stopped frequently, pausing to exchange greetings with passersby, which significantly slowed down what should have been a short distance. Finally, after navigating the noisy, chaotic old street and turning onto a quiet path leading into the mountains, the number of people around them suddenly dwindled, and they no longer needed to stop and socialize. Away from the hustle and bustle, the siblings finally breathed a sigh of relief, slowing their pace and continuing their ascent up the mountain path. Wei Bao, who had been excited and thrilled the whole way, had long since lost his initial enthusiasm and nestled quietly in Gui Xiang's arms, obediently following along.

The three siblings slowly ascended the secluded mountain path, and soon arrived at their master's house, stopping steadily beneath the graceful, canopy of an osmanthus tree. The autumn air was filled with the rich, lingering fragrance of osmanthus, its delicate golden petals carpeting the ground, their delicate aroma enveloping them. Wei Bao, barely settled on the donkey's back, couldn't contain his impatience and urged, "Xing-ge, Xing-ge, quickly help me down! We'll go home after delivering the gifts to Master and Mistress; I want to eat Grandma's meat!"

Gui Xiang was both amused and annoyed by his words. She reached out and gently pinched his soft little face, then scolded him seriously with a stern expression: "You haven't even entered the door to pay your respects to your master yet, and all you can think about is going home to eat meat. Wei Bao is so rude. I'm never taking you with me next time I go out."

Wei Bao's cheek stung slightly from being pinched, and she immediately winced, pleading softly, "It hurts, it hurts! Sister Xiangxiang, I'll be good, I won't rush you anymore!"

Gui Xiang withdrew her hand, her face still stern as she earnestly instructed him, her tone laced with a hint of scare: "Remember, when we enter to pay our respects to Master and Mistress, just stay quiet and behave yourself. When we leave, just follow us obediently. If you dare to complain about wanting to go back or disobey the rules, you'll be in for a beating!"

Wei Bao was intimidated by his sister's serious expression. He quickly pursed his lips, nodded vigorously, and looked at the two of them obediently with his big, dark eyes. He became completely well-behaved and dared not mention going home to eat meat again.

Seeing that he had calmed down, Xingbao reached out and firmly took the donkey's reins, tied Heitan to the trunk of the osmanthus tree beside him, and carefully secured the knot. Then he lifted Weibao off the donkey's back and helped Guixiang jump down steadily. The three siblings straightened their clothes, picked up the prepared Mid-Autumn Festival gifts, and walked slowly toward the gate.

The main room of my master's house was bright and open. Inside, the medicine cabinets were spotless, their wooden surfaces gleaming with a warm, dark red sheen. The furnishings were simple and orderly: a consultation table, a square table, four wooden chairs, four long benches, and a few small stools scattered in the corners, all arranged in a neat and orderly fashion. A gentle breeze wafted through the room, carrying with it the bitter aroma of herbs mingled with the sweet scent of osmanthus, a refreshing and soothing fragrance that was both pleasant and comforting.

The three were about to step inside when they ran into their second senior brother, who was just leaving. Xingbao was slightly surprised. The county was currently overwhelmed with the collection of land taxes, and official duties were plentiful. His senior brother should be too busy to handle everything, so why had he suddenly returned home? He immediately asked, "Senior brother, what brings you back?"

The second senior brother smiled and teased the three siblings, saying, "I'll talk about my business later. I heard you arguing outside the door earlier, and your master's wife was worried, so I came out to check on things."

The three siblings blushed and felt slightly embarrassed after their senior brother publicly exposed their playful antics outside the door, even though they knew it was just a joke. Gui Xiang, quick-witted, changed the subject: "Master's wife must have already made osmanthus cakes for us. I'll go in and help!" With that, she lowered her head and hurried towards the kitchen. Wei Bao, with his short legs, quickly followed, calling out in a clear voice, "Sister Xiang Xiang, wait for me!"

Xingbao was a little embarrassed and gave his senior brother a shy smile: "Senior brother, then I'll go inside first."

The second senior brother gently patted Xingbao's head, his smile warm: "Don't be afraid, I was just teasing you. It's been a long time since I've joked around so easily. Come on, your master and mistress are waiting for you inside."

The kitchen was warm and inviting. Master was chatting with two elders of the Yang family, their words gentle and the atmosphere harmonious. Master's wife gently placed a plate of freshly steamed osmanthus cakes on the table. To hide her earlier nervousness, Gui Xiang meticulously wiped the already spotless table with a cloth. Hearing footsteps, Master's wife looked up and saw Xingbao enter with her second senior brother. Her eyes instantly lit up with a gentle smile, and she softly greeted, "Xingbao, come and sit down. I prepared osmanthus cakes for you all this morning. You three children should eat more."

"Master and Mistress, may you enjoy a peaceful Mid-Autumn Festival. Grandfathers, may you enjoy a peaceful Mid-Autumn Festival." Xingbao stepped forward and bowed respectfully, his manners impeccable and composed. Weibao, holding a piece of osmanthus cake handed to him by his Mistress, imitated his older brother by bending slightly and greeting him in a sweet, childlike voice, gentle and obedient.

Master turned to Xingbao and said gently, "Xingbao, come and sit down, listen to what we have to say." Xingbao did as he was told and stepped forward, offering the mooncakes and plump hen he had been carefully carrying. He said respectfully, "Master, today is the Mid-Autumn Festival. We have come to wish you and your wife a happy festival. We don't have anything valuable at home, so please accept this small gift."

Looking at the sensible children before him, the master's eyes were filled with satisfaction. He nodded slightly and smiled, saying, "In these chaotic times, resources are scarce. There's no need to be bound by such formalities. Your thoughtfulness is the best gift you can give."

The teacher's wife smiled and stepped forward to accept the festival gifts. Looking at the plump free-range chicken and the exquisitely made mooncakes in the basket, she gently scolded, "You go to so much trouble and spend so much money every year for the festival. There are so many trivial matters to be done in your family's reconstruction, and money is needed everywhere. You really don't need to be so polite in the future." After saying that, she carried the hen to the backyard to put it away, and carefully put away the mooncakes, planning to take them out slowly for the children to enjoy later.