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The Chen Manor was unusually busy today. Servants hurried in and out, packing everything from underclothes and outer robes to wine cups of every material. Each cup was wrapped snugly in fine hemp cloth, carefully stacked in a wooden chest, and carried out to the carriage. Gone were the days when a small bundle was all anyone needed for a journey. Uncle An, the head steward, stood in the courtyard, calmly directing the preparations.\nThe man responsible for all this bustle was in the thick of it, poking about and inspecting whatever caught his eye. One moment, he was gesturing with his folding fan. "An, don't forget to prune the pines while I'm away." The next, he had snatched a cake from a passing maid's pastry box and popped it into his mouth.\nThe green-robed steward walked past with a chest in his arms. Without looking up, he said, "If you're so short of things to do, you could help us pack."\nA small head pushed between them. The child with the red dot between his brows looked utterly serious. "Master isn't well. He mustn't tire himself out."\nChen Zixi nodded solemnly. "Quite right. Mustn't tire myself out."\nUncle An said nothing. He simply changed direction and deposited the chest in Chen Shen's arms. "Then perhaps our young master can carry this outside."\n"Oh. Alright." The boy obediently took the chest and staggered away, huffing with effort.\n\nChen Zixi watched him go, laughing. Uncle An consulted his packing list, then spoke without looking up. "This sudden journey to fetch someone from so far away... It's that child you rescued, isn't it? The one you're always talking about."\nChen Zixi paused, then grinned. "Yes, that's the one. Such fun. Believes every word I say. Always gives me a good audience."\n"And what do you plan to do once you've brought the child back?"\n"Nothing in particular," said Chen Zixi. "Show the child around Hangzhou. Take in the sights. Shen spends all day memorizing medical texts. They could have some fun together. Or they could have some fun at Shen's expense. That works too."\nUncle An studied him for a moment, then lowered his head a little. His voice grew quiet. "I don't mean to pry. But if you're planning something, tell the household. Give us time to prepare."\n\nChen Zixi's smile slowly faded. He tapped a finger twice against the ribs of his fan. Tap. Tap.\n"I mean to do nothing. Don't look for hidden meanings in what I say."\n\nHe hadn't raised his voice. The courtyard fell silent. A breeze from West Lake stirred the pines, their needles rustling softly. Beyond the courtyard, servants' footsteps and the faint sounds of packing carried on.\nThe steward in dark green bowed without another word and turned to leave. Then Chen Zixi smiled again, rubbing his chin. "Or perhaps I should send the child to school? Pinglan Academy is rather good."