When Juhua and Huai Zi got home, they ate a simple dinner and immediately split up to get busy. As he and Qingmu had arranged at noon, Huai Zi went out to speak with someone about the matter, while Juhua returned to her parents' house to wait for Mrs. Yang.
He saw that Juhua had been busy all day without a moment's rest, even now that it was dark. "You go on ahead," she said. "Aunt Liu and I will look after the two little ones. I'll come over to check on your mother after they're asleep. It gets chilly at night, so wear an extra layer. Pu Pao, you go with the Young Madam. You're a clever girl with sharp eyes; watch the path for her."
Pu Pao promptly agreed, her voice bright and clear.
Juhua smiled. "Mother, it's just next door, not far at all. You're the one who needs to be careful walking. It's better if you have Pu Pao go with you."
He waved her away, saying she was used to walking all over the mountains and fields and was much steadier on her feet than Juhua.
