The carriage wheels rolled slowly over the damp ground as Fu Tong and Fu Teng left the courtyard. No one spoke while watching them go. After a moment, the gate closed, and silence filled the space again. The courtyard suddenly felt empty.
I stood still for a short moment and looked toward the gate. Then I turned back.
"Fu Fei. Fu Li," I called.
They both looked at me immediately.
"Yes," Fu Li answered.
I stepped closer to them.
"We do not have much time," I said calmly. "They will return tonight with the Zhao sisters."
They understood right away.
"This is not a formal wedding," I continued, "but they are bringing their future wives into this house. Their rooms must be prepared."
Fu Fei nodded without hesitation.
"We will do it," she said.
Fu Li straightened her posture.
"What needs to be done?" she asked.
