“It’s good that you’re back. It’s good that you’re back!” Even someone as socially adept and politically seasoned as He Chunhua found himself too overwhelmed to speak properly for a moment. A thousand different emotions surged through him at once. It took him quite a while to settle himself before he finally asked, “Have you eaten breakfast?”

He Lingchuan shook his head.

“Perfect. Then eat with us.”

Madame Ying wiped away her tears and turned to instruct Steward Wu, “Add more dishes!”

Her eldest son had an enormous appetite. The breakfast the kitchen had prepared in advance would never be enough for all four members of the family.

“I heard the red toon shoots[1] delivered this morning were especially tender. Tell the cooks to make six buns—no, no, steaming buns will take too long. Make pan-fried buns instead! Slice up the braised beef we were saving for lunch and bring it out now. Also, make three...