After leaving the main road, they soon entered the village. This season, the villagers were still busy with the late autumn harvest. As the cart rolled in, the morning fog had completely lifted, clearing the view.
But once on the village path, the donkey cart moved slowly, not because the road was narrow or steep (in fact, the village paths were wide and well-maintained, no worse than the main road), but because many villagers came to greet them.
“Physician Huang, you’re here early today!”
“That medicine you prescribed last time really worked. Just one dose, and my legs feel much better!”
“Physician Huang, are you still buying wolfberries…?”
The villagers’ warmth didn’t escape Huo Shu’s notice. Though he remained expressionless, no one dared to openly scrutinize him.
Instead, after exchanging pleasantries with Huang Yinsheng, they’d straighten up and stare at Huo Shu’s retreating figure, watching until he was several zhang away before looking away.
[1 Zhang approximately equal to 3.33 meters]
By the time they reached the Ji family’s home, the sun was already high.
Huo Shu let the donkey cart enter the wide-open gate first, dismounting and waiting behind.
He took a moment to observe the residence of Mingxun Village’s village head.
The Ji family’s house followed the typical front-yard, back-house layout, but the courtyard walls were made of stone, which were far sturdier and more imposing than the usual wood or mud walls.
Inside, the spacious farmyard had two large camphor trees standing tall on the west side, their trunks as thick as a grown man’s waist, clearly ancient.
Under the trees, a rough hemp cloth canopy shaded a square table and stools, a perfect spot for resting in the shade.
The east side, free of the trees’ shade, was bathed in autumn sunlight, ideal for drying grains, preserved vegetables, and herbs.
Between the east and west ran a straight flagstone path leading to the house under its black-tiled roof.
The southern houses were different from the northern courtyard homes. The Ji residence was a sky-well courtyard, similar to those in the city.
The main entrance led to a central open-air space, surrounded by rooms on four sides (though not necessarily all four). Rainwater would cascade from the eaves into the courtyard, creating the “four waters returning to the hall” effect.
[The four waters returning to the hall (四水归堂, sìshuǐ guī táng): a traditional Chinese architectural design where four inward-sloping roof eaves channel rainwater into a central courtyard, symbolizing wealth accumulation and family unity under Confucian ideals of harmony with nature.]
With the south’s frequent rains, this design was practical.
But in the countryside, only prominent, well-off families could afford such houses, most couldn’t.
Mingxun Village wasn’t small, and its people were lively.
Riding through, Huo Shu had seen many farmhouses. Though he hadn’t entered any, few could match the Ji family’s in size or construction.
But this was expected. Huang Yinsheng’s clinic in the expensive Tongzhou city was well-established, and the ger’s striking beauty suggested his mother was no ordinary woman either.
Naturally, Huang Yinsheng wouldn’t have chosen a mediocre son-in-law.
Tongzhou was known for its scholars and literati, its rules and customs far stricter than the north’s.
To become village head here required a family of long-standing influence. Otherwise, one couldn’t rally the farmers below nor negotiate with officials above.
“Father, you’re here.”
A woman busy in the kitchen hurried out at the sound of cart wheels, calling out as she wiped her hands on her apron.
Huang Manjing stepped up to the cart. “Where’s Xiao Taozi (小桃子, little peach)?”
At her words, a head popped out from the cart. “Mother.”
Huang Manjing took one look at Ji Taoyu, and her brow furrowed. “What’s wrong? Did you catch a chill yesterday?”
Her hand was already on his forehead.
“He was at the clinic, how could he have gotten cold?”
Hearing the voices, a middle-aged man emerged from the house. Ji Taoyu’s face bore some resemblance to his, no need to guess who this was.
“Father-in-law, thank you for bringing him back.”
Ji Yangzong greeted Huang Yinsheng first, but before he could check on Ji Taoyu, his sharp eyes landed on Huo Shu - tall, imposing, and grim-faced, standing behind the cart.
He stepped forward, offering a polite bow before turning to Huang Yinsheng. “And this is…?”
“He’s the ger’s savior. Manjing, go make tea and invite our guest to sit.”
At this, Ji Yangzong and Huang Manjing tensed, exchanging a glance before she quickly ushered Ji Taoyu toward the kitchen.
Though they didn’t know the full story yet, Huang Yinsheng’s words made Ji Yangzong treat Huo Shu with even greater respect, promptly inviting him inside.
Huo Shu stayed quiet as Huang Yinsheng summarized the events for the couple.
“We didn’t want you to worry, and sending word wouldn’t have been proper, so we brought him back today.”
Huang Manjing’s heart raced. “How did he end up in the water? He’s usually not so careless!”
“I never should’ve let him go to the city for the exam results. The autumn exams’ announcement draws huge crowds, it’s always chaotic.”
Ji Yangzong slapped his thigh in regret. With the ger’s weak health, he couldn’t bear to imagine how he’d survived falling into the water.
Ji Taoyu was their only child, if anything had happened, it would’ve been the end of them.
After a few more agitated words, Ji Yangzong stood and pulled Huang Manjing into a deep bow toward Huo Shu.
“Thank you for saving our son. We don’t know how to repay such kindness.”
Huo Shu waved it off, repeating that it had been nothing.
Seeing Huo Shu’s straightforward manner, Ji Yangzong skipped the formalities and turned to his wife.
“Slaughter two fowls for lunch. I’ll fetch Danju to help you. We must treat Warrior Huo properly.”
Though Huo Shu appreciated southern home cooking, he hadn’t forgotten his purpose. Now that he was here, the meal could wait, finding someone sooner would ease his mind.
“I didn’t come for thanks. I have a request.”
“Village Head, does your village have a man named Zhao Changsui, around twenty years old? Where is his family now?”
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