Chapter 5
Ji Yangzong paused for a moment upon hearing this, furrowing his brows as he mentally went through the villagers one by one. Soon, he reached a conclusion.
Having dealt with people and farmland every day, he could tell at a glance that Huo Shu was no ordinary man.
There was indeed someone like that in the village. But as the village head, he still had to consider the welfare of his fellow villagers, he was afraid Huo Shu might be here to stir up trouble.
“There is someone named Changsui. But these days, many people share the same name. I’m not sure if he’s the one you’re looking for.”
Huo Shu said, “He was conscripted into the army. It should’ve been seven or eight years by now. Those called for corvée labor would have their documents handled by the village head.”
Seeing that he had extracted more information, Ji Yangzong had a better idea. He probed, “Is Warrior Huo perhaps a comrade of Changsui’s?”
Huo Shu gave a wordless affirmation.
“That’s wonderful! Then the Changsui you’re looking for must be the one from the Zhao family by the stream. He’s been gone for seven or eight years without a word. Now that the northern war has ended, most of the conscripted soldiers have either returned home or sent letters back. But there's been no word from Changsui all this time, his family has been anxiously waiting, coming here every few days to ask if there’s any news.”
Huang Manqing said cheerfully, “Warrior Huo, do you have any news of Changsui?”
Huo Shu’s gaze lowered slightly. “He’s dead.”
The room instantly fell into a deathly silence.
“Blades and arrows are blind on the battlefield. After so many years without news, it’s only to be expected…”
Ji Yangzong shook his head and sighed deeply. “His poor mother has been waiting for him day after day.”
Huo Shu had long grown accustomed to life and death, and the worst of his grief had already passed. He remained far calmer than anyone else in the room.
“We fought side by side on the battlefield many times. He died in battle two years ago. Before his death, I promised him that if I survived the war, I would come to Jiangnan to visit his parents.”
Huang Manqing discreetly wiped the corner of her eye. “Whether dead or alive, at least there’s closure. Let me take you to Changsui’s family right away.”
The group quickly made arrangements to go to the Zhao family. Huang Yinsheng had to collect medicinal herbs, so he didn’t join them. Instead, the Ji couple led Huo Shu there.
“Mother, where are you going?”
When Ji Taoyu entered the main hall carrying a plate of pastries, he found only empty teacups left on the table. Everyone had already moved to the courtyard, clearly preparing to leave.
Huang Manqing said, “We’re taking Warrior Huo0 to the Zhao family by the stream. You shouldn’t go out running around.”
Hearing this, Ji Taoyu hurried over and looked up at Huo Shu, cautiously asking, “Have you already found the person?”
Huo Shu tugged on the reins and glanced sideways at Ji Taoyu, who had changed out of his thick cloak and vest into a fitted autumn outfit.
Back with his parents, under the warm autumn light, he looked much livelier.
His eyes briefly swept over the plate in Taoyu’s hands - square osmanthus cakes. They looked quite tasty.
“Mn.”
“Then… you won’t be staying for a meal?”
Ji Taoyu lifted the plate slightly. “I just made these osmanthus cakes.”
“No.”
With that, Huo Shu turned and led his horse out of the courtyard first.
Ji Taoyu froze for a moment. Only after Huo Shu had walked some distance away did Ji Yangzong and Huang Manqing lower their voices to scold their son:
“Go back inside. Your father and I can handle the hospitality. Focus on recovering your health.”
Ji Taoyu responded sullenly, “Oh.”
Watching as his parents and Huo Shu left one after another, he sneaked to the edge of the courtyard wall and peeked outside, watching Huo Shu’s tall figure grow farther and farther away.
He couldn’t help but feel emotional, though they had met by chance, Huo Shu had saved his life. He hadn’t even had the chance to properly thank him. Would they ever meet again?
“Warrior Huo is tall, mighty, and handsome. Could it be you’re reluctant to see him go?”
Startled, Ji Taoyu quickly retracted his gaze and turned to see his grandfather standing with his hands behind his back. He relaxed. “Xiao Taozi knows he’s being improper. Grandfather, don’t tease me.”
“These words are just for family, a mere jest.”
Huang Yinsheng popped a piece of osmanthus cake into his mouth. The sweet but not cloying flavor lifted his mood, and he chuckled. “Your parents have raised you with too many rules. Which family’s ger is like you, always holding up that scholar You Erlang as an example, confined by rigid etiquette? You don’t live freely at all.”
Ji Taoyu stepped forward and affectionately looped his arm through his grandfather’s. “Grandfather has seen more of the world and has a broader mind, after all.”
Huang Yinsheng nodded, pleased. “Mn, this batch of osmanthus cakes is well-made. Let’s go back inside and have a few more. When I return, I'll bring some for Huangqi too.”
Ji Taoyu smiled. “Alright.”
While the pastries were sweet, the atmosphere at the Zhao family’s home was bitter.
The Zhao family by the stream lived in a rundown thatched hut, its roof overgrown with weeds.
Compared to the spacious Ji family's house, it looked pitifully shabby.
The autumn wind blowing along the stream made it feel even more desolate.
“Village Head, you’re here!”
While Huo Shu was still taking in the surroundings, an elderly woman emerged from the house at the sound of movement. Seeing the visitors, her heart skipped a beat, but she still hurried to greet them.
“Village Head, Huang niangzi, please come inside.”
[Niangzǐ (娘子): A common address for married women in ancient Chinese villages, akin to "Mrs." but used more informally among neighbors]
“Is this about the autumn tax? I’ve been trying to come up with a solution. Please, Village Head, give me a little more time.”
As Zhao’s mother respectfully ushered the couple in, she noticed an unfamiliar face behind them.
Startled by the sight of such a tall, fierce-looking man, her heart pounded. She glanced nervously at the Ji couple, her expression almost pleading.
She feared he might be a tax collector sent by the county magistrate this year.
“We’re not here about the tax. We know your family’s situation well, we’ve always tried to be lenient with deadlines.”
Huang Manqing quickly reassured Zhao’s mother.
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