Chapter 7
Grass had already grown on the earthen grave mound, but this could make the grave soil less prone to collapse under rainwater.
Huo Shu lit a stick of incense and inserted it into the grave mound, then bowed with clasped hands.
After all, a stable and peaceful land was the best life one could have. Though the departed were gone, at least there was still a patch of earth where one could mourn and pay respects.
Unlike the northern frontier, where the iron horses never rested, trampling even the graves of loved ones, forcing the locals to constantly migrate.
[铁马 (tiě mǎ): lit. iron horses; fig. armored cavalry/relentless military forces]
Lost in thought, he withdrew his hands and watched the elderly woman beside him tearing paper money while murmuring to Zhao’s father. Suddenly, the sound of firecrackers erupted in the distance.
The explosions were loud and continuous, lasting for quite a while.
Both of them turned their heads toward the source of the noise until the firecrackers finally ceased.
"Looks like it’s from the You family’s direction. Must be their second son returning from the city."
Zhao’s mother spoke with vicarious pride: "Our village has no shortage of educated young men, but when it comes to true talent, it’s still the You family’s second son. He passed the child scholar exam, then the county-level exam to become a xiucai, and now, after the recent release of the provincial exam results, he’s become a juren."
[Tóng shēng - preliminary student/candidate; Xiù cai - Prefectural Level; Jǔ rén - Provincial Level ; Jìn shì - The highest level, could serve in high-ranking government positions]
As she spoke, an unmistakable envy surfaced on her face: "His mother has finally made it through the hard times. Widowed early, she never remarried, raising her two children alone. Now that her second son has achieved success, she can finally enjoy her later years."
Both were widows, but while her son had been promising, she had instead suffered the grief of burying her own child.
Huo Shu detected the sorrow in her words and said, "Aunt, don’t grieve too much."
"It’s nothing, I’m just happy for them."
Zhao’s mother continued: "Our village now has a juren. The You family’s second son achieved such honors at a young age, who knows, he might even become a high-ranking official someday. As fellow villagers, we can take pride in that too."
Village women had few pastimes, so they often busied themselves with village gossip.
She added: "Judging by the excitement, the You family will surely host a feast. You should come with me to celebrate. Such joyous occasions thrive on a lively crowd."
Huo Shu neither agreed nor refused. He had no interest in unrelated village affairs, but then Zhao’s mother cheerfully added:
"Tao ger is also a fortunate one."
Huo Shu, who had been mostly silent, suddenly asked: "The one from the field earlier?"
Zhao’s mother laughed: "You saw him?"
"Mn."
"Tao ger is the prettiest little ger in our area. It’s just a shame about his weak health. But the village head had sharp eyes, he arranged Tao ger’s betrothal to the You family’s second son early on. Now that the second son has passed the provincial exam, even if the village head is reluctant to part with his ger, the wedding must go ahead."
"The You family’s second son is refined and scholarly, while Tao ger is kind-hearted, always looking after the villagers. They’re well-matched in status too, it’s the best possible marriage. The feast will surely be grand and lively."
As Zhao’s mother rambled on about the village’s happy news, Huo Shu’s eyelid twitched slightly, his expression far from calm.
That jade-like face and those clear, slightly vacant eyes flashed through his mind. Huo Shu pressed his lips together.
What Zhao Changsui had said wasn’t wrong, their Jiangnan had no shortage of beautiful girls and handsome gers. The only problem was that others moved too fast, with a hundred suitors for every eligible unmarried ones.
So while other boys his age were still climbing trees to rob bird nests or wading into rivers to catch fish, Zhao Changsui had already learned to pick wildflowers to charm girls and gers.
Back then, Huo Shu had scoffed at Zhao Changsui’s smugness. Now, without a word, he strode away: "I’ll take a look around."
Zhao’s mother stood up, holding the paper money, watching the towering figure suddenly walk off. She called after him: "Come back early. I’ll cook meat for you tonight."
____
"Mother, you’re back! Did you hear? Cousin’s family set off firecrackers for so long, he must have returned from the academy!"
As soon as Yu Sunshi stepped into the house, she saw her ger dressed up brightly, about to head out.
[餘孙氏 = Yú (husband's surname) + Sūn (maiden name) + shì (clan marker, Sūn of the Yu family]
She grabbed him: "Where are you going?"
"To Aunt’s house to congratulate Cousin, of course! The provincial exams are held only once every three years, with fewer than a hundred passing each time. Aunt has always been kind to me, how could I not celebrate such joyous news?"
Yu Sunshi tightened her grip and pulled her ger back inside.
"There’ll be plenty of time for congratulations later. I need to talk to you first."
Yu Xia noticed his mother’s unusually grave expression. Though his heart had already flown to the You family, he still followed her inside.
"Mother, what’s so urgent?"
Once inside, Yu Sunshi glanced around to ensure no one was nearby, then shut the door.
Yu Xia, puzzled by her behavior, asked: "What’s going on?"
"Tell me the truth, don’t hide a single detail."
Yu Sunshi’s face was stern: "What exactly happened between you and Ji Taoyu? Explain everything clearly."
Yu Xia’s heart sank. The joy on his face vanished as he lowered his head
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