At first, Zhao's mother thought Huo Shu might not care to listen, but to her surprise, he occasionally chimed in.
For example:
“How many branches does the Ji family have?”
“The village head’s generation had eight siblings, and his sons have four branches.”
Huo Shu listened quietly. Breakfast was simple - plain congee with pickled vegetables, but Zhao’s mother’s fermented side dishes were excellent.
The long, tender cowpeas she had picked in summer were now perfectly fermented - crisp, salty, and savory.
“So the You family will overshadow the Ji family now?”
Zhao’s mother said, “With a juren offering protection, the You family is bound to rise. Surpassing the Ji family wouldn’t be surprising. But since the two families are set to marry, their rivalry won’t escalate too much. The village head’s branch will also benefit.”
“Still, the village head deserves it. He went to great lengths to support You Erlang’s studies.”
Huo Shu fell silent for a moment. None of this helped him find the man who had seduced Changsui, but since it involved the Ji family, he listened anyway.
Zhao’s mother’s words only stirred an inexplicable irritation in him.
Abruptly, as if deliberately changing the subject, Huo Shu remarked, “The pickles are delicious.”
Zhao’s mother smiled. “Changsui loved them too. You two have similar tastes, no wonder you became sworn brothers.”
“I’ll go to town later to buy some fabric and flour. I’ll make dumplings for you, sour bean paste with fresh meat filling. How does that sound?”
Huo Shu didn’t refuse her kindness and agreed.
Pleased, Zhao’s mother glanced outside. The clouds lingered, and the wind was chilly. Even if it didn’t rain, it would likely be overcast.
“Autumn rains bring cold weather. Thankfully, most of the grain has been dried. Each rain cools the air further, so we must prepare autumn clothes early, or we’ll be caught off guard when winter arrives.”
Zhao's mother hadn’t bought fabric for new clothes in years. She endured the autumn and winter with what she had, often coughing through the cold months. Now that life was slightly better, she no longer needed to be so frugal.
She looked at Huo Shu, dressed in a worn linen short robe - no patches, but clearly old.
“You always dress so lightly. Let me make you a thicker set of clothes.”
Huo Shu brushed his sleeve. “I’m used to it. I’m not cold. No need to trouble yourself.”
“The climate here is different from the north. It’s easy to fall ill if you’re careless. Besides, it’s no trouble. Women enjoy sewing, especially for family.”
Huo Shu paused, then set down his chopsticks and reached for his purse. “Then I’ll trouble you.”
But Zhao’s mother stopped him. “I’m making these for you. Every family makes clothes for their children in autumn, since when do children pay?”
Over the days, she had noticed Huo Shu wasn’t slovenly, yet he alternated between the same two outfits. He likely had little money.
Despite his own struggles, he hadn’t kept the silver Changsui had saved. Instead, he traveled thousands of miles to deliver it - a gesture that moved her deeply.
Huo Shu said, “I have money.”
Zhao’s mother thought he was being stubborn and pushed his purse back. “Save what you have. You’re not even married yet, there’ll be plenty of expenses later. It’s hard to save in the military. Spend wisely.”
Huo Shu sighed helplessly, glancing at the gold nuggets inside.
After breakfast, Zhao’s mother took a basket and an oil-paper umbrella to town.
Huo Shu practiced a set of martial arts in the yard, then chopped two baskets of firewood for the kitchen. It was still early.
The gloomy clouds refused to disperse, making it unsuitable for drying grain, so there was little else to do.
The Zhao family didn’t own much land. Years of hardship had forced them to sell some, leaving only a few mu. Zhao’s mother had already tended to most of the crops.
By mid-morning, the air grew stifling.
Huo Shu sat indoors for a while, fiddling with the long hairpin before putting it away.
With nothing to do, he stepped out in light clothing.
The Jiangnan water country was crisscrossed with rivers. On muggy days, fish and shrimp were said to be easier to catch.
The northern deserts had few such waterways. Back then, his swimming skills were mediocre, it was Zhao Changsui who taught him how to dive and swim in lakes.
Now that he had the chance, why not enjoy it?
Just as he left the courtyard, he spotted a familiar figure hesitating outside. His brow twitched. “Need something?”
Ji Taoyu, seeing the man at the gate, hurried over and handed him a food box.
Huo Shu’s expression softened.
“You keep your word. But sneaking around like this might make people think you’re meeting a lover.”
Ji Taoyu flushed. “I’m not! Since the food’s delivered, I’ll go.”
Huo Shu watched him turn to leave, then called out, “Wait.”
Taoyu stopped. “What else?”
“Weren’t you going to help me find someone? Since you’re here, let’s discuss it. I don’t know where to start.”
Huo Shu leaned against the gate. “Auntie’s out. Come in.”
“I-Inside?”
Ji Taoyu’s eyes widened. Now that Huo Shu knew he was betrothed, why did he invite him in when the house was empty?
Huo Shu frowned at his hesitation. “What do you think I’ll do to you?”
Ji Taoyu bit his lip. If Huo Shu tried anything, he wouldn’t stand a chance.
“It’s improper. If people see and gossip…”
Huo Shu raised an eyebrow. “Afraid it’ll reach your fiance’s ears?”
Taoyu stiffened. Why was this man so sharp-tongued today?
He twisted his sleeve. “Gossip is bad no matter who hears it.”
Huo Shu studied the lowered head and quiet voice, his mood souring.
The north and south were different. In the war-torn north, survival was paramount and social niceties mattered little. Men, women, and gers mingled freely, even drinking and gambling together.
The peaceful south, with its emphasis on propriety, was stricter.
Huo Shu knew this. While the south didn’t forbid interaction between unmarried men and gers, Ji Taoyu was already betrothed to a half-baked scholar’s family, no less. Of course, he’d be cautious.
Yet the more Ji Taoyu resisted, the more irritable Huo Shu felt.
But what was the point of bullying a defenseless ger?
“Fine, thanks.”
He lifted the food box slightly.
“Go on.”
After two steps, he heard Ji Taoyu hesitate, then suggest tentatively:
“What if I go back first, and you come to my house later to discuss finding the person? My father’s the village head, people often visit to discuss matters. No one would gossip. Is that alright?”
Thanks for the update!!!
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