Though their dogs ran and hunted in the mountains, the cold weather and good food had thickened their fur compared to summer.
Lu Gu set the pot on the stove and sat down to add more firewood. When Dahui approached, he rubbed the dog’s furry head. The texture was quite satisfying, and then pinched his ears.
Dahui half-closed his eyes, clearly enjoying the attention.
But Guaizi, seeing Lu Gu pet Dahui, let out a whimper and shoved his own head into Lu Gu’s hand, pushing Dahui aside with his body.
Lu Gu chuckled helplessly. Even fully grown, Guaizi still acted like a puppy, vying for affection with clever tricks - whimpering pitifully, tilting his head with pleading eyes, and shamelessly shoving other dogs aside, knowing Lu Gu would never scold him.
Dahui growled low in his throat. Lu Gu quickly pushed Guaizi away to prevent a fight, but the stubborn dog refused to budge, pressing forward and even burying his head in Lu Gu’s lap.
Resigned, Lu Gu settled for petting Dahui with one hand while fending off Guaizi with the other, amused despite himself.
After playing with the dogs for a while, the sky brightened fully. Smiling, he stood up. There was sweeping to do and plenty of chores awaited.
Dahei and Dabai were also awake now. He stacked the four burlap sacks the dogs slept on in a corner, then grabbed a broom to sweep the main room.
By the time Shen Xuanqing got up, the water in the pot was boiling, and Lu Gu was washing up in the yard.
Stretching his arms, Shen Xuanqing felt refreshed. Seeing Wei Lanxiang sweeping the courtyard with a large broom, he called out, “Mother, I’ll sweep later.”
The backyard of this house was spacious, with plenty of open ground beyond the livestock pens and vegetable plots, sweeping it all would take effort.
Wei Lanxiang paused and said, “No need. It’s not dirty, I’m just gathering dead leaves and grass into piles. You tend to your own tasks.”
Seeing no point in arguing, Shen Xuanqing went to wash up.
The three of them busied themselves around the new house until Shen Yan, having prepared breakfast and finding them absent, came looking for them.
The doe was tied up in the old house’s backyard. After breakfast, Shen Xuanqing untied her, saying he would take her to town to sell. The sooner the doe was sold, the sooner would be paid.
“Those rabbits can be sold too,” Shen Yaoqing remarked.
The whole family knew he meant, the first litter of nineteen kits that had fully grown and plump after half a year.
“Between leading the doe and pushing the cart, the rabbits can wait,” Shen Xuanqing replied. Since Shen Yaoqing was busy in the fields today and couldn’t accompany him to town, selling the rabbits would have to wait.
Shen Yaoqing nodded. “True, no rush, we can sell them another time.”
Though Lu Gu and Wei Lanxiang could help, the cart was always pulled by the men, while women and fulangs typically rode on it. Neither brother considered asking the others to handle it.
Shen Xuanqing always brought Lu Gu along when selling game in town, it was a chance to shop and enjoy a treat. Today was no exception.
Leading a doe through the village drew many eyes. Passing the house of the third branch of the Shen family, Shen Yuping stood at the gate, his bright eyes full of admiration for his cousin.
Though Shen Xuanqing had sold plenty of game over the years, it wasn’t until they left Qingxi Village that the questions and exclamations faded.
With experience from selling the dwarf deer last time, Shen Xuanqing headed straight for Fulai Tavern near the docks to inquire with the steward.
Large tavern like this could afford a whole doe, unlike smaller eateries.
The steward and accountant were polite, but they carried themselves with an air of superiority compared to the previous year. Shen Xuanqing didn't mind, as long as he got paid. Noticing the accountant's fine clothes, he figured the man had done well for himself, which explained his haughty attitude.
Venison was a delicacy, and doe meat was tenderer than buck. After haggling, they settled on forty-five taels.
A steep price, but since only the wealthy could afford it, the tavern would surely profit reselling it.
That was none of his concern.
Lu Gu remembered the dwarf deer selling for twenty-eight taels last year. Now, with forty-five taels in Shen Xuanqing’s pocket, he was delighted, though part of him was growing accustomed to Shen Xuanqing earning dozens of taels at a time, more than anyone else he knew.
“What would you like to eat? We’ll stay in town longer today, buy whatever you want.” Shen Xuanqing smiled, his eyes bright. Were it not for the crowd, he’d have ruffled Lu Gu’s hair in joy. This year’s big earnings eased his worries, they wouldn’t be sitting and eating until the mountain was empty.
[坐吃山空 (zuò chī shān kōng): lit. sit and eat until the mountain is empty; fig. squander wealth without replenishing it].
Lu Gu had considered bringing his embroidered handkerchiefs to sell but decided against it, not wanting to delay Shen Xuanqing. Now, empty-handed, they were freer than usual.
Near the docks, before Lu Gu could decide on food, Shen Xuanqing suggested, “Haven’t had mixed offal stew in ages. How about a bowl? We’ll buy a roast chicken for home too.”
Lu Gu remembered the stew’s rich, spicy broth and the crispy white bread that could warm body even on the coldest days. Nodding, he agreed.
Though still early, the offal stew vendor was open, people like them rose early to earn more money. Sitting at a low table, Shen Xuanqing saw some white cakes sprinkled with sesame seeds. The sesame fragrance was so tempting, so he ordered two sesame cakes so that Lu Gu could also have a taste of what they tasted like.
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