My Fulang is a Delicate Flower Chapter 11 Part 2

The sudden turn left Yuan Huiru stunned. "You, you’re serious?"  

"Yes."  

Her hesitant expression melted into a smile. "Good. That’s good."  

She nodded repeatedly. "You have such a kind heart. I’m so happy."  

Tears welled in her eyes. "When the weather clears, we’ll fix up the house. You can live here properly from now on."  

"By year’s end, I’ll buy more land—no, whatever you prefer. If you want to farm, I’ll get more fields. If you’d rather work in town or start a business, that’s fine too!"  

Seeing her excitement as she planned their future, Huo Shu felt a pang of emotion.  

He recalled how Zhao Changsui, in the army, often spoke of missing his parents. When he learned Huo Shu had lost his own, Zhao Changsui had said, "Then my parents will be yours too."  

"There’s no rush for that. We should first invite the village elders to witness the adoption."  

Yuan Huiru agreed. "Yes, I’ll go ask them. We’ll need the village head to register it officially. There’s much to do."  

She hurried toward the door, then paused at the sight of the heavier rain. "Silly me, everyone’s preparing meals now, it’s not the right time. I’ll make lunch first, then go invite them."  

Huo Shu reassured her there was no hurry.  

The autumn rain lingered. By afternoon, the eaves of the Ji family home dripped steadily.  

Water pooled in the courtyard, forming a shallow layer.  

"Uncle, Aunt, it’s getting late. I should return home to handle some matters. In a couple of days, we’ll host a banquet, I hope you’ll both come to celebrate."  

Ji Yangzong said, "Leaving so soon? The rain’s heavy. Why not wait until it lightens?"  

"The village isn’t far, and the rain doesn’t bother me. But there’s much to prepare lately. Some of my fellow scholars also passed the exams, I must prepare gifts to congratulate them."  

Seeing his insistence, Ji Yangzong didn’t press further. "Then let me see you out."  

"Where’s Taoyu?"  

After the meal, the ger and Huang Manjing had gone to the kitchen to clean up and hadn’t returned. You Lingxiao couldn’t help but ask.  

Ji Yangzong had assumed You Lingxiao came to discuss the marriage. Yet he hadn’t mentioned it at all.  

Ji Yangzong had planned to bring it up himself, but before he could, You Lingxiao announced his departure.  

This, coupled with now asking for Taoyu to see him off, soured Ji Yangzong’s mood.  

"The rain’s heavy, and Xiao Taozi feels the cold. He caught a chill recently and has already gone to rest. Should I call him out to see you off?"  

You Lingxiao quickly declined. "No need, Uncle. Taoyu should rest properly. It wouldn’t do for him to fall ill again."  

"Very well."  

Ji Yangzong saw him out, his steps brisk with suppressed displeasure upon returning.  

"Now that he’s earned his rank, he’s certainly changed. Too busy to stay long. It’s been days since he passed the exams, and only today does he come to share the news. And what banquet at home requires a newly minted scholar’s attention? His uncles would’ve arranged everything."  

He’d been here all this time without mentioning the marriage, yet constantly sought Ji Taoyu’s company - quite the opportunist.  

"Between the academy, relatives, and banquets hosted by the magistrate’s office for new scholars, it’s natural for You Erlang to be busy," Huang Manjing soothed. "He probably doesn’t want to rush the marriage talk. At the banquet in a few days, with both families present, it’ll be the perfect time to announce it. Why rush now?"  

"It’s not that I’m eager to marry Taoyu off. I’d be happy if he stayed home forever, but that’s unrealistic. It's great if we can avoid taxes under a scholar’s exemption this year. If not, it’s fine. We’ve paid them every other year, we’ll manage."  

Ji Yangzong’s expression softened slightly at his wife’s words. "I just worry things might change at this critical juncture. Without a clear stance from the You family, though Taoyu is still young, he can’t wait indefinitely. And after what happened to him recently, I’ve been restless at night."  

Huang Manjing said, "You’ve watched that boy grow up. And I’ve seen how he treats Taoyu, there’s affection between them. Erlang wouldn’t discard him just because he’s earned his rank."  

"Who can say for certain? We’ll see. In a few days, when the village gathers, we’ll know whether this marriage will proceed."  

Just as Ji Yangzong’s mood eased, a laborer’s voice came from outside: "Village head, the Zhao family’s Yuan niangzi asks you to come over."  

"What for? In this rain?"  

Ji Yangzong called back.  

"She said it’s for an adoption ceremony. She wants you to bear witness."  

"Adoption?" Ji Yangzong’s brow furrowed, recalling Huo Shu’s earlier visit. "I’d better go see."  

The autumn rain brought a biting chill. Rainy days were usually slow.  

After pestering Huang Manjing to make him a warming mutton soup for dinner, Ji Taoyu burrowed into his room. Wrapped in a thick quilt, he lay on his bed flipping through a medical text he hadn’t finished days before.  

But his mind wasn’t on the pages.  

Seeing You Lingxiao today, Ji Taoyu noted he’d grown even more handsome. They’d spoken more than usual, he should’ve been happy. Yet he wasn’t.  

In the past, when You Lingxiao returned to the village on breaks, he’d visit. His parents never barred them from meeting - once inside, they could share tea and snacks. But never before had they lingered through a meal.  

Yet despite the rare chance to talk at length, something felt off. Ji Taoyu sensed a change in You Lingxiao since passing the exams - less humble, less courteous. Or was it just his imagination?  

At the table, You Lingxiao had said, "Lately, many merchants in town seek my calligraphy, sending invitations. Even the owner of Shili Cloth offered one. Their silk is fine, and I thought to bring you some. But they’re just merchants, beneath my association. I’ll buy you silk myself later."  

And: "Autumn brings many literary gatherings in town. I’ll take you to see the excitement. Many officials attend, it’ll broaden your horizons. I’ve prepared poems for you to study in advance. Leave those medical books aside."  

His words had been grandiose, even condescending.  

Ji Taoyu wondered if their past meetings had been too brief to reveal this side of him, or if success had changed him.  

Nestled under the quilt, his book untouched, Ji Taoyu’s thoughts were a tangled mess.  

Just as he considered closing the book to nap, his father’s voice carried over the rain as he spoke to a laborer outside.  

Ji Taoyu lifted his head slightly.  

He’s already done it?  

Hearing his mother remind his father to wear his rain cloak, Ji Taoyu shivered at the thought of the damp cold and burrowed deeper under the covers.  

That man seemed so stern and stubborn, yet he’d acted so quickly on the suggestion. A small comfort warmed Ji Taoyu’s heart.