The mule stood in the yard, shifting its hooves as the dogs crowded around. After unloading the newly bought large iron pot from the cart, Shen Xuanqing untied the mule’s harness, saying, "I bought three catties of meat from Butcher Zhao. Since you’ve been craving meat bones lately, I got extra. Cook them whenever you want, we have enough firewood at home."
Lu Gu looked at the large iron pot on the ground and the meat and bones inside, unable to suppress a smile. The dogs also crowded around to inspect the pot, so he lifted out the meat and bones and placed them in the steamer in the main room, covering it securely.
Shen Xuanqing led the mule to the backyard, adding as an afterthought, "Don’t move the pot or the cart. I’ll come back to handle them later."
"Alright." Lu Gu agreed cheerfully, carrying a wooden basin to the water vat to scoop some water.
By the time Shen Xuanqing returned from tethering the mule to wash his hands, Lu Gu was already tasting the bones by the clay stove, nibbling on a small one. The meat came off the bone effortlessly, all it needed was a sprinkle of salt.
"Get a bowl too." Lu Gu turned his head and grinned, gnawing at the small bone in his hand.
At this, the dogs all started barking.
Shen Xuanqing picked up a bowl from the table, not to hold the bones, but to catch any meat that might fall off. Seeing Lu Gu eagerly gnawing on the bones by the stove, he smiled, brought over a chair for him to sit, and fetched the salt bowl. A little salt made it even tastier.
He lifted the large earthen pot off the stove and set it on the ground, replacing it with another pot of water to heat. Soon, there would be warm water for washing hands or drinking.
It wasn’t even noon yet, but the two of them had already gnawed through four or five meat bones. Even the two puppies each got a small bone to chew on, lying contentedly on the ground.
Sitting in the sun, gnawing on bones, Lu Gu felt utterly satisfied. His appetite had grown lately, if not for wanting to save some for the rest of the family, he and Shen Xuanqing might have finished them all.
After washing the grease off his hands with wild soapberries, Lu Gu was drying his hands when Shen Xuanqing pulled out a red cloth from his pocket, unfolding it with a smile.
The silver bracelet gleamed brightly - clearly brand new.
"For you to take turns wearing with the other one." Shen Xuanqing was delighted. Before and during the New Year, he’d been too busy to buy Lu Gu any jewelry. The silversmiths had also been on break during the festivities, so he’d only managed to make the purchase today.
On Lu Gu’s left wrist was last year’s bracelet, which he had rarely taken off since receiving it. Though it was still as good as new, Shen Xuanqing had bought him another.
He was about to say it was too much, but seeing Shen Xuanqing’s joy, he swallowed the words. His eyes and lips curved into a smile as he took the bracelet. Noticing the engraved patterns of grain ears, his heart swelled with joy. He couldn’t bear to put it down. Shen Xuanqing had once bought him a silver hairpin with the same motif, and realizing its meaning had filled him with indescribable happiness.
Removing the old bracelet, he slipped the new one onto his wrist, turning it admiringly. Looking up, he beamed. "It’s beautiful."
Shen Xuanqing’s smile widened. He wrapped the old bracelet in the red cloth and handed it over. "As long as you like it. Keep this one safe—you can take turns wearing between them. Over time, they’ll lose their shine, but I’ll take them to town for polishing when needed."
"Mm." Lu Gu accepted the cloth and headed inside to store it.
Shen Xuanqing headed to the backyard to feed the mule, which had completed its round trip and was now resting.
Just as Lu Gu tucked the red cloth into the bottom of the chest, the dogs barked - Wei Lanxiang and the others had arrived.
They had fed the livestock early in the morning. Taking advantage of the fine weather, Wei Lanxiang, Shen Yan, and Shen Yaoqing had gone to the riverbank with shovels and small hoes to dig for earthworms. The chickens and ducks had gone all winter without many insects, so these wriggling treats would supplement their diet.
The three returned covered in mud. Lu Gu hurried out to fetch water for them to wash their hands. Seeing the bones were ready, Shen Yan washed up briskly and grabbed one to eat without even drying her hands.
"Sprinkle some salt." Lu Gu handed her the salt dish.
Gnawing on bones by hand was the most satisfying. Shen Yan’s lips gleamed with grease, but she still managed a silly grin. Wei Lanxiang and Shen Yaoqing, after washing their hands, joined in, their faces alight with smiles. Such carefree meat-eating days were truly wonderful.
Lu Gu added more water to the pot heating on the stove, smiling. "Erqing bought three more catties of meat and some bones on his way back. If you’re craving more, there’ll be some tomorrow."
"Did Erqing buy that pot?" Wei Lanxiang had noticed the large iron pot on the table as soon as she entered. Munching on a bone, she walked over and touched it.
"He did." Lu Gu set down the ladle. "Now we can cook meals here too. During spring ploughing and autumn harvest, we won’t have to rush back home. After eating, we can rest here, it’ll be much more convenient."
Wei Lanxiang nodded emphatically. Indeed, farmwork was exhausting. Sometimes, the heat and fatigue made every extra step feel unbearable. Having a stove here would allow them to eat at either place.
Shen Xuanqing, having finished feeding the mule, walked into the main room and saw the basket of earthworms squirming in the mud. "So many."
"We dug through several ditches, even got our shoes soaked. We thought about coming back, but since washing shoes is a hassle anyway, we figured we might as well dig more." Wei Lanxiang headed toward the front yard. She hadn’t noticed earlier, but now that she mentioned it, her feet felt chilly. Best to dry them in the sun before changing shoes after eating.
Shen Xuanqing lifted the heavy basket and carried it to the backyard. After roughly chopping the worms, he tossed them to the chickens and ducks. Though mixed with mud, the sheer quantity was enough to last two days.
Wei Lanxiang was very diligent about raising the poultry, because well-fed chickens and ducks wouldn’t lay soft-shelled eggs. In spring, she planned to hatch more chicks and ducklings. Only by taking good care of them could they sustain annual breeding and sales.
Finishing a bone, she tossed it to the dogs. Noticing this, Lu Gu handed her another.
Wei Lanxiang accepted it with a smile, then suddenly caught sight of the silver bracelet on Lu Gu’s wrist, it was even shinier than before. "Oh my, is that a new bracelet?"
Lu Gu felt a little shy but nodded. "Yes, Erqing just came back and said he bought it in town."
Wei Lanxiang had money Shen Xuanqing had given her and rarely interfered with his spending, it wasn’t her place. Smiling, she said, "If he buys it for you, wear it gladly. Things are different now. If Erqing didn’t buy you things, that’d be the real problem."
"Mm." Lu Gu smiled in agreement. Ever since the pregnancy was confirmed, the whole family had urged him to rest and take care of himself. With his mind at ease, no worries about food or clothing, and Shen Xuanqing buying him jewelry, his heart was sweet and content, his heart rarely troubled.
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