Chapter 173
Lu Gu was overjoyed. Last night before falling asleep, he had been thinking that Shen Xuanqing should be returning soon. Though Shen Xuanqing had taken eight days' worth of dry rations, but as a skilled hunter, he wouldn't go hungry in the mountains. Catching pheasants or rabbits was no trouble at all. Yet Lu Gu couldn’t help but worry.
He hurried outside and had just reached the main hall when he saw Guaizi charging in through the courtyard gate, followed by the equally excited Dabai. For a moment, the big and small dogs were barking together, and even Zhao’er was babbling excitedly. Having grown up around the family’s dogs and hearing their barks daily since birth, the child showed no fear.
Guaizi wagged his tail so vigorously, his whole rear seemed to sway, whining and pressing insistently against Lu Gu for attention. After running and jumping around to release his excitement, he even rolled onto his back, exposing his belly, hoping for a rub.
Dahui and Dahei also crowded close, nudging for head pats. With two hands barely enough to manage them all, Lu Gu finally freed himself from the pack’s enthusiastic greeting. Just as he stepped off the eaves’ stairs, Shen Xuanqing walked through the gate.
"You're back," Lu Gu said, eyes brimming with happiness. After eight days apart, it would be a lie to pretend he hadn’t missed him.
The moment Shen Xuanqing saw his fulang, a bright smile spread across his handsome face. "I'm back," he replied.
Strapped to Lu Gu’s back, Zhao'er waved his little hands and babbled. Shen Xuanqing led a male sika deer and a black-hoofed goat toward the backyard, his bamboo basket looking heavily laden. Noticing Ji Qiuyue’s absence, he asked, "Where’s Sister-in-law?"
"Sister-in-law and Mother are working in the fields. I stayed home with Zhao’er to cook and boil water," Lu Gu answered cheerfully.
The antlers of the sika deer were strikingly large and beautiful, leaving Lu Gu in awe. Too cautious to handle the deer, he reached for the rope tied to the black-hoofed goat, but Shen Xuanqing avoided his hand.
"You’re carrying Zhao’er and pregnant. This goat’s temper isn’t great, let me handle it. It’s just a few steps anyway," Shen Xuanqing said with a smile, tugging the two animals along as Lu Gu followed.
After the long trek down the mountain, Shen Xuanqing was exhausted. Once he tied up the goat and deer and set down the bamboo basket, he let out a relieved sigh, rubbing his shoulders. Seeing Lu Gu trailing after him eagerly, he couldn’t help but laugh. "In spring, most female game are either pregnant or nursing, so I had to target males."
Having spent eight days in the wilderness, he had managed to stay clean earlier in the trip to avoid alerting prey with his scent. But last night, too tired to bother, he had only given his face a cursory wash. After today’s long journey, his clothes and hair were filthy. While alone in the mountains, it hadn’t bothered him, but now, face-to-face with Lu Gu, he longed to embrace him—yet the stench of sweat and grime made him restrain himself.
Overcome with happiness, Lu Gu stood grinning foolishly at Shen Xuanqing for a while before remembering to fetch water. He hurried toward the water vat, asking, "Are you hungry? There are steamed buns in the steamer, still soft from lunch. I’ve already chopped the spring vegetables, I’ll stir-fry them now."
Seeing his haste, Shen Xuanqing’s brow twitched in concern. "Slow down, no rush. I ate the last two dry buns on the way back, I’m not that hungry yet."
Only then did Lu Gu ease his steps. After ladling water and bringing wild soapberries, he also filled the dogs’ water bowl to quench their thirst. He didn’t know why, but today he couldn’t tear his eyes away from Shen Xuanqing, his heart was simply too full of joy.
Once Shen Xuanqing washed his hands, he noticed Lu Gu still carrying Zhao’er and offered, "Let me hold him, give yourself a break."
But then, glancing at his soiled sleeves and clothes, he hesitated. The baby was dressed cleanly. "Let me change my outer garment first. Wait a moment."
Lu Gu followed him into the bedroom, still beaming, with Zhao'er strapped to his back.
After days apart, Zhao’er was unfamiliar with Shen Xuanqing’s hold. He let out a few cries, stretching his arms toward Lu Gu.
Back when they were all at home, Ji Qiuyue or Wei Lanxiang usually handled the baby, Shen Xuanqing had only held him briefly to play. He had no experience soothing a truly upset child. No matter how he rocked or teased, Zhao’er refused to look at him, tears streaming down his cheeks - a far cry from his usual fake wails. Flustered, Shen Xuanqing suggested, "Maybe you should hold him. I’ll cook instead."
Handing the crying child back, he watched as Lu Gu patted Zhao’er’s back, murmuring soothing sounds. Remembering that Shen Xuanqing had cooked a few times in the mountains, Lu Gu nodded. "The vegetables are already chopped, just stir-fry them in the wok."
They headed to the thatched kitchen. Guaizi, Dahui, and Dahei sprawled panting in the main room, exhausted from their earlier run.
Though Zhao’er had grown accustomed to being carried by Lu Gu these past two days, he continued to fuss. Shen Xuanqing placed the wok on the clay stove while Lu Gu, cradling the baby anxiously, finally managed to calm him—only for Zhao’er to start sucking his thumb.
Realizing the child was hungry, Lu Gu said, "Zhao’er needs milk. Sister-in-law must’ve been delayed in the fields, I’ll go find her."
Leaving Shen Xuanqing to fend for himself, Lu Gu hurried toward the back gate with Zhao’er. Halfway there, he spotted Ji Qiuyue returning with a water jug and sighed in relief.
"Erqing’s back," Ji Qiuyue said as she approached, her eyes widening at the sight of the two hunted animals. Settling into a chair under the rear eaves, she unbuttoned her top to nurse.
"I’m back, Sister-in-law," Shen Xuanqing replied with a smile, keeping his gaze averted as he waited for the oil in the wok to heat.
With nothing else to do, Lu Gu took over the cooking.
Soon, Shen Xuanqing sat in the main room eating his meal. The soft steamed buns were far better than the dried-out ones, and the stir-fried vegetables were rich with oil. As he ate, Lu Gu peeled a boiled egg for him.
The eggs had been cooked before dawn - ten in total. Everyone else had eaten two, but Lu Gu, finding the taste slightly off, had only had one. Shen Xuanqing’s return was timely - had he been any later, the egg would’ve gone to Shen Yan by dinner.
Though cooled by the heat of the day, Shen Xuanqing didn’t mind.
"Have they eaten yet?" Lu Gu asked, noticing Guaizi still lying motionless on the ground, clearly worn out.
"They have," Shen Xuanqing said between bites. "Caught a rabbit on the way, didn’t even need skinning. They tore it apart and devoured it. We can feed them properly later."
Reassured, Lu Gu sat contentedly beside him, watching with quiet delight. When Ji Qiuyue finished nursing, he brought her a chair.
"Sister-in-law, want some?" Lu Gu nudged the bun basket toward her.
"No, I drank plenty of water, I’m full for now. I’ll eat after work." Ji Qiuyue played with Zhao’er a while longer before handing him back to Lu Gu. Grabbing the refilled jug, she returned to the fields, telling Shen Xuanqing to rest, the mountain trek was no small feat.
Despite her words, after eating, Shen Xuanqing and Lu Gu still headed to the fields.
Wei Lanxiang, overjoyed to see her second son, called out despite being covered in mud and sweat, urging him to go rest. Ji Qiuyue had already whispered about the sika deer - announcing it loudly would seem like boasting. Privately, Wei Lanxiang swelled with pride, feeling that her son truly was remarkable.
Shen Xuanqing had initially planned to help in the fields despite his grimy state, but one look at Lu Gu’s shining eyes changed his mind. He was already home, half a day’s delay wouldn’t matter. Tomorrow morning would be soon enough.
Back home, before sunset, Shen Xuanqing heated water for a thorough wash, emerging refreshed and invigorated.
Lu Gu, tired from carrying Zhao’er all day, felt the fatigue of pregnancy more keenly now. Though he ate well, his energy wasn’t what it used to be. He settled Zhao’er into the wooden cradle in the west room.
Since Ji Qiuyue and Shen Yaoqing now slept there, the cradle had been moved too. Zhao’er, no longer the tiny newborn he once was, needed the crib to prevent rolling off the bed at night.
When Shen Xuanqing entered, the light in Lu Gu’s eyes brightened unmistakably. Shen Xuanqing, equally pleased, met his gaze with a smile that reached his star-bright eyes.
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