In the past, Shen Xuanqing might not have realized it, but now, whenever he remembered that this was his own fulang, his heart swelled with satisfaction. Sometimes, the thought alone could leave him grinning like a fool—fortunately, he only indulged in such private glee, unseen by others. Otherwise, they might mistake this tall, handsome man for a simpleton.
Lu Gu’s cheeks were soft, pale, and carried a faint sweetness like peach blossoms. One kiss was never enough.
The two of them kissed and embraced in the secluded front yard, even laughing aloud. Hearing the adults’ laughter, Zhao'er in the cradle giggled too, making Lu Gu and Shen Xuanqing smile even wider.
An extra pair of strong hands made all the difference. With Shen Xuanqing working in the fields and the hired help of Lin Jinhu and Lin Jinlong, Ji Qiuyue stayed home to care for the child, cook, and manage chores. Having two people share the work eased Lu Gu’s burden, and also there was someone to chat with.
Only after the busy spring plowing days did the family finally get to rest. By then, it was time to sell the male sika deer and goat Shen Xuanqing had hunted.
The deer's antlers were magnificent, branching like a small tree. When Shen Xuanqing brought it down from the mountains, he had intended to tether it at their old home, but finding the gate locked, he had no choice but to lead the deer and goat through the village. Many people saw them, and while working in the fields, Shen Shunde and Zhou Yunzhi passed by their paddy and loudly remarked that the family was about to make a fortune.
Shen Xuanqing brushed it off with a laugh, paying the old couple no mind. Hunting wasn’t theft, villagers always saw his returns, and a few envious eyes were inevitable. Still, he kept his lips sealed, rarely boasting about his earnings.
At home, the sheep pen held three adults and one young - a male goat and two ewes. The second ewe had originally been meant for slaughter last winter, but Lu Gu’s pregnancy made him sensitive to smells. Even duck meat seemed foul, and mutton’s gaminess was unbearable, so they kept it. Now, Shen Xuanqing decided to breed both ewes, by late summer or early autumn, they’d have lambs.
The newly caught male goat wasn’t worth keeping, so Shen Xuanqing took it to town along with his brother to sell.
As the days grew warmer, Lu Gu didn't have to work as hard. Sitting in the yard under the sun, he sewed baby clothes until drowsiness crept in. Guaizi and the two little pups sprawled lazily in the sunny patch before him, looking utterly content. Eventually, he packed away his sewing basket and went inside for a nap.
Wei Lanxiang returned from the backyard and, not seeing him, peeked through the door crack. Finding him asleep, she left quietly without a word.
Lu Gu only woke up when Shen Xuanqing and Shen Yaoqing returned, hearing their voices outside. The nap had been refreshing, and upon learning the deer and goat sold for sixty-eight taels of silver, he grew even more energized, his eyes lighting up.
"I bought you silk satin, it's soft and smooth. It’ll be comfortable to wear in the heat." Shen Xuanqing handed him the neatly folded fabric, urging him to feel it.
Lu Gu, accustomed to rough hemp or slightly finer linen, had never worn silk. The pale aqua color was vibrant yet understated, cool and soothing to the eye for summer.
"So nice," he murmured, stroking the satin. It must’ve been expensive, but he couldn’t help smiling.
Shen Xuanqing grinned. "I’ve already told Mother to help make two outfits for you. The fabric’s soft, if there’s any left, maybe we can make a bellyband for the baby."
Wei Lanxiang had already inspected the satin. At her son’s words, she chimed in warmly, "Don’t worry, I’ll make sure they're done well."
Silk satin was a luxury for farming families. Though she inwardly winced at the cost, Lu Gu was pregnant, and Shen Xuanqing had bought it himself, it was hard for her to object.
Earlier, Shen Xuanqing mentioned Lu Gu's exhaustion from childcare and chores. As a mother and grandmother, she felt guilty and wanted to show her care for Lu Gu, so she supported Shen Xuanqing's gesture.
Shen Xuanqing wasn’t stingy. With today’s earnings, besides Lu Gu’s gift, he bought pig’s head meat, osmanthus pastries, plum wine, and other treats for the family to enjoy.
Guaizi, smelling the pig’s head meat in the oiled paper, circled the table, whining pitifully. But Lu Gu, clutching the satin with joy, met Shen Xuanqing’s starry gaze and smiled even brighter, his eyes glowing. For a moment, Guaizi was forgotten.
Spring brought both warm sun and drizzling rain. The next day turned overcast, and by noon, a chilly drizzle fell. Lu Gu put on another layer of clothes and sat in the main hall with Shen Yan, watching her embroidery and occasionally correcting her stitches.
Wearing a raincoat and bamboo hat, Shen Xuanqing busied himself in the backyard. The young male goat in the sheep pen had grown, but there was no rush to sell, they could wait until the height of summer.
The first hunt of spring, which earned sixty-eight taels, brought him joy, making his hard work in the mountains worthwhile. Knowing spring plowing was critical, he’d wanted to return after catching the black-hoofed goat, but thoughts of their unborn child’s future kept him longer. He’d scoured the mountains with the dogs for sika deer tracks.
Sixty taels was a significant amount of money, enough to comfortably raise a child in the countryside until they were around seven or eight years old. But Shen Xuanqing thought further ahead: their child would study, and good paper, brushes, and ink cost money. If it turned out to be a rowdy boy, martial training would be necessary, and weapons like swords or sabers weren’t cheap.
The more he earned, the less Lu Gu and their child would suffer. Compared to last year, his passion for hunting burned even brighter now, and he felt no weariness, his heart filled with purpose.
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