The family lived in poverty, and in search of a way out, the man had no choice but to leave home to work, leaving his wife behind to care for his parents and children.
The woman toiled from dawn to dusk, tending the fields while also managing household chores like washing clothes and cooking. Day after day, her struggles were no easier than those of her husband laboring away from home.
When the man finally returned, not only did he fail to bring back any silver, but he even brought along a young, handsome ger.
While working odd jobs in other towns, the man endured harsh conditions - sleeping rough and often going hungry, hoping to save every coin to bring home. But then he suffered a leg injury, and his unscrupulous employer tried to dismiss him with a pittance.
He spent all his savings on medical treatment and was fortunate to meet the ger, who nursed him back to health. Otherwise, he might have died alone in a strange land.
Both sides had their reasons. The wife, hardened by years of single-handedly supporting the family in her husband’s absence, felt deeply wronged. No matter what others said, she stubbornly refused to let the ger into their home.
The man was torn, both had shown him kindness, and now the whole affair had become a spectacle for others to mock.
Ji Taoyu was among the onlookers when Zhou Zheng spotted him and came over to chat.
After hearing the story, Huo Shu’s brow twitched slightly.
"You’re worried I’ll bring someone back too?"
"I’m not."
Ji Taoyu sat down at the table.
Given Huo Shu’s temperament, he hardly seemed the type to attract admirers.
But then again, that villager probably never expected to either. Who could predict what misfortunes might strike while traveling?
Hadn’t he himself been someone Huo Shu picked up on the road? And after all the twists and turns, they’d even ended up married.
He pursed his lips. "I once heard about a merchant in the city who traveled often, gone for months at a time. Once, he returned unexpectedly and caught his fulang in bed with another man."
Ji Taoyu blinked at Huo Shu. "Don’t you think that’s tragic?"
Huo Shu poured tea, offering no comment.
Not deterred, Ji Taoyu pressed on. "What would you do if it were you?"
Huo Shu fixed him with a piercing gaze. "What else? Kill the adulterer."
A chill ran down Ji Taoyu’s spine. "A-And the fulang?"
"My fulang is you."
Huo Shu raised an eyebrow. "Are you testing my limits?"
"I’m not!"
Ji Taoyu backtracked. "I just mean, if you leave, don’t come back suddenly halfway through."
Huo Shu’s brow twitched, his eyes narrowing.
Suddenly, Ji Taoyu found himself lifted off the ground. He hastily wrapped his arms around Huo Shu’s neck.
Huo Shu carried him straight to the bed and dropped him onto it.
The man’s figure blocked the oil lamp, casting a shadow. Sensing danger as Huo Shu undid his sash, Ji Taoyu scrambled to the corner of the bed. "Wh-What are you doing?!"
"Teaching you the ways of the bedchamber. Otherwise, how would you even manage to seduce an adulterer?"
Ji Taoyu’s eyes widened, but before he could retort, his mouth was sealed, and he was pressed into the blankets.
The oil lamp remained lit, the curtains undrawn. The covers heaved until, mid-act, Huo Shu lifted Ji Taoyu’s legs—
The next day, Ji Taoyu woke up groggily, unsure of the hour, only that the bedding was still warm.
As he shifted, his legs felt weak and sore. His eyes stung slightly, no doubt from crying too much the night before.
Belatedly, he realized a large arm was still wrapped around his waist. He turned his head and was startled to find Huo Shu, for once, still in bed.
"What time is it?"
"Morning."
Ji Taoyu frowned. "No martial practice?"
"Done."
Ji Taoyu pursed his lips. Normally, Huo Shu never returned to bed after training, he’d be off doing chores, scolding Ji Taoyu for lazing around instead of eating breakfast.
But now that he’d gotten what he wanted, things were different. Not only was there no complaint about him sleeping in, but Huo Shu had even come back to lie with him.
His displeasure faded in an instant. Rubbing his waist, he snuggled closer, resting his head against Huo Shu’s chin.
"Did we… succeed last night?"
"You couldn’t tell?"
Ji Taoyu let out a small whimper. It had hurt enough to make his teeth ache.
But at least the pain had passed. Before, no matter how much it hurt, it never worked.
Seems the physician’s ointment hadn’t been wasted, nor all their recent efforts.
He nudged Huo Shu. "It was just pain, nothing else. You acted deaf when I told you to go easy."
"I didn’t use much force."
Ji Taoyu believed him. If Huo Shu had truly exerted himself, his spine might’ve shattered.
Though his body felt off this morning, his heart was at ease, as if a weight had lifted.
Softly, he asked, "What about… you?"
Huo Shu tugged the blanket tighter around the figure in his arms.
"What about me?"
"I mean… how did it feel for you?"
Huo Shu’s brow twitched as he glanced down at the blushing ger in his arms, his expression unreadable.
"Fine."
"That’s it?"
Dissatisfied, Ji Taoyu lifted his head.
That illustrated manual had described things so vividly, how could Huo Shu’s summary be so bland?
"What reaction did you expect?"
Huo Shu pinched Ji Taoyu’s ear, his tone casual despite the storm inside.
The person in his arms wore wrinkled but smooth underrobes, their touch igniting an itch in his heart - a temptation to go another round.
But that wasn’t happening. Last night, just once had left Ji Taoyu spent. Every movement drew a tearful whimper, making restraint a struggle.
For the first time, "fragrant warmth and soft jade" felt tangible.
[温香软玉 (wēn xiāng ruǎn yù): lit. Fragrant warmth and soft jade; fig. The physical tenderness and delicate beauty of a woman or beloved person]
Yet the body beneath him was too delicate. Even a few extra kisses risked bruising—hardly worth the harm.
"They say the four great joys of life are passing the imperial exams, meeting an old friend in a distant land, rain after a long drought, and the wedding night. But you don’t seem joyful at all."
Huo Shu replied, "How do you know I’m not?"
"You didn’t say you were happy."
"I’m happy."
A smile tugged at Ji Taoyu’s lips as he nestled against Huo Shu’s neck. "Then… could we have a little one now?"
"No."
Ji Taoyu frowned. "Why not?"
Huo Shu pushed the peeking head back down. "It’s not the right time. I won’t be here to help."
He’d held back for that reason.
Warmth filled Ji Taoyu’s heart, but a thread of melancholy lingered.
"Xiao Taozi."
"Hmm?"
"You don’t want me to go trading, do you?"
Ji Taoyu quickly denied it. "No!"
He’d agreed to Huo Shu’s plan from the start. Now that they had hands and goods ready, backing out made no sense.
He wasn’t so unreasonable.
"Then you want me to take you along?"
"I—"
The words stuck in his throat. Huo Shu had guessed his thoughts exactly.
But he couldn’t bring himself to agree. His frail health would only burden Huo Shu. His parents, who’d sheltered him all his life - the farthest he’d ever gone was Tongzhou City, would never let him travel so far.
Admitting it would only saddle Huo Shu with guilt.
Forcing a smile, he was about to open his mouth to say no, why would he trade comfort for hardship?—but Huo Shu spoke first.
"I’ll take you with me."
Yay!!!! Now to wait for the babies 😍😍😍
ReplyDeleteThank you for the update!!!!