Chapter 211
Shen Xuanqing drove the mule cart for a long distance before finally easing up on whipping the mule. The official road was smooth, making the ride fast and pleasant, and the frustration from running into those unpleasant people dissipated with the wind.
Jixing Town was far away, but this time, he had managed to hunt a dwarf deer. Lu Gu would surely be happy to see it. Last time he went hunting, he only caught a wild goat. Their little Lingjun had grown up without ever seeing a deer before, he wondered what expression the child would make when he saw it.
Thinking this, his mood brightened again, and he pushed Lu Daxiang and Du Hehua to the back of his mind. He wondered if he might try to catch an even more beautiful sika deer next time for little Lingjun to see.
He didn’t know that after Du Hehua met Lu Wen, she had wept and wailed about having no money—only for her tears to dry up instantly once she received silver. While chatting with Lu Wen, who was holding his child, she happened to bring up him and Lu Gu again, grumbling about their family’s good fortune and even cursing under her breath.
When Lu Wen heard this, he no longer felt the relief he once had. Instead, he lowered his eyes and fell silent.
In the past, the Shen family had lived modestly, they were just poor peasants scraping by in the dirt. Even when they started raising rabbits, the stench of their filth was unbearable. By comparison, even though he was only a concubine in the Li family, he didn’t have to do any hard labor and enjoyed fine food and drink.
Now, Li Mingshan had recovered from his illness and was no longer bedridden, but since that part of him no longer worked, he had taken to heavy drinking, and his temperament had drastically changed. When drunk, he would curse at anyone in sight—including Lu Wen.
Luo Hongchou had also been cursed at, but her natal family ran a silk shop in town, and since she had borne Li’s heir, the old madam Li favored her. She wasn’t afraid of Li Mingshan at all. Lu Wen, however, had no choice but to endure it. Fortunately, he had a child. Sometimes, when Li Mingshan was drunk and ranted wildly in his courtyard, the child would cry nonstop, and the old madam Li would send someone to drag him away.
In the past, Lu Wen had loved hearing Du Hehua talk about how the Shen family lived like country bumpkins. Comparing their lives had reassured him that his choice back then had been the right one, and it had eased his mind. But fate was a fickle thing, who could have predicted things would turn out like this?
Though his monthly allowance and his child’s needs were met, and he lived slightly better than those in the countryside, Li Mingshan was no longer his support. His life wasn’t as glamorous as before, and he had to tread carefully, watching others’ moods.
And now, Du Hehua had to go and mention that the Shen family had bought a house in Jixing Town, that Lu Gu was living a town-dweller’s life. Lu Wen clenched his teeth, his eyes downcast, regret flooding him. But it was too late, only the word fate echoed in his heart.
As for them, Shen Xuanqing had long stopped caring. As long as they didn’t cause trouble, he couldn’t be bothered.
When he drove the mule cart into Jixing Town, he didn’t have to go far along the main street before spotting a familiar figure at the edge of a crowd. Lu Gu was holding little Lingjun, standing with Ji Qiuyue and Zhao’er, watching a street performance.
The spectators were a mix of men, women, and children. To avoid the men, the two of them stayed on the outer edge of the crowd. The children aside, the two adults stood on tiptoe, peering inside while shuffling along the gaps in the crowd, utterly engrossed and delighted. Such excitement was rare in the village.
The crowd was dense, slowing the mule cart. As the mule cart approached, people made way on either side.
Before Shen Xuanqing even reached them, he heard the crowd cheer. Once the noise died down, someone inside the performance circle struck a gong and made a spiel about those with money supporting the act. Just as he neared, Shen Xuanqing suddenly called out, “Give some if you want.”
Country folk rarely tossed coins at street performers, usually just watching for fun. But seeing how hard the performers were working (after all, making a living wasn’t easy), Lu Gu had been hesitantly reaching for his coin pouch when he heard the familiar voice. Turning back, he saw Shen Xuanqing just a few steps away and broke into a delighted smile.
“I’ve got some copper coins here. You two go toss them in. Watch a bit longer if you want, I’ll wait up ahead." Shen Xuanqing hopped down, intending to lead the mule, but when Guaizi also tried to jump off, he held him back with an outstretched arm. There were too many people here.
He pulled out a small purse from his short garment - no silver inside, just copper coins.
“Alright.” Lu Gu took the purse with a grin. To encourage more donations, one of the performers, a burly man, began breathing fire and twirling a fire dragon. The crowd cheered again, and Lu Gu immediately forgot about Shen Xuanqing, turning back to watch the show.
Copper coins clattered as they rained down. Lu Gu shared some of the twenty-odd coins with Zhao’er, while Ji Qiuyue, holding the child, tossed theirs toward a capable-looking girl holding a copper gong. The coins landed with a loud clang, making Zhao’er laugh in delight.
Children learn by imitation. Seeing his brother do this, little Lingjun stretched out his arms, wanting to join in. Lu Gu placed a few copper coins in his small hand and guided him to toss them toward the gong.
The long-braided girl noticed the child throwing coins and cooperatively lifted the gong to catch them, her sun-darkened face breaking into a bright, cheerful smile.
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