My Fulang is a Delicate Flower Chapter 48 Part 3

Huang Yinsheng took a seat at the table in the main hall.  

"I’d heard earlier that Huo Shu was going out to do business, but the medical hall was busy, and I didn’t have time to ask about you young folks’ affairs. How’s it going now?"  

"Though trivial, it’s been smooth. The goods are settled, and most items are already prepared."  

Huang Yinsheng nodded: "Good that it’s going well. Our family has few relatives in trade, so you'll have to learn everything yourself, that's never easy. The first steps are always the toughest, but just keep moving forward steadily." 

"Right."  

Ji Yangzong listened to Huang Yinsheng and Huo Shu talk for a while without interrupting.  

When Ji Taoyu brought in tea, Huang Yinsheng finally paused and took a sip.  

"By the way, Yangzong, I heard Xiao Taozi is going with Huo Shu?"  

Ji Yangzong, about to drink, nearly dropped the teacup on his foot: "Father-in-law, what nonsense is that! This is no joke, how far could Xiao Taozi’s frail body even go?"  

"Nothing of the sort. Huo Shu has already gathered his former comrades to form his own team."  

"Enough, no need for that."  

Huang Yinsheng said: "I came to the village today with Xiao Taozi."  

So that was it!  

Ji Yangzong’s eyes widened: "You little rascal!"  

Since the ger was already here, Huang Yinsheng’s stance was clear.  

"Father-in-law, Xiao Taozi can’t go! Even at home, a slight breeze during season change gives him a chill. Huo Shu is heading to the northern frontier, crossing at least four or five prefectures, not just a trip to the county town. How could Xiao Taozi endure it?"  

Huang Manjing also came in from the kitchen: "This child acts on whims. Why would you indulge him, Father?"  

"I understand your concerns. I’ve been tending to Xiao Taozi’s health since he was a baby, do you think I don’t know his condition?"  

Huang Yinsheng said: "He does have a weak constitution. However, if you’d followed my advice early on, let him run and jump like any other child to build endurance, he’d be stronger."  

"But you both couldn't stand seeing him in pain or tears, protecting him like he was your most precious treasure. No wonder his body stayed weak."  

Huang Yinsheng had seen many pampered young masters and ladies in his practice, their frailty came from being coddled too much.  

"Now that there’s a chance, let him toughen up, see the world, and strengthen his body. With Huo Shu watching over him, what are you worried about?"  

His words left the agitated couple silent.  

When Ji Taoyu was young, Huang Yinsheng had repeatedly urged them to raise him like any other child. But every time the ger got hurt or cried, their hearts ached.  

Both doted on him, how could they bear his tears? The more they coddled him, the frailer he became.  

"Father, but the northern frontier is too far."  

Huang Manjing still refused to yield.  

"Tongzhou is peaceful now, and you still have a choice. But if he were born in turbulent times, how would you protect him?"  

"But that’s hypothetical, Tongzhou is actually stable now."  

Huang Yinsheng sighed: "The world isn’t what it used to be."  

He had old friends in the herb trade who brought news from outside. Last year, not only did Tongzhou suffer bandit unrest, other prefectures weren’t entirely peaceful either.  

But the world’s affairs were hard to predict, and saying too much would only alarm the family. He stopped there.  

Huang Yinsheng changed the subject and suddenly looked at Ji Taoyu: "You two, step outside. I need to speak with your parents."  

Ji Taoyu raised his brows, puzzled at what they couldn’t hear. Knowing he had little say now, he obediently took Huo Shu outside.  

Ji Yangzong opened his mouth but held back.  

With his father-in-law present, he couldn’t make a scene.  

Once the two were gone, Huang Yinsheng paused before speaking: "I agreed to let him go, but not just because he pleaded with me. Now is the time for me to tell you both something important."  

"I rarely mention Manjing’s late little father, but Xiao Taozi’s frailty is partly inherited from his little grandfather’s illness."  

"With his health as it is now, if he ever gets pregnant, it would be very dangerous for him."  

Huang Manjing paled: "Father, are you saying Xiao Taozi would end up like my little father?!"  

Ji Yangzong also tensed, staring at Huang Yinsheng.  

"If he doesn't strengthen his body, he won't survive childbirth."  

Huang Yinsheng sighed heavily: "Though nothing's guaranteed—it's only a risk. If he improves his health, he’ll be no different from any healthy person."  

"Before, I worried mentioning this would upset Manjing. But now that Xiao Taozi is married, it must be said."  

The news struck Ji Yangzong and Huang Manjing like a thunderbolt, leaving them utterly silent.  

Ji Taoyu was married, naturally they’d been waiting for a grandchild. But with this risk, how could they dare hope recklessly?  

"Whether he goes or not, you’re his parents, it’s your decision."  

With that, Huang Yinsheng stayed for dinner before leaving.  

At dinner, the couple said nothing about the trading trip. Ji Taoyu felt the heavy atmosphere but didn’t know why.  

Only after seeing Huang Yinsheng off did he dare ask: "Grandfather, did Father and Mother agree?"  

"I’ve said my part. Whether they agree is up to them. You’ve never traveled far, and they dote on you, give them time to think."  

Ji Taoyu sighed at the vague answer but nodded: "Understood."  

Huang Yinsheng then looked at Huo Shu: "A-Shu, if your in-laws let Xiao Taozi go, you must take good care of him."  

"You’re his husband, he’ll rely on you for life."  

Huo Shu replied solemnly: "If I take him with me, I’ll spare no effort to protect him."  

"Then I’m at ease."  

"Grandfather, travel safely."  

Ji Taoyu called into the dark as Huang Yinsheng’s carriage faded away.  

The night breeze was cool. Though the day had been warm, the evening wind reminded them spring hadn’t yet arrived.  

Huo Shu wrapped an arm around Ji Taoyu, pulling him close.  

"Father usually listens to Grandfather. If even his advice doesn’t work, they’re truly dead set against it."  

Ji Taoyu nestled against Huo Shu, his face half-buried in his collar, feeling uncertain.  

"If they refuse, I’ll just sneak you away when they’re not looking."  

Ji Taoyu laughed: "I’m not a swaddled baby, how would you ‘sneak’ me?"  

"Babies won't listen to reason, no amount of coaxing works. But you? You'll come willingly without me having to convince you."  

Ji Taoyu pouted:  

"If we hadn’t consummated, why would I go with you? And listen—until they agree, no more groping at night. If they see me exhausted again, even a ‘yes’ might turn to ‘no.’"  

Huo Shu was silent: "And if they agree?"  

"If they agree…"  

Ji Taoyu quickly said: "Then even more no! We need to prepare for this long trip - how could we possibly keep that up? I'm already going to slow you down. If my legs are weak and sore, how am I supposed to travel? And that thing saps your willpower, you can't afford to lose your focus.

After a long silence, Huo Shu said: "Seems I didn’t satisfy you last night."