"It’s still early, and the room is dark. Wait until it’s fully light outside, and you’ll be able to see everything clearly."
Ji Taoyu’s face burned red with embarrassment, on the verge of tears as he buried his head against Huo Shu’s chest. "I—I was just saying it casually. You didn’t have to take it seriously."
Huo Shu replied, "I’m your husband. It’s only right that I show you."
Ji Taoyu regretted his loose tongue—truly, trouble came from careless words.
"N-next time."
"Once it’s fully light, Father and Mother will be up."
Hearing the near-tearful voice in his arms, Huo Shu’s eyes held amusement as he finally relented, letting go and stopping his teasing.
The sky was neither fully light nor dark, shrouded in a murky gray haze with heavy mist.
Everything was veiled in a damp, foggy blur.
Ji Taoyu, cheeks still flushed, leaned weakly against a pillar under the eaves, watching the man in nothing but a thin undergarment practicing horse stance and punching in the courtyard, his expression full of resentment.
After finishing a set of punches, Huo Shu was already warming up. He beckoned to the figure under the eaves. "Come here."
"No, it’s cold."
Huo Shu walked over, took his hand, and coaxed him into the courtyard.
"Move around a bit, and you won’t feel cold anymore. Stretch your limbs, I’ll teach you some punches."
Ji Yangzong stood at the doorway, watching the two practicing punches in the chilly courtyard, his hands clasped behind his back, eyebrows furrowed so tightly they could crush a fly.
Even as he relaxed slightly, the deep creases between his brows remained.
"Brother Taoyu! Brother-in-law!"
Ji Taoyu tried copying the horse stance, but his legs trembled within moments.
At first, Huo Shu encouraged him gently, but once he saw him getting into it, he turned strict.
In an instant, the husband became a drillmaster, showing no mercy.
Gritting his teeth, Ji Taoyu refused to let Huo Shu think he was truly too weak—lest he regret his decision, leaving him with no hope at all.
Just as he clenched his jaw, vision nearly darkening, Ji Wenliang suddenly arrived.
Daniu opened the gate for him.
"Brother Taoyu, what are you doing?"
Ji Taoyu, still in his horse stance, replied, "Can’t you tell? Strengthening my body."
"Brother Taoyu’s training too? Brother-in-law taught us a set of punches the other day. I practiced them this morning and felt refreshed. I didn’t even feel the cold at all."
"Wenliang’s here?"
Ji Yangzong’s voice called from under the eaves.
Ji Wenliang quickly greeted him. "Uncle Six."
"Had breakfast yet?"
"I have."
Ji Wenliang said, "I came to find Brother-in-law, to go to Hongli Village together."
Ji Yangzong replied, "Your brother-in-law hasn’t eaten yet. Your aunt has already made food, come join us for a bite."
"What did Auntie make?"
With that, Ji Wenliang darted toward the kitchen.
"Hand-rolled dumplings."
"What’s the occasion? Dumplings? Perfect timing!"
Hearing that the food was ready, Huo Shu and Ji Taoyu followed inside.
"Your brother-in-law is about to go on a long journey. Who knows when he’ll be back? Might as well make some good meals while he’s still home."
The large iron pot bubbled with plump dumplings, their fillings clearly generous.
"Scallion and pork filling. Wenliang, have a few more."
"Thank you, Auntie!"
Once everyone had gathered, Huang Manjing scooped the dumplings with a strainer, ladling them into wide bowls already prepared with lard, sauce, scallions, and blanched greens, then added a bit of broth - a perfect bowl of dumplings.
Ji Taoyu, clutching his steaming bowl, followed Ji Wenliang eagerly into the main hall.
"These two, still like kids."
A light stir of the chopsticks melted the lard into shimmering oil droplets floating on the broth, even the dumpling soup was delicious.
Ji Wenliang blew on his bowl and took a sip of the broth first.
"No one makes dumplings like Auntie’s. Once we’re on the road, it’ll be a while before we taste anything this good."
"Don’t deprive yourself too much while traveling. If you crave it, just ask your brother Taoyu to make some."
Ji Yangzong suddenly interjected.
Ji Taoyu’s chopsticks froze mid-air, and he immediately looked at his father.
"Uncle Six, you must be joking. Brother Taoyu’s cooking is great, but how could I eat it on the road?"
Ji Wenliang kept eating cheerfully.
Then Huang Manjing said, "With all of you traveling, someone needs to look after daily needs. Xiao Taozi will go with you, if anyone falls ill, he can help."
"Huh?"
Ji Wenliang gaped, looking between the family members in disbelief. "Uncle, Auntie… you’re not joking, are you? Brother Taoyu—"
Seeing Ji Taoyu’s hopeful gaze, he swallowed back his concerns about his frail health, afraid of ruining things.
"Father, Mother… you’re really agreeing?"
Ji Taoyu still couldn’t quite believe it, testing the waters again.
"With you two cousins traveling together, I’ll feel more at ease."
Ji Yangzong’s face was stern. "Wenliang, take good care of your brother Taoyu."
Though he hadn’t directly answered, speaking like this could be considered an agreement.
Ji Taoyu was so happy he almost wanted to jump up on the spot, quickly shaking Huo Shu’s hand.
But seeing the dark circles under his parents’ eyes, he realized they must have stayed up all night worrying about his matter.
His heart couldn’t help but ache with guilt again.
From the very beginning of this matter, it was destined to cause someone distress.
Ji Wenliang gave a vague acknowledgment, understanding the situation somewhat but not entirely.
Seeing this, Huo Shu’s brow twitched slightly, this actually saved him further effort.
After breakfast, Ji Wenliang and Huo Shu went together to Hongli Village to find Ge Liang.
"When you’re away from home, you mustn’t indulge in the cold. There’s much sickness outside, so take care of your health."
"Be kind to others, and don’t make enemies while you’re out there."
Ji Taoyu listened as his mother spent most of the day giving him instructions. Though he already knew all this, understanding their concern, he didn’t show the slightest impatience and obediently took in her words.
Thank you for the update!!!!
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