A large pot of fish, meat, and vegetables steamed invitingly. On a spring night still carrying a chill, a hot meal like this warmed them from the inside out.
"These wild greens were just picked. Dip them in the broth for a moment, and they’ll be perfectly fresh and delicious."
"Yes!"
Chopsticks moved busily as everyone dug in. The broth, flavored with cured meat, was incredibly fragrant. The river fish, simmered in the rich soup, was firm and flavorful—every bite was delicious.
"The fish isn’t the least bit fishy. Ji fulang’s cooking is amazing, no wonder Brother Huo keeps him so close."
"We don’t even eat this well during festivals at home. This trading trip is really worth it."
The men praised the meal endlessly. Ji Taoyu, too, enjoyed dipping the tender water celery leaves into the pot.
Huo Shu piled food into Ji Taoyu’s bowl, worried that if he ate too slowly or too politely, the others would devour everything, leaving nothing behind.
Seeing him eating hotpot, someone said, "When we reach the Northern Territory, we can have mutton hot pot."
"Mutton is so expensive!"
A villager remarked.
"The Northern Territory has more cattle and sheep than the south, so the prices should be more affordable."
The men licked their lips at the thought: "Then we must have a good feast when we reach the Northern Territory."
Ji Taoyu, looking at Tian Fu, who was sitting across from him with his head buried in his meal, asked, "I heard Brother Tian escorted the sick old man home. How is he doing?"
Tian Fu froze. Ever since he had criticized Ji Taoyu last time, he had been keeping a low profile, feeling too ashamed to face Ji Taoyu and Huo Shu. Now that Ji Taoyu suddenly spoke to him, he felt awkward.
"I didn’t enter the village. I just dropped him off at the entrance and came back."
Tian Fu held his bowl and added, "Come to think of it, it was strange. When I reached the village entrance, I didn’t see anyone working in the fields. The farmers here must finish their work early."
"Maybe life here is better, and they don’t need to toil day and night in the fields."
The pot kept the dishes warm over the fire. They had gathered so many wild vegetables that they thought they wouldn’t finish them, but in the end, there wasn’t enough.
Everyone chatted around the fire, and the food stayed warm. Though already full, they couldn’t resist taking a few more bites, making the meal last a long time.
Ji Taoyu, feeling drowsy from overeating, took a couple of walks along the riverbank to warm up. Then he washed his feet with hot water and went straight into the tent.
The tent floor was lined with dry straw, covered with a thick mattress, and the quilt from the carriage was brought over for warmth.
It was his first time sleeping in a tent, and he found it novel. Once inside the blanket, shielded from the wind, he didn’t feel cold.
But before he could warm up the tent, a tall figure ducked inside.
The tent was pitch black, with only a faint glow from the fire outside. The man’s face was barely visible as he hunched to enter.
"Aren’t you staying with the others? Going to bed so early?"
Huo Shu didn’t answer. He first took off his outer robe, then lifted a corner of the blanket and slipped in.
Pressing against the warm little ger, his tense shoulders relaxed unconsciously.
"Aren’t you afraid of being laughed at?"
Huo Shu wrapped an arm around him and pulled him close. "Crossing the river made me cold."
Ji Taoyu suspected the man was feigning pitifulness, because his body was as warm as a freshly filled tangpozi.
Huo Shu rubbed Ji Taoyu’s slightly rounded belly. "Too full?"
"I mostly ate vegetables, not much meat. I won’t be too stuffed at night."
Leaning against Huo Shu’s chest, listening to his steady heartbeat, Ji Taoyu no longer feared the howling wind outside the tent.
"We’re almost at Yuchang Prefecture. I’ve heard Mother talk about the local customs there. Though the terrain is vast and sparsely populated, there’s plenty of food—fresh bamboo shoots, wild greens. When we camp on the road, I’ll cook different dishes for everyone every day."
Huo Shu said flatly, "You’re quite good to them."
"Of course! Everyone praised my cooking so much."
Huo Shu raised an eyebrow. "Did I not praise you?"
Ji Taoyu huffed lightly. "You didn’t tonight."
"And you didn’t praise me for catching fish?"
Ji Taoyu nudged Huo Shu but didn’t argue further.
After days on the road, he had grown used to early nights and early mornings. Passing time with medical books during the day kept him occupied.
Just as drowsiness crept in, he felt the hand on his belly slide upward slightly. The rough calluses on the fingertips tickled as they brushed over his skin, but it was bearable.
Half-asleep, Ji Taoyu wasn’t sure if it was real or his imagination, so he ignored it, too lazy to move.
But suddenly, an electric tingle shot through his body, jolting him awake.
"No!"
Ji Taoyu gritted his teeth, his voice a mix of anger and a forced whisper as he pushed away the hand on his chest. "We’re outside!"
Huo Shu dragged the abruptly sitting-up ger back down into his embrace
"I wasn’t doing anything."
Ji Taoyu, flustered, bit Huo Shu’s arm. How dare he play innocent? They’d done this at home before, he knew exactly where this was leading.
"If you don’t behave, go sleep in another tent."
Huo Shu, as if intimidated, stopped.
But a certain part of his body protested on his behalf.
In such a wild, secluded place, it felt like a waste not to do something.
Ji Taoyu with his back against Huo Shu, could still hear voices outside. Yet here they were, fooling around in the tent—his face burned hotter than if he’d been sitting by the fire.
How could this man be so shameless? At least when they stayed at inns, it was somewhat acceptable. But out here...
"No noise, alright?"
The low, hoarse plea in his ear made Ji Taoyu’s heart race even faster.
"Hmm?"
Ji Taoyu had never heard Huo Shu beg so persistently for something. Feeling the veins bulging on his arm, he somehow let out a tiny, mosquito-like agreement.
He regretted it immediately. But before he could take it back, the man beside him had already seized the opportunity.
Face burning, Ji Taoyu bit his lip, as nervous as if it were their wedding night all over again.
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