Chapter 220
Every day, Lu Gu would count the dried rations and clothes Shen Xuanqing needed to bring, checking the bundles to make sure everything was packed, afraid he might have forgotten something.
Early in the morning, their group waited at the town entrance. The horse caravan was coming from Fenggu Town and would pass through here.
It was early autumn, neither too cold nor too hot, just right. The morning sun wasn’t too strong either, making the wait less unbearable.
Lu Gu looked toward Fenggu Town, then turned his gaze to Shen Xuanqing. He had already given all the necessary reminders on the way here - one bundle for dried rations, while the other for clothes. If they came across a place where dirty clothes could be washed and dried, at least he could maintain some cleanliness.
Last night, he had even sewn hidden pockets into several of Shen Xuanqing’s clothes to stash silver coins. That way, if he encountered any expenses on the road, he wouldn’t be left empty-handed.
“Eldest Brother and Yan Yan are here, so don’t worry. I’ll be back in less than two months,” Shen Xuanqing said, holding Lingjun in his arms and smiling reassuringly at Lu Gu’s nervousness.
Little Lingjun was too young to understand what the adults were worried about. He lowered his head, playing with the pair of silver bracelets on his wrist.
“Mm.” Lu Gu nodded in response. He wasn’t too worried at home—after all, the family was here with him.
Lu Gu's eyes drifted to the bamboo water flask and leather pouch secured at Shen Xuanqing's belt. Here in Yuqing Prefecture's territory, water wouldn't be an issue - clear streams and rivers crisscrossed the landscape. But as they journeyed north beyond familiar lands, water sources would dwindle. While skipping meals for a day or two was bearable, but they couldn’t lack water.
After a long while, they finally saw the horse caravan carrying goods in the distance.
This trip was headed north, where horses were scarce. There were even two carts pulled by men, loaded with goods. Unless they were in a hurry, most people traveled on foot.
Shen Xuanqing had paid silver to have a cartload of furs brought back from the north. It had been arranged long ago, he wasn’t hired as a guard or enforcer for the caravan. Luo Biao had already explained everything to him. If he didn’t feel like walking and wanted to ride in the cart, no one would say anything.
But he was with Luo Biao, and since they had just set out and weren’t tired yet, even Qiu Laoda was walking at the front, leading the horse-drawn cart. Once they reached the wider official road, the caravan would pick up speed.
The men who traveled north were all strong walkers, accustomed to hurrying when needed.
“Alright, go back now,” Shen Xuanqing said as the caravan approached. He handed the child to Lu Gu and bid farewell to the family.
Since they were all locals, Qiu Laoda greeted them, but the caravan didn’t stop and moved ahead first. The journey would take twenty or thirty days, and if they wanted to return before early winter, they had to make every day count.
“Mother, I’m leaving. You all go home now,” Shen Xuanqing said after speaking with Luo Biao. He followed the last cart and walked off without looking back.
He turned around once more, glancing at Lu Gu and the child, flashing a smile to reassure them. His star-bright eyes were as radiant as ever. Then, he didn’t look back again.
Wei Lanxiang wiped her tears quietly. Lu Gu’s heart ached just as much, but he didn’t cry. His throat tightened, and he couldn’t bring himself to speak.
“Dad…”
Lingjun watched as his father walked away without taking him or Amu along. Suddenly realizing something, he tried to go after Shen Xuanqing, but Lu Gu held him firmly. The child burst into tears.
“Come, let’s go home with Amu. Daddy will be back in a few days,” Lu Gu said, carrying Lingjun back. His voice wavered slightly, suppressing his own urge to cry. He didn’t want the child to cry harder watching Shen Xuanqing leave, nor did he want to break down himself. He was an adult now, what was there to cry about? It would only make Shen Xuanqing worry.
Wei Lanxiang wiped her tears and said, “Come, come, Grandma is going home with our Lingjun too.”
“Let’s go,” Shen Yaoqing sighed inwardly and said to Shen Yuping and Shen Yan.
Ji Qiuyue, holding Zhao’er, followed beside them. Unexpectedly, Lingjun’s crying grew louder, and Zhao’er started wailing too.
“Second Uncle will be back soon, soon. Why cry? You’re already three, a big boy now,” she said, wiping her own tears before comforting her son.
When she had married into the family, Shen Xuanqing was only fifteen - a half-grown boy who, along with Shen Yan, would call her “Sister-in-law” all day. Seeing him off today wasn’t easy on her heart.
Speaking of which, by the end of the eighth month, Lingjun would be two years old. But Shen Xuanqing wouldn’t make it back for his birthday this year. A few days ago, he had bought Lingjun a pair of small silver bracelets, just the right size for his tiny wrists.
After returning home, Lu Gu spent a long time coaxing Lingjun before the child finally stopped crying.
Originally, they had planned to stay until after lunch before heading back, but Wei Lanxiang had no appetite. She wanted to return home early since there were many chores waiting. They had given the keys to Shen Shunwang the previous day so Ge Chunsheng could enter the house. With Shen Yuping also needing to go back for work, they quickly packed their things. Soon, Shen Yuping drove the mule cart as they departed.
Shen Yan and Shen Yaoqing stayed in town—one to tend the butcher shop, the other to keep Lu Gu company.
Initially, Ji Qiuyue and Zhao’er were supposed to come, but Wei Lanxiang insisted her youngest daughter stay in town for a while to gain some worldly experience. She wanted her to see how townsfolk lived, so she wouldn’t feel timid or out of place when she married into the Gu family later.
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