Nowadays, the family had both long-term and short-term laborers. Just two days ago, Shen Yaoqing had discussed with her the idea of hiring Ge Chunsheng as a long-term worker. That way, if he had to travel outside, she and Ji Qiuyue wouldn’t be so busy and could stay home peacefully to care for Zhao’er.
She thought about how short-term workers were expensive, while long-term ones were more cost-effective. Lately, her energy hadn’t been great, and she couldn’t work as hard as before, so she nodded and let her son handle it, not interfering further.
When it was time to leave, Lingjun, who had grown used to playing in the old home and had Zhao’er to play with, started crying as they boarded the mule cart. Zhao’er, having grown a little older, didn’t cry but insisted on going to town with his father.
Lu Gu bid farewell to Wei Lanxiang and Ji Qiuyue, while Shen Yan went with him.
The day before, he had spoken to Ji Qiuyue, wanting her and Zhao’er to come along this time. But when he saw Wei Lanxiang sitting in the yard shelling peanuts, lost in thought, and noticed the basket of eggs in the kitchen that his mother had saved for Shen Xuanqing—saying her son would surely want scrambled eggs when he returned—he fell silent for a long time. In the end, he let Shen Yan come instead, leaving Zhao’er at home. Wei Lanxiang would be busy looking after her eldest grandson, which would keep her from overthinking.
Even Guaizi got on the cart, lying near the edge.
The wheels turned round and round, just like the sun in the sky, rising and setting day after day.
By early February, the weather had warmed slightly, but thick clothes were still necessary. In the woods and fields, a closer look revealed tiny new buds.
Several heavy snows had fallen in winter, and everyone said auspicious snow foretold a bountiful year. The wheat in the fields gradually awakened, spreading patches of green that soothed the eyes and heart.
A large dog walked down the street, resembling a wolf enough that some who feared dogs avoided it from afar.
Guaizi stayed close to Lu Gu’s side, not running off. Most people nearby recognized him and knew he had an owner.
Lu Gu carried a bamboo basket as he headed to the embroidery workshop, leaving Shen Yan and Lingjun to mind the shop for a while. He planned to return right after selling his handkerchiefs and tassels.
After leaving the workshop, the bamboo basket held an additional garment—a commissioned piece from the embroidery shop. The shopkeeper's wife had hired him for the embroidery work due to his fine craftsmanship.
Since returning to town, with Shen Yan helping to watch Lingjun, he had managed the housework—cooking, laundry—and even handled tasks like butchering rabbits and scalding chicken feathers when Shen Yaoqing was away. Chopping bones and cutting meat had gradually become familiar.
Once he got used to these chores, they weren’t difficult at all.
Shen Xuanqing hadn’t taken much money when he left. Only Lu Gu knew where those few hundred taels of silver were hidden, so they weren’t short on money.
But there was no sense in sitting idle until the money ran out. The larger sum was reserved for the children’s education and future expenses. He needed to earn small change, at least enough for snacks. In summer, both adults and children loved fruits or buying drinks outside. Saving up a little would cover a month or two of such treats.
Passing by a roasted chicken shop, Guaizi ran ahead and stood at the door, watching.
Lu Gu smiled. They had stewed a rabbit yesterday, so there was no need to spend money today. He’d save a few pieces of rabbit meat for Guaizi when they got back.
A peddler carrying a shoulder pole approached, and Lu Gu stopped him. Since he often bought such items, he knew the prices of needles, thread, and other small goods well and was adept at haggling.
He bought some plain silk for fan covers and fan handles, planning to work on them slowly so they’d be ready to sell when the weather turned hot.
"Guzi, where are you off to?"
At the door of a cloth shop sat an elderly woman sunning herself, she was the shop owner’s mother. Dressed in satin with a fine headscarf, she held a smoking pipe. Though her hair was gray, she was full of energy. Nearly seventy, she could still eat meat with gusto.
"Granny, enjoying the sun? I’m heading back to the shop," Lu Gu replied with a smile.
"Go on." The old woman waved her pipe, shooing Guaizi away when he sniffed at her. After taking a puff, she asked, "Do you still have any fat rabbits over at your place?"
Lu Gu called Guaizi back and answered, "We do, several of them. I’ll pick out a big one for you."
"Good, good. Just like before, you slaughter it and deliver it to my house. My son will send the money later." The old woman loved meat and couldn’t help grinning at the thought of a fat rabbit.
"Deal." Lu Gu then raised his voice slightly. "Should I deliver it to your house, then? Not bring it here?"
"No, no, just send it home. Give it to Bi’er’s mother to stew for me," the old woman said, exhaling smoke.
Inside the shop, the proprietress overheard their conversation. Though displeased by her mother-in-law's habitual troublemaking, she knew refusing the old woman meat in public would spark neighborhood gossip. Reluctantly, she stepped out and handed Lu Gu money from her purse.
"Thank you, auntie. I’ll go back and slaughter the rabbit now." Lu Gu accepted it cheerfully.
It wasn’t that he was desperate for payment—this elderly woman sometimes got confused. On two previous occasions when he'd delivered rabbits, payment promised, yet when he returned days later, the old woman would stubbornly insist she’d already paid. It was only after the maid Bi’er confirmed she hadn’t that the shop settled the debt.
Had it been a gift, he wouldn’t have minded giving away two or three rabbits. The neighbors in Zhenzhu Alley often visited, and he’d hand out rabbits for them to try—almost every household had received one.
But since this was a business transaction, and they relied on selling rabbits for income, it made no sense not to collect payment.
The first time he didn’t press the matter, thinking it better to avoid conflict since they’d be living in Jixing Town long-term. But when it happened a second time, he felt letting it slide again would make him seem like a pushover. Annoyed, he argued more firmly, and the proprietress sent a servant to ask Bi’er—whose mother managed the kitchen funds. It turned out the old woman had eaten rabbits twice without paying.
That day, Lu Gu had resolved never to do business with them again if they refused to pay. Fortunately, he got the money in the end.
As for the first rabbit, he hadn’t had the energy to argue. But now he'd learned his lesson - this time he raised his voice deliberately, ensuring both shopkeepers heard every word to guarantee the debt would be settled. Alternatively, he could deliver the slaughtered rabbit directly to the shop to ensure payment.
On the way back, he quickened his steps, suddenly annoyed at himself for not thinking of this sooner. If only he’d delivered it to the shop the second time, he wouldn’t have had to argue.
Well. At least he’d learned now and wouldn’t have to put up with such nonsense again.
He consoled himself, no use dwelling on it. There was plenty of work to do, no point in overthinking.
The busy morning passed, and by afternoon, thick clouds drifted in, obscuring the sun as the weather shifted.
On the flat official road a dozen miles from Jixing Town, a tall, majestic date-red horse galloped like the wind, carrying its rider who was racing home with urgent longing.
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