Since having a child, the two of them had spent little time alone together. These past few days without Lingjun felt almost like a return to the past.
The night was enchanting, the breeze carrying traces of the day’s lingering heat and wisps of floral fragrance drifting in through the window.
The bed had been spread with a bamboo mat, and both of them had bathed before lying down. In summer, sweat came easily, but after washing, their bodies were cool and refreshed—nothing was more comfortable than lying in bed like this.
The room was dark, but the moonlight shining through the window provided enough light to see.
Lu Gu’s hand was held by Shen Xuanqing, though it wouldn’t be long before sweat made them let go. His eyes curved slightly as he listened to Shen Xuanqing tally the day’s earnings.
When he finished, Shen Xuanqing suddenly rolled over to face him.
"Business has been slow lately with this heat. Why don’t I take you by boat to Yuqing Prefecture for a trip? We’ll have Biaozi watch the shop for a couple of days, stay overnight at an inn. I’ve heard they have things like bing lao and su shan there—made with ice and milk, even fruit. They're expensive, but I’ll take you to try them."
[冰酪 (bīng lào): made by mixing fermented milk (酪, akin to yogurt or soft cheese) with honey or fruit, then freezing it with ice and salt]
[酥山 (sū shān): a luxurious chilled dessert from the Tang Dynasty (618–907 AD), made of layered, flaky pastry (酥) sculpted into a mountain-like shape (山), often drizzled with honey or flavored with floral syrups, and served over ice]
Growing more enthusiastic, Shen Xuanqing added, "I’ll go find Biaozi tomorrow. It’s not far—just two or three days. Won’t delay his work."
Though they already had a child, they were still young at heart, and the idea of an outing excited them.
Just hearing this, a faint smile appeared on Lu Gu’s face. "Ice? How expensive must that be?"
Ordinary families could hardly afford ice in summer—even the wealthy in Jixing Town rarely used it. Only in the prefecture could it be bought.
"A bowl’s only a few taels at most. Let’s try it—my treat, just eat." Shen Xuanqing pinched his fulang’s nose, already set on the idea. The heat was unbearable, and a little adventure would do them good.
Though last year’s travels had ended in hardship, making him abandon thoughts of venturing far, Yuqing Prefecture wasn’t distant. He just wanted to take Lu Gu out for a change of scenery.
Lu Gu swatted at the mischievous hand pinching his nose before smiling. "Alright, let’s go by boat. I’ve never ridden one that far."
This would be their first proper trip together, and the excitement kept them talking late into the night.
Young and full of energy, they held hands and touched affectionately. To stay cool in the summer heat, they wore thin sleeping clothes, Shen Xuanqing even bare-chested.
The wind rustled the persimmon leaves outside, their swaying shadows mimicking the movements inside the room.
The unspeakable positions left Lu Gu flushed. Perhaps it was the heat—his face and ears burned, yet he made no sound of protest, his gentle eyes hiding deep affection for the other.
Shen Xuanqing was no different. In moments of deepest intimacy, even his sharpest edges softened.
Nothing in this world brought such joy.
The next morning, as Lu Gu washed his face, Shen Xuanqing set down the water basin and suddenly said, "From now on, we should send Lingjun back to the old home more often."
Somehow, Lu Gu immediately understood the implication.
Their eyes met, and seeing Lu Gu’s shy embarrassment, Shen Xuanqing grinned and added, "Mother’s always missing him. Let him keep her company."
It was a proper excuse, at least, and Lu Gu’s blush faded slightly.
The morning cool brought many travelers. After delivering rabbits, chickens, and ducks to the shop and selling through the early market, Shen Xuanqing went to the outskirts to find Luo Biao, leaving Lu Gu and the dog to watch the store.
Luo Biao had used his hundred taels to buy a house on the other side of town—close enough to the outskirts to be cheap, costing only thirty-five taels. He'd purchased six mu of farmland—three mu of paddy fields and three mu of dry fields. Being a strong worker, managing six mu was well within his ability.
When Luo Biao purchased his farmland, Shen Xuanqing had thought about doing the same. But with the shop to run, Lu Gu couldn't handle farming by himself. So Shen Xuanqing put the idea aside for now, deciding to save up until he could buy seven to ten mu - with that much land, hiring help would make sense, whereas a smaller plot wouldn't justify the expense.
Their few hundred taels were their livelihood’s foundation. He and Lu Gu had agreed not to touch this money except in dire need. Between their family's existing farmland and careful management, they could live comfortably for years to come.
Luo Biao was a man of simple means. Without any specialized trade skills to fall back on, he hadn't yet discovered a clear path into business. Relying on his strength, he focused on farming.
Years without land or home had passed, but now, with both, he worked with renewed vigor.
Shen Xuanqing found him in the fields. Hearing of their planned trip, Luo Biao agreed without hesitation to watch the shop for two days. In this summer heat, his fieldwork was light anyway.
Shouldering his hoe, Luo Biao walked back with him, grinning. "Bring me a jug of Nu’erhong from Zuixianfang, the small kind. I heard they sell it in bamboo tubes, cheap."
Shen Xuanqing stopped him from reaching for money. "No need. You’re helping us out, I’ll bring it back."
"Deal." Luo Biao chuckled. He loved little else but a good drink.
At the shop, Lu Gu sold one old hen before business stalled. When Luo Biao arrived, they exchanged a few words, then he and Shen Xuanqing set off for the docks.
The downstream boat trip to the prefecture took less than half an hour. Since it was such a short journey and they planned to stay just three days, they only carried their money pouches as they strolled to the riverside docks.
Boats of every size lined the shore. Remembering this was Lu Gu's first outing in years, Shen Xuanqing chose a larger boat.
The gentle swaying of the boat on the water brought a smile to Lu Gu's face, who’d only ridden small fishing boats as a child—with his mother's relatives. After his mother’s death, no one had taken him again.
The spacious cabin and the boatman’s calls outside made him smile unconsciously.
The boat sped smoothly with the current—faster than he’d imagined possible. His heart raced with excitement.
Seeing his joy, Shen Xuanqing led him outside with the boatman’s permission. Standing at the bow, they watched the river rush forward, carrying them swiftly.
The wind against his face—Lu Gu had never known sailing could feel so exhilarating.
They lingered outside before returning to the cabin. Shen Xuanqing smiled. "This is downstream, that’s why it’s fast. The return trip won’t be as quick."
"Mm." Lu Gu nodded. He’d still take the boat back, he wanted to experience that, too.
When they arrived at Yuqing Prefecture, the two of them disembarked at the dock, and the lively bustle that greeted them was nothing like what their small town could compare to.
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