Chapter 230
The late summer was cooler than before, with a gentle breeze blowing. Small green round fruits hung from the persimmon tree, waiting to ripen in autumn.
Lu Gu sat in the yard with Lingjun, peeling firewood beans (soybeans)—last year's stored grains that he had sun-dried again a couple of days prior. After peeling them, he would soak them overnight to cook bean rice for their little Lingjun the next day.
On his way back, he had stopped by the rice shop to buy red beans. They still had some pre-shelled peanuts, which he planned to cook together tomorrow for a sweeter, more fragrant dish.
Shen Xuanqing had ridden back to their hometown to share the good news, leaving his master temporarily in charge of the shop. Both his master and shimu, Yan-shi, already knew about Lu Gu’s pregnancy, and the elderly couple were overjoyed.
Seeing Lingjun about to feed the beans to the dog, Lu Gu smiled and stopped the child’s hand, saying, “ Guaizi doesn’t eat these. Put them in the bowl, we’ll cook them tomorrow.”
He occasionally fed Guaizi peanuts, and Lingjun sometimes did the same, so the child assumed all beans were suitable for dogs.
Lingjun obediently dropped the small firewood beans into the bowl, mimicking adult speech in his childish voice: “Okay, we'll eat it.”
Lu Gu nodded with a grin. “Yes, we'll eat it later.”
Before noon, Yan-shi brought over a pot of stewed soup, her steps brisk with excitement. She ladled a bowl each for Lu Gu and Lingjun, sitting beside them with a kind smile as she watched them enjoy the soup and meat.
Lingjun was sweet-mouthed, calling Yan-shi and Lao Yang “Grandma” and “Grandpa” repeatedly, which endeared him greatly to the old couple.
Today, Yang Xian’s wife was free and stayed home to look after her child, so Yan-shi lingered to chat with Lu Gu a while longer.
Summer days were long, and just as the two were coaxing a reluctant Lingjun to nap, they heard dogs barking in the yard, followed by the voices of Shen Xuanqing and Wei Lanxiang.
Lu Gu hurried out and saw that Wei Lanxiang had indeed arrived.
“Oh, quick, sit down—don’t move around too much!” Wei Lanxiang carried a large bamboo basket on her arm, walking hurriedly.
Shen Xuanqing unloaded the chicken and duck cages from the cart and said with a smile, “I’ll go through the back gate to put the mule cart in the rear yard. I left the horse at home and didn’t ride it here.”
“Alright,” Lu Gu nodded before turning to pour tea for Wei Lanxiang.
“These are old hens and ducks bought from Granny A’jin, perfect for stewing soup. These are homegrown vegetables and bamboo shoots from the mountains. The bamboo fungus was gathered by your elder brother and sister-in-law. They dried some and originally meant to sell them, but once Erqing told them the news, they said, ‘Why sell them? Take them to nourish Guzi instead.’ They’re good for soup or braised meat.”
Wei Lanxiang couldn’t stop smiling as she sat and chattered away. Knowing Yan-shi was here to check on Lu Gu, she took her hand and said, “Don't worry that it looks like little now—these dried things swell up good when soaked. You and your husband should have some too to nourish yourselves.”
Since these mountain-foraged ingredients cost nothing, and Yan-shi and Lao Yang were practically family, there was no reason to hold back.
As laughter filled the main hall, Shen Xuanqing moved the chickens and ducks to the backyard before joining them with a smile, sitting beside Lu Gu. “I’ve visited the graves and told Father and Mother-in-law.”
Lu Gu nodded. Such important news naturally had to be shared at the ancestral graves.
Lingjun, now excused from napping, happily ran to the yard to play with Guaizi, his laughter ringing continuously.
Time flew, and by New Year’s, the whole family was together—with another child on the way. The growing family filled Wei Lanxiang with joy, her spirits visibly lifted.
Shortly after the New Year celebrations, it was time for Shen Yan’s wedding.
Gu Chengyue arrived on a tall horse to fetch his bride, accompanied by lively music. As soon as the procession entered Qingxi Village, adults and children alike came out to watch.
Shen Yan was carried out on Shen Yaoqing’s back and placed into the bridal sedan. The procession set off with music and fanfare. Gu Chengyue, already a handsome scholar, looked even more dashing in his red bridal attire.
In rural areas, dowries for girls and shuang'ers were usually modest, but Wei Lanxiang doted on her youngest daughter. With help from Shen Yaoqing and Shen Xuanqing, they prepared fine wooden dowry items—dressing cases, cabinets, and camphorwood chests—along with various smaller pieces. Though not an extravagant display, every piece was thoughtfully chosen.
Lu Gu, his belly now round and obvious, stayed behind with Wei Lanxiang.
Shen Xuanqing took Lingjun to the Gu family for the wedding banquet and returned together afterward.
Village aunties and grannies helped clean up, so Lu Gu simply served them tea.
Wei Lanxiang had shed tears several times these past days. Now, with her daughter gone and her room emptied, she felt a sudden hollowness. Not wanting to dampen the joyous occasion with more tears, she chatted and tidied with women her age.
“Lu Gu, when you leave in a few days, take some of this meat for you and Erqing. There’s too much for us to finish, and remember to bring some for your shimu too,” she called from the kitchen as she sorted through grains and meats.
“Understood, Mother,” Lu Gu replied, sitting to rest after pouring water for Aunt Miao.
He glanced around and sighed inwardly. Though he had lived in town for over two years, Shen Yan’s departure made the house feel quieter than usual, as if someone were missing.
Soon, Wei Lanxiang called again from the kitchen, “There are some fried dough twists here, take them for Granny Hua. If she’s willing, let her share some with her family. These are from a joyous occasion, after all.”
“Alright,” Lu Gu agreed again.
Since they were traveling by mule cart, bringing food was no trouble. As for Granny Hua, she was the elderly woman Shen Xuanqing had hired after the New Year.
With Lu Gu’s pregnancy advancing and Lingjun to care for, cooking and cleaning had become difficult. Shen Xuanqing asked around and met with several women before choosing Granny Hua, who was quiet, tidy, and diligent.
For cooking, cleaning, and laundry—common household tasks, she was paid two qian a month, standard in Jixing Town. Room and board were included, along with summer and winter clothing each year—a fair arrangement for servants in modest households.
Granny Hua’s good nature led Lu Gu to occasionally gift her embroidered handkerchiefs or homegrown peanuts and beans for her family.
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