The discussion went smoothly, and in the end, Huo Shu sold all twenty-five horses at the price of one hundred fifty taels for a medium-grade horse and two hundred fifty taels for a superior-grade horse.
At the same time, Huo Shu could now purchase goods at a satisfactory low price from Jiatang Porcelain Workshop in the future.
Chen Pu wanted to take the horses back as soon as possible, as they would be of greater use once in his hands.
Whether they would end up with high-ranking officials or elsewhere, he already felt a strong urge to show off his newly acquired treasures to those he knew.
Thus, he promptly paid Huo Shu in full.
The total cost for the horses was four thousand two hundred fifty taels, but since Huo Shu wanted a shop, Chen Pu deducted two hundred fifty taels and promised to let Huo Shu choose a satisfactory one.
In this way, Huo Shu earned four thousand taels in one go.
Chen Pu hadn’t expected to buy so many horses at once and hadn’t brought enough men.
Huo Shu needed to go to the city to pick up Ji Taoyu, so he called Uncle Fan and the others back to help him deliver the horses to Chen Pu.
The evening glow in the sky burned intensely, the sun already sinking behind the western mountain range, its last fierce rays reflecting back, still dazzling to the eyes.
At this hour, half of Tongzhou City had already fallen into shadow, while the other half remained bathed in the crimson light of the sunset.
This summer seemed hotter than previous years, and today the medical hall was particularly busy. Aside from the usual patients seeking heat-relief medicine, there were also those with broken legs and other injuries.
The medical hall was hectic, and Ji Taoyu helped out tirelessly. By the time they finished, the sun had already set behind the western hills.
At noon, he had received word that Huo Shu was busy with the horses, but he didn’t know how the negotiations had gone.
Standing at the entrance, he bit into a chilled watermelon freshly pulled from the well—crisp, sweet, and refreshingly cold, making it even more delicious.
But now, he could barely taste it. The fiery sunset reminded him of the dusk in late third month when they had just arrived at Beiyu Prefecture.
The sky had been painted red, casting its glow over the weathered city walls of Beiyu.
The sunset that day had been just like today’s.
"If someone doesn’t come to pick me up soon, I’ll have to stay in the city tonight."
Distracted, Ji Taoyu heard a teasing yet slightly regretful voice behind him and turned around.
Looking at the person, he drawled out a greeting: "Grandfather~"
Huang Yinsheng, now free, was also holding a slice of watermelon. Seeing the expectant look on Ji Taoyu’s face, he couldn’t help but chuckle.
"If Huo Shu doesn’t come to pick you up, do you want to stay in the city for the night?"
Ji Taoyu nibbled on his watermelon without answering.
Of course, he wanted to go home. Since their marriage, they had never been apart. In the past, staying in the city wouldn’t have bothered him, but now, just the thought of not sleeping beside Huo Shu made him restless.
"Since it’s still early, I’ll take a cart at the city gate and go back myself. It shouldn’t be dark by the time I get home."
Ji Taoyu said.
Huang Yinsheng knew he couldn’t keep him, so he didn’t press further.
"If you’ve decided to go back, leave early. Don’t delay until it gets dark. If there are no carts at the city gate, come back here."
Ji Taoyu nodded obediently, packed up briefly, and invited Huang Yinsheng to visit the village for a meal when he had time. Then, he headed toward the city gate along the street.
The streets were no longer as lively as during the day, with remnants of vegetable leaves and melon rinds scattered across the bluestone pavement from the daytime stalls.
A little later, lanterns would light up the city, and the night market would begin, bringing back the bustle.
Walking under the sunset, Ji Taoyu was nearing the archway when he heard the sound of hoofbeats approaching.
Instinctively, he looked up and saw a figure bathed in the evening glow, brows slightly furrowed, urging his horse forward at a brisk pace.
The horse seemed to recognize him and stopped beside Ji Taoyu, its rider dismounting swiftly. "I’m late."
"I thought you weren’t coming."
Ji Taoyu’s voice carried a faint complaint.
Huo Shu explained earnestly, "I sold all the horses to the porcelain merchant. I had A-Shou and Uncle Fan help deliver them properly, which took some time."
Seeing Ji Taoyu’s face, tinged like honey in the sunset, he reached out to hold his hand. "Are you upset?"
"Grandfather said if you didn’t come, I’d have to stay at the medical hall tonight."
Ji Taoyu let Huo Shu hold his hand and lifted his leg slightly, signaling for Huo Shu to help him onto the horse. He was eager to go home—after a long day, he was hungry.
Huo Shu bent slightly and effortlessly lifted Ji Taoyu onto the horse, then reached around his waist to take the reins.
"No matter how late, I’d come for you."
Ji Taoyu felt a surge of happiness at these words and handed the watermelon slice back, holding it to Huo Shu’s lips.
Huo Shu took a bite without hesitation.
Instead of heading straight for the city gate, he turned the horse back toward the medical hall to inform Huang Yinsheng that he was taking Ji Taoyu home, so the old man wouldn’t worry about whether Ji Taoyu had made it back safely as night fell.
"Where are Uncle Fan and the others?"
"I told them to go ahead."
The two rode back under the sunset, and Huo Shu told Ji Taoyu about the day’s business dealings and the shop, promising to take him to choose one in a couple of days.
Knowing Ji Taoyu was hungry and now accustomed to riding, Huo Shu urged the horse to go a little faster.
But then, as if remembering something, he moved one hand to support Ji Taoyu’s waist.
"I’m fine, it doesn’t hurt anymore."
Ji Taoyu, in good spirits after hearing about the successful business, admitted honestly.
Huo Shu pondered for a moment. "Then we’ll continue tonight when we get back."
Thank you for the update!!!
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