Huo Shu took the stage last, showcasing a few moves for the sake of future business. Just when they thought Huo Shou’s performance was unmatched, his even greater skill pushed the atmosphere to its peak.
By the end of the morning session, the audience lingered, reluctant to leave. Another performance in the afternoon marked the conclusion of the range’s grand opening.
These three days had firmly established the horseback archery range’s reputation.
That night, Ji Taoyu counted the scattered coins in a box at the table.
Small bills, silver, and copper coins added up to over fifty taels—all tips from the two demonstrations.
He had always known the city was full of wealthy people, but such extravagance was still rare.
"I thought we were working for free these three days, but today alone made up for all of it."
And this was a proper archery range—he couldn’t imagine the opulence of pleasure houses.
This windfall was something he’d never anticipated. His perspective had been too narrow.
Ji Taoyu set aside twenty taels: "The demonstration was a team effort. Everyone worked hard, so let’s divide this among them."
"You decide."
Ji Taoyu looked up as Huo Shu emerged from his bath, wearing only undershorts, his bare torso glistening, damp hair tousled over his shoulders.
A towel hung loosely in his hand.
Closing the ledger, Ji Taoyu took the towel from him.
"You’re the owner now. Isn’t it beneath you to perform for others’ amusement? Brother Ge said you were a captain in the army—a man of rank."
Huo Shu lowered his head slightly, letting Ji Taoyu’s soft hands dry his hair.
His tone carried a hint of pity, finding Ji Taoyu’s concern endearingly naive.
"By that logic, military drills are also for others’ amusement."
Huo Shu patiently explained: "Military drills don’t guarantee promotions, but performing for these people pays. Which do you think is the better deal?"
Ji Taoyu ran his fingers through Huo Shu’s coarse hair: "Boss Huo truly knows when to bend and when to stretch."
[能屈能伸 (néng qū néng shēn): lit. can bend and stretch; fig. adaptable, able to compromise when necessary]
Two days later, the horseback archery range and bow shop settled into steady business.
Huo Shu planned to recruit more hands. With him and Ge Liang, they now had eight archery instructors, enough to manage.
But by year’s end, he needed to prepare goods and men for next year’s trade expedition. Once the new year began, at least half the range’s staff would leave.
Finding temporary workers wasn't easy to begin with, Huo Shu reflected. Even if they managed to hire someone, the new hands couldn't be put to work immediately—they'd need at least some basic training first.
They also needed to hire an accountant.
Though Ji Taoyu could handle these tasks, he was often occupied with other matters and couldn’t always stay in the shop. To ensure smooth operations, they agreed hiring additional help was necessary.
Once they settled on the plan, Huo Shu went out to post a notice.
That afternoon, after things had quieted down, Huo Shu and Ji Taoyu prepared to return home. They had stayed in the town for nearly eight days since the opening.
During these days, Yuan Huiru would come by periodically—sometimes just to purchase items while checking on them, other times delivering home-cooked food. She would walk a few rounds around the horseback archery grounds, sit briefly to rest, then take her leave.
Huo Shu bought a fresh lamb leg and was preparing to depart for the village with Ji Taoyu when, quite unexpectedly, Yuan Huiru appeared in town once more. She carried baskets laden with village produce— vegetables, eggs, and the like.
“You shouldn’t trouble yourself delivering these for us, godmother. If we’re missing anything, we can buy it here, or at worst, send someone on horseback to fetch it from the village. That’d be easier than you making the trip.”
“I know you two are busy here, and it’s been days since you last returned to the village. I came to buy candles and salt anyway, so I just brought some things along.”
Ji Taoyu carried the items Yuan Huiru had brought to the back kitchen. Hearing her words, he paused and glanced at Huo Shu.
If she had really come to buy things, unless urgent, she would’ve arrived in the morning—not the afternoon.
Huo Shu said, “We were actually planning to go back today.”
“Oh? Then everyone at home will be glad.”
Yuan Huiru's fingers twisted nervously in her sleeves. “When...when are you planning to leave?”
Ji Taoyu observed Yuan Huiru's restless movements with growing concern. At first, he thought she had come because she missed them, but her demeanor made him uncertain.
“Not immediately. You've just made the trip—rest awhile first. We can return to the village together.”
“Alright.”
Yuan Huiru asked, “How’s business these past couple of days?”
“Everything’s been smooth. The horseback archery range gets visitors every day. The autumn weather is pleasant, so people are out and about—”
Ji Taoyu cut himself off, unable to hold back any longer. “Godmother, has something happened at home?”
Yuan Huiru seemed startled. “N-no.”
“Everything’s fine at home, nothing major.”
Ji Taoyu frowned. “Then why…?”
Yuan Huiru's frequent trips into town these days were unlike her.
“Whatever it is, you can tell me and A-Shu. We’re family—you shouldn’t feel like an outsider.”
Under Ji Taoyu’s gentle urging, Yuan Huiru gave an embarrassed smile.
“That child I saw on opening day… I-I just came by to see him.”
Ji Taoyu’s hands stilled. His brows knitted tightly as he watched Yuan Huiru, his heart in turmoil.
He couldn’t help but look up at Huo Shu.
“I’m just idle, that’s all. Let’s go home.”
Yuan Huiru suddenly added, “Your father said the tax collection is nearly done. Once you two return, we’ll need to drain the pond to catch—”
“He is Changsui’s son.”
Huo Shu’s voice cut in abruptly, startling Yuan Huiru into stillness, as if her thoughts had frozen.
“A-Shu, y-you mean…?”
Huo Shu repeated himself.
“Before Changsui was conscripted, he secretly pledged himself to the third daughter of the Wu family in the village. I came to Tongzhou firstly to deliver his belongings to you, and secondly to return the token to Miss Wu.”
“At first, I worried you’d be heartbroken to learn Changsui’s sweetheart had remarried, so I didn’t mention it. Later, when I found her, I learned Miss Wu had remained faithful and even bore Changsui a son.”
Without a formal matchmaker, Wu Lianhe didn’t fear gossip about herself—but she feared Zhao Pan would suffer scorn.
So aside from her own family, she never let anyone else know. She also worried Yuan Huiru might not accept her or Zhao Pan.
Ji Taoyu added, “A few days ago, I spoke with Third Sister Wu about A-Pan. She agreed to privately acknowledge you as family. But with the child’s exams coming up, we didn’t want to distract him.”
Yuan Huiru covered her face, weeping uncontrollably.
Ever since she caught a glimpse of that child, she had been dreaming of Changsui in his youth.
She was both overjoyed and heartbroken, never daring to imagine in her wildest dreams that a blood relative still remained in this world.
Seeing Yuan Huiru cry so bitterly, Ji Taoyu’s heart ached.
“Godmother, we should’ve told you sooner.”
Yuan Huiru wiped her tears. “N-no, it’s not your fault. I understand Miss Wu’s hardships. Raising a child alone is incredibly difficult—keeping it hidden was all for the child’s sake.”
Her voice trembled with sobs, grieving for herself, for Wu Lianhe, and for the child.
Changsui had been gone for so many years. She had lost a son, and Wu Lianhe had lost a husband.
She knew all too well the struggles of a widow’s life.
“Godmother, do you want to… now?”
Yuan Huiru quickly shook her head rapidly. “N-no. I can wait. There’s no rush, no rush at all… Let the child focus on his exams.”
“Just knowing he’s Changsui’s son is enough for me. Even if we never meet.”
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