Chapter 85
The weather in the second month changed day by day.
The trees along the open wilderness path had sprouted new buds, and tender shoots of grass emerged from the withered piles of last autumn and winter.
These plants grew astonishingly fast—within three to five days, buds had already formed. Unnoticed, the once-gray forests and fields were now brushed with fresh green.
After many rainy days in autumn and winter, the early spring brought mostly clear skies, with warm, gentle sunlight, much like the newly sprouted grass.
In the second lunar month, farmwork hadn't yet reached its peak intensity. At Tongzhou tea plantations, the first tender buds of Maojian tea had begun to emerge, and many village women and fulangs left before dawn to pick tea, only returning after dark.
Word spread that this year's wages offered three more coppers per tael of fresh leaves than during last year's Maojian harvest. With last year’s poor harvest, many families were eager to earn some extra money to supplement their income.
Men who didn’t go tea-picking either tilled the fields or went up the mountains to gather firewood.
In short, no one idled once spring arrived.
Ji Yangzong remained as busy as ever. During spring plowing and autumn harvests, he was the most occupied—not only did he have to hire help for his own fields, but he also had to oversee how much land each household in the village would cultivate and what crops they’d plant this year.
Huang Manjing managed the household chores. Though it seemed leisurely, in truth, she wasn’t much less busy.
As for Yuan Huiru, this year she not only tended to her few acres of land but also bought a flock of ducklings to raise.
The fluffy little yellow ducks were no bigger than a fist. Though small, ducks grew quickly—within two or three months, they’d be big enough to eat or sell, unlike chickens, which took much longer to mature.
Yuan Huiru thought the early spring weather was perfect, with tender grass just right for feeding the ducklings. By the time farming season arrived, they’d already be ready for slaughter or sale.
She claimed she had nothing better to do, but in truth, with a new grandson in the family, she wanted to find ways to save up more money for the child.
By late second month, Ji Taoyu was busy at the archery workshop.
With the merchant team gone, not only had several skilled archery instructors left, but they’d also taken the horses for transporting goods. The horseback archery range was left with only a few newly hired instructors and a handful of horses.
Early spring, when the grass sprouted, was the perfect season for horseback archery competitions. But with so few horses and instructors, business had taken a noticeable hit.
Still, the grounds remained, and some brought their own horses to practice.
While the horseback archery range’s business was lukewarm, the archery workshop’s sales had improved significantly compared to the end of last year.
It was said that with spring’s arrival, wild animals in the forests had become more active, and more hunters were heading into the mountains.
"Little boss, there’s a letter for you!"
Ji Taoyu was in the warehouse checking whether the dozens of shi of grain stored last year had gone moldy when Tian Xiaodian rushed in.
"Letter for me?"
Though his tone was indifferent, his movements were quick as he hurried forward to take it.
The Ji family had many cousins who had married far away, and occasionally, they exchanged letters.
Especially with Ji Xingzhe, Ji Wenliang’s second brother.
Before the New Year, when the shop opened, Ji Taoyu had written to Ji Xingzhe to share the news, including the new address here.
Now, Ji Xingzhe’s letters came straight to the shop—not only faster than sending them to the village but also saving on delivery fees.
Though he knew it was likely a letter from family or friends, Ji Taoyu couldn’t help but secretly hope it was from Huo Shu.
When he spotted the poorly written "Huo" on the envelope, he immediately shoved the fire starter he’d been using for light into Tian Xiaodian’s hands.
He hurried back to the front hall, opening the letter as he walked.
To my fulang,
All is well. Will return once the merchant caravan is escorted out of Yuchang Prefecture.
Ji Taoyu stared at the letter, flipping it over to check the other side. After confirming that the large sheet of paper held only those two short lines, his bright expression instantly fell.
He tossed the letter onto the counter, lips pressed into a pout.
Tian Xiaodian, who had followed him out, saw Ji Taoyu slumped listlessly over the counter.
"Did something happen?"
"None of your business. Go back to work."
Ji Taoyu waved him off and stayed slumped on the counter, clearly in low spirits.
Logically, he should have been happy—after all, Huo Shu had finally sent him a letter, letting him know he was safe. But his chest felt tight, his mood inexplicably sour.
Maybe it was because, after being gone for so long, Huo Shu still hadn’t given a definite return date. Or maybe it was because, despite being able to send a letter, he couldn’t spare more than a couple of lines, as if he hadn’t missed him at all.
Ji Taoyu felt a lump in his throat, an urge to cry rising unexpectedly.
He startled himself—this kind of emotional reaction was unlike him.
"Little Boss Ji, busy as always?"
Just as he was lost in thought, a voice at the door snapped him back to attention.
"Grandfather! What brings you here?"
Ji Taoyu looked up to see Huang Yinsheng standing at the entrance, his eyes lighting up. He quickly rounded the counter to greet him.
Huang Yinsheng carried a medicine chest over his shoulder and smiled. "I was in the area for a house call and thought I’d stop by to see you."
Ji Taoyu clung to his grandfather’s arm, guiding him inside to sit and brewing him a cup of tea.
"Huo Shu still isn’t back?"
Huang Yinsheng had already noticed the downcast look on the young man’s face when he entered.
"No."
Ji Taoyu handed him the tea. "But his letter said he’d return once the merchant caravan is out of Yuchang Prefecture. It shouldn’t be too much longer now."
Huang Yinsheng took the tea, studying the young ger’s face.
"It’s been over a month already, hasn’t it?"
Ji Taoyu thought to himself that it would soon be two full months, but he didn’t say so aloud, merely nodding.
"Your complexion isn’t as good as it was during the New Year. He’s not gone forever—why fret so much?"
Huang Yinsheng motioned for Ji Taoyu to extend his wrist.
Ji Taoyu flushed slightly. "I’m fine. Probably just the changing spring weather affecting my complexion."
"Good or bad, I’ll know at a glance."
Ji Taoyu pursed his lips and had no choice but to roll up his sleeves a little before obediently extending his arm.
Is... is this it? Are we getting a baby?🥹
ReplyDelete