Chapter 40
After the busy period of sowing the spring seeds had passed, one major task was completed, and a sense of leisure returned.
This year, the weather warmed up early. By the second month of the lunar calendar, both the masters and servants in the residence had shed their heavy, cumbersome winter clothes, changing into light and convenient spring attire.
Fang Yu wrote an essay in his study, completing all his academic tasks for the holiday period. This way, he could go to Luoli Village for an outing tomorrow with a completely carefree mind, without anything weighing on him.
By the time he finished tidying up his schoolwork, it was already the beginning of haishi (9-11 PM). He stretched his neck and looked around from the doorway of his study. Today, Qiao Hezhi had delivered a bowl of soup but then disappeared; he didn't know where he went. On previous days, without needing to be told, Qiao Hezhi would always be staying in the study area—reading poetry books when idle, managing accounts when busy. It was rare for him to be absent.
"Could he have been called away by Mother?"
Xuezhu said, "Zhengfu seems to be over at Xiaotong Courtyard. He hasn't gone out, nor is he at Changshou Hall."
"Is he feeling unwell?" Fang Yu stood up and shook out his robes. "I'll go check on him."
Xiaotong Courtyard was brightly lit, not as if everyone had retired for the night. Seeing the tightly closed door, Fang Yu knocked. "Hezhi, are you bathing?"
"No."
Hearing the reply from inside, Fang Yu was about to push the door open. "Then I—"
"Master, please wait a little longer before coming in."
Fang Yu paused, his hand stopping. He glanced at Xuezhu. "What are these master and servant doing inside, not letting me in?"
Xuezhu smiled. "Perhaps there's something inconvenient."
"Hezhi, it's so cold outside. Can't I come in first?"
With that, the door was pulled open with a whoosh. Siyu came out. "Master, please come in."
Baffled, Fang Yu entered the room and saw Qiao Hezhi come out from the inner chamber. His hair was somewhat disheveled, but otherwise, he looked as usual. Fang Yu smoothed his hair for him. "What are you busy with?"
"Aren't we going to Luoli Village tomorrow? Siyu brought out the spring clothes, and I've been trying to decide what to wear."
"Have you found something suitable?"
Qiao Hezhi took a deep breath and shook his head dejectedly.
Fang Yu couldn't help but laugh, thinking that a love for beautiful clothes and ornaments truly was human nature, and Qiao Hezhi was no exception. He looked directly at the young man in his prime, patted his own leg, and said, "Alright then, your husband will pick for you."
Hearing this, Qiao Hezhi was delighted. He took Fang Yu's hand and led him into the inner chamber. Entering the room, Fang Yu's eyes were opened wide. The bed, chairs, table, stools, and daybed were all draped with clothes, none spared. He looked around. Is this the size of a wealthy young ger's wardrobe...?
"I tried some on earlier and haven't had time to tidy up yet."
"No matter."
Fang Yu picked up and examined the garments. It wasn't that the clothes were truly so numerous they couldn't be stored; it was mainly because outfits of this era consisted of many layers—inner and outer garments, several pieces per set.
Qiao Hezhi came closer and held Fang Yu's arm. "What should I wear?"
"Naturally beautiful, anything looks good on you."
Qiao Hezhi frowned. Fang Yu quickly added, "It's nice to wear something bright in spring. This purple set and this light green one are both good."
"What about this white one?" Qiao Hezhi said. "Aren't we admiring pear blossoms? It's very fitting."
"The pear blossoms are pure white. If you also wear all white, I'm afraid I won't be able to find you once we enter the pear garden."
Qiao Hezhi thought this made sense and put down the white clothes he had originally chosen. "Then which color of these two should I wear?"
"Try them both on and let's see."
Qiao Hezhi nodded, gathered the clothes, and was about to change when he saw Fang Yu standing motionless in front of him. He widened his eyes slightly. "Hmm?"
Fang Yu realized. "Ah, right. I'll go out."
He walked a few steps, then turned back. "Maybe I should just wait for you in the room. Going in and out is troublesome. I'll turn my back; I definitely won't peek."
Qiao Hezhi tilted his head, bit his lip, his face practically written with the word 'doubt.' Fang Yu quickly pushed him toward the changing area, saying, "I'm tired from writing schoolwork all evening. I'll just sit here for a while."
"Schoolwork is done sitting down..." Qiao Hezhi saw that Fang Yu had sat down at the table with his back turned and didn't press him to leave further.
Fang Yu listened to the rustling sounds, quietly turned back around, and silently propped his cheek on his hand.
Qiao Hezhi had a slender build, and his bone structure wasn't as large as an average man's. He wasn't actually short, but he always appeared somewhat smaller and thinner than ordinary men in a crowd, a difference even more pronounced in spring clothes.
He watched as Qiao Hezhi removed his outer robe, then his inner garments layer by layer. Then, a smooth, pale back came into view. It suddenly occurred to him that spring clothes weren't like winter attire; one didn't necessarily wear undergarments underneath. His pupils contracted slightly; he wanted to turn away. Unexpectedly, Qiao Hezhi turned around first. Their eyes met. Fang Yu gave an awkward laugh and quickly turned his back.
"You... you did that on purpose!"
As soon as the words were spoken, a white under-robe landed on Fang Yu's head. He silently took it off, suddenly stood up, and scooped up the disheveled Qiao Hezhi. "If you say it was on purpose, then it was on purpose."
"I haven't finished choosing clothes," Qiao Hezhi said, his face somewhat flushed as he looked at the person so close.
Fang Yu nuzzled his neck. "The purple set is fine."
"Alright then..." He pushed at Fang Yu. "The bed is covered with clothes; how can we rest? Get up quickly."
"We'll just toss them to the floor."
___
Early the next morning, the Fang family carriage rolled along the official road toward Luoli Village. The weather had warmed, spring scenery outside the city grew richer. Many people were out for spring plowing or excursions, making it even more bustling than the noisy city.
The carriage curtain was not lowered the entire journey. The spring scenery outside was dazzling. Both sides of the official road were a fresh green, the air filled with the fragrance of newborn flowers and plants.
It spontaneously brought to mind the lines: Spring waters are newly born; spring woods gradually grow lush.
Their carriage wasn't the only one; they encountered quite a few people riding horses freely along the way, which made Fang Yu's heart itch with envy. Although his horsemanship had improved, he wasn't yet at the level where he could ride through fields and wild lands to enjoy the scenery.
Upon reaching Luoli Village, it was even more lively. The area outside the village seemed specially designated, with a large empty space cleared where many carriages were already parked, all likely here to admire the pear blossoms.
"Brother Fang!"
As soon as Fang Yu stepped down from the carriage, he saw Wu Shuyou waving and running toward them from a distance.
"You've finally arrived! Many people have come to see the blossoms today. I saw many carriages arriving, but none were yours."
"The spring scenery along the way was beautiful, so I had the coachman slow down. I've kept you waiting, Brother Shuyou," Fang Yu said, helping Qiao Hezhi down from the carriage, and smiling. "This is my fulang."
Wu Shuyou bowed to Qiao Hezhi. "I often hear Brother Fang mention his fulang. Today I finally have the pleasure of meeting you."
Qiao Hezhi also smiled and returned the courtesy.
Wu Shuyou said eagerly, "Let's not just stand here talking. Come, let's go inside."
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