The village paths were narrow and bumpy, carriages couldn't enter. Some visitors were riding horses in, but the dirt paths were churned up even more. It was fine when the ground was dry and firm in clear weather, but on rainy days, it would be a muddy mess, each step hampered by clinging mud.
Along the way, Fang Yu saw quite a few villagers setting up stalls along the path. Some sold sweet water, others pastries and cakes, and there were even some selling freshly dug wild vegetables from the fields, and so on. Fang Yu couldn't help but sigh with feeling: scenic spots truly are the same across all ages.
Wu Shuyou said, "No need to buy anything along the roadside. It's just a few steps to my humble abode; we have all these at home."
"Though it's just a rustic place, and my humble home is rather disorderly, I hope Brother Fang will not mind."
"Ah, Brother Shuyou, don't be so modest. I see Luoli Village is tidy and well-kept everywhere. Just now, passing two farmhouses, I noticed even the firewood in their yards was stacked very neatly."
Fang Yu had previously visited Yin Rao'er's home in Fangju Village and seen their farmyard. Although it had a thatched roof and earthen walls, that was generally how rural households were. Life was originally poor and hard; having a place to shelter from wind and rain was already quite good. He had never looked down on such places.
Wu Shuyou laughed. "Luoli Village has several orchards. They bloom in spring and bear fruit in autumn. People from the city often come to visit and enjoy the scenery, so the village spruced itself up."
"Look, the pear garden is just ahead."
As soon as Wu Shuyou finished speaking, a vast expanse of snow-white pear blossoms came into view. The spring breeze brushed their faces, carrying fluttering pear petals with it. The early spring pear blossoms had just bloomed; not many fell with the wind yet. But with such a large cluster of blossoms together, the fallen petals were still enough to make one stop and gaze.
The air was filled entirely with the sweet scent of pear blossoms.
Fang Yu looked down, and Qiao Hezhi smiled back at him.
Unlike the exclamations of other visitors, Wu Shuyou seemed long accustomed to the sight. However, he was proud to have pleased a classmate who usually helped and supported him. He led the two along a path cleared through the pear garden. "We're almost at my humble home. The view from inside is even better."
"Your home is actually within this pear garden? I had no idea Brother Shuyou was such a man of refined taste."
"Brother Fang Yu, you flatter me. Our ancestors were farmers. This pear orchard was planted by our forefathers. Back then, the family was poor. To guard the orchard and prevent fruit theft in autumn, they built the house within the orchard. Generation after generation never moved the residence, remaining so to this day. It's only in my generation that we began to study and achieved some modest scholarly rank. I can hardly claim to be a man of refined taste."
Just as Wu Shuyou finished speaking, Fang Yu and Qiao Hezhi saw a three-story building, accompanied by a single-story wing, appear before their eyes amidst the pear blossoms. Rather than calling it a mere house, it was more fitting to call it a manor.
Fang Yu couldn't help but glance at Wu Shuyou: Do you have some misunderstanding about what 'poverty' means?
He had originally thought Wu Shuyou was from a farming household. Usually at the academy, he was very simple, honest, and kind, his clothes plain and frugal to an extreme. Subconsciously, Fang Yu had associated him with being poor. But this... In the end, his own perspective had been too narrow. This was truly the silly son of a real landlord family.
Qiao Hezhi also pursed his lips slightly. He came from a merchant family and had seen plenty of wealthy households. The Wu family wasn't much in his eyes. But Fang Yu had told him his classmate was from a rural farming family, speaking in a tone that suggested how difficult their life must be. He had originally imagined a small household like those at the village entrance, only to find it was a landlord family.
His husband really was...
With their respective thoughts, the two followed Wu Shuyou into the manor.
"Father, Mother, Elder Brother, Sister-in-law... my classmate has arrived."
The entire Wu family, young and old, filed out at the sound. Besides a few people Wu Shuyou had addressed by name, another seven or so young women and young men emerged, followed by a few little ones just learning to walk. From the looks of it, they were likely the wives of Wu Shuyou's elder brother, as well as Wu Shuyou's own wife and children...
"Shuyou looks even younger than me. I never expected he already has children."
Wu Shuyou picked up a child who was calling "Daddy" in a milky voice and kissed the little one's face dotingly. "We farming families in the village marry quite early."
"Oh," Fang Yu replied with a somewhat awkward chuckle. "Your family line certainly seems... flourishing."
After a brief exchange, Wu Shuyou's parents and his elder brother and sister-in-law eagerly drew Fang Yu into conversation. They showered him with gratitude, repeatedly addressing him as "Fang Xiucai" and clasping his hands, thanking him profusely for his guidance and care toward Wu Shuyou at the Hande Academy. They spoke as if their son befriending such an outstanding scholar was a blessing from heaven itself—their words were effusive yet sincere, their emotions so raw they seemed on the verge of tears.
Fang Yu responded with polite modesty, praising Wu Shuyou in return, saying Wu Shuyou was promising material, diligent and studious, and passing the county-level exam should certainly not be a problem.
The Wu family reacted as if hearing the pronouncement of an immortal sage, utterly delighted.
"Alright, Father, Mother, you've been holding Brother Fang talking long enough. He still wants to sightsee with his fulang. Don't delay them further; shouldn't you go attend to things? There are so many visitors in the village today."
In his heart, Fang Yu gave Wu Shuyou's words a hearty thumbs-up. He turned, intending to call Qiao Hezhi to go enjoy the scenery, but found him already surrounded by the Wu family wives, currently holding a Wu family child.
When Fang Yu turned, he saw Qiao Hezhi wearing an unmistakably proud look, one eyebrow slightly raised as if to say, "See? Little children really like me."
Fang Yu chuckled and walked over.
Wu Shuyou's child was a ger, plump and chubby, with two little round cheeks. The child genuinely adored Qiao Hezhi, snuggling softly against his shoulder and calling "brother" in a soft voice.
Fang Yu pinched the baby's soft cheek. "Alright, give the child back to them."
Although the child was adorable, he was also afraid of being detained for more conversation by the Wu family. So he coaxed Qiao Hezhi, saying, "I'll take you to pick some pear blossoms."
Qiao Hezhi reluctantly handed the child back, and only then could the two extricate themselves to go sightseeing.
The Wu family's pear orchard was vast. The section they were in was merely the formal garden. To the east, an entire hillside was covered with pear trees. In spring, the sea of blossoms created a spectacular view. The family operated a guesthouse on the estate where visitors could enjoy local wine and rustic countryside dishes—a venture that brought in a tidy income.
Today, Fang Yu could see the evidence from the arriving visitors.
After strolling through the pear blossom garden for about the time it takes an incense stick to burn, Fang Yu tucked a freshly bloomed pear blossom into Qiao Hezhi’s hair. "Brother Shuyou said there’s a stream not far ahead. How about we go catch a couple of fish to take back—we can grill them or make fish soup. What do you think?"
Qiao Hezhi nodded. "That sounds nice."
"Wait for me here for a bit, then. I'll go back to get the fishing rods and come right back." They had wanted some time alone earlier and felt having servants accompany them would spoil the mood, so they’d come without attendants. Now, he’d have to go back by himself. "You look a bit tired from walking. Sit here and rest, I'll be back very soon."
Qiao Hezhi wasn't particularly tired, but thinking that going together would actually be slower, he said, "Alright then."
Fang Yu turned and headed back. There were paved paths in the garden, so there was no fear of getting lost.
As he walked forward, the path was filled with people reciting poetry or admiring the flowers in groups. He didn't pay them much mind. But then a figure in purple, approaching from a distance, made his brow tighten. He instinctively glanced back toward where Qiao Hezhi was. Seeing a nearly identical clothing color, he inwardly cursed himself for choosing purple yesterday.
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