My Fulang is a Delicate Flower Chapter 40 Part 4

Huo Shu wondered if he was really going to idle around at his father-in-law’s house right after getting married.

"Brother Huo!"  

A shout suddenly snapped Huo Shu out of his thoughts. He turned his head and saw Ge Liang.  

"Out and about so soon after getting married?"  

Huo Shu ignored Ge Liang’s teasing and noticed two or three other men with him.  

"What brings you here?"  

"I heard a wealthy man in the city is building a tavern and hiring workers. I brought a few lads from the village to apply, but turns out the notice was posted just the day before yesterday, and they’d already filled all the spots by yesterday."  

Ge Liang sighed: "Taxes have gone up this year. There are too many people looking for work and too few jobs. Wages are lower than ever, yet folks are still scrambling for them. It’s all because there are too many workers and too few jobs."  

Huo Shu glanced at the men with Ge Liang, their sleeves were patched, their faces darkened with dust and weariness from failing to find work.  

When he was young, his family had also scraped by on a few meager acres of land. He knew how hard life could be under layers of exploitation.  

"What about the docks?"  

Ge Liang shook his head: "Those ships come with their own strong laborers. They hardly ever hire outsiders."  

"If we can’t find any odd jobs by year’s end, we won’t have time to come out again next spring. Stuck in the fields for half a year with nothing else coming in, and with taxes the way they are, life’s going to be tough."  

Hearing how dire the situation was, Huo Shu didn’t mention that he had just lost his own job.  

"Keep looking."  

"Yeah."  

Ge Liang nodded. "Let’s grab a drink some other day. We’ll keep wandering around for now to see if there’s any work to be found."  

On his way back, Huo Shu spotted a street vendor selling sugar-roasted chestnuts and bought a bag.  

It had started drizzling by the time he returned. Urging his horse forward, he reached the gates of the Ji family residence and saw a figure pacing anxiously under the eaves.  

"You’re back! Did you get caught in the rain?"  

Ji Taoyu, spotting the man leading the horse inside, happily ran over.  

Huo Shu quickly pulled him back under the eaves: "It’s fine. The rain wasn’t heavy."  

He then unfastened his cloak and took out the chestnuts he had tucked inside his robe.  

Ji Taoyu accepted the still-warm chestnuts, his eyes sparkling. But when he noticed the sugar frost on Huo Shu’s hair and the faint redness on his tall, wind-bitten nose, he tucked the chestnuts into the herb pouch at his side and stretched out his arms to press his warmed hands against Huo Shu’s cheeks.  

Huo Shu’s brow relaxed: "I’m not cold."  

The two walked inside together.  

Ji Yangzong, seeing Ji Taoyu holding an overlong cloak in one hand and the bag of chestnuts in the other, remarked, "You’re back."  

Ji Taoyu turned to Huo Shu: "I’ll take the cloak to dry."  

"Did your master say anything?"  

Huo Shu answered bluntly: "He told me to find another trade."  

He briefly recounted the day’s events.  

Ji Yangzong slammed the table upon hearing it: "That Lao Qiao, big in stature but petty in heart! Even if you couldn’t become family, you’re still fellow villagers! How unreasonable!"  

"Well, if Master Qiao has found a new son-in-law, that’s a good thing for him."  

Ji Yangzong frowned. Though Huo Shu had learned most of the butchering trade and could theoretically set up his own shop, starting halfway like this without a master’s connections meant no one would trust him as a proper butcher. Work would still go to the established names.  

"Butchering isn’t some grand trade anyway. Don’t worry, I’ll keep an eye out for other work. Let’s just focus on getting through the New Year first."  

Even as he said this, Ji Yangzong couldn’t help but fret. As the village head, he knew exactly how tough it was to find a job.  

They could always fall back on farming, and Huo Shu was strong and capable. But to see such a man buried in the fields, earning barely anything all year, felt like a waste.  

Huo Shu gave a noncommittal response.  

"If there’s no work, you might as well just peel chestnuts for me. I’ll pay you wages."  

Ji Taoyu, watching Huo Shu sit and mechanically peel chestnuts after talking with his father, could tell his mind was elsewhere. His expression was unusually solemn.  

Worried that Huo Shu was upset about the incident with Butcher Qiao, he tried to lighten the mood.  

"Daily pay, no delays, I promise."  

"How much money do you even have to pay me?"  

Huo Shu raised an eyebrow at the munching young ger.  

"Aside from my own savings, Great-Grandma gave me some money after the wedding. Mother and Father did too."  

Ji Taoyu counted on his fingers: "Plus, my husband gave me quite a bit. It’s more than enough. So don’t worry—for now, at least, I can afford it. Just focus on your work."  

Huo Shu couldn’t help but smile, his gaze softening.  

Seeing this, Ji Taoyu moved behind Huo Shu and began kneading his shoulders, hoping to be a considerate little quilt to ease his hardworking husband’s muscles after a long day.  

But some people’s shoulders were just incredibly sturdy, all sinew and muscle. His hands ached after just a few presses.  

"Worst case, I can always see patients or make ointments to sell to peddlers. We’ll manage somehow. You—"  

Before he could finish, his waist was seized, and suddenly he was pulled into Huo Shu’s lap.  

Staring at Huo Shu’s stubbled jaw, his heart raced uncontrollably.  

He blinked, not yet processing what was happening, when that stubble scraped against his chin, then his cheek.  

Ji Taoyu’s face flushed crimson, his breath quickening. Though seated securely in Huo Shu’s arms, he still clutched at his sleeves, as if needing something to hold onto.

My Fulang is a Delicate Flower Chapter 40 Part 3

“It’s freezing! Before, Mother would just push the door open and come in, why did I have to open it this time?”  

“You silly child, you’re married now. How can I just barge into your room? From now on, come out for breakfast yourself, I won’t bring it to you anymore.”  

Ji Taoyu quickly threw on thick clothes, bundling himself up before sitting at the table to eat the noodles.  

“Right, I almost forgot I’m married.”  

Mainly because it had only been a ceremony - eating, drinking, and daily life were still at home. When he opened his eyes, it was still his familiar room. Since he hadn’t woken up in an unfamiliar place, he didn’t feel like he’d married out yet.  

Huang Manjing sighed. Thinking that fortunately his ger hadn’t married out—otherwise, how would this personality fare?  

She quietly watched the ger happily slurping noodles, his complexion rosy and spirits high. Tentatively, she asked, “You… you don’t feel unwell anywhere, do you?”  

Ji Taoyu shook his head honestly. “No.”  

Apart from the pain when Huo Shu had poked him a couple of times during their wedding night, he hadn’t felt any discomfort. But after stopping last night, it was fine.  

That said, when Huo Shu’s large frame pressed down on him, he had almost lost his breath. If they had married as strangers, wouldn’t he have been terrified?  

Huang Manjing immediately understood the situation.  

“He really can’t indulge you any further.”  

“Huh?”  

Ji Taoyu looked at his mother in confusion.  

“Never mind. Eat up.”  

“By the way, where is he?”  

“He went into the city.”  

____

When Huo Shu rode his horse to the butcher shop, Fang He was just opening the door. Seeing him, Fang He froze slightly.  

“Brother Huo, you’re here.”  

“Mn.”  

Huo Shu responded, “Has Master Qiao come yet?”  

As soon as he spoke, an unhappy voice sounded behind him. “Oh? The groom has time to come today?”  

Huo Shu turned and saw Butcher Qiao walking over with his hands behind his back.  

His brow twitched slightly, but he didn’t argue. Instead, he followed Butcher Qiao into the shop.  

Fang He, noticing the tense atmosphere, frowned and hurried in after them.  

“You came at the right time, I just had something to discuss with you.”  

Butcher Qiao walked straight behind the counter as if bringing up an ordinary matter, taking out his knives to sharpen them on the whetstone.  

“This shop of mine is small, it can’t support too many people long-term. Now that you’re married, it must be inconvenient to come into the city every day.”  

Butcher Qiao continued, “To be honest, I originally planned to pass this shop to my son-in-law. Now that my daughter is engaged, the shop will go to him.”  

Huo Shu understood this was a dismissal. Since that was the case, he wasn’t one to cling shamelessly. “Alright. I won’t come back after this.”  

Butcher Qiao saw that Huo Shu showed no regret at all about losing the chance to inherit the shop, which made him even more displeased. Seeing how readily Huo Shu agreed, he couldn’t help but add,  

“Well, you learn fast. Even if you leave now, starting your own business won’t be hard. And even if you don’t stay in this trade, your father-in-law has connections, finding you other work won’t be difficult.”  

Huo Shu ignored the sour tone. “Thank you for your guidance all this time, Master Qiao.”  

“What guidance could I give you? I’m not that capable.”  

Huo Shu had no interest in arguing, especially since Butcher Qiao had treated him decently before. Rather than listen to more complaints, he simply cupped his hands. “I’ll take my leave.”

Butcher Qiao stared blankly at the man who had just strode away, suddenly feeling as though he had thrown a punch into cotton.  

[一拳頭打在了棉花上 (yī quántou dǎ zài le miánhua shang): lit. A fist hitting cotton; fig. Efforts met with no resistance or effect]  

It was clearly he who had driven the man out, yet somehow it seemed as though the man had quit on his own accord.  

This thought only made Butcher Qiao more irritable. With a loud clang, he threw his cleaver onto the chopping block.  

Fang He cautiously glanced at Butcher Qiao a couple of times before hurrying out after Huo Shu: "Brother Huo!"  

Huo Shu, already mounted on his horse, looked at Fang He as he ran out: "What is it?"  

Fang He gazed at Huo Shu apologetically: "About Master…"  

"It’s not your concern."  

"No, no."  

Fang He suddenly lowered his head and said, "I only found out after Master returned from the county town, he had his eye on you from the start. He originally wanted to betroth Qiao’er to you so his craft would have someone to carry it on."  

"Master had planned to discuss the marriage with you as soon as he returned, but then he suddenly heard you were already engaged. He was furious. When I proposed to Qiao’er while he was still angry, he agreed in a fit of temper. Now both families are already preparing for the wedding."  

The more Fang He spoke, the more uncomfortable he felt. Now that Huo Shu had been driven away today, his guilt only deepened: "For me to act like that at such a time… I truly feel ashamed."  

Huo Shu’s brow twitched slightly: "I have no interest in the Qiao girl, nor in the butcher shop. If your marriage can go through, that’s a good thing. Why feel guilty? All this was meant to be yours anyway."  

"But… what will you do from now on?"  

Huo Shu replied, "There are countless trades in this world. Do you think I can’t find another path? Go back. It’s fine."  

Fang He watched Huo Shu’s horse disappear into the distance and called out after him: "Brother Huo, come visit often!"  

Huo Shu waved a hand in response and guided his horse away at a leisurely pace.  

He had never intended to stick with this trade forever. It was just that his days had been occupied with matters concerning Ji Taoyu, leaving him little time to think about what he would do next.  

Even if there were changes, they should have come no earlier than next spring. Now, his plans had been abruptly disrupted.  

My Fulang is a Delicate Flower Chapter 40 Part 2

The slightest increase in force, and Ji Taoyu would cry out in unbearable pain. The more he resisted, the more excited Huo Shu became, yet he knew the other truly couldn’t endure it. If he forced the matter, who knew what might happen?  

So of course he wasn’t faring much better.  

Still, despite the discomfort, watching the peacefully sleeping figure in his arms, he was willing to restrain himself.  

The wedding candles had burned out, and a faint gray light seeped through the papered window - dawn was approaching.  

Huo Shu opened his eyes. He usually rose at this hour to practice martial forms, but today… never mind. 

Just as he was about to close his eyes again, the person in his arms suddenly trembled, letting out two sharp breaths before jolting awake.  

Ji Taoyu’s back was coated in a layer of cold sweat, jolted awake from a dream.  

“What’s wrong? A nightmare?”  

Hearing the slightly rough voice, Ji Taoyu remembered Huo Shu was still here.  

He lifted his gaze to the man’s concerned expression, then buried his face against Huo Shu’s neck, whining, “I dreamed of a giant python coiling around my legs, opening its mouth to bite me. The pain woke me up.”  

Huo Shu coughed dryly and patted the back of Ji Taoyu’s head.  

“It’s just a dream.”  

“It’s your fault. I never had nightmares like this before.”  

Despite the complaint, Ji Taoyu stayed pressed against Huo Shu for a long while, not pulling away, instead clinging even tighter

“You’re so warm… like a giant tangpozi.”  

They hadn’t even used a foot warmer last night, yet his hands and feet hadn’t felt the slightest chill. The bed had never been this cozy before.  

He nuzzled against Huo Shu happily: No wonder people say it’s best to marry before the New Year. 

Huo Shu sighed inwardly: This fool’s nice and warm, but what about me? 

“I’m going back to sleep.”  

Ji Taoyu’s voice trailed off as he spoke. By the time Huo Shu looked down, he was already asleep again.  

This time, he slept until the sun was high in the sky.  

“Should I wake him?”

Huo Shu couldn't stay in bed any longer once the sky was fully bright. He firmly tucked the person in and got up by himself.  

In the yard, he practiced a set of martial arts, chopped firewood, and fetched water. In just a quarter of an hour, he finished all the work meant for Daniu, making Daniu feel rather embarrassed.  

Seeing that it was almost time for breakfast and Ji Taoyu still hadn’t gotten up, Huo Shu mentioned it.  

Ji Yangzong thought his ger was truly unreasonable—normally sleeping in was one thing, but sleeping so late on the first day after marriage was just asking to be laughed at, especially when his son-in-law had already done a full round of chores.  

He initially intended to agree with Huo Shu and go wake him up, but Huang Manjing shot him a glare. Confused, Ji Yangzong thought to himself that it was only because they were still at home, if Ji Taoyu had really married into another family, he wondered if his mother-in-law would tolerate this behavior.

Glancing over, he saw Huo Shu, dressed in thin autumn clothes, walking past with an armful of firewood for the kitchen. While everyone else was bundled up like brown bears, he alone wore light clothing yet remained full of energy.  

Seeing that Huo Shu hadn’t even eaten breakfast and had already done so much strenuous work early in the morning - looking like he could still plow two acres of land, Ji Yangzong suddenly remembered something and couldn’t help but cough dryly.  

“He always sleeps more in winter. Let him rest. We’ll eat first.”  

Huo Shu naturally said nothing, and the few of them had breakfast in the main hall.  

They ate noodle soup with minced meat made from yesterday’s leftover preserved vegetable and braised pork.  

“Now that we’re in the twelfth month, the New Year is just around the corner. With the big family matter settled, there’s not much else to do. Daniu, you can go home early for the New Year this time.”  

At the table, Ji Yangzong said to the laborer, “You can pack up and leave today. There’s plenty of good food left from the banquet, take some home with you. You’ve spent most of the year away from home, and it’s not easy for your family.”  

Daniu was overjoyed to hear he could go home early for the New Year and quickly said, “Thank you, village head.”  

He wasn’t from Mingxun Village but was the son of a tenant family from another village. Because his family struggled, he had to work as a laborer away from home, rarely getting the chance to return even during holidays. Only at the end of the year could he go back once.  

The sound of firecrackers everywhere in the twelfth month always made him miss home even more.  

After speaking, Ji Yangzong turned to Huo Shu. “Yesterday, I noticed your master didn’t come to the banquet. He must still be upset about what happened before. Since you have time, go and check on him. After all, you work under him, so you can’t just leave things unresolved.”  

Huo Shu agreed. Even if Ji Yangzong hadn’t mentioned it, he would have gone.  

After breakfast, Huo Shu left for the city.  

Ji Yangzong, meanwhile, had to return the tables, chairs, pots, and pans borrowed from the villagers for the banquet.  

Huang Manjing picked out some intact leftover dishes like chicken, duck, and pork knuckles to bring to Yuan Huiru. She thought it was a pity, after finally gaining an adopted son to rely on, Huo Shu had now joined their family, leaving her alone again. She felt a little guilty about it.  

Now that they were family, they ought to visit each other more often.  

After returning from the Zhao family’s place, Huang Manjing noticed Ji Taoyu still hadn’t gotten up. She cooked another bowl of noodles and banged loudly on Ji Taoyu’s door.  

After a long while, hurried footsteps sounded from inside. The door opened, and then the figure quickly darted back in.  

Huang Manjing stared blankly at the swiftly retreating ger. After closing the door, she went in and set the noodles down.  

My Fulang is a Delicate Flower Chapter 40 Part 1

Chapter 40

Huo Shu had anticipated that the ger would cry.  

But he hadn’t expected it to happen even before they had properly begun…  

Looking at the person lying on the bed with reddened eyes, two deep crimson bite marks on his lower lip from holding back, already sobbing to the point of breathlessness—  

He hastily closed his robe, hurriedly got off the bed to pour a cup of warm water, and helped the ger sit up.  

Ji Taoyu looked as if he had fallen into a water vat, drenched all over, his forehead covered in sweat.  

The warm water slid down his throat, slightly soothing the soreness and rawness.  

Huo Shu let him lean against his chest, gently patting his trembling shoulders in reassurance.  

Only when his breathing steadied did Huo Shu ask, “Feeling better?”  

Ji Taoyu sniffled, unsure whether Huo Shu was merely asking if the water had helped or if he meant to continue once he felt better.  

The thought of the latter made him shiver.  

Not better at all.

Yet selfishly, he thought it wasn’t Huo Shu’s fault, just that 'the act itself' was unbearable.  

He pressed his lips together, wanting to ask for more time, but before he could speak, he hissed in pain—his bitten lower lip stung sharply at the slightest touch.  

If they were to continue now, it would surely…  

“Is it… is it supposed to be like this?”  

Ji Taoyu’s voice was hoarse. At this point, he could no longer hold back, nor did he care what was appropriate to say. The question spilled from his heart: “One key opens one lock. If… if the key and the lock don’t match, then… how can it possibly work?”  

Though the bed curtains were drawn and they were buried beneath the mandarin duck quilt, he hadn’t seen the exact dimensions of this key. But… upon contact, he could certainly feel it, enough to roughly gauge its size.  

At this thought, his face burned again.  

The keyhole is only so big. If the key is too large, of course it won’t fit. If forced, wouldn’t it just break the lock?  

Back when he had secretly read those illustrated books under the covers, the depictions of tangled phoenixes and merged heavens made it seem like such a blissful, divine experience.  

It had made him flush crimson, and thinking of Huo Shu’s tall, powerful frame, he had assumed: Of course it would work, no matter what. He had even swallowed nervously, feeling… a secret anticipation.  

After their engagement, his nights had been filled with all sorts of indecent dreams.  

Now that the moment had finally arrived, he hadn’t expected it to be like this.  

Too much… isn’t good either. Those books exaggerated everything, they never mentioned this part!  

His heart was both shocked and a little sad.  

Huo Shu frowned at his analogy. “People and locks aren’t the same.”  

“Then… then why does it hurt so much?”  

Ji Taoyu hurriedly defended his reasoning, his voice trembling slightly.  

Seeing this, Huo Shu couldn’t help but feel a pang of guilt. He had no choice but to admit fault. “I was too impatient.”  

Then, softening his tone, he added, “Your senses are more delicate than most. It’s only natural you couldn’t handle it.”  

At these words, Ji Taoyu’s eyes suddenly lowered, a faint mist gathering in them.  

Huo Shu was at a loss, how did comforting him end up making him cry again? 

He quickly set the cup aside and tucked Ji Taoyu back under the blankets.  

Perhaps worried that the one he had finally obtained might now refuse to stay with him, Huo Shu said, “We’ve come this far. No backing out.”  

Ji Taoyu looked up at him with teary eyes, nestled in Huo Shu’s arms. “I… I’m not backing out. I just… I’m afraid you’ll find me troublesome. This is supposed to be a major life event, yet we can’t even… complete it properly.”  

Huo Shu tightened his arms around the soft, pliant figure. “If I were the type to find you troublesome, we wouldn’t have made it this far.”  

“We’ll take it slow. No need to rush.”  

The words seemed directed at Ji Taoyu, but even more like a reminder to himself.  

Ji Taoyu sniffled and buried himself in Huo Shu’s embrace for a long while before suddenly lifting his head to study the man’s unreadable expression.  

He wrapped his arms around Huo Shu’s neck, leaned in, and pressed a kiss to his lips, then rested his forehead against Huo Shu’s with tender affection. “You... You won’t… return me, will you?”  

Huo Shu’s grip on Ji Taoyu’s slender waist tightened, an indescribable warmth stirring in his heart. “Could I even if I wanted to?”  

Ji Taoyu found this response highly unsettling. Burying himself deeper into Huo Shu’s embrace, he gritted his teeth and said. “Then… let’s try again.”  

Huo Shu ruffled his soft hair. “There’s no hurry. We have plenty of time.”  

Ji Taoyu exhaled in relief. “You said it yourself. You… you can’t blame me if I’m no good.”  

“Mn.”  

Ji Taoyu nuzzled against him, thinking this man was easy to talk to.  

But after a moment, he glanced up again. “Then… aren’t you uncomfortable?”  

Huo Shu was about to ask what he meant when he noticed Ji Taoyu’s gaze drifting downward.  

His brow twitched: This little one used to be so innocent, since when did he learn to say such things?

“Go to sleep. Don’t laze in bed tomorrow morning.”  

Before Ji Taoyu could get an answer, a large hand covered his eyes.  

He could only mumble, “Oh.”  

Huo Shu barely slept the entire night. Having a soft little ger suddenly in his arms was… something he wasn’t used to.  

But that wasn’t the main issue.  

During his years guarding the border, with life and death hanging by a thread, he had rarely felt desire

But now, with this person in his embrace - skin smooth as silk, waist pliant like satin, whimpering beneath him, all those suppressed urges surged forth uncontrollably, yet with no outlet.  

My Fulang is a Delicate Flower Chapter 39 Part 3

The heavy robe were suffocating, pressing tightly against him.  

He shuffled to the table to pour himself some water when suddenly the door creaked open. He hurried back to the bed, only to see his mother entering.  

"Wipe your mouth after eating and reapply some rouge with the red paper. I’ll come back later to clear the dishes."  

[红纸 (hóngzhǐ): lit. red paper; fig. traditionally dyed paper used for applying lip color or rouge, made from materials like rice paper or thin fabric coated with natural red pigments, often used in weddings for auspicious symbolism.]

Ji Taoyu watched as his mother brought in an array of dishes - chicken, duck, fish, river delicacies, each portion small but varied, covering half the table.  

He scurried over, pulling a stool to sit down. "I thought brides weren’t supposed to eat during weddings?"  

"Huo Shu asked me to bring these for you."  

Huang Manjing arranged the dishes as she spoke. "Quite indulgent of him, worrying you might starve."  

Ji Taoyu flushed slightly. "I only mentioned it to him once before, saying that brides don’t get to eat the feast, and can only eat the leftovers. I didn't expect he still remembered it."  

Although he was embarrassed, his chopsticks didn’t stop moving.  

He stuffed a slice of braised meat into his mouth. After the morning’s exhaustion without a single bite, his stomach was utterly hollow.  

"Where is he?"  

"Look at you, so eager, aren’t you afraid of being teased? He’s outside with your father, acknowledging relatives and toasting."  

Ji Taoyu chuckled. "No one would dare pressure him to drink."  

Huang Manjing laughed too. "Exactly. No one dares challenge him in drinking games."  

With the door closed, Ji Taoyu feasted on chicken wings and peeled prawns until his belly was round and satisfied.  

Now content, he washed his hands and wiped his face before reapplying rouge as his mother instructed.  

Outside, people were drinking and the sky was gradually getting dark. Once tidied up, he replaced the veil and sat properly by the bed again.  

Nearly everyone in the village had come, along with outsiders acquainted with Ji Yangzong, filling dozens of banquet tables.  

Such a lively feast was rare. Ji Yangzong led his son-in-law table by table, toasting with pride.  

Huo Shu wasn’t one for flowery words. Ji Yangzong introduced each guest, and he politely acknowledged them with a toast.  

Ge Liang, as Huo Shu’s guest, helped fend off drinks, worried he might be overwhelmed.  

After making the rounds, seeing the hour grow late and the banquet winding down, Ji Yangzong considerately waved Huo Shu off.  

With Huo Shu’s imposing demeanor, no one dared suggest teasing the newlyweds or barging into the bridal chamber—sparing the newlyweds an awkward tradition.  

Standing before the door adorned with a red "喜" (double happiness) character, Huo Shu took a steadying breath. It was the first time he’d entered this room through the front door.  

Inside, red silk and paper cuttings transformed the space, making it unrecognizable from before.  

He walked straight to the bed, only to pause at the sight before him.  

The bride who should have been sitting properly at the bedside, waiting for the groom, was instead sprawled across the bed, fast asleep—utterly unbothered by wedding-day nerves.  

Amused, Huo Shu bent down quietly, pulling the blanket over the sleeping ger. But the moment the fabric touched him, Ji Taoyu who curled up on his side blinked awake.  

Dazed, he stared at Huo Shu before snapping to awareness.  

"Y-you… Is it over outside?"  

Ji Taoyu scrambled upright, hastily smoothing his hair and robe.  

"I ate a little and got drowsy… must’ve dozed off by accident."  

Huo Shu caught his fluttering hands. "Did you eat enough?"  

Ji Taoyu paused, cheeks flushing as he nodded.  

"Why’s your mouth so red?"  

Ji Taoyu pressed his lips together. "It’s from the red paper. Does… does it look bad?"  

Huo Shu studied his lips, like April crabapple blossoms, but didn’t answer. Instead, he stood up and abruptly undid his belt.  

Ji Taoyu’s face burned. He turned away but couldn’t resist stealing glances, curious what Huo Shu looked like without the outer robe.  

Huo Shu tossed the wedding robe aside, leaving only a crimson inner garment. Freed from the belt’s restraint, the loose fabric accentuated his broad shoulders and straight posture.  

As the half-undressed man approached, Ji Taoyu’s heart pounded wildly.  

Th-this man... why isn’t he wearing... no, no, that’s not what I meant! He’s really rushing into things!

Clutching his sleeves, he stammered, "N-no! We haven’t even drunk the unity wine yet!"  

[Wedding unity wine (合卺酒, héjǐn jiǔ): a traditional Chinese wedding ritual where the bride and groom drink from two red-lacquered cups (often tied together with red silk) to symbolize their union, with the shared act representing harmony, mutual commitment, and the blending of their lives.]

"'No' what?"  

Huo Shu lifted his sleeve. "The wedding robe reeks of alcohol. Doesn’t it bother you?"  

"Ah?"  

Ji Taoyu’s mouth fell open, his face burning hotter. He really had been too groggy.  

Tilting his chin up, he smiled sheepishly. "I thought you were tired and wanted to sleep."  

Huo Shu looked at the young ger in wedding robe. He just woke up and seemed to be much softer than usual. The thought of seeing him wake up every day made everything worthwhile.

He extended a hand. Ji Taoyu hesitated before placing his own in Huo Shu’s palm.  

At the table, they poured two cups of wine and performed the unity wine ritual.  

Ji Taoyu never drank. Watching Huo Shu down his cup like water, he gulped his own—only to tear up from the burn.  

The wine carried a hint of peach, made from fruits he’d picked in the yard. It was buried under the peach tree and was opened yesterday to drink at the wedding ceremony.

It was a pity that no matter how good the wine smelled, he couldn't tell whether it was good or bad. He only felt a strong spicy taste.

"Where’s my veil?"  

Only after drinking did Ji Taoyu realize he’d forgotten to have the groom lift his bridal veil.  

Huo Shu retrieved it from the foot of the bed.  

Ji Taoyu took it. "Should I put it back on so you can lift it properly?"  

"Empty formality."  

Ji Taoyu eyed his stern husband. "If this is empty formality, what isn’t?"  

Huo Shu arched a brow, sweeping him into a bridal carry. "The wedding night isn’t."

My Fulang is a Delicate Flower Chapter 39 Part 2

Ji Yangzong had seven siblings, and today, both paternal and maternal cousins had come. With four of them crowding into the room at once, the atmosphere turned bustling.  

"Tao ger, your wedding robes are stunning! The stitching is so fine, the patterns so unique. I’ve never even seen fabric like this before!"  

Li ger, from the eldest branch of the family, reached out to touch the bright red robes hanging on the rack, his voice full of awe and envy. "Were these custom-made or bought from a cloth shop?"  

"From Shili Cloth Shop. The fabric was newly stocked, only a few feet of this red material came in this time. I happened to get there just in time and bought all of it."  

Ji Taoyu raised his brows proudly. Of course the patterns and fabric were exceptional, they’d been specially given to him by Third Sister Wu. No amount of money could buy them otherwise.  

"If only I could have robes like these for my wedding," Li ger sighed wistfully.  

"Unfortunately, my stepmother already took my measurements two days ago, saying she’d make me a set herself. At the earliest, I won’t be marrying for another two years, but at least the size should still fit by then."  

Yuanhong, a cousin from Ji Taoyu’s fourth aunt’s family, chimed in: "I heard Tao ger’s groom gave a bride price of a full hundred and twenty taels! When my father heard about such an amount, his eyes nearly popped out. He already sets high demands for dowries, but now that Tao ger’s set the standard, he’ll have even more to say."  

She sighed. "At the rate my father’s going, who knows when I’ll ever get married."  

Ji Chun, from the second branch of the family, combed Ji Taoyu’s hair as she said, "I don’t need fancy wedding robes, and I’m not hung up on a big bride price. I just wish I could marry someone who’d let me stay at home like Tao ger. On a wedding day, it’s the men who celebrate, they get to bring someone into the family. But for the bride’s side, it’s a sorrowful affair, losing a daughter or ger, leaving parents with one less child."  

At this, the whole group nodded in shared understanding.  

"How did Sixth Uncle have such sharp eyes to find such a good son-in-law?"  

"Our Tao ger has been blessed since childhood. Whenever I visited, there was never a shortage of snacks, this good fortune is bound to last a lifetime!"  

Seeing his cousins’ envy, Ji Taoyu teased, "Not a word about how I was constantly drinking medicine as a child or forbidden from going out, huh?"  

"Want to trade places with this frail body of mine?"  

"Come on, let’s trade! Whoever backs out is a coward!"  

The room erupted in laughter until Ji Yangzong, rushing past outside, barked through the window: "Enough fooling around! It’s a wedding day! Grown-ups acting like this, outrageous!"  

Only then did the group stifle their giggles.  

Because it was a marriage where the groom moved into the bride’s family, but not entirely so—

the customary rites were somewhat difficult to follow, as they couldn’t proceed in the usual manner.  

Thus, when the time came, Huo Shu still arrived with gongs and drums, and the wedding ceremony was held at the Ji residence.  

By afternoon, relatives and friends from both families gradually arrived, and the spacious courtyard grew livelier.  

Heaven was merciful, it didn’t rain. Though the ground was muddy, the absence of rain made it feel a little warmer.  

When firecrackers burst and the gongs sounded, all the guests stood up from their seats to catch a glimpse of the groom.  

"This young man, even on his wedding day, still wears that stern face, huh."  

"Strict as he looks, there’s no denying his imposing presence, tall on his horse, a fine figure indeed."  

The villagers chattered while enjoying the spectacle and wedding candies.  

Amid the crackling bursts of firecrackers, the couple prepared to enter the main hall where they would soon perform their ceremonial bows - first to Yuan Huiru, then to Ji Yangzong and his wife as part of the wedding rites.

Ji Taoyu, covered by a red veil, was led out from the room. He could only see his own feet and nothing else around him.  

Though it was his own home, his cousin had told him that a brazier had been prepared outside, and he still had to step over it.  

Guided carefully into the courtyard, he walked cautiously, afraid of accidentally stepping into the brazier and becoming the laughingstock of the guests.  

When the clan elder serving as ceremony master announced the crossing of the brazier, he lifted the hem of his robe slightly, ready to step over—but suddenly, his feet left the ground, and the surroundings erupted in cheers.  

Ji Taoyu nestled in Huo Shu’s arms, his face beneath the red veil burning crimson.  

Just moments ago, he had complained that the veil blocked his view, preventing him from seeing Huo Shu on this special day. Now, he was grateful for it—otherwise, he might have died of embarrassment.  

Huo Shu paid no mind to the crowd’s teasing. His eyes were fixed on the ger wrapped tightly in wedding robes. Only after confirming under the veil that it was indeed the right person did he stride confidently into the hall.  

Better not have someone swapped in his place, one must always be cautious.  

Once inside, Huo Shu set the ger down. Worried his partner might stumble blindly, he wanted to hold his hand, but the ceremony master handed them a red silk ribbon instead, each had to hold one end.  

Bound by etiquette, he had no choice but to comply, though he shortened the distance between them.  

Perhaps due to sleeping late, rising early, and washing his hair at dawn, Ji Taoyu felt somewhat dizzy. He followed the ceremony master's commands—bowing to heaven and earth, then to the parents.  

By the time they bowed to each other as husband and wife, he had regained some clarity, glancing down to see Huo Shu’s large feet.  

After the ordeal, Ji Taoyu was sent back to the room.  

Earlier, his cousins had kept him company while he dressed up, but now that the ceremony was over, they had all gone out to chat and feast, leaving the room silent and empty except for him.  

Ji Taoyu sat obediently by the bed for a while, listening to the dishes being announced outside. His stomach growled, and he swallowed hard before lifting the veil himself.  

My Fulang is a Delicate Flower Chapter 39 Part 1

Chapter 39  

Before dawn, Ji Taoyu was pulled out of bed.  

Huang Manjing brought in a large basin of scented water and soaked Ji Taoyu’s sleep-numbed hands in it

"What’s the occasion, still lazing around? Wake up quickly!"  

Ji Taoyu propped his hands in the warm water, mumbling sleepily, "Wedding, wedding—it’s not till dusk anyway. Waking up early just means waiting longer."  

"Such nonsense. Don’t you need to get ready and change into your wedding robe?"  

Huang Manjing urged, "I’ve fetched hot water for the bathing room. Go take a bath."  

With his mother nagging like this, Ji Taoyu couldn’t stay drowsy even if he wanted to.  

It was all because he’d been too excited last night, even hiding under the covers to review that little illustrated booklet, keeping himself awake until midnight. He only managed to fall asleep after lighting some sleep-inducing incense.  

The consequence was that he found it even harder to wake up in the morning.  

"We shouldn’t have gotten married in winter, taking a bath this early is freezing!"  

Huang Manjing took out the wedding robe sent from the city, shook them out to inspect them, and chuckled at the complaints coming from the bathing room.  

"Then go tell your father and Huo Shu to postpone the wedding till next summer."  

Ji Taoyu huddled in the bathtub, thinking about how everyone outside was already busy preparing the feast. At this point, backing out was no longer an option.  

"Don’t soak too long, you’ll catch a cold."  

Huang Manjing brought in a charcoal brazier. "I’ve got another brazier for you. The room’s plenty warm now. Just come out in your undergarments and put on the wedding robe."  

"Coming, coming!"  

Ji Taoyu slipped on a thin underrobe, hugged his arms, and dashed back into the room, shivering as he warmed his hands and feet by the brazier.  

Huang Manjing took out a dry cloth to dry his hair. Seeing Ji Taoyu’s undergarments were a festive red, she smiled.  

"This red fabric really suits you, makes you look so much livelier."  

Hearing this, Ji Taoyu glanced at himself in the bronze mirror. With rosy lips and white teeth, he did seem much more spirited.  

He couldn’t help but preen a little: Such a delicate little ger, and he's going to be wasted on a rough man like Huo Shu.  

"You look just like your little grandfather. He was famously beautiful in his time."  

[Little grandfather (小阿祖, xiǎo ā zǔ):  Grandfather (ger)]

Ji Taoyu snapped out of his thoughts and pursed his lips. "Mother, you never met little grandfather, did you?"  

Huang Manjing’s voice suddenly carried a hint of melancholy. "I’ve seen his portrait, in your grandfather’s room."  

Ji Taoyu rarely heard his mother speak of his little grandfather. It was said that his little grandfather had passed away due to complications during her birth.  

Grandfather and little grandfather had been deeply devoted, and little grandfather’s death had hit Grandfather hard, leaving him depressed for a long time.  

When little grandfather passed, Grandfather was only around twenty, yet he never remarried, remaining single to this day.  

That his mother would bring up little grandfather today must mean she was truly happy.  

He said, "Grandfather said little grandfather was a nobleman’s son back then, while Grandfather was just a wandering physician. How did they even meet? Every time I ask, he won’t tell me."  

Huang Manjing said, "Your grandfather’s family had fallen from grace, so he traveled around practicing medicine. But in earlier generations, our ancestors were even imperial physicians. So, in a way, there’s still some scholarly heritage."  

"When your grandfather traveled to Yuchang Prefecture, the area was mountainous and treacherous, but rich in medicinal herbs. Young and passionate about medicine, he stayed there for quite some time. Your little grandfather was from Yuchang Prefecture, he'd been frail since childhood, constantly reliant on medicine, so he’d seen all kinds of physicians."  

At the time, Huang Yinsheng gathered rare herbs while also treating the sick.  

On one hand, it let him encounter difficult cases to hone his skills; on the other, he needed income to sustain his travels.  

By chance, he was invited to the Xiao family’s estate to treat the young master.  

Back then, the Xiao family’s young master was in the prime of youth - frail and sickly, but well-read and deeply cultured. Huang Yinsheng, coming from a family of physicians, was no slouch in learning either.  

Beyond being doctor and patient, the two found they got along well.  

Over time, their feelings deepened into something more.  

"The Xiao family was surprisingly understanding. Seeing how well-matched the two were, and how skilled your grandfather was in medicine, ensuring he could care for your little grandfather, they consented to the marriage, even though your grandfather had nothing to his name at the time."  

"After marriage, their life was harmonious, and your little grandfather’s health improved greatly. But then… I came along…"  

Noticing the slight tremor in his mother’s voice, Ji Taoyu gently squeezed her hand in comfort.

"Your little grandfather was too frail to travel far. He always spoke of wanting to visit Jiangnan, but never got the chance. A few years after his passing, your grandfather brought me to Tongzhou. Later, when I married your father, your grandfather never mentioned returning to Yuchang again."  

Huang Manjing said, "These are things you should have known long ago. There just wasn’t a good time to tell you before. Now you’ve grown up and are getting married, it’s only right you learn about our family’s past."  

With that, she pinched Ji Taoyu’s cheek. "Alright, your hair’s about done."  

Just as Ji Taoyu was about to speak, a burst of noise came from outside - cousins from the Ji family had arrived.  

A group of similar-aged gers and girls squeezed into the room, calling out in unison: "Sixth Aunt! Tao ger!"  

It had been a long time since Ji Taoyu had seen so many cousins gathered together, and his face lit up with a smile as he greeted each of them.  

Huang Manjing said, "You’re all here at just the right time, help Xiao Taozi get ready."  

"Of course! Sixth Aunt, you go ahead, the Four Master Services and Six Specialty Teams are here!"  

The moment Huang Manjing stepped out, the group of cousins immediately relaxed and grew livelier.  

My Fulang is a Delicate Flower Chapter 38 Part 4

However, despite lowering his status, no one came forward to negotiate. Furious, You Lingxiao finally realized just how deeply his past actions had affected him.  

But life had to go on. For survival, he had no choice but to seek merchant patronage, even reducing his usual fee by ten percent.  

After much effort, he completely discarded the dignity of a scholar and barely managed to strike deals with two families, just enough to repay the family’s debts.  

While the You family languished in decline, the Ji family was bustling with joy.  

Fortunately, Ji Yangzong had sent Daniu early to reserve poultry and fresh fish—otherwise, with so many year-end celebrations, they’d have had to scramble for banquet ingredients.  

The Ji family was busy, and Huo Shu was even busier. Besides preparing for the wedding and overseeing the banquet, he still had his own work to attend to, leaving him no free time.  

When Ge Liang found out Huo Shu was now working as a butcher, he referred all the village’s livestock-slaughtering requests to him, forcing Huo Shu to run between two villages.  

At the start of the twelfth lunar month, Butcher Qiao returned to Tongzhou with his wife and children from Nanyu County.  

As the year’s final month approached, festive atmospheres began to emerge in lively areas, with occasional firecracker sounds.  

On the way back from the county town, he passed many families holding weddings, which left him rather envious.  

Upon returning, he cheerfully visited the village.  

"Butcher Qiao’s back! How’s your father-in-law’s health?"  

"Still holding on, he pulled through another crisis."  

"That’s good news. You’ve returned just in time, there’s a feast in the village!"  

Butcher Qiao ran into familiar villagers who handed him a handful of roasted pumpkin seeds and chatted for a bit.  

Hearing about the banquet, Butcher Qiao cracked a seed and asked curiously, "Which family’s celebrating?"  

"The village head’s! His ger's getting married!"  

"Well now, that’s a big occasion for our village!"  

Butcher Qiao grinned. "Which family’s son is the lucky one?"  

"The Zhao family, the one Yuan niangzi’s adopted son belongs to."  

"Who?!"  

Butcher Qiao’s smile froze, and the pumpkin seeds in his hand suddenly lost their flavor.  

"Huo Shu, the one who apprenticed under you."  

The villager laughed. "You’re his master, you’ll be seated at the main table for the feast!"  

"That disciple of yours is impressive. Rumor has it he paid a hundred and twenty taels in betrothal gifts, the village head was overjoyed."  

A big stone seemed to roll over Butcher Qiao’s heart. He hastily excused himself and rushed to the Ji residence.  

At first, he hadn’t believed it, but from afar, he could see the courtyard scrubbed clean and decorated with lanterns—clearly, a wedding was imminent.  

"Ah! Lao Qiao’s back! Everything go smoothly?"  

Ji Yangzong spotted the wide-eyed man at the gate and went to greet him.  

"The village head’s place is lively. I just got back and already heard about the wedding."  

Butcher Qiao said sourly, "If I’d returned two days later, I might’ve missed it."  

"Don’t be like that. The eighth was the most auspicious date, so we had to move quickly. Our ger is not getting any younger."  

Butcher Qiao spoke bluntly. "I’ll be frank, Lao Ji, this is downright unfair! I told you I wanted Huo Shu as my son-in-law, and then you swoop in and take him? What kind of logic is that?!"  

Ji Yangzong, feeling slightly guilty, replied placatingly, "Now, now, ‘take’ is too strong a word. Marriage is about mutual consent. Huo Shu said he wanted to marry our Xiao Taozi. If the ger's willing, how could I, as his father, refuse?"  

"If you wanted Huo Shu, you should’ve talked to him, not me."  

Butcher Qiao knew that was true, when two families wanted the same man, one would inevitably lose out.  

But logic aside, he was still furious. "If I hadn’t been away from Tongzhou, would this marriage have happened? That’s not just taking, that’s outright poaching! Well played, you sly old fox."  

"Hey, now you’re just being rude!"  

The two people almost got into a fight before villagers hauling goods intervened and pulled them apart.  

Butcher Qiao stormed off, and Huo Shu happened to arrive just then. Unaware of the conflict, he said, "Master Qiao, you’re back. Come for the wedding feast on the eighth."  

Butcher Qiao glared at Huo Shu, his anger flaring, but he couldn’t find the right words to vent. In the end, he spat out: "Fine. You’re all just fine."  

He pointed a trembling finger at Huo Shu, but faced with the man’s impassive expression, he couldn’t bring himself to argue further, it would’ve been embarrassing.  

After all, Huo Shu hadn’t done anything wrong.  

So he huffed, clasped his hands behind his back, and strode away.  

Huo Shu, frowning, turned to Ji Yangzong in the courtyard. "What was that about?"  

"Don’t mind him. He’s just stubborn."  

Two respectable families fighting over one son-in-law became the village’s latest gossip. Who’d have thought Huo Shu would become such a hot commodity?  

Then again, with his hefty betrothal gifts and willingness to live with his in-laws, who wouldn’t want him?  

Though this minor conflict arose, it didn’t dampen the wedding spirit. Preparations continued as planned.  

On the seventh, the banquet organizers Ji Yangzong hired from town arrived, setting up tents and prepping ingredients in an orderly, bustling manner.  

Before dawn on the eighth, firecrackers woke up the sleeping villagers, who dressed and headed to the Ji residence to join the celebrations.  

My Fulang is a Delicate Flower Chapter 38 Part 3

Ji Taoyu frowned, feeling indignant on Ge Liang’s behalf.  

Huo Shu, however, was long accustomed to such things. Injustice was commonplace in the army. He, too, had once been full of fervor, only to grow disillusioned by the corruption of the court.  

If not for that, he wouldn’t have remained a mere captain after ten years of service, nor would he have left the army without hesitation after the war ended, heading south without looking back.  

Huo Shu asked, "So you plan to keep going like this?"  

"I saved a bit in the army, enough to buy some land and settle into farming. But with taxes rising every year and bandits running rampant, farming doesn’t seem promising. I can’t accept that, so I’m thinking of venturing out again."  

Ge Liang sighed. "But I’m still hesitating. No decision yet."  

"And you, Brother Huo? What do you do now?"  

Ji Taoyu answered, "Butcher."  

Ge Liang fell silent for a moment.  

"Butchering isn’t bad. It’s a skilled trade."  

Suddenly, Ge Liang felt a little better. If even Huo Shu, after ten years in the army, ended up slaughtering pigs, then his own five or six years leading to bow-making wasn’t so shameful after all.  

As they talked, they reached the path to Mingxun Village, where they had to part ways.  

Now that they’d reconnected and lived in neighboring villages, visits would be easy. They bid each other farewell.  

On the way back, news of the bandits’ suppression had already spread through the village, and the atmosphere was lively.  

Ji Taoyu felt too embarrassed to ride back openly with Huo Shu, so they took a side path instead of the main road.  

Passing by the You family’s courtyard, they even saw You Lingxiao who hadn’t left home since losing his hand, dressed up as if preparing to go out.  

The once-slender man was now gaunt to the point of emaciation. Ji Taoyu only glanced at him before quickly looking away when he noticed Huo Shu’s gaze.  

You Lingxiao had learned that the bandits had been captured and still hoped to identify the ones who had attacked him at the government office, as well as reclaim his lost silver.  

But upon investigation, none of the arrested bandits matched the description of his assailants, and without proof, his money couldn’t be recovered.  

Frustrated, he complained bitterly at the government office, angering the judicial clerks, who promptly threw him out.  

Feeling humiliated, You Lingxiao returned home somewhat reinvigorated. He began practicing writing with his left hand, hoping to restore his dignity through scholarly work.  

You's mother, seeing her son finally showing some spirit, was overjoyed. With the bandit threat gone and the village bustling with matchmaking and wedding preparations - especially the lively arrangements at the Ji family, she refused to be left behind and sought a suitable match for You Lingxiao.  

Yet, to her dismay, matchmakers in the area kept making excuses to avoid arranging anything for him. After much effort and extra silver, she finally hired a matchmaker from another village.  

But it was only then that she realized how tarnished You Lingxiao’s reputation was. Families of equal status, upon hearing it was You Erlang of the You family’s fourth branch, outright chased the matchmaker away.  

Not just those of equal standing, even ordinary families with any sense refused outright.  

Only those in dire poverty, practically selling their daughters, were willing.  

You's mother was very proud and stubborn, insisted her son was still a juren. She couldn’t bear such lowly matches.  

After all this, not a single suitable candidate could be found within ten-li-eight-village.  

At her wit’s end, You's mother, in her frustration, remembered her younger sister’s ger, Yu Xia, and decided to propose the match herself.

"Elder Sister, one should still have some conscience."  

Seeing her sister shamelessly come to propose a marriage match with You Lingxiao, even Yu's mother's gentle temper flared beyond control.  

"When Lingxiao was doing well, you looked down on the Ji family, tricked our naive Xia ger into opposing them, and never treated him as your own nephew. Out of sisterly affection, I didn’t want to say these things, but I never expected you’d specialize in scheming against your own family, as if we weren’t even human."  

"In the past, when Lingxiao was prosperous, I never relied on his influence. Now that he’s fallen, I certainly won’t sacrifice my own ger's future just to support him."  

Yu's mother  said coldly, "Sister, if you’re willing to marry off your daughter to a sick man for fly-head small profits, that’s your business. But I won’t let my ger marry a ruined man!"  

[蝇头小利 (yíng tóu xiǎo lì): lit. fly-head small profits; fig. insignificant financial gains or short-term advantages that are not worth the effort or risk]  

You's mother, seeing her usually mild-mannered sister speak so harshly, felt both angry and guilty—after all, every word struck true, leaving her no room to argue.  

Stiffening her neck, she cursed a few times about "ingratitude" in the Yu family before slinking away in defeat.  

Not only had the marriage proposal failed, but You’s uncles also came demanding money. The family’s savings were long gone, leaving them in dire straits.  

Though You Lingxiao was proud and looked down on merchants, he had no choice but to swallow his pride and seek their protection. He negotiated tax exemptions for them in exchange for a twenty percent cut of the profits.  

Even though a scholar’s ability to secure tax exemptions was a coveted privilege, You Lingxiao’s reputation in the surrounding villages had already spread. Not only was it difficult for him to secure a marriage, but even honest merchants hesitated to associate with someone of questionable character.  

Someone like him who could betray his former benefactors and ruin a ger's reputation in his rise to power, who could say he wouldn’t scheme against his allies and partners for profit later?  

My Fulang is a Delicate Flower Chapter 38 Part 2

Ji Taoyu looked at the unfamiliar man following Huo Shu and asked, puzzled, "This is…?"  

Before Huo Shu could answer, Ge Liang jumped in with flattery: "Sister-in-law, hello! I’m Ge Liang, from Hongli Village next door. Brother Huo and I served together back in the day. We ran into each other on the street today, hit it off, and decided to head back together. I hope you don’t mind me tagging along."  

Ji Taoyu gave Ge Liang a surprised look and smiled politely.  

He hadn’t expected Huo Shu to run into a comrade so close by.  

Wu Lianhe’s gaze flickered slightly at the words.  

Noticing her reaction, Ji Taoyu quickly changed the subject: "Brother Huo, hurry and get measured. Sister Wu still has things to do later."  

Huo Shu acknowledged and handed the bow and arrows to Ji Taoyu first.  

Ji Taoyu hugged the bow, finding it oddly heavy. He pinched the bow and plucked the string, it was surprisingly resilient.  

How does he still have money for this?  

"That’s a fine bow. Brother Huo’s archery is top-notch, and the arrows he picks are the best."  

Ji Taoyu glanced at the overly familiar Ge Liang and blinked. "Really? I don’t know anything about bows. This one seems so good, it must be expensive, right?"  

Ge Liang froze for a moment, then quickly put on a reliable smile.  

"Bows aren’t necessarily expensive just because they’re good, nor good just because they’re expensive. This one’s made of common materials, not pricey, just decent quality."  

Ji Taoyu pressed his lips together. This guy’s sharp.  

"Brother Ge, since you’re Brother Huo’s comrade and now a neighbor, we should keep in touch."  

Ge Liang eagerly agreed. "Of course! I’ll definitely come for a drink at Brother Huo’s wedding."  

Huo Shu, returning after getting measured, saw the two chatting amiably and stepped directly between them. He took the bow back from Ji Taoyu and, in the same motion, grabbed his hand.  

"Give this bow to the kid."  

Wu Lianhe accepted it with a smile. "Ever since you taught him last time, he’s been practicing every day, he’s improved a lot. He’ll be thrilled to get this."  

"I’ll visit him when I’m free."  

"Good."  

Coming out of Shili Cloth Shop, the mist had not yet dispersed—in fact, it had grown even thicker and gloomier than before.  

Huo Shu was slightly worried it might rain, but he still asked Ji Taoyu, "Do you want to stroll around a bit more?"  

Ji Taoyu thought he ought to inform his grandfather about the wedding and could even stay for a meal there. But now, with an outsider present, it wouldn’t be convenient to linger.  

Given the weather, it was better to return early. He didn’t want to catch a chill and end up coughing during the wedding.  

"Let’s go back."  

Seeing this, Ge Liang quickly said, "I’ll go fetch the horses from the stable. Just a moment."  

While waiting, Huo Shu bought some sugar-roasted chestnuts, dried meat, and preserved fruits from a street vendor to bring back for Ji Taoyu.  

Noticing a meat stall selling mutton nearby, he asked, "Should we buy some to take home for stew?"  

"Will you come over to eat with us?"  

"If you invite me, of course."  

Ji Taoyu pursed his lips into a smile. "Then let’s buy meat."  

By the time Ge Liang returned, the two who had been empty-handed just moments ago were now laden with packages.  

Huo Shu glanced at the brown horse Ge Liang was leading, it looked familiar, as if he had seen it tied in the stable earlier. He hadn’t expected it to be Ge Liang’s.  

The three of them walked out of the city together and mounted their horses only at the city gate.  

As usual, Huo Shu lifted Ji Taoyu onto the horse before swinging up himself.  

When they had arrived earlier, there had been few people around, but now the city gate was bustling with people comings and goings, and with an outsider present, Ji Taoyu’s face flushed slightly. He pulled his cloak tighter to hide himself further.  

Once mounted, Ge Liang watched as Huo Shu cradled the beautiful and gentle Ji Taoyu, guiding the horse forward at a leisurely pace. His eyes dried from staring, and his mouth grew bitter.  

Suddenly, the reins felt unusually stiff in his hands, and the saddle seemed particularly uncomfortable.  

Riding on the official road, the wind whipping past him no longer felt dashing or imposing. He had never felt so alone.  

He didn’t dare imagine how cheerful and triumphant he’d feel if he had a delicate wife in his arms right now, riding home together.  

Ji Taoyu nestled in Huo Shu’s embrace. The wind on the return trip was noticeably stronger than before, perhaps rain was coming. Huo Shu urged the horse faster than when they had arrived.  

Noticing Ge Liang, riding alongside them, had lost his earlier liveliness, Ji Taoyu couldn’t help but ask, "Brother Ge, what do you do for a living now?"  

"Nothing respectable, I’m afraid. Don’t laugh, Brother Huo, Sister-in-law. Right now, I don’t have a proper trade, just make some bows and sell them to Ju’an Workshop. I spent many years in the army, and though my archery is mediocre, I got good at repairing bows. Luckily, the shopkeeper at Ju’an Workshop thinks well of my work, so I earn a little here and there."  

Huo Shu asked, "You spent five or six years in the northern frontier. When you returned, you could’ve sought a clerk’s position at the government office. Why didn’t you?"  

At this, Ge Liang sighed. "I submitted my documents to the authorities as soon as I got back. I did intend to get a clerk’s job, something in the personnel or judicial offices would’ve been fine. The people in the household registry office initially told me there’d be no issue, and I was all set to start. But then they suddenly said it wasn’t possible."  

"Later, I found out the position had been taken by the nephew of the rites office’s clerk. For common folk like us, even after five or eight years of conscript labor, we still can’t compete with those who have connections."  

My Fulang is a Delicate Flower Chapter 38 Part 1

Chapter 38  

"You know him."  

Ge Liang scratched the back of his head, a little embarrassed, and said, "Most young folks in these ten-li-eight-village areas should know a bit about him, the only ger of Village Head Ji's family is quite good-looking."  

[十裏八村兒" (shí lǐ bā cūn er): lit. Ten-li-eight-village; fif. Folksy Northern Chinese expression meaning "the surrounding villages within a ten-li radius," often used to emphasize how widely known or influential someone or something is across a rural area]

He didn’t dare mention that he himself was still unmarried. Back when he heard that the Ji family had called off the engagement with the scholar’s family, he had actually given it some thoughts.  

But after asking the matchmaker a few more detailed questions, he gave up. The ger was the only child of the village head of Mingxun Village, there was no way he’d settle for an ordinary family.  

The Ge family’s circumstances were average, and he wasn’t exactly young anymore, so he had no advantages to speak of. Later, when he heard that the village head of their own village, the Zhou family, also had intentions, he dismissed the idea entirely.  

Ge Liang, being loose-lipped, added, "Our village head originally wanted to propose their second son to the Ji family too. But then that mess with the scholar’s family happened, and the village head got angry, forbidding his second son from ever going to Mingxun Village again. Later, when the truth came out, the Zhou family’s second son, who had actually been fond of the match, was stuck obeying his father and couldn’t pursue it. These days, he regrets it day and night and still hopes to approach the Ji family."  

"Oh, the one repaired the fishpond? I’ve seen him."  

Hearing Huo Shu’s cold and somewhat disdainful tone, Ge Liang grinned widely, finding the whole situation absurdly ironic.  

The Zhou family lived close to his own, and after returning, he’d had some dealings with the Zhou family’s son. Initially, he’d even advised him to try again, but now that he knew Huo Shu had already snatched the opportunity, he found himself completely siding with Huo Shu.  

"In the end, it had to be Captain Huo. Even coming from another region, he managed to win over the Ji family’s ger, that alone puts all the unmarried men in our ten-li-eight-village area to shame. When I get back, I’ll tell the Zhou family’s second son to stop pining. The Ji family has already found the best son-in-law."  

Huo Shu suddenly remembered how, not long ago, Ji Taoyu had gotten angry at him, accusing him of being drawn in by looks. No wonder the ger was upset, there were indeed plenty who were swayed by appearances.  

Fortunately, he hadn’t blurted out something like: You really are quite pretty.  

"Good. Tell him to focus on repairing his own fishpond and forget about coming to the Ji family to repair their fishpond in the future."  

Ge Liang smiled even brighter, finding Huo Shu much more easygoing than he’d imagined.  

Just as he was about to chat more, however, Huo Shu said, "I have to go."  

"It’s rare to run into each other, let’s grab a drink at the tavern!"  

"Someone’s waiting at the cloth shop."  

Ge Liang immediately understood, but he wasn’t ready to part ways yet. Running into a fellow soldier from his border-defense days in Tongzhou was rare enough, let alone someone he’d always admired.  

Shamelessly, he said, "I’ve got nothing to do anyway, and we’re heading back the same way. Why not go together?"  

Huo Shu picked up the bow and arrows he’d chosen: "Suit yourself."  

Ge Liang cheerfully trailed behind Huo Shu, even trying to pay for the bow and arrows himself—until he learned they were a gift, at which point he gave up.  

"Captain Huo, you really don’t need to rush back. Once girls and ger enter a cloth shop, they won’t come out for at least an hour or two."  

"Don’t call me Captain anymore. I’m not one. Just use my name."  

"Then I’ll call you Brother Huo. You joined the army years before me, so you’re probably older, I hope you don’t mind me calling you that."  

Huo Shu found the man’s inability to shut up more exhausting than going to battle, he was just like Zhao Changsui.  

"Do all you southerners talk this much?"  

Ge Liang coughed awkwardly. "No, no! I’m just happy to see you, Brother Huo. Got carried away. I’ll shut up now!"  

The silence lasted barely a moment.  

"Hey, Brother Huo, what do you do for a living now?"  

"Brother Huo, how did you and the Ji family’s ger meet…?"  

By the time Huo Shu endured the chatter all the way back to the cloth shop, he was worried Ji Taoyu would be impatient and angry. But it turned out he and Wu Lianhe hadn’t even finished picking fabrics yet.  

He exhaled and glanced at Ge Liang: "You southerners really understand girls and ger."  

"Ha! Just from experience."  

Ge Liang, meanwhile, was baffled at how this cold, taciturn man had won over the Ji family’s ger. Though curious, he didn’t dare ask.  

"Brother Huo, come get your measurements taken."  

Huo Shu walked straight upstairs without hesitation.  

Though Ge Liang had heard about the Ji family’s ger, this was his first time seeing him in person. After just a glance, his eyes widened.  

If I’d known he looked like this, I would’ve—  

The thought barely formed before he saw Huo Shu ahead and immediately suppressed it, not daring to have even a flicker of improper ideas.

My Fulang is a Delicate Flower Chapter 37 Part 4

The largest bow shop in the city was called Ju’an Fang. It had a complete selection and lavish decor, attracting the sons of wealthy and noble families who liked to browse.  

Many hunters also frequented the place.  

As soon as Huo Shu entered, a clerk came to greet him. He waved the clerk away, not needing an introduction, he could judge the quality of bows himself.  

For a beginner like Zhao Pan, an overly expensive bow wasn’t necessary; something comfortable to handle would suffice.  

After testing a few bows for draw weight, Huo Shu suddenly felt eyes fixed on him from behind.  

Without a word, he set down the bow and went upstairs, confirming that the gaze was still following him.  

Huo Shu picked up a blunt bamboo shaft, nocked it on the bowstring, and abruptly turned to shoot toward the source of the stare.  

Whoosh!  

The bamboo shaft grazed past the person’s face and embedded itself in a target.  

"Captain Huo! It really is you!"  

The nearly hit man, instead of getting angry, looked at the bamboo shaft stuck in the target beside him with shining eyes. "Your archery is as sharp as ever!"  

Huo Shu observed the young man, his features were delicate, but his skin was darkened by the sun. He appeared to be in his early twenties.  

Given how he addressed him, they must have met before, but Huo Shu had no recollection of him.  

"Who are you?"  

The man grinned and hurried forward, introducing himself eagerly:  

"My name is Ge Liang, from Hongli Village under Tongzhou City. Six years ago, I was conscripted and sent to the northern border."  

Huo Shu nodded. As expected, another soldier from the northern frontier.  

He lowered his guard slightly and asked, "Which battalion?"  

"I was in the Fourth Battalion under Deputy General Ma."  

"How do you recognize me?"  

The army had thousands of soldiers, and few faces stood out on the front lines.  

Back then, Huo Shu had also been under Deputy General Ma, but in the Third Battalion. Though adjacent to the Fourth Battalion, each battalion had over a thousand men, and their training and living quarters were separate.  

Thus, even neighboring battalions didn’t necessarily know each other.  

Ge Liang scratched his head, somewhat embarrassed. "Captain Huo probably doesn’t remember me, but we did meet once."  

Years ago, Ge Liang had been a new recruit. Fresh soldiers were often bullied, and his frail build made him an easy target.  

For months, he barely ate a full meal, and his training was dismal. Then, misfortune struck, he was pushed to the front lines as cannon fodder.  

By chance, Huo Shu, then a senior soldier in the Third Battalion, had come to the Fourth Battalion to replenish troops after heavy casualties. Seeing Ge Liang’s weak frame, Huo Shu demanded to test his riding and archery skills. Finding him lacking, he berated those who had sent him to die and had him reassigned.  

Later, Ge Liang was transferred to the logistics kitchen, sparing his life.  

At the time, Ge Liang was baffled. Huo Shu was just a senior soldier in the Third Battalion, overseeing only a dozen men. Why could he storm into the Fourth Battalion, scold fellow soldiers of the same rank, and have them cower without retort?  

An old soldier later explained: Huo Shu had been in the army for years, born and raised in the northern frontier, fierce in battle. Though only a senior soldier, his archery and horsemanship rivaled those of higher officers.  

He had a foul temper and a cold demeanor, refusing to flatter superiors, which stalled his promotions.  

But while the higher-ups favored flatterers, they still needed warriors like Huo Shu on the battlefield. So though they denied him authority, they kept him close.  

The little soldiers knew they shouldn't provoke him, because if matters escalated, those above would certainly favor the one who won them battles.

Ge Liang said, "After that incident, they all assumed I had connections with Captain Huo and never dared to harass me again. I spent years in the kitchen, rarely saw the front lines, and even received favors from other soldiers. That I survived the war and returned home was entirely thanks to Captain Huo’s protection."  

"I’ve always wanted to thank you in person, but with my limited standing, I couldn’t wander the camp freely. I never got another chance to see you. I only heard fragments, that you were promoted to captain. Never did I imagine I’d meet you in Tongzhou one day after the war."  

Huo Shu, hearing this, faintly recalled the incident.  

"Back then, your riding and archery were truly abysmal. Sending weak recruits to the front wouldn’t have helped me. Newbies dying is one thing, but I’d gain nothing from it. You don’t need to take it to heart."  

Ge Liang, far from offended, laughed. His words were just as blunt as he remembered.  

"Whether by accident or not, the fact that I’m back in Tongzhou is because of you."  

Huo Shu gave a slight nod. "Surviving is what matters."  

Ge Liang asked, "Why didn’t you return to the capital with the army for commendation? What brings you to Tongzhou?"  

Since they were old acquaintances and shared the bond of comrades, Huo Shu briefly explained his reasons for coming to Tongzhou.  

Ge Liang was saddened to hear of Zhao Changsui’s death. They had been fellow villagers, yet never recognized each other in the army.  

He counted himself among the luckiest of the unlucky.  

Now that he had left the northern frontier behind, Huo Shu didn’t dwell on the past. With someone he was willing to protect with his life, he had new hopes for the future.  

"I’m currently in Mingxun Village. On the eighth of next month, I’m getting married. If you’re free, come for the wedding banquet."  

Ge Liang’s eyes widened in delight. "Captain Huo is settling down in Tongzhou? That’s wonderful! Mingxun Village is practically next to my village!"  

"Dare I ask, which family is so fortunate?"  

"The village head’s family, the ger of the Ji family."  

Ge Liang’s eyes grew even wider. "The Ji family’s ger!"

My Fulang is a Delicate Flower Chapter 37 Part 3

The pouch might not have been heavy, but inside weren’t copper coins or silver, it was gold!  

One tael of silver could be exchanged for a thousand copper coins, but one tael of gold could be exchanged for ten taels of silver.  

There had to be at least five or six taels of gold in here!  

Ji Taoyu narrowed his eyes. Thinking this man was really good at hiding things. He acted careless and always claimed to have no money, yet his disguise was quite convincing.  

"That should be enough for you to spend for a while. No need to cook separately now, right?"  

Ji Taoyu hung the pouch on his own waist, his eyes full of mischief.  

Still pretending to be reluctant, he said, "Well, if you insist, I suppose so."  

Huo Shu watched the ger’s actions, a faint smile flashing in his eyes.  

The two of them didn’t encounter many people along the way. Even when they did, Ji Taoyu was wrapped tightly in a cloak, revealing only his eyes.  

No one could recognize who he was, and with Huo Shu standing behind him with a face colder than the winter wind, no one dared to crane their necks for a better look.  

Just as they reached the city gates, they saw a crowd gathered outside.  

Huo Shu dismounted and helped Ji Taoyu down.  

As they approached, they saw a notice posted at the gate.  

After over a month of pursuit by the authorities, the bandit unrest in Tongzhou City had finally been quelled.  

However, not all of them had been captured, some had fled beyond Tongzhou. Patrols and defenses had been strengthened at the borders, so for now, there was nothing to fear.  

Along with the captured bandits, a considerable amount of stolen goods had been recovered. Citizens who had lost property could now go to the authorities to claim them.  

The crowd buzzed with discussion, everyone saying they could finally have a peaceful New Year.  

"I wonder if Fan Village’s grain was recovered."  

Ji Taoyu, huddled in his cloak, murmured. A bystander nearby overheard and chimed in, "With so many bandits, they had to eat three meals a day. I heard the authorities only recovered half the grain, the rest had to be replenished by Fan Village themselves."  

Ji Taoyu frowned. Half plus an additional twenty percent, that was still no small amount. Fan Village really had the worst luck.  

The notice at the city gates spread quickly among the heavy flow of people, and soon the news reached nearby villages.  

The once-dreary villages seemed to regain some vitality, and the city appeared livelier than before.  

After reading the notice, the two headed straight for Shili Cloth Shop. Having not entered the city in a long time, Ji Taoyu felt somewhat unaccustomed to the bustling crowd.  

He leaned in close to Huo Shu, tentatively brushing the back of his hand against his.  

Feeling the warmth, Huo Shu glanced down at the ger, whose ears were slightly red, then abruptly turned his hand over and clasped Ji Taoyu’s hand firmly in his own.  

Ji Taoyu looked up at Huo Shu, unable to suppress the smile at the corners of his eyes and lips. His other hand naturally clung to Huo Shu’s arm, his heart leaping with joy.  

Perhaps because news traveled faster in the city, the cloth shop was already bustling with people who had heard about the bandit suppression.  

The two asked a clerk to pass a message to Wu Lianhe and waited for her in the warm pavilion.  

"Getting married?!"  

Wu Lianhe was both shocked and delighted. Feeling that it was unexpected, yet somehow inevitable

Ji Taoyu, a little embarrassed, said, "Today, we came to get measured for wedding clothes and to let Third Sister Wu know."  

"This is wonderful news!"  

Wu Lianhe exclaimed. "When’s the banquet? I don’t know if I can attend, but if there’s anything I can do, let me make your wedding clothes as a token of my goodwill."  

"Great!"  

Ji Taoyu immediately agreed, then turned to Huo Shu. "Is that okay?"

Huo Shu also nodded.  

Wu Lianhe noticed that Huo Shu was cold and stern, yet obedient toward Ji Taoyu.  

"Then let's go pick out fabrics now. The recent bandit unrest caused quite a stir, and even the cloth trade hasn't been doing well. But now that the authorities have posted notices, the shopkeeper took the opportunity to bring out the best stock from the bottom of the chest. Since you came early, there are plenty of styles to choose from."  

As he spoke, Ji Taoyu grew excited, and the two were about to go select fabrics when they suddenly turned and noticed Huo Shu still standing to the side. "Come on."  

Huo Shu truly had no expertise in such things. Apart from distinguishing colors and thickness, he couldn't tell much difference. So he said, "You go ahead."  

Ji Taoyu pouted, a wild boar can't appreciate fine grains.  

[山猪吃不來细糠 (shān zhū chī bù lái xì kāng): lit. a wild boar can't appreciate fine grains; fig. someone uncultured can't appreciate refined things]  

He stepped forward and patted his purse, whispering to Huo Shu, "If you don’t come, I might recklessly spend your money."  

Huo Shu raised an eyebrow. "Go ahead. We’ll just eat husks and pickled vegetables later."  

Ji Taoyu narrowed his eyes.  

"You two go. I’ll head out to pick a bow for Zhao Pan. I originally planned to make one for him, but after returning, I haven’t had time to gather the materials."  

Hearing this, Ji Taoyu responded, "Then I’ll wait for you at the cloth shop."  

Wu Lianhe, standing at the door, didn’t catch what the two had whispered about. When Ji Taoyu came over alone, he said, "Let’s go pick. He doesn’t know how to choose."  

Wu Lianhe chuckled. "Men are mostly like that."  

Huo Shu left the cloth shop and searched for an archery store. In Tongzhou City, shops specializing in bows and arrows were scarce, most were combined with weapon and saddle sales, unlike the northern regions where archery shops could be found every few steps.