The gate was already locked, even Xiaohuang was inside. Since Guaizi had slipped out, neither Lu Gu nor Shen Xuanqing scolded him, letting him romp through the snow toward home.
They lagged behind, but as soon as Guaizi dashed through the front door, he suddenly erupted into loud, frantic barking.
Upon entering, they realized he was barking at Huang’er, backing away with his fluffy tail bristling in anger.
“What’s wrong?” Lu Gu was puzzled.
Shen Yan, shielding the puppy, said, “I’m not sure either. Guaizi rushed in like a whirlwind, saw Huang’er, froze, and started barking nonstop.”
“He snapped at Xiaohuang earlier too, probably didn’t expect another Huang’er here,” Shen Xuanqing said with a laugh.
So that was it. Lu Gu looked at the furious Guaizi and sighed helplessly, patting his head. If only they’d brought both puppies earlier, then Guaizi wouldn’t have had to throw two tantrums.
Wei Lanxiang and Ji Qiuyue were busy in the kitchen, so Lu Gu couldn’t linger to play with the dogs. Rolling up his sleeves, he washed his hands in the warm water and hurried to help.
Guaizi kept barking until Huang’er cowered in fear. Shen Yan had to carry the puppy inside before he finally quieted down.
The two new puppies had livened up the family. Though Guaizi, still sulking, was the exception. Everyone else was delighted.
His temper was something else. For two whole days, he wandered alone, ignoring everyone. Shen Xuanqing even told Lu Gu that if Guaizi went on a hunger strike, they shouldn’t indulge him, he’d eat when truly hungry.
But Guaizi didn’t skip a single meal. The slightest sound near his food bowl made his ears perk up, and he ate every bite. Only after two days did he finally start playing with the puppies again. Once familiar, he never sulked like this anymore.
The sun emerged, melting the snow. Every family echoed with dripping sounds, and the ground turned muddy and slippery.
Early in the morning, Shen Xuanqing and Shen Yaoqing went to Wangli Village. When they returned, the family had gained a new livestock - a mule tied up in the backyard, drawing everyone’s attention.
Shen Xuanqing had spent five taels on it. Delivering poultry and rabbits to the brothel and Yang Xian’s tavern in Jixing Town was impossible just by carrying them, it was dozens of li round-trip.
[1 Li = 500 meters]
Even if the brothel and tavern didn’t order much, they had to deliver today. If customers wanted meat and they couldn’t supply it, future business would suffer.
With the ground so muddy and money on hand, buying a draft animal was better than exhausting themselves.
“They say donkeys are stubborn, but mules are no better. Your uncle’s mule wouldn’t budge for women, even whipping it did nothing. They had to blindfold it every time to make it grind grain.” Wei Lanxiang said this, but her face still held a smile. This was their family's mule. They wouldn’t have to wait for the calf to grow up, now they had something to pull the cart for trips to town or Liangzhang Bridge.
Shen Yaoqing laughed. “Even the most stubborn mule knows who to test. On the way back, it didn’t act up once.”
All living creatures had sense, and mules were no exception. The newly bought mule was tall and sturdy, not as impressive as a horse, but in its prime and clearly strong. With Shen Xuanqing and Shen Yaoqing, both tall and broad-shouldered, leading it, the mule hadn’t dared to act up.
“Mother, give it some fodder and warm water. Brother and I will hitch the cart first.” Shen Xuanqing didn’t linger. Fenggu Town was manageable, but Jixing Town was far. They had deliveries to make today and couldn’t afford delays.
While the two men prepared the cart, Wei Lanxiang and Shen Yan fetched water and hay. The sun peeked through the clouds, warming the air slightly. Lu Gu rolled up his sleeves and headed to the chicken coop to catch the chickens and ducks.
Rabbits were easiest, just pluck them from their hutches. The chickens and ducks, flapping wildly, took more effort to catch.
Once everything was ready, the chickens, ducks, and rabbits were stuffed into bamboo cages on the cart. Lu Gu’s clothes were splattered with mud, his shoes caked in wet dirt - such was life in the countryside after rain or snow.
Shen Xuanqing laughed at his disheveled state. If the family hadn’t been around, he might’ve ruffled Lu Gu’s hair. How’d you manage to get so messy?
“Wait for me to return. We’ll wash the clothes and shoes together, no need to do it twice.” He reminded before leaving.
“Alright.” Lu Gu nodded. Standing at the gate with the family, he watched the brothers lead the mule cart away. Guaizi tried to follow but was called back.
Wei Lanxiang reentered the courtyard, beaming. “This is wonderful, we finally have a mule.”
“Mm. Now Erqing and Brother can ride the cart too.” Lu Gu was equally pleased. He’d never ridden a mule cart before but had seen others drive them. Like horses, mules could pull carts at a trot.
But today, with the ground so muddy, a heavily laden cart risked getting stuck, they’d need to push occasionally. That was why no one rode along.
Huang’er and Xiaohuang wagged their tails, greeting them before following everyone inside, leaving tiny muddy paw prints. Lu Gu went to change clothes, shooing the dogs out.
Huang’er, the darker of the two, was bigger than Xiaohuang. Originally, they’d planned to name him Erhuang, but after that one night when Lu Gu had jokingly whispered “Erhuang and Erqing” to Shen Xuanqing, he never dared mention it again.
That night, Shen Xuanqing, incensed, had actually snapped at him. Before Lu Gu could laugh, his lower lip was seized, and Shen Xuanqing retaliated by biting him all over—hard. Begging for mercy only egged him on, and Lu Gu had barely slept that night.
But such bedroom matters weren’t for outsiders’ ears. They remained a secret between the two.
