My Fulang is a Delicate Flower Chapter 20 Part 2

Huo Shu sat down and was about to speak when a Ji family laborer interrupted: “Village Head, a villager’s looking for you.”  

Ji Yangzong, assuming it was the You family again, said impatiently: “Which villager? Tell them to scram! If they don’t, I’ll chase them off with a broom. Don’t push me too far!”  

The laborer said: “It’s not the You family. Another villager.”  

“What now? I told you to post the tax notice from the magistrate on the wall outside the gate. It’s all written clearly. They didn’t listen during the meeting, and now they’re coming to ask again?”  

Ji Yangzong grumbled: “Tell them to read the notice themselves.”  

“It’s posted. Some quick-footed villagers brought grain, saying they want to calculate their tax payments.”  

Ji Yangzong immediately shut his mouth, disbelieving: “So soon?”  

He stood up at once:  

“Usually, even if you threaten them, they won’t pay up, and I have to go door-to-door. For them to be this eager, I’d better record it quickly. If I don’t finish soon, the magistrate will scold me again at the next gathering.”  

He turned to Huo Shu: “Huo-lang, wait here and have some tea. I’ll go handle the grain taxes and be right back.”  

Huo Shu said nothing, nodding in acknowledgment.  

Ji Yangzong took a few steps but then felt it was poor hospitality to leave Huo Shu alone. He called into the house: “Xiao Taozi, bring some fruit for Huo-lang.”  

A voice answered from inside. Ji Yangzong smiled at Huo Shu before hurrying off.  

In his room, Ji Taoyu was bent over a small stove, carefully controlling the heat with a bamboo fan as he prepared a salve for chilblains.  

Winter would soon follow late autumn.  

Making the salve in advance to sell at his grandfather’s clinic or to peddlers at a low price would earn him some copper coins.  

With winter came the New Year, and expenses would pile up - new clothes, lantern festivals in town, and all sorts of pretty, fun things that cost money.  

After the broken engagement, he’d moped around at home for days, doing nothing, and even caught a cough, leaving him lethargic.  

Today, getting up to move around had actually made him feel better.  

Now that his marriage was off, the family’s tax exemption was gone, yet taxes kept rising.  

Though they weren’t starving, they weren’t wealthy either. In these times, every bit of savings counted.  

At sixteen, he’d now have to pay the late-marriage tax, which was a hundred copper coins a year. Not much, but he wanted to pay it himself.  

Hearing Ji Yangzong’s voice, Ji Taoyu extinguished the stove amid the smoke, waiting for the salve to cool before bottling it.  

He patted his clothes straight and went to the kitchen to fetch the chrysanthemum pastries made that noon.  

Lately, his mother, seeing him down, had been making treats to cheer him up. With chrysanthemums in season, she’d made these pastries.  

Unfortunately, his father had been in town today, and after the tax meeting, no one had much appetite.  

Carrying the plate out, Ji Taoyu realized their guest was Huo Shu.  

He hadn’t caught who it was earlier, only hearing his father ask him to bring pastries. He hadn’t expected it to be for Huo Shu.  

Huo Shu glanced at the pastries on the table, then at the young ger.  

After days apart, Ji Taoyu’s soft cheeks had thinned, his chin sharper, with dark circles under his eyes that even fair skin couldn’t hide.  

Huo Shu had expected his poor spirits, but he looked better than imagined. He’d thought the boy would cry for days, eyes swollen like walnuts.  

Not an unfounded assumption, given how heartbroken he’d seemed at Shili Cloth Shop.  

“Why’d you come, Brother Huo?”  

Huo Shu looked away at the soft voice.  

“You didn’t return my things.”  

“Huh?”  

Ji Taoyu frowned in confusion.  

“The cloak.”  

“Oh.”  

Ji Taoyu suddenly remembered and hurried back to his room, soon returning with the cloak.  

Huo Shu took it. Having been stored indoors, it carried a faint herbal scent.  

“I’ve been unwell and didn’t go out, so I forgot to return it. Don’t be upset, Brother Huo.”  

Seeing his father had served Huo Shu their spring tea, Ji Taoyu, still hungry from barely eating lunch, sat down and took a pastry to nibble with the tea.  

He knew about the village gathering today, but Huo Shu didn’t seem the type to care.  

Had he come just for the cloak?  

Ji Taoyu bit into the pastry, studying Huo Shu: “Brother Huo is so sentimental, treasuring this old cloak.”  

Huo Shu glanced at the weathered cloak. The black cloth wasn’t worth much to begin with, let alone after years of use.  

He could’ve let it go, yet he’d come to reclaim it.  

He looked up at the ger across from him, obediently munching his pastry yet daring to tease him.  

Huo Shu raised a brow: “A poor man like me only has one cloak, of course I’d treasure it. Can’t compare to scholars with their honors.”  

Ji Taoyu set down his pastry. Poor? Wasn’t that his own fault for splurging? But: “What does that have to do with scholars?”  

“Some people were so busy grieving for a scholar, they forgot who owned this ragged cloak. Think that’s related?”  

Ji Taoyu's face reddened as he realized he hadn't properly thanked Huo Shu.

That day, he’d cried so much his face was drenched, yet Huo Shu had called a carriage, sent him home, and even rode alongside.  

He pursed his lips and pushed the chrysanthemum pastries toward Huo Shu: “Fresh chrysanthemums pastries, made today.”  

Huo Shu noticed the gesture was meant as an apology, but found it oddly distant, with the restrained politeness.  

This wasn't his intention, so he dropped the teasing: “I came to ask your father to recommend work.”  

Ji Taoyu’s brows lifted: “You’re looking for a job?”  

“Mn.”  

Ji Taoyu pressed his lips: So he really is broke.  

The Sweet little Fulang Chapter 172 Part 1

Chapter 172  

    Shen Yan stuffed a candied haitang fruit into her mouth. Preserved fruits and candied snacks were luxuries she enjoyed thanks to Lu Gu and Ji Qiuyue. Normally, she wouldn’t have the chance to eat such things. As for the salted plums Lu Gu liked now, she had already grown out of them.  

    Lu Gu was also eating candied fruit. Several of them gathered around to look at the four goslings in the bamboo basket. The goslings were noticeably larger than ducklings, and once they shed their yellow downy feathers, they would grow into big white geese.  

    "I saw someone selling them from a carrying pole, so I bought four. We’ll raise them with the ducks for now and separate them when they’re bigger, no rush," Wei Lanxiang said. Though she had ridden the mule cart back, the sun had been scorching, making her sweat profusely. Still feeling the heat, she pulled out a handkerchief from her sleeve and gently wiped her face.

    Over on the other side, Shen Yaoqing was washing his hands. Hearing this, he said, "Raising them together is fine, no need to feed them separately. Once we’re done with the busy season, I’ll build another fenced enclosure. The duck shed is big enough, they can roost together at night without needing a separate goose shed."  

    Dabai also came over, stretching his head to peer into the bamboo basket. The two pups had grown taller than before, though not as long-legged as the greyhounds. The basket was a bit high, but since everyone was gathered around, they were curious too, jostling to stick their heads inside.  

    The bamboo basket wobbled. Wei Lanxiang waved her hands to shoo the pups away. The goslings had cost money, she was afraid the basket tipped over and hurt them. She quickly picked it up and carried it to the duck pen in the back.  

    Lu Gu handed Shen Yan a partially opened oil-paper packet, inside were candied fruits. His eyes crinkled with a smile. "Eat more if you like them."  

    "Brother Guzi!" Shen Yan giggled, her almond-shaped eyes squinting with delight, looking innocent and childlike.  

    With nothing else to do at the moment, Lu Gu popped another candied fruit into his mouth and returned to the front yard, sitting on a chair. He picked up a small tiger-head shoe from the sewing basket and resumed his work. Lately, the fields had been busy, even Ji Qiuyue had to carry Zhao’er while cooking. He helped by washing vegetables, feeding the dogs and livestock, and doing whatever else he could to lighten the family’s workload. Now that he had a free moment, he stitched a few more seams. Once his belly grew bigger, it wouldn’t be as easy.  

    The tiny clothes Zhao’er had worn as a newborn no longer fit him. Those had all been new, but he hadn’t worn them for long. They’d been kept, and could now be used for the baby in his belly. However, this was his and Shen Xuanqing’s first child. As a parent, he naturally wanted to make a couple of new outfits for his own child.  

    "Brother Guzi, I’ll leave the fruits here for you. I’m going to the fields with Mom first." Shen Yan had followed him to rest for a bit. After eating two candied fruits, she heard Wei Lanxiang calling her from the back and quickly stood up, placing the oil-paper packet on the chair.  

    "Alright, go ahead. What do you want to eat tonight?" Lu Gu looked up and asked.  

    Shen Yan paused mid-step, thinking before answering, "The spring chives in our vegetable patch are ready to harvest. Since it’s still early, how about we ask Sister-in-law to make some chive-and-egg dumplings? Tomorrow’s the day for transplanting rice seedlings, it's hard work."  

    She Yan was right. The paddy fields were prepped today, and tomorrow they’d start transplanting seedlings early in the morning. A hearty meal would give them the energy they needed.  

    "Alright, I’ll go cut some later. We’ll have them tonight." Lu Gu nodded in agreement.  

    Shen Yan was delighted. In the countryside, dumplings were considered a fine meal, something usually made only when guests visited.  

    After finishing a few more stitches, Lu Gu set aside his sewing. Kneading dough and chopping filling would take effort, so he didn’t delay. He took a sickle to the backyard vegetable patch to harvest chives, calling the two pups along as he went. Compared to the steadier older dogs, the pups sniffed at everything, he didn’t want them ruining the candied fruits, so he had to take them away.  

    The family had four rows of chives planted against the courtyard wall. Three rows had already been harvested once. Four days ago, when Shen Yaoqing delivered rabbits to the brothel, he had taken Wei Lanxiang along to sell chives in town.  

    The remaining row still had plenty. They couldn’t eat several catties themselves, so Wei Lanxiang had told the villagers they could buy chives from their home if they wanted. Since they were all from the same village, the price was naturally cheaper than in town. But aside from a few families who lived comfortably and enjoyed tender spring chives, not many in the village spent money on vegetables.  

    With five mouths to feed, and Shen Yaoqing working hard every day with a big appetite, Lu Gu cut a large handful before deciding it was enough. Instead of leaving the bamboo basket of chives by the vegetable patch, he brought a chair to the main hall and sat down to trim them.  

    Ji Qiuyue had gone back to their old home to change Zhao’er’s and her own clothes - the baby had peed and pooped unexpectedly, even getting some on her clothes. Little children were like this, often needing their diapers and clothes changed. Fortunately, the weather was warm now, and Zhao’er had plenty of outfits, so there was no shortage of clean clothes.  

    The strong smell of chives made Xiao Huang sniff a few times before losing interest, turning instead to wrestle and play-fight with Huang’er.  

    Listening to their antics, Lu Gu’s mind wandered. Shen Xuanqing had been up the mountain for six days, he wondered when he’d return.  

The Rebirth of Crazy ger Chapter 51 Part 2

Mu ger and the others tried to stop him. Mu ger even said, "Yue ger, forget it. Ah Jin and Brother Heng are about to sleep."  

"No, look—Ah Jin isn’t sleeping, so why would Brother Heng be asleep?" Yue ger said, but his eyes remained fixed on Wang Jin, like a vengeful spirit locking onto an enemy, carrying a foul, dark energy.  

His red lips moved like a beast chewing on bloody flesh...  

Wang Jin’s heart turned cold. The Yue ger before him felt utterly unfamiliar.  

Before, even when Yue ger acted excessively, Wang Jin could still guess his intentions and see through his schemes.  

But now... Wang Jin had no idea what he was thinking or what he was doing.  

Distracted, Wang Jin didn’t react in time as Yue ger pushed the door open wider. The man inside, hearing the noise, looked over.  

What he saw was a gorgeously dressed ger pressing intimately against his little ger, their bodies so close it looked like they were the couple instead.  

Yuan Heng’s face darkened instantly. He pressed his lips together and strode forward.  

When Yue ger saw Yuan Heng, he brightened and waved from a spot where Wang Jin couldn’t see.  

The man ignored him. Instead, he shoved Yue ger aside and pulled Wang Jin who was nearly bent over from Yue ger’s weight into his arms.  

"Mine!"  

Yuan Heng bared his teeth at Yue ger, his eyes filled with hostility.  

Yue ger’s face stiffened.  

Yuan Heng’s expression was fierce, his sharp gaze fixed on Yue ger like an enemy invading his territory, radiating intense animosity and wariness.  

The other gers froze, instinctively stepping back under the oppressive aura emanating from Yuan Heng. They’d never seen him react so strongly before...  

Mu ger, standing closest to the door, caught a whiff of alcohol drifting from inside. He studied Yuan Heng suspiciously,nthe man’s face showed no signs of drunkenness, but his behavior was unusually extreme.  

In the past, even if Yuan Heng felt jealous when Wang Jin got too close to other ger, he’d only sulk secretly. He’d never used such overwhelming pressure against an unarmed ger, but today, he didn’t hold back at all. The sheer possessiveness in the air was so thick even the others could practically taste the sourness.  

What's wrong with Brother Heng? Is he drunk?  

The man’s reaction was like an invisible dagger, stabbing into Yue ger’s heart over and over, making it ache unbearably.  

"Brother Heng..."  

He called out softly, but the man ignored him, too busy staring down at Wang Jin in his arms. Oblivious to everyone else, Yuan Heng kissed the top of Wang Jin’s head and murmured, "Mine. You’re mine!"  

Even though his face was hidden, his actions and low voice left no doubt about the possessiveness and deep affection radiating from him.  

This kind of obsessive, straightforward behavior made Mu ger certain - Yuan Heng was definitely drunk!  

He glanced around and realized no one else had noticed. Swallowing his words, he stayed silent.  

Yue ger watched the two embrace, his heart turning to ice. His expression darkened uncontrollably as he glared at Wang Jin with venomous eyes, like a scorpion ready to strike.  

Wang Jin, suddenly pulled into a familiar embrace, stiffened slightly—after all, there were so many gers watching...  

But the drunken man paid no attention to their audience. He planted several kisses on Wang Jin’s head and face, making him blush furiously. Wang Jin squirmed, stealing glances at the gers outside the door—only to meet Yue ger’s poisonous stare.  

If that gaze could turn into blades, Wang Jin would’ve been sliced to pieces.  

Seeing this, Wang Jin suddenly stopped struggling. Instead, he relaxed into the man’s arms and stared back at Yue ger defiantly.  

"We really are going to rest now," Wang Jin said pointedly, raising an eyebrow at Yue ger.  

The implication of "rest" wasn’t lost on the other ger. Their faces flushed, and they awkwardly looked away, all except Yue ger, whose unblinking eyes remained fixed on Wang Jin with a chillingly intense gaze.  

Wang Jin's triumphant look, and the way he raised his eyebrows as if flaunting his victory, made Yue ger grind his teeth in fury.  

When the man noticed Wang Jin looking at Yue ger, his frown deepened, his hostility growing even stronger.  

He shielded Wang Jin with his body and, with one forceful motion, slammed the door shut.  

BANG!

The sound was so loud it startled everyone except Mu ger.  

Yue ger raised his hand to knock again, but then—  

THUD!  

Something hit the door from the inside. When they looked, they saw two shadows pressed together against the wood...  

"......" The ger blushed and quickly scattered, making excuses to leave.  

Mu ger tried to pull Yue ger away, but the latter’s icy expression made him hesitate.  

Just then, Lai Yuan arrived with the leader in tow.  

The leader looked radiantly happy. Spotting Yue ger, he hurried forward to take his hand.  

"Ah Yue, weren’t you going to see the fireflies? Everyone’s waiting for you. Why did you come here?"  

While the leader distracted Yue ger, Lai Yuan pulled Mu ger aside, checking him over with a questioning look. Mu ger shook his head slightly.  

Yue ger heard the leader’s voice but didn’t move an inch.  

The Sweet little Fulang Chapter 171 Part 2

    Chen Dongdong had always been timid, and his family was poor, so few had spoken much to him before. But since cutting grass for the Shen family’s second branch, two cartloads earned three copper coins. Though small, they worked hard, sometimes managing three cartloads a day, and with his parents helping, they saved up. Ten days meant thirty copper coins, making life better than before. His family smiled more now, and he gave a shy nod. "Okay. I’ll head out with Dazhi first."  

    He Zhi had already gone to the back to fetch the cart. They usually left through the rear gate, closer to the river and wild grass.  

    Chen Dongdong hurried to the back, while Lu Gu watched the pups playing by the gate. With Dabai keeping an eye, they wouldn’t go far. Hearing Shen Yan call that the water was boiling, he went to wash up.  

    Eating the crispy oil cake, since only one was left, he split it with Shen Yan. He couldn’t hog it as an adult, and sharing made both happy.  

    The sun rose higher, and the day brightened. The hens and ducks were nesting, under Wei Lanxiang's watchful eye, so Shen Yan was spared the task of tending to them and the hassle of chasing after ducks.

    Lu Gu opened the calf pen to let the young ox graze. His belly had grown, and though he used to squat to pick wild vegetables, Shen Xuanqing wouldn't let him do it anymore. During Ji Qiuyue's pregnancy, the family had been cautious, not letting her work much, now it was the same for him. His daily tasks were just herding the ox. With warmer weather, washing vegetables or cooking wouldn’t freeze his hands, so sometimes he’d return to the old house to cook with Ji Qiuyue.  

    After feeding the livestock yesterday’s leftover grass and refilling the water trough, Wei Lanxiang took Shen Yan to weed the wheat fields. The wheat grew greener and taller each day, tending it well meant a better harvest later.  

    Hiring He Zhi and Chen Dongdong had proven useful. With so much land, the family couldn’t manage alone, especially with grass-cutting. The livestock ate over a cartload daily, sometimes two, so grass had to be stockpiled in case of rain.  

    Fortunately, weeds and wild vegetables from the fields could also feed the animals. Wei Lanxiang, Shen Yan, and Shen Yaoqing could gather two or three baskets a day, and more if Shen Xuanqing was home.  

    As the sun grew hotter, Lu Gu sat on a white stone under a tree. Hearing the pups bark, he called them, and they ran to him.  

    Shen Yaoqing came out the back gate after cleaning the manure, and as he supervised the fields, he spotted Lu Gu from afar and shouted out. "Guzi, I’ve closed the front gate. Keep Dabai inside, and don’t wander far from the back."  

    "Got it, Eldest Brother." Lu Gu replied. Dabai was well-behaved, if no one was home, he’d rarely roam, instead guarding the house from the backyard.  

    The water shimmered, occasionally rippling in the breeze. Lu Gu played with the dogs and herded the ox until Ji Qiuyue called him. He looked toward the mountain and answered, hurrying over as the pups ran ahead.  

    Ji Qiuyue carried Zhao’er on her back and held a bamboo basket. Before reaching him, she smiled and said, "Since everyone’s here, I thought we might as well cook lunch here too. Saves running back after a busy morning. I brought bamboo shoots and cured meat."  

    The sun was strong, and Zhao’er, now half a year old, wasn’t so fragile. A little sunlight was good for him.  

    The calf knew its way home and wouldn’t stray while grazing, especially with He Zhi and Chen Dongdong cutting grass nearby. Lu Gu called to Chen Dongdong to watch the ox, then took the basket and returned to the house with Ji Qiuyue.  

    In the main room, Ji Qiuyue untied the sling and held Zhao’er in front. The boy was strong for his age, sometimes gripping something so tightly adults couldn’t pry it loose.  

    Lu Gu set the basket down, eager to hold him. Recognizing his xiao mo, Zhao'er nestled in Lu Gu's arms, beaming with adorable babbles that melted his heart.  

[Xiao mo (小嬷, xiǎo mó): a term of endearment for a paternal uncle's wife in some dialects]

    Ji Qiuyue, accustomed to carrying the child daily, was grateful for the break. In winter, family members lent a hand, but during busy seasons, the task fell solely on her. However, she knew how fortunate she was, few had such a good mother-in-law and husband, letting her focus on the child. Even in town, many didn’t have this luxury, carrying infants to the fields or foraging while doing needlework to scrape by.  

    "Did you feed the ox and sheep?" she asked Lu Gu, rolling up her sleeves as the walk had warmed her. She checked for other chores, none in the family were lazy, and with extra rabbits and four piglets, even Wei Lanxiang needed rest after long days. The point of coming here was to share the workload. Now that spring had arrived and Zhao’er was healthy, she could help more.  

    Catching her meaning, Lu Gu said, "They’re fed. Only the fields need work, nothing else here. When Dong ger brings back grass later, we’ll give some to the pigs and sheep."  

    "Alright." Ji Qiuyue nodded. The sun was strong outside, so she added, "I aired the quilts on my way here. I’ll hang yours too, sunlight’s good for them."  

    Lu Gu swayed gently with Zhao’er, smiling at the child’s laughter, and agreed, "Sure."  

    Ji Qiuyue went to fetch the quilts.  

    Once winter’s idleness passed, farmers had no rest, work filled every day. In spare moments, Wei Lanxiang planned to buy sesame oil. Lu Gu didn’t find egg custard fishy, he could eat it, but the small jar of sesame oil at home was nearly empty. The day before spring plowing, she had Shen Yaoqing harness the mule cart to visit the Liangzhang Bridge market.  

    Returning, she brought not just sesame oil and food, but also four yellow goslings.

My Fulang is a Delicate Flower Chapter 20 Part 1

Chapter 20

You Lingxiao saw Huo Shu and Ji Yangzong enter the house and wanted to follow, but he was somewhat intimidated by Huo Shu’s cold expression.  

Turning around, he thought to plead with Huang Manjing, who was tidying tea bowls on the same side, but was abruptly pulled back by the eldest uncle of the You family, who had come to the gathering to show off.  

“Lingxiao!”  

The eldest uncle of the You family lowered his voice only after dragging him aside: “The village head has already announced that marriages will now be arranged separately. What’s the point of clinging to this? Don’t make a fool of yourself.”  

“Go back. You’re a juren now. With the current tax rates, you can find anyone you want.”  

You's mother also hurried over, and the two of them coaxed and persuaded, pulling You Lingxiao out.  

You Lingxiao silently followed them to the gate of the courtyard but suddenly shook them off and ran straight back into the house: “Uncle Ji!”  

Hearing the shouting, Ji Yangzong frowned and cursed: “Damn it.”  

He quickly intercepted You Lingxiao at the door before he could rush into the house: “What do you want? What else do you want?!”  

You Lingxiao panted: “Uncle Ji, is there some misunderstanding about the marriage? Why was it really announced? I want to see Taoyu and explain things to him.”  

“Misunderstanding?”  

Ji Yangzong scoffed: “Wasn’t it your mother who demanded the announcement? Now everything’s gone your way, so why pretend? You Lingxiao, don’t think just because you’re a juren now, you’re something special. I used to give you face, hoping for a clean break, but you insist on clinging. Do you really need to come here and beg for a scolding to feel satisfied?”  

“And you still want to see Xiao Taozi? What business does an unrelated man have seeing him?”  

This was the first time You Lingxiao had been berated so harshly by Ji Yangzong. His cheeks flushed red: “Uncle, I sincerely wish to marry Taoyu. Perhaps our family has been too busy lately, leading you to misunderstand our intentions.”  

“Enough! I know exactly what your family is scheming. No need for this fake sincerity here.”  

Ji Yangzong snapped: “Instead of wasting time here, go read a few more books and climb that high branch of yours. Since you’ve found a better perch, the Ji family hasn’t clung to yours, that’s already more than generous. Yet you still pester Xiao Taozi? You Lingxiao, don’t think the Ji family is easy to bully!”  

You's mother who had chased after them, turned livid upon hearing this.  

“Village Head, you were the one who called off the engagement, yet now you blame our family. Where’s your proof? You accuse us of climbing high branches, show us the evidence! Slandering Lingxiao’s reputation with empty mouth and white teeth, how can a village head mock a juren like this?”  

[空口白牙 (kōng kǒu bái yá): lit. empty mouth and white teeth; fig. baseless accusations]  

Seeing her son got scolded, You's mother couldn’t help but retort.  

“Don’t pretend you don’t know the truth!”  

Ji Yangzong was furious: “The engagement’s off, yet you come here pretending there’s a misunderstanding. What’s the point of clinging?”  

“Who’d want anything to do with the Ji family? If not for the gathering, I’d never come. As if your sickly ger is some celestial beauty!”  

This remark ignited Ji Yangzong’s temper, but before he could respond, Huo Shu suddenly stepped forward and said coldly: “Get out.”  

You's mother looked up at Huo Shu’s icy, murderous expression and felt a chill down her spine, but she still stubbornly retorted: “This is between our two families. What does an outsider like you have to do with it?”  

The moment she finished speaking, You's mother shrieked.  

Her feet left the ground as Huo Shu grabbed her clothes and lifted her like poultry, striding toward the gate.  

“Mother!”  

You Lingxiao, seeing his mother being carried off like livestock, panicked and chased after them.  

Huo Shu reached the gate and threw her out.  

You's mother landed hard on her backside, completely stunned.  

You Lingxiao crouched to help her up: “Mother, are you alright?”  

The You family’s eldest and second branches arrived just in time to witness Huo Shu’s actions. Terrified, they didn’t dare argue further.  

“Lingxiao, let’s go!”  

Seeing his mother in such a state, You Lingxiao had no choice but to leave with her.  

“Pah!”  

Watching the You family leave, Ji Yangzong was delighted that Huo Shu had vented his anger for him. He spat fiercely at the gate, never having despised the You family as much as he did now.  

Back then, You's mother's reputation in the village was so poor that no family wanted anything to do with her. Yet he hadn’t scorned her—instead, he’d even arranged a marriage. Only now did he realize what kind of upright child such a person could raise.  

They were all just profit-seeking, eyeing higher branches to climb.  

Ji Yangzong took a moment to calm himself at the gate before leading Huo Shu through the courtyard to the main hall with a smile.  

“Sorry you had to see that. Villagers bicker a lot, don’t take it to heart.”  

Ji Yangzong asked Huo Shu: “Are you settling in well in the village?”  

Huo Shu gave nodded briefly, then noticed white smoke wafting from a window in a room to the left, accompanied by a strong herbal scent.  

Ji Yangzong followed his gaze and waved a hand: “That’s Taoyu brewing medicine. The room’s always smoky.”  

“Is he sick?”  

“No, he just likes tinkering with that stuff. Learned it from his grandfather. Stays cooped up all day, never goes out.”  

Hearing he wasn’t ill, Huo Shu withdrew his gaze.  

Ji Yangzong invited Huo Shu to sit and brought out good tea. As he brewed it, he asked: “It’s noisy outside with all the villagers. Sorry for the poor hospitality. Did you need something, Huo-lang?”  

[The suffix -lang (郎) in Huo-lang is a term of respect and endearment in ancient China, meaning young master, gentleman, or dear one, often used for noblemen, scholars, or loved ones.]

Rebirth to Erase Dark History Chapter 58 Part 1

Chapter 58: Just Brothers  

"Sort of. If I hadn’t helped him enlist, he wouldn’t have died." Yang Jiabo was still haunted by this question.  

"Life is full of accidents, no one can predict them. For you to obsess over this... I don’t even know what to say, it’s so foolish." Wei Jing really wanted to crack open his head and see how his brain worked.  

"What if I told you that the alternate life I just imagined was the one where he didn’t enlist? Would you believe me?" Yang Jiabo asked.  

Wei Jing hesitated for a second before saying, "I believe you."  

Yang Jiabo was surprised. "Why?"  

"From our usual conversations, I’ve learned a bit about your family. Given Li Wen’s situation, being the eldest son but not favored by his parents, he was capable but also a bit arrogant."

"He couldn’t stand staying at home, and his skills weren’t useful for daily life. To break free, he basically had two choices: become a live-in son-in-law or leave to work elsewhere. You can’t deny he was a bit lazy, liked to have fun, and yearned for city life. So, there was a 60% chance he’d choose to marry into another family."

"From what you’ve said about his arguments with his father, his personality was impulsive and eager for success. People like that are prone to trouble. Being a live-in son-in-law isn’t easy—at first, the marriage might seem fine, but over time, conflicts arise. Given his status, he’d always be at a disadvantage. And with his pride, the longer it went on, the worse the relationship would get." 

"Besides, families who take in sons-in-law usually want someone to carry on their lineage. Once they have a child, most such families won’t let the child get too close to the father, they might even send the child to live with the grandparents. So, it’s easy to predict how things would go. Personality determines fate, there’s truth to that.  

"Of course, life is full of surprises. My analysis isn’t absolute, there’s always some probability involved. Don’t take it too seriously."  

After hearing Wei Jing’s words, Yang Jiabo was stunned. His reasoning seemed solid.  

Wei Jing took a sip of beer before continuing, "Now, let’s talk about the other life. Li Wen’s talents could’ve shined in the military. But his personality would still be a problem, it’d take time to temper. The strict discipline would’ve curbed his bad habits and corrected them one by one."

"Compared to civilian life, he’d have found belonging and success in the army. Setting aside this accident, he might’ve thrived there. Even if he’d left the military later, his perspective would’ve broadened, and his personality would’ve matured. So, for him, enlisting was still the best choice."  

"I get it now." Yang Jiabo nodded, feeling a little better.  

"Li Wen’s death is truly regrettable, but don’t blame yourself too much. At least everyone will remember him. He died a hero, saving others. When people mention him, they’ll only remember the good." Wei Jing comforted him.  

"Brother, you know what? When I first heard about Second Cousin’s death, I really felt like I’d killed him. I blamed myself so much. I kept thinking, if I hadn’t encouraged him to enlist, he wouldn’t have died." Yang Jiabo recalled his emotions at the time, it was complicated.  

"The older you get, the dumber you become. Really." Wei Jing felt a pang of pity for this fool, but seeing him finally let go, he also sighed in relief.  

"Yeah, I was stupid. But I’ve figured it out now." Still, he’d never dare interfere with someone else’s life path again. At most, he’d help if they were in trouble.  

"Good that you’ve figured it out. Besides Li Wen’s matter, anything else bothering you?" Wei Jing asked.  

"Not much. Just… my mom came to see me." Yang Jiabo sighed.  

"She’s your mother, it was bound to happen sooner or later. What did she want this time?"  

"She regrets it now, wants to remarry Dad. I refused outright, and then she got upset. I feel like she and I live in completely different worlds, our perspectives are just too different."  

"Different people, different minds. Just stand your ground, don’t be afraid of her. Eventually, she’ll give up."  

"But if she keeps pestering me, it’ll be annoying. My mom cares a lot about face, is easily influenced, and a bit vain. I’m thinking of asking my aunts to persuade her to remarry someone else. Once she has a new family, she’ll have fewer ties to us." Yang Jiabo had been considering this for a while.  

Li Mingyi might not want to marry Li Guizhen, but that didn’t mean no one would. His eldest and second aunts loved matchmaking, Yang Jiabo figured he’d give them something to do. If that didn’t work, there were always matchmaking agencies.  

"Do what makes you happy. What about your dad, any plans to remarry?" Wei Jing asked.  

Yang Jiabo thought for a moment. "Not right now. He seems disillusioned with marriage. If he ever wants to remarry, I won’t object. By the way, any news about Wei Feng?"  

Wei Jing: "He should be back soon. You must be tired today, go wash up and rest. Tomorrow, I’ll take you out."  

Yang Jiabo: "What about your work?"  

"Brother Ren’s got it covered. That’s the benefit of having a partner."  

"Won’t Brother Ren mind?"  

"Don’t worry about it."  

Yang Jiabo nodded and went to wash up. While he was showering, Wei Jing called Ren Boying and asked him to handle things for the next few days, he wanted to take Jiabo around. Ren Boying agreed without hesitation.  

"Jiabo’s here, is everything okay on his side?" Ren Boying asked.  

"Not really. His cousin died, and he’s been stuck in a loop of self-blame." Wei Jing sighed.  

Ren Boying: "Then comfort him well. Taking him out to relax these days is a good idea."  

Wei Jing: "Can you manage the company alone?"  

Ren Boying: "No problem. Tomorrow, I’ll treat Jiabo to a meal, let him know."  

Wei Jing: "Got it."  

After his shower, Yang Jiabo dried his hair and flopped onto the large bed. Wei Jing’s bed was bigger than his, not as soft, but still comfortable. Hugging the blanket, surrounded by Wei Jing’s scent, he felt at ease.  

By the time Wei Jing finished showering, Yang Jiabo was already asleep, clutching his blanket. Seeing the faint dark circles under his eyes, Wei Jing thought: This idiot hasn’t been sleeping well lately.

He grabbed a book from the nightstand and leaned against the headboard to read, he always liked reading a bit before bed.  

Yang Jiabo turned over, restlessly throwing a leg over Wei Jing. Wei Jing gently moved it back. Soon, Yang Jiabo rolled closer and did it again.  

This was the first time Wei Jing realized how restless Yang Jiabo was in his sleep. Giving up on reading, he turned off the light and settled in, pressing an arm over Yang Jiabo to keep him still.  

Yang Jiabo slept soundly. When he opened his eyes, the first thing he saw was Wei Jing’s face. His sleep-addled brain struggled to process where he was.  

"Finally awake? Can you let go now?"  

"Huh?" Yang Jiabo blinked dumbly at Wei Jing. What had he done? He looked utterly innocent.  

"You kept clutching my clothes in your sleep." Wei Jing pointed at the fabric still in his grip.  

Yang Jiabo quickly let go, grinning sheepishly. "Morning."  

The Rebirth of Crazy ger Chapter 51 Part 1

Chapter 51  

"I'm amazing." The drunken man didn't speak much, but he was unusually stubborn, just like a child, insisting on doing what he had decided.  

Wang Jin had no choice but to soothe him, saying, "I know you're amazing, but..."  

He paused, then continued, "But there's already enough stuff here. Let's go another day."  

Wang Jin coaxed and persuaded him, but the man remained unyielding.  

"No, it's not enough." The man insisted on going out. Seeing that he couldn't hold him back, Wang Jin simply reached out, pulled him close, and hugged him tightly, burying his face in the man's chest.  

The man froze, stopping in his tracks. His shimmering gaze lowered to look at Wang Jin, his light-colored pupils reflecting his image, filled with affection.  

Wang Jin's heart skipped a beat. The man's tender gaze seemed to carry an electric current, transmitting through the air and making his whole body tingle as if lightly shocked.  

Wang Jin stared fixedly at the man, swallowed hard, and said, "It's true... it's not enough. We're still missing the most important thing..."  

The man frowned and asked, "What?"  

"You..."  

The man paused. Wang Jin tightened his grip on him and said, "We're still missing you."  

"Brother Heng, don't go, don't leave. Stay with me, okay?"  

The little ger spoke softly, his words pleading, his eyes sparkling like stars—so beautiful it stirred restless palpitations in the man's heart.  

The man raised his hand, his fingertips brushing against the little ger's long, dense lashes. The lashes seemed disturbed, trembling slightly as his eyes closed, like a small brush lightly sweeping over his fingertips.  

His fingertips tingled, the sensation traveling straight to his heart, making his whole body restless.  

Yuan Heng's eyes darkened as his gaze swept over the little ger's soft, pink lips...  

He bent down, slowly pressing toward those lips that seemed to be begging for a kiss.  

Knock knock. 

Before he could reach that intoxicating place, a rapid knocking sound came from the tightly shut door.  

Wang Jin's eyes flew open as he turned to look at the door. The man stubbornly turned his shoulders back, as if unwilling to acknowledge the disturbance, and leaned down again.  

Wang Jin's heart raced. He closed his eyes, ignoring the noise outside.  

Knock knock.

The knocking came again, startling Wang Jin so much that he jumped, causing the man's lips to land on his cheek instead.  

The man straightened up, displeased. Wang Jin, blushing, pushed him lightly and said, "I... I'll go see what's going on."  

With that, he quickly turned and walked to the door, opening it.  

Standing outside was Yue ger, dressed in wedding robes, accompanied by Mu ger and a few familiar gers.  

"?" Wang Jin looked at them in confusion.  

Yue ger smiled and said, "Ah Jin, the leader caught a lot of fireflies for me. We're going to release them outside, it'll look so pretty! Come watch with Brother Heng."  

Fireflies?  

Weren’t those the same things the man brought back every night during their wedding days to use as lanterns?  

Wang Jin remembered, when they went to sleep, the man would release the fireflies... 

Watching them fly out of the transparent banana leaves and fill the courtyard was indeed beautiful, but it wasn’t anything rare or special enough for Yue ger to come knocking on their door like this.  

Wang Jin glanced at Mu ger, who gave him a helpless look, signaling that Yue ger had insisted on coming.  

Wang Jin pressed his lips together. Is this guy deliberately trying to interrupt me and Yuan Heng?  

His expression darkened as he coldly refused, "It's late. Brother Heng and I won’t be going. Yue ger, you should enjoy it with the leader."  

Wang Jin deliberately mentioned the leader, reminding Yue ger that since such a romantic scene was prepared by the leader for him, he should focus on spending time with the leader instead of coming to drag them out in the middle of the night...  

Or perhaps... the person he really wanted to drag out was Wang Jin’s man.  

Wang Jin studied Yue ger carefully. However, Yue ger kept peering inside, as if searching for something.  

Wang Jin’s face grew even darker. He pulled the door slightly closed, blocking Yue ger’s line of sight with his own body, and said dismissively, "If there’s nothing else, we’re going to rest now."  

Then, just to be safe, he added, "Ah Mu, you should go back and rest too. It’s already past your usual bedtime."  

Mu ger smiled faintly and nodded. "I’ll be heading back soon. Lai Yuan is waiting outside."  

Hearing that Lai Yuan was nearby, Wang Jin relaxed slightly and prepared to close the door. But Yue ger suddenly reached out and blocked it, smiling unnervingly.  

"Don’t be like that! The fireflies are so pretty. If you don’t come, Ah Jin, does that mean you look down on me? Where’s Brother Heng? Let’s bring him too!"  

So he did bring up the man.  

Wang Jin stared at him. Yue ger was smiling, his bright red lips parting to reveal pearly white teeth that glinted coldly under the pale moonlight. Though his words were gentle, his expression was twisted like a vengeful ghost crawling out of hell. A sinister aura coiled up from his feet like vines, spreading across Wang Jin’s body and making him shiver abruptly.  

Mu ger and the others couldn’t see Yue ger’s expression, they only saw him trying to push his way inside, as if he wouldn’t leave without seeing Yuan Heng.

Rebirth of the Useless Young Master’s Counterattack Chapter 52

Chapter 52: The Power of Faith

"You... you're still promoting superstition? Do you take us police for dead? Everyone, take them away!" The middle-aged officer, seeing Mu Lichuan's dazed expression, felt a pang of sympathy.  

A child who should be in middle school had been lured to such a place—clearly, schools needed to strengthen education to eradicate feudal superstition.  

And so, apart from Mu Lichuan - the "instigator," everyone else in the courtyard was taken to the police station. As for what happened next, it wasn't something a teenager like him needed to worry about. With that, he slung his backpack over his shoulder and "went home."  

Back in Chuan City, such things never happened, likely due to the influence of local families. Even the Mo Clan operated discreetly. But here in the capital, opposition to "feudal superstition" was unexpectedly fierce.  

Walking through the bustling streets of the capital, surrounded by the lively crowds, Mu Lichuan felt a strange sense of detachment. In both his past and present life, this was the first time he had felt so relaxed. Then, he noticed something, a faint energy seeping into his body, refreshing his mind and spirit.  

"Qi absorption?" Mu Lichuan murmured in surprise. He had actually reached the Qi Refining stage under such circumstances. No one would believe it if he told them. It probably had something to do with his unique soul power.  

He knew his soul was different, its purity was unmatched on this planet. No wonder Mu Xiaolin had coveted it so desperately in his past life. In the end, though, he had come up empty-handed.  

"Watch out!" Before Mu Lichuan could react, someone shoved him aside. The next moment, the sound of a shattered flowerpot rang out.  

Sitting on the ground, Mu Lichuan was stunned. He had just been lost in thought when disaster nearly struck from above. He looked up at the teenager who had saved him - a boy with a buzz cut, though the dyed color was... eye-catching.  

"Bookworm!" The boy waved a hand in front of Mu Lichuan's face. "Did I scare you stupid?"  

His class had plenty of bookworms - kids who only knew how to study, reciting idioms even while walking, making them prone to accidents.  

Mu Lichuan snapped out of it. He wasn’t scared, he was shocked because he could see a dark aura swirling above the boy’s head, something he had never noticed before. Was this a result of reaching the Qi Refining stage?  

"You... are in grave danger," Mu Lichuan said, grateful despite knowing the flowerpot wouldn’t have actually hit him. Still, this boy had acted to save him.  

Though he wasn’t well-versed in fortune-telling, someone with a darkened brow and a shadowy aura was undoubtedly cursed with misfortune. Luckily, he had met Mu Lichuan—otherwise, disaster would have struck.  

The boy, about to get up, froze at Mu Lichuan’s words. He studied the pale-faced teenager in casual clothes and a backpack, assuming the shock had made him delirious. "Uh... do you need to go to the hospital?"  

The hospital? 

Mu Lichuan nearly facepalmed. Of course the boy wouldn’t believe him. The capital wasn’t like Chuan City, here science reigned supreme, and superstition was scorned.  

"Your brow is dark, your spirit weary. Lately, nothing’s gone right for you, has it? Every time you skip class, the teacher catches you," Mu Lichuan mused aloud, voicing his deductions.  

The boy scoffed. "Dude, relax. I’m not gonna demand repayment for saving you." As a troublemaker, getting caught was routine. Anyone with half a brain could guess that.  

Mu Lichuan frowned. He had been dead serious, yet the boy just brushed him off, dusted himself, and walked away with a wave.  

He wasn’t one to meddle, but knowing the boy was headed for disaster, he couldn’t just ignore it. So, he followed.  

Qi Wei was on his way to an internet cafe when he noticed the boy trailing him. "Hey... are you a stalker? Teachers say superstition’s bogus, your brain’s really..." Before he could finish, Mu Lichuan suddenly lunged, shoving him against a wall. His back throbbed from the impact.  

"What the—" Qi Wei was about to curse when a speeding car careened past where he had just stood. With a deafening crash, it smashed into the wall. The driver’s fate was unknown, but the front of the car was completely crumpled.  

Qi Wei’s legs turned to jelly, feeling the boy had been right. If not for that push, he wouldn’t just be "in danger"—he’d be dead.  

"Help... help him..." Qi Wei stammered, his face ghostly pale.  

Mu Lichuan shook his head. "Too late." His Yin-Yang vision showed the driver’s soul leaving his body, vanishing under the sunlight.  

"Let’s get you to the hospital. Can you walk?" Mu Lichuan noticed Qi Wei was still shaken and likely injured despite the rescue.  

Qi Wei swallowed hard. "Thanks."  

The hospital was crowded. When a middle-aged woman arrived, she found her son sitting in a chair, face pale with terror.  

"Mom... I almost died. This guy saved me..." Qi Wei trembled as he recounted the incident, shuddering at the memory of the driver’s fate.  

The woman, Zhao Hong, paled at the story. "I told you to focus on school, but you skipped class again! What am I going to do with you?" She wanted to scold him, but seeing his state, her words died in her throat.  

Qi Wei, a freshman in high school, wasn't an outstanding student, but he wasn't a troublemaker either. "Mom, he saved me. But what if his help transferred my bad luck to him? You know, karma and all..."  

"Don’t talk nonsense. He’ll be fine." Zhao Hong turned to Mu Lichuan with deep gratitude, insisting he also get checked.  

Mu Lichuan, unused to such warmth, felt a little overwhelmed. "It’s really not necessary..."  

"Please, take this as a small token of our thanks." Zhao Hong, who ran a small eatery, pressed some money into his hands.  

"Auntie, really, I can’t accept this. Qi Wei saved me first, it’s fate balancing out." Mu Lichuan smiled. Human lives weren’t something money could measure, anyway.  

Zhao Hong relented but handed him a business card. "My shop’s in West Lane. Come anytime, free meals for life."  

As Mu Lichuan accepted it, he felt something new in his soul energy.  

"Faith..." Xiao Mo’s voice whispered. "Their gratitude has given you faith energy. It shields your soul."  

By the time Mu Lichuan returned to the villa that evening, he had made another discovery - faith power. Though it couldn’t attack, it protected his soul. Doing good deeds wasn’t such a bad idea after all.  

When Mu Xiaoran heard about his great-grandson’s day, he was stunned. "Opposing feudal superstition?" In all his years, he’d never encountered such a thing. Chuan City had never been like this, was it because the capital was under stricter scrutiny?  

"Be careful when you go out, Grandpa," Mu Lichuan advised, eyeing the old man who still consulted feng shui for everything.  

Mu Xiaoran chuckled, understanding the concern.  

The next day, the newspapers branded Mu Lichuan a victim of brainwashing, making him an overnight sensation in the capital.  

Reading the headlines, Mu Lichuan sighed. Now he was the "brainwashed victim"? At his age, aside from school, there weren’t many options, no one would hire a teenager.  

"Lichuan, we don’t need the money. Just go to school," Mu Xiaoran suggested after seeing the papers.  

Mu Lichuan frowned, but the old man added, "Otherwise, a kid like you, always dabbling in superstition, will end up in jail."  

Before he could argue, another article caught his eye, this one glorifying his "fortune-telling" and heroic rescue.  

"Idiot!" Mu Lichuan groaned. 

Is this kid trying to get me into trouble?  

Sure enough, before he could figure out his next move, the police were at his door again, this time insisting he see a psychologist.

The Sweet little Fulang Chapter 171 Part 1

Chapter 171  

    After Shen Xuanqing left, it wasn’t suitable for Lu Gu to sleep alone in the new house. He originally thought of moving back, but after discussing it with Wei Lanxiang, since Shen Xuanqing would be in the mountains for at most seven or eight days, and their bedding and clothes were already here, they decided against it. Moving back and forth seemed pointless, so instead, Wei Lanxiang and Shen Yan brought their quilts over to sleep in another room.  

    The new house had a full three rooms, built even larger than the old one, making it more spacious to live in. This way, Shen Yaoqing could also sleep with his wife and son at night without being separated.  

    Dahui and the others had also gone up the mountain, leaving only Dabai and the two pups at home. But this was enough. Although there were idle troublemakers in the village, given the slight respect the Shen brothers commanded, no one dared to steal from them. If caught, with Shen Xuanqing’s temper, he wouldn’t stop until the thief was thoroughly beaten. In the countryside, family with strong young men wouldn’t be bullied.  

    Early in the morning, Wei Lanxiang got up to feed the pigs and livestock without a moment’s rest. Living here made her work more convenient.  

    Lu Gu and Shen Yan got up a bit later. After dressing and stepping out of the room, Lu Gu heard movement from the newly built straw shed at the back, Shen Yan was boiling water to heat breakfast.  

    When this house was built, they hadn’t set up a kitchen. At the time, Shen Xuanqing hadn’t thought much of it, figuring that since the family wasn’t divided, they’d still eat at the old house, so a kitchen wasn’t necessary yet. After setting up the stove recently, they built a straw shed to shield it from wind and rain.  

    The shed only had the stove, a counter, utensils, and containers for oil and salt. The new house had a storage room with rice and flour, so the shed only kept half a sack of grain for daily meals. Since there wasn’t much, the straw shed was enough. At most, they’d eat breakfast here, while proper meals were still had at the old house.  

    Shen Yan yawned by the stove and turned at the sound of footsteps, wiping tears from her yawn. "Brother Guzi, I heated that crispy oil cake for you."  

    "Okay." Lu Gu’s voice was slightly hoarse from sleep. Seeing Shen Yan yawn, he couldn’t help yawning too and stretching. The weather was lovely today, with a gentle breeze - neither too hot nor too cold, making everything feel lighter.  

    With Shen Xuanqing gone, the household chores fell on others. Fortunately, they’d hired people to cut grass, easing the burden so the family wouldn’t be overworked. Lu Gu scooped a ladle of water into a wooden basin to mix with hot water later. As he poured, he said, "I’ll open the gate first. He Zhi and Dong ger will be here soon to take the cart."  

    "Okay, go ahead." Shen Yan agreed, adding more kindling to the fire.  

    Lu Gu opened the front gate and removed the wooden threshold, placing it behind the door. The two pups ran out to play. He glanced at them, as long as they didn’t go far, it was fine. Since the water wasn’t boiling yet, he grabbed a broom to sweep the front yard. Doctor Wang had advised him that since he wasn’t ill and could move freely, he shouldn’t sit or lie around too much during pregnancy, some activity was good.  

    Before he finished sweeping, Shen Yaoqing arrived. He usually handled the dirty work like cleaning manure, while lighter tasks like feeding or chopping grass could be done by others.  

    "Eldest Brother." Lu Gu greeted him, then asked, "Have you eaten? Yan Yan is boiling water."  

    Shen Yaoqing had woken up late today. "Good timing, I haven’t eaten yet. Remember to take it easy, let Shen Yan do the sweeping. No need for you to do it."  

    "I’m idle anyway, a little movement is good." Lu Gu smiled. After being with the Shen family for so long, he was familiar enough with Shen Yaoqing to chat without hesitation.  

    "Mm." Seeing it wasn’t heavy labor, Shen Yaoqing didn’t stop him and went to tidy the rabbit hutches. After finishing the morning work, he’d check the fields. Weeds needed pulling from the wheat, and with spring plowing nearing, the rice seedlings had to be inspected.  

    Just as Lu Gu finished sweeping and leaned the broom against the wall, he heard Dabai bark twice outside, followed by He Zhi’s cheerful voice teasing the dog for barking so early.  

    He Zhi and Chen Dongdong came daily to take the cart, and the dogs knew them. Dabai barked twice more but otherwise stayed quiet.  

    "Dong ger." Lu Gu smiled at Chen Dongdong as he entered.  

    "Guzi, you’re up so early, you should sleep more." Chen Dongdong still wore patched clothes, but they were clean. With warmer weather, unlike winter, more people were washing clothes by the river.  

    He knew about Lu Gu’s pregnancy. Over the past few days when coming for the cart, Lu Gu had usually woken late, so he couldn’t help asking today. But no one minded a pregnant person sleeping in, it was expected.  

    Not just in Qingxi Village, but even neighboring villages knew Wei Lanxiang’s daughter-in-law had given birth and now his son's fulang was expecting again. Before New Year’s, she’d been so overjoyed she couldn’t help sharing the news with anyone familiar while buying tofu or pork. Word spread, and soon many knew about Lu Gu’s pregnancy.  

    "The weather’s nice today, I couldn’t sleep, so I got up to walk around and enjoy the breeze." Seeing Chen Dongdong carrying a water jug, Lu Gu added, "If you run out, just come here to scoop water. It’s closer than going home."  

    Both being shuang’er, they’d naturally grown closer. There were fewer shuang’er than women in the world, and unlike women who could nurse, shuang’er sometimes struggled to marry since they couldn’t breastfeed.  

My Fulang is a Delicate Flower Chapter 19 Part 2

"Last year’s head tax was only 100 copper coins! Now it’s 120, and adult taxes are up by 50. The household tax increased by 100! That’s 170 copper coins more, not even counting how many mouths each family has to feed!"  

"And now this ‘tribute fee’ per person, not per family! How are small families supposed to survive?"  

"Taxes go up every year, a few dozen here, a few dozen there. How much does a bushel of grain even sell for?"  

"Our men were conscripted to fight, and now we have to pay for their rewards? We give our people and our money but get nothing in return!"  

The courtyard buzzed with complaints, quickly escalating into an uproar.  

The You relatives shook their heads sympathetically, but inwardly, they were delighted.  

The higher the taxes, the more privileges they enjoyed.  

Ji Yangzong was used to such reactions and let them vent for a while.  

Finally, he raised his hand. "Enough. The court’s decrees aren’t something we commoners can question. Everyone, prepare your grain and taxes. Borrow if you must, but don’t delay."  

"Either way, it has to be paid. If we drag our feet, the prefectural officials will complain, and our village will be the first they target for corvee labor."  

A villager muttered, "The village head has a fine son-in-law now. Even if taxes reach the sky, it won’t affect him. Easy for him to talk."  

"Yeah, now he’s complaining about delays. He records the village’s harvests, doesn’t he know our situation?"  

Ji Yangzong heard the whispers but didn’t reprimand them.  

His gaze fell on You's mother, who stood proudly in the crowd. Their eyes met, and he could guess exactly what she was thinking.  

"Alright, alright. I know everyone’s upset, but we’re all in this together. We’ll get through it, like we do every year. Our village has produced a provincial graduate now, surely he’ll bring us honor in the future."  

After this perfunctory praise for You Lingxiao, Ji Yangzong moved on.  

"Now, a few other announcements. Zhao Changde’s family, his son Zhao Changsui died on the front lines. Yuan Huiru has adopted his comrade-in-arms as her foster son. He’s now registered in our village. Everyone, treat him as one of us. The Zhao family has suffered enough, let’s look out for each other."  

"Next, the engagement between the Ji and You families is hereby dissolved. Both parties are free to marry others. Matchmakers, do your work."  

Ji Yangzong spoke frankly. Broken engagements weren’t uncommon, nor were widows remarrying. This wasn’t the first case.  

Still absorbed in their tax woes, the villagers barely reacted to what would normally be major news.  

But the dissolution of the Ji-You engagement was shocking. Everyone wanted to know the reason, though such matters were never explained publicly. No one dared to ask.  

"That’s all for today. You’re dismissed."  

The crowd stirred, villagers forming small groups as they left.  

"How could such a good engagement just end? Is the village head a fool? He waited all these years for You Erlang to succeed, and now that he has, the marriage is off?"  

"Do you think the village head is stupid? It’s probably the You family crossing the river and tearing down the bridge."  

[过河拆桥 (guò hé chāi qiáo): lit. Cross the river and tear down the bridge; fig. Abandon those who helped you after achieving success.]  

"That’s heartless. The village head helped them so much in the past."  

"Times change, and so do people. Don’t expect the You family to do anything for us now."  

"Who cares about their rich people’s problems? How are we supposed to pay this year’s taxes?"  

The villagers whispered among themselves as they left, careful to avoid the You family.  

Though no one said which side had initiated the breakup, the power imbalance was obvious. Everyone assumed the You family had discarded the Ji family after climbing a high branch.  

"Mother! You said Uncle Ji wouldn’t announce this! Now there’s no way to fix it!"  

You Lingxiao looked as if he’d been struck by a sudden blow. His eyes reddened as he gripped You's mother's arm in panic. Things had gotten completely out of their control.  

You's mother was also taken aback. She hadn’t expected the Ji family to actually go through with canceling the engagement, giving up such a golden opportunity.  

Even with taxes rising, they were willing to forfeit their protection. She had underestimated Ji Yangzong.  

Seeing her usually composed son distraught, she patted his hand. "If they’re determined to break the engagement, let them. It saves us the trouble of negotiating."  

"Mother!"  

You Lingxiao grew even more agitated. Realizing she no longer cared about the marriage, he let go of her arm. "I’ll talk to Uncle Ji myself!"  

"What are you going to say to him?"  

You's mother tried to grab him, but he was too quick, darting away before she could stop him.  

"Let’s go back."  

Yuan Huiru had heard two major announcements today and felt uneasy.  

Seeing the crowd thinning at the gate, she prepared to leave.  

Huo Shu’s attention was fixed on the You mother and son. Now that You Lingxiao had truly lost his fiance, regret was setting in.  

Ji Taoyu didn’t seem like someone with a hardened heart. If his childhood sweetheart came crying, he might forget the pain.  

Huo Shu had waited too long for the Ji family to make their decision. He wouldn’t let this man cause trouble now.  

He turned to Yuan Huiru. "Go ahead, Mother. I need to discuss something with the village head."  

Yuan Huiru was surprised but didn’t pry. "Alright, come back soon."  

"Mm."  

With that, Huo Shu strode forward.  

You Lingxiao spotted Ji Yangzong and called out urgently, "Uncle Ji!"  

Ji Yangzong frowned at the sight of him, unwilling to deal with him.  

As You Lingxiao moved to intercept him, Ji Yangzong grew irritated, he might lose his temper if this continued. He was about to signal Da Niu to block him when a tall figure stepped between them.  

"Village Head, may I trouble you for a moment?"  

Ji Yangzong’s expression softened at the sight of Huo Shu. "Of course, Warrior Huo. Let’s talk inside."  

Without a glance at You Lingxiao, he led Huo Shu into the house.