My Fulang is a Delicate Flower Chapter 22 Part 1

Chapter 22

By the time they returned, it was already Shenshi (3–5 PM). Huo Shu led his horse from a distance, following the ox cart back to the village at a leisurely pace.  

From afar, he saw the little ger sitting on the cart with his knees hugged to his chest, chatting idly with the others on the cart. His expression seemed much more relaxed than when he had left in the morning.  

Seeing this, Huo Shu’s brow also eased slightly, and his gaze drifted to the open fields beside the official road.  

[Brows as Emotional Barometers: in Chinese physiognomy and literature, the brow is emphasized as the primary indicator of tension or relief. Brow movements allow characters to reveal hidden emotions while preserving dignified composure, a reflection of Confucian ideals that valued restraint]

When Huo Shu went to the stable to retrieve his horse earlier, he noticed another strong and agile horse stabled there - clearly a warhorse by its bearing.  

The stableman said the horse belonged to a soldier who had returned from the frontlines. Huo Shu asked where the soldier had returned from, but the stableman couldn’t give a clear answer.  

He didn’t dwell on it too much. Soldiers returning from the frontlines weren’t necessarily from the Northern Frontier, they could be from other border regions.  

Moreover, even if the soldier was from the Northern Frontier, the military camp was vast, with thousands of troops, it wasn’t necessarily someone he knew.  

Meeting an old friend in a distant land would have been nice, but such encounters were rare.  

Huo Shu withdrew his gaze, thinking it better to find work and settle down quickly.  

Just as he was lost in thought, a sudden commotion erupted ahead.  

“Aiya! You nearly made me fall!”  

“Master Zhang, what’s wrong with your ox? It just walked straight into the ditch! Now the cart wheel’s stuck right in the middle of it. We’re still far from the village, we’re not paying for this!”  

Ji Taoyu had been wandering all morning, and the jolting of the ox cart had made him drowsy.  

He was just about to doze off when the cart suddenly lurched, and the wheel dropped into the ditch. Sitting at the very back, he slid right off the cart.  

Luckily, he didn’t fall into the ditch but ended up kneeling on the dirt road.  

He collapsed like a lump of soft dough, hitting the ground with a plop. Though the fall wasn’t from a great height, for him, it was nothing short of a disaster. Instantly, his knees and the palms he’d used to break his fall burned with sharp pain.  

Normally, he only took the village ox cart when going to the city early in the morning. On the way back, there were many carts at the city gate, but not all were from their village. As long as they were heading the same way, anyone could ride, so he didn’t fuss over it.  

This cart was full of people from other villages, all shouting about not paying. No one paid any attention to Ji Taoyu, who was still sprawled on the ground.  

With great effort, he struggled to his feet, dragging his injured leg and barely movable hand as he tried to move aside and find a rock to sit on.  

Seeing the trouble, Huo Shu immediately urged his horse forward. The black steed trotted a few steps ahead.  

Only then did he see that the ox cart, which had been fine earlier, was now tilted with its wheel stuck in the ditch. All the passengers had already gotten off.  

“Sorry, folks, no charge, no charge!”  

The cart driver with hands on his hips, was also annoyed at the ox’s sudden tantrum. After finally filling the cart with passengers, he was now making the trip for nothing.  

Surrounded by a crowd of chattering women and men, he felt like a thousand mouths were yapping above his head, the noise was unbearable.  

Not knowing how to handle the situation, his eyes suddenly landed on Ji Taoyu, who was hunched over silently. Seeing that he was the youngest and alone without any companions, the driver immediately frowned and said, “My ox is usually very gentle, it doesn’t jostle people.”

“It must’ve been that ger messing with the wheel and causing it to get stuck.”  

The others, not knowing any better, all turned to look at Ji Taoyu. Seeing that he wasn’t arguing, they assumed he was guilty and began scolding him:  

“Ger, how could you mess with the wheel like that? There’s a whole cart of people! It’s dangerous!”  

Seizing the opportunity, the driver added, “Ger, you’ll have to compensate me for the damage. If the cart’s broken, how am I supposed to make a living? This is just a small side hustle for me.”  

The other passengers, siding with the driver, chimed in:  

“Yeah, ger, we’re all just farmers trying to get by. Fortunately nothing worse happened, but you’ve delayed everyone’s time.”  

Ji Taoyu’s knees hurt so much he couldn’t straighten up. He hadn’t expected to be blamed for his own injuries.  

He turned over his scraped palm and said, “Why would I mess with the wheel just to hurt myself?”  

The crowd paused briefly, but the driver quickly countered:  

“I’m just saying you shouldn’t have touched the wheel. Look, you even hurt yourself. At least it’s just a scrape, what if it had been worse? Who’d take responsibility then?”  

The farmers and their wives added:  

“Which village’s ger are you? So immature!”  

Ji Taoyu was furious. These people were ganging up on him just because he was from another village and alone. His hands and legs ached, yet he still had to argue with them. His eyes reddened with frustration, which only made the crowd think he was even easier to bully.  

Just as the bickering reached its peak, a horse came galloping over, kicking up a cloud of yellow dust.  

“Pah! Got dust in my mouth! Who’s—oh.”  

The black horse stopped beside them, and a powerfully built man dismounted. The farmer who’d been complaining had to crane his neck to see the newcomer’s face—and immediately shut his mouth.  

Huo Shu’s expression was icy as he strode straight to Ji Taoyu.

“Bad fall?”  

Seeing Huo Shu’s tightly knit brows and unusually fierce expression, Ji Taoyu replied, “My hand might be dislocated, it hurts to move. My knee’s scraped, but it’s probably just a surface wound.”  

Without another word, Huo Shu helped Ji Taoyu sit on a nearby rock.  

When he turned back, the previously loudmouthed farmers suddenly wilted, shrinking back and trying to hide their earlier remarks.  

The Sweet little Fulang Chapter 175 Part 2

    "Those damn dogs," Wei Lanxiang rushed over, cursing at the sight. It had rained recently, and this bag of peanuts had been left outside for snacking or adding to red bean porridge. Forgotten during the rain, they’d gotten damp, so she’d spread them on a large bamboo tray to dry that morning.  

    Stealing food was wrong, especially since Guaizi and the others were well-fed - unlike some families where dogs had to scavenge. Lu Gu didn’t defend them. Guaizi had been particularly mischievous lately, even digging a huge hole in the backyard yesterday. Shen Xuanqing had to fill it back with a shovel.  

    "I’ll have Erqing discipline them later," Wei Lanxiang grumbled, heart aching for the wasted peanuts. As Xiao Huang darted past, she smacked his flank. The dogs all fled to the backyard, and though she couldn’t catch them, she cursed a few more times before returning to cook.  

    Of all the dogs at home, Lu Gu cherished Guaizi the most, but he’d also eaten the most peanuts. With Wei Lanxiang furious and food being precious, he didn’t dare plead for leniency.  

    Later, when Shen Xuanqing finished boiling water and was slaughtering the chicken, Guaizi who had been hiding in a corner finally succumbed to the lure of offal. Seeing Shen Xuanqing busy and not paying attention, he crept closer to sniff.  

    Da Bai and the two little yellow dogs had already been punished by Shen Xuanqing, so Guaizi had been hiding in the backyard.  

    "Yelp!" A sharp cry made Lu Gu, drinking water in the main room, peek outside. Guaizi was pinned down by Shen Xuanqing, receiving several smacks on the mouth and rear.  

    He’d been too mischievous lately, digging a hole yesterday had gone unpunished, but today’s theft was the last straw.  

    After a few hits, Shen Xuanqing let go. Guaizi scrambled up, tail tucked, and bolted to the main room. Shen Xuanqing chuckled and resumed preparing the chicken, paying no further mind.  

    "Whimper…" Guaizi rubbed against Lu Gu’s leg, whimpering pitifully.  

    "Serves you right for stealing," Lu Gu scolded softly, but still patted the dog’s head in comfort.  

    Shen Yan came out with a sewing basket, having seen the scene from the back window. She teased, "Got what you deserved, huh?"  

    As long as Shen Xuanqing wasn’t hunting, the house was lively with dogs - sometimes annoying, but mostly joyful. Life flowed smoothly, without much turbulence. The sun grew fiercer, hotter, and before they knew it, summer arrived.  

    The cicadas’ shrill chirping was maddening, only quieting by evening. Even the occasional breeze carried summer’s stifling heat.  

    The midday sun was too harsh, giving Lu Gu a headache, so he only dared to go out now. Though he’d wiped the sweat from his forehead, a few strands of hair remained damp. He’d taken a nap earlier and woke up slightly sweaty.  

    Shen Xuanqing was weaving rabbit cages in the main room. Seeing Lu Gu drenched in sweat, he suggested, "Let’s take a walk by the river. It’s cooler there."  

    "Alright." Lu Gu poured himself half a bowl of water, drank it, and then left with Shen Xuanqing.  

    Since summer’s heat had intensified, they’d moved back to the old house. The large estate had too many livestock, and despite the spacious yard, the mingled stench of manure made Lu Gu nauseous, so they returned.  

    By now, the twenty pairs of breeding rabbits had produced two litters, totaling over a hundred kits. Fortunately, last year’s offspring had been sold, freeing up hutches and cages. Still, they wove extra cages when possible, better safe than sorry.  

    The riverbank was a short distance from the house. Lu Gu’s belly had grown even bigger, so they walked slowly. Elderly people fanned themselves by the river, chatting, while younger women cut grass and exchanged words. The lively chatter carried from afar.  

    Flocks of ducks swam in the water, their ripples fracturing the sunset’s reflection.  

    As they headed toward the new house, they met Wei Lanxiang and Zhou Xiangjun herding ducks and geese.  

    "Oh, careful, careful!" Wei Lanxiang fretted as soon as she saw Lu Gu, afraid he’d trip on the grass.  

    Shen Xuanqing was right beside him, and Lu Gu wasn’t a child, he could walk just fine. Her overprotectiveness made Zhou Xiangjun stifle a laugh.  

    "Mother, it’s fine. After sleeping so long, I needed a walk," Lu Gu reassured her.  

    Nearby, Shen Yan was gathering river snails. She called out, "Brother Guzi, come look! I found a small river clam. We’ll smash it later to feed the chickens."  

    The two of them went over to look. Shen Xuanqing crouched to help collect snails while Lu Gu rested by the riverbank. The breeze fluttered his pale green robe. Apart from two sets of pale green silk clothes, Shen Xuanqing had bought mist-blue silk last month to make him another outfit, saying an extra set would be handy for laundry days.  

    Shen Xuanqing tossed two snails into the basket. Seeing it nearly full, he said, "That’s enough. Sister-in-law’s already cooking. Let’s go back and feed the chickens."  

    He carried the basket himself, not letting Shen Yan take it. Since Lu Gu couldn’t walk too long with his belly, they headed back to the new house. Guaizi was nowhere in sight, probably napping or causing trouble elsewhere.  

    After they left, Wei Lanxiang, still chatting with her sister-in-law by the river, when she heard two loud splashes. Two village boys, Xiao Shunzi and Xiao Shuanzi, were heaving rocks into the water, competing to see who could make the bigger splash.  

    "Oh, it’s you little rascals! The sun’s almost set, why aren’t you home yet? Watch out for the wolves!" Wei Lanxiang teased. Seeing how scrawny they were, she worried they might topple into the river under the rocks’ weight and added sternly, "Your fathers will beat you if they find out."  

    Xiao Shuanzi wiped his nose dismissively, ignoring her. But Xiao Shunzi, remembering the beating from two days ago that still made his butt ache, hesitated after tossing one last rock before tugging his pants up and trudging off with Xiao Shuanzi.  

    Seeing dusk approach and smoke rise from chimneys, Wei Lanxiang herded the ducks and four geese ashore, chatting with Zhou Xiangjun as she shooed them along.  

    Suddenly, she saw Xiao Shunzi and Xiao Shuanzi poking the lead gander with sticks. 

    These reckless brats!  

    "Drop those sticks! Don’t provoke the geese!" she shouted, rushing forward.  

    The lead gander was fierce, barking at strangers and even fighting dogs, which naturally made it a target for the mischievous boys. With a loud honk, the gander lunged forward to bite, sending the boys running for cover, and the other geese joined in the chase.

    The boys screamed in terror. Wei Lanxiang, torn between anger and amusement, handed her bamboo pole to Zhou Xiangjun to mind the ducks and ran to intervene.  

    Zhou Xiangjun, though concerned, couldn’t help laughing. Boys at that age seemed to have a knack for causing trouble, and even dogs weren't immune to their antics.

    By the time Wei Lanxiang reached them, Xiao Shunzi’s butt had been nipped and twisted by the gander, making him howl. Xiao Shuanzi, quicker on his feet, escaped unharmed but paled at his friend’s shrieks, sprinting home in a panic.

The Sweet little Fulang Chapter 175 Part 1

Chapter 175  

    The mottled sunlight filtered through the gaps in the leaves. Under the tree, Lu Gu sat on a white stone, watching the calf grazing not far away. Staying at home every day wasn’t ideal. Tasks like cutting grass didn’t require his help, so as long as it wasn’t raining, he would take the calf out for a walk. When tired, he would find a clean stone to sit on and enjoy the breeze, it was quite comfortable.  

    Huang’er was drinking water by the river. Only after drinking his fill did he run back. Shen Yan and Wei Lanxiang had gone up the mountain to dig for bamboo shoots. Time passed quickly, and it was already late spring. Wild grass grew rampant, trees flourished, and the livestock had no shortage of grazing.  

    He hadn’t been sitting alone for long when Huang’er suddenly wagged his tail and barked twice. Turning his head, he saw Shen Xuanqing approaching.  

    "Finished tidying up?" Lu Gu couldn’t help but smile. Earlier, when he had come out, Shen Xuanqing had been shoveling rabbit droppings.  

    "Done." Shen Xuanqing smiled back. He wasn’t comfortable with Lu Gu going out alone, so he naturally came to check. Lu Gu’s belly was getting bigger, and usually, either Shen Yan or Ji Qiuyue would accompany him on walks. Today, Ji Qiuyue and Shen Yaoqing had taken the children back to her family home in a mule-drawn cart.  

    "The stone is cold. Use this as a cushion." He took off his outer garment, folded it twice, and handed it to Lu Gu to sit on.  

    Lu Gu initially wanted to refuse, but seeing Shen Xuanqing’s serious expression, he reluctantly accepted it.  

    "Next time you come out, bring that small square quilt. It has a bit of cotton inside, it’ll be softer to sit on." Shen Xuanqing stood beside him, pinching his fulang's earlobe playfully.  

    People were washing clothes by the river, and others were herding cattle or ducks nearby. Even if they weren’t right in front of them, Lu Gu was afraid of being seen, so he lightly swatted Shen Xuanqing's hand away.  

    The small square quilt had been made by Wei Lanxiang in winter for him to cushion his chair, fearing he’d catch cold. Now that it was warmer, it wasn’t needed anymore. But hearing Shen Xuanqing’s suggestion, he nodded in agreement. "Alright, I’ll remember."  

    Shen Xuanqing chuckled when his hand was swatted away but didn’t tease further. Just as he was about to ask Lu Gu what he wanted for lunch, distant barks were heard. Huang’er also started barking toward the mountain. Both of them looked over and soon saw Da Hui and Da Hei running from the riverbank.  

    "Mother and Yan Yan are back," Lu Gu said, reaching out to rub Da Hui’s furry head as the dog ran up to him.  

    "I’ll go meet them." Shen Xuanqing headed in their direction.  

    The two dogs ran fast, while Wei Lanxiang and Shen Yan were still descending the slope. It took them a while to catch up.  

    Seeing the three of them approaching, Lu Gu stood up and called out cheerfully, "Mother!"  

    Before she even reached him, Wei Lanxiang responded with a smile, "What would you like for lunch, Guzi? How about stewed chicken with bamboo shoots?"  

    "Sounds good." Lu Gu nodded. They’d been eating pork and rabbit meat lately, so chicken and soup would be a nice change.  

    "You just sit and rest. Yan Yan, stay here with your Brother Guzi. Erqing, go back and slaughter a chicken." Wei Lanxiang gave orders without hesitation.  

    "Mm." Shen Xuanqing, carrying a bamboo basket, followed her back.  

    "Where’s Second Brother’s outer garment?" Shen Yan plopped down on the stone to rest, sitting on the other half. "Oh, Brother Guzi, you should sit too. I’m exhausted today, Mother and I walked far and even picked sweet berries to eat. Ah! I forgot, the sweet berries I picked for you are still in the basket!"  

    Seeing her flustered, Lu Gu smiled and reassured her, "No hurry, we can eat them later. They won’t run away. Rest first."  

    "Right." Shen Yan had been about to call Shen Xuanqing back but decided against it.  

    The two of them rested by the river for a while. Shen Yan, unable to stay idle, picked a few pretty flowers. When the calf went to the river to drink, Lu Gu called out, "Time to go back!" once it lifted its head. The calf understood and trotted ahead, tail wagging.  

    Picking up Shen Xuanqing’s garment from the stone, Lu Gu and Shen Yan followed behind. Da Hui panted beside them, tongue lolling. Huang’er and Da Hei had already gone ahead with Shen Xuanqing.  

    Back home, the calf went into its pen on its own, needing no guidance. Shen Xuanqing was boiling water, the chicken already caught and tied up outside the shed.  

    "Go sit in the front yard. No need for you two here," Wei Lanxiang said, busy slicing bamboo shoots.  

    "Mother, where are the sweet berries?" Shen Yan asked, not seeing them in the basket.  

    "On the table in front," Shen Xuanqing replied, adding firewood to the stove.  

    The front gate was shut tight since they’d all been out. Just as Lu Gu was about to open it after eating the sweet berries, he noticed Guaizi and Xiao Huang had knocked over a bamboo tray and were stealing peanuts. Huang’er and Da Bai were also there, only Da Hui and Da Hei were missing, likely drinking water in the back.  

    It suddenly made sense why he hadn’t seen Guaizi earlier or heard any noise.  

    Shen Yan, stepping out, saw it too and scolded with a laugh, "Ah, so this is where you’ve been hiding, stealing food!"  

    Her words made all four dogs flatten their ears guiltily, avoiding eye contact and looking elsewhere.  

    Da Bai, especially guilty, even shuffled to hide peanut shells under his rear, earning another laugh from Shen Yan. "You’re not afraid of sitting on something sharp?"  

    She gave Da Bai’s behind a firm smack, and Xiao Huang didn’t escape either. Huang’er with his tail tucked, tried to flee but got a light kick. Though Lu Gu could tell it wasn’t hard, the dog yelped dramatically as if in pain.  

    Only Guaizi, despite his guilt, dashed away along the wall and bolted to the backyard, making Shen Yan shout after him, "Shameless!" Lu Gu couldn’t help but laugh - while the other dogs froze in guilt, Guaizi was the craftiest.  

    The commotion of Guaizi’s escape was loud, and soon Wei Lanxiang called out, "What happened?"  

    "Nothing, Mother. The dogs knocked over the peanuts," Shen Yan replied.  

    Unable to squat comfortably due to his belly, Lu Gu only picked up the bamboo tray and handed it to Shen Yan.  

    "Hey, Brother Guzi, look—this dog even shells peanuts?" Shen Yan exclaimed in surprise, showing him a half-opened shell with bite marks resembling human peeling. A few peanut kernels lay uneaten on the ground.  

    Guaizi had been lying there earlier, and even Lu Gu was amazed. Their Guaizi was truly clever, especially when it came to food.  

    Peanuts were scattered everywhere. As they checked the other dogs’ messes, they noticed Da Bai was surprisingly neat - empty shells in one pile, half-eaten peanuts in another. Guaizi and the two little yellow dogs were messier, mixing shells and nuts. The younger dogs, perhaps due to age, weren’t as skilled as Guaizi at shelling, leaving many peanuts crushed.  

My Fulang is a Delicate Flower Chapter 21 Part 4

Zhao Pan, expecting Huo Shu to ask questions, found the man silent as a statue after entering.  

Eager to talk, he said: "Uncle Huo, want to see my calligraphy?"  

He fetched a stack of practice sheets.  

"My teacher praised my improvement recently."  

Ji Taoyu nibbled pumpkin seeds, watching Huo Shu examine the papers - seemingly serious but saying nothing.  

Zhao Pan fidgeted under Huo Shu’s stern gaze: "Uncle Huo, is it bad?"  

Huo Shu, seeing pages of repeated characters, didn’t understand the waste of paper.  

As he struggled to respond, a herbal-scented head leaned in, inspecting the writing: "Hmm, balanced structure, smooth strokes, elegant flair. Not bad!"  

Zhao Pan brightened: "Uncle Tao reads? That’s just what my teacher said!"  

Ji Taoyu said: "Yes, I studied for years."  

The Ji family had pooled resources to hire a tutor for the children. Originally just for boys, but since Ji Taoyu was their only child, his father insisted he attend too.  

Some cousins lost interest and quit early, but Ji Taoyu enjoyed learning and continued for eight years, becoming well-read.  

"Uncle Tao is amazing."  

Zhao Pan said, though his enthusiasm dimmed slightly.  

Ji Taoyu understood, the boy wanted Huo Shu’s attention, but his uncle wasn’t one for small talk.  

Most people would find Huo Shu’s silence awkward, but he wore it naturally, making others uncomfortable instead.  

Of course, Ji Taoyu also knew Huo Shu, having spent a decade on the northern frontier, wasn’t well-versed in scholarly matters.  

He beckoned Zhao Pan, whispering something that made the boy brighten again before darting inside.  

Huo Shu eyed Ji Taoyu: "What did you tell him?"  

Ji Taoyu blinked: "I said your Uncle Huo is illiterate, so stop pestering him."  

Huo Shu narrowed his eyes: "I can read."  

Ji Taoyu raised a brow, not arguing, and went back to his roasted pumpkin seeds.  

Soon, Zhao Pan returned with a bow: "Uncle Huo, can you shoot?"  

Huo Shu took the wooden bow, plucking the string: "Yes."  

"Great! Can you teach me?"  

Zhao Pan tugged clumsily at the string: "My teacher says at my age, if I want to succeed in the exams, I need to master the six arts. Our school’s small, the teacher only teaches books. For archery and riding, we need separate tutors."  

[The Six Arts (六艺, Liù Yì) comprising rites (礼), music (乐), archery (射), charioteering (御), calligraphy (书), and mathematics (数), designed to cultivate moral virtue, physical skill, and intellectual refinement in harmony with Confucian ideals]

"My uncles (from the Wu family) can’t ride or shoot. Mom bought this bow months ago, but I still can’t figure it out."  

He added: "She’s looking for a teacher, but they’re rare and expensive."  

Ji Taoyu said: "Now you’ve found a free one. Your Uncle Huo’s skills are battlefield-tested, better than any tutor."  

Huo Shu’s lips quirked slightly. Without a word, he tilted his head.  

A sudden whoosh—a short arrow shot from the open hall, thunking squarely into the target in the yard, piercing halfway through.  

Zhao Pan ran outside, gaping at the arrow embedded dead-center in the makeshift target - a painted basket, still swaying from the force.  

His eyes widened in awe. He'd never seen such skill, and in that moment, he knew no tutor could match this level of expertise.  

Huo Shu called to the boy in the yard: "I taught your father as well. No harm teaching you."  

Northern frontiersmen might skip school but never archery. Huo Shu had been a prodigy, while Zhao Changsui, a soft-hearted southerner, had struggled until battles hardened him.  

Zhao Pan felt a pang of emotion, though he’d never met his father, he carried his blood and longed for connection.  

"Thank you, Uncle Huo."  

Huo Shu stood, glancing at Ji Taoyu: "Want to learn?"  

Ji Taoyu, impressed by Huo Shu’s skill but knowing his own limits, waved his hands: "No, I can’t even draw the bow, I'm too weak."  

"Fine, someone can protect you."  

Ji Taoyu paused, unsure what Huo Shu meant.  

The three practiced in the small yard until lunch. By then, Zhao Pan could at least shoot - not accurately, but enough to delight a child.  

He proudly demonstrated for his mother before they ate.  

Wu Lianhe had prepared a feast, even buying good wine for Huo Shu.  

Zhao Pan, now utterly at ease, busily pouring wine and shelling crabs with the enthusiasm of a dedicated apprentice.

Seeing his son happier than he'd been in a long time, Wu Lianhe felt a wave of relief. 

"Uncle Huo, will you teach me again?"  

"Will you visit me in the city?"  

That afternoon, as clouds gathered, Huo Shu prepared to leave.  

Zhao Pan clung, following them to the main street until Wu Lianhe stopped him, though he kept calling after them.  

It wasn’t surprising—raised in hiding, rarely seeing relatives, forbidden from playing with other children, he’d grown up isolated.  

Still a child at heart, he’d latched onto Huo Shu, his father’s comrade, who’d shared ten years with the man he’d never known.  

"I will."  

Huo Shu’s reply was brief.  

Then, to Wu Lianhe: "Do you plan to have him recognized by the Zhao family?"  

Wu Lianhe glanced at her son: "I’ll wait until he achieves something. Then the gossip won’t hurt as much."  

Huo Shu nodded, telling Zhao Pan: "If you need anything, come find me in the village."  

"Yes!"  

Zhao Pan shouted eagerly.  

Huo Shu and Ji Taoyu left.  

"Uncle Huo, I’ll practice hard!"  

Huo Shu turned to see the boy waving vigorously.  

"If Brother Changsui’s spirit watches, he can rest easy with such a good son."  

Ji Taoyu remarked.  

Huo Shu gazed ahead, agreeing silently.  

"His mother raised him well."  

Ji Taoyu glanced at Huo Shu, surprised that he gave credit to Wu Lianhe instead of resorting to empty praise about family lineage.

In a world where men rarely acknowledged women’s contributions, this was rare.  

Ji Taoyu clapped his hands, smiling warmly with crinkled eyes, "I think so too."

The Rebirth of Crazy ger Chapter 53

Chapter 53  

The two exchanged glances, their eyes filled with wariness.  

Yue ger seemed oblivious to their unwelcoming expressions and approached them with a smile, calling out warmly, "A-Jin, A-Mu."  

"..." Wang Jin didn't respond, while Mu ger gave an awkward laugh and replied.  

Yue ger blinked playfully and asked, "What were you two talking about just now? Something about eating A-Jin? Was someone bullying A-Jin?"  

"..." The two felt awkward.  

Yue ger said indignantly, "Anyone who dares to bully A-Jin is going against the entire Danmu tribe. None of us gers here will let them off."  

As he spoke, Yue ger rubbed his hands together as if he genuinely intended to stand up for Wang Jin.  

Wang Jin's eye twitched. If he didn’t know how much this person hated him, he might have believed Yue ger truly cared for him...  

This act was too convincing. Seeing how the surrounding gers were taken in, Wang Jin cut in and asked, "Why are you here?"  

Yue ger put away his angry expression and said, "I wanted to ask A-Jin to come to my home and teach me how to weave."  

"I—"  

Before Wang Jin could refuse, Yue ger’s expression softened abruptly, interrupting him, "A-Jin is the best, you wouldn’t refuse me, right?"  

"..." Wang Jin’s lips twitched. Yue ger moved closer, sitting familiarly beside Wang Jin and whispering, "We’ve had some minor conflicts before, but things are different now. We’ve made up..."  

As he spoke, a calculating glint flashed in Yue ger’s eyes. He added, "If you refuse to teach me, it means you’re still angry and unwilling to forgive me..."  

Yue ger put on a pitiful face.  

Sitting side by side with Wang Jin, his aggrieved expression was fully visible to the gers who had come with him, instantly swaying their sympathy toward Yue ger.  

One of the ger spoke up, "Jin ger, since Yue ger is so sincere, why don’t you teach him?"  

"Yeah, Jin ger, let bygones be bygones. Just teach Yue ger."  

"..." Wang Jin remained silent. Mu ger interjected, "Everyone knows how to weave, so there’s no need to ask A-Jin specifically. Besides, when others learn from A-Jin, they go to him. Why should A-Jin go to you?"  

Yue ger quickly replied, "It’s true that everyone can teach me, but I really just wanted to invite A-Jin over to reconnect and mend our friendship..."  

Hearing this, even Mu ger couldn’t find a way to refuse on Wang Jin’s behalf.  

Wang Jin sighed.  

Yue ger was truly silver-tongued, saying so much just to get him to his home.  

He had no idea what this person was really planning.  

As Wang Jin pondered, the others noticed his silence and assumed he was reluctant to agree.  

Some gers continued to persuade him on Yue ger’s behalf.  

"Jin ger, just go. We’ll all be there too."  

"Yeah, treat it as a chance to hang out with everyone."  

"Think of it as bonding with the others."  

"The important thing is for Yue ger and Jin ger to reconcile. We’re all gers of the same tribe, one family."  

"..." Seeing their insistence, Wang Jin knew he couldn’t refuse today.  

He stood up. He’d see what Yue ger was up to.  

Mu ger quickly stood up as well. "I’m coming too."  

Wang Jin glanced back at him, disapproval in his eyes.  

Mu ger shook his head slightly, his gaze firm.  

Yue ger smiled. "Of course A-Mu is welcome."  

"Let’s go, let’s go!" The excited ger pulled Mu ger along, leading him out of Wang Jin’s yard. "We’re all going!"  

Mu ger was dragged away, but no one dared to pull Wang Jin. Everyone remembered that Wang Jin’s beastman was the jealous type, no one except Yuan Heng could touch Wang Jin.  

Yue ger tried to reach for Wang Jin, but Wang Jin dodged deftly and walked ahead of the group.  

For a moment, Yue ger was left at the back. In a corner where no one could see, his eyes turned icy.  

Arriving at the leader’s house, the interior was much brighter and more spacious than other homes.  

The yard was tidy, easily accommodating nearly ten gers without feeling crowded, a stark contrast to Wang Jin’s small courtyard.  

Perhaps preparations had been made in advance, as weaving tools and chairs were set up in the yard.  

One chair had a thick cushion.  

As they approached, Yue ger gestured to the cushioned seat and said amiably, "A-Jin, sit here. It’s more comfortable."  

The others praised Yue ger. "Wow, Yue ger is so thoughtful!"  

"Jin ger, see? Coming was the right choice. Yue ger treats you so well."  

"Seems like we’re just extras. Yue ger only cares about Jin ger," someone joked.  

Yue ger laughed. "How could that be? I’m just being considerate of A-Jin’s delicate health. You all know that."  

The gers chuckled good-naturedly, not truly jealous.  

They relented, "That’s true. A-Jin has always been frailer than most ger."  

Yue ger nodded. "Exactly. This is a special case. Later, take some meat home as a gift from me."  

"Wow, Yue ger is amazing!" The gers' eyes lit up.  

In this world, food was always precious.  

Yue ger said, "Now you know I care for you all equally, not just A-Jin."  

The gers nodded repeatedly, showering him with praise.  

"..." Wang Jin and Mu ger exchanged glances, feeling inexplicably uneasy at this harmonious scene.  

If Yue ger’s kind and generous act was all an act… then he was truly terrifying.  

Wang Jin thought silently.  

Yue ger urged, "Come, sit down."  

As everyone took their seats, Wang Jin bent his knees slightly, about to sit—when Mu ger suddenly yanked him up and shouted loudly, "A-Jin!"  

Startled, Wang Jin straightened instinctively.  

The others gasped, turning to Mu ger.  

Mu ger swiftly pulled out a long, sharp bone needle embedded in the cushion...  

The group inhaled sharply. The needle was thick and long, placed right in the center of the cushion. Had Wang Jin sat down, he would have been badly injured.  

Mu ger shielded Wang Jin behind him, furious as he thrust the needle toward Yue ger.  

"Your methods of harming others are too vicious!"  

With that, he flung the needle at Yue ger.  

It clung to Yue ger’s clothes briefly before falling to the ground, stark against the brown soil.  

All eyes turned to Yue ger.  

From Mu ger’s words, it seemed Yue ger had planted the needle to hurt Wang Jin.  

The group sucked in cold breaths, their gazes turning suspicious...

Rebirth of the Useless Young Master’s Counterattack Chapter 55

Chapter 55: Expelling the Evil Spirit

He Chen had initially assumed that a "master" would surely be an elderly person, or at the very least, a middle-aged man. Never had he expected it to be a teenager who looked like a middle school student—and in fact, he was a middle school student, as evidenced by the schoolbag on his back.  

"Apologies for my rudeness, young friend." Despite his surprise and some lingering doubts, He Chen still trusted his friend's judgment and spoke politely.  

Mu Lichuan, having once been a businessman, was well-versed in formalities. "Alright, let me put down my bag, and then I’ll go with you to take a look." Though it was already evening, he still intended to cultivate later. Besides, he had school the next day, and it was best not to disrupt his daily routine.  

Seeing the young man’s attitude, He Chen’s impression of him improved significantly. Some so-called "masters" had no real skills but carried themselves with unbearable arrogance.  

"Let’s go directly to your home first," Mu Lichuan suggested after hearing the full account. He didn’t think it was an issue with the construction—more likely, they had unwittingly provoked something. "Or are you a local, Mr. He? Should we check your ancestral home instead?"  

In his opinion, the ancestral home was the better option. Modern apartments often obscured many things that could be detected in older dwellings.  

"Our ancestral home isn’t in the capital, it’s in Lingchuan City, the neighboring province," He Chen explained slowly.  

Mu Lichuan nodded in understanding. "Then let’s check your current residence first." He wasn’t a feng shui master, but if the yin energy in their home was too strong, he’d need talismans. Luckily, he had been practicing crafting protective, water-warding, and yin-dispelling talismans. This would be a good opportunity to test them out.  

"Here, take this protective talisman. Have your family wear it." He didn’t possess clairvoyance, but judging by the middle-aged man’s demeanor, trouble had likely already struck.  

"Thank you." He Chen examined the yellow talisman. Though he couldn’t discern anything special about it, keeping it close for safety’s sake couldn’t hurt.  

He Chen lived in the southern district of the capital, an area filled with high-end villas. Unlike Mu Lichuan’s neighborhood, most residents here were outsiders who had come to the capital to make their fortune and had achieved some success.  

By the time they arrived at the villa, it was nearly dinnertime. He Chen suggested stopping for a meal, but Mu Lichuan declined, handling the matter at hand took priority.  

Using his Yin-Yang Eyes, Mu Lichuan scanned the villa for any lingering spirits. Sure enough, as soon as he stepped inside, he spotted one or two ghosts. No wonder the yin energy here felt so heavy.  

"Pa! Pa! Pa!" Without caring how it looked to others, Mu Lichuan pulled out a spirit-expelling talisman and hurled it at the ghosts. To his eyes, the spirits let out ear-piercing wails before vanishing. To everyone else, all they saw was a talisman sparking mid-air before fluttering to the white-tiled floor.  

"This…" He Chen was utterly stunned by Mu Lichuan’s methods, his face frozen in shock. Meanwhile, Yuan Dacheng, standing nearby, looked completely unfazed, he had seen this before.  

"Young Master Mu doesn’t waste words, he proves himself through action," Yuan Dacheng remarked. Initially, he too had been skeptical, but experience had taught him that those who talked big often lacked real skill.  

A glint of admiration flashed in He Chen’s eyes. "Young Master Mu, does that mean there were unclean entities here?"  

"Yes, two minor spirits, they’ve been dealt with. But the root of the problem likely lies in your ancestral graves," Mu Lichuan said gravely. "Ghosts rarely appear without reason - either the place is saturated with yin energy, or someone has deliberately sent them after you."  

"You’re businessmen, I don’t approve of underhanded tactics like this. Alternatively, it could be retribution for past misdeeds." In his view, the earlier feng shui disturbance and the current haunting were likely orchestrated. Though, of course, it could also be coincidence.  

Upon hearing these words, He Chen's face turned pale. "Young Master Mu, are you implying that my family is being targeted?" Then, reflecting further, it seemed plausible. Despite the capital's push for science and opposition to superstition, inexplicable incidents had been plaguing his family. How could the series of strange events, like sudden tire blowouts causing car accidents, really be just coincidences?

"Possibly. But this is all speculation for now. How long has it been since your ancestral graves were tended to?" He assumed they at least conducted regular memorial rites.  

"Ah… it’s been a while. Since settling in the capital, even though Lingchuan is nearby, we rarely return." He Chen’s expression turned awkward.  

Mu Lichuan had no interest in prying into family matters. Calmly, he said, "Karma works in cycles. If your ancestral graves are undisturbed, then someone is likely controlling spirits against you. We’ll visit your ancestral graves this weekend." The matter couldn’t be rushed, moreover with the villa’s ghosts eliminated, things should remain calm for a while.  

"Young Master Mu, I…" He Chen had been about to ask the teenager to skip school and head to Lingchuan immediately, but then he remembered—the boy was likely in his third year of middle school. Best not to overstep.  

"Don’t worry, no one’s going to die in the next few days. Your daughter is hospitalized with serious injuries, and your wife will be fine too." Mu Lichuan’s words were blunt, lacking any sugarcoating, but they were honest.  

Hearing this, He Chen finally relaxed. Perhaps the young man lacked social graces, but compared to the two previous "masters" he’d hired, Mu Lichuan was far more practical. "Young Master Mu, let me transfer five million to you first—"  

"Pay me after the issue is fully resolved." Mu Lichuan cut him off expressionlessly. Then, he noticed his power of faith had increased slightly—clearly, the middle-aged man’s gratitude had strengthened it.  

He Chen’s impression of Mu Lichuan improved further. Even if the problem wasn’t completely solved, he decided he’d give the young man ten million. If it was resolved, he’d double that.  

"Young Master Mu, it’s late. Let’s have dinner together." He Chen wasn’t so tactless as to not offer a meal after receiving help.  

Mu Lichuan initially wanted to refuse, but then reconsidered, he needed to expand his connections in the capital. Staying aloof wouldn’t benefit his future. So he nodded in agreement.  

Shenghua Grand Hotel, a place where only the wealthy dined. Qi Wei, visiting for the first time, gaped in excitement. Mu Lichuan, however, remained impassive. He had been here in his past life and felt no curiosity. His composure only deepened Yuan Dacheng’s impression of him as steady and reserved.  

As they headed toward a private room, a young man surrounded by a large entourage caught Mu Lichuan’s attention—specifically, the ferocious ghost perched on the man’s head.  

The ghost oozed a thick, crimson liquid that dripped onto the young man’s hair, trailing down like blood from his orifices. The sight was grotesque and horrifying.  

"Young Master—" Before Mu Lichuan could act, the young man’s face drained of color, and he collapsed, his body convulsing violently.  

To Mu Lichuan’s Yin-Yang Eyes, the ghost was tearing into the man’s head, devouring half of it. "Move!"  

He barked, immediately regretting not deactivating his Yin-Yang Eyes earlier. If he didn’t handle this, he wouldn’t be able to eat, the ghost was simply too repulsive.  

The bodyguards froze. An assistant moved to stop Mu Lichuan, but a sharp glare from him halted him. A second later, he watched as his employer’s forehead was slapped with a yellow talisman.  

"You...a superstitious fraud?" The assistant scowled, about to order the bodyguards to drag Mu Lichuan away, when he noticed the young master’s complexion improving.  

Ignoring them, Mu Lichuan focused on the ghost before him, his lips twitching in disgust. Channeling his soul force, he obliterated the spirit, purging it from existence. To everyone else, however, it looked like the teenager was caressing the young man’s face - an act so brazen it left them speechless.  

The Mi family’s heir was notorious for his aversion to physical contact. Now, not only had someone touched him, he'd practically molested him. Once he woke up, this boy was dead.  

After expelling the evil spirit, Mu Lichuan was drenched in sweat. The exorcism had nearly drained all his soul force in mere moments.  

The unconscious young man’s eyes snapped open, a sharp glare locking onto Mu Lichuan, followed by a slap.  

Though weakened, Mu Lichuan caught his wrist effortlessly. Thankfully, the man’s energy was also depleted—otherwise, he wouldn’t have stood a chance. "Is this how you treat your savior?" His voice was hoarse but edged with steel.  

Mi Shen’s gaze turned icy. "Get lost!" Since childhood, he had loathed being touched, let alone in such an intimate manner.  

"You think I want to touch you? If not for—" As Mu Lichuan tried to stand, a wave of dizziness sent him crashing back onto Mi Shen.  

The impact drew a sneer from Mi Shen. "I’ve seen women throw themselves at me, but a boy using such cheap tactics? Pathetic."  

The assistant stared in shock, their young master had never spoken so much to anyone. Meanwhile, Mu Lichuan’s condition worsened. 

Even if my soul force is drained, why does my body feel so weak?

My Fulang is a Delicate Flower Chapter 21 Part 3

Ji Taoyu agreed without comment, leading Huo Shu to a stationery shop. He wanted to pick an affordable set, but these things were expensive, even a mid-range set cost several hundred coins.  

After browsing, Huo Shu chose the most expensive among the options, a set costing 1,200 copper coins.  

Ji Taoyu’s eyes widened. Instead of Huo Shu, he should be called Huo Huo Silver!  

[Huo Huo Silver (霍霍银子): silver-squandering Huo: 

霍霍 (huò huò): onomatopoeia for swishing (like a blade), but colloquially means squandering/wasting recklessly; 

银子 (yín zi): silver (money)]

He shook his head, but Huo Shu was already lining up to pay.  

Waiting, Ji Taoyu glanced around the shop, suddenly lost in thought.  

His family had often bought books and stationery for You Lingxiao. He’d browsed Linhe Quarter and this very shop.  

They’d always bought You Lingxiao decent writing materials, afraid he’d be looked down on at the academy for using cheap ones.  

Though he’d never calculated how much they’d spent over the years, a single trip here never cost less than a hundred copper coins.  

Some poor families didn’t even earn a hundred copper coins in a month.  

What a farce it all was.  

Ji Taoyu tried not to dwell on it, but familiar sights inevitably brought back memories.  

As he zoned out, a slightly worn copy of The Washing Away of Wrongs was thrust into his hands.  

[The Washing Away of Wrongs (洗冤集录, Xǐyuān Jílù): the world's oldest surviving forensic manual, written in 1247 by Song Dynasty official Song Ci, detailing methods for autopsy, crime-scene investigation, and evidence analysis to correct judicial injustices]

He looked up at Huo Shu: "This is?"  

Huo Shu gazed down at the distracted ger: "From the shop. Let’s go."  

Before Ji Taoyu could react, Huo Shu turned and left.  

Ji Taoyu's eyes lit up as he skimmed the title, realizing the book, which appeared to be a mystery novel, was actually a forensic manual. 

"Wait for me!"  

Clutching the book, he hurried after Huo Shu.  

Wu Lianhe’s address was in a neighborhood called Little Shantou.  

The area was densely packed with old houses, the alleyway leading to a dock. With few shops around, it wasn’t a busy area except for residents.  

But the houses were small and crowded, making the place lively on its own.  

Huo Shu and Ji Taoyu zigzagged through narrow, winding alleys for over fifteen minutes before finding Wu Lianhe’s place.  

Ji Taoyu knocked on a wooden door adorned with a pair of red couplets - the calligraphy unrefined, even childish. A voice called from inside: "Who is it? Coming!"  

It was a woman’s voice, but the door opened to reveal a boy.  

Young-faced but tall, the boy stood nearly as tall as Ji Taoyu.  

Seeing strangers, he was about to ask who they were when a woman in an apron rushed out from the kitchen, crossing the small yard to greet them: "Brother Huo, Tao ger! Come in!"  

Wu Lianhe quickly introduced the boy: "Pan’er, this is your father’s comrade. You should call him Uncle Huo."  

Zhao Pan studied the tall, imposing Huo Shu - a rare sight in the south, though intrigued, he obeyed: "Uncle Huo."  

Huo Shu looked at the boy with round face and thick brows - a carbon copy of Zhao Changsui.  

Zhao Changsui had a foolishly kind face, grinning like an idiot even as a captain, often needing Huo Shu to beat sense into overconfident recruits.  

He crouched, gripping Zhao Pan’s shoulders: "You look just like your father."  

Zhao Pan had heard about his father from his mother. Knowing his father’s comrade was visiting, he’d been eager.  

The boy, unlike others, wasn't intimidated by Huo Shu's stern demeanor - instead, he felt a connection, knowing this man was linked to the father he never knew.

"Uncle Huo."  

Huo Shu handed him the gifts: "I heard you’re in school. I didn’t know what to get, just some writing materials. Take a look."  

Zhao Pan’s face lit up. He eagerly unwrapped the bundle: "Qingzhu Studio’s Four Treasures!"

[文房四宝 (wénfáng sìbǎo): Four Treasures of the Study (brush, ink, paper, inkstone)]  

Then he found a simply wrapped handkerchief, unfolding it, his eyes sparkled: "Incense ink?"  

He sniffed it, grinning with tiger-like canines: "It really is! Uncle Huo, you know about this stuff?"  

He bowed deeply: "Thank you, Uncle Huo."  

"Brother Huo, you shouldn’t have spent so much coming here. We should be thanking you."  

Huo Shu stood, watching the delighted Zhao Pan. His smile identical to his father’s, even his cheerful personality a match.  

Zhao Changsui, as a recruit, had been bullied and starved yet remained annoyingly optimistic, finding joy in a single iron-hard bun.  

Later, after real battles, his archery improved, becoming one of the few who didn’t died fast.  

"Glad he likes it."  

He glanced at Ji Taoyu, silently thanking him.  

"I’ll make tea for Uncle Huo."  

Zhao Pan, holding his gifts, noticed Ji Taoyu: "And this brother is?"  

"This is the village head’s ger from my village, same generation as me. Call him Uncle Tao."  

Zhao Pan obediently greeted him before dashing inside to make tea.  

Wu Lianhe was surprised Ji Taoyu had come. The two arriving together was odd, though she hadn’t been back to the village in years, her parents and siblings visited occasionally.  

She knew about village affairs, including Ji Taoyu’s engagement to the You family’s new juren.  

Once the boy was inside, she asked: "Brother Huo and Xiao Taozi, you two are…"  

Ji Taoyu floundered, unsure how to explain.  

Huo Shu cut in: "I asked him to come."  

Wu Lianhe dropped the subject, ushering them inside warmly.  

"I bought meat and vegetables early this morning, lunch is almost ready. Pan’er went to the market too. Crabs are in season, and since Brother Huo’s from the north, you probably haven’t had many. So we got plenty."  

Ji Taoyu stood: "Let me help, Third Sister Wu."  

"No, sit down. Lunch is almost ready. You're our guest, so don't worry about helping. Just relax and have some tea."  

Wu Lianhe pushed him back into his seat: "Have some snacks."  

Zhao Pan brought over the tea: "Osmanthus chrysanthemum tea."  

And a plate of roasted pumpkin seeds.  

Ji Taoyu, fond of floral tea and thirsty from the trip, sipped gratefully. 

The Sweet little Fulang Chapter 174 Part 2

    

    In the past, Shen Xuanqing might not have realized it, but now, whenever he remembered that this was his own fulang, his heart swelled with satisfaction. Sometimes, the thought alone could leave him grinning like a fool—fortunately, he only indulged in such private glee, unseen by others. Otherwise, they might mistake this tall, handsome man for a simpleton.  

    Lu Gu’s cheeks were soft, pale, and carried a faint sweetness like peach blossoms. One kiss was never enough.  

    The two of them kissed and embraced in the secluded front yard, even laughing aloud. Hearing the adults’ laughter, Zhao'er in the cradle giggled too, making Lu Gu and Shen Xuanqing smile even wider.  

    An extra pair of strong hands made all the difference. With Shen Xuanqing working in the fields and the hired help of Lin Jinhu and Lin Jinlong, Ji Qiuyue stayed home to care for the child, cook, and manage chores. Having two people share the work eased Lu Gu’s burden, and also there was someone to chat with.  

    Only after the busy spring plowing days did the family finally get to rest. By then, it was time to sell the male sika deer and goat Shen Xuanqing had hunted.  

    The deer's antlers were magnificent, branching like a small tree. When Shen Xuanqing brought it down from the mountains, he had intended to tether it at their old home, but finding the gate locked, he had no choice but to lead the deer and goat through the village. Many people saw them, and while working in the fields, Shen Shunde and Zhou Yunzhi passed by their paddy and loudly remarked that the family was about to make a fortune.  

    Shen Xuanqing brushed it off with a laugh, paying the old couple no mind. Hunting wasn’t theft, villagers always saw his returns, and a few envious eyes were inevitable. Still, he kept his lips sealed, rarely boasting about his earnings.  

    At home, the sheep pen held three adults and one young - a male goat and two ewes. The second ewe had originally been meant for slaughter last winter, but Lu Gu’s pregnancy made him sensitive to smells. Even duck meat seemed foul, and mutton’s gaminess was unbearable, so they kept it. Now, Shen Xuanqing decided to breed both ewes, by late summer or early autumn, they’d have lambs.  

    The newly caught male goat wasn’t worth keeping, so Shen Xuanqing took it to town along with his brother to sell.  

    As the days grew warmer, Lu Gu didn't have to work as hard. Sitting in the yard under the sun, he sewed baby clothes until drowsiness crept in. Guaizi and the two little pups sprawled lazily in the sunny patch before him, looking utterly content. Eventually, he packed away his sewing basket and went inside for a nap.  

    Wei Lanxiang returned from the backyard and, not seeing him, peeked through the door crack. Finding him asleep, she left quietly without a word.  

    Lu Gu only woke up when Shen Xuanqing and Shen Yaoqing returned, hearing their voices outside. The nap had been refreshing, and upon learning the deer and goat sold for sixty-eight taels of silver, he grew even more energized, his eyes lighting up.  

    "I bought you silk satin, it's soft and smooth. It’ll be comfortable to wear in the heat." Shen Xuanqing handed him the neatly folded fabric, urging him to feel it.  

    Lu Gu, accustomed to rough hemp or slightly finer linen, had never worn silk. The pale aqua color was vibrant yet understated, cool and soothing to the eye for summer.  

    "So nice," he murmured, stroking the satin. It must’ve been expensive, but he couldn’t help smiling.  

    Shen Xuanqing grinned. "I’ve already told Mother to help make two outfits for you. The fabric’s soft, if there’s any left, maybe we can make a bellyband for the baby."  

    Wei Lanxiang had already inspected the satin. At her son’s words, she chimed in warmly, "Don’t worry, I’ll make sure they're done well."  

    Silk satin was a luxury for farming families. Though she inwardly winced at the cost, Lu Gu was pregnant, and Shen Xuanqing had bought it himself, it was hard for her to object.  

    Earlier, Shen Xuanqing mentioned Lu Gu's exhaustion from childcare and chores. As a mother and grandmother, she felt guilty and wanted to show her care for Lu Gu, so she supported Shen Xuanqing's gesture.

    Shen Xuanqing wasn’t stingy. With today’s earnings, besides Lu Gu’s gift, he bought pig’s head meat, osmanthus pastries, plum wine, and other treats for the family to enjoy.  

    Guaizi, smelling the pig’s head meat in the oiled paper, circled the table, whining pitifully. But Lu Gu, clutching the satin with joy, met Shen Xuanqing’s starry gaze and smiled even brighter, his eyes glowing. For a moment, Guaizi was forgotten.  

    Spring brought both warm sun and drizzling rain. The next day turned overcast, and by noon, a chilly drizzle fell. Lu Gu put on another layer of clothes and sat in the main hall with Shen Yan, watching her embroidery and occasionally correcting her stitches.  

    Wearing a raincoat and bamboo hat, Shen Xuanqing busied himself in the backyard. The young male goat in the sheep pen had grown, but there was no rush to sell, they could wait until the height of summer.  

    The first hunt of spring, which earned sixty-eight taels, brought him joy, making his hard work in the mountains worthwhile. Knowing spring plowing was critical, he’d wanted to return after catching the black-hoofed goat, but thoughts of their unborn child’s future kept him longer. He’d scoured the mountains with the dogs for sika deer tracks.  

    Sixty taels was a significant amount of money, enough to comfortably raise a child in the countryside until they were around seven or eight years old. But Shen Xuanqing thought further ahead: their child would study, and good paper, brushes, and ink cost money. If it turned out to be a rowdy boy, martial training would be necessary, and weapons like swords or sabers weren’t cheap.  

    The more he earned, the less Lu Gu and their child would suffer. Compared to last year, his passion for hunting burned even brighter now, and he felt no weariness, his heart filled with purpose.

My Fulang is a Delicate Flower Chapter 21 Part 2

Ji Taoyu suddenly remembered something and added: "Brother Huo, do you get frostbite in winter? This ointment works well, you can take a couple."  

"Next time."  

Seeing the small box wasn’t easy to carry into the city, taking some would mean bringing it back again.  

"Alright."  

Ji Taoyu led the way to Linhe Quarter, an area bustling with traveling vendors.  

Most of them rarely conducted business within the prefecture itself, instead traveling to nearby counties to peddle goods. They'd often buy popular items from the prefecture to resell in smaller towns.

Though these independent vendors didn’t carry as much as larger merchant groups, the prefecture had policies supporting small traders - vendors selling within the local jurisdiction didn’t have to pay tariffs.  

Thus, a single trip could still earn a few thousand copper coins, a decent income for commoners.  

"If we’re lucky, we might even meet vendors returning from the counties. They sometimes bring back local specialties. Though counties aren’t as prosperous as the prefecture, they have unique products. Who knows...we might even find something good at a low price."  

Huo Shu listened to the ger’s soft, clear voice, his gaze sweeping over Linhe Quarter.  

One side of the area bordered a river, while the other was lined with small shops. Most shops were general stores, roughly categorized by their trade, such as food, clothing, or daily necessities.  

The crowd consisted mostly of ordinary folk, with some selling homemade goods like pickles or pancakes, others selling woven baskets or handmade goods, still others with hairpins or textiles. A hodgepodge of everything.  

These items were generally low-cost, meant for common use.  

Vendors were happy to buy them, because higher-priced goods were harder to sell, and small-scale vendors traveling alone risked being robbed if they carried valuable goods.  

"Physician Ji!"  

Huo Shu heard someone call out ahead. Squinting, he saw a slightly plump middle-aged man beckoning Ji Taoyu.  

The man glanced warily at Huo Shu, nodding in greeting before turning to Ji Taoyu: "Haven’t seen Physician Ji in a while. Do you have goods with you this time?"  

Since the man had already approached, Ji Taoyu lifted his box slightly: "Some frostbite ointment. Master Ma, do you want it?"  

"Yes, yes!"  

The man said: "Physician Ji’s products are good. The insect repellent we got last time worked well. Lao Ma went to the counties this time, and regular customers asked if we had other medicines."  

He led the two toward his shop: "With winter coming, frostbite ointment will sell well in the counties."  

Ji Taoyu asked: "Master Ma isn’t out trading?"  

"Just got back late last night. After working nonstop for half a month, he’s still resting."  

The man poured tea for them, smiling: "I was just sorting the goods he brought back when I saw Physician Ji." 

Ji Taoyu’s eyes brightened. He glanced at Huo Shu before saying: "Can we see what rare goods you have?"  

The man was very enthusiastic: "Of course! I’ll bring them out. See if there’s anything you like, Physician Ji."  

Soon, the man hauled out two large crates from a corner - the kind vendors carried on shoulder poles.  

Ji Taoyu quickly squatted beside the crates and lifted the lid. Inside were assorted bundles - local cured meats, seeds for fruits and spices. Ji Taoyu pulled out a flat, black, stone-like object.  

His keen nose caught a faint scent immediately: "Is this incense ink?"  

[Incense ink (香墨, xiāng mò): a traditional Chinese ink infused with aromatic ingredients like musk or sandalwood, prized for its lingering fragrance and scholarly elegance]

"Physician Ji knows his goods!" The man said: "Incense ink has been selling well in the city these past two years, prices high and often out of stock."  

"Lao Ma went to Nanyu County, the production site, hoping to bring some back for resale. But prices there have risen too. To be honest, Physician Ji, this was made by local farmers. Lao Ma said though it doesn’t look as refined as shop-bought ink, it still carries the scent and, most importantly it's cheaper. So he brought some back."  

Shop-bought inksticks were beautifully crafted, often featuring intricate carvings or gilded details.

But this inkstick was plain, even slightly uneven - clearly a homemade.  

Ji Taoyu handed one to Huo Shu: "Want some? This incense ink leaves a lingering fragrance when writing. Even after drying, the scent remains. And it’s not some common perfumed smell but something elegant and refined."  

Scholars loved it, often using it to write letters to their sweethearts.  

Huo Shu hadn’t read much. Though literate, he had no interest in fine stationery, he valued functionality over aesthetic.  

But hearing Ji Taoyu’s earnest explanation, he brought the inkstick to his nose: "I’ll take a few."  

"Great, I’ll wrap them up."  

Ji Taoyu rummaged further and found some medicinal herb seeds he liked. Nothing else caught his eye.  

Being familiar with the vendor, Ji Taoyu wasn’t haggled over. Four inksticks cost 320 copper coins, while the seeds cost 10 copper coins.  

Frostbite ointment sold for 36 coins per small jar at his grandfather’s clinic, but wholesale was 20 copper coins. Ten jars fetched 200 copper coins at once.  

Huo Shu paid for everything. Outside, Ji Taoyu quickly counted out 10 copper coins to give back.  

"No need."  

Ji Taoyu thought the man was being stubborn, clearly strapped for cash yet refusing small change. He said: "Why not? Ten copper coins can buy a bowl of wontons at a street stall."  

Remembering he’d claimed poverty the day before, Huo Shu said: "Then treat me to noodles next time."  

Seeing he wouldn’t take the money, Ji Taoyu tucked the copper coins back into his pouch: "Fine."  

"Should we go straight to Third Sister Wu’s house, or buy something else first?"  

Huo Shu said: "Let’s get a set of writing materials to complete the gift."  

Ji Taoyu thought the current gifts were already generous. Third Sister Wu didn’t seem wealthy, there was no need for extravagance.  

But then again, meeting an old friend’s son - now a nephew for the first time warranted good gifts.  

The Sweet little Fulang Chapter 174 Part 1

Chapter 174  

    Zhao'er lay in the cradle, his little hands and feet moving. Though he couldn’t speak yet, he occasionally made meaningless babbling sounds, as if trying to imitate speech. Seeing drool on his chin, Lu Gu wiped it with a handkerchief, only for Zhao'er to grab it tightly. Pulling it away might make him cry, and soothing him would take a while, so Lu Gu let him keep it to play with.  

    Shen Xuanqing came over and sat by the bed. The two were close, their legs touching.  

    When his hand was held, Lu Gu didn’t pull away. The faint smile on his face grew even more charming. Noticing Shen Xuanqing’s hair was still damp from washing, he said cheerfully, "Let’s sit outside while the sun’s still up and dry your hair."  

    "Alright." As long as he was with his fulang, Shen Xuanqing would never refuse.  

    Lu Gu glanced at the cradle and added, "I’ll carry Zhao'er. You bring the cradle to the yard so he can sleep or play in it. Otherwise, we’d have to hold him all the time."  

    He spoke casually, but it was the truth. Zhao'er was actually quite well-behaved—when asleep, he required no attention. But once awake, Lu Gu had to carry or hold him while working, which eventually left him feeling exhausted. Fortunately, when not working, he could rest and place Zhao'er in the cradle to sleep or play.  

    Shen Xuanqing’s expression flickered slightly. "When did the family start transplanting rice seedlings?"  

    Why the sudden question?  

    Lu Gu was puzzled but answered honestly, "Early yesterday morning. Mother and Eldest Brother went with the others. Even Yan Yan came back covered in mud these past two days."  

    So it had already been two days.  

    Seeing the occasional weariness in Lu Gu’s expression, Shen Xuanqing felt a pang of displeasure. Though rural fulangs weren’t treated as delicately—in nearby villages, it was common to see pregnant women or fulangs still laboring in the fields, but he couldn’t help feeling irked.  

    Lu Gu, having grown up in such an environment, saw nothing unusual about it. Aside from these two days of spring plowing, he hadn’t needed to cook, wash dishes, do laundry, or cut grass. Once his belly grew, Wei Lanxiang wouldn’t even let him feed the chickens and ducks. Perhaps because he hadn’t done much work since becoming pregnant, the sudden labor left him unaccustomed.  

    Shen Xuanqing was no saint. His displeasure stemmed from two things: first, his own delay in the mountains causing him to miss spring plowing, and second, his family’s oversight. Before leaving, he had explicitly told them to take care of Lu Gu and not overwork him. Yet here they were, having let him exhaust himself.  

    "What’s wrong?" Lu Gu noticed his expression and grew puzzled.  

    Shen Xuanqing sighed softly, his earlier irritation fading as he understood. With so many livestock at home now, fieldwork took priority. His mother and the others would naturally focus on the land first. Had they not raised so many animals, Lu Gu would’ve only needed to cook and care for the child.  

    He knew the reasoning and couldn’t rightly blame anyone. Busy times meant some things slipped through the cracks. When he went to the fields earlier, the whole family was sweating, covered in mud, how could he hold any resentment? Seeing Lu Gu’s concern, he forced a smile and said, "It’s nothing. I just regret coming back so late, leaving you to do so much work at home."  

    So that was it. Lu Gu immediately brightened, his eyes shining. "It’s really nothing. Just feeding the livestock twice a day, and I can rest when free. Sister-in-law comes back often to nurse the baby, and she carries the water jug herself, so I don’t have to deliver water to the fields."  

    Feeding the animals and carrying grass weren’t too bad, but hauling water buckets was strenuous. Still, seeing Lu Gu’s cheerful demeanor, Shen Xuanqing’s lingering displeasure gradually faded. Now that he was back, Lu Gu wouldn't have to overwork. No need to dwell on it and add unnecessary worries to Lu Gu.

    "Let’s go sit outside." He stood, lifting Zhao'er for Lu Gu to carry, then followed behind with the wooden cradle.  

    The sun hadn’t set yet, and the wind was mild today, but they still chose a sheltered spot - the child was too small.  

    Zhao'er lay in the cradle playing with the handkerchief, his chubby little hands tugging at it before stuffing it into his mouth to chew, leaving it soaked in drool.  

    With no one else around, Shen Xuanqing held his fulang's hand and cheered up again. "Once we’re done with these busy days, I’ll go to town and buy some nice fabric. I’ll have Mother make you two new outfits and a pair of shoes."  

    In his eyes, Lu Gu had suffered exhaustion and hardship. Since he couldn’t offer much else, new clothes were the least he could do to make up for it.  

    "I already have clothes," Lu Gu said, eyes curving into crescents.  

    "Have what? Those are from last year." Shen Xuanqing frowned slightly, pinching his cheek. He found an excuse and added, "You’re not plump yet, but once your belly grows bigger, last year’s clothes won’t fit. They’ll probably be too tight."  

    "If it were just you being uncomfortable, fine. But if my son gets squeezed and something happens, how will you make it up to me?" His tone carried a hint of frustration at Lu Gu’s reluctance to ask for anything.  

    Lu Gu grinned, his smile so wide his teeth showed, understanding his concern.  

    Shen Xuanqing wanted to keep a stern face to show his displeasure, but seeing Lu Gu’s radiant smile, all reproach vanished. Gazing at that warm, joyful expression, he could only release a nearly inaudible sigh before smiling himself. Unable to resist, he leaned in and kissed his fulang.