Rebirth to Erase Dark History Chapter 68 Part 1

Chapter 68

"Jiajia, is your hearing alright now? You really scared me that day." Wei Feng said, still shaken.  

"I'm fine." In truth, Yang Jiabo had also been frightened.  

Upon hearing that Yang Jiabo had been discharged from the hospital, Zhang Yi's mother brought a group of people to his doorstep, demanding an apology and compensation. The people Zhang Yi's mother brought were all educated individuals, they didn’t make a scene or curse in the streets but instead argued with reason and subtly threatened him without leaving a trace.  

Yang Jiabo was furious and immediately wanted to confront the Zhang family, but Yang Jianjun and Wei Jing stopped him. Yang Jiabo wanted to face it himself, avoiding the problem wouldn’t solve anything, but he couldn’t overpower these two.  

Wei Jing didn’t waste words with them and directly hired a lawyer to handle the matter. The Zhang family had many relatives in the area and decent connections in various fields. Zhang Yi's mother tried to pressure them with her influence but failed. The two sides couldn’t reach an agreement and refused to reconcile, eventually taking the matter to court.  

The lawyer Wei Jing hired was formidable and ultimately won the case. Zhang Yi's mother, unwilling to accept the verdict, refused to comply with the court’s ruling. Yang Jianjun then took the judgment to the school administration, forcing Zhang Yi's mother to obey.  

The alumni reunion that day wasn’t just attended by teachers and students but also school administrators. The incident became widely known, causing quite a stir, and Zhang Yi's mother’s reputation in the eyes of the leadership plummeted to rock bottom.  

The fallout was severe. Not long after, Zhang Yi's mother was transferred to a rural middle school as a teacher. She wasn’t young anymore, and this transfer meant she wouldn’t return before retirement, let alone get promoted. Before the transfer, Zhang Yi's parents finalized their divorce.  

Despite this, Yang Jianjun still felt she got off too lightly, though it did give him some satisfaction. He hadn’t forgotten what happened years ago, Yang Jiabo’s expulsion from school was largely their doing.  

Aside from Zhang Yi's mother, another person deeply affected by this incident was Liu Yueting, who had organized the reunion. She had used her parents’ connections to invite many leaders, hoping to expand her network and pursue the person she liked. Instead, things backfired.  

After the incident, though no one said it outright, many mocked her behind her back. Furious, Liu Yueting's already feeble crush on Wei Feng evaporated. She wanted to take her anger out on the Yang family, whom she saw as the root cause, but the Wei family shielded them. Left with no choice, she directed her resentment toward the Zhang family and Zhang Yi's mother.  

With the matter resolved, Yang Jianjun happily prepared a lavish feast and invited friends and family to celebrate. Coincidentally, Yang Qing was back on break. Upset that no one had told him about everything that had happened in his absence, he sulked until Yang Jiabo managed to cheer him up.  

The dinner was lively, and even Wei Feng drank quite a bit. Wei Changdong and his wife were delighted to see his son's injuries healing well and his overall condition improving. Wei Changdong drank heavily with Yang Jianjun, thanking the Yang family for taking care of his two sons. In high spirits, they inevitably overindulged.  

After the gathering, Yang Jiabo stumbled to bed and fell into a deep sleep. He woke up in the middle of the night, his body burning with heat and his mouth parched, so he got up to drink some water. When he saw Wei Jing lying beside him, he froze. Wei Jing had also drunk a lot that night and was sound asleep, undisturbed by the noise.  

Yang Jiabo didn’t think much of it. After drinking water, he quietly lay back down. The alcohol-induced heat made it hard for him to fall asleep again. He opened his eyes, and the moonlight streaming through the window cast a faint glow on Wei Jing’s handsome face, making it impossible to look away.  

"Ah—"  

After who knows how long, an almost imperceptible sigh echoed in the room. Wei Jing’s eyes seemed to flicker.  

"You’re so good to me. What would I do if you left me?" Yang Jiabo murmured, thinking his voice was too soft for anyone else to hear—but he underestimated the silence of the night.  

Wei Jing’s eyelids twitched. He had woken up when Yang Jiabo got out of bed, and now, hearing these whispered words, his heart raced. Jiajia was sometimes insecure and timid, and Wei Jing, unsure of his feelings, had been careful not to scare him. Now that Yang Jiabo was speaking his true thoughts under the influence, Wei Jing wanted to hear what else he might say.  

The room was silent for a long time. Just as Wei Jing wondered if Yang Jiabo had fallen asleep and was about to open his eyes, he heard him mutter dejectedly again.  

"Brother, what should I do? I think I’ve fallen for you." The words seemed directed at Wei Jing, yet also at himself.  

"Then just be with me." Unable to hold back any longer, Wei Jing responded to the confession from the person he loved.  

Yang Jiabo’s body stiffened instantly. He nearly forgot to breathe, his mind buzzing, thoughts scattering. It took him a long moment to stammer out, "Brother, you... you were awake?"  

Amused by his reaction, Wei Jing chuckled. "How could I sleep through someone whispering a confession in my ear?"  

"I—I—I—" Yang Jiabo never expected to be caught red-handed. He stuttered, at a complete loss for words.  

"Don’t be nervous. Relax." Wei Jing patted his back soothingly, as if comforting a child.  

Their position was so intimate it almost seemed like an embrace. Yang Jiabo felt surrounded by Wei Jing’s presence, with no escape. What had once felt normal now seemed unbearably ambiguous.  

The Sweet little Fulang Chapter 205 Part 1

Chapter 205

    After buying the small house in Zhenzhu Alley, since it wasn’t a full family relocation but merely setting up a residence in Jixing Town for Lu Gu and the others to have a place to eat and stay, they didn’t neglect any of the customary rituals - selecting an auspicious date and time, making offerings to the gods, and observing all the traditional practices.  

    The liveliness of the moving day went without saying. Several tables were set up in the front courtyard, with their whole family, along with Shen Shunde and Shen Shunwang’s families, several of Shen Xuanqing’s aunts and uncles, and, naturally, the Yang family all in attendance. Even a few childhood friends from the village, like Dachen, came to join the excitement and show their support. Luo Biao didn’t miss it either.  

    Shen Xuanqing felt uneasy about leaving Lu Gu and the child alone in the house, so he decided to bring even Guaizi along in the mule cart, having a dog at night would be safer.  

    When they set off from home, Guaizi wasn’t used to riding in the cart. As soon as he was lifted onto the cart, he jumped right back down. So they let him run alongside instead—after all, he was accustomed to running in the mountains, and the flat official road was even easier for him.  

    Jixing Town was quite far, and Lu Gu felt sorry for Guaizi. Before they were halfway there, he called the panting dog to climb onto the cart and poured water from a bamboo tube into his palm for Guaizi to drink.  

    Initially resistant to the cart, Guaizi seemed to find it comfortable after lying down and stopped jumping off, his long tongue lolling to the side.  

    After everyone else returned, only the three of them remained in town. Being new here, Lu Gu slowly began acquainting himself with the people and happenings nearby.  

    On the fifth day after moving in, early in the morning when the sky was still dim, Shen Xuanqing got up to open the shop for the morning market, needing to slaughter a few rabbits in advance.  

    He washed up in the front courtyard while Lu Gu, already dressed, came out as well. The child was still asleep.  

    "We’re out of bamboo shoots. If I come across any vegetable sellers on the way, I’ll buy some. You can come fetch them later, no need to go to the morning market," Shen Xuanqing said before splashing another handful of water on his face.  

    "Mm, got it," Lu Gu replied, heading toward the kitchen where the water vat was kept.  

    The backyard had a well, making it even more convenient than back home, no long trips to fetch water. When Shen Xuanqing wasn’t around and Lingjun was asleep, Lu Gu could manage to fill the vat himself with a few extra trips.  

    The clay stove in front of the kitchen was already lit, with a pottery jar heating water. Peering inside, Lu Gu saw two clean white eggs boiling. With the weather warming up, steamed buns could be eaten cold, so there was no need to fire up the big pot in the morning.  

    The kitchen was fully stocked with pots, bowls, and basins. The rice and flour jars had red paper pressed inside - a custom Wei Lanxiang had insisted on when they moved in, saying they shouldn’t remove it until the contents were finished. The jars of oil, salt, soy sauce, and vinegar were neatly arranged. The firewood, hauled from the village in two full cartloads, would last them a good while without needing to buy more.  

    After washing up, Lu Gu peeked into the room. Lingjun was still asleep with no signs of waking up, so he quietly closed the door and left, joining Shen Xuanqing at the stone table in the courtyard to peel eggs and eat steamed buns.  

    "We’ve got about a dozen rabbits left. Once they’re sold, I’ll head home and bring back two baskets of eggs, some for us to eat, the rest to sell at the shop."  

    Just as Shen Xuanqing was speaking, Guaizi, freshly awake, came out of the main hall and shook his fur vigorously in the courtyard, as if finally waking up properly. Seeing them eating, he whined and trotted over.  

    Their dogs no longer slept in kennels but stayed under the eaves like people. The burlap sacks used for bedding were periodically freshened up by Lu Gu, he washed the sacks and stuffed them with new straw or wheat stalks. Every so often, he even washed the burlap by the river and dried it before reuse—after all, the sacks sometimes stayed in the main hall during the day and couldn’t smell too bad.  

    Lu Gu had just broken off half a bun for Guaizi when he heard Lingjun crying inside. He quickly set down his food.  

    With Lu Gu tending to the child, Shen Xuanqing didn’t have to worry. After finishing breakfast, he loaded ten rabbits and a few chickens and ducks onto a cart in the backyard and left through the rear alley.  

    Since they didn't stay overnight at the butcher shop, and leaving it unattended would be unsafe, they kept all their livestock at home instead. The shop was conveniently close by, so this arrangement worked well. Each morning, Shen Xuanqing would transport the animals to the shop, and at day's end, he would bring back any that hadn't sold. This way, the shop wasn't left vulnerable at night, yet they didn't have to go far to manage their stock.

    They had considered leaving Guaizi at the shop, but before Lu Gu moved in, when Shen Xuanqing lived alone in town, a dog from a family in Liuzhi Alley had been stolen. The dog was never found, but later rumors circulated that it had been butchered by idle troublemakers for a dog meat stew.  

    In these times, thieves were everywhere. It was better to be cautious. During the day was fine, Guaizi was smart and quickly learned to stay close to Lu Gu’s legs without wandering when visiting the shop. But after dark, Shen Xuanqing didn’t let the dog out, keeping him inside to guard the house and stay alert.  

    "I’m off. Remember to lock up," Shen Xuanqing called from the front after securing the cart.  

    "Got it, go ahead," Lu Gu replied, holding Lingjun as he relieved himself in the courtyard. Afterward, he went to the backyard to bolt the rear gate shut.  

    Once the child was awake, many tasks became impossible. Lu Gu played with Lingjun for a while, fed him milk fruit, then remembered he hadn’t swept yet. He moved the wooden cradle to the main hall, settling the child inside with a small rattle-drum and clay figurines of a pig and dog to play with, keeping him within sight in case he tried to chew on them, so Lu Gu could fish them out.  

    With the door wide open, Lu Gu quickly swept the room, then moved to the main hall, taking care to keep the dust down so as not to irritate the child.  

    As for the front and back courtyards, before he could finish the main hall, Lingjun tossed aside his rattle-drum and reached out to be held, threatening to cry if ignored. Lu Gu had no choice but to set aside his works.

My Fulang is a Delicate Flower Chapter 39 Part 2

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

At this, the whole group nodded in shared understanding.  

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

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

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

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

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

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

Only then did the group stifle their giggles.  

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

The villagers chattered while enjoying the spectacle and wedding candies.  

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

My Fulang is a Delicate Flower Chapter 39 Part 1

Chapter 39  

Before dawn, Ji Taoyu was pulled out of bed.  

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

"Coming, coming!"  

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Over time, their feelings deepened into something more.  

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

The Sweet little Fulang Chapter 204 Part 2

    The cart jolted along as Lu Gu, holding the child, chatted and laughed with Wei Lanxiang all the way to Jixing Town.  

    After unloading the rabbits and seeing it was almost noon, they decided to eat first at the noodle shop next door.  

    Turning the corner east of Xixing Street, they walked a stretch along Nanji Street before Shen Xuanqing pointed ahead and said with a smile, "This is Zhenzhu (Pearl) Alley."  

    As they walked, he added, "The brokerage is at the other end. Wait here, I’ll go fetch the broker. He has the keys."  

    Shen Yaoqing nodded. "Go ahead. We’ll wait at the alley entrance."  

    Shen Xuanqing quickened his pace. Lu Gu shifted Lingjun to his other arm, and the three of them walked more slowly, observing the shops along the street.  

    At the alley entrance, Wei Lanxiang peered inside. Zhenzhu Alley was slightly wider than Liuzhi (Willow Branch) Alley behind the butcher shop. She mused silently, this definitely wouldn’t be cheap.  

    Before long, Shen Xuanqing returned with the broker, a man named Shao, and they entered the alley, stopping at the sixth gate.  

    Broker Shao unlocked the door and gestured for them to enter before stepping inside with Shen Xuanqing.  

    This was a modest single-courtyard house - neither too big nor too small, but enough for a family. In the front courtyard, a stone table with four stools stood to the east, a persimmon tree grew to the west, and the kitchen occupied the southwest corner.  

    Lu Gu, holding the child, scanned the courtyard. By now, he had some experience, the layout was simple, with few rooms, something country folk like them could afford.  

    "Don’t let the single east and west wing rooms fool you, they’re spacious. If you have more people, you could even partition them into two," Broker Shao said, pushing open the east wing door for them to see. Naturally, a small house like this couldn’t compare to larger multi-courtyard mansions.  

    Wei Lanxiang glanced inside the east wing, then checked the west wing, they were indeed sizable.  

    The main northern building had three rooms: a central hall flanked by two side chambers. Lu Gu and Wei Lanxiang inspected everything.  

    What had caught Shen Xuanqing’s eye about this house was its backyard, complete with a woodshed, livestock pen, and a well. They didn't need to go out for water.  

    Upon reaching the backyard, Shen Yaoqing walked to the well, peered down, and lowered the bucket to draw half a pail of water. He scooped some up with his hand and smiled. "The well water’s ice-cold. I’ve heard that in summer, families with wells can lower melons and fruit into it to chill them."  

    "That’s what we do at home," Broker Shao said with a grin. "With this well, you won’t need to haul water from outside or deal with water sellers. Over ten or twenty years, that’ll save a fair bit of money."  

    It was precisely because of this well that the price was ten taels higher. Ordinary families buying a house would surely live there for a long time.  

    With a well, front and back courtyards, and enough rooms even if relatives visited, and just one street away from the butcher shop, this house was the best Shen Xuanqing could find. There was another on Xixing Street, but it was a larger double-courtyard mansion, naturally far more expensive.  

    Broker Shao, adept at reading expressions, excused himself to the front when he saw they needed to discuss, saying he’d wait there and they could call if they had questions.  

    "Mother, what do you think?" Shen Xuanqing naturally sought his mother’s opinion first.  

    Wei Lanxiang looked around. "It’s good, but I wonder about the price."  

    He paused, then decided honesty was best. "This is a street-facing property, not some remote spot on the town’s outskirts. The house is small, with beds and kangs but no tables or chairs, no extras. The well adds to the cost. The total is eighty taels."  

    Wei Lanxiang’s jaw dropped. Even Lu Gu’s mouth fell open. 

    Eighty taels!  

    Seeing their reactions, Shen Xuanqing took Lingjun from Lu Gu’s arms and said with a smile, "Eighty taels seems like a lot, but it’s close to the shop, easy to manage. Coming back for meals will be convenient. There are cheaper houses in remote alleys, some as low as thirty-five taels for five or six rooms, but they’re far. If I’m at the shop and you’re home alone with the child, how could I rest easy?"  

    Lingjun, held facing Lu Gu, stretched out his arms to return to him, perhaps feeling uneasy in the unfamiliar place.  

    "Broker Shao and I have already settled on the eighty taels, no extra fees. He’ll handle the deed and official seal." Shen Xuanqing handed the child back to Lu Gu. He’d spent over half a month searching Jixing Town and was satisfied with this house—otherwise, he wouldn’t have brought his family to see it.  

    Wei Lanxiang glanced at her eldest son. Seeing Shen Yaoqing’s slight nod, and remembering she wasn’t the one paying, she gritted her teeth and agreed. Eighty taels of silver!  

    When Shen Xuanqing looked at him, Lu Gu hesitated but eventually nodded too, though he was also thinking, Eighty taels of silver!  

    With everyone in agreement, the matter was settled. They even opened the woodshed and the back gate to inspect the rear alley, where livestock and firewood carts passed - a considerate design.  

    Returning to the front courtyard, they found Broker Shao waiting eagerly. Upon hearing they would buy, his smile widened, and he grew even more attentive.  

    "Once we move here, Mother, you’ll have a place to stay whenever you visit," Shen Xuanqing said happily.  

    At these words, Lu Gu looked around, a faint smile touching his eyes, his mood entirely different from before. This would be their home now, close to Shen Xuanqing.  

    Since they were already here, they decided to finalize the deed today rather than delay. Broker Shao asked them to wait while he fetched the property deeds, contracts, and writing tools from the brokerage.  

    With four stone stools in the courtyard, Lu Gu sat down and gazed at the persimmon tree to the west. Just like at home, they could enjoy persimmons here too. Thinking of the name "Zhenzhu Alley," his eyes curved in a smile, what a lovely name.

Rebirth to Erase Dark History Chapter 67 Part 2

In the end, negotiations broke down, and Wei Feng and Liu Yueting nearly came to blows. Liu Yueting got her deposit back and took her guests elsewhere. What was supposed to be a grand alumni gathering ended in disgrace. Even after relocating to a high-end hotel, few showed up, most had already left on the spot.  

As soon as the guests dispersed, several posts about the incident popped up on local forums. Whether it was “Teacher Assaults Someone” or “Teacher and Restaurant Owner Brawl,” the story was juicy. Word of what happened spread quickly through departing guests. Fortunately, this wasn’t the era of viral short videos—otherwise, the news would’ve spread even faster.  

____

Yang Jiabo stared at the hospital ceiling, the sharp sting of antiseptic in his nostrils. The rhythmic beep of monitors underscored his self-recrimination: After all these years, I still dropped my guard.

Yet for the first time, the familiar storm of rage hadn't come. Perhaps Dr. Luo's methods were finally taking hold, his hands remained steady where they'd once tremble with unchecked fury.

His condition wasn’t serious. After three days in the hospital, he was discharged with no lasting issues. Yang Jianjun lectured him harshly, worried about his mental state, and barred him from handling the fallout.  

On the day of his discharge, Yang Jiabo was pleasantly surprised to see Wei Jing personally driving him home. Wei Jing had only gotten the news the day after the incident and had rushed over after wrapping up his company affairs. Only he knew how frantic he’d been upon hearing Yang Jiabo had been hospitalized—only seeing him in person had eased his mind.  

“Does it hurt?” Wei Jing asked softly as he applied medicine to Yang Jiabo’s face.  

“No,” Yang Jiabo mumbled. His cheek was still slightly swollen, and talking tugged at the sore spot.  

“Fall into a moat and gain wisdom. Stay away from people who hold grudges against you. You never know what they might do in the heat of the moment.”  

[吃一堑长一智 (chī yī qiàn zhǎng yī zhì): lit. Fall into a moat and gain wisdom; fig. Learn from one’s mistakes.]

“She’s a highly educated teacher! Who’d expect her to suddenly hit someone? Honestly, she seems crazier than me.” The memory made Yang Jiabo scowl.  

“You’re not crazy,” Wei Jing corrected sternly.  

“Right, our brains work differently from hers.”  

“Don’t worry about this matter anymore.”  

“Dad and Wei Feng said the same thing. They won’t let me get involved. I just feel bad for Wei Feng.”  

“He’s been freeloading at your place, doing some work is the least he can do. Besides, I’ll help too. Actually, this mess is partly his fault.”  

Yang Jiabo looked at him, confused, waiting for an explanation.  

Wei Jing leaned forward, lowering his voice. “That whole reunion was organized by Liu Yueting - one of Wei Feng's more persistent admirers. She comes from a powerful family and isn't lacking in brains either. When she somehow discovered Wei Feng was recovering here, she saw her chance. She decided to host the event at your place, make it a big affair, he'd have no polite way to refuse showing up.”

Yang Jiabo let out a low whistle, equal parts impressed and skeptical. "Now that's dedication. But why go through all this theater? If she wanted to see him, why not just drop by with some fruit basket and well-wishes?" He shook his head, unable to decide if the scheme was romantic or ridiculous.

“Probably reads too many novels and watches too many dramas. She wanted a grand, dramatic gesture.”  

“Yeah, that’s more impressive. Most people would’ve been moved.” Yang Jiabo nodded thoughtfully.  

Wei Jing gave a dry chuckle. “Well, her grand romantic scheme backfired beautifully. Instead of some storybook reunion, she ended up across the negotiating table from him - all formalities and cold calculations.”  

Yang Jiabo snorted, then immediately regretted it as pain shot through his bruised face. “Oof.” he muttered through gritted teeth, “Wait, did I ruin Wei Feng’s chance at love?”  

A knowing smile played at Wei Jing's lips. “Trust me, he'd thank you for it. That woman's schemes would've driven him up the wall.”  

“Got it.”  

Wei Feng had always been the straightforward type. Liu Yueting's elaborate schemes and dramatic gestures didn't impress him; they just set off all his alarm bells. To him, all that theatricality reeked of calculation rather than genuine affection.

“What are you two doing?”  

Speak of Cao Cao, and Cao Cao arrives - Wei Feng appeared at the door, staring at them in shock.  

[说曹操，曹操到 (shuō Cáo Cāo, Cáo Cāo dào): lit. Speak of Cao Cao, and Cao Cao arrives; fig. Talk about someone, and they show up.]  

“Applying medicine. What’s wrong?” Yang Jiabo was baffled by Wei Feng’s "what the hell?" expression.  

“N-Nothing.” Wei Feng glanced at the cotton swab in his brother’s hand and laughed awkwardly, mentally scolding himself for overthinking. 

Why did I think Big Brother was kissing Jiabo just now? 

Wei Jing noticed Wei Feng’s lingering gaze and pondered it silently.  

“We were just talking about your admirer,” Yang Jiabo said with a grin, then hissed in pain as his cheek protested.  

“Ugh, don’t remind me.” Wei Feng hobbled in on crutches and gave a brief rundown of the past few days under Yang Jiabo’s curious stare.  

“Is she still contacting you?” Yang Jiabo couldn’t resist asking.  

“Nope. Pretty sure I’m blacklisted now.”  

“Do you regret it?”  

“Not at all. She’s not my type.” If anything, Wei Feng was relieved.  

The Rebirth of Crazy ger Chapter 70

Chapter 70    

"…!" The leader widened his eyes, staring at Wang Jin, his face dark with displeasure: "What exactly do you mean by this?"  

"You should go back and ask Yue ger what he means." Wang Jin tossed the question back, his cunning expression making him look like a well-crafted fox.  

"…" The leader's fingers trembled, his clenched fists shaking so hard they nearly came apart. "Don’t tell me you think A-Yue did this on purpose?"  

He never said that.  

Wang Jin’s eyes flickered. For the leader to respond like this, could it be that he himself had already harbored such thoughts?  

Thinking this, Wang Jin replied, "Whether it was intentional or not, I believe the leader, having spent day and night with Yue ger, must understand him better than I do."  

As he spoke, those clear, penetrating eyes stared straight at him, boring deep into his soul, as if dragging out the secrets hidden in his heart and laying them bare before everyone…  

The leader panicked, then a surge of anger erupted from the depths of his heart, rushing up until his scalp tingled. He needed an outlet, somewhere to vent this raging fury.  

Glaring at Wang Jin, he roared furiously, "Enough! I won’t allow anyone to speak ill of A-Yue! Before, he just wanted to eat those fruits and meats, it was my own idea to come ask Yuan Heng for help. And now, he’s simply sick and needs the Rui grass! Don’t you dare try to drive a wedge between me and A-Yue!"  

"…" Drive a wedge?  

Wang Jin’s eye twitched. "I’d sooner wish you a happy union for a hundred years. Why would I drive a wedge between you two? If you want to lie to yourself, then go ahead."  

Wang Jin spoke carelessly, his demeanor clearly dismissive.  

The leader gritted his teeth, ignored him, and turned to Yuan Heng: "This Rui Grass is no small matter. You must come with me."  

"…" Yuan Heng, who had been staring fixedly at the little ger, finally shifted his gaze to the leader. He shook his head.  

The leader clenched his fingers, his voice low and heavy. "I'm the leader of the Danmu tribe. I order you to go. If you refuse, you’re disobeying orders, and I can choose to banish you—"  

His eyes slid to Wang Jin. "—both of you from the tribe!"  

"!" Wang Jin bared his teeth in anger. "I’ve never seen someone so selfish!"  

Yuan Heng’s expression darkened. He stared silently at the leader, his light-colored pupils suddenly deepening like unfathomable ink.  

"Do you know what you’re saying?" After a long pause, he spoke slowly, each word heavy as a hammer striking the leader’s heart, making his heart race.  

Even though he was the leader, in front of this man, it felt as though Yuan Heng was the one giving orders.  

The leader’s face twisted. Gnashing his teeth, he said, "Is what I’m saying wrong? Defying the leader’s orders means being prepared to be exiled. Oh, and that lunatic seems quite close with that cripple, why don’t I have both your families leave together?"  

"Try laying a finger on A-Mu!" Wang Jin snarled, stepping forward to kick the leader. Yuan Heng pulled him back, soothing him by gently stroking his hair, like calming a cat.  

"Brother Heng, hit him!" Wang Jin gnashed his teeth, his fiery temper making him look like a little leopard baring its claws. But when he lifted his gaze to the man, his pouting expression resembled a bristling kitten, his soft voice like the rapid, indignant murmurs of a young cat.  

Yuan Heng’s heart softened. The anger in his chest suddenly dissipated, as if a hole had been torn open, letting it all escape.  

He continued stroking the ger's hair, then turned his gaze to the man across from them—who had already assumed a battle stance.  

Yuan Heng gave him a disdainful glance, as if mocking the leader’s combat ability. 

Humiliated, the leader’s expression turned ugly.  

Only then did Yuan Heng slowly speak: "Are you sure?"  

His tone was grave, as if asking about something of great importance. The leader hesitated, confusion flashing in his eyes.  

"Sure about what?"  

Yuan Heng lowered his lashes, casting shadows under his eyes that made his expression seem gloomy. But upon closer inspection, nothing could be discerned.  

"I’m asking if you’re sure you want me to retrieve Rui grass." Yuan Heng spoke again, his lowered lashes completely concealing the darkness and calculations in his eyes.  

The leader couldn’t grasp Yuan Heng’s meaning, so he answered according to his own thoughts: "Of course."  

"Ha!" Yuan Heng let out a scornful laugh, as if the person before him was utterly beneath his regard.  

The leader, the highest authority of the Danmu tribe, had never been treated with such contempt. Furious, he was about to assert his dominance—  

But the man had already pushed open the door, coldly ushering him out: "Understood. Go back. This time, you and I will act separately."  

His voice was devoid of the earlier mockery - flat and emotionless, yet inexplicably chilling. The leader wanted to rebuke him, but the moment he looked up—  

The man’s sharp gaze was like an ice-carved blade, assaulting him from all directions. Despite being a leader who had commanded respect for years, he couldn’t withstand even a moment of eye contact with such a gaze.  

He practically fled out the door. The moment he stepped outside, the door slammed shut behind him with a loud "bang!", as if he were entirely unwelcome.  

The leader gnashed his teeth, only to hear a soft voice from inside:  

"Keep an eye on your own ger, and stop letting him covet other people’s beastmen!"  

The leader had never felt so humiliated in his life…  

But his ger was sick and refused to see a healer, what else could he do?  

"If you want to lie to yourself, then go ahead." The lunatic’s words echoed in his ears like a curse. The leader clenched his fists tightly.  

It was true, no ger would demand their beastman fetch fruits or meats beyond their capability… Yet his ger was obsessed with…  

Did he really want him to retrieve them? Or was it…  

The leader shook his head, not daring to think further.  

He strode home, likely unaware of how pale his face had become, his lips bloodless, blending into his ashen skin.  

After the leader left, Wang Jin shot the man a reproachful look. Though his expression was accusatory, his eyes were damp, his soft lips slightly pouted in dissatisfaction, making Yuan Heng see nothing but grievance in them.  

Yuan Heng’s heart softened. His fingers twitched, gently pinching the tender flesh on the back of the little ger’s hand.  

Wang Jin’s hand went numb, the sensation spreading straight to his heart. He looked up at the man, only to find those warm eyes fixed on him, so full of affection it made his heart sweeten.  

His expression eased slightly. Noticing this, Yuan Heng spoke softly: "I'm going to retrieve Rui grass."  

"…" Wang Jin’s hand stiffened. He frowned at the man, disapproval clear in his eyes—and beneath that, Yuan Heng seemed to detect a sticky reluctance.  

Indeed, fetching Rui grass would take at least four days.  

Yuan Heng’s heart itched as if brushed by a feather. He lowered his head, pecking the little ger’s lips lightly. "I’m going for my little ger. My little ger’s body is weak, this Rui grass strengthens the body. I must get it to nourish him."

The Sweet little Fulang Chapter 204 Part 1

Chapter 204  

    Early the next morning, Lu Gu woke up and lay in bed for a while. When he sat up to dress, he turned his head and noticed their little Lingjun was also awake, staring at him with big, dark, bright eyes and even flashing a smile.  

    Today, he was being particularly well-behaved, not crying at all. Smiling, Lu Gu lowered his head and clicked his tongue to tease Lingjun. "Look who's awake."  

    After dressing, he stood by the bed and moved the child over to bundle him in thick clothes, the early morning was a bit chilly.  

    Shen Xuanqing, who had just finished washing up in the yard, came in. Seeing Lingjun awake, he smiled and took the child from Lu Gu’s arms to hold himself.  

    "He doesn’t need to pee right now, but remember to hold him out later," Lu Gu reminded before heading out to fetch water.  

    Today, they planned to take the child to town together. There was no rush to set off until the sun was fully up and the chill had eased. Shen Xuanqing, holding his little shuang'er, felt a surge of joy. He hadn’t been home much lately, and though Lingjun recognized him and allowed him to hold him, the child’s smile gradually faded once Lu Gu was out of sight, his expression turning blank. Shen Xuanqing could only whistle a few times to amuse him.  

    In the yard, Lu Gu scooped water for washing his face. Seeing Guaizi yawning and stretching, he casually poured a ladle of water into the dog’s bowl. Sure enough, Guaizi walked over and began drinking.  

    Since it was no longer deep autumn or winter, there was no need to heat the washing water. Shen Xuanqing, who had risen the earliest, had already lit the clay stove to boil drinking water in an earthen pot.  

    After washing up, Lu Gu went into the kitchen to heat breakfast on the large stove when he heard the sounds of Wei Lanxiang and Shen Yan in the main room.  

    "Mother, Lingjun peed. Can you change his pants for him?"  

    Before even seeing them come to fetch water, Shen Xuanqing’s voice rang out.  

    "Coming, coming," Wei Lanxiang replied as she hurried into the room.  

    Hearing this, Lu Gu sat back down. Changing pants didn’t require so many people. Usually, he was the one holding the child in the mornings and remembered to take him to pee. Shen Xuanqing, unused to tending to the child, had likely been playing with the child and forgotten Lu Gu’s earlier reminder.  

    "Brother Guzi, you’re going to see the house today," Shen Yan said as she entered with a wooden basin to scoop water.  

    "Mhm. Do you want anything? I’ll bring it back for you," Lu Gu replied with a smile. They were only going to look at the house today, it wasn’t time to move yet. He, Wei Lanxiang, and Shen Yaoqing would go, while Shen Yan and Ji Qiuyue stayed behind to mind the house.  

    "There’s nothing I need. I’ve already told Mother, she can buy me two crispy oil cakes when she comes back," Shen Yan said, lifting the basin with a smile. "Once Second Brother really buys the house, I’ll go take a look."  

    Lu Gu nodded with a grin. "Naturally."  

    After breakfast, the sun rose and dispelled the morning chill. Seeing the water vat nearly empty, Shen Xuanqing made several trips with two wooden buckets to fill it up. Only then did the group set off toward the large house.  

    Wei Lanxiang carried a bamboo basket containing milk fruit and two clean diapers, while Shen Yan carried another with breakfast for Ji Qiuyue and the others.  

    Upon arrival, they saw Shen Yaoqing had already pulled both carts to the courtyard gate and even carried out two large sacks of grain for Li Laiqing.  

    The two carts for the mules were newly made, slightly larger than their old one for hauling hay.  

    "He came early. I wasn’t even up yet when I heard knocking at the gate. I gave him the grass baskets and told him to come over if he wanted tea or hot water," Shen Yaoqing said with a laugh.  

    Weeds pulled from the fields were usually brought back to feed the pigs and sheep. Uprooting them took time and effort, so they couldn’t just be tossed away. A few extra baskets of grass each day ensured the livestock wouldn’t go hungry.  

    "These two sacks," he patted the burlap bags, "he’ll take home at noon when he goes for lunch. By then, Uncle He and the others won’t need the carts, so he can haul them back. That’ll settle the first year’s two hundred pounds of grain."  

    "Good," Shen Xuanqing nodded before rolling up his sleeves and heading to the backyard with Wei Lanxiang and Shen Yan to feed the poultry and livestock.  

    Zhao’er had just woken up, and Lingjun, rubbing his eyes, looked drowsy. Lu Gu pulled out the wooden cradle and laid the child inside.  

    Ji Qiuyue and Shen Yaoqing were eating breakfast. Lu Gu fetched water and had Zhao’er squat down so he could wipe his eyes and face. The child’s plump cheeks were soft, his skin tender, and his chubby little body crouched by the wooden basin like a round dumpling. Lu Gu couldn’t help but smile as he cleaned him.  

    "Happy to see Auntie?" Ji Qiuyue sat by the cradle, nibbling on a steamed bun while shaking a rattle for Lingjun. When the child smiled at her, she began chatting with Lingjun.  

    Shen Yaoqing finished two steamed buns in a few bites and then headed to the backyard to work.  

    By mid-morning, when the chores were done, they loaded twenty rabbits onto the carts. The meat shop had been closed for several days, and they had to reopen for business tomorrow. The two mule carts were for this purpose, since Shen Xuanqing wouldn’t return at night, Shen Yaoqing would drive the cart carrying Wei Lanxiang and Lu Gu.  

    Before they left, only Ji Qiuyue and Shen Yan would remain at home. Since the house was large and Li Laiqing - a man, would be coming by later to collect rice and flour, Wei Lanxiang felt it necessary to remind them of a few things. Seated on the cart, she turned to them and said: "There’s still some pastries left. Prepare some hot tea and invite Third Ahma over to keep you company. Xinlian and Yu ger are also around. If they’re doing needlework, have them come here."  

    "Understood, Mother. Don’t worry. Didn’t Yuping say a few days ago he wanted to borrow the dog to hunt rabbits in the mountains? I’ll invite him too," Ji Qiuyue replied cheerfully.  

My Fulang is a Delicate Flower Chapter 38 Part 4

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Upon returning, he cheerfully visited the village.  

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

"Who?!"  

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

"Hey, now you’re just being rude!"  

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

My Fulang is a Delicate Flower Chapter 38 Part 3

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Ji Taoyu answered, "Butcher."  

Ge Liang fell silent for a moment.  

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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