Chapter 23
“Thankfully you came to help, otherwise my fish pond wouldn’t have been cleared so quickly. I’ve always heard your father say you’ve looked after the village fish ponds, and today I’ve finally seen your skills.”
“The two villages aren’t far apart. If Li Zheng Ji thinks I’ve managed the fish pond well, feel free to call me anytime if there’s anything wrong with the pond in the future.”
“Yes, yes, you’re truly capable, young man.”
Ji Yangzong, carrying a hoe, talked amiably with the young man beside him, a smile on his face.
“Come in and sit down in the courtyard for a while.”
As the two entered the courtyard, Huang Manjing, who was feeding the chickens and ducks, called out.
Ji Yangzong put down his hoe and asked, “Has Xiao Taozi come back yet?”
Huang Manjing glanced at the young man standing beside her husband. He was dark and sturdy, with decent features, and looked honest and sincere.
She had heard her husband mention that the second son of Li Zheng Zhou from the neighboring village was still unmarried and knew that their previous engagement had fallen through, so she had some thoughts.
She didn’t expect him to come so soon. He was probably here to meet through the excuse of helping with chores, which was common.
However, she still glared unhappily at Ji Yangzong. It had only been a few days since the engagement was broken off. Although she was free to remarry, Xiao Taozi had been moping around for days, and only today was he willing to go out.
As a father, he was so eager to find someone new for her, without fear of Xiao Taozi being unhappy.
Of course, since the person had arrived, and he looked decent, Huang Manjing didn’t show displeasure to Ji Yangzong. She warmly greeted Zhou Zheng and said, “He went to the city and hasn’t returned yet. I don’t know if this young man will be back today; he might be staying with his paternal grandfather in the city.”
Zhou Zheng replied somewhat sheepishly, “It’s alright. I just heard from my father that Li Zheng Ji needed help repairing the fish pond, so I came to lend a hand.”
Although he said that, he was still a bit disappointed. He didn’t have much contact with the Ji family. His father was also a Li Zheng, and the two elders occasionally interacted.
If it weren’t for wanting to see the Ji family’s young man, he wouldn’t have eagerly come to help with half a day’s work. The work was done, but not seeing the person was indeed a wasted trip.
If he couldn’t see the person this morning, he would have to come again next time. He couldn’t possibly arrange a marriage without even meeting.
Despite this situation, in recent years, marriages between people of similar age no longer involved blind marriages. The young couple had to meet first to see if they were compatible.
Unexpectedly, as soon as the words fell, a shout came from outside the courtyard, “Dad, Mom, I’m back!”
“Oh, you’re back!”
Ji Yangzong’s face lit up with a smile, and he went out to meet the person first. However, he was stunned at the entrance.
“You…”
Before Ji Yangzong could finish speaking, he heard the young man complain aggrievedly, “I came back on a cart, and the cart got stuck in a ditch. My hands and legs are all scraped.”
“Who was driving the ox cart? This is ridiculous!”
Upon hearing that Tao Yu had fallen, Ji Yangzong immediately forgot to question why Tao Yu was with Huo Shu again and riding his horse. He first scolded the person who drove the cart.
Hearing that Tao Yu had fallen, Huang Manjing quickly put down the chicken feed and went to help Tao Yu off the horse. “Are you badly hurt? You’ve really been unlucky lately. I must go to the temple fair on the fifteenth to burn incense.”
On the side, Zhou Zheng saw the Ji couple fussing over the young man being helped off the horse and was about to think how spoiled he was.
However, as soon as he saw the person clearly, his eyes widened.
Although the young man was a bit disheveled from falling on the road, it couldn’t hide his bright eyes and white teeth. Falling like this made him even more pitiable.
He had long heard people say that among the handsome young men in the surrounding villages, it must be the only son of Li Zheng Ji in Mingxun Village. Just being the only son made families in the surrounding villages envious, let alone his good looks.
However, as much as they were envious, the Ji family’s young man had been engaged since childhood, and he was from a scholarly family. Those with intentions could only abandon their thoughts.
Upon learning that the Ji family’s original engagement had been called off, Zhou Zheng’s father, seeing that his son was not young and had not been impressed by any of the prospective brides, mentioned to him if he had any interest in the Ji family’s young man.
Considering that he was the only son of a Li Zheng, he thought the family background was good, so he decided to come and take a look.
But he never expected the Ji family’s young man to be far better than he had imagined.
Peasant children were generally raised on simple food, and with endless chores at home and in the fields, they were often a bit rough. A fair-skinned and beautiful young man like the Ji family’s son was rare, not inferior to the pampered young men in the city.
He immediately made up his mind. Although the Ji family’s young man was frail and not capable of much work, he was capable of earning money, so his husband wouldn’t have to work in the fields. This marriage was feasible!
He couldn’t help but secretly thank his father for mentioning the Ji family to him, otherwise, how could he have met such a good-looking young man? Although Zhou Zheng was honest, seeing Tao Yu, his heart couldn’t help but flutter.
Tao Yu grabbed Huang Manjing’s hand and said, “My knees and legs are scraped and a bit painful. I can’t walk much. Fortunately, Big Brother Huo Shu passed by and gave me a ride back.”
Huo Shu didn’t pay much attention to Tao Yu’s complaints to his parents. As soon as he entered the courtyard, he noticed the stranger standing aside, just like when You Lingxiao had been in that position last time.
He could have ignored it, but this young man couldn’t hide his emotions at all. Ever since Tao Yu entered the courtyard, his eyes had been fixed on him as if glued and hadn’t left.
“Huo Lang, thank you for giving Xiao Taozi a ride back. This child always troubles you.”
Huo Shu slowly withdrew his gaze. “It’s nothing.”
Seeing Huo Shu looking back from elsewhere, Tao Yu looked over and realized there was a stranger in the courtyard. His face turned slightly red, and he whispered, “Mom, who is that?”
Ji Yangzong quickly said, “That’s Zhou Zheng, the second son of Li Zheng Zhou from our neighboring village. He came today to help me repair the fish pond.”
Upon hearing this, Tao Yu remembered who it was. He blinked and looked up, politely nodding to the person, acknowledging the introduction.
Then he quickly slipped away, “My knees hurt. I’m going back to my room to apply medicine.”
Huo Shu took out the large bunch of mountain chrysanthemums held under his arm. “Take it.”
Tao Yu quickly took them and shamelessly said to his parents, “I, I picked them.”
Huang Manjing, doting on her child, couldn’t help but chide, “You’re hurt, and you’re still thinking about these things. You’re always causing trouble, and you haven’t even thanked Huo Lang properly.”
Tao Yu thought that if he hadn’t insisted on going to the city himself, he wouldn’t have fallen, so he didn’t need to thank him.
However, with his parents present, he still respectfully said, “Thank you, Brother Huo.”
Seeing mother and son go inside, Ji Yangzong said, “Thank you very much today, Huo Lang. Have a cup of tea before you go back.”
He glanced in the direction of the arbor. Zhou Zheng was standing there. Based on his understanding of Huo Shu, he knew that if there were people around, he would leave without saying much.
He was just being polite by saying this. Since they were all from the same village, it was common to exchange favors, and there would be plenty of opportunities to thank him later, so there was no need to rush. But he didn’t expect Huo Shu to say, “Alright.”
After speaking, Huo Shu went by himself to tie his horse to the tree where he usually tied it when he came home, and then went to the arbor.
Ji Yangzong: “…”
Is this person okay today?
He must be thirsty.
He could only force a smile. “Ah Zheng, you sit too. This is Huo Shu from our village.”
Zhou Zheng scratched the back of his head. His soul had long since flown away with Tao Yu. He vaguely heard Ji Yangzong say something.
However, when he turned around, a stern-looking man was already sitting with his legs crossed under the arbor, looking at him.
Zhou Zheng inexplicably felt a chill down his spine, thinking it was sweat from being tired from working earlier, which was now chilling in the wind.
He awkwardly sat down opposite Huo Shu. Seeing Huo Shu’s unapproachable demeanor, he felt too embarrassed to strike up a conversation and felt like he was sitting on pins and needles.
In contrast, Huo Shu seemed completely at ease.
It wasn’t until Ji Yangzong came out with tea that Zhou Zheng could breathe a sigh of relief from the inexplicable low pressure.
“Ah Zheng, Huo Lang, have some tea.”
Ji Yangzong poured tea for both of them. Zhou Zheng picked up his teacup and said enthusiastically, “Uncle Ji, I have a lot of fish fry at my place. I’ll pick some good ones for you in a couple of days.”
“That would be too much trouble for you.”
“It’s no trouble. We’re neighbors, and it’s quick to get there and back by donkey cart.”
Seeing Zhou Zheng’s enthusiasm and eagerness to come again, Ji Yangzong assumed he was very satisfied with Tao Yu. He didn’t expose it and said happily, “Alright, bring some good fish fry then. Pay the market price, and don’t refuse, otherwise, I won’t be able to ask you to bother again.”
Zhou Zheng smiled honestly, “Okay.”
After speaking, he wanted to curry favor with Tao Yu and tried to probe Ji Yangzong for Tao Yu’s preferences so he could bring them along. But then he noticed the stern Huo Shu standing beside him.
He swallowed and felt too embarrassed to speak.
Ji Yangzong also felt a bit awkward seeing the great Buddha standing beside him. Asking him to leave would be rude, but if he didn’t leave, he wouldn’t speak.
This made him feel a bit awkward.
Ji Yangzong tentatively said, “Huo Lang, Master Qiao hasn’t returned yet. When I went to their house to record taxes this morning, Madam Bai said he would be back in two days. I’ll inform you as soon as he returns.”
“Thank you, Li Zheng.”
“We’re all villagers.”
Ji Yangzong immediately said, “Stay for dinner before you go back. I’ll ask your aunt to make some dishes to go with the wine.”
Huo Shu said, “No.”
Ji Yangzong saw that Huo Shu refused to stay for dinner but showed no intention of leaving. He sighed slightly, completely unable to figure out what this person was thinking.
Zhou Zheng, sitting on the side, saw this and said somewhat unwillingly but helplessly, “Li Zheng Ji, it’s getting late, so I’ll be going back too.”
“Ah Zheng, stay for dinner!”
Zhou Zheng stood up and said, “Thank you for the invitation, Li Zheng Ji, but my elder brother is returning tonight, and my mother told me to eat together. Perhaps next time.”
“In that case, I won’t keep you.”
Ji Yangzong also stood up to see him off. Only after seeing him out the door did he turn back. As soon as he returned to the courtyard, he saw Huo Shu also standing up.
“Li Zheng, I’m going back too.”
“?”
Ji Yangzong put his hands behind his back and felt a bit inexplicably stifled. “It’s still early, sit for a while longer.”
“No.”
Ji Yangzong heard this simple reply, then saw Huo Shu go to get his horse, showing no intention of being polite, and left directly.
His chest heaved. He was already accustomed to Huo Shu’s uncompromising personality, but today he felt that this person was somewhat strange.
Seeing the person walk away, Ji Yangzong hurried into the house.
“Ouch, Mom, be gentle, it hurts.”
Tao Yu sat on a stool, his pants rolled up high. Huang Manjing was applying medicinal wine to the wound on his knee.
He was fair-skinned and delicate, prone to injury. Having fallen and knelt on the ground like this, one of his knees was already scraped raw.
The surrounding area was red and purple, spreading over half of his palm, looking particularly glaring on his leg.
“Damn it, when I see Old Man Zhang from Yanmiao Village, I’ll definitely scold him. He injured him like this and still wants to extort money. Fortunately, he ran into Huo Shu, otherwise, he would have been bullied.”
Ji Yangzong was about to question him, but when he entered the house and saw Tao Yu’s swollen and bruised knees, he felt heartbroken and wanted to cover them up.
He frowned and said, “Use the medicinal paste your father brought last time. It’s effective. I used it last time, and the bruise went down in two days.”
“Dad’s medicinal paste is too strong. Xiao Taozi’s skin can’t handle it; it needs something milder.”
Tao Yu looked up at Ji Yangzong. “Have the guests left?”
Ji Yangzong nodded and immediately remembered what he had come into the house for. He quickly said:
“Huo Shu is really interesting. Every time something happens to you, he comes back to bring you back. He’s taciturn and has a stern face towards everyone, yet he let you ride his precious horse?”
“Dad, here you go again!”
Tao Yu muttered, “Ever since the engagement broke off, you’ve been suspicious of everyone.”
Ji Yangzong retorted righteously, “That boy clearly saw guests but didn’t leave. As soon as Zhou Zheng left, he wanted to leave immediately. What do you think he means?”
Huang Manjing glanced at Ji Yangzong. “He kindly lectured the unscrupulous driver and gave your son a ride back, and you, on the other hand, want to drive guests away? You didn’t even let him have a cup of tea?”
Speaking of guests, Tao Yu said indignantly, “Why didn’t Dad tell me in advance, and he called people from Li Zheng Zhou’s family!”
Ji Yangzong said sheepishly, “I didn’t call him; he came on his own. Taxes are getting heavy, so I said we should open up a field to raise some fish and shrimp. In this whole area, Zhou’s second son has the best ponds, so he eagerly came to help.”
“Everyone knows your intentions.”
Huang Manjing cursed.
Seeing that both mother and son had turned their expressions sour, Ji Yangzong quickly apologized, “It was my fault. I’ll tell you both in advance next time.”
“But speaking of which, Xiao Taozi also met the Zhou family’s young man today. What do you think?”
Tao Yu looked at the mountain chrysanthemums placed on the table and said faintly, “I didn’t pay attention.”
“If you think he’s suitable, Dad will let him come again. If you think he’s not suitable, then forget it.”
Ji Yangzong said, “Dad knows you’re not feeling well right now, but what’s past is past. We can’t keep hanging on to a crooked tree, can we?”
“Dad, I really don’t have the mood to look at anyone right now. If you and Mom are both satisfied, then that’s fine.”
Ji Yangzong and Huang Manjing were silent upon hearing this.
Huang Manjing said, “Alright, let’s not talk about this anymore. Didn’t you say you were tired? Go lie down on the bed first. Mom will call you when it’s time to eat.”
After speaking, she helped him to the bed and pulled Ji Yangzong out of the door.
“You’re so impatient, afraid that the young man won’t be married off.”
“I’m also thinking for the child.”
Seeing his wife turn and leave, Ji Yangzong chased after her. “Oh, alright, alright, I’ll stop nagging about this, okay?”
As Huo Shu mounted his horse and rode away from the Ji family, he suddenly looked back.
Due to his battlefield alertness, he had a higher-than-normal sense of perception for things he couldn’t see. Not far from the Ji family, he felt a pair of eyes staring at his back.
When he looked back, as expected, a figure quickly flashed through the bamboo forest behind the Ji family, but a corner of a green robe was still half a beat too slow.
Huo Shu sneered. If you don’t cherish what you had in the past, why let it go?
If you want a future and you want a person, where is there such a good thing in the world?
As the horse rode further away, You Lingxiao, who had been hiding in the dark, came out. He looked in the direction of the Ji family, and a deep sense of loss arose in his heart.
He didn’t expect that only a few days after the engagement was broken off, the Ji family would already be looking for a new son-in-law. Even if he wanted to see Tao Yu again, he wouldn’t get the chance.
In the dusk, Sun Yuan Niang saw her son return looking dispirited and couldn’t help but ask, “What’s wrong?”
You Lingxiao shook his head with a bitter mouth, unwilling to talk to Sun Yuan Niang, and went straight into the house.
A mother knows her son best. Seeing that the Ji family was conspicuously repairing the fish pond today, and a stranger came to help, how could she not know?
This morning, her son probably heard the village women’s gossip and was unhappy.
Sun Yuan Niang also hadn’t expected the Ji family to be so decisive. They broke off the engagement as soon as they said it, without any hesitation, which made her underestimate them.
This completely disrupted her plans. However, it was good that the Ji family was willing to break off the engagement wisely without entanglement, so as not to escalate to the governor’s office and lose more than they gained.
It was just that their foolish son was acting impulsively and still cared about that sickly person from the Ji family.
Sun Yuan Niang followed You Lingxiao into the house and comforted him, “It’s also because my son is loyal and righteous. It’s only been a few days since the engagement was broken off, and the Ji family is already looking for someone new, after you treated him so well in the past.”
You Lingxiao did not respond. He was completely lost in the thought of truly losing Tao Yu.
Earlier, he had listened to his mother and thought the Ji family would obey them, so he had delayed taking any action. He didn’t expect it to turn out this way.
The husband who was supposed to be nailed down had suddenly become unrelated to him and might soon remarry someone else.
You Lingxiao suddenly woke up from his dream of passing the imperial examination. His feet, which had been suspended in the air, finally landed.
Now he couldn’t listen to a single word from Sun Yuan Niang. He only felt that his mother might have intended to break off the engagement long ago, which was why she had repeatedly stopped him.
Sun Yuan Niang saw that her usually obedient son was silent and couldn’t help but resent the Ji family.
She said, “These people are really interesting. The Ji family broke off the engagement but didn’t care about Ji Tao Yu’s reputation. A broken-engagement young man actually has people from other villages eagerly coming to see him. The world has really changed!”
Upon hearing this, You Lingxiao suddenly looked at Sun Yuan Niang. The word “reputation” landed in his heart with a resounding force.
He suddenly took a breath. If he wanted to keep Tao Yu, he could only rely on himself now.
…
“Ah Shu, I heard you asked the Li Zheng about finding work and are planning to learn a trade from Master Qiao?”
In October, there wasn’t much to do during the agricultural off-season, other than preparing firewood for winter and plowing the land in preparation for spring planting next year.
However, Huo Shu was strong and very diligent. He had helped a lot in collecting firewood, and now there was a good pile of firewood under the eaves of the back house.
Yuan Huiru had paid the production and tax money early again this year, and she felt very relieved.
“Mmm.”
“That’s a good thing.”
Yuan Huiru saw that the person under the stove seemed to be in a good mood today. She tentatively said, “Once your craft is settled, I’ll find a matchmaker to look for a good family for you.”
Huo Shu’s hands paused at her words.
“Don’t misunderstand me, adoptive mother. I’m not trying to rush you. Everything will be according to your wishes.”
Yuan Huiru saw that Huo Shu was not young, and he was approaching twenty-six this year. At this age, it was indeed past the prime age for marriage talks. However, Huo Shu was a good person. If he settled down, he would surely be admired by many families.
She was just afraid that Huo Shu hadn’t thought about getting married, but then she heard Huo Shu say, “I have someone in mind.”
Yuan Huiru’s eyes immediately lit up. Her hands, which were washing rice, also stopped, feeling a surprise like a withered tree blooming.
“Which family is it? Quickly tell adoptive mother.”
Huo Shu was silent for a moment. Since he admitted he had someone in mind, he no longer intended to hide it and said directly, “The Ji family.”
Yuan Huiru heard this answer, which was unexpected, but upon reflection, it seemed reasonable.
She couldn’t help but laugh. She didn’t expect such a fierce-looking, cold-faced person like Huo Shu to be interested in a delicate young man like Ji Tao Yu.
It was truly inexplicable.
However, no matter what kind of person Huo Shu was interested in, it was better to have such thoughts than none. She happily teased, “You have a good eye. But although Brother Tao is good, his health is not very good. Do you know that?”
“That’s the worry of ordinary people.”
Huo Shu said, “Whether he’s healthy or not, I won’t let him do anything strenuous.”
Yuan Huiru’s smile deepened. These words of favoritism and pampering coming from Huo Shu’s mouth were particularly interesting.
However, while happy, she couldn’t help but worry again. “I’m happy that you have these thoughts, adoptive mother, but although Brother Tao’s engagement with the You family is over, the Li Zheng family is not someone ordinary people can easily approach. It won’t be easy. I heard today that the Li Zheng’s son from the neighboring village came, so you need to prepare early.”
Huo Shu said, “Adoptive mother, don’t worry. I’ll talk to the Li Zheng myself.”
Yuan Huiru nodded. “Since you have a plan, adoptive mother won’t interfere rashly, lest it backfire and ruin your plans. However, if there’s anything adoptive mother can help with, you must tell me.”
“I know.”
Two days later, after breakfast, Ji Yangzong came to the Zhao family, saying that Master Qiao, the village butcher, had returned.
Ji Yangzong came first to pick up Huo Shu and go to Qiao’s house together.
“I heard that several young people will be apprenticing under Master Qiao this time, and not just from our village. Although I’m introducing you, I can’t force Master Qiao to accept you. It depends on the mutual compatibility. If it works out, I’ll be happy. If it doesn’t, don’t be upset; you can find another job.”
Although Xiao Taozi had been pestering him to say good things about Huo Shu to Master Qiao, Ji Yangzong had not agreed. Such things couldn’t be forced.
So, he explained it clearly to Huo Shu in advance to avoid any unpleasantness later.
“I understand.”
Ji Yangzong felt that Huo Shu was not a petty person, so he didn’t say anything more after this.
He walked ahead with his hands behind his back, feeling a bit uneasy.
It wasn’t that he was unhappy with Huo Shu. He just felt that this kid had some intentions, and when he told the mother and son at home, they didn’t believe him and instead said he was talking nonsense.
This morning, seeing this kid, he particularly wanted to provoke him a little, but facing that stern face, he didn’t know where to start.
“I troubled you with Xiao Taozi’s matters. I’ve been busy with tax matters lately and haven’t thanked you properly.”
“It’s not trouble. Li Zheng has thanked me several times. You don’t need to say thank you anymore.”
Ji Yangzong saw this and took the opportunity to say, “It’s quite coincidental. This child always meets you by good luck whenever something happens. I suppose heaven also pities his frailty and intends to protect him.”
Huo Shu raised an eyebrow. Although he didn’t want to talk much, it didn’t mean he didn’t understand what others meant.
When they were alone, Huo Shu said directly, “Li Zheng knows why this good luck occurs, so there’s no need to say it like this.”
Ji Yangzong immediately stopped. He turned and looked fixedly at Huo Shu.
Huo Shu also stopped. Facing Ji Yangzong’s scrutiny, he didn’t flinch at all and said directly, “If Li Zheng permits, I can continue to take care of him.”
