Chapter 41

Chapter 41

Several days passed, and with Pei Sheng losing two fingers, Ye Jinrong seemed to have aged a decade overnight, her previous arrogance vanished.

When she encountered Gu Lan's family outside, she would lower her head and remain silent, let alone think about spoiling Pei Yan's marriage plans. Even hearing Pei Yan's name became unbearable for her.

Gu Lan was busy making their new wedding clothes, and with the recent incident, he was even more reluctant to leave the house, lest he turned his back only to hear people whispering behind him.

As such, he was unaware that the gossip about Pei Yan in Small River Village had shifted behind closed doors. The gossips spoke softly, if at all, fearing to raise their voices.

With Pei Yan's reputation for disregarding familial ties, he truly had nothing to lose, and his years of warfare had indeed made him a formidable force, more fearsome than any street thug. Even after marrying into the Gu family, no one could persuade him, wasn't this akin to inviting a wolf into one's home? What would become of them in the future?

They no longer dared to wag their tongues about Gu Lan, for fear that Pei Yan might hear them and storm into their homes in a fit of rage. A few idle words were simply not worth the risk; it was better to remain silent like mutes. Some even felt sympathy for Gu Lan, wondering how Pei Yan might react in the face of any marital disputes.

*

As early summer arrived, clean cloth shoes were put away, and the entire family switched to wearing straw sandals, no longer worrying about damaging their footwear while working in the fields.

Gu Lan had lost his appetite these days and suffered from nightmares at night, causing a faint bluish tinge to appear beneath his eyes.

Staying at home to sew, he found himself distracted, recalling the image of Pei Yan from that day. Lost in thought, he accidentally pricked his finger with a needle and, reflexively, sucked on the injured digit.

Yesterday, Aunt Jin Feng mentioned that Pei Yan was planning to seek an auspicious date for their marriage soon. He would then discuss and finalize the date with his parents.

She also said that Pei Yan had already started tidying up his courtyard and house, even preparing some new household items.

With all these tasks at hand, there was a chance that Pei Yan might be home right now.

Having made up his mind, Gu Lan no longer hesitated. He grabbed his bamboo basket and small hoe, left Er'hei to guard the house, locked the courtyard gates, and, without caring if he might be seen, dashed through the forest behind the village straight towards the back mountain.

In the past, he had always approached stealthily. Now that their engagement was out in the open, everyone knew about his relationship with Pei Yan. Even if someone were to spot him, so what? At worst, he'd just get scolded when he returned home.

Spotting Pei Yan applying vermilion lacquer to the front gate, Gu Lan halted his steps.

A large black dog silently pounced out from the dilapidated shed nearby. Pei Yan's sharp gaze and stern rebuke kept the dog from baring its teeth, causing it to tuck its tail and sniff at Gu Lan's calf before retreating.

Their eyes met, but Gu Lan found himself at a loss for words. Pei Yan, having withdrawn his gaze, continued painting, his tall frame and long arms allowing him to reach the high door without needing a stool.

Approaching, Gu Lan pretended to inspect the half-painted vermilion door, feeling inexplicably exhilarated. His previous worries vanished, and despite pressing his lips together, a hint of a smile still managed to surface.

"I see you washed your clothes that day?" he managed to initiate a conversation, adding, "And took a bath with cypress leaves too?"

Pei Yan's hand paused for a moment, then he dipped it back into the wooden bucket to pick up some vermilion lacquer. His hand was steady as he continued to paint from where he had left off, speaking softly, "Everything has been washed clean."

"That's good." Gu Lan's eyes curved into a smile as he stood by, watching Pei Yan work. He couldn't resist glancing into the courtyard.

The courtyard was tidy, with a neatly stacked pile of long logs on one side and an equally orderly pile of split firewood beside it. On both the east and west sides, patches of land had been cultivated into vegetable plots, planted with spring vegetables, broad beans, loofahs, and rows of scallions, garlic, and leeks.

Compared to the variety of vegetables in his family's plot, Pei Yan's area was actually quite spacious, but it didn't boast an abundance of crops.

Indeed, he's alone. How much could he possibly eat?

To the east of the courtyard stood the kitchen, while to the west were the woodshed and a miscellaneous storage shed. At the very end were three blue-tiled rooms: two chambers on either side with a central hall in between, a layout similar to that of most households.

The house didn't appear to be spacious, likely accommodating only two habitable rooms. The backyard was out of sight, its nature unknown.

The family that had originally inhabited this place must have been fairly well-off to afford a walled tile-roofed house. But, as his mother had mentioned, while the occupants of the dilapidated thatched cottages outside had gradually improved their lives after moving into the village, misfortune had befallen this household, resulting in death and dispersion.

Consequently, despite the allure of this dilapidated estate, many deemed it inauspicious due to the funerals that had taken place there. The distance from the village and the need for substantial effort and expense to renovate it also deterred potential occupants. It was for these reasons that Pei Yan, who had returned from outside the village, was able to acquire it at a bargain price.

Still wondering, Pei Yan had already finished painting the other half of the door panel and lifted the bucket of paint to step inside.

Despite Gu Lan's previous audacity, it was out of necessity. Now, he felt too embarrassed to follow directly.

Not hearing footsteps behind him, Pei Yan turned back. "You're not coming in?"

He appeared at ease, without any malicious intentions, assuming that Gu Lan had come to inspect the place.

"Here I am," Gu Lan replied, suppressing his joy as he stepped in with a bright smile, observing as he walked along the way.

Pei Yan placed the bucket of lacquer in the storage shed. Upon seeing Gu Lan wandering around the main hall, he paid no attention and moved the ladder to the entrance, positioning it properly. He then entered the eastern main room to fetch a red cloth, planning to hang it up.

Marriages usually entail some festive decorations, or else it would be too bleak.

Upon seeing Pei Yan climbing the ladder, Gu Lan set down his bamboo basket and came to assist, holding the ladder without much conversation. Nonetheless, a silent understanding grew between them with each movement.

There was only one red cloth. After Pei Yan returned the ladder to its original spot, he fetched a few pre-cut "double happiness" symbols from the main house. The largest one, he intended to place in the center of the hall by moving a table that leaned against the wall.

Gu Lan took the bowl of paste and helped to smear it on, bent over in concentration. Pei Yan spoke up, "I'll put one symbol on each small window. I bought a pair of red candles; we'll place them outside later, while the wedding candles will go inside."

After a moment of silence, he added, "It's just the two of us, with no family or friends present. No banquet, no ceremony either."

Gu Lan Shi paused in his task, lifting his gaze to meet the person across from him. He understood Pei Yan's meaning but remained unrepentant. This was his only path, and poverty was a small price to pay compared to a lifetime of torment by lecherous scoundrels.

"I know," he said, lowering his head to apply paste to the smaller "double happiness" character. Gradually, he came to terms with the situation and shrugged it off. "It's just a brief ceremony. Why take it so seriously?"

These words also convinced himself. He was marrying Pei Yan, not the guests or the festive decorations.

Pei Yan lowered his eyes, then, without comment, picked up the largest "double happiness" character to affix it to the wall.

With an extra pair of hands, they finished decorating quickly.

Gu Lan Shi dusted off his hands and stood in the yard, eyeing the windows now adorned with red characters. He had to admit they looked slightly better.

Pei Yan brought out a bowl of tea and placed it within Gu Lan Shi's reach. The latter smiled warmly, took a sip, and found it to be a common wild mountain tea that every household in the village had.

"Tomorrow, we'll fetch the wooden basin and chairs – four of them, all new," Pei Yan said, his expression neutral.

Gu Lan Shi asked, "Did you have a carpenter make them?"

"Mm," Pei Yan nodded. A new wooden basin and four new chairs – using old items would be inappropriate. He added, "I've also entrusted someone to make new bedding. We'll collect it in a couple of days."

Indeed, the kitchen had been augmented with a few new bowls and pairs of chopsticks, but such trifling items were hardly worth mentioning.

He furrowed his brow in recollection, then pursed his lips slightly, choosing to remain silent.

The wedding preparations might have been simple, but for daily living, these belongings would suffice. Nothing else was truly necessary as long as one had enough food and clothing. Gu Lanshi listened without any sign of dissatisfaction, responding with a smile, "This is more than enough."

He had long known that Pei Yan had neither wealth nor close relatives. The fact that he had made the effort to create new chairs and a new quilt was already commendable. Gu Lanshi was unwilling to nitpick unnecessarily.

With no tasks at hand, lingering there seemed inappropriate. Finishing his tea, Gu Lanshi said, "Then I'll head back first. I'll come again another day."

The words tumbled out without much thought, and he only realized their inappropriateness after speaking. How could he keep visiting before the wedding? His ears tinged with red as he picked up the bamboo basket and hurried away.

Pei Yan's emotions remained undisturbed. After seeing Gu Lanshi off, he returned to tidy up the kitchen.

All that needed to be said had been spoken. Since Gu Lanshi had shown no regret, how could a man like him back down at the last minute?

*

Two days later, Fang Jinfeng paid a visit, bringing the auspicious dates that Pei Yan had arranged for them.

Miao Qiulian and Gu Tieshan deliberated for a while before deciding on April 19th – just ten days away.

It seemed a bit hasty, but given Pei Yan's notorious reputation, it was better for him to settle down early and focus on his responsibilities. Otherwise, if he caused any more trouble, it could spoil the arrangement.

Without parents or elders, after Fang Jinfeng delivered the message, Pei Yan entrusted the dowry to her, carefully wrapped in red cloth with three taels of silver. He sincerely expressed his gratitude, and Fang Jinfeng eagerly agreed, promptly delivering the gift to the Gu family.

With a few days left until the wedding, Gu Lan had finished making the wedding attire and even embroidered a pair of mandarin ducks on the pillow.

As she sought Pei Yan's approval, Fang Honghua visited several times but held back her words. However, as marriage was a matter decided by parents, and she, being an elderly woman who usually didn't intervene in affairs, didn't feel it appropriate to meddle. Moreover, seeing Gu Lan's joyous expression, she was puzzled, unaware of the situation.

Eventually, she couldn't resist secretly asking Gu Lan if she was frightened silly, to be marrying Pei Yan with such enthusiasm.

Gu Lan found the question amusing and a little ironic. Indeed, he was a bit afraid of Pei Yan, but he knew the man was reasonable. It was always others who provoked him first, and as long as one spoke politely, Pei Yan wouldn't resort to violence. Just like how he had persistently approached Pei Yan before without being harmed.

He didn't dare reveal that he had insisted on the marriage, only telling his grandmother that Pei Yan was a good person. As for whether Fang Honghua believed him or not, that was something only she could decide.

In the evening.

The chimneys in Small River Village gradually extinguished their smoke, indicating that most households had already finished their meals.

Upon seeing Pei Yan pass by his front door carrying a basket of grass, Gu Lan's face lit up with a smile. He entered the kitchen and brought out a covered bowl of rice and a dish of stir-fried spring vegetables from the pot.

Today, the family was having steamed rice, and he had deliberately saved a bowl. The spring vegetables were cooked separately in a generous portion.

Miao Qiulian and Gu Tieshan were conversing inside the house. Knowing that his parents had seen him, he didn't dare to make a fuss. He covered the food basket with cloth and quietly slipped out of the house to chase after Pei Yan.

He didn't dare to call out loudly. Instead, he jogged up to Pei Yan after seeing him enter the woods, whispering like a thief from behind.

Pei Yan stopped upon realizing it was him, waiting patiently.

As Gu Lan approached, he held the food basket steadily and said with a smile, "I brought you lunch, so you won't have to cook when you get back. It's still warm."

Pei Yan didn't take it immediately but looked at him with a frown.

Gu Lan, feeling awkward, whispered, "It's only a few days left, it's not a big deal. Besides, I'm just delivering food, not doing anything else. Let them say what they want, I've gotten used to it."

With a determined grip, he pulled Pei Yan's hand and handed over the basket as if giving up on caring about others' opinions.

Reluctantly, Pei Yan took the basket. Just as he was about to speak, Gu Lan reached into his pocket and pressed something else into his hand.

The amulet was the same one from before, which Gu Lan had kept close to his body, never daring to leave it carelessly, for fear of water or wind damage. Recalling his little gourd, Gu Lan looked up and instructed, "Don't throw this away. It's not harming you."

Having finished his words, he didn't linger. If he tarried too long, his mother would surely have words with him upon his return. Thus, he came and went in a hurry, leaving Pei Yan standing there, slowly studying the protective amulet.