Chapter 260: A Family of Three

Chapter 260: A Family of Three

Sui Yu held her breath, carrying the child clinging to her as she walked into the house. She greeted everyone in turn: the merchants with food, Old Uncle Niu, A'shui, the workers, the servants, and even the cats and dogs.

"Yin Po, the Gan brothers, Da and Er, will be back soon. They should return in half an hour at most."

"I got back first. Liu Ya'er is traveling with the caravan and should be here shortly. Dream Mom, go welcome her."

"Oh, Big Black! And Little Black, you're even stronger than Big Black! Cat Officer—move over, I don’t want to step on you."

Only after entering the storage room and closing the door behind her did Sui Yu finally have a moment of peace.

"Cat Officer, Big Black, Little Black, come here," Zhao Xiping tapped his foot and called out. "Come and clean up those broken eggs."

A basket of eggs had fallen and broken, spilling yolk all over the floor, too messy to salvage and left for the cats and dogs.

"The merchant caravan will be back soon, Da Zhuang, go tell Er'hei to open the storage room in the second guest house. Also, light more torches in the yard," Zhao Xiping instructed. "While you're at it, go to the livestock pen and tell Li Mutou to prepare several bags of fine feed. Yellow soybeans, soybean meal, broken rice, and golden flower grass—make sure the camels have a good meal tonight."

"Yes," Da Zhuang hurried off without a word.

Zhao Xiping went to the kitchen and saw Cui Sao and Dream Mom replacing the pottery cauldron. The cauldron for boiling water was already on the stove. He didn’t say anything, just turned and went to the adjacent storage room.

The usually energetic child in Sui Yu’s lap was now as quiet as a silkworm, wishing he could weave a cocoon to keep them close. When he saw someone enter the door, he glanced up but showed no interest and looked away.

Zhao Xiping walked in and looked at Sui Yu, really taking her in for the first time. She had lost some weight compared to winter, but she looked healthier than when she returned last year. It seemed her trip inside the pass had gone smoothly.

"I'm hungry," Sui Yu said, looking at him, "but I don't want to get up."

Zhao Xiping understood and went out for a moment, returning with a plate of freshly steamed dumplings, a bowl of braised noodles with radish and bean sprouts, a plate of braised chicken in sauce, and a pot of thin porridge with green vegetables.

"Come down so your mother can eat," Zhao Xiping said.

The little one was reluctant but, after receiving a stern glance, he obediently sat on a stool next to Sui Yu's legs.

Sui Yu smiled at the man and asked, "What else are you busy with?"

"I'm not busy with anything. Does Jade Merchant have any orders?" Zhao Xiping, in a good mood, joked.

Sui Yu patted the spot next to her and said, "If you're not busy, come and eat. Why are you just standing there staring at me?"

Zhao Xiping then realized he needed to eat too. After a whole day of hard work, he hadn't felt hungry until now.

"Dad, can you get me a small bowl?" The little one called out as he saw him leaving.

"Come with me," Sui Liang pulled him up. "Did you wash your hands?"

"Go wash your hands. I’ll wait here, and make sure to brush off any dust from your clothes," Sui Yu said.

By the time the whole family sat down to eat, the porridge was no longer hot. Sui Yu drank half a bowl in one go to quench her thirst before starting on the noodles.

The little one wanted to say something several times, but each time he looked up, he saw his mother busy chewing her food, so he swallowed his words and glanced at her quietly.

Sui Yu didn’t notice. The bowls and plates on the table were soon empty. She heard the sound of camel bells outside; the caravan had returned.

"I'll go take a look," Sui Yu stood up.

As she moved, the other three in the room followed suit.

"Oh, by the way, my parents came along too," Sui Yu remembered. "They're here. Come, let me help you down, little one. Remember to greet them later. They're your grandparents."

The kid obediently replied, "Hmm."

"Boss, did we put all the stuff in the storage room?" Zhang Shun asked.

"Yes, carry them into the storage room first. I'll organize them tomorrow," Sui Yu said, leading the child to Zhao's father and mother. She continued, "The meal is ready, and the hot water has been boiled. Mom, Dad, would you like to eat first?"

"We've had our fill of dust. Let's clean up first," Zhao's father patted the dust off himself and said, "We'll eat after washing up, and then head straight to bed."

"Mom and Dad, you didn't bring any extra clothes, right?" Sui Yu said, tilting her head.

"I'll get some clothes from Old Uncle Niu and Aunt Yin," Zhao Xiping said, "Mom, Dad, go back to your room. I'll bring water over soon."

The child felt his mother push him and shouted, "Grandpa, Grandma, I missed you so much."

Zhao's father, not quite believing the straightforward statement, muttered a response and left.

Zhao's mother smiled at her grandchild and said, "I've told your older brothers and sisters about you at home. They all like you. Next time your mother goes to Chang'an, you come with me. You'll have playmates, and you'll see your mother earlier than staying here."

The child bit his finger and looked up at his mother, who smiled without saying anything. He rolled his eyes and asked, "Is my father going?"

"You go, and he will," Zhao's mother said.

The child leaned against his mother and shook his head, saying, "My father will go with my uncle."

"You little trickster," Zhao's mother sighed with a smile and said, "Stay with your mom. I'm heading back to my room."

"Auntie, let me escort you there," Sui Liang said, striding over enthusiastically. "Lean on me. It's dark, and you might twist your ankle."

The camel team and servants entered the guest house, leaving only the mother and child outside. The child stood on his tiptoes, hugging Sui Yu's waist, and said sweetly, "Mom, the wheat is ripe."

"In a couple of days, we'll ask your father and uncle to join us. We'll go to the field to harvest the wheat," Sui Yu said.

"I planted a lot of broad beans this year and shelled many. They're all dried now."

"Soon, we'll load the camels, grind those broad beans into flour, and I'll make some pancakes for you."

The child nodded heavily and pulled Sui Yu's hand down, whispering, "Mom, squat down."

"Got a secret to share?" Sui Yu squatted, half-embracing the child, her face close. In a moment, a wet kiss landed on her cheek.

"Mom, I missed you so much," the child hugged her neck tightly and whispered, "I was lying to Grandmother just now, but I'm not lying to you."

Sui Yu felt a mix of warmth and sadness but didn't want the child to dwell on it. She squatted a bit more, her cheek against the small chest, and said, "Let me listen and see if you're telling the truth."

"I'm not lying," the child said firmly.

"Your heart is beating a bit fast," Sui Yu said, "Let me listen again. Okay, it tells me you're not lying."

"I'm definitely not lying."

"Alright, you're a good kid. Let's go, time for a bath," Sui Yu picked him up and asked, "Are the clothes I brought back fitting you well?"

"They fit. Uncle's clothes fit, and Dad's clothes fit too," the child whispered into her ear, revealing a secret, "Uncle said Dad's like a slippery, changing mudfish, and he got a beating."

Sui Yu was shocked, "Did your father beat him?"

"Yes, he beat my uncle until he screamed," the child, now full of righteousness, said, "Uncle asked Dad to apologize, but he wouldn't."

"Then what happened?" Sui Yu asked.

"Then... then my uncle left."

As he stammered, Sui Yu began to doubt the child's words. While giving the child a bath, she asked a few more questions. The child couldn't keep up with his lies and had to confess everything truthfully.

"Go back to your room and put on those clothes. After I finish my bath, I'll come check on you." Sui Yu led him out, saying, "I don't think my judgment is wrong."

The child scampered off. Sui Yu used his bathwater to rinse herself first and then asked Zhao Xiping to bring in another bucket of hot water.

"I'll wash with you." Zhao Xiping said.

Sui Yu glanced at him and smiled with her eyes.

Sui Yu quickly rinsed her hair. After that, she tied her hair up and sat in the bathtub, straddling the man's waist, saying, "How many times have you dreamt of me?"

"Guess." Zhao Xiping pressed on her waist, his fingertips gently pinching her skin. Suddenly, he lifted his hand and pulled out a small wooden piece from the pile of clothes on the chair, saying, "Did you dream about me?"

Sui Yu took the small wooden piece, which had her writing on it. She read it with a smile, then tossed it aside. She placed one hand on the man's shoulder, leaned in to whisper, and in an instant, their intimate whispers faded away.

The child had already put on his clothes and clean washed cloth shoes. He sat on the edge of the bed, wanting to walk around but afraid of dirtying his shoes. After several attempts, he decided to take off his shoes and go find someone. Before his feet touched the ground, a series of footsteps sounded from outside the door.

Zhao Xiping pushed the door open with his shoulder and walked in with Sui Yu on his back.

"Wow!" The child's eyes sparkled, and he clapped his hands while standing on the bed.

"Little fool." Zhao Xiping ruffled his hair and said, "Go to sleep with your mother. I'll go dump the bathwater."

Sui Yu got into bed, and the child hurriedly put on his shoes. He stood straight on the bed, looking a bit shy, and said, "Mother, look."

"Let me see." Sui Yu looked carefully and said, "Your uncle lied. You're not ugly at all; you're adorable."

The child grinned from ear to ear. "My aunt also said I'm handsome."

"Your aunt has good taste." Sui Yu helped him take off his shoes and said, "Come, lie in my arms and let me hold you."

"Mother, do you miss me?"

"Of course, I miss you every day." Sui Yu kissed him and said, "I brought you a wild boar tusk, a big box of carp, and sweet honey. Oh, and a big jar of mulberries. I thought of bringing you something whenever I saw anything. Doesn't that show how much I miss you?"

The child's eyes lit up, and he could no longer lie still. He twisted his body and sat up, eager to see the wild boar tusk, the carp, and the sweet honey.

"Lie down." Zhao Xiping entered from the door and said, "It's dark outside, didn't you see?"

The child wilted and lay back down reluctantly.

Sui Yu gave the man a disapproving look. Looking down, she saw the child puffing his lips in anger, which made her laugh.

"We'll look tomorrow morning. Tonight, I'll tell you a story." Sui Yu rested her head on her arm and said, "On our way back from Taiyuan County, we ran into some bandits. The bandits had scary green faces and fangs; they were huge, and the mountain seemed to tremble with every step they took..."

Zhao Xiping: ...All that tension for nothing.

However, the next morning, he held a heavy bronze sword in a daze. Zhao Xiping looked at Sui Yu and asked, "Did you really encounter bandits?"

"Yes." Sui Yu sat down, "The rest is all true."

Zhao Xiping looked at her and then at the sword. He gripped the handle and pulled open the sheath. The blade was sharpened, and the cold light from the blade hurt his eyes.

"How is it?" Sui Yu asked.

"It's a good sword."

Sui Yu rolled her eyes and said, "It's a sword, actually."

"It's a really good sword," Zhao Xiping corrected.

"I'm giving it to you." Sui Yu pushed the sword toward him. "I don't have any use for it. You should keep it for protection."

"No, no, no." Zhao Xiping hadn't thought it through and instinctively refused. He pushed the bronze sword back to Sui Yu and said, "Any sword works for me. This one suits you better for protection, or even as a family treasure to pass down. You could write a personal chronicle for yourself. It would be an honor for our descendants."

Sui Yu beamed with pride and couldn't stop smiling. She rubbed the sword sheath and asked, "Are you sure you don't want it?"

"I'm sure. It's too heavy and not suitable for everyday wear," Zhao Xiping said, hugging her. "You're incredible, Jade Merchant. This was bestowed by the Emperor."

"Jealous?" Sui Yu said proudly.

"Jealous," Zhao Xiping nodded.

"Don't you think I'm super amazing?" Sui Yu asked, resting her chin on her hand.

"Extremely amazing," Zhao Xiping praised sincerely. "Braver and smarter than me."

Sui Yu laughed so hard that her mouth almost reached her ears. She teased, "Come on, let Jade Merchant give you a kiss."

Just as the two were kissing, the kid burst in, all excited. The door was half-closed, and with a push, it opened. He stood there dumbfounded.

Zhao Xiping panicked and tried to escape. He stepped back a couple of times but didn't expect Sui Yu to step forward and kiss him solidly.

"Come here, let mama give you a kiss," Sui Yu beckoned. "What are you standing there for? Is it okay for me to kiss you, but not okay for me to kiss your father?"

The little one shook his head vigorously and, looking at his father, said loudly, "My dad's face is red."

"Nonsense." Zhao Xiping stood up swiftly and bolted like he'd been stung by a bee, saying, "I'm on duty."

Zhao Xiping fled, and the little one burst into laughter, jumping to Sui Yu's side and whispering, "Is Dad being shy?"

"Why shy?" Sui Yu asked with a smile.

"He's so grown up." The little one gestured randomly and was about to climb onto Sui Yu when he suddenly realized, "My dad should go find his mom! You're my mom!"

Sui Yu laughed heartily and rubbed the child's head. "Your hair’s getting long. I’ll give it a trim later."

"Okay." The little one remembered something else and tugged Sui Yu to go outside. "Mom, let’s go see that long wild boar tusk and the big fish."

"Wait a moment." Sui Yu pulled him back and explained seriously, "Your dad and I are husband and wife. He is the husband, and I am the wife. So, we can kiss and sleep in the same bed. Only with both of us could you be born. Kissing him is just as normal as kissing you. In this world, apart from your parents, only your future wife can kiss you, understand? Similarly, your grandfather and grandmother can kiss your dad, and so can I."

The little one could understand and accept it, but he corrected, "Uncle can kiss me too."

"Yes, that's right." Sui Yu kissed him and said, "Your dad, being an adult, would be shy if others knew I kissed him. So, today’s a secret between us, alright? We won't tell your uncle."

The little one nodded solemnly and even stretched out his pinky to make a promise.

"This is a secret exclusive to our family of three," Sui Yu said mysteriously.

This excited the little one, and he reminded, "We can't let Uncle know."

"Alright. By the way, little one, let's make another agreement." Sui Yu taught him, "In the future, when entering a room, if someone is inside, we should call out or knock first. Whether it's your uncle's room, or looking for A’shui, Aqiang, or Huaniu, always call out before entering. You see, today you walked in on me and your dad kissing, and your dad got so shy he ran away, right? If it weren't your dad, would they be angry? Would they think you're rude?"

The little one mumbled and didn't respond.

"I'm sharing this secret with you now, but if Da Zhuang suddenly pushed the door open..."

The wooden door creaked timely, and Little Zai turned around warily. Seeing no one outside, he still wasn’t reassured and peeked outside to make sure. After making sure no one was there, he closed the door and went back inside.

Sui Yu smiled warmly at him.

"Sure thing," Little Zai agreed. "Mom, let's go see those wild boar tusks."

"Let's go. There are two tusks—one for you and one for your uncle," Sui Yu said, standing up and going out with him.

When they stepped outside, Little Zai saw Da Zhuang. He got suspicious, wondering if Da Zhuang had come and gone again, since he does that all the time.

"Mom, I need to teach Da Zhuang and Uncle to announce themselves before coming in. And Aunt A'shui shouldn’t sneak peeks when I’m changing my pants."