Chapter Sixty

Chapter Sixty

"Officer, my husband brought the children to deliver some things for me. I'll be back in a moment!"

The minor official waved his hand. "Hurry back!"

Zhao Beichuan took off running toward them.

Lu Yao, pulling the two children along, was out of breath by the time they arrived. They had only just managed to find the place after asking around.

"How did you get here?" Zhao Beichuan ran up to them, seeing their sweaty and panting faces, feeling quite distressed.

"Xiaodou, did he wake up... crying... nonstop?" Lu Yao placed his hands on his waist, taking a while to catch his breath.

Zhao Beichuan picked Xiaodou up and pinched his little face. "No good, what did your big brother tell you yesterday?"

"I... I am the only man in the family, so I have to protect my sister-in-law and my sister." Xiaodou wiped away his tears with his arm, barely holding back a sob.

"At home, listen to your sister-in-law and don't upset her, understand?"

"I understand."

Lu Yao handed him a bag of boiled eggs. "Eat these on the way; I forgot to give them to you this morning."

Zhao Beichuan glanced back and saw the official waving at him, urging him to catch up with the group. "You should go back now."

"Take care and come back safely. We'll be waiting for you at home..."

Zhao Beichuan touched Lu Yao's hair, then turned and ran away.

The three stood there watching his figure fade until it disappeared. Lu Yao rubbed his eyes. "Let's go home."

On the way back, Xiaodou didn't cry anymore but seemed listless. Lu Yao decided to ask for a day off from school for him.

Xiaodou shook his head quickly. "Today, the teacher is lecturing on the Analects. I can't miss it. We need to hurry back home to get my schoolbag, or we'll be late."

Lu Yao felt both relieved and heartbroken. "Alright, let's go home quickly!"

As they returned to the alley, they met Lu Lin escorting their father.

"Father, Second Brother." Lu Yao helped open the gate, and everyone went into the courtyard together.

"Did you go to see Da Chuan?"

"We just went to take a look."

Lu Lin said, "I heard that they're going to Fanyang for labor service this year. That place is far away. I wonder if they'll be back by autumn."

Lu Yao couldn't bear hearing such words, knowing it would be months before he could see Zhao Beichuan again.

"Father, thank you for helping us here."

Lu Guangsheng: "Don't mention it."

Lu Lin helped chop some firewood and noticed that a few wooden planks in the pigpen were damaged. He fixed them and left.

With the old man around, Lu Yao felt more at ease. In the morning, he soaked some beans and then took a basket to buy eggs. The eggs from their chickens weren't enough, and he needed more for the shop tomorrow.

Many people from the town were also serving labor duty, including the two male members of the neighboring Liu family. Now only Liu Laozhang and his two daughters-in-law and grandchildren remained at home.

Lu Yao knocked on the door, and Liu Erniangzi opened it. "Da Chuan left?"

"Yes, early this morning."

"Come in." Her eyes were red, perhaps from crying earlier.

Soon, Liu Ersao came out of the side room with thirty-five eggs. "They've all been washed. You can boil them directly."

"Thank you." Lu Yao counted the money and handed it over. One egg cost one coin, which was the standard price in town.

"Don't mention it. Washing them doesn't take much effort." Without Lu Yao's shop, she would still be washing clothes.

Though washing clothes earned ten coins a day, it was hard on the hands, especially in winter when frostbite made the skin raw and infected.

She had tried learning embroidery from her sister-in-law but lacked talent. Luckily, Lu Yao hired her to help at the shop, where she worked only two hours a day without neglecting household chores.

After a brief chat, Lu Yao took the basket and went to another house to buy more eggs.

He knocked on the door, and an elderly woman with a small, thin, and dark complexion opened it. "Lu Yao, come in."

This old woman's husband's surname was Fang, and he had passed away long ago. Both her sons were married and lived separately, leaving her alone.

Fang Laotai was known in the alley for being cheap. Unlike Tian Erniangzi from Wan'gou Village, who was at least somewhat decent, Fang Laotai would try to gain every possible advantage.

Despite this, Lu Yao understood her difficulties and bought eggs from her as a form of support.

"I've saved over twenty eggs for you. Wait a moment while I fetch them." Fang Laotai hurried to the chicken coop, where the eggs were still in the nests, covered in feathers and droppings.

Lu Yao quickly separated these eggs from those given by Liu Ersao. He counted twenty-two eggs, excluding two broken ones, which would not hold up during boiling.

The old lady pouted. "Now that you're doing well, you won't even take the slightly broken ones. In the past, even if an egg broke, people would still pick it up and lick it clean."

Lu Yao smiled and counted out twenty coins.

"These two are for you too; just give me one extra coin." Fang Laotai insisted on putting the broken eggs in Lu Yao's basket. Reluctantly, Lu Yao gave her one extra coin.

"Can you give me some bean residue? My pigs have nothing to eat."

Lu Yao replied, "We have many animals, and there's not enough for them either."

"I'll go to your garden and pick some chives later. My chives were all cut by my eldest brother yesterday."

Lu Yao: ...

Seeing that he didn't refuse, the old lady happily took her sickle and followed him home. After all, chives grow quickly in summer; if they weren't cut, they would become too old. If she wanted to cut them, she could.

The eggs bought had to be washed again at home. Lu Yao was very meticulous about food hygiene, especially during the hot summer months. If broken eggs weren't sorted out, they would soon breed maggots.

This task was given to Lu Miao and Xiaonian, while Lu Yao had to go buy bones to make broth.

At the butcher's, he spent sixty coins on two large leg bones. With the weather getting warmer, pork prices dropped because unsold meat would spoil within two days. This was one of the drawbacks of ancient times—nothing lasted in the heat of summer.

Ice was sold in town, but a cubic foot cost ten coins, which was too expensive for ordinary people to afford.

Carrying the bones, he then went to the herbal shop to buy some cinnamon and cold water stone. The shop assistants recognized him; he always bought the same few items.

Returning home with his purchases, he started a fire to boil the broth. The beans were soaked enough, so Lu Guangsheng tied Dahuahua to the stone mill and began grinding soy milk with the donkey.

The first day without Beichuan passed busily.

Dinner was ready, and as usual, Lu Yao asked Xiaonian to call Beichuan to eat.

Xiaonian ran out hurriedly and returned after a while, pouting. "Sister-in-law... Eldest brother isn't home."

"You see my forgetfulness," Lu Yao sighed, losing half his appetite.

That night, Lu Guangsheng slept with Xiaodou in the west room, while Lu Yao, Lu Miao, and Xiaonian slept in the east room.

During the day it was fine, but at night, Lu Yao felt restless, as if something was missing. He tossed and turned, unable to sleep.

Reaching out, he touched the empty space beside him, and tears welled up unexpectedly.

Lu Yao buried his head in the quilt, inhaling the scent left by Beichuan, barely managing to hold back his sadness.

Why had he suddenly become so sentimental? It wasn't like Beichuan wouldn't return; it was just a few months. He needed to get up early to open the shop tomorrow, so he shouldn't dwell on these thoughts and should try to sleep. Lu Yao consoled himself this way.

Despite trying for a long time, he still couldn't fall asleep, lying awake until the end of the last hour of the night. Finally, he got up to light a fire and boil soy milk.

*

Oversleeping was not an option for Zhao Beichuan either.

On the first day, they walked nearly sixty miles, resting at Zhang Mingting in the evening. The cooks set up a simple stove, fetched water, and cooked bean porridge.

People from different villages gathered around, forming small groups based on their relationships. Zhao Guang and Zhao Beichuan sat together, closer than others due to sharing the same surname. Zhao Guang's feet were covered in blisters, and he was using a stick to pop them; otherwise, they would hurt more tomorrow.

Zhao Beichuan hugged his knees, looking back in the direction they came.

It was dinner time at home now; Lu Yao would definitely have sent Xiaonian to call him to eat. Then the family would gather around the stove, enjoying steamed buns with braised dishes and vegetables.

"Clang, clang, clang!" The gong sounded, signaling dinner time.

Zhao Guang threw away the stick and limped over to get his food.

Zhao Beichuan took out his bowl and joined the queue. When it was his turn, the cook scooped him a ladleful of dry bean porridge.

How long had it been since he last ate bean porridge?

Ever since Lu Yao came home, he hadn't eaten this stuff. A mouthful revealed sand grains, almost breaking his teeth.

Zhao Beichuan spat out the grit, taking out the braised egg Lu Yao had packed for him. The egg made the porridge slightly more palatable.

The braised egg, having been in the sun all day, had started to spoil. He gave two to Zhao Guang and finished the rest in a few bites.

After dinner, many people went to relieve themselves. Zhao Beichuan counted the group and followed them, reporting any missing individuals immediately to the officials.

By the time of the rooster's crow, everyone settled down. Zhao Beichuan counted again, confirming no one was missing, then laid down on straw to rest.

Closing his eyes, his mind filled with images of Lu Yao—smiling, angry, proud, and reluctant when he left.

Zhao Beichuan turned over and sighed, feeling a tightness in his chest. He wondered if Lu Yao had fallen asleep yet, whether his father-in-law had visited, and if he was alone with the three children, would he be scared?

The more he thought, the more worried he became, sitting up and then lying back down.

The snores of those around him rose and fell like frogs croaking after rain, making him even more restless.

He tossed and turned, staring at the ceiling until dawn.

Early in the morning, the Lu family's breakfast stall opened.

*

Lu Yao brought dry wood to start the fire, while Lu Miao poured oil into the pot.

Soon, Sister Liu Er arrived, carrying a bucket of water to clean the tables and windows. She was a clean and diligent woman who never slacked off, and Lu Yao planned to give her a raise soon.

Customers started arriving gradually. This year, many people from the town were conscripted for labor, affecting business.

Most of the customers were elderly men, women, and young boys, along with teenagers around thirteen or fourteen years old.

These people mostly worked for wealthy families in town. Why did the rich not need to serve labor duty? Five hundred taels could buy a nominal position as a local gentleman, exempting the entire family from such duties.

Lu Yao's current goal was to save five hundred taels to buy such a position for Zhao Beichuan, so he wouldn't have to travel far to build tombs for the emperor.

The weather today was gloomy and muggy, as if a storm was brewing.

Business was slow all morning, with only half a bucket of soy milk sold and plenty of tofu pudding left over. They earned less than five hundred coins.

Seeing the sky darken further, Lu Yao wiped his hands and said, "Lu Miao, go home and ask Father to come over. We're closing up."

"There's still so much left unsold."

"Not selling anymore. Once it starts raining, there will be even fewer customers." Tomorrow, I need to grind fewer beans; otherwise, with this hot weather, the unsold ones will go to waste.

"Ah." Lu Miao put down the cloth and went home to call someone.

The oil in the pot had cooled down enough, so Lu Yao scooped it back into the jar. Soon after, Lu Yao's father arrived with a donkey cart and loaded the unsold tofu and soy milk onto it.

"Rumble—" Thunder sounded, and Lu Yao hurriedly secured the doors and windows, rushing back home. Before he could enter the courtyard, raindrops started pelting down, soaking his clothes within just a few steps.

Inside the house, Xiaonian handed him a dry towel, her small face filled with worry as she looked outside. "I wonder how Big Brother is doing. I hope he didn't get caught in the rain."

Thinking about Zhao Beichuan made Lu Yao feel uneasy, so he busied himself to avoid dwelling on it.

It was almost noon, but the rain showed no signs of stopping. Lu Yao put on a straw cloak and took an umbrella, preparing to go to the school to pick up Xiaodou.

Before he could leave the courtyard, the sound of hooves approached from outside the gate.

Opening the door, a large carriage with a canopy pulled up. The coachman opened the door, revealing Xiaodou and Lin Zijian, who had clashed with him before.

"Sister-in-law!" Xiaodou poked his head out, and the coachman quickly helped him down.

Lin Zijian still seemed a bit shy when he saw Lu Yao. Holding his face up, he said in a soft voice, "Seeing that the heavy rain wouldn't stop, and since I happened to be going the same way as Brother Zhao, I gave him a ride."

Xiaodou also bowed formally. "Thank you, Brother Lin."

Hearing these words coming from two toothless children was quite amusing. Lu Yao smiled and reached out to touch Xiaodou's hair. "Quick, go inside. Zijian, would you like to come in and wait out the rain?"

Lin Zijian hesitated for a moment and shook his head. "No, maybe next time."

Lu Yao brought Xiaodou inside. While the coachman turned the carriage around, Lu Yao grabbed two marinated eggs and had Xiaodou give them to the coachman as a thank-you for bringing him home.

Soon, Xiaodou ran back holding an umbrella. "Sister-in-law, Sister-in-law! The Lin family's carriage is amazing! It's steady and fast, like a little house that can shield from wind and rain."

"When we have money, we'll buy one too."

Xiaodou nodded excitedly. "Zijian said such a carriage costs over two hundred taels of silver. His family must be really rich!"

"What does the Lin family do?"

"His grandfather used to be an official in Shang Jing. After he fell ill, his father brought the whole family back to their hometown to recuperate. They plan to return once he gets better."

So they were an aristocratic family. No wonder they could afford a carriage.

"If they're so influential, why is he studying in a small town like Qiushui?"

Xiaodou scratched his head. "I'm not sure, but according to Lin Zijian, it's because he refused to study at home. So his grandfather sent him to the school to see how ordinary people study."

Well, a wealthy young master experiencing life.

Lu Yao thought it was fortunate he hadn't interfered when the two kids fought a few days ago. Offending the Lin family could bring bad luck.

"Don't provoke him anymore, okay?"

"Why? We get along great now! We study and read together every day, and he even promised to bring me books soon!"

"You two aren't the same..." Lu Yao paused, realizing he might have been influenced by feudal thinking, saying something like that to a child.

"It's fine. Just play well with him and don't fight."

*

Lin Zijian sat in the carriage, holding the two warm marinated eggs, smelling them.

The coachman quickly said, "Young Master, it's best not to eat such rustic food. You might upset your stomach."

Lin Zijian glanced at him, warning him to keep quiet.

"...," the coachman reluctantly closed his mouth.

When the carriage arrived at the Lin family's mansion, the rain had gradually stopped. As usual, Lin Zijian first went to the backyard to greet his grandfather and discuss what he had learned that day.

"Grandfather, Grandfather, I'm back~" Lin Zijian ran into the courtyard.

"Cough!" The sound of his father's cough startled him, turning his face pale. He immediately stopped and walked in with proper steps.

In the room, Lin Lang was serving his father medicine. After finishing the bitter black soup, he quickly took warm water from a nearby servant and fed it to the elderly man.

After drinking the water, the elderly man frowned and groaned, pressing a handkerchief to his lips.

"Father, take care of yourself!"

The elderly man waved his hand. "It's nothing. Go ahead with your work. Zijian, come tell your grandfather what the teacher taught you today."

Lin Zijian moved closer to his grandfather and recited a passage from Mencius: "Mencius said: Zi Lu rejoiced when told of his faults. Yu bowed upon hearing good advice. Great Sage Shun surpassed others in this respect, always willing to learn from others. He was happy to adopt others' virtues and improve himself. From farming, planting, pottery making, fishing, to becoming an emperor, all his achievements came from learning from others. Learning from others to improve oneself means doing good deeds together with others. Therefore, the greatest virtue of a gentleman lies in doing good deeds together with others."①

Lin Lang's expression softened. His son had made some progress in his studies recently, unlike before when he stumbled over his words and couldn't memorize a single passage.

"Do you understand the meaning of this passage?"

Lin Zijian shook his head. The teacher hadn't explained it yet; they were only required to memorize it, believing that repeated reading would reveal its meaning.

Lin Jingxian had his grandson remove his shoes and sit on the bed while he explained the passage's meaning. Seeing this, Lin Lang quietly left the room, leaving only the grandfather and grandson.

After hearing the explanation, Lin Zijian instantly understood. "I should learn from others' virtues and absorb their strengths to make up for my own weaknesses!"

The elderly man smiled and nodded. "Do any of your classmates have qualities worth learning from?"

"Yes, I learned recitation from Zhao Beidou!" Lin Zijian suddenly remembered something and quickly asked the servant to bring the marinated eggs. "Today, it rained, so I gave him a ride home, and he gave me two eggs!"

"Oh~ Our Zijian has made a new friend."

"Yes! He's very good at recitation, but his handwriting isn't as good as mine. I'll work hard to learn from his recitation skills to improve myself."

Grandfather Lin stroked his beard with satisfaction and said, "Good, this is truly my Lin family child."

Lin Jingxian was a professor at the Imperial Academy, and he had taught hundreds of students. Yet, when it came to his own grandson, he was at a loss.

Heaven only knew how much effort the family had put into educating their grandson over the past few years.

The child had always hated studying since he was little. He would cry and fuss as soon as he entered the schoolroom, and fall asleep the moment he picked up a book. In Shang Jing, they had gone through four or five tutors who were all driven away by him.

This time, returning to the countryside to recuperate, they had merely placed him in a basic education class to see if it would help. Unexpectedly, there was an unexpected gain. It seemed he needed to meet the classmate his grandson often mentioned.