Chapter 119

Chapter 119

By the time Lu Yao and the others arrived, it was almost dusk.

"Have you found him?"

Ma Kuan said, "Young Master Lin was drinking at this tavern earlier. The owner said that midway, a few ruffians dragged him out."

Upon hearing this, Lu Yao furrowed his brow. "Have you searched the nearby alleys?"

"We're searching. I just went to the brewery to call some people over to help. We should have news soon."

Zhao Beidou, anxious, said, "He was drinking out of nowhere? What happened?"

"Don't worry. Let's see if we can find him first. If not, I'll call more people for help."

After about the time it takes for an incense stick to burn, a shout suddenly came from the nearby alley, "We've found him!"

Everyone hurried towards the sound. Lin Bo pushed through the servants who had come to help and rushed to Lin Zijian's side, hugging him tightly. "Young Master, you've scared me to death. How could you run off here alone? And why are your clothes gone?"

Zhao Beichuan frowned. "Never mind that for now. Carry Young Master out first!"

Two servants quickly helped Lin Zijian up, only to discover that the back of his head was soaked with blood!

"Young Master is injured!"

Lin Bo felt dizzy and almost fell. "Young Master, wake up!"

Lu Yao said, "Don't just stand there. Take him to the nearby clinic!"

In a flurry, they carried him to the clinic. The doctor examined him and found that the wound on his head, though it looked severe, wasn't deep. After a simple treatment and some medicine, it was clear there was no danger to his life.

After the treatment, two servants carried Lin Zijian back. Lu Yao instructed them to take him to his own home.

Lin Bo knelt beside him, tears streaming down his face. He hadn't expected that a few words from him could almost cost the young master his life.

Having followed the young master for so many years, although they were master and servant, he treated him like his own grandson. Over time, he had started to act like an elder.

Lin Bo harshly slapped himself. What was he worth? If something had happened to the young master, a hundred lives wouldn't be enough to make up for it.

Seeing him like this, Lu Yao found it hard to scold him.

"Zijian will recover at my place for now. With Beidou around, hopefully, his mood will improve."

Lin Bo nodded. "Thank you, Master Lu..."

*

When Lin Zijian woke up, he felt a dizzy spell and didn't know what day it was.

After a while, he opened his eyes and, seeing the unfamiliar room, wondered where he was. He sat up, holding his forehead, and suddenly felt nauseous, only managing to vomit some sour water.

"Why are you up? Lie down quickly." Zhao Beidou entered with medicine.

"Beidou? Where am I?"

Zhao Beidou helped him lie down. "This is my home. Last night, you were injured outside. Rest here for a few days."

Lin Zijian held his forehead, recalling that he had argued with Lin Bo, drunk alone, and was dragged out by a few ruffians. He couldn't remember what happened after that, and a look of embarrassment appeared on his face.

"I'm sorry to have troubled you all night looking for me..."

Zhao Beidou, hearing this, became a little upset and placed the medicine on the table. "We've known each other since we were six. Are you treating me as an outsider now?"

"I didn't mean to... sigh..." Lin Zijian sighed heavily, his eyes gradually turning red.

Seeing him like this, Zhao Beidou knew something was on his mind. "You and I are close friends. Is there anything you can't say?"

Lin Zijian gave a bitter smile. "It's not that I can't, but I don't know how to start. Children shouldn't gossip about elders, especially when it's about my father."

He gathered his emotions and shared what had been happening at home for the past two years. "My grandfather is old, and I don't want to bother him with household matters. But... as his child, I no longer feel any care from my father. His attention is on his two younger sons, and he doesn't care about my studies. On the other hand, my mother has become increasingly strict, pushing me to the point where I want to escape... anywhere..." By the time Lin Zijian finished, he was sobbing uncontrollably.

Zhao Beidou hugged him and patted his back. "If you don't mind, stay at my place until the prefectural exam is over."

After crying, Lin Zijian felt a weight lifted from his heart and silently decided to stay in Ping Prefecture to prepare for the exam, planning to return to the capital only after passing.

At noon, when Lu Yao returned from the tavern, he saw that Lin Zijian was already sitting up in bed reading with his younger brother.

"Have you eaten?"

"Sister-in-law," the two put down their books. Lin Zijian tried to get up but was pressed down by Lu Yao. "Rest easy. I've had a room prepared for you. My servants will help you and your brother prepare for the academy exam."

"Thank you." Lin Zijian nodded.

Lu Yao didn't ask anything, but he could guess that the pressure at home must have been too much for Zijian to end up drinking alone at a tavern late at night.

After such a significant incident, Lin Bo had already returned to the capital, leaving two servants to care for Lin Zijian.

*

Half a month later, the results of the prefectural exam were released. Unsurprisingly, Zhao Beidou passed, ranking second in the A category. The top spot, as expected, went to Lin Zijian!

He had already achieved two top rankings and, if he were to achieve first place again in the academy exam, it would be a small triple crown!

His exam paper was posted, and every word was like a pearl, impressing the scholars below. They admired how well he referenced classics in his writing!

Lin Zijian was also very happy. Although the top spot in the prefectural exam didn't mean much, his mother should be pleased.

He immediately wrote a letter home, and soon received a reply from Shang Jing.

Madam Lin's letter was brief, cautioning him not to be arrogant or impatient, to prepare well for the upcoming exams, not to act childish, and to be polite and not cause trouble while staying at someone else's home, especially since there were women in the Zhao family.

After reading the letter, Lin Zijian felt even more disappointed. He had thought that his mother would comfort him about his injury, but there was not a single word about it.

The door suddenly knocked, and Zhao Beidou and Zhao Fengchun urged him to come out quickly as it was time to prepare the barbecue.

Without time to grieve, Lin Zijian put down the letter and rushed out with hurried steps.

A small grill had already been lit in the courtyard. Every year in May, the Lu Family Tavern started serving barbecue. With too many customers at the tavern, Lu Yao had welded a small grill at home for the children to use.

Xiaochun brought over a large plate of lamb skewers. Zhao Beidou was in charge of fanning the grill, while Lin Zijian sat nearby waiting to eat.

As the lamb was grilled, Xiaochun poured each of them a cup of iced sour plum juice. "Here's to celebrating the two of you passing the prefectural exam!"

*

In mid-May, after the courtyard exam ended, Lu Yun was also preparing to return to Qiushui Town with Lu Yao and his family.

Originally, they were going to bring Zhao Beidou along, but it wasn't good to leave Lin Zijian alone. However, taking him along was also a concern as it was different from modern times, involving several days of arduous travel.

So, they decided to leave both of them behind to prepare for the August imperial exam.

This time, Lu Yun and Wang Youtian planned to bring the Wang family's elders to the Prefecture City for their old age.

In the past two years, both Lu Lin and Lu Yun had bought new houses in the Prefecture City, though they hadn't chosen the Changrong Street area. They bought a two-courtyard house on Changshui Street, which was cheaper but sufficient.

With the return home approaching, Old Madam Lu had been more spirited these days, always smiling and having endless things to talk about.

In the afternoon, Lu Yao and Zhao Beichuan went to the second brother's house. The old lady was in the courtyard coaxing several granddaughters and grandsons to eat egg custard.

Five-year-old Lu Taozhi looked like a little dumpling, with a chubby face, bright black eyes, neatly combed double buns, and wearing a light pink jacket.

Two boys surrounded her. The chubby one was Lu Miao's child, called Ge Dandan, who was two and a half years old and wearing open-crotch pants. The slightly thinner one was Wang Yinzhi, who looked almost identical to his brother Jinzhi.

Seeing Lu Yao, they ran over. "Third Uncle, Third Uncle!"

"Hey, my dears," Lu Yao reached out to touch their heads and walked over to Old Madam Lu. "Mother, have you eaten?"

"We finished a while ago, but these little ones aren't eating properly."

The nearby Aunt Zhang laughed. "The old lady always fears the children won't eat enough. She chases them to feed more after meals." This woman was hired by Lu Yao to take care of his mother. As she had aged and her health wasn't as good, she was willing to care for the children, but Lu Yao feared she might overexert herself.

"Grandma, I'm full!" Little Dandan lifted his clothes to show his round belly to the old lady.

Delighted, Old Madam Lu hugged him and tucked his clothes in. "Don't expose your belly button; you'll catch a cold."

"We're leaving the day after tomorrow. Have the things at home been packed?"

"They've already been packed!" Old Madam Lu led him to the main eastern room, where a large wooden box was placed on the floor. "These are prepared for the relatives back in the village."

Lu Yao opened it and saw old quilts, clothes the children had outgrown, and ceramic items no longer used at the tavern... all inexpensive things.

Lu Yao found the old lady quite amusing. Since there would be many carts and horses for the return journey, he decided to let her take whatever she wanted.

Old Madam Lu held Lu Yao's hand and said, "Tomorrow, buy 500 wen worth of snacks and candies for me to bring back and let the villagers taste."

"Don't worry, I've already prepared everything."

Lu Yao had already bought a cart full of goods, including food, fabrics, and specialties of the Prefecture City, all costing less than a hundred taels of silver.

In the past, when money was tight, every wen was stretched as far as possible. Now, with immovable properties worth 200,000 taels under his name and liquid assets in the money shop and home amounting to over 100,000 taels, Lu Yao's financial situation had vastly improved.

No matter how much money was earned, the lifestyle hadn't changed much. Only a few more servants had been added, the food had become more refined, and the clothes were better.

"Who are we taking back this time?"

"Everyone except Xiaodou, who will stay to prepare for the exam."

"How's Xiaodou doing in his studies?"

"He ranked second in the prefectural exam and third in the courtyard exam."

"Wow! That's amazing! Our Xiaodou might become a high-ranking official in the future!"

Lu Yao smiled. "We'll see how he does in the autumn exam in August. If he passes the provincial exam, we'll have to send him to Shang Jing."

Lu's mother happily patted his arm. "You're really something for sending him to study back then!"

After chatting for a while, Hu Chunrong returned, and so did Xiao Stone.

The ten-year-old Stone was a half-grown boy, reaching Hu Chunrong's shoulder height. In the village, children his age would have started working in the fields, but now he was learning business at his parents' shop.

Seeing Lu Yao and Zhao Beichuan, Stone respectfully called out, "Third Uncle, Third Uncle."

Zhao Beichuan waved him over and pinched Stone's chubby arm. "You're getting stronger. I heard from your father that you've been learning to cook."

Stone nodded shyly.

"Can you handle the wok?"

"Not yet; I'm just learning to chop vegetables with my dad."

Zhao Beichuan took out some silver pieces and handed them to the boy. "Go buy some snacks."

"Thank you, Uncle!" Stone beamed, his eyes almost disappearing behind his wide smile. Third Uncle was the most generous, always giving him pocket money when he came.

Lu Yao walked over and said, "Don't buy candies; forgot how you cried in pain last time because of a toothache?"

Stone stuck out his tongue and ran into the house on his tiptoes.

Lu Yao pinched his husband's arm. "You're spoiling him. If his teeth go bad, I don't know what we'll do."

Zhao Beichuan laughed and didn't dodge. After all, his husband's strength was no match for his.

Hu Chunrong insisted on keeping them for a meal, but Lu Yao was concerned about the children at home, so as dusk approached, the two of them headed back in a hurry, driving their carriage towards Changrong Street.

When they arrived home, the kitchen had already prepared the meal: three dishes and one soup, all made from fresh seasonal vegetables. Although the cooking methods were simple, the taste was quite good.

After finishing the meal, Lu Yao began packing the clothes he would need for this trip.

He packed several long shirts and short shirts, extra undergarments and socks for both of them, as well as the hair crowns and hairpins he usually wore. These miscellaneous items filled a large trunk.

After packing, he went to check on Xiaonian’s room. She had also prepared everything she would need for the trip.

"Sister-in-law, isn’t Xiaodou coming back with us this time?"

"No, he’s staying home to prepare for the autumn exams, and Zijian is also here, so it wouldn’t be good to leave him alone."

"Oh," Xiaonian hesitated for a moment before saying, "Then… maybe I shouldn’t go either…" She quickly added, "I mean, I want to stay and look after the business at the tavern."

Lu Yao looked at her with a half-smile.

Xiaonian’s cheeks turned redder. "Oh, sister-in-law~"

"It’s not easy to make a trip back, and who knows when the next one will be. Are you sure you want to stay?"

Hearing this, Zhao Xiaonian quickly said, "Then I’ll come back with you." She had been wanting to visit her old friends to see how they were doing.

Lu Yao rubbed her head. "When we return, we’ll set a date for your and Ma Kuan’s engagement."

"Yes," Xiaonian’s face turned completely red.

*

After the Dragon Boat Festival, the Lu family finally set off for their hometown.

This time, many people returned, and they drove six carriages in total. Two of them were used to carry the luggage, and the rest were filled with people.

Lu Lin and his wife brought their two children, Lu Yun and Wang Youtian brought their two children, and Lu Miao and Ge Changbao also brought their children back.

Everyone from Lu Yao’s side returned except for Xiaodou.

Because so many people were returning and they were carrying so many things, Ge Changbao, fearing trouble on the road, specially dispatched ten soldiers from the army to accompany them.

As fate would have it, although they had never encountered bandits on this road before, this time, probably because of the large amount of goods they were carrying, they ran into a group of bandits at the Lianma Terrace in Qingtong County.

"Whoa~" Zhao Beichuan pulled the reins and jumped down from the carriage.

Lu Yao opened the carriage door and asked, "Why have we stopped?"

"There seems to be someone blocking the road ahead. Stay in the carriage and don’t get down."

Lu Yao was startled. "Be careful, don’t go forward..."

"Don’t worry." With Ge Changbao and the soldiers around, he certainly wouldn’t go forward to show off.

The people blocking the road were bandits who had risen to power in recent years, living on a nearby mountain and making a living by robbing people on the road.

This morning, a scout saw the convoy and thought it was a wealthy merchant moving house, especially with the last two flatbed carts piled high with chests. He thought there must be a lot of gold and silver inside and immediately went back to the mountain to gather his brothers to come down for the loot.

The leader of the bandits, nicknamed White Hair because of a white streak in his hair, was tall and strong with a face full of fierce flesh.

He was a local from Qingtong County. After causing a deadly incident in the village, he fled to the mountains, where he gathered a group of unemployed ruffians and scoundrels to start their robbing business.

At first, they only engaged in small-time robberies, but as they continued, they grew bolder, not only stealing but also killing. Last winter, they robbed a wealthy merchant’s convoy, killing all seventeen members of the family. The gold and silver they stole allowed them to live in luxury throughout the winter.

With a sneer on his face, White Hair held a long stick and said, "Hand over the carriages and get lost, or don’t blame me for being rude!"

Ordinary people would generally be scared out of their wits and abandon their carriages to run away.

But to their surprise, someone from the other side suddenly pulled out a long spear from the carriage, cursing as they jumped down. "Damn it, you’re asking for trouble by robbing the convoy of the devil himself!"