Chapter 68: Changes

Chapter 68: Changes

Yu Lanyi's heart felt like it was sizzling in a frying pan, with a crackling sensation reverberating through his body, and his blood surging through his veins.

He locked eyes with Zheng Shanci and took the comb from his hand. The comb was smoothly polished, with a pattern of a half-body tiger on it. He was born in the Year of the Tiger, and it was evident that Zheng Shanci had gone to great lengths for this.

He clutched the comb tightly, its teeth imprinting his palm. Was this comb a love token or a birthday present? He studied the man intently, feeling as though his heart was drenched in honey. His heart was sweet, his lips tasted sweet, even the air seemed sweet.

He had never before received a birthday gift crafted by someone else's hands. His father and brother would personally select gifts for him, but they had never made anything for him. This wasn't a sign they loved him any less. Yet Yu Lanyi could sense Zheng Shanci's deep care and attention.

This comb paled in comparison to gold, silver, jewels, exotic trinkets, or prized artworks.

Yu Lanyi treasured it immensely.

"Zheng Shanci," Yu Lanyi called out his name, locking eyes with him.

As soon as Zheng Shanci looked up, Yu Lanyi's kiss fell. His kiss was fervent, brimming with longing. Zheng Shanci parted his lips slightly, and Yu Lanyi's tongue slipped in, claiming him with authority.

Zheng Shanci met Yu Lanyi's gaze, then lowered his eyes, tilted his head back, and skillfully undid the sash.

As their lips separated, they were both left breathless. Yu Lanyi's entire body was aflame. Clutching the comb, he said, "Hold on, let me put this away first."

Yu Lanyi put on his shoes, placed the comb in the middle drawer of the dressing table, and then kicked off his shoes upon returning. A slender hand with prominent knuckles drew him closer.

His pale, slender thigh quivered faintly.

Zheng Shanci planted kiss after kiss.

"Leave the candles lit; it's easier to see this way," Zheng Shanci's gaze was dark, "I want to see you."

His hunger was unquenchable.

Sweat dripped from his hair, Zheng Shanci held the person with one hand, his long hair half in front and half behind. He panted as he lifted the person up.

Hearing the noise outside the door, Jin Yun blushed and hurried away.

...

The moon was bright and the stars sparse, the moonlight gently draped over their bodies, the sweat glistening like crystal under the moonlight.

Willow leaves swayed in the air. Jin Yun heard the call from inside the room, his heart skipped a beat, and he hurried to prepare hot water.

The next morning, when Yu Lanyi woke up, Zheng Shanci was still asleep. His hand rested loosely on Yu Lanyi's waist, his side turned, his handsome face buried in the pillow.

Yu Lanyi's body still felt a bit sore. Yesterday, after washing up and changing the bedding and sheets, he finally slept well.

Last night, both of them were in high spirits. Yu Lanyi finally experienced Zheng Shanci's strong embrace; last night, he stood and lifted him up.

Yu Lanyi still felt a bit embarrassed.

He didn't know where Zheng Shanci had learned these tricks. Thinking of something, Yu Lanyi glared at the bedside table.

Today was Yu Lanyi's birthday; he turned nineteen today. Jin Yun brought the servants to attend to them. Zheng Shanci had just put on his outer robe; he never liked others to attend to him, even his hair crown was tied by himself.

Yu Lanyi was completely different; he was used to being served.

Jin Yun took a new outfit from the wardrobe and said with a smile, "The young master bought this new outfit a few days ago. Today is a good day, so wear this red one, it looks festive."

Yu Lanyi nodded reservedly.

When Jin Yun was helping Yu Lanyi change clothes, he noticed the marks on Yu Lanyi's collarbone and felt his face flush. Last night, Jin Yun had been dozing off, but the commotion in the room had woken him up.

With skillful hands, he quickly dressed Yu Lanyi and styled his hair.

"This outfit looks good," Zheng Shanci complimented.

"You're laying it on thick. Is it just because it's my birthday?" Yu Lanyi teased, deliberately saying this. Although he had enjoyed being teased by Zheng Shanci, he still wanted to regain some dignity.

Zheng Shanci laughed, "You're wronging me. I always say things like this. The outfit is nice, but the person wearing it is even more beautiful."

Yu Lanyi let Zheng Shanci off for now. Seeing how refined and elegant Zheng Shanci appeared, yet so strong and forceful when undressed, Yu Lanyi's face flushed again at the memory.

As he walked out of the courtyard and into the main hall, he heard Zheng Qingyin calling out, "Happy birthday, Second Brother-in-law."

"Happy birthday, Second Brother-in-law," Zheng Shancheng and Lin Geer also said with smiles.

Zheng Qingyin's gift was a piece of clothing he had sewn himself, tailored to Yu Lanyi's measurements. It fit perfectly, and the fabric and patterns were to Yu Lanyi's liking, making him cherish it dearly.

"I hope Second Brother-in-law doesn't find the clothes I made ugly," Zheng Qingyin said with a smile.

He thought that since Second Brother-in-law was from a noble family, he must have seen many fine things. Thus, he believed that something handmade would show more sincerity. The fabric was something he had asked a merchant he knew from the textile factory to buy from Jingzhou. The water-ripple fabric from Jingzhou was renowned, especially beautiful for summer clothing.

Zheng Shancheng and Lin Geer gave an herbal pillow. Since there was hope for Zheng Shancheng's leg, the couple had been more motivated in everything they did. Seeing that Zheng Shanci had hired a female tutor to teach Zheng Qingyin to read and write, Lin Geer shamelessly approached Zheng Shanci and got permission to study with Ma Shi in his spare time. He and Zheng Shancheng managed a food shop and had previously learned how to keep accounts. Lin Geer wanted to broaden his horizons by learning to read.

He even bought a medical book himself, asking Ma Shi about characters he didn't understand and seeking explanations from the medicine boy by Dr. Song's side. In the past, he hadn't had the energy or money to study, being a rural boy. Now that he had the opportunity, and his husband and brother-in-law were not conservative, he wanted to learn more. Perhaps in the future, if they had children, he could teach them to read and write.

Zheng Shancheng focused on the food shop and didn't get involved in reading and writing. At night, Lin Geer enjoyed reading to him, and he would pick up a few characters here and there, which was good enough.

After reading the medical book, Lin Geer became more aware of the importance of health and started paying attention to wellness. For Yu Lanyi's birthday, they decided to give an herbal pillow.

This herbal pillow was carefully crafted. Lin Geer had sought a prescription from Dr. Song himself and then hired workers to make the pillow. Considering that delicate boys might not like the smell of medicine, Dr. Song used osmanthus to neutralize the medicinal scent.

The herbal pillow Yu Lanyi received had a faint aroma of medicine and osmanthus, not unpleasant at all, but rather soothing and comforting.

"Thank you, Elder Brother, Sister-in-law, and Younger Brother," Yu Lanyi said with a smile as he put the gifts away.

The Zheng family was truly wonderful and thoughtful.

Although he felt a bit homesick today, the Zheng family treated him very well.

Yu Lanyi glanced at Zheng Shanci, who was still smiling.

Marrying this man, Yu Lanyi hadn't expected his family to be so kind. This was even better than some of the noble brats in the capital, and Yu Lanyi couldn't help but feel pleased.

Since the new county magistrate arrived, Xin Feng County had undergone significant changes. The people were all smiles, bringing their homegrown vegetables to sell in the county town. The county office purchased chili peppers, soybeans, and sesame, and most people sold these to the county office.

In the past, people feared the county office, but now, after more interactions, they found the Yamen Runners to be much more reasonable. Zheng Shanci treated the county office staff well, gathering them in the middle of each month for a good meal prepared by the kitchen, and occasionally providing fruits. Their salaries were paid in full, and no one dared to embezzle.

The household and public works departments had arrested many people, some even relatives of Scribe Jiang, but pleas for leniency were useless—the law was impartial. Many merchants traveled through, some even settling down to do long-term business.

Xin Feng County was gradually improving. Outsiders saw the concrete roads, the chili paste factory, the textile factory, and the oil press factory. They knew Xin Feng County had industries, but few connected these to the improving lives of the local people. The people could make a living by working their land, and the county office treated them fairly. This was as good as it gets, and the people were filled with hope for the future.

"The weather is scorching. Lord Zheng has ordered the construction of an irrigation channel, but it won't be ready until next year," an old farmer said as he carried water to irrigate the medicinal herbs in the field.

Xin Feng County was already hot, and the summer made it even hotter. Fearing the herbs would wither, the whole family came out to carry water. The sons were strong laborers, while the second and third daughters-in-law stayed home to cook. His wife and eldest daughter-in-law were also carrying water.

It was no wonder they called on the women too. They had endured the sun for years, working hard to make ends meet.

"If Lord Zheng had come earlier, we would have had the irrigation channel by now."

The second son: "At that time, Lord Liang also talked about building a water channel, but it was just a hasty job and completely useless. They say these officials build them just to boost their political achievements; the water channels they construct are for show. They look good but are actually useless, even more so than a decorative pillow."

"Lord Zheng is not like that," the old farmer said, recalling how they sold goji berries at the county office and returned with silver. He didn’t refute his second son’s words but simply stated that Lord Zheng was different from other officials.

They didn’t have time for chit-chat and kept on hauling water. By the time they returned home in the evening, they could fall asleep immediately after dinner. The mother-in-law and daughters-in-law alternated cooking duties, supporting each other and fulfilling their respective tasks as they waited for the remaining medicinal herbs to mature in autumn. That’s how farming families are—those with kids come home to play, happily counting the family’s savings. Seeing the family’s money grow bit by bit makes the physical exhaustion feel lighter.

...

Yu Lanyi ate the longevity noodles, a traditional birthday dish.

Xu Geer, Mr. Xia, and Gao Han also came, and the rest of the officials from the county office sent gifts, which Jin Yun recorded.

The young men all offered good wishes, and Yu Lanyi thanked them.

"Young Master Yu, we’ve never been to the capital. Could you tell us about it?" asked a young man who looked only sixteen, his eyes wide with innocence.

Yu Lanyi began to speak.

The other young men and women listened with rapt attention, their faces filled with longing.

Zheng Shanci was talking with several colleagues. He heard Yu Lanyi speaking about the capital and saw these people surrounding him, listening as if to a storyteller. He glanced over, a smile spreading across his lips.

"The water channel must be built..."

Few people were allowed into the mansion, and after a meal at noon, they politely left. Yu Lanyi sighed in relief. "They weren’t noisy and were quite considerate."

After the lively birthday celebrations, he longed to spend the evening with his family.

Yu Lanyi went to find Zheng Shanci, who had just seen off the last guest.