Chapter 75: Missing Him

Chapter 75: Missing Him

Mr. Yu sighed inwardly upon hearing Lan Yi's words, thinking that his son was truly grown and no longer needed his constant care. However, he was also pleased, as it showed that Shan Ci treated Lan Yi well, which was why Lan Yi was so protective of him.

"Understood. Your father, your elder brother, and your maternal grandfather will all help Shan Ci," Mr. Yu replied with a smile.

As for what Shan Ci had been doing in Xinfeng County, it was mostly trivial matters, nothing of great importance. Seeing that Mr. Yu had agreed, Lan Yi's eyes curved into a smile as he went to pick out new clothes for Shan Ci.

He had bought clothes for Shan Ci many times before and had already memorized his measurements.

"Young Master Yu, these are the styles that the young masters prefer. This blue one, for example, is made of..." the clerk enthusiastically introduced.

Lan Yi selected several outfits for Shan Ci. Once he was done, Mr. Yu had Nanny Cao settle the bill.

As they left the Golden Garment Pavilion, Lan Yi couldn't help but ask, "Father, I still owe the Golden Garment Pavilion some money."

"Don't worry, I've already paid it off for you. Child, has the Marquis's estate stopped your allowance?" Mr. Yu was puzzled. The Marquis's estate had given a generous dowry, and he had also privately supplemented Lan Yi's funds.

He suspected that Changxing had also given him some money privately. How could this child still be short on funds?

"If I don't have to spend my own money, I won't spend it," Lan Yi said with a laugh, clinging to Mr. Yu's arm.

Mr. Yu then took Lan Yi to a jewelry shop, indulging him in more shopping.

While buying things for himself, Lan Yi didn't forget to pick out gifts for Lin Geer and Zheng Qingyin. His father was wealthy, so Lan Yi didn't feel guilty about spending. Mr. Yu, indeed, didn't mind the expenses as long as Lan Yi was happy.

That evening, as they chatted and laughed, Mr. Yu said, "Tomorrow morning, we'll visit the Duke's estate to see your maternal grandfather and grandmother. They've been missing you, and your uncle has already inherited the title."

Lan Yi was surprised and a little worried. "Father, hasn't Grandfather always been in good health? Why did he step down so soon?"

"It's better to step down early. Your grandfather has worked hard for most of his life. Now that he's retired, he can enjoy his later years in peace. The responsibilities will fall to your uncle," Mr. Yu said, approving of his father's decision. His elder brother was capable, so there was no fear of the Duke's estate losing face.

"I see," Lan Yi said, realizing that many things had happened in the capital while he was away.

"By the way, Father, do you know who married Lv Jin? When I received his letter, he only mentioned that he was considering a match, but I don't know who he ended up marrying." Lan Yi couldn't guess which man in the capital would suit Lv Jin's temperament.

"That's quite a story. Lv Jin went to the mountains to pray and happened to meet Cui Ziqi, who was interrogating a prisoner at a Buddhist temple. Lv Jin happened to witness it. I never expected these two to end up together," Mr. Yu said, finding it amusing that such an unlikely pair had come together.

Cui Ziqi, deeply trusted by Emperor Wuming, held the position of a fifth-rank official in the Ministry of Justice. He was a talented and accomplished young man. After marrying Lv Jin, the two lived harmoniously.

"Father, I want to visit Lv Jin. I'll come back in the evening," Lan Yi said, curious about Cui Ziqi. He had heard that Cui Ziqi was a ruthless official in the Ministry of Justice and had a reputation for frequenting pleasure quarters.

"Go ahead," Mr. Yu said. The two had grown up together, so it was only natural for Lan Yi to visit.

When Lan Yi arrived at the Cui residence, he asked the gatekeeper to announce him. To his surprise, Lv Jin came out personally. Upon seeing Lan Yi, he eagerly grabbed his hand. "When did you return? You didn't tell me. I was shocked to see you."

"I just returned this morning. I heard you married Cui Ziqi."

Lv Jin led Lan Yi into the residence.

"I wrote you a letter. Since you've just returned, you probably haven't seen it yet," Lv Jin said, pulling him to sit down. "It's quite a strange story. That day, I went to pray at the temple, but when I went to the restroom, I ran into Cui Ziqi interrogating a prisoner. He even suspected I was an accomplice. I was at a loss for words."

"Sounds like you two were destined to meet," Lan Yi said with a laugh, finding Lv Jin's story quite amusing.

"Indeed. I even spent a night in the Ministry of Justice's prison. But he's very handsome," Lv Jin said with a smile.

"And our families are well-matched. I didn't like him at first, but he took the initiative to propose to my father. I thought it was interesting, so I agreed to marry him," Lv Jin said, his eyes sparkling with joy as he recounted how he and Cui Ziqi had met.

Lan Yi could tell that Lv Jin truly loved Cui Ziqi.

"I heard he's a bit of a slacker and often lingers in the brothels," Yu Lanyi shared the news he had heard with Lv Jin.

"He goes to those places to catch criminals, but he's actually quite fastidious. His personality is a bit unconventional," Lv Jin said with a smile.

A servant brought over and served some fruit tea.

Yu Lanyi took a sip, and it tasted exactly the same as the one he had at Lv's residence. This was made by Lv Jin himself. Lv Jin had even sent some to him in Xinfeng County.

Lv Jin was his best friend, and as long as Lv Jin was happy, nothing else mattered.

"How’s it going with Lord Zheng?" Lv Jin thought Zheng Shanci was quite likable, with a good temper, and assumed he and Lan Yi were getting along well.

"He’s great," Yu Lanyi said, blushing, as he lowered his head to drink his tea. "I’ve grown used to living in Xinfeng County, and I already miss him, and I just got back."

"It’s great to hear you’re doing well," Lv Jin thought that perhaps it was fate that brought Yu Lanyi and Zheng Shanci together.

Yu Lanyi and Lv Jin chatted for a long time. They planned to have dinner together the next day, but tonight Yu Lanyi had to go home. Lv Jin saw him off, feeling a bit sad. He wondered how long Yu Lanyi would stay in the capital this time; it would be great if he could remain in the capital.

But it was comforting to see that Yu Lanyi hadn’t changed at all.

"Sir, has Young Master Yu left?" asked the servant, who had grown up with Lv Jin and knew the bond between the two.

"He just got back today and needs to sleep at home."

When they were young, Yu Lanyi would come to Lv's residence to find Lv Jin whenever he got into trouble and was afraid to go home. He was too scared to sleep alone, so he’d share the bed with Lv Jin. Whenever the Marquis of Changyang couldn't find Yu Lanyi, they would always come to Lv's residence.

Even after marriage, the two of them could still share a bed.

Yu Lanyi was thrilled to hear that Lv Jin was doing well. Oh, and Zheng Shanci had asked him to bring some perfume, which he hadn't shown to anyone yet. Yu Lanyi went back to his room to look for his luggage.

"Jin Yun, do you know where I put the perfume?"

"Young Master, it’s right here. I noticed the perfume looked like water, and since it was placed where the sun could reach it, I put it away."

Zheng Shanci had given Yu Lanyi a box with ten bottles in total. Six were in ceramic bottles, and four were in glass bottles. Yu Lanyi took the glass bottles to show Mr. Yu.

"Dad, hold still for a second."

Yu Lanyi gently brushed some perfume onto Mr. Yu's wrist. It had the scent of orchids.

Mr. Yu found the light fragrance quite pleasing. "What is this?"

Yu Lanyi handed the perfume to Mr. Yu, proudly saying, "This is something Zheng Shanci made. He asked me to bring it."

Mr. Yu looked at the purple liquid and the small transparent bottle with admiration. "Shan Ci is quite likable. I've never seen a bottle like this before."

"Consider it a gift from both of us, Dad," Yu Lanyi said, his eyes sparkling as he quickly included himself in the gesture.

"This was clearly Shan Ci’s work, and now you’re taking credit," Mr. Yu glared at Yu Lanyi but still kept the perfume. "This is small and exquisite, with a refreshing scent, much better than incense or sachets."

"With this, you don't need to use incense to scent your clothes; just brush it on. Zheng Shanci said he's working on a spray nozzle and is looking for rubber. I don't really understand all that."

Mr. Yu brushed some perfume on his other wrist and really liked the scent. Yu Lanyi took out the other three bottles for Mr. Yu to try.

The light fragrance was not overpowering and suited their status. Some incenses were too strong and seemed frivolous. He understood that incense was very precious and tapped Yu Lanyi's nose. "What did Shan Ci want you to bring these for?"

"He just wanted to see if you liked them. He's opened a perfume factory in Xinfeng County," Yu Lanyi said, resting his head on Mr. Yu's knee and acting coquettishly.

Mr. Yu quickly figured it out and wasn't displeased; instead, he admired Zheng Shanci's initiative.

"In a few days, there will be a flower-viewing banquet; you’ll come with me."

Yu Lanyi said, "Father is truly remarkable, immediately seeing through Zheng Shanci's intentions."

"You, you’re getting sweeter and sweeter with your words." Mr. Yu tapped Yu Lanyi's forehead. Now married into another family, his heart was entirely for his husband. Mr. Yu felt a pang of sadness inside, thinking how long he had raised this child, yet now he so clearly favored Zheng Shanci.

He used to make a big fuss about not wanting to marry Zheng Shanci, but now everything revolved around her husband—the change was too drastic.

"How are things with Shanci?"

Yu Lanyi thought for a moment, "Aside from him being busy, everything else is fine. And the people in his family are very easy to get along with; the relationships aren’t complicated at all. When he first went to Xinfeng County, someone even offered him servants or gifts, but he didn’t accept them." Yu Lanyi grabbed Mr. Yu’s hand, "He’s truly the best husband anyone could ask for."

"Fortunately, he didn’t end up in a Buddhist temple, or Zheng Shanci would never have found such a wonderful husband."

Yu Lanyi boasted shamelessly, "He’s great, and so am I."

Mr. Yu couldn’t help but think that he, the Marquis of Changyang, and Changxing were all serious people—only Yu Lanyi had such thick skin.

After returning from work, the Marquis of Changyang came back with Yu Zhangxing. The Marquis saw Yu Lanyi, a flash of surprise crossing his eyes as he stroked his beard, his expression still calm.

"When did you return?"

"I just got back this morning after riding in a carriage for over two months—my backside is killing me," Yu Lanyi said pitifully.

"How crude! Who taught you to talk like that? Have the kitchen prepare some chicken soup for you to nourish yourself. Didn’t you think to use more cushions?" The Marquis of Changyang scolded, "Didn’t you train with Changxing when you were younger? Now you can’t even handle a carriage ride?"

Yu Lanyi retorted, "Is that just sitting? It was over two months!"

Mr. Yu pulled on the Marquis of Changyang, "The child just got back, and you’re already acting all high and mighty. I won’t stand for it."

Yu Lanyi made a face at the Marquis of Changyang triumphantly.

The Marquis of Changyang muttered, "...Grown so much, yet you’re still such a child."

"I’m a child for life. How did such an unromantic father end up with such a thoughtful and beautiful husband like my dad?" After saying this, Yu Lanyi lightly jumped and hid behind Mr. Yu.

The Marquis of Changyang was fuming.

Yu Zhangxing interjected, "Lan Yi is just being mischievous, Father. Don’t be upset."

The Marquis of Changyang rubbed his temples, just having returned from work and now being tested by this ungrateful son. Yu Lanyi reflected that Zheng Shanci would still need Father's help in the future, so she couldn’t offend him.

So she didn’t say anything further to anger the Marquis of Changyang.

In the evening, the family had a meal together, and the Marquis of Changyang asked, "How is Shanci doing in Xinfeng County?"

Yu Lanyi replied, "He’s doing well."

The Marquis of Changyang looked at Yu Lanyi’s naive expression, knowing he wouldn’t get much out of her, and gave up. He wanted to ask about his son-in-law’s accomplishments in Xinfeng County, but Lan Yi likely wouldn’t know.

"Have some more." The Marquis of Changyang served Yu Lanyi some food.

He gazed at Yu Lanyi, overwhelmed with emotions. This son of his was spoiled rotten and the closest to him—how could the Marquis not dote on him?

Yu Lanyi puffed out his cheeks and dug into the food.

After dinner, Yu Lanyi went off to hang out with Yu Zhangxing.

The Marquis of Changyang watched Yu Lanyi and Yu Zhangxing head to the garden together and decided to leave them be.

"Was Lan Yi's journey back smooth?"

Mr. Yu smiled, "He mentioned hiring a security escort to accompany him to the capital."

"Earlier, when we sent Shan Ci to his post, we should have arranged for a security escort. Even though the seas are calm, it's still prudent to be cautious," said the Marquis of Changyang, reclining in his chair with his fingers resting on the armrest.

"Lan Yi spoke with me for a while; Shan Ci has been quite good to him. His temperament hasn't changed; I suppose he hasn't endured much hardship."

The Marquis of Changyang: "Shan Ci is good in that regard, but Lan Yi still suffers. You've never been to the frontier; you don't understand the conditions there. Xin Feng County is plagued by strong sandstorms and suffers from water scarcity, cut off from the rest of the world—it's a remote, small place. He's never faced such adversity."

When Lan Yi first went to Xin Feng County, Mr. Yu couldn't sleep at night, and the Marquis of Changyang was equally concerned.

Thinking about this, Mr. Yu grew sad once more.

"Once this year is over, just wait another year, and everything will be fine," said the Marquis of Changyang.

Lan Yi didn't realize that even if he remained silent, his father and dad would go to great lengths to bring Zheng Shanci back, as Zheng Shanci was connected to him.

Yu Zhangxing handed the dagger he had selected to Lan Yi, "Take a look, do you like it?"

"Big brother, you're the greatest," Lan Yi took it and tested the sharpness of the dagger.

"Keep it for protection," Yu Zhangxing patted Lan Yi's head, "Don't be reckless outside; don't flash this dagger around."

"Understood, big brother," Lan Yi spotted some beautiful flowers in the garden and picked a few, intending to arrange them in a vase upon his return.

Yu Zhangxing remained silent.

Back in his room, after freshening up, Lan Yi lay alone in bed, feeling a bit of longing for Zheng Shanci. He retrieved the comb Zheng Shanci had gifted him and traced the little tiger carved into it.

He missed him.

Zheng Shanci lay in bed, the jade pendant Lan Yi had given him clutched in his hand.

He tossed and turned, restless and unable to sleep. Lately, he had been occupied with the autumn harvest. Some medicinal herbs grown in Xin Feng County are only harvested in autumn, so this harvest gathered all the medicinal herbs, and grain was also purchased from Lan County to be submitted to the court as taxes. Next year, crop rotation is scheduled; Xin Feng County is set to plant wheat.

Zheng Shanci had already established his authority in Xin Feng County; despite occasional complaints, the people still adhered to Zheng Shanci's plans, intending to plant wheat next year. The perfume and glass factories also kept the workshop workers busy.

He was extremely busy, snatching moments to think of Lan Yi.

Zheng Shanci turned over, holding the jade pendant.

Lan Yi turned over, holding the comb.

They looked out the window at the bright moon hanging in the sky.

Summer passed, autumn passed, and winter was coming.

By next spring, Lan Yi would return.

Zheng Shanci drifted into sleep.

Lan Yi listened to the birds outside the window and also fell asleep.

...

Lan Yi visited his maternal grandparents and went to the Cui residence to play with Lv Jin.

A few days later, Lan Yi attended a flower-viewing banquet, bringing perfume, which indeed caught the attention among the ladies, young misses, and gentlemen. Lan Yi gave the remaining bottles to several ladies, gentlemen, young misses, and gentlemen.

Zheng Shanci said it wasn’t for profit; it was just a gift for them.

The flower-viewing banquet was going smoothly, and Yu Lanyi was admiring the scenery when he overheard someone gossiping about him.

"A noble young master from a marquis’s family, how could he marry some country bumpkin?"

"Yeah, if he hadn’t shown up today, I’d have forgotten all about him. It’s been ages."

A young master laughed, "Who cares? We’re set to marry heirs of marquises or high-ranking officials anyway. Even if he is a young master from the Marquis of Changyang's household, his husband’s just a seventh-rank county magistrate. This banquet’s only for fifth-rank officials and up, yet he still showed up."

"Coming all the way back from that backwater, he’s not planning to overstay his welcome, is he? He’s married now—how can he keep living at his parents’ place?"

"What does Yu Lanyi even see in that country bumpkin? They are not even from the same world."

They laughed and chatted, their words dripping with mockery.

Yu Lanyi couldn’t hold back and slammed his fist into a tree. The branches shook, sending leaves fluttering down. He stepped out from behind the tree.

"Huh? Young Master Yu?!"

"Y-you just got here?" another young master asked cautiously.

Yu Lanyi crossed his arms. "I heard it all."

"Too bad for you. Talking behind my back is one thing, but getting caught is like saying it to my face. Unforgivable."

Yu Lanyi raised an eyebrow. "So it’s you guys. I’ll make sure my father knows your names."

"Young Master Yu, we’re sorry. We won’t say it again," one young master said with a forced smile. Their families weren’t as influential as Yu Lanyi’s, and if he told Mr. Yu, Mr. Yu’s methods were far more ruthless.

They all apologized.

Seeing their cautious demeanor, Yu Lanyi found it uninteresting. He pointed at one young master.

That young master’s face went as white as a sheet.

"It was you who called Zheng Shanci a country bumpkin, saying we are not from the same world."

The young master trembled. "...Yes. Young Master Yu, I was wrong. You must have your reasons for doing this. We were ignorant and spoke out of turn."

Yu Lanyi was angry. "Don’t you dare call him a country bumpkin. He is a Third-Ranked Jinshi. Your brother didn’t even pass the Jinshi exam—how dare you call him a country bumpkin? He is not a country bumpkin."

The young master was somewhat surprised and quickly agreed.

Yu Lanyi continued, "And one more thing..."

The young master’s heart trembled. What else? He hadn’t said anything too outrageous to offend Yu Lanyi.

Yu Lanyi said seriously, "Even if we’re not from the same world, I want to walk his path."