Chapter 26

Chapter 26

The next day.

Gu Wen, Gu Chaoning, and Gu Rong set out early from the county town on the road back to Xiaohe Village.

Yin Hongxue and Gu Muan had been thinking about the three of them since the moment they woke up. Chen Youyan and Wang Xiuxiu had to coax them repeatedly to stop the two little boys from rushing to the village entrance to wait first thing in the morning.

Yin Hongxue felt a bit embarrassed about this—he hadn't actually wanted to wait at the village entrance all along.

Chen Youyan had told them how long it took to get from the county town back to Xiaohe Village, and Yin Hongxue knew the three of them couldn't possibly be back by morning.

But he couldn't resist Gu Muan's coaxing, and figured pulling pigweed at the village entrance was as good a spot as any.

There was a small open area at the village entrance with plenty of pigweed growing there, but since it was at the entrance, quite a few people came by there to gather pigweed.

Gu Wen glanced at the big tree up ahead, uncapped his bamboo tube, and took a sip of water.

He turned his head slightly to look at the two children in the cart. They had started out sitting stiffly and timidly, but now they were sprawled out comfortably, legs spread wide, basking in the sun.

Gu Wen smiled faintly. "Almost home."

The Gu family mule often traveled and worked with them, so it knew the way home.

After running all morning, the mule gave an excited snort. Knowing the mule had worked hard, Gu Wen called out, "Run fast, mule! When we get back, I'll give you some beans!"

Beans were to the mule what malt candy was to Gu Muan.

Hearing Gu Wen say this, the mule seemed to understand and picked up its pace even more.

They had gotten up early and been on the road all morning. Once the sun came out, it got so comfortable that Gu Chaoning and Gu Rong couldn't help but feel sleepy.

They hadn't actually fallen asleep, though—the mule's trotting made the ride a bit bumpy on their backsides.

When they heard Gu Wen say Xiaohe Village was close, the two youths perked up at the same time.

Worried they might get sleepy again, Gu Chaoning looked around and spoke first: "The county town is lively, but our Xiaohe Village is still more homely and comfortable."

Gu Chaoning felt a little nostalgic.

He thought of all the places he'd been in his past life—even neighboring countries, and the most prosperous capital city, where he'd stayed for several years.

But after all that wandering, it really was Xiaohe Village, where he was born and raised, that felt the most familiar and comfortable.

Gu Rong chuckled. "You're still just a kid. When you go to the county school later, don't go crying at night because you miss home."

Gu Chaoning was at a loss for words that such a simple comment had led to that. "Right, well, I'll say the same to you, Arong Ge—don't go crying at the county school either."

Gu Rong thought smugly that only xiucai could attend the county school, and once he passed the exam, he definitely wouldn't cry.

Then, as if remembering something, Gu Rong pulled two boxes out of the bundle beside him.

He handed them to Gu Chaoning. "Here, these are for Xue Geer and An Geer."

He'd been well taken care of by Uncle Wen and Gu Chaoning these past few days and wanted to express his gratitude but couldn't figure out how.

After thinking it over, Gu Rong decided to buy gifts for the two most cherished little boys in the Gu family.

One of them was Ning Di's child bridegroom, after all. If he built a good relationship with them now, once they were married, he'd feel more comfortable going to Ning Di to discuss his studies.

Gu Chaoning knew why Gu Rong was giving the gifts, considered it, and accepted them.

They probably weren't too expensive, and he could find a way to repay the kindness later.

When Gu Wen heard Gu Rong's words, he checked that the road ahead was clear, then quickly turned his head, about to say things like "Put those away," "No need for gifts," "Don't waste your money."

But when he turned, his son had already taken the gifts.

Gu Wen: "..."

Well, alright then. Okay.

Gu Wen pretended nothing had happened and turned back.

Gu Chaoning caught his father's gaze and quickly guessed what his father was thinking.

He couldn't help but smile and looked at Gu Rong. "Later I'll come get you, and we'll go see the teacher together."

Gu Rong nodded.

Seeing the teacher was standard procedure after returning from an exam—you'd discuss the exam questions and your answers, so the teacher could judge how well you'd done.

The two chatted a bit more, and then they spotted the small dot of Xiaohe Village in the distance.

The mule quickened its pace, and the small dot slowly grew into a big stretch.

Spotting the two little boys gathering pigweed together at the village entrance, Gu Chaoning looked up and, before Gu Wen could speak, suddenly shouted, "Xue Geer! An Geer!"

The two little boys, absorbed in cutting grass, startled and straightened up, then saw their dearly missed father and older brother on the road.

"Dad!"

"Big brother!"

Just as Chen Youyan had predicted, they made it home before lunch.

After greeting everyone, Gu Rong went back to his own home. Li Zheng and Cui Shi had been waiting at the door all along.

First, to welcome the two home, and second, to celebrate Gu Chaoning completing his exam.

Chen Youyan and Wang Xiuxiu had been busy all morning.

They'd simmered a chicken over low heat for an hour and a half, and opened a jar of pickled radish to make a stir-fry of pickled radish and chicken gizzards.

There was also pork belly stir-fried with chili peppers, tender chives—from the first batch grown under a thick layer of straw—stir-fried with tofu, and tender shepherd's purse scrambled with eggs.

Plus some refreshing dishes: cold bitter greens and pickled cabbage.

Chen Youyan and Wang Xiuxiu worked together and brought out their best cooking, filling the house with such a fragrance that no one could walk past without stopping.

Except for Gu Daniu, who was still working, the whole Gu family sat down one by one.

During the meal, everyone kept their heads down and ate, and no one asked Gu Chaoning about his exam.

Only Gu Muan eagerly asked what tasty foods the county town had.

He still remembered that Gu Chaoning had promised to bring him a present!

"The streets in the county town are really wide, with the main road letting four carriages pass side by side. The shops and stalls sell all kinds of stuff, bustling like a market day every single day."

Listening to Gu Chaoning's description, Yin Hongxue and Gu Muan both had their jaws dropped.

This was the first time Gu Muan had been so caught up in listening that he forgot to eat.

Gu Wen also became intrigued.

He continued from Gu Chaoning: "The shops in the county town don't even close at night. If you get hungry in the middle of the night, you can just hire a runner outside, and they'll deliver the food right to your door."

Delivered to your door even at night!?

Gu Muan was so excited that he jumped up from his stool.

Gu Muan: "Man, that would be the life!"

Chen Youyan couldn't help but laugh at how easily impressed he was.

Worried he might trip, he grabbed Gu Muan by the collar.

"Okay, okay, sit down already."

"The clothes people wear are really nice too. Some of the young folks have hidden patterns embroidered into their fabrics, which catch the light as they move—really pretty."

At this, Yin Hongxue also leaned forward without realizing it.

Seeing Yin Hongxue's reaction, Gu Chaoning's eyebrows twitched slightly.

He suddenly recalled that in his past life, Yin Hongxue was really particular about his daily attire, even matching his accessories carefully.

Gu Chaoning continued tentatively: "And that's not even all of it. I've heard that for true nobles, the hidden patterns are woven directly into the fabric."

"Some even have gold and silver threads woven in."

"Every day, their outfits—the color, fabric, embroidery, shoes, accessories, hair ornaments, headpieces—are all put together by dedicated attendants."

Gu Chaoning was describing the Yin Hongxue from his past life, who was the most particular about clothes he'd ever met.

He'd always thought it was just because he was the Marquis's son.

But now, it seemed like Yin Hongxue actually enjoyed it?

Yin Hongxue also stood up without thinking, "Wow, that must be so pretty."

Gu Wen found it amusing and, copying his husband, grabbed Yin Hongxue by the collar.

These two little rascals!

Chen Youyan quickly cut in: "Alright, alright, let's eat. No more talking."

If they kept this up, nobody would get to eat.