He tucked the belt into his inner garment, put on his outer robe, and fastened another belt over it—secure and steady!
Looking up, he saw Xie Yan smiling at him and said, “From now on, taking off my clothes is going to be troublesome for you—one belt to undo, then a cotton jacket, a leather vest, another belt, and finally the inner garment. Like peeling an onion.”
Xie Yan heard this and felt a ticklish excitement. He walked over and started removing his clothes.
Tomorrow was the day for relocating the grave, so the couple didn’t fool around. Once Xie Yan finished undressing him, he tucked Lu Yang into the quilt, took off the belt, and said, “Ah, whose wealthy scholar husband is this, carrying so much silver? You’re letting me have it for free.”
Speaking in Lu Yang’s own playful tone, he made him laugh outright.
“It’s yours—your scholar husband’s.”
Seeing Xie Yan so delighted, Lu Yang’s eyes glinted mischievously. “Well, top scholar, you actually do this? I’m all undressed, and you don’t even look at me—you’re just off with your silver!”
Xie Yan quickly got undressed, climbed into the quilt with the belt full of silver, and fiddled with it, finally fastening it around Lu Yang’s waist.
Lu Yang still had a comment: “I wonder if you’re holding me, or holding the silver.”
Xie Yan fumbled with the belt, pretending to be clumsy on purpose, trying to get an advantage.
“Stop touching me—you’re spilling my chicken soup!” Lu Yang warned.
Xie Yan laughed on top of him and planted two kisses on his neck.
“All right, we’ll save the rest for another day.”
The next day, December twentieth, was the grave relocation.
They donned plain-colored robes and rode the carriage to Shangxi Village.
The Xie clan made a big fuss—they couldn’t make trouble in other matters but were determined to leave Xie Yan’s father’s grave untouched, refusing to let it be relocated.
Lu Yang didn’t confront them directly. He scanned the crowd, found the fool Zhu, and sent him back to Lukia Village to summon help.
The two villages were close; soon a large group arrived from Lukia Village, mostly men, with a few wives and husbands accompanying them.
Shangxi Village was mixed surnames. The Xie clan’s small numbers—only about ten households including younger generations—couldn’t match up when both sides argued. Even if the village head came, their side wouldn’t have enough weight.
Lu Yang and Xie Yan held their mother’s arm, feeling her trembling, reassuring her not to be afraid.
Xie Yan said, “Mother, though our family is just the three of us, we have many relatives now. With people on our side, there’s no need to fear their numbers.”
Zhao Peilan said she wasn’t afraid; she didn’t know why she was shaking.
Lu Yang said, “Excitement can make you tremble, too—you must be happy!”
Zhao Peilan smiled, still trembling.
Before relocating the grave, digging had to be done first. Neither Zhao Peilan nor Xie Yan showed sorrow; instead, their expressions were full of remembrance, reflection, and satisfaction.
They were establishing their own household, starting anew.
The new grave was well built; knowing they wouldn’t visit often, they even reinforced it with stones.
Lu Yang bought tree saplings at Zhao Peilan’s suggestion—two jujube saplings. She said Xie Yan’s father had planted jujube trees at his private school, and he often brought the fruit home.
He and Xie Yan planted the trees on either side of the grave. Years later, the trees would grow tall, casting shade; when the fruit ripened, it would fall onto the grave, letting the departed enjoy it.
Amid the monks chanting nearby, Lu Yang and Xie Yan knelt before the grave, burning paper and offering incense. Zhao Peilan stayed nearby, crouching and chattering softly.
“Ah Yan has continued his studies, now at the prefectural school—you can rest assured. Brother Yang is very capable. This patch of land you lie on, we chose together. We bought the fields and will build a mill as you wished. Anything lacking, we’ll handle slowly; life is long.
“You will return to your roots, but the children can’t stay here. We bring your tablet with us. Watch over them, and keep the two children safe and smooth on their paths.”
Xie Yan took out several books he had written—his “Imperial Examination Answer Manual.” He burned them for his father, speaking with a smile: “You never published a book, but I did—five books, and I earned a lot. Hehe.”
Lu Yang twitched at the corner of his mouth, unable to suppress a laugh.
Today was a happy day, worthy of celebration.
A child was born, the family gained two new members, and the excitement spread outside the house.
The little one slept more than awake; whenever he stirred, it was either hunger or a diaper change.
The diapers were washed by Lifeng. He had been busy all year; mother and younger brother had been stuck at home. At year-end, they went to the county to enjoy the market.
Afterward, they could attend banquets. This year, the mountain mushroom trade prospered, benefiting the villagers. Hardworking folks had saved some silver and hosted year-end feasts, treating themselves generously.
Chen Guizhi took Shun brother to several banquets, always meeting Mr. Yao. Returning home, she told Lu Liu, who was green with envy.
“Brother An was born early, so he can join the fun—how nice.”
Shun brother said, “Compared to Mr. Jiu, he hasn’t given birth yet. His big belly is wrapped tight. After the snow fell here, the stone paths became slick with thin ice. He didn’t dare go outside and just paced inside all day.”
After finishing the banquet, Mr. Yao visited Mr. Jiu, telling him all about the outside excitement. Mr. Jiu was almost annoyed listening to him brag.
Shun brother explained to Lu Liu: “After the snow, everyone hibernates. Other families’ banquets don’t have dishes as good as ours. If you get bored, call my older brother to play with you.”
Lu Liu wanted to hear more, but visitors arrived—Mr. Yao came over to play.
He held Yuan Yuan carefully to avoid dropping him. Da Qiang delivered him, while Mr. Yao entered the house; Da Qiang spoke with Lifeng outside.
This year, Da Qiang produced many honeycombs, saving honey to sell. At the year-end, when people were willing to spend, he sold most of it.
He kept a small portion for home, enough for treats.
Lifeng bought some honey this year. With money in hand, fresh sweets weren’t a worry. Some was kept for themselves, some for visiting relatives, tastier than brown sugar. Each household could try a bit.
He also asked about selling in the county. Da Qiang wanted to know whether to send it to Lu Yang’s shop or to Sanmiao.
Sanmiao’s shop was local, part of the village trade.
Lifeng said, “Split it half and half. After all, Lu Yang gets dividends—it’s all one family’s business.”
They chatted outside, talking business and earning money.
Before the rainy season, mushrooms weren’t in season. Lifeng planned to go up the mountain once; after the first month of the lunar year, they’d proceed. This year, they would celebrate New Year first. Normally, they’d go up and return the same day.
Da Qiang wanted advice on delivering goods to the prefectural city. Lifeng explained in detail:
“Delivering is tiring work; you earn only labor pay. I set the price, and if there are bandits, I pay extra. Otherwise, it depends on whether the bandits are wanted. You don’t need to go to the prefectural city; you’ve gained experience with beekeeping. Learn about medicinal herbs from Doctor Hu. By rainy season, you can still collect mushrooms. Year-round, you’ll earn more than delivery work.
“In the first month, I’ll take you to the deep mountain hunting area. I wanted to say earlier, but we’ve been busy until year-end. We’ll do herbal medicine business this year. The two Jun brothers won’t always go to the prefectural city. Our hunting area has abundant quality goods; money won’t be a problem. Since you’re part of it, you’ll go up the mountain, hunt when possible, and gather herbs when not. Other herbs aren’t urgent—focus on the valuable ones first.”
Da Qiang peeked into the yard, eyeing the horses in the stable, drooling with envy.
“I heard we can steal horses?”
Mentioning horses made Lifeng beam, teeth showing, happy as could be.
The village was lively, and part of the excitement involved delivery men, most returning on horseback.
Out of ten who went, eight horses were taken—black horses seized from bandits. Without marks, once registered with the authorities, they were free. Everyone envied them.
