Lu Yang laughed, though his thoughts ran elsewhere.
His body had recovered. Previously, when he went out and rushed about, people would remark on his unhealthy appearance—pale lips, a wan face, looking fatigued.
This was good news, and Lu Yang’s smile deepened.
After washing up that evening, Xie Yan finished his homework first. Lu Yang brought out his medicine bottles, found a ceramic plate, and poured out the pills to count them.
There was no fixed dosage—five or six pills each time. After counting, three hundred remained. Taken generously, it would last fifty doses, three times a day, roughly half a month. Taken sparingly, it would last sixty doses, about twenty days.
Afterward, they could visit a physician for a pulse diagnosis.
If all went well, daily supplements and rest, without overexertion or stress, would suffice.
Lu Yang rubbed his stomach, a warmth blossoming inside him. Now that his health was restored, having a child was possible.
He returned the pills to the bottle, set aside the evening’s dose, and took it with a cup of warm water.
Afterwards, he went out to rinse his mouth.
Returning to the room, Xie Yan asked, “What were you busy with? Not reading tonight?”
Lu Yang was in a good mood and teased, “Reading? That’s what a scholar should do—you read, and do what you should do.”
Xie Yan countered, “I’m still your man. I can do what a man should do too.”
“Wow.”
Lu Yang, surprised, circled around the desk, moving around Xie Yan. Xie Yan stood in place, so Lu Yang could only make a half-circle, left to right, then right to left.
After circling twice, Xie Yan grabbed his wrist.
“You don’t believe me?” Xie Yan asked.
Of course Lu Yang did.
In high spirits, he smiled mischievously, provocatively even.
Xie Yan set down his pen. “I’m going to make you top scholar.”
Lu Yang deliberately pursed his lips, saying nothing, though the smile in his eyes betrayed him. Xie Yan didn’t wait for a reaction, leaning in to kiss him.
After much training, his stamina showed. He carried Lu Yang to the kang (heated bed platform). From the study, through the moon gate, to the bedroom, still climbing several steps.
He was neither flushed nor breathless. Lu Yang looked on and exclaimed again.
Xie Yan said, “This time, we can do it standing.”
Lu Yang touched his waist. “Impressive—show me.”
He never spoiled the mood; even refusals sounded pleasant. When he responded enthusiastically, it brought joy. Xie Yan loved him.
With the shop matters assigned, Lu Yang kept busy for a while.
The flag couldn’t be made—Manager Hong refused. If one family did it, all would follow, causing chaos in the market.
They would focus on the banners and jackets, made at the Wu family tailor shop. Convenient, since they also had a shop at the docks—no need to run into the city.
Custom wooden signs required a carpenter, sourced in the prefectural city.
Straw mats were more troublesome; otherwise, they wouldn’t go through the hassle.
By the time the shop’s interior and exterior were ready, it was already April.
April 2nd was Lu Yang’s birthday.
Xie Yan went with him to the docks, wandering inside until they found a stall selling stones.
The last time Lu Yang bought stones, the vendor only offered “gambling stones.” This time, there were many jade fragments, leftovers from making jewelry and ornaments, as well as larger pieces sufficient for jewelry.
Xie Yan’s eyes lit up; he wanted real jade.
He didn’t see Lu Yang as a stone—Lu Yang already radiated brilliance.
Since it needed carving, it had to be raw jade.
What it would become was unpredictable, but it was good jade.
Lu Yang dragged him to examine the stones, saying frankly, “We don’t have money.”
Xie Yan whispered his disagreement, inconspicuous amid the market noise.
The vendor, seeing them argue not to profit from gambling stones, suggested fragments instead.
“The jewelry you wear is small. Fragments can be carved into peace charms, small pendants, or strung into beads. Cheaper than full pieces if money’s tight.”
Xie Yan was fascinated by the peace charms. Lu Yang couldn’t pull him away; he inspected every fragment on the stall.
Larger fragments had broad curves—good for small buttons, but dull. Smaller pieces were worse. The best ones had already been taken; only leftover pieces were sold cheaply. Xie Yan still eyed the large jade.
Lu Yang laughed, nudging Xie Yan’s head to focus him, urging him to choose carefully.
“You can see good jade at a glance—why fuss?”
He had a point. Xie Yan replied, “If we had the money, we’d buy it. Too poor, that’s all.”
Daily indulgence in meat had spoiled him. Not buying the large jade meant poverty.
Lu Yang snorted, urging him to choose quickly.
Xie Yan examined the pieces carefully. His painting studies had honed his observation skills. He treated each stone like a canvas, considering designs for peace charms.
But professional jade carvers knew better—these fragments weren’t suitable.
He considered using gold or silver settings to make them into jewelry.
Xie Yan resolved that once he transformed fragments into gold-inlaid jade, Lu Yang would gain wealth and status.
He found one piece with tight curvature, vibrant green, translucent.
He liked it and wanted to pay.
Lu Yang still had to bargain.
The vendor, seeing Xie Yan insist, quoted eight taels.
Without a word, Lu Yang pulled Xie Yan away.
“Eight taels? I could buy gold jewelry with that!”
Xie Yan reluctantly followed, glancing back.
The vendor called after them, “Hey, bargain!”
Lu Yang whispered, “Pretend you want it—if you insist, I can’t stop you.”
Xie Yan cooperated immediately. Returning to the stall, he haggled.
The vendor, astonished, said, “Your man, how can he be like this? He wants to buy, not waste silver. He’s done everything—just buy it!”
Lu Yang replied, “We’re poor—otherwise, we wouldn’t be here. Better to go to a jewelry shop.”
Xie Yan said, “Then I’ll eat less and you buy it for me!”
Lu Yang pulled him away. Xie Yan spoke while retreating, still bargaining.
The vendor: “…Never seen anything like this.”
Following Lu Yang’s lead, he sold the fragments for two taels, grumbling nonstop.
“I’m telling you—I saw your man was pitiful. A few taels, couldn’t handle it without fuss. Surrounded by people, how can you give him any face? I couldn’t bear it.”
Since he couldn’t bear it, he lowered the price a bit more.
Lu Yang said, “Even two taels is too much. A silver hairpin costs that. This jade isn’t edible, can’t wear it, and still needs carving. It’s like gambling stones.”
The vendor couldn’t lower further, letting Lu Yang inspect color and texture. Lu Yang was free to pick and feel the jade.
Lu Yang, decisive: “Don’t understand it.”
He counted copper coins and small silver pieces, adjusted with some more coins, and the jade became theirs.
The vendor, seeing Xie Yan without protest, handed over the jade, smiling, unable to move from his side. How could there be such a man?
Xie Yan was utterly charmed by Lu Yang. In a few words, he’d saved six taels. Rounded, they earned six taels today!
