Lu Yang didn’t know either. The farthest he had been was the provincial capital—just one stop farther than his younger brother.
Lu Liu said, “Don’t worry. With Brother Luo there, your husband will be well cared for. He’s thinking of you, so he won’t get into trouble. I asked Da Feng; it takes about twenty days to reach the capital by water. By land, covering two provincial capitals, it could take two months. Once he arrives, rests a bit, he’ll be ready for the exam. Nothing should happen.”
Lu Yang admitted unease, “It’s just… worrying. Even knowing he’s fine, I still worry.”
Lu Liu understood and didn’t try to soothe him further, simply continuing the conversation.
As for timing, leaving after the Lantern Festival was somewhat late. According to Steward Hong, many examinees departed right after the New Year, on the fifth day of the first month. Some even left the previous year.
“Your husband can’t bear to leave you, so he’s delayed,” Lu Liu remarked.
Lu Yang’s mood was steady; though he worried, he wasn’t anxious. His mind, however, couldn’t stop thinking of Xie Yan, making sleep impossible.
Strangely, when Xie Yan was at home, Lu Yang often recalled things that upset him, his mood swinging, sometimes even shedding tears. Now, with Xie Yan gone for the exams, he felt lighter.
“I know you won’t believe me—after all, I haven’t slept all night—but it’s true. Now that he’s gone, I’m not being dramatic. Many thoughts just seem pointless. I can get through anything; no difficulty frightens me.”
Lu Liu smiled, happy for him. “Brother, you’re being playful. Your husband spoils you; you know he’ll indulge your moods, so you can act out a little. Now he’s in the capital, far away, and you can’t fuss at me like that, so things feel meaningless. Don’t worry—you’re saving it all. When your husband comes home, you can pester him; he’ll be thrilled!”
Lu Yang laughed. “He’d be happy if I pestered him?”
“Of course! He loves it when you pester him—it means he’s needed!” Lu Liu affirmed.
That was indeed true.
Lu Yang shared some stories about Xie Yan—some recent, some from the past, and some from dreams.
Since becoming pregnant, his sleep had been restless, full of dreams—some heart-wrenching, some frustrating. The timelines in the dreams were confused; sometimes they had met, sometimes not. But in Lu Yang’s mind, all encounters felt familiar. If Xie Yan appeared distant, as if he didn’t recognize him, Lu Yang grew frustrated and angry.
With so many dreams, his mind sometimes felt like it might break, unable to distinguish reality from illusion. Upon waking, he could easily sulk.
“My temper needs a man with his patience to soothe it. I’ve changed a lot. When we first married, I would occasionally tease him, then apologize, telling him I didn’t mean it and to forgive me. Now I don’t ask; I just tease him. But often, I can’t bring myself to fully act, slowly feeling tender toward him, not wanting to hurt him.”
“Lu Liu, you wouldn’t believe it, but for a while I felt we truly were like brothers. Out there, I’m strong and assertive, yet at home, I can be gentle and caring. I wonder if living together this year, spending so much time with you, enjoying your ways, has softened me too.”
Lu Liu found this familiar; tilting his head, he recalled Li Feng saying something similar.
He smiled, ignoring Li Feng, and praised, “That’s husbandly harmony. You’ve spent so much time with your husband; he treats you well, indulges you, fears displeasing you. You respond in kind, and slowly, you grow attached. You’re a perfect match!”
In his heart, Lu Liu added: “And so am I with Da Feng!”
Lu Yang was overwhelmed by sweetness, finding Lu Liu’s words reasonable.
He was the type who returned kindness with kindness. He could also take initiative; he was tactful, offering care in many ways. For example, when he first married into the Xie family, he arranged everything smoothly. Yet, in terms of true affection, Xie Yan loved him first.
The brothers chatted long into the evening on the kang. Zhao Peilan, seeing the light in the room, knocked and joined them.
She hadn’t slept well the previous night, worried about Lu Yang, and said she had just woken.
She shared some stories about the capital. “Xie Yan’s father read a travelogue mentioning the capital. I can’t remember much, but it said many noble families built their homes on high foundations, like the palace, requiring several steps to enter.”
Lu Yang’s interest in travelogues was piqued. He read pragmatically—previously for study, later for commerce. Travelogues were valuable for understanding local customs and commerce: goods abundant in one place were scarce elsewhere; transporting them could yield silver.
He tapped his head. “Still so pragmatic, aren’t I?”
Zhao Peilan and Lu Liu laughed, telling him to follow his curiosity.
At dawn, Lu Yang went outside for a walk.
After breakfast, he walked to aid digestion, visited a few homes, then returned to rest.
No classes were held today. In the afternoon, Lu Liu tutored him.
Lu Yang, drowsy, absorbed little, napped again, then revisited the lessons with Lu Liu at dusk.
According to Shopkeeper Wang, learning bookkeeping and commerce had no end.
Experience of predecessors paved the way, reducing detours. On the road, they would face challenges, respond using experience, or devise new solutions, day by day gaining skill.
Lu Liu appreciated this, explaining, “Da Feng’s family was the same. Hunters inherit techniques: how to survive in the mountains, hunt prey, find water and food, navigate, and locate safe resting spots. They also learn the habits of animals, weaknesses, and the dangers of poisonous plants or snakes. He memorized early, but only after venturing out did he discover nuances. One must experience it firsthand to truly combine knowledge with practice.”
Listening carefully, Lu Yang felt gratified.
Though his younger brother often claimed to be slow or incapable, he wasn’t. He remembered well and imitated effectively. These skills, unrelated to commerce, accumulated mentally. One remark from Shopkeeper Wang could trigger understanding and insight.
Their progress in the business lessons was comparable.
Lu Yang’s advantage was prior knowledge, but he trusted himself too much, needing time to internalize new skills.
Lu Liu, less knowledgeable but obedient, learned quickly; his drawback was shallow prior knowledge, limiting deep reflection as expected by Shopkeeper Wang.
Now, they gradually synchronized. Lu Yang found balance, learning to seek common ground while respecting differences. Lu Liu connected experiences to form cycles of understanding.
Tonight, they still shared a room. After washing up, Lu Yang sat in the courtyard watching the stars.
No matter the distance, the sky above was the same.
Once the exam ended, Xie Yan would surely look up at the same stars.
Across hundreds of miles, they shared this moment, hearts full.
Lu Liu offered him a cloak, but Lu Yang declined, returning to his room.
He had a long wooden mallet made by his godfather.
Sitting on the kang, he used it to massage his legs. Lu Liu massaged his feet, and Lu Yang slept especially soundly that night.
Watching his brother attend to him, Lu Yang felt grateful for having a younger brother.
