Yao Fulang peeked outside and muttered, “Why didn’t Chen Fulang come to the banquet? I thought he got along well with you.”
Lu Liu said, “He’s stubborn, but it was him who had Wang Meng find the nanny goat.”
Yao Fulang nodded thoughtfully. “Spending time with him, you realize he’s alright. Straightforward, not always polite in words, but you can scold him too. When exchanging gifts, no need to fuss over value—he doesn’t like receiving favors lightly, so his returns are always generous. Apart from you, he’s the only one I don’t have to think too much around.”
Lu Liu’s tone turned slightly sour. “You used to say being with me felt easy.”
Yao Fulang laughed, teasing him to stop acting spoiled.
“Go comfort your Da Feng with that sweetness. What use is it on me? If it’s easy-going, it’s only with you. You’re sweet-mouthed, he’s sharp-tongued—it just makes everything simple between you two.”
Lu Liu ignored the latter part. “Why would I comfort him? Being in the same room with you, of course, I’d comfort you. If I make you happy, I’m happy too.”
Yao Fulang’s lips twitched, trying not to laugh, and reached over to pinch Lu Liu’s face.
“I eat honey every day, but I’m not as sweet as you! No wonder your Da Feng is always grinning like an idiot—who wouldn’t be dazzled?”
Laughing, Yao Fulang suddenly teared up.
Soon, Lu Liu wouldn’t be able to say sweet words anymore; they wouldn’t see each other for a long time.
Yao Fulang said, “When dealing with people, you really have to choose carefully. We just talk about daily things, but listening to you makes life feel hopeful. You smile at everything, your worries are just worries—never complaints. Lately, I’ve gone out to chat with others, and it all feels so meaningless. Everyone’s so resentful—it’s uncomfortable to hear.”
Lu Liu wiped his tears. Previously, when Lu Yang had done the same, he had left a handkerchief.
He imitated that gesture, leaving the handkerchief for Yao Fulang after wiping his tears.
Lu Liu talked more about daily life with Chen Jiu, worried the young man might waste a good life. With Yao Fulang, he spoke less, mostly teaching and guiding him.
As he prepared to leave, hearing Yao Fulang’s words, Lu Liu shared some advice about living life.
The old advice remained: outings are just for passing time—don’t take them to heart. Keep your mind at home. Listen with your ears and forget it. Don’t worry.
“An Gege, I’ll write to you. The merchant caravans go to the prefectural city every month, I’ll have them bring letters along. You also need to learn to read a bit, to enjoy my letters. Don’t show them to anyone—they’re my secret words to you.”
Yao Fulang laughed at that: “I already have a child, and you’re still urging me to study. In a few years, my Yuan Yuan will be old enough for school.”
Lu Liu wanted to encourage him—why shouldn’t a father study? One must take care of oneself first, then be a father.
“I care about you. Once you manage the beekeeping properly, maybe we’ll meet in the prefectural city someday and open a shop together.”
That was a grand and sweet prospect.
Yao Fulang took it to heart. He prioritized himself first, then being a father. He said, “Don’t worry. I’ll learn more characters just to read your secret letters. As for the beekeeping, it depends on whether my Da Qiang has ambition.”
Lu Liu had words for him: “If Da Qiang cares for you, he’ll help make it happen.”
Yao Fulang poked him on the forehead. “Two years for one sentence, and you’re still saying it.”
They laughed together, scattering the sorrow of parting.
Li Feng had commissioned many wolf-hair brushes; Lu Liu kept two and gave one to Yao Fulang, so he could write letters in the future.
“I want to see your secret words too.”
Yao Fulang had no secret words—just silly notes about chickens.
Lu Liu said, “Then study your chickens. Those are the private talks I share with you the most.”
Yao Fulang had to admit defeat.
After the banquet, they packed up and moved entirely.
Villagers along the way watched. Lu Liu’s family was the first in the mountain village to settle in the prefectural city. People were envious, but not jealous—they weren’t keeping wealth for themselves; they took everyone along to earn together.
Along the road, people handed them food—good things one could present. Yao Fulang gave them a jar of honey, fearing Lu Liu couldn’t carry it, so he used a small jar with two pounds.
Wang Meng delivered two pounds of roasted sesame, as instructed by Chen Jiu. At the new village, Er Jun Fulang brought a basket of salted duck eggs for the road.
Passing the new village, Er Tian and his wife held their child silently at the roadside, watching.
The carriage didn’t stop, and the three never spoke.
As the carriages drew further, people and villages shrank into small figures.
Other wagons followed with cargo, slowly keeping pace.
Arriving at Lu’s village, they picked up Lu Erbao and Wang Fengnian. This couple had spent a lifetime there; their winter clothes taken, summer baggage reduced to a small bundle and an iron pot.
Chickens and pigs were sent to the farm; tools were delivered too. Fields were farmed by the eldest uncle’s family, and the house left empty.
The eldest uncle’s family escorted them to the main road. Seeing the line of wagons and mules, they were awestruck, their sorrow at leaving driven away. What a massive enterprise this must be!
Lu Liu asked if they had messages for Lu Yang. “I’ll tell my brother when I arrive.”
Miao Qing said, “I told your father, but in case he forgets, I’ll tell you again.”
Most of the updates concerned the farm: the house was built, the mill never idle, flour supplied to the shop.
Lu Lin ran the shop well, advertising nearby. Now everyone knew they sold flour; the price wasn’t low, but when buying vegetables, a few pounds could be added. This quantity was just enough. When the new grain came in autumn, they’d negotiate prices with the merchants again.
Other matters aside, Miao Qing asked Lu Liu to remind Lu Yang to take care of his health. A good body is hard to maintain. Life in the prefectural city would be tougher; he must be prepared for years of hard work, stay patient, and not risk his life recklessly.
Lu Liu noted everything down.
Leaving the county, they passed through town and collected two letters from Lu Lin—one from him, one from the Luo brothers.
Nothing else remained. They left Sanshui County, heading for the prefectural city.
In mid-April, Wu Pingzhi arrived in the prefectural city, guided by his family steward to locate Xie Yan’s new residence. That day, the household hosted a banquet in his honor.
Wu Pingzhi looked healthy, better than at New Year. He could take advice, hadn’t overexerted himself in study, and his body had recovered somewhat.
He knew Lu Yang’s birthday was in early April, and though he had missed it due to studies, he brought a supplementary birthday gift. His father sent three pounds of new tea, a token for Lu Yang to drink, and a set of mandarin duck bedding.
Last year, Wu Pingzhi had gifted Xie Yan a mandarin duck clasp, which Xie Yan cherished. Since then, he often wore round-collar robes and the clasp was regularly visible. This year, for Lu Yang, Wu Pingzhi also chose something inspired by mandarin ducks.
The gift was precious. Lu Yang, still polite, received it, while Xie Yan’s eyes sparkled with admiration: “You really know how to choose gifts! This bedding is perfect—we’ll use it this year. Soon it’ll be warm; a single quilt isn’t enough, but placing this on the kang looks so cozy.”
Lu Yang: “……”
No wonder Xie Yan said other scholars were just classmates. Only Wu Pingzhi could chat with him so cheerfully.
Unexpectedly, Wu Pingzhi showed a somewhat indescribable expression: “I looked at your notes, thought you’d progressed a lot—yet your speech is still like this?”
Xie Yan replied, “We’re too familiar; no need to pretend.”
Wu Pingzhi’s expression relaxed, clearly pleased.
As a junior visiting the elder, he also brought a gift for Zhao Peilan: two sashes, one wide, one narrow. Sashes were common adornments, useful in everyday life or during illness.
Zhao Peilan felt slightly embarrassed, but Lu Yang insisted she accept them. Xie Yan said, “No problem. Starting tomorrow, we’ll study properly. You accept it—he’ll be happy.”
