Lu Yang sniffed the scented balm once more before slipping it into his leather pouch.
The balm was still sealed, but a faint aroma wafted through the cracks of the box—a rich, floral fragrance that Xie Yan liked.
After finishing their shopping there, they made another stop at the market. Xie Yan bought a duck, planning to return home and simmer a rich old-duck soup for Lu Yang.
Lu Yang asked, “Why not buy a chicken? Don’t you want chicken soup?”
Xie Yan replied smoothly, “Your chicken soup is enough for me.”
Lu Yang nudged him playfully, looping his arm around Xie Yan’s, a smile never leaving his face.
When the couple returned home, they brought news of Lu Yang’s recovery, which moved Zhao Peilan to tears. That evening, they had a proper meal, and Xie Yan simmered the duck. Shun’er offered to help but couldn’t find a way to get involved.
He had heard that Lu Yang had been ill, but the family hadn’t said much—he’d assumed it was just a minor cold. Only now did he realize it had been a serious illness, and that Lu Yang had only just fully recovered.
During the sickness, Lu Yang had also managed his household business, earning Shun’er’s admiration. Unable to help in the kitchen, he trailed Lu Yang like a little shadow, watching as Lu Yang arranged the fats and oils, explaining their fragrance and texture. Flustered, Shun’er tried to leave, but Lu Yang pulled him back.
“You’re not a child anymore; some things you need to understand. Don’t wait until marriage to learn. If you don’t speak up, who will?” Lu Yang said.
He didn’t intend to teach Shun’er anything improper—just enough to protect him from being deceived in the city. In the past, he’d heard stories of naïve young people, clueless until it was too late.
Lu Yang let Shun’er watch and said, “Before marriage, if someone offers you these things or teaches you to use them, don’t hold back. Just do it.”
Shun’er obediently agreed, his face flushed with embarrassment.
Lu Yang’s goal wasn’t to embarrass him; just a few words would suffice if Shun’er understood.
After dinner, he went to speak with the scholar of the household. Newly acquired items always needed testing.
That night was simple—they didn’t study for the scholar exam and had chicken soup instead. The floral-scented chicken soup didn’t taste better, just more aromatic. Lu Yang even scooped a bit of fat to feel it on Xie Yan—smooth, soft. He tasted it as well, which encouraged Xie Yan.
Late into the night, the floral scent helped them sleep deeply. They went to bed late and woke early, rested and refreshed.
Xie Yan went to check if the old-duck soup was ready. Lu Yang deliberately lifted the covers, rubbed his stomach, and teased, “Ah, my belly’s so full. I can’t eat any more soup. You fed me too much last night.”
Xie Yan stumbled and nearly fell.
Lu Yang laughed loudly.
Long journeys were tedious and exhausting. Sometimes they slept on the road, eyes barely open. The little ones weren’t used to traveling, so they placed them in bathtubs lined with bedding and bamboo mats to reduce the bumps, yet the children still cried.
Lu Liu grew exhausted, alternating care with his parents, occasionally napping on the cart.
The babies weren’t used to goat’s milk. He had no choice but to feed them secretly, adjusting as best he could. His milk supply dwindled, ending before the children weaned. The babies sucked with such force it hurt.
Li Feng advised that feeding them was futile without milk, but Lu Liu insisted—it comforted the children, gave them familiarity, and calmed them.
Li Feng thought the same would happen with anyone else. There weren’t many companions besides elders or brothers on the road—who else could he turn to?
Lu Liu tried eagerly but laughed through tears. “Stop thinking about it. We’ll soon reach the city. Find a wet nurse there; the children will be fed properly. I’m fine.”
Calculating the journey, Li Feng realized they could arrive by tomorrow afternoon if traveling quickly, or by the morning of the day after if slower.
After the Dragon Boat Festival, the weather warmed, with occasional light rain, making the roads difficult. Familiar with the route, they rested frequently to care for the family. Eight days passed on the road.
Li Feng brought Lu Liu a water pouch to sip. Lu Liu drank from the bamboo container and shared some with the babies.
At noon, they rested in the shade. Someone stayed behind to keep watch while the others ate and rested.
Lu Liu soothed the children and occasionally spoke with his father. Leaving the countryside and small towns for a large unfamiliar city, everything was new and strange. He worried about the children’s comfort.
Wang Fengnian had been helping Chen Guizhi care for the babies. Time passed quickly, only quieting their minds at night. With more people around, Lu Liu stayed close. Thinking of Lu Yang waiting in the city gave him hope, though uncertainty about the future lingered. They hadn’t truly settled, and feared being a burden.
Lu Erbao attended to the mother goats for milk. The babies’ crying pulled at his heart, leaving no time to think of anything else. Like Wang Fengnian, only when resting did he worry about the future.
During the day, exhausted by the children, Lu Liu spoke little to his fathers, only a few short conversations.
“I visited Lu Da Feng at the Lu household. They’re busy with printing blocks. He truly wants to open a bookshop. Don’t worry about helping him. Think of it as a short stay, like living with me during the New Year. Relax. He’s busy, I have two children, plenty for you to help with—work isn’t the only way to contribute.”
Wang Fengnian smiled.
Lu Liu sighed, “I’m already the father of two children.”
Hearing this, Wang Fengnian’s eyes shone with joy, though they glistened red with emotion.
“Endure two more years. When the children can walk and talk, things will be easier.”
Lu Liu knew raising children was never simple. He remembered being a child, pestering his fathers, and listening to his mother’s stories of the three Li brothers growing up. Each stage of childhood brought its own troubles.
By the time the children were older, they could be left to school, and he would have more freedom to work.
In the afternoon, they continued the journey, the father and son chatting briefly before resting. At night, Lu Liu soothed the children to sleep, saw his parents settled, and sat beside Li Feng on a wooden bench.
The countryside night was filled with insect and frog calls, reminiscent of the mountains but without the wild animal howls. The little ones slept soundly.
Li Feng and his brothers took turns keeping watch, with a small fire burning. He boiled water for the day’s needs. Water sources were rare in the mountains, so any chance to heat it was seized.
Lu Liu yawned, leaning on Li Feng’s arm. “Da Feng, this year has been hard. I heard about the long stretches you’ve traveled—it sounds exhausting. Even a half-day trip to the county wears me out. You’ve been on the road for days; it must be far worse.”
Li Feng draped his jacket over him.
“Why aren’t you sleeping when you’re this tired?”
Lu Liu just wanted to stick close for a while. Rare moments of calm, with the children quiet, allowed him to speak softly, praising Li Feng for his leadership. He admired how Li Feng knew the terrain, water sources, and suitable rest stops along such a long journey.
