The next day, Shu Rui went to the Lu household to thank Master Lu. He felt immense gratitude for the family’s generosity. Had this been any ordinary official family, they would have avoided the matter entirely, never offering such meticulous care.
Of course, Lu Ling’s efforts had been indispensable. Whatever knot had weighed on Shu Rui’s heart was now mostly untied.
Master Lu remained the same, showing no signs of taking advantage of Shu Rui and Lu Ling’s dealings with the Bai family, saying simply that henceforth, they were one family—no need for formalities.
Regarding the wedding, since appearances still had to be made with the Bai family, all the proper wedding formalities would be observed—but Shu Rui would marry at the Chaoxi Mansion, and he had no intention of going back to the Bai household. Relatives who were marrying far away would stay near the wedding venue in advance and be brought in on the day itself.
The Lu family worried that if Shu Rui returned, the petty schemers in the Bai household might cause trouble or change their minds at the last minute. If anyone from the Bai family were willing to come for the bride, fine; if not, two distant relatives from the Lu household could stand in. Either way, the matter could be managed.
“All of this will follow the arrangements of Uncle and Aunt,” Shu Rui said. “As for me and A-Ling, I don’t want a grand affair—just the proper rituals and a small banquet will do.”
Though the Lu family had some status, neither he nor Lu Ling were pursuing official careers, so there was no need to make it a huge event. A banquet with close relatives would suffice.
“That suits me,” Lu Father said. “The Chaoxi Mansion has few relatives here, so no matter how lively it is, it won’t be too crowded. If it were in Gan County, there’d be more guests, but traveling back and forth would be troublesome and hard to coordinate.”
Moreover, holding the wedding in their ancestral home would inevitably involve more dealings with the Bai family, which Lu Father wanted to avoid.
At this point, the conversation turned to the bride price and dowry. These matters were normally handled by the elders of both families, but given the Bai family’s disposition, negotiating with them was futile—so it was better to discuss it directly with Shu Rui.
Madam Liu held Shu Rui’s hand: “We already consider you part of the family. We want to know your thoughts.”
“Years ago, when my parents were alive, the savings they left were all taken to my uncle’s household. I recall there were a hundred strings of coins, plus some household items. Except for the shop we’ve set up, the rest remained with my uncle. The Bai family has cared for me these years, so what my parents left can be considered repaid. I don’t intend to ask for more. The Bai family likely won’t prepare a dowry for me either. By my reasoning, Uncle and Aunt need not send any bride price to the Bai family.”
Shu Rui didn’t want to go through the motions for show; it would just be an empty formality for outsiders. Ideally, weddings involve each side providing a bride price or dowry so the couple can start their household, but given the Bai family’s situation, Shu Rui didn’t want to take advantage or suffer loss—so he chose to forgo both.
He glanced at Lu Ling: “From now on, A-Ling and I will rely on ourselves for our life together.”
Lu Father nodded. “A ceremonial display of boxes is fine, but Uncle and I will still prepare some bride price for you. With only two children in the family, parents should put in effort for such a major event. If your parents were still alive, they would certainly prepare it as well.”
“These matters, you two needn’t worry about. We only ask your thoughts regarding the Bai family.”
“We’ve already discussed it. Before the wedding, we’ll secure a residence so we can live there afterward,” Lu Ling said directly.
“If you’re preparing a bride price, don’t worry about the residence for now,” Shu Rui added, blushing slightly at Lu Ling’s frankness.
Lu Father nodded, thinking it best to lay everything out clearly so nothing would be overlooked.
“Very well,” he said.
With the discussion concluded, the wedding arrangements were settled to everyone’s satisfaction. Madam Liu, eager, measured Shu Rui and Lu Ling again to make their wedding attire by hand. Although it was only May, September would arrive soon—three to four months left. Marriage was a major event, and many preparations were needed. Wedding attire might only be worn for one day, but it was a once-in-a-lifetime garment. Madam Liu wanted a daughter-in-law who pleased Shu Rui and took great care with every detail.
Returning to the inn from the Lu household, the moon had climbed to the treetops. Shu Rui’s steps were light as he held Lu Ling’s hand, returning to the shop together.
Previously, when he went to the Lu household, he had felt as if sneaking around, wanting to avoid being noticed. Now, with their marriage firmly arranged, they were engaged and no longer needed to care what others thought.
With the flowers and moon full, Shu Rui felt a swelling sense of contentment in his heart.
Lu Ling, however, was simpler-minded. Seeing that night had fallen, only one thought occupied him:
“Am I going to sleep here tonight?”
At the inn, as soon as Shu Rui entered, Lu Ling followed him into the room.
“Don’t think about sleep for now; there’s work to do,” Shu Rui said.
Lu Ling leaned in, running his hand lightly over Shu Rui’s waist with playful intent. “What work?”
Shu Rui feigned pushing him away. “Although the wedding has gone smoothly, there’s still much to handle. Buying a house and furnishing it—size, location—we need to see how much money we have before making decisions.”
Thinking of all the tasks involved in setting up the shop, Shu Rui’s joy was already giving way to a headache as he turned to the house preparations.
Seeing Lu Ling not yet calculating, Shu Rui playfully twisted him: “Go fetch some water to soak my feet; I need to carefully sort out our finances.”
Lu Ling groaned but obeyed, going to the kitchen for water.
Returning, he helped Shu Rui remove his shoes and socks to soak his feet.
Shu Rui used an abacus. When they opened the inn, he had invested 100 strings of coins. At the start of the year, Lu Ling added another 100 strings to open a storage shop. In total, 200 strings of coins had been spent, leaving about 380 strings in current funds.
Shu Rui now had nearly 400 strings in hand. Subtracting the 100 strings invested in the shop, he still had roughly 290 strings remaining.
Calculating expenses over the past six months: 20 strings for carts and donkeys for Lu Father, 50 strings for servants, and 20 strings for a horse when returning to Gan County. Almost 100 strings gone.
“That leaves a bit over 200 strings. We should keep at least 90 strings on hand for business. The remaining 200 can go toward buying a house.”
Lu Ling asked, “What about my account?”
Shu Rui fetched another ledger and calculated. The storage shop had brought in 200 strings over four months, but as the profit was shared, Lu Ling’s share was about 120 strings. With 100 strings already invested, he had only 10 strings left.
“Careful calculation shows a profit of about 30 strings after recouping the investment,” Shu Rui said. “Keep that for your own use.”
“So, we can only use 200 strings for the house?”
“200 strings may not be enough; that only buys the house. Afterward, we need furniture. To live together, 100–200 strings can suffice for a decent house; the remaining 100 for furnishings. Money will be tight.”
Since the Lu family—including Lu Father, Madam Liu, and Lu Yu—still lived in rented rooms, the house must accommodate them too. They hadn’t formally separated; even after the wedding, it was still one family.
Lu Ling said, “The shop brings in money each month. Don’t worry—buy now, and if it’s not enough, we can use our savings. By September, we’ll have earned more, treating this as an advance.”
Shu Rui agreed, thinking practically: after all, trade was to support life’s major events.
He looked at Lu Ling, pressing a hand to his chin: “Then we’ll buy what we can afford well, so we won’t have to replace it later.”
“Mm,” Lu Ling replied. He dried Shu Rui’s feet and lightly scooped him up, placing him on the bed.
“You sleep first; I’ll go wash,” he said.
Shu Rui blinked, sensing something odd. When he saw Lu Ling pour water for a foot bath and return with a bucket, he realized: “Why are you coming into my room to wash?”
“After the wedding, we’ll sleep in the same room on the same bed. There’s little time left, so we’re just practicing. If anything’s uncomfortable, we can adjust before the wedding to avoid quarrels.”
Shu Rui blushed, hearing Lu Ling’s carefully reasoned plan. “Last time in my room, you slept fine. Why need months to adjust?”
Lu Ling didn’t answer, entering a small separate bathing area. The sound of running water followed.
Shu Rui’s face warmed. He didn’t want to spy and pretended not to notice.
Within a minute, Lu Ling emerged, dry. “I don’t need to adjust; I’m letting you adjust.”
“Then I should… thank you…” Shu Rui looked up, only to see Lu Ling half-lie on the bed, avoiding his gaze.
“You have no clothes, don’t worry.”
Lu Ling climbed into bed, showing Shu Rui he could relax.
Shu Rui nudged him, insisting he put on clothes first. Lu Ling dressed quickly, and Shu Rui helped him fasten the belt.
Seeing Lu Ling’s robe slightly open, revealing his strong, lean waist, Shu Rui’s face flushed more than if he were fully naked.
After tying the robe, Shu Rui buried himself under the covers, even covering his head.