Chapter 17

“The fabric is all wrapped up. Do you want me to put it in the carriage for you?”

When Huo Shu and Ji Taoyu came out, the shop assistant had already neatly packed the fabric and was waiting at the door with a smile on his face.

Huo Shu took the three bundles of fabric and handed them to Taoyu. “Take them back.”

Taoyu hesitated for a moment upon hearing this, then quickly refused, “No, if I take them back, my mother will scold me.”

Seeing that Huo Shu still maintained his gesture without any intention of taking back the fabric, seeming somewhat displeased, Taoyu realized that his refusal might have been too direct. He then softened his tone and said, “Um, you should take them back yourself. Although it’s not quite appropriate for a man to make clothes out of this fabric, you can keep it for future use, perhaps for marriage proposals, which would be quite respectable.”

Huo Shu frowned slightly. He had originally intended to refuse and just leave the fabric there, but after hearing Taoyu’s words, he fell silent for a moment and said, “Alright, I’ll keep it at my place for now.”

Taoyu nodded, clasping his hands together with joy. “Then I’ll go to Azu’s medical clinic.”

“Wait, I’ll go fetch the horse.”

“You don’t need to accompany me; it’s not far from here. I can go by myself,” Taoyu quickly responded.

Huo Shu didn’t reply to his words and followed the shop assistant to the stable.

“Hey!” Taoyu wanted to say it really wasn’t necessary, but the person’s steps were as swift as the wind, and in the blink of an eye, they were gone.

He couldn’t help but wonder if the person thought he would fall into the river if they didn’t keep an eye on him.

Taoyu sighed and prepared to go to the door first. Suddenly, a familiar clear voice came from behind on the stairs.

“Miss Xue, be careful on the stairs.”

Taoyu subconsciously turned his head and caught sight of Yu Lingxiao.

“My skirt is too long, making it easy to trip downstairs. It’s thoughtful of Brother Lingxiao to be concerned.”

A pair of men and women came down the stairs, the woman dressed elegantly, her skirt spreading out on the steps as she walked.

Yu Lingxiao looked at the skirt trailing on the stairs, hesitated for a moment, and then saw the woman looking directly at him. He immediately concealed his hesitation and smiled gently, stooping to lift the hem of her skirt.

“The flowing gown is radiant. Even if it’s a bit inconvenient when it’s long, people can understand.”

The woman’s eyes narrowed slightly, apparently very satisfied with Yu Lingxiao’s behavior. Then she smiled and looked elsewhere, her tone softening:

“If Brother Lingxiao approves of this outfit, then it’s not in vain. I was worried that dragging Brother Lingxiao out for a stroll would delay Brother Lingxiao’s study and make him angry with me.”

“How could that be? Yesterday, the local magistrate hosted a banquet, and despite being busy with official duties, he still remembered my trivial matters and sent someone to inquire. I felt deeply ashamed and came to thank him today. The magistrate asked me to accompany Miss Xue out for a walk, which I am honored to do. How could there be any anger?”

As the two descended the stairs, Taoyu’s heart pounded, and he quickly hid behind a silk rack.

He watched Yu Lingxiao carefully lift the woman’s skirt, taking each step slowly down the stairs with a patient demeanor.

How different this was from their discussions at their home, where Yu Lingxiao would be arrogant and picky when meeting people he wanted to befriend.

Taoyu couldn’t help but sigh deeply, suddenly not quite believing his eyes.

“Brother Lingxiao is fine as long as he doesn’t get angry. Father read Brother Lingxiao’s article yesterday and told me that among all the students, Brother Lingxiao’s talent is the most outstanding. If he has no distractions, he may achieve good results in the imperial examination.”

Yu Lingxiao smiled, but still said modestly, “The magistrate’s praise is too much for me to bear.”

“It’s not just Father’s praise. I have also witnessed Brother Lingxiao’s literary talent.”

Xue Hanyue’s face blushed slightly. “Brother Lingxiao’s poems and essays that he sent me, I have read them over and over again in the middle of the night.”

Upon hearing this, Yu Lingxiao looked pleased but restrained. “If Miss Xue likes them, I can write more.”

However, Xue Hanyue didn’t seem to be as happy as expected. She said, “In the past, Brother Lingxiao called me ‘sister’ at home, but now outside, he calls me Miss Xue.”

Before Yu Lingxiao could respond, she continued, “I heard that Brother Lingxiao has been betrothed to someone from the village. It seems to be true.”

Listening to their conversation, Taoyu couldn’t help but look directly at Yu Lingxiao. At this moment, he was even more eager for an answer than the girl beside him.

Yu Lingxiao paused at her words, carefully placing down her skirt. He said, “I won’t hide it from Miss Xue, there is indeed something about the betrothal.”

In the darkness, Taoyu’s brows furrowed tightly. But upon hearing Yu Lingxiao admit to the betrothal, he still considered it somewhat sincere.

He let out a slight breath, but before he could calm down, he heard Yu Lingxiao continue:

“I didn’t want to mention these past events. Since the clouds have cleared and the moon has appeared, there’s no need to dwell on the past. But since Miss Xue asked, I can’t hide it.”

“My father passed away when I was young, and my uncles were neglectful. My mother alone supported me to study, which was not easy. The local magistrate was a compassionate man who saw the hardships my mother and I faced. He also saw my talent for studying, so he took care of us. Not only did he provide financial support, but he also helped me find tutors. I am forever grateful for his kindness.”

“To me, the magistrate’s family is like a second home. I’ve always wanted to repay their kindness, so I visited them more often. As a result, rumors began to spread.”

“Country folks are uncouth and lacking in manners, spending their days gossiping about others’ privacy, constantly fabricating stories about me being engaged to the Li family. I truly don’t know how to defend myself. These rural customs somehow reached Miss Xue’s ears.

Yu Lingxiao spoke earnestly, his handsome face recounting difficult past events, evoking sympathy.

Xue Hanyue listened, her eyes shimmering with affection: “Lingxiao, you’ve shown gratitude and repaid kindness, enduring so much over the years. But now, it’s a turn for the better. I hope you won’t be troubled by these trivial matters.”

She added softly, “Both Father and I are waiting for you to return from the imperial examination.”

Yu Lingxiao nodded gratefully, “Thank you, Teacher, and Hanyue, for your kindness.”

Xue Hanyue smiled, “Father and I are as you say. Otherwise, we wouldn’t have asked you to accompany me today. If these village matters are just idle gossip, then it’s one less worry. But even if they are true, I believe you know what’s best, Lingxiao.”

Yu Lingxiao was briefly taken aback, then replied, “Of course.”

Upon hearing this, Tao Yu could no longer bear it.

Despite remembering the care his family had shown him over the years, the crucial matter was avoided, and the agreed marriage between the two families had become village gossip.

His chest heaved violently, and he was about to step forward to confront Yu Lingxiao, intending to throw the engagement token of both families in his face and demand an explanation. But before he could take another step, he was pulled back.

“Why are you pulling me?”

Tao Yu glared defiantly at the person.

Huo Shu furrowed his brow, “Stay calm.”

“He deceives both sides, and I should just let him get away with it?” Tao Yu’s agitation and sorrow turned the corners of his eyes red, and his brow furrowed further.

Speaking more softly, Huo Shu said, “That’s a magistrate’s man. Do you know the character of the Xue family and who governs the village on the magistrate’s behalf?”

Tao Yu was momentarily stunned, realizing the implications. His steps, determined moments ago, halted.

“An official’s family cannot tolerate such a son-in-law…”

“In the face of interests, what does character matter?”

Huo Shu’s tone was cold, “The court has upright officials, but there are also officials who prioritize personal gain.”

In the military camp, he had long been accustomed to seeing the ruthlessness of people who would do anything to climb higher.

With Huo Shu’s words, Tao Yu dared not act rashly.

The village head, directly under the jurisdiction of the magistrate, was responsible for matters between the county government and the villages. Though not as high-ranking as the magistrate, in the eyes of commoners, the village head was still an authority figure.

If this magistrate favored Yu Lingxiao, and Tao Yu exposed him, embarrassing the Xue family, it would be easy for the Xue family to seek revenge.

Thinking of this, Tao Yu felt even more uncomfortable. Not only was he angry at Yu Lingxiao’s duplicity, but he also learned about the affair between Wu Lianhe and Zhao Changsui. Comparing the two situations was truly lamentable.

However, now that things had come to this, he couldn’t confront Yu Lingxiao. He could only watch helplessly.

Tao Yu clenched his fists, digging his nails into his flesh. He had always been afraid of pain, but the pain now was nothing compared to the turmoil in his heart.

Huo Shu looked at the person beside him, whose eyes were red as if about to shed bitter tears, his gaze growing colder.

“Let’s take a stroll in the hall, the silk fabrics there are quite bright.”

Xue Hanyue, in a good mood, remarked, “Alright, Hanyue will enjoy herself.”

“Great, Hanyue, have fun to your heart’s content,” Yu Lingxiao replied, beaming with joy as he leaned towards them.

Tao Yu quickly dodged backward upon seeing this, while Huo Shu discreetly flicked a needle from a nearby shelf.

“Watch out, Hanyue, there are two steps here,” he subtly warned, as Yu Lingxiao bent down again, intending to lift the hem of her clothes.

However, as he bent down, he suddenly exclaimed in pain.

“Oh no!”

Yu Lingxiao felt a sharp pain in the back of his leg, causing it to give out, and he collapsed onto Xue Hanyue’s skirt.

In an instant, Xue Hanyue stumbled, and the two almost fell together.

In the midst of the crowd, with both knees hitting the ground by the side of the door, everyone passing by couldn’t help but look at them.

Seeing people around them staring, Xue Hanyue felt embarrassed, having never seen the usually dignified Yu Lingxiao in such a sorry state. She hurriedly urged, “Get up quickly.”

Yu Lingxiao desperately wanted to get up, but his numb leg couldn’t muster any strength, making his attempts to stand only more chaotic and frantic.

Xue Hanyue’s maid hurriedly went to help Yu Lingxiao up, and after a bit of commotion at the door, they hastily left.

Huo Shu turned around, and the boy hiding behind the shelf beside him had already reddened eyes, tears streaming down his cheeks like a flood.

Trying to hide his tears from others’ gazes, he covered his eyes with the back of his hand, but the tears kept flowing, dripping down to his chin.

Tao Yu also felt flustered. Once he started crying, he couldn’t stop, even after the initial burst of emotion passed. His tears wouldn’t cease, and he even started to hiccup, making him appear particularly tearful and distressed.

He regretted losing his composure and getting angry earlier, now unable to contain himself.

Afraid of being seen in his emotional state after witnessing Yu Lingxiao’s embarrassing scene, he didn’t know what to do. But just as he was worried about what to do next, a familiar cotton cloth landed on his shoulder.

He sniffled and turned his head to look at Huo Shu.

Huo Shu gazed at the boy, his eyes swollen with tears, looking like a mess with his eyelashes stuck together, resembling a lotus flower after being soaked in the rain.

With furrowed brows, Huo Shu lifted his hand, intending to put it around Tao Yu’s shoulder. However, just as his hand was about to touch him, he withdrew it.

Huo Shu sighed inwardly, “Let’s go, let’s head back first.”