Chapter 23 2/2

He felt a slight unease in his chest. He was already used to Huo Shu’s straightforwardness and lack of pleasantries with others, but today he couldn’t shake the feeling that something was off about him.

Watching him walk away, Ji Yangzong took a few steps back into the house.

“Ouch, Mom, be gentle, it hurts.”

Taoyu sat on a stool, her pants rolled up high, and Huang Manjing was applying medicinal alcohol to the wound on her knee.

She had fair skin and delicate flesh, always prone to injury. Falling and kneeling on the ground had already scraped the skin off her knee, leaving a red and purple bruise, spreading out about half the size of a palm, making it particularly eye-catching on her leg.

“Darn it, when I see that old Zhang from Yanmiao Village, I must scold him. He caused you to get hurt like this and still wants to extort money. It’s lucky we ran into Huo Shu, otherwise you might have been bullied.

Ji Yangzong originally intended to interrogate someone, but upon entering the room and seeing Ji Taoyu’s knees swollen and purple, he first expressed sympathy. He approached, furrowing his brow, and said, “Use the ointment your father-in-law brought last time; it works well. Last time I used it, the bruising subsided in two days.”

“Dad’s ointment is strong; Ji Taoyu’s skin can’t bear it. We need something milder.”

Ji Taoyu looked up at Ji Yangzong and asked, “Has the guest left?”

Ji Yangzong nodded, then remembered why he had come in and immediately said, “This Huo Shu is really interesting. Every time he shows up when you’re not feeling well to take you home. He’s quiet and keeps to himself, yet he even lets you ride his precious horse?”

“Dad, you’re at it again!”

Ji Taoyu muttered, “Ever since you retired from the marriage, you suspect everyone’s intentions.”

Ji Yangzong retorted confidently, “That lad clearly saw there was a guest but didn’t leave. Once Zhou Zheng left, he immediately wanted to leave. What’s his intention?”

Huang Manjing glared at Ji Yangzong and said, “He kindly scolded the dishonest carriage driver and even carried your daughter back, yet you, on the other hand, want to chase guests away. You don’t even let them have a sip of tea?”

Talking about guests, Ji Taoyu complained, “Dad, why didn’t you tell me earlier that someone from the Zhou family was coming?”

Ji Yangzong awkwardly responded, “I didn’t invite him; he came on his own. Since taxes are heavy, I suggested cultivating fish and shrimp in a field. Among the surrounding villages, it’s the Zhou family’s second son who does it well, so they willingly came to help.”

“You always have these ideas,” Huang Manjing scolded.

Seeing the displeasure of the mother and daughter, Ji Yangzong quickly apologized, “My bad, next time I’ll inform you in advance.”

“But speaking of which, Ji Taoyu, what do you think of the Zhou family’s son you saw today?”

Ji Taoyu glanced at the mountain chrysanthemums on the table and replied softly, “I didn’t pay attention.”

“If you approve, Dad will let him come again; if not, then forget it,” Ji Yangzong said.

“Dad, I really don’t feel like judging anyone right now. If you and Mom are satisfied, then it’s fine.”

Ji Yangzong and Huang Manjing fell silent at these words.

Huang Manjing said, “Alright, let’s not talk about this for now. You said you’re tired; go lie down for a while. Mom will call you when it’s time for dinner.”

With that, she helped Ji Taoyu to bed and pulled Ji Yangzong out of the room.

“You’re so anxious, afraid our daughter won’t get married.”

“I’m just thinking about the child.”

Watching his wife walk away, Ji Yangzong followed, “Alright, alright, I won’t mention it again, okay?”

When Huo Shu mounted his horse and left the Ji family, he suddenly glanced back. Due to his battlefield alertness, he had a heightened sense for unseen dangers. Not far from leaving the Ji family, he felt as if there were eyes staring at his back.

Sure enough, when he looked back, a figure swiftly darted through the bamboo forest behind the Ji family, a corner of green clothing lagging behind.

Huo Shu lightly sneered; he couldn’t bear to let go of the past yet couldn’t hold on to it either. Wanting a bright future while longing for someone – where in the world could one find such a perfect scenario?

As the horse galloped away, Yu Lingxiao, who had been hiding in the shadows, finally emerged. He looked in the direction of the Ji family, feeling a strong sense of loss in his heart.

Unexpectedly, just a few days after their two families had called off the engagement, the Ji family was already seeking a new son-in-law. He didn’t even have the chance to see Taoyu again.

At dusk, when Sun Yuan Niang saw her son return looking lost and disheartened, she couldn’t help but ask, “What’s wrong?”

Yu Lingxiao shook his head with a bitter taste in his mouth, unwilling to talk to his mother, and went straight into the house.

A mother knows her child best. Today, with the Ji family bustling about repairing the fish pond and even bringing in a new face to help, how could she not know what was going on? She guessed her son must have heard the village gossip, and his heart was not at ease.

Sun Yuan Niang also hadn’t expected the Ji family to be so decisive, actually calling off the engagement without any hesitation, which made her realize she had underestimated them.

For a moment, her plans were completely disrupted. However, since the Ji family willingly agreed to cancel the engagement without any further entanglements, it was good, saving them from causing trouble that could reach the local authorities, risking greater consequences.

But their foolish son was still impulsive, still harboring feelings for the sickly child from the Ji family.

Following Yu Lingxiao into the house, she comforted, “It’s also because of your deep affection that just a few days after the Ji family called off the engagement, they started looking for someone new. It’s unfair to you, considering how well you treated them before.”

Yu Lingxiao didn’t respond. He was completely consumed by the thought of truly losing Taoyu.

Previously, he had listened to his mother’s words, thinking the Ji family would listen to their arrangements, which had led to his inaction. He didn’t expect things to turn out like this.

Originally a sure bet, he suddenly found himself detached, perhaps soon to be replaced by someone else.

Yu Lingxiao suddenly awakened from his drifting thoughts, as if he had just awoken from a dream. His feet, suspended in mid-air, finally landed on the ground.

Now, he couldn’t listen to his mother’s words anymore. He felt his mother must have long intended to call off the engagement, which was why she had repeatedly tried to stop him.

Seeing her usually obedient son silent, Sun Yuan Niang couldn’t help but resent the Ji family.

She said, “These people are really interesting. The Ji family doesn’t care about Ji Taoyu’s reputation even after canceling the engagement. They are willing to accept a broken engagement, and even outsiders are eager to court them. Times have indeed changed!”

At the mention of reputation, the word resonated loudly in Yu Lingxiao’s heart.

He suddenly held his breath. If he wanted to keep Taoyu, it seemed he could only rely on himself now.

…

“Aruo, I heard you’re looking for Zhou Zheng to learn a trade from him? You’re preparing to apprentice under Master Qiao?”

In the quiet month of October, there wasn’t much to do on the farm except prepare some firewood for winter and wait for spring planting next year.

However, Huo Shu was eager to help and had been collecting firewood. Now, there was quite a pile under the eaves of the house.

This year, Yuan Huiru had already paid all the production and tax money early, so she felt quite relieved.

“Well,” she said, “that’s good news.”

Seeing that the person by the stove seemed to be in a good mood today, she tentatively asked, “Once you settle into your trade, would you like your foster mother to find a matchmaker to look for a good family for you?”

Huo Shu’s hand paused at her words.

“Don’t misunderstand, foster mother has no intention of rushing you. Everything will depend on you.”

Seeing that Huo Shu was not young anymore, almost twenty-six this year, it was indeed a good age for marriage. But Huo Shu was talented, and if he settled down, there would surely be families interested in him.

She was afraid that Huo Shu hadn’t thought much about starting a family. Unexpectedly, he replied, “I have someone in mind.”

Yuan Huiru’s eyes lit up at his words, and her hands, which were busy washing rice, couldn’t help but pause. There was a sense of surprise, as if a miracle had happened.

“Which family is it? Hurry, tell foster mother.”

Huo Shu hesitated for a moment. Since he admitted that he had someone in mind, there was no need to continue hiding it. He said directly, “The Ji family.”

Yuan Huiru was surprised by this answer, but upon careful consideration, she felt it made sense.

She couldn’t help but smile. She didn’t expect that Huo Shu, who had always seemed fierce and cold, would fall for someone as gentle and delicate as Ji Taoyu.

It was truly inexplicable.

But regardless of whom Huo Shu had set his sights on, it was better to have such intentions than none at all. She joked with joy, “Your taste is quite unique. But although Taoyu is good, his health is not robust. Do you understand?”

“That’s the concern of mediocre people,” Huo Shu replied. “Whether his health is good or not, I won’t let him do anything strenuous.”

Yuan Huiru’s smile grew even wider. It was particularly meaningful to hear these protective words from Huo Shu.

But amidst her happiness, she couldn’t help but worry again. “If you have this intention to please foster mother, but although Taoyu and the engagement with the You family have been canceled, the engagement with the Li family is not something ordinary people can easily discuss. It won’t be easy. Today, I heard that the son of the Li family from the neighboring village has come. We need to prepare early.”

Huo Shu said, “Foster mother, don’t worry. I will talk to the Li family myself.”

Yuan Huiru nodded. “Since you have a plan, foster mother won’t interfere rashly. It’s better not to ruin your affairs by being too clever. But if there’s anything foster mother can help with, you must let me know.”

“I understand.”

Two days later, just after the morning meal, Ji Yangzong came to the Zhao family and said that the village butcher, Master Qiao, had returned.

Ji Yangzong came to call Huo Shu and went to the Qiao family together.

“I heard that several young people want to apprentice under Master Qiao. It’s not just our village. Although I introduced you, Master Qiao may not necessarily accept you. It depends on the compatibility between the two parties. If it works out, I’m happy, but if it doesn’t, don’t take it to heart. Just find something else to do.”

Although Ji Taoyu had been pestering him to put in a good word for Huo Shu with Master Qiao, Ji Yangzong hadn’t agreed. Such matters couldn’t be forced.

So he explained to Huo Shu in advance to avoid any awkwardness later.

“I understand,” Huo Shu said.

Ji Yangzong felt that Huo Shu was not the kind of person who held grudges, so he didn’t say much more.

He walked ahead with his hands behind his back, feeling somewhat uneasy all over.

It wasn’t that he was unhappy with Huo Shu; he just felt that this young man had some ulterior motives. He had told the mother and daughter at home, but they didn’t believe him. Instead, they accused him of talking nonsense.

Seeing this young man today, he felt an urge to say a few words to him, but facing that stern face, he didn’t know where to start.

“For Taoyu’s sake, thank you. I’ve been busy with tax matters these days and haven’t properly thanked you.”

“No trouble. Li Zheng has thanked me several times already. You don’t need to thank me again in the future.”

Seeing this, Ji Yangzong continued, “It’s a coincidence that this child always seems to run into good luck when he encounters a problem, as if Heaven is pitying his weakness and protecting him intentionally.”

Huo Shu raised an eyebrow at his words. Although he didn’t want to say much, it didn’t mean he couldn’t understand others’ implications.

With no one else around, Huo Shu said directly, “Li Zheng knows why he has good luck. There’s no need to say it like this.”

Ji Yangzong’s footsteps stopped abruptly, and he turned to look at Huo Shu fixedly.

Seeing Ji Yangzong’s scrutinizing gaze, Huo Shu didn’t evade it at all and said directly, “If Li Zheng agrees, I can continue to take care of him.”