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As Lu Bainian was about to leave, Zheng Qiao personally saw him off.
At the doorway, Zheng Qiao stopped him again and said, “Since Jinnian is here today, it’s not convenient to talk. I’ll visit you in the village tomorrow, and we can talk then.”
Feeling around in his pocket, Zheng Qiao found he didn’t have much money on him. He pulled out fifty wen from his money pouch and handed it to Lu Bainian.
Lu Bainian, not wanting to lose face, initially refused to take the scattered coins. However, Zheng Qiao directly took Lu Bainian’s money pouch and stuffed the money inside, forcing him to accept it.
“Buy some food for Miss Suqing,” Zheng Qiao added.
Seeing no way to refuse, Lu Bainian reluctantly accepted his goodwill.
After leaving the Zheng family home, Lu Bainian went to the butcher’s stall. He wasn’t skilled at selecting meat, so he simply picked the redder cuts and bought some fatty pork for rendering.
Although fatty pork was more expensive than lean meat, it could be used sparingly, adding a bit of grease to their meals.
After buying the meat, he also stopped by the bun shop to get two meat buns and purchased some brown sugar and yellow sugar from the grocery store.
Since Liu Suqing’s health was frail and there wasn’t much at home for nourishment, he could only buy some red sugar for her to drink.
Once he had everything, he went to wait for the donkey cart and managed to catch the last ride back to the village.
There were a few other villagers from Lu Family Village on the cart. Seeing Lu Bainian, they were curious and tried making conversation, but he kept his mouth shut, not letting anything slip.
Soon, they arrived at the village, where Liu Suqing had already prepared a meal.
Since Lu Bainian had eaten before returning, he had no appetite. Instead, he handed the purchased goods to Liu Suqing, along with all the money he had left.
Liu Suqing accepted the money without asking questions. She simply reheated the meat buns and placed them in front of him. “Do you want to eat?” she asked.
Lu Bainian shook his head, so she quietly sat down to eat her dinner.
After the meal, Liu Suqing lit a lamp, sterilized a needle over the fire, and began treating the blisters on Lu Bainian’s hands.
Usually, at this time, Lu Bainian would either read a novel or idly fiddle with some object.
Lately, he found this leisurely life rather enjoyable. As long as his stomach was full, he wouldn’t mind living like this for three years.
Watching Liu Suqing’s fair and delicate face, he lay down with his hands behind his head. Before he realized it, he had dozed off.
Lu Jinnian had finished his meal at the Zheng family home. Before curfew, he made his way back home.
Upon arrival, his maid informed him that Wen Ruyu had been looking for him.
At first, he didn’t think much of it, but when he heard Zheng Qiao’s name, he immediately set aside his fatigue, quickly washed his face, and went to his grandmother’s room.
It was still early in the evening. Wen Ruyu had just finished dinner and was playing Five-in-a-Row with her daughter.
When the maid announced Lu Jinnian’s arrival, Wen Ruyu was too engrossed in the game to acknowledge him properly. She simply waved a hand, signaling for him to sit, and continued playing.
She wasn’t skilled at Go, but winning a few rounds of Five-in-a-Row made her happy.
Lu Jinnian, seeing that his grandmother wasn’t ready to talk, didn’t dare complain. He obediently sat to the side, watching her play.
Despite the simplicity of the game, he took every opportunity to praise Wen Ruyu.
“Mother, look at you! You play so well. Mingzhu, you still have a lot to learn from Mother.”
Wen Ruyu glanced at him, amused but unimpressed.
Lu Jinnian, however, continued smiling innocently, looking utterly charming.
No wonder his mother spoiled him—this Lu Jinnian sure knew how to act sweet.
Lu Mingzhu frowned at him. “Brother, stop talking! You’re distracting me!”
“You little girl, you’ve become quite bold! Mother, you must discipline her,” Lu Jinnian said, seizing the chance to act spoiled.
Wen Ruyu, however, didn’t fall for it. “You really do talk too much.”
Hearing this, Lu Jinnian shut his mouth immediately.
Lu Mingzhu, seeing that their mother was on her side, grinned happily.
As the three of them chatted, a voice came from outside.
“Oh my, such a lively gathering tonight!”
“Madam has arrived,” the maids outside announced respectfully.
Zhao Shu entered the room carrying her child, followed by Lu Songnian.
With more people joining, the room became even livelier.
Zhao Shu smiled as she approached. “What’s the occasion? Everyone’s gathered here. It’s rare for Jinnian and Mingzhu to leave their rooms.”
Seeing that Wen Ruyu had held her grandson a few times before, Zhao Shu assumed she liked children. So, being the dutiful daughter-in-law she was, she brought her child along after dinner to keep the elderly woman entertained.
During the New Year, Lu Songnian had taken a break and was now back to his studies. After dinner, he decided to visit his mother before heading to his study.
“Staying in the room all day isn’t good. I just called Mingzhu over to play with me,” Wen Ruyu replied.
Unlike her attitude toward Lu Jinnian, she treated her daughter-in-law and eldest son warmly.
Sitting comfortably with a hand warmer, wrapped in a thick cotton blanket, she had no desire to fuss over the younger generation.
After a few more rounds of Five-in-a-Row, she had the chessboard put away.
Looking at her gathered family, Wen Ruyu turned to Lu Jinnian.
“Where did you go today?”
Lu Jinnian met her gaze and answered respectfully, “I went to see Zheng Qiao. He invited me several times over the past few days, and I could no longer refuse, so I visited him today.”
He didn’t dare lie to his mother—his older brother had already made that mistake before.
He feared she might already know where he had been. If he was caught lying, it could cost him his allowance.
Wen Ruyu nodded and said, “I heard that Zheng Qiao inherited his family’s business, but he isn’t serious about it. Instead of focusing on work, he spends his time chasing women.”
“If you spend too much time with him, I suppose he’s teaching you bad habits?”
Lu Jinnian quickly defended himself. “I only know him because he was close with my second brother. We don’t usually meet often. Recently, with my second brother away, he couldn’t find anyone to talk to, so he invited me over. Today, he was simply asking about my second brother’s whereabouts.”
Wen Ruyu scoffed. “I almost forgot your brother is still in the countryside, but Zheng Qiao sure didn’t. Your second brother is no good, and neither is Zheng Qiao.”
Lu Jinnian dared not argue, fearing she’d get even angrier.
“Stay away from Zheng Qiao in the future,” she warned.
“Yes, Mother,” he obediently replied.
Wen Ruyu didn’t know exactly how close Lu Jinnian was to Zheng Qiao. She simply wanted to warn him before he got too deeply involved.
After all, his life was his own. If he refused to listen and insisted on keeping bad company, she would simply give up on him.
The table was filled with snacks, but since bedtime was near, Wen Ruyu refrained from eating.
“The break ends today. Tomorrow, your tutor resumes lessons. You need to study hard. This year’s county exam is coming up. If you have questions, your two scholar brothers are here to help,” she advised.
“Yes, Mother. I understand,” Lu Jinnian responded.
The conversation then shifted to Lu Songnian’s studies.
Before they could talk much, the maid came in with two bowls of medicine—one for Wen Ruyu and one for Lu Mingzhu, who had always been frail.
After taking her medicine, Wen Ruyu instructed her daughter, “You stay indoors too much. It worsens your condition. Starting tomorrow, join me for a walk after lunch. It’s winter, so no need to go out at night. Mornings, you can walk in the courtyard.”
Remembering the doctor’s advice, Lu Mingzhu agreed.
As the night deepened, the family dispersed, and the city of Qinghe grew silent.
Outside, the night watchman’s voice echoed:
“Close your doors and windows! Beware of thieves!”
Meanwhile, in the capital of Feng Kingdom, a storm was brewing…