Husband, Let Me Touch Your Abs - Chapter 100

Chapter 100

 

The annulment of the engagement with the Ding family is a good thing. With Ding Wu’s temper, it wouldn’t have been easy to get along with him. If Lu Miao had married into their family, she might have suffered.

 

Madam Lu was worried that the Ding family would spread rumors after returning to the village, affecting Lu Miao’s future marriage prospects.

 

Lu Yao said, “Let them say whatever they want. After the New Year, Lu Miao will come with me to the prefectural city. Whatever they say, we won’t hear it.”

 

Lu Miao sniffled and raised his head. “Third Brother, will you really take me with you?”

 

“Of course. Why not? The shop needs extra hands. You can help me there, and I’ll pay you two taels of silver per month.”

 

Hearing this, Lu Miao stopped crying instantly. Two taels of silver! He could buy so many things with that!

 

Lu Yun was a bit envious. “If Jinzi weren’t so young, I’d want to go too.”

 

Lu Yao patted his hand and said, “Don’t worry. In a few years, when we’ve established ourselves in the prefectural city, you and Second Brother can join us.”

 

Lu Yun took it as a casual remark. After all, even if he wanted to go, the family still had land, and their parents were here. He wouldn’t feel comfortable going so far away.

 

—

 

The next day was New Year’s Eve. The Lu family was busy cleaning and hanging peachwood charms. With many hands, the work went quickly, and by noon, the house was spotless.

 

Lu Yun’s family had already returned home the previous day to prepare for their own New Year. They would return on the second day of the new year.

 

On New Year’s Eve, Zhao Beichuan brought his younger brother back to Wangou Village to invite their parents for dinner, following local customs.

 

While there, he stopped by the village chief’s house to ask about the procedures needed if he wanted to take Zhao Guang and the elderly couple to the prefectural city.

 

In truth, Zhao Beichuan had his own reasons for wanting to take them there. He had been thinking about visiting his ancestral home in Qingzhou in a few years. He remembered his father mentioning an uncle who might still be alive, and he wondered if he could still find him.

 

When his father passed away, he had repeatedly murmured the name of their hometown, leaving a lasting impression on Zhao Beichuan. He knew his father had wanted to return, but back then, the family was poor, and he was too young to travel such a long distance. Now that he had the means, he wanted to move his parents’ graves back home, so they could rest in peace.

 

However, much time had passed, and he no longer knew exactly where their ancestral home was. At this point, only Zhao Guang and the elderly couple might still remember. (In ancient times, without navigation or maps, finding a place even if you knew its name was very difficult.)

 

But after speaking with the village chief, he learned it would be challenging to take Zhao Guang and the others to the prefectural city.

 

Zhao Guang’s situation was different from Zhao Beichuan’s. Zhao Beichuan had been exempted from labor service due to his younger brother’s achievements, allowing him to move to the prefectural city. However, Zhao Guang still owed labor service to the county. To relocate, they would need to donate 500 taels of silver to become gentry.

 

With this, the matter was set aside. On the way back, Zhao Beichuan passed by Zhao Guang’s house and secretly gave Madam Zhao five taels of silver, asking her to make herself some warm clothes. He promised to visit again when he could.

 

—

 

After the New Year, time seemed to accelerate, and in the blink of an eye, it was the fifth day of the new year.

 

Originally, Lu Yao had planned to leave after Lu Miao’s engagement was settled. Now that the marriage had fallen through, their departure was moved up. They would set out on the sixth day, aiming to reach the prefectural city before the Lantern Festival.

 

Life at home had been so comfortable that Lu Yao didn’t want to leave. But the shop in the prefectural city couldn’t stay closed indefinitely, and Douzi also needed to attend school without further delay.

 

On the fifth day, they prepared food for the journey. Since Lu Miao and Madam Lu were coming along this time, they packed more food than usual.

 

Hu Chunrong made a bundle of flatbread, wrapped over thirty buns, and packed several bushels of millet, as well as some meat and gray flour.

 

Lu Yao said, “We don’t need to bring so much. There’s food for sale at the relay stations.”

 

“Doesn’t food at the relay stations cost money? I’ve heard it’s much more expensive than usual. Just take this.”

 

After dinner, the family gathered to talk about the upcoming trip to the prefectural city.

 

Wang Youtian, who had once performed labor service there, said, “It’s a great place. Back when we went for labor service, we entered the city. Although we didn’t get to explore much, it was truly prosperous! The streets are paved with stone, smooth and wide, four or five times the width of the streets in Qiushui Town.”

 

Lu Lin listened with longing. “It sounds amazing. I’ll go and see it in a few years.”

 

Zhao Beichuan said, “Sure, you and Youtian can come together. I’ll show you around properly!”

 

“Mother has never traveled so far before. I’m just worried she won’t be able to handle the journey.”

 

The elderly Madam Lu said energetically, “It’s only five or six days by carriage. I’ll be fine.”

 

Lu Yao added, “Da Chuan has made this trip several times and is familiar with the route. Don’t worry.”

 

The little ones were still playing, unaware that their grandmother was about to leave.

 

The elderly Madam Lu looked reluctant to part with her grandchildren. “I’ll stay for a few months. Maybe I’ll come back when the weather warms up.”

 

Zhao Beichuan said, “Alright. Whenever you want to come back, I’ll bring you back.”

 

Hearing this, everyone felt reassured. It was just the lack of convenient transportation in this era that made it such a dilemma. If it were modern times, they could drive there in a few hours, and it wouldn’t be such a big deal.

 

Lu Lin and Zhao Beichuan talked more about the restaurant business. “You all keep working hard. In a few years, when you’ve expanded to a bigger shop and need more hands, I’ll come and help with Lu Yun.”

 

“Sounds good!” Zhao Beichuan treated Lu Lin and the others like family. Just as Lu Yao saw Xiao Nian and Xiao Dou as his younger siblings, Zhao Beichuan regarded Lu Lin as a brother. Families should unite their efforts to create a prosperous life together.

 

Since they had to get up early the next day, everyone went to rest after a short chat.

 

Only Lu Miao tossed and turned, unable to sleep. He kept pestering Lu Yao with questions. “Third Brother, is the prefectural city really that big?”

 

“Yes, it’s over ten times the size of Qiushui Town.”

 

Lu Miao couldn’t imagine it. He closed his eyes, feeling a surge of excitement.

 

“Are there a lot of people in the prefectural city? Are they all wealthy?”

 

“Not everyone. There are many wealthy people, but also many poor ones. Some are so poor they can’t afford to eat and beg on the streets.”

 

“Really?”

 

Lu Yao said, “You’ll see when you get there. It’s not so different from anywhere else.”

 

Lu Miao still wanted to ask more, but Madam Lu urged him to sleep.

 

By dawn, the carriage was ready in the yard.

 

Before leaving, Lu Yao pulled Lu Yun aside and secretly handed him fifty taels of silver.

 

Lu Yun quickly declined. “Why are you giving me so much money? We don’t lack money at home, and you’ll need it in the prefectural city. Keep it for yourself.”

 

“If I were short on money, I wouldn’t give it to you. Second Brother has taken over the shop, so he’s not short on money. Fifth Brother is coming with me, and he’ll be fine too. You’re the only one who hasn’t been able to contribute much. Take this for emergencies.”

 

Lu Yun’s eyes reddened as he held Lu Yao’s hand and choked out, “Third Brother, take care of yourself. Come back when you have time.”

 

“I will.”

 

Lu Miao helped his mother into the carriage and urged Lu Yao to hurry as well, seeing that it was getting late.

 

With a shout, the horse’s hooves clattered out of the courtyard.

 

Lu Lin hobbled after them. “Da Chuan, take it slow on the road!”

 

“Alright, Second Brother, go back inside.”

 

“Mother, if you miss home, just come back.”

 

Mother Lu hadn’t felt emotional at first, but as soon as her son called out to her, tears immediately welled up in her eyes, and she almost decided not to leave the carriage.

 

Lu Miao quickly held onto her. “What’s the point of staying home watching the grandkids every day? It’s better to follow Third Brother to the provincial city for a trip!”

 

Mother Lu tapped him on the forehead. “We haven’t even left the village yet, and your thoughts are already running wild. Once we’re in the city, listen to your brother and don’t cause trouble, understand?”

 

Lu Miao, already tired of hearing this lecture, replied, “Yes, yes, I know!”

 

The first night, they had to stay at a post station. Mother Lu and the others had never stayed in such a place before, so Lu Yao told them about the time he first traveled and had his belongings searched through.

 

Mother Lu was startled. “Oh dear, then maybe we shouldn’t stay at the post station.”

 

“We can’t not stay there. In this freezing weather, sleeping outside for a night would be deadly. Besides, the road is even more dangerous; you might encounter wild wolves or bandits.”

 

Lu Miao’s face turned pale. “Third Brother… you didn’t mention the road was dangerous before…”

 

Lu Yao laughed. “Don’t worry. This official road sees plenty of traffic, so it’s unlikely.”

 

At the post station, Zhao Beichuan booked two rooms. He stayed in one with Xiao Chun and Xiao Dou, while Mother Lu, Lu Yao, Lu Miao, and Xiao Nian shared the other.

 

Because of Lu Yao’s earlier comments, both Mother Lu and Lu Miao couldn’t sleep well, constantly worrying about their belongings being stolen.

 

The return trip was smoother than the journey out. They didn’t encounter heavy snow, and by the third day of travel, they had covered half the distance. Passing Si Men Pavilion, they entered the borders of Pingzhou Prefecture.

 

At noon, Zhao Beichuan stopped the carriage at a sheltered spot to rest. Lu Yao boiled a pot of ginger tea for everyone to ward off the cold.

 

He handed a bowl to Zhao Beichuan. “Cold? Can you still hold up?”

 

Zhao Beichuan rubbed his hands together, took the bowl, and drank it all in one go, even chewing up the ginger slices. “I’m fine. My body’s warm, but my face is freezing.”

 

Lu Yao cupped his icy face with his hands. “Next time we come back, let’s avoid traveling in winter—it’s too miserable.”

 

“Alright.”

 

After eating and letting the horses and mules rest, they continued their journey in the afternoon.

 

After days of traveling and enduring the cold, they finally reached Pingzhou City at noon on the sixth day.

 

When Mother Lu and Lu Miao saw the towering city walls for the first time, they were left speechless in amazement. The old lady never thought she’d ever come to such a grand place in her life.

 

Zhao Beichuan cracked his whip to speed up the carriage as everyone pressed against the windows, eagerly taking in the view.

 

The majestic ancient city loomed ahead, covered in thick snow. The massive city gate bore the characters for Pingzhou.

 

Mother Lu couldn’t help but exclaim, “Such tall walls—how many bricks must it have taken to build this?” Upon closer inspection, they weren’t bricks at all but massive stone slabs, each over three feet long, stacked to a height of seven or eight zhang.

 

Lu Miao tilted his head up to look. “This city is so grand!”

 

The carriage had to queue for inspection at the gate. The diligent officials checked every carriage thoroughly before allowing entry. Mother Lu and Lu Miao, overwhelmed by the scene, followed closely behind Lu Yao without daring to say a word.

 

Once inside the city, things became much more familiar.

 

Xiao Nian said, “I wonder how our Xiao Hei(dog) is doing!”

 

“Don’t worry, with Sixteen and the others looking after him, he’ll be fine.”

 

Xiao Dou patted his stomach. “I want some buns from Lu’s Bakery.”

 

“When we pass by later, I’ll ask Big Brother to buy a few for us to take home.”

 

Xiao Chun grinned. He missed home the most and yearned for the days of learning to cook in the family’s eatery under Big Brother and Sister-in-law’s guidance.

 

Lu Yao said, “Let’s head home first, have lunch, and then go check on the distillery.”

 

“Alright.” Zhao Beichuan drove the carriage straight toward their home.

 

The bustling streets were lined with shops, and Mother Lu and Lu Miao could barely take in all the sights. Lu Yao opened the carriage door to give them a clearer view.

 

“Third Brother, what’s that? Why are the houses over there so tall?”

 

“Those are multi-story buildings.”

 

“Wow, Mom, look! There’s a performance over there!”

 

Mother Lu followed Lu Miao’s pointing finger and saw a man and a woman performing with red-tasseled spears, accompanied by drums and gongs. It was lively and festive! It was still during the New Year celebrations, and the provincial city was filled with the atmosphere of the season. Everywhere was decorated with lanterns, couplets, and red streamers.

 

Lu Yao chuckled. “Don’t worry. I’ll take you out to explore the streets when we have time.”

 

When they turned onto Changshui Street and passed by their eatery, Lu Yao pointed it out to Mother Lu. “Look, that’s our shop—Lu Family Eatery!”

 

Lu Miao and Mother Lu stared wide-eyed. “What a great location! The rent must be expensive.”

 

“Not too bad—less than 200 taels a year.”

 

“What?!” For the first time, Mother Lu gained a clear understanding of her son’s abilities. Spending hundreds of taels without blinking? He wasn’t even afraid of losses.

 

“Property prices in the provincial city are high, so rents are naturally expensive. This is actually considered affordable.” Lu Yao had previously looked into the costs for a place like Ya Zhai Ju, which cost 600 taels a year for a minimum three-year lease. If it hadn’t been for the high rent, Zheng Yuan wouldn’t have resorted to underhanded schemes to attack them.

 

The carriage turned into a quieter alleyway. On a small lane filled with tiled houses, Lu Yao said, “The third lane ahead is where we live.”

 

The carriage slowed down as it turned into the lane and stopped in front of a large brown gate.

 

Zhao Beichuan pulled the reins. “Whoa—Mom, we’re home.”

 

Lu Yao got off the carriage to open the gate, and the children followed, jumping off. The courtyard was covered with a thick layer of snow.

 

“Xiao Chun, take your siblings to the back to fetch some firewood and light the stove.”

 

“Got it!”

 

Lu Yao helped Mother Lu down. “This house is rented too. It’s about the same size as ours back home.”

 

Mother Lu looked around. “The courtyard’s nice. How much does it cost annually?”

 

“A little over ten taels.”

 

Mother Lu immediately felt it wasn’t worth it. That amount of money could build a new house back home!

 

Lu Yao led her into the house. It had been unoccupied for over a month, and the walls were frosty and cold enough for their breath to show.

 

The children brought in firewood to start a fire. They boiled some water and made millet porridge. Only then did the room begin to warm up.

 

Everyone had some porridge to warm themselves. Once they had recovered, their hands and feet prickled with pain. Lu Yao took out some mutton tallow to rub on everyone’s hands and feet.

 

Mother Lu, being older, was visibly fatigued after the long journey. Lu Yao quickly arranged sleeping quarters for them.

 

Xiao Dou moved to the west room to share with Xiao Chun, while Mother Lu, Lu Miao, and Xiao Nian stayed in the central hall.

 

Lu Yao found clean bedding, set up the room, and let Mother Lu rest first. He still needed to visit the eatery and distillery later.

 

Zhao Beichuan, unable to stay idle, finished his meal and went outside to clear the snow in the courtyard. He then called Lu Yao out.

 

The two went to the backyard to dig up the buried silver.

 

Over a thousand taels of silver had been divided into three jars and buried in three different spots to avoid losing it all at once.

 

Thankfully, no thieves had broken in during their absence. The jars were intact, and every coin was accounted for. They brought the silver inside and hid it under the kang again.

 

The two then headed to the eatery. Neighbors next door greeted them warmly upon seeing them return. Everyone exchanged New Year’s greetings.

 

The eatery was just as they had left it, with chairs stacked upside down on tables. However, a vat of pickled vegetables in the back had cracked, likely because the water hadn’t been cleared out before they left, and it froze.

 

“What a shame about this vat. We’ll buy another one in a few days.”

 

“Alright.” Zhao Beichuan moved the broken vat out. They locked the door and headed toward the western market, running into many familiar customers along the way who eagerly asked when they would reopen.

 

“Manager Lu, everyone’s been craving your hotpot.”

 

Lu Yao smiled. “We’ll reopen after the Lantern Festival.”

 

“Great! I’ll be sure to reserve a table early.”

 

“We’ll be waiting to serve you anytime!”

 

Zhao Beichuan, not skilled at such pleasantries, stood behind with a smile, quietly supporting Lu Yao.

 

When they arrived at the distillery, the door was barred from the inside.

 

Lu Yao knocked on the door. Before long, Lu Sixteen’s voice came from within. “Don’t bother knocking! Even if you offer a thousand taels of silver, we won’t hand over the liquor recipe! Now get lost!”

 

Lu Yao paused, then said, “Sixteen, open the door. It’s us.”

 

The door swung open suddenly, and Lu Sixteen looked at Lu Yao and Zhao Beichuan with excitement. “Master, you’re back!”