Husband, Let Me Touch Your Abs - Chapter 112

Chapter 112

 

After returning home, Lu Miao was restless. “Third Brother, what should we do… will Captain Ge be in danger?”

 

Lu Yao couldn’t give him any guarantees. After all, there’s no such thing as absolute safety in war. Still, he reassured him, “Captain Ge has been in the army for over ten years. He’s experienced. Even if he encounters a battle, he’ll know how to keep himself safe.”

 

Lu Miao clasped his hands together and bowed. “Heavens above, please bless him. May he return safely. Third Brother, can you accompany me to the Daoist temple tomorrow?”

 

“Sure.” Lu Yao understood his brother’s feelings. When Zhao Beichuan had gone to perform corvée labor, Lu Yao had been even more worried. With just a few days until the new year, if visiting the temple could ease his brother’s anxiety, it was worth going.

 

The next day, Zhao Beichuan drove the carriage and took the two of them to Qingyun Temple outside the city.

 

This was an old temple said to be three hundred years old. Its incense offerings were not very abundant, as Buddhism had grown popular in the Central Plains in recent years, with many newly built Buddhist halls in the city drawing large crowds.

 

Those with wealth tended to be like this: once their physical needs were met, they began to seek spiritual solace in intangible religions.

 

In his previous life, Lu Yao had been an atheist, but experiencing something as fantastical as transmigration had already exceeded his understanding. In this life, he wasn’t sure whether or not he should believe in such things.

 

The carriage stopped at the foot of the mountain, where Zhao Beichuan stayed behind to watch it while Lu Yao and Lu Miao walked hand-in-hand up the mountain.

 

The road was covered in snow and ice, so the two ascended cautiously, afraid of slipping.

 

After half an hour, they reached the temple entrance. Lu Miao had visited once in the autumn, so he was familiar with the place and led Lu Yao straight to the main hall.

 

The ancient and solemn temple housed a Daoist sweeping the snow. He nodded slightly at them but did not approach to chat.

 

Inside the main hall, statues of the Three Pure Ones and Four Sovereigns were enshrined. These wooden figures were painted in vibrant colors, exuding an ancient and mysterious aura.

 

The two knelt on the prayer mats. Lu Miao kowtowed to the statues and muttered, “Immortals above, please bless Captain Ge with safety on his journey and a swift return.”

 

Lu Yao also prostrated himself, silently praying, “Please let me stay here forever.”

 

They each burned a stick of incense and left two strings of cash as an offering before heading back the way they came.

 

Halfway down the mountain, they encountered an elderly Daoist with a white beard. The man, who must have been at least seventy or eighty years old, walked the icy path as if it were level ground, which was astonishing.

 

When the elderly Daoist passed by them, he suddenly stopped and pulled a copper coin from his robe, handing it to Lu Yao.

 

“What does this mean, sir?”

 

The Daoist cryptically replied, “This coin is for suppressing your soul. Return it to me in five years, and help me rebuild Qingyun Temple at that time.”

 

Puzzled, Lu Yao accepted the coin. Before he could react, the old Daoist climbed to the summit in the blink of an eye, as if afraid Lu Yao might change his mind.

 

Lu Miao exclaimed, “That old man is really agile! But what’s the point of him giving you that coin?”

 

Lu Yao had a vague guess but didn’t voice it. He carefully stored the coin in his pocket and later threaded it onto a string to wear around his neck.

 

Perhaps it was due to the coin, but from that day on, Lu Yao no longer had strange nightmares and felt much more at ease.

 

—

 

The next day was New Year’s Eve, and Lu Yao began delivering gifts.

 

This year, besides the Cao family, the Liang family, and the prefect’s household, they also sent a gift to the Qu family.

 

The items weren’t particularly valuable, but they were of excellent quality: ten pounds of homemade cured meat and sausage, a box of handmade rice cakes and milk cakes, and a jar of aged Lu wine.

 

After finishing the deliveries, it was time to prepare food for their own family.

 

For the New Year, they planned to visit Longshui Street to celebrate with the old lady. Lu Yao had Zhao Beichuan send all the food and supplies there in advance.

 

They bought a pig, two sheep, several chickens, fish, dried shrimp, clams, and other dried seafood.

 

Aside from food, they also purchased plenty of incense. Since they couldn’t return to their ancestral home this year, they would offer incense in the city as a gesture of respect.

 

In the morning, after tidying up the restaurant, Zhao Beichuan and Lu Yao took the three children to Longshui Street, leaving Lu Ming, Lu Qing, and Ma Kuan to watch over the house.

 

When they arrived, the neighbors were slaughtering the pig. It was a big one, so three people couldn’t hold it down. In the end, Lu Lin went to call nearby neighbors for help.

 

Zhao Haifeng from next door greeted them warmly, “Long time no see! How’s business at the restaurant?”

 

Zhao Beichuan replied, “Not bad.”

 

Uncle Wang from across the street chimed in, “Hey, if your business is just ‘not bad,’ then we’re worse off than beggars!”

 

Zhao Beichuan couldn’t help but laugh. He didn’t manage the restaurant, but with Lu Yao in charge, things were bound to be running smoothly.

 

The neighbors helped slaughter two sheep as well. Zhao Beichuan gave each household two pounds of pork as thanks—mostly fatty cuts—and they happily carried the meat home.

 

The rest of the meat was used for various dishes: a pig’s head and leg were stewed, while the rest was frozen for later use. The cold weather meant it could last for a month. One sheep was set aside for hot pot, while the other would be roasted the next evening.

 

After the pig was slaughtered, Wang Youtian tended the fire while Zhao Beichuan and Lu Lin prepared the food.

 

Hu Chunrong stayed inside with the old lady, taking care of the children. She had severe morning sickness and couldn’t stand the smell of cooking oil, feeling nauseous as soon as she entered the kitchen.

 

Meanwhile, Lu Yao, Lu Yun, and Lu Miao were in the east room making new bedding.

 

The bedding was for Lu Miao’s upcoming wedding. It was made with high-quality cotton, satin covers, and fine linen linings. Each set was worth 500 cash, and Lu Yao had prepared eight quilts and eight mattress pads in total.

 

As she sewed, Lu Yun remarked, “Fifth Brother is really lucky. When Third Brother and I got married, the family was so poor that we only brought a few pieces of clothing.”

 

Lu Yao laughed, “You had it better than me. At least the Wang family came with a mule cart to pick you up. I had to walk to my wedding.”

 

Lu Miao added, “Back then, Fourth Brother and I were wondering why Father, who usually doted on you, would let you marry into such a family.”

 

“They weren’t poor at all. He had secretly saved seven or eight strings of cash.”

 

Lu Yun was surprised. “Really?”

 

“Later, wasn’t that money used to build the house? Unfortunately, it only lasted a few days before someone set it on fire. If not for that fire, we wouldn’t have ended up in the capital city.” Lu Yao paused. “I don’t know whether to hate Widow Song or thank him for pushing us forward in a way.”

 

Once the bedding was finished, Lu Miao got up, folded it neatly, and placed it on top of the chest.

 

Lu Yao tidied up the thread spools, looking at his younger brother’s face still clouded with faint worry. He knew Lu Miao was still concerned about Ge Changbao.

 

“There are battles at the border every year. Ge Xiaowei is a fortunate man; he’ll be fine.”

 

“Mm.”

 

Outside, Lu Lin called them out to eat. The three quickly put on their shoes and got up to help set the table.

 

For lunch, they had a big pot of pork and sauerkraut stew, with blood sausages and big bones inside.

 

The children each held a piece of bone to gnaw on, while the adults chatted over the meal. The family was filled with joy and laughter.

 

The old lady, with her poor teeth, was given tender, soft meat by Lu Yao.

 

Mother Lu sighed. “Your father had strong teeth. He loved nibbling on crunchy bones. Too bad he didn’t get to eat much of it when he was alive.”

 

Everyone knew she was reminiscing again, so they quickly changed the subject to cheer her up.

 

“Mom, I recently hired a new worker. His mother passed away in childbirth, leaving a baby girl. We don’t know how to care for a child so small. After the New Year, could you take a look and give us some advice?”

 

The old lady perked up. “Oh, how old is the baby?”

 

“Seventeen days.”

 

“So young! Have you prepared goat’s milk?”

 

“Da Chuan’s been to the west market several times, but it’s hard to find goats with kids in the winter. For now, we’re giving her porridge water.”

 

“Add a bit of sugar to the porridge water. Babies can grow stronger with a little sweetness.”

 

“Alright, I’ll remind him.”

 

They stayed until nearly nightfall before heading home. On the way back, Lu Yao said, “I’ve been thinking that after the New Year, we should buy a house in the city. Staying at the inn isn’t ideal.”

 

Not long ago, a guest had wandered into the children’s room in the back courtyard while parking their carriage. Nothing was taken, but it was a fright. Now that they had more savings, they couldn’t afford to risk theft.

 

“Alright, I’ll start looking around,” Zhao Beichuan said, having had the same idea for a while.

 

“No rush. Let’s settle Lu Miao’s wedding first, then find a bigger house. That way, the children will have a place to live when they marry.”

 

“Sounds good.”

 

Early the next morning, Lu Yao and Zhao Beichuan woke up as the sky began to brighten.

 

After washing up, they changed into new cotton robes. Zhao Beichuan rarely tied his hair into a topknot, but today he wore a hairpin Lu Yao had bought him—a silver one with a jade inlay. It matched his outfit, making him look especially energetic.

 

Lu Yao wore a similar outfit but added a jade hairpin given to him by Lady Lin. As it was valuable, he only wore it on special occasions.

 

Xiao Nian wore a red satin jacket, her hair styled into two buns adorned with butterfly-shaped silver hairpins. She also wore a pair of fish-shaped earrings.

 

Xiao Douzi and Xiao Chun were dressed identically in sky-blue jackets. Once everyone was ready, the family set out for the old lady’s place.

 

The inn was left stocked with food for Lu Qing and the others, and each was given a string of coins as New Year’s money for good luck.

 

When they arrived at Changshui Alley, Lu Lin was holding a ladder while Wang Youtian hung couplets above the door.

 

“How’s it look? Is it straight?” Wang asked.

 

Lu Yao called out from afar, “Perfect! It’s just right on both sides.”

 

The two turned around, seeing the family approach. “You’re just in time! The dumplings are almost ready. Come on in.”

 

“Alright.” Lu Yao went inside to wash his hands and started helping.

 

Xiao Chun led her younger siblings to play in the courtyard. The little black dog had grown into a big black dog and happily followed the children around, barking.

 

Once the couplets were up, the three men began chopping firewood for the evening’s roasted lamb. They needed more wood than usual.

 

Inside, Lu Yao and his brothers cooked. They prepared stewed chicken, fish soup, and hotpot with lamb. For lunch, there were twelve dishes. Dinner would feature a whole roasted lamb, so no additional dishes were needed.

 

Lu Lin walked in with a cloth bag. “I picked up something interesting the other day at the market. Let’s add it to the menu.”

 

“Ugh, those are bugs!” Lu Miao exclaimed.

 

“These aren’t just bugs; they’re silkworm pupae. Five wen each—they’re not cheap! Dad used to find some on the mountain when we were kids. You two were too young then; you probably don’t remember.”

 

Lu Yao had some vague recollection but was hesitant. “How do you cook them?”

 

“Just boil them in salted water.”

 

Lu Miao looked disgusted. “I’m not eating that. You have it all to yourself!”

 

Laughing, Lu Lin cooked the pupae and sprinkled them with fine salt.

 

During lunch, the children were both curious and repelled by the pupae. Watching Lu Lin enjoy them, Xiao Douzi wanted to try one.

 

Xiao Nian whispered, “Go ahead, but once you eat it, little bugs will hatch in your stomach. When you talk, they’ll crawl out of your mouth.”

 

“Eww!” Xiao Dou was too scared to eat.

 

Zhao Beichuan tried a couple himself and found them tasty. Xiao Dou kept staring at his mouth, worried bugs might crawl out.

 

At dusk, Wang Youtian lit a bonfire in the courtyard. The orange flames roared, and the family gathered around, turning in circles to ward off bad luck.

 

All the misfortunes of the past year were driven away, ensuring a smooth and safe year ahead.

 

Zhao Beichuan brought out firecrackers, setting them off in an open area. As the loud bangs echoed, the black dog hid in its kennel, whining, while the children jumped and cheered.

 

This was Lu Yao’s fourth Spring Festival here. Everything was gradually improving, and life was becoming more hopeful.

 

The fire burned for an hour before turning to embers. Lu Lin brought out the lamb that had been marinating all day and placed it on the spit to roast.

 

Taking advantage of the time, Zhao Beichuan returned to the inn to light the lanterns. The two large red lanterns in the front contained tallow candles, glowing brightly. The innkeeper next door was also lighting lanterns, and the two exchanged New Year’s greetings.

 

In the back, Zhao Beichuan checked in and found Lu Qing, Lu Ming, and Ma Kuan eating dinner in the kitchen.

 

“The boss is back!” The three stood to greet him.

 

“Carry on. Enjoy your meal. We’ll be at Changshui Alley tonight. If anything comes up, come find me.”

 

“Got it.”

 

On the way back from the tavern, the sound of firecrackers filled the air. Zhao Beichuan quickened his pace, almost running, as he returned to the Lu family.

 

In the courtyard, everyone was seated around the fire, roasting lamb. The meat was nearly done, and the tantalizing aroma filled the air, making mouths water.

 

Lu Yao took his hand and asked, “Did you light the lamps?”

 

Zhao Beichuan pulled up a wooden stool to sit beside him. “Yes. The candles you bought are fantastic. From afar, our house is the brightest on the street.”

 

Lu Yao whispered in his ear, “Those are beef tallow candles transported all the way from Shangjing. Just one costs eighty coins—very expensive!”

 

Zhao Beichuan couldn’t help but marvel. In the past, they couldn’t even afford to light an oil lamp worth five coins, and now they could afford eighty-coin candles.

 

The lamb was finally ready. Everyone grabbed plates and began to share the meat. Initially, they used chopsticks, but soon they resorted to their hands, eating until their mouths glistened with oil.

 

After the meal, the elderly grandmother grew drowsy, so everyone encouraged her to take the children to bed.

 

The remaining adults sat in the east room, chatting and staying up through the night. They reminisced about the past and reflected on how far they had come.

 

“Who would’ve thought we could make it to the provincial city?” Lu Lin said while cracking sunflower seeds. “Sometimes, when I close my eyes, it feels like a dream. Yesterday we were farming in the village, and today we’re running a shop in the city.”

 

Wang Youtian nodded. “Just the other day, I was talking to Lu Yun about this. It really feels like a dream. The day before we came to the city, the two of us were still harvesting millet in the fields.”

 

Lu Yun added, “It’s all thanks to our third brother and sister-in-law.”

 

“We’re family, so there’s no need to be so formal,” Lu Yao said. “If I don’t help you, who will? Living well ourselves isn’t enough; helping our family thrive is what truly matters.”

 

Lu Yun’s eyes turned red. Among the brothers, he was the most sensitive. He had harbored resentment toward his third brother in the past, but now he felt genuine gratitude. Without his third brother, they would still be living in Willow Tree Village, fighting over half a plot of millet.

 

As the conversation continued, they somehow drifted into tales of the supernatural. Zhao Beichuan recounted the time he encountered a fox in the mountains and almost got lured off a cliff.

 

Lu Yao said, “Thinking about that still scares me. You were perfectly fine, yet you decided to chase a fox. That cliff was so high—if you had fallen, you’d have lost half your life, if not all of it.”

 

Zhao Beichuan replied, “At the time, I didn’t know what came over me. It was as if I were bewitched, with only one thought: catching that fox.”

 

“You must have been caught in an enchantment. The creatures in the mountains that have lived for a long time all have some spiritual essence,” Wang Youtian said, chewing on dried longan. “My father had a similar encounter once.”

 

The group gasped collectively. In ancient times, the fear of snakes far outweighed that of foxes or wolves, as a snake bite was often a death sentence.

 

“That snake was as thick as a wrist. My father didn’t think much of it at the time and continued chopping wood. But suddenly, a dense fog surrounded him, trapping him on the mountain no matter how he tried to find his way out. As night fell, he grew increasingly anxious.”

 

Lu Yun, hearing this story for the first time, asked curiously, “What happened then?”

 

“In the end, my father returned to the spot where he had killed the snake and knelt to kowtow three times. He explained that he had no intention of harming it and that meeting it might have been a test from the heavens. He begged the spirit for forgiveness, promising to offer incense in the future. Strangely enough, after he finished speaking, the fog cleared. He quickly grabbed his firewood and ran home.”

 

Everyone marveled at the tale. “Did your father end up worshipping the snake?”

 

Wang Youtian nodded. “He did. He commissioned someone to carve a wooden tablet, which he kept in a chest. Every year during festivals, he would light incense in its honor.”

 

They chatted late into the night, and by the time the horizon began to lighten, Lu Yao, too tired to stay awake, leaned on Zhao Beichuan’s shoulder and dozed off.

 

After breakfast, the children wanted to stay and play, so Zhao Beichuan took Lu Yao back to rest. In the afternoon, they returned to the family home for another meal.

 

This cycle of feasting and celebrating continued until the eighth day of the new year when the restaurant and tavern reopened, marking the end of the festivities.

 

—

 

On February 6th, news arrived from the border from Ge Changbao.

 

In his letter, he reported his safety and good health. He expressed his appreciation for the clothes Lu Miao had made, noting how warm and well-fitting they were. Of course, the letter contained far more than just this. Since Lu Miao had written a letter himself—albeit messily and with poor handwriting—Ge Changbao assumed he was literate and responded with many affectionate words.

 

He wrote about how seeing mountains and snow reminded him of Lu Miao and how he longed to fly back immediately to marry him and have a few children together.

 

Lu Miao couldn’t read the letter and asked Lu Yao to read it aloud. By the end, his face was as red as a monkey’s bottom. He secretly scolded Ge Changbao for being shameless, writing such things in a letter.

 

Nevertheless, the weight on his heart was lifted, and his mood visibly improved as he began preparing for the wedding.

 

Lu Yao asked some regular patrons for advice on wedding customs in the provincial city. Coincidentally, this year, Master Cao’s eldest son had just married, and he was well-versed in the process.

 

Master Cao explained, “Who’s getting married in your family? I can help you plan.”

 

“My fifth brother is marrying Captain Ge from the military. They were engaged last year, but Captain Ge was transferred to Yingzhou for defense duty and won’t return until late March to get married.”

 

“So you’re becoming in-laws with Captain Ge.” Master Cao stroked his beard. “The customs here in Pingzhou are straightforward compared to those in Shangjing or Jinling. There are six main steps: proposing, name inquiry, divination, betrothal gifts, choosing a date, and welcoming the bride. These are collectively known as the Six Rites.”

 

“Since the engagement is already set, you can skip the first three steps and focus on the betrothal gifts, date selection, and the ceremony itself.”

 

The betrothal gifts involved the groom preparing gifts to send to the bride’s family. Once the bride’s family accepted the gifts, the marriage was confirmed.

 

“The gifts can be as lavish or simple as you like. Wealthy families give gold and silver, while others might just present half a pig.”

 

Lu Yao thought for a moment. This sounded similar to the customs in their village. Back then, when he married, Zhao Beichuan had given half a pig as the betrothal gift.

 

Master Cao continued, “The bride’s family also prepares a dowry, which usually matches their means and is proportional to the groom’s gifts.”

 

He then gave the example of his son, whose betrothal gifts were worth five hundred gold, and the bride’s family had provided a dowry worth nearly three thousand taels of silver, along with two manors and three shops.

 

Lu Yao couldn’t help but marvel at the extravagance. Five hundred gold was equivalent to five thousand taels of silver!

 

Master Cao added, “Of course, our case is exceptional. Most families just prepare practical items as a token gesture. Do your best within your means.”

 

After Master Cao left, Lu Yao began making plans for Lu Miao’s dowry.

 

The bedding was already prepared—four sets of mattresses and quilts should suffice. For clothes, he planned to include fabric for spring, summer, autumn, and winter, one bolt each. Although grooms didn’t wear elaborate headpieces, a few quality hairpins were necessary. He would also have some chests and cabinets made. All in all, a hundred taels of silver should cover it.

 

Additionally, he planned to give Lu Miao five hundred taels as a supplementary gift. Since Lu Miao would be marrying Captain Ge, his future life would undoubtedly be comfortable, and this money was Lu Yao’s way of showing his heartfelt support.

 

On March 26th, the long-awaited soldiers from the border finally returned!