Husband, Let Me Touch Your Abs - Chapter 151

Chapter 151: Extra 1

 

Xiaochun and Qiulan stayed at home for three days before preparing to head to the capital. The business there had just started and couldn’t be delayed for too long.

 

Speaking of their marriage, Lu Yao later learned that the Zhang family had only given their smallest rouge shop as dowry in the end. That little storefront was narrow and small, and Zhang Qiulan sold it off right away.

 

Even so, on the day of the bride’s return visit, the stepmother still clutched a handkerchief, crying about their poverty. “Our family can’t compare to the Zhao family; their family business is big, and once you’re married, you won’t lack for anything. And now Lu Yao has handed over the capital’s restaurant for you to manage, so you must think of your two brothers in the future and bring them to the capital to help.”

 

Zhang Qiulan didn’t even bother to reply, directly ordering the servants to kick her out.

 

The young couple bid farewell to their elder brother and sister-in-law and set off for the capital by carriage. After marriage, Zhang Qiulan looked even better. It was a charm exuding from deep within, a mature allure of a ger.

 

He was already tall with a large frame, and most of his clothes were men’s attire. Coupled with those amorous peach blossom eyes, he was irresistible to both men and women, young and old.

 

Xiaochun also appeared a bit more mature, no longer blushing so easily, though his personality remained introverted. When the two stood together, Zhang Qiulan often handled the external affairs while Xiaochun managed the internal, making them a well-matched pair.

 

On the other side, the champion’s banquet lasted three days, attended by all the prominent figures of Pingzhou.

 

This was the first top scholar from Pingzhou in nearly a century, with the last traceable back to the previous dynasty.

 

The local government naturally placed great importance on this, and during this time, countless people sent gold, silver, land, and shops to the Zhao family, all of which Zhao Beidou refused.

 

Because Lu Yao had warned him, “There’s no such thing as a free lunch. If you accept others’ gold and silver today, you might have to repay them in favors someday. Besides, our family doesn’t lack money.”

 

After the champion’s banquet, they began discussing plans to relocate the graves.

 

The initial plan was for Zhao Beichuan and Zhao Beidou to go together. However, with Lu Yao’s pregnancy progressing, the round trip would take over two months, and there was a risk of not making it back in time for the birth.

 

Zhao Beidou proposed going alone, but Lu Yao was uneasy. The journey was long, and who knew what might happen along the way? Having just become the top scholar, it was too risky for him to go.

 

Unexpectedly, Granny Zhao stepped forward. “Beichuan, Lu Yao, if you trust me, let me handle this. I’ve been to Qingzhou once and know where your parents’ graves are. You can find a few reliable people to accompany me back to Wangou Village, exhume the graves of your parents and Zhao Guang, and relocate them to your ancestral home in Qingzhou.”

 

“Will that really work?” Lu Yao worried about her health. On her last return from Qingzhou, she had fallen ill halfway.

 

Granny Zhao smiled. “It wouldn’t have been possible last year, but I’ve been doing well this year. If we take it slow, there won’t be any problem with making this trip.”

 

“We’ll discuss it further.”

 

In truth, Zhao Beichuan didn’t want Granny Zhao to endure the hardship of traveling. Relocating the graves could wait, but they were unsure about the situation with their uncle. The money left for him and his wife wasn’t much, and they worried they might be short on funds for medical treatment. This time, Zhao Beichuan planned to bring his uncle and aunt over as well.

 

In Pingzhou, there were plenty of shops and houses to accommodate them. If the elderly couple wanted to farm, there was a manor they could manage as stewards.

 

After discussing late into the night, they finally decided to have Lu Jia take four attendants to accompany Granny Zhao back to their hometown, retrieve the remains, and transport them to Qingzhou for burial.

 

Lu Yao gave Lu Jia a considerable amount of silver, instructing him to take good care of Granny Zhao along the way and to travel slowly without rushing.

 

On a sunny day, Granny Zhao and her group set off.

 

—

 

The weather gradually warmed, and the branches in the courtyard began sprouting tender green buds.

 

Recently, Lu Miao had been bringing Dandan over to play every day. Since their houses were close, Dandan hadn’t been to Changshui Street since Lu Yao’s return.

 

Dandan, now a year older, seemed much more sensible. He knew his uncle was pregnant and refrained from asking to be carried or jumping on him. Instead, he sat quietly beside Lu Yao and asked, “Uncle, when will the baby brother be born?”

 

Lu Yao chuckled, “How do you know it’s a baby brother and not a sister?”

 

“Because it’s definitely a brother!”

 

Lu Yao remembered hearing that children could sometimes discern the gender of a pregnant woman’s baby. Now that Dandan said this, he felt uncertain. For him, it didn’t matter whether it was a boy, girl, or brother. It would be his precious child regardless.

 

“Is it really a brother?”

 

“Yep! When my brother is born, I’ll protect him!”

 

“Our Dandan is so sweet.” Lu Yao ruffled his head, tied into a little bun. It was a pity about the little dresses he had sewn.

 

At noon, Lu Yao had some rare free time and steamed a batch of milk-scented cupcakes. Dandan ate until he was full, and Lu Yao packed a box for him to take home.

 

—

 

Time flew, and it was April before they knew it. The war at the border had finally ended, and when the victory report reached Pingzhou, everyone was overjoyed. It meant Ge Changbao would return.

 

His younger brother-in-law had been away for over half a year, and little Dandan had almost forgotten what his father looked like.

 

After hearing the news, Lu Miao took Dandan to the military camp every day to ask when the troops at the border would return.

 

The junior soldiers didn’t know the details and always gave vague answers, “Soon, they’ll be back in a few days.”

 

Another half month passed in this way, and just as Lu Miao was losing patience, the Northern Army finally returned!

 

As the heavy city gates slowly opened, the thunderous sound of hooves approached. At the forefront was the Prince of North, appearing before the people for the first time in seven years since his last public appearance.

 

His hair and beard were streaked with gray, and he wore heavy armor with a long knife at his waist, exuding an air of solemnity and majesty.

 

The streets were lined with citizens who had gathered to welcome him, kneeling and bowing fervently.

 

“Long live the Prince of Zhenbei(north)!”

“Long live the Prince!”

“Prince, thank you for your hard work!”

 

With red-rimmed eyes, the citizens shouted loudly.

 

The Prince of Zhenbei raised his hand for them to rise, and the crowd erupted in thunderous cheers.

 

Even the soldiers behind him straightened their backs, their hearts surging with pride.

 

“Where’s Changbao? Have you seen Changbao?!” Lu Miao, holding Dandan, looked anxiously into the crowd. With so many riders, and their position further back, they couldn’t make their way to the front.

 

Lu Yao reassured him, “Don’t worry, he might have gone home first to find you.”

 

“You’re right! I’ll go back and wait then!”

 

Seeing his flustered demeanor, Lu Yao couldn’t help but laugh. This boy was clearly overwhelmed with excitement.

 

Zhao Beichuan stayed with Lu Yao to watch for a while, but they couldn’t spot Ge Changbao among the crowd, likely missing him earlier.

 

“Let’s go back to Changrong Street and check if your brother-in-law is home.”

 

In less than half an hour, they arrived at the Ge family’s house. The main gate was open, but the courtyard was silent.

 

“Lu Miao? Are you home?”

 

The gatekeeper heard the sound and quickly came out to greet, “Third Master, you’re here. Our master is inside.”

 

“Has your master come back yet?”

 

“No.”

 

Lu Yao supported his waist and quickened his steps. Upon entering the room, he saw Lu Miao sitting in a chair, lost in thought.

 

“What are you thinking about? I’ve been calling you for ages, and you didn’t respond.”

 

“Third Brother, do you think Changbao might be in trouble?”

 

“What makes you say that?”

 

“I went to the city gate to meet him just now, and I also sent someone to inquire at the military camp. They all said they hadn’t seen Changbao.”

 

“Maybe he was delayed by something. Don’t worry; I’ll ask your brother-in-law to check again.”

 

Lu Miao nodded, forcibly suppressing the unease in his heart. “You should go back and rest. Don’t tire yourself out running back and forth.”

 

“I’m fine. Mother told me to move around more. Where’s Dandan?”

 

“I had the wet nurse carry him away to coax him to sleep. He cried earlier when he couldn’t find his daddy.”

 

Lu Yao quickly called Zhao Beichuan to make another trip to the military camp to find out whether Ge Changbao hadn’t returned yet or had been delayed by something.

 

This time, Zhao Beichuan took quite a while. He left at noon and only returned by evening.

 

“I asked a few familiar people at the military camp. Changbao is bringing the second group of soldiers back to the camp, but it will take four or five more days for them to arrive.”

 

When Lu Miao heard this, he instantly perked up. “Really? Brother-in-law, you’re not lying to me, are you?”

 

Zhao Beichuan grinned. “Why would I lie to you? Everyone’s hoping for his safe return.”

 

Lu Miao clasped his hands to his chest and murmured a few prayers to heaven. Since Changbao wasn’t returning for a few more days, there was no need to worry. The weight in his heart was temporarily lifted, and he insisted on keeping Lu Yao and Zhao Beichuan for dinner at home.

 

Rather than calling it keeping them, it was more like Zhao Beichuan cooking in a different place.

 

Ever since Lu Yao got pregnant, his appetite had become increasingly picky by the day. He couldn’t stomach ordinary food and only found Zhao Beichuan’s cooking appealing.

 

However, Zhao Beichuan didn’t dare to serve him too much meat. He balanced meat and vegetables in the meals, making them both healthy and nutritious.

 

After dinner, the two of them took a carriage home. On the way, Lu Yao still couldn’t help but ask, “Are you sure Ge Changbao is okay? He’ll be back in a few days?”

 

Zhao Beichuan paused before saying, “Captain Cui told me that the people coming in later are slow because most of them are injured or disabled soldiers…”

 

Lu Yao’s heart skipped a beat. “He’s injured?”

 

“I don’t know. Captain Cui was busy arranging the soldiers, so I didn’t ask in detail.”

 

“What should we do? If Lu Miao finds out, he’ll be devastated.”

 

Zhao Beichuan held his hand to comfort him. “That’s why I didn’t say anything earlier. It’s not certain yet. It might just be a minor injury. Let’s wait and see when he gets back.”

 

—

 

The next morning, Lu Yao got up early and went to the restaurant with Zhao Beichuan. He’d been busy at the restaurant every day recently, hoping that working hard now would make things easier during childbirth. Controlling his food intake had also kept his weight stable over the past month.

 

In the morning, Lu Miao also arrived. While Lu Yao and Zhao Beichuan were away from Pingzhou, it was Lu Miao who managed the shop for them, and he was now quite familiar with it.

 

“Third Brother, you’re here so early.”

 

“I get restless at home and want to eat all the time. Keeping busy here helps.”

 

“If you feel like eating, just eat a little. It should be fine as long as you control it.”

 

Xiaonian chimed in, “It’s not just a matter of eating a little. Big Brother made him a braised pork knuckle, and he ate the whole thing by himself.”

 

“Ew~ Aren’t you sick of it?”

 

Lu Yao held his forehead. “I used to be. Now, I don’t know what’s going on. It’s like I’ve been possessed by a pig spirit. The night before last, I suddenly craved pork knuckle so badly that I had your brother-in-law get up in the middle of the night, go to the restaurant, and cook one for me.”

 

“It’s normal. When I was pregnant with Dandan, I suddenly craved jujubes and couldn’t resist. Changbao had to get up in the middle of the night and bother quite a few people to gather two handfuls for me.”

 

Hearing him mention Ge Changbao made Lu Yao feel uneasy. Afraid his younger brother would notice, he quickly changed the subject.

 

“Ma Kuan should be back by the end of the month, right?”

 

Xiaonian nodded. “Yes, he said he’d return in late April.”

 

“It’s time to start preparing for your wedding.”

 

“Oh, Sister-in-law~” Xiaonian shyly covered her face.

 

Lu Miao teased, “When a person reaches marriageable age, they should marry. What’s there to be embarrassed about?”

 

Xiaonian stomped her foot and ran into the kitchen, ignoring them. Lu Yao loved teasing her. The little girl was a hopeless romantic, completely infatuated with Ma Kuan. Fortunately, Ma Kuan was capable and honest; otherwise, they’d have to worry about her future.

 

Lu Yao’s due date was in late April or early May, just in time to recover before Xiaonian and Ma Kuan’s wedding. He needed to prepare in advance to avoid troubling others later.

 

In this manner, the days passed busily. Four or five days later, news finally came that soldiers had entered the city. This time, Lu Miao didn’t go to greet them, fearing another disappointment. Instead, he anxiously waited at the restaurant.

 

From morning until late afternoon, just as the restaurant was about to close, the familiar figure finally appeared at the entrance.