Husband, Let Me Touch Your Abs - Chapter 67

Chapter 67

 

As soon as Zhao Beichuan woke up, he couldn’t stay idle. He got up and started cleaning the animal shed.

 

It had been a while since he had been around, but Dahu didn’t forget him. It snorted loudly and rubbed against him, looking very affectionate.

 

“Alright, alright, you’re rubbing fur all over me.” Zhao Beichuan laughed and patted its head. He looked at the mule’s mouth, which had already healed, with just a thin layer of white remaining.

 

Although Lu Guangsheng had also taken care of the animals, he was getting old, and his cleaning wasn’t as thorough as Zhao Beichuan’s.

 

Zhao Beichuan took a shovel and cleaned every corner of the shed. Then, he carefully spread a layer of clean sand, which greatly reduced the smell inside.

 

After tidying up the mule’s area, he cleaned the pigsty. The two pigs now weighed more than fifty pounds and would nudge people. Zhao Beichuan used a stick to strike them several times before getting them to move to a corner.

 

He scooped out two baskets of manure and dumped them into the manure pit next to the toilet, where it would be kept until next spring for use on the fields.

 

The last thing he cleaned was the outhouse. The smell was unbearable, but he had to clean it thoroughly.

 

Lu Yao gagged from the stench, clutching his waist and shouting, “Zhao Beichuan, what are you doing!”

 

After a while, Zhao Beichuan came out from the yard. “I cleaned the toilet.”

 

“Really can’t stay idle, can you? I told you to rest for two days, and you’re going all out. What a tiring life! Can’t sit still for a moment.”

 

Zhao Beichuan didn’t reply, just grinning widely.

 

“Go take a bath before you come back in! You smell awful!”

 

“Alright.” Zhao Beichuan carried two buckets of water and went to the side room to wash. Since Lu Miao was at home and Xiao Nian was getting bigger, it wouldn’t be proper for him to bathe outside.

 

Lu Yao found a clean set of clothes and a cloth towel and went to the side room to help him wash his back.

 

When they returned the night before, it had been too dark for Lu Yao to see clearly, but now, looking at Zhao Beichuan’s shoulders, he was shocked to see two deep indentations on both sides!

 

Lu Yao gently touched them. “Does it hurt?”

 

“It doesn’t hurt anymore,” Zhao Beichuan said, sitting on the bench.

 

“This damn dynasty, it really makes people sick…”

 

This was the first time Zhao Beichuan had heard him curse. He looked up at him, seeing his red eyes, and his heart softened. “It’s all in the past. The corvée next year is something we’ll deal with then.”

 

Lu Yao wiped away the tears from his eyes. “The money you brought back, combined with the money from the family, is almost enough to buy a gentleman’s title. By the New Year, we can buy the title and won’t have to serve the corvée anymore!”

 

“It’s too expensive, five hundred taels…”

 

“Still better than losing your life! If we lose money, we can earn it back slowly, but if we lose our lives, we lose everything.”

 

Zhao Beichuan pressed his face against his hand. “Alright, I’ll listen to you.”

 

After scrubbing his back, more grease and dirt came off. His hair was unbearably itchy, so Lu Yao fetched some stove ash from the bottom of the stove and rubbed it through Zhao Beichuan’s hair several times.

 

After washing, they both put on clothes and sat in the yard. Lu Yao used a comb to help him get rid of the lice.

 

Originally, the Zhao family siblings had rid themselves of lice, but after this corvée, Zhao Beichuan had grown them all back, and Lu Yao was itching as well, clearly having caught some lice and fleas from the bedding.

 

As he combed his hair, Lu Yao asked, “I haven’t asked you about your rest these past two days. Did you see any of the Wang family brothers on the way back?”

 

“You mean Lu Yun’s husband?”

 

“Yes. Father came to see you yesterday and hurried off to Liushu Village. I wonder what’s going on over at the Wang family.”

 

“Don’t worry. I came back with You Tian and his two brothers. We arrived around the same time.”

 

Lu Yao’s heart lifted. “That’s good! I was worried that Lu Yun might be anxious and it might affect his health.”

 

By noon, Xiao Dou returned from school. As soon as he entered the yard, he called out, “Big Brother!”

 

“Hey!” Zhao Beichuan, who was eating a sugar cake and puffing out his cheeks, looked up. “Come on in, your sister-in-law just made sugar cakes.”

 

Xiao Dou ran in, not stopping to eat the sugar cake. Instead, he rushed over to Zhao Beichuan and acted coy for a while, then went to wash his hands before eating.

 

Lu Yao picked out a few neat sugar cakes from the pot and placed them in a lunchbox, then scooped out a large bowl of pork rib tofu soup from another pot and added it to the box.

 

“Don’t forget to take it to the Lin family later. Walk slowly, don’t spill the soup.”

 

Though sugar cakes were ordinary, Lu Yao made them differently from ancient recipes. He used oil and dough to make layered sugar cakes that were soft, light, and delicious.

 

Zhao Beichuan was puzzled. “What’s this for?”

 

“Your Douzi is making progress; he’s got himself a big leg to hold onto.”

 

Douzi explained, “This food is for Lin Zijian’s grandfather. After school, I go to his house every afternoon, where he teaches me and Zijian.”

 

“His grandfather’s background?”

 

“He’s the head of the Imperial College.”

 

Zhao Beichuan looked confused, not understanding what kind of position that was.

 

Lu Yao explained, “The Imperial College is where the nobility of the capital study. He works as an official there.”

 

Upon hearing this, Zhao Beichuan understood and immediately patted Xiao Dou’s shoulder. “Such a good opportunity, you must make sure to seize it and not slack off or play around.”

 

Xiao Dou nodded. “I know.”

 

After they ate, Xiao Dou hurriedly took the lunchbox to the Lin family. Since there was soup, he didn’t dare to walk too quickly, and by the time he reached the Lin family’s door, it was almost a quarter past noon.

 

The servant opened the door quickly. Zhao Beichuan was now a frequent guest at their Lin family’s house, and everyone liked him because he was polite and well-mannered.

 

He went straight to the backyard, where Lin Zijian and his grandfather had been waiting for him for a while.

 

“Beidou, you’re finally here!” Lin Zijian jogged over to take the lunchbox from him.

 

“Slow down, slow down, don’t spill the soup inside.”

 

The two of them placed the lunchbox on the small stone table and opened it. The aroma of tofu and pork ribs wafted up.

 

Lin Jingxian quickly asked the servants to fetch bowls and spoons. “You haven’t been here for a few days. Has something happened at home?”

 

“My big brother came back from corvée!”

 

Lin’s grandfather stroked his beard and smiled. “Corvée work is hard. It’s a happy thing that he made it back safely.”

 

Xiao Dou sighed. “Sigh…”

 

Lin Zijian, munching on the flaky sugar cake, asked, “Your big brother is back, so why the sigh?”

 

“My big brother suffered a lot on this trip, and just thinking that he’ll have to go back next year makes my heart ache.”

 

Lin Jingxian thought for a moment. “If you don’t want your big brother to go back to corvée, there’s a way.”

 

“What’s the way?”

 

“Next February, take the county exam and become a scholar. Scholars have exemptions from corvée. Douzi will be seven next year. He can take the place of your big brother for now, and once he becomes a jinshi, he’ll be exempt from corvée forever.”

 

Xiao Dou’s eyes lit up. “Can I do it?”

 

“Why not?”

 

The county exam wasn’t difficult. As long as you memorized the Four Books and Five Classics, and understood the rhythm of the Book of Songs, you could pass easily. Later exams required deeper knowledge of literature.

 

It sounded a bit exaggerated for a seven-year-old to take the county exam, but in the capital’s noble circles, any capable young heir began studying at five, and by seven, they were ready to take the exam.

 

Beidou was a talented student, and what was more valuable was his persistence. If he received proper guidance, he had a real chance of passing the county exam.

 

It was a satisfying feeling to mold a rough stone into a gem, and Lin Jingxian became interested.

 

“If you want to take the exam, come to me after school starting tomorrow. I won’t be just playfully teaching you anymore.”

 

Both children nodded eagerly. Lin Zijian, inspired by his classmate, had a serious look on his face.

 

“Alright, we’ll start with the Four Books today…”

 

The rooster crowed three times, and before dawn, the young couple from the Zhao family had already gotten up to start boiling the gruel.

 

Zhao Beichuan could not rest after just three days off. Last night, while standing and offering a tribute, Zhao Beichuan urged Lu Yao to hurry and open the shop. How much money would be lost if they delayed even for a day?

 

Lu Yao spat at him, “Are you obsessed with money? I wanted you to rest for a few more days, but you can’t sit still for even a second.”

 

Zhao Beichuan grabbed his waist and made him unable to speak, “Look at my body, isn’t it recovering well?”

 

After a while, Lu Yao found his voice, “Ah, you’re just bullying me. These past few days, you almost broke me.”

 

The response was a more forceful thrust.

 

After finishing, the two took a quick bath and soaked the beans, waking up early the next day to grind soybeans and prepare tofu, opening the shop.

 

The old man who collected the night incense was the first customer to arrive. Upon seeing Zhao Beichuan, he exclaimed, “Oh, the shopkeeper is back!”

 

“Back,” Zhao Beichuan replied, wearing a coarse cloth apron and bending over to fry youtiao, handing him one from the pot.

 

“Thank you, thank you,” the old man hurriedly took it and went inside, ordering a bowl of soy milk to eat with the youtiao.

 

Soon, several familiar customers arrived, greeting Zhao Beichuan happily. “Did you return from the corvée labor?”

 

“Yes, back.”

 

“I heard this year’s corvée labor was unusual. Many people died in the town.”

 

Zhao Beichuan wiped the sweat from his forehead, “Not only in the town, but many also died in the villages.”

 

The old man grew interested and moved a stool outside to eat and chat. “Did you really go to the border?”

 

“Yes, we hauled over two thousand stone loads of grain from Pingzhou to the frontier in Yingzhou.”

 

“My God, such a long journey and hauling grain. How many people must have been exhausted!”

 

Zhao Beichuan pulled the firewood from under the pot to control the heat. “The lives of the common folk aren’t worth much. If the officials tell us to go east, we can’t go west.”

 

The old man nodded after finishing his youtiao. “That’s true. I’ve seen a lot of coffins and funeral cloth sellers in town these past days. Yesterday, two families even fought over a piece of mourning cloth.”

 

Times were tough, and life was hard for the common people, both when alive and dead.

 

After he left, more customers came, all asking about the corvée labor. Zhao Beichuan answered each question and, after some chatting, his unease finally eased. He no longer trembled when thinking about the corvée labor.

 

By mid-afternoon, the stall was packed up, and the two hurried back home with the mule cart.

 

Lu Yao wasn’t too tired and took out fabric to make Zhao Beichuan a new set of clothes. The two sets of coarse cloth he had worn during the corvée labor were already worn out, so he needed a set of work clothes.

 

Zhao Beichuan, as usual, went to take care of the livestock, feeding Da Hua the grass and taking care of the other animals. The little yearling was becoming more and more efficient at its work.

 

At noon, little Douzi came back from school, ate a couple of bites, and rushed out.

 

“What are you doing?” Zhao Beichuan called out to stop him.

 

“I’m going to Lin Zhi’s house.”

 

“You’re always running to other people’s houses, aren’t you afraid they’ll get annoyed?”

 

“Oh, just mind your own business, I have something to do.” Douzi tried to run, but Zhao Beichuan grabbed him by the collar and pulled him back.

 

“What’s this about? Tell me properly. If you don’t explain, you’re not going anywhere.” The Lin family had a higher status, and they weren’t the kind of people they could easily associate with. Being too eager to approach them could lead to disrespect.

 

Douzi desperately shouted, “Big Brother, let go of me! I really have something to do, it’s Sister-in-law—”

 

“Calling her Sister-in-law won’t help. You can’t keep running over there!”

 

Lu Yao came out of the house, “Zhao Beichuan, what are you doing?”

 

“He’s not listening, so I’m giving him a lesson.”

 

“I’m not disobeying! I go to Lin’s house to listen to Grandpa Lin teach.”

 

Lu Yao stepped forward and pushed Zhao Beichuan’s hand away. “Even if you like listening, you can’t go there all the time. Didn’t Grandpa Lin fall ill? If you keep bothering him, won’t he get annoyed?”

 

Douzi quickly shook his head, “No, Grandpa Lin told me to come at three o’clock every day, otherwise, he’ll punish me by making me copy books.”

 

Lu Yao and Zhao Beichuan exchanged a look, both confused about what Grandpa Lin meant.

 

“I’m not explaining it to you anymore, or I’ll be late!” Douzi quickly ran away, and Zhao Beichuan failed to catch him, cursing under his breath.

 

Lu Yao kicked him, “Are you stupid? You came out of the same womb. If you call him a little bastard, what does that make you?” However, this situation was suspicious, so he decided to visit the Lin family himself.

 

Lu Yao took some braised food from the pot and also made a soup with baby cabbage, packing it in a food box and heading to the Lin family.

 

When Madam Lin heard he was coming, she quickly welcomed him with warmth, “Lord Lu, long time no see.”

 

“Madam Lin,” Lu Yao nodded in acknowledgment.

 

“It’s so hot outside, please come in.”

 

Lu Yao followed her into a small reception room beside the main courtyard, where servants had already prepared tea and snacks.

 

“I came today… because I have something to ask.”

 

“Please feel free to ask.”

 

“My younger brother Beidou, he’s been coming to your house every day to read with Grandpa Lin. I’m worried that it might disturb the old man’s peace…”

 

Madam Lin smiled, “Ah, so you’re here for this. Don’t worry, ever since he ate your food, his health has been recovering well. He must see that Beidou has talent in studying, which is why he’s taking special care to teach him.”

 

“Wouldn’t it disturb Grandpa Lin’s rest?”

 

“Not at all. He loves teaching people to read.” She added, “I must thank your family. If it weren’t for Beidou, Grandpa Lin wouldn’t have taken an interest in teaching again. Now he competes with him every day, fearing that he’s falling behind.”

 

“Rest assured, if it affects the old man’s health, we would never allow it.”

 

Lu Yao nodded, finally feeling at ease.

 

Before leaving, Madam Lin gave him a box of tea, the jasmine tea he had drunk last time. Lu Yao hesitated to accept it, “This is too precious.”

 

Last year, when he delivered tofu to the post station, he had inquired about the price of tea. The cheapest tea still cost a hundred wen per tael, so the tea the Lin family drank must be quite expensive. A box like this would likely be worth several taels of silver.

 

“Don’t be polite. We’ve been enjoying your cooking. If you don’t accept it, it would be embarrassing for us to continue eating.”

 

Lu Yao had no choice but to accept. With someone like Grandpa Lin teaching Douzi, even if he couldn’t become a juren, he should easily pass the exams for a xiucai!

 

Time passed quickly, and by August, the village’s crops were nearly ready for harvest.

 

Recently, Lu’s father had been running between the two villages every day, afraid that someone might sneak into their fields to harvest the crops.

 

What surprised him was that two young men had been taking turns standing by Zhao’s fields, watching over them.

 

At first, he thought they were just observing, but every time they met, they would look at each other with serious faces.

 

Perhaps his expression was too stern, so Gao Qinghe found him and explained, “Uncle, we’re not bad people. We’re here to help Beichuan watch the fields.”

 

Lu Guangsheng was taken aback, “Why help him watch the fields?”

 

“If it weren’t for him during the corvée, we’d have died already. Beichuan helped us a lot, and I’m repaying him for his kindness.”

 

This was something Lu Guangsheng hadn’t expected, and it made him view the young man more favorably, “It’s only right for neighbors to help each other. If we can’t rely on our own people, who can we rely on?”

 

Gao Qinghe blushed, remembering his past actions, “You’re right!”

 

During the harvest, Zhao Beichuan returned to help for a few days. After the grain was harvested, Lu’s father insisted that he take half of it. Zhao Beichuan refused, but Lu Guangsheng glared at him and said, “If you don’t take it, I won’t help you with the planting next year.”

 

There was no choice but to take a few bags of millet for the family’s provisions.

 

After the harvest, by the fifteenth of August, Zhao Beichuan went to the village early to pay the taxes. He was afraid that if he came late, his father-in-law would have already paid the tax, and after a year of hard work, he would have little grain left.

 

As expected, the next day, Lu Guangsheng and Lu Lin hurried with the mule cart, bringing grain to help Zhao’s family pay the land tax. However, the village head told them that Beichuan had already paid.

 

The two men rushed back to Lu’s village.

 

Just as they entered the gate, they saw several people standing in the courtyard. At a glance, they were the Wang brothers. Lu Guangsheng quickly got off the cart, “Is it Lu Yun giving birth?”

 

Wang Youtian’s face was flushed with urgency, “It started last night, but the baby hasn’t been born yet. Hurry, tell your parents to go see her!”

 

Lu Guangsheng was so frightened that his legs went weak, almost sitting down.

 

Lu’s mother quickly came out of the house with money, “Don’t delay, hurry up!”