Husband, Let Me Touch Your Abs - Chapter 69

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Shangjing is the capital

Chapter 69

“Does this family really have to split?” Wang Youliang asked his younger brother with a stern face.

“Eldest Brother, it’s not that I want to split, but my two sisters-in-law are forcing me to.”

“Just because of one thing, you’re going to ignore brotherly ties?”

For once, Wang Youtian stood firm. “If you and Second Brother still cared about brotherly ties, you wouldn’t have let them gossip like that, cursing my husband to die with the child!”

“Ah…” Wang Youliang felt ashamed when the matter was brought up. The words, once spoken, couldn’t be taken back. They had hurt the third brother’s feelings. Even if they didn’t split, it would be hard to remain united as a family.

“Fine, fine, if you want to split, then split.” He lowered his head and went back to his house.

Wang Youtian was bitter. On one side was his own brother; on the other, his husband and child. Naturally, he had to prioritize his own small family now, but he couldn’t completely let go of brotherly ties.

“Brother-in-law, I envy you.”

Zhao Beichuan asked, “What are you envious of?”

“Your younger siblings are all so young. Even if they marry later, they won’t cause problems like in my family.”

“I envy that your parents are still around to uphold justice.”

One couldn’t deny that Old Man Wang was a fair and upright person. While he was still alive, he could suppress the three brothers from splitting up. But after he passed, the conflicts between the three households would only accumulate and worsen, leading to who knows what outcome. It was better to split the family while he was still strong and capable, preventing relationships from deteriorating further.

After lunch, the family rode the mule cart back to town. With Lu’s mother staying to take care of things, they felt at ease.

When the baby reached one month old, they visited again. The Wang family had already split up. The six rooms were divided: the eldest brother lived in one and a half rooms on the east side, the second brother had one and a half rooms on the west side, and the three central rooms were divided between Wang Youtian and the parents, each taking one and a half.

The land was also divided. The old man ensured fairness, splitting everything equally. The portions that couldn’t be divided were left for him to cultivate.

The family’s mules were split too, one for each household. The eldest brother caused trouble twice over being assigned the old mule, angering the old man, who scolded him furiously, “If you’re capable, then don’t take it. Go buy your own with your money! You’re ungrateful after getting something for free!”

Frightened, the eldest brother dared not speak again.

Over the past month, the child had grown plump and fair, wearing the little clothes made by Lu Miao and looking absolutely adorable. Wang Youtian named him Wang Jin, with the nickname Jin Jin.

Lu Yao joked that if they had another, they might name him Wang Yin, and the next ones Wang Tong and Wang Tie. The thought made him chuckle.

After the postpartum period, Lu’s mother had to return home. From then on, the young couple would rely on each other to manage the household. However, after the family split, Lu Yun seemed to be in better spirits and had even gained some weight.

Time flew, and it was soon October. The weather grew colder by the day.

In previous years, Zhao Beichuan would have gone to the mountains to chop firewood and hunt. But since the shop was busy this year, he decided to buy 20 loads of firewood in town instead.

Ever since the laborers returned from corvée, the shop had been bustling with business. On market days, the four of them could hardly keep up and often had to call Xiao Nian to help.

With another market day tomorrow, Lu Yao soaked the beans in advance and planned to buy some ceramic bowls from the pottery shop. Of the 30 ceramic bowls they had initially bought, only a little over 20 remained after breakages.

On regular days, they sufficed, but on market days, there weren’t enough to go around. Customers would have to wait for others to finish eating before they could be served.

This issue had already caused two arguments. Some drank their tofu pudding slowly, while others waiting grew impatient, leading to heated exchanges.

To prevent further conflicts, Lu Yao bought 30 more ceramic bowls, along with 30 pairs of chopsticks and wooden spoons.

On the way back, he ran into Shopkeeper Xu from the eatery. Since they stopped delivering tofu, they hadn’t seen each other for over six months.

“Lu Xiaolang,” Xu Bin called from inside a small sedan chair, lifting the curtain.

Hearing the voice, Lu Yao quickly approached. “Shopkeeper Xu! It’s been so long!”

“It truly has been. I called you over today just to say thank you.”

Lu Yao was puzzled. “What are you thanking me for?”

“The tofu recipe you gave me was sent to the capital, where it gained favor with a noble. It boosted the business at my uncle’s restaurant as well. He brought back many items from the capital, which I’ll have delivered to your shop later.”

“Oh, no, there’s no need. I couldn’t possibly accept. It was just a recipe, and it’s great that it worked out for you!” Lu Yao had given the recipe in exchange for Xu Bin helping resolve some trouble, so he felt it wasn’t right to accept gifts now.

Xu Bin waved it off. “They’re not valuable items. Take them without hesitation. Don’t be polite. I have other matters to attend to, so I’ll take my leave. Please pass on my regards to Brother Zhao.”

“Alright. Take care.”

Lu Yao assumed it would just be some food from the capital and mentioned it casually to Zhao Beichuan. Neither gave it much thought.

A few days later, two workers arrived carrying a load of items. Inside was a box filled with fine porcelain bowls, plates, teapots, teacups, and even two porcelain vases.

Porcelain had only been around for about a century and wasn’t as refined as it would be in later generations. But it was still genuine porcelain, smooth and translucent, and much lighter than pottery bowls.

Such items weren’t sold in town and were hard to find even in the county, as they were too expensive!

The workers left the items and said, “Our shopkeeper mentioned that these are valuable in town but not in the capital. Lu Langjun can use them without worry.”

“Thank you for making the trip.” Lu Yao quickly handed them some coins.

The workers accepted with smiles and left in a hurry.

“What should we do with this porcelain? We don’t really need it at home.” Breaking one would be heartbreaking!

Zhao Beichuan replied, “If he’s willing to give it, just keep it. The tofu recipe must have been very useful in the capital for him to be so generous.”

“Alright, we’ll store it away.”

The box also contained some pastries and a box of white sugar. Unlike the coarse white sugar sold in town, this was fine-grained and pure. Lu Yao tasted a bit, and it was sweet without any impurities.

“This is good stuff. I’ll save it for making desserts during the New Year.”

There were also two boxes of tea, slightly inferior to what the Lin family had given, but Lu Yao planned to save them for visiting relatives during the New Year.

After tidying up, Zhao Beichuan loaded the box onto the cart, locked the shop, and headed home.

It had rained the night before, scattering leaves all over the ground. The autumn wind brought a chill that seeped into their bones, signaling the approach of the most difficult season of the year.

Back home, Zhao Beichuan wouldn’t let Lu Yao wash the dishes or buckets. “Go inside. I’ll finish these in no time. If your hands get wet, they’ll crack and fester again.”

“You’re so good to me.” Lu Yao hugged his neck and kissed him.

Just then, Xiao Douzi came home from school. Covering his eyes with his little hands, he said, “Oh no! Inappropriate to look!”

Lu Yao playfully scolded, “Hmph, you little rascal! What do you know about ‘inappropriate to look’? You’re still a child!”

Xiao Douzi put his hands down and grinned. “Grandpa Lin taught me! Anything we shouldn’t see is ‘inappropriate to look.’”

It had been four or five months since Xiao Douzi started studying at the Lin family’s house. During this time, Lu Yao often sent food over.

Madam Lin, feeling it was too much trouble for them, had once brought some servants over to learn a few home-cooking recipes from Lu Yao, intending to prepare them for the old master.

Lu Yao went inside to prepare lunch. Although he and Zhao Beichuan had eaten some leftover tofu pudding and fried dough sticks at the shop, they weren’t very full. But the three children needed proper food. He made a pot of thin noodles with some gray flour and cooked tender greens as a side dish, pouring bone broth over everything.

The three children held large bowls and sat around the stove, eating heartily. After finishing his meal, Xiaodou prepared to head to the Lin family for his tutoring. Slinging his school bag over his shoulder, he ran out the door.

“Wear a thicker coat before you leave,” Lu Yao called out, chasing after him with a padded jacket in hand.

“No need, I’ll be sweating all over once I start practicing. It won’t feel cold at all.”

“Practicing? Practicing what?”

Xiaodou quickly covered his mouth and said, “Nothing, nothing! I’m heading off now!”

Lu Yao had noticed recently that Zhao Xiaodou seemed to be hiding something from them. He would often wake up before them, quietly get up, and start reciting texts while jumping around in the yard.

Once, Lu Yao caught him and asked about it, but Xiaodou didn’t give a clear answer. He couldn’t figure out what the boy was keeping to himself.

Xiaodou ran all the way to the Lin residence, where Lin Zijian was already practicing in the yard. The two of them were practicing something called the Five-Animal Frolics, a set of exercises for physical fitness.

“Beidou, come quickly! I’m already on the second move.” Zhao Beidou put down his school bag and immediately joined Lin Zijian, mimicking his movements. The two practiced the Five-Animal Frolics while reciting the Five Classics, achieving a surprising harmony.

Grandpa Lin had told them that to participate in the imperial examinations, knowledge alone wasn’t enough; they also needed a strong and healthy body to endure the challenges of the exams.

For instance, the county-level exam, held every year on the fifth day of the second lunar month, took place in the coldest season. They would have to take the exam outdoors for three consecutive days to complete it.

During these three days, they would not only have to endure mental stress but also withstand the cold. If their health was poor, they might faint from the cold before even finishing their exam papers.

Hearing the noise from inside the house, Grandpa Lin changed into lightweight training clothes and joined them. Previously, much of his ill health had been caused by long hours of sitting at the Imperial Academy.

Over the past few months, practicing alongside his grandson and improving his diet had made a significant difference. He looked much more energetic now, a stark contrast to the frail, near-death state he had been in before.

Holding a small wooden stick, he tapped the boys’ arms and legs, instructing, “Straighten your legs. Don’t let them bend. Keep reciting as you move.”

“The great learning consists in manifesting one’s bright virtue, in loving the people, and in stopping at the highest good. Only after knowing what to stop at can one have a calm mind; only after having a calm mind can one be peaceful; only after being peaceful can one think properly; only after thinking properly can one achieve. Things have roots and branches; affairs have ends and beginnings.”

Last night, a light snowfall blanketed the ground, and by morning, the roads were frozen over. This year, winter seemed to have arrived earlier than in previous years.

As soon as the “Nine Cold Days” began, Lu Yao’s chilblains flared up on his ears, even wearing a hat didn’t help.

Last year, applying mutton tallow helped a bit, but this year the swelling was even worse.

At first, it was redness and itching, but it gradually ulcerated. Both ears were worse than each other, oozing pus and water—just the sight was alarming.

At night, Zhao Beichuan applied medicine for him. The pain made Lu Yao hiss continuously, “Hiss—this cursed weather is just out to get me.”

“How about you don’t go tomorrow? Stay home for a couple of days to recover.”

“How can I do that?”

“Why not? The shop isn’t busy these days, and even if it gets hectic, Xiaonian is still there. Wait until the wounds on your ears scab over before you go.”

Lu Yao thought about it and agreed. It was a good opportunity to finish making winter clothes for everyone.

Xiaonian and Xiaodou were still wearing last year’s padded clothes, but the sleeves and pant legs were too short. Eating well had made the children grow quickly; they grew three to four inches in a year.

When they first arrived, Xiaonian only reached his chest, and Xiaodou barely came up to his waist. Now, a year later, Xiaonian had grown to his underarms, and Xiaodou had shot up to his upper abdomen.

Having made up his mind, Lu Yao stayed home the next day, tidying up the storage boxes.

Just after the Hour of the Tiger (3–5 a.m.), Lu Yao heard movement in the west room. Xiaodou didn’t leave for school until the third quarter of the Hour of the Rabbit (around 7:45 a.m.). What was he doing up so early?

Soon after, the sound of recitation came from the yard. Lu Yao quickly put on his shoes and looked outside, only to see Xiaodou mimicking a tiger. On all fours, he leaped forward, stretched his waist, and turned his feet to the side, facing the sky.

“What are you doing?”

“Si—sister-in-law!” Xiaodou was startled. “Why aren’t you at the shop?”

Lu Yao walked up and pinched his cheek. “Come on, what are you hiding from me?”

“Nothing… really, nothing…”

“You won’t tell your elder brother, fine. But you’re hiding it even from me? That really breaks my heart…” Lu Yao covered his face and pretended to cry.

Xiaodou panicked, pulling his arm hurriedly. “I—I won’t hide it from you anymore. I want to take the county-level exam next spring and come back with the title of a ‘Child Student.’”

Lu Yao was stunned. “Take the county-level exam?”

“Mm-hmm. Grandpa Lin said that passing the exam can exempt one person from corvée labor, just in time for my elder brother to use it.”

Lu Yao’s heart was filled with mixed emotions. He didn’t know what to say. “You don’t need to worry about that. Your elder brother and I will find another way.”

Xiaodou shook his head. “I know you could still buy a gentry title. Grandpa Lin already told me. But buying a title costs 500 taels of silver. After that, our family will be penniless, and I don’t want that to happen.”

Lu Yao couldn’t help but laugh and flicked him on the forehead. “You’ve got quite the ideas. Deciding to take the exam without even discussing it with us.”

“I was afraid of failing and embarrassing myself…”

“You’ll only be seven after the New Year. What’s there to be embarrassed about? Keep practicing. I’ll go make winter clothes for you.”

“Mm!” Xiaodou continued his practice, while Lu Yao sat in the room, listening to the sound of earnest recitation, feeling deeply comforted.

The children were well-behaved and promising, his husband was diligent and hardworking, and life was thriving. Though it wasn’t perfect, it was more than enough. Lu Yao felt like the luckiest person in the world.

—

Over the next few days, while Lu Yao stayed home to heal his chilblains, Zhao Beichuan and Liu’s second sister-in-law ran the shop.

Liu helped out by greeting customers and handling payments. The colder weather meant fewer customers, so the three of them could manage.

Zhao Beichuan continued frying dough sticks in the front. Occasionally, someone would buy just the sticks without soy milk, and he collected payment directly.

“Two dough sticks, please,” said a brightly dressed woman, stepping forward.

“Just a moment. They’ll be out of the oil soon.”

Zhao Beichuan stoked the fire, and the oil in the pot began to boil. He placed the freshly rolled dough in the oil, and soon it turned golden.

The woman giggled, covering her mouth. “Brother, you’re so skilled. Such a small piece of dough, and it puffs up so big when fried~”

Zhao Beichuan looked up, and the woman winked at him flirtatiously.

“Four coins,” he said.

The woman took a coin pouch from her chest and handed him four coins, brushing her fingernails against his palm suggestively. Her intent was unmistakable.

“Are you sick?”

“Huh?” The woman was stunned.

“If you don’t have a man at home, go rub against a rock. Stop acting desperate every time you see a man!” Zhao Beichuan, no longer the naive boy he once was, felt utterly disgusted by people like her, especially after the incident with Widow Song.

Knowing full well he was a married man yet still trying to seduce him—she wasn’t afraid of getting beaten.

The woman’s face turned red with embarrassment. She left without even taking the dough sticks, covering her face as she ran.

The people in line behind her burst into laughter. “Even Cuirong Madam has her off days.”

Someone unfamiliar asked, “Who’s this Cuirong Madam?”

“Her husband died doing corvée labor, leaving her with only an elderly mother-in-law. Unable to stay chaste, she started running a secret brothel at home. It’s said you can have a go for just a few dozen coins.”

Zhao Beichuan felt increasingly disgusted and washed his hands several times before continuing to fry dough sticks.

That evening, he mentioned the incident to Lu Yao, who wasn’t angry but instead laughed at him.

“You’re not jealous?” Zhao Beichuan was a little upset. His husband had been touched, yet he was still laughing.

“Jealous? Ugh, how annoying! That woman dared to touch my Da Chuan. Wait till I see her next time—I’ll flay her!” Lu Yao was trembling with suppressed laughter.

Zhao Beichuan, irritated, pinned him down on the kang and tickled him.

“I was wrong, I was wrong!”

“Being wrong doesn’t cut it. Who told you to laugh at me?”

“Ah—hahaha—stop it… I have something important to say!”

Zhao Beichuan let him go. “What is it?”

Lu Yao smoothed his messy hair and sat up. “Our Xiaodou plans to take the county-level exam next spring.”

“What’s a county-level exam?”

“It’s the exam to become a Child Student. If he passes, the imperial court exempts one person from corvée labor. That means we won’t have to spend money on buying a gentry title.” The family had saved nearly 500 taels of silver, originally intending to buy a title after the New Year. Now, there was another option.

Zhao Beichuan smiled. “That’s great! If Xiaodou can pass, we’ll save 500 taels!”

“Easier said than done. Even becoming a Child Student is very difficult. Most participants have studied for years. Xiaodou only started studying this year. I’m worried he’ll lose heart if he fails…”

Zhao Beichuan hugged him from behind, his rough hands slipping under his clothes. “It’s fine. Children need to stumble to grow. You can’t smooth his path forever.”

“That’s true. This time, let’s treat it as a trial run. If he doesn’t pass, we’ll just buy the title…” Lu Yao pressed his hand down, leaning against his shoulder, breathing lightly.

“Stop worrying. Turn off the lamp and get some rest.”

Though he said to rest, they ended up not resting much, only falling asleep after a long time.

The next morning, Lu Yao got up and went to the shop with him.

Even though he said he wasn’t jealous, he still wanted to see what kind of person this Cuirong Madam was, bold enough to flirt with his husband in broad daylight.

Perhaps Zhao Beichuan’s scolding had been too harsh yesterday, as the woman didn’t show up today. They worked until almost closing time when someone from Lujia Village came with a message.

“Lu Yao, hurry home! Your father fell off the roof!”