“Feeling better?”
Xiao Lingzhou’s concerned voice reached her, and she nodded, coming back to herself.
He poured her a glass of water and said in a soft, composed tone: “This rice wine has aged quite a bit; it’s almost as strong as the brew from a proper tavern. You don’t handle alcohol well, so it’s better to drink only a little.”
Not handle alcohol?
Jiang Yu touched her nose in a small pout, staying silent.
She could handle modern strong spirits just fine; ancient wine was essentially watered-down wine to her.
But after last year’s drunken act, her “cannot drink” persona was established, so she didn’t need to ruin her image.
“It’s your birthday today. Two cups shouldn’t be too much, right?” She held up two fingers and blinked at him as if negotiating.
Xiao Lingzhou put away his handkerchief, looked into her eyes, and curved his lips: “Then I’ll watch you, can’t let you drink too greedily.”
It was their first birthday after marriage, and he didn’t want her clinging drunkenly to him on the rooftop moon-gazing again.
“Do I look like someone who drinks too much?” she mumbled.
Sitting on the bench, she rested her chin in her hand: “A birthday is more lively with people. Why don’t we invite the village head and his wife, and Aunt Li with her grandchild?”
Xiao Lingzhou brushed a stray hair from her face and smiled lightly, elegant as ever: “You are thoughtful, so we’ll do as you suggest.”
The village head and his wife had always helped them; it was proper to invite them.
As for Aunt Li, a neighbor who often brought them fresh vegetables, she was trustworthy and honest.
For his birthday, it made sense to invite them over.
“Later I need to visit the village head, so I’ll bring them along.”
“You’re visiting the village head?” Jiang Yu sat up.
It was the autumn harvest; the village school was on field holiday.
He could have been idle for half a month; visiting the village head wasn’t for school matters.
Xiao Lingzhou refilled her cup, sipped lightly, and said: “I’ve thought it through. Being a teacher here is temporary. I plan to resign and do something else for a living.”
Jiang Yu was stunned. “You mean… leave Zhangjia Village?”
He set down his cup, pursing his lips: “I was only staying here temporarily. The teacher who went to the capital has returned; there’s nothing left for me to do if I stay.”
“You previously said you wanted to open a shop. I’ve heard the capital is bustling, full of merchants. Let’s go there.”
His voice was gentle and clear, but to Jiang Yu it sounded harsh in its decisiveness.
Her lips trembled slightly, emotions mixed as she looked at him: “When you advised me not to sell cosmetics, had you already planned to leave?”
“Don’t you want to go with me?”
A sour feeling crossed her heart.
He had planned everything, made the decision for her without asking once.
Not even asking if she wanted it.
Even now, at the brink of leaving, he was still lying to her.
All the talk about “the capital is bustling” and “full of merchants” was just an excuse he made for himself!
Seeing her sullen expression, Xiao Lingzhou thought she was troubled about leaving and held her hand to soothe her: “Don’t worry. With me, wherever we go, I’ll handle everything. You won’t suffer any hardship.”
She snorted in anger.
“Not suffer any hardship?”
She felt immense grievance already.
A man’s mouth—nothing but lies!
If she went to the capital with him, he’d be a high-ranking prince; whatever he said would be law.
He would have concubines and paramours everywhere, and she would have to silently endure everything.
She wasn’t foolish enough to believe his words.
Yet outwardly, she still acted obedient: “Wherever you go, I’ll follow. I trust you.”
She had four days left to escape anyway.
Let whoever wanted to follow him to the capital go.
…
Night settled over the bamboo grove, moonlight like scattered silver on dark leaves, shadows dancing with the wind.
Xiao Lingzhou finished feeding Jiang Mo and sent it off to sleep before entering the bedroom.
Seeing Jiang Yu combing her hair, he casually stepped forward to take the corner comb: “You’ve had a long day. Rest early.”
“Has the kitchen been tidied?” she asked.
“Mostly. The rest can be handled by Lingqi.”
Back then he would do it himself, but now there was someone to delegate to—why not use them?
Though Lingqi was a covert guard, to him he was like any servant.
“And Jiang Mo?”
“Fed and already in its bed.”
“After eating, it sleeps. When will it slim down?” Jiang Yu couldn’t help complaining.
Behind her, Xiao Lingzhou’s gentle voice: “Why worry? A dog’s lifespan is only about ten years. As long as its health isn’t at risk, a bit of extra weight isn’t bad.”
“I’m not complaining about its size. I just worry it’ll be targeted outside.”
She leaned on the dressing table. Predictably, he moved closer, continuing to comb her hair.
“The villagers know it belongs to us. No one dares touch it.”
Jiang Yu twirled a lock of hair, resting her head on one hand: “Villagers won’t, but outsiders might. Just two days ago, the dog at Mrs. Zheng’s house in the village was taken by someone passing through. When they found it, only bones remained.”
“Jiang Mo is only five months old and already a ball of fluff. Who wouldn’t envy it?”
Xiao Lingzhou’s tone was calm: “You’re right. I’ll keep it home, not let it roam anymore.”
Jiang Yu sighed: “When we first found it, it was so tiny it hadn’t even opened its eyes. In a blink, it’s half a year old. Time flies.”
Back then, she and Xiao Lingzhou had just been married a month.
She had gone to pick flowers in the mountains when sudden rain struck.
He came with an umbrella to fetch her, and on the way home, they found Jiang Mo.
The rain was heavy; the large dog would have died if they hadn’t rescued it.
Thinking of her old five-black dog in the modern era, her heart softened.
After bringing Jiang Mo home, she personally cared for it for two days until it recovered from near death.
When Xiao Lingzhou asked her what to name it, she said without thinking: “Jiang Mo.”
Her old five-black dog had the same name.
She thought perhaps fate had brought it back in another form.
Xiao Lingzhou held her soft shoulders, eyes full of affection: “Since meeting you, I’ve known that life can shine, and each day has meaning. Leaving this place… I truly feel reluctant.”
Jiang Yu lowered her long lashes, thoughtful for a moment before speaking: “While I’m away, you must take care of Jiang Mo for me.”
“It is ours to care for. I will.”
He naturally assumed she referred to her upcoming three-day city trip and was worried about Jiang Mo.
He leaned closer, breath mingling with hers: “It’s late. Go rest.”