Chen Yusheng smiled sheepishly. Upon learning they had walked, he immediately stepped forward to pour them water, feeling very cordial towards them!
Chen Yusheng truly never expected to see the two of them again in his lifetime.
Beyond excitement, there was more than a little emotion.
As the couple walked, they listened to Chen Liuzi speak. Zhao Jiaqi couldn't help but ask, "I see other families in the village have built new houses. Why haven't you renovated yours?"
Hearing this, Chen Yusheng shrugged indifferently and replied casually, "A house is fine as long as it provides shelter. It doesn't let the wind or rain blow on me, nor does it drench me. That's enough!"
"That's true, but if you live like this, what girl would dare to marry you? They'd think you were lazy. So, the house really should be rebuilt. Every day is a day of living; some days are sweet, others are frustrating. Why not live well, wouldn't you say?"
Faced with Zhao Jiaqi's persuasion, Chen Yusheng's lips twitched into a bitter smile. He replied earnestly, "It's not that no one wants to marry me. It's just that I'm still in my mourning period, which hasn't even been three years. Once the mourning period is over, then I'll consider marriage!"
With his explanation, Zhao Jiaqi and Fan Zehao finally understood why he wasn't rebuilding his house or getting married.
They both knew that court officials observed three years of mourning, but they were unaware that farmers did the same. Or perhaps, Chen Yusheng was deliberately doing so, as not all rural folk followed this custom.
Zhao Jiaqi lowered her gaze and calculated. It would be almost another year before the three years were up!
Seeing the room grow somber, Fan Zehao lightened the mood with a smile, "When you get married, you must send us an invitation. We'll definitely come for your wedding feast!"
Chen Yusheng laughed heartily and nodded agreeably, "I'd be delighted if you two could come. And then, I'll have to ask brother and sister to officiate for me and act as witnesses!"
"That's no problem at all!" Fan Zehao replied even more readily.
A hint of bitterness mingled with Chen Yusheng's smile. Fan Zehao had noticed it but didn't press the issue.
The three chatted in the room, discussing the recent developments in Hedong Prefecture over the past two years. From Chen Yusheng, they learned that the prefect was quite competent, reducing taxes and encouraging farming. His actions were genuinely for the good of the common people, which brought them considerable relief.
After lunch, they lingered for a short while before setting off. Chen Yusheng stood at the village entrance, gazing at their departing figures for a long time, unable to snap out of it.
Upon returning to the town, Zhao Jiaqi felt that Chen Yusheng seemed to be hiding something from them, which made her uneasy.
"Husband, I just feel something is odd about him. I can't quite pinpoint what it is, but something just feels off," she said.
Hearing his wife's words, Fan Zehao's heart skipped a beat. He smiled and pinched her cheek, "Chen Yusheng cannot marry before completing his mourning period. And you've seen for yourself that every family in the village is living a better life. Things are clearly moving in a positive direction. What's so strange about that?"
As he spoke, he drew her into his arms. "You shouldn't let your mind wander so much. Feelings aren't always reliable; it's better to trust your eyes."
Zhao Jiaqi frowned slightly. She considered her husband's words. While intuition might need to be proven through observation, she had witnessed the positive changes in the village with her own eyes.
She was easily persuaded by her husband's words and they returned to the town. Fan Zehao didn't rush to leave; instead, he decided they would stay overnight in Jianghe Town.
"The town looked quite prosperous during the day, but I haven't seen it at night. Let's stay and take a stroll, see how the security is around here," he suggested.
Zhao Jiaqi surveyed the bustling street. The prosperous streets, the passing pedestrians, and the shops operating smoothly all indicated that the security here was likely not poor.
Seeing his wife hesitate, Fan Zehao offered another reason, "It's already afternoon. If we rush off now, we'll be sleeping on the streets. Our group is too conspicuous, so it's better to leave tomorrow morning."
Upon hearing this, Zhao Jiaqi didn't argue and slowly nodded, "Alright, we'll stay here for the night. I'll take the opportunity to see if there's anything good to eat or buy on the street. We mustn't forget the main purpose of this trip!"
He was secretly relieved when his wife agreed. After returning to town, his wife took Su Ya shopping, while Fan Zehao called Xiao Ce out.
They stood in a corner, speaking in hushed tones.
"Xiao Ce, if I recall correctly, don't eunuchs in the palace generally have no facial hair and a somewhat high-pitched voice?"
Hearing the question about eunuchs, Xiao Ce paused before smiling and nodding, "Yes, some eunuchs have pale complexions, and when they flick their wrists, their movements and speech are like a woman's! Why are you asking?"
Seeing Xiao Ce's amused expression, Fan Zehao's handsome face turned cold. He glared at him, "Is it that funny?"
Who would willingly castrate themselves to become a eunuch? They were only sold to the palace by their families.
Xiao Ce stopped laughing. It wasn't that he was mocking eunuchs, but rather that his friend Fan's description was quite accurate, which had made him laugh heartily.
He composed himself and asked, "Did you encounter a eunuch in this small place? That's unlikely. Eunuchs are products of the palace. If one were to appear in this territory, then Huangfu Xi would indeed have reason to investigate!"
"It's not a palace eunuch, but Chen Laodie's son, Chen Yusheng. He's already twenty-five years old. At his age, men usually have some facial hair, but he has none. His voice is a bit high-pitched, and he uses the three-year mourning period as an excuse not to marry. That's one thing, but the key is he's not even betrothed. So I can't help but feel there's something amiss here!"
His wife had seen eunuchs, but she hadn't paid much attention to their physical characteristics. However, he was different. As a man in the prime of his youth, could he truly control himself in matters of the flesh?
He didn't believe it.
Xiao Ce suddenly fell silent. Chen Laodie had died a tragic death. If even his only son had lost the opportunity to be a man, it would mean the end of Chen Laodie's lineage.
Fan Zehao instructed Xiao Ce, "Go and secretly investigate everything Chen Yusheng has done in the past two years. We'll be waiting for you at the Binyue Inn in Hedong Prefecture. Remember, my wife must not know about this."
"Understood. I'll go now!" Xiao Ce, aware of the matter's importance, left without delay to carry out Fan Zehao's instructions.
Meanwhile, on the street, Zhao Jiaqi led Su Ya on a shopping spree. The mistress and maid strolled along, looking at various items. Although the town was small, its wares were quite comprehensive.
Su Ya stopped at a jewelry stall, admiring a half-opened peach wood hairpin carved with a peach blossom. She was utterly captivated.
Zhao Jiaqi looked at the hairpin. It was finely crafted, but compared to the jade hairpin she was currently wearing, it was significantly inferior.
"Boss, how much for this hairpin?" Su Ya asked the stall owner.
The owner held up two fingers and said with a smile, "The young lady has a good eye. This is a hairpin that attracts peach blossom luck. If you wear it, your romantic prospects will be very bright. Twenty wen, it's not expensive!"
The owner's words startled Zhao Jiaqi. She quickly put down another hairpin she was holding. She didn't want peach blossom luck. If it could bring her a hairpin that ensured fertility, she would want as many as possible.
It wasn't superstition, but a glimmer of hope in her heart. Even though she knew it was unlikely, it offered some solace.