The days passed quickly, and before they knew it, the Spring Festival had arrived.
That morning, Duan Yan went to the training grounds for a round of drills. There was naturally no need to train today; the New Year festivities had to be observed. He had made arrangements in advance, assigning the men under him to take turns standing guard.
He would have the first few days before New Year’s off, while Old Third Qian would rest during the latter half of the first lunar month. After giving him a few instructions, Duan Yan took his own leave as well.
That evening, the two families planned to have a reunion dinner together in the city. Duan Yan wanted to personally prepare a few good dishes, so he sent Gou San’er to the countryside to fetch his father and mother.
After leaving the training grounds, he went straight to the market to buy some ingredients. Chickens, ducks, fish, geese, and rabbits had already been sent into the city from the estate two days earlier. They had even arranged to slaughter a fat sheep for the occasion, so there was no need to buy any more meat or vegetables. The estate had nearly everything the city did.
The market had been lively since the Little New Year, but today it was even more crowded. Many farmers from the villages had cleaned their homes from top to bottom yesterday, and this morning they had all hurried into town to buy New Year goods for the family feast that evening.
Duan Yan arrived a little late. At the meat stalls, he saw that two entire pigs had already been sold. Two freshly slaughtered ones had just been delivered, and before the butcher had even had time to divide up the meat, villagers carrying baskets and buying vegetables had already formed a long line.
He thought to himself that meat and vegetables sold well during the New Year. Old Third Qian’s business must be booming, and he had probably made quite a bit of money.
Then he suddenly remembered how that brat had led the way in raising prices recklessly during the epidemic. Duan Yan turned and headed toward his family’s butcher shop.
He pointed at the fresh pork on the chopping block and asked the price, then picked up a piece to inspect how fresh it was.
The meat was perfectly fine, all of it fresh—at most, it had been slaughtered the day before. The shop assistant was sweating profusely from trying to serve the tightly packed crowd of customers and only managed to find time to answer Duan Yan after a while.
The meat cost thirteen copper coins, one to three coins more than usual.
That was normal enough. Prices for meat and vegetables always rose somewhat during the New Year; they were never as cheap as they were at ordinary times. These were perfectly ordinary prices.
Duan Yan felt somewhat relieved. That brat had finally stopped using his tricks to manipulate prices. After joining the army and training with the troops every day, his martial skills had improved, but more importantly, the rascal’s slick, streetwise manner seemed to have been trained out of him.
“Duan… Duan Yan.”
Seeing that there was no sign of disorder in the market, Duan Yan prepared to leave. He was tall, and standing in the crowded shop without buying anything would only take up space and annoy people.
But just as he squeezed his way out, he came face-to-face with a familiar yet unfamiliar figure from his memories.
Duan Yan paused. “He-ge.”
It had been more than half a year, and this was the first time he had personally met Ji He.
It had also been more than half a year since Ji He had seen Duan Yan. Since his husband had begun training soldiers at the grounds, he often heard him mention Duan Yan.
In the past, his family had rarely brought up Duan Yan in front of him. And when they did, it was never anything good.
The Qian and Duan families had been feuding for many years, and everyone in the village knew it.
After the start of winter, his father-in-law would still occasionally criticize Duan Yan. But Old Third Qian no longer joined in as he once had. Instead, he even praised Duan Yan, saying that he truly had ability.
From those scattered remarks, Ji He could tell that the relationship between the two men had become much more harmonious.
“Are you here to buy meat?” Ji He asked. “There are so many people buying things for the New Year that it’s hard to choose. If there’s anything you’re short of, have A Xu send someone to deliver it to your home.”
“I only came in because I saw how lively it was,” Duan Yan replied. “The estate has already prepared all the New Year goods, so there’s no need to trouble you.”
As he spoke, he noticed that Ji He was holding the hand of a child with a small topknot. The child clutched a candied hawthorn skewer and stared at him with round, bright eyes. He was adorably pale, though the cold had reddened his plump cheeks.
The child looked more like Ji He, which was fortunate enough.
“The training grounds need someone on guard,” Duan Yan said. “Old Third Qian was assigned to the first shift tonight. It’s a shame he can’t have the reunion dinner with your whole family.”
“It’s nothing to worry about. He told the family beforehand. There will be plenty of chances for us all to reunite during the first lunar month.”
When Ji He saw Duan Yan looking at the child, he gently shook the boy’s hand and prompted him to call Duan Yan “Uncle.”
The child obeyed his little father and called out in a soft, childish voice.
Duan Yan found him quite adorable. He waved to a pastry vendor on the street and bought several pieces of warm cake for the child.
“It’s cold today. If it doesn’t rain soon, it may start snowing. Standing outside for too long might leave the child frozen through.”
Duan Yan patted the child’s head and said to Ji He, “I won’t keep you and your son any longer. During the first lunar month, bring the child and come visit us with Old Third Qian.”
Ji He nodded. “All right.”
With that, Duan Yan turned and left.
Ji He watched the man walk proudly into the bustling street. He felt an indescribable emotion stirring in his heart. There was something he had long wanted to say to Duan Yan in person, and since he had finally run into him today, he ought to apologize.
Back then, Duan Yan had treated him exceptionally well and earnestly wanted to marry him. How could Ji He, when he was young, have felt nothing? He had once considered marrying Duan Yan too. Unfortunately, his family valued the Qian family more, and Ji He had always been soft-hearted. In the end, he simply followed their arrangements.
On the day of his wedding, he heard that Duan Yan had not attended the wedding feast, but had instead gotten dead drunk outside and gotten into a fight that caused trouble. After that, whenever the two of them happened to see each other from a distance, sorrow had always filled Duan Yan’s eyes.
Yet today, when Ji He saw him, his eyes were open and steady, and his manner was calm and composed. For a moment, Ji He was dazed. If not for that familiar face, he would have thought he had mistaken him for someone else.
Duan Yan had truly changed.
Ji He did not feel that Duan Yan’s feelings or attitude toward him had changed, nor did he feel regret or sorrow. What struck him was that Duan Yan himself seemed entirely different from before. He had no idea what the man had gone through over the years.
He had heard A Xu mention that Duan Yan and the young master from the Song family who had come from the capital had become lovers.
Thinking of all this, Ji He suddenly felt that perhaps he should not say those words after all. Bringing it up might instead place the two of them in an unpleasant situation.
Duan Yan had only gone a few steps when Ji He took two steps back and slipped into a fruit shop.
“What are you buying? Why didn’t you tell me? I could have brought everything home for you.”
Song Fengsui picked out two persimmons with fine shapes and good color and placed them in the basket. Without even looking at Duan Yan, he continued selecting his own things.
“Grandfather wrote the Spring Festival couplets, and Second Uncle painted the door guardians. I came to buy cypress branches, persimmons, and oranges to pray for blessings.”
After saying this, he continued in an unhurried tone, “What were you doing over here? Weren’t you going to the training grounds?”
“I gave my instructions and left. I came to buy a few seasonings. Didn’t we say we were going to roast a leg of lamb tonight? We’ll need plenty of good spices to marinate it in advance.”
Song Fengsui gave a cool “oh.”
Duan Yan tilted his head and leaned closer to look at him, feeling that Song Fengsui’s attitude was rather strange. That morning, he had clearly been in high spirits and had even said they would cook together.
How had his mood changed more quickly than the weather in the space of only an hour or two?
“What’s wrong?” Duan Yan asked.
“Nothing’s wrong.”
Song Fengsui said that with his mouth, but turned his head away so Duan Yan could not see his face. Then he turned around and went to take something from the shelf beside them.
Duan Yan followed him. “I ran into Ji He at Old Third Qian’s butcher shop just now.”
Song Fengsui raised his eyebrows, his ears almost perking up. However, he still pretended to be nonchalant and continued to pick oranges. "Oh, what a coincidence. What did you go to his shop for? Your family doesn't lack meat."
"That guy has a history of leading price hikes. I went to check if he was raising prices randomly."
Duan Yan honestly explained how he went in and how he met Ji He on the way out, including what they both said and what he bought for Ji He's child. "We didn't talk much. We just greeted each other briefly and then went our separate ways."
After listening to the detailed account, Song Fengsui finally put down what he was holding and turned his head. He stared at Duan Yan. "So, you wanted to talk more?"
Duan Yan was taken aback and quickly said, "I didn't want to at all!"
"I just happened to meet him. After all, we know each other. If I didn't even say hello, it would seem like I couldn't let go."
Song Fengsui snorted. "Brother Ji from the Ji family is good - looking with gentle eyes and eyebrows. At first glance, he is a kind - natured, quiet and reserved young man. If he gets married, he will surely be a virtuous wife who takes care of her husband and children."
"It's also bad luck. Such young men are the easiest targets for playboys and hooligans, especially those like you in the past."
Song Fengsui stretched out his finger and secretly poked Duan Yan twice.
Duan Yan's eyebrows twitched. "Have you seen him?"
Song Fengsui didn't answer.
Even if Duan Yan was dull, he realized that he had been seen just now. He grabbed Song Fengsui's finger. "I swear to heaven that I have absolutely no extra thoughts."
He wanted to say that he didn't have such thoughts in the past, didn't have them now, and wouldn't have them in the future, but of course, he couldn't say that.
Song Fengsui pursed his lips slightly, with a smile in his eyes.
"You swear to heaven but hold someone else's finger to make an oath. You're really calculating."
Seeing that Song Fengsui was no longer pretending to be indifferent and not wanting to care about things, Duan Yan knew that there was no problem.
His eyes lit up and he said softly, "Since you saw him just now, why didn't you come up and say hello together?"
Song Fengsui understood what he meant, but he didn't take the bait.
"You think too beautifully. But I'm not such a petty person that I'll rush up angrily to claim sovereignty at the slightest sign of trouble. The honest ones will stay honest. If someone isn't honest, the tighter you watch, the more excited they'll get."
For some reason, the words "skilled in managing one's husband" popped into Duan Yan's mind. He lowered his eyes and wanted to laugh. He whispered his thoughts in Song Fengsui's ear.
Song Fengsui's ears turned red.
Saying such things in a busy shop in broad daylight, this man really had no shame sometimes.
"During the free medical consultation a few days ago, I saw many old people with cold - leg syndrome. They all said that this winter seems to be colder than usual. I've been making a lot of frostbite ointment in my free time. When can you take some and give it to Brother Ji and his child?"
He had seen the child just now. There was a red patch on the child's face. Children's skin was delicate and most prone to frostbite.
Duan Yan agreed and said that he would give it to Old Third Qian and let him take it back.
After they bought their New - Year goods, they walked back to the mansion leisurely, chatting and laughing all the way.
Just as they reached the mansion gate, they happened to see Gou San'er bringing Duan's father and mother.
When they came to the town, the old couple brought some New - Year goods, including supplements and snacks. They said they were going to give them to the Song family as New - Year gifts. There were quite a lot of things, so Gou San'er called the servants out to carry them.
Amid the chaos, Duan's father pulled Duan Yan aside. He straightened his collar. "Well, how do I look today? Am I stylish?"
If Duan Yan hadn't been told, he wouldn't have noticed. He looked at his father carefully. The old man was wearing a round hat with fur trim, a dark - blue cotton robe with cloud patterns, and even boots made of horsehide on his feet.
After a closer look, he really did look more particular than usual.
Duan's mother also came over. "Son, you've seen more of the world. How about your mother?"
Oh, his mother was even more remarkable. She used to always wrap her head with a square scarf, but today she took off the scarf and combed her hair into a big, flat - round bun. There was a silver comb inserted horizontally under the bun.
She was also wearing new clothes.
Duan Yan looked at his mother's head and said in surprise, "I never knew you had so much hair."
She could even make such a big bun on her small head.
"Your mother used a false bun. This hairstyle was done by Mrs. Lü in our village. She used to work for a wealthy family in the county."
As she said, she reached up and touched her tightly - pulled hair. She was used to wrapping her head, and suddenly combing such a fancy bun made her feel like there was a basin on her head. She wasn't quite used to it.
Duan Yan didn't understand anything about dressing well. He was about to call for help, asking Young Master Song to come and give his opinion.
But before he could open his mouth, his father stopped him with a series of "hey - hey - hey". "You stupid boy. Your parents are asking you if we look decent. We're meeting Brother Song's parents for the first time today."
Duan's father smoothed the corners of his clothes and checked if there was any dust on himself. "We can't embarrass you and hold you back, right?"
Only then did Duan Yan realize what the old couple meant. A warm feeling welled up in his heart.
The elders of the Song family used to have high - ranking positions. Although they were now in Yan Town, they had become the decision - makers in the yamen. It was only natural that Duan's father and mother were a bit nervous about meeting the Song family for the first time.
He comforted them gently, "Mom and Dad, Grandfather Song, Sui Sui's father, mother, and second uncle used to have high social status, but they are very kind - hearted people.
As long as you treat them sincerely, they are the easiest to get along with. They are also open - minded. You don't have to worry or be nervous. Just be yourself."
"That's good, that's good."
Duan's mother nodded repeatedly.
Duan's father saw Song Fengsui walking over and coughed dryly. He quickly said, "Let's go in, let's go in."
"What are you talking about?"
Song Fengsui walked over. Duan's father and mother gave him a kind smile and then went into the mansion.
He couldn't help but look at the old couple and then turned to ask Duan Yan.
"Nothing. My parents attach great importance to this meeting. They talked to me a bit, and I told them not to be nervous."
Duan Yan didn't go into details, but he didn't hide anything from Song Fengsui either.
Song Fengsui had just noticed that the old couple were dressed very neatly today. A smile appeared on his lips.
"Maybe the elders at home have something important to discuss today, so they are being very solemn."
Duan Yan was a bit confused at first. He wondered what important things there could be to talk about during the New - Year reunion dinner. But after being reminded by Young Master Song, he suddenly remembered something.
His eyebrows twitched. "I don't think so. The situation is unstable now. It's not the time to discuss these things."
Saying that, he was still a bit worried. "I have to go and remind them."
Seeing this, Song Fengsui felt a bit unhappy. He didn't stop Duan Yan from going. He just stood there sulkily and said,
"Is it that you don't have that intention and never thought about going that far with me?"
Duan Yan suddenly stopped in his tracks. "Since I said I want to be with you, I've already thought about that step carefully.
"If I didn't have that intention beforehand and easily said those things to you and got so close to you, wouldn't that be the behavior of a philanderer?"
Hearing this, Song Fengsui gave the other person a resentful and somewhat aggrieved look and said, "It's fine that you don't say anything yourself. Why don't you even allow the elders to talk about it?"
Duan Yan saw that the other person was getting a bit emotional. He thought that his previous reaction had made the other misunderstand.
Now that the topic had come to this point, he also wanted to have a good talk with the other about his inner concerns. He took the other's hand and led him into the mansion, going to a quiet place.
"Sui Sui, you were born with a silver spoon in your mouth. Maybe I can't give you the kind of wealthy life you had before, but I swear that no matter what situation we're in, I'll definitely never let you suffer grievances and my true feelings for you will never change.
Getting married is such a major event. I hope to give you the best I can possibly offer."
"One day, the world will surely be at peace, but it's not the most chaotic time yet. There are limited resources in this town. Preparing for our wedding when there are shortages everywhere and making you marry me in a hasty and shabby way, I can't do that to you. I just can't bear to let you be wronged like this."
"Maybe he won't feel wronged," Song Fengsui looked at Duan Yan and said. "If he wanted a grand wedding with a long procession of red bridal decorations and a noble and decent ceremony, he could have just chosen someone who could offer all these things from among the many aristocrats and gotten married in a hurry. But was that marriage really for the grand occasion or for the person?
To have a man who truly loves you, and this man is reliable and upright, and happens to be liked and approved by your parents and elders, such a wonderful marriage is really rare in the world."
Song Fengsui continued, "In my leisure time, I often think that being so fortunate might be the compensation from God for all the hardships I've endured before. If I hadn't been exiled and experienced all kinds of difficulties in Qianzhou, my life would probably have been like a glass of plain water without any tea leaves or sugar, smooth but soulless.
I would have spent my life with a man who seemed well - matched in others' eyes, with no ripples in my heart throughout this journey in the world."
Duan Yan felt as if his heart was being held tightly in his palm. "Sui Sui..."
"I don't care about those external things you mentioned. In this troubled world, even if we have nothing, but our closest parents and elders are still by our side to witness our relationship, I think that's already the best thing.
Song Fengsui's eyes were a bit hot. "I don't mean to force you to marry me. I just want to tell you that I've never felt the slightest bit of grievance being with you. On the contrary, because of you, I look forward to every new day."
Duan Yan couldn't hold back any longer and suddenly reached out to hug the other tightly in his arms.
"I may not be the compensation from God for you, but you must be the gift from God to me. As long as you're willing, without the elders' reminder, I'll talk to Uncle Song myself."
"If you agree today, I'll propose marriage today. If you only agree tomorrow, then I'll do it tomorrow."
Song Fengsui rested his chin on Duan Yan's shoulder and wrapped his arms around the other's waist. "You're really good at seizing the opportunity. Then what if I never agree?"
"Even if we never have an official status, I'll still stay with you."
Song Fengsui suddenly laughed. "You're not a philanderer, and I'm not a bad man who takes someone without giving them a proper name either."
