Special Fondness – Chapter 6
PUBLISHED ON22 October 2021
R18Warning: There's a smut in this chapter marked by brackets【】
Spring became slightly hot, Summer was coming quietly.
Fang Su has been staying in the Tang Mansion for more than half a month, but still hasn't gone outside yet, it was not like it was hard to find an opportunity, but he just didn't make the request. Tang QiaoYuan was also constantly worried about his foot injury, he even rarely let him leave the main courtyard, not to mention other places.
Tang Qiao Yuan has been staying by his side for several days now, one could even say that most of the time he was inextricable from his side, he taught him how to read and how to write, accompanied him to study and chat. When Fang Su let his mind wander, he would think about Tang QiaoYuan's identity, he didn't know what he did for a living to be able to stay in the mansion every day, nor why everybody around him would address him as "Zhuang Zhu1".
He thought about that many times but never really asked. Since Fang Su got along with Tang QiaoYuan, he has gotten more relaxed and was no longer worried about being embarrassed. However, being obedient like that made it rare and hard for him to take a step further, and didn't want to ask about the other party's private affairs.
Tang QiaoYuan sympathized with him, although he could see that Fang Su was still not comfortable enough, however, the slight changes were enough to make him feel relieved, thus he will not break their current situation, and could only wait for everything to get better step by step.
Besides, Fang Su's sprained ankle gradually healed during this half-month timeframe.
Whether it was thanks to the medicinal liquor or the injury he got that day was not too serious, in any case, Tang Qiao Yuan believed that he was completely fine. Fang Su was now able to walk briskly on his own and could even jog, nothing was wrong with his stance.
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From daytime till nighttime, Fang Su was sitting alone behind the desk practicing his writing. A gust of breeze was blowing outside the windows, it surged into the room and sent the rice papers flying all around the room.
Fang Su hurriedly used the paperweight to press them down, then turned around to run towards the windows and carefully closed the windows.
Tang QiaoYuan was sitting at the table drinking tea, he looked at him running back and forth, with a smile in his eyes, then walked up to him and asked: "What are you writing?" looking down, he saw that Fang Su was copying a storybook, there were many uncommon words inside that he could not recognize, yet he also managed to copy them very decently.
"It is getting neater and neater." Tang QiaoYuan's lips curled up, embraced him and let out a low chuckle for a short while, then turned him around to ask: "Your foot doesn't hurt anymore?"
At that moment, Fang Su suddenly came to a realization, he lowered his head to look at his left foot, nodded and replied: "It doesn't hurt anymore, it seems to have healed."
Tang QiaoYuan loved his confused expression, he bent to kiss his ear shell until it became red and hot, then coaxed: "Then tomorrow I will take you outside of the mansion to play, how about that?"
Fang Su nodded as his eyes revealed his happiness.
Although Fang Su's foot was already healed, Tang QiaoYuan still kept on rubbing medicinal liquor for him, since this medicine was harmless to the bones and muscles, rubbing it a few more times was just for precaution, thus he refused to neglect it.
Warm hands kept on massaging Fang Su's ankle, until this part of the skin felt burning.
It has been like that for many days, and has never ceased. However, over time Fang Su still couldn't get used to it, he always looked at him quietly with a red face, even tonight he seemed noticeably awkward, and pressed his lips as if he wanted to say something.
Tang QiaoYuan saw it clearly but did not ask him anything, he would wait until he was ready to speak, only, he did not know that this wait would be quite long. Fang Su remained silent when he applied the medicine, until he put away the bottle, washed his hands and returned to bed, Fang Su finally was no longer embarrassed and started talking.
At this moment, the candlelights in the room were extinguished, only vague shadows could be seen, Fang Su gently tugged at the corners of his sleeves, and whispered: "It's already healed."
Tang QiaoYuan inexplicably understood the meaning behind his words, it seemed that he wanted to thank him, but it also carried a hint ofcutenessthat Fang Su himself seemed unaware of, Tang QiaoYuan couldn't help but smile happily: "Alright, I won't rub the medicine tomorrow."
Fang Su let out an "en", closed his eyes to sleep, and as usual drew himself closer to Tang QianYuan. Tang QiaoYuan would also stretch his arm to circle him like usual, but something was different today, the hand wrapped around his back wasn't gently patting him, but was instead touching his back in a detached way, sliding down and gently scratching, making him feel an itch.
Fang Su wasn't thinking anymore, after a while he really felt itchy, laughter spilled from his lips, he squirmed forward a bit to avoid it: "itchy…" before he could even finish his word, he was suddenly stunned, the moment he leaned forward he seemed to have bumped into something incredible.
【Tang QiaoYuan did not reply, his hand was pressing against Fang Su's lower back, the little pressure drew the person in his arms even closer, letting his thigh feel the vigorous thing in his lower part while keeping a calm expression on his face, and slowly kissed his delicate eyebrows.
Fang Su immediately understood, he was a man himself, he knew what that hard and hot thing was. Tang QiaoYuan's breath became heavy, but his kiss was not rushed as if he was deliberately restraining himself, for fear he would frighten him.
Fang Su's body tensed, he indeed felt a little panicked, but fortunately, this person did not urge him to respond and gave him enough time to relax. He calmed his heart, and inexplicably remembered what this person had said before, that he was already married to him. They were clearly already married, yet they have waited until now for what they should have done that day, it wasn't hard to see how much he was cherished, was it?
Thinking about this, his body slowly loosened its strength, Fang Su raised his head and gently brushed his lips in the dark to meet his kiss.
Tang QiaoYuan let out a low sigh, he rolled over and pressed him underneath him. The originally cautious little pecks turned into a fiery kiss, from his earlobe then down to linger on his neck, branding him with ambiguous marks one after another.
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This person's gentle hands carried a sense of dominance that was hard to be ignored, he pulled open the collar of Fang Su's inner robe, his lips falling on the exposed chest, and kissed it for a while trying to find the weak and soft little dots, and opened his mouth to suck on them. Fang Su couldn't stop the low moan that spilled from his closed lips, the quivering sound fell into the ears of the person on top of him.
Tang QiaoYuan straightened himself, rutting against Fang Su's lower parts through the fabric of their underpants, sucking on the little nubs and sighed: "Su Su.."
Fang Su's eyes were filled with emotion and dampness, the indulging calling made his whole body soft, he obediently let this person take off his pants. Tang QiaoYuan squeezed his body between his legs, he used a hand to stroke the base of his thighs to spread them more apart, while his other hand reached under the pillow to find a case of scented cream.
Fang Su did not understand what it was at first until he felt the slippery cream-like substance being smeared on a certain place behind him, that he suddenly thought about how that thing had been left under his pillow for many days…
A finger broke into the tight entrance, Fang Su's legs tightened, biting his lower lip restlessly.
Tang QiaoYuan kissed his lips until he opened his mouth, only then did his finger slowly start moving inside, carefully stroking the warm place, waiting patiently for him to relax more. Fang Su panted as he moved, the fear in his heart gradually subsided. When his mind started to drift a little, that person stretched in another finger. Fang Su frowned slightly, but fortunately; he was able to adapt. He tried his best to cooperate and endure it, but groaned with pain when a third finger entered.
"Bear with it a little longer…" Tang QiaoYuan felt sorry and kissed his face, the arrow was already placed against the bowstring and it was hard to stop, he could only use his other hand to comfort his front, trying to divert his attention.
Fang Su's front was originally slightly erected, but at this moment, it lost some energy because of the pain, after being held inside the palm of that person and rubbed for a while, it finally recovered once more. Tang QiaoYuan could hear the slow changes in his groaning, he was reassured and slowly pumped his fingers.
The acupoint was rubbed until it was soft and wet, after the fingers withdrew, Fang Su breathed a sigh of relief. But before his misty eyes could find focus again, he saw Tang QioYuan leaning down and pressing him, lowering his head and whispering: "Bite me if it hurts."
Fang Su looked at him absentminded, before he could think clearly about these words, a hard object reached up behind him, the thing did not wait any longer and firmly pushed inside.
"QiaoYuan…" Fang Su tightly clenched that person's shoulders in panic, with enough foreplay, the pain was not too intense, but the feeling of a foreign object breaking into his body made him particularly nervous, he subconsciously called for him, wanting to hear some comforting words.
Tang QiaoYuan's lower body kept thrusting, the arm on the back of his waist tightened to hug him closer, he whispered in his ears, and replied, "Don't be afraid."
Fang Su tightly wrapped his arms around his neck, his eyelashes flickered and let out a trail of tears in grievance. Tang QiaoYuan slowly thrust deeper, stopping to kiss the wet corners of his eyes.
Faint moonlight shone through the paper windows slowly illuminating the room, his eyes had already adapted to the darkness, now that they were close, Fang Su could see the smile in this person's eyes. After slowing down his movements for a while, Tang QiaoYuan stretched his waist shallowly, as if looking for something in his body, he asked with a gentle smile "Where is my Su Su, uhm?"
Fang Su was puzzled and stared at him with teary eyes until he felt it hit somewhere incredible, he couldn't help but let out a low moan while twisting his waist.
"Here…" Tang QiaoYuan hugged his waist, with a deep smile he bowed his head to kiss his lips and started to thrust at that same spot.
"No…" Fang Su shook his head while hugging Tang QiaoYuan's body tightly, and begged for mercy with a trembling voice.
Tang QiaoYuan has always been caring towards him, but at that moment he was just smiling while whispering sweet nothings and coaxing him slowly, while his lower part rammed home and gradually went faster and harder.
"QiaoYuan… don't want…" Fang Su wasn't even sure what he didn't want, he felt waves of intense pleasure and lifted his head in excitement, Tang QiaoYuan buried his head in Fang Su's neck and inhaled.
Fang Su slowly became unable to speak, he inadvertently used his hands to scratch on Tang QiaoYuan's back, his stiff cock rubbed against Tang QiaoYuan's hard abs and spurted some fluid. Finally, with a cry, he came on Tang QiaoYuan's stomach.
After his climax, Fang Su's hole desperately squeezed on the object inside him with a tight grip, Tang QiaoYuan narrowed his eyes and sighed, his hands remained on Fang Su's waist and comforted him with gentle caresses. After the initial surge of pleasure passed, he recovered his stamina and once again penetrated continuously.
Fang Su's body turned weak, it was his first time and it was hard for him to accept the strong pleasure, his legs became soft and trembled on the bed, all he could do was wait for the man to be satisfied. Tang QiaoYuan knew that he was insufferable, that's why he purposefully didn't ask for too much, he rammed in the blissful spot a hundred times more, and at last he released inside Fang Su who at the same time was also reaching the peak.
The light in Fang Su's eyes had long faded away, he could feel above him the man's scorching breath against his neck, and the lingering effects of pleasure made his body tremble uncontrollably. 】
After a short while, Tang QiaoYuan regained some clarity and made a move to leave, Fang Su let out a faint and low sound as he stretched out weakly his fingers to scratch on Tang QiaoYuan's back.
Tang QiaoYuan lay down on his side, and hugged Fang Su's with a smile, he grabbed his fingers and started to knead and kiss them. After feeling satisfied, he repeatedly called out "Su Su" so much that Fang Su felt his cheeks become hot, when he finally stopped, Tang QiaoYuan still teased him deliberately: "Once you get used to it, I will thoroughly love you."
Fang Su's body turned rigid once he heard what he said, they have been getting along for some days now but he had never seen this person with this look, he didn't know how to respond, so he could only bury his head and refused to pay attention to him.
Tang QiaoYuan chuckled, and took the opportunity to let him lean on his chest, ran his hand along the back of Fang Su's head while pondering in his head that besides performing the wedding ceremony and drinking the nuptial cup, they were only missing the wedding night, which has finally been completed today.
The soft words' ambiguity floating in the air slowly calmed down.
Tang QiaoYuan rested for a while before getting out of bed with Fang Su in his arms, who was too ashamed to say anything and went behind the screen to wash up.
The weight between his arms was very light, but he was worth everything.
Note:
A manor's master. This will be translated as "master" in this novel so it sounds smoother.
At dawn the next morning, Fang Su woke up leisurely from his dream, before opening his eyes, the events of last night emerged in his mind making him unable to look at the man next to him. His body wasn't exhausted, but he was still feeling lazy, he didn't want to make a single movement, so he took the opportunity to lie down, and did not even want to get up. He closed his eyes and pretended to be asleep, that way he also could avoid talking to Tang QiaoYuan.
Tang QiaoYuan has awakened for who knows how long, and has kept his eyes on Fang Su's sleeping appearance, now, he could see that he was clearly awake but was still pretending to sleep, even so, he didn't expose him, he chuckled lowly and sat up, and got out of bed to freshen up first.
Fang Su heard his movements and quietly opened his eyes, the several scratch marks on Tang QiaoYuan's back were very eye-catching, it only takes one glance to understand how he had gotten them. He immediately closed his eyes with shame, unstoppable fragments of last night appeared in his mind, he felt his whole body heat up. As a result, he was even more reluctant to get up, wishing to spend the whole day wrapped in the quilt.
Although he thought that way, in the end, he couldn't do as he wished.
Tang Qiao Yuan did not urge him, and only sent people to bring breakfast to the room. There was an unknown number of sumptuous dishes, a fragrant smell filled up the room, making people salivate.
The scent drifted closer and closer, the tantalizing smell drifted under his nose, Fang Su couldn't help himself anymore and opened his eyes, he noticed that Tang QiaoYuan was teasing him on purpose, he held a small porcelain bowl with a small bun inside and approached him, letting out a low chuckle: "Crab roe xiaolongbao."
Now he really could not pretend anymore, Fang Su looked at him with a faint red face, his lips slowly curled up into a smile.
Tang QiaoYuan put the bowl on the low bedside table, and held Fang Su up, when he put his palm on his back, he was taking note in his heart that Fang Su was too thin, so thin that it made his heartache when he touched him, he helplessly smiled and asked: "I brought all the good things on the table but you always only have few bites, how will I fatten you up?"
Fang Su listened to his words and took a look at the table in front of him, it was only breakfast but a whole table was set up, the dishes were more abundant day after day, afraid that he wasn't able to pick what he likes. Fang Su actually likes everything but he got used to little food during all these years and has a small appetite. Whenever he looks at those delicious dishes his heart longs for it but his energy is lacking.
"You've prepared way too much…" Fang Su replied softly.
Tang QiaoYuan pretended not to understand "Don't tell me that if I prepare less it would make you eat more? What is this reasoning? Then, in the future I will only prepare a bowl of meat for you, will you be able to finish it cleanly?
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Fang Su was unable to answer, he couldn't compare to his silver tongue.
Tang QiaoYuan laughed for a while, he bent over to help Fang Su wear his socks and shoes, and added: "Eat whatever you like, it would be great even if you were to eat one more bite."
Fang Su nodded, Tang QiaoYuan felt relieved for a while and personally waited on him by washing his face and rinsing his mouth, then took him to sit by the desk once he was done, and said: "Today's weather is pleasing, let's pick a set of light clothes for you and tie your hair up, it is already summer, if you leave your hair scattered it will inevitably make you feel stuffy and make you sweat.
Fang Su held the small bowl of white fungus soup1with both hands to drink it, while watching Tang QiaoYuan's movement from the side of his eyes. When he heard the words "hair tie", he was suddenly stunned and seemed to have thought of something, then opened his mouth to call him: "QiaoYuan"
Tang QiaoYuan's eyes and eyebrows were filled with joy, he loved to hear Fang Su call him so gently. Looking back, he answered and listened to his question: "Where is the luggage that I previously requested to be put away?"
"What luggage?" Tang QiaoYuan blurted out, after asking, he came back to his senses, and thought that it must be what Fang Su brought with him when he first came to the mansion, "You've mentioned it at that time, I had sent someone to retrieve it from the other yard, it should be stored somewhere inside the room, let's just ask."
Tang QiaoYuan said that as he walked to the windows, He called for several maids who were waiting in the corridors. The maids entered the room, but after listening to the question, they were all confused; after thinking for a long time one of them remembered: "It seems like this luggage has already been thrown away."
Tang QiaoYuan immediately pulled a long face and said: "Who allowed you to throw it."
The maid saw that he was angry, instantly she knelt down and confessed her mistake, the other maids knelt down as well for fear of incurring his anger. Fang Su was slightly surprised when he saw that, he quickly put down the bowl and spoon, and soothe Tang QiaoYuan before he became angry: "There is no harm, don't be angry…"
Tang QiaoYuan looked at him sideways, and saw that his eyes were full of disappointment and anxiety, yet he was still looking after them by giving some justification, thus the reprimand that was at the tip of his tongue was not able to come out.
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"Master" the maid kneeling on the ground was terrified, she didn't even dare utter a word, but when she saw Fang Su was pleading for them, she then whispered, "There were only two old pieces of cloth in that luggage, this servant would never dare make such a rash decision, it was Miss Bai Ping who said that there was no need to keep them, that's why…"
Tang QiaoYuan frowned, he could not understand how Bai Ping, who has always been meticulous, could make such a mistake, when he seemed very displeased, the girl who was just mentioned rushed inside the room after she heard what was being said.
Bai Ping lifted the beaded curtain, after she entered the room, she delicately greeted with a bow " Master", then without being asked, immediately turned her body to Fang Su's direction and bowed: "Madam, the wooden hairpin inside the luggage, this servant has taken the initiative to put it inside the dressing table's small drawer for you."
Fang Su's eyes were overjoyed, before he could ask her how she knew what he was cherishing, he stood up and walked up to the dressing table. Inside the drawer, there was a cloth that was meticulously packaged, he opened the fabric and saw the simple hairpin that was with him for more than ten years was gently laying inside. Fang Su's mood recovered from his loss, and turned his head to thank Bai Ping: "Thank you very much, Miss Bai Ping."
"Madam is too serious." Bai Ping responded with a smile and took the frightened maids to retreat from the room when the moment was right. Before leaving, her eyes swept over Tang QiaoYuan's face and saw the softness in the eyes of someone who has never shown any, her heart paused slightly, she can't help but think that this madam who suddenly came to the mansion may really be the precious jade of this whole house.
Bai Ping was quietly rejoicing and secretly embraced this treasure.
After the brief storm has unfolded inside the room, the hostility Tang QiaoYuan inadvertently revealed has disappeared. He approached Fang Su to look at the object in his hand and asked: "Su Su wants to go out wearing this hairpin?"
Fang Su was in a good mood after he was able to find his precious thing, when he heard Tang QiaoYuan, he chuckled and shook his head light-heartedly "It's a hairpin made for women, how can I use it… this is a relic left by my mother, it has accompanied me for ten years, I forgot to look for it earlier…"
As he spoke, Fang Su felt more and more guilty.
In the past, this hairpin was always quietly pressed under his pillow. If he had been wronged during the day, then he would take it out at night for a look and feel comforted. But now that he came to Tang QiaoYuan's side, he suddenly gained a thoughtful and considerate love, which has actually replaced the protection given by this hairpin, he felt so comfortable that he had forgotten to keep it with him at all times.
Fang Su's eyes became slightly red and his heart inexplicably throbbed with remorse.
When the person behind heard him mention his close relative, he stretched out his arms and hugged him to his chest.
In this light summer, the floating clouds were thin.
Lin Zhou city is habitually lively, with streets bustling with pedestrians, street vendors lining up along the road, and occasionally children are frolicking on the street.
Fang Su wore a goose yellow garment, and walked unhurriedly with Tang QiaoYuan, his fingers under his sleeves were pinched, and played with, he was shy at first, but later his attention was diverted away by the dazzling things on the street and he gradually relaxed, no matter how sticky Tang QiaoYuan was, he just turned his head and looked at the new things.
As they walked, Tang QiaoYuan couldn't help but laugh, he suddenly hooked an arm around his waist, not caring if people were looking at them, he pretended to complain: "Once Su Su is outside the mansion, he doesn't even look at me anymore."
Fang Su's face became warm, then heard him joke again in a low voice: "It is better to be in the mansion, at least when you are in the mansion you would steal a few glances at me."
Fang Su had nowhere to hide, even his ears were burning up. He originally thought that Tang QiaoYuan was unaware of his act, but he was actually seen through all this time.
Tang QiaoYuan didn't want to let him go yet, he held him tighter and asked him with a chuckle: "Does the outside look better or does your husband look better? hm?"
Fang Su dodged his head to avoid him, but Tang QiaoYuan refused to loosen his hold deliberately, making him unable to avoid him no matter what he did. He was afraid of attracting others' attention, and could only reply in a whisper: "You look better…"
Tang QiaoYuan couldn't stop himself from laughing and wanted to kiss him on the face, but he was afraid it would make him so embarrassed that he would refuse to move forward, he weighed the situation and decided to endure it, and stopped teasing him.
Tang QiaoYuan retracted his arm, Fang Su turned around to look around him, it seemed that no idlers were looking at them, and secretly breathed a sigh of relief. What he didn't know was that in Lin Zhou city, rare were those who were unaware of Tang QiaoYuan's identity. Those people were afraid of him to some extent, they didn't dare to look at him disrespectfully, in case it would anger him, it would only bring them a life of bad luck.
Everyone on the street turned a blind eye, talking and walking respectively, the children were probably the only fearless ones, blinking with their pairs of big innocent eyes and looking up at them, their eyes met with Fang Su's, they would grin and make shameful grimaces at him.
Fang Su gradually relaxed, maybe because he was affected by the children, a big smile appeared on his face, his fingers curled imperceptibly and hooked Tang QiaoYuan's palm.
Not far away, a youngster about ten years old looked at them in surprise, an unbelievable expression could be seen on his face.
Translated Proofread by: Milktea Gemini(shorten our id lol)
Chapter 8
PUBLISHED ON29 October 2021
The village located outside Lin Zhou city is just a few miles away, it takes more than a quarter of an hour to drive back and forth, but if you go by foot, less than half an hour should be enough. Farmers in the village trade with each other, and every day before dawn they would go to the city to either sell fruits and vegetables or sell handicrafts, to earn some money and support their families.
This has been the case for Fang Su's birth mother more than a decade ago. The woman with ten nimble fingers would carry her handmade embroideries, and rush to the city while carrying in her arms a child that was still nibbling his hands, she would then sit in the street for the entire day.
At that time, Fang Su was still unfamiliar with the world, and was afraid of everything in the city, he was always obediently sitting on a stool, holding his mother's clothes and watching people come and go. Later, when he was a bit older, at five years old, he had gained more courage, he liked to run alone to the school that was on the same street and hide outside the windows to listen to the teacher's lecture.
In the old days, he was poor but happy. Although his family was poor, as long as Fang Su thought about something, his mother would do everything she could to fulfill his wish. Fang Su received that much love, but sadly it didn't last long, and before he could become a sensible child, the housewife had already changed to someone else.
For twelve whole years, Fang Su no longer loved to run to LinZhou city, and was afraid of reviving the old memories from the scenery.
But the scenery does not wait for the people, the city's view changes every day. Now that more than ten years have passed, Fang Su visits once again the old place but it felt particularly unfamiliar. Today, Tang QiaoYuan brought him outside the mansion to play, he wanted to take him to places that were once familiar, especially to the school on the eastside, to see if the old Mr.Wang was still here.
Although he had thought about it in his mind, Fang Su didn't honestly speak it out. When he was walking with Tang QiaoYuan on the street, he didn't even know where the streets would lead them to.
Tang QiaoYuan took him by the hand and strolled around leisurely, as if he had no purpose, and asked him several times where he wanted to go, but before he could even answer him, he would say to himself: " There's nothing special, let's freely walk around."
As if he was deliberately teasing him, Fang Su's face turned red.
Coincidently, Fang Su was not the talkative and noisy type of person, he was an introvert, and would not ask for anything in front of Tang QiaoYuan, he could only let him take the lead walking here and there, and kept his words inside his heart.
Tang QiaoYuan didn't know what he was thinking about, his eyes were filled with smiles.
After a few blocks, he asked again: "Is there somewhere Su Su wants to go to?"
Fang Su's heart was moved, this time he couldn't help but to push on, he quickly looked up and said: "I want to go to the east of the city!" he was astonished once his words fell out, it seemed that at this moment, he realized how anxious and funny he was. He lowered his eyes in embarrassment and immediately calmed down.
Tang QiaoYuan was trembling from laughter, he held his hand to his lips and smiled endlessly. He finally laughed enough, at last he stopped teasing him, he put his hands on his shoulders and turned him around, then asked happily: "Could this be YingJuan Private School?" "
Fang Su was slightly surprised and stared blankly at the horizontal plaque, the impression of the four characters on the plaque was shallow, after all, at that time he was young and the words he knew were limited, so he couldn't remember the name of the school well. But this place's doorstep, courtyard, walls and the grey tiles on the eaves, all appeared in his dreams too many times.
"We already are in the east of the city" Tang QiaoYuan hugged him from behind and said with a smile, "Mr. Wang is still teaching inside, do you want to go in and have a look?"
A deep feeling of surprise was floating in his eyes, Fang Su was very excited, but still asked hesitantly: "If I were to enter like this… won't it be inappropriate? Teacher must have forgotten about me long ago."
"If you don't go to see then how will you know?"
Tang QiaoYuan said that and took him inside, not letting him time to waver.
The sound of reading came from inside, the grass in the courtyard was green, and at one corner of the wall, there was a leather ball stained with dirt. Fang Su hesitated a little, stepped into the courtyard and suddenly felt his state of mind becoming clear.
Not far away was the school's classroom. The door was open, the children inside all sat behind a table and studied with a smug air surrounding them. There was a small stool placed at a familiar spot outside the window, but now that no one uses it, it seemed a little empty
The teacher was pacing slowly in the room with a ruler in his hand, and from time to time, would gently tap on the spine of those who were misbehaving. After a moment, he could see from his peripherals that there was someone, only then did he lift his head to look in their direction.
Fang Su looked at him, and because of his nervousness, he unintentionally pinched the fingers of the person beside him.
Teacher Wang was at an old age, his eyes could not be compared to before, he had to take a few more glances before he regained his senses, he couldn't refrain himself from greeting him with a smile.
"Mister…" Fang Su joined his hands into a greeting, he was anxiously thinking how he should greet him, he did not foresee that there was no need for him to dwell on this at all.
Teacher Wang returned his greetings, when he looked up, there wasn't the slightest bit of unfamiliarity in his look, there was unexpectedly even heavy gratitude in his eyes, and said to himself: "Young master Fang, this old man expresses his thanks on behalf of YingJuan Private School."
Fang Su was completely clueless.
"It was only a small stool, yet it was able to make the Young master remember it in its heart, the world's cause-and-effect, it really makes one overwhelmed with emotions."
Fang Su was silent, he could faintly guess the cause.
He raised his head to look at the person next to him, he saw Tang QiaoYuan nod slightly, reassuring him.
"Teacher," Fang Su knew it very well in his heart, his chest couldn't feel warmer, he turned his head to look at teacher Wang and replied: "Teacher has a kind heart and to whom this student is greatly indebted to, how could this student forget it."
Teacher Wang had a smile on his face, and stayed very modest.
Fang Su saw that his appearance was quite older, the ten-years span could be seen on his face.
He looked repeatedly, it was as if he returned to his childhood. At that time the person who was teaching inside the classroom heard some movements outside the window, when he walked toward it to take a look, the young child thought he made a big mistake, he was standing there stupidly and did not dare to run away.
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Teacher Wang walked to his side, rubbed Fang Su's head and wanted to take him inside to listen to the lecture, but Fang Su was so afraid that his eyes turned wet, not daring to take even half a step. Teacher Wang was helpless and could only put a small stool beside the window, and returned inside the classroom to continue his lecture. He deliberately avoided looking at the window bars so it wouldn't make Fang Su scared and nervous.
The young Fang Su was reassured, from that moment on the little stool became his exclusive seat, every day he would come to listen, he would even find a piece of sugar bun hand wrapped in a handkerchief on it.
Fang Su came back from his memories, the old man before his eyes looked at him with a kind attitude, this time his tone wasn't as unfamiliar as before, he spoke as if he was speaking to the ignorant kid back then and sighed: "At that time you suddenly stopped coming over, I would often be worried about you. Now that I can see that you are well, I can finally feel at ease."
Fang Su's eyes turned moist in an instant, he thought that things remained as ever but people change1, however it turned out that whether it was the things or the people, both still have stayed the same. Most of the things in the past were sad and gloomy and it was unbearable to look back at them, but fortunately, at this moment, it can still wind up as a comedy.
He sighed with emotions but also couldn't contain his excitement, he couldn't help himself from staying in the courtyard and speaking to teacher Wang for a long time.
The children who were reciting the lesson in the classroom quietly turned their head, they all happened to look outside, distracted and full of liveliness.
After a long time, Fang Su bid him goodbye and left the private school with Tang QiaoYuan.
The sunlight on the street was just right, Tang QiaoYuan tilted his head to look at the slightly red corners of his eyes, stretched his finger to touch the wet spot, and asked deliberately: "Is Su Su happy or sad?"
Fang Su stopped his steps, for once he did not avoid the teasing, without avoiding his gaze, he looked at him with joy and called out: "QiaoYuan."
"En?" Tang QiaoYuan had a deep smile.
"What did you gift to the school?"
Tang QiaoYuan casually replied: "Four treasures of the study, gold and silver goods, things that can be used, aren't these the only things I can gift them?"
Fang Su chuckled, after a while, he lowered his eyes, his voice was so small that it was almost unintelligible, but it was extremely firm when it fell to the ears: "Thank you…"
"You should not thank me," Tang QiaoYuan stretched his hand to hold a strand of soft hair that was hanging behind his back, and corrected him, "You should take it for granted, with complete confidence, and make demands to me in an arrogant and domineering way."
Fang Su heard the four words "arrogant and domineering way", he couldn't help but laugh, he smiled with his eyes crinkled as he also shook his head.
In fact, Tang QiaoYuan naturally knew that these four words were inconsistent with the person in front of him, but he insisted on phrasing it this way, every word and every action of his was to coax Fang Su into being happy. As long as Fang Su was satisfied, don't mention spending some money, even if he were to build a brand new school for YinJuan Private School, he would have agreed to do it quite happily.
Fang Su wasn't good at expressing himself, but he was aware of what affection was, he knew who was good to him and who wasn't. He did not have much before and did not request for anything, thus when there is such a person who appeared in front of him, he always had this idea that he will lose it sooner or later and he had to protect himself, so that one day when he will be thrown away he will not be badly hurt to the point that there will be no patch of skin left whole.
But now, Fang Su suddenly wanted to let go of all of his concerns.
He wanted to be greedy for once, he wanted to take all the good this person has to give and make it all his, he wanted to believe in himself that he would never lose them.
Fang Su was silently looking at Tang QiaoYuan, after a while he asked that sentence he was most uncertain about: "QiaoYuan, why are you this good to me?"
"Because I like you." Tang QiaoYuan straightened his eyebrows, his words full of comfort, "You are my wife."
"Then why do you like me?"
Tang QiaoYuan laughed, as if he didn't know the reason, he whispered to himself: "Right, why …."
Fang Su still did not understand, but in the end, he was relieved, he was already married to this person anyway, and he was already aware of his feelings.
"Tang QiaoYuan" these three words, no matter what happens in the future, will be the name that will be forever engraved on his heart in this life.
Translated Proofread by: Milktea and Gemini
Notes:
'物是人非' (wu shi fei ren), a Chinese idiom which is literally 'things remain but not people'
Chapter 9
PUBLISHED ON1 November 2021
Near the middle of the day, Fang Su and Tang QiaoYuan strolled down to a lively big street, it just happened to be lunchtime, and every establishment and restaurant were welcoming people to go in, there was an endless stream of customers.
Fang Su didn't wake up too early this morning, after last night's lovemaking he was only able to lay on the bed for a while, and also took his breakfast later than usual, only more than a shichen1has passed since then. His appetite was originally small, Tang QiaoYuan didn't know if he was hungry or not, he looked at a restaurant not far away and asked: "Does Su Su feel hungry?"
After asking, he did not receive a reply, Tang QiaoYuan raised his eyebrows and looked at him with uncertainty, only to see him looking at a sewing shop on the side of the street, listening to a young couple of man and woman talking, he looked like he was absorbed in their conversation, and seemed to have forgotten where he was. Tang QiaoYuan found it interesting, he also raised his eyes with a bit of curiosity, after listening to a few sentences, it turned out that it was indeed really quite interesting.
The young man was picking a purse at the counter, the girl next to him repeatedly persuade him to go, but that person didn't want to listen to her, he said with uncomprehension: "My purse was stolen by someone yesterday if I don't buy a new one, what should I use?"
The girl glanced at him helplessly, and said: "I will just make a new one for you."
"Why would you bother to do it?" The young man grinned and turned his head to continue to pick one again, "There are so many ready-made ones here, you can buy one with ten or so copper coins, so why waste so much effort."
The girl was so angry that she became speechless, she raised her hand and knocked on the back of this head, and scolded him "stubborn elm block", turned and ran away, leaving there that the man who was feeling stupidly aggrieved.
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Tang QiaoYuan immediately became happy, he let out a "pff", nodded in agreement: "Indeed, a real piece of elm block1". After speaking, Fang Su turned his head back, looking as if he saw enough excitement and returned to his senses only now.
Fang Su's eyes carried some puzzlement, he didn't quite understand, seeing that Tang QiaoYuan understood, he couldn't help but ask: "Why is that girl angry?"
Tang QiaoYuan was speechless, he just said that someone else was an elm block, but it turned out that the person next to him was also a piece of wood, he watched them for a long time yet he did not understand anything, he then replied: "That girl wanted to sew one herself for him."
Fang Su, who seemed to understand yet not really understood nodded his head, asked: "Is it better if it's handmade?"
Tang QiaoYuan immediately let out a laugh.
"Stupid Su Su", he was very happy, he pinched Fang Su's earlobe, and explained to him carefully, "it's not because a handmade one is sewn better, but rather wanting to make a purse for your lover, seeing him carry something you handmade yourself as if you are constantly keeping him company, and it will also make him think about you all the time."
Fang Su finally understood, he nodded with a red face, he took another look at that shop as if he had a thought. Tang QiaoYuan didn't suspect anything, he just thought that he was embarrassed, so he no longer asked him if he was hungry or not, and took him straight to a restaurant.
The hall was spacious, Fang Su never entered a restaurant that big, he felt a bit uneasy but the shopkeeper was very enthusiastic, he thoughtfully and respectfully invited them into a secluded and elegant private room. A wooden door blocked the noise outside, Fang Su felt more comfortable, he relaxed and watched Tang QiaoYuan order dishes with familiarity, he heard him order a few dishes' names he didn't know then hurriedly pulled on his sleeve, he shook his head and said: "it's enough".
Tang QiaoYuan thought about it, then ordered a few more dishes and told the shopkeeper: "Reduce each dish's quantity, just enough for two people to eat."
The shopkeeper complied and left. Fang Su was quite surprised, he was thinking that with so many dishes, but it has to be just enough for two people, then what would each dish look like to be suitable, won't it be too troublesome for others? There really is a shop like that in the world that is willing to comply with an unreasonable request like that.
Tang QiaoYuan chuckled while looking at him, listening to him speak out his thoughts, but did not explain anything to him, and replied some nonsense: "That shopkeeper is afraid of me, he would not dare to not comply, I would smash his shop. Thus others cannot do that but I can."
Fang Su thought he was being serious, a lot of wrongs surfaced in his heart, after holding back for a while he let out a: "It isn't good."
Tang QiaoYuan leaned back on his chair and laughed out loud.
Fang Su couldn't see that he was joking with him, he felt uneasy in his heart and felt sorry for the shopkeeper, he kept pondering how he should dissuade Tang QiaoYuan. But even after having their lunch, his efforts were fruitless, on the other hand, Tang QiaoYuan was given an inch but wanted to take a mile, he became overbearing, refused to give money after eating, and took him to walk out of the building.
The teashop shopkeeper who was used to it, did not stop them and sent them out respectfully.
Fang Su walked out with him in embarrassment, in the end, he couldn't endure it any longer and held Tang QiaoYuan back to remind him: "QiaoYuan, we have not paid, have we?…"
"Indeed" Tang QiaoYuan admitted openly, "I have always eaten the overlord's2meal, if this shopkeeper dares to ask me for some silver, then I will…"
"You will just smash his restaurant?" Fang Su frowned as he took in his words.
Tang QiaoYuan nodded solemnly and saw Fang Su's expression becoming so complicated that he didn't even know where to start. He looked at him happily for a while, until he could no longer talk any more nonsense, this could be considered as letting Fang Su off. He raised his chin with a smile and motioned for him to take a look at the plaque on the restaurant.
Fang Su looked back, these two words were easy enough to recognize, the word "TangZhuang" was written in black ink and gold.
"Are you relieved now?"
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Fang Su blinked in surprise and thought about it, no wonder he felt familiar with the taste of each delicacy during the meal earlier. It was probably because Tang QiaoYuan had called for some of these good things to be brought back to the mansion so he could taste them.
"QiaoYuan" Fang Su called as he stared at these two words, Tang QiaoYuan thought that he wanted to confirm something, and ask whether this restaurant was owned by the Tang family, and unexpectedly, it came to his ears, "They called you master, is it because of this TangZhuang restaurant?"
Tang QiaoYuan suddenly felt that he can't laugh enough, and felt extremely happy about today's outing. He assessed in his mind how he could explain clearly, however, after thinking for a while, he thought that it was not too bad to let Fang Su think so. After all, Fang Su was pure and ignorant, if he were to tell him the truth, he would be even more confused.
It's hard to tell him that he, Tang QiaoYuan, owned all the gambling houses in LinZhou city, as well as a few brothels in Flower Street3. Although he doesn't compel good families' young girls to engage in prostitution, these types of things are still not very clean. From one establishment to another, they all seemed to be somehow connected, thus, forming a dark village of wicked individuals under LinZhou city, this is the real reason why those people call him the owner of the city.
Tang QiaoYuan refused to let Fang Su know about the details, so he nodded his head and answered yes.
Fang Su suddenly displayed an expression of enlightenment, his worries had disappeared and now he showed a relaxed smile.
They both stopped strolling any further, returning to the road they originally followed.
Back at the residence, the summer sunlight shone blindingly, Tang QiaoYuan happened to be resting in the shade under a tree. Meanwhile, Fang Su was full of spirit, he walked around the courtyard looking for people. When he saw Bai Ping, he walked up to her to talk.
Since they stood too far from each other, Tang QiaoYuan didn't know what he was talking about, he looked at him with eyes half-emptied and smiled. After a while, he saw Bai Ping bring a sewing kit and some brocade materials, then entered the room.
Tang QiaoYuan only slept for about half an hour; after waking up, he looked around, but the familiar figure was no longer in the courtyard, he was probably still inside the room and had not come out since then. Now that he had slept enough, he was more clear-headed, he stood up from the soft chair right away with a mind filled with interest, and headed towards the room curiously.
Sure enough, his wife was sitting on a couch located by the window against the wall, there was a small basket with sewing materials inside that was placed beside him, and in his hands, there was a small purse that had been carefully sewn. Although the posture was certainly not as delicate as that of a daughter from a household, the technique was quite flexible and familiar.
Fang Su heard some footsteps and raised his head, as he just finished putting in the final stitches, he took the scissors and cut the end carefully, then reached out to hand over the purse to the person who just entered.
Tang QiaoYuan couldn't point out what he was experiencing, he felt quite smug, curled his lips and approached, then lowered his head and kissed Fang Su in-between his eyebrows. He took the small purse and for a while he would just look at it so lovingly that he could hardly put it down. Afterward, he immediately untied the more exquisite one from his waist, and replaced it with this one, then asked with a smile: "I only slept for a short while, and you've already finished it?"
"En" Fang Su nodded, "when I was little I saw my mom make a lot of them, I've learned to make them after watching her for a while, after that, in order to subsidize to the family, I kept making some small things, it doesn't take too much effort to sew something."
Tang QiaoYuan loved it, he usually wears expensive things, the purse he was carrying is something brought from JiangNan, it is sewn by the famous local embroiderer using floating brocade. Floating brocade is rare, such brocade is hard to find even if one has the money, he also thought that it is a good purse, but who knew that now compared to it, it wasn't a big deal anymore, he thought that the most precious one in the world is the one Fang Su sewn for himself.
"Does Su Su knows how to embroider?" Tang QiaoYuan lowered his head to play with it for a while, thinking that if the word "Yuan" could be embroidered on top of it, then it would make him crazy in love with it.
Fang Su was hesitating, his gaze swept on the other purse that has been thrown away, the embroidered peach blossoms were lifelike and the stitches were exquisite, it is the most meticulous thing he had ever seen, and said quite hesitantly: "I know how to, but I'm not good at it, my embroidery isn't as good as my mom's…"
"I like it too," Tang QiaoYuan grabbed his dexterous hands and kissed them a few times, "embroider a "Yuan" character on one side, and a "Su" on the other side, I will carry it everywhere, so the people who know that I am married can see it and be envious."
Fang Su heard the sentence "carry it everywhere", and felt extremely content, he curved his eyes and nodded, gently holding back his fingers.
Notes:
榆木疙瘩 (yu mu ge da) literally 'elm wood bumps' (bumps as in.. goose-bumps), which is actually use to describe someone who's a blockhead or stupid, kind of slow.. there no 'correct' translation of it, which really gave me a headache.
One shichen equal to two hours
吃霸王餐 (chi ba wang can) eating an overlord's meal is to dine and dash, not paying after having the meal.
花街 (Hua Jie) literally Flower Street
Chapter 10
PUBLISHED ON6 November 2021
Recently, during his spare time, Tang QiaoYuan's calm temperament has been tested again, he thought about it, again and again, and decided it was better to not rush to tell Fang Su about the gambling houses. Fang Su was only nineteen now, it wouldn't do any harm to him for another year or so, until he can wear a hair crown1, everything can be slowly explained to him.
But things never go as planned, the more Tang QiaoYuan wanted to hide it, the easier it was to make a mistake. After enjoying peaceful days for less than a month, uninvited guests came to their door.
The so-called greedy man who's like a snake trying to swallow an elephant, Tang QiaoYuan has read this exact sentence so many times in books before, but no one dared to play such a trick in front of him; after living for more than twenty years, he has finally met two living individuals.
It was morning, the sky was shining.
Fang Su has not woken up yet, he was wrapped in a thin quilt and slept very soundly on the bed. Tang QiaoYuan sat at the table while sipping his tea, the bed curtains were raised high, so he could see Fang Su's sleeping appearance just by leaning his head, and was in a very good mood.
Footsteps came from the corridor; the individual must have known that Fang Su was still asleep, thus never opened its mouth to make a noise, and only knocked lightly on the window twice.
Tang QiaoYuan glanced sideways, put down the teacup, got up and went to the bed to let down the curtain in order to conceal the person inside. Once he got to the porch outside the room, Bai Ping was already there waiting for him, after greeting him faintly, she whispered: "Master, there's a woman and a ten-year-old child waiting outside the residence."
She only managed to say half the sentence, unlike her neat temper, Tang QiaoYuan immediately knew that they were not ordinary guests, he turned his head to look inside the room and asked: "Is it related to madam?"
Bai Ping nodded: "Yes, the visitor claims to be Madam's mother"
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Tang QiaoYuan understood clearly, he smoothly closed the room's door entirely, and walked out of the courtyard. Bai Ping followed him quietly from behind, and listened to him readily ask without really asking, "Hasn't Su Su's mother passed away for many years now?"
Bai Ping did not answer, but knew that things were definitely going to be interesting.
The two visitors were invited to come into the front hall, the woman had a beaming smile on her face, and placed politely on the table the small basket in her hands which was filled with various things.
Tang QiaoYuan waved his hand for his servant to pour the tea, his gaze landed on the basket, the red cloth did not cover the things that were inside it, revealing a half-cut sweet potato. He raised his chin to that spot and asked with a smile what it was.
The woman's look became more and more brilliant, and pushed the basket closer to him by two inches: "Master Tang, these are some goods that were grown on our field, since Fang Su has left our home, his father has always been concerned about him, and he always wanted me to bring some sweet potatoes, he always loved to eat these when he was home…"
"Could it be that I was the one who was too careless?" Tang QiaoYuan raised his eyebrows while nodding, and smiled at her politely, "And I thought that Su Su only liked to eat exotic food that came from the land and sea, as well as the four seafood delicacies2."
The woman's smile became slightly stiff, as jealousy flashed by, then laughed with him again, and assumed her original pretense as a loving mother, but suddenly the child beside her pulled on her clothes and asked: " Mother, what are the four seafood delicacies?" the child pouted angrily. Although he didn't dare to throw a temper tantrum in this place, he was used to being domineering at home and couldn't hold back a word of complaint, "I have not even eaten it, but brother already has…"
The woman panicked, hurriedly she covered the child's mouth and glared at him with her head down.
Read the original translation at milkteatranslations.
Tang QiaoYuan chuckled, and turned a deaf ear. He still talked with her about the basket of sweet potatoes: "Then, what do you want to get back from the Tang household with this basket of things?"
The explicit question made the woman look embarrassed, how could she not notice the contempt and disgust of the man in front of her. But she's already come here, how can she just go back empty-handed, thus she braced herself to go on with it, and pretended to feel embarrassed and brazenly asked: "Master Tang, Fang Su is our family's eldest son, his father originally expected himto pass on the incense3, but now as a man, he has married into the Tang household, this…"
Without finishing her words, she waited for Tang QiaoYuan to figure it out himself.
Yesterday, Father Fang took his youngest child with him to the city to sell vegetables, while she remained at the village. How could she not know when Fang Qiang ran home alone before noon to tell her exaggeratedly what he had seen with his own eyes. The child spoke enviously with his eyes wide open, said his elder brother wore very nice clothes; beside him, there was a very wealthy-looking man who was talking and laughing with him, and was very considerate.
Fang Su's second mother was originally a very mean and jealous person, so how could she remain calm after hearing this. She thought about it for several days, and couldn't sleep well at night. She hated and envied Fang Su for not only not suffering any injustice, but also enjoying a better fortune than her. The more she thought about it the angrier she felt, the only way was for her to come to this place and ask for some benefits, thus this morning she couldn't hold on any longer and brought her son along with her to their door.
Tang QiaoYuan understood it and knew that this was nothing more than giving some money to dismiss them.
But he was not a charitable person, and in addition, he was very clear about how harsh the woman before him treated Fang Su, as such his smile gradually disappeared
"It's not easy." Tang QiaoYuan sneered, "No one in Lin Zhou city has ever dared to bargain with me… but what you said was not unreasonable, Fang Su is indeed the Fang family's eldest son, in this case, it would be better for me to show some mercy and send him back. As for the debt the Fang family owes me, how about offering this little child in exchange? I could raise him for a few years, he will be exempt from abalones, sea cucumber, shark's fin and fish maw, but he will not lack in sweet potatoes porridge. Once he's old enough, he will be sent to the GouLan Yard4, but he will definitely be returned when the debt has been fully paid off.
The woman's eyes showed her panic when she heard that, she couldn't keep her shameless face any longer, and quickly hugged the child in her arms.
Tang QiaoYuan had spoken very solemnly, beside him Bai Ping quietly raised her hands to cover her pleased smile, but her snickering appearance had been caught on. Bai Ping met his gaze, and had no choice but to agree: "Master is correct, sweet potatoes are indeed better, raising him on abalones, sea cucumber, shark's fin and fish maw for several years, I'm afraid one would owe even more."
"No!" the woman couldn't help but scream for an instant as she shivered all over. It was too late for her to regret it, she looked at Tang QiaoYuan's gloomy eyes, and hugged her child even tighter as her whole body started to tremble. Now, she didn't even dare to have the idea of taking advantage, she just wanted to flee from this place immediately, "Master Tang… you need not overthink, this time I came only to… to see whether Fang Su has been well or not, then I will just take the child back without disturbing your peace and tranquility…"
She turned around to escape as soon as her words fell. There were many words Fang Qiang couldn't understand, but he could faintly feel that the atmosphere was terrible, thus he held onto his mother's sleeve tightly and followed each of her steps. The woman took him to the hall door, and hurriedly tried to cross the threshold, but was stopped by some servants who were waiting outside.
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Those few people were all arranged by Bai Ping, their faces were fierce, it scared the woman so much that she fell backward and didn't dare to move.
"How does Master plan to deal with it?" Bai Ping saw enough of this play, and walked forward from behind Tang QiaoYuan's back and inquired.
Tang QiaoYuan had no idea yet, he felt that it was soon time for Fang Su to wake up, the smile in his eyes turned gentle again, he only wanted to return to the main courtyard to accompany him, he replied casually: "Look for a place to lock them up."
The small storm couldn't stir up waves, Tang QiaoYuan turned around and left this matter behind, he returned to the courtyard to coax Fang Su who had just woken up, only having eyes for his confused expression.
Fang Su hadn't fully woken up, he usually lay on the bed for another while but today he opened his eyes and didn't see the person who is generally by his side, he felt quite uneasy and got up from the bed to look for him while still wearing his inner garments.
The footsteps outside the room approached along the corridor, Tang QiaoYuan pushed open the door and walked inside, he pulled the beaded curtain and saw the person looking at him, there was some aggravation in his not-so sober eyes, and also some panic. Tang QiaoYuan's heart immediately felt soft, he took a few steps forward and took him into his arms to coax him.
"Su Su is already up?"
Fang Su nodded, he hasn't drank water yet, so his throat was dry and did not make him want to speak, he slowly returned the hug, his heartbeat gradually slowed down.
Tang QiaoYuan carried him back to the bed, he brought the clothes and dressed him neatly, touching his bare feet before putting on the socks for him, and said very distressed: "You really thought that it was summer? Mornings are cold, running around while being dressed like that, your feet are already frozen."
Fang Su couldn't help but speak, his voice slightly hoarse: "QiaoYuan.. where did you go?"
"Uhm?" Tang QiaoYuan was reminded about Fang Su's affair, he smiled, not caring much, "I went to see some sweet potatoes."
Fang Su heard that and was very confused.
Tang QiaoYuan asked again: "Does Su Su like to eat sweet potatoes?"
"En" Fang Su nodded, "I used to often eat sweet potatoes, it's sweet, it can easily fill the stomach."
Tang QiaoYuan chuckled lowly, his palms touching his feet trying to warm them up, curiosity could be heard in his voice: "You always eat it and you still like it, aren't you tired of it?"
"Not tired, you can cook it in the porridge, you can also roast it, you can also mash it."
"That good?" Tang QiaoYuan's gaze got soft, he leaned over to kiss the corner of his eyes, "Then how about we roast sweet potatoes in the courtyard today?"
Fang Su lightly chuckled and nodded.
His palms were especially warm, which made his feet warm up very quickly, Fang Su put on his socks and shoes and went to freshen up, after finishing his breakfast and followed him to the courtyard. The sweet potatoes and charcoal stove were ready, although doing this during summertime was a bit out of place, but Fang Su found the little stove quite cute, and really liked it. He moved the small stool and sat nearby, making his cheeks red and hot.
Tang QiaoYuan brushed his hair up for him, and immediately leaned over to carry him away.
Fang Su was slightly surprised, he quickly grabbed onto his shoulders, heard him laugh while being carried away to the porch, and was teased by him: "Are we going to eat roasted sweet potatoes or roasted Su Su?"
Fang Su was stunned, then understood his words, and smiled happily with his eyes curved.
The atmosphere in the courtyard was mellow, but after a while, a maidservant ran over, she helplessly and anxiously reported to Tang QiaoYuan.
"Master, there is someone kowtowing outside the mansion, we can't drive him away."
Tang QiaoYuan was thinking how they were being disturbed again, then heard the ignorant maidservant continue: "That person said he is called Fang De, he came to kowtow to apologize…"
Tang QiaoYuan's face went dark, looking angrily at this dull-head and unconcealed maidservant, while the person beside him who was originally smiling very happily became instantly pale.
Translated Proofread by: Milktea and Gemini
Notes:
Hair crown (guan) are only worn by boy who has their coming of age ceremony at 20 years old
The four seafood delicacies: abalone, sea cucumber, shark's fin and fish maw.
传香火, to pass on the incense means to pursue one family's lineage, as only the son can bear the family name, while the daughter will leave the genealogy once she gets married.
The GouLan Yard (勾栏院) was an entertainment place and brothel.