The Second Young Master’s Obedient Husband : Chapter 44

On the last night, Liang Yu didn’t wear Su Qingyu out. The two of them only kissed and held each other, sleeping a peaceful night.

The next morning, Liang Yu got up very early, left breakfast for Su Qingyu, untied the dog rope and let Shan Feng watch the courtyard gate, then took his bow and arrows and went out.

Su Qingyu rarely got to sleep well, and even though he hadn’t been exhausted last night, he still slept until the sun was high overhead before waking. After eating the food Liang Yu had left, he took out his needlework and sat in the courtyard. Shan Feng came over and nuzzled Su Qingyu, who smiled and patted the big dog, doing embroidery while waiting for Liang Yu.

He waited a long time but Liang Yu still hadn’t returned. Su Qingyu’s stomach growled twice, and only then did he remember he hadn’t eaten lunch. That bit of porridge from the morning had long since digested, and he was quite hungry now.

There were still things in the kitchen. Rice, flour, cured pork, dried mushrooms, eggs, and seasonings were all complete, some still unopened, looking like newly bought items.

Su Qingyu thought for a moment, scooped rice into the pot, sliced a few pieces of cured pork, soaked a few dried mushrooms, and cracked two eggs.

The fire was lit, the water in the pot bubbling and gurgling. Su Qingyu checked that the heat was about right, then went to the courtyard and picked a handful of greens, washed them, and put them in the pot, covering it to let the rice steam. The rice fragrance drifted out, mixed with the salty aroma of cured pork, making one’s mouth water.

When the meal was done, Su Qingyu served himself a bowl and sat at the kitchen doorway eating slowly.

Cured pork rice, salty and tasty, plus scrambled eggs with scallions, tender and soft. As he ate, he thought of Liang Yu, wondering what he had eaten in the mountains and whether he had brought dry rations.

After finishing eating, Su Qingyu washed the pot and bowls, wiped the stove clean. The sun had slanted further west, and Liang Yu still hadn’t returned.

Su Qingyu stood in the courtyard, looking at the path into the mountains, then sat back on the small stool doing embroidery and waiting.

The sun slanted westward, golden and bright. Tired birds returned home, the forest lively for a moment before returning to silence.

Though he had well behaved Shan Feng for company, Su Qingyu still felt a bit lonely.

Su Qingyu embroidered for a while, looking up toward the gate from time to time.

The setting sun melted like gold, and faint footsteps came from the doorway. Shan Feng alertly lifted his head hearing a familiar sound, and Su Qingyu looked up too, both looking toward the one returning.

A tall figure emerged from the forest, carrying something on his shoulder, walking steadily. Closer and closer, it became clear. It was Liang Yu, a young wild boar over his shoulder, several pheasants and rabbits in his hand.

The corner of Su Qingyu’s mouth curved up, then he pressed it down, standing at the courtyard gate waiting for him.

Liang Yu approached and looked at him. “Waited long?”

Su Qingyu was silent for a moment, then honestly nodded. He took the pheasants and rabbits from Liang Yu’s hand, his ears red, and went into the kitchen.

Liang Yu put the young boar down in the courtyard and rolled his shoulders. Su Qingyu brought hot water from the kitchen and mixed in some cold, set it by Liang Yu’s side, and handed him a cloth. Liang Yu took it, soaked it in water, wiped his face, then wiped his neck. The water ran down his neck, dampening his collar.

Su Qingyu took one look, his throat moved, and he lowered his head again.

Dinner was made by the two of them together.

Su Qingyu tended the fire while Liang Yu dressed the pheasant, then put it in the wok to stir fry. The stove fire burned bright, the meat in the pot sizzling, the fragrance filling the kitchen.

When the meal was ready, there was stewed pheasant with mushrooms, spicy stir fried rabbit meat, and the leftover cured pork rice from noon reheated.

The two of them sat at the table eating together. Su Qingyu put meat into Liang Yu’s bowl, and Liang Yu brought food to Su Qingyu’s mouth, back and forth, affectionate and clingy. When Su Qingyu was full he didn’t leave either, resting his chin on his hand watching Liang Yu finish all the remaining food. After eating, Su Qingyu washed the dishes while Liang Yu took the bones and animal organs to feed Shan Feng. The whole household ate until their bellies were round.

Outside the sky hadn’t darkened yet, the sunset shining on the forest, very beautiful.

The bowls were washed, the stove wiped clean, and no matter how reluctant, the bundle was already in hand.

Liang Yu carried the basket on his back all the way to the end of the village. When they reached the village end, Liang Yu took the basket off his back and handed it to Su Qingyu. Su Qingyu wouldn’t take it, so Liang Yu stuffed it directly into his arms, pinched Su Qingyu’s face, and coaxed, “Qingyu, be good. It’s just some meat. Roe deer meat is nourishing, let your mother have some too.”

Su Qingyu was silent for a moment, set the basket on the ground, his eyes red as he wrapped his arms around Liang Yu’s neck, not caring that they were outside, his tongue licking Liang Yu’s lips, kissing him passionately.

Liang Yu held Su Qingyu to keep him from slipping down, sighed softly, and responded to the person in his arms.

After quite a while their lips finally parted. They were about to enter the village, but Su Qingyu couldn’t bear to let go, his small hands clutching Liang Yu’s clothes, his eyes still red.

Liang Yu’s heart softened seeing this, but he curved his lips in a smile, lowered his head, and kissed him.

“I’ll walk you to your door.”

Su Qingyu shook his head. “No need. I know the way.”

Liang Yu looked at him without speaking.

Su Qingyu bit his lip, but still let go. “The sky isn’t completely dark yet. You hurry back, be careful on the mountain path.”

Liang Yu still looked at him without making a sound. After a while he raised his hand and touched Su Qingyu’s face. Su Qingyu’s eyelashes trembled, and tears rolled down, so hot they made Liang Yu’s fingers tremble.

Liang Yu kissed away that tear, rubbed Su Qingyu’s head.

“Walk slowly on the road. I’ll save up more silver… come winter, I’ll go to your family to propose.”

Su Qingyu obediently nodded, buried his face in Liang Yu’s chest, and after quite a while shouldered the basket and turned toward the village. When he reached his house he pushed open the wicker gate, and his mother was sitting in the courtyard waiting.

Seeing her son come in, Su’s mother stood up and looked him over from head to toe, saying nothing, only nodding.

“Back?”

Su Qingyu made a soft sound, carried the basket into the kitchen, and his mother followed into the room to help put things away. Half a basket of cured and air dried roe deer meat, half a basket of young boar pork wrapped in leaves. The piglet meat was tender and not gamey, and Liang Yu had given Su Qingyu all the best cuts.

Su Qingyu looked at the things spread across the floor, hugging his knees and not moving. Su’s mother hugged Su Qingyu, patted her little one lightly, and sighed, “Such a good man, truly hard to come by.”