The Second Young Master’s Obedient Husband : Chapter 86

When the convoy set out from Suzhou Prefecture, it was already the end of the eighth month.

Su Qingyu sat in the carriage, leaning against the window and looking back. The towering walls of Suzhou Prefecture gradually disappeared from view, and Su Qingyu’s heart was full of emotion.

This time leaving Suzhou was no longer a desperate flight from home, but a warm journey back. He had a bulging money pouch, ample grain, and the person who loved him dearly by his side.

The convoy traveled north all the way, and the weather shifted from scorching summer into autumn, growing cooler day by day.

Once they left the southern territory, the convoy began selling goods retail again. Every time they passed through a somewhat prosperous town, the convoy would stop and set up stalls for two days. The goods Su Qingyu had purchased were not too expensive, ordinary common folk could afford them. Now that times were better, even goods from the south at slightly higher prices sold very well.

The men in the convoy still spoke rather stiffly, but at least they could explain the goods clearly now, and they could negotiate prices to about eighty or ninety percent accuracy. Su Qingyu occasionally helped call out to customers, but he was no longer as exhausted as he had been at the start.

The men had to practice what they learned, so most of the time Su Qingyu would explain the key points to them clearly. Once he saw they had no problems, he would sit to the side drinking tea. Watching them stumble through negotiations with their clumsy tongues, he couldn’t stop laughing.

The convoy continued on, stopping for several days at a prosperous prefectural city. Once the goods were mostly sold, they set out toward Mian Village.

After leaving the prefectural city, the convoy only had some tea and cloth left. Liang Yu planned to distribute these among everyone and not bother with stall selling anymore.

Without having to set up stalls and with no heavy cargo on the carts, the convoy moved much faster. Everyone had been away for so long and missed home. The return journey was much quicker than the outbound trip. By the end of the tenth month, the convoy had already entered Mian County territory and was pressing on toward the village.

The roadside leaves had yellowed for the most part, and the crops in the fields had been harvested. It was mealtime, and the smell of food mixed with various other scents into that particular rural aroma. It couldn’t be called pleasant, but it was the smell of home.

After traveling for more than half a year, they had finally returned. Even the toughest men couldn’t help but feel their eyes grow hot. Knowing everyone missed home, Liang Yu was the first to speak: “Everyone go home first. Take a share of the remaining goods each. The silver will be calculated in a few days, then distributed to everyone.”

The crowd responded in agreement. Each person took a bolt of fine cotton cloth and a small jar of tea, carrying gifts for their families, and went home noisily and happily.

Liang’s mother heard the sound and ran out, still clutching a handful of vegetables she hadn’t finished picking. The convoy stopped in front of the Liang family gate. Liang’s mother ran to the cart, looking at the two young husbands who had left home, examining them from head to toe. Her eyes couldn’t help but redden: “You’ve gotten thin.”

Su Qingyu jumped down from the cart and hugged Liang’s mother’s arm, speaking in a soft spoiled voice: “I haven’t gotten thin, Mother. I’ve actually gained weight.”

Liang’s mother didn’t believe him and pinched his face, feeling that the texture wasn’t as good as before. She said with certainty: “It doesn’t feel like it to me. You’ve definitely gotten thin. Mother will stew a big pork hock for you to nourish you.”

Liang Yu got down from the cart and handed the reins to Shuanzi, who was coming over grinning foolishly. Looking at the affectionate pair, he said: “I haven’t gotten thin.”

Liang’s mother glared at him: “Did I ask you?” She turned and pulled Su Qingyu along. “Come, let’s go home. When I received your letter last time, I estimated the date and stewed chicken. Your mother is here too, making the osmanthus cakes you love.”

Su Qingyu was pulled forward by her. He looked back at Liang Yu, blinked his eyes, and gave a sweet smile.

Liang Yu also smiled back. Seeing him smile, Su Qingyu felt relieved, turned around, and followed Liang’s mother.

Entering the main room, Su’s mother heard the lively noise outside and felt somewhat puzzled, so she came out of the kitchen to take a look. When she saw Su Qingyu, her face bloomed into a smile. Su Qingyu let go of Liang’s mother’s hand and ran to throw himself into Su’s mother’s arms, his voice sweet: “Mother…”

Su’s mother was knocked back half a step by him. She laughed and hugged the little husband who had thrown himself into her arms. “How old are you, still like this.”

Su Qingyu buried his face against her shoulder and rubbed against it. Smelling the familiar scent of soapberry pods mixed with osmanthus on Su’s mother, he couldn’t hold back his emotions, and tears fell.

Su’s mother knew he was a crybaby. She took a handkerchief and wiped the tears of the whimpering little husband. “Don’t cry, don’t cry. It’s good that you’re back.”

The two puppies had grown quite sturdy now. Hearing the noise, they ran out with Shanfeng, affectionately circling around the two and rubbing against them.

In the afternoon, Su Qingyu took the gift for Zhang Yun and went to find her, only to learn that Zhang Yun had given birth to another little girl.

Zhang Yun had found out she was three months pregnant not long after Su Qingyu and the others set out. She had just given birth half a month ago and was still in her confinement month, so it wasn’t convenient to wear the sachet Su Qingyu had brought. But she was very happy to see Su Qingyu return, and even let Su Qingyu hold the newborn baby.

That evening, the Liang family main hall was set with wine, and the family sat packed full.

Liang’s father sat at the head of the table. Dinner was made together by Liang’s mother and Su’s mother. They kept putting food in Su Qingyu’s bowl, and Zhang Yun also chatted and laughed with them. Liang Feng, seeing his younger brother who had been away for so long, also missed him. He brought out his treasured wine, and a few men drank and talked. Everyone at the dinner table said their own things, but it was very lively.

After finishing dinner, it was getting late, so Su’s mother rested at the Liang family house. Su Qingyu and Liang Yu returned to their own small courtyard.

The two of them were quite tired after the day. After washing up in the evening, Su Qingyu was afraid his wet hair would dirty the bed, so he climbed onto the soft couch, burying his face in the small quilt and whimpering as he rubbed against it. After a good while, he couldn’t even raise his hand to dry his hair.

Liang Yu came into the room after his bath and saw him in this state. Amused, he sat on the soft couch, scooped up his waist, and pulled him into his arms, taking a dry cloth to wipe his hair.

Su Qingyu buried himself against Liang Yu’s lower abdomen for a good while before raising his head, sticking close and rubbing against Liang Yu’s chest as he called out: “Husband, you’re so good to me.”

Liang Yu was earnestly wiping his wet hair and responded offhandedly: “Yes.”

Su Qingyu was unhappy with his cold response. He bit the flesh near his mouth and accused him first: “You’re brushing me off!”

Liang Yu sucked in a light breath from the bite and pressed down on the head of the person in his arms. “Don’t move around. It’ll be dry soon. If you want to bite, bite somewhere else.”

Su Qingyu didn’t know what he was thinking of, and his face turned red as he fell silent.

Once Liang Yu had dried his own hair, Su Qingyu had finished making trouble too. He picked up another dry cloth and also wiped Liang Yu’s hair.

With their hair dried, the two of them got into bed. Su Qingyu lay against Liang Yu’s chest, letting out a comfortable long sigh: “We’re finally back.”

Liang Yu pinched his face and responded, a light smile also appearing between his brows. The road was never as comfortable as home.

Su Qingyu rubbed against Liang Yu’s chest, looking at the familiar night outside the window, chattering about the work to be done next: “In a few days we need to sort out all the accounts. Everyone is waiting to split the silver for the New Year.”

Liang Yu rubbed his head, buried his face in the hollow of Su Qingyu’s shoulder, and took a deep breath. The little husband who had just bathed even had fragrant hair, his body soft and comfortable to hold.

Su Qingyu felt Liang Yu’s high nose rubbing against his skin, lightly bit his lower lip, his ear tips somewhat red. After quite a while, he heard the muffled response from the person in his arms.

The two of them had been tired from traveling these days, so Liang Yu didn’t tease Su Qingyu. The two of them held each other and kissed for a while, then went to sleep.