Chapter 127: Bai Shao
The half-year-old child wasn’t just nursing anymore; he also needed to eat some fruits, vegetables, and meat.
Jindou’s interest in milk gradually waned. He recognized his milk bowl. Previously, when he saw adults bringing over the milk bowl, he would excitedly kick his chubby little legs. But now, when he saw the bowl, sometimes he would turn his head away, often staring instead at the dishes on the adult’s dining table, drooling.
Qingyan deliberately teased him. When he covered his eyes with his palm, he would lean his body to keep peeking at the table.
If Qingyan continued to cover his eyes and persisted, Jindou’s little mouth would pucker up, and he would look at his father, on the verge of crying.
At times like this, Qiu Henian had to step in to mediate. He would pick up Jindou, bring over his little food bowl prepared beforehand—mashed fish and fruit puree without salt, all chopped meticulously by Qingyan beforehand and mashed with a spoon.
Despite all the effort, if Jindou was about to cry, Qiu Henian had no way to calm him down.
Once Jindou started eating, he would be happy again. His hands and feet would start kicking. When Qiu Henian reached for his bowl, he almost knocked it over.
Jindou was enjoying his meal, but Qingyan insisted on teasing him by waving a small chicken leg in front of him, munching on it and making him jealous with its oily aroma.
Jindou pouted again, ready to cry. Qiu Henian put down his bowl, reached out, and pinched Qingyan’s nose lightly. Qingyan laughed and ran off with the chicken leg.
After Jindou finished his meal, Qiu Henian wiped his mouth clean. Qingyan returned, covered Jindou’s eyes again.
Qiu Henian thought he was going to tease the child again, but unexpectedly, Qingyan smiled and leaned forward, kissing his lips.
Just as they separated, Qingyan tried to step back, but Qiu Henian lifted his hand to hold the back of his neck and kissed him again for a while.
After kissing, Qingyan blinked his beautiful eyes, saw Qiu Henian smiling at him, and softly said, “It tastes like chicken legs.”
Since the birth of their child, Qingyan no longer blushed as easily as before.
He retorted, “Is it fragrant?”
Qiu Henian said, “I made it myself, of course, it’s fragrant.”
Qingyan kissed him again and then moved away, removing his hand covering Jindou’s eyes and walked away with a smile.
…
This year’s Qingming Festival was still drizzling. The couple was going to the mountains to pay respects. Li Shen originally offered to look after Jindou, but after some thought, Qingyan decided to bring the child along.
Although the weather wasn’t cold anymore, the dampness made it somewhat uncomfortable.
Qingyan made Jindou wear an extra thin cotton vest. Qiu Henian carried the child in a sling on his chest, covered with a raincoat, leaving only his little head exposed. The family of three climbed the mountain together.
When burning paper for Blacksmith Wang, the rain gradually lessened.
Qingyan carried Jindou to the grave and said, “This is mine and Henian’s child, nicknamed Jindou; his real name is Qiu Xiaoqing. We brought him here specially for you to see.”
“As for his surname being Qiu, please don’t be upset. Henian’s foster parents raised him well. Regardless of what happened later, their kindness to us will not change.”
“As for the future, if Henian and I have another child, I will decide to let him have the surname Wang.”
Qingyan glanced at the man standing beside her and continued, “But Henian says he doesn’t want to have more children. Whether you can have descendants with your surname depends on your luck.”
After Qingyan finished speaking, he looked at Qiu Henian, who smiled helplessly, reached out to touch his head, and said, “Let’s go, it’s almost time. Let’s tidy up and go down the mountain.”
Qingyan looked at the sky and said to the grave mound, “Dad, if you have a spirit, please stop the rain and wait until we get down the mountain. The road is too slippery and not easy to walk.”
Then, the family of three walked down the mountain. The drizzling rain miraculously stopped.
It wasn’t until they had almost reached the foot of the mountain that the rain suddenly started again, as if Blacksmith Wang had truly worked a miracle.
…
After Qingming Festival, Fragrant Melody Pavillion began to sell off-season goods again, and the shop was packed every day.
The peddler familiar with Qingyan also came. Before he could start picking goods, he pulled Qingyan aside where there were fewer people and whispered to him that someone had been asking about him recently.
Qingyan was startled for a moment before reacting, “Asking about me? Who is it? Do you know?”
The peddler said, “He’s someone from out of town, been staying in town for three or four days. He’s been inquiring around, especially at your stepmother and younger brother’s place. I know that area well; I’ve got the neighbors covered. They would tell me if anything concerning the Yu’s came up.”
Qingyan furrowed his brows and asked, “What did he ask about?”
The peddler replied, “He asked about everything from your childhood to now, especially your marriage. He offered money to your younger brother, but your brother felt humiliated and refused it. However, he answered all his questions, and afterwards, your stepmother secretly took the money.”
“As for how Yu Qingxi answered…”
The peddler scratched his head, showing a bitter smile and didn’t continue.
Yu Qingxi didn’t have any good words to say, that much was clear to Qingyan without further explanation.
He thanked the peddler, opened the warehouse, and let him pick some extra good goods, making the peddler quite happy.
After the peddler left, Qingyan pondered for a while about the purpose of the person asking about her.
Although he felt uneasy, he wasn’t overly anxious.
Qingyan wasn’t afraid of others discovering his identity. Even if Yu Fengtang was still alive, such supernatural and chaotic affairs would not be believed by anyone if spoken of.
However, the feeling of being calculated by unknown people behind his back was indeed uncomfortable.
But he didn’t dwell on this matter for too long. That afternoon, Fragrant Melody Pavillion received an unusual guest.
The man was probably in his late twenties or early thirties, with a handsome face, tall stature, and a somewhat free and easy air of the rivers and lakes.
Upon entering, unlike others who glanced at the various items on the shelves, he looked directly at people’s faces. After a quick survey, he headed straight for Shen Min, who was arranging the shelves.
When he reached Shen Min, he clasped his hands and said seriously, “You must be Yu Qingyan. I am Bai Shao, staying at the nearby Laifu Inn.”
Shen Min was taken aback. He glanced at Qingyan behind the counter and was about to speak when the man, with a serious expression, continued, “I have passed by this shop several times and wanted to talk to you, but hesitated each time. Today, I couldn’t hold back any longer. There are some things I need to get off my chest…”
Shen Min’s face changed. He looked around at the gazes now directed at them and took a step back, rebuking, “How dare you be so rude! I have never met you, and your slanderous words are damaging my reputation!”
Bai Shao was momentarily stunned by his reaction.
Then, realizing how easily his words could be misunderstood, he quickly took two steps back and bowed deeply, saying, “I apologize. That was not my intention.”
But Shen Min persisted, “Regardless of your intentions, since you’ve mistaken my name, you obviously do not know me. If you’re not buying anything, please leave the shop.”
Bai Shao’s expression also changed.
He exclaimed in surprise, “Aren’t you Yu Qingyan?”
At the same time, he scanned the faces of the other people in the shop.
Behind the counter, Qingyan stood up and walked out slowly.
He looked at Bai Shao and smiled, “I am Yu Qingyan.”
Because the lighting behind the counter was dim, Bai Shao hadn’t noticed anyone standing there.
Seeing Qingyan emerge from behind, Bai Shao looked him up and down with obvious surprise and astonishment in his eyes.
Clearly, Qingyan’s appearance was far from what he had imagined.
Qingyan looked at him with a smile, which made Bai Shao appear embarrassed.
He showed a hint of regret, hastily bowed, said “I’m sorry,” and then turned and left.
Shen Min walked up to Qingyan’s side, glanced towards the door, and muttered, “What a strange person.”
The smile on Qingyan’s lips faded slightly, and his brow furrowed slightly.
He understood who this person had come for.
He saw the brief introduction of the man named Bai Shao on the side of his face, clearly written: “Transferred to the Frontier Army stationed at Fengyu Pass, Guarding Lieutenant of the Seventh Rank, Bai Shao.”
Spoiler for the Next Chapter:
In Yu Qingxi’s description, his brother was a proud man who would never live well with a blacksmith and would probably reach for a higher branch. When the time comes, if Qiu Henian didn’t let him go, Yu Qingyan would probably do anything, which might bring great disaster to the other party.
