After Master Fan moved back to the main residence, Kanghe thoroughly reprimanded all the household laborers and servants, and gave them some money as a reward. Only then was the matter finally settled.
In the blink of an eye, summer had arrived. The weather grew hot, and though Kanghe was usually the one who disliked the heat, this season it was Fan Jing who suffered more.
His body had grown heavy; the birth was due in early August. Now, with only two months left—and with the possibility the child might come early—the whole family was especially on edge.
Fan Jing’s second pregnancy had not gone smoothly, and Kanghe often expressed anxious concern. Seeing the months advance, they knew the delivery could come any day now, so in this late stage, there was no more running about the city or countryside.
Kanghe also didn’t want to be away from him for too long. After some thought, he finally arranged to hire a helper to assist in managing the shop.
Firstly, this would ease Kanghe’s own workload so he could better care for Fan Jing; secondly, Zhang Shili and He Xiaoqiu had married, and who knew when they might have children—so the shop in the city needed a new assistant.
There were many people seeking work in the city. Posting a hiring notice at the door brought a steady stream of inquiries. Customers who came to shop would also spread the word around.
Within just three days of posting the notice, people had already started coming to ask.
Kanghe interviewed six or seven men and ultimately chose a young man named Zhu Hua, sixteen years old, sharp and capable.
His home was in Douhui Lane. He could roughly read a few characters and even knew some arithmetic—a rare find.
If it weren’t for rumors that his mother was ill and he couldn’t travel far to work, he might have chosen to work at a large inn or tavern. But seeking something close to home, he accepted Kanghe’s offer.
Kanghe agreed to pay him seven hundred copper coins a month, promising a raise if he worked well and stayed on long-term.
With Zhang Shili handling butchering and Chen Sanfang and Qiao’er managing the shop, plus now this new assistant, Kanghe’s hands were finally somewhat free.
Though he spent less time at the city shop, Kanghe was far from idle. First, he managed the family’s spice fields. This year’s green peppercorns and mountain pepper plants were thriving, and trees that hadn’t borne fruit before now had three more bearing this season.
The spice groves alone covered a field of various plants. Kanghe’s accounts showed he had earned nearly forty guan after taxes, leaving about thirty guan in hand.
This first harvest was already quite good.
Compared to regular farmland, these spice fields were more profitable. One mu of good land yielding four to five guan after taxes was considered well-tended.
Kanghe calculated that within a year, the initial investment he made over the past few years would be repaid, thanks in part to Master Fan’s careful tending. If pests had damaged the crop midway, that would have been a big loss.
Regardless, having tasted success, Kanghe immediately sought out good seedlings to plant a new field, which was now growing and would bear fruit in two or three years.
Pepper trees grew slowly, but mountain pepper trees bore fruit faster—in a year or two.
After inspecting the spice fields, Kanghe took a cart with Fan Jing to Da Jing village to catch softshell turtles.
Old Liu Er had worked hard to channel fresh water into the pond. The turtles were unharmed, occasionally swimming to the surface, paddling with their short limbs—a truly amusing sight.
On the way, they encountered a boy from the Xie family, around eight years old, rushing down from halfway up the mountain carrying a bundle of firewood.
Seeing Kanghe and Fan Jing, the boy was well-behaved and called out politely, “Uncle Kang, Uncle Fan.”
Fan Jing noticed the boy’s sweaty brow and damp hair and pulled out a small piece of orange candied fruit for him.
The boy thanked them eagerly and accepted it happily.
Kanghe asked, “Did you go to school today?”
The boy scratched his head sheepishly. “There’s a lot of work at home, so I don’t go every day.”
Kanghe smiled and shook his head. It was typical for children of farming families. He then asked, “Are your parents well?”
The boy replied, “They’re fine.”
Kanghe nodded and chatted a little more before urging the boy to go home.
This boy was the same one Fan Jing and Kanghe had saved from kidnappers a few months prior.
The Xie family was honest and good; they often visited the Fan household, maintaining friendly relations.
Xie’s father hoped to have his son work for the Fan family, and Kanghe agreed, saying there was nothing suitable for him yet. Once the boy grew two years older, learned some characters and arithmetic at Fan Xin’s school, he would arrange something.
The boy attended Fan Xin’s school, but was not fond of studying. He went only two or three days a week but managed to learn some characters anyway.
Kanghe remarked, “I guess when the eldest son was still too young to walk—just a chubby little thing—now he’s running all over the village.”
Fan Jing heard Kanghe mention Da Fu and recalled that the day school was off yesterday, Da Fu had begged Mu Dalang to ride the mule, even inviting Shiwu along.
The two boys weren’t afraid of the heat and rode together, happily circling the village twice.
On the way back, they ate some winter melon, took a nap, then read and wrote some characters.
Later, when the sun rose high, they arrived home. Fan Jing slipped inside, removed his thin outer garment, and wore only a sleeveless undergarment.
Kanghe knew pregnancy made him feel hot, so he filled two round basins with cool well water and placed them in the room to help cool him down.
Their household couldn’t afford ice to beat the heat, but thankfully the well water was easy to draw during summer.
Kanghe wrung out a cold towel and wiped the sweat from Fan Jing’s forehead and neck. “Hot?”
Fan Jing kicked off his cloth shoes. “The ground’s still cool, so it’s much cooler inside.”
Kanghe lowered his head to look at Fan Jing’s swollen belly and gently patted it. “They say many children bring much happiness, and it’s true that a big family is lively. But seeing how hard your second pregnancy has been, I think it’s better not to have so many kids.”
“Just two is enough. Raising them well is better than a crowd of little rascals.”
Fan Jing replied, “If you don’t want any more kids, then don’t do that kind of work anymore.”
At this, Kanghe’s eyebrows twitched slightly. “These are the wolfish, tigerish years. How can I just stop working? At this stage, I’m as honest and upright as if I were a monk. You don’t sympathize; you just want to beat me to death with a stick.”
Fan Jing said, “You want everything, but where in the world is there such perfect work?”
Kanghe snorted softly. “Since I said that, I have a plan.”
Fan Jing didn’t ask what the plan was; speaking of such things now might only cause trouble.
He gave Kanghe a light kick and changed the subject, “Have the midwives been arranged yet?”
“Of course, you don’t have to worry about that. We’ve already found two, just like last time. The doctor is trustworthy. We even told Mu brothers early about the goats that feed the baby; they’ve been given some special herbs to promote lactation.”
Fan Jing knew Kanghe would have made all the arrangements well in advance. Hearing that everything was in order eased his mind a little.
In the afternoon, Da Fu came home from school, running breathlessly with sweat dripping from his forehead and back.
Seeing Kanghe and Fan Jing at home, he was very excited.
Kanghe wiped him down with warm water and changed him into thin, clean clothes. The little boy ate a bowl of bean soup before sitting down to write characters.
When he finished, he nestled beside Fan Jing and touched his belly with small hands. “Is it a brother or a sister?”
“Only when the baby’s born will we know,” Fan Jing replied.
Kanghe spoke from across the room, “Da Fu, do you want a brother or a sister?”
“I like both. Shiwu says he’s jealous that I have siblings,” Da Fu said proudly, lifting his small face.
Kanghe smiled. Xu Yang’s family had only one heir for generations. He’d heard Xu Yang talk about wanting more children, but both he and Yuange were healthy. Even at five years old, Shiwu had no news of a younger sibling.
Somewhere, they must have heard folk wisdom from wandering sorcerers that to conceive a son, one needs ‘child’s fortune,’ and to associate closely with pregnant women to borrow their luck.
Shiwu came looking for Da Fu often, and Yuange always followed to chat and play. But Fan Jing wasn’t the type to idle in conversation, so they only exchanged a few words in childhood.
Recently, the couple went together to the temple to burn incense and donate money—very earnest indeed.
Kanghe pinched Fan Jing’s cheek. “But for now, you don’t know yet. In two months, you’ll find out. But whether brother or sister, they should be strong and healthy and probably give you a hard time.”
Da Fu heard this and jumped down from the bed. “Then I’ll read to the baby. If he hears me, maybe he’ll be quiet and not bother Daddy.”
Saying that, he dashed to the room and grabbed a copy of the Three Character Classic, flipping through it and reading a little.
Fan Jing leaned against a cushion, watching the little boy standing nearby, his soft voice filling the room. Whether it soothed the baby inside or not, it certainly lulled him into a drowsy sleep.
Before long, he was asleep.
By early August, the scent of osmanthus flowers wafted through the city and countryside. The weather cooled and the air was fragrant—just walking outside lifted the spirits.
In the latter half of the month, Zhen’er suddenly brought good news home.
Luo Chuanyi had just passed the county-level examination and was now a scholar!
He had become a xiucai overnight, and the whole family was celebrating with a feast to thank guests.
The Fan family rejoiced at the news and quickly prepared gifts to congratulate them.
Kanghe even wrapped twenty guan in a gift box to send to the Luo family.
Early the next morning, Master Fan Chen’s wife chose new clothes to wear. Kanghe and Fan Jing also picked their best garments from the trunks to dress up.
Qiao’er, fond of dressing up, naturally made sure they looked dazzling.
The whole family hitched up the mule cart and headed to the Luo residence.
“Father, mother, big brother, brother-in-law, Qiao’er!” Zhen’er greeted them at the doorstep, her cheeks flushed with happiness from her husband’s success. Seeing the whole family came to celebrate made her even happier.
Seeing Fan Jing’s big belly, she was both touched and slightly worried. “Big brother, you’re heavy now. You shouldn’t be working so hard. It’s better to wait until the whole family can gather later.”
Kanghe half-supported Fan Jing and said, “We wanted to celebrate Chuanyi’s good news. He’s happy that we came. If anyone didn’t come, it would be strange. Now the whole family is here with him.”
Chen Sanfang took Zhen’er’s hand, smiling widely. “Things are looking up now!”
Zhen’er happily held Chen Sanfang’s hand and tugged at Qiao’er. “Haven’t seen you for a while. You’ve gotten even prettier.”
Qiao’er laughed. “Second sister, you’re the prettiest of all. Even more radiant.”
After greeting the guests inside, Luo Chuanyi came out and warmly called to them. “Why are you all standing out here talking? Zhen’er, quickly bring father-in-law, mother-in-law, brother, brother-in-law, and sister Qiao’er inside.”
They entered the Luo residence, supporting and guiding one another.
They heard that only today relatives had been invited; in the coming days, officials and scholars from the city would be invited, then friends from the same school—quite a grand affair.
Yun Biaojie and Luo Tongsheng also glowed with happiness. Seeing Zhen’er’s family arrive, they came to greet and chat.
Chen Sanfang praised Luo Chuanyi warmly, but Yun Biaojie kept praising Zhen’er’s virtue, saying without her care, Luo Chuanyi wouldn’t have achieved his current glory.
Both sides were very polite and friendly.
Luo Tongsheng asked, “Why didn’t your son Zhongyang come?”
“That’s because today wasn’t a rest day at school. He’s very focused on studying and doesn’t easily ask for leave,” Kanghe replied. “He’ll come another day to congratulate his second aunt and uncle.”
Luo Tongsheng said, “That’s right. Even though children have freedom in study, they must develop good habits from an early age. It’s best to avoid taking too many leaves; if the habit of absence forms, laziness in school follows.”
Kanghe agreed.
Luo Tongsheng didn’t bother with the usual polite talk guests exchanged; he only asked a bit about study.
But with two sons passing the xiucai exam, who wouldn’t say the family was well-educated?
After some time chatting, they sat down to eat.
In the city, men and women sat at separate tables. Kanghe asked Qiao’er to take care of Fan Jing, and she readily agreed.
After the meal and more conversation, the Luo residence was busy with guests and couldn’t entertain each one for long.
The Fan family took their leave.
On the way home, the family was in high spirits. Luo Chuanyi had just passed the exam with ease, promising a bright future, and the couple was harmonious and loving.
Also, the Luo family’s standing had risen, yet they remained warm and welcoming to the Fan family, not cold or distant.
“I went to the temple recently to burn incense and asked a great diviner. He said our family would have official fortune, and it turned out true! Just days later, our son-in-law passed the exam! When there’s time, we must go back to give thanks,” Chen Sanfang said happily.
“With this son-in-law, our family line has widened. My Qiao’er, when the time comes, you can ask your elder sister to help find you a good match. That’ll be easier than now.”
Qiao’er said, “Look at mother, so happy. If I had no property, even if my sister found a good match, they might not look at me.”
“Nonsense. I saw many pairs of eyes at the feast on you; they were probably curious.”
Kanghe overheard the mother and daughter chatting and smiled, then turned to ask Fan Jing, who had been quiet, “Are you happy today?”
Fan Jing wanted to reply but felt unwell. As soon as he got onto the mule cart, discomfort struck.
Seeing the family’s happiness, he said nothing of his unease to avoid worrying them.
Now, he felt very wrong. His brows furrowed slightly as he told Kanghe, “I feel tightness. I think it’s almost time.”
“Oh dear!” Chen Sanfang, talking joyfully with Qiao’er and Master Fan, was startled and exclaimed loudly.
“My son, steady yourself! We must hurry home!”
A flurry of panic broke out.
Once home, Kanghe jumped down from the cart and found Fan Jing clutching his belly in unbearable pain, unable to move. Kanghe supported him under the waist and carried him down.
They rushed inside.
Chen Sanfang, Qiao’er, and Master Fan frantically called for help.
The Fan household erupted in chaos.
Kanghe laid Fan Jing on the bed, propped pillows, and made him comfortable.
He soothed him, “Don’t be afraid. The whole family is here. I’m right by your side.”
Fan Jing exhaled roughly. Seeing Kanghe’s forehead drenched in sweat, as if he was more afraid than he was, he said, “I’ve given birth before. There’s nothing to fear. You should wait outside.”
Kanghe held Fan Jing’s hand tightly, like a child unwilling to leave his parents. “I’ll only go out when the midwives and doctor arrive.”
Fan Jing let him stay, closing his eyes slightly and conserving strength for the delivery.
He had expected this to happen any day now and was prepared. He just hadn’t thought it would come so suddenly—just today.
Before long, the midwives arrived, and Kanghe was ushered outside.
Waiting anxiously outside felt like imprisonment; this torment was one he never wished to endure repeatedly.
After an hour or so, Kanghe grew restless, thinking Da Fu should have come home from school. Worried the boy would be frightened by the commotion, he sent Xiao Xiang to the main house, either to eat dinner there or accompany Shiwu at the Xu family’s, so no one would bring the children to the scene.
Unexpectedly, before Xiao Xiang left, Da Fu came running back, his hair tousled.
“Why are you here?!” Kanghe grabbed the boy’s hand to lead him.
Da Fu swallowed and caught his breath, then said, “When I packed my bag, I overheard Grandpa telling uncle that Daddy was going into labor, so I hurried home.”
Kanghe’s brows twitched as he lifted Da Fu. “You ran so fast. What if you’d fallen? Look at all this sweat.”
Da Fu, seeing the many people coming and going and the chaotic scene, was scared and clung to Kanghe. “I want to go see Daddy.”
“Daddy is having the baby. We can’t go in and disturb him. If he sees you, he might get distracted and lose strength. That would make delivery harder.”
Da Fu listened and stopped asking to go in.
But when no news came for a long time, the boy grew anxious. Holding Kanghe’s neck, he pouted and buried his face in his embrace, crying.
Chen Sanfang brought a basin of water, seeing the two father and son together, truly pitiful. “The midwives say the baby is well-positioned. It won’t be long now—he’s almost here.”
Hearing this, Kanghe finally relaxed a bit.
The rosy glow of sunset poured over the fields and hills. The evening breeze carried the scent of osmanthus.
At last, the cry of a newborn baby was heard.
The tight knot in everyone’s hearts finally loosened.
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