At times like this, Lu Yu felt that she, as a new bride, was useless. But the Li family didn't seem to think so. Whenever Li Changpu was at home, he always liked to hover around her. When she looked over, she would meet his smiling eyes, which were bright and sparkling, and he couldn't hide his joy. Lu Yu's cheeks would burn, and it took her a few days to get used to this person's gaze.
Dr. Li was always smiling, stroking his beard. He smiled at everyone he met and spoke to people with a cheerful tone. So much so that the aunt next door couldn't help but say, "Dr. Li, it's like you've married a Buddha of Joy into your family. He's so happy every day."
"How could I be unhappy about my disciple's marriage?" That was always his reply.
Gradually, Lu Yu also felt joy, a happiness that grew from the depths of her heart. Her eyebrows and eyes softened considerably. Li Changpu was even happier and quietly leaned closer, saying, "I like you just the way you are. You look beautiful when you smile."
Lu Yu blushed again, snorted, and hid inside.
The Li family's meals were very simple. Although she cooked three meals a day, the vegetables were taken from the yard. The water vat was always full. She would make a vegetable soup, steam a basket of rice, and cook a meat dish. A meal only took half an hour. The rest of the time she was idle, so she would pick up her embroidery and make clothes.
It's been snowing these past few days, and the whole family hasn't gone out. But Li Changpu couldn't sit still. "I'm going to Uncle Qingshan's house by the lake to buy a fish to stew and warm my stomach."
Dr. Li was still stacking herbs inside the house, saying, "Buy a fat one."
The apprentice's wife eats well at home, so there's no reason why she shouldn't eat well at his house.
When the Lu brothers arrived, they saw Li Changpu carrying a fish and hurrying home. "Uncle-in-law."
Li Changpu was surprised that they would come at this time. "It's cold. Why did you come at this hour? Perfect timing. I bought some fish. I'll stew it for lunch."
Upon seeing her two nephews, Lu Yu was both dazed and excited. "Has something happened at home?"
After Lu Yunfeng recounted what had happened in the county town, Doctor Li and Li Changpu's expressions turned serious. After exchanging a few pleasantries, they went to the room where the herbs were kept to tidy up.
Lu Yu went into the kitchen to start cooking. "Don't rush, let's go after we finish eating. Your niece-in-law will be fine. Let your father-in-law go with you. He was able to save your mother and sister-in-law when they were so seriously ill."
"Hmm." Lu Yunfeng took out everything he had brought: six rabbit skins, two chickens and ducks, and some cake patches, filling two baskets to the brim. "These skins are for Doctor Li and my uncle to make knee pads. It's cold, so their knees won't get cold. Aunt, if you need anything, just tell me and I'll buy it for you. It's snowing, are you cold sleeping?"
Lu Yu was both touched and helpless. Who would bring so many things when visiting relatives? Luckily, the Lu family was well-off, otherwise they wouldn't have been able to afford this. "You don't need to bring so many things in the future. There are several quilts and a rabbit skin stall in the dowry. I won't get cold, so don't worry."
"Oh my, Changpu, your nephews are here?" The aunt next door had a fenced yard and had seen that Doctor Li's family had arrived. She couldn't miss this excitement.
Li Changpu poked her head out of the herb warehouse, "Auntie, come inside and sit down. These brothers have come to get some herbs."
"Here are some herbs? What's wrong? Is someone sick?" The neighbor's eyes were quickly drawn to the contents of the bamboo basket. "Did your nephews bring all of this? It's all good stuff."
Her eyes shone with a mixture of excitement and envy. So what if Lu Yu had a bad reputation? Look at all this stuff! Who brings such a grand dowry when visiting relatives? It's enough to make many people green with envy. Marrying Lu Yu is like marrying a god of wealth. "Changpu, you're so lucky to have married such a wonderful wife."
Li Changpu laughed heartily, "I am truly blessed."
The neighbor auntie chatted for a few minutes and then left without going home. She quickly ran next door, gesturing excitedly as she described how good the food was, how plump the chickens and ducks were. When Lu Yu finished frying the chicken, the surrounding families couldn't help but drool at the smell, saying that Li Changpu had married a good wife. Finally, they speculated, "Was Li Yang rejected by the Lu family back then? How dare Li Guizhi say that Li Yang didn't want the Lu family's daughter?"
"Tch, the Lu family is so rich. Even a single hair from their head is worth a month's worth of food and clothing for us. And Li Yang doesn't want a Lu family girl? Bah, how dare she say that?"
"That's right. I think that Lu family girl is very well-behaved. She's been married for so long and never goes out. She cooks three meals a day. Let alone having an affair with anyone, she's never seen by outsiders."
After another round of gossip, the group finally couldn't resist the cravings in their stomachs, which started rumbling, and they had no choice but to go home to find something to eat.
Dr. Li's courtyard was bustling with activity. Lu Yunxing found a basket and covered the chickens and ducks with it, so he could kill them whenever he wanted to eat them. He was also talking to the master and apprentice in the warehouse about things in the county town. "The first snow this year was heavy, and many people caught colds. There used to be herbs in the market, but the county town's clinics bought them in large quantities, so there was a sudden shortage in the county town. I heard from the herb merchants and clinics that it's already freezing cold in the north, and they need to stock up on heat-clearing and fire-dispersing herbs. All the herbs they bought were transported north, which is why the county town is short of them."
"There are still almost two months until the New Year. The snow came early this year, so it will probably be cold. We need to prepare more food, herbs, and firewood." Doctor Li's expression became serious.
Lu Yunxing laughed: "My elder brother is very thoughtful, and he has many helpers. After the autumn harvest this year, my elder brother even troubled my cousin to collect the grain. The granaries are full, so there is no need to worry about food. Even firewood has been prepared in abundance."
The worst things in winter are hunger and cold.
Countless others succumb to the winter each year.
Dr. Li was pleased, "Your elder brother has thought things through thoroughly."
Fortunately, his silly apprentice wasn't bad either. He knew to buy grain and store it after the autumn harvest, and he couldn't sit still. He was always digging for herbs or going to the mountains to chop firewood. Otherwise, he would have been outdone in everything.
As soon as Lu Yunfeng entered the courtyard, he saw the woodshed crammed full of firewood. He became even more certain that Li Changpu was diligent. She was currently cleaning fish in the kitchen. Taking advantage of the fact that it was just the two of them, he asked in a low voice, "Is Uncle good to you?"
"Okay, he treats me very well. Tell your family not to worry. He's always protected me since I married into the family. I've never left the house, so I don't hear or want to hear what people outside are saying. I'll just live my life well." Lu Yu stirred the rice in the pot. Her dowry was plentiful, and the rice and flour were enough for the three of them to eat until the New Year. Her husband and father-in-law prepared all the firewood, rice, oil, salt, soy sauce, vinegar, and tea. She also had plenty of winter clothes, and no one bossed her around. Surprisingly, her life was quite comfortable.
After finishing their meal, the Lu brothers and Doctor Li set off for the county town. Before leaving, Doctor Li carefully instructed them, "My apprentice, take good care of your wife. Don't believe what others say. Don't leave your wife alone at home, and don't let her go out alone. Remember that."
Li Changpu nodded solemnly, "I know, Master."
He's not stupid. Just because he doesn't pay attention to gossip doesn't mean it won't reach his ears. His wife may have a bad reputation, but there are people in the village who have their eyes on her. He's not going to be foolish enough to give them a chance. He's seen all sorts of messy things in the village since he was a child. People's hearts are unpredictable, so he's naturally wary.
His wife is his, and no one can take her away from him.
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