Chapter 102

 Appetite Spoiled, Estate for Pregnancy Confinement

"Grandson…" Lu Lizhi looked up, somewhat surprised. "You don't want a daughter anymore?"

Jiang Yuye's lips moved as if he wanted to say something, but then he laughed with studied nonchalance. "A boy is fine too. If it's a son, I can beat him without worry."

"I'll work hard at having a daughter."

Jiang Yuye's eyes widened instantly. "Work hard?"

"Mm. I silently chant 'have a daughter' a few times every day. I heard it works." Lu Lizhi said, one hand habitually resting on his belly.

Seeing his earnest expression, Jiang Yuye burst out laughing and pounced on him. "Lizhi, you're so adorable! I love you so much!"

He smacked several loud kisses on his face. Lu Lizhi wiped his cheek with distaste, rubbing the saliva onto his clothes, thinking that since he hadn't chanted before, he'd start doing it seriously from now on.

Back at their temporary rental, even though they were about to leave, Jiang Yuye couldn't help pulling out the little rabbit shoes he'd hidden away and showing them off to Doctor Pang.

"See? Beautiful, aren't they? For my daughter!"

"Hmph, childish!"

But Doctor Pang remembered when he'd had his own daughter—he'd been even more childish, running around the house like a monkey off the mountain.

Jiang Yuye was already making grand plans. "A daughter can carry on the family line and build a legacy too. When she has children, they'll take her surname—or we'll find her a live-in son-in-law. That's still our bloodline continuing."

Doctor Pang was taken aback; this was the first time he'd heard such a novel idea. "And the child Lizhi carries—are you going to let it take his surname too?"

Lu Lizhi happened to be coming in from outside and heard Jiang Yuye say matter-of-factly, "We're both men, but he's marrying me. The child is also born from his body—what does it matter if it takes his surname?"

Lu Lizhi touched his belly. Now that the unpleasant pregnancy symptoms had subsided these past few days, the idea of having three, four, five, or six children was bubbling up again.

Coming from the modern era, Jiang Yuye didn't hold old-fashioned views about surname rights. Besides, he did feel he'd somewhat shortchanged Lu Lizhi in certain ways—he was a proper, dignified leading man, yet Jiang Yuye had him pinned beneath him, doing all sorts of things.

That night, Lu Lizhi couldn't resist dragging Jiang Yuye into another round of intimacy. They went at it for two days straight, both consciously gentler this time.

Restrained yet indulgent, drawn out to the extreme—which only prolonged the pleasure…

By now, the two were intimately familiar with each other's bodies and desires, long past the fumbling, instinct-driven clumsiness of the beginning.

With more refined skills, everything was indescribably exquisite…

Jiang Yuye listened to his husky, restrained voice, sweat of restraint trickling down his constantly bobbing Adam's apple, dripping onto that supple, snow-white waist.

It made his dark eyes grow unfathomably deep.

"Mmm…" Lu Lizhi furrowed his brows slightly.

"Shh." Jiang Yuye murmured lowly. "Don't make a sound—I'm afraid I won't be able to hold back."

Lu Lizhi's brow furrowed even tighter. He was tempted to say: then don't hold back.

In the end, he could only bite his lip, breathing in the subtle fragrance that floated through the silence…

"When can we find a truly isolated place, let loose, and go all out… hmm?"

Lu Lizhi always became aloof after being satisfied, and now, pregnant and exhausted, he was barely awake. He had no idea Jiang Yuye was murmuring countless wild ideas into his ear, each bolder and more outrageous than the last.

The next day, Lu Lizhi followed Jiang Yuye to the opening of Jichun Medicine Workshop in the provincial capital.

Unlike the restaurant opening, the workshop just started production. They set off some firecrackers and held a ceremony, praying for smooth and safe operations.

In Jiang Yuye's eyes, it was just like the "opening ceremony" before filming a modern drama—all cast and crew present, burning incense, worshipping the gods, and unveiling red cloth, according to local custom.

This workshop was twice as large as the one in Qingshui Village. With managers, masters, and workers combined, over a hundred people stood at the workshop entrance holding incense and candles, devoutly worshipping—quite a grand spectacle.

Passersby and those who'd heard the news saw the sign bearing the imperial-inscribed "Jichun" and erupted in enthusiastic cheers.

Praise for Jichun's quality medicines rang out endlessly. Ding Yue, now promoted to head master and sent to strike out on his own, could barely hide his pride.

What a difference a single decision had made in just one year!

Now his family no longer worried about tuition fees. Ding Lihui's expenses were one thing, but the Ding family had already reached a comfortable level of wealth, even planning to buy some modest property in the provincial capital.

Autumn was harvest season. There was no Great Heng Mountain here, but herbs still flowed in steadily from all directions.

At noon, Jiang Yuye and Lu Lizhi had a meal with various pharmacy owners who'd come seeking partnerships.

Some local "big shots" who'd been in business for a long time wanted to push Jiang Yuye around and secure better terms.

But one sharp-eyed young scholar gasped and whispered urgently, "That's this province's Jieyuan—the top provincial scholar!"

A Jieyuan was the cream of the crop among successful candidates. What merchant didn't envy a scholar with official status? And these days, buying an official title wasn't so easy either.

Looking at the smiling young man across the table who'd gotten an imperial-appointed "Gentleman" title without spending a cent, they choked on all their words.

With Lu Lizhi, the Jieyuan, present, Jiang Yuye—

"Though, poaching my people right in front of me—that's not very nice, is it?" Jiang Yuye grumbled.

"Poaching won't work anyway. Haven't you all heard the recent rumors in the provincial capital?" Lu Lizhi said coolly, the two playing off each other perfectly.

When they went to investigate, their expressions turned complex.

"This is a powerhouse alliance! If that Jieyuan Lu goes even further in the exams, Jichun's future will be limitless!"

"Hurry up and stop hesitating—sign the contract. Profits might be smaller now, but who knows about later?"

Many wanted to curry favor with Lu Lizhi because of his Jieyuan status. After the meal, the two immediately took Doctor Pang back to Xuanhe Prefecture, expecting a warm welcome.

After all, Jieyuan weren't common—Xuanhe Prefecture hadn't seen one in decades.

Lu Lizhi wasn't bothered—or rather, he'd guessed something. But Jiang Yuye, seeing the streets and alleys full of talk about "Qingyuan Jun is Lu Qinghong," crushed a local pastry he'd brought back from the capital in fury.

"What a total appetite-killer!"

Lu Lizhi hesitated for a moment about whether to tell him his own involvement in this matter. Though they were each other's closest, practically an old married couple…

He still chose to preserve his perfect image in Jiang Yuye's eyes.

What he didn't know was that Jiang Yuye had never intervened in this affair—including the tangled history of the Lu family's main and collateral branches—because he knew Lu Lizhi could handle it.

Besides, even though Lu Lizhi had become a Jieyuan, it still wasn't realistic for him to take on the Jiangyi Lu family head-on. There was no need to burden him with unnecessary worries.

When the time came, everything would come to light naturally.

The news that Lu Qinghong was Qingyuan Jun broke around the time Lu Lizhi's Jieyuan results were announced. Lu Qinghong, who'd originally planned a gradual approach, couldn't handle the shock and released the news directly.

Within days, it spread throughout the city.

Lu Qinghong felt some fear, but beneath it was a thrill and boundless excitement—like a gambler holding a winning hand, eager to play it and reap the richest rewards!

According to custom, the prefect would arrange banquets to encourage new Jieyuan, but after Prefect Yan left, the new prefect seemed at odds with him. Since Jiang Yuye and Lu Lizhi hadn't made any overtures either, his attitude toward them was lukewarm.

In fact, he'd even gone to the Ritual and Music Hall to offer condolences—mainly, of course, to fawn over Qingyuan Jun.

Fortunately, Jiang Yuye had his own circle of friends and family, who knew they were returning today and had been waiting early.

Soon, the academy crowd came to welcome and congratulate them too—alerted by Yi Shuyun and the others who'd arrived ahead.

A grand, joyous procession. The common folk who'd been immersed in the "Qingyuan Jun is real" buzz suddenly remembered—

Their own Xuanhe Prefecture had a Jieyuan!

And this Jieyuan had previously been a "Little Triple Crown" winner!

This Jieyuan had helped them immensely during the plague—the life-saving medicine they'd received for free was thanks to his initiatives!

Instantly, they poured out en masse to greet him.

Lu Lizhi remained as composed as ever, but Jiang Yuye's brow finally relaxed.

This was supposed to be Lizhi's moment of glory. Certain people trying to crash the party wouldn't find it so easy.

Yet amid all the congratulations and the Jiang family handing out lucky money, a discordant voice rang out—

"What good is becoming a Jieyuan? He's still a ass-seller!"

"Shamelessly indulging in male love, being fondled and embraced like a woman! No manly dignity, no scholarly integrity!"

Another deliberately raised voice came from a different direction.

Just as Jiang Yuye and He Lin moved to act, the culprit ran off fast—clearly premeditated.

But running past He Lin was one thing; Jiang Yuye dashed forward and kicked a wooden rack, sending it crashing into the man's back.

With a cry of pain, Jiang Yuye was on him, grabbing his hair and targeting the most sensitive spots.

"Been a while since I've used my fists—you think I'm a pushover?"

"Sp-spare me! It wasn't me—I'm just a pickpocket, that's why I ran!"

"Stop pretending. You think lowering your voice makes it unrecognizable?" Lu Lizhi walked over, restraining Jiang Yuye's aggression. Though the other was at fault, he didn't want Jiang Yuye to lose control and be criticized.

"Who sent you?"

"Hmph! Your own shameful deeds don't need others to spread them—everyone already knows!" A veiled-hat man spoke up when he saw Jiang Yuye wasn't hitting anyone.

Lu Lizhi immediately identified him—

"Yu Zhijie."

Panicking, Yu Zhijie tried to disappear into the crowd but was dragged out.

The academy students jumped in to identify him: "No wonder he's hiding behind a veil—he's got a face full of herpes blisters, disfigured beyond recognition!"

"Not that he was good-looking before. He was stripped of his xiucai status. That major plague outbreak in the academy started because of him—he nearly ruined us all!"

"Not sending him to prison was lenient. He's just jealous that Lizhi became Jieyuan while he's lost forever—that's why he's spreading slander."

"Didn't Master Jiang help us catch the person deliberately spreading the disease? Yu Zhijie still has the nerve to seek revenge!"

Whatever the reason, the academy crowd's explanation gave the common folk a justified rationale.

Lu Lizhi felt a surge of warmth. They didn't have to do this—but this was exactly why he'd wanted to publicly affirm Jiang Yuye at the provincial capital's Deer Banquet.

If he took the initiative, there was room to address things openly; being slandered first put him on the defensive.

In the distance, Lu Qinghong saw Yu Zhijie fail again and was utterly disappointed. "Useless!"

What he hadn't expected was an old woman's curious question—

"Jieyuan Lu, are you and Gentleman Jiang a couple?"

There was no disgust or skepticism in her tone—quite the opposite, it seemed expectant.

Lu Lizhi paused, then nodded solemnly. Jiang Dazhu and the others tensed up, fearing malicious remarks.

But before they could speak, the crowd exchanged glances and burst into chatter.

"I knew they were a couple! Why else would Jieyuan Lu have cared for Master Jiang day and night when he was sick?"

"I could tell from their faces—they look like a married couple, no—a husband-husband pair! Both handsome, both tall and fine. Master Jiang is something else, and Jieyuan Lu is impressive too—why shouldn't they be together?"

"Exactly! These slanders are just jealousy that they've found such good partners."

Some hot-blooded folk even went up and beat Yu Zhijie and the other two defamers.

Seeing everyone's reactions, Jiang Yuye smiled and took Lu Lizhi's hand. This was one of the meanings of their efforts—if they didn't have their current achievements and status,

they might have been the ones getting beaten…

Before the people of Xuanhe Prefecture could start urging them to marry, the exhausted couple went home and rested well.

The next day, Lu Lizhi's schedule was packed—countless invitations and banquets. The benefits of becoming a Jieyuan multiplied accordingly.

Besides not needing to bow to lower-ranking officials, he gained judicial immunity and couldn't be easily prosecuted.

All his landholdings were tax-exempt, and many people tried to curry favor by offering to register their own lands under his name.

Lu Lizhi initially wanted to share these benefits with Jiang Yuye to save him tax money.

But Jiang Yuye didn't want to be too conspicuous. He'd already made money, opened workshops left and right, and had restaurants and agritainment projects—with more to come. Having gained favors from the government and court, he couldn't very well leave them with no benefits at all.

For long-term development, even as a merchant, one had to stay honest and low-key.

Most importantly, this was what Lu Lizhi had earned himself—he should profit from it. There was a saying: "Only poor xiucai, never poor Jieyuan"—and this was the main reason.

So after attending banquets, Lu Lizhi had a new income stream. Without Jiang Yuye, he could live comfortably too.

To a certain extent, both men's careers remained relatively independent yet complementary.

On the third day back, after dealing with various figures from Qingshui County, Baishi Town, Changlin County, and Xuanhe Prefecture, Lu Lizhi hosted a Teacher-Appreciation Banquet for the academy's instructors and classmates.

By the fifth day, the new prefect of Xuanhe Prefecture finally went through the motions, inviting the prefecture's five Jieyuan—Lu Lizhi, Yi Shuyun, Song Haocheng, Chen Jian, and Wu Yong—to encourage them.

Unexpectedly, Lu Lizhi ran into Lu Changsheng and Lu Qinghong, who had no business being there.

"If you want to rank well, the next stage of your studies will be quite demanding. Do you have any plans?" Lu Changsheng asked.

All five intended to continue pursuing the imperial examinations rather than settle for minor official posts.

"The autumn metropolitan exam next year—we plan to travel and study for a while." Yi Shuyun said, unaware of their history with Lu Lizhi. Song Haocheng nodded in agreement.

The metropolitan exam was different from previous ones. From here on, one had to face more practical considerations—burying one's head in books was actually detrimental.

Being pregnant, Lu Lizhi didn't dare take risks. He naturally wanted to have the baby first, then spend some time traveling and studying on his own before considering other options half a year later.

But Lu Changsheng suddenly looked at him and said, "I can recommend you all to the Lu Family Academy in Jiangyi."

"Wh-what?" Chen Jian and Wu雍 lost their composure, nearly knocking over their cups.

Lu Lizhi held his cup steadily, thinking about the drinking evasion techniques Jiang Yuye had taught him—so effective he could go through an entire banquet without a drop of alcohol, and no one would notice.

Since carrying the baby, he couldn't drink or eat anything unsuitable. Both he and Jiang Yuye, as first-time fathers-to-be, were extremely careful, wishing they could master medicine themselves to avoid any taboo.

So even when they occasionally indulged in intimacy for some sweetness, they weren't worried about harming the baby.

Lost in thought, Chen Jian and Wu Yong actually stood up and bowed to Lu Changsheng, becoming his disciples.

Even Yi Shuyun and Song Haocheng were tempted. The current academy couldn't teach them much anymore.

Masters like Yi were only Jieyuan themselves, but the Lu Family Academy had not only successful metropolitan graduates and进士, but also many great scholars with rich teaching experience.

"Some top scholars and high officials who graduated from the Lu Family Academy occasionally return to mentor their junior schoolmates." Lu Changsheng spoke with pride, sipping his wine, eyeing Lu Lizhi's unreadable expression. "Most importantly, the Lu Academy is about to welcome a very important figure. Hearing even one lecture from him is worth more than ten years of studying the classics!"

The new prefect's curiosity was piqued. "Who? Could it be…"

The others looked on eagerly, and Lu Lizhi also thought of one person—he'd learned just how formidable this man was in the provincial capital.

"Exactly! Master Qishan!"

"Master Qishan!?" Even the stoic Song Haocheng lost his composure.

"That legendary figure—the one who became a top scholar and said he was 'just playing around,' refused all official posts, and retreated into seclusion, yet the Emperor and everyone else never blamed him, but repeatedly sought his counsel—the greatest scholar under heaven?"

"I heard he lives in deep seclusion, picking chrysanthemums by his eastern hedge. Fewer than ten people in the world know his whereabouts!"

"Even his portraits exist in countless versions—many painted by himself to confuse people, just to have peace."

Everyone at the table chattered excitedly, as if drunk on the strongest wine, faces flushed, nearly spraying saliva.

Lu Lizhi gripped his cup tightly.

"My grandnephew Lu Qingchuan just passed the provincial exams as Jieyuan. My cousin wants to invite Master Qishan to teach him—then taking the metropolitan exam and even the palace exam should be a breeze." Lu Changsheng said with no small pride.

Lu Qinghong smirked inwardly—yes, how could he have forgotten his prodigy cousin?

Hearing this, Yi Shuyun and Song Haocheng felt their hearts sink. They immediately looked at Lu Lizhi with concern, their excitement cooling considerably.

So this grandfather-grandson pair had ill intentions all along!

Weren't they specifically targeting Lizhi? How despicable!

Chen Jian and Wu Yong weren't close to Lu Lizhi and didn't know his goals. But who didn't want to become a top scholar? With so many talented people across the realm, it was hard to say who would come out on top—they didn't sense the underlying scheming.

After they formally became Lu Changsheng's disciples and secured recommendation slots, Yi Shuyun and the others realized the Lu family's sinister motives.

"They might even poach Tu Huanwen and Chen Kaiyuan—so all the top talents from other regions get siphoned off to Jiangyi!"

After the banquet, Yi Shuyun grew increasingly agitated.

"Why don't you go?" Lu Lizhi asked curiously. "Even I'm tempted by Master Qishan."

"Not like this!"

"I refuse to associate with that Lu Changsheng—especially as his disciple. The thought makes me sick."

Their indignation lifted Lu Lizhi's spirits somewhat, but his pressure came not from the Lu grandfather-grandson duo, but from Master Qishan—

and Lu Qingchuan, who would be taught by him…

Before they parted ways, a servant suddenly blocked their path and brought them to meet someone.

"So—which of you is Qingyuan Jun?" The middle-aged man smiled, surveying them.

Yi Shuyun was utterly confused, but Song Haocheng's eyes shot to Lu Lizhi!

He'd heard about Lu Qinghong's claim, but Lu Lizhi had shown no reaction. As the rumor grew more credible, Song Haocheng had even doubted his own earlier suspicions.

"Is it you?" The middle-aged man looked at the most likely candidate, Yi Shuyun.

Yi Shuyun was completely lost.

Lu Lizhi guessed who this was—Shopkeeper Ning had told him. Looking at his two companions, there seemed no reason to hide it anymore.

"It's me." In that cool, clear voice, Yi Shuyun stared in shock at Lu Lizhi.

Even Song Haocheng, who'd mentally prepared himself, felt adrift in the clouds at those words!

How they got home later, neither knew. Lu Lizhi, however, had a headache watching the middle-aged man cling to him—wasn't this guy supposed to have solid character, with no issues beyond imitating his storybooks?

"If you don't take me with you, I'll expose you to the Lu grandfather and grandson!"

Lu Lizhi: "..." A blackmailer?

"Getting closer to you makes it easier to imitate you, right? Speaking of—have you written your new storybook yet?"

That was his real goal, wasn't it? Lu Lizhi watched him enter his home without looking sideways, seemingly indifferent to everything else. But the man's bearing…

Something felt off.

Later, Doctor Pang also sensed this man was no ordinary person. When Jiang Yuye returned from the He household and saw the man's meticulously groomed elegant beard, a spark of recognition flashed through his mind—

But it didn't catch.

That night, Lu Lizhi asked him, "Do you know Master Qishan?"

Qi… Something clicked, and Jiang Yuye suddenly sat up, nearly losing his composure. "Master Qishan!"

At the same time, Lu Qinghong said, "Grandfather, let me go to the Jiangyi Academy too. If Master Qishan could teach me as well, success would be all but guaranteed!"

Lu Changsheng thought it made sense. Though Qinghong's current abilities didn't meet the Lu Academy's admission standards, he was now Qingyuan Jun!

And if he were taught by Master Qishan… one day, he might surpass even Lu Lizhi—and Lu Qingchuan!

With outsiders present and days of busyness, Jiang Yuye and Lu Lizhi hadn't found the chance to tell Madam He and the others about the baby.

At breakfast, Jiang Yuye brought something up: "He Yun and Wang Yujiao's marriage isn't going smoothly. He can't get away to Chongzhou, so I might need to go look after things there for a while, and also complete the agritainment project."

Lu Lizhi immediately looked up.

"Will Lizhi come with me?" Jiang Yuye smiled.

Lu Lizhi nodded without hesitation—perhaps due to pregnancy sensitivity, he couldn't bear to be apart from him for more than a couple of days.

"It'll be convenient to…" "—rest" at the Chongzhou estate, Jiang Yuye started to say, but remembering the extra person at the table, he cut himself off.

The middle-aged man, Shen Feng, was as thick-skinned as Doctor Pang; the two were already fighting over food.

Madam He said, "Your father and I won't go. Your spices and fruits are ready for harvest—you said you wanted to make hotpot base. We need to make more this year since everyone's been waiting. We can also supply Flowing Waters Tavern for hotpot business."

"Then Mother, I'll leave this to you." Before leaving, Jiang Yuye left her recipes for several classic hotpot broths. For production and packaging, she could handle it all.

As for Granny Li—she'd already confirmed Lu Lizhi's pregnancy and wanted to go along to take care of him, in case he needed guidance.

Lu Lizhi also wanted to bring Granny Li there to enjoy herself in her later years. So the group—with Doctor Pang who'd been itching to go, the tagalong Mr. Shen, Granny Li, the baby in the belly, a cartload of books, and two rabbits—set off for Chongzhou in grand style.

Coincidentally, Yi Shuyun and Song Haocheng had also arranged to travel together. Their two parties converged on the road and traveled together.

When they reached Xianzhuang, Yi and Song discovered it hosted all sorts of literary gatherings—quite lively and exciting—and even Tu Huanwen dropped by occasionally. They immediately decided to stay.

"Since we have money now, let's stay… for a while."

"Mm—for Lizhi's sake, maybe they'll give us a discount?" Song Haocheng wasn't sure. Xianzhuang's lodging wasn't cheap, but worth it—the surroundings were unearthly beautiful.

Lu Lizhi's arrival—a provincial Jieyuan and all-around talent—attracted another wave of scholars eager to exchange ideas, boosting Xianzhuang's business.

Sometimes Mr. Shen would join in, and Lu Lizhi began to realize how deep this man's knowledge ran—many of the problems he encountered in his studies could be solved by consulting him.

Gradually, Yi Shuyun and Song Haocheng also shamelessly approached him, gaining much from his wisdom.

Perhaps for this reason, Shen Feng grew increasingly elusive, appearing and disappearing unpredictably—sometimes not seen for ten days to half a month, and only then to pester Lu Lizhi about storybooks.

Lu Lizhi naturally seized every opportunity to seek his guidance.

Before they knew it, winter brought snow. A red-clay stove by the lake, a hotpot bubbling with fragrant, spicy broth.

Doctor Pang squinted contentedly, swaying in bliss. Suddenly, someone rowed up from afar—

"Doctor Pang! The estate master requests your immediate return. He says… he says Master Lu isn't feeling well!"

At first, Doctor Pang didn't pay much attention—that Jiang kid was too easily anxious. The pregnancy had been going smoothly all along.

But then his eyes snapped open.

Counting on his fingers, he did some calculations. Oh no—it might be time!