Wu Cai’e had said that the room was meant for Song Youcheng when he married someday. Fortunately, the belongings inside remained largely untouched.

The basket of eggs, which Song Ning hadn’t taken when he first came to the Song household, was now securely slung over his arm.

Wei Hu followed, carrying his own things. Wu Cai’e watched them head to the neighboring courtyard, puzzled why they’d bring gifts when moving out. She feared they might eat the offerings—typical country bumpkins, so stingy! Once they left, the things would be theirs anyway.

Zhao Qingshu also came up. “Mother, I’ll go check.”

Song Baozhu was still sitting in her chai, cracking melon seeds. “Mother, bring me that jar of liquor later, and some of those eggs too. Qingshu studies so hard—I’ll take them home to help him build up his strength.”

“Alright.” Wu Cai’e agreed, then added, “Baozhu, you go check on him too. Make sure that little brat doesn’t take anything valuable.”

Song Baozhu jumped to her feet. “Pfft! That little slut came back just to seduce Qingshu. I’d better hurry and check on him.”

Song Ning took only a few steps before reaching his room. Zhao Qingshu followed him in. Annoyed, Song Ning entered and immediately began gathering his books.

Wei Hu helped him gather everything, bringing over anything made of paper. Song Ning tore off the bedsheet and dumped all the items onto it.

Zhao Qingshu watched from the side, stepping forward to speak to Song Ning. “Ning-ger…”

Wei Hu pushed him aside. Wasn’t he a scholar? How could he lack such basic etiquette? Whether married or not, how could an adult man stand so close to a young ger?

Zhao Qingshu wanted to exchange a few words with Song Ning, but Wei Hu stood firmly in the way. Wei Hu was tall and broad, blocking Zhao Qingshu’s view entirely—he couldn’t even see Song Ning’s silhouette.

Song Baozhu hurried over, too. Seeing Song Ning take the inkstone and inkstick, she exclaimed, “Song Ning! Those are my family’s things! How dare you take them? Put them back!”

Song Baozhu lunged to grab them back, but was pulled back by Zhao Qingshu. “Baozhu, what are you doing? Those belong to Ning-ger anyway.”

“What do you mean by ‘his’? These belong to our Song family! You can still use that inkstick and brush—I’m just giving them to you.”

“I don’t want them. They’re Ning-ger’s.”

Zhao Qingshu, ever concerned with appearances, wouldn’t dream of snatching things from others in front of outsiders. Feeling guilty toward Song Ning, his words were mostly protective.

Song Ning had quite a lot of belongings—a large bundle filled with brushes, ink, paper, inkstones, and books. Wei Hu slung it over his shoulder and walked away.

Song Ning said nothing more and headed for the door. Wu Cai’e, sitting in the main hall, saw him and rushed after him. “What are you doing! Are you bandits invading my home?”

“Hurry up!” Song Ning and Wei Hu whispered.

Wei Hu carried Song Ning’s books on his back, a half-bag of sweet potatoes slung over his shoulder, and a hen and a wine in his hands. Laden with goods, he looked as if he’d ransacked the Song household.

Wei Hu strode off briskly, his load seemingly weightless. Song Ning hurried after him, eggs dangling from his arm.

Wu Cai’e raged behind them, cursing under her breath. “You little brat! I should never have let you set foot in the Song household! Just you wait, I’m going to report you to the authorities!”

Wu Cai’e’s chest ached with fury. The chicken and eggs were her family’s property, yet these two brats had snatched them away. And that huge bundle on his back—who knew what it contained? This was outright theft!

“Baozhu! Baozhu! Didn’t I tell you to keep watch? What did that little brat take from our house?!”

Song Baozhu stamped her foot in frustration. “Mother, it’s nothing valuable—just writing brushes, ink, paper, and inkstones. I told him not to take them, but Qingshu pulled me back and wouldn’t let me stop him. Honestly!”

“Thieves! Absolute thieves! Mud-legged country bumpkins!”

Song Baozhu was illiterate and didn’t realize these items were quite expensive for poor scholars.

It wasn’t that Old Man Song had been biased against her education. When Song Baozhu came to the Song household at age five, Old Man Song had sent both children to school. Her birth father was a traveling merchant; restless from childhood, he’d been constantly on the move. He’d only attended school for a couple of days before throwing a fit and refusing to go anymore.

Old Master Song wanted to discipline him, but Wu Cai’e, desperate to protect her beloved daughter, stepped in. She cried, accusing Old Master Song of being a stepfather who mistreated her daughter. So Old Master Song relented and let Song Baozhu drop out.

Wu Cai’e had planned to treat her Xiucai son-in-law to a chicken stew at noon. But now not only was the chicken gone, but a pile of household goods had been carried out. She was furious!

“This won’t do! I must report this to the authorities!”

Zhao Qingshu hurried forward, bowing repeatedly. “Mother-in-law, no, no! If the town magistrate finds out, it’ll be a laughingstock. Where would my face be then?”

Wu Cai’e finally relented, dreading that such a trifling matter might derail Zhao Qingshu’s career. Next year, her son-in-law would be heading to the prefectural capital to take the provincial exams for Juren. If he passed, he’d be a big shot—not just some minor town magistrate, but someone even the county magistrate would have to give a little respect to.

Then her family would be the talk of the town.

Though the old books Song Ning took weren’t worth much silver, they were still her family’s property!

And that old hen and basket of eggs—that basketful of eggs was no small amount! Enough to feed her family for a month or two!

Song Ning clutched the eggs and scampered away. Only after rounding a corner and losing sight of anyone did he stop. Song Ning caught his breath twice. Wei Hu turned back to check on him. “Tired?”

Song Ning’s face was rosy from running. He grinned widely. “No, I’m just happy.”

This was the first time Wei Hu had ever seen Song Ning smile so genuinely. Clearly, he truly loved those books. As an illiterate laborer, Wei Hu had no idea that the pile on his back was actually quite valuable.

Seeing Song Ning’s joy, Wei Hu couldn’t help but let a faint smile touch his own lips.

Song Ning treasured those books above all else. After his father passed away, he could no longer afford paper, but thankfully, he’d saved quite a few books from his childhood. Reading them daily brought him some comfort.

“Brother Wei Hu, is it heavy?”

This large bundle contained quite a lot. If packed in a wooden crate, it would fill a large one.

Wei Hu shook his head. “This is nothing. I could easily carry another load like this.”

Song Ning laughed. “Some of these books even have my father’s handwriting in them. He taught me to read and write when I was little.”

Though Wei Hu was a rough fellow, literate families were rare in the village. Even the village head could count them on one hand. Country folk held scholars in special reverence, and hearing these books bore his father’s writing made him handle them with even greater care.

Song Ning was overjoyed to have his books back, his steps lightening noticeably. “Come on, let’s go to Granny Zhang’s.”

“Alright.” Wei Hu responded, following behind. “That woman was yelling about reporting it to the authorities. Don’t worry, I’ll handle it for you.”

Song Ning stopped in his tracks, turning to look at Wei Hu with sparkling eyes. “Brother Wei Hu, you’re so kind! Don’t worry, she won’t dare. Zhao Qingshu values his reputation above all else. He’d dread having those sordid affairs exposed.”

Wei Hu wasn’t one to pry into others’ private affairs. Hearing Song Ning say it was fine put his mind at ease. Even if the woman did report it, it would just mean some hassle and perhaps slipping a bit of silver under the table.

Seeing the young ger’s face aglow with excitement, Wei Hu realized this was the first time he’d seen the ger so happy. Standing in the sunlight, his smile was as bright and vivid as a camellia blossom.

He recalled when the ger first arrived at his home, timid as a frightened rabbit, crying several times. Now, however, the ger wasn’t so afraid of him anymore, grinning like a fox that had stolen some fish.

“You’re my brother. Of course I’ll be kind to you.”

The ger’s smile crumbled. Song Ning snorted lightly, ignoring Wei Hu as he lifted his foot and strode forward. Wei Hu hurried to catch up. “But if that woman upset you. I’ll go back and teach them a lesson for you.”

“That’s not it at all!”

Song Ning ignored Wei Hu. What brother? He wasn’t Wei Hu’s brother—he was Wei Hu’s Fulang!

How could this wooden-headed man not get it? It was infuriating!

Song Ning had barely turned the corner of the alley when he spotted a gray-haired old woman peering intently toward the entrance. His eyes lit up. “Grandma!”

Granny Zhang’s eyesight was failing in her old age. Only when Song Ning called out did she recognize the ger she’d cared for. From afar, she’d seen him dressed in new clothes but hadn’t dared to claim him. It was only after Song Ning called that she recognized him.

“Ning-ger!”

Song Ning, clutching his eggs, hurried over. “Granny Zhang, what brings you here? Brother Wei Hu and I were just heading to your place.”

The moment she saw Song Ning, Granny Zhang began wiping away tears. “I thought you’d be returning home today, so I wanted to come see you. I rushed here as fast as I could, afraid I might miss you.”

Seeing her weeping, Song Ning’s own tears fell. “Granny Zhang, why did you come? Your legs aren’t steady. Brother Wei Hu and I were just heading over.”

Granny Zhang clasped Song Ning’s hand. “There, there. Don’t cry, dear child. I just wanted to see how you’re doing.”

Ever since Song Ning married away, Granny Zhang had been eating poorly and sleeping badly. After all, she had cared for this ger for seven or eight years. When she first went to the Song family, Song Ning was just a little radish sprout. Now, in the blink of an eye, he was married off.

Life in the countryside was tough, and Song Ning had married into a family known for being unlucky for wives. How could she possibly sleep soundly? She simply couldn’t rest easy without seeing Song Ning.

Wei Hu also addressed her as “Grandma.” Song Ning wiped his tears and took Wei Hu’s hand. “Granny Zhang, look! This is Wei Hu, my husband!”

Granny Zhang, her eyesight failing with age, looked up at Wei Hu several times. “Good, good.”

Regardless of his character, his appearance alone was worthy of her Ning-ger.

Seeing Song Ning’s husband was handsome and dignified, she felt temporarily reassured. “Alright, there’s nothing else to do. You and Wei Hu should go to the Song household first. Come visit me in town another day.”

Seeing Granny Zhang pleased, Song Ning took her hand and chattered away about his recent deeds. His voice was soft and sweet, the last syllables curling upward—a clear sign of genuine happiness.

At the mention of visiting her home, Granny Zhang’s face crinkled with delight. “Come on, come on! I’ll have your Uncle Ban cut some meat, and your auntie will cook you a meal.”