Ch 104: The Regent’s Farmer Husband

Lu Huaizhou had originally intended to handle some government affairs, but instead ended up fooling around with Jiang Ji in the study for most of the afternoon. He even found it quite enjoyable and still felt unsatisfied afterward. In the end, it was Jiang Ji himself who suddenly remembered he had things to do and finally dragged himself outside.

Zhao Ru had spent the entire day shopping with the village chief and the others. They had not even returned at noon, eating lunch instead at Dingsheng Food House before continuing to wander around all afternoon. By the time they returned, they had bought a great many things.

The prosperity of the capital had completely dazzled the village chief and the others.

They visited the opera house, ate many specialty snacks unique to the capital, browsed countless shops, and even went to look at the outer walls of the Imperial Palace.

To them, the Imperial Palace was the most sacred and exalted place in existence. After all, it was where the Emperor lived.

Jiang Ji later heard that the village chief and the others had even knelt and kowtowed toward the palace from outside the walls.

After Zhao Ru returned, Lu Huaizhou and Jiang Ji made up for the morning tea-serving ceremony and formally served tea to Zhao Ru, who then gave them the usual reminders about husbands living harmoniously together and the like.

That evening, Madam Lu and the others also came to the Regent’s Residence for dinner together.

Lu Huaichuan had performed very well during the spring imperial examinations, placing eighth in the second class. Original translation at HololoNovels dot com. He was now serving in the Ministry of Revenue and had already been working for over a month.

Because of Lu Huaizhou’s wedding, Minister Lu and Lu Huaichuan had both received several days off and could finally rest properly.

Nowadays, Lu Huaichuan had to wake up on time every day for work, and he had quite a lot to do. During dinner, he secretly whispered to Jiang Ji, “If I’d known, I would’ve waited another three years before taking the exam. Then I could’ve relaxed for three more years. How was I supposed to know I’d pass on the first try?”

Jiang Ji: “……Don’t let the other scholars hear that. That’s way too hateful. Be careful someone stuffs you into a sack.”

At eighteen years old, placing eighth in the second class was roughly equivalent to ranking eleventh nationally in the modern college entrance exams.

Although Lu Huaichuan was not as exceptionally talented as his older brother, he had still been clever since childhood. Combined with his family upbringing, his vast learning, and years spent listening to his father, grandfather, and brother discuss state affairs, he had absorbed these things naturally from a young age. It was said that during the palace examination, his policy essay had been especially outstanding.

Imagining himself cornered in an alley and beaten while trapped inside a sack, Lu Huaichuan visibly shuddered. “I was only saying it.”

Still, Jiang Ji could not help feeling somewhat sympathetic that an eighteen-year-old already had to enter officialdom and work exhausting hours every day. Patting him on the shoulder, he said, “I’ll have someone deliver you some snacks tomorrow.”

Lu Huaichuan’s eyes instantly lit up. “Really? Really? Thanks, Brother.”

Foodies truly were easy to appease.

Lu Huaizhou placed some food into Jiang Ji’s bowl with his chopsticks. “What are you two whispering about?”

“Nothing.” Hearing Lu Huaizhou’s voice, Jiang Ji turned and smiled at him before eating the food from his bowl.

Zhao Ru looked toward Lu Huaichuan and quietly asked Madam Lu beside her, “Huaichuan is already eighteen too. Are you considering his marriage yet?”

Madam Lu glanced at her younger son and smiled. “We’ve already started looking.”

Jiang Ji sat close enough to overhear. He glanced at Lu Huaichuan beside him, only to find the boy already enthusiastically discussing food with Jiang Nan.

Jiang Ji then looked over at Lu Huaizhou, who remained completely calm and unaffected as he continued eating. Leaning closer, Jiang Ji whispered into his ear, “Huaichuan’s so young and he’s already being pressured to marry.”

“Weren’t you being pressured before too? Matchmakers were already coming to your house.” Lu Huaizhou glanced at him and placed another piece of meat into his bowl, completely ignoring whatever his mother was saying.

Thinking back to the matchmakers who had come proposing marriage for him last year, Jiang Ji smiled slyly and nudged Lu Huaizhou with his elbow. “Back then, were you worried?”

Lu Huaizhou paused briefly before quietly admitting, “Mhm. At that time, I really didn’t feel very good.”

Jiang Ji widened his eyes. “So you already liked me back then?”

Lu Huaizhou looked at him and thought carefully. “Probably even earlier than that.”

“Then when was it?” Jiang Ji suddenly became very interested.

“I’m not really sure. By the time I realized it, I already cared a great deal,” Lu Huaizhou answered.

Jiang Ji’s eyes curved into smiling crescents.

He had long known that Lu Huaizhou’s feelings for him had grown slowly over time.

After dinner, Madam Lu and the others returned home. Before leaving, Lu Huaichuan still did not forget to remind Jiang Ji, “Brother, don’t forget my snacks.”

“Alright, alright. I’ll have someone deliver them tomorrow.”

Jiang Ji and Lu Huaizhou went for a walk in the garden to digest their meal.

The moon hung above the treetops while the evening breeze carried faint floral fragrance. Insects rustled softly in the grass, and frogs croaked noisily around the pond.

The two slowly circled the garden once. Holding Jiang Ji’s hand, Lu Huaizhou suddenly asked, “Then what about you?”

“Hm?” Jiang Ji had been thinking about visiting the estate tomorrow and did not react immediately. “What about me?”

Lu Huaizhou asked, “When did you start liking me?”

Jiang Ji: “……”

He stared at Lu Huaizhou in disbelief. “We’ve already finished dinner and walked an entire lap around the garden before you ask this? Isn’t your reaction speed way too slow?”

Lu Huaizhou did not understand the phrase “reaction speed,” but he tightened his grip on Jiang Ji’s hand anyway. “Tell me quickly.”

Swinging their joined hands back and forth, Jiang Ji grinned mischievously. “Guess.”

Lu Huaizhou shook his head. “I don’t know.”

He had always felt that Jiang Ji treated him more or less the same throughout, though somewhere deep down he vaguely sensed Jiang Ji viewed him differently from others. The feeling had always been hazy and indistinct.

Only later, when Jiang Ji once said he hoped Lu Huaizhou would never recover his memories so he could continue living forever at Jiang Ji’s home, did Lu Huaizhou finally realize Jiang Ji probably liked him.

This time, however, Jiang Ji did not keep teasing him. Turning to look at him directly, he answered, “From the very first day I carried you home.”

Lu Huaizhou stopped walking, staring at him in surprise.

Jiang Ji nodded. “That’s right. It was love at first sight.”

Love at first sight.

Lu Huaizhou’s heart trembled slightly. After a moment of silence, he said, “So when you said it was because I was handsome… you really meant it.”

“Hahaha, of course. Love at first sight is definitely based on looks.” Jiang Ji laughed. Seeing Lu Huaizhou’s speechless expression, he added, “But looks alone would never be enough to make me decide to marry you.”

Lu Huaizhou continued leading him forward. “Then what else?”

“Obviously because you’re a good person with excellent character.” Jiang Ji answered straightforwardly. “You’re handsome and you’re kind, so naturally I liked you even more.”

Lu Huaizhou tightened his grip on Jiang Ji’s hand. “Let’s go back.”

Jiang Ji looked surprised. “We’re not walking another round?”

“I want to go back.”

“Oh. Alright then.”

Lu Huaizhou led Jiang Ji back toward their courtyard, his pace unusually fast. Jiang Ji asked in confusion, “Do you need the latrine or something? Why are you walking so fast?”

Lu Huaizhou: “……”

Once they returned to the courtyard, Lu Huaizhou immediately instructed Xiao Liu, “Prepare water for bathing.”

“Yes, Your Highness.” Xiao Liu hurried off to arrange it.

Lu Huaizhou led Jiang Ji back into the room and shut the door. The very next moment, he pressed Jiang Ji against the wooden door panels, his kisses landing urgently and heavily against Jiang Ji’s lips.

Jiang Ji blinked.

So the thing Lu Huaizhou wanted to get on top of was not the latrine, but him.

He raised his arms around Lu Huaizhou’s waist and tilted his head up to kiss him back.

Lu Huaizhou seemed unusually worked up. Once he caught Jiang Ji’s tongue, he refused to let it go, kissing until Jiang Ji’s lips went numb.

“Why are you suddenly so excited?” Jiang Ji asked between heavy breaths.

Lu Huaizhou did not answer. His kisses never paused.

Suddenly, Jiang Ji remembered something Lu Huaizhou had said before and seemed to grasp the key point.

So Lu Huaizhou liked hearing sweet words this much.

Jiang Ji’s eyes curved slightly in amusement.

Just as Lu Huaizhou was about to proceed further, Xiao Liu arrived with people carrying in the prepared bathwater.

“Alright, let’s bathe first.” Jiang Ji patted Lu Huaizhou’s shoulder.

Lu Huaizhou rested against Jiang Ji’s shoulder and breathed heavily for a few moments. “Mhm.”

The bath chamber was directly beside their bedroom, converted from a small side room with a connecting door between them.

The two entered the bath chamber together, and Lu Huaizhou held Jiang Ji’s hand as they stepped into the large bath barrel.

After a while, the water inside began sloshing over the edges, spilling onto the floor nearby. Original translation at HololoNovels dot com. Fortunately, the bath chamber had been remodeled with cement, so there was no concern about water damage anymore.

“Didn’t we agree this time would be my turn?” Jiang Ji complained, gripping the edge of the bath barrel with one hand while slapping Lu Huaizhou lightly on the shoulder.

Lu Huaizhou kissed him softly on the lips, then whispered something quietly into his ear.

The moment Jiang Ji heard it, his ears turned bright red. He had never expected someone who looked so rigid and proper on the outside to actually have such wild thoughts in his head.

It truly fit that saying perfectly.

Once an old house catches fire, it becomes impossible to control.

Very quickly, Jiang Ji no longer had any spare attention left to think about it as he became completely immersed in everything instead.

The bath lasted for over half a shichen before Jiang Ji finally returned to bed exhausted, falling deeply asleep almost immediately afterward.

The village chief and the others stayed in the capital for three days before departing on the fourth day, worried about the crops back home.

Jiang Ji had Lu Shun prepare many return gifts for them to bring back to the other villagers. He also sent Ding Xiaojun and Manager Lü large quantities of dried chili peppers and arranged for several guards to escort them home safely.

After seeing the village chief and the others off, Jiang Ji and Lu Huaizhou spent several more days wrapped up in blissful newlywed sweetness.

Lu Huaizhou finally began to understand the meaning behind the phrase: “Spring nights are too short, and the ruler no longer wishes to attend morning court.”

Still, Jiang Ji eventually found time to visit the estate outside the city.

It was currently watermelon and tomato season. Large quantities of watermelons, tomatoes, chili peppers, and other crops had been planted on the lands belonging to the Lu Residence, Duke Chang Residence, and the Regent’s Residence. Even Duke Qin Residence and General Han’s estate had planted considerable amounts.

Every day, many produce merchants came to the estate to purchase goods wholesale. The people working the estate no longer needed to sell things individually and only needed to handle shipments directly from the estate itself.

That summer, the people of the capital and surrounding cities all got to eat sweet juicy watermelons, tangy tomatoes, and fresh chili peppers.

Naturally, Jiang Ji and the others earned immense profits as well.

Combined with the bumper winter wheat harvest, the officials of the capital finally truly experienced the benefits brought by Jiang Ji’s new seeds.

Because of this, even Madam Qin, who had originally been dissatisfied about Lu Huaizhou marrying Jiang Ji, began treating Jiang Ji much more kindly.

Many people grew curious about where Jiang Ji had obtained all these seeds. Some officials even asked Lu Huaizhou about it, only to be immediately shut down with a single sentence.

Lu Huaizhou said, “It doesn’t matter where he got them. As long as the people of Great Sheng can eat their fill and stay warm, that’s enough.”

After that, no official dared bring the matter up before Lu Huaizhou again.

Once Lu Huaizhou’s wedding leave ended, he had to begin attending court again.

One early morning before dawn, Xiao Liu softly reminded from outside, “Your Highness, it’s time to rise.”

“Understood.” Lu Huaizhou opened his eyes and quietly got up to light the lamp.

They had gone to bed somewhat late last night, and Jiang Ji was still sleeping soundly. Original translation at HololoNovels dot com. Lu Huaizhou gently kissed Jiang Ji on the cheek before picking up his clothes and carrying the lamp outside to dress.

By the time Jiang Ji woke, the sky was already bright.

Seeing Lu Huaizhou absent, he lay there blankly for a while before finally remembering that Lu Huaizhou had resumed attending court today.

He remained in bed a little longer before finally getting up, only to notice a note tucked beneath the wooden comb on the dressing table.

— I’ve gone to court. Rest well. Huaizhou.

Looking at the familiar handwriting, Jiang Ji’s lips lifted high into a smile. After breakfast, he headed toward the outskirts of the city..

…

Two days later, it was another rest day.

During breakfast, Zhao Ru reminded Jiang Ji and Lu Huaizhou, “At noon today, the grandson of the Minister of Rites is celebrating his hundred-day banquet. Will you two come with me?”

The invitation had arrived three days earlier, and Uncle Zhong had already prepared the congratulatory gifts.

Jiang Ji nodded. “Sure. Are you going too?”

Lu Huaizhou nodded as well. “Mhm.”

Madam Lu specifically came to wait so they could all go together. Bringing the gifts with them, the group arrived at the Minister of Rites’ residence, where many guests had already gathered.

Zhao Ru and Madam Lu went to the rear courtyard to see the infant young master, while Jiang Ji and the others remained in the front hall drinking tea with the male guests.

Since it was a rest day, many officials had come. Before long, Prime Minister Shen dragged Lu Huaizhou away to play weiqi. Jiang Ji watched for a while before losing interest entirely.

Lu Huaichuan had also come and immediately dragged Jiang Ji away to play pitch-pot with the younger crowd.

This area was filled mostly with young people, including sons of noble families and several young ladies from prestigious households.

Seeing Jiang Ji arrive, one of the young men laughed. “Duke Chang is here! Duke Chang, come play a round.”

Jiang Ji laughed. “I’ve never played this before. I don’t know how.”

“It’s fine. Just play casually.”

“Yeah, yeah, come on. Here, take this. Just aim at the mouth of the pot and throw it in.”

“Alright then, I’ll give it a try.”

Jiang Ji accepted the arrows. He truly had never played pitch-pot before. After several failed throws, he sighed and said, “I really can’t play this. But I do know how to play darts.”

Lu Huaichuan looked puzzled. “Darts?”

Someone else asked, “What’s that? Some kind of hidden weapon like the guards use?”

“Something similar to this.” Jiang Ji thought for a moment before saying, “Wait here. I’ll go bring one for you to see.”

“Alright, alright!”

Jiang Ji headed over to his family carriage at the entrance and directly exchanged for a simple dartboard and ten feathered darts with chicken-plume tails. Carrying them back, he returned to the group.

“So fast?” someone asked in surprise.

“Mhm. I played with it before and left it in the carriage.” Jiang Ji casually explained before continuing, “This is also a kind of game, pretty similar to pitch-pot.”

Everyone stared curiously at the beautifully made dartboard.

“How do you play this?”

Jiang Ji explained, “It’s like archery. You hang this board somewhere farther away, then stand at a set distance and throw the darts at it. See the circles in the center? It’s scored like archery. The very center is worth ten points, then nine, eight, and so on. Once all the darts are thrown, whoever has the highest score wins.”

The moment they heard it was a new game, everyone immediately became excited.

“Let’s try it! Hurry and hang it up!”

“This could be used for competitions too.”

“Quick, quick, put it up!”

Very quickly, they found some nails and hung the dartboard beneath a corridor roof.

Standing about two zhang away, Jiang Ji drew a line on the ground. “Throw from here. Alright, who wants to try first?”

“Me, me, me! Brother, let me!” Lu Huaichuan immediately raised his hand first.

Jiang Ji handed him the darts. Lu Huaichuan excitedly accepted them. “It’s so close. I’ll definitely hit every throw!”

“Huaichuan, stop bragging. You can’t even hit every shot in archery.”

“But this is so close. I should be able to, right?”

Lu Huaichuan was filled with confidence. “This is easy. Watch me.”

Whoosh—

The dart landed in the outermost ring, barely even making the board.

Lu Huaichuan: “……I’m just not used to it yet. Again.”

Refusing to accept defeat, he threw the second dart.

It missed the board entirely.

The third, the fourth…

After throwing all ten darts, his total score was thirteen.

Lu Huaichuan: “……”

“My turn, my turn!” Another young master patted Lu Huaichuan on the shoulder. “Watch me.”

This young master confidently stepped forward.

In the end… twelve points.

One point lower than Lu Huaichuan.

“This doesn’t make sense. It’s so close, yet I still can’t hit it.”

One by one, several others stepped up to try. The best score was only twenty-five points, and many could not even hit the board at all.

“I didn’t expect this thing to actually be difficult.”

“Exactly. It’s hard to control the angle of your hand. A tiny movement and it goes off.”

“Duke Chang, you try first.”

“Yeah, yeah, Duke Chang, your turn.”

Jiang Ji smiled. “Alright.”

In his previous life, Jiang Ji had actually been fairly good at darts. Standing behind the line, he angled his body slightly and aimed carefully at the dartboard.

Whoosh—

The dart landed in the eight-point ring.

Jiang Ji frowned and muttered, “It’s been too long since I played. I’m rusty.”

Everyone: “!”

This was considered rusty?!

“Excellent!” Lu Huaichuan immediately started applauding first.

Everyone else followed with enthusiastic applause and praise.

Jiang Ji smiled, then threw the second dart.

Nine points.

Third dart: ten points.

Fourth dart: ten points.

Fifth dart: ten points…

By the time he finished throwing all ten darts, everyone was stunned.

Aside from three darts outside the bullseye, every single one had landed directly in the center.

Not far away, Lu Huaizhou glanced toward Jiang Ji amidst the crowd and slightly raised a brow before calmly returning to his game of weiqi.

Lu Huaichuan’s eyes practically sparkled with stars. “Brother Jiang Ji, you’re amazing!”

Jiang Ji laughed. “It’s just because I’ve played a lot. Once you all get used to it, you’ll manage too.”

“Duke Chang is too modest. This really isn’t as easy as it looks,” one of the people who had tried said honestly.

“Yeah. At least with archery you can stabilize yourself. With this, even the slightest movement of your hand changes the direction.”

“At first I thought it would be simple, but who knew…”

“I definitely underestimated this game.”

Everyone sighed in admiration, and the respect in their gazes toward Jiang Ji deepened further.

The young people quickly became completely captivated by the game. Everyone took turns trying it, five darts each round.

Several young ladies standing nearby also watched curiously the whole time, though what fascinated them even more was Jiang Ji himself.

One of the girls finally gathered the courage to ask, “Duke Chang, may we ask you a question?”

“What question? Go ahead.” Jiang Ji nodded.

The young lady asked, “Duke Chang, we’ve heard many storytellers talk about the story between you and the Regent. We wanted to ask… are those stories true?”

Jiang Ji blinked. “You can’t trust storytellers’ tales.”

“Ah?” Several of the young ladies looked confused. “So all of it is fake?”

“Ah, well…” Jiang Ji scratched his head. “It’s true that he was injured and I saved him. And it’s also true that I fell in love with him at first sight.”

The young ladies’ eyes instantly sparkled as they stared at him with immense curiosity, clearly desperate to hear more about their story.

Another young lady bravely asked, “Then what about the Regent? There are so many talented scholars and beautiful young ladies in the capital, yet His Highness never favored anyone. Did you ever ask him why he alone fell in love with you?”

Jiang Ji’s brows lifted brightly as he laughed. “Well obviously because he has excellent taste.”

The young ladies: “……”

“Brother Jiang Ji, hurry and come teach me!” Lu Huaichuan called loudly from the other side when it became his turn again, immediately summoning reinforcements.

“Ladies, Huaichuan needs me. Excuse me.”

Jiang Ji walked off toward Lu Huaichuan, leaving the noble young ladies standing there in utter bewilderment.

🌾🌾🌾🌾🌾

Previous