The Sweet Little Fulang

Chapter 123

Lu Gu's eyes glistened with tears. He seldom cried, reserving his tears for moments of great distress, such as when he was beaten. Now, faced with Shen Xuanqing's laughter, he struggled to keep his emotions in check.

"What's troubling you? Don't fret, my sister-in-law and brother were late to conceive, and they only succeeded this year, so there's no need to worry," Shen Xuanqing reassured, her voice softening as she noticed her husband's teary eyes.

"Yeah," Lu Gu nodded heavily, his voice nasal as he wiped away a tear, feeling embarrassed.

Shen Xuanqing glanced at the two of them and murmured, "Alright, let's head back."

Lu Gu wiped his tears away and silently followed her.

On the way home, the four of them didn't forget to buy meat. They walked around Meng Dayue's house and brought back three pieces.

Upon arriving home, Ji Qiuyue and Shen Yaoqing didn't say much. Shen Xuanqing naturally refrained from mentioning Lu Gu's difficulty conceiving to Wei Lanxiang, not wanting to discomfort Lu Gu further. Such matters couldn't be rushed.

In their new home, Lu Gu squatted beside the chicken coop, chopping grass and listening to the hens clucking.

The large chicken coop had been divided into two sections, one large and one small. The hens and chicks roamed only in the small side. The fence separating them was the old one from their previous house, now barely functional.

He and Shen Xuanqing worked the large open space, scattering grass and rapeseed seeds and covering them with soil. In a few days, they would sprout. To prevent the chickens from digging them up, they had to be temporarily separated.

Shen Xuanqing entered through the back door with a wooden bucket, heading to the river for water, followed by the boy. He fetched a gourd and reminded, "We'll head up the mountain slowly tomorrow, bring back some eggs. Remember to have one each day."

"Alright, I remember," Lu Gu agreed, recalling Wang Langzhong's advice about the eggs laid by the hens being enough for them to eat one daily.

He filled the chicken food pots with grass and wheat bran, and as soon as he set them down, the chickens surrounded them eagerly, pecking away.

Lu Gu glanced at the water basin and remarked, "There isn't much water."

"Here," Shen Xuanqing scooped some from the wooden bucket and handed it over.

After watering the land, Lu Gu stayed in place, watching Shen Xuanqing for a while before saying, "I'll go bring back some grass for the cattle and sheep."

"Alright, take the dog," Shen Xuanqing replied.

Lu Gu picked up the bamboo basket and called the dog as they left through the back door.

Shen Xuanqing watched them go, feeling both melancholy and helpless, sighing softly. Today, he had been too anxious, unable to detect his pulse. The news of not being pregnant was unexpected.

It didn't matter what he said; he couldn't help but feel concerned. If he felt this way, Lu Gu must be feeling even worse. It was best to keep busy and not dwell on it.

Having biological children was considered natural and desirable. Shen Xuanqing had seen and heard the same in Qingxi Village. Ji Qiuyue hadn't conceived since getting married, but Lu Gu was different.

He had heard stories of children and women unable to conceive being abandoned by their families. After returning home, he hesitated to talk to Wei Lanxiang, fearing her reaction. It was better to keep it between them for now.