Ger, So Proud

Chapter 117: The Final Chapter

He Ze dodged quickly, and the stab only injured his arm. Although Father Wang and Dad Wang were crazed, they were just two people and were soon subdued. Li Deming, however, had sustained fatal injuries to his heart and lungs, and even the summoned doctor could do nothing.

He Ze had never imagined it would end like this.

“Apparently, Father Wang and Dad Wang did not know about Li Deming secretly instructing someone to discard the medicine. Otherwise, they wouldn’t have gone mad in the courtroom,” Luo Zhanming said with a sigh as He Ze received a simple bandage at the county office.

“What do you think the verdict will be?”

“Li Deming is guilty but not to the extent of deserving death. Wang Fucheng is the primary culprit for the death of the refugee. The servant’s death is on Li Deming and the Wang parents, but since he was a slave, the law only imposes a light sentence. For Wang Fucheng’s death, Father Wang, Dad Wang, Li Deming, and even Wang Fucheng himself are to blame… With these charges alone, none of the three deserve the death penalty. However, Li Deming was still an official, and an official killed in court is a serious matter. You must understand that killing an official is equivalent to rebellion, a crime that implicates nine generations!”

Zhou Wen entered, followed by the clerk Liu Yangji.

“My brother-in-law, surely it’s not that severe?”

“Of course, it can’t be that severe. Qiongchuan just witnessed a miracle, and the emperor declared it a blessed land. I was just awarded a title; if we were to follow the letter of the law, where would that leave the emperor’s honor? Magistrate Zhao has already decided that Li Deming was stripped of his official attire and title before being sentenced and then killed.”

Zhou Wen sighed in relief, grateful for having allies in the court.

“That’s good to hear. The death of nine generations… that’s countless lives.” Luo Zhanming shuddered. “What about the Wang parents?”

“They will be executed in the autumn for killing in court.”

And so, what began as a farce evolved into a power struggle and finally concluded with the murder case coming to an end.

Five months later, in He Family Village, inside the new house of the He family.

He Ze, He Youcai, and Xu Qingsheng stood at the door of the birthing room, while Dad Li and Dad Zhang were inside accompanying. He An was busy running errands, fetching water and food.

“Ah——”

By now, Lin Yu had been inside for almost an hour.

Outside the door, He An handed a basin of hot water to an uncle at the door—because he was not yet married, Dad Li and Dad Zhang did not allow him inside.

He Ze stood at the steps, pacing back and forth with a furrowed brow.

“Brother, calm down!” He An’s head was spinning from watching him, “Uncle Xu is here, and Dad just came out and said everything is normal. Don’t worry.”

“That’s right, you’re making us all nervous. When your Dad was giving birth to you, it took a whole day and night. I was so worried… And when he had Xiao An, he even ate two bowls of rice halfway through. Childbirth can’t be rushed! Be patient!”

“Ah, ah——”

The room echoed with sharp, agonizing screams. Xiao Yu had always been very strong; how much pain must he be enduring! He Ze couldn’t take it anymore. His face twisted with anxiety, he turned to Xu Qingsheng and said, “Uncle Xu, maybe I should go in?”

With that, he strode towards the door.

“You are not coming in! What are you doing in there as a man? Can you deliver a baby? Or treat patients? Stay outside and don’t get in our way.”

The door suddenly opened and then shut with a bang. He Ze only caught a glimpse of his Dad’s cold, unyielding face.

“Treat patients? Right, treat patients!”

When the new courtyard of the He family was built, He Ze had planted many flowers and plants. Usually, it served as a storeroom for the flower shop, with many potted plants placed in the corners. Looking around now, it was a vibrant mix of red flowers and green leaves, lush and full of life.

He Ze felt a bit calmer. He had already prepared many harmless flowers and plants in Lin Yu’s birthing room. His panic had momentarily made him forget about them.

Steadying himself, he carefully guided the vitality stored within him and the vibrant energy from the surrounding plants into the birthing room. Hearing the screams from inside lessen considerably, He Ze sighed in relief.

Two hours later, Lin Yu safely gave birth to twin boys.

“Both boys?”

“Yes, congratulations, Brother Youcai! Congratulations, Brother Li! Xiao Yu’s first delivery brought you two boys!”

Dad Li and Dad Zhang each held a swaddled baby, smiling so widely at the little ones’ faces that their mouths seemed to reach the sky.

“Did you hear that? We have two little troublemakers. In the future, if they come looking for a fight, they can come together.” At the bedside, He Ze kissed Lin Yu’s hand repeatedly. Seeing his lover’s sweat-soaked face, he felt a surge of emotion in his chest, his eyes growing warm with tears.

Lin Yu looked at him quietly, his smile gentle and beautiful.

…

A month later, the He family hosted a celebration for their twins’ one-month milestone.

Given the instant popularity of the twins, surpassing even their parents, preparations for the celebration had begun half a month earlier. Every day, Father He and Dad Li argued about the dishes to be served or the drinks to be provided at the feast, but a single cry from the babies would make them reconcile immediately.

At this rate, He Ze and Lin Yu worried their twins might grow up to be little rascals. But what could they do? One smile from the boys and their hearts would melt.

The celebration was scheduled for noon, but the day before, He Youcai had already hired chefs from the Yu family’s restaurant in the county. He had also invited Wei Quan, a storyteller from the same restaurant, who was enthusiastically brought over by Father He. Even though Wei’s storytelling sessions were interrupted, He Ze considered organizing and writing down these stories in the future. Lin Yu enjoyed them, and the children could read them later. The money earned could be used for building roads or an orphanage, thus doing some good.

He Ze was grateful for his current life.

As noon approached, the courtyard of the He family was set with dozens of tables. The courtyard was packed with tables and benches. Despite Dad Li’s prior request for villagers not to bring gifts, many still came bearing them. Guests, including the men who gathered to chat or help with furniture, and groups of gers who entered the kitchen to assist, filled the place.

Some guests were tourists visiting Liuxian Peak. Since the Emperor had named the East Peak of Xiangyang Mountain as Liuxian Peak, many scholars and common folk seeking fortune had flocked there, making Liuxian Peak a famous scenic spot. As a result, He family village had seen more visitors in the past few months than in the previous decades combined.

“Youcai, He Ze, look over there! Who is that bringing so many things?”

Everyone turned towards the courtyard gate, where a large procession carrying red silk-covered boxes was approaching, led by Zhou Wen and Luo Zhanming.

“Is this a betrothal gift? Whose family? I haven’t heard anything about it. Our An-ge can’t just be married off to anyone!”

“Shut up! See the man in front? That’s our county magistrate! I heard Xiao An’s marriage is arranged with the Luo family from the county. They’re wealthy and influential,” the speaker raised a thumb, “and the county magistrate’s in-laws. Today is a double celebration with the betrothal and the twins’ one-month celebration!”

The crowd buzzed with excitement. Recognizing Zhou Wen, people hurried to greet him. Zhou Wen waved them off, helping He Youcai to his feet, and laughed loudly, “Brother He, no need for such formalities today. There’s no county magistrate here today, just Zhanming’s brother-in-law, here to propose on behalf of Zhanming and to celebrate the twin Kirin sons’ one-month milestone. Please, grant us your blessing.”

He Ze pulled Luo Zhanming aside, “What’s going on? Weren’t you supposed to come later? Why today?”

“You don’t know, but we received a letter from the court a few days ago. My brother-in-law is being transferred to the capital after the New Year. He was afraid he wouldn’t make it to my wedding, so he arranged everything to come today.”

“Transferred? So soon? Do you know who the new appointee is?”

“My brother-in-law got word that the new county magistrate is also from Qiongchuan. He ranked among the latter in last month’s imperial exam, but since the Ministry of Personnel recently completed their evaluations and there’s a shortage of officials, they assigned him here. I think his surname is Guan, called…”

“Guan Duo?” Upon hearing the surname and recent exam background, He Ze immediately connected the dots.

“Yes, that’s the name. How did you know?”

He Ze was genuinely surprised. What he had thought was a casual goodwill gesture had indeed helped a talented individual. Nonetheless, it was a good outcome. Guan Duo didn’t seem difficult to deal with, and since He Ze had done him a favor, having him as the magistrate of Qiongchuan was preferable to someone else.

“We were classmates for a while, though not very close. I didn’t expect it to be him,” He Ze deflected, then changed the subject, “Was the urgency for the proposal purely County Magistrate Zhou’s idea, or did you have a hand in it?”

“Brother He! Big brother! Brother-in-law~” Luo Zhanming nudged He Ze with his elbow, calling him brother-in-law with exaggerated affection.

He Ze was about to retort when he saw Luo Zhanming grinning foolishly. Turning around, he noticed He An peeking from behind Dad Li, only to shrink back immediately.

Well, his precious younger brother was truly being courted.

Given that it was a mutually affectionate relationship, endorsed by both families, and with the county magistrate personally proposing, He Youcai and Dad Li naturally had no reason to refuse.

Thus, the celebration for the twins’ one-month milestone also became an engagement feast, truly making it a double celebration!

At the banquet, He Ze and Lin Yu each carried a child as they went around greeting guests and toasting. The two little ones were well-behaved, neither crying nor fussing, and they received numerous gifts, including a pair of jade pendants from Zhou Wen. The freshly minted future uncle, Luo Zhanming, gifted the children two longevity locks, crafted with simple yet exquisite artistry. “I hope these little ones grow up safe and healthy, with all the best. Have you decided on their names?”

“Of course, the older one is named He Lin, meaning ‘beneficial rain,’ and the younger one is He Yu, meaning ‘encounter.’ I had these names in mind even before Lin Yu gave birth, and luckily, Father didn’t object.”

“He Lin and He Yu, great names!” Luo Zhanming looked at He Ze and Lin Yu, then took the older one into his arms, playing with him. “He Lin, Xiao Lin, your name sounds wonderful. Remember, I am your uncle. You have to recognize me.”

“They’re too young to recognize people, you silly,” He An took back the older child, laughing. “If they recognize anyone first, it should be me. We won’t recognize him, the big bad guy.”

Though traditionally men and gers weren’t supposed to meet between the proposal and the wedding, chatting at a feast was no big deal, so He An didn’t avoid the interaction.

“How am I a bad guy? Xiao Yu, tell them, isn’t your uncle handsome and dashing, easy to recognize?”

He Yu blew a bubble in response, making everyone laugh.

After a bit of cheerful chatter, Luo Zhanming asked, “When are you planning to move to the county town? These mountain roads are inconvenient. The residence bestowed by the Emperor has already been prepared. My brother-in-law chose the best one.”

“We’ll move after your wedding with Xiao An. Father and Dad want Xiao An to marry from the village, where our family has lived for generations. They’re a bit reluctant to leave just yet. But no worries, Lin Yu and I plan to visit often, and we’ll still go hunting in the mountains.”

“Sounds good. As long as you have a plan.”

“Yes, the land here is fertile. Eventually, we can teach the villagers to grow medicinal herbs and open a herbal medicine shop in the county town. Once this road is repaired, the village is bound to prosper.” He Ze’s thoughts spilled out unconsciously.

Having lived in He Family Village for so long, with so many stories unfolding, he had long developed a deep attachment to it, considering it his second hometown.

“The saying goes, ‘When one achieves success, they should help others achieve success.’ Brother He, you’ve truly shown me the meaning of that today,” Luo Zhanming said, raising his cup and downing his drink.

The sun was at its zenith, bathing the land in light. The courtyard was bustling, filled with the mingling aromas of food and wine. Villagers toasted and laughed, their faces radiant with joy.

In the distance, He Youcai and Zhou Wen were laughing heartily with several clan elders. At another table, Dad Li’s uncle was giving a thumbs-up to his Dad, talking animatedly. Dad Zhang and Uncle Xu exchanged a smile, and Dad Zhang put a piece of food into Uncle Xu’s bowl. Matchmaker Wang was boasting to the village gers about how he had a hand in arranging Yu-ge’s marriage. Yu’s shopkeeper and Wei Quan were toasting each other, while Liu San and He Dalang were playing drinking games with scholars and tourists from the county. In the corner, Wang Ji and Wang Fu were happily gnawing on large bones. Nearby, Luo Zhanming whispered something to An-ge, making his face turn red as he pinched Luo Zhanming’s arm.

Everywhere He Ze looked, there were smiles and warmth. Turning, he saw Lin Yu looking back at him. Each holding a child, they tightly clasped their free hands together.

No matter the sunshine or thorns ahead, we will always be together until death.

“Do you remember the first time we met?”

“That was a long time ago, I don’t remember.”

“No, I mean the first time we truly met. You saved my life with an arrow. When you appeared, the sunlight fell on you just like it does now. I thought, how could anyone be so beautiful?”

“Isn’t it embarrassing to have the roles reversed in a damsel-in-distress scenario?”

“Not at all. My wife is the most beautiful and the strongest in the world~”

“Haha, you sure have good taste!”

—The End.