C109. Foot Bath.
During the Lunar New Year, Yuan Li generously gave his subordinates a holiday to relax and unwind.
Yuan Song is now the head of the Yuan clan. When he and Madam Chen fled to Youzhou, they also brought along members of the Yuan family.
After arriving in Youzhou, the Yuan family members were busy working on the farm and gathered at the Yuan Mansion during the New Year.
Since Yuan Lou is away, unable to return to celebrate with them, Yuan Dan naturally came to the Yuan Mansion for the New Year.
With their parents in Youzhou, Yuan Li and Chu Hechao spent the New Year at the Yuan Mansion. They had to be cautious in front of their parents, speaking and behaving conservatively, and refraining from taking any risks such as sleeping together at night.
Yuan Li felt a bit uncomfortable sleeping alone.
On New Year's Eve, there was a bountiful feast and everyone was all smiles.
During the post-dinner chat, Madam Chen was initially planning to bring up Yuan Li's marriage, but remembering that Chu Hechao had not completed his mourning period yet, she hesitated. Instead, she affectionately asked Yuan Dan, "Your elder brother is married, and you are still single. Your mother passed away early, and your father is not thinking about these matters. As your elder sister-in-law, I naturally have to inquire about your marriage. Yuan Dan, do you have a lady in mind? If not, starting tomorrow, I will introduce you to some young ladies."
Yuan Dan blushed and shook his head shyly in response.
Everyone smiled warmly, and Madam Chen playfully teased him, "So, is it that you don't have a lady in mind or you don't want me to introduce you to any young ladies?"
Yuan Dan pursed his lips and replied, "No, there is no woman that catches my eye..."
Yuan Li chuckled at his response, while Chu Hechao seemed lost in thought.
"What are you thinking?" Yuan Li asked.
Chu Hechao habitually reached out to hug him, but halfway through he pulled back, lowering his voice, "My three sisters are also unmarried. I don't like to meddle in these matters, but tell your mother to help find good suitors for them."
Yuan Li nodded, "Alright. I will have my mother find them suitable husbands."
Chu Hechao pondered for a moment and suddenly asked, "What do you think about one of them marrying Yuan Dan?"
Yuan Li was taken aback by Chu Hechao's suggestion. However, after careful consideration, he thought it was a good idea.
Chu Hechao's three sisters were noble and well-educated women from a prestigious family. They had been well-behaved since arriving in Youzhou and had never caused any trouble in front of Yuan Li and Chu Hechao. They were exceptional in appearance and talent.
Yuan Li initially thought that marrying into a noble family would be more suitable for the three girls, but then he realized that in these troubled times, stability was more important than status.
Yuan Dan was Yuan Li's uncle, only a few years older than Yuan Li. He had always been responsible and had a good character, showing ambition and attentiveness. Despite their humble background, their family values were strict, and they were respected in their community.
Considering the political aspect, a marriage alliance between the Chu and Yuan families would be advantageous. Both Yuan Li's and Chu Hechao's subordinates would be pleased to see such a union.
Yuan Li replied, "I will discuss this with my mother. You should ask your sister too, I remember she's not young anymore."
Chu Hechao nodded.
The next day, Yuan Li privately spoke to Chen Shi about the matter.
Chen Shi's eyes lit up with joy, "If Ci Ye is willing to marry his sister into our family, it is a good thing. I traveled with the Chu sisters from Luoyang to Youzhou and know them well. Yuan Dan is also caring, and he only has a father, who, though a bit clumsy with words, is a sincere and hardworking man. This is definitely a good match."
"We also need to consider their feelings," Yuan Li added, "Mother, please do not spread this news, to protect the girls' reputations. Let the girl meet Yuan Dan first, and if she is satisfied, then ask Yuan Dan for his consent."
Chen Shi playfully tapped Yuan Li's forehead with her finger, "You are also caring and thoughtful, why don't I introduce you to some girls now. Next year, after the Chu family has finished mourning, you can also bring home a wife and have double the happiness."
Yuan Li's eyes flickered, and after a moment of silence, he replied, "Mother, there is no need to worry. In the recent years, I have no intention of marrying."
Yuan Li believed that everything should progress gradually, so he did not mention the matter between him and Chu Hechao, simply stating that getting married at this moment would not be beneficial for the current situation. It could potentially lead to distance and suspicion between them, as well as provoke interference from others.
Upon hearing this, Chen Shi reassured him, "I understand. Don't worry, I won't hold you back. You are still young and there's no rush to get married. Look at the General, he's seven or eight years older than you and still unmarried, right?"
Keeping a straight face, Yuan Li replied, "Exactly."
On the sixth day of the first month, under a clear sky, Yuan Li found a reason to invite Yuan Dan to the Chu mansion. Chu Hechao had his servant secretly observe Yuan Dan for a while, and asked the sister to write down any questions she had for Yuan Dan on a piece of paper for Yuan Li to inquire about.
Yuan Dan was puzzled by the situation but complied obediently. Strangely, after answering the questions, Yuan Li let him leave.
As he left, Yuan Dan was somewhat perplexed.
The "blind date" went well, and the Chu family girls approved of Yuan Dan. When Chen Shi inquired with Yuan Dan, he remembered the Chu family girls he had seen at the funeral of the Prince Chu and, hesitantly, agreed.
However, it was deemed inappropriate to discuss the marriage during the mourning period, so the matter was kept discreet, awaiting the end of the mourning period next year at the Chu mansion.
On the tenth day, a heavy snowfall blanketed Youzhou.
Watching the snowfall outside, Yuan Li sighed, realizing that this was his third winter in Youzhou.
Out of the three winters he had spent in Youzhou, only this year had allowed him to leisurely enjoy the snowfall while sipping hot tea.
When the snow accumulated on the ground, Yuan Li excitedly invited Chu Hechao to go outside and build a snowman.
Using his less-than-impressive artistic skills, he created an incredibly ugly snowman and shamelessly pointed at it, saying, "This is you."
Chu Hechao responded with a blank expression.
Yuan Li, draped in a fox fur coat, with white fluff against his face, black hair cascading down his back, looked beautiful and gentle, almost like a piece of jade, innocent even when gazing into Chu Hechao's eyes. "Brother, do you like it?"
Chu Hechao, staring at the unmoving snowman, commented, "Yuan Lejun, you did this on purpose."
Yuan Li blinked innocently, "How could I have done it on purpose? Take a closer look, doesn't this snowman resemble you?"
Chu Hechao's eye twitched, showing a dreadful expression, "Fine, don't make one of me next time."
Yuan Li suppressed his smile, quietly picked up a snowball from the ground, and with precision, threw it, hitting Chu Hechao squarely on the head.
Chu Hechao, with a dark expression, said, "Yuan Lejun!"
He turned his head to see that Yuan Li had already skillfully run far away. Chu Hechao sneered and grabbed a handful of snow from the ground, chasing after him.
While a snowball fight with others may have been playful, as they continued, the intensity of their play increased with no mercy shown. By the time they finished, both of their clothes were soaked halfway through.
Lin Tian had already prepared hot water, allowing them to enjoy a relaxing bath. That night, as they got ready for bed, Chu Hechao brought over a basin of hot water for Yuan Li to soak his feet.
The water had pepper and salt added to it, as Yuan Li had mentioned that pepper and salt water could promote longevity. Ever since autumn began, this had become a nightly ritual.
Remarkably, throughout the entire winter, they had not experienced any coughs, colds, or felt the cold. Their bodies felt warm all over, and a quick walk outside would even make them break out in a sweat.
The water today was a bit too hot, causing Yuan Li to hesitate to put his feet in.
Chu Hechao tested it and told him, "It's not hot anymore, come on in."
After tentatively dipping his toe in, Yuan Li quickly pulled it out, saying, "It's still too hot."
After a while, he still hesitated. Chu Hechao pressed his feet into the water directly.
Yuan Li, feeling the burn, tightly grasped Chu Hechao's arm, but Chu Hechao remained unmoved, like a solid mountain, keeping Yuan Li's feet submerged.
Eventually, Yuan Li adapted to the temperature of the water and relaxed his tense body.
Chu Hechao finally released his feet, kissed Yuan Li's face, and said, "Let's wait a bit longer until the water cools."
Yuan Li blushed as he soaked his feet, and Chu Hechao couldn't resist biting his cheek, leaving a clear tooth mark on the side of Yuan Li's face.
Turning his face away in a huff, Yuan Li muttered, "I don't want to talk to you."
Chu Hechao retorted, "Unfair, look at my arm, who left these marks?"
Looking at his arm, Yuan Li noticed several nail marks, with one so deep it had drawn blood.
Yuan Li tried to feign ignorance, "I didn't see anything."
Chu Hechao chuckled and pinched Yuan Li's nose, saying, "You heartless little devil."
During the day, Yuan Li received a letter from his teacher, Ouyang Ting, and took the opportunity to read it.
After reading it, he smiled and told his companion, "My teacher mentioned that many renowned scholars and literati in the south have heard of our reputation and the changes in Youzhou over these three years from merchants. They are interested and may visit Youzhou in May. The teacher advised me to seize this opportunity to enhance Youzhou's reputation and attract more people. He also suggested that I find ways to retain these scholars and literati for our use."
Many of these scholars and literati were well-known figures.
As Yuan Li was currently short-staffed, the timing of this letter couldn't have been better.
However, the scholars and literati from the south had already seen the magnificent scenery and bustling cities of the Northern Zhou dynasty. It was just a passing interest that brought them to Youzhou, so how could Youzhou attract them to stay?
Yuan Li pondered this.
Even if they didn't stay, it would be best if these scholars and literati could write poems and articles about Youzhou, changing its desolate and remote image in the eyes of the world.
Suddenly, Yuan Li's eyes lit up.
He could organize a market and hold a lantern festival!