Chapter 311: Du Junning Ah

Chapter 311: Du Junning Ah

In early March, the peach trees planted all over the small hill surrounding the Orange Courtyard finally revealed their pink beauty. The misty moisture in the mountains was dotted among the vibrant pink clusters, filling the western wing's window frame like a bright landscape painting framed by gleaming red wood.

Xianjin sat by the window, chin resting on her hand, her eyes wandering. Suo'er followed Xianjin's gaze and exclaimed in admiration, "It's really beautiful."

Xianjin, not having heard clearly, nodded and said, "Yes, they say the peaches from such beautiful flowers taste the best."

Suo'er: ...

"Aunt Du has arrived. Sister Zhong is accompanying her in the front hall," Suo'er said happily, her healthy dark face beaming with a bright smile. "Du Junning, oh no, Scholar Du, has also come. He's grown so tall! He's nothing like the little boy who used to cry in our shop!"

Xianjin snapped back to attention from her thoughts about the crisp peaches and smiled. "Don't bring up the scholar's past!"

She then got up and went to the front hall. Aunt Du looked very healthy, her back straight and her hair dark and thick. As soon as she saw Xianjin, she quickly stood up, bowed, and greeted her. "Boss!"

Aunt Du had been working in Jing County for the past few years, and Xianjin took her contract with her when she left the Chen family. Although Xianjin had bought a shop, there had been no action yet. In the meantime, Zhou Ergou, the Zheng brothers, and Qiqiqi were guarding the original "Chuan Ji" shop, renovating it for construction. Aunt Zhong was pinching the silver lifeline as an auditor. To be honest, Xianjin really didn't have any work to assign to Aunt Du at the moment.

But her monthly salary was still being paid as usual.

Aunt Du had sent a message two days ago, saying that she would be going to Xuancheng Prefecture in the next few days. After thinking it over, Xianjin sent a letter to Zhang Wenbo and Chen Zuo Niang, considering if Aunt Du was willing, to have her help at the Zhang family's tea mountain in Huai'an Prefecture.

Xianjin had tea served and was just about to speak when Aunt Du laughed loudly and said, "Boss, this time I brought Du Junning to greet you. That skinny cat-like little boy from three or four years ago has grown quite well! Let him greet you properly!"

Xianjin looked happily at "that little fish"—the "little fish" that "that little fish" cared about.

Wow, what a fair-skinned and handsome young man!

Tall and slim, with red cheeks and a narrow, thin face—the kind of "first love face of an older brother" that would be popular in later generations.

Xianjin smiled, "In just over two years, how did you grow so much!" Xianjin chuckled, "Back in Jing County, when Master Qiao was taken away, he held on to protect Baozhu and then squatted on the ground crying. Tears were streaming down his face as he cried and shouted—"

"Waaa! I'm never studying again!"

"Studying is useless!"

"The court is corrupt, traitors rule, and the country is falling apart. What are we scholars supposed to do... waaa!"

Xianjin looked up at the sky, faking tears, wiping her eyes with the back of her hand, imitating it so well.

After her performance, Xianjin laughed loudly, "I thought to myself, where did this strange child come from? How can someone cry so hard and still have lofty ambitions and point fingers at the state of the world?"

Both Aunt Du and Suo'er burst into pleasant laughter, filling the hall with a joyful atmosphere.

The fourteen or fifteen-year-old scholar's face flushed with embarrassment. It felt like being embarrassed by an older sister who says, "Hey, I used to change your diapers!"

The mischievous sister He Xianjin finished laughing and said with relish, "Aunt Du, I've already arranged with the Zhang family in Huai'an Prefecture. If you're willing, you can go there to help first; if you don't want to leave Xuancheng Prefecture, I can also speak to Boss Shang or Zhen's dock—"

Aunt Du hurriedly shook her head, "No, no, no! It's too much trouble for you! I already feel ashamed to receive the monthly salary from you!"

"There isn't much work at the Jing County shop, and with Director managing things, I feel like I'm just sitting around doing nothing. Now that Director has stepped down to take care of his grandson, I can't just take your money for nothing. I can't let you owe favors because of me."

Aunt Du glanced at Du Junning, who nodded. "Amitafo, I can finally enjoy some blessings after enduring hardships. Fortunately, my son has passed the scholar exam, and now he receives rice, oil, and money every month. Principal Qiao also recommended him to the official school in Xuancheng Prefecture. He's going to start in two days. They say he'll study there for a few years before being sent to Yingtian Prefecture to continue his studies—"

Xianjin nodded: Master Qiao probably wanted to wait until the situation in Yingtian Prefecture stabilized before sending his people there.

Aunt Du continued, "With enough to eat and the support of kind-hearted people, I don't need to work anymore. I'll just take care of his daily needs, which will also save Master Qiao some worries! If Du Junning doesn't succeed in his studies, I will come back to ask for work. It won't be too late."

He Xianjin nodded knowingly.

"It's hard for the poor to manage anything. Du Junning lacks the material, human, and spiritual support that wealthy children enjoy. If he were to go to Xuancheng Prefecture for schooling, everything from food to lodging would be a struggle. With Du's mother accompanying him, at least the issues of food and clothing would be taken care of."

"Let him continue his studies!" He Xianjin declared loudly, creating a task for Du's mother on the spot. "And don't resign from your current job! Suo'er is preparing her dowry. You know we can't manage to prepare a duck between the four of us. Could you spare some time to help embroider small items?"

Suo'er turned her head in confusion. *Am I... preparing... a dowry?*

He Xianjin nodded firmly. *Yes, you are. Let those lovey-dovey couples jump into the "marriage grave" a little sooner!*

Du's mother thanked her repeatedly. After lunch, as Du's mother prepared to leave, He Xianjin stopped her, "Does the official school provide housing?"

Du's mother hurriedly nodded. "The official school doesn't, but Principal Qiao has already arranged it. We'll stay at the post station until a tenant moves out at the beginning of April."

It was still early March.

"Then you can stay at the Orange Courtyard for now," He Xianjin suggested, noticing Du's mother's large bundles. "The post station costs money and isn't comfortable. The east wing..."

He Xianjin paused. "The rear rooms are vacant. You can stay as long as you like."

Suo'er glanced at He Xianjin.

Aunt Du thanked her repeatedly, knowing He Xianjin well enough to understand that too much polite refusal would be tiresome. She secretly resolved to take over Mother Zhang's role and surpass her, meeting at the top with Aunt Zhong!

Mother Zhang, squatting while shelling walnuts, suddenly sneezed for no apparent reason.

Aunt Du smiled uncontrollably as she led Du Junning out.

Du Junning dragged his feet reluctantly.

"What's the matter, future pillar of the nation?" He Xianjin teased with a grin, always stirring up trouble.

Du Junning glanced at his mother, his voice noticeably hoarse. "Sister He, is Baozhu doing well now?"

Aunt Du's expression faltered, and she nervously fiddled with her clothes. "Heavens! Baozhu's father and brother have returned! And he's about to become an official! How could she not be well?"

He Xianjin smiled gently after a pause. "She's doing well. She's currently visiting our cousin in Huai'an Prefecture and playing with her two cousins. She wrote to us a few days ago. When she returns, I'll tell her you're in Xuancheng too."

He Xianjin remained gentle and smiling. "Go and play for now! You start classes the day after tomorrow. Shouldn't you be sleeping and relaxing while you still can?"

Once Du Junning left, Aunt Du sighed.

Aunt Du, usually so bold and generous, now looked visibly uncomfortable.

He Xianjin waved her hand. "What are you doing? If someone saw you, they'd think you're constipated!"

Aunt Du sighed again, trying to speak twice before finally managing to say, "...That child... Junning... Baozhu... When the Qiao family was in trouble, I could go without food, but I promised to make sure these two children were well-fed. But now, Baozhu is a proper young lady of an official family. Junning still sees her as a little sister who needs his protection! What status do we hold? How could we possibly treat Baozhu, a Qiao family young lady, as a sister?"

He Xianjin laughed. "Don't say these things in front of Junning. He has the potential to become a grand councilor. If you keep worrying, he might only become a provincial administrator!"

Aunt Du was amused. "Tsk, you're really something, Madam He."

"Both children are kind and upright. Don't rush to label Junning. Besides, the Qiao family isn't like that. Saying such things will only make Junning sad."

He Xianjin thought of Chen Jianfang, the young man who lived under suppression. "The falling leaves and flowing water follow the wind, east or west. Just watch the changes and let nature take its course."

Aunt Du sat in silence for a while before getting up to leave.

Suo'er, cleaning up the remaining cold tea, casually asked He Xianjin, "The eastern rooms are vacant! It's a suite; it would be convenient for them."

He Xianjin paused. "Convenient? Qiao Hui's carpentry tools and some of his clothes are still there, and the drawers are full of odds and ends like tea, knives, and glue."

"Ah! I'm too lazy to ask Mother Zhang to clean it up!"