Chapter 51: The Garden of Harvested Blooms

Chapter 51: The Garden of Harvested Blooms

After the first cotton boll opened and released its fibers, the cotton field officially entered its peak season of maturity. Soon, one after another, the cotton bolls cracked open, their outer skins curling back to reveal the soft, white cotton inside.

The cotton, resembling clouds, swayed gently on the branches in the breeze, breathtakingly beautiful.

The first batch of early-summer bolls began to dry and burst open, while the younger, still-green summer bolls hung heavily on the branches, waiting to bloom.

To prevent sudden rain from wetting the burst cotton and damaging its quality, Qiu Huanian organized people to pick the cotton every few days.

At this stage, there weren't many mature bolls, so the family could still handle the picking on their own. But in a few days, when the cotton matured in large quantities, they would need to hire extra hands to harvest quickly if the weather didn’t cooperate.

As the cotton matured, most of the crops in the fields of Du Village also reached the time for harvest.

Corn, sorghum, wheat, millet... Across the vast, endless fields, farmers worked briskly and joyfully to harvest the fruits of their year-long labor.

Although the weather hadn't yet cooled down, it wasn't as scorching as the peak of summer. Qiu Huanian would walk around the fields every morning and evening, but during the midday heat, he stayed indoors to keep cool.

Thanks to Bao Yi's parting words, Cun Lan's education was now formally acknowledged. The village head's family bought paper and brushes for both her and Yun Zhe. Yun Zhe was sent to study at Scholar Sun’s private school in town, while Cun Lan was placed under Qiu Huanian’s care by Ye Taohong.

Du Yunse spent a couple of hours each day teaching the children. Adding Cun Lan to the class simply meant adding another desk. Jiu Jiu helped her make up for the lessons she had missed, and Chi Qinghe also offered some guidance.

Cun Lan, already familiar with Qiu Huanian's family, quickly adapted to her new routine. Bao Li’s family had originally considered sending Yun Zhe to study with them too, since it was closer to home and they could benefit from Du Yunse's scholarly reputation.

Before Qiu Huanian could refuse, Ye Taohong responded with sarcasm, shutting down their idea, and the village head also put a stop to it.

Qiu Huanian and Du Yunse had taken in Cun Lan out of consideration for Jiu Jiu, but there was no justification for taking in Yun Zhe.

Although Bao Li's family was displeased, they had no choice but to console themselves with the thought that the private school in town was the rightful place for serious scholars.

As autumn approached, the minimally processed raw cotton had already yielded several dozen pounds, piled high in several large baskets stored in the back room.

After a few busy days, with Du Yunse's help, Qiu Huanian reconstructed a foot-powered cotton gin based on his memory. He cleared out an entire room, set up a large flat table, strung ropes from the rafters and hung the cotton bow, and prepared the space for cotton fluffing.

In the cool mornings and evenings, Qiu Huanian brought the unprocessed cotton into the yard and, together with the children, began to separate the cotton from its bolls.

Peeling the cotton was a meticulous task. The dried, curled outer skins of the bolls were extremely brittle, and even a bit too much pressure could cause small fragments to mix into the cotton, tarnishing its purity. Thus, they had to carefully peel the cotton fiber by fiber.

During their free time, Jiu Jiu and Chun Sheng sat in the yard helping with the task. Cun Lan and Yun Kang also joined in whenever they could, learning the process and then teaching their own families.

Even Chi Qinghe, who had never seen cotton in this form before, was eager to try.

The children placed the peeled cotton in large round baskets, and Qiu Huanian carried these to the foot-powered gin to remove the seeds.

With one hand turning the crank and one foot pressing the pedal, he placed a large clump of cotton between the two cylindrical rollers of the gin. Gently pushing the cotton forward, the seeds were automatically separated as the cotton passed through the closely spaced rollers.

These seeds, once processed, could be saved for planting the following year.

The remaining cotton, now free of seeds, was clean and ready for further processing.

However, to make the cotton softer and more comfortable, and to enhance its warmth-retaining properties, there was still the step of fluffing.

Fluffing cotton required a lot of physical effort, so Qiu Huanian decided to wait until most of the cotton from his family, the village head's family, and Hu Qiuyan's family had been harvested. Then, they would gather for a few days to fluff all the cotton together.

As the cotton harvest progressed, Qiu Huanian's draft of a year-long cotton farming manual was nearing completion.

This manual began with seed selection, covering everything from sprouting and transplanting seedlings to fertilizing, pest control, and finally, how to pick, separate, and fluff the cotton to make it soft and comfortable.

Each step was described in simple, easy-to-understand language, accompanied by simple illustrations, ensuring that even those who couldn't read could grasp the basic principles by looking at the pictures.

It is not easy to make one's writing obscure and difficult to understand, and it is even more challenging to make it comprehensible to everyone.

Qiu Huanian revised his wording multiple times to eliminate ambiguity and unnecessary complexity, aiming for precision and clarity while cutting out all superfluous embellishments.

To ensure that everyone could understand, he would specifically seek out elderly villagers who had never been educated and had little exposure to the world to listen to the contents of his book. If the elders couldn't understand, he would revise the wording again.

Everyone at home knew about Qiu Huanian’s work on revising his book. Once, Chi Qinghe happened to see what Qiu Huanian had written and, after being surprised, showed some hesitation.

"Miss Chi, is there something on your mind?"

Chi Qinghe hesitated for a moment, "Your book is very practical, Mr. Qiu, but the wording is a bit too... plain. If some scholars see it, they might criticize it for lacking elegance."

Qiu Huanian smiled indifferently, "What matters is practicality. What good is refinement? There are plenty of refined books in the world. A book on growing cotton doesn’t need to follow that trend."

"Moreover, this book isn't for scholars who appreciate refinement. These people will never even set foot in the fields. What good would it do if they learned? What I want is for those who actually grow cotton in the fields to understand it."

Chi Qinghe was stunned by Qiu Huanian’s words, her gentle eyes lost in thought for a long moment.

It wasn't until Chun Sheng ran in, reporting that they had finished peeling another basket of raw cotton, that Chi Qinghe suddenly came back to her senses.

"I was wrong. You’re right, Mr. Qiu. This book should be easy for non-readers to understand."

Qiu Huanian said, "Miss Chi was kind to remind me."

Chi Qinghe smiled and turned lightly. She went back to sit beside Jiu Jiu, picking up a piece of cotton more beautiful than an orchid. Gently, she pulled the fibers from it with her fingers.

She was growing fonder of life in the northeast region. Though she still thought of her hometown and parents every night, she also felt a sense of new beginnings here.

...

One day, as Qiu Huanian sketched diagrams of cotton seed removers and fluffing devices for his agricultural book, he heard someone at the gate.

Qiu Huanian went to open the door and found a well-dressed, wealthy-looking steward standing outside.

"Is this the home of Scholar Du Yunse?" the steward asked with a smile.

"Who are you?"

"My master has come from the capital to conduct business in Liaozhou. He’s been in Zhang County for some time but hasn’t yet met the local scholars. Recently, he found some free time and, with Magistrate Wang's permission, has arranged a banquet in the county garden, inviting the scholars and aspiring scholars of Zhang County to gather."

Qiu Huanian took the invitation from the steward and opened it. Seeing Bai Yanwen’s name, he understood.

Bai Yanwen, a wealthy merchant tied to the second prince and under Imperial Envoy Zhao Tianyu’s command, had been lying low in Zhang County for days. Now, he was making his move.

Du Yunse and the second prince were naturally on opposing sides. Qiu Huanian wasn't sure if Bai Yanwen had sent invitations to all the scholars and aspiring scholars in Zhang County or if he had other intentions.

According to the steward, the invitations were sent to many people, and on the surface, nothing seemed amiss. With Magistrate Wang backing it, Du Yunse had no choice but to attend.

But why would a merchant from out of town insist on hosting a banquet for the local scholars of Zhang County?

Qiu Huanian accepted the invitation, and the steward bowed and left. He had barely taken a few steps when Widow Zhuang’s gate creaked open.

Widow Zhuang had gone to the fields to harvest crops, and only Zirong and her two children were at home. Since coming to Du Village, the mother and her kids hadn’t done a lick of work, and they didn’t seem all that rich either. They always treated the villagers with a haughty attitude. If it weren't for Widow Zhuang's sake, someone would have already lost their temper.

Qiu Huanian was about to shut the door but paused when he heard Widow Zhuang’s gate creak. He left it slightly ajar to see what was going on.

According to the information Du Yunse had obtained from the county, Zirong was Bai Yanwen's concubine, and her two children were his. The three of them had somehow fallen out of favor and were sent back to her family, abandoned by Bai Yanwen.

Qiu Huanian heard Yuchuan's younger brother shout, "Fan Qi, did Father send you to fetch us?"

Zirong's voice followed closely, "Fan Qi, I heard your voice in the courtyard just now. Did the master send you to deliver something to us?"

The steward's steps paused for a moment, but he did not step forward. "I came today to deliver an invitation to Scholar Du. You should all calm down, reflect on your actions, and stop deluding yourselves."

Yuchuan's voice, as loud as a suona, rose sharply, "Fan Qi, how dare you speak to us like that! You're just a servant! Where's my father? I demand to see him!"

Fan Qi said leisurely, "I may be a servant, but you've been adopted into a collateral branch in the family registry. You're no longer my masters."

Yuchuan angrily retorted, "Fan Qi, would you dare to speak to me like this back in the capital? You're just a dog who flatters the powerful and tramples on the weak. When I return, I'll make sure you pay for this!"

Fan Qi sneered, "Do you still think you can threaten me? You're not the powerful young lady who could order someone to break my sister's leg anymore. If you don't watch your step, you might not even know how you'll end up!"

"The master doesn't want to see you at all. If it weren't for the fact that you still carry the Bai family's bloodline, you would have already died in the ancestral hall. You've barely managed to save your lives, so just stay in the countryside and farm in peace."

"If you keep causing trouble like this, I might just reveal what you did in the capital. Then, even this village might not want you around!"

Yuchuan screamed hoarsely, stomping her feet, "Go ahead and say it! I've wanted to leave this miserable village for a long time!"

"My father is just temporarily angry, blinded by those women. He always favored my mother and us the most. It's all because of you dogs who badmouthed us while we were away. I'll definitely return and deal with you!"

Fan Qi let out a strange laugh, "Then you'd better start dreaming early. In dreams, you can have it all."

He turned back to the carriage, whipped the horse, and left, leaving Bai Yuchuan and Zirong fuming and cursing behind him.

Qiu Huanian listened quietly to the complicated dispute outside and gently closed the door.

It seemed that Yuchuan and the others were indeed thoroughly disliked by Bai Yanwen. Otherwise, a servant wouldn't dare to speak to the illegitimate children like that.

What exactly did Zirong and her children do in the capital to be sent to the countryside in such a complete break?

Qiu Huanian buried his curiosity in his heart, planning to inquire about it later if he got the chance. With such troublesome and hostile neighbors, it was better to be prepared.

Bai Yanwen's invitation included bringing along family members. Qiu Huanian hadn't been to the county town for a long time. With the cotton in the fields just harvested, it was a good time for a break, so he decided to go along for a visit.

On the day of the banquet, Qiu Huanian and Du Yunse both wore newly made, embroidered clothes. Since the family's finances had improved, Qiu Huanian bought one or two bolts of new cotton cloth each month to make clothes for everyone.

Qiu Huanian wore a warm jade hairpin, while Du Yunse wrapped his hair with a bordered Confucian scarf.

Both of them were naturally good-looking, and with a little dressing up, they looked like a perfect couple—talented, beautiful, and with an extraordinary aura.

Yun Cheng, a scholar, was also among those invited. Qiu Huanian and Du Yunse first drove the carriage near the county school to park it, planning to pick up Yun Cheng and go together for support.

Du Yunse had taken several exams at the county school and was familiar with the place. The school's clerks also recognized him as the top scorer in every exam he took.

After greeting them, the clerk went in to call Yun Cheng, who soon came out.

In just two or three months, Qiu Huanian noticed that Yun Cheng had grown taller and more robust, no longer looking like a boy but taking on the contours of a young man.

With his regular features and calm demeanor, he exuded the air of a true gentleman.

When Yun Cheng saw Qiu Huanian and Du Yunse, his eyes lit up slightly, and he came over to greet them, "Brother Yunse, Sister-in-law Huanian."

Qiu Huanian knew that Yun Cheng had always admired Du Yunse, so he teased him a bit, successfully breaking Yun Cheng's attempt to maintain a mature demeanor.

The three of them chatted casually about village affairs as they walked.

In the past two or three months, many significant events had occurred in the village: the division of Du Baoquan's family, Zhao and Fu Bao being imprisoned, Du Yunjing and others being expelled from the clan, and the conscription of labor... and so on.

Yun Cheng already knew that his second uncle had been assigned to the labor conscription. When the topic came up again, he sighed softly.

"I copied some books at the county school, along with some questions with teacher's comments. Could you please help me deliver them to Cun Lan?"

"Only to Cun Lan? I'm afraid someone might cause trouble."

Qiu Huanian had been increasingly annoyed by the Bao Li family, who, after being refused entry for their son to study, spread gossip about it. His tone was a bit harsh.

Qiu Huanian's words weren't directed at Yun Cheng, but since they concerned Yun Cheng's third uncle's family, Yun Cheng felt somewhat awkward, though he knew it was his third uncle's family's fault.

"I have a share in the family's labor duties. Since my second uncle is taking my place, I should repay him. These things are for Cun Lan, but if Yun Zhe wants to read them, he can ask Cun Lan himself."

As for whether Cun Lan would be willing to lend them, Yun Cheng wouldn't interfere.

As the eldest grandson, Yun Cheng, despite being a junior, understood many family matters better than his grandfather. His grandfather, being old, believed that harmony within the family was most important, and that minor conflicts could always be resolved through compensation elsewhere.

But Yun Cheng felt that if the so-called compensation wasn't agreed upon by the person who suffered the loss, it was just a kinder form of coercion.

As the younger generation grew up, this large family was on the verge of falling apart.

Yun Cheng was an only child. Among the children of the same grandfather, only Cun Lan was a girl. Though his grandfather insisted he treat his second and third uncles' children equally, Yun Cheng couldn't help but favor his capable and sensible sister.

"After my second uncle left, Cun Lan and my second aunt must be struggling emotionally. I can't help much at the county school, so I'll ask you and sister-in-law to take care of her."

Qiu Huanian smiled, "Cun Lan and Jiu Jiu are close, and she often visits. She's like family, so it's no trouble."

Though the clan leader sometimes turned a blind eye for the sake of harmony, it was a relief that Bao Ren, his wife, and Yun Cheng, the eldest grandson, always acted with integrity.

Qiu Huanian knew the clan leader criticized Bao Ren for being indecisive and soft-hearted, but he believed that as long as Bao Ren made the right calls in critical moments, his soft-heartedness wasn't a flaw.

After discussing the labor duties, they shifted their conversation to today's banquet.

The banquet took place at the Garden of Harvested Blooms, the most exquisite garden in the northern part of the county town. The Garden of Harvested Blooms was built by the former magistrate, who was from the Jiangnan region. The garden was designed in the style of Jiangnan gardens, with meticulously arranged flowers that bloomed year-round, earning it the name 'Harvested Blooms.'

Before stepping down, the former magistrate sold the garden to a Zhang County merchant. Since then, the garden had been closed off, rarely visited by anyone.

Yet, tales of the garden's beauty and elegance persisted among Zhang County's residents.

After arriving in Zhang County, Bai Yanwen purchased the Garden of Harvested Blooms and invested heavily in its restoration. The garden was recently restored, and this banquet marked its reopening after years of closure.

"Bai Yanwen reportedly invited all the scholars in Zhang County, but only extended invitations to scholar candidates at the county school," Yun Cheng, being at the county school, easily gathered this information.

This was understandable. Scholar candidates could attend the county school for free, but scholars held official Yu Dynasty recognition, granting them privileges and entry into the scholar-official class.

"Are many people agreeing to attend?" Qiu Huanian asked curiously.

"Unless they have something urgent, all the invited students at the county school have agreed to attend."

In the traditional hierarchy of scholars, farmers, artisans, and merchants, merchants ranked lowest. In principle, scholars didn't like to associate with merchants like Bai Yanwen.

Bai Yanwen himself was aware of this, so he invited Magistrate Wang to endorse this banquet. Those with good connections could also find out that he had ties to the newly arrived imperial envoy in Liaozhou and even had the support of the second prince. Therefore, anyone who hadn't lost their mind from studying was willing to give him some face.

"Does anyone know what Bai Yanwen really wants to achieve with this banquet?"

Yun Cheng shook his head, "The official reason is to meet the talents of Zhang County, but there's no specific intention mentioned."

Qiu Huanian nodded slowly, planning to act according to the situation at the banquet.

The county school was located in the center of Zhang County. After walking a short distance, the arched gate of the Garden of Harvested Blooms came into view. Many carriages were coming and going at the garden's entrance, transporting the guests attending the banquet.

Qiu Huanian caught sight of a carriage parked at the entrance of the garden out of the corner of his eye, and his steps suddenly halted.

He saw two familiar figures alighting from the carriage: Wei Dexing, the owner of Wei's Seasoning Shop, who had once tried to pry information about Wu Shen under the guise of repaying a favor and had been turned away in anger, and his young lad, Wei Li.

Wei Li's head was bowed, his expression unclear, but his body language suggested fear and reluctance, though he had no choice in the matter.

Wei Dexing, smiling ingratiatingly, nodded and bowed to the Bai family servants at the entrance of The Garden of Harvested Blooms, exchanging a few words. Without waiting for a response, he pulled Wei Li into the garden.

Qiu Huanian's brow furrowed slightly as the three approached the entrance of The Garden of Harvested Blooms. They handed their invitations to the stationed servants.

Qiu Huanian asked pointedly, "Aside from scholars and their families, are there others attending today's banquet?"

The servants, aware of the scholars' sensibilities, assumed Qiu Huanian was displeased and quickly replied with a smile, "Young master, you jest. Those two were not here for the banquet."