Chapter 52: Storage

Chapter 52: Storage

Qiu Huanian responded with a nonchalant hum, as if he had merely asked casually, which made the servant from the Bai family breathe a sigh of relief.

This servant wasn’t brought from the capital by Bai Yanwen but was newly hired in Zhang County due to a lack of staff. So, he didn’t have the confidence to act superior and was afraid of losing his comfortable job with a single misstep.

Qiu Huanian compared the servant’s accent and realized he was a local of Zhang County.

This was strange. In ancient times, the servants of wealthy and influential families were often passed down through generations. Although Bai Yanwen was merely a merchant, with the backing of the Second Prince, he shouldn’t have had trouble finding a group of accustomed servants to bring with him to Liaozhou.

The fact that Bai Yanwen had newly hired a group of people upon arriving in Zhang County and even placed them in positions like greeting guests at the entrance suggested that he hadn’t brought many people from the capital. He likely hadn’t anticipated needing to buy a garden in Zhang County and urgently requiring a group of capable servants.

What had caused Bai Yanwen to change his original plans?

Qiu Huanian, Du Yunse, and Yun Cheng entered the garden. As expected, most of the servants inside also had accents from the vicinity of Zhang County. The mix of staff made the garden slightly chaotic, and as guests arrived one after another, the disorder became more apparent.

The Garden of Harvested Blooms featured shifting scenery, winding paths leading to secluded spots, and natural landscapes like Taihu rocks deliberately arranged to block the view, ensuring no one could take in the entire garden at a single glance.

At the center of the garden was a waterside pavilion, the most spacious area in the entire garden. Six or seven round tables had been set up, adorned with fruits and pastries for guests to enjoy before the meal.

The seats for scholars and scholar candidates were separate. Yun Cheng and Qiu Huanian sat apart. After the academy exam, Du Yunse, whose reputation as a prodigy had been largely forgotten, was brought up again, making him a prominent figure in the scholarly circles of Zhang County.

He hadn’t attended the county academy before, only showing up for exams, which made it difficult for those who wanted to befriend him to find opportunities. Now, meeting at the same banquet, anyone with even a slight connection came over to chat.

Qiu Huanian had no interest in exchanging empty pleasantries with so many strangers who had hidden agendas. Knowing his temperament, Du Yunse subtly stood up and invited those people to talk elsewhere, leaving Qiu Huanian alone.

Having not rested on the journey from the village to the county town, Qiu Huanian drank half a cup of tea and then stood up to ask a maid in the pavilion for directions to the restroom.

He informed Du Yunse, who was temporarily occupied, and after navigating several twists and turns, finally found the place. After attending to his needs and washing his hands with soap beans, he got ready to head back to the pavilion.

Qiu Huanian had a good sense of direction. Although the garden’s paths were winding and occasionally blocked by a screen rock, a wisteria tree, or a cluster of Taihu rocks, he still managed to retrace his steps without error.

Lifting the hem of his robe, he walked briskly. As he was about to turn a corner near a half-withered rose, he suddenly heard footsteps from the other side, out of his line of sight.

Uncertain who might be in the garden, Qiu Huanian instinctively stopped and hid in a moon gate on the other side.

A man emerged from behind the rose. Qiu Huanian glanced at him briefly before looking away. The man was in his thirties, dressed in purple brocade with gold threads. His features were decent, but he exuded an air of superficiality and reeked of alcohol, making him quite unpleasant.

Qiu Huanian felt the man looked familiar. After a moment of recollection, he remembered that the man’s eyes resembled those of Yuchuan and her brother. It was likely Bai Yanwen.

Qiu Huanian subtly placed his right hand on his left sleeve, where he had hidden the Fushu Sword given to him by sixteen.

Before leaving home, Qiu Huanian had a sudden impulse and took the sword from the cabinet, thinking it would be fun to carry a hidden weapon on a rare formal outing.

Now, it seemed it might actually be useful.

Bai Yanwen glanced in the direction of the moon gate but didn’t notice Qiu Huanian, who had already hidden himself. "I’m heading to the banquet. Ensure the one inside is closely monitored. Make sure no trouble occurs."

"This is reserved for Magistrate Zhao. He’ll arrive tonight. If anything goes missing, I’ll hold you accountable!"

The steward beside Bai Yanwen was also familiar to Qiu Huanian—it was Fan Qi, the one who had delivered the invitation that day.

"Don’t worry, Master. Wei Dexing said his son wouldn’t make a sound even if pricked with a needle. There won’t be any issues."

Bai Yanwen hummed in acknowledgment. "That’s it for now. If Magistrate Zhao wants him later, prepare and send him over. Otherwise, bring him to me."

The two turned and left. Qiu Huanian only relaxed when he could no longer hear their footsteps. He looked back and saw a small room concealed behind the moon gate.

Inside was Wei Li.

Since many of the servants in the garden were newly hired and a banquet was being held, the place was poorly guarded, with no one in sight.

Qiu Huanian recalled the pitiful young lad he had once encountered, sighed, and carefully made a hole in the window paper of the small house. After confirming that only Wei Li, tied up, was inside, he swiftly entered.

"You—" Wei Li's face was streaked with tears, his voice trembling.

"Don't speak," Qiu Huanian commanded as he unsheathed his hidden sword, the sharp blade easily slicing through the thick ropes and iron locks.

He had a small amount of silver and some copper coins, which he quickly shoved into Wei Li's arms.

"I won't meddle or counsel you on your choice, but I'll offer you a chance to decide. From here, head straight to the wisteria tree, then turn west. After you pass the inscribed screen stone, take a dozen steps east to the restroom. South of the restroom is a small gate, lightly guarded. If you wish to leave, now is your chance."

"I—" Wei Li's voice was as faint as a mosquito's.

"Alternatively, you can stay and serve the imperial envoy tonight, and, if fortunate, become his concubine. If not, Bai Yanwen may also desire you, provided you're willing."

Qiu Huanian re-sheathed his hidden sword and rose without delay, exiting the room. After all, this was another's garden, and lingering only heightened the risk.

As he approached the door, one foot already stepping out, Wei Li's voice, still soft but attempting to be louder, came from behind him.

"I... I'm not that kind of person..."

Qiu Huanian glanced back. Wei Li, dressed in a delicate gauze robe, his graceful figure and delicate features made him irresistibly alluring. His tear-streaked face, in that moment, shone with a beauty that surpassed even his physical appearance.

Summoning all his courage, Wei Li defended himself, "I'm not that kind of person!"

"Then go be the person you want to be," Qiu Huanian said, then turned and left.

Wei Li took a deep breath, stumbled to his feet, and rummaged through a cabinet for a set of servant's clothes, quickly putting them on.

He packed the money Qiu Huanian had given him, dug some soil from a potted plant, rubbed it on his face, and with his heart pounding, ran out of the room, leaving behind the humiliating gauze robe, the cut ropes, and everything else far behind.

...

Qiu Huanian left the room where Wei Li had been confined with a calm expression and soon returned to the vicinity of the pavilion. Just as he was about to look for Du Yunse, someone called out to him.

Qiu Huanian turned and saw the drunken Bai Yanwen.

"Fan Qi, what are you doing? How did someone get here?!" Bai Yanwen, half-drunk, suddenly saw such a beauty in his own garden and instinctively thought it was the young lad sent by Wei Dexing.

Fan Qi, being scolded, hurried over, glanced at Qiu Huanian, and quickly tugged at his master. "Master, this isn't the young lad sent by the Wei family!"

"No?" Bai Yanwen was instantly delighted. He had planned to give Wei Li to the imperial envoy Zhao Tianyu and had been holding back, but now he had no reservations.

"Where did you buy such a beauty? I didn't notice earlier. Why wasn't such a beauty sent to my room sooner?"

Fan Qi was so anxious that a layer of sweat broke out on his forehead. When his master drank, he couldn't control himself and would blurt out nonsense. When he sobered up and regretted it, it was the servants who would suffer.

Fan Qi leaned close to Bai Yanwen's ear and urgently reminded him, "Master, he's not one of our newly bought servants. He's the husband of Scholar Du, probably here today accompanying Scholar Du to the banquet."

"That Du Yunse, who achieved the top three ranks in the exams, with Wen Huiyang as his teacher. Before we left, 'that person' specifically mentioned him!"

Fan Qi thought he was being discreet, assuming that Qiu Huanian, a young lad from the countryside, wouldn't understand. But Qiu Huanian had already memorized all the information in their conversation.

It seemed Du Yunse was indeed one of their targets, though not prominent enough to be the main focus.

Who would have thought that coming out today would yield such unexpected gains.

"..." After Fan Qi's reminder, Bai Yanwen finally restrained himself somewhat, his regretful gaze sweeping over Qiu Huanian.

Qiu Huanian felt as if he were drenched in rancid lard, feeling nauseous. Just as he was about to retort, someone suddenly embraced him from behind.

"Mr. Bai, you invited us to this banquet, but here you are, drunk and making inappropriate comments to my family. Are you deliberately trying to intimidate the scholars of Zhang County?" Du Yunse's calm voice carried a chilling anger.

The scholars who had been talking with Du Yunse gathered around, their eyes showing clear hostility.

There had always been a social hierarchy between scholars and merchants. These scholars, who had at least passed the child scholar exams, attended the banquet at The Garden of Harvested Blooms partly out of respect for the county magistrate and the rumors of the imperial envoy. Now, Bai Yanwen was using the banquet to intimidate them—who could stand for that?

Realizing that the task assigned by Lord Zhao was about to fail, Bai Yanwen sobered up with a start.

Last time, he had ruined things because of drinking, which led to the Second Prince's cold shoulder. This time, thanks to his wife's efforts and his business experience in Liaozhou, he had finally regained the Second Prince's favor. He absolutely could not make another big mistake!

Bai Yanwen quickly straightened his collar and stood up straight, trying to look more presentable.

"Mr. Du, what do you mean? I had a bit too much to drink and mistook someone. How could I possibly intend to intimidate you? I must apologize to you and your husband. You are a future pillar of the state, please don't stoop to my level!"

Bai Yanwen's swift change of attitude and his submissive demeanor left Qiu Huanian astonished. No wonder he could work for the Second Prince. If nothing else, his thick skin was beyond most people's.

The scholars couldn't compete with the thick skin of such a seasoned merchant. Bai Yanwen immediately lowered his stance, leaving the others with nothing more to say.

Facing Du Yunse's unrelenting anger, Bai Yanwen cursed inwardly but piled on more smiles.

"This is all my fault for drinking too much. Mr. Du, your anger is justified. I will prepare a gift to soothe your husband's nerves. You must accept it."

Bai Yanwen reluctantly instructed Fan Qi, who soon brought a box containing at least a dozen pieces of high-quality jewelry.

With so many people watching and having nearly caused a major scandal, Bai Yanwen had no choice but to make a significant sacrifice. Due to the urgency, it was unclear who the jewelry originally belonged to.

Bai Yanwen waited anxiously for Du Yunse's decision, but Du Yunse looked at Qiu Huanian instead.

Qiu Huanian smiled at him, signaling that he was okay.

If Du Yunse's status weren't so special, and if Qiu Huanian hadn't already known that the imperial envoy would arrive that evening, he wouldn't have minded ripping off the mask Bai Yanwen was desperately trying to maintain.

But now, to be safe, Qiu Huanian decided to take some compensation and leave for now, planning to collect the principal and interest later.

Qiu Huanian took the box and, before Bai Yanwen could breathe a sigh of relief, smiled sweetly, "Mr. Bai, you are so generous in your apology. Why then do you do something as despicable as abandoning your wife and children?"

Abandoning his wife and children? The crowd was shocked. Just as Bai Yanwen had barely explained his inappropriate behavior, another scandalous act was revealed.

"In Du Village, there is a woman named Du Zirong who recently returned with her two children, claiming her husband had driven them out. Judging by their appearance, names, and their story, that husband is likely you, Mr. Bai."

"Poor mother and children, living in poverty in the countryside, while you, Mr. Bai, throw lavish banquets in the county. After marrying a girl from Zhang County, you abandoned your wife and children. Who in Zhang County would trust your words now?"

"..." Bai Yanwen was speechless, never expecting to hear Du Zirong's name from Qiu Huanian.

She was just a concubine, and the children were spoiled illegitimate children. How could this be called abandoning his wife and children? This young man was distorting the truth!

He wanted to refute, but Qiu Huanian gave him no chance. The apology was accepted, the mask was ripped off, and Qiu Huanian had no plans to stay.

"After what happened today, this is no longer a proper banquet, and the guests don't need to be proper either. We will take our leave now. I hope you, Mr. Bai, will conduct yourself with more dignity in the future."

Du Yunse added, "Those who are not on the same path don't need to sit together."

The two left hand in hand. With Du Yunse, the 'Little Triple Champion' who represented the pride of Zhang County's literati, leading the way, the other scholars' pride also rose. Unwilling to continue attending a banquet hosted by such a morally bankrupt merchant, they all stood up to leave.

If only one or two had left, others might have hesitated. But with Du Yunse leading the way, many followed suit, and even those who had hesitated no longer did. After all, scholars valued their reputation. Staying now would only tarnish their names!

Bai Yanwen made a few half-hearted attempts to persuade them to stay, but seeing the situation was beyond repair, he forced a smile and urged Fan Qi and others to arrange for the guests' departure, at least preserving the last shred of dignity.

As too many guests left at the same time, all the garden staff were summoned to the front gate to handle the crowd. Beside the unguarded small gate, a figure lurking behind a tree hesitated briefly before swiftly pushing the door open and darting out.

...

After returning from the banquet, Qiu Huanian had been waiting for news from the county, but all he received was the news of Bai Yanwen leaving Zhang County and returning to the capital. It seemed that the events at the Garden of Harvested Blooms banquet had been deliberately covered up.

"Zhao Tianyu came to Zhang County to deal with Bai Yanwen and then left. Magistrate Wang admitted he couldn't quite grasp the man's intentions."

Qiu Huanian stroked his chin, "This imperial envoy certainly knows how to make a decisive move. Bai Yanwen didn't handle things well, so he directly had him removed. I wonder what he originally called Bai Yanwen to Zhang County for."

Du Yunse's hand holding the teapot paused, then he continued to pour Qiu Huanian a cup of pear syrup. The pears at home were increasing, and Qiu Huanian had come up with many ways to use them, pear syrup being one of them. He brewed a large pot daily, which soothed the lungs and alleviated dryness.

"Perhaps... this actually suited his intentions."

Qiu Huanian took a sip of the warm pear syrup, "Are you saying Zhao Tianyu originally wanted to get rid of Bai Yanwen?"

This conclusion seemed quite unexpected, but upon closer thought, the details all fit.

If Qiu Huanian hadn't let Wei Li go and hadn't been rudely addressed by Bai Yanwen, and if he hadn't retaliated by publicly humiliating Bai Yanwen, the course of events might have been that Zhao Tianyu arrived at the banquet, saw Wei Li prepared by Bai Yanwen, and immediately flew into a rage, rightfully expelling Bai Yanwen from Zhang County, while also establishing an image of the imperial envoy not being swayed by beauty.

However, in that case, Wei Li, used as a pawn, would have met a grim fate.

Du Yunse shook his head, "It's merely a hypothetical; other outcomes are still possible. The only known information is that Zhao Tianyu decisively expelled Bai Yanwen."

"Regardless, with Bai Yanwen gone from Zhang County and Zhao Tianyu far away in Xiangping Prefecture, our lives are momentarily peaceful." Qiu Huanian heaved a deep sigh of relief.

"We've accumulated enough cotton. In a few more days, we'll start processing the cotton, keeping what we need for ourselves and informing Zhu Jingcheng to send someone to gather the cotton."

"Additionally, autumn has arrived, and we should capitalize on the abundant harvest of fruits and melons to stock up for winter."