Chapter 77: The Jin Family

Chapter 77: The Jin Family

Old Man Zhou collected his wages, showed the newcomers the usual routes, and then went home. Auntie Qiao had to stay a few more days to hand over the accounts and duties before returning to the Zhu family to report.

This family's original surname was Jin, and the old man was the third among his brothers, called Jin San, while his wife was often referred to as old lady Jin.

As for the little girl's name, old lady Jin said the previous one was given by the former master and was unlucky, so she asked the new master to give her a new one.

Qiu Huanian, seeing their expressions, knew that not giving her a name would make them uneasy.

However, he didn't plan to name her himself but left it to Jiu Jiu.

Jiu Jiu was now studying at the Zhu family's small schoolhouse. Among her classmates, whether it was Zhu Xian or Su Xinyao, they all had maids. Qiu Huanian intended for the new little girl to follow Jiu Jiu, not requiring her to do much work, just to be a companion.

Qiu Huanian said to old lady Jin, "Our family is small, and the house isn't big, so there's not much work. You and Auntie Qiao can ask around more, manage the three daily meals, and make some daily clothes."

Then he instructed Jin San, "Take care of the horses, serve as the gatekeeper, drive the children to and from school daily, sweep the courtyard early in the morning, and draw water from the well."

"When my sister returns, have your granddaughter accompany her, and she will arrange everything."

"There are several empty back rooms in the backyard; you can choose one to clean and move into. Later, I'll open the storeroom and give you some cloth to make new clothes."

"As for the monthly wages, you two will get two taels of silver each, and the granddaughter will receive one tael. Whether it increases or decreases in the future will be discussed later."

The Jin family, having signed a formal indenture contract, received much lower wages than ordinary hired help. If they encountered a harsh master, they might receive nothing.

Jin San and old lady Jin didn't expect to meet such a generous master and repeatedly expressed their gratitude in accented official speech.

Qiu Huanian opened the storeroom; there was some stored cotton fabric at home. He pointed out three suitable colors and let old lady Jin take a wooden ruler and scissors to cut out the fabric needed for clothes.

After that, Qiu Huanian returned to his study to continue compiling his mathematics book.

Every time Yun Cheng returned, he would review Meng Yuanling's homework. Meng Yuanling was also deeply engrossed in his studies, and Wei Li and Granny Wei rarely left their rooms.

The courtyard was silent. The Jin family chose a back room, took out all the bedding from the wardrobe, spread it out, and dusted the room.

Jin San didn't dare to be idle and went to the nearby stable to check on the horses.

Old lady Jin led her granddaughter to cut and sew clothes, hoping to wear new clothes soon to please the master.

The granddaughter, twelve years old, was already a young lady and naturally skilled in needlework, sewing straight and fast.

Old lady Jin whispered to her, "The young master of the new family is a Township Lord, and the man is a scholar, destined for a bright future. After the former master's family was confiscated, we were transported here, thinking we would just have enough to eat. Who would have thought we'd have such luck."

"Your grandfather and I are old, we dare not think too much. You were arranged to be by the young lady's side as soon as you arrived. The young lady doesn't have any other maids yet, so you must serve her well. Your future depends entirely on yourself."

When they were at the magistrate's office in a southern prefecture, they were just lowly servants, most envious of those close to the masters, especially the young lady's personal maids, who were like deputy young ladies.

The granddaughter nodded with pursed lips; she naturally understood these principles.

Old lady Jin sighed, "If you seize this opportunity, you won't suffer or toil in the future, and we can account to your parents."

At dinner time, Jin San drove the carriage to bring Jiu Jiu and Chun Sheng back. Although the children knew Qiu Huanian was going to buy servants, they were still somewhat uncomfortable with the sudden addition of people at home.

Jiu Jiu named the Jin family's granddaughter Coral, after her favorite jewelry material.

Having a peer at home, Jiu Jiu was happy. She let Coral sleep in the outer room of her own wing, to accompany her when going out. Qiu Huanian intended to cultivate Jiu Jiu's ability to handle these matters and did not intervene.

Dinner was prepared by Auntie Qiao and old lady Jin together. Coming from the south, old lady Jin's cooking skills were different from the north, giving the dishes a unique flavor.

She was still learning what the master's family liked to eat. Auntie Qiao was about to return to the Zhu family and did not hold back, answering all her questions.

Auntie Qiao especially emphasized, "Our Brother Hua is quite creative with food and enjoys experimenting with new dishes. Whatever he asks you to do, just do it. If he wants to enter the kitchen, don't stop him. Only go in if he asks for your help."

Old lady Jin memorized everything carefully.

...

Qiu Huanian's status as a Township Lord was neither high nor low. Since it was personally decreed by the Emperor, and his husband, Du Yunse, was the one who confiscated the Imperial Commissioner's property, many notable ladies in Xiangping Prefecture sent congratulatory notes.

Qiu Huanian collected all the notes and placed them in his study, going through them one by one and making a list.

Su Xinbai sat nearby with Cream Frost in his arms, watching Qiu Huanian write and draw on the paper.

"You really make charts for everything."

"Pictures are way clearer and easier to get than words. Why not make a list if you can?"

This was a good habit Qiu Huanian developed from his modern studies and work, which Du Yunse had already picked up.

Qiu Huanian sorted through the notes. He received over forty notes in total, with more than a dozen from official families and over twenty from merchant families.

Since there had been no prior interactions, the congratulatory gifts were not extravagant, mostly just some quirky little items. Qiu Huanian was most interested in the seafood sent by a merchant who owned large fishing boats in the Bohai Bay area.

Freshness is key with seafood. The shrimp and fish were eaten immediately, while a whole basket of oysters was kept by old lady Jin, ready to be used to experiment with making the versatile condiment, oyster sauce.

Now that he was in business, it made sense to test out new products that might sell well.

Through Su Xinbai's descriptions, Qiu Huanian got a rough idea of the families who sent the notes.

"When I host a banquet, I'll send an invitation to each family, though likely only half will show up."

It wasn't a particularly important banquet, and Qiu Huanian's status wasn't high enough for those who were busy or didn't want to go out to make a special trip.

Even though it was understood, invitations still had to be sent. That's just how things work in social circles.

At the banquet, he could also push his new business.

Su Xinbai saw Qiu Huanian smile like a little fox, "You're up to something again, aren't you?"

"Not at all. Just mulling over some business ideas."

"I plan to buy a shop and put it under Jin San's name to sell things and make money."

"You're not even done with your book, and now you're taking on another project." Su Xinbai shook his head, often amazed by Qiu Huanian's endless energy.

Despite his frail body that required constant medication, he was full of positive vitality.

"There's an old saying: life goes on, and so does the hustle."

Qiu Huanian set down his pen, smiled, raised his arms, and stretched.

Cream Frost on Su Xinbai's lap also yawned at the perfect moment, curled its tail, and shifted positions.

"I won't interfere with other things, but Qimin Bookstore has received a batch of manuscripts. I've picked out a few decent ones, and in a few days, I'll ask you to review them together. Be sure to carve out some time."

Qiu Huanian picked up a thin booklet nearby and flipped through it.

"Don't worry, I have several hours free."

Su Xinbai looked at the thin booklet, which was filled with detailed schedules and time plans, precise to every hour.

"..."

If Su Xinbai knew some modern vocabulary, the only two words in his mind right now would be "overachiever."

The schedule of the overachiever Qiu Huanian was not strictly followed, as it was interrupted by Du Yunse, who had come home for a break.

In the study, Qiu Huanian noticed Du Yunse's calm expression and dark eyes, feeling guilty and looked away.

"Ahem, I had old lady Jin make a condiment called oyster sauce. We'll use it to stew chicken tonight. Rest for a bit, and then we'll eat."

Du Yunse's gaze lifted from the schedule.

"Brother Hua, don't you get the importance of rest?"

Qiu Huanian, who had failed to hide the schedule and was caught by Du Yunse, was filled with regret.

"It's just these few busy days. It's all stuff that can be done right away, and I just want to get it sorted quickly."

Once he had a plan, Qiu Huanian was restless.

Du Yunse stared at him for two seconds, then put down the schedule, scooped Qiu Huanian up by the waist.

Despite their size difference, Qiu Huanian was held firmly, instinctively grabbing Du Yunse's shoulders.

"What are you doing? Let me down!"

"I'm taking Brother Hua to rest with me, of course."

Du Yunse carried Qiu Huanian out of the study, through the front and inner courtyards, and into the main room through the fragrant garden.

Qiu Huanian was just glad Jiu Jiu and Chun Sheng were still at school, or he'd have been mortified.

Meng Yuanling must've seen it from behind the door—before Yun Cheng pulled him inside, he even winked at him!

Qiu Huanian was placed on the kang and gave Du Yunse's chest a light punch.

"You're getting bolder and bolder."

Du Yunse hid his smile in his eyes, the meaning clear—when was it ever thin?

Qiu Huanian, the modern man with his thin skin and soft heart, could only pout.

Du Yunse helped Qiu Huanian out of his outer clothes, leaving just a thin layer of underclothes.

His hands brushed Qiu Huanian's skin through the thin fabric, gliding over his firm back, elegant shoulder blades, and slim waist.

The touch was brief, but the warmth remained.

When he accidentally hit a ticklish spot, Qiu Huanian burst into laughter on the kang, then begged, "I'll adjust the schedule, alright?"

Du Yunse also took off his outer clothes, drew the curtain, and, in the dim light, cradled Qiu Huanian in his arms.

He kissed the top of Qiu Huanian's jet-black hair.

"I wish for your success and great achievements, but also for your health and peace, free from worries for a hundred years. Every moment of leisure at the academy, I think of you, afraid you're not taking your medicine properly and exhausting yourself again."

"Brother Hua, don't forget our years together."

Du Yunse's deep and magnetic voice was piercingly clear in the dim light, and Qiu Huanian's heart felt like it was soaking in a hot spring, melting into Du Yunse's embrace.

He murmured apologetically in a soft voice, "I have indeed been too busy these past few days. I will adjust my schedule."

Du Yunse was just worried about Qiu Huanian's health, not actually blaming him. Seeing Qiu Huanian yield, he dropped the subject.

The two curled up together for a quick rest. Qiu Huanian closed his eyes to rest, drifting in and out of sleep, and both his mind and body relaxed considerably.

Only then did he finally notice the fatigue accumulated over the past few days.

It was time to rest; he had to take care of himself.

Qiu Huanian said to Du Yunse, "It's been a while since I last visited the estate. It's almost time to transplant the cotton seedlings. Let's go for a stroll tomorrow and maybe hit the hot springs."

After Su Xinbai gifted the estate to Qiu Huanian, he had been itching to soak in the hot springs with Du Yunse.

With servants managing the house and Jiu Jiu and Chun Sheng in school, Qiu Huanian could head out without worry.

Du Yunse was fine with it.

Qiu Huanian stretched lazily, still lying on the kang, resting his sharp chin on his hand.

"Is Zhao Tianyu finally getting exiled?"

After Zhao Tianyu was imprisoned, he wasn't exiled right away—they held him for questioning first. Left Administration Commissioner Su Yi personally handled the matter, locking down the evidence of corruption and misconduct by the Second Prince's faction.

Su Yi had initially wanted to avoid getting involved in the princes' disputes, but since it was an imperial decree, he had to give it his all.

The future could be dealt with later; for now, he felt like he'd won.

"Three days from now, at noon, the prison cart will pass through the main road of Xiangping Prefecture to haul him out of town."

Was this meant to humiliate him publicly?

Qiu Huanian nodded; he had no favorable impression of Zhao Tianyu.

Though the man was capable—after arriving in Liaozhou, he'd used the Second Prince's resources to cut off the supply routes to the grasslands—he was arrogant, greedy, and lustful, exploiting the common people and treating them like dirt. Every one of his actions stepped on Qiu Huanian's moral boundaries.

"Will the Second Prince's people still bail him out?" Qiu Huanian didn't want him to continue living comfortably in exile.

Du Yunse's face was hard to make out in the dim light.

"He won't make it—he'll die on the way."

"Who'd want him dead? He's already been dismissed and exiled." Qiu Huanian's eyes widened.

"The Second Prince," Du Yunse said quietly.

"..."

Du Yunse gently stroked Qiu Huanian's hair, "Does this scare you, Brother Hua? I'll try not to talk about such things with you in the future."

Qiu Huanian shook his head; it wasn't fear, just a sense of unease.

He couldn't brush off someone's death so easily, even though he deeply disliked Zhao Tianyu.

Once again, Qiu Huanian realized the difference between himself and Du Yunse. Du Yunse was a true product of his time, a decisive political figure who would never hesitate or show mercy.

But he is also his lover, someone who shares his ideals and holds the noble ambition of governing the country and bringing peace to the people.

Qiu Huanian thought carefully, "The Emperor sent Zhao Tianyu to Liaozhou to handle smuggling. After Zhao Tianyu and the Second Prince behind him completed their tasks, the Emperor issued an edict to take action against them."

"This is—"

"Using others to do the dirty work, then disposing of them like used tools," Du Yunse said indifferently.

"But he’s still his own flesh and blood," Qiu Huanian sighed.

"The Second Prince harbors ambitions to seize the throne. He thought his opponent was the Crown Prince, but when he set his sights on the throne, the true owner of the throne would also be vigilant and wary. At times like these, even father and son can’t trust each other."

Qiu Huanian shook his head, "The fight for the throne is far removed from my life. Now I just hope that Sixteen will be safe."

The short but warm and harmonious time spent in Du Village has always remained in Qiu Huanian's memory. Sixteen’s kindness and care remain vivid in his memory. Qiu Huanian hopes that this long-unseen friend will be safe and well.

At dinner time, old lady Jin called from outside the door, announcing that the meal was ready. Qiu Huanian and Du Yunse got up and dressed again.

The meal was laid out in the flower hall, and a tantalizing aroma had already spread through the courtyard.

"What’s that smell? It’s so rich and savory, almost like sauce, but how can sauce smell this amazing?" Meng Yuanling bounced over.

"This is the oyster sauce I told you about the other day."

Meng Yuanling took another deep breath, "When Brother Hua saved that big basket of oysters to make some kind of oil, I thought it was a waste. Who would have thought it could be so fragrant!"

When old lady Jin was boiling the oyster sauce, Meng Yuanling happened to be out and didn't smell it.

Since Chun Sheng started attending the private school outside, he’s matured and become much more sensible. He no longer charged noisily at the table like before, but his eyes still sparkled with anticipation.

"Don't stand outside, let's go in and eat."

Seated at the table were Qiu Huanian’s family of four, along with Yun Cheng and Meng Yuanling, the young couple. The Jin family would prepare their own meal after the others had finished eating. Wei Li was still recovering, so his meal was brought to his room.

The star of today’s meal was the oyster sauce chicken, a dish Qiu Huanian had specially requested.

The three-yellow chicken, freshly slaughtered, was chopped into pieces and marinated with scallions, ginger, cooking wine, and a touch of oyster sauce for extra flavor.

After marinating for half an hour, the chicken was stir-fried in hot oil until it curled, browned slightly, and released its juices. Then it was seasoned with soy sauce, sugar, oyster sauce, and a pinch of pepper.

Finally, boiling water was poured in to cover the meat, and the pot was covered to simmer for fifteen minutes. The result was a tender, juicy chicken dish bursting with rich, savory flavors.

They used a premium three-month-old rooster, known for its yellow skin, red meat, and firm texture.

The oyster sauce’s umami flavor, revolutionary for its time, gave the dish an unmatched depth.

In Qiu Huanian’s world, oyster sauce wasn’t invented until the late 19th century, when a southern coastal merchant stumbled upon it. Once it appeared, it became an indispensable condiment on the Chinese dining table.

Introducing oyster sauce to the Yu Dynasty, where people had never tasted modern flavors, was sure to leave them in awe.

Chun Sheng kept reaching for more with his chopsticks, and everyone else ate heartily, more than they usually would. Even Du Yunse could not escape its charm.

"Brother Hua, are you going to sell this oyster sauce in the shop?" Meng Yuanling asked after finishing her meal and wiping her mouth.

"Exactly, but the cost is too high, so I plan to change the way it's sold."

Xiangping Prefecture is not far from the Bohai Bay, so the price of oysters is barely acceptable, but it's still not cheap. Plus, making oyster sauce requires a lot of labor, so the initial production is bound to be low.

This time, Qiu Huanian isn’t aiming for mass sales at low margins; instead, he’s adopting a scarcity-driven marketing approach.

In ancient times, the gap between the rich and the poor was enormous, with the vast majority of wealth concentrated in the hands of a few upper-class individuals. A single meal's cost for a wealthy family could sustain a poor person for a year.

As a Township Lord, Qiu Huanian had entered this elite circle and was determined to capitalize on the opportunity to profit from the wealthy.

In a few days, he would host a banquet at home, sharing dishes made with oyster sauce.

Once the noble ladies at the banquet got hooked on the taste and couldn't find it anywhere else, he'd roll out the oyster sauce officially, using this advanced and delicious condiment to extract large sums of money from the pockets of the rich.

"Brother Hua, what is the price of this oyster sauce?" Meng Yuanling wanted to ask on behalf of her second brother if he could sell it in Zhang County.

Qiu Huanian shook his head, "It won't sell in Zhang County; it's too expensive. I plan to sell a palm-sized bottle of oyster sauce for one tael of silver."

Meng Yuanling's eyes widened, "That means just a few meals could set you back a tael of silver!"

Qiu Huanian confidently smiled, "Some rich folks think nothing of spending a tael of silver on a single egg, and a dish of eggplant requires five or six chickens to accompany it. What's the big deal? They'll only scramble to buy it if it's pricey."

Meng Yuanling thought about such extravagant meals, shivered, and stopped mentioning selling it in Zhang County.

Yun Cheng's eyes lit up with a smile as he reached for her hand under the table.

Their eyes met, brimming with affection and love. Qiu Huanian chuckled, asked old lady Jin to clear the table, and everyone headed back to their rooms for some alone time.

...

The next day, after Jin San sent the children to school, Qiu Huanian and Du Yunse prepared to go to the estate outside the city.

Yun Cheng and Meng Yuanling hadn't gotten up yet, their door closed and windows shut, the room silent, likely because they had been up to some mischief late into the night.

Qiu Huanian didn't disturb them, gave a few instructions to old lady Jin, greeted Wei Li, and then left by carriage.

Spring was in full swing, the countryside a tapestry of lush grass, vibrant seedlings, and wildflowers dotting the landscape.

Upon arriving at the estate, Old Deng and his sons had already come out to greet them, each more respectful than the last.

They knew Qiu Huanian was now the rightful owner of the estate and had been granted the title of Township Lord.

They'd also heard that Qiu Huanian's husband, Du Yunse, was the scholar who'd recently raided the imperial envoy's residence.

Old Deng imagined that after Imperial Envoy Zhao Tianyu stirred up trouble at the estate, Du Yunse had turned the tables by raiding his home in just three days. What did that tell you? That Qiu Huanian and Du Yunse were forces to be reckoned with, even more so than the imperial envoy!

"Township Lord, we have already deeply plowed all thirty acres, and the cotton seedlings have grown well. When do you reckon is the best time to move them?"

"Let's go take a look at the cotton seedlings first."

Qiu Huanian and Du Yunse headed to the specially set-up greenhouse, meticulously checking the health of the cotton seedlings.

Qiu Huanian's expertise in cotton farming was something Old Deng was accustomed to, but he was taken aback to discover Du Yunse's extensive knowledge of cotton.

Wasn't this the same nobleman who'd raided the imperial envoy's home? How come he knew more about crops than a seasoned farmer like him?!

Qiu Huanian and Du Yunse spent half an hour checking and confirmed that the tens of thousands of cotton seedlings were all in good condition.

Qiu Huanian directed them to begin transplanting the seedlings the following day, adhering strictly to the spacing guidelines in the agricultural book and promptly replacing any missing seedlings. If they had any doubts, they were to come to the city for guidance, not stay silent out of fear.

Hand in hand, Qiu Huanian and Du Yunse strolled through the fields, pausing now and then to savor the soft spring breeze and reminisce about their village farming days.

In the midst of their hectic schedules, they carved out this simple day for a blissful date among the spring blossoms.

At noon, after savoring a hearty, farm-fresh meal prepared at the estate, Old Deng let them know the hot spring was all set.

Qiu Huanian had prepared clothes beforehand, having the unrelated people leave. He changed into light silk undergarments. Then, eagerly, he pulled Du Yunse to the heated pavilion at the back.

The heated pavilion had been thoroughly cleaned, and new hot spring water was introduced into the small pool in the center, creating a soothing, dreamy atmosphere.

After entering the heated pavilion and closing the door, Qiu Huanian belatedly realized that he had overlooked something.

When he came with Su Xinbai before, to avoid awkwardness, the people on the estate had set up a screen in the center of the small pool.

But this time, Qiu Huanian came with Du Yunse, and in the eyes of the people on the estate, why would a married couple need a screen? So the small pool was empty, with no obstructions.

Qiu Huanian's heart raced a bit, and he secretly glanced at Du Yunse's chest and abdomen, quickly averting his gaze.