Chapter 88: The Incident at Qingwu Nunnery

Chapter 88: The Incident at Qingwu Nunnery

Although Qiu Huanian did not attend the Qingwu Nunnery religious ceremony organized by the prefect's wife, he stayed updated on the latest news.

Since it wasn't a good time to bother Su Xinbai, Qiu Huanian asked Meng Yuanling, who had more contacts, to pay more attention, and also instructed Jin San and old lady Jin to keep an ear out for any rumors.

In fact, he didn't need to give these instructions, as what happened at Qingwu Nunnery had spread throughout the entire city on the day of the invitation.

"You're saying the prefect's wife discovered a mysterious female monk at Qingwu Nunnery?"

Jin San nodded, "Absolutely true. Many officers from the Provincial Judicial Commissioner's Office were sent out. Now the whole city is buzzing about it, saying that the missing young ladies and boys were all abducted by the nunnery."

Qiu Huanian nodded silently.

This whole thing was actually quite odd. After all, the prefect's wife had announced her visit several days in advance. If Qingwu Nunnery really had issues, the mastermind should have covered their tracks long ago.

How could it have been left there, only to be discovered by the prefect's wife so suddenly?

Perhaps this was a trap set by Prefect Si Jing, aiming to flush out the mastermind.

Meng Yuanling, who returned after hearing these news, said, "Brother Hua, I heard that Min Leyi also went to Qingwu Nunnery today."

"Leyi?" Qiu Huanian sighed, "If he got the invitation, that nanny would definitely make him go, regardless of whether he is being ostracized or if he can get along with others."

"Did anything happen to Leyi this time?"

"Probably not? The news I heard was that the criminals in Qingwu Nunnery couldn't hide anymore and wanted to kill the mysterious female monk to silence her, but were discovered and saved by Min Leyi. That's a relief."

"Was Leyi injured?"

"I made sure to ask, and they said no. With his skills, he definitely wouldn't get hurt."

Qiu Huanian said, "I'll prepare some gifts and visit him later to check on him."

...

Qingwu Nunnery was already heavily guarded by the officials, and naturally, no ceremonies could take place today.

To ensure the safety of the noble ladies invited by the prefect's wife, everyone was taken to a large estate near the prefect's residence.

The incident occurred suddenly, and Min Leyi and his servants were not in the same carriage. He didn't feel like looking for them and sat alone in a quiet spot, deep in thought.

Footsteps snapped Min Leyi out of his thoughts. He turned around and saw not the nanny, but someone he liked even less.

"Miss Su, what do you want?"

Su Xinyue looked down at Min Leyi with a provocative expression.

"Looks like the rumors are true. You've indeed become more disciplined, finally no longer offending people's ears with crude village talk."

Min Leyi's eyebrows shot up, "Su Xinyue, I heard you were confined by your stepmother for nearly three months. Just got out and already thinking about going back in?"

"You—"

Su Xinyue was about to argue when she suddenly heard a cough. Both turned around and saw the nanny who was in charge of Min Leyi.

Su Xinyue immediately composed herself and stood quietly to the side.

Min Leyi stood up with his head lowered.

"Young Master Min, I have finally found you. This place is too crowded and full of prying eyes. Please follow me," the matron said.

Min Leyi hesitated, knowing he was about to be scolded again.

"Young Master Min?" the matron called again calmly.

Catching a glimpse of Su Xinyue's gleeful look from the corner of his eye, Min Leyi felt a surge of frustration and followed behind.

The matron led Min Leyi into a room, empty except for a table set with tea.

"This is the temporary resting place assigned to you by the estate manager."

Min Leyi swallowed hard and nodded.

The matron turned, "Since there's no one here, I shall take this opportunity to teach you some rules."

"Why did you put yourself in danger at Green Mist Nunnery today?"

"After offering incense, I went to the side to find some quiet. Suddenly, I heard screams and the sound of a struggle. How could I ignore that?"

"You could have come out and called for help."

"At that moment, only the noble ladies were nearby. I was the strongest one there. By the time I called for guards and servants, she would have been strangled to death!"

The matron said indifferently, "That was her destiny, decreed by heaven. How could you, a young master of such high standing, place yourself in such danger?"

Min Leyi took a deep breath, wanting to argue but held back.

Seeing his defiant look, the matron frowned, her wrinkles deepening like stern ravines.

"Such a life-threatening matter, and you still don't reflect? Your reputation is already marred by brawls. If this incident spreads, aren't you afraid of disgracing your family?"

"I had no other choice but to intervene. Last time it was to save a cat, this time to save a person!"

The matron's icy stare made Min Leyi uncomfortable.

"How many times have you talked back today? If you don't wish for my guidance, I can resign at once."

Thinking of his father and the Yu clan, Min Leyi feared the matron might really leave, leaving him in a difficult position, so he relented.

"Please don't be angry, I won't speak out of turn again."

But this time, the matron wasn't ready to let it go.

"You haven't acknowledged your wrongdoing yet."

Min Leyi clenched his jaw, clenched his small fists, and stubbornly remained silent.

The matron frowned, turned, and picked up a switch from the table.

"I have never had to discipline you like this before, but it seems necessary today."

The switch, about as thick as a chopstick and about three meters long, had its leaves removed, the bark still green, and the end held by the matron, swaying slightly.

"Extend your hands."

Min Leyi stiffened for a moment, then brought his hands together and raised them, the puncture marks on his thumb and index finger still visible.

"Do you confess your fault?"

Min Leyi stayed quiet, refusing to admit that rescuing someone was a mistake.

With a sharp swish, the willow branch hit his soft palm, leaving raised red welts on both sides right away. Min Leyi's shoulders shook, but he didn't make a peep.

"Is the young master ready to admit his mistake?" The nanny's voice grew even colder.

Min Leyi stayed silent.

Another lash came down, hitting his tender skin, the sound echoing through the empty room.

"Is the young master ready to admit his mistake?"

...

Dozens of strikes followed, each one harder than the last. By the time his palm was swollen and red, with a few spots where the skin had broken, showing raw flesh, Min Leyi still didn't say a word, stubbornly refusing to admit any fault, even a fake one.

This was the first time the nanny had dealt with someone so stubborn. She knew Min Leyi's hand couldn't handle any more, or it would really scar and get hurt.

She put down the willow branch and said coolly, "The young master should think it over carefully. I'll ask you again tomorrow."

Hearing the door open and close behind her, Min Leyi stood still for a moment, then wiped his eyes with his sleeve.

The pain in his hand was unbearable. He had never been hit like this before.

Back in the southern countryside, when he was a naughty kid, his grandmother would sometimes spank him to teach him a lesson.

But the beatings he got back then were nothing like today's.

Min Leyi walked out of the room in a daze, not sure where to go, just avoiding people as he went.

He walked all the way to a quiet corner by the wall, under some flowering trees, where a familiar figure stopped him.

Su Xinyue glanced at Min Leyi's red eyes and the hand hidden in his sleeve, unable to hide her smug look.

"I knew you'd get beaten. Did you regret it when you were bawling your eyes out?"

She had been waiting here just to see the show.

Min Leyi snapped back, enduring the pain in his hand, and raised his voice.

"What's it to you? I never regret anything!"

"Still being stubborn? Don't you get it?"

"Get what?" Min Leyi was confused.

"A wild boy with a mother but no manners, how ridiculous. Can't you see? The Yu family never took you seriously, or they would have arranged a marriage long ago."

"If the Yu family's matriarch really had no say in arranging a marriage for Yu Min, why would she come all this way? She just saw you weren't good enough and made excuses, saying she couldn't decide alone, then sent a nanny to teach you, giving you a chance to improve."

Su Xinyue looked at Min Leyi, her eyes a mix of mockery and envy.

"If it weren't for your father being Yu Min's mentor, you wouldn't even have this opportunity. The Yu family of Liaozhou is so prestigious, and Yu Min is a recognized genius. How could someone like you ever be worthy?"

"You're lying!" Min Leyi instinctively retorted.

"It's not just me who sees the Yu family's intentions. These days, whenever you attend banquets, everyone treats you as a joke. They're all betting behind your back on whether you can actually change."

Seeing Min Leyi's eyes redden, Su Xinyue laughed with satisfaction and turned to leave.

"Learn the rules well. Who knows if you'll ever become the young mistress of the Yu family?"

...

Qiu Huanian had been inquiring about the news from Green Mist Nunnery. As the sky darkened, he heard that the matter had come to an end, and the officials had arrested several suspects from the nunnery.

The noblewomen who accompanied the prefect's wife were also safely escorted home.

Qiu Huanian breathed a sigh of relief and asked Old Lady Jin to make some pastries that Min Leyi loved, planning to visit him the next day.

Meanwhile, at Qingfeng Academy on Xiuyan Mountain, under the dim sky, Yu Min hesitated.

Earlier, the nanny his sister-in-law hired had sent a servant to the academy to inform him that Min Leyi had been given a hard time today for being so stubborn.

The nanny told him this to let him know and to avoid any future misunderstandings.

Yu Min, thinking of Min Leyi's temperament, could guess that the punishment was probably severe.

He hesitated for a moment and then walked out of the academy.

Since their families had planned to arrange a marriage, he hadn't seen Min Leyi to avoid any impropriety, but he guessed Min Leyi might be there.

In the back garden of the Min residence, near the mountain, there was a large Taihu rock. Climbing up it, one could reach a pavilion outside the wall.

When Yu Min arrived, he spotted a slender figure in the shadow of the pavilion.

Min Leyi was hugging his knees with his head down, and the dim light couldn't reveal his face.

Yu Min stepped forward, standing a few steps away, unsure of what to say.

He'd never seen Min Leyi this quiet.

In truth, he did not know Min Leyi very well.

Min Leyi was flamboyant, wild, and daring, seemingly unreasonable but actually very principled. He was as radiant as the crimson sun rising over the river at dawn.

Before he could figure out what to say, Min Leyi spoke first.

His voice was hoarse, filled with pain.

"Yu Min, did you know your sister-in-law dislikes me, and that when she said she couldn't decide about the marriage, she was lying?"

Yu Min froze. Why was Min Leyi suddenly asking this?

"Tell me the truth," Min Leyi gritted his teeth.

"...I only know that Grandmother gave the engagement bracelet to sister-in-law, but she never presented it."

Min Leyi let out a bitter laugh, his nails digging into the injured palm, making him tremble with pain.

"So you lied to me, making me believe it was settled, working so hard, so hard..."

Yu Min urgently said, "How could that be? If you just change your ways, how could we not get engaged? I've always thought of you as my betrothed."

"So you also think I'm not good enough, that I need to change, right?"

Min Leyi suddenly looked up, his tear-streaked face rendering Yu Min speechless.

"I, I didn't mean that..."

Min Leyi looked at Yu Min with tearful eyes, the slight affection born from his youthful heart shattered like a reflection in water or a moon in the mirror, scattered by the wind, leaving behind only an unfillable wound.

He hastily untied the jade token Yu Min had given him from his waist and threw it at him.

"Marry whoever you want, teach whoever you want, I'm not marrying anyone!"

Without looking at Yu Min, he clenched his teeth and ran desperately down the mountain, afraid that if he lingered even a second longer, his tears would burst forth.

Yu Min was a step too slow to stop him, staring blankly as his figure vanished from view.

The cold jade token in his hand felt as heavy as a thousand pounds.

When he had chosen it, he hadn't paid much attention, but now holding it, it felt so precious that it was almost too much to bear.

Just like Min Leyi, only after hearing him declare "I'm not marrying anyone" did Yu Min belatedly feel panic and heartache.

Clutching the jade token, he stumbled back to the academy. The evening lessons had already concluded, and the students were washing up and preparing to rest.

Yu Min encountered Du Yunse and grabbed his sleeve as if clutching at a lifeline.

"Mr. Du, I... have something to ask you."

Du Yunse calmly pulled his sleeve back; apart from Qiu Huanian, he didn't like anyone getting too close.

"Go ahead, Mr. Yu."

"Have you and Qiu Huanian, your husband, ever had a fight?"

Du Yunse slightly frowned, his eyes cold.

"Mr. Yu, your question is quite inappropriate. Why would I share my private matters with my husband with you?"

Yu Min knew his question was absurd, but his heart was so burdened that he couldn't resist.

"How could you not have disagreements, right? There are always small issues, small disagreements."

Du Yunse interrupted him coolly, "To me, my husband is perfect in every way, and I couldn't bear to upset him with arguments. As for Mr. Yu's situation, it's none of my concern."

"Also, my husband and Mr. Yu are strangers to each other, so please refrain from mentioning his name."

Du Yunse said no more and turned to leave.

Yu Min stood alone beneath the moonlight, not moving even as the dew dampened his thin garments.

...

Summer evenings arrived late, and Chun Sheng's private lessons also concluded late.

After Chun Sheng returned, Qiu Huanian and the others began their dinner. Just after finishing, Yuan Jia arrived with Yuan Ruo.

Qiu Huanian learned that it was about the cooling oil.

Chun Sheng had taken the cooling oil to school, and Yuan Ruo, curious as he had never seen it before, was given Chun Sheng's. When Chun Sheng returned and told Qiu Huanian, he replaced it.

Yuan Jia thanked on behalf of her brother, "Yuan Ruo is young and can't help but ask more about new and interesting things. Chun Sheng is generous and directly gave it to him, causing trouble for the Township Lord."

Qiu Huanian smiled, "This is their classmate friendship. A bottle of cooling oil is nothing, no need to come specially."

Yuan Jia shook her head, "The Township Lord is generous, but as his sister, I must teach him not to develop a habit of asking for things, so I specifically brought Yuan Ruo to thank the Township Lord."

Yuan Ruo wore a beautiful embroidered headband, with red lips and white teeth, looking like a child in front of the Guanyin statue.

He obediently bowed to Qiu Huanian, "Thank you, my lord."

Qiu Huanian was amused and handed him a fruit from the side.

"Here, take this jar for now. In a few days, the cooling oil will be available at Qiu's Six Staples for two taels per jar, no limit. If you find it useful, you can buy it from the store later."

Yuan Jia felt relieved and spent some time chatting with Qiu Huanian.

Qiu Huanian was not mistaken; Yuan Jia indeed had a talent for mathematics. She had completely understood the book "Elementary Mathematics: Equations" written by Qiu Huanian and even came up with more advanced problems on her own.

"My father was once the chief clerk of a county, responsible for clearing granaries and supervising water conservancy projects. He dealt with arithmetic every day, and I learned some from him."

"So it runs in the family."

"Just some basic skills."

Qiu Huanian believed Yuan Jia's ideas deserved further exploration and encouraged her to write a book and submit it to Qimin Bookstore.

Yuan Jia hesitated. In those days, few women and young men wrote and published books. Qiu Huanian, after all, was a Township Lord with a noble status, while she, a common woman, dared not even consider it.

"You should know, Qimin Bookstore is managed by the young master of the Su family. He judges manuscripts purely on content, not the author's background. As long as you write well, he will surely use it."

Yuan Ruo chimed in beside her, "Sister, why not give it a try?"

Yuan Jia took a deep breath, "Alright, I'll try. I'll show you the draft once it's ready."

...

After Yuan Jia and Yuan Ruo left, Qiu Huanian had Jin San lock up and got ready to rest.

But soon after, there was a knock at the gate.

"It's been a busy day, so many visitors."

Qiu Huanian threw on his robe and sent old lady Jin to check who was there.

When he reached the courtyard, he saw someone he never thought would come.

"Brother Yi, what brings you here so late?"

Min Leyi sniffled, his tears gone, eyes dry and sore, throat raw as if from a long cold.

"Brother Hua, please let me stay. I've got nowhere else to go."

Qiu Huanian asked old lady Jin to make some hot soup, told the others to go back to sleep, and led Min Leyi to sit inside.

"What exactly happened? Tell me, and I'll see if I can help."

Qiu Huanian handed Min Leyi a small blanket. Min Leyi wrapped himself tightly, took a sip of hot soup, and finally regained some composure.

He sobbed as he recounted the day's events. Qiu Huanian listened quietly, now and then offering him another sip of soup.

Min Leyi's eyes were somewhat dazed.

"Brother Hua, was I really wrong? Should I apologize?"

Qiu Huanian shook his head.

"You haven't harmed anyone; in fact, you saved someone. How could that be wrong?"

"The matron's advice has its merits, but it doesn't align with your nature. Once you've decided what you want to do, don't doubt yourself."

That matron taught the principle of self-protection. In ancient society, people seemed to be divided into rigid social classes.

But Min Leyi is the kind of person who would stand up for the life of a small cat, unafraid of those in power and unconstrained by so-called norms.

Unless he ceases to be himself, he will never accept the notion that "it was fate for her to die."

Hearing someone support him, Min Leyi slowly exhaled, and his anxious, bewildered heart finally settled.

He took another sip of hot soup, and the pain in his hands shot to his brain, causing him to let out a soft cry.

Qiu Huanian looked at his hands, which had not been treated after being beaten. His palms were swollen, covered in lash marks, some areas scabbed over, and others showing signs of infection.

Qiu Huanian turned to the cabinet and took out a commonly used topical ointment, applying it to Min Leyi's hands.

Having been ill for a long time, Qiu Huanian had practically become a doctor himself from taking daily medications. He kept a small medicine cabinet at home, stocked with various internal and external medicines for different purposes.

Min Leyi winced as he extended his hands, letting Qiu Huanian apply the ointment.

Qiu Huanian spread a thick layer of the ointment, then took out clean strips of white gauze and wrapped his hands.

"You've really suffered, haven't you?"

Qiu Huanian hadn't expected that the Yu family had such a risk-free, high-gain scheme.

Under the guise of a plausible excuse—"fearing Min Leyi might not adapt to the Yu family"—they recommended a matron to teach him.

In reality, they wanted to see if Min Leyi could be shaped into someone they found acceptable. If so, they would proceed with the engagement; if not, they would reject him later.

Min Leyi rubbed his eyes with his heavily bandaged hands.

"The Yu family is an influential family, but not everyone is eager to join them. I'm not after that anyway."

"Anyway, I've already said I won't marry, not even if it kills me. I don't dare go home; the matron will probably lecture me again. Brother Hua, please take me in."

Qiu Huanian shook his head. "I'll have Jin San let Headmaster Min know that you're here, so he won't worry. Get some rest, and we'll talk after you wake up."

Min Leyi had gone through too much today—frustration, anger, and exhaustion—leaving him unable to think clearly.

In ancient society, the rules were strict, and it was difficult for a young man like Min Leyi, with his background, to completely separate from his family and live independently.

Moreover, based on Du Yunse's assessment and his own understanding, Qiu Huanian believed that Headmaster Min Taikang of Qingfeng Academy wasn't completely inflexible.

If Min Leyi had a proper conversation with him, they might be able to resolve the issue.

Min Leyi nodded in agreement.

"Brother Hua, you're the greatest."

"Rest well. I'll have someone get a guest room ready for you."

Cream Frost, who had been sleeping in the cat bed, appeared to hear Min Leyi's voice. She stretched, jumped into the room, and sat down by Min Leyi's feet.

Unable to hold her with his hands, Min Leyi extended his arms, signaling for her to jump up.

Cream Frost jumped into Min Leyi's lap and nestled there.

Min Leyi held her in his arms, pressing his face against her long, soft white fur.

"Good girl, Cream Frost, I was right to save you," Min Leyi murmured. "If I'm wrong, I'll own up to it and fix it, but I won't admit to something I didn't do. Worst case, I'll head back south, stay single, and live a chill life."

"I'm not afraid at all."

Cream Frost meowed back, as if answering him.

...

Min Leyi slept in the guest room at Qiu Huanian's place for the night, and Qiu Huanian lent Min Leyi some of his own clothes to change into and wash.

The next morning, Jiu Jiu and Chun Sheng went to school as usual, and Meng Yuanling also went out.

Lately, Qiu's Six Staples was gearing up to launch a new cooling oil, and he was busy spreading the word and promoting the product, following Qiu Huanian's instructions.

Qiu Huanian woke up late, had breakfast with Min Leyi, helped him change his bandages, and was relieved to see his hands were mostly healed.

"Township Lord, someone has arrived at the door," Jin San reported.

"Who is it this time?"

"A scholar in Qingfeng Academy robes, introducing himself as Yu Min, wants to see Young Master Min."

Min Leyi grew restless, shifting uncomfortably in his seat.

Qiu Huanian frowned, "If you don't wanna see him, I'll just turn him away."